07/24/2018:

Hello everyone. Hope you are all having a nice Summer. I just had surgery last week and trying to take it easy. Sorry I haven't updated. My health has not been the best so I haven't been writing. I will try to update later when I am better.

Thanks for Reading, Voting and Commenting. Stay Safe!

Layla's P.O.V.

I stood in front of the drafting table looking over some pictures that needed to be approved for a magazine spread. I was on a tight deadline and still had a few other spreads to go through. It was going to be a long week.

"Hey sweetie, we are heading out to get lunch. Do you want us to pick you up anything?" Darlene asks from the doorway.

"Where are you going?" asking without looking her way.

"Heading to the deli around the corner."

"Hhmm, okay. Can you get me the usual?" flipping the page to the draft and focusing on it.

"Okay, drink?"

"Um, orange soda or fruit punch." telling her. 

"All righty. We'll be back." she says as she turned to leave.

"Thanks!" calling out. So thankful I have Darlene and Michelle to take care of me. I know for a fact that if she wouldn't have asked to get me lunch, I wouldn't have eaten until dinner time.

I know I should take better care of myself. But owning your own business and keeping my clients happy and satisfied is my number one priority. My work ethics is over the top, but that is what and how it got me where I am.

Lost in my work, I startled when a knock and a clearing of a throat came from my office door. Looking up and turning around my eyes widen at who is standing there. "Amelia? What -- are you doing here? In my office?" confused by her presence.

Her perfectly red lipstick lips turned into a smile. "Hello Layla. I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd pass by to see you." taking off her Gucci sunglasses.

My eyes narrowed. "Why?" blurting out which surprised her. 

Clearing my own throat I say. "I mean why do you want to see me?" 

Amelia looked around the office, taking a few steps forward, she stopped in front of my desk. Glancing around, she reached out picking up a picture frame. Okay. Why the hell is she doing that?

My eyes stayed on her and noticed a flash of something in her eyes. Humming, she set the picture back down, cleared her throat and slowly lifted her head up to look at me. Her fake smile spread on her make up caked flawless face.

"To answer your question, I wanted to ask you out to lunch, you know, so we can get to know one another."

"Oh." taken aback. She really wants to take me, to lunch?

"Is there something wrong?" inquiring. Sure my face expression has her asking.

"Umm, well. First I'm wondering why you want us to get to know one another. Second, well, I can't go. Sorry."

Her perfect waxed and plucked eyebrows raised. "May I ask why?"

Crossing my arms as I lean my hip on the drafting table, I tell her. "First, I am trying to finish this work and second my lunch is on it's way. If I would have known -- not that I knew you knew where I worked -- I would have set time for a lunch meeting."

Her eyes glanced over to the drafting table and back to me. "How about dinner then?" her smile broadened. It creeped me out.

"Umm." how was I going to get out of having dinner with Amelia?

"Do you have plans?"

"No, but."

"But what Layla? Is there a reason why you don't want to have dinner with me?" asking suspiciously.

Actually, there were. I really wanted to say but, I had a feeling that she would probably go whining to Kiran about me not wanting to go out to dinner with her. Which I didn't.

"Amelia, listen." I started taking a deep breath. "You and I don't know each other."

"Exactly. That is why I came over to invite you out to lunch. I know Kiran and you are close --" making a face at that I said.

"We have been best friends since middle school." making sure she knew.

"Yes, so he and you have said. Anyways. I feel like we've met under bad circumstances and I would like for us, you know, to have a do over? To meet and get to know one another. It's only fair that you -- his childhood friend -- and I, his fiancee and soon to be wife, can get to know one another and become friends. Don't you think?" raising her eyebrow in question.

"I suppose." biting my lower lip to think about it.

"Do it for Kiran. I know how much he wants us to get to know each other and be friends."

"Did he tell you that?"

"Of course. He's told me quiet a few times. It would upset him if we at least didn't try."

She had a point. "All right. We should have dinner then." giving in. I don't know why I'm hesitant to get to know her. She is Kiran's fiancee and if he chose her to be his wife, then I should at least give her a chance. Right?

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Hoping that this dinner with Amelia went smoothly, I walk up to the hostess of the restaurant. Amelia told me to meet her at Le Petit Chateau. A very fancy and pricey French restaurant that I've never been to but she swears by it. 

The girl leads me to the center of the restaurant where Amelia sat looking at her cell. Like earlier, her make up and hair were perfect and so was the fake smile she plastered once she saw me walking her way.

"Layla, you made it." standing up to give me air kisses on both of my cheeks.

"I'm here. Like I said I would." mumbling back.

"Good, now let's sit and order." letting go of my arms she slid into her seat. I followed after.

Sitting in front of her was awkward specially since we just stared at each other. "I ordered us wine already and appetizers. I hope you like Duck Pate. It is one of my favorites."

"Um, I've never had it. Not much of a duck eater." I shrugged my shoulder as I picked up the menu to peruse. 

"Oh, well always a first time to try new things. I remember when Kiran tried it for the first time. He didn't like it much but he's gotten used to it."

"Hmm, Kiran has a simple palate like me. The first time he actually had rice and beans with pork was at my house. He immediately loved it and from then on, he would come over to dinner every week. Actually, a few times a week. He loved my mom and grandma's cooking. He once even joked around and said he would marry me if I cooked like that." chuckling at the memory. 

Realizing what I said, I glanced from the menu to look at her. Mentally groaning at her face expression, I say. "He joked around a lot."

"Obviously since he asked me to marry him." retorting back angrily. 

My eyes widened. Obviously. I couldn't help myself. "So, does that mean you can cook?"

Let's just say that the rest of dinner didn't go that well. Specially after she asked me to be their wedding photographer. Was she freaking crazy?