Hello hello! Sorry about the delay! But please enjoy!

Chapter 4:

A rain drop. Then another. And soon many more.

The long chains of water droplets coming up from the sky filled up the repeated wholes from the irregular road making the task to push forward each pedal a harder mission.

'I'm so tired...'

Layla stepped off her bike and began walking, dragging it with her as her feet began to feel soaked with no route whatsoever in mind. After she reached a level road she could see her shadow come and go as the many car lights passed right by her until one of them stopped.

'Layla?' a voice said opening the automatic window

"Could it be..?" she thought .

Tommy. Out of all the people.

'Get in the car! You're getting all wet!' he said loudly as it was hard to hear with the rain.

'I'd rather not Tommy. I'm good.' She snapped.

'Yeah... sure...You look great! C'mon I'll give you a hand with that' he sarcastically replied whilst helping her getting the bicycle in the truck of the car.

Eventually, she went inside the car. There was an awkward environment, a cold feeling, so many hesitations before one of them would start talking.

'Layla, I have to ask, you can't blame me for asking.. what's wrong? Why were you outside, like that? '

'I don't blame you for asking but I blame you for many other things, it's not like we broke up for no reason'

'Just because I'm your ex-boyfriend doesn't mean I don't get an explanation on why you were practically homeless during a freaking storm. You should be thankful I spotted you, you know.'

'I am thankful but that's all there is to it. Now please if you don't mind would you drop me off on the first motel we spot.'

'Not happening.' Tommy quickly replied.

'Excuse me?' she questioned him 'Where are you planning to take me? I don't want to be a burden so I'm telling you –' She was cut off.

'Layla, layla would stop talking? I need to concentrate on my driving cause I can't see anything with this damned rain.' He calmly said whilst passing by the first motel.

Layla quickly looked away, embarrassed with this whole situation.

Silence. More silence.

Tommy broke it again with warming look in his eyes.

'I'm sorry. I just never thought that the day that I would tell you to be quiet would come. I mean, I've always tried to make you talk more about whatever runs in your head, you know.. I know we've always had communication barriers between us. And I know that after him it was difficult for you to open up with someone again.' She looked at him now with uneasy eyes 'But enough about that.. You remember my wooden hut down by the lake? The one we spent our only free weekend during the summer?'

'Sure.. It was beautiful.'

'Well, I was heading there when I ran into you. I'm warning you now, it's not so beautiful in the winter – there's actually nothing to see... I was thinking we'll spend the night there and then hopefully tomorrow if this blasted storm is over I can take you back to New York. Sounds ok?'

'Tommy... '

'You've gotten very hesitant lately. It's definitely not like you.'

'Everything sounds fine, it's just I don't want you to take me back since I ran away.'

'Hahaha very funny.'

'I'm serious'

He looked at her, his greenish eyes wide open, astonished by what he had just heard 'Layla, you and I have a lot to talk about.' He declared

And so they finally arrived.

The wooden hut laid right beside the lake looked simple yet very cosy. The still pouring rain made climbing the few stairs of the porch towards the front door a difficult task. When they finally got in, Layla noticed that the place hadn't changed a bit. The cosy beige and velvet red couches with matching warm blankets on top, were in front of the fireplace separated by a low wooden table filled with home decorating magazines and gardening equipment. The vintage styled curtains with the desert-yellow colour made the room lit up despite the rain and the whole environment was very welcoming. The photo frames were still spread out all around the house including photos of his big family excitingly smiling at the camera during the Christmas holidays. Sitting and filling up the stair case for the big photo: the younger ones with matching red and green cute and warm outfits making piece sings and the teenage girls poking their lips like ducks and squinting their eyes. Others included them jumping around in the pool or drinking coconut water from big straws whilst wearing hula hula outfits.

She calmly shifted through the house at the same time Tommy was opening the shutters, lighting the fire place and was about to make some hot coffee. The tired blonde saw one of the frames facing down and in good will, she was about to put it upright again when she saw that the photo was of her and Tommy. His arms firmly wrapped around her waist, her delicate hand softly landed on his knee as the smiled tenderly and lovingly to each other during sun set.

'I'm sorry you had to see that' he quickly snapped as he gave her coffee mug. 'It's funny.. I can't seem to throw this one away... I don't know why but it's my favourite one of us'

'Thanks for the coffee Tom. It's a sincere look maybe that's way it felt special.' She responded.

'Yeah.. Maybe that's why I guess. Layla you must be freezing go and take a hot shower. I've put some clean towels in the bathroom and you can borrow some hot pyjamas from my sister. You get settled down and then we'll talk.'

'Thanks Tommy. For everything.' She honestly replied.

'Don't worry. It's the least I can do.'

A few hours went by as they chatted quietly and smoothly whilst sipping some coffee and eating some cookies. With the fire close to them and the woolly blanket on top of them they were finally warming up. The light was dim. Two lamps, one on each side of the sofa, were the only ones lit.

'Tommy, just spit it out. I know your dying to ask' the young woman said.

'Honestly tell me the truth. What happened to you?'

