Chapter 13: Chapter 13

ATLAS:

I open my eyes, still Half—closed from drowsiness, and see Mel beautifully sprawled across the bed. I smile when I realize that I've never met someone as spacious as she is, I swear I felt my body being pushed at least three times during the night.

And all that's left for me to do is what I spent the night doing: pull her back into my arms. I can't resist and go against her neck inhaling that delicious smell that only she has.

The best smell in the world without a doubt.

I hear her sigh after feeling myself sniffling her neck again and I notice the little hairs there stand on end, but she continues to sleep heavily.

Yesterday she even tried to pretend to be tough, not afraid of those — silly movies— as she called them, but she was so afraid that she only managed to fall asleep when I left the lamp on and she clung tightly to me, looking like a little lazy girl.

It was so good to have my female feeling safe by my side, it strongly stirred my protective instincts, wanting to always keep her in my arms.

I spend a little more time admiring his peaceful, carefree face as he sleeps, and all I can think about is how lucky I am.

I watch her toss and turn — again — in her sleep and the shirt she wears lifts up to reveal part of her flat stomach. I immediately try to cover it up, but involuntarily I end up putting my hand on top, making me imagine it growing up with our puppies.

I smile proudly at the thought of a family with my partner. I've waited so many years for this moment that I can't deny my anxiety, I just have to control myself not to scare her with all this.

I try to get up without waking her up, which isn't so difficult since her sleep seems pretty heavy, and I try to do my hygiene right away. I want to show Mel that I'm a good male, starting by keeping her well-fed and cared for.

I will always be here for her.

I get ready quickly and soon I'm already going after Gloria to check if my female clothes had already arrived. I asked her to buy some different models of both clothes and feminine utensils so that my princess would feel more comfortable in our house.

I barely go down the stairs and already see the bags lined up on top of the sofas. Satisfied, I make my way towards the kitchen where I find Glória finishing preparing breakfast.

— Good morning Gloria — she jumps up looking scared and puts her hand on her chest staring at me as if she saw a ghost.

Am I that scary?

— Supreme — he says trying to compose himself — sorry, normally you are already at the training center at this time...

— I have more important business today,— I say, and look for a tray in the cupboards.

— Oh yes, of course — she straightens her apron, still looking uncomfortable — do you need help?

— Where's the damn tray?— I question and see her startling. I sigh in resignation, I haven't even raised my voice, and the poor female looks like she's about to collapse.

— Don't be grumpy, Mr. Atlas — her soft voice fills the room and I see when Mel still wearing my clothes, and simply beautiful, enter the kitchen — good morning Gloria, I woke up attracted by the smell of freshly baked cake that she smelled. The lady did — kisses the cheek of the older one who blushes with the compliment.

— I was just going to prepare the table, enjoy that everything is still fresh — I see Gloria smiling at Mel who is already helping to set the table.

I do the same and when I pass Gloria I get an incredulous look.

When everything is served I am alone with my female who is happily eating her cake and the many other things she likes, while I abstain from some toast and a good black coffee.

— Are you going to open a shop?— he asks and I can't help but laugh at the random question.

I've just realized that I've been smiling more than I've ever done in my entire life.

— No dear, but if you want we can open it. Would you like to manage one? — I pick up the cell phone already preparing myself to contact the financial so they can arrange everything.

— Not really — she looks questioningly at the cell phone in my hand — I just wanted to know why that pile of purchases was in her living room — she seems confused.

— It's your purchases — I say the obvious — and it's our living room — I emphasize that part.

— What do you mean by my Atlas purchases? I didn't ask for those things, each one of those brands would make me broke — she widens her eyes, stopping to eat.

— I'm giving them to you Mel, they're just a few necessary things — she looks at me in disbelief.

— Well, I don't accept it, it's absurd for you to pay for things for me, even more, so that they would cost my two kidneys since we don't even know each other well — she rolls her eyes snorting.

— Since you insist so much, I'll let you pay.— I manage not to laugh at her expression.

— And how do you think I would do that, Mr. Atlas?— he talks as if he was holding back so as not to jump on my neck — maybe selling my house? — Irony oozes from his words.

— That's exactly what I was going to propose, we can have your things brought over today — I make my move.

— You are absurdly tough Atlas — he says trying to appear angry, but he fails in the vain attempt to hide his smile — and no, leaving my little house is out of the question — he points out.

I snort in resignation and continue my meal.

I've never seen such a stubborn female only Kath is on the same level of stubbornness.

Speaking of her...

— Can we go visit my mother today?— Mel chokes on the cheese roll she was eating and I rush to clap her back.

Gradually it goes back to normal, but it's still red from the recent choking. She continues stroking her back to try to calm her down.

— It's better? — I ask handing him a glass of water that he promptly accepts.

