It had become late when the date ended. So, Aiden decided to accompany Athena till her apartment.
" I am going to be busy for the next two days." Athena said when they reached her apartment.
" What?" Aiden asked, looking like he had woken up from a dream.
Athena sighed and said.
"I still haven't completed my assignment. I have to submit it on Tuesday. So I will be busy till then."
"Ok, I will also be busy as I have to go and get permission to set up a stall at the 'city fest'."
"Are you going to conduct your market research there?"
"Yes."
"There isn't much time left, get everything ready fast. I will also help from Wednesday onwards."
"Much appreciated." Aiden said with a 90 degree bow.
Athena laughed seeing his sudden professional behavior, shortly Aiden also joined her.
After some small talk Athena climbed the stairs to her apartment with the fried chicken they had purchased for Rachel and Fidha.
After she disappeared from his sight Aiden didn't walk back the way he came instead he walked forward towards an SUV parked there. He had felt someone's gaze from the moment they reached near Athena's apartment. It took some time but he did find its source, a black SUV parked there.
" I need to get some training done." He said while walking towards the SUV. Most things Xavier taught him had become muscle memory to him but Aiden found himself not good in some areas as compared to before.
The SUV was black and each glass on it was sticked with filims preventing view to inside. Aiden knocked on its window. There was no answer. After some time it rolled down as they understood that Aiden had no plan to retreat. Inside it was a young man with white hair and two other people.
" What?" The young man asked.
" I just want to tell you that, if you want to watch me then we can do it directly without any thing between us." Aiden said he voice filled with sarcasm.
"Who wants to see you?" The young man said anger and disgust.
"Then leave. There is nothing more for you to see here." This time Aiden sounded normal but there was an invisible weight to it.
Because of it the young man was stunned for some time, after recovering he angrily said.
"Who do you think you are to orde.."
But he was stopped by the middle aged man sitting in the passenger seat.
"Yes, we will leave." He said.
The young man was surprised by the other man's response
"What? Why should we do.."
He wanted to argue but he was shut by the middle aged man with a single look.
"Fine."
He said and started the car after rolling up the glass while staring angrily at Aiden. After the car moved some distance he asked.
"Why are we doing like he said? I want to talk to Athena."
"That young man is not as simple as he looks." The middle aged man said.
"What do you mean?"
"His words, they had some power in them and remember he found us without seeing or hearing that too from such a distance. You have to be careful near him."
"I don't care as long as he can feel pain." This time it was the muscular man at the back who talked, his face looking menacing.
______________
Aiden called Athena to inform her about his little encounter.
"That is Jay. He is the one Rachel told you. I heard his family has some connections so don't fight with him, ok."
"Is it, I will keep it in mind. Anyway, be careful."
"Ok, I will be careful, bye, go home before it's dark."
"Ok, bye." Aiden ended the call.
"Why do I feel that guy is going to be a pain in the ass." He said and walked away.
___________
The next day being Sunday, all government offices were closed. So Aiden engaged in finding a place from where he could make the cake. His plan was to use the kitchen of the marriage hall owned by Ivan's family. When he inquired about the place he found himself lucky as it was not booked for next 20 days and they were happy to rent it to him. They actually wanted to give it for free as Aiden was like a son to them but they didn't because they knew his character well. He was someone who liked to keep personal things out of other things.
Aiden was sure that the kitchen would require some cleaning so he decided to go there and do the cleaning but before that he went to another place.
He pushed open the door which has the word 'cup and saucer' written on it. Inside he was met with the same old view and Mrs. Clair was serving the customers like usual. It was past the rush hours and there were only two customers in the shop. She noticed him but didn't approach him immediately. He walked to a table and took a seat. Another waiter approached him and collected his order.
After finishing with her customer Mrs. Clair came and sat opposite Aiden.
"It's been sometime boy. You could have told us before leaving." she said.
Aiden wasn't surprised as he was sure that nobody would have told them about his accident. He smiled and told her about it.
"Oh! My god. I didn't know. Are you fine now?"
"I am fine now." He said while having his chocolate drink.
After some small talks Aiden told her about his business plan and brought out the main reason for his visit.
"Can you help me get the ingredients I need?" he asked.
Aiden knew that Mr. and Mrs. Clair always found the places to get ingredients at the best price without compromising on quality. He was never going to get things at such a low price as he is a newbie. Mrs. Clair also understood all these things.
"Of Course we will help you. Still, let me ask my husband also." She said these and walked towards the kitchen.
Aiden had met Mr.Clair before but they weren't close as Mr. Clair was not fond of interacting with people because of some throat illness.
Mrs. Clair walked out shortly informing that Mr. Clair is also ok with it. He gave them a list of all the things he needed and left that place. They also told him that the ingredients will arrive before Tuesday evening.
He arrived at the kitchen and the security there helped him to enter inside. It had most of the utensils he needed, a big custom made fridge and a big oven. There wasn't much to clean as it was used some days ago. He immediately got everything ready for his need and left the place.
The next day he went to the city office to reserve a spot. He reserved a spot close to the exit of the fair as he thought that the people who are tired from enjoying the fair would love to have a cake at the end to finish the fair, especially when it is free. Yes, he wanted to sell it for free, as his objective was not money but make people familiar with his company and cake. He was following the saying, 'Inorder to harvest you need to sow first.'
He spent half a day there. He submitted all the required documents and made the payment and they gave him a document to prove his reservation.
Now he had to wait for the ingredients to arrive.