Getting fired barely hours after his wife had left him by a man that wanted his wife had to be the most ironic circumstances Atlas had ever been a part of.
The tears he had been holding back for so long came crawling out of his eyes of their own volition.
His life had gone from not so good to terribly unfortunate in a matter of hours.
First, his wife had decided to leave him and then his mother and now he'd lost his job.
Without thinking, Atlas picked himself up from the ground where he'd been dumped and began to walk down the road with tears streaming down his face.
How on earth was he going to cough up ten grand from? He had nobody to call, not Jessica, not his boss. His father had died before he was even born or at least that was what his mother told him.
He couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't bear to see his mother die. He just couldn't. He'd been through too much…
The universe had to be playing a prank on him, a very sadistic one and he didn't think he could take anymore of its games. He couldn't possibly stomach it.
How was he going to face his mother and tell her he couldn't come up with the money to proceed with her treatment? How was he going to look her in the eye and tell her she was going to die because he was too broke and alone to find money.
He couldn't go on any longer. It was too much to bear. He didn't want to be alive to watch his mother die, she was all he had now and losing her meant that he'd run mad.
Without thinking, Atlas walked up to the highway and stared as cars sped past him. All he needed to do was take one step and it would all be over.
All of the pain, all of the suffering and hurting would be done with. He wouldn't have to feel it anymore nor would he have to be subjected to this constant state of worry and humiliation. He'd be in a painless space where he didn't have to work or get his heart broken.
Atlas continued to stare at the road. At this point he wasn't thinking straight. All he wanted to do was stop the excruciating
pain in his chest and the tears that ran down his face like a busted pipe.
With his mind made up, Atlas walked into the incoming traffic, closing his eyes so that he didn't have to see anything.
In a second or two he'd be gone and the pain in his chest would finally stop.. It would be painful at first but it would be over almost as quickly as the pain came.
One,
Two,
Three,
He counted in his head as he walked slowly across the road. Any second now a car would hit him and he'd be gone.
Four,
Five,
Six
The horn and screeching sound of a car coming to a halt followed by the sound of a car door being opened, prompted Atlas to open his eyes only for him to find a Audi 2023 model barely a feet away from him and a woman walking towards him, anger in her eyes.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?!" The woman that had just come down from a sleek black Audi growled, her eyes blazing with anger.
Oh, great. Why did she fucking stop?!
"Why would you walk into oncoming traffic? Do you have a fucking death wish or something?"
The woman barked, getting into Atlas's face.
"Why did you stop?" Atlas retorted quietly, very disappointed that he was still alive.
"You should have just killed me," he pointed out to the lady.
One minute the woman was staring at Atlas the next, her hands were connecting with Atlas's face hard and fast.
Pain spread through him and he quickly reached up to soothe the spot with his other hand.
"You want to die? Go die somewhere else… Oh my God! It's you?" The strange woman paused on her rant, seemingly recognizing something
Atlas blinked at her sudden change of course.
"I'm sorry?" Atlas asked, staring at her in confusion.
"It's you!You are Atlas."
"How do you know my name, lady ?"
Atlas asked with a puzzled look etched on my face.
"Oh my God,it is you! You have no idea how long I have been searching for you." The woman said, pulling him into a brief embrace.
Atlas, still perplexed, scanned the tanned brunette woman who suddenly seemed a little too happy to see him, trying to figure out if he knew her from somewhere but as he took in her features, nothing was coming to mind. In fact, he knew for a fact that he had never fucking seen this woman in his life.
"Look lady, I have no idea who you are, how you got my name but you are in my way. As you can see, I was on my way to end my life."
The lady slapped him across the face again and then sneered at him
"Don't you fucking dare say that! Do you have any idea what would have happened if I had accidentally hit you with my car?"
"I would have died?" Atlas supplied the obvious answer.
"No, I would have been arrested for manslaughter not to mention the fact that I would have been sued for some kind of conspiracy involving trying to kill the heir to the Atlas empire."
