Chapter 57 - Cursed (1/2)

”So where are we going?” Meredith asked as she walked from her bedroom to the lounge area where Atlas was waiting for her.

He was sitting on a couch dressed in a khaki short, a white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a dark aviator sunglass to complete the look.

His hair was tousled and he looked so carefree and different than the brooding Atlas Martini she knew.

He looked at her dress and his brows arched into a frown.

”What?” Meredith asked as she came to stand in front of him.

”You look so beautiful and cute in that dress. I don't want other guys to ogled at you or else I'm afraid I will dig someone's eyes for staring at you.”

Meredith glanced at the red sundress she was wearing and rolled her eyes.

”This is such an ordinary dress, Atlas. I'm sure no one would even notice me. And I'm wearing this big glasses. Guys don't ogle at girls with glasses.”

A grin tugged at his lips as he stood up, ”You have no idea how perfect you are, my sweet Meredith and you're mine. Also, I like your glasses, it's cute.”

Atlas looked like he was in a bit of trance as he stared at her. Meredith broke into laughter, ”You look like a love-struck puppy right now.”

Atlas stiffened and smiled slowly before stepping back, ”Well, look at you, who wouldn't?”

Meredith smiled and squeeze his arms. With him she felt truly desired and wanted considering the fact that she had felt ugly throughout her life.

”Let's go.”

Ten minutes later, they were walking along the beach with the wind blowing through her hair.

”You know my mother loved beaches. We would go every weekend with my dad. It's one of my happiest memories as a child.” Atlas suddenly said breaking the silence.

A ghost of smile fleetingly touched his lips. ”She was so carefree and had the most beautiful smile. I remember my dad saying something about her leaving her life behind to be together with him to start a family.

She always asked me what type of woman I would marry when I was older. I said I will never marry mom; I'm going to stay with you for the rest of my life.”

Atlas spoke fondly of his mother. There was the unmistakably hint of sadness in his voice and a tremor that betrayed old pain but he smiled.

”She will shake her head and call me naïve but I was serious though. I loved my mom more than anything and I always tried to put a smile on her face because I loved her smile so much.”

Atlas looked away and gazed out to the ocean.

”Even when she was taking her last breath, she didn't forget to smile at me and tell me how much she loves me. ”

Atlas's shoulders sagged a little but he took a deep breath and straightened his back.

”Then when I was eighteen I fell in love with someone apart from my mom for the first time. Cassandra was her name.”