Complicated

Episode 9

Episode 9

Her confused memories

The mid- morning sun shone on Jayden’s face, drawing him out of the deepest slumber he’d experienced in years.

Stretching his arms, he yawned and sat up in bed digging his knuckles into his eyes.

The room was bright and the fragrance of the cool breeze was chilly as it brushed his skin.

His eyes went to the wall clock just then and he audibly gasped in disbelief, “9:45?Oh jeez, I really did mess up my timing.”He leapt out of the bed with a jolt, his curly pink hair flying and rushed into the bathroom to brush his teeth and take a hot bath.

He returned to the room feeling absolutely refreshed, and then ambled to the closet and took out a well-ironed shirt, a brief and a black slack pants which he hurriedly wore.

A faint smile appeared on his face as he stared at his reflection in the mirror.

Handsome and lean, he looked perfect, just too perfect with his defined cheek bones, concrete jaw and bristly eyebrows. He was dishy, almost like a demigod.

In the corner of the room, right beside the book shelves, stood a large shoe rack with thousand of shoes. He carefully pulled out a black boot and proceeded to put in on when his phone suddenly began to ring.

“Aargh!”His expression changed and he let out a groan of frustration. “Who’s this?” Without checking the caller ID, he reluctantly received it and put the call on speakerphone.

“Yeah, who am I speaking to?”He asked somewhat rudely as he tied up his shoelace.

“It’s me, Atarah.”A feminine voice rang out through and he paused and lifted his brow as he stared down at his phone.

“Erm……I called to let you know that I’ll…erm……resume to work in the afternoon,” Atarah was nervous and stuttered slightly, “I have a morning lecture to attend.”She explained in a tiny voice.

“Oh,” was the only word Jayden could utter as he had not expected her call. He was tongue tied, at a loss on how to respond.

“Is it okay by you, sir?” Atarah politely asked and he scoffed at her question.

“Just do whatever you want.” He grunted out his words and ended the phone call before she could say anything else

‘It is not like I need her anyway, I only employed her out of guilt.’

With that, he picked up his phone and car key and briskly walked out of the room and down the staircase into the sitting room where his family sat around the dining table eating breakfast.

“You are awake, son.” Mary face lit up with a smile at seeing him.

“Isn’t it obvious.” He muttered under his breathe and she gave him a questioning look. “What?”

“Nothing.”He chuckled dryly as he leaned forward to kiss her cheek lightly. “Morning mum! Morning dad.” He greeted his dad who just nodded, his mouth was stuffed with food and he chewed slowly and thoroughly, not talking.

“How was your night, little bro?” Greg replied in his stead and Jayden looked at him.

He was still in his pyjamas and his eyes were swollen as a result of lack of sleep.

“Aren’t you going to work today?”His curiosity prompted him to ask.

“Nah,” Greg shook his head slightly, “I want to take the day off to spend time with my ……fiancée.”He laid emphasis on the last word with a roll of his eyes and his father passed him a stern glare which he completely ignored. “What about you,”He continued, “Are you going for a modelling shoot?” He asked seeing the way he was dressed.

“No, I’m going to the hospital.”Jayden corrected. “I’ve an appointment with a lot of patients.” He said this rather proudly and they all paused, his parents and brother and stared at him.

“Leukaemia patients?” His dad spoke for the first time and he nodded his head in response.

“Then you will be needing an assistant.”Trent retorted, a touch of pride was in his voice.

“I already got one.” Jayden gave him an assuring smile but he looked away and stared back down at his food. “I hope it’s not one of those b**ches you do hang around with.” He mumbled this words so Jayden wouldn’t hear but unfortunately he did.

He gave his father a rather speculative look before finally breaking into a slow smirk. “I need to get going guys.” He simply said and started toward the entrance.

“And lest I forget,”His father’s voice stopped him and he slowly turned around, “I’d love it if you can be friends with a colleague daughter.”

“Who is she?”Jayden was curious to know.

“Mr Smith only child and daughter.”Trent replied very quickly, “You should know him, he owns the modelling agency you’re in partner with.”

“Smith?” Jayden c****d an inquisitive eyebrow at him and he let out a big sigh. “Don’t worry, I’ll introduce you to her at your brother’s engagement party.”He said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Greg glanced up sharply at his father and regarded him thoughtfully for a few moments before he continued eating.

“I just hope she is pretty.” Was what Jayden said as he strode out of the house and outside to the garage.

“Won’t you at least eat breakfast before leaving.” Mary called out to him, her voice sounding so distant but he didn’t respond.

