36 Happiness

Meredith let out an excited moan with her eyes closed. The soup was just perfect. The way the flavors blended well with each other and the basil leave floating on top of the soup made it looked rich. She savored the delicious taste of the soup with a soft smile on her face.

"Is-it okay?" Atlas asked, staring at her.

Meredith opened her eyes and looked up at him, "It's the best soup I have ate since my mom died!" Meredith said, sadness flashing across her eyes before she broke into a wide grin.

"Really?"

"Yes!"

A relieved look washed over his face and a smile broke through his lips.

"I didn't know you were such a good cook. Your wife would be lucky!"

Meredith said, giving him a playful glare.

Atlas shook his head smiling, "I don't really know how to cook. I had to call my chef to assist me. He gave me the instructions and guided me."

"Wait, what?" Meredith said, shocked and confused.

"You mean you followed your chef's instructions and prepared this masterpiece?"

Atlas shrugged and sat beside her.

"So, you went through all the trouble for me?"

Meredith stared at Atlas, studying his face as she processed his words. He had shown up at her doorstep with a gift because of her stomach cramps and now he had even gone through all these troubles just because she told him to prepare food for her.

Nothing was sexier than a man who learns a skill just to make his woman happy. Now she truly believes the words; if he wants to do it, he would from the books she had been reading.

"Why?" Meredith questioned. She wanted to know why he was going through all these troubles for her. She wouldn't even say they were friend yet.

They were just fuck buddies so why was he being so kind and warm to her? After all, he made it clear that he wanted no emotional attachment with her.

"What do you mean why? You're mine remember? I own your body and it's only proper that I take care of it." His face broke into a crooked grin.

Flustered, Meredith nodded and focused on eating.

"So…aren't you hungry too?" Meredith asked breaking the silence enveloping them.

"No, I ate before coming to work. I never skip breakfast."

"Oh?"

"Yeah my parents made sure I always take my breakfast and when they died, my brother took over."

"You have a brother?" Meredith asked, clearly interested in this piece of information.

"Yes, I do." Atlas said as he looked down.

"So where is he now? I have been working for you for almost a month now, I haven't seen or heard about this mysterious brother."

Meredith was eager to know more about his personal life. He seemed so close off it was hard getting to know him.

"In coma." He said looking up at her.

Meredith watched Atlas, noticing a painful expression on his face.

"Oh-I'm so sorry, do you want to talk about it?" she asked, reaching to give his hand a squeeze.

"Ace…that's his name. " A sad smile etched on his face.

"We are twins but he is the older one. After our parents died, he took the role. He took care of me, made me food and was always there for me. I remember I used to get bullied after my parents died but he never helped me.

I hated him for that. He was supposed to protect me since he was stronger. But he didn't. He said if I don't learn how to stand on my own, I will never make it in life."

Atlas's shoulders slumped, "I thought he was just making an excuse not to save me but one day he saved me. Then made me promise him to always fight for myself."

For the first time, Meredith saw vulnerability lingering Atlas's eyes.

"After that incident, one of my father's friends came for us. We stayed with him couple of years before we came back. Stronger and better."

His lips curled up a little at the memory. "Unfortunately, one year ago, my brother had an accident. He lost his fiancée who was carrying their child. He was so in love you know?

I never thought my brother was capable of love because he is the coldest, emotionless and heartless person you will ever met but that woman changed him."

Meredith's eyes popped out of her socket, "T-That's awful! So, he doesn't even know he has lost his fiancée and child yet. This is truly heartbreaking."

Atlas nodded, "Hmm I hope he wakes up soon and when he does this information doesn't break him."

Noticing the hint of pain within his eyes, Meredith couldn't help but leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the cheeks.

"He will wake up soon, don't worry." Meredith said softly.

Atlas nodded, "Hmm, hurry up and eat before the food gets cold."

"Yes Sir." Meredith rasped playful while she glanced at Atlas. His blue eyes were glinting with some unknown emotion.

"You better behave yourself Angel, a little blood wouldn't scare me." He leaned closer and whispered in her ears

Meredith nearly choked and the spoon fell from her hands and clattered nosily against her bowl.

"You-"

Atlas busted into laughter and Meredith found herself in trance staring at him. She has never seen him laugh this heartily before and to know that she was the reason for his happiness, she couldn't help but grin along with him.

"You should laugh more often. You look so enthralling when you laugh." Meredith said when he stopped laughing.

Atlas leaned back, with a faint flush on his cheeks and a sparkle in his eyes, he smiled.