39 | ☕Who Needs Wedding Planner When You Have Kaia? ☕
A week had gone since Atlas's grand proposal on the beach, and despite all chances, the story had not spread.
No reporters looking for an exclusive scoop.
There are no blaring headlines proclaiming their engagement in dramatic, enormous print.
There are no inquisitive paparazzi lurking in the shadows, hoping for the perfect shot to be published in tabloids and gossip websites. It was oddly peaceful.
The silence was unnatural. Suspicious, even.
She had spent the past seven days bracing for impact, waiting for the inevitable media storm, but it never came.
Every time she stepped outside, she expected flashing cameras.
Every time her phone buzzed, she thought it would be a journalist fishing for an exclusive.
But there was nothing. Just her normal routine. Work. Coffee. Atlas.
The café was humming as usual, with the soothing murmur of conversation and the rich, familiar aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
The quiet clatter of porcelain cups and the occasional hiss of the espresso machine created a rhythmic background for her morning rush.
Anya glided with seamless precision behind the counter, sliding drinks across it and exchanging polite smiles, her hands functioning on autopilot while her mind was preoccupied with worried thoughts.
And then there was Atlas.
He was sitting in his usual spot by the window, long legs stretched out, one arm draped lazily over the back of his chair.
A half-empty cup of coffee sat in front of him, but let's be honest—he wasn't really here for the coffee.
His dark eyes were fixed on her, warm with amusement, as if he could see right through her carefully constructed calm.
The door to the café flew open with enough force to make the little bell above it jingle wildly, startling a few nearby customers.
Before Anya could even glance up from the espresso machine, a whirlwind of energy in the form of Kaia practically burst inside, her eyes zeroing in on Anya like a heat-seeking missile.
Anya barely had a second to react before her best friend stormed up to the counter and dramatically seized both of her hands, her grip nearly cutting off circulation.
"YOU'RE ENGAGED?!"
The sheer volume of Kaia's voice sent a ripple of silence through the café. A few customers turned to stare, a couple of baristas paused mid-pour, and from his usual spot by the window, Atlas let out a quiet chuckle, clearly entertained.
Anya, on the other hand, simply blinked, unfazed. "Oh, good morning to you too, Kaia."
Kaia, of course, ignored the sarcasm completely.
Her dark brown eyes were practically ablaze with indignation as she shook Anya's hands for emphasis.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?! Do you have any idea how ridiculous it is that I had to hear this from Atlas's grumpy bodyguard of all people?"
She threw an exasperated glare at Atlas, who only raised an amused brow in response.
"Imagine my surprise," she continued, whipping back to Anya, "when I ran into said grumpy bodyguard at the bakery this morning, completely minding my own business, and I asked—very casually, I might add—why he looked even more scowly than usual. And do you know what he said? Oh,
it's probably because the boss just got engaged. Like it was nothing!"
She flailed dramatically, nearly knocking over the napkin dispenser.
Anya groaned. "God, I should've known Mason would let it slip."
Kaia released Anya's hands just long enough to plant them on her hips. "That is not the point! The point is, I—your best friend—had to hear this life-changing, monumental, earth-shattering news from the world's most unenthusiastic source. And you didn't think to, I don't know, call me?!"
Before Anya could answer, Kaia spun back to Atlas, jabbing a finger in his direction. "And you, sir, are so lucky I like you, because keeping something like this from me is a crime."
Atlas, utterly unbothered, leaned back in his chair and smirked. "I was waiting to see how long it would take you to find out. Guess I owe Mason fifty bucks."
Kaia gasped. "You betted on me?!"
Atlas raised an eyebrow, his expression calm, unreadable as ever.
Without a word, he lifted his coffee, taking a slow, deliberate sip, as if Kaia's dramatics were nothing more than a mild inconvenience to his morning routine.
The quiet clink of the cup meeting the table was the only sound before he finally moved, his fingers shifting fluidly as he signed, "Didn't think you'd be able to keep it quiet."
Kaia gasped, her entire body recoiling as if he had personally struck her across the heart. She pressed a hand to her chest, eyes wide with theatrical offense. "Excuse you, I am perfectly capable of keeping a secret!"
Anya didn't even have to think before she shot her a look, arms crossed. "Kaia, you once spoiled a surprise party because you got too excited and screamed 'SURPRISE!' before the birthday girl even walked in."
