Today's the third day since Layla and Liam started talking and happens to be a very hectic day for both of them. Liam had failed to send a Good morning message and Layla who was already thinking he's one of those usual guys she had met and blocked who eventually lacks communication was already thinking I'll of him but because she promised she was going to keep up with his sarcastic acts for three days, she decided to text Liam first.
Layla: Mr meeting.... Good morning and Afternoon... Since we couldn't talk since morning.
She waited for so long that day but got no reply from Liam. She began to think of blocking him off but for some reasons, each time she clicks the block on Whatsapp, she cancels and then thought of waiting a little while just to prove her patience.
By late afternoon, Layla was finally catching her breath between tasks when her phone buzzed finally...
Liam: Are you still alive? Or did work finish you off?
She smirked.
Layla: Barely breathing. Send help. Preferably in the form of ice cream.
Liam: Done. What's your favorite flavor?
Layla: Why? You planning to deliver it personally?
Liam: Not yet. But knowing these details is important. What if one day I need to bribe you?
Layla laughed and said to herself. Wasn't apologizing supposed to be the first thing he should do? I waited all morning for vis text and now he's just texting. She tapped her fingers on her keyboard and decided to keep calm. After all, we owe ourselves nothing yet.
Layla: Like today, you really need to bribe me
Layla: Anyways, cookies and cream. Don't forget it.
Liam: Noted. Cookies and cream for when I annoy you. Which, let's be honest, will probably be often.
She shook her head, biting her lip. He was impossible.
A few minutes later, another text popped up.
Liam: So tell me something… if you weren't stuck working, what would you rather be doing right now?
The question caught her off guard. She thought for a second, then typed:
Layla: Honestly? Traveling. Seeing new places. I've always wanted to just… pack a bag and disappear somewhere new for a while.
Liam: Interesting. Adventurous Layla. I didn't see that coming.
Layla: Why not?
Liam: Because you come across as someone careful, measured. But maybe under that tough exterior, there's a girl who wants to fly free.
Her heart skipped. She hated how easily his words slipped past her guard.
Layla: You think you know me already?
Liam: Not yet. But I want to.
The typing dots appeared again almost immediately.
Liam: Tell me your biggest dream. The one you don't tell most people.
Layla hesitated, fingers hovering. Then she typed slowly.
Layla: To find someone real. Someone who doesn't just come into my life for a season, but stays. Someone who keeps their promises.
Silence. For a moment, she worried she'd said too much. Then his reply came.
Liam: Then I guess I know what my job is now.
Her throat tightened. She wanted to laugh it off, but instead, she stared at the screen longer than she intended.
Later that night, just before bed, another buzz lit up her phone.
Liam: Good night, Miss Attitude. Survive work tomorrow. And remember—you promised me a chance, even if you don't know it yet.
Layla hugged her pillow, smiling despite herself. He was slipping into her life so easily it scared her. After a moment, she texted back.
Layla: Wait Laim, are you really tired?
Just before she sent the message, three dots already showed and later disappeared without a message. What is he typing? Layla thought. After a while, her phone finally buzzed, then came Liam's message.
Liam: Today was quite hectic but with you, I feel so much relieved of the workloads
Without hesitation, quickly Layla replied.
Layla: I'm sorry about that my dear.
OMG 😳 why will I have to use dear? Layla thought and then before deleting the message, Liam already read it and replied with an emoji.
Liam: 😎
Layla felt fool of herself for having to be the first to use the word but she made it feel like it was just a random meaning not an in-depth meaning to "Dear".
The night was quiet. Layla had just tucked herself into bed when her phone buzzed again.
Liam: So… we've texted all day. Don't you think I deserve an upgrade?
She raised an eyebrow.
Layla: Upgrade?
Liam: Yes. I'm tired of only reading your sarcasm. I want to hear it. Let's call.
Layla smiled but typed back:
Layla: Voice call. Strictly. No video.
A minute later, her phone lit up. It was Liam. She sighed, but answered anyway.
Liam: "Hello, Miss Attitude," his deep voice teased, smooth and playful through the speaker.
Layla laughed softly.
Layla: "I knew you'd sound annoying."
Liam: "Oh really?" he chuckled. "Funny, I was expecting you to sound… less angelic."
She rolled her eyes even though he couldn't see.
Layla: "Flattery won't work."
Liam: "Who said I'm flattering?" he teased. "I'm just telling the truth."
