Layla'S POV
I looked at Viktor and his eyes were as soft as silk. His entire face looked transformed. There was no single trace of anger or sharp edges of the man who frightened me the previous night.
I saw remorse. A one that showed off his boyishness. For a moment, I wondered what exactly he was apologising for.
He stepped forward to me. "Layla, baby," he slid his hands into mine and guided me into the room from the doorway like I was too fragile to do it myself.
He pushed the chair slowly and ushered me in. "I promise you today, I'll never raise my voice ever at you again.
I heard my heart quivering. I lost my resolve under the tenderness of his voice. Every piece of anger in me went away like that.
Then I whispered,
"Viktor..." struggling to finish my thoughts.
He pressed a kiss on my forehead.
Sweetness took over the remaining part of the night. Soft laughter and many whispered apologies followed. Viktor held me as though I was his anchor in a storm and just like that, the memories of the previous night were erased and replaced.
Days followed and one morning after Viktor had left for the office I found myself staring at my closet mirror, wondering if I had stepped foot in the company after becoming Mrs CEO. Saying that title in my head alone was melodious..
Today, I needed to make an appearance at a place where I found Viktor.
I didn't tell him, I wanted it to be a surprise.
When I arrived at the company, heads turned immediately and my car pulled up. I carefully let my heels click against the pavement. My fragrance made a loud announcement. The attention Layla commanded wasn't one that was begged, I could feel the ripple my presence caused as I walked through the lobby.
Then I opened the door to Viktor's office and I found Chloe.
Same Chloe, but this time, she wasn't in my man's arms, she was at his mercy.
She looked absolutely worn down. The moment her eyes met mine, shame painted her face pale then she dropped her gaze to the floor.
I walked past her without a word. My focus was on Viktor who looked like I carried a thunder storm.
"Layla?" He called out in surprise.
I ignored the flicker of panic in his eyes. "What is she doing here?" I asked, tilting my chin towards Chloe.
Viktor dropped cold instantly. "She's asking for a job."
Before I could say one more word, Chloe dropped to her knees. The thud turned our attention immediately.
He clasped her hands, trembling,
"Please Layla, Mr Douglas.... help me. I just need to work, please."
"There's no place for you here." Viktor responded with a hardened expression. "Leave before I change my mind and make sure you don't get any job anywhere in this city."
The hardness of his tone made me shiver. Chloe flinched in the utmost strike. I just stood silent for moments wondering if all of it was about me, if all the cruelty Viktor exhumed towards Julian and Chloe was for my sake or there was something more.
"Viktor," Layla said softly, breaking the heavy silence. He raised his eyes to meet mine. "Spare her. Whatever it is she has done, don't be a reason she suffers like this. "
He sat silent, studying me hard and long. Then he gave a strange and an almost amused smile.
"For my wife's sake," he paused as though he wanted to make sure the words filled the air, "I'll see what I can do."
I could see Chloe's face lit, but something shifted the moment she rose to her feet. Just before she turned to leave, her eyes locked with mind. It lasted for a second but it was so readable. It carried a strange sharp look that clenched my stomach.
----
Day's later, Viktor and I graced a gala.
Cameras flashed the second we stepped out of the car. I could feel envy dripping as the woman watched us walk in with my hand in Viktor's.
Layla almost forgot the world until her eyes caught up with Julian across the room.
Our eyes met instantly. His eyes burned with rage, Viktor noticed my stiffness and leaned in whispering, "I'll be right back." His hands squeezed mine before releasing it. "There's someone I need to speak to."
He stepped away.
Then it happened suddenly like a flash.
A server brushed past me with an unusual speed and her tray was wobbling. "Oh, I'm so sorry!" She gasped as a glass of wind tipped forward splashing across my dress.
The liquid seeped into the fabric and stained it instantly.
"What the hell--" I gasped but before I could finish, she vanished into the crowd.
Suddenly my attention shifted from my dress. Something about her was dangerously familiar.