“And it was written—I got cursed like Eve got bitten, oh, was it punishment?”

https://open.spotify.com/track/18WFFUIsewmA8g31KAeo3e?si=fH5schtSSWahmbIAHYOyWA

February, 2024.

“Well, hello, my new regular.”

Atlas grinned at Derian’s welcoming remark, and he took a seat at where Alexa was usually seated. She was still on her way, 30 more minutes, Jakarta’s mad traffic as usual. He didn’t mind waiting for his new savior, since these past nights had been easier for him to endure.

Tonight the bar was quieter than any other days, and Atlas just noticed how most people who came here, came alone. They said bartender was the new therapist, and here, he could see that. Some loved to sit in front of the bar counter, chatting with the bartenders about one thing or two; whereas others sat alone, back to back, drowning in their own thoughts with a hope that later they would leave in lighter steps.

They didn’t ask for much, only a hope that tomorrow was going to be easier.

Suddenly he remembered someone who once told him that the loneliness in this city was louder than its noises, and Atlas agreed with that.

“Udah janjian sama Alexa?”

Atlas nodded. “She’s on her way here.”

Curious, Derian wondered to himself. Prior to Derian’s knowledge, this was their third meeting, and he hadn’t heard a single information about this man—where he lived, what he did for a living, and if he was truly married. Usually, Alexa considered most of the men she dated boring since they were too easy to read. This one was slightly different, indeed, and Derian knew his cousin best: she would stay until she could figure him out.

“What’s your intention with her?”

Atlas raised his eyebrow, but he decided not to question Derian’s straightforwardness. “I haven’t decided yet, to be honest. But for now, I’m in need of friend and she happens to be available.”

Cruel honesty, but Derian respected that.

“Your ring, you’re married?”

Atlas took a glance at the ring that caught Derian’s attention. “Nope. It’s just a gift.” A very treasured one, that. It was a rare vintage Chrome Hearts ring; Atlas was not one to wear jewelry on daily basis, but this one ring was too difficult to leave behind. He often considered it a horcrux, an artefact containing someone’s soul shard.

“I haven’t figured out Alexa’s intention with you yet, but if you only want to take advantage of her, you can choose whether to leave now fully intact or later but disfigured.”

Atlas was glad that in this mad world Alexa was throwing herself in, she was still protected and loved.

“Don’t worry, your cousin is way smarter than I am. If anything, she can take advantage of me and I wouldn’t mind.”