Taken By The Arrogant Billionaire

“Are you okay?” Dylan asked on their way to the old mansion. “You look distracted”

It was true. Her mind was filled with the picture of the little girl she had seen earlier. She looked awfully familiar. But how could a dead person be familiar to her? “No. I’m fine. I’m not just used to all these yet” About four cars were following them.

“We need to do this”

She received a text message from Valerie.

“Layla has returned” Sandy heaved a sigh of relief. She thought Layla was going to disassociate herself from them forever.

“Okay”

************

“You will have your engagement next week” Old Smith said. Jared immediately stopped chewing.

“What! Grandfather, we should not rush this”

Old Smith slammed his hands on the table. Jane and Sandy flinched, while the others remained unmoved.

“How long do you want to drag this? Your brother has gotten married, so what is stopping you. You are having your engagement next week and that is final” Jared gritted his teeth but said nothing. Jane looked away, hiding a smile.

The next day was a Saturday. Layla woke Valerie up.

“What do you want?” She asked angrily, still semiconscious.

“Let’s go shopping”

“Shopping? No. You go yourself. I’m not interested” she waved her hand, ready to go back to sleep, but Layla yanked the blanket off. It got Valerie furious.

“Get out before I get mad!”

“It won’t be nice if it’s just you in the house. Let’s go outside for some fresh air”

“No thanks. Out!”

Layla wasn’t someone to back down easily.

She carried her on her shoulder. It was easy because Valerie had a small body. She dumped her in the bathroom and locked the door from outside. She hit her fist against the door several times.

“Layla, open this door!”Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Layla whistled in response.

“I hate you!” She screamed at the door.

“Thank you for the compliment” she went to her wardrobe and started to pick clothes. Layla quickly opened the door when she was sure Valerie was done. She glared daggers which she hoped were going to tear her into shreds at that moment.

“Come on. Please do this for me” Layla whined.

Valerie refused to talk to her all through the ride till they got to the mall. Valerie became confused when Layla selected numerous clothes and held them up against her torso.

“Who are these dresses for?”

“You, of course” Layla replied, searching through the clothes.

“Me? Why?” The dresses she had picked were many, and they were all expensive.

“Because I want to make it up to you”

Valerie scoffed, though deep down, she was touched. “Are you saying I’m materialistic?” She asked, crossing her arms.

“No. That was not what I meant”

“These dresses are expensive. Where will you get the money?” Layla paused for a while, before turning to her with a smile.

“I just received my paycheck so don’t worry” Valerie rolled her eyes.

“I never said I was”

They were distracted by the clanking sound of heels against the marble floor. Valerie looked back and furrowed her brows when she realized who it was.

Jane sat haughtily, crossing her legs.

“Welcome Miss Anderson” one of the shop workers smiled flatteringly, handing her a magazine.

“Do you know her?” Layla whispered.

“Yes. She’s my boss’s fiancée”

“Fiancée? Shouldn’t the Smith family’s future daughter-in-law be elegant? This one looks ill-bred and proud” she tutted.

“Let’s finish quickly and get out of here?”

“Why? We aren’t disturbing, are we?”

“Just do as I say” she said in a low voice to the confused Layla.

Jane looked up and recognized Valerie immediately. She smirked and beckoned the assistant next to her over, whispering into her ear. Valerie knew that she was up to no good and couldn’t wait to leave. The assistant walked towards them.

“Madam, we are truly sorry, but the customer over there wants to have this dress” she pointed at one of the dresses Layla was holding. She could see Valerie liked this one.

“Why should I?” Layla countered.

“Layla, just give it to them. Let’s not make a scene”

“A scene? You like this dress, don’t you?”

“Yes, but-”

“So, why should I give it to her? I picked it first”

“Madam, she’s a VIP. You don’t want to get on her bad side”

“VIP?” She rolled her eyes. “She could be a VVIP for all I care. I’m not giving it so scram!”

Valerie placed her hand on her forehead. She felt a headache coming. Why did she forget Layla was as stubborn as a mule? She wasn’t the type to give up without a fight.

“What is going on?” Jane said, walking towards them.

“She refused to give you the dress”

“Yes. Because it’s mine” Layla said. Jane laughed before turning to the assistant.

“Has she paid for it?”

“No madam”

She turned back to them with a smile. “See? It isn’t yours” her eyes strayed to Valerie who kept silent and was looking at the floor. “I’m guessing this is your friend. Oh! Aren’t you Jared’s secretary?” She feigned surprise. Valerie gave a stiff smile, nodding.

“Right. I can’t be mistaken. I suggest you speak to your friend to hand it over. She said the last words with gritted teeth. ” Or do you want to find out what will happen if your boss finds out about it” Valerie’s heartbeat skipped.

Layla raised a brow. “Jared Smith won’t fire her. If he does, then he is as stupid as you are” Everyone in the room gasped. Did she just speak of the all-powerful Jared Smith that way? Layla didn’t look like she saw anything wrong with what she said.

“Did you just call me stupid?”

Layla raised her chin challengingly. Jane took several deep breaths to calm herself down. She didn’t want to make a scene and tarnish her image.

She said to Valerie. “Make your choice. I’m not that patient”

Valerie turned to Layla, but she quickly interrupted. “Don’t even try. I’m not giving this to anybody” she insisted. Valerie pleaded with her eyes. She looked like she was going to cry. Layla’s heart softened immediately.

“Alright. You do want us to have this, right? Okay then, but I am not going to give it to you!” She threw the dress on the floor, and to everyone’s horror, she began to step on it.

“Layla! What are you doing?” After she was done, while breathing heavily, she picked up the dress, raising it.

“I’m sure the classy and elegant socialite wouldn’t want to buy something so dirty, would she?” The room was dead silent. Jane’s anger was visible. Her made – up face had turned red in a matter of seconds, and she was breathing heavily from anger.

Layla laughed. “Well, I guess she won’t be buying it anymore. So, if you will excuse us” she grabbed Valerie, and together they went to pay for the items, leaving Jane mad.

“You want me to lose my job?” Valerie asked in a low voice as soon as they entered the taxi. She didn’t have the strength to scream at her. It was like all her energy had been sucked out.

“At least we saved your dear dress from getting into the wrong hands. And don’t worry. He isn’t that narrow-minded”

“You sound so sure”

“He is a powerful figure and from the way he looks, he isn’t”

“You can tell a whether a person is narrow-minded just from the way he looks?”

“Yes” Layla said quickly.

Valerie shook her head incredulously and rested her back. She almost jumped out of the car when she heard a scream.

“Aaaaaaahhhhhh!” Layla screamed, frightening the shit out of the driver.