Just Business [AnunKamol Fanfic] {ENG}

Chapter 2

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Atlas woke up feeling absolutely exhausted—still jet-lagged and emotionally drained from yesterday's meeting with Lovelyn. She reluctantly got up, bracing herself for the long day ahead. As she stepped into the shower, the warm water cascading over her tense muscles brought some physical relief, but it did nothing to soothe the turmoil within her.

She couldn't escape the guilt gnawing at her. Lovelyn's cold treatment wasn't unwarranted—Atlas knew that. She had left Bangkok over a year ago, and when she returned two days ago, she went straight back to Lovelyn and their company. Atlas had prepared herself for a cold reception, but she hadn't anticipated just how deep the bitterness would run.

In truth, she understood it. She had left Lovelyn behind, and though it hadn't been entirely her fault, she couldn't deny her part in it. At first, she'd been busy—too busy. The calls and texts became less frequent on her end. But eventually, Lovelyn had stopped reaching out altogether, ignoring every attempt Atlas made to reconnect. It had broken Atlas's heart when she realized her best friend had seemingly moved on.

Though she tried to move forward, the regret lingered. It became a weight she couldn't shed, and her fear of rejection kept her from returning to Bangkok for so long. Instead, she threw herself into work, hopping from country to country, forging new business connections, and immersing herself in her career. It distracted her, but it didn't fill the void. Something—someone—was missing. In the end, she couldn't take it anymore. She had to come home. She had to try to fix things with Lovelyn.

After stepping out of the shower, Atlas dried off and got dressed. She chose crimson slacks, a sleek black blouse, and matching black heels—an outfit that projected confidence, even if she didn't feel it. "Fake it till you make it," she muttered to her reflection with a forced smile.

An hour later, she arrived at Dreamchaser Industries, coffee in hand. She'd woken early and stopped by the coffee shop near the office, not just to grab her own drink but also to pick up Lovelyn's usual order—an iced latte with oat milk.

Stepping into the office, she was greeted by Paz, who was seated at her desk. "Good morning, Paz," Atlas said warmly. "Good morning, Miss Anunta. Can I get you anything?" Paz asked politely. Atlas shook her head, smiling. "I'm fine, thank you. Is Lovelyn in yet?"

"No, Miss Anunta," Paz replied. "She'll be out of the office this morning—she's attending a meeting with a potential client."
"Alright. Thank you, Paz," Atlas said, heading toward Lovelyn's office.

"Excuse me, Miss Anunta," Paz interjected politely. "As I mentioned, Miss Kamollak isn't here yet." Atlas turned, flashing her a small smile. "I know, thank you. But I still have work to do, don't I? This used to be my office too," she replied smoothly.

As she stepped inside, she added, almost as an afterthought, "Oh, by the way, I ordered new furniture. It's being delivered at the end of the week. It can be set up in here as well."

Atlas closed the door behind her, feeling a swirl of emotions. She took a deep breath, trying to ground herself, before settling on the couch facing the window. The panoramic view of Bangkok stretched before her, a breathtaking reminder of home. She opened her laptop and began combing through the company's database, reviewing the past 12 months of developments and operations. If she wanted to contribute meaningfully, she needed to reacquaint herself with the business she had left behind.

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Hours passed as she immersed herself in her work, ignoring her own needs and losing track of time. By 10:30 a.m., Lovelyn arrived at the office, brimming with pride after successfully securing a new client. She greeted Paz with a smile.