Portrait of a Bad Boy ✓

Chapter 6: Pad Thai

"Hey." Kicking himself off the wall, he turned to Lyla. "Are you ready to go?" Lyla jumped, blinking before her gaze landed on him.

"Yeah, I'm ready." At the slight exhaust in her tone, he frowned. "Are you alright?"

Lyla blinked at him before she nodded. "Yeah, I'm just...tired." She reached up, rubbing her forehead. "It's nothing big." Still, Blake couldn't help but worry as he led her to his car. She hoped in, he started his car before glancing at her again. "Are you sure you're ok?"

"Yeah, Blake, I'm fine." She sighed. "I'm just tired."

You seem to be more than tired. Just then a low grumble erupted from her stomach. Lyla grimaced, pressing a hand against her stomach. "Sorry,.."

"You didn't eat lunch."

"I did but..." She trailed off. Alright. Blake cut the care off and turned to her. "Alright, what's going on Lyla and don't say you're tired." Lyla hesitated before she sighed. "Fine, but promise me you won't make a big deal about it."

At Blake's raised eyebrow, she stressed. "Promise me, Blake."

"Alright, alright, I promise."

Lyla's gaze searched for him, trying to find any hint of him lying. Seeing no signs, her gaze flickered out the window. "My mom has been working later and later so she hasn't been able to get groceries, much less cook."

"So, you haven't eaten all day?"

She picked at her sleeve. "Just lunch."

"Lyla."

"I plan to get a job, ok? I'm looking now so I can help out as much as I can." Blake hesitated before he glanced down at her. "Are you sure you want a job now though?" Lyla nodded. "Yeah, I was talking to Katy, from one of my classes, she works and she makes good pay. Offer to put in a good word for me."

"Alright," Blake started the car again. "If you're sure." As they pulled out into the parking lot, he glanced at Lyla, watching her gaze roam the window. His gaze snapped back ahead. "Do you mind if we take a little detour? I need to pick something up from home."

"Hmm, yeah." She turned to him. "We can."

"Alright," He turned onto a new street. Thirty minutes later, he pulled into his driveway and opened the door. "Come on, it'll only take a minute." Pushing the door open, he led her into his home.

As expected the smell of Pad Thai flooded his senses. "Maria, I'm home!" He called, causing his nanny to peek her head from the kitchen. "Ah, Blake." Her gaze locked on Lyla. "And who is this?"

"Oh, I'm Lyla." She smiled. "Nice to meet you."

"Well, Lyla, are you going to be joining us for dinner?"

"Oh, no I couldn't."

"Actually, Maria, Lyla was just telling me how amazing it smells here." Blake's words earned a sharp glare from her. Just then, her stomach rumbled, sealing the deal.

"Oh, well then you have to stay." Maria held up a finger. "Ah, I won't take no for an answer. Now, what's your mother's number so I can call and let her know."

"You set me up." She remarked, ten minutes later. They were sitting on the living room couch, watching a movie his maid had mindlessly thrown on. Blake smiled before he brought the fork to his lips, slurping up the noodles. He watched Lyla glanced down at her food before she finally took a bite.

At her brightening eyes, he laughed. "Delicious right?"

"Amazing!" She cried, covering her mouth. "Your mother can cook well."

"Nanny, she's my nanny."

"Oh." Her eyes widened. "I'm sorry, I just..."

"Don't worry. She's more of a mother than my own one." He turned his attention to the movie before shuffling his attention back to her. "Are you ok-" His words cut in his throat as she pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.