Chapter 5

Chapter 5

“So, what do you want to have, Atlas?”

“You...”

My face flushed instantly at his words, heat rising to my cheeks like a sudden blaze. I gaped at him, my mouth hanging open slightly, resembling a fish gasping for air out of its element. Did I hear him correctly?

"What...?" I murmured, my voice barely audible, disbelief coloring every syllable.

He shrugged casually, a playful grin dancing on his lips. "I mean, you choose, Ms. Claire," he clarified, his tone light. "I'd appreciate whatever you serve me, so please feel free to decide without worrying about my food preferences."

Drawing in a deep breath, I managed to compose myself, though an awkward smile tugged at the corners of my lips.

Atlas cleared his throat, the playful expression melting away as his demeanor returned to seriousness. He squinted slightly, his eyes narrowing in a scrutinizing gaze as he posed his question, "Why? Is there any problem with that, Ms. Claire?"

I shook my head vigorously, almost too quickly. "N-No. Not at all, sir," I stammered, my voice betraying my discomfort.

Feeling my cheeks burn with embarrassment, I hastily turned away from him, unable to bear the intensity of his gaze any longer. I hurried towards the pantry, my heart pounding erratically in my chest. What had I been thinking, entertaining such thoughts? I must be completely out of my mind!

As I reached the pantry, I leaned against the cool shelves, trying to steady my breathing and calm my racing heart. My face still burned with embarrassment, and I couldn't shake the feeling of foolishness that washed over me.

"What the hell was I thinking?" I muttered to myself, shaking my head in disbelief. The mere idea that I had entertained such a thought with my employer, even for a fleeting moment, left me feeling utterly mortified.

Taking a few deep breaths, I attempted to regain my composure. I couldn't afford to let my momentary lapse in judgment affect my professionalism. With a determined resolve, I pushed aside my embarrassment and focused on the task at hand, determined to fulfill my duties with the utmost diligence.

After fulfilling my duties, I hurried straight to the waiting shed located just in front of the company where I worked. The clock on my phone read 6:30 PM, a stark reminder that I was already fifteen minutes late for our family dinner. My out-time was supposed to be at 6:00 PM sharp, but circumstances had conspired against me.

My mother and brother were both in the hospital, and I had promised to join them for dinner. With their health at the forefront of my mind, every minute that passed felt like an eternity.

As I stood at the waiting shed, I glanced around anxiously, hoping to spot an available taxi. However, in this area, hailing a cab was always a challenge, especially for a mere commuter like myself who couldn't afford the luxury of booking a ride through Grab. The thought of spending extra money on transportation when both my mother and brother were unwell weighed heavily on my mind.

Despite the inconvenience and the growing urgency to reach the hospital, I resolved to wait patiently at the shed. In times like these, every penny mattered, and I couldn't afford to squander money on unnecessary expenses. My family's health and well-being were my top priorities, and I was determined to do whatever it took to be there for them, even if it meant enduring a longer wait for a more affordable mode of transportation.

Suddenly, as if my prayers had been answered, an expensive-looking car pulled up in front of me. My heart skipped a beat as the window rolled down, revealing Atlas, grinning at me with his signature charm.

"M-Mr. De Luca," I stammered, taken aback by the unexpected encounter.

He pouted playfully. "Still using that formal title even after work hours? You wound me," he teased.

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips despite my surprise. "I'm sorry, sir—I mean, A-Atlas," I corrected myself, feeling a rush of warmth at the newfound informality.

His grin widened, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "That's more like it, baby," he said with a playful wink. "So, wanna ride with me?"

I blinked, caught off guard by his suggestive phrasing. "H-huh?" I stuttered, my cheeks flushing crimson.

He chuckled at my flustered reaction, his amusement evident in his gaze. "Oops, wrong choice of words. What I meant to say is, would you like a lift home in my car? I'll be happy to drive you."

As I hesitated by the car, my mind raced with uncertainty. Was it even appropriate for me to accept a ride in Atlas's car? What if other employees saw me and deemed it unfair for me to be receiving special treatment from the CEO? Despite my inner turmoil, a practical voice in my head reminded me of the reality of rush hour traffic and the financial strain of waiting for a cab.

"Come on," Atlas urged, breaking through my thoughts. "You'll end up waiting for a cab for hours in this traffic. Get in now."

Reluctantly, I nodded, conceding to his logic. "Very well," I replied, swallowing my pride as I accepted his offer. After all, saving time and money were practical considerations that I couldn't ignore.

However, as I approached the car and peered inside, my eyes widened in shock. Sitting in the passenger seat beside Atlas was none other than his best friend, Mr. Killian Knight.

"O-Oh," I gasped, my surprise evident in my voice and expression. I had assumed it would be just Atlas alone in the car, but clearly, I was mistaken. The presence of Mr. Knight added a layer of complexity to the situation, leaving me feeling even more uncertain about accepting the ride.

The tension in the air was palpable as Killian’s icy blue eyes bore into mine, devoid of any discernible emotion. A shiver ran down my spine involuntarily, his gaze casting an unsettling chill that seemed to freeze the atmosphere around us. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, neither of us made a move to break the silence, locked in a silent standoff that underscored the underlying tension between us.

It had only been yesterday since I last saw him, yet his sudden appearance caught me off guard, adding an unexpected layer of complexity to the already precarious situation. As the personal assistant to both Atlas and Mr. Knight, navigating the dynamics between the two hot and wealthy bachelors was a daily challenge in itself.

Each day brought with it a new set of overwhelming emotions, as I found myself drawn to both their charms, albeit in vastly different ways. While Atlas exuded warmth and playfulness, Mr. Knight possessed a cold, enigmatic allure that was equally captivating. Despite their contrasting personas, both men held a certain power over me, leaving me torn between loyalty and desire.

As I hesitated, weighing the implications of accepting a ride from both of my bosses, I couldn't help but wonder what their intentions were. Were they simply being kind by offering me a lift home, or was there something more beneath the surface? With my heart pounding in my chest, I knew that whatever decision I made would have repercussions, and I braced myself for whatever lay ahead.