Ayla looked down at her phone screen, and it was Carrie. Why was she calling her now, of all times? She needed answers from the man standing in front of her.
Her conscious nagged at her, what if her friend was genuinely worried about her, and she couldn't ignore the call.
"Hello."
"Where are you?"
"I'm getting air."
"With the boss?"
Ayla started at her words. Was Carrie watching her? She had to take a gamble; if Carrie knew, she would say it as a fact, but she didn't.
Ayla had to keep calm, "No, I'm alone, why?"
"He went out, and I'm assuming he was following you."
Her heart jumped. "He is not."
"Let me come to you," Carrie replied.
Before she could protest, she hung up.
Ayla felt herself panic, This was all his fault. Why was he so insistent on following her everywhere?
What to do? What to do? Think Ayla, Think dammit!
"Crap, I have to go back."
He looked at her quizzically, "Why?"
"As I said, you are bringing me enemies I don't need."
Before Xavier could respond, she began dashing back to the entrance and got there in time.
Carrie came out, and she hoped that Xavier had not followed her back here; she would be furious.
"You're alone." She said it in a relieved tone.
She breathed out in relief, maybe he did not feel like chasing her. She did the right thing by running. "Yup."
"Let's go back inside."
"You can head back without me." She still needed some answers.
"Why must I?"
"I'm still enjoying the fresh air."
"Then I will stand with you."
"You don't have to do that for me, Carrie."
"Why are you trying to get rid of me?"
"When did I?"
"Just now, Ayla."
"I just don't want you to worry about me."
"I will wait with you because I want to."
"Then thank you."
Sigh. Plan completely out of the window.
"Okay."
After a good few moments, and Xavier still did not appear, she wondered what he was doing.
Was he staying away all for her? That was sweet. She shook her head, there was no time to think like that.
"Can we now head back? I want to sit down, Ayla."
"Sure, why not?"
Ayla and Carrie sat down, as she turned a bit, saw Gabby staring at her. She turned away quickly, and after a good ten minutes, Xavier walked back in.
"I want to climb him." One of the other interns whispered.
They all laughed, and so did she, not wanting to raise any suspicions.
"Sorry, Gabby is climbing that tree," Carrie replied.
"For a second, I thought he was with Ayla." Another intern added.
"That's why I went to check," Carrie replied.
"Told you, you both were wrong." Another intern added.
So much ran through her mind, the moment that she had shared with Xavier, she peeked at him, and he took her gaze head-on.
She felt flushed and looked away, thank goodness they were drinking. If anyone asked, she could blame it on the alcohol.
The following afternoon, she told Sammy everything, and her friend squealed.
"I told you so."
"No, the problem is that I did admit to the one-night stand."
"He kissed you in response, that's hot."
"His ex is back, and she is not someone to compete with. I mean, with looks you could Sammy."
"Doesn't negate the fact that he likes you, Ayla, why can't you see that?"
"He is my boss, and you are not helping."
"Fine, what do you want me to help you with?"
"I stupidly confessed that I was Ayla, how do I take that back?"
"That is a tough one, I must say. How does one take back an admission of guilt?"
"Lie my way out."
"And how will you do that?"
"I admitted I was Kelsey because he won't leave me alone, and that is my only escape. How does that sound?"
"Are you being serious?"
"Work with me, Sammy!"
"Fine, but that is such a stupid excuse."
"Then what do you suggest?"
"Take it like a champ and see where this leads."
"Nothing is going anywhere. He is my boss, and that is not going to change."
"Are you going to live your life like this?"
"Yes, Sammy."
"You need to just let nature take its course, you never know."
She huffed, "So I'm basically screwed."
"I want to talk about the kiss."
Ayla rolled her eyes. "I'm sure that is all you heard."
She rubbed her hands together. "How hot was it?"
She felt herself blush when she remembered him sauntering over, his hands on her waist, pulling her in, and kissing her so passionately.
"Earth to Ayla."
"Oh yeah, it was.." she cleared her throat, "Pretty hot."
Sammy squealed, "How long was it?"
"I was drunk, so I'm not sure."
"Why did you stop?"
"I remembered that he was my boss and I have to face him every day."
"Ugh, come on, Ayla. You need a little taste of sin."
"You are right, and being fired if it all blows up in my face."
"Or it might work."
"Are you trying to get rid of me?"
"Darn it, my plan has been exposed! How did you know?"
They both laughed.
"I can't wait for Monday."
"What?"
"I want to know what happens between you and your boss."
"I'm dreading it, there is Gabby too."
"Oh yeah, how did she react?"
"She looked at me weirdly when I came back."
"Do you think she knows?"
"No, I mean I doubt anyone is suspicious about us."
"But Carrie was, and I'm getting the feeling that Gabby feels the same way."
"No, no, I don't want any more enemies, and it would humiliate me to compete with someone as beautiful as Gabby."
"Looks aren't everything."
"Easy for you to say, Sleeping Beauty." She teased her.
The weekend finished in the blink of an eye, and Monday morning came too soon.
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