4 4-The Meeting

Layla's POV:

After speaking to the woman in the front office and getting directions I head to Lorie's classroom. The door to the room is open when I arrive and I see other adult's standing inside. I step into the room and immediately hear Lorie's voice.

"Layla!" Lorie cries out excitedly as she runs up to me wrapping herself around my legs.

"Told you I would come!" I say as I ruffle Lorie's hair.

Lorie looks up at me with a bright smile. The teacher claps her hands together and all the children return to their seats. Soon all the children line up one by one and begin walking towards the large open courtyard. Lorie is bobbing happily down the hall and I smile at the thought of making her day a bit brighter.

NIcolae's POV:

I stand and stare out the living room windows as the clock on the wall strikes two. Lorie will be getting out of school soon. I grab the jacket hanging on the rack as I head out the door. My father has left on another of his trips again. Usually he waits until Victor or myself has returned home before leaving but this time he was in such a hurry he hired a live-in sitter for Lorie. I wonder who this lucky person could be. My father didn't give me any information regarding who exactly he had hired but the house seemed warmer and more friendly than it did when I left.

My feet stop in front of the fence surrounding the courtyard at Lorie's school. There are children and parents everywhere playing happily. I frown upon remembering that today was the day the children were able to invite a family member for lunch. Lorie must be devastated. I lean against the fence looking for Lorie when my eyes catch a glimpse of something impossible. There's no possible way it can be her. She's been dead for decades! I look down and stare at the gold band on my finger as a feeling of hope rises within me.I search the court yard again and sure enough I see her. She's still just as beautiful as ever. But how is she here and how is she alive? I ask myself. I watch the familiar woman running around the courtyard with the children. Her long brown hair shines in the sun. Her uniform hugs her slender figure accentuating her womanly assets. Her skin is as fair as ever and I suddenly remember how deep blue her eyes used to be. They would take the very breath from me and I longed to get closer and look into those eyes again. I'm just about to call out to her when I hear a child's voice calling my name.

"Nicolae your here!" Lorie shouts as she runs to the fence.

I walk down the fence and enter the gates leading into the courtyard. Lorie begins to run up to me but suddenly stops.

"Oh wait!" She shouts as she runs back to the large group of playing children.

Suddenly Lorie reemerges, dragging the girl I had just seen behind her. They both stop just in front of me as a moment of confusion and disbelief flash across the girls face.

"This is Nicolae!" Lorie says as I study the young woman's face.

She smiles suddenly at me and I feel my heart being squeezed in my chest. Her eyes are as deep a blue as I remember.

"Hi. I'm Layla Ambrigino! Your father hired me to watch Lorie while you were away. It's nice to finally meet you!" Layla says as she extends her hand out to me shaking me from my day dream.

Does she not remember who I am? I think to myself as a sadness fills my chest. I quickly reach out and take her hand in mine. Her skin is soft and cool to the touch and I find myself not wanting to let go.

"I am Nicolae Draven. It's a pleasure to meet you Layla. I want to apologize for my father leaving so abruptly and leaving you two alone." I reply with a forced smile.

I release Layla's hand and it feels as if my chest is being ripped open and it begins to hurt to breath.

"It's perfectly alright! Lorie and I managed and had plenty of fun!" Layla exclaimed as she looked down at Lorie who was clinging firmly to her.

"You have to try Layla's happy jacks Nicolae! They're the best! Everything she cooks is so good!" Lorie says enthusiastically.

I look at Layla somewhat confused.

"What are happy jacks?" I ask dubiously.

"You'll have to wait and see the next time I make them! " Layla says as her and Lorie giggle together.

The bell suddenly rings signalling the time for the children to go home.

"I need to get my stuff!" Lorie exclaims.

"So do I." Layla replies.

"Let's go together!" Lorie says as she takes Layla's hand.

"Don't move Nicolae, we'll be right back!" Lorie says to me before turning and pulling Layla into the school.

A few moments later they return and we begin to head back to the manor. Lorie takes mine and Layla's hand as we begin walking. Questions begin to swirl in my mind and it suddenly feels like my body is on fire. Lorie who was chatting away between Layla and I moments ago has now become silent.

"Are you ok Lorie?" Layla asks.

"Yeah I'm just hungry." Lorie says as she bites her lower lip.

"I'll make you a snack as soon as we get back home." Layla replies.

My heart jumps in my chest at her use of the word home.

"Can I have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?" Lorie asks.

"Sure!" Layla replies with a smile.

avataravatar
Next chapter