Chapter 75

A thud echoed in Layla's heart.

Please, please... don't expose me.

She prayed feverishly in her mind, wishing she could disappear into a crack in the ground if there was one.

Samuel seemed to enjoy tormenting her, taking his time to answer, his gaze heavy with unspoken thoughts as he regarded her.

The anxious look on her face was both infuriating and amusing. It seemed she was bold and brash only in front of him, but a meek little lamb around others.

"Mr. Holland?" Jennie asked, puzzled. Was Mr. Holland looking at you?

There had been some rumors circulating in the company about them, but they faded after a day or two and she hadn't paid them much mind. The big CEO and the junior assistant, that was a stretch, right?

Jennie's mind brushed past the curiosity without dwelling on it.

"I live here," Samuel finally said, eyes downcast.

"What?" Layla gasped, looking up into his dark eyes. He lives here?

Her face was a picture of utter astonishment, a perfect portrayal of being gobsmacked, while Jennie's features danced with a blend of shock and sheer excitement. 'Mr. President, are you actually saying you're my neighbor in 1503, right across the hallway from me?

"Mhm," he responded casually, a touch of pride in his internal victory. He'd managed to get the tenant of 1503 to move out within a day. Now he was the resident, and he was eager to see how his little bunny would try to get rid of him now.

Internally, Layla cursed: Damn it!

How could he resort to such maneuvers? A CEO should have some decency, shouldn't he?

"That's great. Now we're going to be neighbors. Please look out for me, Mr. President," Jennie said, extending her hand, which Samuel coolly ignored as he turned and went back into his apartment.

His glance brushed past Layla's face, the smirk at the corner of his eye intensely irritating in her view.

As the door to 1503 closed, Jennie immediately grabbed Layla's hand, spinning around in excitement.

"Oh my gosh, am I dreaming? The CEO lives right across from me, right across!"

"Maybe sharing routines with the President will spark a romance."

Layla just wanted to move out, if only she had the money...

The apartment here was about the size of a room in his house, just separated by a wall. What was the difference between this and living in his house before?

And she had to be cautious of being seen, which made it even more troubling.

Why did she have to be so unfortunate?

Could she never escape his clutches in this lifetime?

"It's not that exciting; he's the CEO," Layla muttered quietly, her grievances unspoken.

"What does it matter if he's the CEO? My family isn't exactly poor. In love, everyone is equal; there are no CEOs or employees. It's perfect!" Jennie was already directing an entire movie in her head.

Layla trudged back to the bedroom, collapsing onto the couch.

Her head ached.

An invisible net seemed to be closing in over her head.

Suffocating.

"Ding-dong-"

The doorbell rang, and she nearly leaped off the couch to yank the door open, pulling the man from outside into her sanctuary.

"Something in a rush?" Samuel chuckled low, his arm outstretched overhead, caging her between the wall and his chest.

The dim, orange lighting softened the edges of his features, melting away the icy demeanor he'd carried moments before.

"Back off," Layla pushed against his chest.

"You were the one in a hurry, practically dragging me in here," he teased, his gaze lingering on her flushed ears, the urge to nip at them growing stronger.

"I didn't want Jennie catching you outside," Layla retorted, shooting him an annoyed glance. "Why did you even move in?"

"The whole building's mine, can't I live here?"

"But right next to me? You're just trying to get on my nerves!"

"If you didn't care, how could I possibly get under your skin? I have a big effect on you, don't I?" Samuel shifted his arm casually against the wall, his languid posture bordering on playful, his whispering voice as seductive as lovers' murmurs.

Layla recoiled slightly, "Don't... Don't talk in my ear."

His warm breath in her ear felt like hundreds of tiny ants crawling inside.

"You're so sensitive." Samuel was tempted, lifting her chin gently. Those honeyed lips drew him in, and he succumbed to the impulse to kiss her...

Just as their lips were about to meet, Layla covered his mouth with her hand, "Don't."

Her heartbeat thundered.

Thankfully, she'd snapped out of it in time, narrowly escaping his...

He teasingly licked her palm.

Like a jolt of electricity, Layla jerked her hand back, her face flushing red, "You..."

"...You've got me so flustered," Layla admitted, her voice tinged with embarrassment. "I'm not easy."

"Seems you've forgotten you owe me $350,000. What, planning on skipping out on me?"

Layla lifted her chin defiantly, forcing courage into her voice, "That's right, I'm not paying you back."

"That's quite amusing," Samuel couldn't help but find joy in teasing her, "So, you're not planning on being reasonable?"

"What's there to reason with someone like you?"

"Looks like I don't have to be reasonable with you either then," his eyes darkened. Before Layla could react, her arms were pinned at her sides, held firmly in place.

"Samuel, what are you doing?" she panicked. "Stop it."

"I love to misbehave," he murmured before claiming her lips.

Layla writhed, her wrists held tight, a deep sense of humiliation washing over her.

Why did he have to bully her like this?

His grip tightened around her waist, his powerful frame pressing closer, seeking more, eager to merge with her very being, his kiss wild and domineering.

"Ding dong, ding dong-"

The sudden doorbell ring sliced through the room's passion.

Layla's heart raced at the low growl that escaped the man's lips, a curse word slipping through his gritted teeth in frustration. His usually handsome face was creased with a displeasure she rarely saw.

"Layla, Layla, it's me-open up," Jennie banged on the door.

"Let go, please," Layla whispered urgently, a desperate edge to her voice.

"Ignore her," Samuel ground out through clenched teeth.

"I can't, she knows I'm home," Layla's eyes, clear-cut in black and white, shimmered with untold stories. Her lips, just kissed, were still moist.

Samuel's resolve melted as he uncapped her pleading hand and released her. "Go into the room."

He had felt a thrilling rush when she pulled him into the room moments before, but now, being asked to hide away, he felt a surge of annoyance. Was he really that shameful to be seen?

"Hurry, get in there," Layla pushed him into the room, quickly fixing her hair before answering the door.

"What took you so long?"

Jennie stood outside, dressed in a blue bodycon sundress with a yellow flower tucked behind her ear, the embodiment of vacation vibes. Her curves were the kind that no man could resist.

"I, uh, fell asleep," Layla said, her face flushing as she fibbed, "You're all dolled up. Going out?"

"When am I not pretty?" Jennie struck a sassy pose. "I'm planning to invite the boss over for drinks at my place. Join us?"