Chapter 32
” No, I don’t really do. I just want to show her my sincere appreciation. She had helped me with my wallet I had misplaced ” He explained and Mr Cyrus let out a smile. Tho it was the total opposite of what he was expecting, but he’s glad one of his workers had left a great impression to this great millionaire.
” She’s not really here today, but you could come around tomorrow or another day. She would be around, you could thank her properly then ” Mr Cyrus said and Shane nodded with a little chuckle. He’s well aware of Mr Cyrus tactics. They’re both business owners and he clearly understand the concept of trying to get an investor invest a business. It’s the sane tactic Mr Cyrus is trying to use on him.
” I will do so then ” He said and Mr Cyrus smiled. He bowed a little before walking away excitedly and scolding the workers to get to work and attend to the seemingly endless customers who kept trooping in all because of the millionaires in their midst.
****
* Next day *
” Shane came? ” Layla asked unbelievably and Mr Cyrus nodded. ” Oh, he didn’t say a thing to me ” She muttered silently. ” So, do you perhaps know him? ” Mr Cyrus asked to be sure but Layla shook her head.
” No I don’t ” She lied and Mr Cyrus nodded thoughtfully. ” Alright then. You can go back to your post ” He said, walking away. Layla sighed a little as she bit her lips, regretting that she wasn’t present when he came.
She had missed him so badly, her head his filled about thoughts of him. ” What did he say? ” Mirah asked Layla as she got to her. ” He said Shane was here yesterday evening and he asked of me ” She explained. Mirah raised her brows.
” Really? ” She asked surprisingly and Layla let out a nod. ” Wow, he now comes out often ” She said still in suprise. ” Yeah I guess. It’s rare seeing him attend unofficial occasions ” Layla replied, sitting on one of the chairs available at the counter.
” He came here with Alec? ” Mirah asked and she nodded.
” Do you think he would be here today again? ” Mirah whispered to Layla.
” I don’t really know. Let’s just forget about this and get back to work ” She said and Mirah nodded supportively.
****
* Shane’s office *
” Tina, I warned you against disturbing me while I’m seriously busy attending to this seemingly endless files ” Shane said as he heard someone pushed the door open, he never raised his head and he took a quick guess it was Tina. Truly, it was.
” I’m really sorry sir. I felt it was important ” She apologized slowly. Shane let out a sigh and looked up at her. ” It’s fine, bring it ” He said and Tina handed over the file to him.
He accessed it for a while and he let out a loud hiss. ” Give this to Claus to handle. I have other important things to do ” Shane and Tina nodded and walked out without hesitation.
It was actually Bryan who had sent a threatening letter, he had refused to terminate the contact with Lancaster Enterprise and Bryan is angry about it.
His phone rang and he clicked on the green button and placed the phone by his ear without checking whom the caller was.
” Shane? ” Her Tiny voice came out in a whisper. He was a bit suprised as he brought the phone away from his ear and looked at the phone’s screen to see whom the caller was.
” Layla ” He muttered to the phone, placing it back by his ear. ” Hi ” She muttered and he let out a smile. ” How are you? ” He asked. ” I’m fine.. ” She said shortly.
” I actually happened to stop by,, at the coffee shop where you work but you weren’t around ” Shane said. ” Um.. yeah, I was about saying that. Mr Cyrus said you came by and asked of me ” She said slowly.
” Mr Cyrus?, You mean the shop owner? ” He asked to be sure. ” Yeah.. him ” Layla replied. ” Yeah, we actually came to grab a cup of coffee and I was just wondering where you were cause I could see you neither Mirah ” He said and he heard her mutter a inaudible * oh *.
” Wait, did I say anything wrong? ” Shane asked confusedly and worriedly. He noticed the change in her voice. ” Nah, it’s nothing. I should go now ” She said and before he could say a word, she hanged up. He has a confused look on as he slowly brought the phone away from his ear.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
Did he say anything wrong?, Is she angry?, Her voice sounded different when he talked. Did she pick his words offensive?
He wouldn’t stop thinking and sighing at different intervals. He should go see her at the coffee shop again tomorrow.
He stared at her contact again. ” I didn’t do anything wrong right? ” He asked himself in a mutter. He scrolled through his phone his eyes caught Brielle’s contact in the message app. He clicked on it and began scrolling through their chats.
They hardly text each other ever since they graduated from college. They hardly had time for themselves, or let’s say it’s just Brielle. She’s always busy with her company work or she’s either helping her parents out with their business. It’s always either of the two.
But they were so in love with each other. Brielle really loved Shane, but it’s just that she puts her business first before any other thing. It seems it’s the case right now too. She’s active in her business life but doesn’t have time for him.
He’s not even sure about his feelings right now. He’s not sure if he’s badly missing her or not. It’s just that Layla comes into his thoughts more frequently than her.
He dropped his phone with a short sigh. He turned his attention back to the files in front of him and continued tending to them.
****
* The Girl’s Apartment *
” You called him? ” Mirah asked Layla, walking into their room with a mug in her hand. ” Yeah ” Layla replied with a nodded without looking up. She was working on her assignments, laying her chest on the bed, her back upwards.
” So?, What was his response? ” Mirah asked, joining Layla on the bed after dropping the mug by the bedstand.
” He only dropped by to get a cup of coffee and not to see me ” She replied straight up without looking up.
” Oh ” Mirah muttered and sat up from the bed. She grabbed the mug sitted on the bed stand and stretched it over to Layla. ” Here… I made you a coffee ” She said.
Layla dropped her pen and faced her. ” Thanks ” She uttered as she collected the mug from her with a smile. She brought it closer to her lips and sipped out of it.
” Hmmm… It’s hot and nice ” She commented, moving it away from her mouth.
” I know ” Mirah said in a sarcastic tone and Layla let out a chuckle as she grabbed the mug again and sipped a little out of it.
She dropped the mug and noticed Mirah’s stare on her. ” What? ” She asked, looking at her. ” It’s been long since you smiled that bright ” Mirah said with a chuckle.
” Really?, I thought I do smile these days ” Layla asked and Mirah let out a scoff. ” Nah, I found out long ago that they’re fake ” She responded and Layla released a short laugh.
” Well, I’m fine now ” She replied. Mirah raised her brows. ” You sure?, Or you still got Shane occupying your head? ” She asked almost in a tease. ” I’m fine now really. I’m accepting the fact that I never belonged to Shane and I’m never belonging to him. He has a wife and I’ll respect that ” She said and Mirah was suprised a bit, but at the same time she’s glad.
” Wow. That’s great, I really hope it stands like that. I hate seeing you sad ” Mirah said with a pout. ” I promise you then ” Layla said, turning to her with a sincere look on.
” Aww. Thanks ” Mirah said with a baby look and Layla let out a chuckle.
****
* Mocha’s Coffee Shop *
” Do you think she’s around today? ” Alec asked Shane. They were still seated in the car by the parking lot. ” I don’t really know. I didn’t inform her I was coming ” Shane replied.
” We should go check if she’s around then ” Alec said and Shane nodded. With this, they got down from the car and made their way into the coffee shop.
T B C