Chapter 84

"How is that even possible?" Layla was stunned. She vividly remembered Jennie beaming with happiness the very next morning.

"Why would I lie to you? Much as I wish it were different, the boss was there for two minutes that night and left without even having a drink. You were there the following evening-you're the one who drove him home. Tell me, how can he show zero interest when I'm throwing myself at him like that? What if he's into guys?" Jennie asked, her confusion evident as she struggled to come to terms with her successive rejections.

So, his claim that he hadn't touched Jennie was true?

Layla frowned.

But what of it? He hadn't been with Jennie, yet he was engaged to be married.

No matter which way you cut it, he was a jerk.

...

At noon, Layla and Alice were having lunch in the company cafeteria.

Layla's appetite had been off ever since she got pregnant, and today's chicken curry was a tad too rich for her liking. Just the smell of it made her feel queasy, and she quickly covered her mouth.

"Have you been to the doctor? Could you be pregnant?" Alice whispered.

"I've gone; it's just a stomach issue," Layla murmured while pretending to sip water. "I might be wearing myself too thin these days."

"You didn't stay up working on the designs again last night, did you? You're really pushing yourself. But if I were you, I'd be doing the same. Mr. Marley is counting on you right now, and you've got to seize the opportunity. Look at me, six months in the company and still just an assistant, while you, merely two weeks in, are almost on par with the designers. Keep your head in the game, okay? Nothing should derail your career at this point, not even boyfriends. Focus solely on your job."

Layla nodded.

As long as Samuel stopped pestering her and she handled her pregnancy, her life would get back on track. She didn't want to think about love for years to come.

"Did you catch this morning's news?" Alice handed Layla her phone.

Front-page headline: The Hollands and another wealthy family meet up-wedding date drawing near.

Nora looked stunning even in a candid shot, whereas there was only a photo of Samuel's back.

Layla's appetite vanished completely. What was so imperfect in his life with a fiancée like that that he kept bugging her? Did men just love to play the fool? Did all men think the grass was greener on the other side?

Psh, she was no wildflower.

"Now that the parents met, the wedding can't be far off. The CEO and Miss Eilish are such a perfect match; they're truly made for each other, don't you think?" Alice sighed with envy.

Layla listlessly poked at her rice, not bothering to respond.

"Do you mind if I join you?" A warm male voice came from overhead.

"Mr. Marley." Alice's eyes lit up. "Please, have a seat."

"Thank you." Nathan settled beside Layla.

"Eating so little?"

"It's a full meal, isn't it?" Layla retorted. Did he think of her as some overeater?

Alice got a call from her boss and took off early.

"You look like you've been in a brawl with those dark circles under your eyes. Did you not sleep well last night? It wasn't because of what I said, was it?"

"Huh? What did you say?" They had talked about a lot of things yesterday, and Layla couldn't remember them all.

"Do you always have to be so nonchalant? I meant treating me like a real man."

There was something earnest in Nathan's gaze that gave Layla a tingling sensation on her scalp. "I think things are going pretty well as they are. You are..."

"If you dare say I'm just a respected supervisor again, I swear I'll lose it," Nathan said with a feigned stern look.

But Layla thought of him as indeed just that.

"Am I that terrifying? You can't even look at me while talking. Alright, I'll stop teasing you, so you don't bolt every time you see me." Nathan didn't want to pressure her; they could take things slow. He was confident in his charm.

But he was puzzled about what he truly wanted.

Did he want her to like him? That would be complicated - office romances weren't his thing.

Yet, he found his gaze involuntarily drawn to her, more and more often.

He should've been in Germany today, a half-month business trip he had postponed.

This was new to him; he didn't really understand what he was feeling. But he decided to let things happen naturally; he'd always been one to follow his heart and never hold back.

"That's not gonna happen. I need you for the company retreat," Layla replied with relief, cracking a joke to lighten the mood.

As Samuel walked into the restaurant, his eyes were nearly blinded by that radiant grin. It seemed as intense as the glow of an incandescent bulb.

He knew it - she was close with Nathan; they were having lunch together. Were they as inseparable as conjoined twins?

The moment Samuel stepped into the restaurant, Layla felt as though she was pierced by a blade of ice.

Sharp and penetrating in a split second.

But she was her own person - couldn't she have lunch with Nathan if she wished?

With that thought, Layla suppressed her unease and continued chatting with Nathan.

When Samuel's nonchalant figure walked past her, she didn't even flinch. Her eyes were fixed solely on Nathan.

"Wow, what brings the CEO to the staff cafeteria today?"

"He's so good-looking!"

"Sigh... All we can do is stare. The CEO is getting married soon. He's going to be somebody else's husband."

"Miss Eilish must have saved a galaxy in her past life."

"She's so flawless; I can't even muster up any jealousy."

...

Layla paused, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing, just think you're acting a bit odd," Nathan chuckled.

"What's odd?"

"I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe talking a lot?" It seemed like she was trying to fill the air with words deliberately.

"If you think I'm noisy, I'll just stop talking."

"No, I love listening to you."

"I'm heading upstairs to do some drawing," Layla said while picking up her dinner plate to leave.

"Watch out-" Nathan's warning came just a split second too late.

Her plate collided with Mr. Holland's suit, causing a few drops of curry to stain his sleeve.

Layla's heart skipped a beat-this was bad!

Even though she often fantasized about tossing her drink in Samuel's face, doing it at the office, under the scrutiny of so many eyes, was suicide.

Panicking, she blurted out, "I'm so sorry, Mr. Holland; I'll take it to the cleaners for you."

"How can you be so careless? Will it ever be the same after washing?" Snapped a portly executive, the anger evident in his voice.

"It's just a suit. Mr. Holland wouldn't fuss over a staff incident," Nathan interjected with a diplomatic smile.

Had Nathan stayed quiet, Mr. Holland might have let it go, but now, he reconsidered. His icy gaze shifted to Nathan, "What if I choose to make an issue of it?"

His words hung heavy in the air.

Everyone knew Mr. Holland as a reserved but generous man-the generous employee benefits his staff enjoyed were proof. It seemed unlike him to lose his temper over such a triviality.

But Samuel continued, "Clumsy and reckless. Today it's me, tomorrow a client. Is an apology enough when you offend a client?"

His logic struck a chord with the onlookers. It was her fault for being careless, after all.

Nathan's eyes darkened, but his smile lingered, "Then I'll compensate you on her behalf."

"Hah," Samuel scoffed with derision, "And in what capacity would you make amends for her?"