— Y...Yes, I was just a little surprised by the invitation — she says after a sip — normally we only meet the future mother—in—law after some time of dating — she finishes looking at me intrigued.

— We're not boyfriends, we're partners — I say the obvious, seeing her roll her eyes — and besides, I've already met your parents — the pride is evident in my tone.

— Of course, you took me away from that party like a wild beast — she says amusedly — they came to see if the newly— known daughter hadn't become food — she jokes, but notices the double meaning of the sentence as soon as she finishes it.

I approach seeing when he swallows when he looks into my eyes and whispers next to his ear:

— Not yet — blinks terrified, getting up quickly and clearing her throat soon after.

— I'll get ready — that's all he says before leaving towards the living room, taking some bags with him and hurriedly climbing the stairs.

I smile when I realize that I also affect her.

(...)

Two hours, yes, two damn hours waiting for Mel to get ready. I've been ready for a long time, I've even gone to the office to resolve some outstanding issues and nothing has come out of that room.

I remember going there half an hour ago and her kicking me out saying — just a minute—, and I come back TWENTY minutes later and hear the same thing.

I get up from the couch willing to bring my female even if it is carried on my shoulders, but I stop static as soon as I contemplate the perfection that has just started down the stairs.

Mel looks beautiful in a light pink dress that hugs her bust and waist and flares down to her thighs. Her hair is braided on top and falls loose in a golden cascade down her back.

On her face, I see that she has passed the junk that females use to paint their faces, but that on Mel — although unnecessary — it enhanced her beauty even more. Her blue eyes are in focus and her pink mouth makes me even more obsessed with her.

Simply perfect!

— I took too long? — he asks, coming up to me and I feel intoxicated by his scent.

— No — is all I can answer still anesthetized by his presence.

How am I going to control myself around her?

— So let's go — she says, taking my hand and probably waiting for me to guide her towards the garage where the cars are.

I blink trying to compose myself and take her with me to where some of my most valuable treasures are. I feel when my princess freezes and I try to look at her, seeing them shine like I've never seen in the direction of our Bugatti Chiron.

Maybe I'm just a little jealous of a car...

— I can't believe you have one of those — she looks at me dumbfounded — shit, you're a multimillionaire, she says turning around and looking at the other cars present there.

— Maybe — I hide a smile and gently pull her closer to the car that made my female eyes shine.

— This one is monstrous — he says gently touching the car — can I drive it? — She asks anxiously biting her lower lip.

— Do you have any idea how fast that car goes?— It can be dangerous for those who are not used to it — I say a little apprehensively.

— This beauty is considered one of the fastest cars in the world, reaching speeds of around 0 km/h — she says, leaning against it — and just for the record, I am more than used to speed — she arches an eyebrow, challenging me to question her.

I'm not even crazy.

I hand the key over to my companion and then head towards the passenger side, getting in and waiting for her to give an excited squeal before settling into the driver's seat.

We put on our seat belts and honestly, I've never been so grateful for being properly — safe—, because I've never seen anyone run as fast as Mel. Seriously, a route that would last forty minutes would be traveled in half the time if we continued at this pace.

In the meantime we talked and how big was my surprise to discover that my princess participated in illegal cracks. I didn't like the thought of her putting her life on the line that way.

I snap out of my thoughts when I feel my phone vibrate. Before leaving the house, I told my mother that we were going to visit, so it was no surprise when I see her number on the screen.

She must be mad about our delay.

— Atlas speaking — I say waiting for the sermon that luckily didn't come.

— Niel, I'm Henlique — he talks as if I didn't know it was him — I called Pla saber if you're coming, Mom is almost pulling her hair out because she's so anxious — he says everything whispering as if he doesn't want to be heard

— We're almost there Hick — I have to hold on with the curve that the car makes — if I don't die beforehand — I whisper the last part afraid Mel will hear — by the way, why are you whispering?

— Because mom doesn't know that I'm calling you — he says as if it were obvious — and doesn't say no, that I'm trying to save his skin — he says all conceited.

I smile at her boldness.

— And why would you be helping me?— I ask suspiciously.

— But you are slow in! I'm helping you because soon I'm going to ask for your help when I leave my partner for my mom I know — I'm speechless, what's this about a partner?

— What made Henry?— You're too young to have a brat mate — I hear him snort on the other end of the line.

— Plimeilo called me Pilalio, as you remember that girl who smells good I told you about? So she's my companion — he says proudly.

Ah ok, now this one.

— Hick, when I get there we'll have a brat talk, now tell the mother that we're coming soon — I close the subject.

— All right, all right, it looks like he's getting rid of me with all this fuss — I can already see him all red with anger, I laugh — lil pal or I'm going to hang up — I end up laughing even harder as if he dared to hang up on my car...

PI Pi pi...

I look at the phone still in disbelief.

I can't believe that brat did this.