The Broken Tale

Stranger

Song: The Truth Untold by Bts

Layla was sent up to her room. She frantically searched her closet for a dress, unable to choose between a to
turquoise mermaid dress and a flowy, black dress. Ali's words rang through her head.
"An FBI agent will be there."
Maybe this was her chance? Maybe she could speak to the agent? Maybe the agent can start spying on him undercover and see what he was doing to her? He couldn't escape the FBI, can he? But as the hot shower cleared Layla's hectic mind, she reliezed that it wasn't possible. He could afford the best lawyers and maybe even bribe his way out, once he did, he would make her pay with her life. She had known this for her entire marriage, she knew what would happen and she knew that a risky try that would almost definitely fail was not worth her life.
         Once Layla got out of the shower, Ali was already dressed. He looked immaculate in his perfectly crisp, tailored blue suit that clung to his fit, perfectly built body. Layla tried to ignore him as she started to dress, deciding to go with the turquoise mermaid dress.
        Ali sat on the bed, he watched her dry and tie straighten her chocolate brown hair silently, his stone cold expression was unreadable. Layla barely wore any make up besides what was necessary to cover the bruises on the side of her face, she only had time to swipe some eyeliner on her eyelids and some matte red lipstick.
     When she was done, Ali got to his feet and went over to a drawer in one of the cabins. He pulled out a red box, walking over to Layla with it. Layla's breath quickened the closer he got, an urge to run overwhelmed her but she had to fight it. She could see Ali opening the box in the mirror.
     A diamond necklace and earrings shined brightly in the sunlight, it was almost blinding. Ali fished the necklace out of the box, he wrapped it around Layla's neck. Layla flinched as the cold diamonds came in touch with her skin. She and Ali were both staring at their reflection in the mirror, Layla's face was completely terrified, scared, like a prey in the presence of its predictor. Ali smirked, rather pleased at the effect he had on her. He lifted the large earrings out of the box and slipped it on her ear, the diamonds glimmered beautifully in the sunlight.
"You're beautiful." He whispered to her.
Layla didn't say anything.
She couldn't say anything.
         He brought his lips down on her neck, his hair tickled against her jaw line. Layla wanted to scream, his kisses felt worse than the burning on the stove the night before. But then she reliezed...Brian had kissed her on the same spot last night. She remembered Brian's soft, passionate kisses. It was so alien, so strange to think that she had always lived with Ali's kisses of lust and sadism, how she lived without knowing what passion felt like.
"If only you didn't provoke me, Laili, I can't imagine how happy we could be."
Layla swallowed. She provoked him? Layla looked at their intimate position in the mirror, how close their bodies were. They really did look like the perfect couple to any outsider eyes that failed to see through their fake image of perfection.
         The party took place at a hotel an hour away. It was opulent and fancy, round tables were decked out with all types of expensive bottles of drinks that cost thousands of dollars each. Large tables curved around two entire walls, covered with all types of food. Everyone there was fabulously dressed. Expensive dresses, suits, diamond jewelry and watches shimmered in every direction. Layla didn't know anyone there, Ali never took her along unless he had to. She followed him, her arm entangled in his. He stopped at a table, Layla awkwardly flinched next to him as the four people at the table turned their gaze on them. Two tall men smiled at Ali. They looked exactly like him, tall, dark, handsome with beautiful two women on their arms.
"Look who's here." One of the men greeted.
Ali shook hands with the two men.
"It's been a while huh?" Ali asked lightly.
"Well, you've taken a few steps up since the last time we met." The other man said.
Ali laughed, "And I've seen that you haven't."
The man rolled his eyes, "Because I don't like to get photographed kicking someone else in the balls."
"Yeah because you don't have the balls to." Ali mocked.
Layla tried to look around while they got into their conversation. Through the mob of people laughing and drinking, Layla  recognized two familiar faces. Even through all the people, Layla could see Talya, Alexander and Brian by a table. Layla's jaw dropped when she saw how beautiful Talya looked. She was wearing a black mermaid dress similar to Layla's, except hers didn't have the sweetheart's neckline that Layla's had, it had strapped spaghetti sleeves, a diamond necklace shimmered around her neck. Her chestnut hair was tied up in a messy updo, her make up was flawless complimented with red lipstick. Alexander's black velvet shirt was incredibly casual yet fancy, his silver piercings shined in the light. But Layla's eyes quickly flashed to Brian. She could only see the back of him but from his blonde hair and fit shoulders were all too familiar for her to miss. Layla's heart was thumping in her chest, her eyes widened. But she didn't know why. Was she afraid? Afraid of what? Brian and Ali being in the same room? But it took Layla a moment to relieze that she wasn't afraid. She was excited.
