Chapter 80

"Oh, still wearing yesterday's outfit, I see. Very convincing," Samuel noted.

Layla's footsteps halted, her heart skipping a beat.

"Are you going to help me or what?"

"A peck on the cheek, and I'll think about it. Otherwise, you're on your own," Samuel casually tossed a towel over his shoulder as he strode into the bathroom.

The sound of running water filled the air.

Layla was itching to storm into that bathroom and give him a piece of her mind. The kind involving fists and feet.

She peeked through the peephole several times; Jennie was still camped outside. No chance for a discreet escape.

With each passing second, the clock ticked closer to eight. If she didn't leave for work soon, she'd be late.

Growing more frantic by the minute, Layla glared at Samuel as he emerged from the bathroom, her irritation mounting.

"Do you have to parade around in just a towel?" She snapped, feeling very exasperated.

Knowing full well he had a physique worth showing off didn't mean he had to flaunt it.

"Oh?" Samuel looked down at the bottle in his hand and began to untie the towel.

"What are you doing..." Layla yelped, quickly muffling her own voice, "What on earth?"

"Weren't you the one who told me not to wear it?" He asked innocently.

"I meant put on your clothes, not take everything off." She didn't believe for a second that he misunderstood; he was clearly up to no good.

"Is that so? I thought you preferred me wearing nothing at all," Samuel teased, his eyebrows arching playfully as his gaze took on a suggestive spark.

Despite her clear annoyance, Layla felt a flicker of... something. She was a woman after all, and immune to such sights she was not - though she chalked it up to pregnancy hormones. It had to be just that.

"Decided yet? A simple kiss or-let's drag this out all day. I'm not in any rush," Samuel said elegantly, settling on the couch with a financial newspaper, acting as if he hadn't a care in the world.

Layla was fuming beside him.

It was already eight-there was a meeting this morning!

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Jennie, still waiting at the door.

Layla was at her wit's end. She had no choice but to kiss him.

She lunged forward, but Samuel's reflexes were swifter. He turned his head and their lips locked in a firm embrace.

Her eyes widened in shock as she tried to break free, but he held her head in place and deepened the kiss.

All Layla could do was push against his chest.

It wasn't until she was almost out of breath that Samuel released her, looking at her with doting eyes, "Why do you always forget to breathe?"

His voice was deep and intoxicating, like a fine wine.

Layla's head buzzed - that kiss had really left an impact.

"Samuel, you're engaged. Aren't you afraid of karma ? You're such a jerk!"

"I told you, I have no fiancée. Don't just parrot what others say." Samuel smirked as if he had thought of something amusing. "Jealous, are we?"

"Jealous of who? Your fiancée? Don't flatter yourself. I despise you."

"A woman says 'despise' when she means 'like.'"

"No, when I say 'despise,' I mean I truly despise you. Intensely," Layla stressed through gritted teeth.

"If you keep this act up, I might have to kiss you again." Samuel feigned another move, and Layla, unable to escape, pursed her lips tightly.

"Be good, will you?"

Layla glared at him.

"If you're not good, I'm not letting go. Will you behave?"

Bearing the indignity, Layla nodded slightly.

"That's my girl." Samuel kissed her forehead as a reward and finally let her go to change his clothes.

He didn't close the door when changing, and in the moment his towel dropped, Layla quickly turned away, but not before catching a glimpse of something she shouldn't have seen.

Her face flushed red with embarrassment.

By the time Layla composed herself and looked back, Samuel was impeccably dressed in his suit, looking dignified and aloof - a far cry from his demeanor just moments earlier.

"Come here, tie my tie."

"Get Jennie to do it. She'd be delighted," Layla said irritably.

"But you'd get mad," Samuel countered as he pulled her waist closer. She didn't have the strength to push his arms away. "You..."

"I didn't touch her."

"Only because you haven't yet, right? Weren't you very close with her? Weren't you drinking at her place last night?"

Samuel teased her, "Are you genuinely clueless, or just pretending? I do these things to make you jealous."

At thirty, he felt childish for such behavior. But around her, he couldn't help himself.

"You always have an excuse."

"Fine, I won't touch her again, okay?"

"You better get going. I have work and a meeting to attend."

If Layla hadn't been so insistent, Samuel might have indulged in a little more affection, "Alright, I'm off. Work hard and don't miss me too much."

As he opened the door, Layla scurried behind it to hide.

"Morning, Mr. Holland. What a coincidence, I'm just heading out too," Jennie greeted him with a warmth as fierce as a blazing fire.

But Samuel was as detached and cold as an iceberg, acting as if she weren't even there, striding straight for the elevator.

Jennie hurried after him, "Mr. Holland, your tie..." She reached out to adjust it for him, but Samuel coolly dodged her hand and entered the elevator.

Jennie awkwardly followed him inside.

Relieved, Layla managed to make it to the company just in time, starting her day with a meeting.

After the meeting, Nathan kept her back.

"Isabel called me last night and said the project will continue under your lead."

Layla nodded, "Okay."

"You seem unsurprised."

"I had a talk with Miss Isabel. She's quite reasonable."

Nathan chuckled, "That's a first. Usually, people only talk about how unreasonable she is. How'd you sway her? You didn't sell me out, did you?"

"Just a joke," Layla quipped, "I actually planned to, but then..."

"Then? Got cold feet?"

"I figured it's best to hold that card for the right moment."

Laughing, Nathan pointed at her, "Guess there's no need to take you to today's architecture expo."

"The expo? Can I go?" Layla asked excitedly. She wanted to attend badly, but the event was too upscale for her to score a ticket.

"You want to?"

She nodded furiously, "Yes, very much!"

"Beg me."

"I'm begging you," Layla said without a moment's hesitation.

"Then give me a kiss."