| Chapter 9 | Fates Aligned | Part 2 | {1}

SORTING ALL HIS SHOPPING, placing each grocery bag carefully in the trunk of his car, making sure they wouldn't shift too much on the road, slamming down the boot once done, he takes his small snack for the road and takes his seat at the wheel. Allowing the tensions in his muscles to fade

Inhaling and exhaling a few times

Grasping the helm of his small leased vehicle, staring upwards for a moment

Honestly, despite having a driver's license he still felt out of place sitting in the driver's seat due to his previous form of transportation

Strapping the belt on, ensuring everything was in check, he was just about to shift the key, until a familiar as well as unknown face slammed at his car window

“Oi! Man from the breakfast aisle!”

Aaron flinched from her sudden appearance, cursing under his breath “I can’t have one peaceful day.”

Facing her, Aaron simply stared at her with contemplation on whether or not he should drive away, and somewhat pray to never meet again

But the chances of that happening are slim. He reminded himself, seeing as how she approached a complete stranger out of the blue

TAP, TAP, TAP

She kept pressing on the glass, tapping like a woodpecker pecking a tree, both constant and annoying

Aaron pushes the window control, lowering the window, which goes down very, Very Slowly

Around halfway he pauses and asks “Can I help you?”

Instantly he was bombarded with various remarks added with a question

“Yes! I mean- No- Well sort of, I feel bad about taking the last raspberry jam, and thought maybe- Well I was wondering if I could treat you to something?”

Aaron simply stared at her with wide eyes when she said this, repeating “Treat…me?”

“Yes! If you don’t mind a pastry…or if you prefer maybe lunch?” She suggested

“I-uh…” Fumbling over his words, or rather his thoughts on this matter

He was tempted to flat out say ‘No.’ following ‘It’s fine let's forget this ever happened.’ or the most intrusive one, to step on the gas pedal and make his way

But he could see how adamant she was, just from the sparkling glint and guilt twinged in her eyes, knowing that she would not back down from this until she was satisfied; and leaving now wouldn’t solve a thing

SIGH…This is gonna be a headache. He declared knowingly

Aaron questioned how he ended up in this situation, from mopping from his bed and feeling dreadful to meeting a zestful woman who has no boundaries

Which is why he was surprised by what he did next

“You know what…I’ll take you on that offer about the pastry.”

Paula sparked with joy “Really!? I mean- AHEM Okay umm…so uh follow behind that red car over there,” pointing towards a Red Corsa 1997 model

Aaron squinted his eyes, taking in small details of the car, and spotted a pair of white fuzzy dice dangling on the rearview mirror

He gives a nod, warming up his car as she leaves towards her vehicle

Despite this strange turn, Aaron felt a bit lighter, but only so slightly, after all the only gain in this scenario was a free pastry

— — —

WELL THIS WAS CERTAINLY one way to have an intriguing day, and she knew she jinxed herself the moment she said ‘Here’s to another boring day.’ of course, she somehow managed to make a complete fool of herself in front of a complete stranger, one who she was hoping to settle their mishap with a pastry of all things

Bumping her head against the wheel, taking a deep breath in and out

She didn't know what she was thinking, and if her little devil of a sister learns of this, she'll never hear the end of it

“SIGH, let’s just get this over with.” Turning the key. And easily drives herself out of the car park, taking a steady left turn, mapping her way through the streets, checking every now and then if her new acquaintance wasn’t straying too far behind

Humming softly

Paving through the streets, reaching their final destination within a breeze, which was short-lived. From the distance she could see that all the side parking were filled, passing the bakery, looking for alternatives, finding free spaces, that were a seven (7) minute walk to the bakery

The small smile she had, morphed into an ‘Oh No’ expression, realising she had to walk with her Companion for seven (7) minutes, either in silence or try to stir up a conversation

Which almost seemed impossible backtracking to how their last interactions concluded

Groaning in frustration, “Ugh…this is gonna be fun.”

Popping the car open, she spotted the man whose name she still does not know, opting to call him ‘Jam guy’ for the time being

A light bulb brightens over her head, finding the perfect icebreaker

Bumping her forehead with her palm, muttering “Duh, why didn’t I think of that sooner?” She rhetorically asked

Aaron later appears at her side, without reservation she asks “So…since we got off on the wrong foot, and didn’t exactly introduce one another,” Aaron sides eyes her, “Annnnd I don’t want to keep referencing you as ‘Jam guy’.”

Jam guy? Aaron echoed inwardly

“First things first,” holding her hand out, “I’m Paula.”

Taking her hand, he replies, “Aaron,”

Both gave a firm shake, continuing down the sidewalk

“Well Aaron, what brings you to these parts?”

Aaron is puzzled by her strange query “Um grocery shopping?”

Paula snorted shaking with laughter, amused greatly “Haha…no that’s–that’s not what I meant .”

Biting his lower lip, ears tinted, burning bright red, muttering under his breath “Right.”

“I, AHEM, I mean what brings you to Buenos Aires? Family? Trip? Or something?” She clarified

“Just…” hesitantly replies “Here for the scenery I suppose.”

Which in some way, was mildly true to a certain point of view

“Soooo….trip then?”

Rolling his eyes underneath his shades “I…suppose,”

“Mhmm, do you have a timetable or maybe a Wish list?” She inquired

Rubbing the back of his head, looking around “Umm…no,”

At his answer, she stared at him astounded by his train of thought, questioning how someone who was ‘Going on a trip’, arrived at their destination without a schedule, much less a Wish list of what they would want to do. It was literally the very first step to a planned trip if you wanted to spend and enjoy one's vacation

“Really? You have Nothing planned!?” She stated almost offended

“No…I didn't really expect to have a fun time.” Leaving at that, being his side of the story

Paula contemplates with disbelief “I…I don’t even know whether to feel sorry or angry.”

“Both?” Aaron suggested

Silence was left in the air only for the silence to be cracked by Paula who snorts at his reply, the pair chortling amongst themselves. Aaron was in a world of his own, but Paula opted to stare at her unusual company

She’ll admit, she was doubtful of this small interaction

But was glad that she took that chance

“Hey let's hurry, we don’t want to be stuck in the long line!”

Speeding up her pace

“Wait what line?” Seeing that there weren't many people walking in and out of the pantry, at most he spotted at least 5 people exit the place, so forgive his confusion as to how That is a sign for a long line to occur anytime soon

“The line that will soon form, if we beat the lunch rush.”

“What?” He asked in confusion “I thought it was just a bakery?”

“Oh how very wrong you are, now come on,” Leading him inside

This beginning to become one of the key events, that would further blossom the pair’s relationship, one that may crack the ice further, deep within Aaron's bleeding heart