not happening...

6

Maybe we can meet up?” Leila takes two steps back: “Mr. Anderson, we have nothing to do with each other, and I prefer not to have anything to do with you or your family. Have a nice evening.” She nods to him and leaves. Nicholas feels a heavy weight on his chest again, making it difficult to breathe. He wants to explain everything to her, but how can he explain that he didn't know, and he can't even blame her because she couldn't tell him anything. He didn't want to get to know her, and now he wishes he had and that she was still by his side. He lowers his head and goes to look for Peter. Nicole, on the other hand, doesn't leave Cole's side. She smiles at him, and when he doesn't pay any attention to her, she pulls Leila back by her arm. Leila stumbles and would have fallen if Torben hadn't caught her behind her. Nicholas sees Torben's hands on Leila's waist and sees red. He steps toward him: “No one is allowed to touch her.” He actually means Torben and Leila, but since Cole has just grabbed Nicole by the arm, everyone thinks he means her. Cole gives Nicholas a cold look and pushes Nicole in his direction: “Then keep that person away from us.” Mischa hugs Leila and Leila tugs at Cole's arm. “Can we go now?” Cole looks at Leila and smiles gently. “Yes, let's go.”

As the organizer is about to say goodbye to Cole, Cole looks at Nicole and then turns to the organizer: “I wasn't aware that anyone could come in here now. Even people without manners who are rude to the other guests.” With that, he turns around and everyone leaves. Nicole is left standing there with a bright red face, and Nicholas' eyes are fixed on Leila's slender back. Images of his sister hitting her flash before his inner eye. She is so petite, how could she have endured all that for so long and be so strong? He sighs, then heads for the exit. Nicole is not fast enough and is left behind. She can only watch the car drive away and take a taxi home.

Peter looks at his friend and says, “Hey, why don't we go to the club? We can relax and maybe have a good red wine.” Nicholas nods and the driver changes direction. When they arrive at the club, Peter stops dead in his tracks and sighs, “Maybe we should go.” Nicholas, following his gaze, sees a group of people approaching the club. As if in a trance, he follows the group and sees Leila's glowing face. A man next to her is holding her bag. Together they enter the club. Nicholas follows her up the stairs and sees her hugging another man. The knuckles on his hand turn white as he clenches the railing. He feels the lump in his chest getting heavier. Mischa and another girl pull her toward them, and he and Peter follow, looking for a quiet place. Then the girls pull them downstairs and the men stand by the railing. Nicholas gets up and strolls over to the railing as well. Below him, the dance floor spreads out, and suddenly a silence falls over the crowd. Leila stands on stage in front of them and nods to a band. Soon old rock songs begin to play and she opens her mouth and sings. Her voice fills the room and everyone stares at her. She sings these rock songs and breathes life into them that they didn't have before. Nicholas can't take his eyes off the petite figure singing as if her life depended on it. When the last song ends and she is about to leave the stage, someone approaches her and whispers something in her ear. She shrugs her shoulders, then turns to the crowd and announces in her melodic voice: “Someone has asked me to sing a song, and it's not a song to dance to, so I'm asking you if you'll let me sing ‘Think of Me’ from The Phantom of the Opera.” As soon as she finishes speaking, everyone agrees loudly, and then it grows quiet as she steps close to the microphone... at first softly, but then her voice unfolds to its full volume and the sounds of the song captivate everyone. It is completely silent when she stops, and after what seems like an eternity, thunderous applause breaks out. Leila puts the microphone back, bows, shakes the musicians' hands, and then Mischa hands her a glass of red wine. Nicholas is spellbound when the song begins, and Peter nudges him at the end: “Did you know she could sing like that? Impressive.” He is in awe, and Nicholas shakes his head. What talent, he thinks... such a petite body and such a voice. A mistake, I've made a damn mistake. Can I win her over?

Leila

The evening was wonderful, with a few exceptions, and when she wakes up the next morning, she stretches like a cat. Then she gets up and goes downstairs to train. Three hours later, after another shower, she gets a call from Cole: “Hey sis.” She smiles: “Hey big bro.” Cole: “Are you going to the office today?” Leila nods, "Of course, I have an assignment to finish and then organize the next event. You know the trade fair is coming up and I want to present our new AI. It's ready now.“ Cole replies, ”Do you still need investors?“ Leila laughs, ”No, my jewelry designs are top notch now and I only produce a certain amount to keep demand high. Nowadays, everyone who's anyone wants to get their hands on one of my pieces. After all, only my jewelry has the wearer's name engraved on it.“