Chapter 238
Samuel. The name echoed in her mind, a question mark hanging in the air. Why would Samuel be calling at such an ungodly hour? The late-night ringtone was akin to a boulder crashing into the serene lake of Layla's heart, stirring up a tempest of emotions.
As the phone continued its shrill cry, Layla found her body trembling, the tremors uncontrollable. She stared at the device, her heart pounding in sync with the ringtone, but she couldn't bring herself to answer. It was only when the screen dimmed into darkness, a strange sense of loss gnawing at her heart, that she finally reached out.
The screen flickered back to life after a brief two-second hiatus. With a shudder, Layla quickly picked up the call. "Samuel, you..."
"So, you're the little bunny, huh?" A young man's voice echoed from the other end, replacing Samuel's familiar tone.
"What little bunny?"
"I'm Samuel's friend, Joseph Sheeran. Remember, we met at the bar that night when you were dressed as a bunny werewolf?"
Memories of the past flashed through Layla's mind, but she quickly shook her head, frowning. "I don't remember."
"I remember you. How could you not remember me? I'm a handsome guy that people can't forget at first glance."
"I'm hanging up."
"Wait. Samuel and I are at the bar, he's drunk and has been calling your name all night."
Layla felt a sharp pang in her heart, as if someone had clenched it in a vice. What was Samuel up to?
"You heard him wrong," she retorted, biting her lip.
"He called your name all night. How could I have heard him wrong? I'm at the bar, come over quickly..."
"I won't go. You should find his fiancee, you've got the wrong person."
"He called your name."
"His fiancee is Nora," Layla retorted, quickly ending the call. If he dared to call again, she'd either hang up immediately or turn off her phone altogether.
The next morning, Layla turned on her phone at seven sharp. A notification popped up, indicating that Joseph Sheeran had called her twice last night. As she was about to set the phone aside, it vibrated violently, startling her. An unfamiliar number flashed on the screen. Hesitant, she answered.
"You turned off your phone all night. Are you heartless? Samuel was taken to the hospital last night because of a fight with someone, all because of you."
'How is he?' Layla was on the verge of blurting it out, but she held back and remained silent.
"You don't even care?"
"That's not something I should be concerned about. Go find his fiancee, his life has nothing to do with me," Layla retorted, her words laced with a bitterness that surprised even her.
"You...how ruthless, Layla! Samuel is now in the VIP3 ward of the hospital. To come or not to come, it's up to you," Joseph spat out.
"I won't go." Layla ended the call.
The phone remained silent for the rest of the morning, but Layla couldn't help but keep glancing at it.
"Who are you waiting for a call from?" Alice asked during lunch.
"No one." Layla quickly stowed her phone back in her bag.
"Holland?" Alice ventured cautiously, "How are you guys? Has he been in touch with you recently?"
"Stop asking me about him."
"Okay, okay. The baby in your belly is going to be a handsome boy. Hehe, in the romantic novels I've read, the CEOs' children are all super cute geniuses with an IQ of 220."
Layla managed a faint smile. "I don't expect him to be that smart. I just hope he's healthy, safe, and happy. That's enough."
That was the wish of every mother.
"Yeah, yeah, he will be healthy and happy. After all, Samuel's genes are very strong."
"I hope so."
Throughout the day, Layla found herself in a perpetual state of distraction, her gaze fixed on the design drawings sprawled before her. Time slipped away unnoticed, and before she knew it, the workday had come to an end.
"Layla, I'm heading out, see you tomorrow," Alice called out, waving her hand in farewell.
"Wait, Alice," Layla responded, her voice tinged with urgency. "Let me take you out for dinner." She needed the distraction, the company. Alone, she feared she might succumb to the urge to visit the hospital.
Alice perked up at the mention of dinner. "Why the sudden generosity?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Didn't I promise to treat you sometime? Are you free tonight?" Layla inquired.
"Absolutely. If you're footing the bill, I'm available every day. Let's go." Alice sauntered over, linking her arm with Layla's in a friendly gesture.
The evening chill led Alice to suggest a Turkish barbecue restaurant. The establishment buzzed with the lively chatter of patrons and the sizzling of grills. Yet, the surrounding mirth and joy did little to distract Layla. Her body might have been present, but her mind was elsewhere.
Alice, in the middle of a hearty laugh after sharing a joke, noticed Layla's lack of response. "Come on, I'm putting so much effort into this, and you're not even listening. It's a great joke."
Layla mustered a forced laugh. She appreciated Alice's attempts to cheer her up, but the heaviness in her heart made it impossible to genuinely share in the laughter.
"You look worn out. Why don't we call it a night? We're almost done eating anyway," Alice suggested.
But Layla couldn't bear the thought of going home. "Let's catch a movie," she proposed.
Alice raised an eyebrow. "Are you really in the mood for a movie?"
"I haven't been to the cinema in a while. I don't want to be alone at home, so will you accompany me?"
"Alright, let's go."
In the midst of the film, as the male lead was beaten and rushed to the hospital to save the female lead, Layla abruptly stood up. "I'm sorry, I have to go," she muttered, grabbing her bag and rushing out.
"Layla..." Alice called out, but Layla had already vanished.
At the hospital, Layla hurriedly exited the elevator, making a beeline for the VIP ward. Suddenly, a hand reached out, grabbing her from behind. Startled, she spun around. "It's you," she said, her eyes meeting Joseph Sheeran's.
Joseph, a cigarette dangling from his lips, looked at her with a displeased expression. "Didn't you say you weren't coming?"
Layla bit her lip. "I was just passing by."
"Heh, women," Joseph scoffed. "Stubborn yet soft-hearted. If you're worried about him, just admit it."
"I don't care if Samuel gets hurt. It's not my responsibility," Layla retorted.
"If it's no big deal, then why are you here?" Joseph countered.
Layla fell silent, struggling to find the right words. After a few seconds, she finally spoke. "What if he dies?"
"Samuel is tough. His injuries aren't serious. The ones who really suffered were the three guys he fought. They're in the ICU. If you had been here last night, he wouldn't have gotten into a fight. You should stay and take care of him."
"That's his fiancee's responsibility," Layla shot back.
Joseph's indifference irked Layla. "So what if you know about his relationship with Nora?" she retorted, her annoyance evident.
Joseph laughed coldly. "It's the modern age. Which wealthy man doesn't have a few women on the side? Samuel's status allows him to support ten or eight women easily."
"Besides, his feelings for you are genuine. If you behave, he can give you everything except marriage."
Layla couldn't help but laugh at Joseph's absurd words. "You're just a scumbag."
Joseph clenched his fist but held back. "You're too spoiled."
"Let me tell you something, Samuel cares about you. If you behave, you and your family can live a more comfortable life than ordinary people," he said, his voice filled with a cold certainty.