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Layla

I looked up and saw his eyes closed. I can't help but go on my tiptoes, kissing his lips. He sighs, tightening his hold on me and burying his head in my hair. "Danny, you need to trust me. Sebastian and I dated a long time ago; there is nothing between us. I haven't seen or heard from him in over seven years. And for all I know, he's probably dating or married."

"And if he isn't?" Danny says, looking at me madly. "Danny, enough. It wouldn't matter, ok?" I say, holding my hand up and making him look at my ring. "This!" " I say, as my other hand rests on his chest. "Should be enough for you to have confidence in us. The fact that these rings bond us."

"And it has nothing to do with the fact we signed a contract, right?"

"You know what? If you don't trust me, then why did you marry me? Why not annul the marriage as I asked you from the beginning?" I was mad. "Wait. Layla, I'm sorry. I just... It pissed me off to see how he's just looking at you. I wanted to punch his teeth in."

"Well... Maybe, you just need to trust me. Or this marriage is not going to make it past a year. If we make it to the year, that is." I say, pushing him away and turning away from him. I took three steps before he pulled me back, making me hit his chest slightly. "I know. I'm sorry," he says, holding me by my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder. "You're such a jealous asshole; you know that?" I say, making him chuckle. "But I'm your asshole, baby." he sighs, kissing my shoulder. "One more chance?" he asks, looking at me. I look at him from the corner of my eye and roll my eyes.

"Fine. You're stuck with me for a year now. No going back; you signed that contract, and no going back. So even if you want to rush into Sasha's arms," I say teasingly, turning around and grabbing his jewels and making him grunt. "This is mine. For a year." I whisper in his ear, making him chuckle.

"I'm not complaining. They are all yours, baby," he says as he slips his hands to my butt, squeezing my cheeks. He kisses me teasingly, making me chuckle.

Someone cleared their throat, making us turn, "If you two are done behaving like hormonal teenagers, we have a meeting to wrap up." dad said, making my face red with embarrassment.

"Sorry, dad," I say, clearing my throat as I cover my mouth with the back of my hand. Danny clears his throat and looks sternly at dad and me, "right! Sorry, Felix. Honey, should we go back to the table?" he says politely, making dad chuckle.

"Shut up and get in there you two." he scolds us, laughing and nodding his head as we pass him and return to our seats.

We sit, excusing our delay. Sebastian smiles, looking at the two of us. "I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of ordering dessert for us," he says as I glance down and see all kinds of desserts in front of us. My face still feels hot, and I'm sure my cheeks were a blotchy red just by looking at dad.

My behavior surprises me. I had never been this open with anyone. Trevor and I had a good relationship while it lasted, but I always felt we weren't fully connected. And Sebastian and I were too young to know what love truly was.

We ate our dessert, but Danny beat Sebastian when paying the bill, making Sebastian feel uneasy.

"So, what do you say, Sebastian? Do we have a deal?" Sasha asks, looping her hand around his arm. He looks at her with a smile and then looks at us. "Well, if you guys are up for the challenge, my answer is yes. We have a deal," he replies, making her squeal joyfully.

"Excellent. Sebastian, I assure you, you won't regret doing business with us." dad adds, giving him a big smile.

"Now, the only thing left is working out the details. Mr. Lombardy, can you come by my office tomorrow morning so we can go over the details and get a contract started?" Danny says, reaching under the table and holding my hand.

"Of course. I look forward to getting started. Layla, you'll be taking part in this. I'd love for you to take part; I've always liked your style." he says, making Danny clench his jaw.

I squeeze his hand, smiling at Sebastian, "I think-"

"Layla is already busy with another project. But I'm sure Sasha would love to."

Sebastian smiles, looking down. "Fair enough. I wouldn't want to step between you and your woman, Daniel. Believe me, that's not who I am. I only suggested it because Layla is my friend, and I trust her judgment." Danny smiles at his words.

Surely this had to tell him something, but if I knew him better, he would still be precautious around him.

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The next day

I was running from one place to another. The day has been hectic, and I haven't stopped since I arrived. Danny had his appointment with Sebastian this morning, and I stayed away purposely to keep Danny at ease.

Last night he was brutal on me, taking his anger and frustration during our kinky time in bed if you know what I mean? I am still sore from the waist down, and I am in serious need of more concealer for my neck and chest from all the hickies he's leaving behind.

By lunchtime, Danny and I decided on take out in his office, and then he had the bright idea of getting the janitors to bring a desk into his office for me to work with him. I'll be honest; it feels good to work with him. But the day goes on and soon begins to get dark.

