The only emotions I was feeling were rage and hate, so it didn't click to me at first until Mitch burst into a bitter laugh before I finally realized who I was dealing with.
That freak was mocking me with his laughter like I didn't have a gun to his head, and I knew why.
"You better get your hands off me before I put mine on you and things get ugly!" Mitch firmly said.
For a moment, I could hear this voice in my head telling me to pull the trigger. But then again, Mitch dying by my hands wouldn't be good for my mission and it will definitely be Atlas and I's death sentence.
"I'm not that naive girl who used to shiver at your command…" I said, and Mitch chuckled immediately, making me more pissed.
But I boldly continued, "I don't have time to waste doing whatever this is. So, I'm going to release you, and after I do, I need you to get your ass out of my car!"
Slowly, I withdrew my gun from Mitch's hair before pulling my other hand away
When my eyelid rose, the first thing that tortured my mind was that I had two more days left before Atlas's so-called meeting with Black Ivy. Swaying my gaze towards his face, I frowned, annoyed that he could sleep so soundly while I have been having sleepless nights because of him. Suddenly, Atlas rose his lashes, and I gazed silently into his eyes. Then he drew towards my lips and lightly kissed me before mumbling, "Good morning, beautiful." Even though I was annoyed and frustrated that I haven't had this entire Black Ivy situation figured out yet, I couldn't help smiling when he grinned at me. "Morning," I whispered, stroking his cheek. Then I
After watching Atlas for a while, I tossed my fork on the plate, and he raised his head, gazing at me without uttering a word."How long am I going to get the silent treatment for this time?!" I lashed out. "A day? A week? Or maybe a month?"It was humiliating to act mad at him when he looked so calm staring back at me, and I felt awful that I was about to start an unnecessary fight that I was planning to avoid just to get out of here.When Atlas didn't answer, I felt a bit hurt that he was mad at me, and yet, I remained in character."Fine. You want to treat me like I don't exist?! It's all good!" I said, waking from the chair. "I will get out of your hair!""What's wrong with you?" Atlas coldly uttered, hardening his face.His question was justifiable because even I was thinking that I was acting like someone losing their damn mind.Yet, I looked Atlas dead in his eyes and said, "The real question here is, 'What is wrong with you?"
Even though it was clear that Black Ivy knew who I was, I looked her dead in her eyes and asked,"Why are you staring at me like that?"My first rule in this situation was to stall until I came up with a plan."Do you take me as a fool, Aria?!" Black Ivy coldly uttered. "That's your name, right? And you are the personal bodyguard to Atlas Sharpe.""Who's Aria? Me? Nah, of course, not. I'm Joy, and you?" I mumbled, darting my eyes around."Don't play stupid with me, Aria! I do my research on the clients that I work with!" Black Ivy said, scowling at me.Rule number two, any and everything can be
Calculating my next move and plans in my head, I watched as Black Ivy talked on the phone with her gun pointed at me and her eyes on mine."I see," Black Ivy mumbled with a note of incredulity in her voice and a bitter look in her eyes.In that instant, the expression on her face told me that she wasn't going to allow me to leave the park alive, and realizing that I might die here, surviving was all I could think of as my eyes remained focused on hers."I understand," Black Ivy said in a peremptory tone as a flare of resentment settled in her gaze.Then she drew the phone from her ears, and my eyes darted towards the gun trigger.The moment I noticed her fi
As I sat in the cab, looking at the windshield, my phone light blinked, and I looked at the screen.It was Atlas calling, and I felt my heart thumped against my rib, beating faster than normal.Although a part of me didn't want to, I accepted the call and rested the phone against my ear, listening without talking."Aria, what is going on?" Atlas said, and I squeezed my eyelids shut, drawing a deep breath."Nothing. I just needed fresh air to think things through." I mumbled, feeling the ache in my chest growing sharper."Think about what?"My voice sounded strange, slightly strangled as I mumbled,
Atlas POVMy heart was pounding rapidly as I kept hitting the door, ignoring the pain each time my body slammed into its solid wooden frame.“Get your hands off me!” Aria screamed, and then I heard a loud "bang!", almost like Ross was hitting her against something.“Sir, let me help!” Derrie said as he stood by me.Even though I was hesitant, he looked built than me, and my arm felt bruised from all the hits, so I stepped back and watched as he crashed against the door.After gazing at him for a while, I looked down the hall, wondering when Jacob and the other would bring the ax, and with every noise that echoed from the room, I felt my patience fading fast.Fear immediately grabbed onto my heart and squeezed it tightly when Aria's room suddenly became quiet.As I listened to the silence growing louder, I forgot how to breathe as my mind tortured me with the worst scenario possible.“Move!” I
When I forsook sleep, I felt a weight on my upper body and gazed down at Aria's head resting on my chest as her hand hugged onto my waist.Yesterday was intense, but the good thing is, she didn't do it. She couldn't look into my eyes and tell me that she wanted us to be over.There was so much doubt in my head about her feelings for me, but yesterday freed every bit of suspicion that I had.When she broke down in tears, unable to say those words, I realized that she did love me, but she was just scared. Why she was afraid? I don't know. Maybe it was because of the gap in our status, or something else.But the truth is, I don't really care, and all I care about is that she feels the same way I do.
