????: Damn! who the hell is she? one of ours?

????: That's Layla Everett sir, she's been working here for years

????: Layla Everett...

The man watched Layla from afar with lust filled eyes as she was busy serving other tables. This man was none other than the state senator of Atlanta Georgia, Sam Buckingham, a heavyset white man with questionable business practices and an even more questionable moral compass. He sat at one of the many tables in the restaurant along with two other of his colleagues. One of the men smiled when he spotted the woman who'd grabbed his superior's attention

COLLEAGUE #1: Good luck with that, lots of guys have tried, and absolutely not a single one of them has so much as gotten her to leave the building with them

COLLEAGUE #2: Loyalty is hard to find nowadays. One thing is for certain, whoever put a ring on that is one lucky bastard

SENATOR SAM: Good luck? I don't need that, and loyalty? from my experience, everything in this world has a price tag... even her

Across the way, Layla turned to one of her coworkers, a young teenage girl name Opal. The girl blushed profusely when she came face to face with the older woman as Layla began to speak...

LAYLA: Yo, can you grab about three cold ones for fifty-two? I'd really appreciate it, Opal

OPAL: Y-yes ma'am!

The young girl happily obliged, feeling her heart skip a beat, dear god, if only she were older...

OPAL (Thoughts): If only she wasn't married!

She began setting a few drinks atop her tray before turning around and scanning the floor

OPAL: Table number, Fifty... two. Ah! there it is

Suddenly, Sam felt one of his colleagues nudge him in the arm, motioning to the teen that was approaching with their drinks

SENATOR SAM: About time, I was beginning to wonder when you'd show up, we're dying of thirst over here!

Opal began setting each of the bottles down before opening each of them, but unfortunately, when she opened the last bottle

*POP!*

A torrent of alcohol flew onto the senator's suite, drenching the man. Both of his associates reeled back, each placing a hand over their mouth in shock. Some of the other guests turned to slight commotion. Sam didn't utter a word. Instead, he began to inspect the drink that now stained his favorite suite. If he weren't in public, he wouldn't have had such a calm demeanor about the situation...

OPAL: I'm so, so, so sorry, sir. I- I didn't mean to. Please, don't be mad. I can't lose this job. I don't have anything else...

LAYLA: What's going on over here?

OPAL: Mrs. Layla, I-

Layla quickly accessed the situation, an almost completely empty bottle of alcohol, said contents currently mingling with the fabric of the suit that belonged to none other than...

LAYLA: I apologize for the inconvenience. I hope that we can come to some sort of understanding. You see, it's only her third day here and-

Her words fell on deaf ears as the man marveled at the woman's beauty. Her fair skin, her dark hair, and those soft yet piercing green eyes of hers. He caught himself, snapping out of his own self-imposed stupor in order to address the woman in front of him. He began to wave dismissively before speaking

SENATOR SAM: No big deal. Accidents happen, right?

he turned to his other colleagues who still seemed a bit shaken even though they weren't the one's who slighted him

SENATOR SAM: Right?

COLLEAGUE #1: Y-yes, sir!

COLLEAGUE #2: Things happen, totally! water under the bridge

Layla then turned to her trainee

LAYLA: It's okay, Opal. I'll take it from here. See what needs taking care of elsewhere for now

OPAL: Yes, ma'am. T-Thank you so much, and I apologize

The girl made her way to the back of the restaurant, not wanting to meet any of the judgmental gazes of the other guest. Seeing this, Layla took a deep breath... and spoke loud enough for all the nosey patrons to hear

LAYLA: Alright, people, let's remember this is a workplace. Things happen, and you've got entirely too much many to be shaming a poor girl over spilling overpriced alcohol that tastes like shit!

One of the patrons, a man, was about to open his mouth to reply but was stopped by one of the other managers who informed him that an argument with the woman wouldn't end the way he'd expect. Behind her, Sam only grew more and more infatuated with the woman as she spoke. One way or another, she would be made his, one way... or another

SENATOR SAM: You really know how to handle yourself

LAYLA: I guess, but the people who've started to dine here recently are just a bunch of spoon-fed trust fund babies.

