PLAN
Layla looked outside the window hoping that someone would come across the door. It’s been three days since Nolan locked her in the room and since then, she had not laid her eyes on him.
It was as if she was placed in a lockdown, no one came in to see her, her meal was sent to her and that was all.
She badly wanted to meet Nolan and speak to him. She had no idea what happened, she was innocent. She didn’t know if he believed her or if he was so angry with her that he did not want to see her face anymore.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.
Layla’s mind was racing with questions, her thoughts spiraling. She didn’t know what to believe anymore. She didn’t know if Nolan trusted her, or if he believed the accusations against her. She knew she was innocent, but she couldn’t help but feel like she was being punished for something she didn’t do.
She couldn’t take it anymore. She had to do something, anything, to clear her name. She had to make Nolan see the truth.
She rose to her feet, pacing the room. She had to find a way to get to him, to make him listen. But how? Not when she was in the room?
She was still lost in her when someone turned the door knob, she quickly turned towards the direction of the door hoping it was Nolan, but Keisha and Aurora were the ones who came.
“Layla.. ” they both called with pity evident in their eyes.
” Aurora, Keisha.. ” she called, feeling grateful, at least someone came, though it wasn’t Nolan.
” I didn’t do it.. ” she burst into tears as she hugged Aurora.
” I know dear”Aurora mouthed, hugging her back.
Layla held onto Aurora, her body shaking with sobs. She felt like she was drowning, like the weight of the world was crushing her. She didn’t know what to do, how to make this all stop.
Aurora held her tight, letting her cry it out. She knew Layla needed this, needed to let it all out. “It’s going to be okay,” she whispered, rubbing Layla’s back.
“We’ll figure this out.”
But Layla didn’t know if that was true. She didn’t know if things would ever be okay again. She didn’t know how to make things right.
“How are you doing?” Keisha asked handing over a napkin to Layla who muttered a thanks to her as they made her sit in the bed.
Layla took the napkin, wiping her face as she tried to compose herself.
“I’m okay,” she replied, her voice hoarse from crying.
“I just… I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to fix this.”
“You don’t have to fix this alone,” Keisha said, her voice soft and reassuring.
“You have us, we’ll help you. We’ll figure this out.”
Layla looked at Keisha, her eyes filled with gratitude.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice raw with emotion.
“I don’t know what I’d do without you both.”
” Rest assured Layla. You have us. You have nothing to worry about. Just think about your baby. Your delivery is near and you have to be strong for that..” Aurora informed as Layla shook her head slowly.
Layla looked down at her belly, tears forming in her eyes. She was so close to meeting her baby, but she was scared. She was scared of what would happen, of how everything would play out.
“I’m so scared,” she whispered, her voice breaking.
” You don’t have to be..” Keisha said.
” All you have to do is tell us what happened? ” She requested.
” Yes, Layla. You have to tell us what happened that day. There’s no way you could have just appeared on the bed with the guard? ” Aurora rejoined.
“I don’t know. Everything was going on smoothly, then I suddenly began to feel weak and tired. Then Carla offered to take me upstairs, we were still in our way, then I began to feel very dizzy. The last thing I remember was losing consciousness.. ” she explained.
Layla’s words sent a chill down Aurora’s spine. She could feel the fear and uncertainty in Layla’s voice, and it made her heart ache.
“Did you feel anything else?” she asked gently.
“Did you feel like you were being drugged or anything like that?”
Layla’s eyes widened. She hadn’t thought of that. She had just assumed she had been weak or exhausted, but now, the idea of being drugged had taken root in her mind.
“I… I don’t know,” she said, her voice uncertain. “I don’t remember much.”
Aurora exchanged looks with Keisha. Now this felt very fishy, Layla was very energetic that day, there was no way she would suddenly lose consciousness.
” You have to remember. Just try to recollect if you consumed anything and that Carla.. I feel she has something to do with this.. ” Aurora says meaningfully.
” I’ve seen the way she looks at you and can tell she doesn’t like you. Then where did her sudden kindness come from and what happened after you lost consciousness, you were still with her when that happened..”
Layla’s heart was beating faster, her mind racing. She didn’t want to believe Carla would do something like that, but she knew Aurora was right. Something about Carla had always bothered her, and she had to admit, it made sense.
“Do you think she might have done something to me?” she asked, her voice trembling.
” Definitely. It’s so obvious she has eyes in Nolan. She would have done this to set you up..” Aurora pointed out.
“I think the same too Layla. We’re going to look into this and If Carla is responsible she’ll pay for it.. ” Keisha gritted her teeth in anger.
” I have to speak with Nolan.. ” Layla requested as Keisha and Aurora both exchanged glances.
Nolan had ordered that she should not be let out for the time being.
” Layla.. ”
” Listen to me and help me meet him. I have to speak with him. He can’t keep me here forever.”
Keisha and Aurora looked at each other, clearly conflicted. They wanted to help Layla, but they didn’t want to go against Nolan’s wishes. They knew how important Layla was to him, and they didn’t want to risk upsetting him.
“Alright, let’s do this..” Keisha agreed as she felt it would be better if Layla spoke with Nolan.
She was pregnant and she should have no reason to worry especially when her delivery was due.
The two women formulated a plan, deciding that Keisha would take Layla to Nolan’s office, while Aurora kept watch in case a guard was coming.
They knew it was risky, but they were willing to take the chance. Layla was desperate, and they knew she had to talk to Nolan.
So, Keisha led Layla through the halls, making sure they weren’t seen by anyone. They finally reached Nolan’s office, and Keisha knocked on the door.