Chapter 3 Laila POV

Laila POV

"Is everything okay, Laila", he asked, looking worried. "Yes, everything is fine. There's been some kind of emergency and I'm needed at home, I answered, immediately picking up my bag and heading outside.

I decided after the whole incident the previous day, to stay home. I called the office to let them know I'd just come down with a fever.

"I'll be heading out for a few hours", Anton said, handing me a cup filled with coffee and cream, just the way I like it. "Be good while I'm gone", he said planting the longest kiss on my forehead. The kiss grossed me out, but I had to force a smile. It's maddening that he's acting this way, after the crazy stunt he pulled yesterday. "I'll be okay, it's just fever", I said, hoping my husband would just leave me be and head to wherever it was he was going. He walked to the door, blowing me a kiss before shutting the door behind him.

I stood up, and walked towards the window. I was worried, terrified even, but couldn't stop thinking about the man from the bar last night. Sitting at the window pavement and closing my eyes as I inhaled the fresh morning air. Pictures of the beautiful scene from the bar last night filled my thoughts. I remembered every smile, every muscle, every scent. I had left in a hurry but hoped to see him again, but then I remembered the text from the bar last night. Picking up my cell phone, I stared at the text. "Stay away from him, you cheating whore!. You won't be warned again", I read the text in a very low tone. Scrolled up to read the second text, which was even more frightening. " I see Mimosa is your favorite. Nice shoes you've got there, princess. I'd hate to have to use the heels on your pretty head". So someone had been watching us at the bar. But who? I stared at the texts for a few more minutes, and while staring at my phone, a new notification came in. Out of fear of what the text might be, I dropped my phone immediately, swearing to not let whoever that was, mess up my day even more. Famished, I made my way to the kitchen for breakfast.

"Look who decided to grace us with her presence, hey princess", Tara said sarcastically. Tara and I had grown up together and have been best friends ever since, but she was more than just a best friend to me. Tara was my family.

She was making breakfast for me. Anton had called her to tell her about the fever. Tara was the one person I felt closest to. She was there for me when my uncle and his family took everything from me and sent me out into the cold street. She was my sister. I'd tell her things, I couldn't tell my parents.

Walking to the counter, where she was. I sat down, resting my head on her arm. "Didn't expect to see you here so early Tar". "What? Your boyfriend finally took my advice and decided to be rid of you?" I asked sarcastically. We both laughed and continued with making breakfast.

A sense of relief engulfed me. I didn't want anyone finding out about the texts, but Tara was not just anyone and since she was here, I decided to bare out my whole heart to her. "There's something you need to see later", I whispered to her. She nodded.

I walked into my room with Tara still scared, motioning for her to sit on the bed.

Feeling her inquisitive eyes on me, while picking up my phone from where I had dropped it earlier. I joined Tara on the bed, turned on my cell phone, and there was a new text. My heart skipped but as I looked closer, it was from the office. The employees were having a night trip on that day, and a broadcast had been sent across. I felt a rush of adventure and anticipation from getting away from the town, even if it was for a minute.

Turning to Tara, "Take a look at this weird and creepy text from last night", proceeding to hand her the phone. Tara glanced at the phone, with an expression that was hard to make out. She must be scared for me, I concluded. "This is messed up Lay. That's what she always called me. "If they text you again, we are going to have to go to the police. I'll also advise you to stay home for a few days until this blows over", she said, while holding my hand. Nodding in agreement, I hoped to hide that I was going on a trip that same evening.

I hated myself for lying to my best friend, but going away for a while was crucial to me. I packed a few things needed for the trip as soon as she left. Tara would have done everything to stop me from going on that trip if she knew and she would have done that for my safety.

The thought of calling Anton to let him know about the trip came to my mind but knowing my husband, he would do anything to stop me from going on that trip for his selfish reasons.

Leaving him a note on the nightstand, I quickly picked up my bag and made my way to the car. I planned to be out of the house before he got back.

I used to love Anton growing up, but since we got married, the very sight of him irritated me. I knew very well Anton didn't love me. Not as much as I had wanted him to anyway. The Leighs took me in, out of pity, after my parents' demise, and I married Anton a few years later. I felt indebted to them and believed we would grow to love each other with time, but that didn't happen.

I drove straight down to the location of the trip.

I was headed inside the hotel when I heard a loud thud and the next thing, there was a band-aid wrapped around my head at the hospital. I must have passed out because the only thing I remember was going inside the hotel reception.

The pain was unbearable but was nothing compared to the news I received from the doctor, and the text I had gotten on my phone.