safe haven

nine months later

A hotel room door slammed open by Layla dragging her luggage inside with her other hand. She shut the door behind, locking it. Her feet halted at the sight of the four-star hotel room that had a nice view of the city. She proceeded to set up her belongings from the drawers of the dresser to the bathroom before dialing room service. The sound of her stomach grumbling made her realize how long she's been without food after the toll of traveling.

Once hanging up the phone, she laid her body back on the bed for a moment of peace.

The words of wisdom that passed down within the Morales was to always have a plan. Indeed, it helped Layla have some sort of mental preparedness. Even if she didn't have it all mapped out, a foundation was at least created.

"How was your flight?"

Layla watched the wine swirl in its glass in one hand, "Not bad when you're in first class." She snorted, looking out at the view outside.

"Of course, thought to ask out of courtesy. What are you up to now?" Devon inquired on the line.

The tv played as background noise for Layla while she ate dinner at the table. She called Devon for a sense of company in the lonely hotel room.

"Enjoying room service for dinner and this wine." Layla answered, resting the glass on the table before tucking her legs on the chair.

"That sounds like a relaxing evening." Devon let out an airy chuckle. "So, what are your plans?"

She placed her chin on top of her knees. "As far as I can say is that I'm meeting with Stella. I'll probably have everything sorted by the end of the week."

Devon frowned, sympathizing for his friend. "You should give yourself some time. Free your mind a little bit." He suggested. "Your lawyer had the restraining order sent."

"I'd feel better when I figure out a plan."

Sitting on the rooftop of a restaurant, Layla surveyed the windy city on a bright afternoon. Her fingers twisted the rings worn while waiting for her company. Upon her arrival, her mind didn't refrain from setting up this plan. She had to put a stop when the person she anticipated seeing made their appearance.

"Is this a dream? My beautiful friend in the flesh?" Stella gasped dramatically, approaching the table.

Layla rose from her seat, enveloping a warm smile. "Hi, Stella." She wrapped her arms around her friend for a tight embrace. A hug to which she melted from the desperation to be held.

"I missed you so much. It's been months!" Stella was fond to hear about the woman back in town after not seeing her for most of the year. When they pulled away, Stella found her seat while Layla retreated to hers at the table.

"I've missed you too. How are you doing? How's 51?"

Stella poked her tongue to the side of her cheek. "Quite a long story..." She trailed off, exhausting a rough sigh.

"Well, I have time." Layla winked, bringing the glass of water to her lips.

There the two friends sat as Stella caught up with the professional ballet dancer on the following events of her life and at firehouse 51. She discussed when her landlord evicted her out of her apartment to Kelly offering a room at his place for the time being. The firehouse dispatched at Chief Boden's wife's school due to what turned out to be an arson fire. Mouch recruiting the entire firehouse to enter the firehouse muster after conjuring a bet with a firefighter from firehouse 87. Without a doubt, they won after reeling in last minute assistance during a game of tug a war. Then there was a surprise visit from Sylvie's childhood friend Hope who ended up taking a job at the firehouse. Yet Stella's suspicions rose about Hope's character specifically isolated from receiving her paycheck. With Hope's uncovered past and Stella running her mouth about the woman caused strife between her and Sylvie. Eventually, Hope managed to retrieve Stella's paycheck.

"The important thing is that you got your paycheck at the end." Layla said, absorbing the amount of information Stella unleashed on her.

Stella hummed, "Yeah. And thankfully Kelly didn't mind if I pay rent late too, but it's the first time an incident like this happened." She rambled on.

"No surprise that Kelly was lenient. He cares about his friends." Layla commented. "Maybe it was a bad day at the office where a mix up happened. Like Hope said..." She tried to assure the firefighter but saying it out loud sounded unconvincing to which she caught.

"So, you don't think I was crazy to think she was involved with my lost paycheck, huh?"

There was a pregnant pause before Layla could respond. "Basing off her past and describing her character, I've dealt with people in the industry like that. She seems like someone who wants everyone to gravitate towards her, play hero. That shouldn't overshadow that she went to their office and wait for your new paycheck."

