[Summit Partners]
Atlas signed the last docunt and quickly placed it to the side of the desk. As he withdrew his hand, he imdiately picked up his phone to check it.
[From: Lola Young
I am making dinner tonight. Go ho early, okay? Kisses]
A shallow breath escaped him, and he shook his head. After a mont, he paused, realizing he was smiling faintly.
"..." He blinked, and the small smile vanished.
He had seen Lola’s ssage appear on his screen earlier, but only now had he checked it. He got the ssage, and that ant he was leaving earlier than usual. The ssage had been sent about three hours ago, so she was probably done by now.
With that thought in mind, Atlas pushed himself up and went to change his blazer near the stand. Just then, Allen entered the office.
"Sir, you’re leaving early?" Allen glanced at his watch, then back at his boss. "Is there an occasion?"
"Lola said she’s making dinner tonight and wants to go ho early," Atlas explained as he donned his blazer. "I’ve finished the last docunt."
"Oh." Allen approached the desk and picked up the docunts, his eyes on his boss. "But sir, I just called the residence, and from what I heard, Miss Lola isn’t ho yet."
Atlas paused, slowly turning toward Allen. "Not ho yet?"
"Yes." Allen nodded. "I found out because the twins were preparing dinner. They were helping in the kitchen."
Without a word, Atlas reached for his phone on the desk and speed-dialed Baby, recently assigned as Lola’s driver. The call was barely ringing when it was answered.
"Did sothing happen?" Atlas asked, his expression darkening as he considered punishing everyone for not notifying him imdiately. But then Baby answered,
"Nothing, Sir."
Atlas’s brows twitched. "Lola should’ve been ho. I was told she isn’t."
"Ah." Baby tilted her head, glancing toward Lola and Aileen’s table from across the coffee shop. "Miss Lola was with a friend."
"A friend?"
"Yes, soone she bumped into at the grocery store."
Deep lines ford on Atlas’s brow. Lola didn’t have friends; she was a proud loner. The only people close to her were those who worked for her.
"Send your location," he said, ending the call.
Picking up his briefcase, Atlas walked out without a word. anwhile, Allen tilted his head.
"Sir, should I co with you?"
Atlas paused at the door and looked back. "Your hours will not be paid."
"See you later, Sir," Allen said brightly, opening the door for his boss. He maintained that cheerful smile until Atlas was out of sight.
Clicking his tongue, Allen shook his head. "I will never have ti to date anyone at this point."
*****
anwhile...
Lola and Aileen laughed heartily, reminiscing about old mories. They enjoyed each other’s company so much that ti passed unnoticed.
"That’s amazing," Lola mused. "I didn’t know the fashion industry could still be so complicated."
"You have no idea," Aileen sighed. "It’s toxic too. When I was starting, the head designer stole my work. It took a long ti to stand up for myself. It’s a good thing I asked myself a question."
Curiosity glead in Lola’s eyes. "A question?"
"What would Lola do?" Aileen emphasized each word, smiling. "Knowing you, I’m sure you wouldn’t just let others walk over you. Just like how you confronted the Lancaster boys and told them to stop visiting , or how you stood up to the children at school for ."
Slowly, Lola’s brows rose. All of that had happened, but she had almost forgotten them.
"I was like that once, huh?" she said, chuckling lightly.
"What do you an, once?" Aileen frowned. "You’re still like that now, aren’t you?"
No, Lola wasn’t like that anymore. She wouldn’t even rember young Lola without Aileen—and even Chairman Lancaster—reminding her of those monts. But she knew that willful, confident young girl had been... murdered. Murdered by the Young family.
"Lola." Aileen reached out and held her hands, squeezing gently. She looked her in the eyes and smiled. "You’re still that girl. Just a lot more mature now."
Her own smile widened as she nodded. "Just knowing you’re fine, and that you’ve already cut ties with the Young family—especially staying away from that lissa witch—is proof that you’re still the Lola I admire."
"Aileen, you think so highly of ," Lola quipped, and Aileen tugged her hand.
"I’m serious," Aileen’s voice lowered.
For a mont, they simply stared at each other, Aileen’s eyes gleaming with sincerity. She had admired Lola since childhood, even during their separation. Despite Aileen’s success, Lola remained her Young Miss—the one who had helped her build confidence, the sa confidence that had shaped her career.
"Thank you," Lola said, feeling moved by Aileen’s words. "I an it."
"I know you do."
Their smiles lingered until Lola suddenly stiffened.
"Hmm?" Aileen blinked. "What’s wrong? You look so pale."
"Oh, my god!" Lola quickly let go of Aileen’s hands and checked her wristwatch. Her jaw dropped, her eyes wide. "Shit."
"What—what’s going on?" Aileen asked, confused, darting her eyes between Lola and the brown grocery bags she was clutching.
"I wanted to cook dinner tonight!" Lola said in a panic, hugging the bags. "Aileen, I really want to chat with you, but maybe next ti? This woman might still be a little girl at heart, but I have children to feed and a good man to impress."
"Should I help?" Aileen reached for the bags, assisting her friend.
They were about to leave when Lola froze again, leaving Aileen more confused.
"What now? Are we going to panic again?" Aileen asked, frowning as she followed Lola’s gaze. Her eyes landed on a table not far away.
Seated there were a huge, bulky man and a leaner man across from him. The lean man had his back to them, so Aileen couldn’t see his face. When she glanced at Lola and saw her expression, she set her attention to the table curiously.
"Lola, who are they?" Aileen whispered, her eyes fixed on the table. "Are they loan sharks? Did you get yourself in trouble?"
Lola gulped. "No. That guy... is my man."
"That guy?" Aileen stared at the lean man, and then at the bulky one. "Oh... even your taste in n hasn’t changed. You really found yourself the Hulk."
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