Chapter 3 A Bit Missing My Little Kitten
Marriage? His words left me stunned.
Seeing I hadn't caught on, Atlas wore a wicked grin and swayed closer to me.
"Don't tell me you've forgotten all about the wedding. Well, that works too."
As he spoke, he lifted my hair and took a deep breath. "Good that you forgot. Since you said you'd be with me, I'll make it up to you with an even grander wedding."
"A wedding for just the two of us, how about that?"
I was too absorbed in my shock to hear what Atlas was saying.
So I'd been reborn to before my wedding with Knox.
I remembered now - in my past life, Knox and I did come to the seaside before the wedding. It was then that I mentioned how nice it would be to visit the high seas if we had the chance.
I never expected Knox to remember my words, and remember them for three whole years.
Even less did I expect that three years later, Knox would take me to the place I'd longed for, and that place would ultimately become where I met my death.
Thinking of Knox made hatred surge in my heart. How could I possibly marry him again in this life!
I would turn this wedding into a circus show and make Knox the laughingstock of all Starwave City!
"Have you decided yet? Me or him?"
Atlas's tempting voice sounded in my ear again. I shivered and, looking at Atlas so close to me, calmly stepped back a few paces.
"No."
Atlas seemed displeased with my retreat and frowned. "No what?"
I took a deep breath and said calmly. "I said there won't be a wedding."
After a moment of surprise, Atlas clapped with a big smile. "Looks like my reminder worked. In that case, how about being with me?"
Reminder? When was that?
Suddenly I remembered - in my past life before the wedding, someone from an unknown number did warn me not to marry Knox.
So that person was Atlas?
"Why did you warn me?" The question in my mind slipped out.
Atlas chuckled softly, then looked up, his narrow eyes holding meaning I couldn't understand.
"Naturally, I didn't want to watch my little kitten fall into a tiger's den. But fortunately, thank goodness."
The unfinished words rolled around in his mouth but weren't spoken.
I didn't know what he was scheming, and I just wanted to get home quickly.
I turned the door handle. "Thanks. I'll repay you for today's help later."
Atlas's slender hand reached the door handle first.
"You haven't told me yet - what do you plan to do about the wedding?"
I bit my lower lip. His words made my hand on the door handle pause.
My expression was uncertain. Half a month - only half a month left. I hadn't figured out what to do, but I knew this marriage definitely wouldn't happen!
Looking up, my eyes glistened. "That's my business. I'll handle it."
"Stubborn!"
Atlas smiled mischievously. "How about I help you escape from that Knox?"
The familiar scent swirled around my nose. Startled, I quickly shook my head. "No need, I can solve it myself."
"Tough talk!"
Atlas reached out and gently rubbed my nose with his finger, grinning wickedly. "If you can't solve it, I'll have to snatch you away at the wedding!"
"After all, you did say with your own mouth that you'd be with me. You can't go back on your word, right?"
"You!"
His words immediately made me blush with embarrassment. I thought it was just talk, but he'd actually taken it seriously.
"I'm serious. Don't say you don't remember what you said."
With that, Atlas stepped back a few paces and pointed at the door. "Go on. I'll wait for your good news."
With my mind in chaos, I hurriedly opened the door and walked out quickly.
What I didn't know was that behind my hurried departure, a pair of eyes kept staring at my back, not letting go until I disappeared from view.
Atlas's POV
The door closed, blocking my view of Helena's retreating figure.
In the room, I couldn't help but laugh heartily.
What a pleasant surprise today. I thought of how Helena had burst in earlier, looking so panicked, and my heart stirred.
God knew how much willpower I used just now to suppress the urge to steal a kiss.
Helena, Starwave City's famously well-behaved woman - from the first moment I saw her, I was attracted to her and desired her.
I'd tried many ways, just wanting to steal her away from Knox.
Unfortunately, she was too well-behaved, so well-behaved that she only had eyes for Knox. I didn't dare make any moves - I was afraid of scaring her.
I didn't know what was going on between Helena and Knox that made Helena so afraid of him, but I knew their wedding wouldn't happen.
Of course, even if Helena and Knox really were going to have a wedding, I would turn it into a farce.
Helena could never marry Knox. She could only be mine.
I thought of opening the door earlier to face Knox, with Helena behind the door pretending to be calm - it was absolutely adorable.
For Helena, who always followed the rules, perhaps everything I did today had already shattered her understanding of the world.
I twisted my fingers that still held traces of her lingering scent, a smile appearing at the corner of my mouth.
Little kitten, didn't even think about running away. Otherwise, I would definitely come snatch you away!
More crashing sounds came from outside the door.
I opened the door - Knox had actually come back.
"What are you doing?"
I blocked the doorway, also blocking Knox's view into the room.
He glared with bloodshot eyes and roared. "Atlas, who exactly are you hiding in your room? I asked the front desk - you didn't bring a female companion today."
My heart stirred slightly. Knox really was meticulous - no wonder he could match me in business.
Too bad his reaction was a bit slow.
One step behind means every step behind.
"So what? Can't my female companion come find me on her own?"
Hearing this, Knox got even angrier.
He grabbed the door handle and shouted. "Atlas, did you hide Helena in your room? Tell me, did you?"
Facing the out-of-control Knox, I chuckled. "Mr. Pemberton, what good is just yelling and screaming? No wonder Ms. Lockwood wants to stay away from you. Fine, since you don't believe me, come in and look."
With that, I stepped back and made way at the door.
Knox rushed into the room at full speed.
He called out loudly. "Helena, Helena!"
Frantic and frustrated, he searched through every room, but unfortunately, even after turning the entire suite upside down, he didn't see any trace of Helena.
I walked leisurely, unhurriedly following behind him, went to the wine cabinet and took out a bottle of fine red wine.
After he finished searching, I finally spoke, "Well, Mr. Pemberton, did you find your Ms. Lockwood?"
Knox's dark and uncertain gaze stared at me hard, then he asked. "Where's the woman who was in your room earlier?"
I opened the red wine and poured myself a glass.
After drinking it all in one gulp, I said unhurriedly. "She left. Is Mr. Pemberton interested in my woman too?"
"Atlas, don't let me catch you slipping up!"
Knox came in furiously and left in frustration.
I didn't care about his outburst. "Close the door properly."
After a loud bang, the room was quiet again.
I took out my phone and leisurely made a call.
"Clean up the surveillance footage from my room's hallway."
"Yes."
After hanging up, I lit a cigarette and took a deep drag.
Through the blurred, distorted smoke rings, I really did miss my little kitten a bit.