long way from home

There was only so much asshole behaviour from Remzi a person could tolerate before they gave up. Raik had been tolerating it for thirty six years. From the moment Remzi left the womb. But Raik was scared that Ayla was going to snap one day and board the first plane back to Turkey. He wouldn’t blame her for it either. The marriage she was promised to Remzi was going to be anything but perfect. More like an awful terrible car crash. Remzi wasn’t designed to slip in a suit, walk down the aisle and devote his life to one woman.

Raik glanced down at the card for a moment, shrugging a little at Ayla’s comment. The easy solution was to find a pen and sign it on Remzi’s behalf. A careless scribble across the card would suffice. “Hates Christmas?” He looked back up at Ayla, frowning a little. He’d never known Remzi to hate Christmas. The holiday was geared towards over indulging in everything, which Remzi loved.

Ayla cleared up his confusion with her next comment though. The hotel on the square. The fancy one. The hotel where Raik was murdered. His last living memory before being dragged off to the purgatory was clutching at his throat, desperately trying to gasp for air but his hands slipping from his skin due to the blood pouring out. “We, um… we don’t get along with the owner.” But of course Remzi didn’t take a few minutes to explain that to Ayla. Why would he? It wasn’t like she was his future wife. “Let’s go out. Me and you.” He was about to blur the lines even further between him and Ayla. “I’ll head back to my apartment and get changed. I’ll dig out a nice suit and we’ll head to a fancy bar outside of town.” He was tired of drinking at the same bars in Mystic Falls.

“I’ll be back shortly. No rush though, take your time.” He understood how stressed out women could get if they were placed under strict time limits to get ready. He left the gift and card in the kitchen, heading back to his own apartment. On his way back he sent a text to Remzi to say he needed to sign the tag and card, but left out the part where he had just invited Ayla out for a drink with him. Just the two of them.

Raik was back at Hannya’s apartment within an hour. He’d already knocked back two shots of whisky for some Dutch courage. Ayla was ready and waiting for him in the kitchen.. He was taken back when he stepped into the room to see her standing there looking breathtakingly beautiful. “Wow.” He spoke without thinking, uttering the first word that came into his mind. Frantically he searched his mind for something else to say to her, trying to cover up the fact he had just laid eyes on the most perfect woman he’d ever seen. “You look amazing.” It wasn’t like Remzi was showering Ayla with compliments.

He paid for their cab to a small cocktail bar twenty minutes outside of Mystic Falls. It was dimly lit inside with a few booths dotted around. There was a band setting up on the stage. He handed his bank card over to the bartender, starting a tab for them. Once they’d got their first drink they found a quiet booth in the corner. Raik slipped into the seat opposite Ayla. “I’m sorry Remzi wouldn’t take you to the Christmas party. It’s partly my fault… it’s where I was killed. Room 204 to be precise.” He lifted his glass, taking a large sip of his drink. He wasn’t ready to explain every single detail of that awful night to Ayla. Not yet. Each time he thought about it he’d feel himself being swallowed by the darkness, knowing there was peace waiting for him on the other side but he was dragged away from that. But if he never came back then he wouldn’t have had the chance to be sitting across from an incredible woman, having a drink in a cosy bar.

AYLA KIRAZ

Raik knew why Remzi wouldn’t just explain that to Ayla. He couldn’t be bothered to listen to Ayla’s questions, it would have driven him insane. Why did they hate the owners? What happened? It was better for him to be coy about the situation.

Thankfully the conversation about the hotel was dropped and the pair headed out to a bar. It was impossible to hide his smile when Ayla told him he looked amazing too. It should have been Remzi taking Ayla out for drinks. It should have been him telling Ayla she was beautiful and ordering her nice cocktails. Raik had stepped up to the role though, not that he was complaining. He loved spending time with Ayla. When their mom told them there was a woman on her way from Turkey to meet Remzi he never imagined he’d end up so close with her.

This time Raik was the one to bring up the hotel, explaining to Ayla why they hate the owners. It was more than a disagreement over the room price. The pair of them snuck into Raik’s bedroom and murdered him while he was unable to fend for himself. He knew as soon as he felt the cold blade travel across his neck he was going to die. He was so fucked up he couldn’t even thread together a plea for them not to kill him. He wasn’t ready to die. There was so much more he wanted to do with his life. But it wasn’t just that, he didn’t want to leave behind Remzi, not when he was roaming around town with no humanity. Raik was terrified that he was the only one who could bring him back and if he was dead then Remzi would be lost forever. “It’s fine. We just tend to avoid the place.” It was surprising Remzi hadn’t walked into the hotel and torn the owners apart with his bare hands.

Raik broke into a smile when she insisted the night wasn’t going to be ruined. “No. We’re gonna have a great night.” The best night ever. Raik was sure of that because it was impossible not to have a great night with Ayla. He adored spending time with just her.

