Chapter 32
Stephen saw Layla, who had just gotten off the phone, making her way back to the table from the comer in the distance. He said to Regina, “Your job here is done. You can leave now.”
When Layla returned to her seat, she was surprised to see the shattered plate before Stephen. She surveyed his expression and asked, “Did you smash your plate because you’re pissed that you have to pay the actress an exorbitant fee or she’d do something terrible to you?”
Regina gave the young lady a withering look “With your imagination, It’s a shame you aren’t a playwright.”
Stephen was equally exasperated as he said, “Regina’s married.”
This time, Layla was stunned. She stared at Regina with wide eyes.
Regina elegantly rose to her feet and regarded Stephen meaningfully. “Layla doesn’t deserve the kind of attention and care you’re giving her.”
She walked away after that, She left the so–called happy newlyweds to enjoy the rest of their evening. Layla gaped at Stephen and demanded, “Did you just say she was married?”
Stephen glanced at her. He knew very well what she thought of him. It seemed her anger had lessened considerably after she spoke with Robert on the phone. Perhaps the old man had comforted her and explained matters to her,
“Are you done eating?” Stephen asked instead of answering.
Layla patted her stomach. “Yes.”
“Let’s go home then.”
It was already dark by the time they left the steakhouse.
Layla could finally stop wondering about the place now that she had dined there. She had to admit, she was impressed by how Stephen knew exactly where and what she wanted to eat. She felt much lighter now that the conflict between them had been resolved, too.
After getting into the car, Layla looked out the window and mumbled, “How odd that there isn’t any paparazzi around.”
Stephen asked, “Do you want to mow how many cameras there are pointing at us right now!
Layla nodded.
It seemed one’s nerves were amplified after dark, for Stephen leaned over
I without warning and kissed her on the lips.
She tasted faintly of alcohol, and her lips were soft to the touch. He breathed in the familiar, flowery fragrance of her as he kissed her again. He thought about the kiss they shared yesterday.
“Screw you, Stephen!” Layla snapped as she raised a hand to slap him
Stephen caught her wrists and wamed in a velvety voice, “Layla, the company’s stock price tomorrow is entirely dependent on your next move.”
A fire burned in Layla’s eyes as her chest rose and fell. She gritted her teeth and wanted nothing more than to shred the man before her to pieces.
He ignored her rage and drawled, “You’ll know how many cameras are pointing at us now once pictures of us kissing in the car come out tomorrow. You’ll just have to count the agencies who will publish the first–hand scoop”
Layla fell silent as Stephen returned to his seat after the lass. He started the car and drove back to Murray Estate.
Layla was still fuming on the way back. She could still smell the lingering scent of tobacco Stephen had left on her. Her lips felt hot like they had been nibbled on for too long.
For some reason, she didn’t know what to do with herself. She couldn’t hit Stephen, and she couldn’t bring herself to snap at him like she usually would, either. She cursed the paparazzi for making her watch her behavior.
When they got home, Layla finally felt safe enough to unleash her temper. “You’re sleeping in the guest room tonight!”
Stephen said from the doorway of their bridal room, “Yeah, that’ll cost you a thousand dollars”
Layla thought about how she had nimmaged through the room to scrape together enough loose change to pay the thousand dollars. She doubted she would be so lukyas to find more loose change tonight.
“Fine, then. In that case, I’ll sleep in the quest room.
cabout to leave when Stephen stuck an arm out and blocked her way. “We’ll still be in separate rooms, so you’ll have to pay the thousand dollars as agreed.“ Layla took a deeplaeath. “All tight, then Cani wite it to you or something?”