Atlas scoffed, realizing what this was; a scam.
"Okay lady, clearly you have a couple of loose screws but I don't have time for this." He said to her, impatience lacing his tone.
She was about to speak when the Horns of several cars interrupted her.
"Look, how about this? Come with me to my hotel room and then I can explain everything."
"I'm not going anywhere with you!" Atlas said firmly. He had no idea what was going on but he knew with his luck, he was probably about to be kidnapped and then his organs harvested. He didn't want to take that chance.
"Please, I'll give you whatever you want if you do." The woman pleaded.
Atlas blinked curiously at her. Why the hell was she begging? Was she trying to get him into one of the psychwards? Because he'd rather just die now than be locked up with a bunch of loonies.
"No, the fuck? I have no idea who you are! For all I know you could be taking me to a psych ward or worse you could be planning to harvest my organs."
"No, no, that's not it at all. You are the man I've been looking everywhere for, for over three weeks now." The woman exclaimed, staring at him as if he was some kind of priced artifact and it made him quite uncomfortable.
Atlas continued to stare at her, still skeptical about her intentions but tempted to hear more from her.
What was the worst that could happen? She'd kill him?
Well, good, that was exactly what he wanted anyway. Although, something told him she wasn't in fact trying to kill him plus she'd just promised to give him whatever I wanted.
Maybe he could use this to his advantage, whatever this was.
"Twenty thousand dollars!" Atlas said with a defiant tilt of his head.
The lady stared at him blankly, a clear sign of confusion.
"I beg your pardon?"
"If you want me to follow you, you'll have to pay me twenty thousand dollars or I will walk into traffic."
She blinked at me before breaking into a smile.
"You are truly your father's son. Of course. Come on, I'll do it in the car."
Atlas got into her car, fastened his seatbelt and sat in silence, tired from all he’d been through today. He still didn't believe that the woman was going to send him twenty thousand dollars but it didn't matter either way. If she was some kind of kidnapper or con artist, she would be very sorry once she realized he didn't have a single dollar to his name.The strange lady parked her car properly then turned to face Atlas squarely.“So, tell me your account details” she said looking at a slightly annoyed Atlas“look if this is a joke, just end it right here and tell me what you really want, I’ve had quite the day already.” He let out tiredly“Account details?” she repeated not acknowledging everything he’d just said."Fine," Atlas gritted out and called out his details. He watched as the lady pressed a few buttons on her phone, a look of skepticism in his eyes.Few seconds later, his phone buzzed, he took a look at the message he'd just received and he froze.Staring at him was a mes
Atlas got dropped off at the hospital by a taxi. He ran into the building like a mad man, he got to his mum’s ward and she wasn’t there, he grabbed a hold of one of the nurses passing by.“Where's my mum? Is she ok? please where is she?” Atlas rushed out his words as worry took off his whole being. He was doing his best to stay calm but the more he tried, the more he fidgeted with worry.“she was rushed into the surgical room a few minutes ago” “Where is the room?” he asked, panic still evident in his voice“just down that hall but…”Atlas rushed towards the direction she’d pointed at without waiting for her to finish her sentence. When he got there he was stopped by some nurses.“sorry sir, you can’t be inside the surgical room while surgery is going on”One of the nurses recognized him and spoke,“Oh Mr Atlas, it’s you”Atlas looked at the blonde haired male nurse that stood infront of him, he recognized him, he’d often come to take his mum’s vitals.“Don’t worry, she’s under the b
He made his way back to his place to take a shower, he made a quick sandwich and got out a fresh pair of clothes to wear. He took a look at his sorry excuse for an apartment with hope knowing in a few minutes he could afford a better one, he stepped out and made his way to Esmeralda’s place.He reached her place in about 30 minutes, she opened the door for him and once again he was greeted by her huge corridors. He loved her art collection, medieval but so beautiful. He followed her to the living room and sighted a man in a suit and briefcase who stood up to greet him.“Good afternoon sir, pleasure to meet you, I’m barrister Lawrence” he took Atlas hand not waiting for him to offer it and shook him, atlas noticed how excited he was“it’s nice to meet you too” “he’s the Lawyer in charge of the Will” Esmeralda chipped in offering some clarity for Atlas.Atlas nodded. Everything still felt like a dream to him, like he'd died and gone to heaven. How a miracle like this could come his wa
