COMPLICATED – Episode 14

Complicated 

 

Written by Princess Juliet 

 

Episode 14

 

Caught in between

 

 

‘So it finally happened!’ Atarah was so happy that she couldn’t stop smiling for several minutes.

After watching all those mushy rom-coms, all those practices in front of the mirror, the feeling of rush in the pit of her stomach, she finally got to know how it feels to be kissed for the first time–It was breathtaking!

 

Still smiling, she stepped off the bus and hurriedly walked through the long hallway to the studio room where she found Hilary sitting comfortably amongst the other students.

 

“Hilary,” She called out her name, surprised and Hilary turned to her with the beautiful bright smile that she gave to everyone.

 

‘Hi,’ She greeted her cheerfully and Atarah sat down beside her, “Why are you here?” She whispered this to her so that no one else will hear.

 

“To see you,” Hilary replied almost too casually and Atarah scoffed in disbelief.

 

“At the expense of your own lecture?”She didn’t want to believe that her friend was this crazy.

 

“Oh that,” Hilary shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, “I bunked it off. It is not like I will be needing it anyway.” She winked at Atarah who just nodded her head thoughtfully, ‘Oh yeah! She is truly crazy!’

 

“So…….’ She went on, “Will you be going to the hospital, you know, Jayden’s office later after class?”

 

Hearing the name ‘Jayden’ made Atarah blush so hard and she stared down at her feet shyly, remembering once again the kiss they had both shared. ‘I…I..I.” She stuttered, not knowing what to say or how to respond.

 

Hilary didn’t fail to notice her uneasiness. She tilted her head forward to look at her. “Did something happen between both of you?” She asked concerningly and Atarah’s blushed even harder, her face hot. “Or wait!” Hilary’s eyes grew wide somewhat in shock, “Did he fire you?”

 

Before Atarah could respond, the professor, a short woman with red hair done into a messy bun walked in and the class became composed. “Good morning!”She greeted dryly, “I’m sorry for keeping you all waiting.”She said this with a wry smile and then proceeded with the lecture, which seemed so boring to Hilary.

 

She yawned, “Does her class always take this long?”

 

Atarah didn’t respond, she wasn’t even paying attention to the professor. Her mind was like a thousand pieces of shattered glass, impossible to make whole. She was thinking about Jayden.

 

~~

The class finished in no time, and Hilary couldn’t be more pleased. She jumped to her feet, startling Atarah and slung her handbag over her shoulder. “Let’s go.”

 

Atarah chuckled as she rose to her feet. “I didn’t ask you to attend my lecture, did I?“She rolled at eyes at Hilary who also did the same. “Blah! Blah! Blah!” She made a face and stuck out her tongue at Atarah as they walked out of the class and went by a shorter route, across the fields to the parking lot where they found Jayden. He was leaning against his car and was watching them with a blank puzzled expression.

 

“Is he here for me?” Hilary was confused, almost stupefied and Atarah looked at her sharply

 

“Why will he be here for you?” She couldn’t understand her.

 

Hilary moved closer to her and whispered. “He was my date at his brother’s engagement party last night.”

 

A trickle of jealousy moved through Atarah, but she quickly dismissed it as they got in front of him.

 

“Hi, Jayden,”Hilary greeted him waving her hand and Jayden nodded his head in response without taking his eyes off Atarah, he was completely lost staring at her.

 

A bit embarrassed, Hilary chuckled lightly, finally understanding the situation. “I can see you’re here to pick up your personal assistant,”She drawled, folding her arms across her chest and only then did Jayden look at her.

 

“Yes, ma’am,”He replied, politely and Atarah found herself smiling, ‘so he is here for me,’She almost cried out in relief.

 

Jayden shifted his gaze back to her and smiled when he saw the tiny smile on her face. “Are we good to go now, miss?” He asked and she nodded her head happily.

 

“Goodbye Hilly, I’ll see you tomorrow,”She bade her friend goodbye before opening the car door and easing her lissom body into the passenger seat.

 

Jayden got into the driver seat beside her, and when he started the car, slowly drove down a sloppy road and out of the school gate.

