Not My Type, But My Love

Chapter Six

Days passed since Anika had given Atlas her number, and she couldn’t help but think about him. At first, it was the nervous fluttering in her stomach whenever she thought of the brief interaction they'd had at the event. It wasn’t like her to be so bold, but there was something about Atlas—something mysterious that intrigued her. She wasn’t one to go after men, especially not a man like him. He was distant, strong, and everything she usually shied away from. But he made her feel something different.

Her phone buzzed late one evening, as she sat in her room, mindlessly scrolling through her social media. It was a message from an unknown number. Her heart skipped a beat.

Atlas:

"Hi Anika, it’s Atlas. I haven’t forgotten about you."

The message was simple, but it made her pulse race. She stared at it for a few moments, unsure of how to respond. She hadn’t expected him to reach out so soon. The boldness she had shown in giving him her number seemed like a distant memory now that the reality of the situation was setting in. She was still that shy girl who barely spoke to strangers, let alone an enigmatic, handsome man like him.

Anika:

"Hi! I wasn’t expecting you to message me." She quickly regretted that sentence. It sounded too casual. Too indifferent.

Atlas:

"Did you expect me to forget?" His response came quickly, and it made her smile. There was something about his words that made her feel seen.

Anika hesitated before replying. She didn’t want to come off as too eager, but she couldn’t stop herself from enjoying the conversation. She took a deep breath and typed back.

Anika:

"Not at all, just surprised. How are you?"

Atlas:

"Busy, as always. But it’s worth it. How about you? How’s the internship going?"

She frowned at the mention of her internship. It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy it, but it was hard for her to feel like she was making any real progress. Her mind wandered, wondering how someone like Atlas could possibly be interested in a simple intern like her.

Anika:

"Busy, too. Not much to report yet. Just learning the ropes."

Atlas:

"Good to hear. I imagine it’s a steep learning curve. If you ever need someone to talk to, feel free to reach out."

Anika smiled at the message. It wasn’t just an offer to talk; it was an invitation. She felt the walls around her slowly crumbling with every word exchanged. A few more back-and-forths and she felt like they were almost in sync, like they’d been chatting for much longer than they had. Their connection seemed to grow with each conversation, and though she was still nervous, a part of her looked forward to their late-night chats.

A few more days passed, and they continued texting, each conversation a little more personal than the last. Anika had even shared a picture of herself—something she never would have done with someone she didn’t know well. But there was something about Atlas that made her feel comfortable, even though she barely knew him. He was kind, funny, and respectful in a way she hadn’t expected.

One evening, as she was sitting at her desk, scrolling through emails and looking over her internship tasks, Atlas texted her again.

Atlas:

"How about dinner this weekend? We could talk more in person."

Her heart skipped again. She hadn’t expected him to ask her out so soon, but there was no denying the excitement that rushed through her. They had been talking for a while, and maybe this was the next step.

Anika:

"Um, dinner? That sounds nice. When?"

Atlas:

"Saturday. I’ll pick you up at 7."

Anika didn’t know how she felt about being picked up. It seemed... forward, but at the same time, she was flattered. She was used to meeting people in public spaces, never really having someone come to her door. But she pushed her nerves aside. This could be fun, right?

Anika:

"Okay, sounds good."

When she looked at the message again, she realized something important. He was really making an effort. He was showing interest, and it was becoming clearer by the day that their conversations weren’t just fleeting moments—they were building something.

She stood up from her desk, walking to her window and looking out at the city lights. For the first time in a while, she felt a flutter of excitement. Maybe this internship wasn’t just about learning how to work in a company. Maybe it was the start of something she never expected—a chance to explore her own feelings and a connection with someone who was unlike anyone she’d ever met.

The day of the dinner arrived, and Anika couldn’t help but feel the butterflies in her stomach. She stood in front of her mirror, brushing her hair and making sure her outfit was just right. She chose something simple but elegant—a long, black dress that hugged her figure just enough. She wasn’t trying to impress him, but she wanted to feel confident.

As the clock ticked closer to 7 PM, her nerves started to build. She wasn’t used to going out with someone like Atlas. He was out of her league, she knew that. But she didn’t want to let that stop her. She took a deep breath, reminding herself to enjoy the moment.

When the doorbell rang, Anika’s heart raced. She opened the door to find Atlas standing there in a perfectly tailored suit, his expression calm and confident. He smiled when he saw her, and for a moment, it felt like time stood still.

“You look amazing,” he said, his voice low and sincere.

“Thank you,” Anika replied, her cheeks flushing. She felt her shyness creep back, but she pushed it away, smiling in return.

Atlas extended his hand to her. “Shall we?”

She nodded, taking his hand and stepping out the door. As they walked to his car, Anika couldn’t help but feel the excitement bubbling inside her. The night was just beginning, and she had no idea where it would take her.