Layla's heart was beating fast, noticing him raising his hand in slow motion. Was he really going to hurt her? It wasn't like she would get annoyed at him… she would even accept him if he hurt her, considering it as one of her ways of repentance for not trusting him earlier.
Layla closed her eyes to brace for the impact, but instead of anything remotely close to that, she felt a feathery touch on her cheeks. Her eyes fluttered open to see him looking at her with an intense gaze, the one that sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach.
"Mi-Michael…" His name rolled off her tongue in a shaky breath, just then, she heard his words.
"Pl-Please don't scold me; I don't like it when someone yells at me, Layla." His voice trembled as he was still shedding tears. He felt so vulnerable, so alone, and Layla's heart bled to hear him so hurt.
