EXCHANGE OF HEARTS [BL]

CHAPTER 31

That meeting bothered Atlas to death, it didn't leave his mind since the day since he left at the court.

His mother chose him to retrieve that painting, and retrieve means to steal that painting. Atlas didn't mind the retrieve part because he's used to retrieve things since he turned fourteen.

His parents taught him to steal things at the young age. Madali lang kay Atlas na nakawin ang painting na kinakailangan ng mga magulang niya at ang hinigingi ng Underground. Subrang madali lang ito pero ngayon ay biglang nakalimutan ni Atlas kung paano magnakaw dahil ang nagmamay-ari ng painting na iyon ay ang ama ni Race-his boyfriend.

"Are you listening to me?" Race drag him back from his reverie.

He blinks and his eyes focus on his boyfriend.

While he's staring intently to Race, something come up to his mind.

Atlas can't believed that this man was already his.

A pang of guilt and pain in his heart while he's staring at his man.

"What did you say?" Asked Atlas.

Race face furrowed and titled his head to other side. "I'm talking here for almost 15 minutes, yet you hear nothing?"

Atlas averted his gaze, he can't take looking at Race's eyes without feeling guilty.

"You're not with yourself these past few days," Race said to him, bemused. "You can tell me what's bothering you, Atlas."

Tell you what's bothering me? I wonder what's your reaction if you hear this. Atlas thought.

Telling Race what's bothering him is the least thing he will do. There's a lot of possibilities will happen if Atlas will tell Race what happened and what's bothering him.

"It's nothing, Race. You don't have to worry," he smiled and gave Race a kissed on his lips.

But Race didn't leave him. Race still staring at him with those curious eyes.

Race didn't believe him, yet he didn't asked something. He just sighed.

"You can trust me, okay?" Race said. "Do you trust me?" Asked Race.

Atlas heart squeezed. "With my life, Race."

* * *

The next day, Atlas received a message from his mother. His brow furrowed and eyes darkened when he read the message.

Mother: I give you five days to do what we've told you, Atlas.

Atlas: I'm not doing this. I didn't agreed to your request, mother.

Mother: it's not a request, Atlas. It's your job, remember?

Atlas's hands gripped tighten to his phone. Veins are showing on his arms.

His phone beeped.

Mother: You knew what will happen if you didn't retrieve that thing for the days we gave to you, Atlas.

Atlas threw his phone to his bed.

"Fuck," he swore under his breathe. He sat on the edge of the bed and gripped his hair.

His mind was in chaotic thinking what he'll do. He didn't want to do what his mother told him. He can't steal that painting that Race's father bought.