"Laylah, I'm asking you, why did you just throw the money at them like that? Haka ake sadaka?" Amina asked, her voice heated and annoyed.

Laylah scowled and glared at her. "You always complain, Amina. Everything I do is wrong in your eyes. Can't you just give me some space?" she snapped, her words sharp.

Amina felt her anger rise, but she should be used to Laylah's rude behavior by now. Yet, it still hurt. She shook her head, wondering how her best friend could be so selfish and mean to everyone.

"Kema, Amina, ina ruwanki? You're being nosy again," Yasmin chirped in, defending Laylah.

"Yasmin, stay out of my business," Amina warned, her eyes flashing with anger.

The argument continued as they climbed into Laylah's brand-new BMW X6, a gift from her father the previous month. The car had made Laylah even more arrogant and entitled than before.

"Enough, please," Laylah said, her voice firm, as if she wasn't pleased with Yasmin's comment. "Are we going to The Vue or just sit here and argue?"

"Of course, we are," Safiya replied jovially. "It's Friday, and we must go out every Friday evening."

Laylah had already started the engine, and they zoned out of the supermarket area, heading to The Vue in wuse zone 5. As they drove, Laylah suddenly spoke up, her voice excited and annoyed.

"Guys, I forgot to tell you something. Remember that shopkeeper we met in the mini mart back in my estate last week?"

Yasmin and Safiya immediately responded, "Na tuna shi, that rude but fine man," Safiya said, making Laylah frown and hiss.

"You can be stupid sometimes, you know that right?" Laylah said harshly, her words cutting.

Safiya rolled her eyes and sank into her seat, while Amina sat in the front, waiting to hear what Laylah had done this time. She was no longer shocked by Laylah's actions, just disappointed.

"Anyways, Mamii sent me to our neighbors in unit 2, and I saw him right at the gate of the house, standing. He saw me, yayımın kallan banza, sannan yayi tsaki- what a stupid man," Laylah said, turning the signal and taking a right turn.

"And what did you do about it?" Yasmin asked, invested in the conversation.

Safiya moved forward from the back seat to connect the Bluetooth to the car radio, as if she couldn't do it while sitting back.

"I also hissed and walked past him," Laylah said, her voice firm. "But, honestly, the man is very annoying, yet somehow so neat and put together. He didn't look like a shopkeeper at all. Do you know what shocked me more when I was passing him? His cologne—it was the scent of an expensive perfume. It was a rich, woody aroma, with notes of cedarwood and sandalwood, like how could he afford such perfume? Not possible!"

"So, you like him or what? Cause you obviously sound obsessed." Amina finally spoke, her voice laced with amusement.

Laylah glared at her, just as they came to a red light. "Like him? A nobody like him...?"

"But he's good-looking, though. And besides, he could be a rich man since he lives in your estate obviously. He looks like an Arab man, Laylah, just the way you want your man." Yasmin said jokingly, which only annoyed Laylah more.

"You think a fine face makes up for being a low-life? Get a life, Yasmin," Laylah snapped, her insult sharp.

Yasmin hissed lowly, ignoring Laylah's comment as they arrived at The Vue and stepped out of the car, heading into the restaurant.

Laylah walked in first, and the moment she stepped inside, Jawwad's eyes landed on her. Unbeknownst to him, his heart skipped a beat at her appearance.

She wore a beautiful, floor-length abaya in a rich shade of navy blue, with intricate gold embroidery adorning the hem and sleeves. The outfit was modestly designed, covering her from head to toe, yet accentuating her curves in all the right places. Her delicate matching veil wrapped around her head, revealing her heart-shaped face and piercing brown eyes.

JAWWAD relaxed back in his seat, watching as the rest of the girls walked in, but he looked away immediately. He had no interest in getting involved with someone as arrogant and disrespectful as Laylah. He hated her for her condescending attitude and disrespect towards others. People like her made his blood boil.

"Did you see the hot girls that just walked in?" Rayyan asked, referring to Laylah and her friends.

