Chapter 37

The party was being held at Dahlia's. This nice restaurant owned by Miguel's fiance, Dahlia.

Rumour has it that he had gotten it for her as a present, and I wondered how come I had never actually been there considering how classy and renowned the place was.

I kept my hand on Layla's lower back throughout the evening. Which allowed me to sense just how tense she was. Her spine stuff as if she were nervous.

Which she was. So after a nice chat with an old business partner who I had to pretend to like, I wrapped an arm around her waist and inched closer. I never really took girls out with me on such occasions and I was grateful that no press was allowed at this particular one. The last thing I needed was Layla's lovely face in the front of countless magazines tomorrow with a large question mark underneath.

" Relax Layla, it's a party for chrissake. Looking at you one would think that you're the unfortunate soon to be bride who is now just beginning to understand the kind of entanglement she's getting herself into. "

She smiled a fraction and turned to look at me from under hooded lashes. I highly doubt there's another member of the female species in this room who could smile like she did. 

Sweetly. And so innocently that you wanted to get to know every tiny detail about her. Of course that wasn't the case with me. All her smile made me want to do was pin her on a table and completely take advantage of that sweetness. 

I spotted Miguel and Dahlia and led Layla over to them so I could give them my congratulations. They did make a nice pair and I truly did wish them the best, of course they could also be getting married because she was knocked up...but who am I to judge?

" Gabriel Germaine!! I was sure I had imagined you when you walked in ? " Miguel asked, acting all surprised. I never really attended such things unless there were business strings attached.

" Nice to hear that I still reside in your imagination. But how unfeeling you are, making such confessions when your intended is standing right beside you. "

" I see that you haven't changed. Still as charming as ever. "

" I can't help my natural construction. " he laughed as he shook his head. 

" I'm glad that you made it Germaine, "

" Miguel Diaz, will you quit flirting with me!!"

His fiance chuckled and Layla bowed her head to hide her smile. 

" Layla this here is Miguel, my lawyer. And the lovely lady beside him is his fiance. "

She glanced at both of them and said hi. Of course I could see that Miguel was a little shocked. Layla wasn't the type I normally went for.

" Please tell me you finally decided to settle down, "

I scoffed at the absurd remark. Settling down was a metaphor for being handcuffed to a home with paternal responsibilities to tend to. 

Like exactly what Miguel was doing to himself. 

" This is Layla, she's my best friend's wife. "

Miguel's lips parted slightly as the information landed. Yes...take that very weird information Miguel!!

" It's really nice to meet you, " Dahlia extended her arm in greeting and Layla shook her hand.

" Likewise. I really like your restaurant, it's very pretty. "

As Layla exchanged pleasantries with the couple I thought about her choice of words.

Pretty she had said. 

Most people would have searched for some great vocabulary like ' articulately modern ' or ' astoundingly elegant and classy ' .But Layla had simply said pretty. A cute and often disregarded word. But the earnesty with which she had said it had even made Dahlia smile. 

How I'd like to look at the world from Layla's eyes sometime. To see things in the tender way she saw them. But only for a while, her pont of view might be admirable but then I would make a crappy business man.

When I returned my attention to the conversation it was to hear Layla say that she had always wanted to be a chef. 

Why was I not aware of this very crucial information!!

" That's wonderful, do you have any sort of culinary experience? " Miguel asked seeming truly serious. Layla shook her head.

" Not really, I only cook at home. "

" But one taste of her food and you'll suffer the awful fate of addiction. Why else do you think I've never been to your restaurant?? No one can handle ingredients like Layla can, " I chirped in. My eyes shot to hers and remained fixed. I was lying of course, the only thing I had tasted of hers was hot chocolate...among other things. But everything she did she put her heart into, so I was certain that she was a great cook.

" That's wonderful to hear, especially now.." Dahlia placed a hand on her very pregnant belly and rubbed it tenderly. " I can hardly keep up nowadays."

" Yeah, we're actually in the process of looking for a new chef to take over until well after the baby comes.." Miguel said and I noticed Layla's eyes widen. As if she couldn't believe what was happening. Such small things but they delighted her so much.

" So...if you're interested, you can drop by anytime this coming week and show us what you can do. "

She turned to me as if for confirmation.

" It's your decision sweetheart. "

I tried to make the word sound as casual as I could, but when referring to her, nothing I said ever sounded just casual. 

" Yeah, I'd really like that. Thank you, " she greeted them and after a nice chat with Miguel where I reminded him of all the people I wished to take to court, we parted and they went to tend to their other guests.

Layla hardly stopped smiling after that. I led her to one of the tables and we sat down.

" I never knew you wanted to become a chef, "

She shrugged, and placed the glass on the table. 

" That's because whenever we talk you're only ever thinking of one thing. "

There was fire in the words. And hell if I wasn't turned on by the fact.

" Okay, let's rectify that. Tell me everything there is to possibly know about you, " 

I only knew the information I had gathered on her. And all that was private so I couldn't tell her I knew. And as she plates with the fabric of the table cloth I realized that I actually was very interested in knowing more about her. 

She told me about how her grandmother had taught her everything she knew. And how she had been forced to give up on the dream because it would have been nearly impossible to find a job. So she started saving up for nursing school. 

A mixture of complex and endless emotions swept through her face as she told me all this. 

I mastered each one. Related it to a specific feeling and listened on.

If I had known all this before then I probably would have done exactly what Miguel did. I would have bought her a restaurant with her name on it. Literally. If it made her happy then I wouldn't even have thought twice about it. And the restaurant would have been to her exact liking. I'm an extravagant person but if she wanted a low-key place next to some beach then that is exactly what she would have gotten.

And as she talked she became more relaxed, more unaware of the crowd in the room and the stupid males who were eyeing her special kind of beauty. She talked more freely and laughed on more than one occasion. 

I wanted more of that, I realised. I wanted more conversations and laughs and intimate moments with her.

I wanted it all....and that would have probably scared the hell out of me if I wasn't too busy enjoying her company.

                               💮🌼💮🌼💮🌼

After the hearty speeches and whatnots the band started playing some soft music and most of the couples made their way to the dance floor. This wasn't one of those cliche moments like in the movies where I asked her to dance and she said no before I insisted, she eventually agreed and we danced the night away while falling hopelessly in love. 

So if you thought that's what would have gone on then you're terribly mistaken.

I was a decent dancer but I feared it would be way past Layla's comfort zone, so I took her hand and led her up some stairs until we found a nice balcony that had been left unattended. Offering a nice view of the chaotic city as well as some deeply craved privacy. She had brought the champagne flute with her and she placed it on the slab of concrete holding the railing. Then she wrapped her slender fingers around the metal and simply looked out into the open space.

" How does it taste? " she suddenly asked and my mind had gone a mile before realising that she was referring to the champagne.

" Why don't you just drink it and find out? "

She looked at the drink with a look I knew was desire. But then she shook her head.

" No, I don't really drink. "