HER LAST WISH Chapter 31

(Moremi)

Zeemah Writes 📝

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“Bye” Layla waved back at the Keyes before Paul drove off.

Yeah, Paul was driving her home again and she hadn’t even turned it down today.
The Keyes would have insisted though.

She smiled, she had so much fun. Asides when she ruined the lunch with her story, everything else was perfect.
She stared at the two bottles of expensive wine the Keyes had given her, she had accepted it after much persuasion, she wondered if they truly gifted her for coming like they insisted or her love for the wine had been too obvious.
But whatever, she’s going to get to drink these tasty wine, gonna have it to herself. She’s gonna give Phil one of course and she knows Phil is going to love it.

Perhaps they should even share a bottle during dinner.

She scooted closer to the open window and smiled as she closed her eyes, relishing the cool evening breeze.
His face found his way to her mind and instead of the darkness that comes with closing one’s eyes, all she could see is his face.

She snapped her eyes open and repeated ‘It’s the wine’
“Are you okay?” Paul asked.
“Yeah” Layla said, almost startled by his voice.
“I’m okay” She added, staring outside the window.

But she’s not okay and she knows it.

WEEKS LATER~~

“The pink lipgloss is too bright plus you’ll be wearing a pink dress, it’ll be too flashy, you should use the nude lipgloss” Fel said to Anne and Layla nodded in agreement.

It was Anne’s birthday, they were with her in her room getting her ready.
It’s 12pm and the party will be starting by 1pm. They’ve been in the Keyes house since 9am because Anne had insisted on making pies herself, she doesn’t want the caterers to do it for her. So, Fel and Layla had offered to help, it was a large quantity and it’ll be so stressful for Anne to do it alone.
They were done with the mince pies and were getting Anne ready after they had gotten ready.

Layla wore a long black dress with silver glitters at the hem and neckline, it was so fitting that it hugged her curves like second skin, she wouldn’t have picked it if she had known it’ll be this . . hugging, it made her feel a little bit uncomfortable because she knows she might attract a lot of gazes. Though Fel and Anne told her the dress was perfect, it was indeed, just too tight.
This will be the first time she’ll be putting it on, it was one of the many dresses that belonged to her mum.

Thinking of it, if she hadn’t met Dan and co, she probably wouldn’t have had the chance to rock any of her mum’s dresses. Since her mum’s death, she hadn’t worn any of her dresses. She couldn’t possibly wear a dress to the cafe or school . .

“I think Layla has an eye for necklaces, she should choose one for you” Fel said.
“Layla, which one do you think it’s better?” Anne looked lost over the two necklaces on her dressing table.
“Hmm” Layla hummed as she checked out the necklaces, she folded in her lips and peered closer, it was actually difficult to choose one because they are both beautiful.
She clicked her tongue and smiled when she finally made her choice.

“You should wear this” She said to Anne, pointing at the gold one with a single pink crystal as pendant.
“Okay” Anne smiled.
“And no glasses today” Fel said, gently removing Anne’s glasses from her face before dropping it on the table.
Anne chuckled. “You’ll be held responsible if I start seeing things in twos”
Layla laughed, tucking her hair behind her ear. She had given her hair a thorough wash this morning as she does every Saturday and using Anne’s hair lotion made her hair look so sleek, her hair has never looked this good, she loved it. It even gave her a prettier look.
Fel laughed also.

“You should help Anne with her hair, I’ll go get her dress ready” Layla said.
“Okay and we should hurry, the guests will be here soon” Fel said.

Layla got Anne’s dress from the closet and sprawled it on the bed.
She smiled admiringly at it, this won’t be the first time she’ll be seeing it. Anne had shown it to her the day she got it and they had marveled at how beautiful it is.
The A-line skirt is simple and elegant, flowing down from the waist in layers of pink, the halter bodice is a blast of white and gold, vines of lace climbs up from the hips, flowing across the chest and ribs and gathered together into a collar at the throat.
The dress was not only elegant but breathtaking.
Anne had gotten it from Daire Fashions at no extravagant cost, that was where Layla’s mum had gotten most of her dresses from also. The fashion designer and CEO is just so good at what she does.

