Chapter 35

A T I Y A

Atiya stood in the kitchen, staring at Aquila . something was wrong. His skin turned pale and her previous affairs melted in her presence. A caller brought him bad news. What was it strange to ask? "Are you okay?" she asked, approaching him. She reached out her hand and touched his arm. He flinched, and she considered leaving for a moment. But before she could figure out what to do, he moved. He turned his shoulder and cut contact. "I think we should be leaving. I found her. He gave her a look as if to resist what he was trying to say. "I think we're moving too fast," he said. Rice field. His tone had changed. She had no idea why. Did she do something wrong? He refused to look at her when he turned her and walked out of the kitchen. She ran after him. She reached out and grabbed his arm. "Hey," she said. He couldn't walk like that. Not if they were just having a night like that. What did he mean by them moving too fast? It was he who kissed her. Something was wrong with her and she wasn't going to let him go until he said something. He stopped, but kept looking into his eyes from the ground. She approached him. "what happened? Why is it suddenly moving too fast? "

His jaw muscles spasmed. "I think we are from two different worlds," he said. She backed away. That was her fear. They will never be able to do anything well because she doesn't fit in his world and he doesn't fit in hers either. And he was here and confirmed it. "I think we should go."

A look of regret crossed his face. For a moment she decided that maybe she didn't mean what he said. She held her breath and hoped he would take the word back. "You really should go," he said. His words stabbed inside her like a hot baking sheet. Why did she allow herself to trust him? He reached out to her and pulled her coat, and she slipped her hand into her apron pocket. After the zipper closed, he went to the store door and opened it. A blast of cold air brought unexpected flakes. He stopped and turned around. "I'm sorry. I need some time to think," he whispered, then walked out into the snow. She held it until he closed the door and disappeared behind the shop window. Now she was sobbing alone leaked out of her mouth. What did she do? She ran her fingers through her hair, returned to the kitchen, put her apron back on, and turned off her lights. For now, a steaming hot bath and his $300 bottle of wine sounded like the perfect antidote to Aquila and his ridiculously good kiss. After bathing and drinking copious amounts of wine, she changed into her pajamas and crawled into bed. After switching channels, she settled on Hallmark's latest film. She reached out and grabbed the chocolate stash and rummaged through it. A few hours later she heard the front door open. As April passed in front of the door, she huddled deep inside the cover. She stopped and Atiya narrowed her eyes. "Please continue," she chanted in her mind. But a light knock on the door frame told her that it wouldn't happen. "Are you okay?" April asked as she entered. Atiya raised her head. "Yes. I stayed up late."

Her candy wrappers were scattered across her bedspread as April stared at her. "Really?" she asked. Atiya nodded. She doesn't betray her emotional voice. She decided it was best for her to move the conversation forward before she broke down in tears again. "Where have you been?"

A silly, almost dreamy look crossed April 's face. Atiya 's eyebrows rose. That expression belonged only to Alberto and him. Has her aunt met anyone? "Aunt April ," she urged. April stopped it. "I'm going to bed now," she said. Atiya wanted to take it further, but she also didn't want to step out of the comfort of her bedspread. She was mesmerized by her soft sheets and warmth and watched her April disappear from her sight. After turning off her TV, she placed the remote control on the bedside table and hid between her pillow and bedspread. A soft sob escaped her mouth as she fell asleep. Tonight was the only night she allowed herself to cry over Aquila . Tomorrow she had to get ahead of her. She had lives and businesses to save. It's time for her to stop wasting money on this pesky billionaire.

The next morning, Atiya was " cured of her headache. Why did she drink so much wine? Standing in her kitchen, she rubbed her temples and purred. Concentration. She had to concentrate. Part of her mind wanted to close the shop today. In any case, the number of customers was declining, and I didn't think anyone would notice. Her stomach tightened as she thought about the turmoil her life had brought. Not to mention her love life. She groaned and leaned against the counter. She stayed here until her head stopped beating. "Yes," said April , and Atiya flinched. "You don't look very good."

Atiya raised her hand. "It's not that loud," she muttered. April chuckled. "Did you have a good party last night?" she asked as she went to the sink and poured water into a glass. She came back and she handed it to Atiya along with two aspirins. "You can't take it away, but it will take away the advantage."

Atiya nodded and popped her pill into her mouth. When the water ran out, she put the glass back to the side of the sink. "I have to start," she said, unhooking her apron and putting it on. Things don't burn automatically. She had to start before resting all day. "Time to make cinnamon rolls." She opened her refrigerator and frowned. Her dough, which she had made with Aquila the night before, was staring at her. She pulled it out, went to the trash can, and threw it away. There's no way she wanted that memory every time she walked in. "What's it about?" April asked, nodding at the trash can. "Nothing," muttered Atiya as he turned and walked to the sink. April raised her eyebrows and parted her lips. Atiya tried to suppress her moans. April couldn't believe her words. With a sigh, Atiya nodded towards the store. "Shouldn't she go outside?" she asked, frowning at the sourness of her tone. What happened last night is not April 's fault. She doesn't deserve Atiya 's wrath. "I'm sorry. I've had a rough night."

Jun nodded. "Do you want to talk about it?" she asked, walking over to the coffee pot and pouring it into a cup. No. She didn't want to talk about last night, she didn't want to remember. For now, she wanted to forget about Aquila Scott and the fact that he made her heart beat faster. Talking about him might harden her, but when it did, she wasn't sure if she would come back. Luckily, her shop door bell rang and she was able to escape. April picked up a mug and turned her attention to the kitchen door. "This conversation isn't over yet," she said, lifting her coffee to her mouth and walking out. Atiya grumbled as she took out the flour and sugar and started preparing the cinnamon rolls in the kitchen. Baking bread helped her relax. And today she thanked me for that. The main reason is that every time she looked at the counter next to the stove, her heart sank. The feel of Aquila ' body and her lips was fresh, as if he were standing in front of her today. She needed a new counter. "Atiya , honey," April 's voice freed her from her thoughts. I turned around to see April standing next to a burly man with a clipboard and a pencil behind his ear. He wore a hunting jacket and a baseball cap that read "Peterson Construction." What was going on? "Yes?" she asked, wiping her flour-stained hands with her apron. "Mr. Bailey ?" the man asked, stepping forward.

"wonderful. I'm Thomas I'm here for a kitchen renovation. "