CHAPTER 10

Atlas stared down at the pastor for a moment and hugged it out with him. He was almost at the brink of tears, not because it had been long he saw the man, but because he was simply an amazing personality that helped him grow up.

"Where have you been?" He asked with a smile plastered on his face.

"Doing the Lord's work. I heard your mom has been in the hospital. Mind me asking how you got the money for the bills." Atlas smiled for a moment. He wasn't necessarily going to tell the man that he was rich, it would raise suspicion as to how he got the money.

"I got a loan from my boss." He lied through his teeth.

"That's amazing. I believe you are here to see your mom?" He enquired and Atlas nod his head.

They both head over to the ward, where Atlas mom was laying down and watching evening news.

"Hey mom, how are you feeling." Atlas asked going over to her side.

"I am doing great son and let me be honest with you, it's just so amazing to be back again." Atlas had his mom holding his hands and staring at him in the eyes with tears on her face.

"Thank you for everything. I may not understand how you got to get this money, but one thing I do want to appreciate you about is that we could settle this off and I am alive again." Atlas smiled and wiped off the tears off his mother's eyes.

"You don't have to worry about a thing mother." As they stayed in that position, the pastor comes over to the family preaching the word of God, which Atlas easily gets bored about.

While he was still on the sermon, he gets a call from Esmeralda. "Where are you?" Esmeralda asked.

"Told you I was going to see my mom. Is there any problem?" Atlas asked.

"There is a small problem that would have to involve you fixing. Which is why your attention is needed." Esmeralda indicated.

"Very well then, I will be there as soon as possible." He hung up the phone and turned to the pastor, who was still speaking to his mother and informed both of them that he would be leaving.

**

While Atlas was walking through the road, he noticed several people gathering at the premier of a great event. He wouldn't be concerned, if he had not seen something strange that caught his attention.  It was a manger, who was dragging a very pretty young lady and this triggered him off so well.

Meanwhile, Bella was one of the most beautiful ladies in the city. Her father was known for his fame and wealth.

Sir Arthur had always had his eyes on his right from the first time that he laid his eyes on her.

But this lady could pass for one of the most reserved ladies in the city. He was young and at least had a cute face, and coupled with his wealth and influence, what else would she want in a man?

But even though he always displayed this quality before her at the slightest opportunity that he got, he never for once stole a glance at him

This made him furious. Wanting to rip her in halves until she was going to bleed for mercy. Until she would beg him.

But he never got this opportunity to do what he wanted until today. There she was, walking right into his trap.

And he was going to do anything in his power to get her. "Get your hands from her." Atlas came and roared at his direction.

There was a tint of amusement as he walked up to him and stared right into his eyes and said.

"And who are you to keep your nose into my business?" He said.

"The only nose that I see deep is one that caught wind of what a flirt you are." He flared back to him.

Even Bella was surprised at his confidence. The final boss was a man who was akin to doing whatever he wanted.

She was already plotting how she was going to get her father's help. The card that she had used for payment all her life had suddenly been declined.

And she had a feeling that Arthur had something to do with it.

Even though she appreciated Atlas's courage, acting rashly was only going to make things worse.

But Atlas was the last person that was going to back down.

"What has she done for you to treat her in such a manner?" He flared.

If they had been somewhere else, Atlas would have been dead already after a few slaps.

But even though he had the whip of the most important institution of the government under his whip, that didn't mean that he was going to act rashly since real estate was the major business that he did.

Even though it would be easy for him to cover things up, it was going to be bad for business. So he had to play his cards neatly.

Just like he had always done and eventually won in the end.

"She tried to steal from the company. Do you think that I was going to allow her to go scout-free without any sort of punishment just because she is a Lady? In your dreams." He said.

Even after these words, Atlas could still feel that the lady was calm and genuine. There was certainly more to this.

"Then if I pay for hers, would you still hold her for theft?" He replied.

The sound of his provoked a deep reckon of laughter throughout the hall. Legs shaked. And the table roared.

Even Arthurs could not hold back his laughter.

"You didn't tell me that you were a clown. I would have brought a chair and some popcorn." He mocked, in between his laughter.

Even Bella could not help but frown. This was even worse than acting brave, he was acting very stupid.

She should have known better.

The Gerund Real Estate enterprise was one of the best that could be offered anywhere in the city.

The only people who set their foot in that place were members of the highest class in society.

The lowest asset that you are going to get from such a place would be up to ten million dollars and taking a look at Atlas, he was screaming at someone that needed help himself.

Dressed in what the county passes as rags, there was no way that he would be able to afford such after all.

The halt of Arthurs brought a stop to the laughter that ravaged the hall. No one would dear Continue.

"What do you think of this place? A roadside supermarket?

Or some thrift shop where you get your clothes from. Oh, I see, you must be one of those beggars that try to pull a scene."

Arthurs shoved out his hands from his pockets and began to laugh, while the other joined him soon enough.

The roar of their clap could be equaled by the deafening sounds of lightning bolts.  Bella scoffed, not knowing if she should be irritated or angry.

With the halt of Arthurs, the rest of them quickly pulled a stop.  

"I will have to recommend you for your good acting." He ended his clap, drew a dollar bill from his pocket, and tossed it off to him.

"Take this. I am sure that it's going to get you a meal from those slams that you call a restaurant. I think after eating, you will get enough strength to find a life after this." He finally ended.

And was about to walk away. But even with his stale and domineering look, he didn't budge even for a single moment.

"Are you done?" Everyone in the hall was petrified at the sound of Atlas's words.

Even Arthurs was stunned. His subconsciousness makes a U-turn towards Atlas with a glare on his face.

"When I said what I said, did it look like I was joking?" He inquired, without any ounce of respect or fear for not only a wealthy man but an underworld boss.

Did he have a death wish?