Taken By The Arrogant Billionaire

“Here. Have some water”

Layla grabbed it with shaky hands and downed it. She had suddenly screamed earlier when she saw a truck, pointing at it continuously, but it was on the other side of the road. Nowhere near them. Valerie didn’t know what to feel or was feeling at that moment. The Layla she pictured in her mind was a stubborn and rebellious, defiant and decision woman. She had never seen her this way. Scared. Completely terrified.

“Are you okay? Should I get you more?”

“No. It’s fine” Valerie put the cup away.

“Now can you tell me what is going on with you?”

“Going on with me? There is nothing going on with me Valerie, I just had….. nevermind”

“You will not tell me the truth? You know you can trust me. Always”

“Well….. you see….. I tend to have this fear of large vehicles. Whenever I see them, I feel like they might run into me anytime. I know it is a crazy ph… phobia, b…but, that is how I feel” she took deep breaths to calm her nerves. Valerie asked no further questions and simply embraced her.

“It’s okay” she lightly patted her back.

************

Valerie stepped outside after another stressful day at work. She took a deep breath and was ready to walk on when she was stopped by someone. A lady.

“How may I help you?”

“Are you Miss Gardner?”

“And you are?”

“My madam will like to see you?”

“Your madam? Who is that?”

“See for yourself ” she pointed at the café which they were facing. She entered and found herself face-to-face with Jane.

“Why do you want to see me, ma’am?”

“Have a seat. I will not beat around the bush” she reached for her purse and brought out an invitation card. She slid it to her.

“It is an invitation card” she smiled. “To my and Jared’s wedding….. no, engagement. But I assure you the wedding will come soon” Valerie furrowed her brows.

“Why are you giving me this?” She even came personally. Was it to gloat? Of course not. Why would she? She did not know that Jared was hitting on her….. wait, did she?

Valerie searched her eyes, and everything in her expression screamed mockery.

She forced a smile. “Thank you for the kind gesture”

Jane smirked. “I will take my leave now” she left the café.

Valerie stared at the card. The ceremony was happening on Thursday, just three days from now.

She placed her hands on her chest. “Valerie. What are you doing? What is wrong with you? Why am I feeling this way?” The more she stared at the item in her hand, the more heartache she felt.

She went home feeling extremely down.

“You are not going to eat anything? I can make whoopie pies if you want”

“I’m okay. Goodnight” Layla quickly went to block her way.

“What is wrong?”

“Nothing”

“Of course there is something, so out with it”

“I do not want to talk about it!” She suddenly screamed. The house became silent. There was no sound except Valerie’s loud and constant breathing.

“Oh. If you are this pissed off, then it must be something serious. Just say it”

“Move aside Layla”

“I do not want to. Come on Valerie. Talk to me”

Valerie slowly massaged her temple before going back to the living room, being followed closely by Layla.

“The thing is…”

“Wait. Did your boss really fire you?”

“No, he didn’t”

“I knew it. So what happened?”

“I met with Jane today”

“Jane? Who is that?”

“My boss’s… fiancée”

“What! What did she say? Did she do something to you? Did she hurt you? Did she-”

“Calm down and hear me out” Layla nodded. “She gave me an invitation card ” she brought it out and gave it to her.

“She wants you to come to the ceremony?” Valerie nodded. “What for? It is not like you are close”

Valerie, of course, wasn’t going to tell her the reason. “If you do not want to go, it is your choice. You can choose not to, so why are you in such a mood?”

“Nothing… I…I just -”

“Hold on!” Layla said, standing up. Her hand balled into a fist with only the index finger raised. “Are you like this because you cannot stand him getting engaged? Because you like him?”

“Li… like him? Layla, what are you saying? I do not like my boss. Please don’t misunderstand” she looked away. Your mouth says one thing but your actions and expression say otherwise”

“I’m off to my room. Goodnight” she sidestepped Layla and went to her room. She only let out the breath she did not know she was holding when she reached the safety of her room. Layla collapsed on the chair. She only hope her theory was very wrong. One was already married to a Smith. She couldn’t let the other one…. If she did, she was sure that it was game over for her. They were going to find her.

The preparation for Jane’s engagement was underway. One who was clueless would think it was a wedding. The bride-to-be was radiant with smiles while the groom-to-be was working his ass off, burying himself in it to prevent himself from thinking about the ceremony which was to happen in two days.

“Boss, you should go home”

“You go. I am not done yet”

“Are you going to pull an all-nighter… again? You shouldn’t punish yourself like this. If you are not interested in this marriage, then call it off. It’s not too late. This will lead you nowhere”

“Go home, Will. It is an order as your boss”

Will nodded “Alright then. Goodnight”

His phone rang, and he picked up after thirty seconds of deliberation.

“What now, Grandfather?”

“Little bastard! That is no way to speak to your grandfather. Anyway, you should come home tonight. Special guests are joining us. And don’t you dare give excuses, or I will hit you in the balls with my stick!”

Jared ended the call and went to stand before the floor-to-ceiling window, staring at the lights that illuminated the city.

“Welcome, young master” the butler took his clothes and he headed straight to the living room.

“There you are. What took you so long?” His grandfather said. Sandy was present, but Dylan wasn’t. Jane came to him with a smile and attempted to hold his hand, but he quickly avoided it. Jane forced an awkward smile and looked around, making sure no one saw.

“Jared, meet my parents. Peter and Zoey Anderson. Mum, Dad. This is my fiancé, Jared Smith”

“Hello son. Nice to meet you” Jared respectfully accepted the handshake. Doing the same to Mrs Anderson.

“How fortunate. My daughter found herself a very handsome man” Mrs Smith laughed. The couple looked decent and gentle in every way. A total opposite of their two-faced daughter.

“Since everyone is here now, let’s go to the dining table” Mrs Smith said and helped a very pregnant Sandy up.

“Oh, right!” Old Smith suddenly turned to Sandy. “Where is your husband? I told him he must be here”This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“He planned to, but something happened at the last minute, and he had to attend to it”

Mrs Smith sighed. “That boy. He should not have left you alone in this condition”

“I understand him, Mother. It’s the nature of his work”

“Poor child. Let’s sit” They had barely started eating when the butler rushed in.

He wasn’t the type to be flustered by things, but now he was.

“What is it, Gomez?”

“Master, it is young master Dylan”

“What happened to him?”

“He had an accident!”