Regrets

Chapter 7

"And now for the woman of the hour, Mrs. Layla Carter." The Hostess said.

I smoothed done my blue sequin dress and stepped onto the stage.

The crowd cheered.

I giggled and strutted to the end of the runway. Layla Couture the sign read.

I smiled. My first fashion show and I am a success.

"Thank you all so much for coming."

The audience cheered.

I giggled. Before I could continue my speech, I heard.

"Mom."

The voice belonged to Ava. I smiled nervously and scanned the audience, who were undaunted by Ava's presence on stage.

"Ava what are you doing here" I asked.

"Come on mom."

"Huh."

"We have to go."

                                  .....

My alarm jolted me awake. I silenced it.

That dream again? Whatever.

Instead of getting dressed, I settled for shorts and a sweatshirt. I skipped makeup. For breakfast, I ate leftovers and watched Netflix. 

I was enjoying my non-traditional morning until...

"Mom, mom, mommy."

I groaned. "Coming."

Our morning went, the way it always did. AJ made breakfast, I argued with Destiny about her outfit of the day.

"Destiny get out here" I yelled.

"Honey I can take the girls" AJ offered.

"No" I growled. "This is my responsibility. Destiny move it!"

Destiny entered the living room. "Sorry mom you can't rush perfection."

I glared at Destiny.

"I will be in the car." Destiny said and scurried away.

                           ..........

The carpool was silent.

"Love you mom" Hope said.

"Bye Honey" I said calmly.

I watched Hope walk through the gate. I was about to leave until...

"Layla" a voice called.

I rolled my eyes.

"Cassandra, good morning" I said.

Cassandra Abella, president of the pta and thrives on the fact that her husband is a chairman on the school board.

"Good morning to you" Cassandra said.

We exchanged polite smiles.

"So as you know, the school bake sale is coming up, and I did not see your name on the volunteer list."

"Oh, is it that time of year already."

"It is, I just thought I come over and give you a friendly reminder."

A friendly reminder. Sure.

"So should I sign you up?"

"Why not."

"Great I will text you the details" Cassandra said.

"Great bye now" I said.

"Toodles" Cassandra said.

Joy. Just what I need to be stuck around a bunch of mommy snobs.

I arrived home expecting AJ to be gone or on his way out the door.

"AJ your still here" I asked.

"I wanted to talk to you" AJ said.

I set my purse on the coffee table. "About what."

"I noticed your demeanor has been off the past couple of days " AJ said.

I shrugged.

"At first I chalked it up to you weren't feeling well. But today your short with the girls and you did not get dressed which is not like you."

"I am just having an off week" I said.

"Layla" AJ said gently.

"Look, I just woke up today tired of the  routine !" I wake up everymorning make myself look pretty get the girls ready, kiss you bye for the day and then what. I sit in this house for 8 hours" I said.

AJ nodded for me to continue.

"And I keep having this dream that I am at a fashion show featuring clothes that I designed. And right when I am about to give my speech it gets interrupted by you or the girls."

I stared crying and  AJ held me.

"What do you want to do" AJ asked.

"I did sign up for the school bake sale" I said.

AJ gave me a skeptical look. "Is that what you want to do."

"Its better than sitting here feeling sorry for myself."

My phone rang. I was going to silence it until I saw the caller ID.

"Francisco?"

AJ raised his eyebrow.

I covered the mouth piece. "The owner of my favorite boutique. Hey Francisco how are you."

"Good morning Layla, how are you" Francisco said.

"I am well, so what's going on? Is the bill on my tab late?"

Francisco laughed. "No nothing like that, I was actually calling to see if you could pop by the store today."

"Sure, is everything ok" I asked.

"Yes, I assure you it's nothing bad, it's just news I would like to deliver in person."

"Ok, I will be there around 11:00 is that ok?"

"Splendid, I will see you then, bye dear."

We hung up.

"What was that about" AJ asked.

"He did not say, but he assured me it's good news."

AJ shrugged. "Maybe he wants to offer you a job."

"Your optimistic."

"It could happen, but I have to get to work, unless you want me to call off because I can, if you still need me."

"No you go, I have to get ready."

"Ok, I'll see you later."

We kissed.

At 10:50am, I strolled into Diaz boutique.

I spotted Francisco speaking to a customer at the register. He waved me over when he saw me.

"Layla you look lovely" Francisco said.

"Thank you."

The woman at the register faced me. To my surprise it was Miss.Wanda.

"You remember Miss.Wanda" Francisco said.

"Yes of course how are you" I asked. My inner fan girl was coming out but I did care.

"I'm well, and thank you so much for coming in on such short notice" Miss.Wanda said.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I was impressed with your work the other day and I came here to offer you a job" Miss.Wanda said.

"A job" I repeated.

"Yes, I would like you to come work on my new line. What do you say."

I didn't know what to say.