Layla's POV
When I walked into the office the next morning, everywhere was buzzing but the chatter grew louder when I reached my desk and my gaze caught another bouquet.
This time it was fresh roses that sent the fragrance flooding the entire space.
"Is it some sort of pity flowers?" Was one of the whispers that fell in my ears. I didn't give them the satisfaction of an even glance as I slid into my chair. Again, no card just like before.
Then my eyes fell on the envelope on the desk, apparently, it was laid before the roses arrived.
I picked it up with no hesitation though my heart hammered. I tore it open immediately and scanned through the words.
My chest hurt as I see the title 'Termination of Employment'
"No..." I whispered as my body grew weak.
My vision blurred with tears, my heart burned with hurt as tears rolled freely.
I had begun accepting my fate with Julian and Chloe, I was learning to live everyday with the humiliation but this was the height of it.
I couldn't live without the one thing that's giving me purpose.
I grabbed the envelope and shot out of my chair storming down the hallway to Julian's office.
"Julian!" My voice was fueled by rage and heartbreak. "What is this?" I threw the letter on his desk. "Is this an upgraded humiliation? Haven't you humiliated me enough? What else do you want from me?"
Julian looked up with an unbothered expression. He looked like I was boring him out even. "Layla you can tell I'm busy. If you have anything to say, go straight because if you're here to cry I don't have the time."
"Apart from loving you ,apart from standing by you as every good wife should, when no one else did, what else did I do wrong?"
"You're wasting my time."
"Why did you fire me?" I demanded when I noticed he acted clueless.
His brow arched slightly, the cluelessness flickered even more, but maintaining its slight.
He let out a chuckle. "I'd have loved the pleasure, but unfortunately, I had nothing to do with that"
Before I could say one more word, the office door slammed open and Chloe swept in with her usual poise.
"He didn't fire you." She leaned casually against Julian's desk. "I did."
"You did what?" My voice pieced a little bit louder.
"Oh dear! Did you think I'd let my husband's ex wife hang around his office everyday? Please... that's a threat to his peace, right baby?" She paused and stroked Julian's beards in a way my eyes could catch the diamond ring grabbing the light in the room, luxuriously sitted on her finger.
I didn't know when the word skipped out of my mouth , " Husband?"
Then Chloe raised her hand deliberately and left it running through her hair as light bounced off the massive diamond. "Knot tied."
I couldn't get over how enormous and flawless the ring was. My heart shuttered a thousand bits. It was more than what I estimated Julian to afford.
My mouth moved before my brain could stop me. "Except you stashed some money somewhere without my knowledge, how on earth could you afford this Julian?"
"Shouldn't you be clearing your desk now?" Chloe's voice cut in venomously.
That was my cue. I had humiliated myself enough for the day. Infact, enough to last a lifetime. I had to force my legs to move out of Julian's office before the room caved in on me.
Devouring stares followed as I walked down the hallway.
Whispers grew once more, louder than ever.
"There goes the discarded wife."
Finally the weight of it became heavier than I could carry. The little resolve I had left crumbled when I reached my desk. I sank into my chair and buried my face into my trembling hands and sobbed uncontrollably.
A tab on my shoulders snapped me back. Then I quickly wiped my tears to make sure I don't give the vultures more entertainment. But when I lifted my face, my eyes caught an unusual eyes, but not unfamiliar.
It was him, the same man who had caught my attention in a corporate event weeks ago. He had a presence that silenced the air around him.
"Viktor Douglas." He said, stretching forward his handkerchief.
The name echoed. I whispered it to myself in affirmation that it was him. The same name Julian complained about always. The most dreaded youngest CEO in New York. Ruthless, they say he is.
I totally went off- sight of the handkerchief held out for me.
"Layla," He said my name in a way that snapped me back to reality.
He knew my name. How?
"Get up. Come." He murmured. It wasn't out of command but something more . Something that didn't allow for refusal.
He helped me stand to my feet as he slipped his arm under my elbow.
He guided me out gently.
Whispers and gasps followed us but Viktor didn't spare anyone a glance.
One thing was sure. No one dared to interfere.
His sleek black car waited outside.
His driver stood neatly dressed in his duty uniform.
"Drive her home."
But the driver hesitated. Viktor's patience was snapped.
He yanked the key from his driver's hand.
"Step aside. You're done for the day."
He turned away before the driver could stammer a "Yes sir..."
Viktor opened the backdoor himself and gestured me to go in.
I tried resisting but something about him made me feel so safe.
The entire ride was silent. I just sat stiffly looking at him as he fixed his eyes on the road while clutching the handkerchief he gave me. My tears dried in streaks across my cheeks.
When we arrived at my house he got out and retrieved my box by himself and carried it inside without questions.
"Thank you." I whispered slowly. My voice was grateful but totally not sure why he was helping me at all.
He spared no acknowledgement. Instead, he turned away, leaving me confused. But then, he returned with a crisp folder in his hand.
He dropped the documents on my table with an overly deliberated expression. "Marry me"
The words sent thunder into my soul.
"Why?" I didn't know the right question to ask.
"It's unimportant." Viktor said coldly. " you've lost everything, Layla. Except yourself. And the best you can do for that self is to sign the contract. It's a win win"