Between love and betrayal

No one escapes their past

The road became lighter. The journalists scattered behind Francin on the other side of the road. The car carrying Layla was finally able to leave and drive through the city.

She looked around her, everything was different, the parks had been replaced by dozens of commercial buildings, the streets were spotless. Layla didn't recognise her hometown, she was really tired, the streets were wider, which was absurd, because the traffic had increased, as if the population had multiplied in that time.

There were new businesses on every corner, it was fascinating and at the same time nostalgic for her. She didn't recognise where she was going, as if stepping into Lochley for the first time.

—Mommy, Mommy, look, it's a very tall tree,— said Milka between excited words.

Layla smiled, it was a tree she had seen since childhood, it had the widest trunk in the city. It was amazing, it was still there, it was very moving. Raising her head, she looked a little to the right. There was a big building, in the central part.

It was really striking, tall and bright. It had huge skyscrapers, and a big sign on the top floor. Nothing surprised her more than the name on the sign: Bradley's company.

It was inevitable not to look at it, it shone on its own under the sun's rays. A feeling of sadness came over her and she looked back at her little girl.

She knew that many things from her past would come back, but she didn't expect to find them all on the first day.

—Oh, little one, look at that building. It's huge, isn't it? It's owned by that man I mentioned to you at the airport,— Samantha added.

Milka walked over to the car window and was dumbfounded by the height of the building.

—Mr. Bradley? The millionaire man? —Milka replied.

She understood everything perfectly. Her memory did not fail, she had stored that name in her mind, and she would never forget it.

—Yes, yes, Bradley Simon's, my goodness, that man has everything! —

Layla just listened and silenced her thoughts. She couldn't judge Samantha, after all she had felt the same way in the past. She was totally enchanted with a different man than the one she thought she had.

She smiled bitterly as the car parked. It was a small, old neighbourhood, with strong, well-detailed buildings. It was the perfect place to stay, it was close to her work and there was a German course for her young daughter.

Brianna was staying in the same neighbourhood, and that made it even more fascinating for her, as she didn't need much paperwork to find a place to stay.

Samantha was the first to get out of the car and immediately helped Layla with her luggage while she helped Milka out.

Suddenly, the silence was invaded by the ringing of a phone. Layla let go of little Milka's hand and checked her mobile phone screen.

—Darling, welcome. I'm glad you're doing well. I'll see you at home in a moment.—

Layla's expression turned cheerful, it was Brianna, on her way to greet her best friend.

She was happy, how could she not be? She was back and she had the full support of her best friend. It was a wonderful and strong thing that she was experiencing. It wasn't planned, but it was something she had to do at some point.

—Miss Layla, I have to go and inform the company of your arrival and organise your things in your office. I'll leave you my number and if you want anything, let me know,— Samantha said before saying goodbye.

Brianna would be there in a couple of minutes, Layla knew she was surviving on her own for a moment.

—Mommy, this is so beautiful. —

Layla heard such tender words and felt happiness. She was a child who used few words, simple ones, inherited from her father perhaps.

As the two engaged in a little mother-daughter conversation, a white car with closed windows drove slowly past them, parked only five houses ahead.

Layla was surprised, but decided not to make a big deal of it, after all it was a safe neighbourhood.

The car door opened and a pair of long, bare legs peeked out of the driver's door.

She possessed delicate, whitish skin, and adorned her feet with a pair of shiny red heels. A tall, beautiful woman appeared before Layla and Milka.

She had a calm face and dark glasses. Her gaze focused on little Milka and immediately a huge smile graced her face.

—Oh my goodness, what a beautiful girl I've met,— Brianna said as she ran to hug Milka and Layla.

Layla looked at her, truly changed, graceful, elegant, bright, regal and charming.

—How wonderful, welcome home, my friend,— said Brianna.

It was inevitable, she was reunited with her best friend after so many years, tears welled up in her eyes and slid down her cheeks.

Even she couldn't understand that she was finally back. It was unbelievable just to recognise that one day she had returned to that dark place where her life had gone down the drain.

