"Thawing the Billionaire's Heart"

Chapter 14: Do you remember me?

Lugard and Jonathan rushed out of the cafe, their hearts racing with excitement. They had finally gotten a lead on Layla's whereabouts, and they couldn't wait to find her.

As they walked towards the new apartment complex on the outskirts of town, Lugard couldn't help but think about what he would say to Layla when he saw her again. Would she remember him? Would she forgive him for not finding her sooner?

As they arrived at the apartment complex, Lugard's nerves began to get the better of him. What if Layla didn't want to see him? What if she had moved on with her life? He pushed the thoughts aside and focused on finding her apartment.

Jonathan checked the directory and found her name listed - Layla, apartment 3B. They took the elevator to the third floor and stood outside her door, hesitating for a moment before Lugard knocked.

a beautiful girl with a green eyes appeared.

The girl's green eyes sparkled with a mix of surprise and wariness as she took in Lugard and Jonathan's tall, imposing figures. She clutched the door handle tightly, her knuckles white, and asked in a husky voice, "Can I help you?" Lugard's heart skipped a beat as he gazed at her, his mind racing with disappointment. This wasn't Layla - the girl in front of him had green eyes, not blue, and her hair was straight, not curly. But there was something familiar about her, something that made Lugard's instincts scream that he was close to finding Layla.

"Are you Miss Layla?" Jonathan asked seriously, his eyes locked onto the girl's face. Layla nodded, her eyes staring at the guys, her mind racing with thoughts. Oh my, you guys are so hot! She couldn't believe her eyes, two gorgeous men standing in front of her door.

Lugard's gaze at her was intense, his eyes piercing through her soul. He seemed to be searching for something, but Layla didn't know what.

She felt a shiver run down her spine as he took a step closer, his voice low and husky. "We've been looking for you, Layla. Can we come in?"

Layla said "shore" and opened her door wider, allowing Lugard and Jonathan to enter.

Her apartment was small, but cozy, with cream-colored walls and worn-out furniture. The living room had a second-hand couch and a coffee table made of plywood, with a few framed photos of her family and friends on the walls. The air was thick with the smell of cooking oil and spices, a testament to her love of cooking.

Layla gestured for them to sit down, her eyes darting nervously between the two men.

Lugard and Jonathan sat down on the couch, their eyes scanning the room with interest. Lugard's gaze lingered on a photo of Layla and a girl who looked like her sister, while Jonathan's eyes landed on a cookbook that lay open on the coffee table.

"Lugard, look at her. Do you remember me?"

Layla's eyes met Lugard's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. She searched his face, trying to place him, but her mind was a blank.

She shook her head, feeling a little embarrassed. "No, I don't think so," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. But then, something in his eyes sparked a memory. A flash of a night, a clock tower, a stranger who saved her life. Her eyes widened as she took a step back, her heart racing. "Wait, do I...?" she started to say, her voice trembling.

she knows him as the richest man in the city, because she had seen him appeared on a banquet which she attended by a help of a friend, the people that attend the banquet was rich and powerful figure. why will the richest man be searching for Layla and how did he know her. she wondered.

Layla's eyes narrowed as she studied Lugard's face. "You do look a bit familiar," she said, her voice laced with curiosity. She took a step closer, her eyes scanning his features. "Your face...I've seen it before.

" Jonathan, sitting quietly on the sofa, watched the scene unfold with a knowing smile. He had seen Lugard work his charm before, but this time, it was different. This time, Lugard was invested.

Layla's eyes locked onto Lugard's, her gaze searching. "You look a bit like an old friend," she stuttered. "Are you...Lugard?" She didn't quite show it, but she recognized him - the calm, handsome features, the deep black eyes that seemed to see right through her.

Lugard smiled, "Can you tell me a bit about how we met back then? What do you remember?"

Layla's eyes fluttered closed, her brow furrowed in concentration. She bit her lip, trying to recall the details of that fateful night. "You...you saved me," she stuttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "From those evil bad guys who wanted to kill me...that night." Her eyes snapped open, and she hugged herself tightly, as if trying to shield herself from the memories.

Lugard's smile softened, his eyes filled with a deep concern. He took a step closer to her, his voice gentle. "It's okay, Layla. You're safe now. I'm here."

Jonathan, still watching from the sofa, felt a pang in his chest. He had never seen Lugard like this before - so caring, so protective. his a cold ice rock, It was clear that Layla had gotten under his skin.

"Lugard walked towards Layla and hugged her tightly."

Layla felt a lump form in her throat as Lugard's arms wrapped around her, holding her close. She had never expected this kind of warmth from him, especially after all these years.

"I'm so sorry for not coming back and finding you on time back then," he whispered, his voice filled with regret. "When I came back, I couldn't find any clue of your whereabouts. I was worried sick about you.

" Layla felt a tear roll down her cheek, and she buried her face in his chest, letting the warmth of his embrace wash over her.

She had never thought she'd see this day, never thought she'd get closure. But here she was, in the arms of the man who had saved another person life, and somehow, it felt like she was finally home.

Jonathan watched, a small smile on his face, as the two of them held each other, the air thick with emotion.

"I thought you had blue eyes, back then," Lugard said, his gaze locked onto Layla's face, taking in the heart-shaped features, the high cheekbones, and the full lips that curved into a sweet smile. Her green eyes sparkled like emeralds in the dim light, and her long, dark hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall. She was even more beautiful than he remembered.

Layla's body trembled slightly at his words, her knuckles turning white as she clenched her fists. "I don't have blue eyes, maybe you're mistaken," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, a hint of defensiveness creeping into her tone. Lugard stared at her, his eyes searching for answers.

Jonathan chimed in, his voice laced with annoyance, "Yeah, right, you didn't even know what she looks like, or even her father's name, how can you know the correct color of her eyes?"

Lugard's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in response to Jonathan's jab.