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"Dee, there's nothing to think about, it is a great idea and good for business too" Layla paused looking through the papers in her front, deciding it was too complicated to sort out on an empty stomach she sighed and returned to her phone call.

"You know all these high society people work the same, names and brands, if you design the president's daughter's dress a lot of people would want theirs to be made by you, publicity"

"I understand, I'll ask Victoria to call her and schedule a meeting" the soft but firm voice of woman on the other line came seconds later.

"Alright perfect, you're still meeting me for lunch in half an hour right?" Layla asked again picking her phone from the table, she needed to make sure or more like remind her friend, she got carried away easily.

Layla Tafida Aliero, PRO of Aliero industries had made it her personal job to be her friend's PR with or without her approval.

Leaving work was never a problem being the daughter of Tafida Aliero but the sense of responsibility that she has made her walk to her brother's office to inform him about her lunch plans, much for security reasons thank anything else.

"I can't change your mind, have fun" he laughed waving her off.

<<<<<<>>>>>>

Victoria, a plump woman in her late twenties dressed simply in a white blouse with ruffled sleeves and grey straight skirt just stopping by her knees, it gave her a casual yet professional look and with the tab on her hand and pursed lips, she looked everything the serious secretary.

As confident as she may seem, she was shaking a little on the inside, her boss might seem sweet and tender but the woman was tough and very hard to Impress. Coming from Victoria who was easily a perfectionist herself said a lot about the woman she worked for.

"Erm.....miss I talked to miss Muhammad, the meeting is schedules for Thursday at noon, I'll send the details via email, she won't be able to come in so she suggested you meet at a restaurant"

"Okay" Victoria smiled at the simple word "And your lunch with Miss Layla is-"

"Thank you Victoria, I'll be on my way now, I might not come back so you can close up and finish inventory" Her boss's firm voice waved her hands standing up.

"Alright miss, enjoy the rest of your day"

"You too" she replied with her purse in her hands and she was out the door the next minute.

"Baby boo" people around the restaurant turned to look at the fair dressed in a navy blue Maxi skirt and black jacket, she couldn't care less too excited to see her friend.

"I thought you would change this time, guess I thought wrong" the friend laughed hugging her over active friend.

"If seven years didn't change me, what made you think two weeks could? I missed you so much"

"Stop being dramatic, you called me half the time you were there" she teased.

"Haba Dije na, you wound me" she placed a hand on the right side of her chest, where her heart was not.

"Wrong side" they both laughed at that.

"Toh naji, on a serious note have you called Nasmir?" she asked talking about the president's daughter.

"Yes Victoria did, I'm meeting with her on Thursday but she said something about a restaurant, I don't have the strength for that kind of thing" she complained sipping water.

"Khadijah, ignore that, just do what you do best, I know it's not like you'll sit down and be talking about your deepest feelings with her, just ask the questions and leave, as easy as ABC" Layla assured.

Hearing Layla call her real name meant business, Layla never called her real name it was always Dee or Dije when she was in a playful mood, which was most of the time.

Khadijah smiled knowing she had won already, besides a few hours won't hurt.

Since Khadijah had already ordered, their food was brought in no time and they ate mostly in silence.

"Why are you uneasy?" Layla asked after sometime.

"Huh?" Khadijah blurted absentmindedly.

"You're looking around, you're not relaxed" knowing her friend's anxiety outside, she was concerned.

Khadijah sighed, she couldn't hide it she was feeling paranoid.

"I feel like someone is watching" she admitted looking at Layla in the eyes.

Maybe it was the uncertainty she saw in her eyes or how she looked on edge like she would sprint any second that made Layla look around with her, everyone was minding their business.

"It's probably nothing, we can go if you're still not comfortable"

"No let's just stay, it's just my imagination maybe" Khadijah sounded like she was convincing herself more than the lady opposite her but she let it go and focused on her food and her friend who had started talking again, maybe to ease the tension, she was thankful for it.

Her secondary school best friend Layla, has been a blessing to her since they met again three years back.

"Dee, please come to the house for lunch or dinner now, mamie really wants to see you she's been talking about it to everybody" that had to be the millionth time Layla is begging Khadijah to visit her house.

"I'll even ask hamma Nazir to leave the house if he is the reason you don't want to come, he's mostly not at home sef" she added as an afterthought.

Her elder brother Nazir used to like Khadijah when they were younger, he told her once and she's never been comfortable around him which was why Layla thought he was the reason for her not accepting her uncountable invites.

They were fourteen then and in SS2, Khadijah was going through her no boys phase then that she almost cried when the twenty year old confessed his feelings for her, she was confused and scared, Layla made sure she didn't hear the end of it for the few weeks that followed, she had looked like she wanted to Bolt.

"It's not him Allah, it's just that your family is much and all, what if they don't like me?" Layla looked shocked at her friend's worries and how little her voice had become, a total contrast to the person she was speaking to earlier on the phone.

"They love you already, since from JS1 when I went home singing I have a new friend" they laughed at that, Layla has been dramatic from Adam, it was a part of her

"No, I'm serious everyone then used to call me Layla na Khadijah" she laughed again remembering how all her siblings teased her about her only friend, she was always taking about her.

"Fine then" she agreed still not completely convinced, but if the Aliero's are anything like Layla, then she was good with it and from the multiple stories she's heard, it gave her a little assurance.

"Yay this Saturday, I'll come pick you up so you don't come at six and then tell me you have to go by six thirty, I know you" she pointed knowingly at Khadijah who laughed knowing well that was what she would've done.

Finally, I feel like a weight have been lifted off my shoulders.

Was it good or meh????

Layla is just a breath of fresh air, I love her already, what about you??

And the new Khadijah???? 

Do you like the title of chapter or should we just write numbers haka?
Nah that's boring

I've been thinking about this since last week I just didn't know how to start writing but.......yeah, and the lack of comments added to that but I'm over that now, maybe.......
Special thanks to @mmimzyyy and @harunafaree for commenting on the last chapter, you guys really made me want to write this more, thanks again 😘😘❤

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Byeeeee

Amyrah