MAD DOG OF LOVE

Chapter 3 3/4

When she finished tying the laces, Atlas lightly nudged her chin with the tip of his shoe, making her look up at him.

“Do these look good?” he asked, a sly glint in his eyes.

She held her breath for a moment at his actions, but Lily wasn’t one to submit to oppression. She glared at him defiantly. “That’s dirty,” she said, brushing his foot off.

Atlas smirked with satisfaction. “I’ll take this model in every color,” he told the staff before standing up.

He glanced at his clothes and added, “Oh, I have a meeting this afternoon. Too lazy to go back and change—might as well buy a new outfit here.”

Atlas strolled leisurely into another clothing store, picking up and examining clothes at his own pace, clearly enjoying himself. He paid no mind to Lily, who was now struggling to carry so many shopping bags that they nearly obstructed her view of the walkway.

“Atlas!” A sweet voice called out just before a young woman threw herself into a tight embrace with him. Atlas greeted her with a gentle smile. “Hey, Annie. How have you been?” His tone was noticeably soft, so much so that Lily, standing a short distance away, could feel the difference.

Annie beamed up at him. “It’s been ages,” she said, loosening her hold slightly but still clinging to his arm. Then, glancing over at Lily with a frosty, disdainful look, she asked, “And… did you bring a servant along?”

Atlas cast an indifferent glance at Lily. “Just my manager,” he replied flatly, as if to imply that she was simply a worker, nothing more.

Annie’s gaze held a trace of contempt, and she couldn’t help but think that this small woman must be delusional if she thought she had a chance with Atlas. A quiet, mocking laugh played in her mind.

“Are you free tomorrow?” Annie asked, ignoring Lily entirely. “Come over for dinner at my place. My parents would love to discuss the new project with you.” Her voice was laced with confidence, as if she knew she was the one meant to stand beside him.

“Sure, see you then,” Atlas replied easily, offering her a warm smile that felt worlds apart from how he treated everyone else. The two shared a close hug before saying their goodbyes.

Lily stood silently, watching them. A pang of hurt echoed in her chest as she took in the sight of the two of them, looking so perfectly suited to each other. The scene struck her deeply, making her realize that the place beside Atlas—the place she longed for—was nothing more than a distant, unreachable dream.