Chapter 2

She closes her diary, and locks in back in its place, she returns back to the bed, Her smile hasn't disappeared yet, she picks up her from the charging port and removes it, in haste she dials up Lucas's number, moving like child and swirling all around, she lands on her bed facing downwards and her legs upwards. “Hello my darling, how are you today?” Layla said excitedly over the phone, turning and sitting at the edge of the bed, swaying them to show her happines. "I’m good, what about you?" She says as she draws each word. "You sound so excited, what’s going on over there?” he asks innocently. “What? can’t I be happy if I’m talking to the love of my life? Or is there now a rule against that?” She questioned him with a grin, her face lit and her sparkling white teeth were dazzling as she couldn’t control her smile. Just when everything was starting to get intense and stressful, she’s finally eased by the simple action of her father accepting Lucas. 

   “There’s no rule against that princess, you should be absolutely happy." He said but his voice still had a hint of curiosity in it, she finally decided to spill the beans, or I guess spill half of the beans. “Come to my home tomorrow, there’s something important you have to hear” out of excitement she jumped as words came out of her mouth she jumped on her bed, she stared at the magnificent golden chandelier hanging just above her bed, “humm, I hope you’re not forgetting something princess?. Your father isn’t exactly fond of me. I hope he doesn’t get me thrown out or worse, get me arrested for trespassing on his property” he had to be cautious of Douglas, he was thrown out by hefty body guards the last time he was in Layla’s home, The dogs were released to chase him and Douglas threatened to have him arrested if he ever sets foot in his compound again. Layla’s invitation sounded like a open suicide book just waiting for his approval for a signature.

“Dad is settled for now, it’s one of the reasons you’ll be coming over,  trust me it’s all good news” she assured him, causing a mild smile in his face, he brightened up and questioned her on what the good news was about. “You’ll find out when you’re here my love” she hung up the call immediately, hugged her phone and closed her eyes “best day everrrrrrrrrrrr” she giggled as she covers herself with her large thick and soft duvet, you know for a twenty six year old achieved lady, she definitely acts like a child.  Lucas stares at his phone for a while before finally dropping it. He smiled as he wondered what good news was awaiting him in Layla’s home.                   Lucas, a tall young blonde haired man in his late 20s, his blue eyes makes him stand out with his perfectly built body and deep baritone voice, he was just a lucky employee in a small firm who stumbled upon Layla and somehow made her fall deeply in love with him, his simple gestures and his mannerism are simply one to find in a man or in Layla's case, a husband.

 "I should- I should read articles on how to be a good mother, I should" Layla says as she sits up on her bed, she fluffs her pillow and rests her back, looking at her tummy and the child she is yet to feel, she smiles some more, she starts daydreaming about her and Lucas, being a parent, going on outings together, shopping and drinking, she had all smiles in her face. She checks one of the books in her mini library, there are some books she hasn't read and some she decided to read when she can relate to them, she has read so many murder books that she knew how it happens, she acts like she lives in a murder mystery books, she leaves clues like her favourite book  "The Maid Did It." From her diary to her room, the next set of genres she decides to read until when she can relate and its books about parenting, being a mother and about building a family. 

She picks one up. It has a picture of a mother and her child. It's titled "My daughter and i" Upon picking the book, she thinks of her mother. She remembers how close they were, how they loved each other, the outing and the games, she reminisces and smiles. "Mum, I will be a mother soon, I hope it's a girl" Layla says to herself while hugging the book close to herself.  She returned back to her room, returning to the little bed near the window, she started reading the book and just then Layla's phone buzzed and she checked it, 

"Hey lucas, I know I am not supposed to text until when it's past nine but then, you know I feel sexy at times like this and I would always want to share with you? And just you alone. So here are some unfiltered sexy barred ass pictures of myself, I sent five just like your name, Lucas. Even if you are in love with my sister, I know you are mine. I love you. We should meet tomorrow. 