He peered down into his drink for a second. “No.” He said with a chuckle, “I tried to order something you’d like. I think it’s called The Bramble. British I think. I like the blackberry.” He pulled the blackberry out of his drink and placed it in his mouth. “My favourite cocktail is probably a Bloody Mary. Don’t you have a favourite drink already? I’d say we could try every cocktail on the menu but I think we’d both vomit before we got to the end, especially if we started dancing.” The mention of dancing brought forward memories of their dance in the club during the Halloween event. Their faces were only inches apart, as they swayed to the music. There was a high chance that if the alarm hadn’t sounded Raik would have taken his chances and kissed Ayla. His fingers would have travelled up her neck, curled around her hair gently and pulled her closer to him. He thought about that evening a lot.

Even though it was a risky game he was about to play, he was taking hold of Ayla’s hand as soon as the music started. The band started out with something upbeat with a jazzy ring to it. His fingers interlocked with hers as he lifted his hand up in the air to twirl her around a few times. Raik tugged her toward him, his hands gliding around her waist, resting on her lower back. Remzi was missing out by not being the one to have his arms wrapped around Ayla’s body, staring into her eyes as the music played in the background. “I’m glad I asked you to come out with me tonight.” It was easy to forget they were in a crowded bar. Whenever he was with Ayla she was the only person he saw. They could be thrown into the middle of New York city, surrounded by thousands of people and his eyes would only find her. Everything else around her just bled away.

AYLA KIRAZ

Raik and Remzi were born and raised in America. It was a completely different upbringing to what they would have experienced if they were in Turkey. They got a glimpse into that life sometimes they went over to visit when they were younger. In America they were exposed to alcohol when they were teenagers whereas in Turkey it was almost unheard of. So no wonder Ayla had never heard of a Bloody Mary or even had a favourite drink. Sadly those visits to Turkey came to an end once they reached the age of twenty. While Raik could go back now, Remzi couldn’t without being conscripted. Their dad had to sit them down and explain to them why they could no longer visit Turkey. Remzi argued the point, saying they’d never catch him and he still wanted to go. “Um… it sounds kind of disgusting, but it’s mainly vodka and tomato juice.” He’d only be able to stomach a few though.

Thankfully he hadn’t knocked back lots of Bloody Marys that evening before heading onto the dancefloor otherwise the heavy liquid would be whooshing around in his stomach by now. The only thing he felt was overjoyment as Ayla’s body slotted into his frame and they danced together. It was perfect. She made him feel so ridiculously happy. He adored every single second they spent together, wishing it could last forever. Her arms slipped around his neck, her skin brushing against his causing a tingle to travel down his spine.

But then she broke away, suggesting they tried more cocktails. “Sure.” He replied with a grin on his face, following her off towards the bar. He was mainly in charge of choosing what they were ordering, but only because Ayla insisted he decided. They knocked back countless drinks alongside twirling each other around the dancefloor. It felt like they were the only ones in that bar. Sometimes she’d peel herself away from him to run off and grab her drink. His eyes would follow her as she left the dancefloor, a huge grin on his face (which had been there all night) as he watched her rush to finish the drink so she could get back to him. As soon as she ran back towards him he would extend his hand, taking hold of her and tugging her back in his arms.

Soon the music became more like the songs they blasting in the club, but much quieter. Usually it was at that point he’d remove himself from the dance floor, but there was no way he was leaving Ayla. His gaze would occasionally drift up and down her body as she danced, admiring every single damn part of her. Shit. He wanted her so fucking badly. Throughout the evening it felt like he was constantly fighting the urge to kiss her. He desperately wanted to trail his fingers along the nape of her neck to find the zip of her dress and remove it from her body. Even in his intoxicated state he knew to ignore those urges though. It was only a few months ago he was telling Kit everything would be fine. He insisted his feelings towards Ayla would disappear.

The sound of her voice brought him back to reality. He just about caught what Ayla said. She moved her head back slightly so they were looking at one another. He focused on her, “I feel the same… when I’m with you I feel like everything will be okay.” Despite the fact nothing was going to be okay. One day Ayla would promise her life to Remzi.

It was getting to the point now where Raik was convinced if he were to make a move on Ayla she wouldn't back off. There was an intense spark between which was impossible to ignore, but they were both trying their best to do so. All for the sake of fucking Remzi, who didn’t even care in the first place. But as he peered down at Ayla he started to think maybe it was worth the risk. Then she announced she liked the pink cocktail, causing Raik to smile again. He’d only have to edge forward a fraction and his lips would be pressing against hers to taste the Pink Lemonade she’d just drank. “Shall we get one of those pink drinks?” By this point he’d need to take the ice from the drink and run it over his body just to cool down.

Raik’s finger linked with Ayla’s as he guided them back towards the bar to order them a Pink Lemonade cocktail. “I know I’ve already said this but you look so beautiful tonight.” He handed her the drink, his fingers brushing against hers for a brief second. He wasn’t sure whether the heat rising to his cheeks was from all the dancing or staring at Ayla.



AYLA KIRAZ - wrap with yours?