Chapter 49

Her larynx swayed up and down on her as he looked at her. The pain in his expression made her gasp. An urge to push away all the pain he felt flared up deep in her belly. "Atiya , I-"

"Wait," she whispered. "It's me, not you. It's me who didn't move on."

His gaze softened. "Atiya , don't play with me. If you want me to go, tell me now. "I don't think I can bear your sadness for encouraging me to go." I grabbed him by the waist. "Before you say anything, I must say one thing."

Atiya pursed his lips and nodded. "I bought the mansion for you."

Her eyes were wide open. What did he do "Excuse me, what is it?"

"I am investing in you. Everything is ready for recovery. Contractors start after the new year. All I need is you," he said as he passed her past her old couple, clearing her throat. "You once told me that a place isn't a place without the people who loved it and put it there. Well, without you this mansion would never be a mansion." He freed her I stopped when I did. Then her heart pounded as he put his hand in his pocket. He took out a small metal key and shoved it into her palm. "Would you please tell me that you will be the magic ingredient for this mansion?"

He let go of her hand She picked up the key to study it. Her heart swelled with love for him. "No," she whispered. He stared at her and widened her eyes. "I promise you don't have to speak to me at all. Lemuel has agreed to be your liaison."

Atiya bit her lip. If he remains silent long enough, she will be able to get her words out of her mouth. "Aquila ."

He looked at her "what?"

"Can we talk now?"

He nodded. "I don't want a villa without you. You are what makes me great. Without you I am lost like a boat in the sea without a lighthouse." You are my everything. If having a mansion means not having you, I don't want that." He furrowed her brow as he stared at her. "are you kidding?"

Atiya took a step closer. Everything about him was so familiar. It was at home. "Aquila , I never joke about mansions." She leaned forward. "And I never joke that I love you."

She furrowed his brow. "But I-"

"Oh, please kiss the girl already," an older man called from across the room. Suddenly Atiya realizes that everyone has stopped dancing and is looking at them. Aquila ' gaze turned to the crowd before he turned back to Atiya . "Well, if that's what the audience wants, then…". "He spread his arms out. That was the cue Atiya was waiting for. As he pulled her closer, she put her arm around his neck. Their lips touched and everything disappeared for a moment. For a moment, it was just the two of us. Love each other and fill the cracks created by a life of pain. As she left, Aquila leaned forward. "Will you marry me?" he whispered. His voice was so quiet that it sent shivers down her spine. "I thought you'd never hear me." She laughed and turned to face him, and she found his lips again. The music and the dance came back around them as they stood there hugging each other. Atiya knew they had won the competition, but it didn't matter. She had Aquila and with them she could do anything. And she was ready to start this life. She didn't need anything else when she was with Aquila .