A FEW YEARS AGO Because it was raining. Because she needed space. Because she thought that's what happened next, or she thought it was high time she did things as others did. Whatever reason she gave to herself, nothing kept her at ease. "Stop fidgeting, Ayla. I won't eat you." He took her hand in his hands and walked to the bedroom. As always, his flat was a complete mess, a clean mess, she would add, because things were out of order but never dirty. To go inside his apartment along with Mason is one thing and to go along with Jay is another. She still had no idea how she put herself in that position- following a man to his after kissing for god knows how many minutes. His bedroom was an exception. There's no spot in there. The king-sized bed, the grey curtains, the walk-in closet, and a mini couch. It looked like it was never touched. Then she realized that he never really use his bedroom. He always works in the second bedroom which he made into a mini-of

AYLA PRESENT DAY Everything happened in a blink of an eye. What's taking time is processing it. Yeona is with the cops explaining to them everything that has happened. I was too terrified to speak a word. Maybe terrified is not the exact word. I am shocked. Why would any want to kill me? How come I had become responsible for another person's death whom I didn't remember? Jayden walked in with a glass of water in his hand. "Drink," he ordered. That's what he has been doing since he came to my rescue. He was furious, and I am not in the situation to comprehend to whom this rage is directed and why. I raised my head to look at him, and another tear slipped my eye when I noticed the scar he got on his palm because of me. He still had the cloth I tied to stop the bleeding before. Once again, the moment of horror played in my mind. A man I had never seen before tried to attack me in my own house, and somehow Jayden came to rescue me. Not even once did he hesitate before he put my

Ayla Present Day It has been two days since the incident. It has been more than thirty-six hours since I fall asleep. I am practically living on caffeine. I see Max, trying to choke me whenever I close my eyes or I would see Jayden and those goddamn memories. I don't know which one is more pathetic. Tomorrow, I have an appointment with Kemal, my therapist. He has been helping me deal with things ever since my accident. I am scared of being alone at home. Every time I go out, I get a feeling that someone's following me. But at the office, it was different. These are Jayden's territories. No Max can get inside easily. We always have tight security. I am on our bosses' floor, waiting for Steph to complete her work so that we can go home. She insisted that she stay with me. I feel that a day with Steph could do some good. My phone beeped as I was lost in my thoughts, looking out of the window at all the city lights. "You forgot your ointment." The mes

A FEW YEARS AGO NOTTINGHAM "Why are you here? Didn't you have an appointment with some company's CEO? You had a presentation. What are you doing here? You don't have to come. Jay...," Nothing she said traveled through his ears. His eyes were fixed on the scar she got on her forehead. "It's nothing," she whispered when he moved the few strands of her hair back. "Where else?" He asked sternly. She threw him a scowl even though her eyes were glossy and she was hurting. "Nowhere," She replied. "You should go," She said again, gently pushing him with her hand. He caught her hand to inspect the wounds. He finally released a breath when he found none. "Don't do that." He ordered. "Don't push me away no matter what." She dropped her head, fidgeting with her fingers. "That's not what I am doing." She murmured. "I don't want you to worry. The purpose of your meeting is too big to stop for trivial things like this."

PRESENT DAY AYLA "Marmara Deniz (Sea of Marmara)" I whispered. He didn't say anything but stared like he did till now, blankly. "That's the color of your eye," I said. I didn't notice any movement in his face or his eyes, especially his eyes. But something about the way he looked at me changed like he finally grasped the situation. Shit! The situation. In a hurry to escape, I tried to fall back. He held me by the waist again and pulled me to him so that I wouldn't fall off the couch. Now we are closer than before, my hand clutching his shirt, and his heart, beating fast beneath them. Once again, silence engulfed us. We simply stared at each other without saying a word. I somehow managed to find the courage to look at him again. His gaze slowly traveled down to my lips. If he was gonna kiss me right now, I'll not protest. Of course, I will freak out. But I'll save that for later. But he is doing nothing but simply sta