The first buzz of her phone woke Layla before the sunlight even reached her window. She groaned, dragging the blanket over her head. It was barely 7 a.m.
Another buzz.
She reached blindly for her phone, ready to silence the world. But when she saw the name lighting up her screen, her lips betrayed her—they curved into a smile.
Liam: Good morning, Miss Attitude. Did you dream about me?
Layla laughed under her breath. The audacity. She typed back quickly.
Layla: Bold question for someone who was probably snoring all night.
Seconds later, the reply came.
Liam: Snoring? No. Thinking about whether you'd actually text me back this morning? Yes.
Layla: And why wouldn't I?
Liam: Because you're stubborn. And maybe because you're scared I'll keep proving I'm not like the others.
Layla's smile faded just a little. There it was again—his insistence on being different. Her fingers hesitated above the keyboard.
Layla: Maybe I am scared. But don't get too comfortable. I'm not easy to win over.
Liam: Good. Easy is boring. I prefer a challenge.
She rolled her eyes, though her cheeks were warm. Why did everything he say make her pulse race?
A picture buzzed in. Not of him, but of a coffee cup on a messy desk.
Liam: One day, I'll take you to the best coffee place in the city. Not today—I've got meetings that will steal my soul. But I promise, soon.
Layla stared at the screen longer than she wanted. A promise. She almost typed don't make promises you can't keep but stopped herself. Instead, she replied lightly.
Layla: Fine. But only if the coffee is as good as your sarcasm.
Liam: Trust me, Layla. It'll be better. And so will I.
Her heart thudded. She placed the phone down, staring at the ceiling. What am I doing? she thought.
But deep inside, she knew. She was letting him in—one flirty chat, one small promise at a time.
By mid-afternoon, Layla had convinced herself to focus on work. Yet every time her phone buzzed, her hand darted to it like a guilty secret.
Liam: Have you smiled today?
She smirked. Of course she had—because of him. Still, she typed:
Layla: Not really. The world is too stressful.
Liam: Liar. I bet you're smiling right now.
Layla bit her lip. How did he know?
Layla: Fine. Maybe I cracked a smile.
Liam: Good. That's my job now.
Her fingers paused, warmth flickering in her chest. Job? He made it sound like a duty he wanted to keep.
She fired back quickly to cover it.
Layla: You're not hired yet. Still on probation.
Liam: Then I'll overperform until I get the permanent role.
She laughed, shaking her head. He had an answer for everything.
A few minutes later, another message buzzed in.
Liam: Quick question. What's your ideal first date?
Layla: Hmm. Somewhere quiet. No loud clubs. Just good food, a little laughter, maybe a long walk after.
Liam: Perfect. I was worried you'd say skydiving. I draw the line at risking my life for romance.
Layla: Don't worry, I don't fall that hard on the first date.
Liam: Not yet. But you will.
Layla rolled her eyes, though her stomach flipped.
Layla: Confident, aren't you?
Liam: I told you last night—it's confidence, not arrogance. And besides, I keep my promises.
There it was again—promises. The word that always made her wary. She almost typed something sarcastic, but instead her fingers softened.
Layla: We'll see, Liam. Time will tell.
For a while, the chat quieted. She thought he'd gone back to his meetings, but an hour later, her phone buzzed again.
Liam: Tell me something, Layla. What's the one thing a man could do that would make you trust him?
Her breath caught. That was deeper than she expected. She stared at the blinking cursor, debating honesty. Finally, she typed:
Layla: Consistency. Not just words, but actions. Someone who shows up, even when it's inconvenient.
There was a pause. Then his reply came, steady, firm.
Liam: Then that's exactly what I'll give you. If you let me.
Layla exhaled, her chest tightening. He was too smooth, too sure. And yet… for the first time in a long while, she wanted to believe.
By the time evening fell, Layla had almost convinced herself to ignore Liam's messages. Almost.
Her phone buzzed again just as she slipped under her blanket.
Liam: Still awake? Or did you already abandon me for your dreams?
She grinned despite herself.
Layla: Dreams are safer than late-night conversations with overconfident men.
Liam: Ouch. I'm wounded. But admit it—you were waiting for me to text.
Layla: In your dreams, maybe.
Liam: Exactly where you'll be tonight. In mine.
Layla rolled her eyes, but her cheeks warmed. He was impossible.
Layla: You sound like trouble, Liam.
Liam: No. I sound like someone who wants to see you.
Her fingers froze. Her heart thudded in her chest.
Layla: Already? We just started talking.
Liam: So? Why waste time pretending when we both know there's something here? A voice isn't enough. I want to see you smile in real life, not just in pictures.
She stared at the message. He was bold. Too bold.
Layla: Slow down. I'm not ready to rush into anything. And I don't… I don't want this to be another disappointment.
A pause. Then his reply came, softer this time.
Liam: Layla, I'm not here to play games. But I'll move at your pace. Promise. All I ask is one thing—don't shut me out before we've even started.
Her chest tightened. How did he always know the right thing to say?
Layla: You're making promises again.
Liam: Because I intend to keep them.
Silence lingered as she hugged her pillow. He was pulling her in, one word at a time, and though fear whispered at the back of her mind, hope was louder tonight.
Finally, she typed back.
Layla: We'll see, Liam. Maybe one day. But for now… good night.
Liam: Good night, beautiful. Dream of me—since I'll be dreaming of you.
Layla smiled into the darkness, shaking her head. This was dangerous. And yet, she couldn't bring herself to put the phone away without reading his last message one more time.
Just after dropping her phone to sleep, her phone buzzed again.
Liam: Will you survive the night without me?
She chuckled and typed back.
Layla: Barely. But coffee will help.
Liam: Coffee again? You're trying to steal my identity. That's my thing.
Layla: Relax, I was addicted before you showed up.
Liam: Addicted, huh? Good. Soon, you'll be addicted to me too.
She shook her head, grinning. His confidence was shameless.
Before she could reply, another message came.
Liam: So… how was work today? I didn't ask. Pardon me please
Layla blinked at the question. Most guys on these apps never asked.
Layla: Busy. I've got back-to-back tasks. You?
Liam: Meetings. Endless meetings. Just stepped out of one. If boredom could kill, they'd be planning my funeral right now.
Layla laughed, covering her mouth though no one was there to see.
Layla: Poor Liam. Died in service of PowerPoint slides.
Liam: Exactly. If I vanish, know that corporate life got me first.
A moment later, another text came.
Liam: But honestly, today wasn't too bad. I actually closed a deal I'd been working on for weeks.
Layla raised her brows. He sounded proud, but not bragging.
Layla: Wow, impressive. Does this mean I should congratulate you?
Liam: Only if congratulations come with a coffee date.
She rolled her eyes at her screen. He was relentless.
Layla: You never give up, do you?
Liam: Not when I know what I want.
Her chest tightened at the words, but she quickly typed:
Layla: Careful, Liam. You're making it sound serious.
Liam: Maybe it is. Maybe you're more than just another chat keeping me entertained between meetings.
Layla's fingers hovered. He didn't know how close that hit. She was scared of being just another distraction for him, someone to fill his boredom. But something about the way he said it felt different—like he wanted her to believe.
Layla: We'll see about that. For now, survive your meetings, Mr. Busy.
Liam: I will. Only because I need to text you always.
She smiled, slipping her phone aside. It was scary how much these conversations were starting to mean.
Layla doesn't want the conversation to stop but she just needed to cut him off so she could sleep to wake up early for the next days work.
Layla: Liam, can we call this a goodnight please? My eyes are closing already
Liam: Sure..... Anything to please you. Please sleep well.
They both bade farewell and slept without any conversation.