A sound at the door jolted up Leila. She had taken today as her off She had taken the day off, not because she wanted to, but because she had to. Gavin Hasters. She had let him in and now she was paying for it. The worst part? She should have known better. All because of one mistake, ONE MISTAKE that could have been avoided if she had used her head instead of her emotions.
The knock came again, sharper this time. Not much people knew where she stayed, her only surviving parent, her mom stayed in California and she was an only child. That left only frank as the only person who could be knocking but it was noon; she knew he would be at work.
She was not sure Gavin knew where she stayed but he could. Her life was not exactly a secret now. Was it him? Had he come here to finish whatever he started last night?
She swung her legs over the side of the bed, her robe slipping off her shoulder as she made her way toward the door, She hesitated, then exhaled sharply before unlocking it and pulling it open.
It was not Gavin, standing in front of her was a very feminine, non- Gavin, blond, beautiful woman with green eyes staring right back at her.
"Sorry, can I help you?" Leila asked, rubbing her eye
The blond woman raised a brow, "You do not know me? That's strange, considering the fact that you just slept with the man I love"
Leila's eyes bulged. She was fucked. Adele Cooper was in her home. "Uhm, I think you have gotten it all wrong. I slept with your man? Care to elaborate?"
Adele merely smiled, It wasn't a friendly smile. It was the kind of smile that let you know the person in front of you was three steps ahead and simply enjoying watching you, "Can I come in?"
Everything in Leila was telling her to say NO but she found herself ushering Adele in.
Adele strode in like she owned the place, glancing around before settling into one of the chairs by the window. She crossed her legs gracefully, placing her designer purse on the table beside her.
Leila did not sit down. She had to be in control of the situation and it would be hard if she and her enemy were sitting together.
"So," Adele began, tilting her head. "Gavin Hasters."
Leila's heart pounded.
"What do you want, Adele?"
"Relax! I did not come here to cause a scene. I came here to talk to you. Woman to woman."
Leila folded her arms. "Then talk."
Adele reached into her purse and pulled out her phone. She typed in her passcode and gave it to Leila. The screen played a video.
It was her with Gavin in the elevator, making out with him. The video was clear enough to show her face. She could not deny the fact that if the video ever got out, her life was practically over. The tides would turn and everyone would paint her as a slut, Gavin might not be scarred because of his reputation and his gender but she was poor. Every body would assume she was the villain and of Adele was showing her this video. It only meant one thing, ADELE HAD THE POWER TO MAKE HER LIFE MISERABLE.
Leila's grip tightened on the phone. "Where did you get this?"
Adele played with her hair, "Did you really think you could steal what is mine and walk away Scot free? You definitely do not know me"
"It was a mistake. It's never happening again. I promise"
Adele Cooper merely paused and blurted out, "
Your words are not enough, Infact, I do not believe anything that comes out of your mouth.
Leila swallowed hard. "Okay. What do you want?"
"It is very very very simple actually. "I want you to disappear,"
Leila stood there, stunned. She could not just leave, her life was in New York. She practically had nowhere to go and leaving was too big a price to pay for one night, just one night where she made a Terrible mistake. And she could not be the only one to suffer for it. Gavin was also involved and it was crazy for her to be the only one to pay for the mistake. She was not going down like this! And she was definitely not going to allow Adele Cooper treat her like a sorry case.
Leila ran her hands through her hair, "I think you should leave. Allowing you in my house was a mistake"
Adele continued softly, "I was not expecting it to be this easy. You seem feisty by the way, no wonder Gavin slept with you. You are just like me. You are his type and just to be clear. You are not the first secretary he has slept with and you definitely will not be the last."
"What are you trying to say?!" Leila said.
Adele sat still, still playing with her hair, " All I'm trying to say is that you have a lot to lose from this. if you don't back off, this little video? It's going everywhere. I have means and I will use it. It will be everywhere. Business news, social media, nobody will want to employ you ever again! How do you think the world will see you after this? Think wisely Leila"
"You're playing a dangerous game, Adele."
Adele smirked. "So are you, sweetheart."
"Fine," she said. "I'll consider your warning."
Adele stood abruptly and made her way to the door, "I knew you were smart." Just as she reached for the handle, she paused. "Oh," she added, glancing back over her shoulder. "One more thing."
At this point. Leila was plain irritated already. "What is it?"
"Stay out of my way. Gavin must not know anything about this Or else…."
With that, she walked out, the door clicking shut behind her.
Leila stood frozen.
Her hands curled into fists.
Adele Cooper had just declared war.