Chapter 3

Layla's POV ....

I'm stuck in traffic again. And it's only Monday. If I get o work late I'll be fired for sure. It's twelve in the afternoon and my duty at the diner starts in thirty minutes. I always make it my goal to get there early but I doubt I'll be that lucky today. 

I can't afford to lose this job. 

I'm currently juggling between three of them. 

One at a convenience store where I start at six before my shift ends at eleven thirty. I only got it because the owner has to visit the clinic daily during the morning hours. I sure do hope he gets better though, he's such a sweet old man. 

My second job is at the diner and it ends at seven at night. After which I dash to the supermarket for a night shift till around after midnight. 

At first I was trying to save money for college. But then my roommate moved out without paying the months rent and now I'm trying to save enough so that I can at least get something to eat. 

It's not all bad though. She wasn't really nice so I guess it was good that she moved out. 

My three jobs have been helping me get by for now. I truly can't afford to lose either one or I could risk being homeless. And the traffic doesn't seem to be moving. So I decide that I might as well make a run for it. 

The diner isn't that far from the highway and If I run fast enough, I could still make it there on time. So with the decision already made, I pay the cab driver and get out. Then I start running. Coursing my way through the many vehicles. I have never liked to attract any kind of unnecessary attention to myself. Regardless of whether the people present know me or not. And at the moment I'm sure everyone inside the cars around is staring at me. 

In the process, I drop my phone. 

If I broke it I would just have to survive without one since I wouldn't be able to buy another. Something that I wouldn't mind much. Apart from checking the time and the occasional online tour I never really use it. 

With no one to call and to talk to. And I'm not a big fan of social media either. 

I stop beside one of the cars and bend down to pick it up. Then I study the damage done. Apart from a crack on the screen it seems fine. So I tuck it into the pocket of my old and faded jeans where I also find a scrunchie for my hair. Thankful for the little resource, I pull my hair back to tie it. 

And the moment I looked up I panicked. And before I could process what was going on someone pushed me to the side and I bumped my head on the bumper of the car before I fell to the ground. 

It was a guy on a bicycle who apparently had a thing for pushing people in the middle of traffic. I was standing in his way and he must have been in a rush. I can hear looked unlock the doors of their cars as they ask whether I'm okay. 

They pity me. 

I hate pity. 

So I decide that I'm going to just stand and continue on my merry way. Apart from the throbbing in my head I feel fine. 

But the moment I stood everything started spinning. 

" Hey, are you okay? " I hear a concerned voice ask. Followed by another......and another. And all of a sudden all I hear is voices. But I'm still determined to push through and get away from there. The dizziness was probably because I hadn't eaten or drank anything the last couple of days. 

But I'm not sure. It could also be because I haven't slept more than three hours since last week. 

I fake a smile to the caring group surrounding me and try to assure them that I'm fine. I can't really see them clearly. They're just like large blurs and I want them to stop talking because their voices are making me feel worse. 

I appreciate their concern but I still don't like any kind of attention. I take a step forward and stumble, then a hand holds my arm and a new figure steps in front of me. " Are you sure you're okay? You don't look so good, " he says and I nod. 

Then I take another step forward and another. I don't really feel so good and when I touch my forehead, my fingers come back with what I assume is blood. And the pain in my head increases a great deal until it's all I feel. I attempt another step but I can't seem to be able to move. 

Everything is going round in circles and the drivers who keep honking their horns are torturing me. I try to open my eyes wider but I can't. The guy who stopped me follows close behind and I can hear him from a distant part if my brain saying... something. I'm not sure of what he said. 

Because immediately he began, I passed out. 

When I woke up next I was lying on what I assumed was a bed. I slowly flattered my eyes open and saw someones face hovering above mine. Then he waved his hand over my face and I frowned. 

" She's up, " the person said as he moved aside. Then another guy came. 

He was a doctor if the white lab coat and stethoscope were any indication. But why would I be there? 

" Good. You're up. Tell me dear, how are you feeling? " he asks and I struggle to look around. I was right, he truly is a doctor and it appears that I'm in a hospital. 

" I feel fine, " I all but whisper back as I try to sit up. Then the stranger who I first saw is there, helping me. I take the opportunity to study him. He's dressed in a long sleeved T-shirt and a pair of Blue Jeans. Then I look up at his face and it's like I get dizzy all over again. 