At one-fifty, I finally close the last document and all I felt was rage that I have been so stupid all these years to think that my uncles were saints. After gazing at the time on my phone screen for a moment, I drew a deep breath and stood to my feet. Immediately, Aria woke from the couch as she asked, "Where are we going?" "I am sure that all my uncles will be in the conference room by now," I told her as I reached for my coat. Then after wearing it, I left from behind my desk, approached her, and gave her a brief smile before saying, "Let's go." Trying to act professionally with her when we are out in public is one of the hardest things I cou
Atlas' POVParis, the city of love. The night street light glowed on Lilith's face as she stared up at the Effie Towel."How can it still look so pretty... Even after three months of being here, I still can't believe how beautiful Paris is," She said to me with a soft smile on her face. I love her with everything in me... But this version of her, happy, carefree, and full of life is my favorite part about her. She turned around and looked into my eyes with those gorgeous ones. In some sense, we were never that different... Life hasn't been fair to us... Her toxic relationship with Mitch, and the betrayal of my uncles, brought out the worst side of us. But the best outcome of it all was meeting her."What? Do I have something on my face?" Lilith giggled, her eyes widened so cutely.I shook my head and replied, "No..nothing like that." When she gazed back at the towel, I stared at my watch, counting slowly, "3, 2, 1..."The fireworks lit up the sky like a thousand stars, and I droppe
His uncles shifted uncomfortably, clearly taken aback by Atlas's confident demeanor. Then Alex cleared his throat. "We'll be going now," he said stiffly."Right. But before you do, you all are fired, effectively and immediately. I want your desks clear and your belongings out of the offices by the end of the day," Atlas declared, his tone unwavering.Alex exchanged a look with his brothers, their expressions a mix of surprise and indignation. "Atlas, you can't just—" "Yes, I can," Atlas interrupted firmly. "I have played the game of cat and mouse long enough with you all and it's time to end it all once and for all.""Atlas, nephew..." Luke stepped forward, his voice a mix of pleading and frustration. "We've been here for you since day one. We've supported you through thick and thin. You can't just cast us aside like this.""Right," Ransom spoke up, his voice tinged with bitterness. "After all we've done for you, this is how you repay us?""We have always had your best interests at
"The court is about to begin! Everyone, please take your seats!" announced the bailiff, breaking the tense silence in the room.Atlas squared his shoulders, exchanging a glance with me. I could sense the weight of stress and the complexity of emotions swirling around him. We moved past Alex, Atlas went to the front with Wilson, and I sat on the bench with Tony and Victor. The two took my hand in theirs, and I smiled at them, feeling a bit less tense. The room fell silent as everyone settled into their seats, awaiting the start of the proceedings.As the judge entered and took his place at the bench, the courtroom hushed even further. "The court is in section! We are here today to determine the guilt or innocence of the defendant, Atlas Sharpe, in the murder of Mitch. Mr. Wilson, you may proceed with your opening statement." The judge announced.Mr. Wilson stood up, adjusting his glasses before addressing the court. "Your Honor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury," he began, his voic
Silently, I sat on the bed watching Atlas wear his coat. When he reached for his tie, I woke from the bed approached him, and gently took the tie from his hands. "Let me help you with that," I whispered.Atlas turned to face me, his eyes softening as he nodded. I deftly looped the tie around his neck, my fingers brushing against the cool fabric. The silence between us was comfortable, filled with unspoken words and shared understanding.As I tightened the knot and adjusted the tie, I glanced up to meet his gaze. "You look perfect," I said with a small smile.Atlas smiled back, a rare and beautiful sight. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice warm and tender.For a moment, we stood there, inches apart, and even though he tried to mask it with a smile, I could see the stress in his eyes. The trailer has been going on for one year and today we get to hear the final verdict. I knew how much this meant to him, how deeply he cared about the outcome. Gently, I placed a hand on his cheek, feel
"Okay," I said quietly, clicking on the most recent file, and the video began to play."Stop... Stop, Mitch.""Mitch, stop!""I can't breathe... Mitch, you are going to kill me." "I am not going to lose you again, Lilith!.... Especially not to that bitch!! You are mine! You are fucking mine, and I don't plan on making the same mistake twice and allow you to slip from my grip again.""I... I...a-m n-ot go-ing to be...bet-ray y-ou." "Do you think I am a fool? Do you think I don't know how much you hate my guts... The disgust on your face every time I touch you... Nothing I say or do could make you look at me the way you once did. You despise me." "You're wrong, Mitch...""Shut up!... I am no fool, Lilith... Now that that bastard is in a pitiful position, you are all over him. For the past two months, you barely come home or care to spend time with me. We’ve been drifting apart. You’ve become distant and indifferent and I hate it... Hate it, Lilith. So fucking much.""Mitch, plea-se."
