Chapter 12

A T I Y A

A cold autumn air enveloped Atiya , who was standing on a small balcony overlooking the storefront. The streets were quiet. Everyone seemed to be at home and having a comfortable night. A siren was blaring in the distance. How different from the life she left behind at Cape Vincent! It was a quaint town, but it was home. Her heart throbbed. Well, it was in her house until her father died. Now it felt like a past she could never escape. She shivered and pulled the sweater around her body. At least the autumn weather made the big city feel more at home. There was something soothing about the clear air. Much better than sitting in the dining room with the charming, angry Mr. Scott . Not to mention the nosy aunt. It was wrong from the beginning. A light knock drew her attention to the interior of the room. Aquila stood in the doorway with a very displeased look on his face. His free hand was in his front pocket and his shoulders were rounded. He peered into the room and looked around. "I'm out here," she said. She felt his gaze on her and he gave her a half-smile. "April wanted to check on you," he stepped into the room, then paused. "Are you okay? You're not going to jump off?" He raised his hand as if to stop someone. Atiya chuckled. "No, I'm not going to jump. I'm just relaxing here." She put her arms around her chest and said, "You can come in."

His tense expression gave way to relief as he stepped inside. "Thank you." Atiya ran to the side as he approached the window. He slid one leg onto the balcony and then leaned forward. He straightened her up and stared at her. When he stood next to her, she suddenly felt small. He was taller than her, over 1.80 meters. And spacious. So did he smell good? Was it him or was he wearing a cologne? She smelled so natural that she had no idea what it was. "Are you cold?" he asked and nodded at her. She shuddered at the question. He pulled off his suit jacket by the sides and draped it over her shoulders. "Here it is," he whispered. He was just inches from her. His warmth flooded her. If she could have moved, she would have done so. Her heart was screaming not to get any closer. But there was no more space and she had to stand inches away from the billionaire. "I'm sorry. There it is." She nodded to the kitchen. He shook his head. "No, no problem. Okay. We all have luggage." He smiled at her. Yes, but it didn't help that there were wealthy men in her family as well, and he was one of them. Why did her mind seem so confused now? She used to be very clear about what she wanted. How could this one man break down so many walls? They hardly knew each other. "oh well. "My house comes with my aunt, who is particularly curious," she said. Aquila laughed. Laugh deeply and whole-heartedly. She couldn't help but laugh. "Yes, your aunt is a real person. But it's refreshing. She speaks from her heart. That's what I'm missing in my life right now. "

What does a millionaire need? "Is there something missing in your life?" Atiya asked, staring at him. His laughter stopped when he looked at her. "It's almost flattering that you think I have everything I need and nothing I lack." He put his hand on the black iron railing in front of them. "Why is that flattering?"

"So I'm living a lie," he whispered. Lie? Did he lie and live? How? She narrowed her eyes. If she doesn't want to be near this man, it's time for her to walk away. Ask her questions she holds on the tip of her tongue and that's it. There is no turning back. She leaned against him before she lost her mind. "What lies?"

He turned his attention again to the road ahead. He twisted his hand toward the bar. I would like to do something more fulfilling than my current job. "

Yes. It will shock her. "But you—"

"Money. I know. But it can't buy everything. Money can't buy love, it can't stop death." So he knew about death. She wanted to hear more, but his lips were stiff and frowning, so she decided not to press further. "Why invest if it's not what you want to do?" he glanced back at her. There was something in his gaze. Something too open and raw frightened her. "my mother. My duty to those around me. Imagine that you are a life raft and everyone is going down a river. A life raft cannot be given up easily. You can't wake up one day and say, 'I don't want to be a life raft anymore.'" He threw himself off his railing and crossed his arms. For a moment, this influential businesswoman was vulnerable and perhaps as lost as she felt. She raised her eyebrows.

His cheeks turned red when he looked down the street. "Sorry, I didn't want to share too much. I think that weight has been on my chest ever since. ' His jaw jerked. Atiya nodded. Her heart was with him. "There's this house, well, it's like the mansion in my hometown where I grew up. It's amazing. The inventor of the typewriter made it for his wife. She died shortly before its completion. And he died the first night he stayed there." She closed her eyes and imagined herself on her father's boat. He took her to a small island where her ruined and glorious house stood. Every summer they had a picnic in front of it and dreamed of what they could do to fix it. When she opened her eyes, she saw Aquila staring at her. Now it was her turn to make her skin red from the heat. "It's called the Carlton House. I've always dreamed of turning it into a bed and breakfast. I love his stories," she shivered. "It's very tragic."

She felt Aquila freeze next to her. "Is that why I'm here? Can I invest?" His voice was strained. Atiya stared at him. "No, not at all," she swallowed. What did you do Why did she approach Aquila ? "I was just trying to tell you something about myself." She crossed her fingers in front of her. Her shoulders relaxed and her expression softened. "forgiveness. "I'm used to people simply needing me for my business." He gave her a small smile. "If you don't, you'll be fine."

"If you don't like investing, why do you?" What do you want? ' she asked, and he shrugged her shoulders. I don't know what else I have. "

Atiya laughed. "Really? There are many. We can open missions. Please help Doctors Without Borders."

The suggestion made him wrinkle his nose. "Really? Are you saving lives?"

"I hate blood"

"Oh. I'm sure there are many charities that would be happy to join you."

Aquila narrowed his eyes and then shook his head. "don't know . . ."