I stared at the crystal ball in the hotel room. After multiple arguments with Alex, we agreed on splitting the cost, but once we told the rest of what happened, they scolded me, but let it go once they saw how in love I was with it.

“I think Layla is broken,” Sandra said

I placed the crystal ball in my lap and looked at her, just to noticed everyone looking at me. “Why are you looking at me?”

“I think our plan might not work if she's that attached,”

“It's a good thing, I got something else just in case,” Alex said, pulling out a box from his pocket

“Oo, let me see,” Ysennia went over to him and the rest did as well

“Can I see?”

“No!” They all said, “You better be surprised by this because I'm shocked by Alex's taste,” Sandra said, amazed

“You'll love it, Layla,” Kelli smiled at me

“Thank you for that, Kelli. And are we commencing the plan Monday?”

“Yes, we have to start now. Or our dream couple won't exist and all of our hard work will go to waste,” Sandra said, facing me, “Now, Layla. I know this may be difficult for you but just go along with it for now. Hopefully in a week, you and Neville will be together,”

“Sandra, your speaking nonsense. All we want is for them to acknowledge their liking for each other and then they can work their way into a romantic relationship,” Ysennia interrupted

“Well they better admit liking each other because we have two months left,” Sandra shrug her shoulders

“Well, ladies, I gotta get going,” Alex got up, “My roommate texted me that the professors are starting check ins early. So, let's get going Sandra and Kelli,”

Sandra groaned before getting up, “I'll see you tomorrow. Get some good rest,”

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

I stared at the stone tablet in front of me, wondering what the text meant.

“Ah, sssshe's here,” I froze, scared

“She's a pretty one. Can we keep her here instead?”

“Don't any of you see how frightened she is?”

“Sssshe isn't afraid of her friendss,”

“Wh-who's there?” I hugged the stone tablet to me and looked around

“You will do great things, Layla. So please stay by their side,”

I woke up, gasping for air, not fully comprehending what happened. I tried to remember, but all I could think of was the snake staring straight at me with its yellow vibrant eyes and an ostrich appearing beside it. I got out of bed and went to the bathroom, to take a shower to calm myself down and get ready for the day.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

“Alex, you better be on your A game today. So, walk Layla to the office and make sure to remember our conversation,” She winked at him and looked at me, “Layla, be a good girl and play along. I know it may seem awkward but just imagine Alex as Lawyer Neville. You can do it,” She patted my shoulders, “I'll see you both at lunch. I hope to hear good results,” And with that, she walked off

I looked at Alex, “Are you ready?”

“No, I'm nervous. I'm afraid I'll get killed,”

I patted his shoulder, “It’s good to know we’re on the same page, but well protect each other. So, don’t worry. Now, are you ready to head in?”

“Should we hold hands? Or just walk in,” Alex rubbed the back of his neck

“Let’s hold off on that right now as we have to play it slowly and it’s too early for us to do this,” I smiled at him before walking to the door, “Let’s activate the J.A.P. plan,”

We walked in together and all the way to Nemesio’s office. I could see how jumpy Alex was and I was the same as well as this is new territory for us. We don’t even know if were going to make it out alive. We stopped in front of his office and I looked at Alex, “This is my stop. I’ll see you during lunch,”

“Wait, how about your morning coffee? Just text me when your heading to the cafe and here,” He placed something in my hand, “I hope you like it. I made sure to pick one out that spoke your name,” He smiled at me, “I’ll see you later,”

I looked down at my hand and a smile arose on my face. He actually gave me a gift that I was eyeing during our outing. It was a crystal keychain of a lotus.

“What is that?” I jumped, turning around to see Nemesio

He didn’t look well. I could see the bags underneath his eyes and no emotion in his face nor eyes. He looked down at my hands and I noticed the way his eyebrows furrowed and the scowl that appeared. He looked back at me before turning his back to me and walking to his desk. I followed after him, closing the door and placing my bag on the coat rack. I sat in my chair and turned on my laptop, looking at Nemesio to see that he was still upset. I placed the keychain in my pocket and logged into my computer.

