"Don’t say that," Layla said softly, her fingers tightening around his. "Your hands aren’t ant to harm anyone. That’s what I believe," she added.
Lucius glanced down at their entwined hands, but Layla pulled hers away as the waiter approached, pushing a food trolley. He then set their dishes on the table.
"Enjoy your al," the waiter said with a polite nod before walking away.
Lucius’s gaze remained fixed on Layla. "What if I did?" he asked.
"Did what?" she asked, lifting an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued.
"Killed soone," he replied bluntly.
Layla didn’t flinch. Instead, she tilted her head, studying him. "You an those gangsters? The scum who hurt innocent people?" she said calmly. "It’s different, Lucius. You’ve protected others from monsters. But still, I hope you won’t take the law into your own hands." She paused, her lips curving into a teasing smile. "Though, I do know how you like to flash that gun of yours to scare people."
A soft chuckle escaped her as she picked up her fork. "Now, let’s eat before the food gets cold," she suggested.
Lucius smiled. ’She believes even when she’s not present in such tis. She thinks I won’t ever hurt anyone. Then, why the people who were once close to , refuses to see that,’ he thought.
"Open your mouth," Layla’s voice cut through his thoughts, drawing his attention. He blinked, focusing on the fork she held in front of him, a piece of penne balanced on its tip.
Without a word, Lucius leaned forward and took the bite. Layla smiled softly, withdrawing her hand to continue her own al.
"By the way," she said between bites, "after lunch, I’m heading to see Ruby. She hasn’t read my ssages since two days. I’m a bit worried about her."
"Sure," Lucius replied, setting his fork down. "I’ll co with you."
Layla raised an eyebrow. "Don’t you have work to do? I heard Roderick’s going to be announced as chairman next week. Shouldn’t you be focusing on exposing how unfit he is for the position?"
Lucius leaned back in his chair, picking up his glass of water. "I could," he said, his tone calm. "But for Antoine’s sake, I won’t. Not yet." He took a slow sip.
Layla paused, her fork hovering mid-air. "Your brother wouldn’t have let the company crumble," she said gently. "Having dated Roderick, I know what kind of man he is. I probably shouldn’t say this, but he never took the company seriously." She set her fork down. "You’ve always told not to make decisions based on emotions. Maybe it’s ti you took your own advice."
Lucius mused at her last statent. "Sure," he said.
After having their cozy lunch, they left together to the book cafe that Ruby owned. Layla exited the car first and saw the cafe was closed.
Layla called her but Ruby’s phone was off. "Ruby never did this before," she said, lowering her phone and looking at Lucius.
"What about her family? Maybe she has gone to them?" Lucius though knew about Ruby’s origin, but in his eyes revealing it to her without knowing the entire truth would not be good.
"She grew up with her grandmother, who lives in a countryside," Layla said.
"Countryside? Huh? Are you sure?" Lucius asked.
"Yes. What do you an by that?" She frowned and again called Ruby, but the phone was switched off.
"Maybe then, she has gone to see her grandmother. Since you have your own busy life she didn’t bother you," Lucius asserted, telling her not to worry too much. ’Ruby didn’t tell Layla truth about anything,’ he thought.
"Hmm. You are right," Layla said, feeling suddenly low. "I hope everything is fine with her." She went to the car and sat into the front passenger’s seat.
"Layla will be hurt to know Ruby’s truth," Lucius murmured before heading to his car.
"Ruby never did this before, Lucius. She would inform if she would go to see her grandmother," Layla said. "I am worried for her. She’s short in money too. I even landed a helping hand, but she refused. In my own worries, I forgot to check on her," she murmured.
"She will get back to you soon. Don’t overthink," Lucius said as he started the engine before driving off to their ho.
"I hope she does," Layla whispered.
~~~~~
"I thought we agreed to et in the evening. And now, you’re an hour late," Roderick said, his voice laced with irritation as he glared at Sylvia.
"I’m done, Roderick," Sylvia replied flatly, her tone devoid of its usual energy.
Roderick frowned, his annoyance deepening. "Done? What are you talking about?"
Sylvia let out a tired sigh, her gaze falling to the ground. "I’m going back to the U.S. I don’t want anything to do with Lucius anymore," she said. It made Roderick stiffen.
"You can’t just walk away like this!" Roderick snapped, his voice rising in frustration. "Do you have any idea what’s at stake?"
"Shut up, Roderick," Sylvia shot back, her sharp tone silencing him montarily. Her eyes glistened with unspoken pain, but she refused to let it show. "This is my decision, and I’m not changing my mind. You shouldn’t either do anything to them. Lucius and Layla can’t be separated. And Lucius loves her a lot. If you loved Layla, you would not have ever cheated on her." She picked up her handbag and left his sight.
"Fuck it," Roderick muttered. "I thought she was a crazy, obsessive bitch. Then, what changed her mind?" He muttered with confusion.
He paid the bills of the two coffee he had ordered in an hour and left for his ho.
Upon arriving ho, he found Alekis present in the living room. "Good evening, Grandpa. Why aren’t you in your room? It is cold here," Roderick said.
"I was waiting for you. Have a seat," Alekis said, motioning to the sofa chair across from him.
Roderick settled on it, wondering what his grandfather had to tell him now.
"Why do you bla your uncle for your father’s death? I want to hear the truth, Rick," Alekis said sternly.
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