Chapter 190: It’s A Promise Then
"I got a bit scared, you know? After all, all the good things that happen to me somehow disappear without warning. So... it kinda worried me."
And those words came from the bottom of Lola’s heart.
All the good things that had happened to her — in this lifetime or even the last one — had left her. First, Loren. Then, her child. And if it was worth mentioning, even the people she once called friends. One by one, they had all disappeared.
There were more, and if she started counting now, the night would not be enough.
So, could anyone blame Lola if finding them gone after something as simple as taking a leak was enough to spark panic and fear in her heart?
After all, everything in her life had always been temporary. The only permanent things were the scars of living through two miserable lifetimes.
"Not me," Atlas said.
"Hmm?" Lola raised her brows at him. He looked her straight in the eye and repeated,
"We didn’t leave, even when you wanted us to. I’m staying... even if you don’t want me to."
She blinked — once, twice — staring at that calm face of his. He said those words without flinching, his gaze steady on hers. And the longer she stared back, her reflection mirrored in his eyes. Her shoulders loosened, and a shallow breath escaped her.
"If I asked you to make that a promise, will you?" she teased.
He nodded. "I always keep my word. Don’t worry."
She had said it to lighten the mood, but now her heart was echoing in her ears. She kept her eyes fixed on him, and he held her gaze with quiet sincerity. No grand gestures, no theatrics — just simple, unwavering honesty from a man who wouldn’t budge even if the world ended.
Lola’s eyes softened, and a subtle smile formed on her lips. "Atlas, don’t make promises if you can’t keep them. Promises are so easily uttered, but just as easily broken."
"Not for me," he replied, his gaze flicking briefly to his children and Slater, who were walking toward them. "I value my words. If I don’t, how else will my siblings believe they have a big brother they can rely on? Or how else will my children feel secure if they know their father doesn’t value his own word?"
He paused, then shot her a side glance. "I value my time and my words because... how else would anyone else value them if I don’t?"
Lola could only stare, his words echoing in her mind along with the pounding of her heart. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, the tension thick despite the twins’ cheerful calls. Yet she couldn’t look away, even when Atlas finally turned his head toward his children.
Right... she thought. That’s why I liked him before.
Because even when this man had the rare talent of making others choke on his words, even when he was brutally honest and unshaken by anything, Atlas was someone people depended on.
A faint smile tugged at her lips before she finally peeled her eyes from him.
*
*
*
A short flashback
More than a decade ago...
Lola stood behind a growing crowd in front of the school’s main bulletin board. With so many students packed tightly together, it was hard for her to squeeze through. When she finally managed to get to the front, she froze, catching sight of a few familiar figures.
"I bet he’ll make it to eighth place! I’m putting my money on him — and that other brother beside him! They look smart!"
The voice belonged to a little girl who looked far too young to even be there. Lola’s brows knit as she listened to her and the ripple of comments spreading through the crowd.
The bulletin board displayed the student rankings. At this elite school, grades were almost everything. Everyone wanted to reach the special "Star Section." As a new student, Lola didn’t know much, but she’d heard enough to understand: only the smartest kids made it in, with separate rankings for the section, the year, and each class.
From what Lola gathered, the "big brothers" the little girl was betting on were seniors. The drama of the day was that the long-standing top student had finally been dethroned, and the second-placer for years had seized the number one spot.
And the one who had fallen?
Atlas Bennet.
That little girl, who was obviously stirring trouble, was tugging at senior egos just to spark a bet.
Lola gulped nervously, though she was only a bystander.
Isn’t that too much? she thought. Dropping out for losing a bet...
But while everyone else held their breath at the ridiculous stakes, Atlas answered in his classic flat voice:
"I don’t mind."
Lola’s brows shot up. Her mouth fell open as she stared at the senior who had just accepted the challenge. Even with expulsion on the line, he showed no fear, no hesitation.
He’s... he’s so cool, she thought, cheeks warming as her heart raced.
Since then, Lola had quietly kept tabs on the bet. She even wagered a little on Atlas herself. But soon, another challenge cropped up — a basketball game between the varsity team and one of their star players.
Because Atlas’s second brother was on the basketball team, Atlas was dragged in again. Everyone knew he wasn’t athletic, but he still agreed.
It worried Lola, but she still rooted for him. She cheered from the sidelines, even stalked him during practice. And though Atlas played horribly, the team still won because of his winning shot — and so did everyone who had bet on him.
****
Looking back on those details now, Lola couldn’t help but watch Atlas as he welcomed his children and brother while staying rooted in place.
Now that I think about it... all those bets happened because of his little siblings, she realized, pressing her lips together.
And remembering that, what he had just said now carried more weight. His little siblings had trusted him, believing he would never let them down.
And he never did.
"It’s a promise then," she suddenly said.
The twins paused while climbing onto the bench between them and looked at her. Even Slater, standing in front with his hands on his hips, turned toward Lola.
But she only stared at Atlas, waiting for him to look back at her.
She smiled. "Don’t break it, okay?"
Atlas tilted his head slightly, and then, very slowly, smiled back. "...Okay."
Slater darted his gaze between them until he felt dizzy. "What are you guys talking about?" he then flinched when he saw the crowd moving in the same direction. Turning his head, his eyes lit up as he turned to them.
"We have to go!"