"Let's hope my next paycheck doesn't disappear on me." Stella joked, causing Layla to let out a laugh.

As they continued to eat, Stella steadied her gaze on the raven-haired woman. She wasn't sure how to come about the anticipated topic, but the woman was known to be direct.

"Now that you're here, wanna tell me why you had me collect your boxes you shipped to a storage unit you bought here instead of one in New York? Where you live?"

Layla drew in a breath, knowing this conversation would arise. The past several months, she sent boxes of her belongings to Chicago contacting only Stella to take them to a storage unit. She begged Stella not to ask any questions and not tell a soul. Stella complied and apprehended those boxes then. "I needed all my stuff in one place. They always say to travel light." She humored slightly, biting down her lip.

Stella leaned forward as a concerned expression formed on her face. "Did something happen with Jason?"

"Let's just say our relationship wasn't perfect nor did I realize the man he really is." Layla swallowed thickly as memories roamed in her head. The fear crept in. However, she composed herself refusing to dwell in it. "No need to worry because we broke up. Wrote a letter and left it on his bed before I left for the tour. He didn't receive it well since he showed up at one of the shows and threatened me. It was so humiliating." She ran fingers through her hair.

"I can imagine."

"Talked to my director and agent, we agreed that I would take a break. Next, I called my lawyer to file a restraining order against him. I stayed with a friend in California before flying here."

Stella frowned that her friend suffered through an abusive relationship. Moreso, anger stirred inside at the man who hurt her. "All I can say is that I'm glad you got out of it safe."

"My grandparents and mother always told me to have a plan. So, I didn't really register everything until a little after—likely coming here. Devon said I should relax instead of constructing my next move."

"I agree. Experiencing a relationship like that can take a toll on you even in the aftermath of it. Does anyone else know at least about the breakup between you two?" Stella questioned.

"Not yet. I thought tour would be a great distraction."

Stella pressed her lips together, "I'm guessing you're not planning to go back home."

"Home was with him at his place. Hotel in this city is the best option for now."

Layla leaned forward on the railing where her eyes surveyed the city that she was born and raised in. She blinked in thought of standing here. More specifically in how she ended up here at the stage of her life. Her breath shuddered as her fingers grazed lightly on the rail.

The door slamming caused Layla to flinch sitting in the bedroom. She drew in a few deep breaths to soothe the trembling state of her body, swallowing the lump in her throat. When she rose to her feet, her arms tucked into her body like a security blanket while strolling into the large, shared bathroom.

Once flipping on the light switch, her breath hitched staring into her reflection. She suppressed the tears prickling in her eyes as she dabbed the streak marks of mascara down her cheeks. Her mind pondered how she got to this point of her life. Her heart ached at the reality where every little thing she does needed to take caution.

Staring at herself in the mirror once more, Layla understood silently that she couldn't live like this anymore. She needed a way out. She needed a plan.

Tears began to form in her eyes while her hands gripped onto the rails.

Feet shuffled in the bedroom as Layla pretended to sleep soundly in bed. Eventually, the sound of the feet approached her bedside. A hand laid on top of her head before brushing back her hair to rest a hand upon her cheek. She refrained from twitching at the touch along with the kiss on her forehead and her cheek.

"I love you." Jason whispered. "And I'll miss you so much while you're on tour, darling."

Layla sat at the desk writing a letter ignoring the churning feeling in the pit of her stomach. When she signed off the letter, her eyes were glued to the words she written out. This would only be the beginning as she knew that this wouldn't be well received. Yet a part of her was prepared and the way out would be her standing her ground.

She folded the paper and slid it inside the envelope addressed to Jason. She rolled her luggage and carried her bag to the door where the moment she stepped out felt like a breath of fresh air after suffocating. 

-Terribly sorry for the long wait. Juggling three ongoing books and having motivation to write being switched on and off has been a struggle. Anyways, we are finally moving forward to dive into the reconciliation of Layla and Kelly's relationship. Special thanks to anyone still here reading this book, voting, and commenting. Hope you like it! Tell me what you think! Don't forget to vote and comment! Stay tuned!-

WRITTEN: 5/30/23

PUBLISHED: 5/30/23