Chapter 5

• I left Dad for a while inside the VIP room. I decided to go to the bathroom to freshen up. My Dad was a good conversationalist that he did not leave any questions behind. I think he asked almost everything that relates to me. And I answered all of it with lies.
• I sighed and looked at myself in the mirror. I looked pitiful. I was not a fan of lying but I needed to, even if I felt like my solu's getting burned in hell. It hurts me everytime I lie, butI didn’t have a choice. 
• I washed my face, not minding if my light makeup gets erased. There's no reason to be beautiful. In Atlas' eyes, I was the most ugly and wicked woman he knew. 
• “Oh, look who’s here.”
• I abruptly shifted my gaze from the newly opened door. I instantly saw Trina walking towards me, smirking. I shook my head and continued what I was doing. I quickly wiped my wet face and fixed myself, ignoring her presence. I already had enough for today. My head hurt too much to give her even a bit of my attention.
• “You know, Olive. . . Atlas and I booked a hotel nearby. After we eat dinner, we'll eat each other,” she muttered and gave off a wicked laugh. “You know why Atlas doesn't like you? Aside from the fact that you're a midget, you're also ugly.”
• My eyes narrowed down to her. Her words caught my attention. “Can you please stay away from me? I don't care about your escapades with Atlas. So, shut up!” I firmly said.
• Trina looked astonished but in a flick of an eye, she's already smirking. “You're brave now, huh. Aren't you afraid of being left?” 
• I sighed and composed myself once more. I reminded myself that Trina's just a mistress. That just like the ones before her, Atlas would leave her, too. That she's not worth my time because I'm still the legal wife.
• “If you don't have anything left to say, excuse me.” 
• I turned my back to her and picked my bag. But after a few steps, I felt her grip on my arm. I puffed out a breath. I desperately stopped myself not to hurt her but my hand did otherwise. When my gaze went to her, I pulled my arm away. Her eyes widened but I care less. Trina cut the last string of my patience. She pushed me to the limit.
• “When I say shut up, shut up! Be grateful, Trina, because I never once fought back from everything you did. You might have to borrow a face from a dog once I get enough of you!” I remarked. “Also, I'm not ugly! Do you want me to take that thick makeup off your face to see who's the ugly one?!”
• Before she could even recover, I already left her. I didn't wait for her to get her revenge. I was catching my breath as I walked through the hallway of the restaurant. My heart was beating so fast. I know I'm weak, but in times of need, I had to fight back. Because the truth is that I'm the one who has my rights. Trina's just a mistress leeching over my husband.
• “Shit!”
• I know that my ears aren't deceiving me. Even if I got hurt from the clash, I looked up to confirm my thoughts. When I lifted my head, Atlas' rumpled forehead greeted me. His eyes were full of questions as he stared at me.
• “I’m sorry,” I mumbled.
• “Why are you here? Do you really want your dad to see Trina and I?” he asked. Atlas looked so formal. He seemed to come from the site when he met with Trina. I shook my head. I shouldn't even wonder why.
• “I don't know what you're saying. I have to go. Daddy and I had to go home,” I said.
• “Don’t fool me again, Olive. I know that you're good at manipulating everything. You even manipulated th—”
• I slapped him. I looked him straight in the eyes. For the first time in our ten years of marriage, I slapped him for degrading me. I don't know. It seems like my hand had its own mind. Maybe my heart was the only thing left numb and my body was tired of not feeling anything. My heart was still a martyr, but not my mind. Not anymore.
• “I’ve had enough for today, Atlas. I’m drained from all the shit in our life. Please, let me rest. I'm tired of everything!” I said before heading to my Dad’s room. 
• Even if it was hard, I forced myself to calm down from shaking in so much anger. My knees were wobbling because of what I just did. I was usually calm and quiet. Even if I'm hurt, I can't fight for myself. But, things changed. I learned that once you have enough, you'll explode like a volcano without even realizing it.
• “Good thing you’re already here, Hija. Atlas was here. I saw him somewhere and I invited him to join us but he declined. He said he had an important meeting. I guess it's more important than us.” Daddy laughed. I just got seated and that's what greeted me. I smiled at him, too. A fake one. I can feel that he's disappointed towards Atlas.
• I held his hand. “Sorry, Daddy. Maybe next time. Atlas is too busy.” 
• I forced myself to keep a cheerful tone to make my dad's weariness go away. I tried to open topics that were worthy to talk about. Daddy also asked me about the Dubai magazine that chose me as a representative for a big event about empowering women.
• My Dad was very proud of me. I could feel it. The thing is, I don't know if I should be happy or sad. I had been in different countries to represent women empowerment but me as a woman was way farther than the image I portray. It saddens me to even think about it, but that's the truth.
• I came with Daddy back to our house. I decided to stay with Dad for a while. I don't have anyone back in my house. Whenever I'm sad and Dad's free, he's the only one I can lean on. The only person that would understand and spoil me just like before.
• “You know, Hija. I really want to have a grandchild. When are you and Atlas planning to have one?" 
• Dad caught my attention. I turned to his side and removed my eyes from the car's window pane. He seemed excited. I smiled and tried to push the things that bothered me away. I leaned to my father’s shoulder and clung to him like a baby. 
• “I don't know, Dad. There's a right time for everything. We are waiting for the right time,” I said. “How about you? When are you planning to get married again?” I said jokingly.
• Daddy tapped my left shoulder. I laughed, and that made him laugh too. “Never anymore. I love your mother so much. When love hits you so hard, my daughter, it's hard to get up. You can never change your heart,” he said softly. I  felt him kissing the top of my head.
• I smiled at what my father said. I just proved how my father loved my mother so much, once again. The magic of true love. When it hits you hard, it sticks to you like glue. 
• Same goes for my feelings with Atlas. Feeling that even after a long time, I'm still drowning. Staying. Waiting. Hoping.