Chapter Ten.

Ayla.

The rest of the week flew by and today was Saturday. I hadn't seen Ryder that often because we have different lessons but I saw him once, walking with his friends. I'm sure I had English with him but either he wasn't in or he ditched class and went somewhere.

Did I miss him? I asked myself that question often in the past week.

I was ashamed to say I did, I missed him, but just a tiny bit.

It was almost two in the afternoon and I was downstairs watching a telenovela with mum. We loved watching this specific one, the plot was riveting and me and mum had a huge crush on the lead actor. I finish the remains of my lunch and washed my plate as I noticed I had an hour to get ready and go to Ryder's. Today was a good day, chilly breeze but the sun was making an appearance so I was happy. I threw on a light sundress with some nude fur lined tights to keep me warm. It was still winter but I just wanted to make an effort. I wore a little makeup and made my lips pop with a barely there pink lip oil. My hair was already curly from when I gave myself a blowout last night so I got a claw clip and clasped half of my hair up, leaving my front strands to frame my face. I take a tote and place my laptop and folder in, along with the rest of my things. I go downstairs and put my heeled boots on, glancing at the time I realise I'm going to be late.

"Mum I going to go study with Ryder."

"Anti Hayati, why didn't you tell me?" She said and I sighed. "Mum remember I told you on Thursday." She forms an 'o' shape with her mouth. She has pregnancy brain so I don't blame her. "Okay stay safe and don't do any bad things. Bhibak kamira." (I love you, my moon.) Nodding I gave her a kiss and left the house. Mum had been speaking more Darija lately, she says she wants the baby to hear but I'm pretty sure he or she doesn't have ears yet. Dad supports her so he speaks Spanish around the house. I don't mind as I've known Darija and Spanish since I was practically in diapers. I'm also fluent in French as it's Morocco's second language. The perks of having parents that come from different places means you're multilingual.

Walking to the train station I see the cafe that I had been going to quite a lot recently. Mum has been craving their warm bakes and drinks. Dad ended up visiting and found out the owner was his old friend. Now we're kept a separate batch of pastries for mum every time and dad picks them up on his way back from work.

I enter the shop and I'm met with warmth and the smell of cinnamon.

"Ayla! Como es stas. " ( Ayla! How are you?)I hear and smile knowing its Sebastian the owner.

"Muy bien, como estas tio seb? Es bueno verte de nuevo!" (Very good, how are you uncle Seb? Its so nice to see you!) I say and he comes from the counter to me. Seb kisses my cheek and smiles. "How is your Mama?" He asks and sits me down. "Mama is good, how is Amora and Alora." They were his twin granddaughters who he and I couldn't get enough of. They were the chubbiest angels with big fat gorgeous brown eyes.

"Ah my princesses are well. My darling how come your here, does your mum need some sweet treats?" He asks and I shake my head.

"Im going to a friends house and I thought I should get them the most finest pastries in London." I said and he laughed. "Ria, two hazel croissants and caramel tarts."

"Any drinks?"

"Just a caramel latte please." I answer. He orders again and continues to chat with me.

After receiving the goods I give him the correct amount of money but he refuses to let me pay. "Please Seb." I say and he shakes his head, I slump my shoulders. "At least let me put it in the donation box." He nods and I go to put the money in the box and say thank you to him.

Checking the time I see that I was definitely going to be late. Ryder lived past the city towards the more richer boroughs. It would take me at least thirty minutes by train. "Seb, I need to go but thankyou again, I'm sure I will see you soon." I wave goodbye and rush to the station. Catching the train I managed to be in his area within forty minutes . I type in his address and realise there's no public transport nearby so I walk twenty minutes until I'm stood in front of his fortress. Approaching the gate I press the button on the intercom and hear a beep. "Costello Residence, who am I speaking to?"

"Ay-Ayla." I say, there's some feedback till another beep, then the gates open. I walk to the beautiful large mahogany doors about to knock but a woman appears, she looked to be in her thirties and had a very warm aura about her. "Come in, My name is Antonella." She says and I smile. "Mr Costello is still asleep but made me aware you'd be arriving at three, did you get lost dear?" I smile at the thought of Ryder telling her I was coming. She leads the way and we walk up the stairs. "Not really, there's no bus stops or stations nearby so I had to walk here from Kensington Olympia station. "Ah yes, that is quite a liability. Here we are." Antonella knocks on the door and walks away, a few seconds later It's opened by a sleepy shirtless Ryder. I shrieked and covered my eyes, my arm was grabbed and I was pulled forward. Ryder sits me down and I hear the door close. Opening my eyes to see him still shirtless, I shuffle in my seat. As good as he looked, I did not need to see all that.

"Uh- can you- um. Can you put a shirt on."

"Why? Is it bothering you." He said and smirked. I nodded slowly looking up at him and his jaw flexed. Finally he threw a top on and I thanked him.

"What's that smell?" He says and I showed him the bag of pastries I got from Seb's. "I got you and your parents food. I'm sorry, I would've got you a drink but I was afraid it would get cold." I say. He took the bag from me and then picked up the telephone that was on the wall. He presses a button and puts the phone to his ear.

"Can you bring a small plate." He ordered and put the phone back in its place. I really couldn't imagine being so rich that you have a intercom in your room to call one of your several maids. Must be nice. A few seconds later I hear a knock and in comes Antonella. She gives Ryder the plate and he takes out two of the croissants for himself I assume and then gives the bag to her. "Leave this in the kitchen but offer my mum one." He says, Antonella nods and leaves. "Have you done the margin of safety graphs." I ask wanting to get rid of the silence. He nods but doesn't say anything else making me a little annoyed. I wanted to get the work done as soon as possible so I could clear my mind a little. I had so many assignments from different subjects so I was a little overwhelmed,

"Ryder can we start. I don't want to waste time. I could've gone out with James-" I say but was cut off, James wanted to take me out to a little cafe so we can chill and study, that would've been effective since he's a great study partner.

