The Taste of Seduction

Is she serious?

"Atlas… please…"

Meredith\'s hold around his waist tightened. As Atlas snapped from his own stupor, he let out a sigh and then gently removed her arms that were wrapped around him.

"Are you certain?"

"Mm," Meredith answered with a nod, a scared pair of eyes looking straight at his curious ones. "I\'m serious. I\'m sure."

Atlas didn\'t know why. He knows he loves her dearly, but he wanted to make sure--he wanted to be assured.

He has the right to, right? Since he is indeed hurt…

"What made you so sure?" Atlas asked, the lump in his throat still there, making it a bit painful to speak but he did his best. "Maybe you\'ve thought of this because you\'re pushed to the edge to decide so you can keep me."

"Oh, Atlas…" Meredith furrowed her brows, her eyes turning glassy from the tears that she was forcing herself not to escape. "I really meant it. Of course, I wouldn\'t want you to go away… I love you."

It pained him seeing her cry. However, he could still not deny that the pain he felt from what he had seen a while ago hurt even more.

"Then why…" Atlas said, his voice almost broken as some tears escaped his eyes--quicker before Meredith\'s tears could. "Why do you seem to enjoy the kiss you shared with him?"

No words were shared between them as silence suspended in the air. A stifled sob came from the man before her, making Meredith cry along with him as she obviously saw how hurt he is.

And she acknowledged that it\'s her fault.

"I\'m sorry…" Meredith just said, not even denying that she did like the kiss shared between him and Marcus. "I know that the bond being a role here is no longer a good excuse… I should have known better especially after you warned me."

"Damn it, Meredith…" Atlas cursed under his breath, turning his back against her so she could not see him at his most vulnerable. "How could you? Even after we promised a life together--me proposing to you after all this?"

"Atlas…" Meredith wiped her tears away with the back of her palm, scared of what\'s to happen next. "Are you still angry at me?"

"Of course, I\'m still mad at you," Atlas replied immediately, trying his best not to snap at her again as he turned to look at her once more. "Can\'t you see? Is this sight not enough?"

Atlas\' jaw clenched tight once more. As Meredith cried silently along with him, she spoke almost in a whisper that could still be heard by the man before her.

"Are you… going to leave me?"

Atlas didn\'t answer for a second. He swallowed his own saliva in an attempt to speak clearly, only one word escaping from his mouth.

"No." It was only one word, but Meredith could feel how heavy it is--how much Atlas meant it. "But I\'m letting you choose now. From what transpired a moment ago, is it still me, or is it him now?"

Not even thinking for a moment, fear coursed through Meredith\'s body. She violently shook her head and immediately embraced Atlas tightly, answering his question. She buried her face on his chest, her tears escaping her eyes uncontrollably.

"It\'s you, Atlas! It\'s you… I swear!"

Atlas\' tears pooled in his eyes. Some of it escaped from it, flowed on his cheek, and landed on the top of Meredith\'s newly bathed hair. No longer hesitating, he returned her embrace, further pulling her in his arms to soothe her as well.

Even though the sight of her and Marcus broke his heart, he could never bear the sight of seeing Meredith this way.

Right at this moment, Atlas even thought of him being a hopeless romantic, believing that love does indeed conquer all.

When his love indeed, conquered the anger and pain he felt just a moment ago, choosing to forgive her even though it hurt.

"I believe you," Atlas said, caressing his hand on her back to comfort her. "I\'ll believe you," he added, Meredith looking up at him to seek validation.

She knew the function of the word "will". From present tense, he changed it to future tense. Meaning he is yet to believe her; it will be a possibility that he will believe her.

Atlas withdrew from the embrace and then cupped her face with both of his hands, wiping her tears away with his thumb.

"I\'m trying my best, Meredith," he started, further explaining himself. "I\'ll try my best to believe you. And your decision of breaking your bond with him is the start of me giving you my trust."

Meredith nodded once. She knew that she had to earn it. If she were in the position, of course, she would also be hurt. Breaking one\'s bond is not easy in this world, yet she\'d be willing to try just for her to prove her love.

"I\'ll do my best, Atlas," Meredith said softly, hopeful and eager to do her sudden mission. "I meant it."

"I know. It\'s not an easy decision for you, too." Atlas tucked a tendril of her hair behind her ear. "We\'ll both do this; you cannot do it alone."

"Mm…" Meredith held his right hand that was still touching her face. "Thank you… for listening to me--for giving me a chance."

Atlas put his forehead against hers, his eyes closed. His breath fanned against her lips, his words true and genuine, and still capable of making Meredith\'s heart skip a beat as if she fell for him all over again.

"I love you… you\'re mine. Even though I\'m hurt, I won\'t allow myself to share you to him, or anyone else... ever again."