Let It Be Me (Let It Be Me #1) (21 page)

And Alex hasn’t really done anything to disprove her trust. He’s just about been her hero and her angel.  Ben has supported the fact that Alex has been good since he’s met her.

Oh my god
, she thought, she’s been wrong all this time. And she needed to fix it. 

The train just reached the New York terminal then. She quickly walked out of the station, with a paper bag filled with food Aunt Heidi prepared for her. She scrambled for her phone in the bag. She searched for Alex’s name and hit dial. 

“Come on, come on,” she muttered, as it just kept ringing.

“Hi, you’ve reached Alex’s phone. If you have a message please leave –“ 

Kayla ended it, not wanting to leave a voice message. She wanted to talk to him personally. He deserved that.

Ben! She could call him. Good thing he gave her his number the night of the premiere.

“Kayla,” he answered on the third ring.

“Where’s Alex?” she asked. 

“Why are you looking for him?” he asked cautiously, after a brief pause. Kayla knew she deserved that question – Ben was protecting his friend.

“I’m going to try to make things right, Ben,” she promised. 

She heard Ben sigh with relief. “That’s good to hear, Kayla.”

“Where is he?” she asked again anxiously.

“I’m pretty sure he’s at the construction site,” Ben said.

“Okay, I’m on my way,” she explained. “I hope I’m not too late.”

“I’m rooting for you, Kayla,” Ben encouraged. 

“Thanks Ben,” she said, grateful for Ben’s blessing.

She headed towards where the cabs were, when she spotted someone familiar lurking by an advertisement stand. But he was gone before she got a closer look. 

She walked towards that direction but couldn’t find him.

“Are you going to the construction site, ma’am?” 

She spun around and found Roy behind her.

“What are you doing here? How do you know where I was?”

He didn’t respond. He was sporting a look that was supposed to be nonchalant but she saw a trace of guilt for getting caught.

That was when she realized what has been going on. That night she spoke to Chad she felt someone following her. She felt that a few more times since then, she thought she was going crazy or actually had a stalker.

“He had you follow me?” she asked incredulously.

Roy was quiet for a second before saying, “It would be better if you ask Alex that.”

Kayla didn’t know if she should get mad or just laugh. 

“I don’t have a car, ma’am, but I can hail a cab for you.”

“Yes, please, and call me Kayla. You better come with me then since you would have to report to your boss.”

They hailed a cab, with Roy taking the front seat and her taking the back. Roy directed the driver to the construction site. 

Kayla was frustrated with Alex for having her followed. It seemed so typical of him. But above everything else, she just knew she needed to see him and to talk to him.

The traffic wasn’t very cooperative. By the time they reached the site minutes later, Kayla was almost at the end of her wits. She’s wasted more than enough time. She hoped she could still catch him.

“I’ll handle the fare,” Roy said.

“Thanks, Roy,” she quickly said, as she got out to search for Alex.

As it was a Sunday, the site was deserted except for the security personnel that guarded the vicinity. So it wasn’t hard to find him sitting on his favorite spot. The sight of him made Kayla imagine how he was as a teenager having this grand dream. 

Right then it all became clear. 

She loved him. 

She loved him for everything he has gone through, and for the man he has become. She loved him for everything he has done for her, even if he wasn’t perfect. He was bossy and could be arrogant, but he was thoughtful and generous.

Her heart swelled with the burst of emotion.

She then hurried to reach him. She accidentally kicked a stone that clanked down the mound. The sound was soft, but resounded in the silent construction site. 

Alex looked back and his eyes widened when he saw it was her.

“Kayla,” he said in disbelief. 

And Kayla couldn’t help herself. The vision of him broke her heart all over again. Tears started spilling down her cheeks, and she scolded herself. For a tough girl, she’s been crying so much for the past weeks. She held on tightly to the handle of the paper bag.

He stood up to face her, taking one step forward. He looked tired and restless, and Kayla could see he was holding back. 

