Picture on side of Alex Ryder. I wanted a full one of him in the suit but wattpad wouldn't let me. Still the picture is still HOT! :)
**IMPORTANT!! I know everyone is getting mad about every character going to NYU and saying there are other colleges there; YES I KNOW! I know there are other colleges beside NYU but I wanted all the characters to have some relation or something that tied them all in together. You will understand more next chapter.
Dedicated to KashafAli for her funny comments and for giving me a shout out! <3
There is a quote that I have always been fascinated and stumped with; "Sometimes when finding the light you have to pass through the deepest darkness." You have to suffer before you can see the rainbow. I have always taken that quote to mean your heart. You have to suffer heartbreaks before it can fully heal and be fully loved. I've always wondered why people choose to do this to themselves. Why put your heart out there if it's just going to break? Why do us humans purposely do this to ourselves? Do we like the pain? Do we actually think that after suffering a rainbow will appear?
When you think about it though the analogy is fitting. After a terrible storm where the winds have knocked down branches, rain coming down in sheets that the roads flood, and thunder booms so loudly the windows rattle. After all that is over if you look to the sky you see a rainbow in the aftermath of the storm. Rain softly falls and the clouds part showing a full rainbow to anyone who dares to go outside. In those moments after a storm there is nothing but silence. No birds chirping, no loud booms of thunder, no brutal wind; just utter silence.
If you dare to go outside after the storm you can almost see the beauty in it. The roads glistening, the sky turning the perfect shade of blue, the dead silence with no wind whipping in your face. In those moments you forget that just minutes ago a storm was whipping its way through town and destroying almost everything in its path. How can something so beautiful come out of so much destruction? Is that how a heart looks after a heartbreak?
But like every storm there is the aftermath; the clean-up. When something gets broken or destroyed it needs to be fixed. Does it get fixed perfectly? No. Does it change the shape or reconfiguring? Yes. When something gets broken it's not expected to turn out perfect again or even close to what it use to be. Whether it can be fixed to be even stronger than before or to crumble easier is the question. The difference between a storm and a broken heart is you get to decide whether your heart will be stronger than it was or to be weaker.
In college I took a psychology class and I've never been so interested in a class before. The professor once said that there are two types of people when dealing with heartache or lost. One will act out and walks around with a visible shield around themselves. The other one becomes secluded and walks around with their heart showing. One heart has been healed crooked and becomes weaker so a shield needs to be put in place; they don't see the rainbow at the end. The other has been healed slowly but carefully; it's stronger than it once was and doesn't need a shield; they see the rainbow at the end of the tunnel.
Which one is better? The one with the shield for that person knows to never go through it again? Or the one that is out in the open and knows it will receive a few blows but can handle it? Which one is stronger? Now that is the trickiest question of all. Do you shield yourself away from all heartbreak? Or do you let it out knowing there's a chance for it to be happy?
The way I was raised I never believed in love. My parents didn't love me and always told me so. How can one love when they aren't shown it? The only thing that helped not destroy everything I knew about love was books. In romance novels the girl gets her heartbroken but in the end she ends up with the right guy who treats her like she is the queen. During my teenage years I always wondered if those kinds of stories were true. Did the princess end up with the prince? The older I got I realized that love was just a made up thing. I never experienced it so how can it be true?
Of course that all changed the day I met Jason and fell in love. Than I realized that the stories were right; that falling in love was great and almost magical. I had felt like the princess ending up with prince charming. And for that one moment I believed that my suffering was over and that I would soon see the rainbow. But than everything changed. I ended up being the girl with the weak heart with a shield around herself. Through the rest of college I didn't get close to anyone and never let anyone near my damaged heart. Why would I ever think about letting that happen to me again? I wasn't stupid enough to let my heart get healed just for it to break into a million pieces again.
That was when I was only slightly thankful that my parents treated me the way they did. I learned to mask my emotions, to never truly believe someone, and to wear a shield around a broken heart. If the shield was strong than no one can penetrate it. But than again fate decided that my heart could be broken once again. That is how I ended up here walking into the office thinking about that very same quote and the words of my Psychology professor.
My heart was broken from Ashton. I can either do what I did last time or this time be the stronger one. I can be the one letting my heart slowly heal and looking forward to seeing the rainbow at the end of the tunnel. For once I wanted to be the one with my heart on my sleeve. I wanted to go outside after the storm and see the beauty of the aftermath not just the damage. I wanted to see why others put themselves through just so they can feel that little bit of happiness at the end of their suffering.
