Aya hummed as she boarded the Seelim bus to town. She texted Atlas to let him know she was on her way, then waited for him to respond.

  [Are you on your way to Rolfe’s? I’m already on the bus.]

  [I’m on my way. I’ll probably get there before you, so what do you want to eat?]

  [Donuts! :D] Aya texted.

  [Donuts it is.] he replied, Aya could detect a hint of amusement in his response.

  [By the way, thank you for giving Mars my number. I should probably be thanking you in person.]

  [It’s no trouble, she asked me for it and I knew you wanted to talk to her.] Aya texted back quickly.

  [Right.]

  Aya remembered they were almost married, she had forgotten to ask Mars about it due to all the things that happened earlier that day, it was something they could talk about after they moved into their new home.

  Aya looked out of the bus window and noticed she was already in the city, it wouldn’t be long before she would be at the bus stop near the bakery.

  [I’m almost there so let’s save the conversation for when we meet.]

  [Agreed, it’s a good thing I’ve already ordered those donuts.]

  The bus stopped Aya at the bus stop not too far from the bakery where she and Mars had previously been. It was only a couple minutes to the bakery but it felt longer without Mars by her side. Aya was thankful for the jacket, as the afternoon faded into evening the air cooled, causing a chill.

  Aya skipped into the bakery to find Atlas sitting in the same seat he occupied last time. Aya took a seat opposite him, beaming.

  Atlas had a stoic expression on his face but the moment Aya slid into her seat a grin stretched out across his face before he could stop it.

  “Hello, Aya. You look lovely.” he said.

  Aya giggled.

  “Thanks! Mars gave me her jacket and I think it really tied my look together.”

  Atlas nodded.

  “Absolutely.” Aya noticed he wasn’t much of a conversationalist but he was trying, and that was really all she could ask for.

  “So you’re moving, what’s that like?” Atlas asked.

  “It feels surreal, I didn’t think I was getting out of here for a long time.” Aya gazed out the window at the passing cars as she spoke, then back at Atlas. “My life’s changed so much over the past month it’s crazy.”

  “I can’t say I understand.”

  “I’m tired.” Aya groaned. “But I’m guessing there's going to be a long period of insanity before I ever have some peace again.”

  “Is that good or bad?” Atlas asked in confusion.

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  “Life’s what you make it right, I guess I just need to find the calm in the chaos.” Aya said, she stared intently at Atlas’s face for a moment. “You know, you’re a lot like Mars. I can see why you two almost got married.”

  Atlas laughed.

  “No, that’s not the reason. My parents and her parents thought it would be good to merge both families and companies.” Atlas explained.

  “So you didn’t want to get married?” Aya asked resting her head on her hand in interest.

  “I was reluctant, open but not really.” Atlas replied, drumming his fingers on the table.

  “Well, why didn’t you say no?”

  “I had already made my peace with the fact that I probably wouldn’t marry for love.” His shoulder relaxed into the plush seat as he said that. “I was relieved when Mars ran away, I do feel guilty about that. It’s cowardly but I was afraid to speak up.”

  He spoke in a tone that let Aya know he was confiding in her, she resolved to keep that secret. A problem shared was a problem half solved.

  “It sounds like your dad is a pretty tough guy to deal with.” Aya said sugar coating what she really wanted to say. Atlas’s dad sounded like a controlling jerk.

  “I respect him and tolerate him but he rules my life with an iron fist.” Atlas said. “ I sound lame don’t I?”

  Aya shook her head frantically.

  “Of course not! I’m not so naive to think you have a perfect family because you’re loaded.” Aya said. “I’m only now learning things about my own family that’s making my head spin.” a nervous laughter followed her statement.

  “What company was Mars’s family running?” Aya asked.

  “I thought she would have told you by now, but it’s the Seelim bus and logistics company.” Atlas said signaling the waitress to bring them two cups of tea.

  “Eh?” Aya paused to take in his words. “You mean the bus I took here? The bus I used to take to work every day?”

  Atlas nodded in amusement at her expression.

  “Mars’s family.” He laughed.

  “Speechless.” Aya said picking up the hot cup of tea, it was just what she needed the chilly air. She took a sip, rolling the liquid around her tongue. It was sweet, but unfamiliar.

  She didn’t mind that Mars had kept it from her, the other girl was running after all. All the money she knew Mars had made so far was from career gaming.

  If no one could find her it was possible her family had cut her off so to speak.

  “I didn’t know what you would like so I just ordered sweet jasmine tea. It’s what I like.” Atlas said cutting through Aya’s thoughts.

  “I like it, it tastes just like the tea in…” Aya wasn’t sure bringing up the game was appropriate now. “Like a tea I’ve had before.”

  “Oh good, I wanted you to like it.” Atlas said in relief. “The pastries will soon be here.”

  As if on cue, a waitress appeared with a platter of donuts. She placed it on the table then flashed Atlas a flirtatious smile, leaving Aya to gaze at each donut in hunger.

  “Do enjoy your pastries.” the waitress cooed, but Aya barely heard her over her longing. Atlas gave a cut nod and a lipless smile.

  “I guess Mars’s family wasn’t too keen on gaming.” Aya said reaching for a honey glazed donut with glee.

  “As a hobby, they were fine with it, but they never intended for Mars to have a career path if you get what I mean.”

  Aya’s eyes saddened.

  “I do.” She lowered the donut from her lips, she’d heard about things like that in books and movies but didn’t think it was something people still did. It didn’t seem real but alas.

  “I care a lot about her, still do in fact. So imagine my surprise when after a while, she turned up with you.”

  Aya beamed, nibbling on her donut.

  “She was acting way too suspicious for you guys to not know each other.”

  “I guess she was, but I don’t blame her one bit.”

  “I hope you two get the chance to talk then.” Aya said licking a crumb off the corner of her lip. “I have a feeling she has a lot to say to you too.”

  “Atlas?” A puzzled voice called from behind them. Aya turned around to a silver haired man looking over at them from where he had called Atlas’s name. The brunette squinted long enough to recognize the letters emblazoned on her chest.

  Eos Conquerors.

  “Arlo.”