CHAPTER 2: FATE
1393 Words
(Ayla’s POV)
I felt my senses slowly returning as my fingers twitched lightly.
The first thing I was conscious of was the pungent sterile smell and a distant beeping sound.
Hospital.
At first, everything was fuzzy, but I eventually gathered my head and looked around only to be staring into the most remarkable pair of eyes I'd ever seen.
Golden amber, dotted with specks of gold. They flashed like sunlight caught in golden honey.
They belonged to the man sitting beside my bed.
“Hey,” he said, his voice deep and rich, with a unique accent I couldn’t place. “You’re awake.”
I blinked. “Who… who are you?”
He tilted his head. “You don’t remember?”
I shook my head slightly and instantly regretted it as a sharp ache throbbed at my temples.
Then suddenly the memories came rushing back.
The interview, Hailey, the accident.
My eyes darted to the clock behind him.
4:30 PM.
Oh my God!! No. No, no, no!
This couldn't be happening.
I tried to sit up but the sharp, searing pain in my ankle made me cry out, and I collapsed back onto the pillows.
“Careful,” he said, brow furrowed. “You sprained your ankle. You need to rest.”
“You don’t understand!” I snapped. “I had somewhere important to be!”
My eyes stung with tears of frustration and pain.
This job was supposed to be our salvation and now I had missed it.
“Please calm down. You need to—”
“Don't tell me to calm down,” I cut him off, my voice shaking.
“This was everything to me and I missed it because of some i***t who doesn’t know how to drive!”
“Excuse me?” His eyebrows shot up. “I wasn’t the one darting into traffic like a headless chicken.”
I glared at him. “I don't even know why I'm bothering to talk to an insensitive jerk like you.”
His jaw clenched. "Really? I brought you here, stayed in this uncomfortable chair for hours just to make sure you're alright? And this is the thanks I get?”
“Oh thank you so much for knocking me down.” I shot back sarcastically. “I should probably throw you a parade."
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” he demanded, standing up as I stood from the bed and limped toward the door.
“To try and fix what you ruined,” I said, grabbing my coat. "I just pray it's not too late." I whispered, biting back the flood of tears that was gathering.
Just as I reached for the handle, his hand shot out and landed over mine.
The moment our skin touched, something happened.
There was an electric pulse that ran through my body that felt so familiar.
We both froze.
His gaze fell on mine, wide and stunned.
I jerked my hand back, feeling breathless.
Without another word I turned, flung the door open, and limped into the hallway ignoring both his and the nurse’s protests.
I hailed a cab and rode down to Hillcrest hoping that some miracle would happen.
By the time I stumbled into the building it was already 5 o’clock.
The receptionist from earlier was gone replaced by a security guard who eyed me with suspicion.
“I’m here to see Mrs. Margaret Hart,” I said, trying to smooth down my hair. “I know I’m late, but—”
“Sorry, miss. It’s past working hours.”
My heart sank. “Please, you don’t understand. I had an interview today. I got the job. But I was in an accident—”
“You’ll have to come back tomorrow ma'am.”
I was about to beg when a familiar voice echoed behind me.
“Miss Marco?”
I turned. Mrs. Hart was just stepping around the corner, ready to leave.
“Mrs. Hart!” I rushed toward her, still limping. “I’m so sorry I didn’t show up. I was in an accident and—”
“Oh, dear..Are you all right?” She asked looking at my disheveled appearance.
“I’m okay,” I lied. “But please, tell me I haven’t lost the job—”
Margaret’s face fell. “Oh, Ayla. I’m so sorry. We had to make other arrangements. When we couldn’t reach you, we assumed you’d changed your mind and gave the position away.”
Her words hit like a blow. “No, please. You don’t understand. I need this job. My father is sick, and without the salary—”
“I truly am sorry,” she said gently. “I wish there was something I could do.”
The tears I had been fighting to hold back was flowing freely now.
This was all my fault. If I’d just been more careful...
“Miss Marco?” a voice called from behind.
I turned. It was one of the men from the earlier interview stepped forward, eyes widening as he saw me.
“Oh my God, what happened to you?”
“I was in a minor accident, but I’m okay now. Please. I really need this job. I’ll do anything. Please.”
He hesitated, then smiled. “The antique you explained earlier belongs to Mr. Ethan Drayes. He’d love to meet you in person.”
He reached into his suit and handed me an elegant invitation.
“We’re hosting a special exhibition tonight at the gala. If you can make it and impress Mr. Drayes, you might still have a shot.”
I took the invitation with trembling hands.
“Yes—of course! I’ll definitely be there. Thank you so much!” I squealed.
“I’ll see you at the gala,” He said before driving off.
---
I burst through the door of my tiny apartment still clutching the invitation like a lifeline.
I found Hailey pacing, her phone to her ear.
“—been calling her for hours, Mom. I’m about to report—” She turned and froze. “Oh my God, Ayla! What happened?!”
I collapsed onto the couch, suddenly exhausted. The adrenaline was gone, leaving me hollow and shaking.
“I got hit by a car,” I said simply.
“You WHAT?” Hailey dropped the phone and rushed over. “Are you okay?! Why didn’t you call me?!”
“I’m fine. Sprained ankle. Mild concussion.” I held up the invitation. “But I might still have a chance at the Hillcrest job.”
Hailey sat beside me, stunned. “Tell me exactly what happened? Don’t leave anything out.”
So I did and told her everything that happened.
When I finished, she blinked. “Let me get this straight, you got a job offer, missed it because of an accident, and now have less than two hours to get ready for a gala?”
I winced. “Basically.”
“What are we waiting for?! We have a gala to prepare!” she squealed.
“I don’t have anything to wear,” I protested.
“Lucky for you, your best friend is a fashion student with a closet full of magic.”
She grabbed my arm. “Come on, Cinderella. Time to get you ready for the ball.”
The next few hours flew by.
Hailey worked her magic.
She applied concealer over the bruises and gave me an elegant updo.
She then selected a midnight-blue gown that brought out my eyes.
It fit perfectly, hiding my bandaged ankle.
“I can’t wear this. It probably costs more than my rent.”
“It’s a loan,” Hailey said, applying my lipstick. “And you can’t put a price on your dreams.”
I turned to her, teary-eyed. “Thank you Hailey. What would I have done without you.”
“Absolutely nothing.” She teased. "Come on let's get you going."
I nodded as we both stepped out.
"Don't come home without bagging that job." She said as I stepped into the cab and waved before driving off for the party.
As I watched the golden city blur around me, one thought continually stuck to my mind.
That man at the hospital.
Who was he?
And why did he feel so damn familiar?
- Writer