"And this must be your wife?"
Layla snapped out of her thoughts. She looked back to see that all four people were looking at her, one of the men had an annoyingly familiar smirk.
"Yes, this is my wife, Layla." Ali introduced her.
Layla gave them a nod and a formal smile.
"My, my, what a beauty." The man commented, smiling menacingly.
But the man's attention quickly flew away from her to someone behind her. But it wasn't only him, all four of them had their jaw almost drop, their eyes followed someone behind her widely. Ali turned his head to see what they were looking at. Layla saw their eyes follow a beautiful woman, she was about her height, when she stopped to speak to some people by a table, Layla could get a perfect look at her. She was gorgeous, she had short brown and piercing brown eyes, she had a small, broad nose, broad cheekbones and big, plump lips. Layla couldn't stop looking at her. She was wearing a tight, red dress that hugged her hourglass body, it had no sleeves and was short, just barely reaching beneath her thighs. A big ruby stone sat in her diamond necklace that matched the big rubies in her large, hanging diamond earrings.
"Who's that?" Ali asked.
The four people stared at him in disbelief.
"Are you stupid?" One of the men asked.
Ali shrugged his shoulders, "Whose wife is she?"
"Her husband isn't here."
"Then why is she here?" Ali asked.
The man laughed out loud, "Elmar, you really aren't that bright."
"Watch it." Ali warned menacingly, "Anyway who is this 'all mighty' woman?"
"She's the richest person here."
Ali laughed, "Yeah right. She probably just fucked around and inherited it from her father or something."
The man shook his head, "She's completely self made from what I've heard."
"Yeah. I heard she went from a broke, single mom to this."
As Layla looked at her, she looked so young, probably around Layla's own age. How could she be the richest in a room of millionaires?
"How old is she?" Layla asked.
"Twenty-nine or something." One of the men answered, sipping his drink.
"How did she shed her baby weight in a month?" One of the women, a short blonde girl, asked curiously.
"Yeah, I heard she had her second child a few weeks ago." The other woman added.
"Who is she?" Ali asked, his eyes grazing the woman's entire body.
"Valdez. You heard of her?"
Ali nodded, his confusion was gone.
"She's that car guy's wife, right?"
The blonde woman nodded. Layla couldn't look away from her. Her smile was captivating, she was so lively. Layla had never seen someone be as lively and sophisticated as her. She seemed to light up everyone she talked to, switching between laughing and a serious expression every now and then.
"Damn she's hot." Ali murmured to himself, "Damn her coward of a husband. How could he let her come out in public in that dress?"
"Get a grip, Elmar." The man replied coolly, "I need something to look at."
        The woman drifted to Alexander's table. Talya's reaction to the beautiful woman was just as shocked as Layla's. The woman shook hands with Alexander, both grinning at each other. The woman shook hands with Talya as well, saying something to her that lit up her face. She saw their lips move, the woman easily engaged all three of them in conversation, cracking them up into laughter every few minutes as well.
"Who are those?" The blonde woman asked, indicating to to Alexander and Talya.
Ali frowned when he recognized Alexander.
"Great. It's the bastard again." He said under his breath angrily.
"Let's talk to him." The man suggested.
"No." Ali answered firmly.
"Elmar, you need to sort this out sooner or later." 
"No."
Layla wanted things to work out between them. Ali would not suspect his friends to be helping her but he would suspect his enemies. It would be safer.
Layla gathered all her courage, "Ali, honey, having a thousand friends is better than having one enemy."
Ali looked down at her, he was rather shocked that she had spoken up. Layla could see anger sparking upon his eyes but he was rather impressed as well. He knew he could not hurt her in public so instead he gave a smile.
"Only because you asked for it, my love." He said charmingly, kissing her hand.
"Well done, Mrs.Elmar."
Ali unwillingly followed one of the couples to Alexander's table. Layla's awkwardness soon faded away into a great feeling of comfort as they stood with Alexander, Brian and Talya. She gave Talya and Brian a little smile, Talya grinned back at her but Brian completely ignored her.
"Alexander McCauther." The man started, "Looks like you made a little comeback."
Alexander laughed, "I wanted to stay away from the media for a few months."
Alexander and Ali stared at each other, the tension grew with every second.
"McCauther." Ali finally said coldly.
"Elmar."
Ali glared at him, failing to hide his hatred for him. He forced himself to offer his hand. Alexander shook his hand, smiling in pride, he in a way was victorious. Ali came back to him, Alexander didn't. Layla's eyes floated to the woman again. She stood watching with a sophisticated smile. She was even more beautiful up close than she was from a distance.
