CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN

DALLAS

“Do you want to fight professionally again?” Oliver’s question echoed at the back of my mind.

I hadn’t seen him since he left my room last night. It was good because I didn’t have an answer for him.

I locked myself in my room all day yesterday. Heather finally managed to drag me out of my sulking mood. She gave me a large bowl of chocolate ice-cream, and also baked a chocolate cake. Like Lisa, she was doing everything in her power to make me feel better. While I appreciated their gesture, I still felt pretty shitty about myself.

Fencing was my life. While other kids went to college after high school, I sort to pursue the sport professionally. But after my epic failure, I never thought I would ever make it to the Olympics ever again.

Now that I have the opportunity, I don’t know if I deserve a second chance. Despite everything, Atlas and Lisa told me the past few years, I wasn’t confident in myself.

Atlas.

I wondered what he thought of me now that the news resurfaced. Does he think differently about me now? Is he disappointed to see his academy’s biggest student’s face pasted all over the internet as a fraud?

My heart broke as I imagined his reactions in my head. I checked my phone again, but I still haven’t gotten a text from him. I didn’t want to text him or go to the Valhalla club because I was scared of his reaction. And our last interaction wasn’t very memorable. I hadn’t gone back to the club ever since we had a fight about the will contesting.

I hadn’t given it much thought, but what if he decides that he’s done with me? The latest news would help him finalize his decision that I was nothing but a burden to him.

“Do you want me to pour you some more cold juice?” Heather’s voice interrupted my trail of thoughts.

I rubbed my temples frustrated and sigh.I stretched my glass forward.

“Yes please. And more cake.” I pouted my lips.

“Sure. I made it for you anyway. Eat till you can’t anymore.” She flashed me a smile.

She poured more juice into my glass and handed it over to me. I took a gulp and enjoyed the chilling sensation it gave me. It wasn’t alcohol, but it’ll suffice. Not like Oliver has any alcohol in the house. All wine in the atelier are non-alcoholic.

“I know I’ve said this before but this cake is the best thing I’ve ever tasted. Don’t tell Lisa.” I said and ate another piece of the cake.

“I’ll take it to the grave.” she said and we both shared a laugh.

“Too bad I wasn’t there when you were doing it. I’d have stolen the recipe. The cake I made the last time was horrible.” I said.

“No need to steal it, I'll tell you how I do it next time.”

“Thank you for all of this. I really appreciate it.” I said.

“It’s nothing. That’s what friends do.” She smiled, revealing her cute dimples.

“And for the record, I don’t believe anything the tabloids are saying. I know I just met you, but you’re an amazing person. Even if you did do it, I’m pretty sure you had a valid reason. Besides, it’s been years. The media should get over it. If anyone approaches you, tell ‘em to fuck off. Don’t let them weigh you down.” she added.

My eyes glistened with tears as I stared at her. It felt good to know that someone I just met believes in me.

I stood up from behind the island and wrapped her in a tight hug.

“Thank you so much. You don’t know how much I needed that.” I said, blinking away the tears that gathered at the corner of my eyes.

“You’re welcome.” she smiled.

Just then, my phone dinged indicating a text notification. I picked it up, and my posture stiffened as I stared at the text.

Heather must have noticed the change in my demeanor because she asked,

“Is something wrong?”

I swallowed hard.

“I don’t know. Maybe. Maybe not.” I inhaled sharply.
“I have to go now. I’ll see you later.”

I rushed out of the kitchen, not waiting for her response.
.
.
.
Exactly one hour later, I was sitting in the office of the greatest fencing coach ever, and also my coach for the past four years. Atlas stared out of the window, his back is on me. He hadn’t looked at me since I entered and he told me to sit. I couldn’t even read his facial expression.

I didn’t know whether he was mad or disappointed. When the incident happened four years ago, he was simply a New York coach who saw potential in a young fencer, but our relationship had evolved since then. Part of the reason the news died down quickly four years ago was because Atlas took me under his wing. The news might affect his reputation too.

Throughout the ride here, I thought of all the reasons he called me to his office. Maybe he realized the news would affect him, so he wanted to cut ties with me.

Atlas finally turned to face me.

“Well, it’s not that bad. You just need more practice so we’ll get you into the Olympics, and everyone will shut up about this once you win,” he said.

Once I win, not if I win.

A smile tilted at the corner of my lips.

I was a bit relieved that Atlas still had the same thought as he did four years ago. But I still don’t know if I wanted to enter a competition again. I decided to shut that part of me down for now. What matters is that Atlas isn’t mad at me. I just have to find a way to put off entering the competition when the time comes.

“Sure, no problem. Thank you so much for not giving up on me.” I couldn’t refrain my smile.

“We’ll be increasing our training periods so we can focus more. You’re becoming lazy.” he said.

My smile dropped but I didn’t protest.

“We’ll be training every day till you get your stamina back.”

“Everyday? That might not be possible. I have a job.’’

And my mum’s court hearing is drawing nearer. But I didn’t tell him that. I knew he’ll only give me a lecture on how it’s not important. He’ll never get how important it is to me.

“You should take some off.” he said, sounding a bit irritated.

“I don’t know if he would like that,” I muttered.

I was trying to come up with excuses to avoid telling him about the court hearing. I didn’t want him to talk me out of it.

“Then quit your job, for fuck’s sake. Is your job more important to you than fencing?” he yelled at me.

I could see the frustration in his eyes. Atlas might be very great at saying hurtful words, but he never raises his voice. I fought hard to push back the tears that gathered at the corner of my eyes.

“I can’t quit my job.” I said. I was surprised at how calm I sounded.

“Okay then. Seems we no longer have the same priority. If you don’t want to put your entire focus into this, then I guess we’re done.”

My lips parted. This isn’t the first time Atlas has threatened not to coach me anymore. But he had never looked this serious.

“You know how much this job means to me.”

Even if he doesn’t know that the hearing is near, he knows I need the money to fight the case.
“That’s one more reason you should drop it. That contest will get inside your head and make you lose focus. We don’t need that right now.”

When he asked me not to fight the will at first, I thought he was just looking out for me, but now I don’t even know what to think anymore. I stared at him, unable to believe this was the same man who had consoled me after my mother’s death.

“I’m. not. quitting.” I said, punctuating each word.

I stood up and headed for the door.

“If you walk out that door, you’re no longer welcome in the club’s vicinity,” he said with finality in his tone.

I took a deep breath and dragged my gaze around. I love fencing a lot, but I didn’t even know if I wanted to return to the Olympics.

With tears in my eyes, I did what I should have done a long time ago. I walked out.