32 Guilt

Meredith entered the bathroom and locked it behind her. Fortunately, it was on the same floor as Atlas's office. She was panting from her heart hammering in her chest.

Meredith went over the bathroom sink and turned on the water. She let it run while she tried to calm her beating heart. Meredith stared at herself in the mirror with her face paled.

She cupped her hands as she filled them with water and splashed her face trying to snapped out of her fears.

She looked up breathing hard, "Calm down Meredith. No one is going to know. It's just your guilt. It's all in your head." She muttered under her breath.

She cupped her hands one last time and splashed the water on her face. Meredith reached for a tissue nearby and dried her face as she looked up in the mirror.

She has no idea what she was going to tell Atlas when he asks what was wrong with her. It's not like she could tell him she was having a panic attack because his words triggered some memories. Memories that eat away at her sanity, reducing her to a gibbering wreck.

Meredith took a deep, pained breath and closed her eyes. She wonders what he would when he realizes that she ki-

She heard a banging on the washroom door interrupting her thoughts. Meredith opened her eyes and looked at the door. Her brows furrowed because the washroom was at Atlas's floor and no one apart from her, Atlas or business associates used it when they attended a meeting and had to use it. So, who was it?

"Meredith!" Atlas shouted through the door still banging hard.

Meredith froze, her tongue darted out her mouth to lick her lips. Fuck she wasn't expecting him to follow her. Now what should she do?

"If you don't open, I will break down the door!" Atlas roared.

Meredith ran to the door and unlocked it. Taking a deep breath, she swung it open and there was her boss.

"Are you okay?" He asked looking at her with a worried look on his face.

"Yes, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to make you worry." She explained, avoiding her gaze.

"Are you sure, Angel? Because you're shaking right now."

Meredith stiffened and looked at him. Did he call her Angel? Does this mean he is acting like Atlas right now?

"A-Atlas…"

Atlas moved closer to her and took her hands which were shaking.

"Yes dear, talk to me. What is wrong? Did I scare you? Did I say something wrong?" Atlas's eyes narrowed as his eyebrows pulled together.

Meredith struggled to find what to say to him. She knew she was a bad liar and Atlas would find out if she lies.

"Angel- "

"I'm bleeding!"

She blurted out while she blushed, hating herself for saying this. It's not like she was lying though. She had had her period this morning. So, she decided to use that as an excuse for her bolting out of his office looking pale.

Atlas widened his eyes, his whole body tensed. After a few seconds, he snapped out of whatever trance he was in.

"Bleeding? Where? Are you hurt?" He searched her body and turned her around, concern etched in his tone.

"Tell me Angel, who hurt you?" He asked darkly.

Meredith stood there stunned. She really wasn't expecting him to behave like this. Her mouth moved, but remained soundless with shame.

How does she explain to him, that nobody hurt her?

"No one hurt me."

""But you said you are bleeding?" Atlas questioned.

"Yes—That….it's that time of the mo-nth—" She cringed inwardly as she stuttered.

"What time?" Confusion marred on his face.

Meredith wanted to disappear right now. How could he be this dumb?

Taking a deep breath she fought the blush and pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose with her index finger.

"Every month, a woman bleeds for about 2-7 days." She explained looking on the floor.

"Oh." Atlas said awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. If Meredith had looked up she would have seen the blush on his face.

"Yeah…"

Silence enveloped them until Atlas cleared his throat.

"So….are you in pain?" He asked softly.

Meredith shook her head. "I'm normally fine on the first day. But the pain starts from the second day." She explained, the blush deepened on her cheeks.

Atlas nodded, "Do you want me to give you some days off?"

Meredith shook her head. She didn't want to be by herself in the house. Alone with her thoughts. Her brother had gone for a school camp and Sofia was out of the country. She was visiting her parents in another country.

"If you are pain, tell me okay? I don't want you to suffer alone. I know there is not much I can do but I can at least accompany you." He said placing a soft kiss on her forehead, giving her a soft smile.

Meredith bit her lips and nodded.

"T-that…we are at the office…" She trailed off.

Atlas chuckled, "No, we are not. We are at the washroom, sneaking around. I hope your boss doesn't find us."

Meredith stared at him and shook her head, a soft smile tugging at her lips.

"Then I better go, before he comes looking for me."

"Yeah.." Atlas agreed.

They both stared at each other without saying anything. Meredith felt his gaze on her lips and swallowed. She really didn't want to be aroused while bleeding. That will be like shooting herself in the foot.

Clearing her throat, she looked away. "I have to go."

Atlas just stood there without saying anything. Meredith walked past him, when she reached the door, he spoke.

"I hope one day, you will trust me enough to tell me your secrets, Meredith. You don't have to bear everything alone."

Meredith tensed. How-what-why was he saying that? Did he know that she was hiding something?

Without turning to look at him, she walked out of the washroom without replying him.