NOTTINGHAM
SEVEN YEARS AGO
Ayla doesn’t know the meanings of the words such as bint or naff. Even if she knows good English, sometimes the slang is beyond her. When she checked them on the internet, she felt horrible, not to mention the words students used to call her, things they did to her always kept her in tears. Not even a single night after coming to Nottingham, she slept peacefully or went to bed without lying to her mother. Being in everyone’s mouths, becoming target to every harsh act is hardly endurable.
Slowly, she lost confidence in herself. No matter what happens, she could never go to her dad. She highly doubts if she could even say hi to him and ask how his day was. She really hoped that Blake comes to her aid. He never did. And on one particular day, she finally saw his true colors.
The same girl in the red skirt before now came in pink. Being the
LONDON PRESENT DAY Ayla looked at her reflection in the mirror and for the first time in her life, as far as she remembers, she admired her work on herself. Her short red hair has smoothened more with the striaghtener, she didn’t put much effort on doing her face as she put on her hair, a blush nude matte lipstick and a moisturizer did enough magic. She selected a blue colored 3/4 sleeve elegant pencil peplum dress. After all, she is now working at a mega corporation; she has to look elegant, class, and simple as per her comfort. The dress is in suitable hourglass shape with ruffles on the right side which hugged her body tightly showing all her curves perfectly. She always preferred simple pumps, but this time, she wore black pointed high heels. Her confidence rose to a new next level with the new perfect look. All thanks to her old boss. If he hadn’t called yesterday and informed that
PRESENT DAY LONDON “No. I don’t know if it is fated or just coincidence or whatever. You mother cheated on your dad. You were easily tricked by a school girl. This is the biggest joke that has been played in front of my eyes.” An evil laugh played on Jack’s long face underneath a very less hair. His eyes are so small that the triumphant laugh made him look like he bore some holes instead of eyes. He thought he got under his opponent’s skins who are there for a meeting – Jayden and Mason. His words only worked on Mason who has lost his calm and raised from his chair with so much force and rage that he kicked that chair behind. “You son of a bitch.” He cursed. “As far as I remember,” Said Jack with a smirk, “It is Jayden who is the son of a bitch.” Apparently, the words Jack delivered at Jayden hits Mason first. Jayden doesn’t seem to be intruded or slightly moved b
“I don’t understand, Mr. Cliff. What do you mean by I didn’t do well?” Ayla questioned impatiently. She has checked her list for hundred times since it is the first ever significant work she got to do at Knight & Gray. The old man in his mid forties- Mr. Cliff, shook his head removing his glasses with a stern look, “Rupert's report and the list he has made is quite outstanding. I suppose, it is the best when compared to you.” “But, I –” He waves his hand dismissively, “No. Miss. Sargin. This is no use arguing over this. Get this file another photocopy. I reckon you can do the job well.” Ayla sighed getting back to her regular photocopy machine with a look of contempt. She is so sure she did well. Rupert, on the other side, is having a friendly chat with some other boys. Ayla made her way to him. He looked at her incredulously. Most of the staff doesn’t really know her and even if they did, Ayla has no reputation in friendly talks. “I am Ayla. I was wondering if I c
Nottingham Few Years Back That evening Ayla was more cheerful at the dinner table than she was in the entire five months of her stay at Nottingham. Her step brother, with whom she never shared at least a two minutes of conversation was burning like a volcano which is going to be burst at some point. Apparently, he was beaten by someone and her father was as furious he was. Ayla wondered if her father would react the same way if he know that Ayla has been always bullied. Deep inside, she knew that the answer is no. He never noticed her agony and fears. So, he probably wouldn’t give a damn about her happiness. Evelyn is almost in tears for her bruised son. There was certain tension in the family that Ayla has felt like an odd man out. She had no one to share her happiness, no one to listen about Jayden Knight and Mason Gray. For a second, she envied Jack. He has perfect mother and father in full health. She dragged her feet to upstairs trying not to interfere in their family affairs. K
LONDON PRESENT DAY “Jay? Is that a short form for Jayden? Cool, isn’t it? I can’t believe that he actually did that with her.” Vanessa curled her hands into a fist and shoves it to Ayla’s face who is turning the steering wheel with her eyes fixed on the road, brain thinking about the truck that has always haunted her and the ears hearing the same word, ‘Jay.’ What is it about that word that is so familiar? Why is she feeling odd and thinking about the accident? She is in a driver seat. She is not supposed to have another panic attack or any visions of her forgotten memory. But, “Watch out.” That piercing scream of her friend made her foot press the break and her car stopped amidst a lonely street with a taxi before their car, which Ayla almost crashed into. The driver cursed something while Vanessa is stroking Ayla’s back. All the time, “I am sorry.” Is all Ayla managed to let out. “We almost got hit.” Vanessa bent her
LONDON PRESENT DAY “He probably thought that you are not fit here. After all, you are not the employee of Knight & Gray. So, you were put at the copy machine and coffee machine. I wonder what you offered him.” “He is taking your side and praised your work.” The least Mr. Cliff made the world believe is that Ayla is totally unfit to work there and has offered something to the CEO in order to keep her job. A few hours at canteen is all it takes for unbelievably believing gossip. “I have seen her go to that floor many times. I never thought she is fucking the” They didn’t pronounce that name instead show the word with their fingers C E O. “The secretary of Mr. Knight herself fetched her once.” “No wonder they kept her. She dares to speak against Mr. Cliff’s words.” “She thinks so highly of herself.” “I think she copied my work. She once asked me about it. She was
Ayla’s breath became quicker when she found herself in her boss’s dainty office once again. What is so intimidating about this room- Nothing but being alone with Jayden Knight behind the closed doors. Momentarily she lost the anger she held before he dragged her here as her eyes started to appreciate how masculine he smelled and seemed confident behind the sumptuous black suit. Unlike last time, this fabric looked like it is worth of her one month salary. His gaze is deep, intense and mesmerizing that she thought one could easily get lost in them. All the time, she didn’t realize that she is gawking at him, he scrutinized her enough to allow a lazy smirk swept across his beautiful face. She quickly averted her gaze. The little action made himself knock him mentally. He is not supposed to be proud by the fact that this girl, the girl who betrayed him in the name of love, is fascinated by his charm. They both shared an awkward moment for another eternity seconds. “Sargin.
PRESENT-DAYLONDON "Why is a traitor assigned to work with me on the new project?" Mason battered the ball with much force with his bat. The next ball is thrown at Jayden which he missed. "You are losing it. Ain't you?" Mason hit another ball. "You are going back to those days. What were you thinking?" Jayden kept his bat in position. When the ball is thrown, he struck it hard. "I didn't lose it. I was being professional." He wipes the sweat on his forehead with the back of his hand. "It has been six years anyway." "Exactly, Jayden. It has been six years. You still didn't get over her. And if I am right, you never stopped loving her." "You don't know a shit about me." "If anyone knows any shit about you, it's me." Jayden tossed his bat