Layla's POV
For all I knew, no one alive still called nor referred to me by that name.
I whispered his name, "Viktor," then I nudged him gently . My pulse tripped,then he stirred and woke up.
He blinked, "what's wrong?"
"You... You called me Ava. How did you know that name?"
Then his expression flickered for a moment. His face went hard suddenly.
Viktor sat up abruptly and the sheets fell off his waist. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"I said, you called me Ava in your sleep." I repeated and my throat tightened.
"Enough!" He barked.
The sharpness of his voice struck my spine.
Viktor had never ever raised his voice at me. Not even close.
He jerked from the bed. He reached for his robe and walked out of the room in a movement that was both jerky and uncontrolled . Nothing like the man I knew.
"Viktor..." I called out.
"Jesus christ, Layla it's the middle of the night. Normal people sleep." He went across the room and grabbed a bottle of bourbon from our suite's mini bar. I watched him yanking the Cork free with his teeth.
"Take the room! Take the house even!"
I was struck at the turn of events.
"I only asked a question, why are you reacting so--"
"Drop it already!"
His voice roared again. This time it was even more frightening.
Suddenly, the man who seemed carved from ice around me was a dangerous being I could barely stand.
He gulped down almost half the content of the bourbon, I watched it burn down his throat and his chest heaved.
He stormed out without another word.
The silence in the room was deafening.
I got up immediately. My heart screamed 'run!'
I got into a casual dress and reached for my car keys by the bedside drawer but dark thoughts crawled in. What if I run into danger ?
Where will I even go?
I sank back on the sofa by the bedside. Leaving was not the right option,but staying was worse.
It was difficult closing my eyes all night.
Viktor's steps up the stairs jerked me back from the little fling of sleep that showed up eventually.
He walked into our master's suite with a dangerously cold composure.
His eyes didn't meet mine. Even once.
I whispered, "morning" like I was testing the waters.
He just nodded.
Shortly, he stormed out again.
This time, I couldn't wait to go back again. I grabbed my purse and slid my sunglasses, grabbed my keys, and drove straight to Naomi's.
I buzzed the intercom and waited but no response came by.
I knew Naomi could sleep through an earthquake. I almost gave up but I remembered I had her password. I sighed and punched the digits and let myself inside.
When I got to her sitting room, I caught a blinding sight.
A naked man was by her wine bar with a glass in hand.
"Oh my God!" I gasped and spun around so fast that I nearly fell . "Jesus, Naomi!"
He gave a lazy chuckle.
I turned to run back out but a door creaked open and Naomi appeared walking down the stairs in a silk robe.
Her hair looked mussed like she was in a fight.
"What the hell are you doing in my house Layla?" She froze when she saw me gapping at her guest, she rolled her eyes and walked down the stairs slowly.
Naomi walked straight to him, leaned and whispered something to his ear. He turned and winked at me then trotted upstairs.
We stood still in silence, a few minutes later, he ran down with a shirt and joggers. He pressed a kiss on Naomi's lips and strolled out.
My eyes followed him as he left. Then I turned to Naomi, " since when did your flings begin to stick around till sunrise."
"When did you start breaking into people's houses?" She retorted.
My mouth parted, closed, and opened back. "Fair enough. But—"
"Skip the commentary Layla and tell me what you want here." Her tone was piercing. It came as a quick reminder to the fallout we had from our last fight.
I hesitated for a moment, then I spoke. " I don't know if I'm in trouble with Viktor..."
Naomi crossed her arms . "An apology would be a good start. "
"What ?"
"Yes."
I groaned. " Fine .... I'm sorry."
Then Naomi took a seat.
"Now spill."
I took a seat beside her and told her everything about Viktor's mumbling of my nickname, about his sudden rage.
"He said your childhood nickname? That has to be some creepy coincidence... or your husband is your ancestor."
Remembering the last time Naomi took anything serious was the hardest thing.
"Naomi, really?" I blinked .
"Really. Look, men don't even remember things like that even if you told them. Unless you said it in bed by accident."
"Naomi, please, can you at least fake seriousness for two seconds? "
" But I am dead serious. " She stood up and poured herself a glass of wine then plopped back onto the couch. "Look, if this man called you a name I barely know, in his sleep, it's either he sees things, or has some deep history connected to your past , or you're losing your mind, but I'm betting my money on the last one."
I couldn't hold back the laughter. "You're impossible."
It was still pretty much early in the day but Naomi poured us both drinks and we talked, drank and ate take outs. I laughed till my side hurt. I realised I had missed Naomi much more than I could have imagined.
I needed her more than she needed me.
The day was drawing to an end so I stood up to leave, Naomi looped her arm through mine. " Do me one favour."
"What now?"
"It galls me to say this, but when you get home, cook for that husband you disobeyed me to marry. Put on something sexy. Take a steamy photo and send it to him on WhatsApp. View once. He'll be back crawling, trust me ."
" I can't believe I listened to you all through . You're insane." I snorted.
Deep down, the idea steamed in my head. All through the drive home I was sorting my lingerie closet mentally, debating if I still had the lace slip Viktor once complimented.
But, the second I walked into the penthouse, my plan died in my head and I was struck.
The dining room was designed in soft candlelight. Crystal roses filled the table. Champagne sat chilling in ice. Across the table was Viktor, at the center sat a cake with bold letters written in perfect icing "I'M SORRY"
I froze in the doorway.