SENATOR SAM: You consider me a trust-fund baby?

LAYLA: Aside from our state senator, should I?

SENATOR SAM: No, but what if I told you that I owned a large share in this place?

LAYLA: I'd tell you to give me a raise

As the two had their little back and forth, one of Sam's colleagues turned to the other and noticed the displeased look on his face

COLLEAGUE #1: The hell's wrong with you?

he whispered

COLLEAGUE #2: I'm a trust fund baby...

COLLEAGUE #1: Oh... I'm sorry to hear that?

Trying his luck, Sam decided to throw his hat in the ring, like many others before him

SENATOR SAM: Layla Everett, right?

LAYLA: Last time I checked

SENATOR SAM: I imagine all of.. this

He motioned to the rest of the restaurant before continuing

SENATOR SAM: Get's pretty boring. Coming into work, doing the same thing day in, and day out....

Layla knew damn well where this was going, but considering she found this attempt rather entertaining decided to "Hear him out," leaning on one hip, she allowed the man to continue

SENATOR SAM: Doesn't it get boring? I mean, you've got to want some sort of excitement in your life. A woman like you, with that much energy cooped up in here, it's cruel

LAYLA: And I suppose you're going to make my life more "Exciting" right?

Sam smiled a crooked smile, one that made Layla's skin crawl

SENATOR SAM: Baby, all you have to do is say the word

Layla rolled her eyes, having had enough. She decided to let her thoughts be known

LAYLA: I'm going to make this very blunt, so listen closely. I'm married to great man, I'm also a mother. The mere thought of you naked makes me want to vomit. Even if I were single, I wouldn't be caught dead in a relationship with someone as vile as you, sir. So do yourself a favor, and learn some self-control

The man gritted his teeth at the sheer audacity of the woman, her once calm eyes now peered into the man's very soul in abject disgust. He slammed a fist on the table, not too hard as to alert the other patrons, but enough to once again scare his colleagues. Layla wasn't fazed in the slightest as he spoke with a venomous tone

SENATOR SAM: You're one ungrateful and disrespectful bitch, you know that? Do you even know who I am?

LAYLA: Why, of course I do, sir. You're our valued guest here at the Bones restaurant

SENATOR SAM: I'm the state senator, you dumb broad!

Layla then clasped both hands together and gave the man an "innocent" smile as she spoke

LAYLA: Congratulations

In all the years Sam had been in his position, he'd never in his life been faced with such insolence. In his hands, he held the power to destroy someone's entire career. He could even have her fired, but... no, no, he had something much better in mind

Without a word, the man stood, throwing a bit of cash on the table before addressing his colleagues...

SENATOR SAM: We're leaving

COLLEAGUE #2: But I didn't even get to order desert...

Layla watched as the men slowly but surely made their way out of the restaurant. One by one, each of them exited, Sam sparing one last glance at the woman who dared to slight him. Her glare never wavered, and Sam scoffed as he left the building...

OPAL: Everything's done I my end ma'am. Oh, did they leave already? Oh no, it wasn't because of me, was it?

A hand was placed on the teen's shoulder as Layla gave her a reassuring smile

LAYLA: Let's get back to work Opal

This was going to be a long day

Meanwhile...

A seven-year-old boy was getting particularly giddy as he and his father walked past the various shops throughout Phipps Plaza. Large posters, vendors, and everything in between. Everywhere the boy turned there was always something going on

SHAWN: Oh man, I love coming to the mall, there's so many people dad!

LEE: Glad you're enjoying yourself... but, Shawn?

SHAWN: Hmm? Oh!

Shawn then realized he was lagging a few feet behind his father and proceeded to run up and take hold of Lee's hand. As they continued walking, Shawn took in the faces of everyone they walked past. Just then, the world around him seemed to move at a snails pace as he made eye contact with another small girl around his age. He blushed a bit when took in her features, with a skin tone only slightly lighter than his own, and the same grade of curly hair, what drew the boy in most was her honey colored eyes. Time seemed to move normally again once the two had split apart. Shawn glanced back at the girl who did the same before turning back to face forward, nearly breathless, the young boy muttered out the only words that came to mind

SHAWN: So pretty...