"Who?" Jawwad replied, pretending to be clueless.

"C'mon, AbdulJawwad, I saw you checking out the first girl that walked in. She's gorgeous, no doubt. Maybe we should go talk to them," Rayyan suggested, making Jawwad irritated.

"I don't approach girls in public and you know that, especially not ones who think they're above everyone else," Jawwad said, his tone laced with revolt. "And besides, they look like trouble - loud, flashy, and completely lacking in modesty. So, it is best you stay away from them."

Rayyan was taken aback by Jawwad's remark. "Well, I'm going to try my luck," he said, standing up to approach Laylah and her friends.

Jawwad didn't even spare him a glance, let alone watch what would happen. He was sure, however, that Laylah would treat Rayyan with the same disrespect she had shown him last week.

As he sat there, he picked up his phone to see yet another missed call from his mother. He sighed with the intention of calling back later. He needed space to process his emotions, but his family weren't giving him the time he needed.

Jawwad's eyes fell on the ring he wore, and his heart skipped a beat. He used his palm to cover his eyes, then massaged the bridge of his nose.

Taking a deep breath, he unlocked his phone again to gaze at his home screen. A faint smile escaped his lips - if he had a flower for every time he missed her, he could walk through his garden forever.

Just then, a high-pitched, annoying voice cut through the air. "Are you deaf? I said I'm not interested, what part of my words didn't you understand?" It was Laylah, and her tone made Jawwad's blood boil.

He glared in their direction, just as Laylah poured a bottle of water over Rayyan's head. Jawwad couldn't help but grimace at her ill-mannered behavior.

He had never met a girl as loud and rude as Laylah. She was beautiful, he'd give her that, but her beauty was nothing compared to her ugly personality.

As he watched, his hatred for Laylah grew. How could someone so beautiful be so cruel and heartless? He was glad he had nothing to do with her, and he hoped to keep it that way.

Embarrassed, Rayyan swiftly exited the restaurant, unable to bear the murmurs and gossip of the other patrons.

Jawwad couldn't help but chuckle to himself, recalling that he had warned Rayyan about Laylah's behavior. However, his friend had ignored his advice.

He paid the bill and left the restaurant without even glancing in Laylah's direction.

Meanwhile, Laylah continued to talk loudly about how men always bothered her wherever she went. "Why do you always have to be so aggressive?" Amina scolded, trying to reason with her. "Can't you let him off easy for once? Letting your anger get the best of you isn't the solution always. Laylah ki bi duniya ah hankali wallahi."

Laylah ignored Amina's words and started typing on her phone. Suddenly, she let out a frustrated hiss and stood up, leaving her friends without a word. She stormed outside and headed to her car, feeling agitated and annoyed.

As she reached her car, she noticed a black Mercedes Benz parked beside her car.

Jawwad was standing against the car, his eyes fixed intently on her. The moment their eyes met, Laylah's heart skipped a beat.

She felt a strange, unsettling sensation, like her heart was both heavy and light at the same time. She couldn't focus enough to understand what was happening to her.

He gave her a dismissive look, then turned away, as if she was insignificant. Laylah felt a surge of anger and indignation. Why did he always treat her like that? What made him think he was better than her? Who exactly does he think he is?

She walked to her car and unlocked it, just as Jawwad got in and started the engine. She paused, watching as he drove away from the restaurant premises.

Something about the encounter made her feel uneasy and irritated. She couldn't understand why she was reacting this way, especially when other men were always chasing after her.

She got into her car and started the engine, feeling like she was on edge without knowing why. All she knew was that she was angry and frustrated about a nobody, and she didn't like it one bit. With a scowl on her face, she drove away, leaving her friends behind.

~~

Laylah and her crazy, toxic attitude 😂🤭
Anyways... I hope you enjoy this chapter! Your feedback means a lot and will motivate me to keep writing and updating. Thank you so much for your continuous support. See you on Saturday!❤️