Heart Trouble (EDITING)

The Prior Ballad

~~~~~~~ Layla's POV ~~~~~~~~

"Wha-what are you doing?!" I scolded at the pile of brothers.

Ryder then let out a breath. He stood up slowly and helped Colin up afterwards. Ryder was unable to meet my eyes so he turned his head to face the other way. For some reason I felt neglected and my heart clenched. What feeling was this? The room was unnervingly silent as Colin began to speak.

"Layla, we're sorry. I know that it was not right for us to do this and the bet. By the time you are ready to forgive us might not even be in this lifetime but I want you to understand that we are sorry. I won't force you to agree with what my father just asked but rather I will support whatever decision you choose. I really hope we can be friends again. I missed you and playing tic-tac-toe."

My heart melted at his words and felt guilty for his true regret that he was displaying in his eyes. I didn't really know what to feel about the last part. I decided no foolish feud like mine should continue any longer. Days have passed that made me question my childish behavior.    

I smiled softly at Colin. I also missed the days when we were having fun together as friends.

"Ahm."

I turned around to face the source of the interruption that ruined the moment. Hale looked serious and stared deep into my eyes giving me pressure under his gaze.

"Your decision?"

"What?" I exclaimed with an eyebrow raised.

Rolling his eyes at my question, he reminded me.

"Are you going to pretend to be in a relationship with me or not?"

Sweat poured out of my palms. I looked toward Colin for some guidance. He gave me a comforting smile and nudged his head at Hale.

"Fine." I replied confidently staring into Hale's brown orbs.

"My secretary will hand you the contract later in the day. Be sure to return it to me via one of my sons tomorrow when you are to start. You are free to leave." A low voice rang out.

I looked at the new origin of the voice. Mr. Vadner was already walking toward his desk to grab his phone to call his secretary when I saw him.

"What contract?" I asked with both my eyebrows scrunched up.

There was no answer but only a glare which I was sure expressing his annoyance over the dumb question. Mrs. Vadner stayed in the office while all of the brothers and I exited the room and closed the door behind us.

We all looked at each other for any ideas on what to do now. Colin had a silly grin on his face and suddenly approached me to give a bone-crushing hug.

"I missed you!" He said excitedly.

Feeling his warm breath on the nape of my neck, I squirmed in his hold.

"Yeah. Me-me too." I managed to say with my little air I had left in my lungs.

Then he abruptly let go and tugged on my arm. His smirk plastered on face told me he had something in mind.

"Let's go." He said before ran through the hallway and to his room.

When he opened the door, I saw dark blue walls and same wooden floors of most of the house. A fluffy white carpet was laid out on the floor beside his bed. The bed was in the center backed to the far wall. His black sheets were smoothed out and his white pillows popped out in the dark colored room. The rest of the furniture in his room were either white, brown, black or cream colored which included his desk equipped with a lamp and computer and his doors.