LEE: Something catch your eye?

SHAWN: Just an angel

Lee laughed as he and Shawn had finally reached their destination. Shawn looked up at the stores name above as they stood outside the entrance

SHAWN: Tiffany & Co? Whose Co?

LEE: It's just a short way of saying company

SHAWN: Like an abbrevition?

LEE: Abbreviation... and yes, like that. Good job

Shawn smiled at the praise. Lee opened the door and as they entered, they were approached by a formally dressed woman. Stopping only a few feet away from Lee, the woman spoke

SAMANTHA: Hello you two, My name is Samantha. Welcome to Tiffany & Co. Is there anything in particular I can help you with?

LEE: Yes actually you see-

SHAWN: I want a sibling, and the only way to do it is to get the best, most shiniest necklace, so that mom will be happy, and I can have a brother... or a sister

Lee grimaced slightly as the woman laughed softly at the child's declaration

LEE: I-I'm sorry, you see, me the misses anniversary is right around the corner so...

The woman raised her hand to stop Lee from having to explain any further

SAMANTHA: I completely understand, follow me and we can see about sending you to home with "The shiniest necklace we have."

SHAWN: Yay!

A few minutes later

SHAWN: Wooooah

Shawn's eyes sparkled just as brightly as the diamonds he gazed down upon. The boy's face pressed firmly against the glass as he smiled. While his attention was being drawn with that, Lee was busy going over the best deal possible with the Samantha

SAMANTHA: Anniversary huh? How long have you two been together?

LEE: *Phew* Well, we met in college, and got married in eighty-seven, so if my math is correct. I'd say this makes fifteen years, fifteen years... heh. Time really does fly doesn't it?

She smiled

SAMANTHA: That it does indeed. She's a lucky woman, your wife. They don't make'em like you anymore

LEE: I'm not all that

SAMATHA: Say that again and I'll reconsider giving you a discount

They share a laugh as they continued their back and forth. all the while Shawn was nearly finished looking at the various necklaces the store had to offer in their display case. His patience was starting to wane, he'd looked at nearly all of these necklaces and so far none of them met his expectations, until he spotted it...

SHAWN: Huh... neat

A couple more minutes passed and as Lee was telling a story about a camping trip he and Layla had taken years ago, it was interrupted as Shawn approached his father and the saleswoman

SHAWN: I think I found It...

Both Lee and Samantha gave each other a curious look before walking over to where Shawn had spotted the necklace. When they saw what he'd selected, Lee was surprised...

LEE: Wow

Shawn turned to his father and Samantha before explaining

SHAWN: I know It's not super shiny like the others, but when I saw it, I thought about mom and... I think she'd love it no matter what

Samantha placed a hand over her heart, trying desperately not to die from an overdose of wholesomeness. The urge to squeeze the young boy's cheeks was strong, but the threat of termination and the sheer unprofessionalism of such an act kept the woman at bay. Lee smiled as he walked up to Shawn and crouched down to his son's level

LEE: I think she would too, given her personality and all... Good choice son

He ruffled his son's hair a bit before turning to Samantha

LEE: You heard the man, we'll take this one right here

After a quick transaction, both Everett's had made their way outside the store, Shawn holding onto a small box that held his mother's new necklace. He smiled as he ran a thumb across the wrapping that encased the small box. Lee glanced down at his son and frowned momentarily, the day was going so well so far. Him and Shawn usually didn't get to spend this much time together and the one time they do, his son was on punishment?

LEE: Punishment sucks, doesn't it?

Shawn looked up at his father and nodded with a small frown

SHAWN: Yeah, especially when you don't get in trouble very often

He'd talk it over with Layla later, she'd understand, if anything, his wife was a lot more laid back than he was anyhow

LEE: As long as you promise to keep that anger in check, and apologize to your mother... how's about I lift that punishment, just this once?

