Chapter 36
aid, “Just wait a few more days. I’ll come pick you up when I’m out of the hospital.”
Lucy smiled at Dylan and said, “Just
Dylan nodded and said, “Okay, I’ll wait for you, Mommy.”
Layla then took Dylan home.
Later that evening, Stephen came home after dark.
He went straight to the bedroom and saw Layla lying on the bed. She had just showered, and she was looking at her phone.
Stephen looked at Layla’s lips as he walked in.
Layla noticed and asked, “Why are you staring at me?”
Stephen took off his jacket, went to the closet to get his pajamas, and headed to the bathroom without saying anything.
Layla shook her head and said to herself, “Weirdo.”
1/1
Regina wasn’t planning to leave Lasville anytime soon. She had found some local advertising work and seemed settled in the city for the moment. Layla noticed she was sticking around longer than expected.
Through her well–connected–but somewhat unreliable–network of friends, Layla received Regina’s detailed schedule.
“Hey Layla, I’m sending you Regina Islington’s schedule,” her friend texted.
Layla checked her phone and saw Regina’s calendar was packed with meetings and events.
“Want to hear a secret?” another message popped up.
Layla replied with a smirk, “Even if I say no, aren’t you still going to tell me?”
The friend’s voice message played: “I heard Regina Islington just got married.”
Layla didn’t react. She already knew about the marriage.
Her friend asked, “Aren’t you going to say anything?”
Layla decided to have a bit of fun. “So, do you know who Regina married?”
This time, her friend went silent.
Layla pressed, “Why the silence now?
The friend replied, “I couldn’t find that out,”
e more gossip for you. Regina’s got a shampoo
Layla rolled her eyes. She was amused by her friend’s lack of information. But then her friend added, “But here’s some more ad lined up for the day after tomorrow. Guess who’s her co–star?
Layla’s curiosity piqued. “You?”
Her friend laughed, “Not quite. It’s her rival, Dorothy Yard. Remember Dorothy? She missed out on Best Actress last time. Now they’re both vying for the same role in a new script. Quite the drama, huh? What do you make of that?*
Layla was unfazed. She said, “I have thoughts on it.”
Layla leaned back and said, “Have you noticed how much money shampoo companies have? They can pay for both the top actress and even the one who almost won
Her friend grumbled, “Forget it. Bye!”
As soon as the call ended, Layla burst out laughing.
Back at home, Layla had Galactic Defenders playing on the TV for Dylan. Meanwhile, she sat next to him while looking up information about Regina Islington on herphone.
Dylan had become totally hooked on Commander Spark, thanks to Layla’s influence.
One day, Dylan asked, “Aunt Layla, why does Commander Spark always wait until he’s about to lose before using his special power? Why doesn’t he just use it at the beginning?”
Layla thought for a moment and replied, “If he used his special power right away, there wouldn’t be anything for people to watch.”
Dylan looked puzzled. “But he always gets beaten up first.”
Layla smiled and said, “The director says that if Commander Spark gets knocked down more, he gets paid more,”
Dylan’s eyes widened. “So, dors Commander Spark make money too?!
