Chapter 10: I lo-love you Laila

***Flashback***

It had been a busy day for Laila. After her morning class, she went straight to the cafe where she works. It is just one of the few jobs she has to support her studies and help out her parents.

It is one of those days when there aren't many people going by the cafe that she could take a breather. She was busy cleaning the counter when someone entered the cafe.

She heard a clear of the throat that made her turn around and gasped at the sight. It is a rare occurrence for Jeremy Malarkey to be seen in an average coffee place.

Though they both attend the same university, they never interact with one another as she is in the college of arts and is in the college of business. They only have one class together as she was granted to take an advanced class.

"I'll take one Iced Americano and what do most girls like to order?" he looked at her with an intense gaze that she felt intimidated.

Not only was this the first time he actually talked to her but also the first time she looked at him properly.

"They always go for the strawberry smoothie I guess?" Her response sounded more like a question. But Jeremy took no notice as he order it as well.

He took a seat at the table in front having the perfect view of Laila. It was his first time speaking to her. All he can do whenever they are at the university is steal a glance at her and watch from afar.

He doesn't even know what he is feeling toward her. He just can't take her off his mind. If Brian and the others were to find out about this he is sure they won't let it drop.

He watched as she made his drinks.

"Jeremy," he heard someone say his name. He looked up to see a girl he has never seen before.

He rolled his eyes knowing what she wants.

"It is a surprise you are here. I can't help noticing that we kept bumping on each other lately." By this time Laila was already watching the whole scene with an amused look on her face. She knows that the girl will confess because she overheard her talking with her friends.

"I guess what I want to say is that I've been having feelings for you and-" before she can even finish her sentence, Jeremy interrupted her.

"Feelings?" Jeremy scoffed. He looked at her from head to toe before giving a dissatisfied look. "Do you even know me? Because as far as I know, the only thing you know about me is that I'm filthy rich that would shower you with everything you whine about. If you think I'm that easy because you got the looks well I'm not. I would like it if you don't show your face in front of me ever again."

That was the most Laila had heard Jeremy utter a word and not just a few but a whole lot. The look on the girl's face was something Laila doesn't like seeing as the girl is on the verge of crying her heart out because a heartless guy had just broken it.

The girl left the cafe and her friends followed her out. Laila still couldn't believe what she just witnessed.

"A simple 'sorry but I'm not interested was okay. You don't have to break her heart like that." Laila said as she went and gave Jeremy his orders.

"She's not the first one and believes me that I know what they want from me." He simply answered.

"She could be different. Not all girls are after your money. And besides, fine let's say you've had enough with such experience but you don't have to be that harsh to her."

Jeremy stared at her. It was the first time that Laila made a conversation with him.

"You don't have any idea about who I am do you?"

Laila just shrugged her shoulders, "As far as I remember, I just got transferred to the same university as you and I don't have any interest in the life and news of every student there is."

Laila was ready to go back to the counter when Jeremy stopped her. "The strawberry smoothie is for you."

It took Laila by surprise. She doesn't know if she'll laugh at it but the look on Jeremy's face showed he was serious about it.

"Sorry but I'm not like most girls. I don't like strawberries." Jeremy was dumbfounded as Laila made her back to the counter. It was the first time someone turn him down. The first time that someone walk away from him the way Laila did.

L A I L A



I never expected that so many people would show up at the booksigning. The venue was jam-packed with people. Tina had told me that some of them had been waiting since last night just to be first in the line.

"Alright Laila, Lucas will go first to promote the film and interact with the fans then you'll come out, answer a few questions we had collected from the fans and then sign about less than 500 books today." Tina reminded me. My jaw almost dropped to the floor. That many had come today?

"I guess I'm not needed anymore?" Lucas joked. He is the actor playing the male lead in my story. I had become close to him while filming though he is such a busy person.

"Most of them are probably here because of you. Do you know how much my book sale was after the announcement that you'll play the lead?" I stated.

"You're books are already popular way before that. We just announced it a few weeks ago. Besides your concept of being a mystery writer sold the fans that are why they can't get enough of you." he gave me a slight nudge on my arm.

After a few more minutes the program started. Lucas hyped up the crowd more. The female lead was supposed to be here but the director called her for a last-minute reshoot because the editor had accidentally deleted a scene. There were 15 minutes allotted for each of our fanservice before the booksigning starts. For my part, my 15 minutes were to answer typical questions from my fans wanting to know more about me. My hobbies, inspiration and random things.

I never had an idea that this could be so much fun. Interacting with them help me learn a lot. It was about my 300 signings that I can feel my hand starting to sore. It was a good thing that the fans were given stub numbers with their names written making it easier for me to write their names correctly.

Lucas left early because he had another prior schedule and I thought that the number of people will reduce but I'm shocked it didn't.

"I told you that you are more famous than me," he said just before he leaves.

Tina was also having a hard time because gifts were piling up. I never expected that I would receive gifts from my fans though I was hesitant to accept them at first knowing they spend money on it but there were some who opt for DIY which I appreciated.

My heart leapt with joy when I saw the end of the line. A guy about my age was the last person. I couldn't see his face well because he is wearing a mask but it was obvious he was nervous because he kept in fidgeting.

"Are you alright?" I asked when he was in front of me. He nodded before handing his book to me. I smiled at him and took the book. I wrote his name along with a simple thank you message just like I had done with everyone else and then signed it.

"Can I-I take a picture with you?" he asked me as I handed his book back.

"Sure" his eyes beam brighter upon hearing my answer. A staff helped take our photo. "I lo-love you, Laila."

I can't say I was surprised by his sudden confession. I had been hearing it since the event started and I guess it wasn't out of the ordinary. I guess I can relate to my fans because at some point I also was a fan.

"You're so sweet, thank you." I don't know what else to say honestly. What happened next made me shocked everyone. The guy fell to the ground. I rushed to his side to help him along with a few others. "Are you okay? Do you need to see a doctor?"

"I'm fi-fine. Don't worry," he said as I helped him stand up.

"You should drink water. Here you can have mine." I offered my bottled water to him but I realized that I had taken a few sips of it. "Maybe I should ask for a new one."

"No!" he protested. " that one is okay"

Before I can say anything else, he took the bottled water and walked away. Tina told me to give the last message to everyone before we leave. We had to take an alternate route to the parking lot because fans are already waiting and blocking our way wanting to have one last glance as Tina puts it.

"I'll give you a ride back to your place." Henry offered when we got back to our hotel. I was surprised to see him here.