The Distance Between Us

Chapter Eleven

Keiran's Pov

After walking out of Ayla's office and slamming the door shut. I leaned my head up against her door. I wanted to go back in and just grab her and pour everything I wanted to say to her. "You still can. Go in and get your woman." I grabbed the doorknob about to open the door. No I can't she is not mine anymore she is Seth's. I hated hearing her call him babe and telling him that she loves him. She didn't even give me a chance to explain. I hate that I admitted to her that I still loved her. I should have kept that to myself but I couldn't the words just came out of my mouth. Why did I have to act like a tempered child walking away and slamming the door? What is wrong with me? I removed myself from her door and headed to my office.

Once I walked in, I went straight to my personal room I had in my office. I had a personal room for the days I work late and felt too tired to drive home, I would just stay here on long nights. Once I walked in I went to the bed and threw myself on top. What am I going to do? Do I just keep trying to show her I'm interested or do I let it go and just act like her boss? I can't let her go, I have to try, I just need to come at her at a different approach. Maybe try to be her friend again like when we were kids? That's what I'll do I'll be a friend to her, that's if she will even let me. I have to at least find a way to explain why I suddenly left. It wasn't my choice, it was my money driven parents choice. I hate myself for not contacting her and becoming a workaholic. All this that I built is supposed to be hers and mine. I built it for us. I reached for the phone in my pocket as I heard it ping. I unlocked the screen and saw I had a message from Ayla.

Ayla: Sorry for being too blunt but I had to get my point across. I didn't mean to come off as rude. So I apologize for my behavior. I hope we can put this behind us and be able to work with each other as a boss and assistant.

Keiran: No need to apologize. I understand where you are coming from. I should be the one apologizing to you. I'm sorry for everything Ayla. Let bygones be bygones. Friends?

I know I am kind of reaching for the sky here asking her if we can be friends but what's the worst thing she can say besides no. I was staring at my phone waiting for her reply, growing anxious. She replied back!

Ayla: Everything is forgiven then. Water under the bridge. As for being friends, I think we should just let it flow naturally with time. Never know if I get tired of you as a boss and quit on you haha.

I had this smile creep on my face as I read her text. She technically didn't say no or yes. She said with time and her joke at the end of getting tired of me had me smiling even wider.

Keiran: Fair enough. I'm hoping that's not the case it's hard to find good assistants nowadays. See you after lunch.

I didn't write much because I do not want to cut more into her lunch like I just did a few minutes ago. Ayla had not replied back to my message. So I laid in the bed staring up at the ceiling thinking of Ayla and I when we were younger. We had our whole life planned for us and everything came crumbling down when I had to leave. I was getting tired. This day has been a lot to take in. I felt my eyes getting heavy, I suddenly fell asleep.

Ayla's Pov

I was sitting in my chair staring at my phone debating on whether I should message Keiran back or just leave it. He really didn't write much, maybe he is busy getting lunch or business papers. I'll wait a few minutes. I sat up and went to the small fridge in my office and grabbed my lunch. I sat down again at my desk to eat and go over the next meetings paperwork that will be needed after our lunch break.

I suddenly heard a knock on my door. Who could it be? Was it Keiran again? I suddenly started cleaning myself up. Why am I caring how Keiran sees me? I shouldn't care but I find myself battling myself to impress him. What am I trying to gain here. I basically told him to f**k off and now I'm over here trying to look good to him. I seriously have problems. "Come in." I finally said to whoever was knocking. The door opened and I saw it was Aspen. I felt this sadness come over me, I was kind of hoping it was Keiran. Aspen approached my desk and sat down in one of the chairs across from me. She had this smile on her face. "Hey Ms. Sanchez. How's it going so far? Anything interesting happened after you left my desk with you know who?"

Oh my gosh did she see what happened between us before we went in the conference room? "I don't know what you're talking about but the meeting went well, too long for my liking." I was trying not to act all suspicious about the underlying question she asked. I think she's just trying to fish something out of me. Aspen was still staring at me with a big smile on her face like she knew something.

"Oh come on Ayla give me something. After I saw Mr. Martinez licked his lips when you approached us, he was checking you out when he had you go in front of him. I would say Mr. Martinez is interested in you. Did he say anything to you?" What Keiran was checking me out? Is that why he had me go first? "No Aspen, he didn't say anything to me. He is my boss and I am his assistant. That would be very inappropriate." He did say and do something to me but she does not need to know that or the fact that Keiran and I had a history. No one needs to know we used to be a couple years ago.

"Oh boo. That's no fun. I have never seen Mr. Martinez showed any interest in no one ever like he did today with you. I have never seen him check out a woman here in the company. Matter of fact I have never seen him in a relationship with anyone. I have been his secretary for 5 years since then I have never seen or heard of him dating anyone." What? This information Aspen is telling me is a surprise. She has never heard of him being with anyone. Maybe he has though but with women outside of the company. That's why she hasn't heard or seen him be with anyone.

"Well no Aspen he didn't say anything to me even if he did. That would never happen. I am engaged to be married. See." I said to her holding up my hand so she can see my ring. "Oh! Who is the lucky guy? You are a beautiful girl Ayla of course you would be off the market." I put my hand down. "Thank you Aspen. His name is Seth Meyers." Aspen gave this concerned look once I mentioned Seth's name but she suddenly smiled but it was a fake smile. "That is wonderful sweetie. I hope he treats you well in your marriage. Well I better get going so I don't take more of your time." As Aspen stood up and started walking off she stopped and looked back at me with a smile,

"If you ever need to talk I am here Ayla. I know you don't know me well enough but I also don't really really trust anyone here but for some reason I don't get that aura from you. You seem like a really sweet girl. Be careful of the other girls in the company okay." As she said this she turned back around and headed out the door. What was that about?