"And you are...?" Ali asked.
The woman offered Ali her hand, "Valdez."
Ali shook her hand with a smirk, "Elmar."
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
"It's always a pleasure to meet a woman so beautiful."
Mrs.Valdez became visibly uncomfortable. Who would not be when a man was flirting with you infront of his wife. She sipped her drink, brushing away a lock of her hair behind her ear in an effort to show him her wedding ring.
"This place is amazing, Mrs.Valdez." The blonde woman commented.
She laughed, "I'm glad you like it."
"She's the host?" Layla asked Ali in a whisper.
"Yes."
"I must congratulate you, Mrs.Valdez, you truly are an inspiration." The man said.
"Thank you, sir." She sniggered.
"You hit twenty billion and had your second child. It seems that I have a lot to congratulate you on." Ali added.
"I am quite a normal person, Mr.Elmar, I just choose to work hard."
Layla saw Ali's face drop at the woman's shade. It was no secret that Ali never really worked for his business, he inherited it from his own father and always just gave the work to be done by his employees, stamping his name on the results for credit or appearing Infront of cameras during projects for image.
Ali coughed awkwardly, "Yeah."
"Brian, right?" Valdez asked Brian.
"Yeah."
"Well, I'd love to introduce you to them."
Layla's heart skipped a beat. Them? Who was them? Why was she speaking to Brian at all? She wanted to push her away from him. How dare she get near him! But she didn't understand why. Why was she mad? Did she even have the right to be mad?
"Yes. That'll be amazing." Brian replied lightly.
Layla watched him follow the woman to the back, disappearing from view. Layla's heart was bulging with fury. She had an urge to run after them. Why would they go somewhere in the back together? Why would Brian go anywhere with a married woman? How dare she go anywhere with him when she was married?
"If you excuse me." Layla said, "I need to use the restroom."
She gave Talya a look that told her to follow her. She knew Ali wasn't paying any attention to her, he was too caught up in his phone. She tiptoed to the back where she had seen Brian and Mrs.Valdez go. The back was a cozy sitting room. Besides Valdez's voice and Brian's, it was completely silent. She didn't want them to see her so she hid behind a wall inside, peeking out carefully. She could see Mrs.Valdez sitting down, Brian was standing by her side, she was looking at him in a serious expression.
"Is there anything going on with him?" Mrs.Valdez asked.
Brian shrugged his shoulders, "No, not much."
She sighed, "Brian, you need to work with me here."
"He may have a short temper but he isn't a criminal." Brian insisted.
Who? What were they talking about?
"What's going on?" Talya whispered.
Layla almost screamed in startle.
"For fuck's sake, Talya, I almost peed my pants." Layla gasped.
"Didn't Valdez say she was gonna introduce Brian to someone?" Talya asked, "What are they doing here?"
"She's asking him if there's anything going on with someone."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know, I think she suspects someone of a crime and she's asking him about it?"
Talya was confused. They watched as Mrs.Valdez sighed and pulled something out of her cleavage. She set it in Brian's palm and got to her feet.
"Thank you, Mr.Levinos." She said in her elegant tone, "I trust that this wil stay between us."
Brian looked down at his palm, "This is highly unnecessary, Mrs.Valdez."
"Consider it a...thank you tip."
Valdez gave him a quick smile before she left. Layla and Talya slumped against the wall, crossing their fingers that they would be discovered but she walked away and didn't notice them. Layla quickly ran to Brian.
"What was that all about?" She asked impatiently.
"Were you eavesdropping on us?" Brian asked, "Who the fuck do you think you are?"
"Yes." Layla answered quickly, "What crime? Who's she talking about?"
Talya joined them, putting her hand on Layla's shoulder to urge her to calm down.
"Ifs nothing, Laili." Brian replied in almost a murmur, "Just business."
Layla looked down at what Mrs.Valdez had slammed into Brian's hand. It was a stack of cash, a lot of cash.
"Oh so she bribed you for business?" Layla barked.
Brian rolled his eyes, "It's none of your business."
"Brian-"
"Move out of my way." He interrupted.
He shoved her out of the way and left. Layla was shocked, she was crushed by his sudden violence. All air was sucked out of lungs, she couldn't breathe, tears rushed down her face, carrying her mascara with them. She couldn't understand why he  had been ignoring her all night, why he was mad at her. Was he mad at her for last night? Was he mad because she had put him in such a horrible position? Did he hate her now? Even if he did, why did it hurt so much?
"Hey, don't worry about him." Talya soothed, "He's probably worked up or something."
