The Distance Between Us

Chapter Six

Keiran's POV

As Ayla went to the restroom. I took a deep breath and leaned back. I haven't had a moment to gather my thoughts since I turned that corner and saw her standing there; 5'6 curvy body, lightly tanned skin, honey hazel rounded almond eyes, with her long dark eyelashes, Her defined sculpted eyebrows, that she always took her time to shape them properly, plump hearted shape lips with her bottom lip bigger then her top, her cute small button nose, her fine cheekbones that they would not pop out so much until she smiled, oh and her beautiful long dark black hair that shined so beautiful in the moonlight, I'm glad to see she hasn't changed the color of her natural hair. It brings out the color of her eyes.

Ayla Sanchez, my middle school sweetheart, my light in the dark, my moonlight. She has gotten even more beautiful with age. Nine years has done her more beautifully. She looked like a goddess. I was so enchanted by her that I stood in front of her like a statue. I couldn't move or speak. It seemed she had the same reaction as me but she looked more confused than excited. As I was eyeing her I had fallen upon her hand holding up a tablet and papers. There it was, a gold ring wrapping her marriage finger. As I recall seeing it, I had clenched my fist. I wanted to punch something or someone but I soon released it because I couldn't act that way, she wasn't mine anymore. So from there I decided to not address her. I did not want to cause her problems. She seemed like she didn't recognize me because maybe I too had changed a bit over the years. So I intend to keep it that way until she finds out on her own which will be soon, in the meetings they often at times call me by my first name, so she will probably find out today. I don't intend to interfere in her life since I left without an explanation and I didn't bother to come into contact with her after all these years. I was just wanting to build a good life. I would have come back for her but I got so invested in my company that I lost myself in it. By the time I moved my company here to Seattle, I just figured after so many years Ayla had moved on, which now I see she has.

Deep in my heart I was hopeful that she would wait for me but that was wishful thinking. She may not be married yet but she did say she recently got proposed to. Whoever the guy is, he better know he is one lucky man. Ayla is one in a million. Would it be wrong for me just to admit everything to Ayla so she knows. No I won't, I told myself already I will not interfere. I can't help it though. Technically Ayla is not married yet, she isn't tied to the guy.... yet. I have to try. Right? I made up the lie of my terms and conditions of being my assistant. I never had my other assistant do the things I asked Ayla to do. I just want to try to get close to her again but without pushing myself on her. I do not want to lose my chance of trying to rekindle what we had.

My mind is going in circles. Thoughts after thoughts. Fighting back and forth with myself. I know I keep saying I won't interfere but I keep getting a feeling that I need to. I am just going to go with my plan. To slowly get close to her again and I will try to do everything for her to give me another chance. I just hope she doesn't get married anytime soon. As I wait for Ayla to get out of the bathroom, I start going over the papers I need to revise and sign. I'm trying to get my mindset in order. Ayla's cute flushed face, she had a minute ago, suddenly flashed in my mind. Just like back then when she would get embarrassed or that one time I was tickling her relentlessly in my bed. That day I almost lost control when a moan escaped her lips as I was tickling her neck with my nose. I shook my head to get that memory out of my mind.

Man I need to get a drink of water, I get up and go towards the mini fridge. I pulled out two water bottles. I opened one and chugged it fast, it helped a bit. I went and threw away the empty bottle and sat back down at my desk. I set the second water bottle down for Ayla, for when she returns. Right when I started to revise the papers again I heard the bathroom door shut. I kept my head down looking at the papers but I was side glancing at Ayla as she walked towards her seat. As she sat down I lifted my head and looked at her. She was looking right at me, it made me nervous. "Ayl... Ms. Sanchez, I got you a water bottle in case you are thirsty." I pointed at the water bottle with my pen. She reached for it but didn't drink from it, "Oh, thank you sir. So Mr. Martinez I was looking over the documents for the meeting and I was wondering, what do I need to write down specifically on each key point?"

So she just wants to get straight to the point for this meeting. I guess I'm going to have to try a little harder to get her attention. Ms. Ayla Sanchez is still as stubborn as she was back then. That's okay I do like a challenge and for her I would go to great lengths. I raised myself up in my chair and said, "You will need to write down the efficiency, revenue, percentages other companies want us to have, benefits they offer to the company, and what they want in return from us." I watched her put all of this in her tablet. This is my chance to try to change things around. "Also before we go into the conference room, you will sit next to me just in case I need you to write something down. I'm not one of those CEOs that make their assistant stand the whole meeting." I leaned towards her with a half smile. I saw her flinch and her cheeks started going red. So I do have some kind of affect on her. "With that being said, Do you have any more questions for me?" I stayed in the same position I was in, staring at her. She suddenly looked down at the floor. She looked so damn cute doing it. "Will the other CEOs ask me any questions and do I need to answer them when they address me?"

I stood up from my chair and walked around to where she was sitting. I stood right next to her and leaned against my desk. I then leaned my head down to her level and I purposely put my face close to hers. She looked up and we both were looking at each other intensely. I saw she was turning beet red. I set my hand on her hand slowly to not startle her, then in a low tone I said, "No you will not have to address anyone besides me. If they ask you something, I will address them for you because they shouldn't be asking you questions. You are my assistant and only mine."As I finished the last statement I squeezed her hand a bit then I released it.

She had a loose strand of hair on her face. So I grabbed it in between my fingers and pushed it behind her ear. Her eyes had widened in shock. I stood up straight and patted her shoulder. I started heading to the door. I looked over my shoulder towards her and she was still sitting there stunned by my actions. "Well Ms. Sanchez let's get going. We have a meeting to go to." I walked out of my office with a grin on my face.