Saying he was handsome would be quite the understatement. His green eyes are so.... green.

They are absolutely mesmerizing and I just can't help but stare. His dark hair is a bit tossled and some locks fall to his forehead. I watch as he absentmindedly pushes them back. Then he lowers his gaze and looks at me. I instantly look away. 

I can't help it. I've never been able to maintain eye contact with anyone. Yes, I am well aware that I'm shy but I still don't like it when people ask me. It isn't really respectful and in my honest opinion, it's also very illogical. 

I don't know why I'm like this though, why I hate being stuck in crowds or being around strangers. I've been like this for as long as i can remember. 

" Are you certain that you feel fine? " the stranger asked.

" Mmh. Can I please go now? "

I looked down while saying that. Playing with the soft fabric of my blanket. Maybe I would still be able to get to the diner and keep my job. I just could not lose it. 

" I'm sorry but I'm afraid you can't. I still have to run some more tests on you, " the doctor said and I looked at him with pleading eyes for as long as i could handle. 

I did not have money to pay for the hospital bill so staying there wasn't an option. And I doubt they could just force me to stay there against my will. 

" I promise you that I'm okay, "

" Not according to this, " he lifted the report in his hand. I was scared about what he meant. I had seen my fair share of movies. This was usually the part where the doctor told an unaware patient that they had some unpronounceable disease and would die in a few months. 

" What? Why do you say that? " I asked and he flipped the paper.

" Well, according to my examination, you don't seem to take good care of yourself. You're malnourished which means that you probably don't eat enough, "

Oh great, I thought. He thought I was anorexic. He thought I stared at food and just decided that I wouldn't eat it because the idea of gaining weight traumatised me on every mental capacity. 

" But you can't keep me here because of that. I promise that I'll take better care of myself but I really have to go. I'm really late, "

" Late for what? " it was the stranger who asked and though I wanted to lie, I told them the truth. That I had to get to work. I have never been good at arguing or trying to persuade people but the doctor gave up and decided to discharge me. 

I watched as he and the stranger walked a few feet away and started discussing something. And by something I mean me. The stranger was good-looking, but when I stared at him I didn't feel as strange as I had when..... 

No. Now I'm just being ridiculous. I catch a crazy guy staring at me in the middle of a traffic jam and now I can't get him out of my mind. Honestly though, he's like a bad infection that would not go away. All he does is mess with my thoughts. And the worst part is that it has been two weeks since I saw him. 

It's infuriating how he keeps popping up in my head. But maybe with luck the head bump I suffered will be enough to keep him away. 

" We'll, it seems like you're good to go, " the doctor said after coming back. 

" Really? Thanks, " 

He reminded me to take better care of myself and I assured him that I would. Then I asked him about the bill. Not that I'm trying to be rude but I don't think I ought to pay, it was not my choice to go the hospital in the first place and it's also not like I was really sick. 

His diagnosis was one I gave myself everyday. 

" Don't worry about that. I took care of it, " the stranger said. I opened my mouth to say that he didn't have to. That I would be able to pay it myself, then I realized that that would be a lie so I just thanked him instead. 

" It's no big deal. Come on, I'll drop you off at your job, "

He beckoned for me to go with him. I politely refused. That would mean being stuck in a car with him and I doubt that I could manage that. It would just end up being an awkward situation. And I really hate those. 

" No I insist, really, just come along, "

" I appreciate your offer but I'm okay, " he was looking at me and I was having trouble looking back. His gaze was so penetrating. 

" Well if you don't let me take you home then I'm going to convince the doc to keep you here for a couple of days, " 

Blackmail? Really? 

He was blackmailing me into letting him be my personal taxi driver? What was he like some kind of serial killer? 

There was a chance he was just truly a nice guy but there was also a chance of my body being found at the side of the road tomorrow morning with three gunshot wounds. 

I was soooo not saying yes to his offer. 

" Okay then. Thank you, "

Dang it! Curse my good heart. 

" Great.... oh, by the way I just realized that I don't know your name, " he stated. 

That little weary part of me wanted to lie but I decided to tell him the truth. 

" I'm Layla. Layla Kendrick, "

" Well it's very nice to meet you Layla.... " he extended his arm in greeting. 

" ...I'm Arden. Arden Gustov, "