A Deal With The Millionaire

” I just couldn’t help but pity her ” He muttered. ” And that’s why I said you’ve changed. This is not you. The old you would sack her immediately without listening to her excuses. Layla really did a great job ” Alec said. Shane let out a smile at the mention of Layla.

” You’re even smiling at the mention of her name ” Alec teased and Shane smiled more widely.

” So, how’s Ann? ” Shane asked. ” Well.. she’s fine. I’m planning to propose to her soon ” He replied and Shane nodded in support. ” Yeah, you should do that. You’re getting old already ” He teased and Alec laughed out so loud.

” Yeah I am ” He muttered.

****

” Are you okay with the pay? ” Mirah asked Layla as they both walked out of the cafe shop. They had just closed in school and branched at the cafe shop near the school to get a job.

” Yeah, tho the pay is not as much as our previous job’s, but I’m okay with it ” She replied as she got into the driver’s seat in their mini car while Mirah entered the passenger’s seat.

They bought the car some days ago strictly for school. Mirah nodded, ” Yeah, I’m also okay with the pay ” She added as Layla ignited the engine and drove off.

Layla parked into the mini parking space outside their apartment and they both made their way inside the apartment.

” Today was hectic as hell ” Mirah states and Layla nodded in support. ” Yeah, it’s just our first day and I’m stressed out already, I don’t know what else is left in store for us ” Layla added.

” Did Shane call? ” Mirah asked when she noticed Layla was glancing at her phone at several intervals.

” No he didn’t. He has stopped calling ever since then. I guess he’s fed up of us already. He gave us what he promised, I think it’s time for us to move on and live our lives without him. Yeah, I’ll do just that ” Layla muttered.

” You do just that. The earlier you realize that, the better it is for both of us. He’s married and I really think we should adhere to what the contract says ” Mirah added and Layla nodded.

” Yeah, we should just live our normal lives like before. A struggling life without a millionaire to be at our aid ” She muttered and walked away into the room while Mirah followed behind.

***

” Did you see that hot guy? ” Mirah asked as they worked on their assignment.

” Hot guy? ” Layla asked without looking up. Her attention was based on the work before her.

” Yeah, I couldn’t help but stare at him all through, he’s so damn handsome ” Mirah muttered, still focused on writing.

” Well, I didn’t see no one. I was only focused on the teacher. It has been our dreams for months now to go to college and now we’re achieving that dream right now. I have to concentrate so hard on studying and it mustn’t flop ” Layla stated and Mirah let out a scoff.

” You’re so boring ” She muttered and Layla let out a chuckle.

” I’m done ” Layla gushed dropping her pen and stretching her hands. ” Same here ” Mirah also added as she dropped hers too.

Her phone beeped from where she had placed it. She turned to Mirah to see if they both had the same thoughts. ” Shane? ” Mirah spoke out first.

” I don’t think so ” Layla replied tho she’s secretly hoping it’s him. She took her phone swiftly and inhaled deeply as she clicked on the message notification.

Disappointedly, her mom’s name appeared on the screen instead. ” It’s mom ” She said and from her tone, once could notice a hint of sadness in it.

” Happy Resumption dear. My regards to Mirah ” She read out to Mirah’s hearing.

” Oh ” Was all Mirah could say. Layla was about dropping her phone when another notification popped in. She clicked on it and she felt butterflies in her tummy and unconsciously released a smile. ” Happy Schooling Sweetie ” She read inwardly. It was from Shane. At least he remembered them today. It’s been a week ever since he saved Layla from Allen and ever since then, he hasn’t called.

It’s not like it’s his duty to do so anyways. They got the news that he resumed work properly today and rumors had it that Brielle might have resumed work too since she’s a workaholic. And that’s making them wonder if these two are back together.

” You’ve been smiling for almost two minutes now. You care to tell me what’s wrong? ” Mirah asked, snapping Layla out of her trance.

” Um yeah. Shane.. he texted ” She replied standing up. She walked away almost immediately, leaving no room for the two to talk.

” Should I text him back? ” Layla asked herself. She typed a reply anyways. ” Thanks ” She sent him a reply and awaited his reply but got none. After waiting for minutes but got no reply, she switched off the phone and sleep took her over.

***

* Next Morning *

” Wakey wakey ” Mirah tapped Layla and she let out a groan before forcing her eyes to open. ” I thought we are not having a class till 2pm? ” Layla queried.

Mirah let out a scoff as she moved away from her. ” Of course, but we’ve got a job now.. and we have to work ” She replied and threw a dress at Layla’s face.

” Go take your bath and wear that. We’re almost running late ” Mirah told her before walking out of their room.

Layla groaned as a sharp headache hit her head. She grabbed her phone and after switching it on, she scrolled up to see if she’ve got any messages. But she got none. Seems he didn’t reply anyways.

With this, she walked away to the bathroom.

****

* Kent’s Enterprise *

” Morning sir ”

” Good Morning sir ”

” Morning ” Shane would reply in between the greetings as he made his way to the elevator with Claus beside him.

They entered the elevator and only the ticking sound of the elevator could be heard as it went on.

Shane suddenly cleared his throat. ” Any messages or call? ” He asked Claus who was with his phone. ” You’ve got tons of them as usual ” Claus replied and Shane let out a chuckle.

He knew he had just asked the dumbest question ever. He always have tons of messages. ” Any message from mom or dad? ” He asked. ” None sir “Claus replied, shooking his head.

” Layla sent a short thank you message ” He added further and he nodded. The elevator made the * ding * sound as it opened widely for them. They made their way to Shane’s office.

” Morning sir ” Tina greeted as they walked past her. ” Morning Tina, how’s mom? ” Shane asked, still walking away. ” She’s fine sir. Thanks sir ” Tina replied, loud enough for him to hear. This her open office isn’t far from his.

He nodded before entering his office. He sat down on his seat with a huff and almost immediately started tending to the files I’m front of him.

” I heard Layla and her friend left their former workplace? ” Shane asked, as he accessed the files he was holding.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

” Yes sir ” Claus replied. Shane clinked his tongue in response. ” Alright then. ” He said.

” I found out they now work in a cafe near their school ” Claus spoke out and Shane raised his head. ” Really? ” He asked and Claus nodded.

” Alright then, I really think it wouldn’t be bad getting a coffee at a cafe, right? ” He asked and Claus nodded. ” Place a call across to Alec. We should go get a coffee at that cafe later in the evening” He said, still not taking his eyes off the files.

” Alright sir ” Claus replied and did as he had instructed.

Alec picked at the second ring. ” Hey dude ” Came Alec’s husky voice. Claus rushed over to Shane’s table and dropped the phone on his desk. ” You interested in getting a coffee with me at a cafe later in the evening? ” Shane asked, his eyes still on the files.

” Alright, I think I’m in. Place a call across to me when you’re ready ” Alec replied and Shane nodded. He gestured to Claus to hang up and he did immediately.

” Do you need anything else sir? ” Claus asked. Shane shook his head. ” No, you can leave now ” He said and Claus bowed a little before making his way out of his office.

Shane sighed and dropped the files. He grabbed his phone on the desk and scrolling down his gallery, he tapped on Layla’s image.

Staring at her on his phone intently, his hands slowly found its way to the screen, and he rubbed her face gently.

T B C