They talked for almost an hour—about her favorite music, his long day of meetings, and the silly little things that made them both laugh. Layla was surprised at how easy it felt.
Then, halfway through, Liam suddenly said, "Okay, that's enough mystery. I want to see you. Video call. Just for a minute."
"No way," Layla shot back instantly. "I told you—voice only."
"Layla," he drawled, mock pleading. "I've been staring at your profile picture for days. That's criminal. Give me the live version."
She hesitated. Something in his tone—gentle, patient—wore her down. Finally, with a resigned sigh, she pressed the button to switch to video.
And there she was, staring back at him nervously through the screen.
For a moment, Liam said nothing. His eyes softened, his lips curving slowly into a smile.
Liam: "Wow…" he whispered. "You're… beautiful. Like—stupidly beautiful. No filter could've done this justice."
Layla's cheeks burned. "Stop it."
Liam: "I'm serious," Liam said firmly. "You look so much like my mum when she was younger. She was gorgeous too. It's like looking at her photocopy."
Her heart fluttered at the unexpected sincerity. "You're unbelievable," she muttered, fighting her smile.
Liam: "Unbelievably lucky," he corrected.
They stayed like that, staring at each other's screens, talking, laughing. And then Liam leaned back in his chair with a sly grin.
Liam: "Alright. Do me a favor."
Layla narrowed her eyes. "What kind of favor?"
Liam: "Stand up," he said.
She frowned. "Why?"
Liam: "Because I want a proper view. Come on, just a quick 360."
Layla gasped. "Excuse me? You want me to twirl for you like some runway model?"
"Yes," Liam said shamelessly. "Exactly that."
She groaned, covering her face with her hand. "You're ridiculous."
Liam: "But adorable, admit it."
Layla shook her head, laughing nervously.
Layla :"Nope. Not happening."
Liam: "Fine," Liam said, pretending to sulk. "But one day, I'll make you. And you'll do it smiling."
Layla: "Dream on," she shot back.
Liam: "Already do," he said softly, his eyes still fixed on hers.
For a few seconds, silence lingered—thick, heavy, but strangely comforting. It was the kind of silence that meant something was happening, even if neither of them dared name it yet.
Layla tilted her head, curious now.
Layla: "And why exactly do you think that's possible? That I'd just… stand up and spin for you like you're my fashion designer?"
Liam chuckled, leaning closer to his camera. "Because, Miss Attitude, you like being admired more than you admit. You pretend to hate compliments, but your smile betrays you every time I give one."
Her lips parted in surprise. "Excuse me?"
Liam: "Uh-huh," he teased. "Like right now. You're biting back a grin. You're dying to roll your eyes but secretly you love the attention."
Layla quickly turned her face away from the screen, but she couldn't hide the laugh that escaped. "You're impossible."
Liam: "No," he corrected smoothly, "I'm observant. And I know that when the time comes, you'll give me that 360 without me even asking."
"Ha!" Layla scoffed. "You're delusional."
Liam: "Maybe," he said with a sly grin. "But I'm also patient. And when you trust me a little more… you'll see what I mean."
Layla shook her head, trying to mask the warmth creeping up her neck. "You've got way too much confidence."
"Confidence," Liam said, his tone dropping just slightly, "only comes when the woman in front of you is worth it."
The words lingered in the quiet between them. Layla's heart thudded faster, and for a second she didn't know how to reply.
So she just muttered, "Goodnight, Liam," before reaching for the button to end the call.
"Sweet dreams, Layla," he said, smiling like he'd just won.
The screen went dark, but Layla didn't put her phone away immediately. Instead, she sat there, staring at her reflection in the black screen, her heart still racing from his last words.
"Confidence only comes when the woman in front of you is worth it."
She shook her head and laughed under her breath, though it came out more nervous than amused. He really thinks he's smooth.
Still, she couldn't deny the way his voice lingered in her head, the way his smile made her stomach flip in a way she hadn't felt in a long time. And that "360° turn" nonsense—who even says something like that? Yet, deep down, she had almost wanted to do it, just to see the way he'd look at her.
"No," she whispered to herself, tossing her phone onto the bed. "You're not going to fall for another sweet talker, Layla. Not this time."
But when she slid under the covers and closed her eyes, Liam's laugh replayed in her memory, softer now, wrapping around her like a song she didn't want to admit she liked.
By the time sleep claimed her, Layla realized she was smiling.
And Liam's last words—sweet dreams, Layla—echoed like a promise she wasn't sure she could resist.