Come Running [Season 1 Completed]

Chapter 51

The wedding preparations went on speedily. I was so excited. We all were... except dad. He's started acting strange ever since Myles and Jael announced their engagement.

They set a date for the first week in September. That was a whole month and a half away. Mum was crazily ecstatic about the upcoming wedding. She wanted no stone unturned in all the preparations. It had to be just perfect...

Jael didn't want an engagement party but mum was having none of that so Jael and Myles decided on a small dinner party at the Carlson's residence in Austin just for family and close friends. It was just two days away.

***********Carlson Whyte Residence, Austin***********
Jayla's room.
I heard some noises outside my window. I slid the window open and looked down.
*sigh*
It was Kaiden. Oh, what will I do with him?

He gestured at me to be silent and come down. It was very late. I doubt he even noticed that.

I changed out of my night clothes, threw a coat on and headed outside.

"You're one crazy guy, you know. Who throws stones at a lady's window at this time of the night." Jayla let on as soon as she neared him.
"Guess I'm lucky to have a woman who's crazy enough to come down to meet me."
"I'm already regretting this."
"No time for talking. Hurry, I'm busting you out of this tower you've been locked in for weeks."

We used the garage to the back gate and then we were out on Austin's streets a half past 11.
"This reminds me a lot about when Jael and I snuck out of the house to Myles'. Those were the fun times, you know."

Kaiden reached for my hand and held on to it as we strolled.
"What was your childhood like? You never talk about it." Jayla probed.
"It wasn't the best but it was just fine. I didn't get to play around a lot like the twins or reel in the love and affection of my parents but it was home. Dad made sure I spent most of my days in the library learning anything and everything I could learn in managing the conglomerate he was establishing."
"That was Jason's life too except he was in high school when the pressure mounted."

I stopped and looked at him.
"Kay, what's on your mind? You seem a little tense." I lifted my hand to his face and gently rubbed his cheeks with my thumb.
"You know you can tell me anything right?" I probed further.
He again reached for my hand from his face and pulled me along as we continued the stroll.

"We never got the chance to finish our conversation."
I kept mute.
"Jayla, I'm so-
"I suddenly don't feel like continuing this conversation."
He sighs.
"It's Elijah isn't it?"
"Don't bring him into this."
"Do you love him?"
"That's none of your business Kaiden but FYI I do like him a lot and I'm very happy with him. You know what, me being here isn't even fair to him. I'm heading home now."
"No, Jayla wait..."
I stop and there's a pause.

"What happens to us now?"

"Kay, I don't want to be with someone who can't come clean to me but instead leads me on in some fantasy and throws me off the boat when he's done having fun."
"That's not true Jayla belie-
"Kaiden, you led me on knowing perfectly well that you weren't over Whitney and the moment she appeared guess what you did?
Oh let me refresh your memory. You left me on that cold night on the streets of Boston by myself. Do you how I felt?
I was humiliated beyond measure. I had to do the walk of shame back to my apartment building. You took me to the seventh heaven and broke my heart all in the same night. Our relationship didn't even last 24 hours Kay!"
He fell silent.

"But you know what Kaiden? I forgive you. I bear no grudge against you. I'm happy I finally get a chance to get it all off my chest. I just don't have it in me to keep such bitterness in my heart but believe me, I won't walk down that path twice."

"I'm leaving."
"I'll walk you home." was all he could utter.

Once we got to the back gate of the mansion, dad was up and waiting.
"You two had me worried sick-
"Goodnight daddy."
"Goodnight Mr Carlson"
And with that, the two parted leaving Jeremy puzzled.
'Somebody had a rough night.'

Fully convinced everything was in place, Jeremy found himself upstairs heading towards Jayla's room. He heard gentle sobs as he neared the room but they ceased immediately after he turned the knob.

He sat on the bed beside her.
"Dad, I don't want to talk." She said in between sobs.
"I know... just wanted you to know that I'm here for you and that I love you very much, princess."
"I love you too daddy."
"Have a goodnight."

**********Kaiden's apartment, Austin Texas***********
JetBlue Airline
"When is your next flight leaving for Boston?"