Chapter 18

Atiya 's phone rang again. There are four grimaces, followed by "Don't miss this chance." I like him. Kiss him She rolled her eyes as she put her phone back in her pocket. Typical April . But Mr. Atiya couldn't deny that his heart beat faster as he read the words. No wonder April fell in love with him. She liked everyone. But when Atiya thought about it, he was relieved that the person he admired liked Aquila . But she didn't understand why. I turned off the water in the summer. "Is she married to Aquila ?" she asked, jumping out of her chair and shaking his hand. Atiya reached out her hand and brought her a towel. "No, we are just friends."

Summer took a towel in her hand and began to dry her hands. "Oh, I like him. He's nice. He's a bit like Santa Claus."

Atiya chuckled. She will have to tell Aquila . He reminded Summer of a fat happy man. He wants it Atiya gave Summer her hand and opened the door, and Summer threw her newspaper in the trash and turned to her. "She'd better marry him," she said as she walked through the door and down her hallway back to her room. Atiya was standing there. How is everyone today Was the word future maid written on her forehead? Or was everyone suddenly her matchmaker and she was her first project? She slammed the door behind her to enter the room where the movie had just ended. She glanced where she put Aquila , but he wasn't there. She looked around the room to find him leaning against the wall and talking to Iris. Iris listened to him, shaking her head. Curiosity won over her, so Atiya walked away. Only a few meters away, I finally understood what he was saying. ". . . I really think that if we scale up, we can double or triple what we're doing now. In particular, there are many kindergartens in this city. What is needed is more awareness. I have friends~"

"What are you two talking about?" Atiya asked, walking next to him. When Aquila turned around, she noticed how excited he was to see her. "Hi. How was the restroom?"

Atiya nodded. "Okay. What are you talking about with Iris?"

As the movie ended, Iris dropped out. "I have to handle this, but we should discuss it," she nods to Aquila as she walks to the projector. "Are you helping Iris grow?" Atiya asked. Why did he do that Maybe the last thing he wants to do is invest and help the company grow? "I just walked over to tell her how great a place she has here and started a conversation. There are a lot of pieces she lacks, but I hope she does a few things." I think we can really grow this business." His eyes lit up as he looked at her. "But we are trying to dissuade you from investing."

Aquila stared at her. "You're right. So am I."

When the lights came on, Atiya leaned against the wall and Iris told all the kids to go back to their seats to get the cake pops Atiya had brought. ``Iris is what makes this nursery great. I nodded to Iris, who was asking permission to open it. "but-"

"Just having a famous name on a building sign doesn't make a place great. People love it enough to see it succeed. Open other places." You can do it, but it's not the same without Iris." She glanced over, watching Iris hand out the baked goods. So did her father's company. He did a great business. Not a big shot and avid investor. She was watching the company that evicted her father. They were as personal as a vendor selling dollar steaks. Aquila was silent, so she glanced at him. He was looking at her with her arms crossed. His expression was frank without being shy. As if he was trying to understand her. "What?" she asked, moving her body. "None." He stopped. "You enchant me."

Heat flooded her cheeks. "Do I charm you?"

He nodded. "I've never met anyone like you. Most people take an opportunity for expansion. To make more money. But you don't." He's just inches away from her I leaned forward until She feared he could hear her heart beating. "I like this." He looked down at her and smiled.

Iris clapped her hands again. All the volunteers turned to her. "Thank you for coming to the Harvest Festival and helping out. Thank you for all your hard work. The kids will complete the treats courtesy of Atiya Bailey , owner of The Sweet Room Bakery. After that, the kids are ready. If you are their parents, you can go with them too. If not, feel free to go," she smiled and turned to her children. Aquila straightened his spine. "Ready?" he asked. Atiya nodded and walked over to the chair where she had hung her scarf and coat. After she was wrapped they walked towards the door and out onto the sidewalk. The sun was hidden behind the clouds, so she wrapped the cloak tightly around her body. They approached the shop in silence. Any other time she would have felt she had to speak. But somehow she enjoyed the silence. It was just comforting to have Aquila by his side. A strange feeling came over her. She couldn't help being attracted to him, even though he was everything she didn't want in a man. And it scared her. They stopped in front of the store. Aquila turned to her. She could see the question in his eyes. Before he could finish her words, she grabbed the steering wheel. "Would you like to come buy me some hot chocolate?" she asked, thanking him for buying time before he began asking insightful questions. He nodded. "safety."

When they entered the store, it was eerily quiet. Where have you been April ? "What the—oh, Atiya , I'm back!" she yelled, reaching behind her back and untying her apron. "April said it would take a few more hours."

Atiya looked around. Why had April just left the store? "Where is April ?"

Mrs. Johansson smiled. "She said something about an impromptu meeting with her dance partner. I didn't know she was dancing."

Atiya suppressed a groan. Of course, her aunt rushed off to practice for the next month's ballroom dancing competition. April was going to win this year. "Dance competition?" Aquila asked. Mrs. Johansson's eyebrows were raised and her eyes were on Aquila . "And you?"

They trembled as he held out his hand. "Aquila Scott . I'm Atiya 's boyfriend."

Woman. Johansson's eyes remained wide open. "Nice to meet you, Aquila ."

He just nodded. "When did April say she'd be back?" How could she do that? Atiya trusted her. Mrs. Johansson shook her head. "I'm sorry. She didn't."

Atiya took off her coat and scarf and gulped as she hung them on hooks behind the register. "Well, thanks for coming in."

Woman. Johansson smiled. "Anytime. There weren't that many people in attendance, but I think those who attended got what they needed."

Atiya grabbed a paisley apron and put it on. "I'm sure you did well."