COMPLICATED – Episode 10

COMPLICATED

Written by Princess Juliet

Episode 10

Their connection.

It was nearing sunset. The sun had reach the other side of the hospital, and it’s slanting rays shone into the open window, lightning up Jayden’s office room with a warm orange hue.

Atarah was sitting there on the leather sofa and was completely idle as she watched him rummage through piles of files looking for what only god knows.

‘Doesn’t he get tired?’
She glanced at her wristwatch for the umpteenth time and let out a long weary sigh.‘Poor me! When will he get done with his business, or did he hire me just to watch him work? Tsk-Tsk……he is so impossible and……

“Are you done looking through the patients files?”Jayden’s deep voice interrupted her thoughts and she sat up straight, meeting his piercing gaze.

“Yes sir,” Her voice was so low he had to strain to catch it.

“And you’ve recorded it?” He wanted to be sure that she did it properly without any mistakes.

“Yes sir.”

“Alright.”He looked away from her and stared down at his laptop, silently skimming through some business messages.

“Dr Jayden,” Atarah called for his attention and he nodded his head slowly without looking at her.

“Erm…Sir,”She stuttered nervously, half afraid to speak, “erm…Do you still need me to do…erm…anything else? I mean it’s already getting late and I need to be on my way home.”

Like seriously! Jayden scoffed at her words. He glanced down at his wristwatch and smirked “This is barely 7:00pm, miss.”

“But my mum will be worried,” Atarah muttered sadly and this made Jayden bemused.

He glanced at her sharply and regarded her thoughtfully for a few moments, “You can go.”He finally said, and let out a long, slow breathe.

“Thank you so much sir,”Atarah sprang up to her feet like a robot, gave a short bow and began to walk toward the entrance.

“Wait,” Jayden’s voice stopped her and she slowly turned around. “I’ll drop you off at home.”He said, rising to his feet and Atarah was almost speechless.

She wanted to decline his offer, but then found herself nodding her head in agreement. Holy jeez! What in the world is wrong with me? She swore under her breathe, wondering why she had acted so stupid.

Jayden noticed her uneasiness but said nothing. He simply closed his laptop, retrieved his car key and led the way out of the office, through the hallway and outside to his car.
Briskly, he climbed into the driver seat and slammed the door shut.

Atarah was nervous. She hesitated for a moment before climbing into the passenger seat and carefully closed the door behind her. Her heart was thumping so loudly that she feared it would explode, but why? She couldn’t understand the emotions surging within her, it was jumbled up, very confusing.

“Are you alright?”Jayden asked after starting the car and she froze for a second, ‘did he hear it? oh no! Her face flushed with embarrassment and she forced herself to answer, “Yes”

A satisfied smile stretched Jayden’s lips as he drove out through the huge gate and sped along the highway towards the suburbs of Seattle.

“You can drop me off here, sir.”Atarah told him as soon as he turned the corner leading to a deserted road.

“Why?” Jayden casted a quick glance at her and stared back straight ahead, “This place looks so creepy and dangerous.”

“I’ll manage sir.” Atarah assured him but he shook his head no

“Just tell me where you stay, I’ll drop you off.” He insisted and Atarah reluctantly agreed since she had no other choice.

“Down the road,” She pointed towards a narrow path and Jayden nodded wordlessly.
Slowly, he drove down the lonely hilly road, careful not to collide with any bumps and got to a small looking farm house.

“Is this your home?” He couldn’t hide his surprise and Atarah nodded her head in response.

“Thanks so much for the ride,”She teetered when she stepped out of his car and smiled at him, slightly embarrassed. “I’ll be at work early tomorrow.

Jayden only nodded, his eyes was enjoying the scenery around him. Although strange, it was still pleasant to look at.

Atarah chuckled nervously. “Good night si……”

“It’s Jayden.”He cut her off abruptly and she swallowed hard, completely taken aback. “What?”

“And don’t come looking like an high schooler,”Jayden tried not to smirk, “dress officially.”His voice was serious and his manner solemn.

“Alright sir…erm.. I mean Jayden.” She nodded politely and walked into house, acutely aware of the fact that he was still watching her.

“And who is that boy that dropped you off?” Her mother jumped out of nowhere to question her and this startled Atarah.

“Good lord, mother.”She staggered backward and clutched to her chest, “You scared the hell out of me.”

