The loyal puppy

After Laila's call with Noah had ended, they each were left with a bad after taste. The happiness Laila had felt moments before, had been overshadowed with the conversation she had had with Noah. But while Noah could at least use his work to take his mind off of things, Laila was forced to face her feelings and thoughts. Fortunately she wasn't alone and Maria was there by her side to help guide her through it all.

Although Maria had only heard one side of the call, she had a pretty good idea of what was going on in Laila's mind. Maria looked at the downcast Laila and asked, "Are you alright? I could only hear some of what you guys said but did I hear it right that Noah is going on a date with Olivia tonight?"

Laila nodded with glazed over eyes and a stoic expression on her face. After that she told Maria what Noah had said. Though Maria couldn't blame Noah for the decision he had made, she did understand that this was a tough pill for Laila to swallow. Especially after they had been so successful last night and Laila's high from this morning, her fall back to reality was bound to be a hard one.

Having to see a stranger go on a date with your husband is tough enough but his going on a date with your enemy, that would be almost unbearable. Fortunately there was at least an upside to this all, namely that it was all fake. Though Noah would in fact be there physically with another woman on what would appear to be a date, he himself had no desire to be there. There were no positive emotions involved in the experience. So, in her mind Laila should simply view the matter as a check-up at the doctor. Unpleasant but necessary.

Though the upcoming few days and perhaps even weeks would be tough to get through, it wasn't all bad. Olivia trusting Noah, would lead to less danger for them and most likely, more openings. If he played one side and Laila played the other, she and Steve could work on their demise in the shadows. That is exactly how she sold it to Laila. "I know him going on a date with her isn't great but it is just dinner. Knowing Noah, he will dislike it even more than you are right now and he will do whatever it takes to keep her grubby paws off of him. This is just a way to keep her busy and distracted. Nothing more."

In a voice that lacked any form of energy or excitement, Laila replied, "Yeah. Noah said that too. I guess you two are right. No, I know you two are right. I just don't know why I am taking this all so hard. Maybe I was just too happy, so even the slightest pin prick managed to deflate my balloon and made me crash back to zero."

But despite Laila feeling and being so downcast, Maria didn't give up and again tried to put a more positive spin on things by saying, "This is simply a game of the donkey and the carrot, with Noah being the prize she can never reach. He won't hold her hand, he won't kiss her and he certainly won't sleep with her. No matter how fun he makes the date appear, he will always come back home to you. This is all but a play and he is the male lead on centre stage. Before you know it, the act is over and he will be back by your side like the loyal puppy that he is."

This finally made Laila chuckle and her eyes regained some life in them. Hearing Maria call Noah her 'loyal puppy', caused some positive memories from the past to enter Laila's mind. Even way back when Noah had always followed her around and came to her the moment she called. This had reminded her of a puppy following around its owners. Just like dogs with their owners, never holding a grudge and almost instantly forgetting the bad things you have done, showing the same love and excitement no matter the how-manyeth time it is that you have called them, Laila was treasured in the same way. Noah gave her that same unconditional love and she worked hard to give the same amount of love back as the owner of his heart.

He had been this way with her back when they were kids and as it seems, he had continued treating her that way till now. Those memories of their past and of how Noah treats her to this day, managed to push some of the negative thoughts out. It helped her place things in a different perspective and allowed her to laugh again. "Ha ha ha. Well, in that case, I guess I'll just have to keep myself busy until my puppy returns." Then she showed Maria a gentle smile and said, "Thanks for cheering me up. I'll call Noah back to let him know that I am okay. I'm sure he is worried about me and I don't want to add to his burdens right now."

Maria smiled and nodded in approval. "Any time my friend. Any time. Go ahead and call Noah. I'll make myself scarce for a bit and let you two talk. No need for me to be third-wheeling that conversation." Laila chuckled and was grateful to have a friend like Maria in her life. In both of her lives for that matter. Though she appreciated Maria giving her and Noah a moment, she knew that her and Noah's privacy was not the only thing on her mind. More likely was that she wanted to make a call of her own. One that she didn't want Laila there for. A call with someone equally involved and the one she had been waiting to talk to since leaving him to go to sleep last night.