Chapter 27

A Q U I L A

Aquila stood in front of the bathroom and tried to resist the urge to pick up the pace. He didn't know exactly what happened on the dance floor, but it was clear from Atiya 's expression and panicked voice that something was wrong. Did he say something wrong? He recalled their conversation in his mind. They didn't really talk to Hank and his friends much, except when he tried to talk to them about work and was turned down. Was she angry that she wanted to help him figure out what he really wanted to do, but ruined it by continuing to talk about the very thing he was trying to get away with? He ran his hand through his hair. It has to be. Oh. He was really stupid She devoted her time, but he didn't give him enough attention. He told her she would like to do business if possible. But she was stuck in the bathroom. A woman with short white hair passed by. As she turned to her right to go to the bathroom, he reached out and grabbed her elbow. "Do you know if Atiya is there?"

The woman looked at him through her glasses. "Atiya ?"

"Atiya Bailey "

She nodded. "Yeah, sweetie." She started going to the bathroom, but she stopped. "Does she really want you to know what she's doing there?"

For the first time, it crossed his mind that Atiya might be suffering from indigestion. "Eh, so. . "

The woman raised her hand. "I will be careful," she said, disappearing into the bathroom. I heard a muffled voice from inside. In order not to embarrass Atiya , he distanced himself far enough not to hear information that would hurt him. A Atiya -like voice grew louder as Atiya rushed out the door. Her face was bright red. When she turned to Aquila , Aquila blushed at her - if that was possible. "I'm not sick," she said, pushing down her skirt. "Did I tell her that she had gastrointestinal problems?"

Aquila released his lips, but nothing came out. This evening took a strange turn. He shook his head. "I am not. I swear."

Atiya leaned against the wall and stared at him. "Well, lady. Gorton seems to think so. She started recommending me all sorts of drugs she hid in her bag. Atiya narrowed her eyes and looked around her. "I don't think this is due to intestinal problems."

Aquila just smiled. It was nice to see Atiya back to her normal self. "If not, why did you leave like that?" His skin grew hot at the memory of her holding her tight. He looked at her and wondered if she would tell the truth. And if he was honest, he didn't want to know the truth. "She's kind of warmed up," she said, smiling a little at him. It was familiar to him. It was the kind of smile you give someone when they're trying to hide something. But what was she hiding? Not wanting to stand in front of her bathroom and analyze her words and intentions, he walked over to her and stuck out her elbow. "shall we?"

Atiya glanced at his arm, then turned around to meet his gaze. "Well, I thought maybe we should dance with the others, in case they decide to replace us on competition day." She turned her attention to the gym's open door, nervous. Laughter broke out. "I don't want to get so used to you that I have to dance with someone else." She turned around and smiled again. She was clearly nervous and upset. It made him uncomfortable. That wasn't his intention. It never happened. He wanted her to know that all was well. For some reason she felt she had to take a step back, and he forgave her. He didn't want to impose anything. "Atiya ?" he asked, bending down to meet her gaze. She stopped before seeing him. "Yes?" she whispered. "It's okay. You can dance with other people if it makes you feel better. I don't want to upset you," he smiled. She looked at him "Really? Is that all right?" He nodded, but the truth is, no, he wasn't okay with that. But he was willing to do whatever was necessary to make her comfortable. He will do anything to help her. An idea was springing up in him. When he saw the giant stove that Debbie had ordered, he started thinking. What if he helped her expand her kitchen? She will finally be able to bear the burden he will impose on her in due course. He tried to keep her from laughing, thinking of everything he could do to help her grow. And she didn't understand her at all. He nodded to Jim. "Shall we?" he asked, pointing to the open door. Atiya sighed. "Let's try this." They parted as they entered the room. Aquila occupied the left side of the dance floor while Page patrolled the right side. It seems that what they were waiting for was a lonely man. No song started without a woman waiting for him. Just as he finished dancing with Patricia, April approached him. She grabbed his hand and pulled him onto her dance floor.

He looked down at her in surprise. She seemed like a woman on a mission. She put his hand on her back and, holding her other hand, began guiding him across her floor. He shouldn't have expected so much. April , she didn't seem like the type of woman who likes to be taken everywhere. When they found the rhythm, she glared at him. Before he could say a word, she began cursing him. "I'll give you one of the most romantic places to go out with Atiya and let us spend the night separately." She sighed as if he had completely ruined it. . he studied her. "Excuse me?" he asked. He didn't quite know what to say now. April shook his head. "No need to apologize. You should court my niece. The poor girl must get out of the kitchen and she must stop living in the past." She sighed again. Rice field. Her shoulders had changed visibly this time, and I could see how hard she was working. "I'm trying for her, but I don't want to rush her." He wished he knew enough to follow what April said. It was about Atiya and he really wanted to know how to contact her. To tear down the walls she built around her heart. If April makes sense. April looked around, then leaned forward. "The way I see it, this girl has too much history. Her mother died when she was very young. Her father just died this year. She needs a degree before she can continue."

Aquila looked around the room until he found Atiya . She smiled at an elderly man dancing with a cane. Her gaze met him for a moment and she smiled. His heart beat in his chest. He wanted Atiya to return. Oh how he wanted her to continue. "Okay. What should I do?"

By April it was quiet. Aquila looked down at her in charm. "First off, don't let her girlfriend dance with Doug. This guy has had her crush on her girlfriend ever since I brought her here all those years ago."

Aquila nodded at Atiya . "Is he the man she dances with?"

April gasped. "If you can call it dance"

He clicked. "Okay. Step 1 - keep Atiya away from Doug." It didn't seem too difficult. "Okay, you can ask me, I already like you," April said, smiling at him. Please help her move forward. "

Aquila nodded, but shook his head. "I don't understand what he's saying."

"There are some things around you that upset Atiya . First, I'm sure there's very little you can do about it, but it's money."

Aquila shrugged his shoulders. Now, in his mind, he was going to let go of the money. Instead of helping him, it felt like it was suffocating him. April shook her head. "Please don't pass it on. In fact, I think all this help to find a job at a charity is actually good for her. People with money aren't as bad as they thought they were." It helps her understand."

He looked at Atiya and swallowed her saliva. She put her head back and laughed at what Doug said. She seemed very relaxed. She is very easygoing All he wanted was to make her feel that way. What can he do to change people's perceptions of the wealthy? "Is all this coming from the company that put your father out of business?" he asked, glancing at April . . "yes."

"So she lived at Cape Vincent then?"

"correct."

"Do you know her name?"