Layla Twist

Alarm blaring in my ear I roll in bed to turn the blasted thing off. Swinging my legs over the side I let my feet touch the cool hardwood floor. My room is set up simple and practical. I have my full size bed with extra fuzzy blankets to keep warm and cozy. A single window sat above the antique Oak desk/chair, a wardrobe which held all my clothes opposite of the desk. Stepping into the hall and heading to the bathroom, I take my time to get ready for the day. My name, is Layla Twist, I am 22 years old and live alone. Everyday I wake up to go to work. I work as a receptionist at a construction company's headquarters. I was 17 when I started working there, just 9 days after my birthday. I got the job from the CEO. We met in the woods when I fell asleep unknowingly by his house. Well anyway, I met the CEO and he offered me a receptionist position and a single room cabin in the woods for 5 years rent free. Now here I am almost at the 6 year anniversary for working with Darks Constructions. I put my now dry long black hair into neat bun on my head, with a few strands framing my face. Slipping into a deep red suit dress that stops at the top of my knees, I grab my black bookbag, and matching heels running out the door. It takes me 15 minutes to walk to the city and another 10 to make it to the building. Greeting the immediate staff, I walk through the security checkpoint, and make my way to the 3rd floor, where my desk is. Turning on the computer the turning over the phones I see it is 5am. As every morning I read my emails and pass the schedules of the day out to the members on the floor, we are in charge of the financial side of the company. by the time I am finished it is 6:30. Grabbing my wallet and phone I head towards the elevator. Looking for any missed notifications I hear the door open and walk inside not paying attention and run into a firm chest. "Hey, don't you watch where your going?" A deep husky voice chuckled. Rubbing my forehead I look up into the golden brown eyes of Drake Dark, the CEO. ”Why is your chest so hard?" I wine is annoyance, " You almost knocked me out." His chuckle vibrates the air by my head. Drake is 6" while I am only 5"4', to say I ran into a wall was a understatement. "Why are you here? I never see you in the office before 7." I question him with a raise of an eye brow. He places his left hand over his ear presses is about 4 times before bringing it make down. " There is a meeting today involving multiple companies today, not for the best of circumstances unfortunately." He looks down letting his scruffy dark hair fall over his forehead. With a sigh he straightens up and smiles saying. "But someone has to do make sure things are put together for the meeting and some of the departments may be able to go home early without any pay loss." I return the smile as the elevator door opens to main lobby and I step out. "I'll grab extra for the meeting as well." I say turning back to Drake before he goes up to his floor. He nods in appreciation as he is blocked from view. My heels click on the tile floors as I walk towards the door and make my way across the street to the café. Getting the usual round of coffees I also get a few refreshers ordered and many snacked selected to be dropped off at the office later. Back on the elevator I hit floor 20 where the meeting rooms are held. I pass the time by thinking of 6 years ago, There was snow everywhere, my clothes wet and clung to me as I shivered into the icy bark of a tree. Barely any heat was left inside my body when the crunchy steps came up behind me. Drake found me, he was only wearing shorts, which was very weird. But he took me to his car and brought me to this building while he was in a meeting he had a assistant help me get clothes and fed me an amazing soup. I probably would have died if he hadn't found me, he never asked me questions or get upset with me when I refused to mention my past. Him and his sister are the only two people I consider my friends. Walking down the hall I go to meeting room 6, the largest room in the building. The carpet a dark charcoal grey and the walls a light grey, a large table surrounded by maybe 50 or so chairs filled the room. Drake sat moving folders around making sure they all had the same contents. Finally seeing me walking up to me he smiles and helps by grabbing some of the coffee from me. "Thank you." He says and grabs the coffee labeled with his usual. Taking a sip he grunts in approval. " Sometimes I swear your an animal." I laugh as I take hold of my simple iced coffee that has a vanilla bean syrup drizzle. His eyes widen and he gasps while flailing an arm up to his chest. "What ever gave you the idea?" "You moron." I roll my eyes. "I have drinks and food coming in 3 hours for the meeting by the way." " Great, Kara (his assistant) was about to let everyone in the office know: work is done for the day." He smirks seeing me smile lightly. " I'll be seeing you Monday Layla." My body relaxed at the thought of leaving work before doing any actual work. "If you need anything I can be here in 30 minutes." I say backing away, I know he won't call, he never has. Dashing to the door I call out behind me. "See you Monday!" I don't remember grabbing my bag or turning of the machines. All I remember was getting home and going for a walk. Anytime I am not at work I am walking in the forest or sitting by the stream. The noises from the water, the sense of calm washing over your body. Closing your eyes as you lay against the grass. Opening my eyes it's dark, aside from the stream nothing can be heard. No light shined through the trees. The thick oak trees standing all around me, as if trying to protect my body from the cold. Standing I dust off my clothes and start to head towards the cabin. Not my first time falling asleep when out by the stream. Moving around the trees and roots I make my way to the small clearing my cabin standing in. Breaking through the tree line, the moonlight lights up the surrounding area. The small cabin, and the garden along the side wall on the far side of the clearing. Before taking another step I stop, holding my breathe trying to fight off a nagging feeling in my gut telling me to turn and run. The night still in silence, no bugs or owls. Suddenly the snap of a twig rings out. From around my home came three brown figures. About 40 feet in front of me 3 brown wolves are hunched over snarling at me. Frozen, I can't out run a wolf. Especially not 3 adult wolves. I feel my body start to shake as they slowly stalk a few steps forward. I bite my lip to keep from crying, crying won't help me against animals. A gasp escapes my lips as they charge forward forcing me to turn back and run into the trees from once I came.