“True but I wouldn’t he did save me.” Andrea nodded.
“But he is also the reason your wife died and so would have you and you know it.” Strider avoided the thought of Layton being the cause but acceptance was needed.
“That’s the thing about Layton, he is heartless and cruel. He didn’t give her a second chance but all he knows is death and pain.”
“Your right and I can’t deny it but he still came for me and tip of that he gave me a high ranking.” Andrea sighed heavily, she didn’t understand why Antony was still by Layton’s side after all that happened. She smirked
“I can’t blame you Layton really knows how to brainwash people especially his enemies, he’ll trick you into believing he’s a friend. I should say he did succeed with you.” Strider laughed.
“They did say keep your friends close but your enemies closer and I hardly accept he’s intentions weren’t to befriend me or give me this high rate but we all have to play along. If he wanted to he could have gotten rid of me.” Andrea nodded admiring his thinking.
“You are a threat and a weapon at the same time Layton saw through that and kept you close, Layton isn’t someone you should get comfortable with, he’s thinking is more beyond but I must say am impressed you saw through that.”
“You learn a three or two from him.” Andrea frowned.
“But I still won’t back down, he can hit me a number of times by I wouldn’t give in. I’ll just use Gemini to my advantage.” Strider smiled seeing through her ideas.
“As I said you would have been a powerful and prosperous alpha.” She walked past him and headed for the door then turned waving her hand.
“I was trained to be one Strider. You should never train or teach your enemies, they’ll grow better than you.” She shouted.
“Lesson learned.” He yelled back then watched her disappear.
Some weeks passed and Gemini found herself enjoying her life. Layton was more caring and loving to her and she appreciated it. It was an afternoon and as usual, Layton had left for work which meant she was obviously alone. She felt bored then remembered the attic Layton had wanted to redesign so she thought of doing it for him. She made her way to the attic. The attic was indeed unpleasing to the eye, it was covered in cobwebs and dirt. She left only to return with a broom and a mop then began her work. She just wanted to clean the place that day and later she would maybe repaint the room.
Minutes that felt like hours passed and she approached a pile of boxes. They were all filled with Layton’s things. She came across a picture of two elder people who she thought were his parents and him when he was young. They all seemed happy but she didn’t understand why he hated his past life. She still examined more of the pictures, she noticed most of them were taken with his father. Gemini then remembered how Layton praised and somehow insulted his father.
Layton soon returned from work and Gemini was successfully done cleaning the attic. Layton froze when he saw his old photos sitting by the table.
“I thought of placing them there. You seemed so happy.” Layton turned to his wife with a little anger.
“Why are they here?! And may I ask who gave you the permission to place them there!!” Gemini went silent for a while then smiled trying to lighten the mood.
“I didn’t need permission Lay, I found them in the attic so I brought them here.” He ran his fingers across his face.
“Take them back to where you found them and never ever touch my things without my permission.” He stormed out. He had such an irritating day at work and didn’t want anything else to bother him. Gemini kindly did as he asked and returned them. She made her way to his room.
“Am sorry if I upset you.” She said sitting beside him. He sighed.
“It’s okay, I wasn’t angry with you, to begin with.” Gemini smiled.
“You’ve not really told me about your past. Why do you hate your past so much.” She asked him laying her hand on his shoulder. He sighed again but deeper.
“Not now……am just not in the mood. I had a long exhausting day at work.” Gemini was forced to understand him. She got up from her seat then left the room giving him time to work things out. She turned before leaving.
“I love you.” She said to him and Layton couldn’t help but smile.
“love you too.” She made her way out. She was so eager to know why Layton hated his past. She heard a knock on the front door.
“Oh, Strider can I help you?” Strider looked over her shoulder.
“Layton. Is he here?” Gemini nodded then stood aside to let him walk in.
“He is around but calming himself. Is everything okay?” He slightly nodded.
“It’s not that important so I’ll give him some time.” He sat on the large couch.
“What made him upset?” Gemini sighed.
“Found some stuff from his past. Pictures, so I laid them on the table and he got angry.”
“He does hate his past.”
“Why?” The beta shrugged. There was silence for a while.
“He’s right though,” Strider said breaking the silence.