Chapter 11

Aya's breathing was evening out, her chest was smoothing into a normal rhythm. Carl was still rubbing her back soothingly.

"That's a good girl, just keep breathing slowly."

Aya closed her eyes, her arms folding around Carl.

"Are you okay now, Aya?"

She nodded in his chest. He backed away, looking at her face. "What happened? You gave me quite a scare."

Aya looked down. "I had a nightmare of that day."

He sighed, he removed his arms. "I'll put the kettle on, then we can talk about it."

Aya gave him a bid, Carl left her room and brought back two cups of tea, he placed hers on the nightstand.

"You haven't had a panic attack in two years, not after..."

Aya folded her hands in her lap.

"Yes, not after Luke. It is the first time I have dreamed of that day, Carl."

He took a sip of his tea. "Well, I told Gavin I will be a while. So talk to me Aya."

"I think it is because I am starting to trust someone in my life again. It is my subconscious that's letting me know, I haven't truly made peace of what happened to me."

Carl nodded. "You haven't really talked about it and I didn't want to bring it up, cause I knew that when you were ready you will talk but you never did."

Aya took her tea. "I... No, you are right Carl. You were there that day."

Carl grunted. "I have never witnessed a panic attack so severely. But we got you through that."

"Yes, if it weren't for you, I would not have gotten through that. I t seems I have trust issues."

She took a sip of her tea.

"I wanted to protect myself against that hurt, Luke dealt me a low blow, I mean he was there for me always. I didn't know he was only playing me. I mean he asked me to marry him."

"I told you, you were moving to fast in that aspect."

"I should have listened to you, Carl. He got away with everything, all my possessions and money."

Carl took Aya's hand. "Let it out."

"He stole everything from me and left me with an empty house, a week later he got married to my best friend, Cassandra."

Carl gave a sympathetic nod.

"He left me completely in debt. Which I am still paying off. I mean look at my apartment, I have no tv or radio. At least I have my books."

"He didn't break you Aya, I understand that you want to protect your heart. But I can see you are happy."

Aya smiled. "Yes, somehow I can feel this is different, Hoseok is different."

Carl laughed. "So that is his name!"

Aya punched his arm playfully. "Yes, his name is Hoseok, I can feel it in my heart, he is considered, caring and he makes me laugh.

Carl squeezed her hand. " You deserve to be happy Aya. After what happened, you deserve happiness."

"Thank you. Oh, I forgot to tell you. I quitted my waitressing job."

"Good riddance, that place doesn't deserve you."

"The only problem, Carl is I need to find another job as quick as possible."

"Ahh, I will help you look."

She smiled at him. "You are the miracle friend, I couldn't ask for better."

"And don't you forget it!"