Chapter 7: The Headlines
476 Words
As Layla entered the room, her eyes fell upon her sister's fragile form, surrounded by the steady beep of machines and the soft whisper of oxygen. Maggie's eyes were closed, her chest rising and falling with each labored breath. Layla's heart swelled with emotion as she sat beside the bed, her hand reaching out to envelop her sister's.
Tears streamed down her face as she whispered,
"Maggie..."
The machines beeped on, a steady rhythm that seemed to match the pounding of Layla's heart. Maggie's eyes flickered open, her gaze locking onto Layla's.
"Lay..."
Maggie whispered, her voice barely audible. Layla's tears turned to tears of joy and relief as she leaned forward, her face alight with hope.
"Maggie,"
She replied, her voice trembling. The miracle she had hoped for had happened, and that miracle was Tatum, the man who had saved her sister's life.
Tatum sipped his coffee in the cafeteria, his eyes gazing out the window as he took a deep breath. His back ached from the long hours of sitting, but his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Layla and her sister. Suddenly, his PA approached him, a serious look on his face.
"Mr. O'Neil,"
Ethan said, his voice low.
"I thought I told you to cancel all my meetings for today."
Tatum replied, his brow furrowed in annoyance.
"I'm here at your father's orders."
Ethan said, his expression unyielding. Tatum's eyes widened in surprise.
"Is my father back from his trip?"
He asked, his mind racing.
"No, but he's on his way."
Ethan replied.
"And he has instructions for you."
Tatum's curiosity was piqued.
"What are they?"
He asked, his eyes narrowing.
"I'm to take you to the family cabin and keep you there until his return."
Ethan said, his voice firm. Tatum's eyes widened in shock.
"What do you mean?"
He asked, his mind racing with questions.
Ethan's gaze was serious.
"You haven't seen it, have you?"
He asked, his tone criptic. Tatum shook his head, confusion etched on his face.
"Seen what?"
He asked, his mind baffled.
Ethan's words were laced with embarrassment.
"It's all over the tabloids, Mr. O'Niel. The event that took place yesterday...of you bidding on the maid."
He trailed off, his gaze dropping in discomfort.
Tatum's eyes widened as he reached for the tablet in Ethan's hand. He snatched it away, scrolling through the headlines with a mix of shock and disbelief. The words blurred together as he read, his mind reeling with the implications.
"Billionaire Playboy Buys Maid at Charity Auction."
"Tatum O'Neil's Shocking Purchase!"
"From Maid To Mistress: Tatum's Latest Conquest?"
His eyes scanned the articles, his face growing hotter with each passing moment. He had never intended for this to happen. Bidding on Layla had been a spontaneous act, a gesture of kindness and sympathy. He hadn't considered the media frenzy that would follow.
- Writer
