Chapter Three -The First Lie
562 Words
Laila told herself she wasn't waiting for his call. But by late afternoon, she'd checked her phone five times in an hour.
When it finally buzzed, her heart jumped.
CJ: I'm outside. Come down.
No warning. No "are you free?" Just a command.
She hesitated, staring at the message. Part of her wanted to ignore it, prove she wasn't that easy. But curiosity-no need, pushed her to grab her keys.
He was leaning against a black luxury SUV Porsche Macan when she stepped out, sunglasses shielding his eyes, a faint smirk curving his lips as if he already knew she'd come.
"Hi" she said, trying to sound casual, through her pulse.
He pushed off the car, pulling her into a brief, firm hug that left her breathless. "Hi yourself. Ready?"
"Ready for what?"
"You'll see."
The drive was quiet at first, the hum of the engine filling the silence. She stole glances at him--his steady hands on the wheel, the sharp line of his jaw, the way he exuded control without saying a word.
"So," she ventured, breaking the silence, "last night you mentioned... your girls?"
His lips twitched, almost imperceptibly. "My daughters," he said smoothly.
Her chest loosened with relief. "How many?"
"Two," he replied, eyes still on the road. "They're everything to me."
Something softened in her. A man who cared for his children couldn't be all bad.
They stopped at a sleek rooftop restaurant in Sandton, the kind with floor-to-ceiling windows and wine glasses that sparkled like jewels under the dim lights.
"You didn't have to..." she began as a waiter pulled out her chair.
"Yes, I did," he cut in, lowering himself across from her. "You deserve to be spoiled."
Heat rushed to her cheeks. It had been quite a time since anyone had said that to her... maybe ever.
Over dinner, he asked questions no one else bothered with. Her childhood. Her dreams. Her fears. He listened like her answers mattered, like she mattered.
By dessert, Laila felt the world tilt again, the same way it had when he kissed her the night before.
"You're dangerous," she murmured, sipping her
wine.
He leaned closer, his gaze locking onto hers. "Only if you run."
Her breath caught.
And just like that, she knew she wouldn't.
Later that night, back at her apartment, she lay tangled in his arms, the city lights spilling across the sheets. He traced slow circles on her skin, his voice a low rumble against her ear.
"You know I could give you everything you've ever wanted."
The words sent a thrill through her, even as a whisper of doubt stirred. Everything comes with a price.
Still, when his lips found hers again, she silenced the thought.
For now, she didn't want to think about tomorrow.
But tomorrow came faster than she expected.
The next morning, she woke to the sound of her phone buzzing. CJ was already up, shirtless, scrolling through messages on his phone.
She stretched, blinking sleep from her eyes. "Work already?"
He glanced at her briefly, a flicker of something unreadable in his expression. "Something like that."
Before she could ask, he was on his feet, sliding into his jeans. "I'll call you later," he said, brushing a kiss against her forehead.
Then he was gone.
And for the first time, Laila wondered: Who exactly had she let into her life?
- Writer