Shawn couldn't believe what he was hearing

SHAWN: Really!?

Lee nodded

Shawn then grabbed hold of his father's leg tightly as he buried his head into Lee's thigh

SHAWN: You're so freakin cool dad, thank you, I love you so much

He couldn't help himself anymore, before Shawn knew what happened, his father picked him up and held him high in the air, eliciting a laugh from his one and only child before pulling him into a hug of his own

LEE: I love you too Shawn

In one swift motion, Lee set Shawn around his shoulders, the boy now grasping onto his father's head. Shawn looked down at Lee before speaking

SHAWN: Now what?

At that moment, both of their stomachs audibly rumbled, the two then looked at each other...

LEE/SHAWN: Food court

An hour later...

LEE: I'm heading to the bathroom

SHAWN: Okay

LEE: That means stay within the area

SHAWN: Noted

LEE: And don't talk to any strangers

SHAWN: Lips are sealed

LEE: Seriously I won't be gone that long, don't cause any trouble

SHAWN: Yes, sir!

Shawn replied with a small salute as he watched his father leave for the bathroom in a hurry, and once he was out of sight... it was go time. Turning his attention to the elevator only a couple feet away from their table, Shawn reached into his pocket and pulled out one of his small toy cars

SHAWN: Today's the day...

A few moments later...

It took a few minutes before Shawn found just the right moment, it was just a bit past twelve in the evening so there weren't too many people communing up and down the escalator at the moment. Lining up what he deemed to be the fastest of his hot-wheel cars. As he placed his car on the railing of the elevator that was heading down, Shawn closed his eyes before reciting...

SHAWN: Speed... I. Am. Speed. One winner. Forty-two losers, I eat losers for breakfast

He let go and opened his eyes, he then watched in astonishment as his car speed down the railing at lightning speed. To his horror, he then watched as it sped so fast that it was launched off the elevator railing smacking a random passerby on the next floor down in the back of his head

*Whack!*

????: Ow!

Shawn shuddered before racing back downstairs, he approached the man whose pain he unintentionally caused. The man bent down and picked up the culprit, inspecting the small toy car in confusion. His confusion however, was put to rest as its owner came looking for it...

????: This yours kiddo?

SHAWN: Y-Yes, I apologize mister, I just playing with it on the elevator and it's just shot out like crazy and-

????: It's okay, I'm not about to yell at you about it. My kid does the same thing. Here...

He hands Shawn back his toy, just then, a women walks up to the two of them with her daughter in toe. Shawn recognizes the girl from earlier and turns away with a blush, no way he just beamed her dad in the back of the head with his car, how embarrassing...

????: Ed? are you okay?

ED: Me? of course, small concussion, absolutely nothing to worry about Diana. This kid just dropped his toy, that's all...

DIANA: Um... what kid?

ED: This one right here- what?

But when he turned to look at where he was pointing, Shawn had completely vanished from sight. Ed deadpanned as he could feel his wife and daughter giving him worrying looks, it was then that his daughter spoke up

????: Are we still going to the arcade?

ED: C'mon Clem, you know the answer to that one, of course we are! lets get moving!

DIANA: I don't know, flashing lights might not be a good Idea for you right now Mr. "Small Concussion"

Shawn rushed back to his table, on the way there he saw no sign of his father. Hopefully that meant he still hadn't left the restroom just yet. Shawn pocketed the toy car before trying to act as though he'd been waiting for awhile. Soon enough, Lee returned and eyed his son who was trying, and failing, to act casual

SHAWN: What took you so long? I almost fell asleep

LEE: Mhm

A/N: Chapter two reboot, complete. If there's ANYTHING that I absolutely detested about the original chapter two, it's how little in the way of screen time I gave to Layla. I plan to rectify that completely. There are two sides to (Almost) every character in this story, Layla to me is a character I treated unfairly and considering the impact she leaves and what she goes through, I'd feel like a piece of crap if I didn't do her justice this go round. I hope my long time readers, both new and old, will be able to understand and sympathize with the character I had in mind. I will see you all in the next chapter