'I Do' For Revenge-Chapter 65: The Arranged Dinner

"Don’t worry, husband," I said, gauging his reaction at my use of the word husband, but he didn’t seem to flinch. "I’m just working on a hunch."

Axel’s eyes narrowed slightly. "A hunch about what?"

"Nothing concrete yet. Just something I need to check out," I replied, standing up from the leather chair. "I’ll tell you more when I have something solid."

"Layla..."

"Goodnight, Axel," I said, cutting him off before he could press further. "Thank you for dinner. And for everything else."

I left his study and headed to my room, feeling his questioning gaze following me down the hallway.

Once in my room, I pulled out my phone and texted Helena about our Sunday plans.

Hey Helena, remember that girl’s outing I mentioned, let’s make it this Sunday. Meet at my place 9 AM?

Her reply came quickly: Perfect ma! I can’t wait. Thank you for including me.

Next, I checked the message from the guard that I talked to earlier: Here’s all I need, ma...

I typed back: Proceed as discussed. Bill it to the house. Report when complete.

With that handled, I allowed myself to lay back on my bed and think about everything that had happened.

The past few weeks had been overwhelming: the first phase of our plan, my mother’s death, the murder investigation, the funeral drama, and through it all, Axel being unexpectedly supportive.

I couldn’t help but notice how we’d been getting closer lately.

The way he’d protected me at the cemetery, how he’d cancelled his meetings to stay with me during my breakdown, and tonight’s dinner conversation that felt normal. Like we were actually married instead of just playing roles.

A random memory of our first kiss suddenly flashed through my mind, and how he carried me bridal style the other day after defending me at Cassandra’s cosmetics brand launch in front of all those cameras.

It was supposed to be for show, but there had been something in that moment that felt real.

I felt heat rise to my cheeks as I remembered the way his lips had felt against mine.

"Stop it, Layla," I whispered to myself, yet I found myself smiling as I drifted off to sleep.

—

Saturday was a lazy day. I spent most of it in bed, only getting up to shower and eat when Martha brought me food.

Around noon, my phone buzzed with a text from Daniel: Hey, just checking on you. How are you holding up after yesterday?

I stared at the message for a moment, then typed back a single word: Fine.

I dropped the phone and went back to binge-watching a Korean drama series I’d discovered.

The mindless romance between the royal chef and the King was exactly what I needed to keep my thoughts from wandering to more complicated things.

—

Sunday morning arrived bright and clear. I dressed in dark jeans, a cream-coloured sweater, and comfortable walking shoes. After applying light makeup and pulling my hair back in a ponytail, I went downstairs to wait for the girls.

The house felt unusually quiet, and I noticed Axel’s car wasn’t in the driveway. Probably at the office, even on a Sunday. That man never seemed to rest.

Surprisingly, Erica and Helena arrived almost at the same time. They greeted me with enthusiasm, though I noticed a subtle tension between them, almost like the first time I introduced them.

"Ready for some girl time?" Erica asked, linking her arm through mine.

"Definitely," I replied. "I’ve been looking forward to this all week."

We headed out with two of Axel’s guards following at a reasonable distance. They were professional enough to be barely noticeable, but I knew they were there.

Our first stop was a cute little café downtown for brunch. We settled into a corner booth, and I watched the dynamic between my companions with interest.

"So Helena, how long have you been working for Layla?" Erica asked as she browsed the menu.

"A few weeks now," Helena replied politely. "Best immediate boss I’ve ever had."

"That’s nice. Family, boyfriend?"

"Just family." Helena’s tone was slightly clipped. "I don’t have the time and strength for a boyfriend at the moment. Famiy is important."

"Of course it is," Erica agreed, but there was something in her voice that made me pay closer attention.

"What about you, Erica?" Helena asked. "Any family?"

"Not really. Just me," Erica said with a shrug. "Sometimes it’s easier that way."

Before I could stop myself, I asked something that had been on my mind. "Do you two know each other?"

Both of them stared at each other, and then at me, shaking their heads like they had choreographed the movement.

"No ma’am."

"Not at all..."

There was an undercurrent of tension between them that I couldn’t quite identify, but before I could say anything else, our server arrived to take our orders.

"I’ll have the avocado toast with poached eggs," I said.

"Belgian waffles for me," Helena added.

"Just coffee and fruit," Erica said, closing her menu.

"That’s all?" I asked. "Are you sure you’re not hungry?"

"I’m watching what I eat lately," she replied with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

After brunch, we headed to the mall. The conversation flowed more easily once we started shopping, with Helena and me bonding over fashion choices while Erica seemed more interested in observing than participating.

"Try this one, ma’am," Helena said, holding up a black dress. "It would look amazing on you."

"I don’t know. Isn’t it a bit too formal for everyday wear?" I asked.

"Not if you accessorise it right," Helena insisted. "Trust me on this."

"She has a good eye," Erica commented from where she was sitting. "Very... professional."

There was something in the way she said "professional" that made me glance at her sharply, but her expression was neutral.

We spent the next few hours moving from store to store. Helena helped me pick out several outfits, while Erica mostly watched and made occasional comments. I paid for everything, including a few things for both of them, despite their protests.

"You don’t have to do that," Helena said as I handed my card to the cashier.

"I want to. Consider it a thank you for keeping me sane these past few weeks."

At our final stop, which was a high-end nail salon, we settled in for manicures and pedicures. The relaxing atmosphere finally seemed to ease whatever tension had been building between Erica and Helena.

"This is exactly what I needed," I said, sinking into the massage chair.

"Me too," Helena agreed. "I had no idea this feels so good."

"It’s nice, isn’t it?" Erica said, though she seemed more interested in her phone than in the conversation.

My own phone buzzed with a text, and when I checked, it was from the guard: Everything is in place, ma’am.

I quickly deleted the message and put my phone away, feeling a surge of satisfaction. Phase one of my plan was complete.

The rest of the afternoon passed pleasantly enough, though I continued to notice the subtle friction between Helena and Erica. They were polite to each other, but there was an underlying tension that made me wonder what I was missing.

By late afternoon, we were all loaded down with shopping bags and ready to head home. The guards had been professional throughout the day, staying close enough for security but far enough away to give us privacy.

When we arrived back at the house, I had my driver take Helena home while one of the guards escorted Erica back to her safe house. The other guard helped me carry my purchases inside.

"Thank you," I told him as he set the bags down in the foyer. "That’s all for today."

"Of course, ma’am. Have a good evening."

After he left, the house felt strangely empty and quiet... maybe too quiet. I looked around, expecting to see Martha or one of the other staff members, but no one was around.

Then I saw Martha coming out of the kitchen, looking worried. "Mrs. Layla, you’re back," she said, wringing her hands nervously.

"Yes, I just got in. Where is everyone? The house feels deserted."

"Mr. Axel gave most of the staff the day off," she explained. "He’s been in his room all day, and I was just..."

SMASH!

A loud crash of glass breaking suddenly filled the house, coming from Axel’s study.