Chapter 284: Looney Charm
[What happened earlier...]
"Oh, this is interesting!"
Vito’s mouth stretched from ear to ear, his silver eyes gleaming with intrigue as he stared at Atlas. At the same time, he heard some commotion just outside. Vito glanced in that direction but didn’t think much of it; whatever was happening outside only confirmed why this man was here.
"I’m also pleased to finally meet you," Atlas said casually. "Although it’s a little late."
If not for the situation last night, Atlas would’ve met him then. After all, what this man pulled off was worthy of a visit.
Atlas walked over to the couch and sat down. He shot Vito a look that told the man to take a seat. Vito ran his tongue along his inner cheek, shrugged, and dragged himself across from Atlas. Vito’s buttocks barely touched the cushion when Atlas spoke.
"There’s no need to reach for the gun tucked in that couch," Atlas remarked, catching Vito off guard. "If I wanted you dead, you wouldn’t have woken up."
Vito smiled, reached into the pit of the couch, and took out a handgun. "You’re good," he intoned as he disassembled the gun and set it on the table between them. "How did you know I had a gun around?"
"Because I keep one to the same places in my home." Atlas crossed one leg over the other, getting comfortable. "I believe you already have an idea of why I’m here."
"Did she really break up with you?" Vito’s eyes twinkled. "Wow. That’s fast."
"No. If anything, I’m glad you brought it up. We were able to talk about it."
Vito frowned. "That’s strange. That’s not what I intended when I told her you exhumed her son’s grave — hah!" He rocked his head, snapping his eyes at Atlas. "That was awkward."
"Are you here to hear me apologize?" Vito continued, blinking almost innocently with no trace of fear. "You’re not going to get it if that’s what you want. I don’t apologize for the things I do."
Atlas ignored the man and slipped a hand into his suit. When he withdrew it, he placed something on the table between them and flipped it so the photo faced Vito. Vito glanced at it and raised his brows. The photo was the same one he had given Lola last night.
"Where did you get this?" Atlas asked as he leaned back. "That’s what I’m more curious about."
Vito smacked his lips and rested his arms on his legs. "What if I don’t tell you?"
"You will find out if that is the path you’re going to take," Atlas replied. His tone from the beginning until now was the same: distant and indifferent. Vito knew it wasn’t because Atlas had come without any idea who he was confronting. The fact that Atlas had shown up in person backed that confidence.
"On second thought, I probably don’t want that," Vito said, leaning back and raising his hands in surrender. "That photo is something I bought on the black market. You see, it’s easy to find things in the market when you know what you want."
He grinned. "And you, Mr. Atlas, are an interesting one. I knew you were interesting, but today my interest shot through the roof."
Atlas remained quiet, letting the rest of Vito’s nonsense fade. He didn’t need to answer the side comments — he simply studied Vito’s expression and his answers.
"I see." Atlas rocked his head and placed a hand on the armrest to push himself up.
Seeing him about to leave, Vito tilted his head. "Eh? You’re leaving already? Don’t you want to stay a bit longer? Let’s chat some more — wait, I’ll get us a drink. Then, throw some threats at me while we’re at it."
Atlas paused and gave him a blank look. "My warning has already been given," he said. "I believe you’re not naive enough not to notice it."
The warning was the man himself being there: no place could keep Vito safe from Atlas. If Atlas could get in here, he could get in anywhere.
"It’s your first and last warning for last night’s stunt," Atlas said as he walked away. "Do not make me come to you for the same reason. Treat this as the beginning of your second life."
Vito chuckled, following Atlas with his gaze.
"I’ve met a lot of people, and none of them ever threw a threat and got away from me," he mused. "You’ll be the first one! What a happy thing to experience!"
But Atlas’s steps didn’t stop.
"Mister Atlas Bennet!" Vito called, smirking. "That photo was available on the market before I requested to have you followed."
This time, Atlas halted. When he looked back, Vito wiggled his brows.
"Did I get your attention now?" Vito chuckled, eyes gleaming. "Let’s meet again, Atlas Bennet... I believe we have more things in common than we probably expect."
Atlas hesitated, staring at the man. He said nothing and resumed his steps. As soon as his back was turned, his eyes glinted sharply.
Lola was right, he thought as he stepped out of the secret room and was greeted by Baby and the countless unconscious people in the path.
"Sir," Baby lowered his head. "How was it? What can you say about the man?"
Atlas glanced at him and kept walking. Only after a few steps did he finally answer.
"Impressive." His reply made Baby look back toward Atlas’s retreating figure. "She wasn’t lying when she said he was smart for his own good. He is, indeed, cunning."
What Atlas realized after hearing Vito’s parting remark was that Vito had invited him here. It wasn’t the other way around. Atlas hadn’t come because he wanted to; Vito had ensured Atlas would, by pulling off that stunt last night.
Impressive, indeed.
Even so, whatever the reason was, this visit would still make Vito pay heavily.
*****
[Present Time]
Vito chuckled and shook his head in the backseat as he left the private resort where he’d been. He glanced out the window and smirked.
"Last night... was fruitful," he muttered in satisfaction. "Surely, Looney is my lucky charm. My Looney Charm!"
Because last night, not only had he put a leash on Amala — Lola’s biggest asset — but he had also gotten Atlas’s attention. Not because Vito fully understood who Atlas truly was, but Atlas’s clean background and missing years of activity were intriguing enough. Making Lola and Atlas break up would’ve been a nice bonus, but he couldn’t be too greedy.
He rubbed his lower lip, laughing. "Let’s see what a man like him can do..." he trailed off when the man in the front passenger seat looked back at him.
"Boss."
Vito knitted his brows at the look on the man’s face. "What now?"
"Our headquarters on the border of Florentia were attacked," the man reported, worried, watching Vito’s smile disappear.
"Attacked?" Vito’s eyes sharpened. "By who?"
The man lowered his head. "The reinforcements are still searching, but—"
"But...?" Vito cocked his head. "You’d better start speaking now before I snap your neck from here."
"There is one big sign left by the people who attacked our base." This time, the man handed his phone to the backseat.
Vito snatched it and checked, only to see a big smiley painted on the wall of an old residential home where he sometimes stayed. The corners of his mouth twitched with equal parts amusement and thrill.
"The Phantom Circle," he murmured. "He controls them too, huh? Oh, it really is my second life after all!"