The Caledonian Inheritance (The Athena Effect) by Anderson Derrolyn

Author:Anderson, Derrolyn [Anderson, Derrolyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-11-26T00:00:00+00:00

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Chapter Fourteen

SAN FRANCISCO

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“Good morning,” Layla announced her presence as she entered the kitchen.

Cali was crouched down, checking on something in the oven. She looked up with a smile, “Hey Layla. You’re just in time for breakfast.”

“Thanks anyway, but I’m on my way out the door.”

Caledonia scrutinized her cousin with all-seeing eyes. “You look nice today. Where are you headed?”

Layla paused for a moment before replying. She knew how strongly Cali was opposed to her going to visit the professor. “Uhm… I’m going to meet Ramon for breakfast.”

Cali narrowed her eyes, noticing how edgy her cousin was. “I take it things went well yesterday? We heard you get in late last night…”

Layla just smiled, rummaging in her bag for her car keys. Cali came closer to look her in the eyes, “What are you going to do about Conrad?”

“I don’t know,” Layla bit her lip. “I’m not sure.”

Cali looked surprised, “Are you going to keep seeing him?”

“Uhm... I told him I’d go to a thing with him next weekend.”

“You’re going to date both of them?”

“I’m not really dating Ramon… It’s more like we’re just good friends.”

Caledonia looked dubiously at her cousin. “Whatever you say.”

Layla’s cheeks flushed bright pink. She’d gone from having no suitors to having two at the same time, and as much as she told herself that she was only bringing Ramon along as a bodyguard, she was nearly as nervous about seeing him again as she was at the prospect of facing Teddy.

She hurried out of the house before Caledonia could weasel any more information out of her, fully aware of her inability to hide anything from her perceptive cousin. When she arrived in the heart of the nearby town she parked and hurried into the diner. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Ramon’s smiling face beaming up at her.

“Good morning,” he said, standing while she slid into the booth across from him. “You look nice today.” He was dressed casually in jeans and a pullover, while she was wearing a business-like skirt and blazer over a colorful silken blouse with a ruffled neckline. Her hair was pinned neatly into a low bun, and she stood tall in high heeled, open-toed stilettos.

“Thank you,” she replied solemnly, “As do you.”

He handed her a menu, waving for the waitress. “Tea?” he asked her.

“Yes please,” she replied.

They made small talk over breakfast, focusing on the weather and Layla’s building plans. When he insisted on paying the bill, she insisted on driving to the city. “Are you ready?” he asked her as they got up to go.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” she said with determination, leading him out to where she’d parked.

“Nice ride,” Ramon commented, admiring the pristine white leather interior of her new convertible.

Layla didn’t know quite what to say, fully aware of the rumors of ill-gotten gains that swirled around her entire household. She thanked him politely, asking him to pick a radio station to listen to on the long drive. Ramon relaxed and looked at the scenery as they drove; Layla grew more and more nervous the closer they got to the city.

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