Complicated

Episode 12

Episode 12

Where it all began

Not edited; expect mistakes

It was half past six in the evening and the mansion was now quiet. Everyone had left for the engagement venue, except Jayden who was still in his room, dressing up.

He stood there in front of the mirror and observed his reflection with a smile plastered across his face.

Everything about him was perfect, from the glass polish of his black shoes to the knife-like crease in his thousand-dollar suit. He was the perfect definition of handsome.

Satisfied with his looks, he picked up his phone along with his car key and dashed out of his room, down the stairs and outside to the garage.

He climbed into his car unhurriedly, stepped on the gas, and slowly drove out through the gate and along the busy highway, heading to his family hotel.

~~~~~

By the time he arrived, the whole place was already congested and he had to drive to the bottommost floor to park his car. He briskly alighted and walked through the lobby into the large hall and was amazed to see how grand the party was.

A sweat melody was drifting through the busy atmosphere, and it seemed to be coming from the ballroom. A collection of violists, harp players and pianists were placed at the far end of the hall, and Jayden could identify the smells of lavender incense which had been placed at various intervals around the hall earlier that day.

He frantically weaved his way through the crowds of champagne-baring waiters and stopped at a corner just to look around.

Every seat in the hall was occupied by dignitaries and the country's most important persons. Jeez!’ He shook his head slightly, genuinely surprised, ‘Did dad have to go this far just for a party?’

When he moved his head sideways, he caught sight of Greg at the front table. He was sitting beside Nancy and was laughing and chatting with a man in a grey suit.

‘Finally!’ Jayden let out a long, heavy sigh and started towards him.

“Jayden,” Hearing his father’s voice made him stop walking and he slowly turned around, Trent was sitting at a table close to the window, and an elderly man with a much younger woman was with him.

‘Is she the Hilary?’ He raised his eyebrow in silent wonder as he walked over to them. “Hi, dad.”He greeted his father solely and Trent frowned, clearly annoyed.

“You are late,” He queried and Jayden mumbled an apology, not exactly meaning it. ‘It is not like I am needed here, anyway!’

“That's alright,” Trent brushed his apology aside with a light chuckle and shifted his attention back to the elderly man. “This is my second son, Jayden.” He said proudly and the elderly man nodded his head, smiling

“Hi Jayden, It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Mr Smith, the CEO of the modelling agency that you're in partnership with.”He introduced himself and Jayden just stared at him in surprise as he went on

“.....And this is my only child and daughter, Hilary.”

“Oh!”Jayden slowly shifted his gaze to Hilary and saw she was staring at him.

“Hi,” He greeted awkwardly and Hilary smiled warmly at him.

She could see through her fake lashes that his dark suit was inappropriate for the casual atmosphere, but she had to admit that he looked so dashing.

“Hi, Jayden,” She wanted to give him a handshake, but then she noticed Nancy glaring at her from across the hall. ‘That pathetic b**ch.’ Without thinking twice, she rose to her feet and caught Jayden off-guard when she pulled him into a tight hug.

He froze. “What the hell are you doing?”He whispered through teeth that did not move. “I'm your boyfriend's friend, you know that right?”

“Sure, just trying to annoy some crazy b**ch,” Hilary replied casually, her intense gaze still fixed on Nancy.” She then disengaged from his arm and whispered to him, “Just tell my dad that you didn't find me attractive,” With that, she walked past him and headed to the restroom.

Her father and Trent exchanged puzzled glances.

“What’s going on, Jay?” Trent demanded, he was curious to know.

“Both of us can't work, dad.” Was Jayden’s simple response as he sat down opposite her father, Mr smith.

“But why?”Mr smith was almost speechless with anger, “Don’t you like her, or isn't she beautiful enough?” He asked foolishly and Jayden scoffed at his question.

“Of course, she is,” He replied and that was the truth. Hilary was stunning, in her deep wine-coloured, sleeveless dress that was very simple, yet flattered every aspect of her curves. “I just don't want to give her false hopes,” Jayden went on, “I am in love with someone else.” He lied and Trent choked on his drink, spilling it on his suit.

“Who, who.....is she?” He stuttered slightly and Jayden racked his brain, searching for a good response.

“She is... erm... She is not someone you know. I met her last week at a......”He suddenly stopped talking when he noticed the tall clean shaven man approaching them.

“Dr Aidan!”He muttered in surprise, “Who invited him here?”

“I did,” Trent replied somewhat nonchalantly and Jayden looked at him in disbelief, “I want to make your achievement known to the whole world.” He said this with a dreamy look in his eyes

“But you know I hate fame, dad.” Jayden couldn't understand his father's deal, “I hate the crowd, I didn't do what I did for the compliments. Arrgh!”He groaned with frustration and scrambled to his feet. “You won’t tell me what to do, I own my life.”He voiced out his mind before storming out of the hall.

“I’m your father and I have every right to do so,” Trent called out after him stubbornly. “The press conference must hold.” He screamed, drawing attention to himself but he was least bothered about that. His son must take the credit for his accomplishment and that is that.

Jayden got outside the hotel and cried out his pain and frustration. “I hate you, dad.”He kicked the door hard like a temperamental teenager and began to walk to his car when he noticed a familiar figure watching him.

“Nanny,” He muttered, not entirely sure of himself and the woman, seeing his confused look gave him a weak smile before walking away in the opposite direction.

For a long moment, Jayden stood transfixed on the same spot, his legs refusing to move.

It has been twelve years, good twelve years since he had last seen her. Could she be the one? He was still doubting it. Vague memories of her sitting beside him in the hospital flooded his mind and this made him even more confused.

He finally regained his composure and dejectedly walked to his car, his mind and head were completely messed up.

When he climbed into the driver seat, he started the engine and sped off to the only place he could think of----Atarah’s home.