I love how he works. He has a keen eye for the small details, and he's not afraid of expressing his opinion. That's exactly what I need right now, someone who can help me perfect every piece I am turning in.

I glance over to his desk and see a pair of invitations. I grab one and view the envelope. It's light brown, with gold markings and old English letters. "What's this?" I ask, looking at it. He looks up from his papers and clears his throat.

"It's the first event we're doing for Sebastian. He wants us to help with his sister's birthday in three weeks." my eyes gleam with joy. I haven't seen Cassidy since she was ten years old. This year, she'll be turning eighteen. "Really? Oh, wow. Oh, this looks elegant. Are we going?" I ask, making him grunt.

"Yes, you're going with me. But you're not helping. You need to stay here and work with Hugo. The runway is the day after this event." he says, making me chuckle.

"Fair enough," I say, reaching over his desk, pulling his tie, and kissing his lips. He smiles as I let go, making him hit the back of his chair. "Layla. Stop messing around. Finish up. I want to go home." I look at him, puzzled. He has a huge stack of papers to go over, while I can easily keep working at home through my tablet. "Well, hurry up, slow-poke. I just have to put my stuff away, and I'm set." I say, grabbing my stuff and continuing to put things away. He chuckles, placing down his pen and rubs his face as he yawns.

"I'm ready to go home, seriously."

"Then, what are you waiting for? Let's go."

"I can't. I have a lot to go over. I'll be done soon." he replies, closing his eyes and resting his head. He involuntarily begins to fall asleep. I feel bad for him. Between the work here, calls from his restaurant, and other investments he has, on top of the deal he made with Sebastian, he has rarely had time for himself.

I glanced at his papers and saw the order requests he needed to make for his restaurant and our company.

"Ok, Layla. Let's get down to business. You've worked in restaurants before; you can do this." I say as I see his paper; phone numbers are on the top of each sheet where the orders need to be made. I take it upon myself and get the orders done, confirming the orders and delivery for tomorrow. Then I get to our company, call our old textile and get the new orders in.

Two hours later, I'm done, and just in time as he jolts, waking up. "Shit, I fell asleep. Damn it," he grunts, frustrated seeing the time. "Fuck!" he slams his hand frustratingly on his desk. "Are you ok, Danny?" I say as I put my tab on my bag and place it over my shoulder. "No. I was supposed to place the next shipment for the restaurant tonight. Damn it. Now I have to wait until tomorrow, which means the shipment will delay for two more days." I smile, but he looks frustrated and angry. Ready to throw shit out the window.

I tossed the paper with all the confirmation details for the orders in front of him, making him look puzzled. "Well, lucky for you, I made the orders," I say as he glances; I believe.

"You...you did this for me? But why? You didn't have to, Ladybug."

"I know. But I wanted to. What kind of wife would I be if I knew you needed help and I just stood back? Besides, you haven't appropriately rested since we came back from Vegas. You need to rest, Daniel." I say, hugging him around his waist.

He sighs, wrapping his hands around my shoulders and kissing my forehead. "Thanks, ladybug," he says, resting his chin on my head. We made our way out of the building and to the car. He then digs in his picket, bringing a cigarette out with his teeth and lighting it. He takes a puff before I notice. "Oh, no. No, no, no. Danny, I told you, you need to stop smoking; it's bad for you." I say, grabbing the cigarette away and throwing it on the floor, stomping on it.

"Ladybug. Please, just one. I'm fucking stressing here." he says, grabbing another one.

"No. Danny, don't piss me off. I hate seeing you smoke. It's so bad for you." he grunts but doesn't say anything when I take away the box and lighter, tossing them in the trash can near us.

"One day, you'll want to have kids, and you must ensure you're healthy enough to see them grow. How will you do that if you keep polluting your lungs?" I say as I sit on the passenger seat. "I know; I'm sorry, mom," he says, earning a smack to his shoulder. "I mean it, Danny. Don't you want to have kids one day?" I ask sincerely.

"Do you... Want to have a baby with me?" his question threw me off. I had said it as if asking a friend, not contemplating I was asking the guy I married. Everything that's been happening between us made me confused about what I wanted. A part of me is falling for him all over again, and it's scaring me. But another part is telling me that the possibility of this not working out is grand.

He's unpredictable, and because he's unpredictable, I can't put my guard down completely. I'm scared that if I do, he'll break my heart again. "I... I don't know. I never thought about the possibility of me having a baby any time soon." I replied, confused and left puzzled. He smirks, turning on the engine and placing it in drive.

"Well, there you go. If you don't want kids, then I have nothing to worry about in my future. Do I?"

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