“Mr. Neville, what do you want me to start doing today? Do we have a certain case were focusing on?”

He looked at me, “We have the Ambers v Joses case and Oklene v Peters case, so I’m gonna to need sufficent evidence on both and I need these copied and sent to me by the printer,” He turned around in his chair and grabbed a big ol’ pile of paper and placed it in front of me, “So, you don’t have to worry about the coffee,”

I bit my lip, “I can still get the coffee after I send the copies. It’ll be quick and we have the whole day to find any sufficent evidence for the cases,”

He stared me down, “Is that more important than the cases? As a lawyer, you must put cases first as that is your career and you have a clients life in your hand,”

I truly didn’t understand what was happening with him. He seemed so emotionless and rude today while the previous days he would be nice and had a smile occansionally. “Sorry, I just wanted to make sure we were prepared for this long day,” I awkwardly smiled at him and grabbed the stack of paper, “I’ll make sure to get this done right away. Excuse me,” I got up and walked to the door, leaving the office

I walked to the printer and just waited there, it was boring, but my mind was stuck on Nemesio. I don’t understand why he would act like that now. My phone vibrated and I saw it was Alex texting me.

Alex: Are we still on for the coffee run?

Layla: No… I’m banned from getting coffee from now on

Alex: Why?

Layla: I don’t know. All of a sudden, he switched on me. He seems a little rude today and went on about that the coffee runs I do aren’t important as in these cases, but he’s always the one dozing off! I should be the one dozing off because of my insomia

Alex: …Wow.. I never thought you would get mad at him

Layla: I am because he has no reason to act that way

Alex: I think I know why, but I won’t tell you

Layla: haha, I gotta go before someone catches me

Alex: You mean, your lover

Layla: Shut it

I put my phone back in my pocket and noticed the scanning was done and sent it to Nemesio and me. I did the other batch, knowing I was going to be here for a while. Once I was done, I made sure the batches were clipped together and walked back to Nemesio’s office. I knocked on the door before entering and I placed the batches of paper on his desk. He nodded and grabbed the batches, turning around in his chair to place it on his counter. I went back to work on my laptop, making sure to look back on the tip sheet Nemesio gave me.

I jumped at the sudden knock and looked at the door then at Nemesio, who was already staring at the door. He took off his glasses and was about to stand up before I beat him to it. “I’ll get it since I’m your assistant,” I walked over to the door and opened it, “How can I- Alex, what are you doing here?” I closed the door a little so Nemesio wouldn’t be able to see him

“Well, you didn’t come for your coffee, so I decided to bring you it to you,” He smiled at me as he handed me the drink container

I felt the door open more and I looked to my side to see Nemesio standing beside me. “Thank you for the courtesy, but you won't have to be doing that anymore as I'll be the one going to the coffee stand,”

I looked up at him and noticed he was glaring at Alex. I looked at Alex and he looked downright scared.

“W-why of course! I just wanted to make sure Layla had a coffee to keep herself awake and engerized throughout the day,”

“Well, you don’t have to worry about that from now on,”

Alex looked at me, fear in his eyes, “Help me,” He mouthed

“Thank you, Alex for the coffee. I’ll pay you back for this. Even I’ll see you at lunch,” I smiled at him, shooing him away

He gave me a quick smile before running off and I looked at Nemesio, who was already staring down at me, “I’m sorry for Alex. He just worries sometimes,” I walked back to my chair, knowning Nemesio is right behind me by the sound of the door closing

“What is he to you, Layla? I’ve never seen him come around here like this,”

I placed the coffee on the desk, not wanting to pay attention to him. I sat down in my chair and took a sip of my coffee, setting it down on the desk, only wishing I kept it. Since Nemesio twirled my chair around so I could face him. My heart dropped, but continued to beat faster and faster.