Layla tried to wipe away her tears but they just kept flowing. She couldn't hold it back, her thoughts were tearing her apart, her heart ached as if it was crying too. She tried to stop, why was she even crying? But she wasn't strong enough. That only added to her self loathing. She wasn't strong enough to stop herself last night and now it cost her a friendship she valued. She hated herself for being so weak, for having no self control. A break of sobs escaped her lips.
"This is all my fault."
Talya helped her sit down, "No, it's not."
"Brian hates me now..."
Talya knelt by her feet, "You know that's not true. Layla, for the months that you were in the hospital, he never left your side, he was worried sick the entire time, sometimes I legit thought he'd pass out from exhaustion and worry himself. He's working his ass off to think of a plan to get you away from Ali. I can't count how many late night conversations he's had with Alex and I about plans for you." She reassured her with a smile, "He cares about you, Layla."
"He cared about me." Layla wept into her hands, "Before I fucked it up last night."
Talya's hands froze on her knee. Layla felt her go cold.
"Wh-what's that supposed to mean?" She asked in a shaky voice, "Did-did something happen last night?"
Layla was too ashamed to answer. She couldn't find her voice, it felt like her lungs were collapsing. All she could do was  sob into her hands. Talya was horrified, her hands were cold and her face went pale. Her smile had disappeared but she still rubbed her knee to comfort her, trying to shush her.
"Ali got drunk last night... he-he b-b-beat me up and b-burned my hand and I w-went to Brian's." Layla explained between sobs,  "He was i-in a-a towel and... I can't even remember... I j-just lost m-my mind and it...it happened."
Talya was in a state of shock. She turned green, as is if she was going to vomit. And Layla knew why. Talya was worried, their situation was hard enough as it was, Layla's life was in enough danger as it was, she didn't need to add to that the way she did.
"I wanted to...make a choice for myself for once, you kn-know?" Layla continued, "I wasn't thinking, it was all my fault."
"Layla, you didn't rape him or something. He gave it to you too, he slept with you out of his own choice." Talya reminded her.
Layla shook her head, "He did want to but I pushed him... I just kept on pushing and pushing until he gave in."
Talya sat next to her and pulled her into a hug.
"What's done is done." She said, "Layla, you can't let yesterday destroy your tomorrow."
"There is no tomorrow, why don't you guys get it?"
"There's always a tomorrow, Laili." Talya insisted calmly, "Brian's just a bit confused, you know? He's been working his ass off to save you and all of a sudden, he's the one who put you in danger than more you're already in. It's been hard enough for him already, he's betraying his friend and putting himself in danger by trying to help you and now he shook the very foundations of his plans."
Layla's tears stopped flowing. She had never thought of their situations the way Talya put forward but she knew Talya was right. Talya held her by both shoulders and smiled at her.
"Look, things will be alright. Now we need you to dry your tears and go back out there."
Layla shook her head, "I don't want to."
"Life isn't about what we want, it's about what we need to do."
Layla stared into Talya's beautiful grey eyes, they calmed the fire in her heart down.
Layla sighed and nodded, "Okay."
Talya smiled. She stood up and pulled Layla to her feet. She held her hand and pulled her out of the room, Layla followed her to the bathroom in the back.
"We'll have to fix your make up." Talya said.
Stacks of eyeshadow, contours, lipsticks, mascara, expensive perfumes and foundation sat on the beautiful marble sinks. It looked more like a salon than a public hotel bathroom.
"Wow..." Layla gasped.
Talya started to fix her make up, "Yeah the hotel belongs to that Valdez woman and she's really fancy and shit."
"She's really someone, huh?"
"Oh you have no idea." Talya answered while fixing Layla's eyeshadow, "Alex knows her, he told me a bit about her on the way since she's throwing the party and shit."
"Tell me about it."
"He says she was broke a few years ago, a migrant and then she had a kid when she could barely feed herself. But then her businesses took off and she got together with her baby daddy and shit." Talya explained, "Look her up online, she's called the young miracle 'cause she went from broke to four billion in two years."
"Wow, she sounds like a real nut cracker."
"She's pretty well loved actually."
"How come?" Layla asked.
"She's an advocate for human rights and shit. Alex says she owns cancer hospitals and has organizations and all that."
Jealousy boiled in Layla's blood. She hated herself. Mrs.Valdez was a woman just like her, why was she able to build her life to this from scratch yet Layla could not even control her thoughts?
"How old is she again?"
"Twenty-nine or something." Talya answered, she set down the brush and sprayed some perfume on her, "Alright, we're all done."
Layla didn't bothe looking at herself in the mirror. She gave Talya a quick smile of gratitude before they went back out.
