Chapter 427

Layla: [I quit.]

After typing these four words on her phone, Layla hesitated before hitting send. It would be better to tell Samuel in person. They had a small misunderstanding before because he misinterpreted her intentions. She wanted to make it clear to him face-to-face that she was doing this willingly, without any threats or resentment.

Besides, she still had a week left for the handover. It would be better to wait until her actual resignation day to tell Samuel.

On the other hand, Layla felt a bit of girlish pride. He hadn't sent her a single message since last night, and he didn't reply to the one she sent this morning. Why should she be so eager to please him? Didn't she have any self-respect?

Determined, she deleted the message and put her phone back in her pocket.

Turning around, she saw Brian walk into the break room.

Layla opened her mouth, hesitating whether to greet him; but as soon as she saw Brian's cold face, her courage vanished. She swallowed her words, picked up her cup, and walked out of the break room.

Brian heavily placed his coffee cup down, gripping the handle tightly. His furrowed brows revealed his frustration and unwillingness.

By the end of the day, she had only completed a small part of the handover work and would have to continue tomorrow.

After work, Layla found a nearby fast-food restaurant for dinner.

While waiting for her food, she couldn't help but take out her phone again. She had promised herself not to look, not to wait for his message, but she couldn't help it and sighed at the screen.

Samuel knew she was waiting for his message, and he was deliberately not replying, wasn't he?

Fine, if he had the guts, he should never reply. Who was afraid of whom?

Layla pouted.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, Layla turned around and saw Brian walk in. For a moment, their eyes met, and he paused for a second. But then, he looked away indifferently and walked in, as if he didn't recognize her.

The restaurant owner immediately called out, "Hey sir, your girlfriend is over here."

"Sir?"

However, Brian acted as if he didn't hear, finding a seat far away.

The owner awkwardly glanced at Layla, who shook her head and smiled back.

The owner asked, "Did you two have a fight?"

Layla replied, "No."

The owner said, "You young folks always like to bicker. It would be so much better if each of you took a step back. Look at you two, a handsome guy and a beautiful girl, such a good-looking pair. The last time you came in, I told my husband how well-matched you were..."

"He's my boss," Layla interrupted the owner's chatter.

The owner uttered, "Your boss? I thought he liked you from the way he looked at you. He's usually so aloof, but when he talks to you, his face lights up with a smile. I thought you two were a couple."

Layla said, "I'm a bit hungry."

The owner apologized, "Sorry, I'll get your food right away."

Layla kept her back to Brian and didn't look back.

When the food was served, the owner whispered, "That handsome guy ordered the same rainbow pasta as you, just like last time."

Layla didn't respond, taking out her phone to check it again.

The screen was still dark.

Pouting, she thought, 'Fine, if he doesn't want to reply, I won't care. I won't check my phone again.'

Determined, Layla shoved her phone deep into her bag, resolute not to look at it.

Just as she was finishing her meal, a commotion erupted behind her.

Brian was shoving a fat man, who angrily grabbed Brian's collar with both hands. "You punk, what kind of attitude is that? Apologize to me."

Brian, towering over the fat man, looked down at him coldly. "Let go."

The fat man said, "Apologize!"

"Let go," Brian warned a second time.

The fat man threw a punch, but Brian blocked it and, moving faster, landed a punch on the man's face.

"You dare hit me? I'll fight you!" The fat man lunged, and the two started brawling.

At night.

Brian walked out of the police station and paused when he saw Layla waiting under a tree at the entrance.

Layla asked, "Are you okay?"

Brian was silent for a few seconds, ignored her, and turned to walk down the main road.

Layla said, "Your face is injured."

Brain uttered, "None of your business."

She said, "I bought you some medicine."

"I said, I don't need your help." Brian walked even faster.

Layla jogged to catch up with him. "Brian ." she grabbed his arm. "Stop being stubborn and apply the medicine."

"I don't need your pity." Brian pulled his hand away, every pore of his body rejecting her.

Layla said, "It's not pity, it's just..."

Brain interrupted her, "Just what? You want to say we're friends again?"

Layla uttered, "Even if you don't consider me a friend, we're still colleagues."

"You've already resigned." Brian reminded her.

"But I haven't officially left yet, so we're still colleagues."

Brain's words cut deep, "Enough with the 'colleague' excuse. You're always playing the saint, aren't you? Pretending to be a friend, overly friendly with guys. Is this your standard act with every man? Isn't that hypocritical? Does your boyfriend even know?"

Layla said, "I only care about my friends; I don't think there's anything wrong with that."

"There is! It's because of this that you made me misunderstand. We had such a good time talking, and you didn't realize I liked you at all?" Brain said.

Layla shook her head. "I was just happy to be appreciated. I thought you felt the same."

"You're really naive." Brian shook his head and looked at a distant car with a smile. "I don't believe there's such a naive woman."

The implication was that Layla was deliberately pretending.

"Whatever." Layla handed him the medicine. "Take this and apply it yourself. Don't get into fights anymore."

"Do you think I'm being unreasonable?" Brian didn't take the medicine. He had avoided looking at her earlier, but now he turned his gaze to her, with a hint of self-mockery.

"I don't want to be so closed-minded. It's not just you; I despise myself as well, feeling like a failure. I tried to brush it off, to keep our boss-subordinate dynamic normal, but I couldn't. I've come to see I care about you more than I realized," Brian confessed, his emotions stirring.

Layla said, "Mr. Evans, we..."

Brain continued, "I understand if you think we haven't known each other long. It surprises me too. I've crossed paths with many women, yet none have sparked even a flicker in me, except you. I believed my heart was numb until these feelings for you crashed in like a tidal wave, terrifyingly intense. I'm like a person caught in a stormy sea, unable to steer. My actions and words are beyond my grasp. These emotions govern me, leading me to lash out, to be petty and envious, to turn bitter and harsh."

Brian clenched his fingers. "I know it's a long shot, but I still want to ask, would you give me a chance?"