The Taste of Seduction

Waiting-such a difficult thing to do. The clock was ticking so slow for some reason. Atlas sat in front of the hospital theatre rocking back and forth. His eyes stared at the wall in a daze. He hadn't spoken a word since they brought Meredith to the hospital.

Albert, Adam and James sat beside him, showing their support for him. None of them had asked him what happened. James called them and briefly explained what had happened to them.

They quickly rushed here and Albert called Sofia to inform her too. After all, she was the only family Meredith had. Her brother was too young to be informed about this on the phone.

Atlas couldn't get the image from his mind. The tears in his Angel's eyes or the pool of blood that gushed from her stomach. He felt so useless. He couldn't do anything, anything to save his angel.

He jolted forward crashing his head forward into his palms as he squeezed his eyes shut.

"Atlas! Atlas!" A weak voice called out quickly approaching him. Atlas slowly turned to look at the voice and his muscle stiffened. The familiar face made his throat tightened. He heard a roaring in his ears and lost track of what others were saying.

He stood up with his lips quivering. Quick painful breath got caught in his throat, making him choke. He couldn't speak, although he tried no word came out of his mouth.

He finally reacted when he felt the person pulled him in a hug. He knew he didn't have to act tough anymore. He was finally here. For once he could be that lonely, vulnerable boy.

Atlas squeezed his eyes as he breathed his scent in. it was the most soothing scent in the world.

"It's faultshe.dying.all.fault..i'm so scared that I'm going to lose her. Lose her like all of them."

Ace said nothing as he held his brother. He was the only one who knew what would happen to Atlas if he wasn't around. Unbridled emotion fleet through his eyes. He had seen him like this before. Helpless, vulnerable, powerless.

Atlas pulled away from his brother. He had so many questions but he didn't know where to start. His brain was foggy. Even though, Ace's expression was blank like a canvas, the haunted look in his eyes couldn't be missed.

"How?"

"I woke up 2 days ago. You weren't around so I decided to surprise you.I heard what happened since it's all over the news and decided to come right away. I was afraid-"

Ace paused, Atlas met his eyes and a look passed between both of the brothers.

"I-I "

The last time Atlas had lost Cassandra he had nearly lost his sanity. Being a Martini came with a price. A price that made them messed up in a way that couldn't be resolved with any amount of pills except the comfort of one of them.

They were like fire and ice. One always there to calm the raging inferno in the other.

"Don't blame yourself Atlas. It's not your fault"

Ace said in cool voice devoid of any emotion. Atlas didn't know if he was talking about his accident or Meredith getting shot.

"B-but.." He blubbered.

"I-I-I cursedall of them dying.."

Ace sighed. Atlas might have grown during these past few years but deep down he was still the little boy who found his parents lying in a pool of blood. The teenager who watched the woman he loved getting hit by a car and now this.

Ace had no idea who the woman was but the moment he watched the news and saw his brother holding a lifeless woman who was bleeding to death with the familiar look in his eyes he knew he had to come get him before he lost the last thread of sanity he had left.

"I don't know who she is but listenyou have to be strong for her. I don't think she would want you to blame yourself." Ace encouraged him

Atlas nodded.

Their attention was brought to the opening of theatre door where a doctor came out holding a clipboard.

His face revealed nothing as they all waited for him. Atlas recognized him. it was Alex.

"H-how is she?" Atlas stuttered. Alex looked from his clipboard and gave Atlas a small smile.

"She is still under anesthetic. I have been informed her surgery is still ongoing but I have no information on the progress so far." He explained to them.

Atlas said nothing. It was almost four hours. Why wasn't she out yet? He needed to see her. Needed to touch her and then tell her how much she meant to him.

"Alright thank you." Ace replied.

Another agonizing hour passed by. It was almost 10pm in the night. Atlas sat in the corner, with Ace beside him. he felt so drained, incomplete and guilt crawling inside him.

Albert had left to pick Sofia from the airport. She took the next flight the moment she heard the news.

"Do you love her?" Ace finally spoke breaking the agonizing silence in the room.

"I-I-it's complicated." He muttered looking down the floor.

"Hmm.let me guess. You're still scared to fall in love after all these years. I thought seeing me happy with Helena would change your mind."

Atlas stiffened at the mention of his dead wife's name. How could he forget such an important thing?

"I'm sure mom would want you to be happy and not blame yourself over things you have no control over. Allow yourself to have happiness because you deserve it. You have been through a lot already."

The door of the theatre suddenly opened. Atlas was the first person to stand up as he watched the surgeon made his way towards them.

"How is she?" Ace asked the question since Atlas was too scared to hear the answer.

The surgeon cleared his throat and glanced at all of them. He took a deep breath and without hesitation he gave the information they were all waiting for.

"Miss Rossi is-"