Layla picked the strappy gold heels and placed them beside the dress.
“Awesome” She muttered, grinning.
“Perfect combination right?” Fel smiled, even without looking at the bed.
“Yes” Layla said, turning back to them.
Fel was halfway done with Anne’s hair.
“Anne is gonna look so gorgeous after we’re done getting her ready, I’m not even done with her hair yet and her face is starting to look radiant” Fel said.
“I bet” Layla smiled.
“I just hope Elvis breath is not going to seize in his throat after seeing her” Fel teased and Layla laughed.
Anne’s cheeks heat up and she bit the inside of her mouth.

“Okay.. yeah!” Fel said as she round up the hair styling.
“Woah, good job” Layla said. Anne’s glossy brown hair was pulled in a tight ponytail, her curly bangs parted and formed into tendrils framing her face.
Fel tilted her head, smiling as she admired her work.
“I love it” Anne grinned at her reflection in the mirror.
She almost didn’t look like Anne, this is like a sleek version of her.

“Alright, let’s get you in your dress!” Layla said.
“Yeah let’s do it!!!” Fel said in a singsong voice.
They laughed.

A knock interrupted the moment.
“Come in Dan” Anne said and when Dan walked in, Layla looked surprised wondering how Anne knew it was him.

“God. Your hair is gorgeous” Dan said, walking closer to his sister who smiled as he kissed her cheeks.
He was dressed up also, in a pair of blue ripped jeans and a white New York hoodie, his hair was pulled to the back and some stubborn strands covered his forehead. He looked effortlessly beautiful.

His eyes landed on Layla and she realised she had been staring, she switched her gaze to the necklace on the dressing table, embarrassed.
Her cheeks heat up as she felt his gaze roam her body, she was suddenly conscious of her body hugging dress and she had to turn slowly so her backside would face Anne’s closet and not Dan’s direction.
She suddenly wished she had dressed just like Fel, who wore a pretty white sleeveless jumpsuit that was fitting but not so tight.
God knows if she had tried on this dress before leaving home, she wouldn’t have brought it.

She watched Dan from the corner of her eyes and realised he was yet to take his eyes off her. She swallowed hard, starting to get pissed at herself for cowering under Dan’s gaze who was probably only just admiring her dress.
She’s pissed at herself for feeling this way, she couldn’t even meet his gaze.
He should also stop staring at her, does he want her to fucking melt!!!!

Is she only being sensitive about her dress or there’s something else to it. Whatever it is, she hates it.
He’s her best friend and she shouldn’t feel this way with him, regardless of whatever she’s putting on, he shouldn’t make her feel suddenly perky.

“Wow” Dan smiled.
“Thank you” Layla quickly said, not wanting him to compliment her any further or her cheeks will be on fire.
“You look beautiful as always Layla” He said with that same sincerity in his voice and she couldn’t help but smile.
She finally raised her gaze to meet his charming eyes and their gazes locked for a minute.
He was the one who switched his gaze this time, he turned to Fel and Layla released the breath she didn’t know she was holding.

‘Wow’ Her inner voice applauded mockingly and she groaned.

“Is anything the matter?” Anne asked.
“Absolutely nothing” Layla said, smiling too sweetly.

“I wish I had invited Jacq so he’ll lose his mind when he sets his eyes on you” Dan said tilting his head as he took in Fel’s ravishing look.
Fel laughed, it’s been weeks and damn! She’s over Jacq already. She’s looking forward to meeting Dan’s new friends from Ocean High. He had invited some of them.

“I should leave you girls to your business but be quick though, people are starting to arrive” He winked at them and kissed Anne once again before walking out of the room.

“Come get into your dress” Fel pulled Anne up while Layla fetched the dress.
~
Dan sigh as he rested his back on Anne’s door, his heart hammering against his chest.
He’s so mad at himself.

How could he have feelings for her?
How could he?
She’s one of his special friends for mercy’s sake, and she’s madly in love with another guy! why does his heart always point to the wrong person.
He’s tired of using ‘friendship affection’ as a cover, he’s fed up of denying what he feels for her.