~~~~~~~~

Nancy couldn't concentrate on the conversation between her fiance and cousin any longer, she was wildly boiling with anger and jealousy.

‘How dare that b**ch, Hilary.’ Unable to control her emotions, she leaned in and whispered to Greg, “I need to use the restroom.”

Greg just nodded his head without sparing her as much as a glance, he didn't care about her one bit. She could sleep and die there, for all he cares. He was only interested in the opportunities that came with the engagement and this he was going to enjoy to the fullest

Nancy rose unsteadily to her feet, and with her blue floral gown trailing behind her proceeded to the restroom and bumped into Hilary right at its entrance.

She smiled her wicked smile, Just the exact person she had wanted to see. “You b*tch!” Her first impulse was to slap her, but Hilary caught her hand in mid-air and flung it away roughly. “Don’t you dare?”She glared warningly and Nancy glared back at her icily.

“How dare you try to hug my best friend.”She half shouted, “Do you want to steal him just like you stole my prom crown in high school?”

Hilary scoffed at her question, it sounded so stupid to her. “You should be ashamed of yourself, Nancy. Fighting over a fella that will never belong to you, a guy that will always see you as a best friend.”

Nancy snorted and swallowed hard, not knowing how to respond. Hilary got her right there!

“And just so you know,” Hilary went on, “Jayden isn't interested in me but in someone else.”She only said this to upset Nancy and was glad when she saw a cloud of confusion in her eyes.

“Jayden has a what?”Nancy didn't want to believe that she heard right, “No, No, No.”She shook her head vigorously in disbelief, “That.....that is not possible, you must be joking.”

“Then you can ask him yourself,” A smile of satisfaction lit up Hilary’s face as she returned to the party hall.

And as for Nancy, she stood there on the exact point, completely gobsmacked without knowing what to think or do.

~~~~~~~~~~

It was exactly 7:30, banged on the dot when Jayden pulled up in front of the farmhouse. He briskly alighted from the car and hesitated for a moment before walking up to the front door.

‘Jeez! Why am I even here?’ He ran his hand through his disorderly hair, totally confused. ‘What excuse am I going to give her?’ But before he could knock, the door flew open to reveal a shapely woman with tanned skin, and he could tell from the stricken resemblance that she was Atarah’s mum.

“Good evening ma,” He put on his best smile and adjusted his suit, trying to compose himself.

With just one look at him, Atarah’s mum already knew who he was. ‘Jayden Hobsons!’ She panicked silently, ‘What the hell is he doing here?’ Her heart began to pound in fear and she had to lean against the door to stop herself from falling. “Good....good evening child, how are you?” She spoke with a pronounced stutter.

“I’m fine, thank you ma,” Jayden replied, politely. All this while, he was maintaining his perfect smile. “Is your daughter......”He trailed off mid-sentence when he saw her blank stare and chuckled nervously. “Pardon my manners ma, I should have introduced myself first. My name is Jayden..........”

“I know who you are,” Atarah’s mum cut in abruptly, “and I also know your mum.” These particular words were out of her mouth before she could stop them.

Holy jeez! She felt so stupid and wanted to slap herself so hard, ‘What the hell have I done?’

Jayden regarded her thoughtfully for a full minute and then asked. “Mary?” He wanted to be sure that she wasn't mistaken.

“Mary?” She paused for a moment, and her face grew pale as the face of a corpse. “Your mum’s name is Mary?” She gave him a questioning, frightened look.

“Yes,” Jayden nodded his head slowly, wondering why she was acting so strange.

To his relief, his eyes lighted on Atarah at the doorway. She was standing behind her mother and from her messy hair, he could tell she had just woken up from a nap.

“Dr Jayden,” She called out in surprise at seeing him. “Why are you here by this time of the day?” Her face was neither cheerful nor gloomy as she stared at him.

“To see you, miss,” Jayden replied, almost curtly and she turned to her mother, her eyes asking for permission.

Closing her eyes for a few precious moments, her mother breathe deeply and let her breathe out in a long, relaxing sigh. “You can go ahead,” she whispered and that was all Atarah needed to hear.

She took Jayden’s arm and led him out to the side where his car was parked.

“My house is an off-limit to you.” She let go of his hand then.

Jayden sighed deeply, his whole chest heaving, and was silent for a while. “I’m sorry,” He finally spoke and Atarah looked at him, genuinely surprised. He had just apologized to her again!

“I just needed someone to talk to.”

“Don't you have any friends?” She softly asked.

“It's you I want to talk to,” Jayden’s whisper was almost too quiet for her to hear, “ I feel comfortable whenever you are around me, it’s like I have known you for a very long time,” He didn’t know what came over him to act this way, he didn't even understand what he was saying, but he felt relieved and light-hearted all the same.

“Oh!” Atarah turned her face away so he wouldn't see the blush that was rising to her cheeks. “I’ll be your close friend then.”She said shyly.

“Really?” Jayden's face lit up with a broad smile and then the smile turned to a mischievous one. “What about as a boyfriend?” He asked in a joking tone and Atarah turned her eyes to him.

“I already have someone I like.”She said this rather too quickly, “A childhood friend.”

“Same with me,” Jayden said, self-effacingly in a low mutter and Atarah felt her heart sink within her. ‘What in heaven's name is wrong with me?’ She was scared of accepting the truth.