I have been working nonstop here in my little office. The incident in the morning still lingers in my mind as I tally the digits on my excels. Not that my mate would be attracted to me, he is gay. He prefers the manly attributes to my girly bits. But still, I'm embarrassed with how my gown fitting went. I would get back against those mean girls., probably, if I have time.
Speaking of me mean girls, I haven't heard of Chris these days. A few more minutes went by and I was immersed again with my work when someone barges into my office without a heads-up.
Looking up, my eyes met Chris's blue orbs, he seems excited. What is he doing here? I placed my pen beside my papers and crossed my arms. He was busy looking around my office like it's the biggest office he has seen. He stopped when he saw me squinting, showing my displeasure at my work being disrupted.
"Oops, sorry. Where's Sally my love?" he asked like I'm hiding that meanie under my desk. I made myself comfortable and leaned back a little. A smirk showed on my face as I saw him fidget in his place.
"Does it look like Sally is here? I'm sure she's hiding somewhere, far away from me." a sinister snicker for more added effect. Chris's mouth went 'oh' in understanding. I'm amazed that he got my message right away. He should probably run away right at this moment if he doesn't want to be the subject of my revenge against his meanie fiancée as a hostage.
Salute. "No, Ma'am. I just want her to meet my friend. But, roger that! Permission to go." he didn't really wait for my response and he disappeared out of my office in a jiffy. Door swinging from its hinges. He would smack down defeat a cheetah at his speed. I giggled and picked my pen again. I kind of missed messing with those two. I shake my head and continued to record the differences in the profit this month.
I was almost immersed in my work again when there's a polite knock that disrupted me yet again. "Now what?" I mumbled, tidying my desk a little. All of my friends tend to barge in without knocking at my door. I'm used to that kind of greeting. Now, this polite knocking is news.
"Laura is that you? Come on in." the coffee was already cold when I drank from it. The door slowly opened and, there, revealed my rival. I almost spilt my coffee. Shit. What is it with the Fates and their love of surprising me?
"Hey Luke, this is a surprise. What're you doing here?" that was awkward of me. I just hope the quivering smile on my face hides my nervousness. Luke took a sit right in front of me. Legs crossed and hands akimbo. The attitude-filled stance his showing reflected at me. I sat up straight as an answer. This is not going to be that casual talk between friends. If we are even that. We don't know each other much besides coincidental meetings.
"I think we need to talk. I wanted to talk to you this morning but you were gone." he started the conversation with that serious look. A total three-sixty from his usual amicable face. I nodded. "I think so too." yup, that's me right there sounding like a dazed pup. He closed the door.
"I'm gay," he stated matter-of-factly. Do we really have to talk now though? Can't it wait after I've talked with Atlas? Wait, does he even know about me and Atlas? I bit my lip, anxious. How am I going to breach the topic?
"I know that?" totally dumb of me. Yes, I've hesitated because I'm a total dumbass. That's it. He seemed like he's here to tell me something. I do have an inkling about what he's going to discuss with me but I can't wrap my head around it yet. Did Atlas dare to tell Luke about our connection? It's not like it's wrong but at least he should've gave me a heads-up.
I saw him smile. That smile I saw when I first know him. Somehow, my anxiousness went away. His smile lightened the atmosphere. He's really a good-looking guy, borderline pretty. Yes, I'll just let him talk first.
"I am bisexual actually. I love Atlas with all my soul." Shots fired. I flinched from it. Not that I didn't know that they're head over heels with each other. "I'm sorry. I know I'm hurting you at the moment. I know Mavis. I know that you're his mate."
So Atlas did tell him about our bond. He told Luke when I haven't told anyone. There goes the pleasant atmosphere. The thought of Atlas sharing such a delicate subject without my consent irks the hell out of me. I think Luke read the annoyance in my face hence him clearing his throat. "Mavis, please don't be mad at him. You see, we don't hide secrets from each other. I've noticed that he was not himself lately. I've asked him about it. It was a surprise really because it took him weeks to tell me. That hasn't happened before." he was being careful with the words he's using as if he is explaining it to a kid learning his alphabet for the first time. This irks me more.
"You don't have to be careful with me. Say it straight. Atlas told you anyway so why bother sugarcoating? It'll end up the same." The ice in my voice stop him from his tirade and now uncrossed his legs.
"I really like you, you know. You seem like a lovely person and I would love you to be my friend," my fist clenched, he is not getting my point.
"Aren't you greedy? You have Atlas and now you want to put me on a leash while you flaunt your perfect relationship in front of me? Friend zoning me is so not okay Luke and it's not even your right to do so." the dimness on my face took him aback. I stood up from my seat and turn my back from him. I looked at the serene scenery in front of me. The small window provides enough relaxation. A few deep breaths would stop me from lashing out. I shouldn't lash out at him. I've decided to do everything for Atlas. It will not help my cause if I attacked his beloved boyfriend.
