Layla's head was still lowered and her nails dug into her palm, in an attempt to stop her hands from trembling.

Damian glared at her coldly and looked at his board members apologetically, they took the clue that the meeting has automatically come to an end because of Layla's disruptions, and one after the other, they troped out of the beautifully decorated and comfortable sitting room where the meeting was held.

Some of the board members ignored Layla on their way out while others stared daggers at her and hissed, but none of them dared to pass a silly comment verbally to her because they all knew Damian, he was the youngest among them but the most feared, most importantly he was so unpredictable.

The last to leave the room was his assistant, Amy, she was dressed seductively and swayed her waist trying her possible best to get Damian attention.

Layla noticed Amy and felt ashamed on her behalf,
“ why will a lady try to make herself noticeable by a man, he should be the one trying to get her attention not the other way round,” Layla thought

When Amy got to the door, she cast a pissed glare on Layla, and seeing that the latter did not retaliate she pushed Layla by the shoulder and pretended to fall, making it look like Layla was the one who pushed her.

“ Can't you see you simp!!” Amy shouted at Layla while looking in Damian direction hoping he would speak up and scold Layla but Damian behave like he was not present in the room.

“ You should watch where you are going Miss,” Layla said unapologetically and Amy did not miss the aversion in her voice.

Amy was angry at Layla's words, even though she did what she did to get Damian attention she didn't expect Layla to sound the way she did.

Amy was about to speak out when Damian told her to get out coldly and her cheeks went red with embarrassment instantly, Layla’s

couldn't help but giggle as Amy made her way out.

“ Now I ask you again and for the last time, did I ask you to marry me?” Damian asked her, his countenance indifferent and his sophisticated voice made her more embarrassed and afraid too.

Layla’s voice was very low and if one did not pay close attention you won't hear what she was saying.

“My mom told me that you asked to marry me and I am only here to let you know that I don't want to marry you”

Damian took a deep breath and cast his gaze on her making Layla feel more afraid now, He stood up and walked in her direction, the tapping sound of his feet like drums in her chest.

“ What did you say again,” He asked

Layla was beginning to look like a fool before Him now, how many times does she have to repeat what she said to him?

“ I said I do not want to marry you and you won't force me to!!” she responded quickly as If any pause will drain the life out of her.

Damian laughed out loudly for a few seconds then said to her after regaining his composure,

“ Then go and tell your mom you don't want to marry me because I also do not want this marriage”

His response took her unawares because he never asked her to marry him and the last time she saw him was at his dad’s funeral and he did not mention anything about marriage to her.

Layla’s voice became thin now
“ But my mom told me you asked to marry me”

“ So go back and tell her you do not want to Damian Wilson my dear Layla Jones” Damian spat coldly.

He knew this was bound to happen that was why he kicked against it when his late father told him about this arranged marriage.

Compared to Damian, Layla was not his type, he had a thing for older women because he feels he doesn't need to tell them what to do. They are already mature and have a good experience in relationships unlike Layla, imagine she bumped into a board meeting to disclose such news to everyone, older ladies would never do such.

Damian knew Layla to be a smart girl, not expecting her to be this stupid to interrupt a board meeting. From the gown she wore to her petite form, she looked like a teenager. Her face was still bowed down to the ground but he didn't care, she has just embarrassed him in front of his board members and he was still upset.

“ But..

“ You may leave, I am busy at the moment” He cut her sharply. Layla lost every follicle of adrenaline she gathered and didn't say more.
She would do as he said and see the outcome, who would have thought that refusing him was going to be this easy?

Her tiny legs carried her out of the sitting room and Damian gnashed his teeth.
He dialed his mother's number. “ I'm sorry to disappoint you Mom but you have to cancel the wedding plans, I told you and Dad that this was a bad idea”

His mother Karen was both surprised and upset.
“ you have to give me a reason,” She said from the other end of the line, both she and Damian’s dad were close to signing a business partnership with Layla's stepmom before his dad passed away, but his mom was bent on finalizing everything despite the demise of her husband because this was not just an arranged marriage but a business collaboration.

Damian was feeling a pending headache which could grow worse if he tried to explain. His mom is not an easygoing woman. “ I'll explain later Mom”

“ How did the board meeting go,” his mother asked just before he hung up.

Events of what transpired a few minutes ago flashed back and Damian cursed Layla in his mind. “ it went well Mom, we will talk about it later” he replied and hung up immediately to avoid further questions, he knew his mom, she is a persistent woman and will stop at nothing till he let his reasons for the annulment of the marriage known to her.

Damian put a call through his office intercom and ordered Amy, his secretary to summon the board members into the conference room while they continue their meeting while he starts a video chat on Skype. He was upset but work has to go on, especially now that the company is about to go bankrupt.

Layla didn't return home immediately, she stopped at her best friend, Ava’s house since both Ava and Damian lived in the same estate.
Ava was three years older than Layla but she loved Layla’s company a lot and age was not a factor in their friendship since Layla thinks and acts more mature than her age.

“ How did it go,” Ava asked eagerly.

“ He asked me to tell Isabella I am not interested in marrying him”

Ava’s eyes opened in surprise,
“ Just like that?” she inquired.
Layla nodded in affirmation. “ That was easier than I thought, so what if Isabella gets mad at you for this” Ava asked

“ I don't know, let's just wait and see what her reaction will be”

The two spoke about other things over a glass of orange juice and cookies Ava's mom prepared for them, Layla left after a while with mixed feelings, she hopes Isabella won't get mad at her for confronting Damian.

Layla walked her way back home with Damian’s words still imprinted in her mind.

The sound of boxes and packing met her at the entrance of the house as soon as the door was pushed open.

“ What's going on here” she panicked.