A piece

After having laughed for a bit Noah said, "But all joking aside, you are looking quite pale there honey. Are you sure you are feeling better?" Laila nodded and said, "Yes. Compared to this morning I am feeling a lot better. I just didn't expect packing to take me that long and then I had to clean up the mess I had made. By the time I was finished it was already two in the morning. Even after spending that much time on packing, I still wasn't able to decide and packed way more outfits than I will need during my week there." Noah shook his head with a slight chuckle. "You might be good at fitting it all in a suitcase but the deciding part of packing has never been your strong suit. But why did you waste your precious sleeping time on cleaning up? You should have just gone to bed after packing and left the cleaning for one of the staff members. Or for me for that matter."

Laila shook her head with a smile as she replied, "No, I couldn't possibly do that. You are busy enough as it is. I already feel bad that I am leaving for vacation while you are hard at work. I can't have you clean up the mess I make getting ready for that vacation. Especially after being at home these past few weeks with not much to do because of my morning sickness. Plus, you know how particular I am about the folding of my clothes and how I want them to be put away. I can't have just anyone do that for me and the few that know how to do it right, have been quite busy these past few days as well." In an attempt to settle the matter and ease Noah's worries Laila told a little white lie. "Besides, even though it was a big mess, it was an easy to clean mess. It didn't take much time at all." She sealed the lie with a soft smile.

Noah let out a soft sigh before he said, "Well alright. If you say so. No winning an argument from this stubborn wife of mine. At least make sure to sleep some more on the plane. Even if you just rest your eyes, I am sure it will help to make you feel a bit better." Laila nodded as she chuckled at Noah's comment on her stubbornness and said, "I will." Not fully assured yet Noah asked a few more questions about her flight information and told her to eat more before he said, "I won't keep you on the phone for much longer then. Have fun over there. Say hi to Maria for me and oh be sure to give me a call once you land."

Laila nodded once more and said with a smile, "I will. Don't worry. I will take good care of myself and our son in your absence." In a final attempt to assure Noah she said, "I promise to close my eyes the moment the plane takes off and I won't open them until those tires land on the floor. I will call you as soon as my eyes open and you know Maria well enough to know that she will take care of me just as well as you would. So, you should focus on doing well at work and not let me distract you even while I am away."

Noah agreed with a nod, when their call was interrupted by a knock on the door. Thinking it must be the cakes, Noah said "Come in." When the door was opened, Noah's assistant walked in carrying a tray of different types of cakes and sweets in all shapes and colours. He placed them down before him, along with a pot of tea, before excusing himself and leaving Noah's office. Finally the serious air was broken and Noah's face had a victorious smirk on it. "Just in time! Are you ready to admit defeat and look at some of the most delicious cakes out here?"

Laila laughed and decided to amuse Noah as she said, "Go ahead and show me this amazing spread of yours." When Noah turned his camera around, Laila's eyes landed on the assorted cakes and sweets that had been placed in front of Noah. She had to admit that what he had, was making her piece of cake look pretty sad. Noah, seeing the changing looks in Laila's eyes and the childlike excited shimmer, felt bad for throwing this in Laila's face. He decided that he would prepare an equally beautiful spread for Laila on the day that she would come back.

Once Laila had gotten a good look at what had been prepared for Noah, he said goodbye for a second time and went back to work while Laila contacted Maria to update her on arriving at the airport as well. Laila finally thought she could put her phone away and peacefully enjoy her cake and cup of tea, she received another message. Thinking it was Maria confirming that she had read her message, she gave a quick glance at the message from her notification screen. But then she saw that it was Giselle who had messaged her. Not Maria.

Seeing that it was about the Olivia and Fiona situation, Laila quickly opened the message in order to read it properly.

"Good morning miss Laila,

I missed you leaving this morning so, I wasn't able to tell you then, but I wanted you to know that my friend informed me that Rina has agreed not to tell miss Olivia anything and even thinks that my friend is on her side now. So, we have someone on the inside, which should help with whatever plan you and miss Maria come up with.

Giselle"

To Laila this was wonderful news. Now all she needed was some leads on Olivia's plans and a good plan of her own, then she would be fully content. Until then, she would focus on this piece of good news as she enjoyed her cake and tea!