Layla's POV
I took the folder with me back to the bed room. It felt like a curse sitting in my hands because it made my hands shake so much that I almost dropped it at the hall way.
My knees were weary at the time I got to the room.
I gave another look at the folder as though I expected my name to disappear this time but it was still there, my own name, written in black ink. It looked like a nightmare.
Sleep completely deserted me that night. I left the files spread out beside me while I sat at the edge of the bed. I clutched my phone in my palm in a mix of fear, shock and confusion.
I finally decided I needed to dial Viktor. I dialed him again and again but every call went straight to voicemail.
"Oh Viktor...." I whispered, my voice broke. "Just come home and tell me you know this is some sort of mix up."
All night, I whispered prayers beneath my breath, hoping he would show up, but Viktor didn't come back.
I lost track of time and certainly didn't realise I eventually slept. It was barely sunrise when I heard a startling sound of the doorbell jerking me up and giving me some foolish hopes that maybe it was him.
But it wasn't. I froze when I saw Chloe standing at the threshold.
"Good morning, Layla," she greeted with a dangerous sweetness. She swept her eyes over me in my wrinkled pajamas and dark circles round my eyes. Before I could think of inviting her in, she walked in as though she owned the place.
"What brings you here?" I asked with my voice coming sharper than I had intended it to.
Chloe flicked her hair back and gave me a knowing smirk.
"Viktor sent me, he needs change of clothes. Lead me to his closet, please."
Since when did Chloe address Viktor by his first name?
The stun in my face was becoming too obvious so I squeezed in. "Clothes?".
"Yes. Lead me to his closet. He has a specific."
I let the words sink in while she swept her gaze over the house with her countenance dripping with mockery... or something else. I couldn't tell.
"On a second thought, I know where the closet is at." She said and strode the stairs.
"Since when did you work for Viktor, the last I checked your request was still in consideration. And you are not his assistant, are you?" I barked behind her.
"Oh honey... you must have really lost track of events."
Something inside me burned. I wanted to rush up and pull her by the hair and drag her down the stairs, kicking her by the butt out of the house and reminding her I'm the queen over here. But the humiliation in my heart was heavier than the anger .
Also, I could tell she was enjoying every bit of relishing my confusion like it was her favourite wine.
Again, I considered pressing her for more answers, but I held myself. Viktor is the one who owed me answers. I couldn't let Chloe have the satisfaction of watching me bleed, not again.
"Don't take from the mastersuite's closet. He barely wears them. Look in the room in front of you." I said in finality, making sure she heard me from up there.
She walked into the room slowly like a queen walking through her palace. I decided to go up the stairs behind her.
When I opened the door, I watched her sort Viktor's clothes and hum under her breath like she was completely at ease.
Then, she turned to me with a bundle of clotged in her arms. Her lips still had the same poisonous smile.
"Thank you for your hospitality." She said as though she least borrowed sugar from a neighbour.
I spared her no word.
When she walked away my inside churned with a déjà vu I hated so much.
My last humiliation in the presence of Chloe, I had Julian stand beside her, now it was Viktor's absence slicing me apart.
I could not hold it together again, I threw in casual clothes; Jean and plain blouse. I grabbed my keys and headed to the firm.
When I arrived, my heart raced. I sped straight to his office then I met his secretary. She lifted her brows at me.
"Mr. Douglas is not in the office."