Chapter 21
Layla inhaled softly and shut her eyes tightly as the driver drove off in silence.
****
They were finally home and Mirah rushed in happily while the driver helped with their luggages.
” Finally!, We are home ” She gushed happily. Layla only walked past her without saying a word.
” What’s wrong with her? ” Mirah muttered silently.
Layla laid flat on the bed after dumping her luggages somewhere. She closed her eyes, lost deep in thoughts.
It’s just some minutes away now and she’s missing him so bad. That’s really strange. But, he didn’t look like he was going to miss her. He looked okay with her leaving.
She wished they could stay for some days more. She took her phone and scrolled down to contacts. Her eyes landed on his name saved as * Shane * on her contact list and she tapped on it gently.
She saw the dial icon and her finger slowly crept closer to it. Why would she call him all of a sudden. Her finger was just an inch away from the dial button when she decided against it, she dropped her phone on the bed and made her way to the bathroom.
Meanwhile, her finger had unconsciously pressed the dial button and Shane picked the call at the third ring.
” Hello.. ”
” Hey… ”
” Layla… ” He called severally but got no answer until he hanged up.
Mirah walked into the room and laid flat on the bed. She was tired and happy at the same time.
Layla walked out of the bathroom and took her phone from the bed. Her eyes caught the call log and she realized she had called Shane without knowing and he picked it, she thought of dialling his number again to tell him it was unknowingly. He picked at the first ring, seems he was expecting her call.
” Hi ” She said gently.
” Hey Layla,, you called me the other time ” He said and she nodded before realizing he couldn’t see her.
” Yeah, I did.. it was by mistake, my phone dialed your number ” She replied and without seeing him, she could know that he was nodding as he didn’t give a reply quickly.
” Alright then ” He finally said.
” And thanks for helping ” He thanked again and she released a smile.
” Of course not, I should thank you instead.. thanks for footing my dad’s bills” Layla thanked.
” It’s nothing ” He replied.
” Um, I should go now.. bye ” She stated and he also bade her goodbye before hanging up.
She inhaled softly before dropping her phone only to meet with Mirah who was staring at her intently.
” What?… ” Layla asked and Mirah scoffed.
” You know well that you two are breaching the contract, right? ” Mirah asked and she furrowed her brows the more.
” How?.. I don’t get… ”
” You just called him, you two were on a call just right now,, the contract says after the contract ends, you two are to go your separate ways.. ” She stated and Layla let out a scoff.
” What?, They only meant that I wouldn’t be of service to them anymore, not like we can’t meet anymore ” She replied and Mirah scoffed.
” You know I’m right ” Mirah insisted.
” So ’cause of a contract, that doesn’t mean we can’t meet ever again, what if I happen to meet him coincidentally,, at a mall?… or at a cafe or anywhere,, does that also mean we’re breaching the contract? ” Layla asked but Mirah only stared on.
” What?, You won’t say a thing anymore? ” Layla asked in a mocking tone.
” Why does it look like you really don’t wanna leave, and if your wish could be granted, you would stay forever? ” Mirah suddenly asked the most obvious question ever and Layla went mute.
” I’m right?, ain’t I? ” Mirah asked again.
” I’m sad, buh I don’t know why,, I just feel sad ” Layla finally broke down. She walked over to the bed and sat down right next to Mirah. She turned to her with sad look, glaring so obvious on her face.
” Why? ” Mirah asked as she also looked at her.
” I don’t know, I just.. feel sad,, I just wished I could stay for some few days more with him, maybe then I wouldn’t feel all this ” She muttered and Mira pulled her into a hug.
” It’s fine, you’ll be fine ” She muttered and Layla nodded.
” So, when are we resuming work? ” Layla asked as they broke the hug.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
” Next tomorrow ” She replied.
” We should go see mom and dad tomorrow then ” She suggested and Mirah nodded.
” Yeah, we should.. and we should buy them enough foodstuffs along with us ” Mirah added and Layla nodded.
” When are we enrolling in the University? ” Mirah asked. ” Tomorrow, before we visit mom and dad ” She responded and Mirah nodded with a smile.
****
” We did it!! ” Mirah jumped happily as she stared at the box sitting before them. It’s containing everything they would be needing for college.
” I’m so happy, we’re finally college’s students ” Mirah gushed and Layla smiled widely.
” Me too ” She replied as they unwrapped the box.
” I love you ” She said and Layla turned to her surprisingly.
” What? ”
” I wouldn’t have achieved this, but it’s all because of you, it only took us a week when we’re supposed to be struggling right now still trying to get money for college bills but you made it happened,, all thanks to you.. ” She muttered almost in tears and Layla sighed.
” Come on,, don’t cry ” Layla muttered as she drew her closer to her, wiping her tears slowly.
” We did it together, It wouldn’t have been possible without you.. come on.. ” She urged her not to cry.
” Thanks ” Mirah muttered again, still in tears while Layla sighed the more.
” Can you stop with the unnecessary appreciations,, it’s making you sound nice when you’re not ” Layla groaned and Mirah let out a chuckle. ” Ofcourse, I’m nice ” She said, hitting Layla’s arm lightly.
” So, are we visiting mom and dad now? ” Mirah asked and Layla nodded.
” Yeah, we should head out now.. we would come back to this later ” She said, gesturing at the box and with that, they made their way out of their apartment.
*****
* Mr and Mrs Brown’s Apartment *
” So, I gave you guys all these? ” Layla asked unbelievably as she stared at the store stacked up with more than enough foodstuffs. Even the apartment looked new and different to her, almost everything had been reconstructed.
” You didn’t? ” Her mom asked, confusedly and Layla shook her head swiftly.
” No, I was just joking ” Layla said, covering up her suprise look with a smile. Her mom nodded anyways, still in suspicion. Mr Brown had went on an outing with his friends. Seems, he’s getting really better now.
Layla turned to Mirah and she also had the same suprised and shocked look on.
” So, you two are enrolled now? ” Mrs Browns asked, turning to them in excitement and they nodded with smiles on their face, still trying to cover the fact that they’re shocked as hell. They didn’t even do a thing.
How come the apartment is all new and changed and they have more than enough foods now. Mrs Brown even said she was planning on opening a mini super mart with the huge money Layla had sent them, and that alone is confusing them the more. They hadn’t sent a thing to them yet, they were still planning on doing that,, but now…
” So, where did you get all that huge money? ” Mrs Brown suddenly asked breaking the two out of their thoughts.
” Huh? ” Layla asked in confusion.
” Where did you get such a big money to do all these? ” She asked again and Layla suddenly went numb.
What was she going to say? She can’t probably tell her mom she acted as a substitute bride for a millionaire.
” Layla???,,, Did you steal from someone!? ” Her mom suddenly asked as she drew closer to the two girls who were obviously trembling in front of her.
They couldn’t think of a thing to say. ” Mom, come on, don’t you trust me!, I can’t probably steal from someone ” Layla said pretending to be angry and her mom’s face softened.
” Ofcourse, I know you can’t.. I’m just worried, I mean, all these…. Can’t just be from your salary, the money is definitely a huge one.. ” Mrs Brown said,, lowering her voice a bit.
” Um.. we… actually got this money from.. ”
” We won a lottery! ” Mirah blurted out instead.
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