The server nodded and hurried away. Khizar grinned back at Jacqui.
“I had no idea this business trip would be so much fun.”
Jacqui took that opening to ask more about the still mysterious man sitting opposite her. “You said you own a jewelry company?”
“Technically, my family owns the business; I’m only the CEO.”
Jacqui rolled her eyes, but smiled to show she was teasing. “Only the CEO, he says. That’s an impressive job title.”
“I was brought up in the family business, and was expected to take on the role when my father retired.”
“Do you like it? Your job, or the business?”
“I do, actually. Even though I was groomed for it, I’ve been interested in precious gems most of my life. I received a degree in geology at university, in addition to studying business and economics.”
Jacqui sat back, impressed.
“I attended culinary school, and took a few business classes. I was so intent on getting the bakery started that I pushed to get my degree as quickly as I could.”
“Please don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re quite young to be running your own business by yourself. It takes most people years to get the financing to open a store, or they have an investor as a partner. How did you get your start?” Khizar asked.
“It’s been my dream to open a bakery since, oh, forever. There was a bakery down the street from my house when I was little, and my father used to walk there with me every Saturday morning. No matter how busy he was, no matter what else he had to do, he would always take me to the bakery for pastries and hot chocolate.”
Jacqui shrugged. “Now, I realize he was giving my mother some precious time to herself, as well as spending time with me. Those Saturday mornings are one of the few memories from childhood that I cherish.”
“Your parents must be very proud of you,” Khizar said.
Jacqui smiled sadly. “I like to think they would be, but they died in a car wreck when I was seven.”
Khizar leaned forward. “I’m so sorry, Jacqui.”
“You couldn’t have known,” she waved a hand at him to indicate it was all right. “I think I started wanting to own a bakery because I thought I would feel closer to my parents there.”
“And do you?”
“Sometimes. But I also know when it’s time to let something go. I love owning my own business, but I think I may have to go work for someone else soon.”
Khizar seemed to search for the right words.
“I don’t know much about your country’s childcare system. What happened after your parents passed?”
“I was in the foster care system for a year or so, and then I was lucky enough to be adopted by a wonderful couple. They are my second set of parents, and I adore them.”
“And I am certain they are proud of you.”
Jacqui smiled. “They are indeed. And they fully supported my plan to open a bakery, even contributed what they could to the cause.”
“How did you raise the rest of the money?” Khizar was curious, but Jacqui felt like he was asking questions out of a sincere desire to better understand her life.
“My parents had a few valuables—their wedding rings, a sapphire necklace my father gave my mother, things like that. Nothing big, but together, it gave me just enough to buy equipment and supplies, and pay rent on the store for a few months.”
Jacqui went quiet and Khizar leaned forward to put his hand gently on hers.
“There’s something else of theirs, isn’t there? Something you wish you’d kept?”
Jacqui looked up at him, eyes wide.
“My father’s pocket watch. My mother gave it to him on their wedding day. It has the word ‘Always’ and their names and the date engraved on it. I didn’t sell it at first, but I didn’t have enough money, and pawning it was the only thing that would cover what I needed.”
“Is it something you can buy back?”
“I don’t even know where it is.” She laughed wryly. “Not that I have the money to buy it back right now, anyway.”
Khizar laid a hand on his heart and said intently, “I have never met another person as worthy of having a little good luck come their way as you are. I am so impressed with your bravery and cheer, especially with the number of challenges you’ve had to face in your life.”