When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 144: Getting to Know Each Other

Chapter 144: Getting to Know Each Other

Ms. Aquila still couldn’t help but think that things might have turned out differently had they met under different circumstances. Perhaps if she hadn’t been on duty, she would have let herself of her playful side. After all, Timmy was cute in a way that made her smile every time she saw him. But now, as she sat there, she regretted that she had met him while she was on business.

She couldn’t show him that side of herself, not yet. Not here.

Timmy, however, couldn’t stop smiling. His mind was still trying to process the fact that Ms. Aquila was sitting next to him, talking to him like he was someone important. His nerves were slowly calming, and he found himself growing more comfortable in her presence.

"Hey," he said, his voice softer now, a bit more confident. "If you don’t mind me asking... can I know your name?"

Ms. Aquila turned her head slightly, her eyes softening as she looked at Timmy. Her usual composed demeanor seemed to melt away under the warmth of his curious gaze. A faint smile tugged at her lips, as if the question had caught her off guard, but pleasantly so.

For a moment, she seemed to consider him, taking in his earnest expression. She then took a small breath, her voice gentle yet carrying a hint of playful elegance. "My name is Lily Aquila," she said, each word flowing smoothly, like a melody. The way she spoke her name carried a touch of grace, as if she was letting him in on something meaningful.

"But you can call me Lily," she added, her smile growing just a fraction, a touch of warmth now brightening her features. It was an invitation, a small gesture of trust, and it made Timmy’s heart skip a beat. There was a kindness in her eyes, and for the first time, he felt a sense of familiarity blossoming between them.

Timmy felt his cheeks heat up, and he nervously scratched the back of his neck. He could barely believe she had told him to call her by her first name. His voice came out a little unsteady at first.

"Um... it’s nice to meet you, Lily," he said, trying to sound confident but failing as a shy smile spread across his face. He quickly looked down, then back up at her, feeling his nerves tangle.

"I’m Timmy," he added softly, his hands fidgeting a little. "Timmy Pascual." He paused for a moment, then let out a small, embarrassed laugh. "But, uh... you probably already knew that."

Lily’s eyes softened as she watched Timmy struggle to keep his nerves in check. A gentle smile spread across her face, and she tilted her head slightly, as if studying him with genuine curiosity.

"Timmy Pascual," she repeated, her voice warm and friendly, almost as if she were testing out his name. "It’s nice to finally put a name to the face." Her smile grew a little wider, and she chuckled softly. "You don’t have to be so nervous, you know."

Timmy’s face flushed a deep shade of red at her words. He had been so caught up in the surprise of their encounter, he hadn’t even noticed how nervous he was until she pointed it out. His heart skipped a beat when she smiled at him, and he awkwardly shifted his weight from one foot to the other, still unsure of how to respond.

"Y-yeah, I guess... sorry, I didn’t mean to make things weird," he stammered, rubbing the back of his neck. The last thing he wanted was to come off as more awkward than he already felt.

Her laughter, light and gentle, made him feel even more flustered, but he couldn’t help the small grin tugging at the corner of his lips. She’s not making fun of me, she’s just... being nice, he thought, his nerves slowly starting to settle.

"Timmy Pascual, huh?" she said again, as if savoring the sound of his name. "It’s really nice to meet you." Her tone was so warm that it almost made him forget how nervous he felt. He tried his best to focus on her words, to act cool, but his heart was still racing.

Lily couldn’t help but smile inwardly as she observed Timmy’s reaction. He looked so endearingly surprised, his shy expression making her want to pinch his cheeks and tease him about his flustered state. She had to bite her lip to keep herself from doing it, knowing she had to maintain her professional demeanor.

Too bad, she thought, he’s just so cute. She glanced at him, trying to remain calm, but her mind was racing with a sudden, unexpected feeling.

Normally, she was drawn to more masculine, rugged types—those with strong jawlines and confident stances. But there was something about Timmy’s boyish charm, the way his eyes widened in confusion and the way he stammered, that made her feel strangely drawn to him.

Well, this is new, she mused. Who knew a cute, handsome face could catch my attention like this? She quickly masked the soft smile threatening to slip out, not wanting to give away how much he had already captivated her.

Timmy shifted his weight nervously, his curiosity getting the better of him. He cleared his throat before asking, "Um... I don’t mean to pry or anything, but... why are you still here? I thought most of the other guests would be heading out by now."

His gaze flickered briefly to the empty space around them, noting the quiet atmosphere as most of the other guests had already packed up and left.

He glanced back at Lily, his brow furrowed in mild confusion. Was she staying longer for some reason? he wondered. He didn’t want to come off as too forward, but his curiosity got the best of him.

Lily glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "I suppose I’m just here to make sure everything goes smoothly," she replied, her voice easy. "I have some things to finish up, and then I’ll be on my way. But for now, I’m just enjoying the view."