Chapter 27
Stephen set his work aside and jerked his chin at the chair across from him. “Take a seat.”
Austin sat down nervously. “Mr. Yates, I’m really bad at foreign languages. I won’t survive abroad. I promise I’ll avoid Ms. Murray at all costs if I’m allowed to stay
in the country”
“There’s no need for that,” Stephen said.
He surveyed Austin’s features and concluded the young man was plain looking at best. He was nothing like Layla’s usual type. While Austin seemed to favor bold pattems and questionable colors in his wardrobe, he was still dressed his age.
Having noted these detalls, Stephen continued, “I want you to stay by Layla’s side and report to me on all her activities.”
Austin stiffened. “What?” Was Stephen asking him to spy on Layla?
“while you’re here, tell me what Layla’s favorite restaurant is,”
That aftemoon, Layla got a call from Austin. “Hey, Layla. For the record, Mr. Yates didn’t war me to stay away from you when he came by the office yesterday
“He only wanted to get to the bottom of the bat incident, and i guess my dad misinterpreted his intentions. Anyway, Mr. Yates talked to my dad, and it’s been decided that I won’t have abroad anymore.”
It seemed Layla had misunderstood Stephen. “Oh. Damit, I already gave him a piece of my mind this morning when I stormed into his office.”
“Don’t be too hard on him, Layla. From what I’ve seen, he has your best interests at heart,” Austin said.
She frowned. “What, so you’re his lackey now after he’s saved your ass once? Are you on his side now? Did you forget about my rule?”
“okay, let’s drop the matter for now. Give me a call the next time you want to hang out, all right?”
“I don’t believe it. Did you actually grow a pair? Layla asked. She sensed that something was amiss.
Austin spun a casual lie. “Well, duh. I’m not scared of Mr. Yates as long as I have you to back me up.”
Layla bought it. Unimowingly, she decided to keep Stephen’s double agent by her side.
After the call, she picked out a dress for the dinner date. At six in the evening, she had pulled on a long, black, tailored linen dress and a fitted, matching fur jacket.
The dress boasted a simple silhouette, but the stitchings and fabric were impeccable. The waist was perfectly cinched to accentuate Layla’s delicately curved figure.
She had also draped a brown coat over her arm. Stephen had told her they were grabbing dinner tonight, so she took extra care in applying her makeup and spent a better part of the attemoon malding sure she looked flawless.
Layla had also decided on her outfit after trying on and discarding multiple dresses in her walk–in closet.
Presently, Dylan was slumped over the couch and playing with his toys when he saw Layla in her glamorous evening get–up. No longer paying any attention to his action figure, he praised wholeheartedly, “You look beautiful this evening, Aunt Layla.”
Layla gave the besotted boy an amused look “Please, I look beautiful every day.”
Dylan nearly rolled his eyes, Layla practically lived her days in pajamas while drowning herself in junk food as she watched trash television. She hardly ever bothered brushing her hair, and her idea of dressing up for hangouts was to put on a pair of sunglasses.
A moment later, Stephen returned.
When he saw the stunning woman on the couch, he couldn’t hide the flicker of surprise in his eyes. However, his usual composure returned as he said, “Let’s go.”
Layla rose to her feet and butfily put on her coat. When she reached the threshold, she put her heels on the ground, stepped into them, and walked out the door. She didn’t have to pretend to be lowey–dovey with Stephen while they were on the estate.
Dylan tried to go after them, but the maids held him back
Stephen walked out of the house and rounded the car. Layla stared at him as the bright headlights played over his chiseled features and towering silhouette. It was unfair for his side profile to look that flawless.
She pointedly looked away from him and stared out the car window.
There was a heavy silence in the car as Stephen slid behind the wheel and pulled out to the main road.
Layla considered apologizing for her tantrum that afternoon, but she couldn’t bring herself to say the words “I’m sorry to him. After much contemplation, she settled for a cunt, “Thanks for helping Austin out this moming ‘
Apologizing was not her forte, but at least she had enough decency to thank him. It seemed she could never humble herself before him
tephen cast asidelong glance at the young lady next to him. “Don’t mention it. He didn’t do anything wrong in the first place.”
Layla pursed her lips. She did not miss the implication that she was the one at fault.
Soon, they pulled up at the hotel where Stephen bad made a dinner reservation. They would be dining at a tastefully decorated steakhouse.