Atlas walked in with Mr. Wilson, his lawyer, and Tony by his side. His presence seemed to fill the room with a sense of dangerous aura."Who hired you two morons?" Atlas repeated, his voice laced with anger.The taller detective's face paled. "Mr. Sharpe, we're just trying to—""You two know that this is outrageous behavior, right?" Mr. Wilson interrupted. "You two are investigating under pretenses, which is not only unethical but also illegal."Both detectives started to sweat, visibly nervous. "Mr. Wilson, we were just—" the shorter one began, but Mr. Wilson cut him off."Just what? Trying to manipulate my client into handing over evidence without proper authorization? This is a clear violation of her rights."Atlas stepped closer to my bedside, his eyes softening as they met mine. "Are you okay, Lilith?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.I nodded, feeling a rush of relief at his presence, and cried out, "I'm okay. Just a bit shaken... You are okay... I am so happy that you ar
Lilith's POVThe was this continued beeping sound ringing in my ears, and I squeezed my eyes.Suddenly, I sucked in a deep breath and then jumped up, screaming, "Atlas?!""Hold her down. The anesthesia has worn off." Dr. Ling said, and I gazed around to see that I was in a hospital room."What... what's going on?" I managed to ask out, still not quite awake, my head feeling foggy like it was covered in cotton wool.Dr. Ling began while walking towards me. "Well, you got shot in the arm and punched in the face. You suffered a serious concussion and you had minor surgery to remove your arm." "Where... Where is Atlas?" I mumbled, my memories a bit hazy with sleep, but I forced myself to focus."The detectives are waiting outside. They had been for a while, waiting for the anesthesia to wear off. They can better answer your question... But are you mentally ready to talk to them?" I nodded, trying to gather my thoughts as much as possible, feeling more aware now as my memories became
Looking away from Tony, I started around the room, and called out, "Lilith... Lilith! You in here?!"When I got no reply, my heart pounded as I realized Lilith was gone. "Tony, where is she?" I demanded, fear tightening my chest. His eyes widened, mirroring my panic. "I thought she was right here with us," he said, shaking his head. "How come-"Without a second thought, I dashed out of the apartment. The hallway stretched endlessly ahead."Lilith!!" I called out, my voice echoing off the walls. When I got silent in response, I reached for my phone, dialed her number, and listened desperately for any sound that might lead me to her.Then, in the distance, her ringtone cut through the air. I sprinted towards it, each step burning in my chest. As I reached the further end of the hallway, there she was... a shadow in the dim light, and then my eyes caught sight of Mitch turning around to face me."Atlas, get down!" Lilith screamed. At the sound of her voice, I dropped without hesitati
An hour later, I was seated by Atlas in the backseat of his car with Tony driving the car. The address Linda had given us led us to a modest apartment complex with faded paint and overgrown weeds. As we approached the building, Atlas’s hand found mine, offering a comforting squeeze."We’ll stay in touch through the comms," Tony said, breaking the silence. "If anything goes wrong, we’ll be there in seconds."I took a deep breath and squeezed Atlas's hand back, trying to steady my nerves. The apartment complex ahead looked rundown, with peeling paint and cracked sidewalks. It felt like the kind of place where someone could easily disappear into the shadows."Got it," I replied, my voice steady despite the tension. Both Atlas and I got out of the car, and Tony parked it a little further down the street to keep a low profile. The building loomed before us, and Atlas kept close to me as we approached the entrance, his presence a reassuring anchor."We’ll head up to the apartment on the th