Loving Layla

Chapter 1: Evil Conceived

I rush into Tazanna's sitting room, fling my bag onto the couch and bend down to remove my red stilettos.
"Oh God, Zanny..you need to hear this!" I gush as I sat down beside her.
She was watching 'Bride for rent' for the umpteenth time,I don't know why she loves the movie that much. She pauses the movie and turns to look at me.

"What happened?"

I smile. "I finally did it" I fist my hand in the air.

She stares at me "what did you do this time again?"

"What do you mean...by that?" I ask rolling my eyes.

She folds her hand across her chest."Because all you do is cause trouble...I know you,Layla! "

I giggle. "Well, I found what will end all my troubles."

"What is that" she sits up,eager to know.

"Javier Sheraz", I close my eyes and think of him.
Zanny snorts. "What happened to him?"

"I figured out how I can get him...

"Get him how? Hope it's not what I'm thinking.. Layla"

"What are you thinking?" I ask sneering.

"Money right? Please don't do this...I didn't know you are serious" she pleads.

I snicker "why shouldn't I? Huh? Tell me!"

"That guy doesn't deserve that..what harm has he done?.He doesn't even know that there is a girl trying to ruin his life."

I laugh. "I'm not ruining his life...it's not like I'm putting a leash on him and dragging him to the aisle..he's gonna have a choice."

"Which choice? Layla...what did the guy do wrong? Just tell me" she asks.

I just can't tell her how much I dislike Javier...Or let me say the rich in general, don't get me wrong... We are not poor but I'm not satisfied. How can some people be so rich when the rest of us are struggling. My mom is a businesswoman and that's how she raised me,to make money. I got my hustle vibe from my mother,the only difference is my mother makes her money but I want a rich husband and that's what I'm going to get,I'm not settling for less. Javier is the best option for me..he is a rich muslim,his family is known for their philanthropy and they are one of the richest in the country.Javier has it all,he is handsome,rich and kind. He's a good Muslim,someone my Mom would be glad to meet. So he's my perfect catch.
I'm just twenty two years old but I'm ready for marriage. I have nothing else to wait for, I am done with school and I have a nice job. I'm a news editor at a T.V station and the pay is good. Marriage is the only thing left.

"He did nothing wrong..in fact, he's a good man and he deserves a lady like me." I reply with pride.

Tazanna giggles. "A lady like you? Who do you think you are? How are you sure your plan is going to work? Out of all the ladies in Nigeria..he would be foolish to fall for you"

I pout. " yea..I know but I will make it work"

Deep inside me,I'm scared I can't do it..I am not the prettiest woman he will set his eyes on,so I can't depend on that. I'm not that religious but I can try to be,but i know the kind of girl he wants,he said it once on an interview.

"So how are you going to made it work?" Zanny asked.

I swallow my spit. "I have to make it a coincidence. Teejay found out he will be attending a conference at Blucabana, I have to go there too"

Zanny smiled." Layla..are you sure you aren't going too far? Will it work?what if he doesn't even look at you?"

"He has to,if it doesn't work,there is always a plan B" I snort.

Zanny sighed. "Hmm, well it's your life, after all I'll just be your bridesmaid"

I chuckled. "Let the plan work first" I opened my bag and brought out my iPhone to check my messages on WhatsApp.
I have 20 unread messages, five from Teejay,and the rest from my mom. I open my Mom's messages.
Baby,I'm bored at home.
Your aunt went to the salon
Where are you? And some other similar messages.
I put the phone into my bag and stood up.
"Zanny,let me head home,Mom is already missing me."

She stands up too. 

"okay...my regards to her..tell her to send me some goodies when you are coming next week."
"Sure thing, Bye", I said as I took my leave.
I walked out of her apartment and headed to my car, it's my mom's old car actually, a Toyota Camry. She gave me the car on my twentieth birthday and I have been rocking it since then, although it gives me issues at time.
I drove home silently, listening to Dua lipa's New rules on the radio.
I parked my car and headed inside. We lived in my Mom's apartment in Gwarimpa Abuja, with my aunt Sheila, My mom's sister. She is a divorcee and has been staying with us since her husband left her for another woman. So basically there is no male figure in my life and I'm used to it..I lost my dad when I was seven,I still miss him.
I know that if he was alive...he would give me all the luxury I want. I want to enjoy and help others too.

"Mom,I'm back " I screamed as I entered the house.

"Layla, I'm in the Kitchen" she answers back.

I walk into the kitchen and sit down on the stool.

"Mum,what are you making?"

She turn around and smiled. " Soup"

"Wow, my favorite" I stood up and made my way to the fridge.

"Yes,that's why I'm making it..it's been a while"

"Hmmn" I mumbled, my mouth filled with cake. I can't deny the fact that my Mom spoilt me, I'm the apple of her eyes and I love her equally. She's my only joy.
I know how much she would protest if she knows I don't want to marry for love so I'm not telling her.
She keeps telling me to marry someone I love but I don't believe in love, at least not yet. I just want to marry someone who can take good care of me and I know Javier is that man.

"Mom,what do you think about me getting married?", I asked with a smile

She dropped the spatula.

"What? Are you serious?"

"Mom..I'm just asking!" I stressed.

"It would be nice sweetheart,do you have some one in mind? Tell me? When is he coming over?" Mom fumbles with joy.

I laughed. "No...I'm just wondering. What If I hit a guy like Javier Sheraz?"

My Mom's smile dropped. "Sheraz? What do you mean?"

"I mean...what if I'm getting married to Javier Sheraz?" I asked, really needing to hear what she thinks...it would boost my courage to go ahead with my plans.

"Why would you? Don't even start,Layla. Why would you think that?"

"What is wrong with it,Mom? He is a good man,or at least I think he is"
I argued.

"I just know he's not right for you,okay? People like that don't relate with people like us!" Mom retorted.

"Mom..stop exaggerating...You don't really know them."

She placed her hands on her waist.
"So I'm exaggerating... I don't want you to get your hopes up..just fall in love with a simple guy and get married."

I smiled. I got her point. "Okay..Mom, it's not like I am going to meet Javier..I am just joking"

She smiled back. "I know...even if you do... Don't fall for him,guys like that are not good for you"
I nod..if only she could see my heart..Javier is not only good but perfect for me and I'm going to get him..No matter what.

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