[Earlier, in the Penthouse]
"Sis—" Slater stopped at the entrance of the kitchen, his mouth dropping as his eyes landed on the two figures by the counter.
There, Lola leaned against the counter with her rear resting on the edge, her hands on the surface. In front of her, Atlas was slightly bent over, one hand near hers, the other wrapped around her waist.
"Is this what you guys do every morning?" he blurted, covering his mouth as his eyes reddened like he’d just caught a lover cheating. Lola and Atlas turned toward him.
"Is that why you two always take so long before coming out of here?" he continued, scoffing mid-sentence. "You two... how could you?!"
With that, Slater dramatically turned and ran away. Meanwhile, Lola opened and closed her mouth in disbelief.
"It’s not... it’s not like that," she tried to explain, but there was no way he could’ve heard her. She clenched her teeth. "What is wrong with him?"
"He doesn’t survive without a meltdown once a week," Atlas said, pulling her to stand fully. "Are you alright?"
She nodded, then checked her ankle. "It’s fine, I guess," she muttered, massaging it in a circular motion. After a moment, she smacked her lips and faced him.
"Better now!"
"Good," he nodded, then lowered his head and tilted it. But before he could do what he came for, Lola leaned back and covered her lips with her hands.
His brows knitted as he drew back again. "What?"
"What do you mean, ’what?’" she returned. "Atlas, you can’t just steal a kiss whenever you like."
"I’m not stealing anything."
"Not asking permission is stealing."
"Then... can I?" he asked, already leaning in, but she drew her head back even further. He frowned and sighed heavily.
For the past few days, there hadn’t been a moment when Lola was alone with him. She had been making sure they wouldn’t be left alone, claiming she needed to get her head on the right track.
But now that he had finally cornered her, she wouldn’t let him?
"No," Lola said, raising both forefingers and crossing them over her lips. "Not now."
"When?"
"Atlas, we’re already living together, which normally takes others months or years before they decide on that. Others wouldn’t even dare until they’re married!" she reasoned. "I’m saying we should take it slow."
"How slow?"
"Not too slow, but not too fast either!" She pouted slightly. "I want... a normal courtship, or at least a normal relationship. And I think... this isn’t normal. We’re not even officially together."
Atlas leaned back, crossing his arms, as if deep in thought. Seeing his reaction, Lola pursed her lips and raised her brows.
"Why are you looking at me like you’re dissecting me in your brain?" she asked, unable to take it anymore. It felt worse than being under a microscope.
"Because I am," he said flatly. "I gave you time... but every time, you pull back hard."
"Huh?"
"Tell me your last destination for the day," he continued. "I’ll send someone to pick you up."
"Why?"
"I received the documents regarding the funds this morning," he said. "They arrived faster than I expected. I’ll hand them to you later."
"Oh." Lola nodded. "Okay...?"


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