"As long as you're not afraid to get her hands dirty," she said, raising her eyebrows. To her surprise, he nodded. "Actually, that sounds like fun. I want to get to know people more. Find out what they really need and how I can help."
Trying not to express her surprise that he had fallen to the level of the masses, she replied: "Maybe I can help with that. There are several possible service options. I think a lot of nonprofits are actually looking for philanthropists they want to help. "
He smiled. Sincere smile. For the first time she noticed how perfect his lips were. "Will you do that for me?" he asked. An alarm bell rang in her head, but she pushed it aside. "Of course. One friend will help another." He squinted at her as she held out her hand.
"yes. Friends help friends again." She pointed to her breast, then his. He raised his hand, but stopped. "Then April ~"
"Forget her aunt. She talks like crazy a lot." She wiggled her finger, hoping it would make him tremble. "Okay, one friend helps another friend." He reached out and took his hand. Atiya tried to ignore the shock of the electricity running through his arm as he felt his skin. A butterfly flew in her belly. She squeezed it with all her might. Power she can muster. He let go of her hand and turned around with his elbow on the railing. "Do you have any ideas for your first philanthropic opportunity?"
She leaned against the railing next to him. The truth is, she didn't. But her idea of finding something of hers excited her. She smiled at him. "I will let you know."
The next day, Atiya chases Detty into the elevator. Everyone was carrying boxes of donuts that Aquila had ordered. Fortunately, Detty had some free time to help Atiya before the dinner she had to arrange. Atiya sighed as the door closed. Like the day before, she was late again. This time it wasn't New York's incredibly slow taxi service. Her oven underperformed so much that it took her twice as long to bake. She stayed up all night to complete his order and restock the store. She groaned as she stared at her own reflection in the glass walls of the elevator. Her cheeks were covered with flour and her hair was oily. But she couldn't do anything. After a while she will see Aquila again. After having a secret conversation on the balcony, they went back to the kitchen to eat chocolate cake. April dominated the conversation until Aquila said he had to go. Now she couldn't contain her heart pounding as each floor passed. Scott Investments was on the top floor. Aquila was on the top floor. "So what the hell is going on here?" Detty asked, turning to Atiya . A fever hit her cheek. "what is it?"
"You and that millionaire—"
"Aquila ."
Detty raised an eyebrow. "Aquila . Oh, first name basis."
Atiya turned her gaze to her. "I don't know. He stopped by the store and ordered a bunch of donuts for the meeting. That's it."
When Detty said nothing, Atiya glanced at her. She didn't seem to believe anything Atiya said. Atiya sighed. "what?"
"I don't think you're telling the truth," said Detty with a shrug. "Hey, I think there's more."
"More than this? How could it be more? We literally just met three days ago. "
Detty 's high-pitched laugh echoed through the elevator. Two businesswomen in her pinstripe suits turned around and gave her a questioning look. "It was just a few days before I picked up Maddox. You will be amazed at what you can do in a few days."
She felt Atiya 's belly spinning inside her. "Will you be quiet?" she asked. She didn't want to talk about her kids and Aquila in the same sentence. She was especially so when she was right on the doorstep. Detty shrugged her shoulders. "Just saying."
Atiya glanced at the number, but it was quickly approaching 40. Opening the door reveals a large room. A woman with her hair in a bun was sitting at a desk with a phone tucked under her chin. She nodded and replied who she was. Atiya got out of the elevator and Detty followed her. She went to her desk and waited. Her receptionist glanced at her, then raised her finger. "I'll get back to you soon," she said, keeping her chin away from the phone. Atiya nodded and placed her box in the empty space on her desk. Time flew by. She tried not to stare at her watch too long. It just showed how late she really was. I heard a voice say, "Are you Atiya ?" Atiya turned and saw a petite, chubby woman walking towards him. She had half of her blonde hair tied back in a clip. Atiya nodded. "That's me." She grabbed her box and walked over to the woman. "Sorry I'm so late. I had a problem with my oven, so I had to bake all night."
The woman looked at her. "Is there a problem with the oven? No, that's not good, especially because you need them to function." "I'm Debbie, Mr. Callaghan's assistant," she said, walking down the long corridor. They passed through a wall made entirely of glass. In the room, dozens of people were huddled around a table. They all stared in Aquila ' direction. He sat at the head of the table, facing across the room to a whiteboard that projected graphics and words. Butterflies fluttered in his stomach when he looked at Atiya . His gaze shifted to hers, as if she felt her gaze. He smiled and nodded for a moment. Atiya 's hands flew up her hair and cheeks. She wished she had taken a shower this morning. From the perspective of half the women present, she looked like she was in pretty tough competition. The mere thought of those words made her feel like an idiot. Competition? For Aquila ? what was wrong with her? He was just a customer. that's all. No perspective friends. Regardless, there was no place for men In her life. "Just friends?" Detty 's voice came from behind. She turned and shut her friend up. "Are you going to stop?"