CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

DALLAS


Lisa: Mrs Kang, how are you doing?

Dallas: (retreating into the bush GIF)
Dallas: I should have never told you about the incident. I knew you'd never let it go.

Lisa: Of course, I won't. It is a huge deal.
Lisa: You kissed Oliver Kang?!

Dallas: For the millionth time, Lisa. It was an almost kiss. I did not kiss him.

Lisa: Same thing in my book.

I put my phone beside me on the bench and brought out a bottled water from my backpack. I took a huge gulp.

After our ‘almost kiss’ in the study two days ago, Oliver and I have done our very best to avoid each other. He hadn't asked for me and I made sure to avoid his study or bedroom whenever I know he is in.

Just yesterday, I saw him in the hallway with Tabitha but he hadn't noticed me yet, I ran away like my ass was on fire.

I knew it was silly, but I had no other choice. There was no way I could face him after that incident.

I was currently in the Valhalla club locker room. I had a training with Atlas today. I had left the mansion two hours earlier while Oliver was in a meeting, just so I could avoid running into him. I took a long stroll around the Valhalla club, exploring every inch of the 15 floors before I got tired and decided to get some rest in the locker room.

I had a few more minutes before my training with Atlas. I decided to chat with Lisa. But she wouldn't stop budging me about the ‘almost kiss situation’.

My phone dinged indicating another text message from her. I groaned before picking up my phone.

Lisa: You still haven't told me how it was being in such close proximity with the hottest guy in the whole world.

Dallas: Jesus Christ, Lisa you're getting married soon. Can you stop describing other men as ‘hot’? You know, Dae-ho is a very jealous man.

Lisa: Nah, sorry, can't do. It's in my blood. And Dae-ho understands me.
Lisa: Also, we were talking about you, Miss. Don't try to change the subject.

Dallas: There is nothing to talk about. I DID NOT KISS HIM!. (SpongeBob hand on face GIF)

Lisa: yeah yeah. (eye roll emoji)
Lisa: I still can't believe he interrupted your intimate moment for an ‘octopus’ fact. I get upset the more I think about it.

Makes two of us, bestie. I get second hand embarrassment each time I remembered the scene. I had questioned myself a million times why he didn't kiss me.

Dallas: I have no idea why. Now will you please drop it? (SpongeBob pleading with tears in his eyes GIF)

Lisa: Fine, I'll drop it. (eye roll emoji)

Dallas: Thank you ma'am.
Dallas: I have to go for training now. I'll talk to you later.

Lisa: With Mr hottie?
Lisa: Oh, maybe you should try replacing the sword with, you know, his sword. (Winky face emoji)
Lisa: Girl, you need to fuck him.

Dallas: No, bitch. I'm at the Valhalla club. I have a training with Atlas not Oliver. Get your mind out of the gutter.

Lisa: Boring (eye roll emoji)

I dipped my phone into my backpack and changed into my fencing suit. I grabbed my mask and headed out. I strolled past several trainees, nodding greetings at a few that I recognized.

Atlas was already on the piste by the time I got to the training room. There was no one else inside.

“Put your mask on and take your position.” He said immediately he saw me.

I rolled my eyes. He didn't even exchange greetings first. That was so Atlas. I draped my mask on and melted into position.

We were training with an epee today. I had gotten so used to it due to my training with Oliver.

I took a dive and aimed straight for his knee. I swung by sword, but missed him by an inch. I ended up cutting him in the shoulder.

The timer buzzed behind me. I had won barely three seconds into the match. I took another strike at him and won again. Few minutes into the match and I already beat him 3-0.

“You're full of energy today.” Atlas said in an accusatory tone.

My brows furrowed.

“Is that a bad thing?” I asked.

“No, it's good. It seems something is making you really excited lately.” He said, swinging his sword towards me aggressively.

His tone sounded as if he didn't like that I was happy. I quickly dismissed his thoughts. There was no way Atlas would want for me to be sad. Although I hate the shitty way he speaks some times, I know he would never wish me bad.

“So tell me, Dallas, what's making you so happy?” He lunged forward and swung his sword at me, almost catching my shoulder.

I didn't know how to answer that. I had many reasons for my recent change in mood. I feel at peace with myself, knowing that I would soon get back everything that was taken away from me. I no longer work myself to death just to earn peanuts. My life was going great.

"Well, I do have something to be happy about." I jumped, dodging his attack on my knee.
"I finally found a lawyer to contest my mom's will."

Atlas moves became more aggressive and very fast that I barely missed his targets.
'Wow, guess I'm not the only one full of energy today." I said and chuckled.

By the time he put his sword down, the scoreboard read 10-9. He won. He tore his mask off, his brow knitted in confusion.

"A lawyer? Where did you get the money?"

"My new job pays very well." I stated simply.

I didn't want to give out more information. I couldn't even if I wanted. What was I supposed to say? My boss pays me alot so I can cure him of his strange helmet? It sounded really twisted.

"Oliver Kang gives you enough money to hire a lawyer just for being his domestic worker?" He cocked his eyebrow.

"Yeah, so?"

"Wonder why he is willing to spend a huge amount on your little project." He muttered as he strolled off the piste.

i frowned slightly.
"What are you insinuating? You know I'm just his maid, right?." I jogged after him.

That was not true. By now, it was very obvious that the relationship between Oliver and I was more than an employer-employee relationship. I wanted to fuck him. And it was crystal clear that he wanted the same thing too. It was only a matter of time before he broke out of the shckles holding him down.

I wouldn't deny that it felt nice to have the attention of the hottest man in this zip code whose face is plastered on the walls of every elite dating agency in New York. His mother is really persistent and hell bent on finding a wife for him.

I didn't delude myself into thinking the attention would last. But I was going to enjoy myself to the fullest either way. My whole adult life, I had been so obsessed with contesting my mom's will, and correcting the mistake I made at the Olympics. I was finally getting what I wanted. If having sex with a very handsome man came with the package, then I'm going to accept it with open arms.

"I'm not insinuating anything." Atlas' voice pierced through my thoughts. We strolled down the hallways before he came to a sudden halt and turned to me.
"I just don't want you to get distracted. If you contest the will, your energy. money, and entire focus will be on the case. You wouldn't have time for training anymore. I don't think it's worth it."

Of course, it's about the Olympics. I had forgotten that Atlas only had one track mind. He only wanted me to focus on training. His last word irritated me slightly.

"It's worth it. Lucien sold everything that belonged to mom. He sold all the memories of her I had. Every single one of them."

Anger rose in me as I remembered everything Lucien sold. My mum's car. The bracelet she never took off. Her wedding band and all of mum's treasured jewelries. The painting mum spent five thousand dollars on at an auction in Seoul. And many more. I couldn't just let everything go. I had to get it back.

"Don't you think it's time to move on? Do you think your mother would want you to grasp on to the past this tight? I'm certain she would tell you to move on and live your life. It really isn't worth it, Dallas." He walked away, leaving me in the middle of the hallways.

A question flashed across my mind. Was I doing what my mom would have wanted?