 

“Where are we headed to?” Atarah asked as they passed through a busy street with many high buildings.

 

“The mall,” Jayden replied coolly, “I want to get you all prepared for tomorrow,s party,” He said with a tone of finality, leaving no room for argument and Atarah had no choice other than to agree.

 

 

Sure enough, after ten minutes of driving, Jayden finally braked and pulled into the crowded parking space.

 

There, they both alighted from the car, and Atarah couldn’t help but admire her surroundings as they took the raise from the first floor to the third uppermost one. The moment they stepped out of the lift, they were greeted by a blast of cool air and the blare of music from the jewellery shop nearby.

 

“Wow!” Atarah exclaimed breathlessly at the sight before her. The layout of this floor was very impressive and was meant only for the well-to-do individuals in the city.

 

“Pick up whatever you need,” Jayden whispered to her and she nodded her head as she slowly walked down the bright hall filled with feminine stuff.

 

Her breath caught at the sight of a beautiful grey gown worn on a mannequin and she beamed excitedly. “I want this gown,” She turned around to look at Jayden and saw he was still standing in the exact spot she’d left him and had been watching her the whole time.

She blushed and turned her head away, feeling very flustered.

 

Jayden looked at the gown and was a bit disappointed with her choice of colour. ‘I never knew she was this unfashionable.’ He leaned closer to the attendant standing beside him and said, “Get her all the best gowns here.”

 

The attendant, a short dark girl in her late teens immediately set to work, and to Atarah’s surprise began to select all of the expensive-looking gowns, shoes, bags and even jewelleries.

 

“But this is too much, Jayden.”She argued about their exorbitant prices, but Jayden dismissed it with a wave of his hand

 

“Won’t you have your hair fixed or something?”He asked instead, moving close and closer to her.

 

For a moment Atarah said nothing, she just swallowed as if there was a lump in her throat. “My hair is naturally straight,” She finally answered and Jayden just nodded his head as he searched her face for what exactly she meant by that.

 

“Thank you, thank you very much.”She whispered and jumped into his arms, nearly knocking him over. And then she was hugging him, and his arms were around her, and she smelled of wildflowers and sunshine, and she was soft against his chest, but he hoped she would stop jumping because ‘highly aroused’ wasn’t a good look for him in a public place.

 

His lips found hers and he kissed her softly and thoroughly. When she trembled in his hands, returning his kiss with passion and abandon, a rush of something sweet and innocent flooded his senses. He’d kissed dozens of women and none had ever affected him this way. None had ever tasted like sunshine. None had made him question what was real………….

 

“Here is the package sir,” The attendant mischievously cleared her throat, and Atarah pulled away from the kiss and grabbed the bags, leaving Jayden floundering, his brain struggling to understand why someone was shoving two big bags in his face when all he wanted was her sweet lips and her soft body and her sigh of surrender.

 

Nevertheless, he took the bags from her and settled the bills before walking ahead of her out of the floor and to the elevator. They went down to the first floor and walked out of the mall and to his car.

 

“Thanks,” Atarah appreciated him once again, a bit shyly this time around and he just nodded his head, opened the rear door of his car and threw the fancy bags on its seat.

 

He then got into the driver’s seat beside her, and when he started the engine, sped off the road and down the highway heading to her house. In his mind, he knew he was not just falling in love with her, he was falling into her.