****
The next day at the office flew by pretty fast and every time I thought of Ashton I pushed him aside and focused on other stuff. Today was the day that I decided I wanted to change. I wanted forget everything that my parents had taught me about love, and start to forge my own. I am going to see the rainbow at the end whether I want to or not. Because maybe, just maybe, I will end up happy.
Most of the day I didn't see Ashton but I kept busy doing my work. It was only 2 o'clock and I had most of my stuff done. I was more than ready to be home as well. As I was typing an email to one of our clients my phone buzzed next to me. Reaching for it with one hand I finished up my sentence with the other. I looked down at it and smiled.
To: Layla
From: Alex
I can tell your thinking about me right now.
T: Alex
F: Layla
Oh and how so? I replied leaning back in my seat staring at my phone.
Alex: My spidey senses are tingling.
Layla: Wow...your senses must be off. I was thinking about another guy. I hit sent and giggled softly to myself. I felt like a teenager staring at my phone waiting for his reply.
Alex: Pfffff right....your thinking about my foxy ladies from store aren't you!!
Layla: Oh yeah I think about old woman in my spare time. I replied sarcastically. I couldn't help but feel giddy when he texted me. Something about him brings out my flirtiness, if that is even a word.
Alex: I knew it! :) Anyways what are you doing?
Layla: Nothing much just waiting for work to be over.
You could say it was weird that I knew absolutely nothing about Alex, not even his last name. A little voice in the back of my mind couldn't help but chime in every once in a while that for all we knew Alex could be a serial killer or be part of a gang. I wouldn't deny that I was slightly worried about that but for god's sake I was 23 years old and I deserved to have some fun for once.
Alex: What time do you get off???
Layla: Around 5 or so. I looked around my office and saw I was basically done with everything today and those that weren't done could be finished tomorrow. I looked at the clock and saw it was about 3:10
Layla: Actually I can leave now. Are you busy? I haven't even seen Ashton today so I wasn't worried about leaving early.
Alex: Nope I'm free. Would it be okay if I came and picked you up to take you to dinner? Staring down at his reply I did a mini happy dance in my head. Alex asked me out! Taking a deep breath I sat there for a few minutes not wanting to reply to quick. I didn't want him to think I was some kind of weirdo glancing at my phone every 2 seconds, even though I was. After I had let 2 minutes go by I replied.
Layla: Sure that sounds great :) I'm at 209 Buffalo Drive. I texted him the address. I shut down my computer and starting gathering my things. As I smoothed down my pencil skirt I hoped it would be okay with Alex that I was still in my work clothes. I threw my bag over my shoulder and left my office heading for the elevators.
"Hey Judy." I said once I got close.
"Hello. Where are you off to?" She asked looking up at me.
"I um...I have a date." I kind of stumbled out.
"Ohhh with who?" Her voiced laced with curiosity.
"This guy named Alex I met at the store yesterday." I grinned thinking about our first encounter.
"Someones smitten." Judy said grinning at me. I blushed and shook my head.
"I am not." I argued back but not with much confidence as I would have liked. She just shook her head at me. "Its okay that I leave though right?" I asked her. I always left the need to ask Judy permission more than Ashton.
"Your fine Layla, don't worry. Have fun on your date." She smiled at me and I said a goodnight to her and left to the elevator. When I got down to the lobby I looked around for Neena but didn't see her. I was slightly glad cause I didn't want her to question where I was going than have to explain everything. I walked out the doors quickly just in case Neena decided to pop out somewhere. I swear at times she was a ninja.
As I waited for Alex I walked down the street a few doors down and looked through the glass window of what was a bookstore. I didn't know that was there and I promised myself I would check it out another time. I loved older bookstores like that. Right when you walk in your hit with the smell of books, old and new. It was those kinds of places that sold coffee, that somehow had the most comfortable worn down couches/chairs, and books that I could spend hours in. Back in college I would go to the place a few doors down from our apartment and spend hours upon hours there getting lost in studying or reading a book. Just the air of a bookstore was soothing. I knew if I stepped foot in there right now I wouldn't leave until I got kicked out. Smiling through the window I heard my phone buzz and saw a text from Alex.
Alex: I am outside.
