Chapter 13
Layla rushed into her room and touched her chest, and weirdly her heart was beating so fast which got her worried.
What’s wrong with her?, Why was she suddenly acting shy in front of him?. She waved the thought of it away and suddenly remembered Lady Macbeth.
She rushed out of the room and made her way down the stairs. Lady Macbeth was still in tears by the time she got there and thy rn to her.
” What did he say?, Is he going to sack me? ” Lady Macbeth rushed at once while Layla’s lips twitched into a smile, Jennifer understanding what the smile meant sighed in relief.This text is © NôvelDrama/.Org.
” He said he has no plans of doing such, and I apologized to him already ” She said and Lady Macbeth pulled he into a hug immediately, as she sighed in relief.
” Thanks ” She mumbled in between the hug before pulling away while Layla flashed her a smile.
” So, we should continue ” Jennifer announced and the girls groaned but she ignored them and instead dragged them along, pulling them into the living room while Lady Macbeth smiled as she watched them.
****
” Why are there so many rules for a banquet meeting? ” Layla groaned, she was really tired. Jennifer had been teaching her some things she is to note about attending a banquet meeting.
Shane had informed them some hours ago about the invitation to attend a banquet meeting together later in the evening.
” Because,, it’s a formal meeting, lots of business partners would be there, billionaires and millionaires,, you’ve note these things so as not to misbehave there and that could cause them to sense a foul play ” She said and Layla sighed. She moved closer to her and held her hands,, ” You have to do this okay?.. for Shane ” She said and she sighed before nodding, distangling their hands from each other.
” I hope all this ends soon, I’m getting tired of them ” She complained and Jennifer smiled, stroking her hair slowly.
” It would end soon, I promise ” She muttered
” So, what if they suddenly starts to talk about business?, I don’t know a thing about business ” She asked.
” Just try not to get involved in any of their talks, and I’m sure Shane would try to cover up for you, but before then.. I should teach you some important things about business, and how Brielle handles her business, incase you were asked ” Jennifer announced and Layla groaned the more.
If there’s any other word that could qualify tiredness, that’s what she’s feeling right now.
” So, let’s begin… ” Jennifer trailed off as she diverted her attention to Shane who was descending the stairs while Layla wasn’t aware of this.
Shane noticed the tired look on Layla and he suddenly felt guilty, he shouldn’t have put such a young lady like her into all this, he only wanted to help her with the fees and at the same time earn a favor from her since she wouldn’t have accepted the money from him without paying for it, but at the same time, it looks like he’s stressing and overworking her.
He diverted his gaze from her before making his way out of the mansion. Layla noticed Jennifer had diverted her attention and turned only to see Shane who was just walking out of the mansion.
” How come I didn’t notice his presence? ” She mumbled and Jennifer continued.
***
They arrived at the banquet and Layla couldn’t hide her nervousness as she held on to Shane tightly. Shane noticed this and squeezed he hand softly, assuring her that everything was fine and she smiled lightly.
Shane was putting on A dinner jacket in a midnight blue color with matching trousers, with a black bow tie and a white evening shoes. He was also putting on black shoes with black socks.
Layla was putting on a long fitted dress revealing her curvy shapes adorned with some evening jewelries.
They were both looking classy, Layla was wearing her undercover makeup as usual, giving her Brielle’s look. The makeup was perfect that no one would notice, even Shane, all he keeps seeing right now was Brielle.
The event was at a mansion, probably the hosts house but it’s widely spaced and big enough. They finally made their way through the receiving line after encountering the Beadle who asked for the invitation card and for their names.
Not like he doesn’t know them, but it’s part of his job. The Beadle had announced their arrivals to the people in the hall as they made their entry, greeting each people in the line with a brief handshake and exchanged a few words of greetings.
They were finally in the drinks reception. They both had their seat and Shane met with some other business partners while Layla took her time to farmiliarise herself with the hall.
The Beadle gaveled and announced that dinner was about to be served. Everyone moved promptly to the dinning hall and Layla followed, with Shane beside her.
Jennifer had informed Layla to switch off her phone and it shouldn’t be brought out during the dinner for no reason. Photographers were seen taking pictures through out the evening.
Layla sighed as she watched everyone engaging in a conversation with another while she was sitted alone in silence. Jennifer had told her she shouldn’t leave the table once the dinner had started, so she had no choice than to sit and watch, as she sipped her juice in silence.
Shane was busy discuss with some business partners beside him. Layla noticed everyone there were putting on almost the same thing as they wore. Then she reminded Jennifer had talked about a dress code.
The Beadle gaveled to bring the room to silence and almost immediately, everyone went silent. Then the host stood up and announced the order of the toast and they all toast to success.
It was time for someone to give a speech about working towards the success of their businesses and Layla’s heart couldn’t help but beat continuously after the beadle had called her out, tho she was still sitting.
Everyone’s attention were on her probably waiting for her to stand but she never did. She felt Shane’s palm on hers and that increased her nervousness.
Someone suddenly cleared her throat and they diverted their attention away from her. ” It’s fine, we should leave the speech for now “The host’s wife said and Layla breathe out the air she didn’t realize she had been keeping in.
She turned to Shane in embarrassment, but his attention wasn’t on her as he seemed engrossed in talking to the business man beside him and she bit her lips slowly.
She had embarrassed him, now she feel really bad and guilty. It isn’t really her fault, Jennifer had told her there’s a low chance of them calling her out for the speech and fhey had ignored tbat part. But she didn’t think of all this, all she had in mind was that she fvcked up.
It was finally time for them to leave as indicated on the invitation card, and they all made their way out of the hall promptly.
The host’s wife seemed like a very good friend of Shane, she had called Layla in a secret room and taught her some few things about attending a Banquet.
She wasn’t aware that she was talking to someone else and not Brielle. She had thought Brielle wasn’t really used to attending banquets as she had never seen her in one before. Layla thanked her and she had only smiled in return.
Layla was still in guilt as they drive home in silence. Shane wasn’t really mad at her, he wasn’t expecting her to say a thing anyways and he was glad she died. At least she did every other thing right, that alone he’s thankful for.
He noticed her nervousness as they were seated in the car and decided to approach her when they arrive home.
***
Mirah noticed Layla was unusually silent as they ate dinner, and it was the same with Shane, tho he had always eated in silence bit the atmosphere was a little bit tensed up.
” Is everything okay between you two? ” Mirah suddenly broke the silence and the duo looked up at the same time and then took a glance at each other.
” Yeah Mirah, everything’s fine ” Shane replied taking Mirah by suprise, she wasn’t expecting him to reply. It seems he’s changing a lot.
” Layla.. ” Mirah called and Layla raised her brow.
” Are you okay? ” She asked and Layla nodded. Layla glanced at Shane to study his expression to see if he was angry, but she couldn’t read him.
” I’m done, Goodnight ” Mirah announced, wiping her mouth. It was then Shane noticed Layla haven’t really been eating as she only kept picking on her food. She’s either full cause they had dinner earlier or she’s probably nervous.
Mirah had walked away, and the two were left alone in the dinning room.
Layla suddenly gathered courage to apologize and at the same time Shane decided to talk.
” I’m not angry ”
” I’m sorry ”
They both said and the same time and looked at themselves, their gaze colliding with each other.
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