“I got it wrong, Alex,” she started, after managing to let her tears subside. “For the past years I just got so used to being on my own. I put all these barricades around me, and I was very cautious about letting anyone in. I have to admit I was keeping people away – my aunt, my uncle, my cousins, and even Jenny. It became a habit until I realized too late I pushed away the best person who entered my life. I was telling myself that I didn’t deserve you. That there was no way you could love me.”

Alex was shaking his head like he wanted to speak. But Kayla didn’t allow him to, while she still had things to say.

“But you’re the first person who’s ever made me open up without forcing me to,” she continued. “You’ve snuck up into my heart without me realizing it.”

She took several deep breaths.

“I love you, Alex, and I’m sorry.”

A new wave of tears came then, and Kayla didn’t realize that Alex has moved closer.

“Oh Kayla,” he said, wrapping his arms around her. Kayla dropped the paper bag and circled her arms around his waist and held on tight, like she wouldn’t let go. 

Not this time. 

“It’s not too late, baby,” he assured, shaking. She looked up to see his eyes red with unshed tears. “In fact you just caught me plotting on how I was going to do everything to get you back. I just gave you some time for yourself, even if it was practically the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

Kayla couldn’t help but laugh through her tears. Alex has always managed to cheer her up; he has taught her not to overthink things.

She leaned forward to hug him again, largely relieved that he was willing to have her even after she almost gave up on them.

“Thank you,” she told him, hoping he would understand.

“I’ve waiting for you practically all my life, Kayla,” he said. “I wouldn’t let you go that easily.” 

She cried, but this time out of happiness. 

“Stop crying now,” he told her gently, rubbing circles on her back.

It took her a while to calm down. When her emotions have slightly subsided, she broke away and peered up at him. “You had me followed,” she said accusingly. “Was that part of your plot to get me back?”

She appreciated that he looked sheepish and guilty. 

“There’s a reason,” he said. “It mustn’t have reached you, which is good. I didn’t want you to get worried.”

“I was worried enough thinking that I had a stalker,” she muttered teasingly.

“I’m sorry,” he said looking guiltier, probably realizing his plan also backfired. “You see, no photo came out from a wedding, but there was a blurb in one of the tabloids that I was seeing an architect. It turned out someone from the foundation spilled it to a reporter. Unfortunately, we had to fire that employee since we value trust and confidentiality. I wanted to make sure you were okay, so yes, I had Roy follow you.”

She hugged him again. 

“Thank you,” she said, “Overbearing still, but I appreciate your unending thoughtfulness even after I pushed you away.”

“It would take more than that to get rid of me,” he said.

Leaning back, Kayla asked. “What was the rest of your plan to win me back?” 

“Oh, lots and lots of seduction,” he said simply, with his lopsided grin. “I was going to trap you in every elevator I can find.”

Kayla blushed with the memory of the first time Alex kissed her.

“Still so arrogant,” she teased. “But you know what? That might have just worked.”

Alex bent his head to kiss her with such tenderness. Kayla kissed him back with all the love she had all along for him. 

Alex broke the kiss, and looked down at her. “And don’t ever think that you don’t deserve me or what other crap you thought,” Alex said fiercely. “I’m working just like you. It just so happens that I’m watched by thousands of people.”

“More like millions,” Kayla interjected jokingly.

“Fine, whatever,” he said, grinning. “But the point is, you design these buildings that are seen by millions of people too. We’re both just working on things we love. But above it all, we’re both people living our dreams.”

Kayla leaned up to kiss him. 

“Ben’s right, you actually have a brain somewhere in there,” she kidded.

Alex laughed.

“What do you have in that paper bag by the way?” he asked.

“Food my aunt prepared for me. Want some? She always puts in some plastic utensils.” Her aunt got used to Kayla living in a dorm room without a dishwasher.

“Now that you mentioned it, I am famished.”

They sat down on the little hill, as Kayla started bringing out the plastic containers of food. They had their picnic as Kayla told him about her day with her family. Of course he already knew she went to visit them when Roy reported it to him this morning.

“Small steps though,” Kayla admitted as they were done eating. They have already put back the containers of the remaining food in the paper bag. “Deirdre and Barry weren’t there.”