“Don’t get fresh with me, young lady,” Her mum passed her a glare, unsmiling. “Who is he?”She pointed out the window and at Jayden who was just driving off.

“That’s my boss, Jayden Hobsons.”Atarah replied casually and her mother froze in place, her face drained of colour.

“Jayden what?” She took a gasp of breathe and Atarah looked at her in alarm.

“Are you alright mum?”

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” She nodded and forced out a smile. “Go freshen up, you look so exhausted.”

Atarah stared at her suspiciously but didn’t argue. She dragged her tired self to her room and into the bathroom, eager for a hot steaming shower.

Her mother plunked herself down on the sofa and started to cry softly. In her heart she was afraid, afraid that her past was beginning to catch up with her.

~~~

It was almost night fall when Jayden pulled out in front of the garage.
He alighted briskly from the car slamming the door shut and walked straight into the sitting room where Greg sat slumped on one of the sofas drinking heavily.

“What’s happening here?”Jayden raised a questioning eyebrow. He was surprised to see his brother in a very sober mood, his face a mask of deep thought.

Greg looked up at him and drew his breathe sharply, “I’m doomed bro……”

Doomed? Jayden was even more confused.

“That old man has finally picked the date for the stupid engagement party and I’m at loss as to what to do. Save me bro,”He threw his hands up in despair, “I’m not even ready.”

“What day is it?”Jayden calmly asked

“On Saturday,” came Greg’s response.

What! So early? Jayden almost screamed out in disbelief, but then composed himself.

He reached out to squeeze Greg’s arm and smiled down at him in a reassuring way. “Nancy is a good girl and………”

“Is upstairs in my room right now,” Greg drawled lazily.

“Seriously!”Jayden looked at him in surprise, “Like you invited her over?”

“Dad’s idea bro,”Greg chuckle was low and soft, “it is all dad’s idea.”

For a moment Jayden just stared on in dead silence, and then shook his head in complete disbelief. “You both are impossible,” With long strides, he trotted up the staircase to the second floor of the house and walked into his room,all the while swearing underneath his breathe.

Kicking off his boots, he proceeded to unbutton his shirt when the door suddenly creaked. He spun around and saw that Nancy was standing in the doorway.

“Hi there,” He greeted lazily and Nancy smacked her lips as she walked up to him. “Hi Jay.”She leaned forward to peck his cheek, but Jayden took a quick step backward, he wasn’t comfortable with that anymore.

“Why? Nancy voice turned to a whisper and she looked at him, conflicted.

“Because you now belong to my brother.”Was Jayden response to her question.

“But we…we aren’t yet engaged,”Nancy argued, “I mean I can still call it off if you want, I can talk my parent out of it,”She said desperately, rendering Jayden speechless. “I don’t love Greg, I don’t love him at all.”

In that moment Jayden was certain he saw something in her eyes—something akin to raw passion.

He scoffed silently and walked past her heading to the bathroom but Nancy hugged him for behind, stopping him.

“I love you Jayden.” She breathe in his familiar scent and that was enough to drive her into a frenzy of lust. She so badly wanted to kiss him, she wanted to feel his warmth, not as a best friend but as a lover.

Jayden clenched his fists, reminding himself that the lady hugging him was his brother’s fiancée to be. ‘Holy jeez! How am I gonna say this without hurting her!’ His inside quaked, but he breathe deeply to keep calm and focus his mind. “I don’t love you in that way, Nancy.”He finally told her and she slowly let go of him.

“Is it because of her?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Jayden turned around and stared down at her. “Who?” He lifted his brow quizzically.

“The girl whom you told me about. The one who died even when you tried saving her, the one who……”

“That is enough, Nancy.” Jayden yelled, shutting her up. “Don’t you ever bring her into our conversation again,”He was trying so hard to control his anger. ‘Gosh! Why did I even tell her about it?’He bit his lips to keep it from quivering.

“But she is dead Jay.”Nancy eyes filled with tears as she went on, “She is dead, dead and dead.”She screamed, slapping his chest with both hands and that was it,
Jayden had had enough.

“Get out,”He growled in a deep, menacing voice and Nancy gasped in disbelief.

“You’re sending me out of your room?”

“Just go away, Nancy.”He brushed past her and walked into the bathroom dejectedly. His mind and his head was completely messed up.

