CHAPTER 152: THE CALLS

LAYLA’S POV

"I still don’t think we should open the store today."

Axel’s fingers paused on my zipper, then slid it up the last inch. "We’ve been over this a hundred times, Layla. Nothing will go wrong."

I turned, catching his reflection in the mirror as he stood behind me. "Remember the sniper at the pre-launch event on that rooftop?"

He leaned closer and kissed the spot behind my ear, his warm lips gently touching my skin. "Anything bad goes through me first. Tye has a private security team; we have our usual security, and the police are on standby. You’re bulletproof today."

"You can’t promise that."

"I just did." He stepped back, looking me over. "You look stunning, by the way. That dress is incredible."

I glanced down at the emerald green dress that hugged my curves perfectly. "You don’t look so bad yourself. Very handsome in that suit."

"We clean up well, don’t we?"

"That we do."

He offered his arm. "Ready to show the world what Eclipse Beauty can do?"

I took a deep breath and linked my arm through his. "Ready as I’ll ever be."

The driver was already waiting outside, car running, door open. The ride to the flagship store felt both too long and too short. My stomach churned with nerves the entire way.

Upon arrival, the scene outside was one of controlled chaos. Press lined the red carpet leading to the entrance, cameras flashing, reporters calling out questions.

"Mrs. O’Brien! Congratulations on the new store!"

"Mr. O’Brien, how does it feel to expand Eclipse Beauty’s footprint?"

"Mrs. O’Brien, can we get a comment about the acquisition of Watson Cosmetics?"

I smiled and waved, Axel’s hand remained on the small of my back as we moved forward.

Then came the harder question.

"Mrs. O’Brien! Your sister was convicted of multiple crimes. Do you think it’s your fault she’s in prison?"

I stopped and turned to face the reporter directly. "Justice was served to those who deserved it. That’s all I have to say on that matter."

"But don’t you feel..."

"I said that’s all." My voice was firm but not harsh. "Today is about moving forward, not dwelling on the past."

We continued inside, and the atmosphere immediately shifted.

The store was beautiful; floor-to-ceiling windows, gleaming displays, and soft lighting that made everything look magical. Staff members in uniforms moved efficiently, greeting guests and offering champagne.

Helena appeared at my elbow, clipboard in hand, looking both stressed and exhilarated. "Everything’s on schedule. The product reveal is set for thirty minutes from now. Press is contained in section A, VIPs in section B, and general attendees throughout."

"Helena, you’re a miracle worker. Thank you for putting this together."

"Just doing my job, boss lady."

Tye materialised beside us, looking devastatingly handsome in a charcoal suit. "Impressive launch, Mrs O’Brien. You really outdid yourself."

"It was all Helena," I said immediately. "She coordinated everything."

Tye turned his attention to Helena with an unreadable expression. "You did well, then. Very well."

Helena’s cheeks coloured slightly. "Thank you, Mr. Tye."

Tye groaned, almost in frustration. "Tye. Just Tye."

"Thank you... Mr Tye."

Tye’s hands went up in the air. "I give up," he said and walked away, leaving Helena looking smug.

"You seem to enjoy tormenting him."

"Me?" Her eyes shot up in surprise, though she couldn’t hide the satisfied smirk playing on her lips

I bit back a smile. "He seems to like you."

"He seems to like annoying me. There’s a difference."

"If you say so."

The next hour flew by in a blur of handshakes, photo opportunities, and carefully choreographed reveals. The new product line, Eclipse Luxe, was unveiled to thunderous applause.

Models walked through, carrying display cases that showcased packaging that gleamed like jewels.

Then came my speech.

Helena guided me to the small stage set up near the main display. The crowd quieted, all eyes turning toward me. For a moment, my nerves threatened to overwhelm me.

But then I saw Axel standing at the front, giving me an encouraging nod.

I took the microphone. "Thank you all for being here today. This store represents more than just a business expansion. It represents determination and the power of refusing to give up even when the odds seem impossible."

Applause rippled through the crowd.

"I want to thank the incredible staff at Eclipse Beauty who work tirelessly to make our vision a reality. Your dedication doesn’t go unnoticed." I found Helena in the crowd. "Special thanks to Helena, who coordinated every detail of this launch flawlessly. This wouldn’t have happened without her."

More applause. Helena looked like she wanted to disappear and cry happy tears simultaneously.

"And finally..." I locked eyes with Axel. "To my husband, Axel O’Brien. You’ve stood by me through the darkest moments, believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself, and shown me what true partnership looks like. Thank you for being my rock, my confidant, my love. This victory is as much yours as it is mine."

The crowd erupted in cheers as Axel made his way to the stage. He pulled me close and kissed me tenderly, not caring about the cameras or the audience. When we broke apart, he whispered against my lips, "I’m so proud of you."

"We did this together."

"Together. Always."

The rest of the event blurred by in a haze of congratulations, networking, and champagne toasts. By the time we got home, I felt both tired and really excited at the same time.

We barely made it through the front door before we were on each other, kissing like teenagers who’d discovered attraction for the first time. Axel’s hands tangled in my hair while mine worked at the buttons of his shirt.

"Bedroom," I gasped between kisses.

"Too far."

"Axel..."

He lifted me, my legs wrapping around his waist as he carried me toward the stairs. Somehow, we made it to our room without breaking contact, falling onto the bed in a tangle of limbs and fabric.

The world narrowed to just us: his touch, my breath, the way we fit together perfectly. Everything else fell away, leaving nothing but sensation, emotion, and love.

As I curled up in his arms, I drifted off to sleep, feeling more content than I had in a while.

The ringing phone shattered that peace. I groaned, burying my face deeper into the pillow. "Make it stop."

Axel’s hand found my shoulder. "You should answer it."

"I just want to sleep."

"It might be important. Work stuff."

"It can wait until morning."

"Uhmm, It’s morning already."

The ringing stopped, then started again immediately, making me groan loudly

"Layla..."

"No. Sleep. That’s all I want right now."

But the phone just wouldn’t stop ringing in a loud, insistent, and impossible-to-ignore way.

Axel sat up slightly. "Just answer and tell them to call back later if it’s not urgent."

"It’s probably a spam call."

"Spam calls don’t keep ringing like that."

He had a point. With a frustrated sigh, I reached for my phone on the nightstand, squinting at the bright screen in the darkness.

Unknown number again.

My heart rate picked up, but I told myself it was probably nothing. Maybe a reporter who’d gotten my number, or a wrong number, or...

I answered. "Hello?"

The sleep evaporated from my eyes in an instant. I sat bolt upright, my hand clutching the phone so hard my knuckles went white. "What?!"