chapter 1

I was walking home from college one day, paying little to no attention to my surroundings while frantically digging through my hand bag for my keys .

'I must've kept it in here, it should be here somewhere, or did I forget it at school?' I thought to myself as I pushed something's out of the way when suddenly someone pushed me to the ground.

I landed on the sidewalk and hit my head with a heavy thud as half the items in my handbag spilled over. I was barely able to process what just happened when I heard people shouting. Worried, I raised my head and looked behind me to see that a crowd had formed behind me. Whoever pushed me off the road saved me from being hit by a truck and ended up being hit themselves.

Without thinking twice, I got up, adjusted my scarf and dusted my jeans before rushing over to the scene. My head was throbbing as I tried to squeeze in through the people that had gathered around the person.

"Sorry, please excuse me". I said as managed to squeeze my way through the crowd and was shocked at what I saw. A young man lay on his back a pool of blood forming beside his head. I stood there in horror at the sight. It hurt to see the same person that saved me laying there almost lifeless.

Without thinking twice, I knelt down next to him before turning his body to his back. I heard gasps escape the mouths of the people around me which soon turned to murmurs. Many people brought their phones and only few knelt down beside me to help him up. I was stunned at how more people came with their phone's up, aimed at recording us instead of helping the poor helpless man.

I ignored them and instead put his arm over my shoulder while another young man helped him up. The two of us helped the man get to his car while more people fled to the scene to get a glimpse of him. I didn't know him but I knew that hoever this man was, he was popular. After helping him get into the car, I rushed back to where I left my handbag and whatever I owned inside it, not caring for what I'd missed before rushing back to the car.

The car ride was oddly silent as the man drove as fast as he could to reach the nearest hospital. I didn't mind the silence, as I stole a few glances at the injured man that was seated next to me. He had caramel brown skin with curly black hair. His jaw was defined and everything about his face looked perfect except for the fact that blood ran down his forehead and his eyes were closed. For a second I wondered how beautiful they were.

"I was meaning to ask". The guy at the driver's seat started which instantly brought her back to reality. "What is your relationship with this man?" He said as he stared right into her eyes through the rear view mirror.

I hesitated. I didn't know this man neither did I know anything about him. "Uhm, we don't have a relationship". I answered trying to make it less awkward.

The guy raised a brow." No relationship? What do you mean?"

"He pushed me from being hit by the truck and ended up getting hit himself. So I chose to return the favour". I said as I turned my attention back to the man seated next to me,

And maybe it might be my last time getting to see him. I thought to myself as the guy pulled the brakes once we arrived at the hospital.

"If all this is true, then you must be a really nice person". He said before getting out of the car. I smiled at his comment before also stepping out.

He opened the other door as I walked towards it, when suddenly, a thought crossed her mind 'who was this man?' . I immediately looked up at him and saw him helping the injured man out of the car. I walked towards him and helped him pull the man out .

I put his arm over my shoulder before the two of us began leading him towards the hospital.

"Do you know this man?" I asked, out of the blue.

He paused before saying. "Yeah, I know him. He's the CEO of M & C jeweler's son, Kareem Muhammad. I'm surprised you don't know him". He said as we began walking up the stairs.

The CEO of M&C jeweler's! That's like, one of the biggest companies in the country! No wonder people where crowding him. I'm pretty sure my face is going to be public by tomorrow morning. Ugh! Today's such a bad day.

"Uhm..." The man said, drawing back my attention. "Can we continue?" He asked before it realised that I wasn't moving.

"Oh, I didn't get your name?". I asked, knowing we would part ways soon.

"It's Jason, Jason Cooper". He said before we continued climbing the stairs. We reached the front desk and upon seeing how injured he was, they brought in a stretcher and took him in. I was about to follow them in when the lady at the front desk stopped me.

"Ma'am ". She called out to me before I reluctantly walked back. " You'll have to sign this form". She said as she handed me a form and a pen.

I quickly took the pen from her and wrote down all the needed information before giving it to her . I was about to leave when she called out to me again.

"But you're not done". She said before giving me back the form. "You didn't answer this question". She said , pointing at the question, saying, ' Relationship with patient:" I didn't know what to write and quickly scribbled down 'family friend ', before rushing off to see him.

They didn't let me into the room so I just stood outside and watched as the doctors used cotton wool to clean the blood. Seeing such a kindhearted man in the hospital made me feel nothing but sadness. He didn't deserve this. I was about to leave when I felt a presence behind me. I turned around to see Jason. He was also watching him .

He sighed. "Such is life". Jason said before finally looking down to see me . His hazel brown eyes met mine and for a split second, both of us just stood there starring at each other.

He looked away and breathing finally became steady. I didn't even know I was holding my breath.

"I never got your name". He said after a while of silence. I took a few steps away from him.

"It's Laila. Laila Saleem". I said in a tone a lot more quiet than I expected.

"Pretty name for a pretty girl". He said as I turned to look at him, he was smiling. Was he flirting with me?

I smiled back as he walked up to me. We walked out of the hospital in an awkward silence. I was about to walk back to my apartment when he called out to me.

"Laila", he said as I looked back at him, "You need a ride or something?" He said as he walked up to me. I could've easily said no since my apartment was merely a 15 minute walk away from here, but I was exhausted and couldn't waste the little energy I had walking.

"Yeah". I said before walking to his car. The two of us sat there in an awkward silence as he frequently stole glances at me through the rearview mirror. I was starting to feel uncomfortable so I adjusted my scarf.

He reached my apartment and was about to leave when I realised I didn't have my keys with me.

"Are you okay". He asked when he noticed I was going inside.

I wanted to tell him, but didn't want to burden him with my problems and, I somehow felt uncomfortable around him. "It's nothing. You can get going, it's already getting late". I said with a fake smile plastered on my face.

"Okay..... Bye. I hope we meet again". He smirked before starting the car engine and driving away.

I hope we never see again. I thought to myself before picking up my phone and calling the only locksmith nearby.....

It took hours of me waiting before I finally got my keys duplicated and I was finally able to enter my beautiful house.

I thanked the man before walking into my apartment and collapsing on my sofa. If there was anything I needed right then and there, it was sleep....