Chapter 441
Layla perched on Samuel's lap, her pretty face all scrunched up, lips pouting. "Seriously, who'd be happy being a 400-pound fatty?"
"A little chub's nice; makes hugging and kissing cozier."
"If I got fat, you wouldn't even look at me, let alone hug or kiss." She wasn't buying Samuel's sweet talk; guys care about looks.
"If I wasn't young and pretty, you wouldn't have noticed me in the first place."
Samuel didn't deny it. Sure, he had standards. But if it was just about looks, there were plenty of prettier women around. Not that he'd ever say that out loud-he had a strong survival instinct.
"Yeah, you're the prettiest."
"So, if I get fat, I won't be pretty, and you won't like me anymore." Layla sighed. "But I still have to eat for the baby, so I guess I'll just have to get a bit chubby."
Samuel gently pinched her chin, his eyes soft. "With a face like yours, even if you gain a little weight, you'll still be cute. Don't worry, I'm a top-notch nutritionist now. I'll make sure you don't gain too much."
"That's what you say. If I get so fat I'm unrecognizable, it's on you."
"Deal."
"In a few days, once I quit my job, we won't rent this apartment anymore. Let's move back to the house; it's bigger, and I kind of miss Mr. Morris."
"Good to see you still have a heart. Mr. Morris thinks about you all the time and asks about you every time he calls."
Layla squinted with a smile. "Naturally, everyone adores me. Returning home will surely delight Mr. Morris. I'm excited to dive into the 'pig-raising' stage ahead."
"Silly girl." Samuel chuckled, his hand resting on her small belly, surprised to feel a slight bump that wasn't there a few days ago.
Layla placed her hand over his. "You can feel the bump now, right? It's amazing, like it grew overnight. I'm pretty slim, so it's late for the baby bump to show. Feeling it makes everything more real."
"Before, I didn't really feel like a mom, but now, touching my belly, I can feel the baby growing day by day. It's such a wonderful feeling. They say it's good to have kids while you're young; the baby will be healthy."
"Of course, with my genes." Samuel said, not modest at all.
"If it's a boy, he'll be a heartbreaker." Layla said, secretly hoping for a handsome son who'd charm many girls.
"It's not a boy; it's a girl."
Layla's eyes widened. "How do you know? Did you ask the doctor?"
"I hope it's a girl."
She was startled.
Layla, both amused and annoyed, slapped him. "No wonder they say dads prefer daughters. I hope it's a boy."
"Girls are better."
"What if we can only have one..."
"A girl." Samuel answered without hesitation.
"Then who will inherit the Holland Group?"
"Who says a girl can't ? My daughter will be better than any man." Samuel said confidently, "I'll honor her choices. If she wants business, I'll mentor her. If not, she can be carefree, and I'll pamper her like a princess."
Layla sighed. "I can already see our daughter being spoiled rotten by you."
"Why have a daughter if you don't spoil her?" Samuel said, all righteous.
"What if it's a boy?"
"Of course, we'll raise him well too, so he can take care of his sister."
Layla was stunned.
The difference in treatment was too obvious, and Layla couldn't help but laugh.
"So, daughters are treasures, and sons are weeds? Luckily, they have me to spoil them."
As they chatted, imagining the future with their baby, Layla's excitement bubbled over. She had never felt so alive. In six months, their love would bring a small, adorable life into the world-a sacred and joyous event.
"I'll cherish these six months," Layla said, her slightly rounded belly filled with light and hope. She would treasure every moment, including the phase of the baby inside her belly.
"For now, don't cherish the baby, cherish me."
Samuel stood up, and Layla clung to him like a rag doll.
"Where are you going?"
"Fulfilling my promise from last night."
"What promise?"
"Stop it, I don't want to."
"You beast."
"Samuel..."
Her screams gradually turned into soft gasps.
Morning.
In the break room, Layla rubbed her sore neck.
Although Samuel claimed to have held back last night, it had been too long since they last saw each other, and it was still intense, leaving her body aching all over.
A little milk would help.Layla opened the overhead cabinet, struggling on her tiptoes, when a chest suddenly pressed against her back.
The sudden intimacy startled her, making her hair stand on end.
"What are you doing?" Layla quickly turned and pushed.
But she couldn't push him away.
Brian remained half-pressed against her, reaching above her head to casually take down the milk, handing it to her with a smile. "Just getting you some milk. Why are you so tense? Are you too sensitive?"
He had clearly brushed against her; it wasn't her being sensitive.
Layla knew this well but didn't want to curse too harshly. "Stay away from me."
"Helping you and getting scolded? No good deed goes unpunished."
Layla slapped away the milk he handed her. "I don't need it."
"Is that how you treat your boss? Seems inappropriate."
"I've already resigned."
"Twenty-two days left."
Mentioning the days made Layla even more annoyed and irritable. "I'll complete the handover in four days."
Brian leaned in too close, almost pressing her forehead against his suit, leaving her no room to escape. All she could see was his chest, and all she could breathe was his scent, making her feel like a ticking bomb, ready to slap him like a rogue.
"Move."
Brian didn't budge, instead enjoying her anger, until he suddenly noticed the marks on her neck.
Brian's eyes turned sharp, and he grabbed her neck.
"What are you doing?" Layla winced in pain. His behavior was like that of a madman.
"Did he leave these?"
"What are you talking about? Let go of me." Layla twisted her neck, pushing his hand, but he tightened his grip.
"Did you have sex with that man last night?" Brian's eyes were blazing.
"Yes, I had sex with my boyfriend. It's normal. What does it have to do with you? Let go of me."
"You... slut."