39 | ☕Who Needs Wedding Planner When You Have Kaia? ☕ #2
Her hands fluttered in the air like she couldn't even keep them still with how much energy she had.
"I don't care that I have zero experience in wedding planning. This is my dream job right now."
She shot Anya a playful glare, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Don't even try to stop me."
Anya couldn't help but laugh, a warm sound that bubbled up from her chest as she continued to pour milk into Kaia's coffee.
The rhythmic sound of it foaming in the milk steamer filled the small gap in the conversation.
"Kaia, you've never even organized a party without almost burning down your apartment," Anya teased, smirking as she glanced up at her.
Kaia waved her hand dismissively as though that minor detail meant nothing in the grand scheme of things.
"That was a minor fire hazard! It's the thought that counts!"
She leaned forward dramatically, placing a hand over her chest as if she were already planning the entire event in her mind.
Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and the intensity of her enthusiasm made it almost impossible for anyone in the room to ignore her.
"I have a vision for your wedding, Anya. A beautiful vision!"
Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, Anya could almost see it too—the sparkling lights, the soft hum of a live band, the flowers arranged just so, filling the space with colours and scents that made her heart flutter.
But then reality settled in, and Anya raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at her lips as she carefully placed the milk frother down.
"Do I even get a say in this 'beautiful vision' of yours?" Anya asked, her tone amused but with a hint of mock dread as she met Kaia's gaze.
Kaia grinned wickedly, clearly unfazed. "Of course, you'll have a say! But only if you don't try to stop me from making your wedding Pinterest board come to life!"
Anya sighed dramatically, but deep down, she was already bracing herself for the inevitable whirlwind that was about to unfold.
She loved Kaia for this—for her unapologetic enthusiasm and her ability to turn even the most mundane tasks into something that felt like magic.
And as for Atlas—he just watched them, a quiet smirk on his lips, his dark eyes flicking between the two women with a faint glimmer of amusement. He knew this was just the beginning.
Atlas lifted an eyebrow, an amused twinkle in his eyes, as he watched Anya and Kaia interact. He raised his hand, signing slowly, "Are you sure about that?"
Kaia shot him a playful smirk. "Oh, trust me, I have Pinterest boards to prove it." She raised an eyebrow at Atlas, almost daring him to challenge her.
Anya couldn't help but laugh at Kaia's infectious enthusiasm. She looked from her friend to Atlas, who was now leaning back in his chair with a quiet but smug expression, signing to her. "If she's going to make a Pinterest board, might as well let her help plan it."
Anya rolled her eyes gently while smiling. "I suppose so." She shook her head in fake surrender. "Alright, Kaia, you won. Plan away.
Kaia's eyes widened with excitement, her hands clapping together in triumph.
"Yes! Yes! I'll be in charge of everything—everything!"
She came closer to Anya, her voice lowered as if she were revealing a secret.
"You'll adore my ideas. I'm thinking about some unconventional touches—like an evening wedding on the beach under the stars, with candles floating in the ocean."
Anya smiled at her friend's wild enthusiasm, but there was a small knot of nervousness in her chest.
She fiddled with the edge of the counter, her voice quieter now as she spoke to Kaia.
"That sounds beautiful, Kaia, but we don't need anything too extravagant. I just want something small... peaceful."
Atlas, watching quietly, signed with a soft smile, "Peaceful is good. As long as it's ours."
"Oh, and by the way," Kaia began, her voice laced with mischief, her lips curling into a sly smile. "You're making me your bridesmaid, right?"
Anya hesitated for a moment, taken off guard by the unexpected inquiry.
Her heartbeat skipped in her chest. She'd been so preoccupied with everything else that the specifics hadn't truly set in yet.
A guilty grin grew across her lips, and she gave a little, amused shrug.
"Of course, I am. You were always going to be my bridesmaid, Kaia. You are aware of this."
Kaia squealed in delight, her hands coming together in a little clap of excitement. "YES! I knew it!" She turned swiftly to Atlas, her grin turning mischievous. "I've got a job now, mister. No way you can stop me."
Atlas leaned back in his chair, a quiet chuckle escaping him as he watched Kaia, clearly enjoying the playful back-and-forth. He signed with a lazy smile, "I'm not sure I can stop anything." His eyes shifted to Anya, warmth radiating from his gaze. "I think she's already decided everything for us."
Kaia lifted an eyebrow at him, clearly unfazed.
"Oh, I'm not just making decisions for you—I'm also the wedding planner, bridesmaid, and unofficial therapist for any pre-wedding anxiety. "
I have all the roles covered." She gave an exaggerated nod of assurance, as if she were about to conquer the world.
Anya let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head in disbelief. "You're really going all-in, huh?"
Kaia offered her a mischievous smile, her eyes flashing with resolve. "When my best friend marries, I'm going full throttle. There's no stopping me now, Anya. "You are trapped with me."
Anya smiled warmly, her heart swelled with affection for the woman who had been by her side through everything. "Well, I wouldn't want it any other way." She offered Kaia an honest look. "You're the only person I'd want planning this alongside me."
Atlas looked between the two women, a soft, knowing smile crossing his face as he observed their bond.
His eyes flicked to Anya, and he signed, "I think we'll all be in good hands."
His words were simple, but they carried a depth of meaning, a quiet certainty that everything would fall into place—together.
Kaia clapped her hands again, bouncing in her seat with barely-contained excitement. "Oh, this is going to be the best wedding ever!" Her voice was filled with glee, practically vibrating with the energy she'd poured into the idea of it all.
Anya couldn't help but feel a little giddy herself.
There was a flutter in her chest, a mixture of excitement and nerves that felt oddly right.
Even though everything was happening so quickly—and even though she had her doubts about how extravagant Kaia was planning to make things—one thing was certain: this would be the happiest chapter of her life.