CHAPTER 119: GET TO ME

~LAYLA~

"Nice view, huh?" Axel said, glancing at me as we rounded another curve. "Might be good to get away, clear our heads."

The mountain estate came into view as Axel steered the SUV up the winding road, the lake glimmering under the late afternoon sun like scattered diamonds.

We hadn’t said much on the two-hour drive. The silence was heavy, filled with the memory of our last real moment, the night he’d pulled away, citing the contract. Now we were at Vance’s couples’ retreat, forced to pretend we were the perfect couple for the weekend.

I stared out the window, deliberately ignoring his attempt at small talk.

"Sure," I muttered, arms crossed tightly over my chest.

He let out a sigh that sounded weary and frustrated at once. "Layla, I know things are..."

"Let’s just get through this," I cut him off as he pulled into the gravel parking lot. "That’s all we need to do."

I stepped out before he could respond, immediately greeted by the clear mountain air and the sight of staff rushing toward us with enthusiasm.

"Welcome to Lakeview Estate!" a young woman chirped, reaching for our luggage. "Mr. and Mrs. O’Brien?"

"That’s us," Axel said smoothly, his businessman persona sliding into place.

"Smile," he murmured under his breath as we walked toward the main lodge, his arm sliding around my waist. The touch was warm and infuriatingly familiar.

"I know the drill," I said through gritted teeth, forcing a bright smile as Richard Vance appeared on the wraparound porch.

"Axel! Layla! Welcome, you two!" Vance called out, descending the steps with open arms. "You’re gonna love this place. Ellen and I have been planning this retreat for months."

"It’s beautiful," I said, meaning it despite my mood. The estate was stunning, combining a cozy, rustic style with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the lake.

Vance led us on a quick tour: the lakeside firepit area, manicured lawns set up for games, a cozy lounge where the mixer would be held.

"Freshen up, settle in," he said, clapping Axel’s shoulder. "Mixer’s tonight at seven sharp. You’ll meet all the big players. Very laid-back and casual."

"Sounds great," Axel replied.

"You’re in Cabin 4," Vance continued, handing us a key card. "Best view of the lake. You won’t be disappointed."

A staff member led us down a stone path to our cabin, tucked among the trees with a perfect view of the water. She unlocked the door and stepped aside.

"Enjoy your stay!"

I walked in and froze. There was just one room, and a huge king-sized bed took up most of the space.

"One bed?" I hissed at Axel the moment the staff member left, closing the door behind her.

He shrugged, tossing his bag onto a chair by the window. "We’ll manage. It’s just for show anyway."

"Right. Just for show." I rolled my eyes, heading straight for the bathroom. "Like anyone is in here with us to watch the show. Just don’t get any ideas."

I locked the door behind me, stripping down and stepping into the shower. The hot water eased some of the tension from my shoulders, washing away the stress of the drive and the awkwardness between us.

When I stepped out, I wrapped a towel around myself and wiped the steam from the mirror. My reflection stared back: tired eyes, flushed cheeks, wet hair clinging to my shoulders.

I reached for the door handle, planning to grab my clothes from my suitcase, and pulled it open.

Axel stood there, mid-step into the bathroom, his hand outstretched toward the door handle.

We both froze.

His eyes went wide, travelling down my barely-covered body before snapping back up to my face. But not before I saw the hunger in his gaze, the way his jaw clenched, the visible struggle for control.

"Layla, I... shit." He turned away fast, one hand coming up to cover his eyes. "I thought you were done. I needed to..."

"Knock next time!" I snapped, clutching the towel tighter against my chest. My cheeks burned, and not entirely from embarrassment. "Ever heard of personal space?"

"Sorry," he muttered, backing out quickly. "I’ll just... I’ll wait."

I slammed the door, my heart racing. Not just from embarrassment, but from the way his gaze had lingered for those few seconds. Hungry. Wanting. Like that night before he’d pulled away.

God, why did he still get to me?

—

We dressed in tense silence for the mixer, me in a sleek black dress that hugged my curves, him in a tailored navy shirt that made his eyes look... impossibly captivating. I caught him watching me in the mirror as I fixed my hair, but neither of us said anything.

At the lodge entrance, a welcome table displayed name tags: "Layla" & "Axel" in elegant script. I pinned mine on, carefully avoiding his eyes.

"Let’s just get through this," I said quietly.

"Layla..."

"Please. Not now."

The mixer was already in full swing when we entered the lounge. Soft jazz played from hidden speakers, candlelight created an intimate atmosphere, and about twenty other couples mingled with drinks in hand. Finger foods lined elegant tables: mini quiches, bruschetta, artfully arranged fruit and cheese.

"Everyone, this is Axel and Layla O’Brien!" Vance announced, drawing attention our way. "They’re the brilliant minds behind O’Brien Entreprises and their newest addition, Eclipse Beauty. You’ve probably seen them in the news."

Several people nodded with recognition, and we were immediately absorbed into conversation.

Ellen Vance greeted us with a warm smile, "I’m so glad you could make it! This retreat is all about connecting with each other, deepening our relationships and building networks. There’s no pressure; just be open and have fun!"

"Thank you for having us," I said, accepting a glass of wine from a passing server.

"Alright, everyone!" Ellen called out, clapping her hands. "Let’s start with an icebreaker. You’ll each get a bingo card with prompts like ’Met in college’ or ’Has a dog.’ Find couples who match each square and get them to sign. First to complete their card wins a prize!"

Cards were distributed, and Axel and I naturally split up to work the room.

"So, how did you two meet?" a woman in her fifties asked me, holding up her card with a pen.

I gave her the story we’d crafted for public consumption. "Through a business deal, actually. Axel was negotiating a partnership, and the moment we met, he was very... persistent."

"How romantic!" She signed my card with a flourish. "My husband and I met at a grocery store. He grabbed the last rotisserie chicken I wanted."

I laughed automatically. Across the room, Axel’s laugh carried over the conversation, charming another couple effortlessly. It grated on me how easy he made it all look: the lies, the performance, the perfect husband act.

After an hour of mingling, Ellen clapped for attention again.

"Welcome, everyone! This retreat is about connection, strengthening your relationships and building new ones with like-minded couples. No judgment here, just openness. Tomorrow’s packed with activities. We’ll have trust exercises, a morning hike, and team-building games. But for now, enjoy the evening!"

Couples began dispersing to different areas, some toward the firepit, others to the bar for another round of drinks.

Axel found me near the windows overlooking the lake, his hand brushing mine briefly. "Good job tonight. Very convincing."

"Yeah," I said, pulling away subtly. "Months of practice."

My phone buzzed in my clutch. I pulled it out discreetly, and my stomach dropped when I saw the notification.

It was a text from Daniel that read: Layla, I’ve been trying to reach you. We need to talk. It’s about Cassandra. Please call me back, it’s urgent.