MINE

07- The firm

Layla walks into the huge house next to Daniel while Benjamin trails behind them.

We enter and find an old man sitting on the sofa with his head in his hands.

He motions for us to sit after noticing our presence. Layla looks around and finds a nurse leaving the house. She finds a portrait of an old woman on the side table near the entrance.

She looks back at the man who wore a suit. Was he mourning?

Daniel speaks up, "Sir we have the sheets ready-" She zones out of the conversation as she realises something. The cardiology hospital design, a nurse and the old man mourning.

"Daniel was explaining the project and she is probably gonna be fired for this but she stops Daniel who looks at her with a frown.

"Would you like us to come later sir?" She asked and the old man looks at her with a sad smile. "You are new? I haven't seen you around." He said and Layla nods. "I work with them but I'm new to this project." She said and he nods.

"So you noticed" he asked and both Daniel and Benjamin turn to her, slightly confused. "I did and you probably need to time to think about it" she said and he chuckles.

"So you know" he said and she pauses and bites her lip but nods.

"I don't know anymore, I'll get back to you. Let me think and thank you for understanding" he said and Layla stands up as Daniel and Benjamin look confused but join her.

Layla smiles and then turns to walk out with Daniel and Benjamin behind her, she knew they would lose their mind over her for behaving like this after they find out.

"Would you explain what just happened back there" Daniel asked curiously but also annoyed.

She looks at him and lets out a deep breath.

"He lost his wife to some cardiological issue and I'm guessing it happened a day or two back. If I'm not wrong he wanted to build a hospital for her treatment but she didn't last that long so he wants to reconsider making the-" Layla stops when Daniel curses.

"Im taking a taxi back" Daniel said and left without a word. Benjamin turns to me and rubs his neck, "Im going for a walk but could you keeps this in your car." Benjamin said as he holds out the holder, the sheets.

Layla nods and takes it as she watches them leave.

"So your colleagues left?" Layla hears the old man and turns to find him standing there. She smiles at him and nods. "They worked on this so they need time to come in terms with the possibility of it not working out." Layla said as she walks to the car puts the holder inside.

"Would you like to stay for coffee or tea?" The man asked her just as she opens the door to sit.

She nods and closes the door behind her. "Would love to" Layla said and followed him back inside. His name was Mr. William Burberry, she remembered from what Daniel had told her.

She walked in and found him going to the kitchen. "Mr. Burberry, would you like me to make you a tea or coffee" she asked and William turns to her slightly offended.

"I can make it on my own young lady I'm not that old and call me William" he said and Layla shakes her head. "It's not because of your age" she said and he pauses. He looked back at her as if analyzing her, "Okay then" he said and sat on the table inside the kitchen.

"You can make me a coffee too, I like it black" he said and Layla nods after he pointed out all the ingredients that she would need. She pulls off her blazer and puts it on the side.

After the coffee was ready she put his cup infront of him and sat as she held hers.

"Would you mind if I tell you our story?" He asked and looked at her with a hopeful look. "You and your wife?" She asked and he nods.