 

~~~

 

He wasted no time getting to the narrow path leading to her house, and to Atarah’s surprise, pulled his car off the road.

 

“Aren’t you gonna talk to my mother again?” She asked in a small voice and Jayden smirked at her

 

“I said after the party, remember?” He reminded and Atarah nodded her head before leaning over the back seat to grab the two fancy bags.

 

“I’ll see you tomorrow then,” She opened the door and began to climb out when Jayden caught her arm and pulled her closer towards him until their lips were almost touching.

 

The coolness of his touch turned to gentle electric currents that work their way through Atarah’s skull, making her not to think straight. She closed her eyes, anticipating the warmth of his lips against hers, but the kiss did not come.

 

‘But why?’ Her face creased into a frown and she opened her eyes, only to see him staring at her with a mischievous grin. “Oh sh*t!”She bit her lip in embarrassment and Jayden chuckled seeing her funny face.

 

“Goodbye princess, I’ll come to pick you up by 10:00 am,” He kissed her forehead and she found herself smiling again.

 

“Alright, Dr Jayden,” She stepped out of his car and hurried down the lonely road to the farmhouse, acutely aware of the fact that he was still watching her.

 

When she got home, her mother’s head exploded in anger at seeing the two fancy bags she was holding.

 

“Where are you coming from, Tarah?” She stood glaring at her with her hands on her hips.

 

“The mall, mother,” Atarah answered truthfully, “Dr Jayden wants me to be his date at his party tom…..”

 

“But I thought I warned you not to see him again,” Her mother cut her off abruptly and she blinked to relieve the stinging in her eyes. “Just this once, mother,” She begged, not understanding why her mother wanted her to stay away from the only person who makes her smile like crazy, the one person who makes her heart beat so fast, “Please just this once.” Her agitation was exceedingly great, and the tears rolled freely down her face. “I…promise…to…to…. stay…away….from…..him……after…..this,” She spoke slowly and with great difficulty.

 

“Oh, Tarah,” Her mother’s heart melted seeing her this way. She pulled her into a tight hug and stroked her back tenderly. “You can go child,” She forced herself to speak through lips suddenly pale,” Go with him to the party,” Her stomach was churning and her eyes burned with unshed tears, “but don’t forget your promise,” She quickly added.

 

“Thanks, mum,” Atarah released herself from the hug and slowly walked into her room. Her eyes went to the paper drawing on the wall beside her bed and a wave of guilt hit her.

 

“I’m sorry, Gwapo,” She muttered softly, “I’m so sorry for betraying you.”

 

~~~~~~~~~~~Hobsons mansion~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

Jayden walked into the sitting room humming a cheery tune and met Greg laying on the sofa, watching television.

 

“Good evening bro,” He greeted him cheerfully and Greg turned his attention to him, “Congratulations little bro.”His lips held a faint smile and his eyes twinkle. “Dad told me about the business conference party tomorrow, Is that the reason why you are this happy?” He teased and laughed.

 

Jayden plunked himself down on the sofa opposite him, wondering if he should confide in him or not. He decided to confide in him and tell him about Atarah, he was his big brother after all!

 

“I’ve finally met her.”

 

 

“Met who?”Greg sat up excitedly, “Is it the girl from your childhood memories?” He blurted out carelessly and Jayden gave him a questioning look. “Oh sorry, I meant to say childhood friend.” He quickly rephrased his words, “You know, Dad may have said something about her when you had that panic attack yesterday,” He chuckled, feeling so foolish and Jayden scoffed

 

“I’m talking about the girl I like,” He said in a harsh voice, ‘How dare he brings the innocent dead girl into this conversation.’ He was pissed and Greg noticed it.

 

“Oh, the girl you like,” He tried to make light of the situation, “What is her name?” He asked mildly.

 

“Atarah,” Jayden grunted his response and Greg looked away from him and focused his attention back on the television

 

“Atarah? What a weird name!” He muttered these words so Jayden wouldn’t hear but unfortunately, he did

 

“Whatever,” He sprang to his feet and bounded up the stairs to his room, deeply regretting ever having the conversation with his brother.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~ The next day~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

It was almost 10:00 am, and Atarah was already dressed up for the occasion. She was standing there in front of the mirror and was admiring herself for the umpteenth time.

 

Made of material softer than silk, the-full length, sequined halter gown she wore clung to every curve and sported silts on both sides clear up to the hips. A simple choker adorned her neck, a diamond tennis bracelet her wrist and she wore a silver strappy heel which was the same colour as the hair tie ribbon on her hair.

 

She inclined her face forward, closer to the mirror and rolled a lipstick first across her upper lip and then across her lower lip, thus giving her lips an oily shade of red which matched the red on her painted fingernails. She then picked up a bottle and sprayed her body with a perfume labelled fairy princess.

She giggled at this, for she truly felt like a fairy princess, all thanks to Jayden.

 

Suddenly, a car horn sounded from outside and she smiled knowing it was him.

