A Q U I L A
Aquila leaned back in his seat as they drove toward the warehouse. He stretched his legs out, glancing at his mother. They had been in Manhattan for two days, meeting with a software design company in hopes of expanding their operations. Yes, he met the company, Raquel Murillo insisted on her coming, as she always does. There is no part of her life that she doesn't try to interfere.
He thought he might finally get out when the company contacted Scott Investments to make his expansion dreams come true. But, as he prepares to leave, Raquel's therapist insists that, for her sanity, she should go with him. Apparently, this man had little interest in Aquila ' well-being.
Aquila tapped his finger on the side rail. Of course, he couldn't say no, not after last year's incident. But spending a few days locked up with his mother amused him, and he can't wait to get off the plane. Besides, he's not one to sit idly by. Not being trapped inside that metal bird made him remember how unhappy he had become.
It's all old. Investment. Help other businesses grow and make millions. It was fun at first, but now? The joy is just not there.
It didn't matter that the whole time he was away, he couldn't get Atiya Bailey out of his head. Her eccentric personality and beautiful smile seemed to be ingrained in her mind. Or maybe it's her way of speaking from the heart. It's refreshing and he's probably a little jealous of it. It was something he could never pursue. Not when you're the boss.
"Why do you always have to be so worried?" asked his mother, pointing at her fingers.
Aquila sighed. Less than half an hour had passed and Raquel was on top of him again. He wanted to tell her that what she didn't understand was that the business was hers, not his. But while he was the magic ingredient that made their first business a success, Raquel didn't let him go. And since Rose . . . Aquila brought his hand to his chest, where he pressed his heart. The familiar pain throbbed at the thought of his twin sister.
Although four years have passed since she passed away, the pain of her death is as real as the day she passed away. That seemed true for Raquel , who didn't do well. She has become cold and aloof. Aquila wished he could tell her what he was thinking, but she seemed so fragile. He shook his head. He just needed to have more sympathy for her. She will eventually make it through.
"I'm sorry mom," he said.
She looks at him through her readers. "That's good for us. You do what it takes. There are people who depend on the success of this company…"
"And it all starts with you." He finished his sentence trying to hide the growl that was about to escape from his throat.
She pursed her lips and examined him. He should have known not to talk to her that way. She is old school. Children are always respected. Always. Hoping to ease the tension, he smiled at her.
"I'm fine. We'll be fine," he said. Not wanting to meet her disappointed gaze, Aquila turned and focused outside the window. Zane, his pilot, is pulling the plane into the hangar.
Raquel shuffles the stack of papers on her lap. "I thought the birthday party would help, but obviously I couldn't do anything right." His normally cold attitude is cute. He could hear it in her voice. The mask she wears to protect herself is disintegrating. Time doesn't seem to heal anyone.
A choked groan escaped her lips. "Mom, it's okay." Only Raquel can act like a victim while mourning Rose . Even though she didn't seem to notice how much pain he was in, she still had the upper hand.
After his parents divorced, he remained the only one to take care of his mother. His sole responsibility is to protect her, even as she manipulates him. Despite her strong attitude, Aquila knows that she too is afraid that he will leave her. What he promised Rose wouldn't do. But Raquel certainly doesn't make it easy.
The plane stopped moving and a moment later Zane stepped out of the cockpit. "Mr. Scott ," he said, moving toward the door and unlocking it.
Grateful for escaping, Aquila got up and headed for the exit. "Thanks for everything, Zane ." It was a smooth flight as usual.
"Nice to hear that, sir," said Zane , stepping out of the aisle just as a hangar worker was rolling the stairs into the plane.
Grabbing the handle, Aquila walked down the stairs and toward the cement slab. A limo was parked twenty yards away.
The back door opened and Aquila could see the legs of his friend and longtime business partner, Lemuel , poking out. He said, as always, loudly on the phone. Aquila reached out and began to close the door with his foot.
"Hey!" Lemuel 's blue eyes appeared. A smile replaced his displeased look. "Hi! You're back. Finally."
Aquila thanks the waiter for carrying his luggage. "You didn't wait that long," he said, turning back to Lemuel .
Lemuel goes out and stretches. "Time is money, my friend. Time is money." He said a quick goodbye to the person on the other end of the line and shoved the phone into his vest pocket "Are you okay with Jucson Design?" asked- he asked, following Aquila , who brought his luggage to Georgia, his driver.
Aquila raised an eyebrow as he walked toward the open door and paused before sliding into the leather chair. "What do you think?"
Lemuel glanced at her, then drummed on the roof of the limo. "You succeeded." He let out a cry and climbed up beside him. He gave his fist to Aquila to smash.
"I'm in a good mood," Aquila said. He couldn't help laughing.