Milka looked at them, she didn't understand why their tears were rubbing, if they talked to each other almost every day, they shouldn't cry, they are supposed to be happy to see each other, why are they crying if they are happy?

—Oh, hello little one, how beautiful you are,— Brianna mentioned as she leaned a little towards Milka.

—It's a pleasure, my name is Milka, and you,— Milka mentioned politely.

Brianna's eyes widened and she was stunned by such cordiality. —Wow, how adorable you are,— she added as she gently pinched Milka's cheeks.

—I've been waiting for this for years,— Brianna added.

Milka looked at her, she still didn't understand, all the adults tended to pinch her cheeks and mention her beauty, but she just smiled and nodded.

Brianna and Layla stayed in the same building. It was really nice, tidy, and as she got to know the flat where they would be staying she noticed an impressive neatness, Layla had fallen in love at first sight.

—I'll give you a moment to rest and settle in, I have to get back to work and then how about a walk around town? —said Brianna smiling.

Layla accepted her invitation, she wanted to show Milka the city, she deserved it.

When Brianna left, Layla organised the luggage and took a shower with Milka. They were both exhausted, it had been a long and tiring trip, so she tidied up the room and lay down with Milka on the bed.

She was extremely tired, but she still didn't understand what she was doing, she was back, finally, after years of mental struggle, she was back in that place.

In between thoughts, tiredness won the battle and totally exhausted she lay down next to Milka. The hours passed and the sound of the door left Layla's senses.

—I hate working with celebrities, they are really intense and conceited. I don't understand why they have to treat everyone badly, thinking they're the kings of the world,— Brianna muttered.

Layla couldn't help it, she could hear it in every groan.

—What's the matter, girlfriend, which celebrity did you argue with,— Layla asked with a sarcastic smile, just imagining Francin's frivolous and arrogant face.

—That little woman, Francin Cleare. She's a disaster to work with. She thinks she's the best at everything, just because she's a model. She's a nasty woman, I really can't stand her,— complained Brianna.

Layla was right, she was that horrible woman, she was the rudest woman they had ever met.

Francin had treated the company staff badly while they had to wait for hours to meet her in the office.

Layla wasn't surprised at all, however, she didn't understand it, ever since she arrived in the city her name kept ringing out. As if the world wanted to remind her of his presence every moment.

—Yes, just when I arrived at the airport I ran into her. She seemed furious, like a spoiled child,— Layla said angrily.

—She's been a hard woman to deal with since she started modelling, since then she even thinks she's a queen,— Brianna added.

Layla couldn't stand the idea that the only thing that happened around her had to be that woman present. Her silence abounded in the room, and Brianna immediately sealed her lips.

Wow, Brianna had completely forgotten what it was that bound Francin to Layla, so she looked at her with regret.

—I'm sorry, I... I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. It's just that this woman makes me so angry. I'm sorry, girlfriend,— Brianna said, lowering her face in embarrassment.

Layla smiled bitterly, it was obvious that it affected her, but she had to be strong, it was a past she had forgotten, or so she thought until that moment.

—Brianna, my friend, I'm fine. My life is only in my present and future, the rest is history,— Layla added.

Brianna was surprised, she was really changed. She was no longer that sentimental young girl who never stopped crying, she was renewed, ready to look forward and to trample on everything that hurt her.

The atmosphere soon became lively and Milka woke up. Layla immediately took her to shower and change, she was going out. It was time to go sightseeing in that city, but first they were going to have something to eat.

At three o'clock they got ready, dressed up and got into Brianna's car.

Laughter, jokes and memories swirled in the air as they pulled up in front of a small restaurant they had frequented in the past.

—Gee, Brianna, that's one of my favourite restaurants,— Layla said between shouts of happiness and nostalgia.

—I knew you'd love coming here, and I'm sure Milka would love this food. —

Milka looked at Brianna and felt embarrassed, so she hid her face in her mother's side.

Laughing, they got out of the car and looked at the changes. The entrance was different, more elegant, there were fluorescent lights adorning the main bars, it was really beautiful.

The restaurant had a different style than they remembered, it was modern, with white feather lamps and small coloured bulbs.