She turned away from the mirror and picked up her silver purse, and walked out of the house bolting the door behind her.

 

Jayden’s eyes almost popped out of his head when he saw her and he wetted his lips lustfully. D**n!

 

“Good morning,” Atarah greeted as she got into the seat beside him and he forced himself to behave.

 

“Erm…Yes…Good morning,” He coughed and cleared his throat nervously, “Is your mum in?”He asked not knowing what else to say. He was completely at her mercy, completely blown away by her perfect beauty.

 

“No, she’s at work,” Atarah replied him. She knew quite alright that she was having an effect on him and was glad that he couldn’t resist her beautiful looks. ‘But what will be our fate after today?’Slumping back in the seat, she let out a deep sigh of sadness.

 

“Are you alright?”Jayden asked as he started the car

 

“Yes.” She lied and he merely nodded his head, made a U-turn and sped off to the party venue–His family hotel.

 

~~~~

 

By the time they arrived, the media had already built their camp around the building and Atarah was completely dumbfounded.

 

She stared out of the window, wondering how on earth they were going to walk through the crowd of hungry-looking reporters

 

“Just follow my lead,” Jayden whispered, noticing the uncertainty in her eyes and she just nodded her head, unsure of what to think.

 

They alighted from the car and were immediately surrounded by reporters and paparazzi’s alike. “Holyshit!”Jayden swore under his breath and took Atarah’s hands into his, causing a murmur to run through the crowd.

 

“Is she your girlfriend?” One of the reporters, a chubby woman boldly asked and he scoffed silently, completely ignoring her. ‘Can’t they just mind their d**n business?’ He was beginning to get irritated.

 

“How do you feel about being successful at the tender age of twenty-two?” Another asked and it was Atarah’s turn to react.

 

‘He is twenty-two?’ Her popped wide open in surprise, ‘Just a year older than me? Wow!’ She felt so proud of him and squeezed his hand gently as they walked into the hotel reception.

 

There, Jayden saw Greg leaning against the front counter desk, obviously waiting for him.

 

“Where in the world have you been bro?” Greg asked when he saw him, “Everyone is in the hall waiting and Dad is already worried thinking that you wouldn’t show up. It is not just fair.” He complained bitterly.

 

Jayden narrowed his eyes at him but let out a sigh and resigned himself to the fact that he was right. “I’m sorry,” He apologised and began to explain what happened, “I had to pick up my date from……”His phone suddenly began to ring, cutting him off and he fished it out of his pocket and saw it was one of his patient. “Sorry I need to take this,” He excused himself and walked off to a quiet corner.

 

Greg watched him intently for a few moments longer and then turned his attention to Atarah who was now twisting her fingers shyly.

 

“You must be Atarah, right?”He asked in his deep baritone voice and Atarah gazed up at him, her eyes round in surprise.

 

“How…did…did…You…Know?” She spoke with a pronounced stutter.

 

Greg laughed, tossing his hair out of his eyes and that was when Atarah saw it–the red birthmark underneath his left eye.

 

“Gwapo,” She was almost speechless with shock and Greg froze, his brain struggling to remember where exactly he’d heard the name before. He stared hard at Atarah, yet didn’t seem to recognize her.

 

“Do I know you, miss?” He asked on an impulse and Atarah blinked her eyes rapidly, nodding her head vigorously

 

“Gwapo! it is me, Joa……”But before she could complete her statement, Jayden returned. He put an hand around her waist and pulled her to him possesively.

“Let’s go in.”He said to a still-flustered Atarah. And with that, they all walked into the large hall and were greeted with loud applause and the flashlights of cameras.

 

Jayden turned his head sideways to avoid the cameras, the lights were too bright, almost blinding him. “Tell them to stop,” He spoke to no one in particular, “Please…tell….them………” He began to cough violently, startling Atarah and Greg looked at him in alarm, “Are you alright, bro?”He whispered.

 

“Just….tell….them,” Feeling panicked, Jayden gasped without breath and fell to the floor, mumbling the exact words he’d heard her say twelve years ago, “I…..don’t…..want….to….die, Gwapo. Please….I don’t….want….to….die.”

 

 

TBC