PRESENT-DAY, LONDON
He had many reasons to justify why he did what he did. He was angry that his rare peaceful moments were once again, invaded by Blake and Ayla. It wasn’t fair for him that they are sitting together and enjoying while he was left with so much emptiness. His plan for an uninterrupted evening had failed. So he walked out containing all pain and anger for feeling that hurt even after all these years. And again, there she was stumbling on her own feet. He didn’t like how Blake left her like that on her own. She was rolling drunk. And again, he wasn’t supposed to be upset about how Blake was treating her. He has to get into his car and leave for his home.
He couldn’t. His heart pounded wildly when he saw the truck. If he was a second away, she could have hit and possibly died.
SEVEN YEARS AGO NOTTINGHAM It had been two days since Yeona met the two most handsome people in the world (according to her) after her Lee Min Ho Oppa. Ever since then, she had blabbered about how Ayla had feelings for Jayden that she saw her blushing when he waved at her. “It is not like that.” Ayla would say. “He is the first person who’s kind to me after coming here. So I respect him.” Yeona would pout at that statement and snap her head away. “Tamam(okay).” Ayla would say. “Mason and Jayden are the persons who are kind to me and helped me before you came.” Those words instantly cheered her up. But Yeona didn't stop her chatter. Both of them agreed to explore a new place in Nottingham and go home befor
A FEW YEARS BACK NOTTINGHAM Her life was like a wave. Sometimes calm, sometimes agitated, sometimes dangerous, sometimes dancing, sometimes low, sometimes alone and most times never stayed at the shore. It was her life- rising and falling. She used to feel like an odd man out whenever she sat for dinner with Noah, Evelyn, and Jack. As long as Evelyn tried to make her include in the conversation, asking typical questions about school, studies and friends, as long as Jack ignored her while burying himself in his phone and her dad not even once looked at her as if it’s a sin to even raise his head, Ayla could quietly finish the little that was kept on her plate. They never starved her and she knew that they will never do that. She is free to eat as much as she likes. But how to ask the strangers who are polite enough to make her stay at their place when her mom was sick, for food of her taste? She missed Adena Kebab her mom
PRESENT-DAY Ayla took a deep breath before she step into the lobby. “Tamam. Calm down. It’s gonna be fine.” She told herself.” She has been trying to keep herself at ease from the time she had touched her car keys. All her attempts to soothe herself had gone vain when she stood before the elevators and was greeted by the presence of the only man she decided to avoid for a time being.Why the hell is he taking the employee’s elevator?She stepped back thinking about the last elevator encounter with him. He wasn’t generous enough to let her drive along with him which was good. Because she doesn’t want that ride. Like expected and like last time, the door didn&rs
The second she entered the elevator the only thought that crossed his mind is what would’ve happened if it was six years back. Closed and confined areas were their favorites. He could not remember how many times they made out when they found themselves in the closed places. Now a five feet distance was put between them which was odd if he thinks of their past and justifiable at the same time. He still has an effect on her. He knows that she is holding her breath, and feeling intimidated. She has every reason to do so. He enjoyed making her feel like that without giving a thought about what he is feeling in the first place. It was nice to have her presence, to breathe her scent and feel her existence in his life again. But every positive vibe he gets simply vanishes before he enjoyed them completely. &n
NOTTINGHAM FEW YEARS BACK What do you call it when your heart skips at his text, at his sight, at his words? What do you call it when you wait for his text every freaking second even though you know it is not most likely there’s a reason or need to text you? What do you call it when you feel crazy butterflies inside your stomach? Insanity. Her inner voice shouted.Overloaded. Who is she kidding? She knew its insane. How can she possibly develop feelings even though her brain had continuously shouted not to do that? What damage would it do anyway? Break your heart, maybe.
PRESENT-DAY LONDON The entire ride to his house was silent. His driver doesn't dare to speak a word since Jayden always preferred that way. But today, the silence is so loud; it is screaming inside his head, his heart is thumping wildly. He looked at the moon lamp in his bedroom. He thought of the day he received it. It was his twenty-second birthday; the same day as today six years before. Only, back then, Ayla had all her eyes on him and now she is looking at Blake's pictures reminiscing their memories. Where is he then? Did she forget him like that as if he's a small tide that once wet her feet? Is that all? Did he mean nothing to her? He touched the lamp resisting the urge to throw it to the wall and watch it break into pieces. After all these years, he kept it with him. It wasn't the first time he wanted to throw it away. But every time he got the idea, something inside him stopped that. He is afraid if he breaks it he would break all the love he buried inside for he
LONDON PRESENT-DAYAYLA"It is an important document. Only Jayden should see this. Understand?"I watched Stephanie as she continued to pace around MY cubicle giving instructions about how I am supposed to give that particular document to Jayden. This was the first time I saw her like that. She barged into our room and almost startled every one of our team members with her burst out."Are you in rush? What happened?" I asked her while fetching a water bottle from my bag.Steph finished almost half of the contents of it and wipe her mouth with her arm. "I have to go. Jayden went out and Mason is nowhere to find. Please give this to Jayden once he came out. It is really important and sensitive. I am trusting you with this.""Okay. But what happened to you? Are you going anywhere?" I questioned her. No matter what happens Steph doesn't rush things like this and it is odd.
PRESENT-DAY I was ten. I remembered everything clearly when I was in Istanbul. That was probably the last time I felt alive as far as remember. My work used to make me alive too. It was all a mess now. My mom took me to a home for handicaps to donate my old toys one day. "You should be grateful that you have everything." She said. "Learn from them, Ayla. They don't let their disability stop them from achieving what they want. Life was cruel to them. At least God spared you from that pain. Be grateful." Whenever I feel upset I think back to that day and remember everything she said. The picture is livid in my mind. I should be grateful. Even though I lost the memories of my high school, even though I have trust issues, even though my boss made my work life miserable, even though the one man whom I worship is nothing but a pain in my ass, even though I always feel like I am lost, I should be grateful for the life I had. But pain is a pain. Whether it is big or small, bearable