'I don't know if you're still updated on Broadway's schedule-' she began.

'Of course! Still number 1 fan! It was how we met - well at least how I met you. You met me in a very different circumstance.'

...

That's right. Tommy was a huge fan of Broadway and would come to watch every play, including premiers, finales etc. He was especially fascinated when he saw the new main actress: a tall, blonde and gorgeous woman. After the show he and his friends would usually go and chill out at the bar right in front of the theatre. One particular night, he saw her at the counter, alone.

She looked terrible, sad and slightly aggressive and was smoking a cigarette.

'Young and talented performers shouldn't smoke, it really puts a life sentence on their career. Great performance by the way. '

'Thank you. And don't worry, I don't usually use this crap to cover up my sorrows. Great way to introduce yourself' She sarcastically said after exhaling slowly the chain of smoke.

'Oh I am sorry. My names is Thomas, it's really nice to finally meet you. But please tell me, why would a rising and shining star like you is having such a hard time, huh? And truth be told, you look much prettier when you're not crying.'

'No man in this world deserves my tears. Trust me Tommy boy, my eyes are probably red due to this nonsense I'm smoking. Now if you excuse me I must leave. Good night.' She proclaimed as she smashed the filter carefully and slowly on to an ash tray.

She stood up and was about to leave when he offered and insisted to take her home. She eventually accepted his ride and it was the start of their relationship and he promptly came to check on her the next day, and the next, and the next.

...

'Oh that's right! Yuri and I had just broken up that night. Funny -or better yet- weird thing that you always find me when I'm at my lowest point.' Agreed Layla as she comfortable adjusted herself yet in a very etiquette manner on the sofa.

'But please .. You were saying..'

'Oh yes. Well, I have my Phoenix premiere, your new show, in a couple of weeks and I was so overwhelmed with everything, I just couldn't get my performance the way I wanted. And the scariest thing is that I know I'm doing the wrong thing running away and I know abandoning NY when I'm so needed sounds like crazy but... I don't regret it. I knew I had to reinvent myself especially if the theme is the phoenix. And it kills me that this is so personal to me because it wildly reminds of my mother! I understand so much the value of bringing yourself back up when you're so down, you know? Being reborn from you dead ashes is so incredible and I want to transmit that so desperately to the audience and receive the applause so badly and still my performance is dull and emotionless. And I also miss him so badly that my head could pop off any minute!' She opened her eyes wide open and bit her lip as if to redraw her gasp. 'Damn it! I ended saying too much didn't I?'

'No, it's ok. Don't worry.' He took the last sip from his coffee. 'There's always something to do with him. You guys are crazy for each other. I just hate being used as the experimental rat as you two figure out the highs and peaks of your relationship!' Tommy quickly retorted.

'No! Wait a minute! You don't get to victimise yourself like that! As I well remember, you were the one who messed things up when we were together! And let's make it very clear that when I was with Yuri I loved him, but when I was with you- I loved you! Fully committed!' she rapidly snapped back.

'Cut the crap Layla! You've always been madly in love with him and you've never stopped! Since day one. And do not tell me the contrary! I saw it in your face every time you saw him getting out of the clubs with a random chick by his side! The way you suddenly changed your mood when he came out here and didn't stop to visit you!'

'You are ridiculous. Did you know that? I'm going to bed now. I'm done with this conversation.' She angrily raged as she stood up.

Tommy quickly got hold of her two arms and pushed her closer to him, their nose tips touching each other.

'What is it with him that always brings you back to him? He has hurt you so many times and you just keep crawling back... I've always hated that guy with all my guts. Wasn't I enough? Wasn't I good enough to you? Why can't my love blindside you like his did, huh? You are the love of my life... why can't I be yours?' he whispered as he slightly tipped his head to kiss her.

She got off of him very fast and was extremely mad.

'What are you doing? Are you crazy? Don't you ever do that to me ever again! Who do you think you are to kiss me like that?'

'Hopefully him' He admitted.

'Well, I'm sorry to break the news but we are over, remember? Not together! And I don't ever want to see you again. I don't crawl back to anyone let's make that very clear. Thank you for the bed and ceiling you have provided for me. But that's all there is to it. And you don't have to worry I'll be out first thing tomorrow.' She stormed off.

With all this talking about Yuri she remembered he was coming out to find her. "I hope we meet again... my love..." she peacefully thought as she looked at a picture of him in her blackberry. More miss calls from him but it was too late to call now. "Soon... very soon..." she admitted as she put herself to sleep trying to forget the last happenings.

Sorry I'm soo late! But I had my exams going and I was so busy with everything! Besides, I think of every possible outcome before I write it down. :p

I chose her to meet with her ex simply because I wanted Layla to talk about Yuri with someone else. I mean, most of the times when she's talking about him it is usually when she's with him in person. And so with this different perspective, it makes her structure her thoughts as she had to explain them to Tommy. Making any sense? I also wanted to keep the story about their breakup (Layla's and Tommy's) to themselves muahaha! Hope you enjoyed cause I this was the longest chapter!

Happy summer! And please review! I really want to know all of your opinions!

xx