"I'm so sorry. I know how the bond works. I've studied it the moment I met him. I know the things he went through because of you." another shot fired. I felt miserable. I was clueless about his suffering, I get that. Does he really have to rub it on my face?
"I didn't know." I turned to him with a weak smile on my lips. I reached for my cold coffee once more. I felt parched and I took a sip. I stole a glance from him so I saw the exact moment he stood up from his seat.
"Can I have some of that? This is so nerve-wracking for me," he asked and I unconsciously hand him the cold coffee cup. He drank it all up. 'Oh, so he is nervous too,' I thought when I saw his hands shaking.
He paced the small office after placing the empty cup back on my desk. "Honestly, I don't know what to do Mavis. You're a lovely person. I really would like you to be my friend but Atlas, he is mine." He helplessly grabbed his hair. Messing it from his neat style along the way. My ball of wolf rebel at his words. Hence me unconsciously flashing my fangs at him. I gripped myself and retracted it fast. Facing the small window again.
"I don't want to give him up. He might be your fated mate but I love him. I truly do. Do you love him?." he cried out. I whipped my head back, now caught off guard with the question. A resounding no echoed inside my head.
"I-I don't, not yet... though," I weakly admitted, my shoulders slouching forward. I saw the spark in his eyes with my answer so I didn't dare add the words I wanted. '...he is easy to love' I murmured, not enough to reach his ears.
"I don't want to hurt you, Mavis. Reject him please." my jaws dropped. Is he that sure that Atlas loves him? The nerve of him to ask for the rejection oath. Not that I haven't said it yet.
"No." with all the doubts in me, I was able to say that firmly. He looked at me dead in the eyes. His friendly face can't be seen anywhere. "So, you want it the hard way." He stated and I can see the challenge in his eyes. I'm ready to take him on.
"Yes, I'll fight for him, Luke. I'm sorry." he nodded. He is really an understanding person. He is right. He would've been a good friend.
"Then I'll fight you fair and square. The winner will have the right to be with Atlas." he offered.
"I'll fight and square not to be with Atlas, Luke." slowly, I sat back down and thumbed my temple. My knees were turning jello and a headache was slowly forming.
"What do you mean?" he gaped at me, clearly confused with the turn of events. It was so easy to just tell him about my reason but somehow I cannot muster myself to say the words. The faint sounds of the clacking cash register can be heard from the now silent room. The casual talk being shared and the smell of tangerine tinged the air.
"Mavis?" the demand in his voice kept me from fleeing away with my thoughts. I tried to focus hard and stare at the bisexual man in front of me. A beautiful man, ready to fight for his man. Fates be damned.
"I want him to reject me without what-ifs on his part, on his own. I have no plans of taking him away from you. This is for myself too." Each word coming out of my mouth made me sound like a liar. I've made peace with it, yes. But, each of these words cast a barb around my thudding muscle. Will I ever make peace with this feeling? Truly?
"I don't understand." Luke rounded the small table between us and grasped my slouched shoulder. I was forced to face him. His towering height made me feel like I'm a speck of dust in his space. Shrugging his hands, I rolled my chair back, creating the much-needed space.
"I'm spilling my guts here, to a rival at that. Please, move back." I told him, openly intimidated. He mumbled a sorry and took a step back. I can still see that I've got him confused. I gestured him back to his chair and he gladly followed.
Taking a deep breath, I slowly explain to him what I meant. "I'm not going to be a torn on your side. I just want Atlas to reject me without worrying about me, without regrets on his part. I'm fine." I did not dare tell him about Atlas not reciting the Assent. It seemed like he didn't tell the man in front of me that I've already rejected him. And, I'm just waiting for the Assent. Telling Luke about it would just cause unnecessary fights so I'll keep it to myself. Maybe, 'Atlas would tell him later.' I thought dryly.
"Oh... wouldn't it hurt for you?" The relief on his face was followed by curiosity.
"Luke, you're a beautiful being but it's none of your business." he stiffened.
"It is my business. I may have studied about the bond and I'll never experience it myself. I don't want him to be in pain in the long run."
I nodded in agreement as I cupped my head. I'm the one hurt and I must be the one to explain why. Irony. If the world works this way. There will be a lot of misery.
"I was told it'll hurt like something is being sucked out of your body, extremely. Though it'll fade with time if it's a mutual decision.' I shuddered at the thought of it. What if it'll never fade?
Luke hummed his comment as his body tensed. "Don't think too much. As long as it's mutual, there's nothing much to think about." I tried my best at consoling but I'm really not good with it.
"Then I'll let you." he looked at me.
"Let me what?" I asked my head's throbbing. I don't have the energy to keep the conversation going.
"Do whatever you have to do so he will have no regrets. I'll let you. Let's do it fair and square." he offered me his hand and I took it to end the conversation.
"Deal." they both agreed.