Arranged marriage : I hate you

Chapter 17

Riley rushed into her room to find Jennie clearing the bed as she prepared herself to sleep. Walking into the room, Riley closed the door behind her and stood facing the younger girl with her hands buried deep in her pockets. She still had her suit on as she hadn't gotten the chance to change after her father left.

The conversation with her father had left her feeling a little under the weather. By now, it was clear that the old man had no intentions of changing. The 'good changed father' act he had put on in the last few months were just a ploy to get her to move back into the country. First it was him making her attend meetings for him and now she was knee-deep into his businesses, both the legal dealings and the illegal.

Thinking about how she allowed herself to be fooled by the man again made her so mad that she just wanted to pack and leave, but she didn't want to leave her friends again, especially since the last time had left Layla a mess. It literally took the latter months for her to accept it and move on from it.

Max also took it hard, but Layla was the one affected the most. It was worse on her when they couldn't reach her for over a year, they couldn't help thinking the worst. They knew she was strong and more than capable of taking care of herself, but they still couldn't help worrying about her.

"Hey, I'm sorry. I know you're probably tired but I was hoping we could have that talk right now since my father has left," Riley spoke as she looked at the younger woman who, by now, has stopped with her movements and is now focused on the older woman.

"Sure," she said as she moved to the edge of the bed and sat down. She had on a nightie to show that she was ready for bed. Riley walked to the singular couch at the corner and sat down, her eyes not moving from the younger girl, of course with the occasional glances at her watch. Jennie wondered why she always did that, but after seeing how the woman was always on time, she guessed that she was a big fan of punctuality.

"I'm all ears," Riley said, giving the younger girl a go ahead to state her case. Jennie exhaled deeply before letting her eyes drop to the floor, her foot slightly shaking due to the rising of her nerves and the rapid beating of her heart.

"Well, Jimmy and I have been dating for over a year now. I swear I was gonna break up with him after the whole marriage thing I just haven't gotten the chance yet," Jennie spoke, her sentence starting off slow before she rushed it as she turned into a nervous wreck. 

Riley chuckled, her upper body leaning forward as she rested her forearms on her knees, her hands joining in one fist. Jennie looked up then, confusion visible on her face at the amused look on the older woman's face.

"Jennie, you owe me no explanation. You're still young for Christ's sake, you deserve to be allowed to enjoy your life," Riley said, a small chuckle escaping from her lips before she sat back on the couch and smiled at the girl.

"So, you're not mad?" Jennie asked as she still felt unsure of the woman's real feelings about the whole thing.

"Why would I be mad? It's not like I didn't know you had a boyfriend," Riley informed as she glanced at her watch again.

"You knew?" Jennie asked again, her eyes widening in hearing the new information.

"I read your file Jennie. Well, only the first few pages. It just felt wrong for me to pry into your personal life, especially if I'm doing it behind your back. If you want me to know something, then you will tell me yourself, right?"

"Right,"

"I think we're done here. You don't have to break up with your guy if you love him, so long as y'all keep the relationship away from the public for now," Riley informed as she stood up from the couch and made her way to the door. 

She stopped as her hand landed on the handle.

"You know, I may not be an expect on boys, but I do think that there is a need for a re-evaluation of your relationship. I wouldn't want reports of my wife-to-be being brutally battered or murdered by her high school boyfriend," Riley warned before walking out of the room, leaving Jennie with her mind racing with many thoughts.

                                                          .......

Riley parked her car at the gate of the all too familiar house. She sighed deeply and grabbed her phone. She looked to the closed gate and considered just driving back home, but she couldn't. She didn't want to. She wanted to be here, she needed to be here. Otherwise, she was sure that she'd either lose her mind, or run away again.

She scrolled to her contacts and pressed on the last number to call her, sitting back on her sit with a deep sigh. The phone rang for a while before it was picked up.

"Riley?" the woman asked in confusion, her voice low to show that she has just woken up. "Layla, hey. Are you alright?" Riley asked, her eyes looking at the gate blocking her from seeing what is happening inside.

"It's past 10pm Riley, what's going on?"

"I uh, I just needed someone to talk to,"

"Oh," the other woman spoke, shuffling being heard through the phone to indicate that she is now seating up in bed.

"Did I wake you up?" Riley asked worriedly, her eyes moving up to the dark sky before returning to the gate.

"Don't worry about it. Talk to me, I'm listening,"

"Mind opening the gate?"

"Huh? You're here?"

"Yeah, I'm parked outside right now,"

"Oh God, Riley, it's late for fuck's sake. You can't be driving so late. Are you with your guards?"

"No,"

*Layla sighed*

"Okay, I'm opening it right now,"

"Thank you,"

The gate opened and closed as Riley drove in and parked her car at the front. Getting out of her car, she took her phone and locked her car before walking to the front door. Before she could knock, the door was swung open, revealing a sleeping looking Layla wearing very short sleeping shorts and a baggy t-shirt. Riley smiled at the woman, her heart instantly warming up as she admired how adorable she looked even in her sleeping clothes and slightly messy hair.

Layla moved back to allow her friend to enter her house, her arms folding as she gave her a disapproving look.

"You shouldn't be driving at night, you know that," Layla spoke after Riley closed the door behind it, locking it with the keys dangling on the keyhole before turning to face her friend. She sighed then. "I know," was all she said as she looked at the woman, her eyes filled with sadness. 

Layla sighed again before opening her arms for her. They hug for what felt like hours, none of them eager to let go.

"I'm glad you're here, and safe," Layla gently said as she let go of the woman, their hands still holding as they looked at each other. Riley gave her a small smile as she tried to keep her emotions in check.

"Come on," Layla said as she gently pulled Riley to the couch. They sat down next to each, slightly turned so they were facing each other. Layla took a hold of Riley's hands as the woman kept her eyes at the floor.

"Do you want to talk about it now or in the morning?" she asked, her eyes not moving from the latter's face. Riley looked up then, her eyes still holding onto her sadness. She shrugged, which made Layla soften her gaze at her.

"It's okay, we can talk about it in the morning," she said, standing up and gently pulling Riley up with her.

"Let's get you to bed," she whispered as she led the latter to her room. In getting there, Riley undressed, starting with the chain. Layla looked at her, her eyes gluing to her chain for a minute before she turned and got in bed. 

With only her sports bra and men's briefs, Riley walked to the bed and got under covers. Layla quickly got closer to her and rested her head on the latter's chest, closing her eyes when she felt arms wrapping themselves around her body. It didn't take long for the cuddling friends to fall asleep, both of them content with this position.