The rest of the party was largely uneventful. Layla spent the time following Brian and Ali around, drinking herself away while they spoke to the people there. People didn't really pay much attention to her, she was more or less Ali's arm candy, not allowed to interfere with anything and she was only allowed to speak when she was spoken to. Brian never even looked at her. Layla drank glass after glass of wine, shots of tequila and vodka to numb her pain. She didn't hear a word of what they were saying, all she could hear was a ringing hum in her head with her eyes on her always full glass. Layla didn't speak to Mrs.Valdez for a while but soon she came to them when Layla and Ali were alone at the table.
"How's the party?" She asked.
Ali smirked, "Really amazing, well done."
Valdez sipped her drink, "I'm very pleased. And I love your necklace, Mrs.Elmar."
Layla nodded with a smile, "Thank you."
"I was looking forward to seeing your husband here, Mrs.Valdez." Ali said.
"Ah, yes, but sadly he had to be in Moscow to prepare for his new car show."
"Moscow?" Ali remarked, "I would be quite worried to leave my wife alone if she was as beautiful as you."
Mrs.Valdez glanced at Layla, wondering how she was so calm about her husband flirting so openly with another woman.
She coughed awkwardly, "Yes, well he knows I can handle myself."
"If you're free later this weekend, maybe we can go out for a drink together." Ali suggested, winking at her, "We can have some fun later on. I can show you a few things your husband probably hasn't showed you."
That proved to be way too much for Mrs.Valdez. Her beautiful smile disappeared and her face suddenly turned very serious.
"Mister Elmar, I don't know if you've reliezed or not but I'm married and I love my husband. I think flirting with another me right infront of your wife is highly disrespectful to both me and your wife seeing as I'm married and she is...your wife for crying out loud. I trust that you'll have a good night."
She left without another word. Layla sighed, the first time Ali flirted openly infront of her, she remembered feeling unbearably embarrassed but now she was used to it that she didn't even care. Ali too left to speak to someone else, but he didn't take Layla with him. He left her and Brian alone at the table with the tension and awkwardness rising quickly. Brian let out a sigh, he picked up his glass of vodka and left. Layla was completely fed up with being ignored, this was not fair! She slammed her glass down on the table and followed him outside. He stood on the balcony where the music drowned out and it was quiet, where it was just the two of them.
"What the fuck is up with you?" Layla asked immediately.
Brian didn't turn around to face her, "What the fuck is wrong with you? Ali's here, he'll kill us both if he knows you're here."
"Didn't you say he trusts you? He won't suspect anything from you." Layla reminded, "Why are you ignoring me?"
"I didn't relieze I was your twenty-four seven babysitter."
She walked to his side, putting her hand on his shoulder.
"Are you mad at me for last night?" She asked.
He shoved her hand away, ignoring her question. Layla's eyes began to tear up, anger welled up in her.
"Talk to me!" She demanded hysterically.
"Get away from me."
Layla shook her head in disbelief.
"I hate you!" She shouted in tears, "You're just like the others! I...I thought you were different but I should've known better! If you're friends with Ali then you're just like him!"
She dried her tears, her throat was sore from shouting.
"I guess you're a bit better than Ali... at least you're not hurting me now that you've gotten between my legs." She wept, struggling to wipe away the flowing river of tears, "It was my fault though... for once, nobody took it from me, I gave it to someone myself... but I was fucking stupid even in that! I was no naive... I should've know you were only nice to me because you wanted something from me. I...I can't believe what a fucking bastard you are!"
She pushed himself, already crying herself. Brian finally looked at her but his stone cold expression didn't change.
"How could you minuplate me? Out of all people me?" She yelled tearfully, "I trusted you! I told you all my secrets, I came to you when I was hit, raped and burnt! How could you do this to me? You're a fucking bastard!"
Brian never moved, never said a word. He just stared down at her with pained blue eyes.
Layla pointed a shaky finger at her, "You know what? You, Brian Levinos, you are even worse than Ali! At least he never minuplated me! Bruises, cuts and bones heal but trust issues, being betrayed by someone you trusted will never heal!"
"Enough!" Brian shouted, "Damn right you're naive! You're so fucking naive and even stupid! You know nothing!"
"What the hell do I need to know? What in the name of God can justify ignoring an already broken woman after sleeping with her?"
"You. Know. Nothing."
"Then tell me! Why? Just tell me why? Why are you staying away from me?"
Brian glared at her, narrowing his lips in anger, ready to burst. But Layla didn't back away, she didn't cowar. She had been wronged enough times in her life and by enough people.
"Tell me, you fucking coward!" She bellowed one last time, pushing him as hard as she could.
"Because I love you!" He shouted back.
What?
WHAT?