Kaia scoffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder as if brushing away the accusation. "That was one time!" she insisted, then pointed a finger between them. "And, in my defence, that was years ago! I have grown. I have matured."
Atlas didn't sign anything, but the smirk tugging at the corner of his lips said plenty.
Kaia ignored it. Instead, she turned her narrowed gaze fully onto him, her hands finding her hips. "So you were the one who wanted to keep it lowkey?"
Atlas remained utterly unruffled, his sharp eyes meeting hers with that quiet confidence of his. Without hesitation, he lifted his hands and signed, "Anya didn't want attention."
His fingers moved with practiced precision, each gesture controlled and deliberate, his body language steady and sure. He had always been like this—silent but commanding, his presence effortlessly drawing attention even without words.
Kaia, for once, had no immediate comeback.
She pursed her lips, exhaling loudly through her nose as she rocked back on her heels.
Then, finally, she threw her hands in the air.
"Okay, fine. That makes sense. But—" she whipped back toward Anya, pointing an accusatory finger, "I still should have been informed sooner."
Anya groaned, rubbing her temples as if she could physically massage the impending headache away. "Kaia, I love you, but if we had told you any earlier, you would've run down the street screaming."
Kaia opened her mouth, presumably to argue, but then paused. A flicker of self-awareness passed through her expression. She inhaled. Exhaled. Then sighed. "Yeah, okay, that's fair."
Atlas smirked, his fingers moving again, signing smoothly, "Told you."
Anya barely had time to react before Kaia turned back on Atlas with an exaggerated groan, throwing her hands in the air. "Oh, shut up."
Kaia turned back to Anya, the fiery energy in her eyes dimming just enough to reveal something softer beneath the dramatics. Her voice dropped a notch, quieter, more thoughtful. "Are you happy keeping it quiet?"
Anya paused mid-motion, her fingers still wrapped around the cup she had been preparing.
She glanced at Atlas for a brief second, then back at Kaia, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"Yeah," she said, setting the drink down with deliberate care.
"It's nice, you know? Just... ours for now. No cameras, no headlines, no strangers weighing in on something so personal. Just us."
Kaia held her gaze for a beat longer, then let out an exaggerated sigh, though the corners of her lips twitched upward. "Fine. I'll respect that. For now." She jabbed a finger in Anya's direction, her grin returning full force. "But when you start wedding planning, I better be the first to know."
Anya laughed, shaking her head. "You'll be the first, I promise."
Before Kaia could respond, Atlas cleared his throat pointedly, lifting a hand and tapping his fingers against the side of his coffee cup to get their attention. Then, with a smirk playing at his lips, he signed, "Actually, I'll be the first to know, since I'm the groom."
Kaia turned on him instantly, rolling her eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn't get stuck. "Ugh, yeah, yeah, we get it. You're so possessive."
Atlas merely raised an eyebrow, then lazily glanced at Anya, his expression smug. His hands moved again, slow and deliberate. "She doesn't seem to mind."
Anya, unable to stop the warmth creeping up her neck, shot him a half-hearted glare. "You're enjoying this way too much."
Atlas's smirk deepened. "Always."
Anya felt her face heat up, a soft blush creeping up her neck, but she didn't deny it. She knew exactly what Atlas was implying, and frankly, she didn't mind. There was something so effortlessly them in the way he looked at her—something that felt more comforting than anything else.
Kaia groaned dramatically, throwing her hands up as if the sweetness in the air was overwhelming. "Ugh, you guys are sickeningly cute. I need a coffee before I get diabetes from all this sweetness."
Anya couldn't help but laugh, her heart lightening at the playful banter between her two closest people.
With a shake of her head, she moved to the espresso machine, effortlessly sliding into the motions of making Kaia's usual.
Her hands worked with practiced ease as she steamed the milk, the familiar hum of the café creating a sense of calm in her chest.
Meanwhile, Atlas remained where he was, leaning back in his seat with that same quiet contentment on his face. His gaze was soft, focused entirely on Anya as she moved around the café. There was no rush, no expectation—just the simple pleasure of watching her go about her day.
Lowkey or not, it was impossible for Anya not to see it—the way he watched her, the way he always seemed to gravitate toward her, like the pull of the moon to the earth. Atlas was, without a doubt, completely, hopelessly obsessed with her.
And, for reasons she couldn't fully explain, she didn't mind one bit.
"Okay, seriously, I want to plan the wedding," Kaia blurted out, practically bouncing up and down in her seat.