Chapter 144

Nathan paled, not as frantic as Layla but looking hardly better for wear.

These sorts of incidents had occurred more than once to him, but it shouldn't have happened with Layla-she was the woman he cherished, not like the others!

"Damn it! What the hell happened?" Nathan cursed, raking his fingers through his hair with remorse-he never should have drunk last night!

"I didn't expect you to be... this kind of man... Beast!" Layla spat out her anger disdainfully.

"I'm sorry about last night, but I didn't do it on purpose, Layla...I would never take advantage of you when you're drunk. I was wasted too..." Nathan ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, insisting, "If I had any sense left in me, I would've stopped it."

"You planned this all along, didn't you?" Layla's blood ran cold, her whole body shivering uncontrollably.

Feelings of pain, embarrassment, regret, and anger all clashed in her chest, wrenching her heart.

"I trusted you so much, and to think you're this kind of person!" Her crimson eyes accused him furiously.

"I just wanted to tell you how I felt, I had no intentions of...anything happening...I swear!" Nathan hurried to explain, "I'm not the lowlife you think I am."

"Layla, I know I have a reputation as a player, but my feelings for you are genuine. I really like you, it's not just a fling. Will you be my girlfriend, please?"

"I could never be your girlfriend. I despise you!" Layla spat out through gritted teeth.

"Why? I admit I was wrong last night, but I was drunk too, I didn't know what was happening." Nathan blocked her path as she tried to leave.

Layla averted her eyes, not wanting to see his bare body. "Put on some clothes."

Nathan hastily wrapped a sheet around his waist, reaching for her, only to have her dodge away. "Can't you just cool off and let me explain?"

He'd never felt this desperate, anxious she'd misunderstand, his tone almost pleading.

"What happened last night can't be undone. But I promise you, my intentions are serious. Let's just say you accepted my feelings last night, and we move forward from there, okay? Lovers will eventually get there anyway..."

"I will never accept you!" Layla's voice emerged icy cold from between her clenched teeth, her gaze piercing.

"Don't be rash. You like me, don't you?"

"I do not like you, I never have. All I had for you was admiration and friendship, but that was before today," Layla stated coldly.

"You don't like me?" Nathan furrowed his brow. Then why did Nora say...

He had trusted his instincts about her, which is why he confessed so quickly.

In desperation, Nathan grabbed Layla's shoulders. "Don't say this out of spite, okay? I believe you do like me, Layla..."

"I don't like you; I already have someone I like and it's not you. Don't flatter yourself. Let's pretend today never happened, I don't ever want to think about this night again." Layla pushed him away, picked up her clothes off the floor, and rushed to the door.

Nathan stood frozen, color draining from his lips as his mind buzzed in chaos.

She didn't like him? Had he been delusional all along?

The actions he took last night... Nathan was confused and couldn't help but harshly blame himself. If it wasn't for his self-righteous planning, they wouldn't have ended up like this.

He might have had a chance before, but now with everything that happened, Layla must despise him. Friendship wasn't even in the cards anymore.

"Damn it!" In a wave of regret, Nathan violently kicked over the coffee table.

...

Layla quickly changed her clothes and hurried out of the resort.

As she reached the entrance, Mr. Vandella stepped out of his car.

"Miss Adkins, up so early?"

The sight of him sent her into further panic. Like a rat suddenly caught in the sunlight, Layla wanted nothing more than to find a dark corner to hide her tainted self.

"Miss Adkins?" Mr. Vandella caught up, "The car's over there, where are you headed? What's wrong?"

He could see her face was tense, her whole demeanor off, and couldn't help feeling concerned, "What happened?"

"No, nothing. Just... had a bad night's sleep," Layla stuttered, nearly bursting into tears. Her eyes reddened despite her best efforts, and she quickly looked down to hide them. "Let's go, please."

"Alright." Mr. Vandella opened the back door for her. Just as Layla climbed in, Nathan came running out, wrapped in a bathrobe.

"Layla..."

"Mr. Marley?" Mr. Vandella turned around.

In a panic, Layla urged, "Quick, get in the car."

Mr. Vandella frowned.

"Get in the car!" Layla almost screamed.

Without another thought, Mr. Vandella slipped into the driver's seat.

As Nathan caught up to the car, he started pounding on the rear window. "Layla, open the door. Let me explain, Layla..."

"Let's go!"

"Layla!"

Nathan's urgent cries drew a lot of strange looks.

"Layla!"

"Drive!" came Layla's shout, breaking with a sob as she started to crack, "Drive!"

"Please don't leave, Layla..." Nathan pleaded, tapping the window frantically.

Mr. Vandella started the engine.

In the backseat, Layla's eyes reddened more, with tears she could no longer restrain. She quickly covered her face, afraid to be seen.

Doubts swelled in Mr. Vandella's mind as he drove, and the situation looked all too familiar...

A thought struck him like a bolt of lightning, and he swiftly cut off the horrific guess.

Impossible! Miss Adkins would never betray the boss.

"Miss Adkins, are you alright?"

"...I'm fine..." Layla choked back tears, taking a long while to compose herself before wiping away the tears and looking up with a forced strength, her eyes red as a rabbit's. "Where's Samuel?"

"His father had a heart attack last night out of the blue. The boss is at the hospital with him."

Layla bit her lip and nodded quietly.

She arrived back at the mansion, dispirited.

"Miss Adkins, you've returned. Lunch is ready."

"I'm not hungry. I'm exhausted. I need to rest, please don't disturb me." Layla headed straight for her room and locked the door behind her.

Turning on the shower, hot water cascaded over her, and she couldn't hold back the sobs any longer.

Flashes of the previous night haunted her; Nathan had kissed her, they had fallen on the couch together, and then...

She felt tainted.

Filthy.

Even she was disgusted with herself.

Layla scrubbed her skin raw, wishing she could peel away a layer. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't wash off the dirt and the disgrace.

Curling up in a corner, she hugged her knees to her chest, letting the hot water wash over her as she cried like a lost child.