"This message was sent from Lisa" Layla says out loud with a shocking tone, she stands up immediately, the book dropped on the floor, she couldn't care less, all she had on her mind is just the message she just read.  "Did she do this on purpose? Is there another Lucas? could she have sent this intentionally to rile me up? Or was it really meant for Lucas? My own Lucas?"  Layla thought as she stared at the message in shock and terror, opening the images sent she felt a little bit of shame and irritation that her own sister could take pictures of her nakedness with the intentions of sending it to her man. “It’s a lie, it has to be a big lie Lucas can’t be having an affair with Lisa he wouldn't dare.        I don’t even think they’ve met besides the time father sent Lucas out of the house, NO..NO. NO there's no way” she smashed her phone on the soft bed causing it to bounce several times, the phone was perfectly fine luckily but her rage didn't reduce her heartbeat quadrupled as she thought of the possibilities of the affair being true.  She exercised her usual practice and brought out the boxes, the smallest box that actually contained the diary was made of titanium compounds, it’s literally unbreakable and can’t be melted. That’s why she had to make sure the key was safe and strapped it around her neck as a pendant to her chain . 

“Lisa and Lucas might be in a relationship, Lisa sent a few naked pictures of herself to me with intentions to send to the father of my unborn child” almost like she totally forgot the baby inside her, she felt her womb abruptly and tears rolled down her cheeks. “I hope this isn’t true, I love Lucas and I might kill myself if this ends up being true”  Layla writes it down with rage as she puts down her pen and returns the diary in the boxes. She puts it back under the bed and sits back.    One would think writing in the diary is her therapy but it wasn't, it was just a way for her hands to move, Layla has extreme anger issues although she hides it too well, it's something she inherited from her mum, aware of her angry issues she tries to keep calm. She thought for hours what might have happened before she finally rested her head, she thought to herself "I have a busy day tomorrow!" She finally let it go and slept off. 

The next day. Layla’s alarm rang softly and silently at around 5am in the morning, she stretched and pats her tummy, she tried to make her flat tummy bigger by forcing it out. She chuckled and stepped out of bed, brushed her teeth and applied some shampoo on her head. She heard a loud clunk coming from downstairs, the voice of Eve followed this was around 6:12 in the morning.  “You’re a fool, uncultured and an arrogant spoilt brat. Is this how you plan to damage everything in this house?” Lisa yells at the maid who broke a piece of golden plate, it was one of the rare plates that were gifted to Lisa on her twenty-eight birthday. The maid apologizes trembling, her shaky hands causing her to cut herself while she tried picking up the broken pieces from the ground. Lisa hissed and walked out of the dining room. Layla watched her sister’s cruelty and was reminded of the pictures she saw just last night.

“Can’t let this affect me today, nope" Layla who watched from a distance nodded her head and went back to her room. "I still have to go to work” she washed off her hair and took her bath. Layla wore a grey midi skirt with a slight slit in the left side, it brings out her sexy shape and her huge hips, it sits perfectly on her body, it's a short skirt the length is above her knees, a  white T-shirt followed with a black neat suit jacket.                            Standing in front of her large mirror she held her chain out, admired herself and examined her tummy. She fakes a smile “everything is perfect” she tries to convince herself as she grabs her purse and car keys. She leaves her room, heading down stairs she notices her sister's room is open, not fully but enough for one to see or hear, she is having a phone call, she decides to listen. 

Lisa:   Hi baby, did you see the pictures of yesterday? I realized you didn't reply to them, you didn’t like them?

Lucas: You sent me pictures? I didn't receive any pictures, I mean I just checked, what kind of pictures were they tho? Sexy? Unclothed? You should check who you sent them too. 

Lisa: Yes, there were sexy pictures, OMG no one replied to them let me check who I sent them to….its Layla! And I included your name, oh my God, will she find out? I will just tell her it's another lucas, you are not the only Lucas. Lisa seems unmoved, she wouldn't care less what her sister thinks, after all she will be given the heirloom and she will some properties, Lisa stealing someone from her wouldn't be so bad.  She already decided not to care less about how her sister feels or what she says. 

   "Lucas: So what now? What will you do?" 

  Lisa; Nothing, I will do nothing, she can't do anything" Lisa says while rolling her eyes. Just then Lisa hears her door slamming in the most dramatic way ever.

"Who the hell is that?" Lisa says as she turns around to see who slammed her door.

 "It's just you"  Lisa says while rolling her eyes and putting her phone aside.  

Layla walked in and  clapped slowly, her palms taking intervals to hit the other as she walked into the room. This action showed how much disapproval she had of the current situation.    "Guess who the award for the best sister in the whole wide world belongs too?" She says again with an evil smile and grin. "You? My dear, I mean my dearest lovely and sweet elder"  Layla says with a grin and a smile as she walks around the room with her versatile grey bag.   "What? What are you babbling about? Will you talk already? Some of us haven't exactly eaten breakfast or had our baths yet? You are just an early freak." Lisa says while folding her arms and staring at her sister.

