"God..." Allen leaned against the backseat. Tears welled up in his eyes, recalling the scene his boss had caused in the Pierson Corporation’s lobby.
If only he could erase that from his mory, he wouldn’t have followed Atlas. He should’ve just called in sick today. But then again, even if he hadn’t witnessed that, Allen would still need to fix whatever this was.
"Sir..." Allen whimpered, snapping his teary eyes at the man seated on the other side of the car. "Rumors are already spreading about you, the CEO, and Director Dean. Did you really have to exact your revenge like that?"
Atlas didn’t answer, staring out the window.
"Goodness," Allen let out a deep sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I can already imagine..."
The countless etings regarding this "issue." Because whether or not they wanted to, the executives at Pierson Corporation were still close-minded on such a topic. The world might be opening up and accepting all these modern issues, but this business was different.
Allen could still rember the ergency eting that was called when rumors about Zoren and Atlas started circulating. But this? This was not just a rumor. Atlas had just given everyone sothing to talk about with evidence — EVIDENCE!
Amid Allen’s thoughts, Atlas finally spoke.
"Are you going to marry her?"
"Huh?" Confused, Allen looked back at Atlas. "Sir?"
Atlas kept his eyes on the window, as if he hadn’t just said anything out of the ordinary.
"Sir, are you talking about my girlfriend?" Allen asked, but didn’t get a reply. "Well..."
He scratched the back of his head, his cheek blushing at the thought. "I was thinking about proposing and —"
"Do you think she’ll like to live in secrecy?"
"Huh?"
"I’m stepping down." Finally, Atlas turned his head and t Allen’s eyes. "I’m leaving Pierson Corporation."
"..." The lines on Allen’s forehead deepened, confusion flickering in his eyes. This was the first ti he had heard this.
"But — but why?" he blurted out. "Sir, is this the reason you did what you did?"
Now, that made a lot of sense for Atlas to create such a scene, because he would not be there to clear it up. But Atlas wasn’t the type to disclose things. Not this matter, because it was better to keep Allen from knowing more.
"I asked Zoren and Penny to look after you," Atlas remarked, peeling his eyes away from his assistant. "They’ll keep positions open for you. My father has also offered. So, choose your poison."
For a second, Allen was confused and could only stare at his boss in disbelief. After a mont, he shook his head.
"Wait, sir — wait, I’m a little — this is too abrupt," Allen waved, facing his boss squarely. "If you’re stepping down, then I’m coming! I know you still hold a grudge that Pierson Corporation was my first choice, but working for you has been —"
Before he could finish, Atlas spoke again.
"I’m leaving Anteca." His eyes remained fixed on the window on his side, his expression unchanged. "And it might take so ti for to return. You should stay here if you’re planning to marry your woman and start a family with her."
Allen held his breath, his eyes widening a bit. He didn’t know why, but hearing Atlas say those words made his heart clench with sadness. It felt like a permanent goodbye.
"Sir..." Allen whispered, but then Atlas snapped his eyes back at him.
Atlas nodded at him. "I’d rather you stay with Zoren or Penny," he said, "So, in case I co back, it’s easy for to rehire you."
His remarks were filled with selfishness, yet Allen didn’t feel any anger. If anything, he felt... disappointed. Atlas didn’t even give him the option to choose. But then again, that was his boss’s way. Atlas might be a lot of things, but he wasn’t the type to ask others to cross the line for him.
In the end, Allen remained quiet on the side of the vehicle, looking out the window somberly.
---
anwhile, in the hospital...
"I heard you’ve been hospitalized. It’s a bit late, but how are you?" Kiara sat down on the side of the bed, offering the patient (Hugo) a smile.
Hugo’s mouth stretched into a wide smile. "Strong as a cow!"
"I can tell," she said, her smile faltering as she gazed at the handcuff on his other hand.
Well, she also heard that they had to handcuff him to his bed to keep him here. After all, if he aggravates his leg, Hugo might lose it.
Kiara had no idea how this guy was able to aggravate his injury so much that he almost lost it. But thinking about the ti he was with her, Hugo often acted as if he didn’t have any injury at all. He would even help in her warehouse, carrying heavy boxes all at once while enduring pain.
Thinking about it, guilt tugged at her heart.
"I’m sorry," she whispered, making his brows rise.
Hugo cocked his head to the side. "Sorry for what?"
"I didn’t know you were injured and still let you work in the warehouse," she clarified. "Even if your injury didn’t worsen because of that, I’m sure it put a strain on your leg one way or another. Besides... you also drove here and there, helping with stuff."
Kiara smacked her lips and sighed faintly. "So, I’m sorry."
Hugo blinked and blinked so more, eyes fixed on her. After a second, he stretched his arm toward her. His action made her brows rise with confusion until his finger suddenly flicked her forehead.
"Ah—" she winced, rubbing her forehead that instantly turned red. He just flicked her forehead, but sohow, it felt like it swelled.
"Why would you even do that?!" she complained.
Hugo chuckled. "Not everything’s your fault," he said. "I’m a grown man, and my decisions are my responsibility to bear. Don’t apologize to when you have nothing to apologize for."
She pursed her lips, frowning a bit. "You know, you can just say that without flicking my forehead. It hurts."
"I know," he crooked his finger as he sat up, his other hand still hanging in the handcuff. "Co here. I’ll show you a magic trick."
Her brows knitted, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. But since she sort of trusted him, she moved closer despite having no idea what his plan was.
"Let see," he ran his fingers through the hair falling on her forehead. Once his palm settled on top of her head, he leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
Kiara froze the instant his warm yet firm lips landed on her forehead. Intuitively, she looked up at him with wide eyes, only to see him grin.
"Better?" he bead, his smile glowing brighter.
And for so reason, Kiara just heard her heart "thump" in her ear.
In her daze, one thought popped up in her head.
’His big brother... is going to judge for life.’
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