After The Lie ✔️

Chap#31

Elaine's POV;

"But what happened?" I asked

"They both met in high school and they were really close. They were together all throughout high school. Kate has five older brothers. And they found out about their relationship after high school ended. Even though they had no problem, there was one person they couldn't tell, and that was her father. They knew her father wouldn't approve of their relationship. Kate's father is a retired general who started up his own business which is quite successful. So you could say they are quite rich. While Kate went to college, Mike couldn't get into college. Even with scholarship, he couldn't make ends meet. But still they managed to make their relationship work. Mike then found out that his father is an employee of Kate's father. He thought it wasn't right to keep their relationship a secret from her father. And they both agreed that it was time to tell him. So they told her father. But her father didn't approve of their relationship. He feels that Mikes financial status isn't compatible with Kate. He kind of grounded Kate and insulted Mike and then kicked him out. They both tried a lot to convince her father. I also talked to him, but he wouldn't listen. Mikes father was also fired a few days later, which although was his father's own mistake, as he did some mistakes at the office, but Mike didn't know that at the moment. He thought his father got fired because of him. And then a bunch of things happened, her father threatened Mike a lot and then he said something which made Mike break up with Kate. He said that he would make Kate drop out from college. Kate loves to study and it's always been her dream. Mike didn't want her to lose her dream, so he broke up with her. Mike didn't tell Kate the reason why he broke up with her. Kate has still not been over the breakup, even though it's been a year or so." He explained after which he drinks water. First of all, that's the longest I've heard Atlas talk. And, the story he told me, I feel like crying.

"It's so sad! This is so unfair. Just because of some stupid status difference, they won't be together? To hell with that. And Mike is also stupid! Why didn't he fight for her? For them? To Kate it seems like Mike dumped her while she was fighting for them. And also, I'm pretty sure to Kate being with Mike was of more importance than her dream to study, because it was also one of her dreams." I said

"Yeah. That's why Kate has tried to make Mike jealous. Even though I told her that using me would have no effect." He said

"Oh." I said. That's why she's been clinging to Atlas so much. It was just to get Mike's attention.

Just then both our phones ring. He checks his phone while I check mine. It was a message from Mike, Sorry, I'm going home. Tell Atlas about your foot. It wouldn't bother him. Ps I'm pretty sure it's sprained.

"Mike says that he has something to do so he's going home." Atlas said as I look at him. Should I tell him about my foot? Well it is aching.

"Oh Kate!" I said as I saw Kate come towards our table. She looks like she's about to cry. Did something happen? She looks around as if she's trying to find someone.

"Mike has left." Atlas said to her

"Oh. Well I have a few things I want to buy. So I'm gonna go ahead. You guys can go home." She said as she quickly walks away. I don't know why but I had a strong feeling that she was about to cry. So I got up and said, "Kate, wait." But I lost balance due to my foot and was about to fall when Atlas caught me.

"Ow" I said as my foot aches

"What's wrong?" Atlas asked as I sit back down

"Damn it, she's gone." I said as I turn to find Kate gone

"Hey, what happened to your foot?" Atlas asked as I realised he was sitting on the floor, in front of me

"Actually..." I said as I took my shoe off and my foot was swollen.

"What the hell. How and when did this happen?" He asked. There was a bit of anger in his voice. I told him how it happened and how Mike helped me.

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" He asked

"I didn't want to bother you." I replied

"Idiot, you'll never be a bother. Come on, let's go. Can you stand up?" He said as he puts his hand in front of me

I nod as I grab his hand for support, I'm about to stand up when he says, "I'm taking you to the doctor."

"Huh? It's not that serious. I'll just put ice on it and it'll be fine." I said as I hadn't got up yet

"You're going to the doctor or else I'm carrying you there." He said as he frowned

"No no, I'm going." I said as I got up

"The car is nearby. Can you walk?" He asked with a bit of worry. This was a first. It kind of felt nice, him worrying about me.

"Yeah." I said as I planned to walk by myself, but Atlas gave his arm to me for support. Okay, this was also a first as he helped me walk to the car. It didn't even feel weird. And I felt happy, aside from my foot ache.

"What about Kate and Mike? I think something happened between them." I said as we sit in the car

"For now, they just need some time to think alone. And for now, you focus on yourself. And one more thing, if something like this happens to you again, I'm the first one you should tell, got it?" He said

"Okay. Thanks!" I said smilingly

We then went to the doctor who told me a few things I should do. He didn't give me any medicines and said that it'll heal with time. And he told me to put ice, which I told Atlas I'd do so there was no need for us to come to the doctor. But he kept on insisting. After this, we went back to the house. Kate came home just before dinner and she looked like she was back to herself. But still I had a feeling that she was fake smiling.

At night, I was laying on the bed. Atlas had put a pillow under my left foot, as the doctor advised and just before leaving the room, he said he had some work to do but if I never need him, I can call him. Oh man, if he keeps on doing things like this, it would be difficult to control my feelings. Sometimes I wished that he wasn't so nice, so then I wouldn't be feeling this way. But most often I liked how caring he was.

That night, I couldn't sleep. It was around 12. Was he again planning on working till late night? Or maybe he has again slept while working? I wanted to go check on him but I didn't want to put pressure on my foot. But I still decided to see what he was doing. I sat up and I was about to get up when there was a knock on the door. Kate opened the door slightly and peeks inside.

"Elly are you awake?" She whispered

"Yeah, I'm awake. What's up?" I asked as she came inside

"Oh, Nothing. By the way, I saw Atlas downstairs talking to someone on the phone." She said

"Yeah, he has some work to do." I replied

"Is he always working like that? Even yesterday he kept talking or messaging to someone." She said as she sits next to me

"Yeah. He's always busy." I said

"I feel sorry for you. That idiot. I'm gonna teach him a lesson. He has to be spending more time with you rather than his phone." She said

"It's fine. He really has some work to do." I said as I knew if she said something to Atlas, he'd get annoyed

"Aww...Elly, you must get lonely." She said as she hugged me

"I guess?" I said as I didn't know what to reply

"I'm also lonely, you know. I'm sure Atlas has told you everything. I don't know what to do, Elly. He won't even look at me." She said as she sobbed

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