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
"Have you finished?" Atlas asked.Arthur asked, "What was it that you just said?""Have you finished?" Atlas inquired.Arthur exclaimed, "You impudent imbecile! Are you even aware of whom you speak to?"Atlas said, "I am aware of the person I'm conversing with – a man who is so unsure about himself that he has to display his riches in order to feel significant."Arthur countered, "Insecure? Don't you dare project your insecurities onto me. Just take a good look at yourself - clad in tattered clothing and scraping for leftovers."Atlas stated, "I refuse to beg. Instead, I am advocating for someone who rightfully deserves better treatment instead of being subjected to physical intimidation by a bully."Bella urged Atlas, "Please don't go through with this."Bella, somebody must. This gentleman believes he can purchase respect; however, one cannot buy it - it needs to be earned," remarked Atlas."How dare you lecture me on respect? You, a pauper and nobody!" - Arthur mocked.Atlas says t
Not againWhere would you like to go, Atlas?Bella said that she wants to go anywhere, but the condition is it must be far from him.Atlas said, "There's a serene spot next to the river that I know of. It's very calm over there."Bella said, "That sounds ideal.”Quietly walking away from Arthur and his world, the tension gradually dissipates.Bella inquired, "What gave you the strength to confront him?"Atlas could not bear witnessing the mistreatment inflicted upon you. Such behavior is undeserved by anyone.Bella said, "You put so much on the line. It wasn't necessary for you to do that on my behalf."Atlas explained, "I couldn't have acted differently as that's simply who I am. Furthermore, you deserve greater than what I can offer."Bella was at a loss for words."It's not necessary for you to speak. Just understand that you're secure at present," stated Atlas.Bella expressed her gratitude to Atlas by saying, "I truly appreciate it."Bella, I'll be there for you anytime.As they
Oh my GodAs the horizon slowly grew brighter, Atlas and Bella lay on the riverbank basking in the gentle glow of dawn's first rays. The cool morning air surrounding them was accompanied by a soft rustling sound of leaves that served as a peaceful background music. A melodious tune filled with serenity and hope erupted from birds beginning their daily songs, completing the harmonious scene.Upon awakening, Atlas stirred and glimpsed the serene image of Bella still slumbering beside him. A tranquil expression adorned her face as it basked in the luminous glow cast by the ascending sun. For a brief moment, he observed her intently experiencing both affectionate concern and resolute ambition stirring within him all at once. While cognizant that their journey ahead would not be without its trials, he remained poised to confront any obstacle with his beloved partner at his side.Softly, he extended his hand and made contact with her shoulder. "Bella," he murmured. "The morning has arrived.
The Next Step"Hey Bella, are you still asleep?" asked Atlas.Bella responded to Atlas, "That's correct. I didn't get much sleep because there are too many things on my mind."Atlas acknowledged, "I comprehend. We have numerous issues to resolve."Bella asked, "What's our plan for today? What do we do first?""We need to figure out how to make some money, and Jack could possibly assist us," stated Atlas.Bella inquired, "Do you believe Jack might have leads on job opportunities or similar possibilities?"Atlas suggested, "Perhaps he could be convinced. However, we must tread lightly and avoid drawing unwanted attention."Bella stated that the worst possible outcome would be Arthurs discovering our location.Atlas suggested, "Why don't we begin by inquiring Jack if he is aware of any tasks that can help us maintain a low profile?"Bella suggested, "Do you agree? Is it time to look for him?"Atlas agreed: "Absolutely, we should start now. The earlier we begin, the more advantageous it w