   "Well, you see I just thought of how nice it would be when I send the nude you were to send to my Goddamn fiance to everyone in the group, and everyone we invited to dinner, I mean what? What will grandfather think of you?" Layla yelled out as she pointed her finger to her.   "You dare not! And besides your fiance isn't the only one bearing Lucas and have you forgotten that dad doesn't even like him" Lisa says trying to defend herself.   "Oh! Oh you think I wouldn't dare? And how did you think I got your nudes?' YOU ARE CHEATING! YOU ARE HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH MY FIANCE, HAVE YOU NO SHAME?" Layla yells and gasps for air.   Fuming, her veins started popping, she walks up to her sister and slaps her. "Layla! Eve yells upon walking up to Layla who has tears in her eyes.

"And so what if she is having an affair with your man, you aren't engaged? You don't have a child together, blame your man and not your sister!" Eve says holding up Layla's hand. "I will get you back for this, Layla, mark my words!" Lisa yells as Eve hugs her, the entire house heard. Layla sighs hard, she knew she wouldn't want to be involved with Eve especially when her father isn't around to support her. In anger, she storms out. 

Layla marches down the stairs while keeping her poise though, all the maids that spotted her all vanished into thin hair, they all heard the loud noise, no one would dare present themselves. The sisters aren't really that close instead they fight and bicker.  She lets out some air as she steps outside, all that stomping made her hair all messy, she blows onto it as she calms herself  down, she knows she could have hit her sister hard even more than that little slap. She is brought back to reality when she hears her name "Layla! Let's go to the office together" She heard someone say her name, it's her grandfather, she sighted him sitting in his black Mercedes car, the 2021 model. Whenever her grandfather is around, it's a sign of happiness, although he has been here a lot lately. 

Two days later, Christmas day.

A common and strict family tradition that Randolph family stands on and holds up too is the gathering for dinner. Christmas Dinner, it's Christmas day. They eat together and pray for the new year alongside spending the remaining days together, it is a tradition where they all spend time together. Every member of the Randolph family is busy all year long but they found a way to come together during the holiday, they don't miss it for any reason at all, going on for generations, it's the time to pass down the heirloom.The entire house has been busy all day long, from the decorations to the invitations to the dresses, everyone did something, the cleaning and preparation of food. 

        There's a dinner room set aside for Christmas night, it is a silver painted room with two windows, a large table that seems to have been refurbished and redesigned over the decades. The distinct and beautiful flower pot that stood in the middle is very vibrant and you can't miss it.  The tablecloth is silver and wine, alongside the clothes at the top of the chairs. The guests and the family have all dropped their gifts in advance for boxing day, which would be tomorrow.             "Good evening, everyone! I know we are enjoying the dinner,  the potatoes and chicken, and salad as its side dish, it's all thanks to the chef, none other than Belle herself.  A round of applause for her please" Lay-la says, she is dressed in a Christmas themed gown, it's a red long gown, it has a green Christmas tree and the lights on it. The gown covers is long, it's the longest gown she have ever worn, it's reaching her ankles. The entire family members and the guests all applauded, they clinked the spoons to the wine glass too. 

"So, and I would like to welcome, Our family doctor: Helen. Grey: the director, Aunt Jewel: our aunt, she is the younger sister to my father, uncle Henry: The youngest son of grandfather, eve: my lovely step mother, douglas: my dearest father, yes, there's Lisa: my only and world best sister and of course, I would like to introduce my fiance to everyone today, although grandfather isn't here today, he is on a business trip, I apologize to everyone" Layla says with a smile on her face, Lisa is wondering why her sister hasn't confronted her about the issue, Lisa had already informed Lucas but Layla didn't say a word. They all clapped again, Although Lisa and Lucas couldn't stop feeling uneasy. 

       Helen, grey, Jewel, and Henry all sat on the left hand side. Douglas sat at the edge, Eve is right next to him, then Lisa and lucas, layla is beside lucas too.                 They all smiled and looked at each other. "Okay everyone-" please wait, I feel I have something in my throat" She says as she holds her tummy.   Her face is turning pale. "I think it's the stress I had today, I have something important to share to everyone tonight-" Layla says and this time her face is getting worse.  She loses consciousness.

"Layla" everyone at the table yelled out, Lucas carried her and headed outside to the car.  Lucas and Douglas rush her to the hospital.