Jennie was right and to think he hadn’t even realised it then, he had thrashed her words.
How could he even have missed it, how could he have realised it just a couple of weeks back when it had been so clear.
The way he always looks so forward to seeing Layla, how much he loves watching her laugh,her wink always sending his heart fluttering and the secret glances he do give her, the way his mood lighten whenever he sets his eyes on her.

How could he have been so blind to it all!!!

Where the hell did the feelings came from in the first place.
He only realised it a couple of weeks back and he refused to admit it until he could no longer.
He even tried to tag it as friendship thing but he knows what he’s feeling is no that, he was restless for days until he finally admitted the true feeling to himself.
If only she wasn’t so obsessed with Dylan, he would tell her, he doesn’t like keeping his feelings to himself, it makes him feel hoarded and uncomfortable but he doesn’t have a choice here.
He’s worried about what would become of their friendship if he finally tells her.

Gosh!
Why is this so fucking complicated.

Perhaps it’s just a feeling he can get over, he’ll try to.

Their giggles filled his ears through the door, interrupting his thoughts. He sigh before walking away.

***

The Birthday Party was in full blast, the hall boomed with music and people were scattered across the dance floor, few sitting, almost everyone held a drink.
There were refreshments on the table stand also.
The hall was beautifully decorated in Anne’s best colors.

Anne looked so dashing, unmistakably the celebrant, she was the center of attention in the dance floor, hugged and kissed here and there, her hands filled with presents.
And Dan standing protectively beside her.
He helped her with the presents by going to drop them in her room and when he comes back, her hands will be filled again.
She had invited just some of her classmates but most of them had turned up, and she was glad they were all having fun.

Dan glanced towards Layla’s direction, she was sitting with Fel and some of their classmates from Ocean High, he could see how the guys were ogling her and he couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy though he didn’t blame them. It was the first time they were seeing Layla in a dress, not just a dress but a hot one at that plus Layla was one of the most attractive females in the hall.
He looked away when her gaze caught his, the last thing he wanted was giving her hints about his feelings.

His classmates from Prestige were also in attendance, the same set of people that had attended his parents Thanksgiving party except Jacq and Jennie though.

“Buddy, bring those” Rylan said, helping Dan with some of the presents to Anne’s room.
Dan smiled thankfully, though he knew the reason Rylan was doing this.
Elvis approached them and Anne was so surprised to see Dan excuse them but not after giving Elvis a warning glare though.

“Happy Birthday Anne” Elvis smiled, hugging her.
“Thank You” She blushed.
“Have this” He placed a small wrapped box in her palm, his eyes gleamed like he knows what exactly his skin contact is doing to her.
“Thanks Elvis” She said, he was still not letting go of her hand.
“You look gorgeous” He complimented with such intensity that made her heart flutter. And to think he was probably the fiftieth person to say she looked gorgeous.
“Thank you” She said.

“I know you are not going to date anyone till you’re sixteen, I overheard you tell Dan that and . .” He paused as Anne looked up at him.
Her deep black eyes do things he couldn’t explain to him and he had to swallow hard as he continued.
“I’m going to wait” He said, squeezing her hands gently before walking away but not missing the surprised look on her face though.

She blushed hard as she stared at his present. Did he just said that .
She grinned, feeling surprisingly happy and had to restrain herself from laughing.
She glanced around for Dan and quickly stopped grinning after seeing he was watching her.

She removed her gaze from him and somehow her gaze landed on Sarah and Felix..
She has never seen Sarah laugh so heartily.

Oh well.

**
The rest of the party passed in a flavorful multicourse blur seared with different delicacies.
Everyone had great fun and Anne knew with the amount of her schoolmates that attended, her birthday would be the talk of the school on Monday.

She cared less about that though, her thoughts was filled with Elvis as she undressed.
She couldn’t stop grinning.

SUNDAY~

“Coming” Layla slipped her feet into her slippers as she walked to the door to attend to the knock.
They were watching a movie after having lunch.

Layla opened the door, thinking it was one of Phil’s men but got the surprise of her life when she saw her friends by the door grinning at her.
As if the surprise wasn’t enough, Phil’s next words almost threw her off balance.

“Let them in, I invited them over”

ZEEMAH.
🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