The Distance Between Us

Chapter Nine

Keiran's POV

I saw Ayla come into the conference room and sit down in her chair. At the moment it was just us alone. Everyone had left for the small break. I was on my phone to try to distract myself from looking at her. Once she sat down I saw her bring her phone out and unlocked it. I was watching from the corner of my eye what she was doing with her phone. I could have sworn, I saw her passcode was the date I proposed to her, 0524. No I'm delusional. That date could mean many things though, it could be the day she started dating her fiance. It could also be our graduation day. That day can mean a lot of significant importance.

I started watching her again and I saw the message she opened up. It was from a guy named Seth. I couldn't help it anymore so I leaned a little closer to her to read the message. I know I shouldn't be evading her privacy but I lose all conscience and critical thinking with Ayla. I just want to know the type of guy she's going to be getting married to. There it was the message, 'Seth: Hey baby just wanted to say I hope everything is going well. Call me when you go on lunch. I'm off work early today. Love you.' I suddenly felt my heart stop and my stomach dropped low. I felt this rage of anger course through my body, or was it jealousy, or was it both. I suddenly lost my mind I leaned even closer to Ayla until I reached her ear. In a low gruff tone I say, "Ms. Sanchez, we need to exchange phone numbers." Ayla got startled by my voice and threw her phone out of her hands onto her lap.

I continued telling her, "Right now. We don't have each other's numbers. I need yours in case I need you to do something for me after business hours." I reached for her phone which was on her lap. Before I grabbed her phone I started grazing my fingers slowly up her thigh. I felt her squeeze her thighs together. I looked up to her face and she was flustered. It was written all over her face. F**k is she getting turned on, I continued slowly going further up her thigh towards her delicate flower while staring at her. She was staring back at me with lustful eyes. If I knew no one would be coming back, I would bring her close and kiss those plump lips of hers. Before I went any further I mentally slapped myself bringing my senses back. I stopped suddenly, We both were still looking at each other with lustful eyes. I grabbed the phone and handed it back to her, "What are you doing to me, Ms. Sanchez? You are enchanting me with a spell." I said to her in a whisper. She kept trying to say something but the words were not coming out. She was so stunned and flustered that it left her speechless. Finally she stuttered out some words, "I...I..don't know. I'm s..s.sorry i..it's not mm..my intentions I swear. I'm not doing anything." I touched her face and she leaned into my touch, closing her eyes. She's being submissive. F**k why do we have to be in this meeting right now. "I know you are not doing anything and that's the problem you can do nothing and that's what is pulling me to you." She opened her eyes again, those honey hazel eyes searching into my eyes for something. I cleared my throat and pulled away from her. I need to put distance between us before I get out of control and do something I will regret. I do not want to make the situation worse than what it is right now. "I'm sorry Ms. Sanchez, I don't know what is wrong with me. My deepest apologies. Please forget about this situation. It never happened. I was way out of line" Ayla looked down and in a very low voice she said, "It's okay. It's been forgotten."

I grabbed my phone and unlocked it. I put my phone in front of her, "Here before I forget, give me your number just in case you are needed outside of business hours." She didn't look up she just grabbed my phone and dialed her number and called it, so she can have my number also. "Here you go Mr. Martinez. It's done." I grabbed my phone. I then reached for her chin and lifted her face towards me. Her eyes have become a dull look. What have I done, she probably thinks I am some kind of womanizer that just gets with women for s*x like all these other guys. "Ms. Sanchez. I am truly sorry for my behavior, it was unacceptable. I am not one of those men that prey on their assistants or women to just get one thing from them. I hope you believe me and that you can forgive me. I would understand if you would like to resign due to my behavior." I let go of her chin and turned forward putting my head down. "It's okay Mr. Martinez. I.. I forgive you and I really mean it. Thank you for apologizing." Ayla said to me.

She looked forward and started to do something on her phone. I sat up straight in my chair and composed myself once I heard the door open and everyone coming back in. As everyone got seated we proceeded on with the meeting. Ayla sat there focused like she really did just forget everything that had just happened between us. Which once again I am in my head thinking of her and how she reacted to my touch. This meeting is going to drag on the last couple of hours.

Finally almost two hours later we were finishing up. It was 12:40 P.M. We all stood up and shook hands with everyone. I let every client know I will review all the proposals and let them know as soon as possible what my decision will be. As I was about to turn around to Ayla and tell her she could take an hour and a half lunch, Mr. Shonjin asked me across the table and Ayla went towards my advisor maybe to give him the notes she had written down, "Mr. Martinez, let's go out to lunch together." I pulled my phone out and messaged Ayla real quick.

Keiran: Ms. Sanchez go on ahead and take your lunch break. Take an hour and half because this meeting cut into our lunch.

"Sorry Mr. Shonjin, not today there is something I have to do during lunch. Maybe next time." I didn't want to go to lunch with Mr. Shonjin because I know he's just going to try to push his proposal more on me. That's what happens when these other companies ask you out for lunch. As I was gathering my stuff to leave, I saw Ayla still talking to my advisor. As I was about to head in their direction Aidan shouted, "Hey Keiran! When are you going to join the married life club? When are you going to make a woman be Mrs. Keiran Martinez. Aren't you tired of being a bachelor?" My name and the words escaped his lips. I turned towards him giving him a look and then I turned to Ayla fast, she turned towards me quickly. Her eyes widened so huge it looked like they could pop out of her head any moment. She then turned towards the advisor and excused herself and walked out of the conference room. I stood in place frozen because I didn't know what to do.

"Hey Keiran did you hear me?" I turned to my side to see Aidan standing next to me now. "Yes I heard you, not anytime soon. You shouldn't even be part of that married club you are talking about. You can even stay faithful to your own wife." I say to him in a stern whisper so no one else can hear what I said to him. I walked away from him to go after Ayla. I knew it would happen soon. I was just hoping it wasn't today. It was going great till Aidan had to open his mouth. I walked out of the conference room and stopped to pull out my phone, so I could call Ayla. When I saw that she had replied to my first message before this mess.

Ayla: Okay I will go in a second just finishing up giving Carlos the notes I took. Would you like me to grab you something to eat?

I don't know what to do or say to Ayla if I go try talking to her. I'll try messaging her first.

Keiran: Ayla can we please talk about what just happened. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I'll explain everything if you let me. Please Ayla.

I sent the message and stood in another empty conference room waiting for her reply. I'm going crazy. My heart is pounding so fast that I can hear it in my head. I feel my hands getting clammy, my stomach aching, and sweat dripping down my forehead. I am breathing a bit harder than before. The anticipation is getting to me but I guess I have to try and wait patiently. That's going to be difficult.