He climbed into his car, jammed his boot down on the accelerator and sped off to the hospital—Hobsons hospital.

~~~~~~~~Washington State University~~~~~~~~~~

The afternoon was half gone, and Atarah had just finished her only lecture for the day.

She packed up her canvas painting and, as per the university policy kept it on the front desk before leaving the studio room.

A quiet contentment spread through her right at that moment and her heart dared to hope. ‘One day I’ll be a famous painter.”She smiled to herself demurely as she passed through a large hallway and got outside to the parking lot where she found Hilary leaning against a random car and staring down at her phone.

“Hi Hilly.”She greeted her cheerfully as she always did.

Hilary looked up from her phone and frowned at her. “Where in the world have you been, Tarah? I’ve been trying to reach you since morning but to no avail, I had even thought that you weren’t in school.”She pulled a funny face and Atarah gave a little chuckle.

“I’m sorry about that,”She apologised. “Calls aren’t allowed in the studio and I had to switch off my phone.”She explained and this made Hilary confused.

“Studio?”She questioned.

Atarah nodded her head and said proudly, “I now major in fine art.”

“And you didn’t think it’s important to tell me?”Hilary gaped at her in disbelief, “Tell me, what am I to you, are we even friends?” She was deeply offended.

“Of course we are,” Atarah replied sharply, “You are my first friend here and my best friend so far.”

Hilary rolled her eyes but smiled inwardly at her words.

“That’s alright.”She brushed it aside with a wave of her hand, “Come, let’s go grab some lunch at the cafeteria, or aren’t you hungry?”

Atarah glanced down at her wristwatch and saw she was almost running late. “No thanks.” She politely declined, “I have to be at work before 4pm.”

“You now work?” Hilary looked at her in surprise and she nodded with a shy smile. “Jayden Hobsons employed me to be his personal assistant.”

To her upmost surprise, Hilary let out a loud high pitched squeal that almost deafened her.

“Perhaps he is the prince charming who you came searching for.” Her tone was happy and upbeat as she joked.

Embarrassed, Atarah looked around her and noticed the few students that had gathered just to stare at them. ‘Oh right! They must be thinking that we are crazy, all thanks to this crazy girl’

“Let’s go.” She snorted and started down the path leading to the bus station.

“So, tell me,”Hilary followed behind her like a puppy, “How did you meet your Prince Charming?”She asked and Atarah felt like slapping her hard in the face.

“He is not my Prince charming.” She emitted a scoff of disgust.

“I’m talking about the real one.” Hilary wasn’t ready to give up just yet.

Atarah paused for a moment to look at her and then continued walking. “My mum used to work as a maid in his parent house……”She began and Hilary kept her ears open, listening attentively. “I was this sick girl with a 50 percent chance of survival. My mum was poor and my dad long dead and this made it even more complicated, my chances of surviving reduced drastically to 25 percent.

I would always sit in the beautiful garden admiring nature, praying and crying to God for a second life and it is in one of those lonely days that I met him, in the same garden crying his eyes out after an argument with his mum.

I remember approaching him, trying to find out what was wrong with him. He ignored me at first, but later calmed down and told me everything about how his dad had abandoned him and his mother.

We became friends in no time-the young master of the house and the maid’s daughter and I found myself telling him everything about my illness. But do you know the funniest thing?”She looked at Hilary who now had a teary eyes, “I never knew his name. He was the young master to me, a pretty boy with a red birth mark who I nicknamed Gwapo.”

“Gwapo?” Hilary voice was barely a whisper.

“Yes,” Atarah nodded her head slowly, “It means handsome in the Philippines language. “And yes he was truly handsome with his long curly blonde hair and rare smile.” She said this with a dreamy look in her eyes.

“Wow!” Hilary exclaimed breathlessly, “Now I understand why you have a huge crush on him, he is Indeed a charming prince.”She drawled jokingly and Atarah laughed

“He became my charming prince the moment he held my hand as I laid helplessly on that sick hospital bed and assured me that I will live.”She didn’t know why she said this out but that was the truth.

Something special happened to her right in that ward room, a miracle she couldn’t understand. How did she survive the illness? She was still confused about everything, the doctors had already given up on her right? Why in heavens name did she regain consciousness on a plane?The never ending questions began to stroll her mind once again and she closed her eyes as she vaguely remember his beautiful smile and his—-black hair.

Oh God! Why do I keep seeing him as a boy with black hair?She gnawed on her lower lips as she shuddered.

“Are you alright?” Hilary’s voice brought her out of her reverie.

“Yes,” She quickly composed herself and smiled, “I’m very much alright.”

Hilary nodded her head slowly, a lot of thoughts was running through her mind.

She almost died,but survived? Interesting! What kind of illness? She wanted to ask, but the sudden sound of a car horn honking stopped her.

“Get out the way, bimbo.”A feminine voice echoed out from the passenger seat and Hilary clenched her fist in annoyance. “That crazy b**ch, Nancy.”

Nancy? Atarah was curious. She moved her head sideways and her gaze caught the driver’s as he drove past them. “So cute.” She blurted out, then gasped as she realised what she’d done.

“That is Greg Hobsons,” Hilary made no attempt to conceal her smirk, “Jayden’s older brother.”

“Really? Atarah eyes grew wide in surprise, “His older brother looks more responsible than him.”

“But Jayden is more handsome.”Hilary winked at her.

“Oh! I see,” She glanced down at her wristwatch and almost screamed at herself. “4:20pm! Oh no! I’ve got to go now, Hilly.”She bade Hilary goodbye and took a taxi to the hospital so she wouldn’t be too late.

