Chapter 28
Shane stared at her and she did the same, they continued staring at each other for minutes before Shane finally broke the stare. He looked away, at least he has seen her now. That’s all he wanted.
” Hey ” Mirah tapped Layla slowly. ” We should get to work ” Was all she said and walked back into the worker’s part of the cafe. They put on their working dress and began serving other customers.
Layla wouldn’t stop stealing glances at Shane and it’s the same for him too. He would glance at her every minute.
” Do you need anything else sires? ” Mirah asked with a light smile as she walked over to them. ” No, we’re fine. Thanks ” Alec replied instead. She smiled and glanced at Shane before walking away.
” You saw her now, so what now? ” Alec asked Shane. ” So we finish our coffee ” He replied rather with a scoff.
” You are not going to say a thing to her? ” Alec asked, glancing at Layla who served other customers along side other workers.
” I don’t have a thing to say to her ” He muttered, bringing his cup closer to his mouth. ” Yeah whatever ” Alec replied with a scoff.
Layla looked at Shane again and coincidentally, his eyes were also on hers. He smiled lightly at her and she looked away immediately and continued serving the customers. She released a secret smile as she did so.
” Seems you brought a great multitude here ” Alec said, looking around at the customers who wouldn’t stop taking pictures of them.
” Gosh, he’s so handsome ” Layla heard her co-workers saying. She let out a loud scoff and they turned to her. ” Sorry? ” One of them asked but she ignored them and continued with a coffee she was brewing.
” Seems you gat the hots for him too. But sorry baby girl, you have to share him. Every girl in here is in love with him, stop acting like he’s yours ” The girl confronted her. Layla sighed and dropped the cup, containing the coffee she was holding on the desk beside her.
” Can y’all return to your post now?, Your job is to take orders, so please do as you’ve been assigned and stop gawking your eyes on someone who has been taken ” Layla said and grabbing the cup on the desk, she walked past the girls.
” Who the hell does she think she is? ” One of them gritted her teeth. ” We should return to our post as she have said ” The other replied instead. ” Yeah whatever ” She muttered and the two walked away.
” Good job baby ” Mirah said to Layla who walked over to her at the counter, with a tired look on. ” Thanks ” She muttered and leaned against the counter.
” We have lots of customers today ” Mirah muttered and Layla nodded. ” Yeah, all because of Shane ” She replied. Mirah leaned closer to Layla. ” Why do you think he’s here anyways? ” She asked and Layla scoffed. ” I don’t know. He’s probably here to just grab a coffee like every normal person would do ” She replied.
Mirah let out a scoff and hit Layla’s arm playfully. ” Come on, you know that’s not true. It’s unlike Shane. He’s probably here to catch a glimpse of his bride ” She teased but Layla wasn’t really feeling it.
” Nah. That joke ain’t funny. What if someone hears you?, The contract has ended and we should stop talking about it. We never met Shane, that’s the deal ” She said to Mirah’s suprise.
” Are you okay? ” Mirah asked, suprised at her words. ” Yeah, I just wanna get him out of my head. He belongs to someone else now. I should know that ” Layla replied and stood up properly. ” We should go pack up those cups ” She said and walked away without waiting for Mirah.
” That’s new ” Mira muttered to herself before rushing after Layla and they both began packing the empty cups. The customers wouldn’t leave still despite the fact that they’re done with their drinks while some kept ordering more just to get a clear view of Shane till he leaves.
” I think Shane and his friend are done with their drink, you should go pack their cups too ” Mirah told Layla. Layla rolled her eyes at her. ” Whatever ” She muttered and headed towards the guys table.
She got there and bowed a little. ” Are you two done with this? ” She asked politely and Alec nodded while Shane only stared at her. Layla noticed his stares on her but wouldn’t look at his way.
She packed the two empty cups. She made to leave but Shane’s voice made her stop abruptly.
” Could I get a cup of coffee more?… Miss? ” He said, stressing the last word. Layla turned to him with a slight smile. ” Sure sir ” She replied and turned before walking away while Alec watched in awe the drama the two were playing in front of him. ” What’s really going on between you two? ” Alec asked when he couldn’t hold it anymore.
” Playing along to the contract rules. We never met ” He muttered. ” Really? ” Alec raised his brows slightly. ” You two never met? I thought the contract states too that you two are not to be in contact with each other after the contract ends!?, But you two calls each other ” Alec teased.
” You meant called right? ” Shane replied in a mutter. ” Yeah, whatever. So you’re going back to Brielle now? ” Alec suddenly asked, looking at Shane intently.
” She’s my wife now?, Isn’t she? ” He asked the most obvious question ever. ” What about Layla? ” Alec asked. Shane let out a sigh. ” Come on, she’s just a substitute. I should really forget about her as per the contract ” He muttered, tho he’s doubting if he could really do that.
Even without his knowledge, he’s addicted to her already. ” Your order is here sir ” Layla announced and dropped the cup in front of Shane. She had been secretly listening to their conversation and they weren’t aware.
” I’m just a substitute right? ” She would ask herself as she walked over to the counter. ” I’m a substitute ” She muttered and sat on a seat available in the counter.
” Y’all should continue taking orders! ” The shop owner suddenly shouted behind them and she got up immediately and hurried off to work.
“They’re leaving ” Mirah muttered to Layla after a light tap on her skin. Layla raised her head to the direction and truly they were leaving. They had tons of guards behind them, mostly cause of their fans who were waiting eagerly for them outside.
” He won’t say goodbye? ” Layla thought silently. ” Oh yeah. I’m just a substitute ” She muttered to herself sadly. ” I should accept that fact right?, He’s right. I’m a substitute and he’s actually married ” She said to her over and over again, lost in thoughts until Mirah tapped her, jolting her out of her thoughts.
” You sure you’re really okay? ” Mirah asked worriedly. She let out a forced smile, ” I’m really fine ” She muttered. ” It’s Shane right? ” Mirah asked, not satisfied with her answer.
” I’ll be fine, seriously! ” Layla replied instead. ” You should let go of him already. Seems he did so too, you should accept the fact that you can’t be with him again, he’s married for real. He has a legal wife ” Mirah said to her. Layla let out an exhausting sigh.
” Yeah, I’ll do that ” She muttered and Mirah smiled. ” Thanks. I’m really not okay with you having a sad look on so often. Please do forget about it ” Mirah added further.
” Alright, I will. I promise ” Layla muttered and Mirah released a smile. ” Thanks ” She said, stroking her hair and Layla nodded.
The television screen popped up, displaying Brielle in a live interview show. ” So, she’s alive? ” Mirah thought out aloud and Layla couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. ” That’s harsh ” She muttered still in smiles.
” Yeah, she deserves it for making Shane go through all that but here she is, looking all fresh and pretty. Such a selfless lady ” Mirah added and Layla chuckled again.
” Yeah. But she’s really lucky to have a man like Shane as hers ” Layla muttered the last sentence to herself.
Her head flashed back to how Shane stole glances from her and she couldn’t help but let out a tiny secret smile. It seems he cares right?
But then, she remembered his words again and her face went pale again. * She’s just a substitute *.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
” Am I really just a substitute to him? ” She muttered to herself.
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