With a sigh I turned away from the bookstore and headed back to the office building keeping my eyes open for Alex. When I go closer I looked to my left and saw Alex leaning against a really nice car in front of Miller Industries. As I got closer I took in his appearance. He was wearing a grey suit jacket with grey slacks, a white button up shirt and a light grey tie. The suit hugging his well toned body. His blonde hair was smoothed back and over. Staring at him I felt my knees go little weak. Man did he look absolutely sexy in a suit!
I walked up to him almost shyly. I felt mediocre in front of him. My brown hair pulled into a high pony tail, a tan pencil skirt on with a white blouse, and heels. I didn't put on much makeup on today with only a little eyeliner, eyeshadow, and some lipstick. He was staring up at the building as I came to a stop in front of him.
"Hi." I said nervously playing with the strap on my bag. He looked down at me and shot me a killer watt smile. I felt myself relax and smile back at him.
"Wow you look..." He said but trailed off looking at my work outfit.
"Sorry it's just my work outfit. I hope that's okay for dinner."
"No, no you look great. Perfect for dinner." He held out his hand for me. "Shall we get going?" He asked in an almost british accent. I laid my hand in his warm big one and nodded.
"We shall." I said back with my best impression of a british accent. Alex chuckled beside me and opened the passenger side of his car for me.
"My lady." He waved his hand in front of the door and I shook my head at us. Alex seemed to bring out my playful side and I was already enjoying this 'date'. I buckled myself in while he ran around the front and to the drivers side. I admired the interior of his car and I almost whistled. It was some type of Audi but I didn't know what model. The soft black leather seemed to wrap my body into itself.
"Nice car." I commented.
"Thank you. This is my favorite." Favorite? As in more than one? I looked at him wide eyed. "Yes I have about 3 cars." I said that out loud?! Stupid mouth.
I didn't ask how he had 3 cars and instead just nodded. He must be pretty loaded to have that many cars. Ashton had 3 as well.
"Are you hungry now or do you want to eat in a little bit?" Alex asked bringing me out of my thoughts.
"I-" I started to say but was interrupted by my stomach who decided it was time to make mating calls. Blushing I lowered my head down.
"Eat now it is than." Alex said laughing. My blush got darker. "What would you like to eat?"
"Anywhere's good. I like anything basically, besides seafood." I answered shrugging and feeling my blush die down.
"I know a great place that isn't to far from here. That okay?"
"That sounds perfect."
We drove in comfortable silence to the restaurant. One of the first times I didn't feel the need to gab the whole ride to avoid silence. Not to long after Alex pulled up to what looked like a nice restaurant. He got out and before he could open my door for me I was already out and standing beside the car. He handed his keys to the valet and grabbed my hand.
"This place has really good food." He said leading through the doors and to the front desk. "2 people." He told the hostess. When she looked at him her eyes widened and she quickly grabbed two menus before leading us towards the back of the place. I couldn't help but wonder why she acted the way she did but I pushed it aside for right now.
"Here you go Mr. Ryder." The hostess said handing the menus to us once we had seated. The name Ryder sounded familiar but I couldn't put my finger on where I had heard it.
"Don't worry about the price." Alex said just as I opened the menu. My eyes almost bulged out of my head. The prices were about as much as it was when I went on my first date with Ashton. Just for a side salad it was $10.99. I stared across at Alex practically asking him how he could afford these prices. "Choose whatever you want." He sent me a look and I knew to drop it. I looked around for the cheapest thing but only came up with the side salad. Sighing inaudibly I knew I couldn't pick something cheap.
"Hello. My name is Nick and I'll be your server today. What can I get you to drink?" Our waiter came up and asked. I opened my mouth to answer water but Alex beat me to it.
"Can we get a bottle of your 74 Merlot?"
"Right away sir." The waiter nodded and walked off. I wasn't a wine expert at all but I knew enough to know a bottle of 74 Merlot is a lot of money.
"What are you going to get?" He asked me a minute later setting his menu down.
"I guess whatever pops into my mind when he comes back." I answered not knowing what to order.
"Can't go wrong with anything here." Right after he closed his mouth the waiter was back with the bottle of wine. He did that weird thing they do in fancy restaurants in the movies. He poured a little in a glass and waited for Alex to taste it and nod that it was good. I always thought they only did that on movies but apparently not. I tried not to laugh as Alex smelled the wine and took a small sip. He looked like a weirdo doing it and I had to choke back a laugh wanting to get out.
"What can I get for you?" The waiter asked a few minutes later after pouring both of our glasses.
"I will have the New York steak with the vegetables." Alex replied. The waiter nodded and turned to me. He didn't even get a notepad out to write it down.