"You're not going to fucking go out with James." He shouts, why was he so bothered about him? I mean I knew he was bound to be a little pissed that I finally found another friend but I didn't think he'd lash out.

"Why, he's much more fun." I say, realising I spoke out loud I slap my hand around my mouth. I look to him to see him clench his jaw again. He purses his lip and I acknowledge that it was rude of me to say that.

"Fine, lets start." He says and walks over to his desk. I too walk over and sit down on the chair beside him. Upon sitting our thighs touch and I blush. Yeah it was childish but this is the closest I've ever been with a man, and knowing it's Ryder makes it weirder.

He had showed me the graphs he had made and I couldn't help but admire his face. He was so handsome. I frowned and furrowed my brows seeing a red mark on his neck.

I point at the mark. "Sorry, what is that?" I ask, it looked irritated.

"I was at the gym." He says brushing it off. "That's not an explanation." How did it happen, did a fifty kg dumbbell  land on him or something.

"Can you just shut up." He says and I nod, I didn't want to intrude so I shut up and did the work.

We focused on finances and were deep into it, I didn't realise how close our bodies were until my stomach rumbled loud enough for us to leave our trance. "You're hungry?" He says and I smile embarrassed.

I stand up but trip on the legs of the chair and into his lap, my face buries into his neck and I immediately get up apologising.

"I'm so sorry." I ramble.

He took a deep breath before replying "Why are you apologising? It's fine." I gaze at him for a second.

"Because I feel like you're going to hurt me." I say truthfully. He stayed silent for a minute before standing up too and slithering a hand around my waist. My breath had gotten caught in my throat and my body tensed. Why was he holding me like this. I just hoped I didn't anger him.

"Ayla I want you to know I wont hurt you. Understand?" He says looking deeply into my eyes, it was as if he was trying to make sure I was aware he wouldn't hurt me. But that wasn't the case, because if it was why did he always torment me?

"But you always hurt me." I confront and tear up. It felt weird to say this to him, I did not want to be this vulnerable but I couldn't help it, my emotions were getting the best of me.

"Do you remember year seven?" He says taking a hold of my face and I nod.

"I thought you were my friend." I say my voice timid and I'm in shock as he starts kissing my neck. I moan a little in pleasure, the feeling was new but I wanted more. I shivered as his mouth latched onto me, his teeth nipping gently at my sensitive skin. He chuckled and brought his mouth up to my ear.

"You thought wrong Tesoro." My legs almost gave in but Ryder lifted me and I hooked my legs onto his waist. Before I could react he kissed me, ravishing my lips, this feeling was so beautiful. I had never been kissed and my god now I knew why it was so popular. His smooth mouth took possession of mine and controlled me. My back pressed up against the wall and with raw arousal I move my hips with his. We moan and continue to indulge in each other. It was only till the sound of a knock ripped through us did I separate from him as fast as I could. I fix my appearance and catch my breath, except it didn't come easy. What the hell just happened.

"Come in." The door opens and in came Leia, his mum.

"Hi Mrs Costello." I say and shift in uneasiness.

"Ayla. My dear thank you for the food, you must tell me where it is from." She says and comes to me giving me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. I smile wearily and reply. "Its from Seb's Cafe in Docklands."

"Grazie, Ryder I'm heading out to run a few errands. I'll be back soon, call if you need me."

He nods and they share a look. She leaves the room and I glue my eyes to the floor.

Slowly I avert my gaze to his, swallowing deeply.

"Ayla." He said with no emotion.

"Ryder?" I replied for no absolute reason, whatever just happened was inexplicable, and I hated how badly I wanted to do it all over again.

"Im sorry." He begins, sounding defeated and pauses. I looked into his eyes and felt myself becoming angry, he was sorry? For what.

"You're sorry? Tell me, are you sorry for kissing me or for hurting me for the last six years?" I said and he paled. I didn't know what came over me but I slapped him. This idiot somehow seduced me and I almost, almost forgot how much of an asshole he is.

"Ayla." He says, "Don't. You have no idea how much I hate you." I state my voice low and full of loathe. I turn around to walk and grab my things but I'm pulled back. As soon as I saw his eyes my surge of confidence had disappeared.

"You don't hate me! You cant fucking hate me. You're mine." He shouted, shaking his head he grips my chin and make me look into his eyes,

"You don't know why I do this to you. You have no idea why. So don't you dare say you hate me." His tone quiet but threatening.

I think for a few seconds and nod at him, I decide to be kind and mellow.

"Why do you do it?" I said my voice soft, I needed to him to be calm so he wouldn't freak out.

"You don't want to know." He answers. I almost roll my eyes at him.

"But that's the thing, I do want to know." I say, he chuckles and goes to a cabinet. He brings out a bottle of whiskey and a glass.

"Ryder, you shouldn't be drinking." I say and try to take the glass off him but he grabs my hand before I could.

"You wanna know why I drink?" He walks towards me and trails his fingers up my arms. I shake my head, he takes my face, our faces so close I could feel his heat. "I drink to get away, from you, from everyone." The second he finished his sentence I noticed how hurt he sounded, how fragile.

"Ryder let me help you." I say and caress his face, tracing his cheek with my thumb. For a few seconds I grazed his lips and waited for him to reply.

"No." He stated with finality. I just didn't understand, what was stopping him?

"Why?" I ask

"Because, Amore you make me weak."

-

Hii hope you enjoyed!

Lots of love,

Amara.