You All Along

Chapter 32

SONGS FOR THIS CHAPTER

Forever Young (One Direction)

No Control (One Direction)

18 (One Direction)

Stockholm Syndrome (One Direction)

Ready To Run (One Direction)

Illusion (One Direction)

Lucky (Jason Mraz)

Jeff’s P.O.V

What is that cancer called anyway? Oh yeah something to with the immune system, yeah? I kept my gaze fixed on the road, but out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Layla troubled. I couldn’t see if she was crying or if she was nervous or if she was even thinking about this at all. Whatever is it that she is feeling, she won’t have to go through this alone. “Lay, are you okay?” I shook her a little once we reached the red signal. She quickly turned to me as if I had just waked her up from a sleep. “Huh? Yeah? Oh I’m okay okay. Don’t worry,” she assured me with a half smile. I nodded and continued to drive when the signal turned green. I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel, eyes fixed on the road, but my wandering somewhere else to who this Charles person is or how did he get Layla’s number, and where was her dad all along if he’s dying now.

10 minutes later, I pulled into the almost empty Starbucks parking lot and turned to Layla, who was oblivious that we were already here. “Hey, we’re here,” I patted her shoulder and she woke up from her trance and held her gaze on my face before getting down. I caught up with her and we pushed open the heavy glass door, the strong aroma of coffee filled my nostrils. “I’ll get us some coffee,” I told Layla, and she nodded, and followed me. “Good afternoon, sir. What would you like today?” the blonde asked from the other side or the counter. “Hey, I’d like two Cappuccino please,” I placed my order and paid for it. Layla and I collected our drinks and searched for this Charles something. Layla picked up her phone to call him.

“Hey, um I’m here,” she spoke into the phone.

I couldn’t hear what he was saying no matter how hard I tried. Layla replied to whatever he said, and pulled me by the sleeve to follow her. We walked to the corner of the room, where a man who was around his twenties, stood up to greet us. He had a muscular frame, and his hair has a dirty blond parted to the side with sufficient amount of hair gel. He was wearing a black and suit, and held a file in his hands. “Good afternoon, Miss Young,” he shook Layla’s hand and turned to me. “Good afternoon, Mr..,” he looked at me questioningly. “Oh, I’m Jeff. Jeff Styles,” I replied and shook his hand. “Good afternoon, Mr Styles,” he smiled at took a seat.

Layla’s P.O.V

He looked too young to be my dad’s lawyer. He was probably around 25 or something. We introduced ourselves and sat back down. I sipped on my coffee not engaging in the silence as Charles went through his file for some papers. He took a deep breath and I squeezed Jeff’s hand. “Miss Young. As I said on the phone, your father Ryan Connor Young is suffering from Hodgkin Lymphoma, a rare type of cancer which affects the immune system. He was diagnosed with this cancer 10 years ago, and he is currently in the last stage of this cancer. His last wish was to see his first daughter that is you as soon as possible. And I was seeing if it was possible for you to meet him this Saturday at the Government Hospital,” he said, and I felt Jeff stiffen beside me. I looked at him for a brief second before nodding towards Charles. “ Okay, so Miss Young, could you meet me at the reception of the hospital at 11 am this Saturday. The time allocated is around 2 hours so you can speak to him freely,” he said and I nodded, again. “I’m sorry about your father’s condition, and for your…,” he paused and I looked at him, nudging him to continue. “Sorry, and for your past without your father. But my personal statement is that, he does seem to regret his actions but I’ll leave that to you to discuss with your father,” he said, and this time I didn’t nod. What does he mean he’s sorry for my past without my father? Does he know something that I didn’t? He was right, I’ll talk about that to my father when I see him. “Here’s my card, if anything please don’t hesitate to call me,” he offered me his card and I kept it inside my bag. “If that’s all, I think I should make a move. Thank you. Nice meeting you Miss Young. And you too Mr Styles,” he said and shook both our hands and with that he left us with our thoughts and questions.

Charles P.O.V

Ah, this is the first time I’m seeing her while I’ve just heard her name a billion times by her father. Not to say, but she is quite beautiful. And Jeff, must be her boyfriend I assume. I’ve heard of him too. I know more about Layla’s father than she does. He left her mother, before Layla was even born afraid to bare the responsibilities that came with a child. He left both of them and went far away. Ryan would call Layla’s mother often and his last phone call was years ago, to fake his death. He had told Victoria, to tell Layla that he died before she was born so that she wouldn’t have much to think about him. I despised Ryan. Because on all costs, he shouldn’t have left his wife and daughter alone, no matter how much money he left them with. But what was I to do. Right after I graduated from law school, I was forced to become his lawyer no matter how much I opposed that suggestion. I was forced to being his lawyer, well because he met my sister. And that means, Layla and I are related. And she doesn’t even have a clue.

SORRY. I had a writers' block and that's the reason I couldn't update. I'm so sorry! Oh well anyways! HEEEEYYYY! Hope you all are enjoying the story, and I hope this chapter is longer than the rest. Actually I dont' have much to say except, VOTE & COMMENT & SHARE PLEASE! C'mon guys, voting is only like half a second worth. Please don't tell me you don't have hald a second right? I LOVE YOU ALL! kthxbye :)