Treacherous Deception

The Guy Named Atticus

Eleonor's POV

"Eleonore, you've forgotten about our art class session?" Tatiana, my best friend spoke right behind me. I was focusing so much on my phone that I didn't notice I'd been walking without her.

"Oh, right! I'm sorry, Tate. Just a bit occupied," I responded. There is some news about disappearing ladies around our place and its quite alarming that they haven't been found yet.

Tatiana and I have been good friends since we were five. Well, our parents - our fathers specifically-have been venturing into a joint business. Since then, we often saw each other and, since everyone was busy with work, we had our childhood spent together. I do have an older brother but we're not close at all. I rarely see him either. He's 4 years older than me and he has this strange aura every time he's around. Well, I don't want to deal with it so I never bothered.

We went to our art class together only to find out that the class was postponed. Instead of loitering around doing nothing, we planned to go to the nearest cafe instead.

"Ellie, have you heard about the guy named Atticus?" Tate spoke and then took a sip of her matcha latte drink.

Atticus. What kind of name is that? Is it from witchcraft or something?

"Nope, never heard of that guy. Is that one of your crushes? Tate, you have lots of them. I can't remember everything."

Tate rolled her eyes at me in disbelief. It seemed like I was missing out too much because I didn't know about Atticus or whatnot.

"Seriously, Ellie? Atticus? The guy from the art class who sits beside you? And for the record, I only have one love interest and it is Laurent."

"So what's with Atticus?" I didn't even know what his name was. I barely talk to people and I don't have much energy to do so.

Tatiana scribbled something on her phone and later on showed me a picture of a guy together with my brother, Laurent.

"That's him! He's friends with your brother." She grinned.

I was kinda confused. "So? What if he's friends with him?"

"Why are you such a slowpoke? I wonder why I am friends with you. But the point is, you can befriend him and then, you two can help me get close to Laurent."

I glared at her, well. Jokingly. "Wow, all for your love interest? You know I am not close with my brother, Tate. Besides, why would I befriend a guy who sits beside me in art class? Are you hit in the head?"

She laughed at me and continued sipping her drink. I took a small bite of my glazed doughnut and took another glance at the picture on Tate's phone. Where did she even get this picture? My best friend is indeed a stalker. I didn't even see baby pictures of my brother but she has an album full of his faces.

In the picture, both of them were wearing formal suits. Coat and tie. They are similar in height, around 6 feet, but there is something about Atticus that made me stare. Although we sat beside each other, I never noticed he had piercing emerald eyes. He has broad shoulders and a chiseled physique. His undercut hairstyle and black hair made him look more badass than he already is. There is confidence and charisma all over, but he also showed signs of authority, making it clear that he is not someone to mess with.

"Ellie, you're drooling." I snapped back to reality and handed her phone back immediately.

What was I even thinking? My heart started to beat faster than normal and I felt my cheeks burning. I shook my head and drank my favorite four-season fruit punch.

For the rest of the afternoon, Tate just teased me and told me how Atticus was handsome and we both looked good together. Then again, reminding me to befriend him so she can get close with Laurent. I don't know why she's so head over heels for him, they never even talked once. This one-sided love of hers needs to be remedied or else.

"Jokes apart, I mentioned Atticus not only for that reason," we're already on our way home and she offered to give me a ride. She can't drive, so their family driver does the job.

"I know I teased you a lot today, but the thing is, you should be careful when you're around him. I saw him the other day in a dark alley."

I gave a confused look at her.

"Fine, fine! I was following Laurent's car after school and then he drove to this secluded area. He didn't come out, but Atticus did. I knew it was him because of the tattoo on his nape. I was so frightened that I immediately left."

I didn't know what to react to it, since I don't really have any concerns about Atticus, but with my brother, I was quite intrigued. He had never done stupid things before. Our father always commends his good work and recognizes him every time there's a business party.

"I think I don't need that, Tate. You should be the one to be careful. My brother, though I don't know much about him, is someone you should not trifle with. Okay?"

She nodded and we went home immediately.

----

As I arrived, the house was empty. As usual, father isn't around. I looked at the huge painting on the wall and smiled. It was my mother's portrait. I never met her. She lost her life after having me, but according to Nana, our head housekeeper, my mother was always in good mood when she had me inside her womb. She read me stories, sang and went for walks so I would come out healthy. She was looking forward to wanting a baby girl.

Then there I was.

But she's already gone.

I felt my eyes forming a mist. Before I let out a single tear, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. As soon as I opened it, I saw my brother standing on the staircase, looking at me.

I quickly composed myself and looked at the ground while climbing up to my room.

"She looks exactly just like you in her old photographs." My brother spoke the moment I passed by him.

I turned around but he wasn't directing his gaze at me. He was looking at the portrait.

"You should check her pictures. They are in the library. The third shelf beside the window."

He then went down and left without saying goodbye. I felt a sense of happiness when he spoke to me. Before he could get out the huge gates, I shouted, "Be careful, Laurent!"

I saw him nod and then drove all the way out of our mansion.