EXCHANGE OF HEARTS [BL]

CHAPTER 24

Everyone was silent.

They are all seated in the dinning table, food are served and they eat in silence.

Atlas can feel the Race's nervousness beside him. Mr. Servantes and Mr. Montevero seated opposite to them and Bridgette seated beside Race.

Atlas hate it, but he didn't show it.

Race is nervous. His hands are trembling. Atlas wants to hold it to keep it calm but even him, his hands are trembling under the table.

He shouldn't trembling. He shouldn't feel fear. He goes to battle, he saw people die-he even killed people. He saw pool of blood from the people. He fought and he almost killed on time in his mission years ago but he didn't feel any fear. His hands didn't trembled and he didn't feel nervous going to a battle.

But this? Race parents watching him eat and their eyes are intent. Atlas hardly swallowed the food because he thinks that his every move the Servantes and Monteverde watched him, perhaps they are finding a flaws or mistakes to kick him out of this house.

After of his confession in front of Race's parents, everyone went silent. Atlas thought that everyone turned into stone because they all freeze even Race, watching him with eyes wide open and parted lips.

That time Atlas thought that Race perhaps want to punch him and kick him out.

He didn't regret it though, he thought that it is the best thing to do. There's nothing to hide and maybe today or maybe yesterday, Atlas felt something changed.

After the long moment of silent Hades cleared his throat and laughed awkwardly and told them it's time for dinner.

Although, it's early to eat dinner. It's five in the afternoon.

Suddenly Mr. Monteverde spoke. "Did you know this, Race?"

Race flinched and looked at his father. "Know what?"

"That-" Isaiah pointed his thumb towards Atlas. "That boy likes you?" He asked.

Atlas brow rose.

Boy?

"Um," he can feel Race glancing at him before he answered. "Y-Yes...he confessed,"

"Two times," Atlas added, looking directly at Isaiah's eyes. Atlas seems not frighten but deep inside he's shaking. "And today. It makes three times."

Deep inside he quivered, he's fighting the urge to avert his gaze. He can't meet Race's parents' eyes.

Deep inside he's terrified that Race's parents' might see something inside him. He's terrified that they will find the secrets he kept from his son and to them.

It's his biggest fear it that they'll find out who truly he is. But Atlas know that sooner or maybe later Race's parents' will drag him out of here when they know his name.

He also fear the thought of Race's parents' don't like him for their son. Specially when they find out his secrets.

"Name?"

And his heart just went out from his rib cage.

This is what he fear.

They will hate him after they'll know what is his name.

Atlas swallowed the fear, he keep his cool and didn't show any weaknesses.

"Atlas..." He hesitated. "Atlas Zubiaga, Sir." He didn't looked away, he fight the stare and fight his own fear.