"I uh I'll have the BBQ pizza." I said the first thing that came to mind. The waiter raised an eyebrow at me surprised I ordered pizza instead of a salad or something. He nodded a minute later and left to put our order in.
"Pizza?" Alex asked amused.
"I'm hungry." I stated and shrugged.
"Here" Alex picked up his wine glass and held it up. I grabbed mine and put it in front of his. "Here's to meeting someone at the grocery store." He grinned than clinked our glasses together. I smiled and took a sip. The wine was good and I let my body slump back against the booth we were in.
"Your last name is Ryder?" I asked suddenly. I stared across at Alex feeling that I knew absolutely nothing about him. He nodded and stared at me almost expectedly. "How about we play 20 questions to get to know one another?" I suggested.
"Sure. I'll go first. What is your full name." He started off easy.
"Layla Kingston." I answered. "I know yours is now Alex Ryder. How old are you?"
"I am 25 almost 26. You?"
"23. Where did you go to college and major in?"
"That's two questions Layla." He chimed but answered anyways. "I went to NYU and majored in Business. Now you."
"I also went to NYU and majored in Journalism." I answered.
"Wow we missed each other by only a few years. Your turn."
"Well...I see your in a suit so where do you work?" I decided to ask.
"I own my own company, Ryder and Son's." He said. All the sudden the name clicked. I froze staring at Alex.
Alex Ryder! I should have realized that! He is the second most eligible bachelor in New York, a millionaire, and Ashton's enemy/competition. When I was studying up on Ashton's company I read about Alex but never saw a picture of him. I read that Ashton and him went to the same school and both took over their fathers companies around the same time. I sat there frozen staring at him. What is he going to think when he hears I am Ashton's PA?!
"I see that you know who I am now." Alex said trying to break the silence.
"I uh...yeah." I took a sip of my wine. "Sorry I just didn't expect to be on a date with the second most eligible bachelor in New York." I replied back.
"I was starting to wonder when you would figure it out truthfully." He said leaning back in the booth while staring at me.
"Sorry a little slow." I joked.
"Is that going to be a problem?" Alex asked a minute later looking at me. The way he was staring at me he looked almost worried about my answer. I was already dealing with one bachelor and dealing with another wouldn't be a problem. Plus Alex was different than Ashton, he seemed sweet and sincere.
"No not at all. It doesn't matter what your status is." I answered truthfully. Only have known him for a day I knew Alex wasn't like most stuck up rich people. He shot me a big smile at my answer.
"Okay good. Back to questions." He rubbed his hands together. "I'll ask you the same. Where do you work?" I hesitated answering not really wanting to say where. I mean if there's bad blood between them two I don't want to get in the way.
"I work at Miller Industries." I finally spit out. He stared at me for a minute before nodding slowly. I sat there waiting for him to ask what I do but thankfully he didn't.
We asked each other a few more questions before our food came. I learned that Alex had 2 younger brothers that were about to graduate high school, that his father still helped out at the company and his mother was a fashion designer. I told him that I had no siblings, that I lived with my best friend, and use to work at the River Side Cafe before working at Miller Industries.
The rest of dinner we spent asking questions and telling stories. I felt completely comfortable with Alex and I could feel myself starting to like him. I ignored all of my own protests against continuing with him and let myself have some fun. As I listened to him telling me a story about a prank his brothers did on him I grinned and for the first time since I met Ashton I forgot about everything and enjoyed my date.
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Hiya! Soooo there you guys are chapter 24! I don't mean to swear but that was some deep shit at the beginning :D I'm sorry this chapter wasn't much and actually pretty boring but thought i'd still update it. I didn't know how to end it so I kind of just trailed off.
I hope you guys are liking Alex :) I wanted to make him the opposite of Ashton almost like Ashton's the bad boy. Later on you will see why they don't like each other and so on. I'm thinking for the next chapter it will be ALL Ashton's POV, don't know yet for sure but I may so you guys can see what's going on outside of Layla.
I would LOVE IT if someone could help me make another cover for this story or even some banners. If anyone has some free time message me or comment.
Anyways let me know what you think :)
VOTE, COMMENT, READ, AND GO EAT SOME YUMMY FOOD!
I am so sad that Zayn is leaving One Direction! But they haven't stopped in 5 years and understand why he is leaving. I love his voice and kind of looking forward to their new album and hearing what it sounds like without him. BYE ZAYN!
<3
-Kendoll