~~~

Eventually, the taxi came to a screeching halt and Atarah alighted after paying.

She stood staring at the gigantic building, admiring its lawns and surroundings for a few minutes before summoning up the courage to walk in.

The hospital was so white and clean. In the corridors, there was a great bustle and activity. Doctors and nursing sisters in their white uniforms were moving up and down.

“Good evening ma.”Atarah approached one of the nurses and she slowed down her steps and stared at her.

“How can I help you miss?”

“I’m here to see Jayden Hobsons, please.” She politely said

“Dr Hobsons?” The nurse looked at her rather strangely and Atarah nodded her head vigorously. “Yes, Dr Hobsons.”

“Well,” The nurse let out deep sigh and pointed to a hallway, “Go straight ahead, the last room by the right.”She directed and Atarah bowed her head slightly in appreciation.

With slow graceful steps, she walked down the hallway, only to be stopped by a lady in a black suit coming in her direction.

“You should wait in the reception, young lady.” The lady told her.

“I’m here to see Dr Hobsons.” Atarah stated her reason and the lady looked her up and down. “Do you have an appointment with him?”She asked cockily and Atarah felt like squeezing her mouth.

“Just tell him Atarah is here to see him.”

The lady scoffed. “Do you think this is a charity home or a…………”

“Let her in, Anna.” A deep voice intervened, cutting her off and only then did Atarah notice the slightly open door beside her.

“You can go in.” The lady snorted indignantly but Atarah gave no response.

She simply pushed the door open and walked in to see Jayden sitting behind a low desk, with lot of files and books scattered before him.

“Good…Good evening,”She stuttered nervously, overwhelmed by the compelling aura around without understanding it.

“You are late.” Jayden gaze was intense as he looked up at her.

“I’m sorry.”She felt increasingly uncomfortable under his steady gaze, “I got out of class late.”

Jayden just stared on at her, wondering why she chose to wear a jean and polo on her first day to work. ‘Did she see me as a joke?’ He ran a hand through his hair and sighed heavily. “Just sort out the files over there.” He pointed to a second desk and Atarah immediate rushed to it.

Without wasting time, she dropped her handbag on the chair beside her and began arranging the files when a picture frame sitting on the desk caught her eyes.

She picked it up and stared at it.

It was the picture of a little boy and an elderly woman who looked so happy as they stared out into the sea. The little boy had black curly hair and an ocean blue eyes—-Wait a minute! The realisation hit her that moment, He is Jayden Hobsons, but why…why…why……she couldn’t understand the emotions surging inside her as she stared at his image, it was so strong that it made her a bit scared. ‘What the hell is wrong with me?’

Her gaze shifted to the woman and she wrinkled her brow inquisitively. “Is this your mother?” The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them.

Jayden slowly shifted his attention to her and his eyes widened when he saw the picture in her hands

“No, that is my nanny.”He managed to stifle his anger as he spoke. “So can you please put it down now.”He frowned disapprovingly at her but Atarah didn’t notice that.

She placed the picture frame back on the desk surface and resumed sorting out the files.

“You know, I think your natural hair suits you better.” She said after a few second and Jayden couldn’t help smiling seeing the serious expression on her pretty face.

“And also, you look so cute and happy in the picture.” She complimented.

Happy? He looked away from her and stared into the distance, Hell no! That was the day his dad had told him that she died and that his effort was all in vain, the exact day he vowed to discover a drug cure for the illness that had killed her………