The Distance Between Us

Chapter Ten

Ayla's Pov

Keiran? Keiran Martinez? I closed the door to my office and slowly walked over to the couch. I sat down and was staring down at the floor. Mr. McKinley just addressed Mr. Martinez by name and he said Keiran. So I have been right this whole time it really is Keiran but why did he act like he didn't know me? Why didn't he just say something in the first place? Did he not recognize me? No he must have known it was me, right? Especially with the way he has been staring at me, grabbing and touching me, and his wording on certain things he said to me, like they have some other meaning. The way I felt sparks and an electrical shock everywhere he touched, just like when we were younger anytime we kissed, held hands, or embraced each other. I heard my phone ping with a notification. I grabbed it from the table in front of me. My heart stopped when I saw who it was from.

Mr. Martinez: 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.

So Keiran knew it was me this whole time too. I suddenly felt this anger course through me. I am upset. Why did he act like he didn't know me especially after all these years? Why all of a sudden does he want to explain? Did I not matter to him after all those years we spent together? We were engaged! Should I hear him out? No I shouldn't because if he really wanted to explain he would have said something this morning, when we saw each other for the first time in 9 years! My head won't stop spinning from all these questions I keep asking myself. I brought my phone up again to write back. I was so angry I wasn't really thinking about what I should write, I just wrote it all down.

Ayla: There is nothing to talk about. We are simply coworkers. I am your assistant and you are my boss. Nothing more, so there is no need to explain anything. See you after lunch.

I pressed send without even rereading or rethinking my words. Right when I was about to call Seth. Keiran came barging into my office. He had a frustrated look but sadness in his eyes. He closed the door behind him and stood there staring at me. We both weren't saying a word just looking at each other. I suddenly felt uneasy so I broke the ice barrier in between us, "Yes Mr. Martinez, is there something you need?" He looked angry with me now and I don't know why he should be angry. It should only be me who is angry with him. "Ayla! Don't start acting like nothing just happened! We need to talk about this. Please just hear me out!" Keiran came towards me and I stepped away from the couch and went towards my desk.

I need to put something in between us before he gets too close to me. "Mr. Martinez, please there is nothing to talk about. I am here to do my job nothing more. You don't have to explain anything nor do I wish to know." He had followed me to my desk and just stood there staring at me. He tried to reach out for my hand but I pulled it away. "Ayla. Please. I was going to tell you this morning but." I quickly held my hand up signaling him to stop. I had interrupted him before he could finish what he was saying there is no point in hearing his excuses and I do not care. or do I care? "Keiran please just stop, just stop. I do not want to hear it. I am engaged and I am happy with Seth. I have moved on so there is no need for explanations. So let's just move on from this. We are work acquaintances." I am with someone new and it took me years to finally get over Keiran, and finally move on with Seth. But I would be lying to myself If I said I didn't care to hear what Keiran had to say and if I was telling the truth though I would say I never got over Keiran because of the way my heart beats when I look at him in his green eyes and the way his touch made me feel and still makes me feel, I'd say I still have feelings for him deeply.

I cannot though it's been years and I do love Seth, he has been healing my heart that he didn't break. I hate battling myself with my own thoughts it's so tiring. All day it's been a battle that I need to end. "Ayla I know that you have moved on and I am happy for you that is the reason why I didn't tell you it was me in the beginning. I saw the ring on your finger and I knew right away I couldn't tell you." Keiran interrupted me from my thoughts. I looked down at my ring and I felt this sadness in me that I was wearing it because I knew I wasn't ready to marry Seth just yet or if I really ever will be. Keiran spoke again because I was just quiet. I didn't know what to say. "Ayla are you actually happy with this guy named Seth? The sadness in your face is saying otherwise. If you are not happy tell me please, I want to try again with you. I never stopped loving you Ayla. If you give me a chance to explain what happened 9 years ago. You will see it was never my intention to leave." I looked up at him and I saw the sadness in his eyes also. Did he really mean it when he said he never stopped loving me? If it is true, it was never his intention to leave then why didn't he ever try to contact me these past 9 years. No I can't do that because if he really did love me he would have tried to reach out or get into contact with me. There is also the fact he pretended that he didn't know me.

I can't fall back in because I finally moved on and started to be happy again. I looked at him with no emotion on face, "Mr. Martinez, whatever your reason is like I said I do not wish to hear it. So please respect my wishes." as I said this, he was about to say something when my phone suddenly rang and the name on the screen was Seth. I put my finger up to silence Kieran. Keiran just stood there staring at me. I then answered the phone. "Hey babe. Yes I'm on lunch. I know sorry I didn't call you right away. I just got busy with...something." I said the last sentence while looking at Keiran. He was that something. He was looking at me with an eyebrow up. "Yes when I get off I'll let you know. Whatever you want, I'll cook it when I get home. Just let me know what I need to buy. Okay love you too bye." As I hung up the phone, Keiran stepped back a few steps away from me.

Keiran spoke in a nonchalant voice, "Ms. Sanchez I will take my leave. Bye." I watched as he turned around and started heading towards the door. The voice in my head was telling me, "Stop him, Ayla! Hear him out please!" I was about to tell him to stop but he walked out of my office and slammed the door. Him slamming the door startled me. Why is he so angry? I should be the one angry with how he didn't say anything in the beginning like I didn't matter and then him taking inappropriate advances at me. "You didn't stop him though. You know deep down you enjoyed it." The voice in my head butted in.

I sat down in my chair and rubbed my temples. My job is already getting to me and it's just the first day! I hope the rest of the day goes by fast. I'm ready to go home and get my thoughts in order. Sigh. I still need to talk to Seth about the marriage. I guess some doors should remain closed and some you have to open. Can today just be over already?