Chapter 46

They remained on the dance floor until a man approached the mic and announced that dinner would be served. She had Aquila take her from the dance floor to the table. Her heart raced as she watched Raquel 's gaze pass over her. Her expression turned grim as she turned to Aquila . "It seems our conversation was not important."

Atiya 's neck tingled with heat as she looked at Raquel . Was she talking to herself or Aquila ? "Mom, I don't want to get involved in that," Aquila said without eye contact. Instead, he pulled out a chair and motioned for Atiya to sit down. "It's okay. Maybe we should sit somewhere else," Ms. Page whispered, but she wasn't sure if she could live through the night in front of Raquel . "No. 'You're sitting next to me,' said Aquila . She could hear the desperation in his voice. When she looked at him, her belly was tilted. He seemed to be in great pain, so she nodded. "

Aquila gave her a look of relief. When she sat down, he sat next to her and protected her from Raquel . Well, at least he'll be a buffer. That was great. They ate in silence. Atiya might have enjoyed her meal if she hadn't been nervous. But the fear she felt and the tension she felt from Aquila couldn't curb her appetite. Luckily the waiter came over and brought her plate so she didn't have to continue her meal. A man stood up and spoke about the foundation and its current location. Atiya tried to listen, but his mind was confused. Was it possible? Living with Aquila ? Raquel hated her and the women here looked so chic. And it wasn't Atiya . Half the time her hair had fabric on it. Was she just deceiving herself? As if sensing her concern, Aquila grabbed her hand under the table. "Thank you for coming with me," he whispered. His voice and the touch of her hand shattered any doubts she had. She grabbed his hand with her other hand and squeezed it. "Of course," she said. "And ladies and gentlemen, man of the hour, Aquila Scott !" said the man, reaching out and waving at Aquila . When Aquila looked at her and stood up, she tried to give him an encouraging look. He smiled and buttoned his coat as he walked towards Mike. Atiya felt Raquel 's gaze and shuddered. Take care of Aquila , she chanted to herself. But out of the corner of her eye, she could see Raquel slipping into Aquila ' seat. "I've found that my opinion doesn't matter to you or my son," she said. Her voice was low and intimidating. "Excuse me?" Atiya asked. She really wanted to confront this woman, but Raquel was Aquila ' mother. She had to play well.

"I think it's ridiculous that you two are trying to spend your life together," Raquel sighs as she takes a sip of wine. "He was always really stupid. And ever since Rose died, he's lost himself. Look at him trying to find himself with the baker." I spat out the words. Atiya swallowed. Can she just stand up and walk away? Her legs were itching to move. But when her Aquila eyes caught on her and he smiled at her, her tension eased. No. She's here for Aquila . "Maybe he's just trying to figure out who he really is," Atiya whispered. Raquel laughed. A deep mocking laughter. "And do you think you're the person he needs? You don't belong here. He deserves to be given a better life than you have to offer."

I turned to Raquel , his tears burning my eyelids. "I love your son." I couldn't let this woman see my tears. She was stronger than that. Let him grow If you were there, it would suffocate. ' Raquel took another sip of wine. "but-"

"What do I have to offer him? I didn't make him who he is just because you rob him of his potential."

Atiya cleared her throat. "I don't think Aquila would want that. There's more to life than making money.' She glanced at a flushed Raquel . 'Listen, Baker, what are you doing?' I don't know what you're talking about. Aquila is my son. We have been indebted to you ever since we started our charter business. He helped spread the name of Murillo . I wish he could come in-"

Atiya raised his finger. What did his mother say now? "I'm sorry. Which charter company?" Her heart raced as she began to assemble the parts. Now she knows where she heard the name Murillo . It was taped to a building in Cape Vincent. It was the company that forced her father's company to go out of business. "Is it the Murillo Charter?"

Raquel stared at her. "Yes. It was the first company we founded and sold," she clicked.

Suddenly the room started spinning. She felt like walls were closing in on her. Was it Aquila ' fault that her father's business went out of business? Feeling sick, Atiya threw herself off the table and stood up. "I'm sorry," she whispered as she walked toward it, concentrating on the exit. A muffled voice apologized over the microphone, but Atiya didn't look up. She had to leave. "Give me my coat," she said, reaching into her handbag to retrieve a ticket. The woman took it and started flipping through the hangers on the back shelf. "Where are you going?" Aquila ' voice asked from behind her. Atiya turned around to calm her down. "Are you familiar with the Murillo Charter?"

The worried look on Aquila ' face told her all there was to know. "Why didn't you tell me?" I couldn't hold back my tears, and a single tear rolled down my cheek. "I didn't know how to tell. I really wanted it. But April said—"

Atiya shifted her gaze to him. "Did you know April ?"

He pursed his lips and nodded. A feeling of betrayal ran through her veins. That's why everyone lied to her. He reached out and touched her arm. "Atiya , I didn't mean to hurt you."

Atiya pulled her body away and hugged her. "Well, it's part of your life, and you smell, I guess." Then she turned and went to the door. "Atiya , can I talk to you about this?"

She glared at him angrily. "No, you can't do that. You lied to me. You hid things from me." She raised her hand as he moved to speak. "Leave him alone. It's over." She pushed open the door and staggered out into the freezing air, looking at him one last time. Her sobs leaked out of her when she was alone. Her nostalgic feeling ran through her soul. It was the same feeling she had when her father died. Her heart was broken and there was nothing she could do about it.