“I’ll be with you the next time then,” Alex promised, placing his arm around her shoulders, and kissed her on her forehead. Kayla leaned her head back onto his shoulder. 

“I would like that,” she said, smiling. “You’re going to spoil me, Alex.”

“You deserve to be taken care of, Kayla,” he said, and Kayla was touched by his words. 

Kayla suddenly felt his arm turn rigid. She looked up at him.

“What is it?”

“You were dating someone,” he said. His jaw was clenched, like he was fighting the jealousy.

Kayla took his other hand and squeezed. “The operative word there is ‘were’. Yes I did go out with a guy briefly. But there’s nothing to worry about. That time I was still fighting what I felt for you. I was still convincing myself that I didn’t deserve you.”

“But –“

“Yes, I know that now,” Kayla assured. “I just have to remind myself you’re just an arrogant spoiled actor.”

Alex laughed, “You know me so well, Kayla.”

“Yes, and I love you,” she told him. Saying it again felt so natural. She’s been fooling herself all along.

Alex leaned down to kiss her. “I love you, Kayla Richardson.”

And as they sat on the hill, they had a view of their dreams coming true.

Epilogue

One year later

“Ladies and gentlemen, today marks a milestone for RHS Foundation and personally, in my life,” Alex spoke in a podium. In front of him were some donors, members of the press, and some other guests. “Today we unveil the first building of Stone Homes.”

There was a round of applause. They were all in the center of the garden, with the jungle gym at one side and the vegetable garden at the other. The first building was standing behind Alex. The spaces where the other buildings would be were boarded up.

“With all your help, we have already raised enough funds to realize not just this building but the next three buildings as well. So we are foreseeing the completion of the whole Stone Homes development in two years. We thank each and every one of you, as the legacy of my parents is able to live on.”

The people applauded again, as Alex stepped down to the podium, quickly going through well-wishers until he reached Kayla. He leaned down to kiss her, holding on to her arms. 

The press had got a hold of them dating during the past months, but Alex has pulled out all stops for things not to get out of hand. Alex has also convinced Kayla to allow him to employ a bodyguard for her. It took months for Kayla to get used to it since she’s been used to being on her own. But she knew that being in a relationship with Alex required her to make some compromises and sacrifices. So far she and Alex managed to maintain a low-key relationship. She hasn’t been bothered by the press much.

 “Alex, Kayla,” they heard someone call. They turned to see Bobby and Cynthia, both smiling broadly. Kayla quickly broke away, embarrassed to be seen by her boss that way. 

“Congratulations, Alex,” Bobby said, extending his arm forward. He beamed at both Alex and Kayla. Cynthia also congratulated them, with a look of approval and excitement.

“You are part of the accomplishment, Bobby,” Alex said as they shook hands. “Thank you.”

As Bobby and Cynthia walked away after a short chat, Kayla remembered when she spoke to Bobby about her relationship with Alex. It was a week after that fateful day in the Stone Homes site and she was really nervous, thinking there was a risk she was going to lose her job because of her unprofessionalism. Alex offered to go with her, but she said she needed to do it on her own.

“It would be okay,” Alex assured her when she spoke to him on the phone before she was going to approach Bobby. Then he cheekily added, “Worst case scenario is if Bobby would fire you, the foundation would hire you as the in-house architect.” 

“Ha! The foundation can’t afford me,” she joked, and they both laughed.

“Go get ‘em, tiger,” he cheered.

She slowly walked to Bobby’s office that morning, mustering all the courage she could. She saw Bobby signing some documents as she knocked on his glass door.

“Are you busy, Bobby?” she asked demurely as she opened his door partially.

“You and I are always busy, Kayla,” he kidded. “But we should always make time for people that matter to us.” 

Bobby always had wise words to share.

“Come in and have a seat,” he said welcomingly. “I hope everything’s going okay?”

Kayla shook her head. “The projects are doing okay,” she assured. “Well this visit is more personal in matter.”

Bobby looked at her with concern. 

Kayla cleared her throat, “Alex and I, well, we’ve started dating,” she said nervously.