~~~~~The next morning ~~~~~~

The sun, just bursting forth from behind a cloud that had concealed it, was shining, with rays still half broken by clouds, over the roofs of the farm house,on the walls, on the windows, and into Atarah’s room.

She was standing there in front of the mirror, turning around here and there as she admired herself.

Made of material softer than silk, the black long gown she wore fit her like a second skin, outlining every curve, dip and nook of her body. Her black leather shoe was well polished and her hair was in a signature messy bun with a centre path, making her look like a sophisticated office lady.

‘Now let me see if he’ll call me an high schooler again,”She picked up her handbag and blew ‘Gwapo’a kiss before skipping out of the room.

“Good morning mum,” She greeted her mum who was just rising from the sofa and her mother eyes went wide seeing the way she was dressed.

“Where are you going dressed like that, Tarah?” She questioned and Atarah giggled lightly.

“To the Hobson’s hospital.”
Hearing the name “Hobsons” made her mum heart beat increased and a cold sweat broke out on her forehead. “What…What about your lecture today?” She stuttered slightly.

“I’ve got no lecture today.”Atarah gave her a quick kiss and said goodbye before dashing out of the house and down the road to the bus station.

There, she took the next available bus to the hospital.

~~

She soon got to the hospital and hurried through the long hallway to Jayden’s office, fully aware of the thousand eyes following her.

She paused at the door and took a deep breathe before knocking twice.

“Come in,” Jayden’s deep voice echoed out of the office and Atarah pushed the door open slowly, and walked in to see a completely different Jayden.
His pink hair was now dyed black and he looked so breathtaking in his dark three- piece suit.

“Good morning Dr Jayden,”She greeted somewhat nervously and Jayden just nodded his head.

He was equally blown away by her looks. ‘I told her to dress officially,not sexy right? Why then is she looking this beautiful? D**n! He forced himself to look away from her and ran his hand through his hair, “Brief me on my schedules for today,”He was fighting the urge to stare at her curves.

“Your schedules?” Atarah was totally confused, “How will I do that?”

Jayden pointed to the desk opposite his and Atarah immediately understood him. She walked to the desk, sat comfortably on its seat and began to paw at the computer keyboard, searching for the said informations.

“You’ve an appointment with Dave Williams by 11;00am.”

“Age?” Jayden inquired without looking at her, his intense gaze was fixed on his laptop.

“Twenty five.”

“Acute or chronic?

“Chronic.”

“Alright,” He nodded slightly, “move on to the next,”

“Ciara Rodrigues by 1:00pm.”

“An adult?”

“No,”Atarah shook her head slightly, “A little girl of ten yea………” The sudden sound of the door creaking interrupted them and they both looked up.

“Nancy,” Jayden was surprised to see her standing close to the door way, “What are you doing here?” He frowned at her disapprovingly.

Nancy didn’t respond. She was looking toward Atarah’s direction with a keen interest. “Who is she, Jay?” She questioned.

“That’s none of your business,” Jayden retorted sharply and she swallowed hard, forcing back her tears.

“I said what are you doing here?” He asked again and this time around, she answered without hesitation. “I came to talk to you.”

“Then go ahead.” Jayden scoffed at her

“I can’t talk in front of her.”Nancy eyed Atarah coldly.

Startled, Atarah mumbled an apology and began standing up, attempting to leave the office but Jayden voice stopped her.”Sit, and complete the paper works.”

“What?” Nancy mouth fell open in disbelief and Atarah smiled inwardly. ‘What an impudent b**ch!’

“You either say whatever you want to say now or leave this office quietly.”Jayden was blunt with his words, being harsh was the only way he believe would bring her out of her delusion.

“Fine,” Nancy sucked in a deep breathe and threw her hands into the air in defeat, “I just want to apologise for my rude attitude yesterday, I am deeply sorry for all the mean things I said, and I promise it won’t happen again.”

“That’s alright,”Jayden gave her a wry smile and she walked toward him, stopping right in front of his desk.

“Let’s go for dinner tonight just like we always do, please,” She looked at him with puppy dog eyes and Jayden couldn’t ignore her

“I’ll let you know if I am chanced.”He made no promise.

“Alright.” She turned around happily and glared hard at Atarah as she slowly walked out of the office.

Atarah was no coward. She glared back at her, as if daring her to do her worst.

TBC