Chapter 35

"Come on, Aya my curiosity is already peaking, you have to tell me something!"

Aya rolled her eyes playfully at Xia.

"Since when are you the towns gossip?"

"I am the Queen of gossip if you want to know something you come to me. I know everything!" Via gestured to herself in a queenly manner.

Aya laughed. "No wonder I am scared to tell you anything."

Xia pouted then she looked at Aya, her eyes growing making puppy dog eyes.

"Pretty please?"

Aya averted her gaze, turning her back on Xia. "I will not be bullied." Her tone was playful.

Xia moved from behind the counter, she stood in front of Aya, peering into her face. "You know you can't resist me."

Aya started laughing. "Oh, alright."

Aya started to tell her how she and Hoseok met, she twisted their fight a bit so that she didn't let it slip that Hoseok was an idol nor did she tell Xia what his name was.

Xia was listening intently. "Wow, it is still so romantic how you met and BAM! You are meant for each other, I am glad you guys are working it out."

Aya smiled. "Thank you so much, Xia. I can't tell you how much he means to me."

Xia whistled. "Cupid did one hell of a number on you."

Aya bumped her shoulder playfully. "I think Aphrodite showered us with her blessings."

"I wouldn't complain if I were you, you are one lucky girl."

Aya replied with a nod, her thoughts kept taking her to the what-ifs. She really needed to sort out her life.

The rest of their workday was quiet, it went by slowly.

"Aya! Your shift is over."

Aya poked her head up from behind the counter.

"Thank you, Xia, I'll see you on Thursday."

Xia waved her off. "Enjoy your evening."

"You too!"

When Aya got out of the bookstore, a car pulled up, the window dropped down showing Carl's face.

"I thought I'd surprise you by giving you a lift home."

Aya smiled. "Wow, Carl you really know how to treat a girl."

He chuckled and opened the door for her. "Get in, I got us some take always. I guess you won't be cooking while we talk right?"

Aya got into the car, fastening her seatbelt. "You just don't like my cooking."

"I... No, I do it is just."

"You suck at lying, Carl. I improved my cooking a lot, you just don't want to take the risk."

"You got me there." They both burst out laughing. Carl put the car in drive, they got to her apartment in ten minutes.

She opened the door for them, she walked to the kitchen to get them some plates. "I'll be with you in a minute, I just want to get out of these clothes."

Carl was busy plating up. "Sure honey, I'll warm up the rest so long."

Aya entered her bedroom, she got dressed in her PJs. She rejoined Carl in the kitchen.

Carl placed her food in front of her with a cup of tea, he sat opposite her. "Do you want to eat first or talk and eat?"

"I don't want to ruin dinner, so why not talk after eating?"

He raised an eyebrow. "I know you have a hard time expressing, so I would rather that you talk in between. But let us do this your way."