Plus, Gabriel had made an effort to plan something for me, so I couldn’t just run off and make all of his hard work go to waste.
And I didn’t want to leave.
I wanted to spend my day here with him like we’d arranged.
‘Oh, no, darling, you stay and enjoy yourself. I hope you are having lots of fun in the bedroom with your hot man! I cannot wait to hear all of the sordid details. Talk soon!’
She hung up.
Sordid.
When Juliette used that word, I knew she meant it in a light-hearted way, but little did she know thatsordidwas exactly what this situation was.
I knew it was wrong, but the truth was I just couldn’t help myself…
33
GABRIEL
I sat out on the patio and blew out a frustrated breath.
So Laila was going home to help my mother.
On the one hand, Laila’s caring nature was one of the things that I loved about her. But on the other, I wished that sometimes she would put her own needs first. She was enjoying herself, but now she was going to cut her trip short.
Although I did not have the best relationship with my mother, I did not wish her any harm. I wanted her to be well. So of course, if she was seriously ill and had no one to help then stepping in would be understandable. But she had a community around her and no doubt a rich boyfriend who could lend a hand, so that Laila could continue to enjoy this opportunity without guilt.
Hopefully Mother would do the right thing this time and tell Laila to stay.
And I admit that if Laila left, I would miss her too.
The past few days had felt like a dream.
When she had told me after the concert on Saturday night that she was willing to try and see where things went between us this week, I felt like I had won the lottery.
Selling my business was a huge achievement and seeing all of that money in my bank account was a thrill, but that did not even begin to compare to the feeling of being with Laila.
It was not just the sex, which was incredible. It was everything. Talking to her about everything and nothing. Making dinner together in the villa. Even ordering the shopping on the app was enjoyable because I was doing it withher.
Whilst she slept last night, I continued making plans for her birthday surprise. I had already asked Jasmine to help me organise something special. Now I was worried that she would not get to enjoy it.
I wanted to tell Laila why I had a strained relationship with my mother. But even after all of these years it was still painful.
Her actions hurt me and my father. Although I had tried to get over it, I found it difficult.
Plus, I knew that Laila idolised Juliette and thought she was flawless, so somehow it felt wrong to shatter that illusion.
Laila might also think that I was just bad-mouthing my mother to ruin their friendship so that Laila would not have to feel guilty any more.
I wanted Laila to choose me because she wanted to be with me, not because I had told her about my mother’s past.
‘There you are!’ Laila tightened the belt around her robe.
‘Are you catching the next flight to London?’ I asked.
‘No, of course not! I’m staying.’
‘You are?’ My brows shot up to my hairline. ‘But my mother called you.’
