Chapter 192: Sound Of A Camera

Lina made up her mind to formulate a plan. It would be near impossible, but she had faith in herself. With the file as leverage, she could make anyone yield to her. With power comes great responsibilities. Many would turn on her if she used it as blackmail. Once the Leclare firm was eliminated, she'd be next if she possessed the file. But what if she could use the file deletion as a means of being in everyone's good grace?

"How's the food?" Atlantis commented.

Lina snapped out of her thoughts. She glanced down at the dishes laid out in front of her. At the sight of the pasta, which seemed too greasy for her palate and the blonde salad, her mouth went dry. The last time she came here, the food didn't look this unappealing. Lina had a strange relationship with food thanks to her mother, but this time, the food bothered her. It was creamy.. Ever since she was a child, she hated the scent of boiled milk. 

Worried that she could be pregnant, Lina suddenly realized the lack of protection. Her heart dropped. She'd need to begin taking birth control pills soon.

"I don't like creamy things," Lina mumbled in defeat. 

"I remember. I was surprised to see you order course A with pasta rich in heavy cream and side dishes cooked in milk." Atlantis glanced down at his plate of untouched food.

"You're lucky I didn't eat mine yet," Atlantis teased. He grabbed her plate and switched it with his.

"But you also don't like—"

"It's fine," Atlantis cooed. 

Atlantis dipped his fork into the creamy pasta, spun it, and placed the food into his mouth. Immediately, his brows were pulling together with disgust. Even so, he chewed and swallowed the noodles.

"We'll just order another course, it's fine," Lina responded.

Atlantis' kind gestures were beginning to make her doubt everything. Lina believed he wouldn't attempt to court a married woman. But he was going as far as to sacrifice his appetite for her by eating something that clearly repulsed him. She had a good feeling he had decided to ignore her wedding ring.

"No need," Atlantis said.

"I insist," Lina stated.

Lina pressed the button under the table. She didn't give him the chance to protest.

"Course B isn't suitable for our palette, my apologies," Lina informed the waiter. "Please change the plates in front of the gentleman with new plates of course A."

The waiter was confused. He was certain the creamy meal was placed infront of the woman and the other one was infront of the man. Did he make a mistake? 

"Right away," the waiter said. In this restaurant, the customer was king. If the customer made a mistake, it was a mistake on the waiter.

The waiter quickly took the food away.

"You didn't have to," Atlantis sighed. "I don't mind suffering for your sake."

"That's the problem," Lina coldly told him. "Don't do it again."

Atlantis froze at her icy tone. He took a good look at her. She wore a disapproving gaze. Her expression was aloof. He had never seen her so displeased.

Unable to argue with her, Atlantis reluctantly nodded his head. All he wanted to do was perform a good deed for her. Must he be punished?

- - - - -

Once the meal came to a conclusion, Lina felt like she had wasted her time. She was unable to bring up the collaboration with Medeor Corporation. 

Lina was also unable to ask questions about his grandfather. She couldn't stomach the food when she thought about his motives. He eyed her like a lover. Despite the ring that flickered with the light, he smiled at her like he had a chance.

The feeling made Lina uncomfortable. She decided to see him on a different note to discuss business matters. For example, a professional setting like a meeting room with lawyers and other people present. That way, it was all business and no emotions.

"Atlantis," Lina slowly said.

They were now standing at a cafe where he was ordering a final drink for their departure. He had told her something about having a parched throat after such a heavy meal. Lina suspected he was prolonging their time together.

"Yes?" Atlantis turned his head to look at her. He wore a loose smile, for he always liked the sound of his name out of her mouth. 

With a relaxed shoulder, Atlantis took a sip of his iced coffee.

"Do you love me?"

Atlantis choked on his coffee. He roughly patted his chest in disbelief. He nearly died there!

"W-what?" Atlantis asked in a flabbergasted tone. He nearly spat the coffee at her.

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"Do. You. Love. Me?" Lina repeated like it was no big deal. "Or should I rephrase myself. Why do you go after married women?"

Atlantis wished he had choked on the coffee and died. It was better than answering this question—in a public place. He glanced at their surroundings, grateful that there was no one here but them.

"I have more morals than that and do not make it a habit to go after married women," Atlantis finally told her.

"Then this ring is for show?" Lina countered.

"Let me rephrase myself," Atlantis slowly explained. He settled his coffee onto the table. Then he leaned closer to her.

Instantly, Lina drew back. She heard a soft click, but couldn't look fast enough in time.

"Married people are sworn before an altar with eye-witnesses proclaiming their love. What I see in front of me is a pretty ruby collar," Atlantis remarked.

Lina was floored by his audacity. She opened her mouth, but had no way to refute him. It was she who didn't want a ceremony. It was she who saw the heinous future. And now, he was throwing it back at her.

"A childless marriage is but names on paper," Atlantis told her. "And paper can always be burned into ashes."

Atlantis rose out of his chair. Lina stood up, baffled.

"You—"

"I know my chances are slim," Atlantis softly murmured. "I know I came too late. Had I showed up a few months earlier, you wouldn't have forced yourself into enemy lines. You wouldn't have fallen for such a despicable man."

"No," Lina argued. "Even if you had shown up, I wouldn't have viewed you as a man in a romantic sense. I—"

"I am the man of your destiny," Atlantis confidently told her. "He is the man of your destruction. It has happened before."

The blood drained from Lina's face. He knew. He knew because his grandfather was a seer. She was unable to speak. Unable to say anything. Because they both knew, it was the truth.

"You… What do you mean it has happened before?" Lina asked.

Lina had to collect herself. She nearly asked him if he recalled their first lifetime. And just the thought of what Atlan did to her repulsed her. She hadn't known it  in the past, in fact she had defended him, but now she knew the truth. She had been coerced.

"If only you knew," Atlantis said in a quiet voice, almost as if he was pained by the thought of it.

"Knew what—"

"I must return," Atlantis curtly told her. "I have a meeting."

"Atlantis—"

"Just know," Atlantis softly reminded her. "I always have your best interest at heart."

Lina's breath hitched.

"You once told me when you were a child that you wanted nothing more than a peaceful life. No company disputes. No inheritance battles. You wanted to be a housewife who wrote screenplays in her freetime," Atlantis reminded her. "And I can give you that."

Lina vehemently shook her head. "No, you can't. That is no longer the life I want. That is no longer the life meant for me. So long as I have the Yang surname, I am destined to be a powerless puppet."

"Not if your surname is Medeor you won't," Atlantis said. "I have all the power in the world to protect you, Lina. You don't have to do this. You don't have to gain power to protect yourself. I can protect you. I always have."

"And you think my husband can't do the same?" Lina chillingly told him.

Atlantis faltered. "I am a Chairman now, I have much more power than a little Young Master."

Lina slowly blinked. He didn't know. He didn't know the hidden ruler behind the curtain. And she didn't feel like telling him. He could drown in his delusions all he wished.

"If you reject me," Atlantis said. "It won't change anything about us. Our friendship is still there."

Lina didn't want to hear any of this anymore. Without another word, she grabbed her purse and stormed out of the cafe. She couldn't believe he'd do this. Couldn't believe he'd covet for something that was already taken. 

"Lina!" Atlantis demanded, grabbing her wrists. 

Loud clicking quickly went off. Now, Lina realized why it sounded so familiar. It was the sound of a camera. The paparazzi were here.

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