On the floor there was a large carpet with square and abstract patterns,

There were little horns in each corner, blaring Beethoven's 5th melody. It was grandiose, it looked like a continental museum.

It was quiet, calm, although it was full of customers, who seemed to be of high rank in some company, elegant and polite.

—Welcome to the Schwarze Katze, would you like to order,— one of the young waiters mentioned politely.

Milka took the menu and began to read it half-read, she didn't know German perfectly, but her sixth sense told her what to order.

The little girl chose the dishes firmly and Layla also indicated hers and Brianna was really amazed.

The waiter left and went to process the orders, while Brianna eternally congratulated Layla on the lively intelligence with which she had educated Milka.

—Tell me Layla, what are you doing tomorrow, do you have to go to the company?

Layla heard her, trying to break the ice. She asked her whether or not she had to go to the company, she hadn't been told yet, maybe in two days she had to report officially.

—I should sign Milka up for a German course, she doesn't know German very well and she needs to learn it,— said Layla.

Milka overheard the conversation, and immediately frowned and turned to her mother.

—Mum, why do I have to learn German? Because I have to go to school too? —said little Milka in frustration.

Layla knew that the laws of the country made it compulsory to educate children, so she had to enrol Milka in a nursery school as well.

—Little girl, you must attend school and the course, maybe I can find a school where both are available.

Milka got angry, she didn't want to attend either option. She thought she was an adult, that she didn't deserve any more education than she had already received.

—School is for kids who don't know anything, not for me,— Milka replied helplessly as she crossed her little arms.

Brianna couldn't stand it and let out a small laugh. Milka was an amazing kid to look up to.

Layla reached up and patted little Milka's back with her palm, remembering that she was still a little girl who had to go to school.

Seconds later, the young waiter returned to the table with a trolley full of various dishes.

A delicious aroma hung in the air, and the food looked damn tasty. As they were being placed on the table, Brianna mentioned to Layla that she was working on some sort of fashion blog, where it would be interesting for Layla to share some tips for female readers.

Layla was thinking about it. She didn't want to draw attention to herself all over town. After all, she wanted to keep a low profile. However, Brianna had a very famous blog, and everyone used to see it every day, so it would help her get more exposure and increase her success and that of the company she worked for.

—You can decide later, my friend, no problem with that. We've just entered the fashion world, so you have plenty of time to think about it. But I'd love it if you'd accept,— Brianna added.

Layla smiled and just nodded again and again.

She was coming to a city she thought she'd never visit again. She still didn't feel able to make herself known. She wanted privacy for a while, and to try to overcome the memories that scarred her.

She was about to start again from where she had escaped 6 years ago. Brianna understood her, she knew she had important matters to attend to.

—Mommy, Mommy, you were right, this food is so good,— Milka said as she spooned spoonfuls of food into her mouth.

Layla and Brianna smiled, she was a very cheerful and amazing girl, she made them smile all the time.

The hour passed and the 3 of them had quietly eaten their food. Brianna paid the bill and they went back to the car. They walked through the park where Layla used to sit for hours watching the kids play, imagining a life with her ex-husband Bradley, now, she only saw little Milka playing and jumping in the grass, without the fake love she had endured for 5 years.

The night had come and it was time to go home. Milka was exhausted, having fallen asleep on her mother's lap on the way home. When she arrived, Layla laid her down on the bed and said goodbye to Brianna.

After a long moment, Layla picked up her mobile phone and dialed a couple of numbers.

Ring, ring, ring.

—Oh my God, finally, Layla, did you arrive safely? How was your trip? And Milka? —answered a worried voice from behind the speaker phone.

—Calm down, calm down, the trip was really exhausting. I didn't have a moment to call you. We arrived at the flat. It's nice and comfortable. How are you and Jasmin? — Layla mentioned with the same concern.

Jasmin and Milka were sisters, twins to be exact. Layla had had two beautiful girls, and it was the first time she had left Jasmin in another city. Milka was the youngest, while her twin was the oldest, by only a couple of minutes.

However, Jasmin was suffering from asthma, respiratory problems, and the doctor had recommended complete rest for a while.

Layla was hiding a strange past, which she had never mentioned to anyone. An alternative life.