Going for a run always helped me clear my head out. I wish there's a sign that could tell me when my nightmares were going to stop. Life would be a lot easier if there were answers to everything, right? There's a saying that Shannon told me a few weeks ago that said, "Bad things happen, so good thing falls together." How was my life any good now than before? How? If the people I loved were gone now.

Dave was still sleeping by the time I got home, 0630 am. By 0730 am, breakfast had to be ready, so I took a quick shower and started cooking breakfast. He came in time to the kitchen, fresh from his shower and wearing a black suit with a dark navy tie.

"Good morning, Allys."

"Good morning," I greeted him back as he took a seat on the island kitchen. I placed a plate of scrambled eggs with bacon and a bowl of fruit and granola yogurt in front of him. "Do you usually eat your breakfast here or in the dining room?"

"Wow! I usually take a quick cup of coffee and go to work, but this looks delicious!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining like a kid who just found candy in his jeans pockets. "I don't eat in the living room unless there are guests or if it's a special occasion." I nodded, mentally taking note, and was about to walk out of the kitchen when he said, "Come and take a seat! Have breakfast with me."

I turned around. "Is that okay?"

"Why wouldn't it be? Here," he patted on the chair next to him. "You cooked breakfast for two stomachs. There's no way I'm going to be able to finish all this by myself. Besides, it's much more enjoyable if I have company."

"Okay. Thank you, s-" I paused. "Is it okay for me to call you by your first name?"

"It's more than okay," he smiled and started digging his food when I sat next to him, placing my plate on the table. "You're an early bird, aren't you?"

"Pardon?"

"I woke up at 0500 am to finish some work and heard the door. First day and you tried to run away?"

"Sorry. I couldn't sleep, so I went for a run. It's hard for me to get used to things, but I'll get there."

"Don't ever apologize for going for a run. This penthouse is your home now, and you can take all the time and space you need to get used to it. I never had a housekeeper before, so I'll do my part as well."

He served himself a cup of coffee and filled mine too, seeing that it was empty. I thanked him and smiled, appreciating his kindness and honesty. We were both adjusting to something we've never done before, so he was also as new to this as I was.

"What is this?" He looked at the yogurt as if it's the first time he has ever seen it.

"It is called yogurt. Never heard of it?"

He playfully rolled his eyes and smirked, "You think you're funny, huh?"

"Sometimes," I replied, shrugging my shoulders and started eating my yogurt with a spoon. "It's yogurt with fruit and granola. Have you never tasted it?"

He shook his head and finished eating his scrambled eggs and bacon, putting aside the yogurt. "No, I haven't."

"Are you even going to try it?" Something I always hated was people wasting their food.

"I am not going to eat something I've never eaten before. What if I don't like it?"

"You never know if you don't try it. Aren't you the kind of person who's open to new things?"

"Haven't I proved myself by hiring you?" he said, with a smirk on his face and one of his brows raised. "I've never had a maid before, yet here you are."

"Try it, then."

"Is that a challenge?"

I shrugged my shoulders and acted like I didn't say anything while pricking the scrambled eggs with my fork. "I don't know, is it?"

"Yes, it is! You're evil!"

"Well, it's your fault for hiring me," I recalled, chuckling. "You have your own rules, so here's mine: NEVER waste the food I cook."

"It's your fault if I die, then," he joked, but I turned serious. I knew he didn't mean it, but what he said brought me back to my parents' death and Jared. After everything that had happened to me and what I learned from the Army, I took death seriously.

"Fine. I just put it in the fridge, then." I took the yogurt out of his sight, but he immediately snatched it out of my hand.

"Don't! I was kidding. I'll give it a try." I watched him grab the spoon and put the yogurt into his mouth with his eyes closed. He was making weird faces while chewing slowly, and I thought of a way to get him back for making me feel this way.

"Are the strawberries good? You like it?"

"Strawberries?" he asked with horror written all over his face. "Are you fucking kidding me?" I started laughing as he spat it out in the bowl. "That was not funny."

"From my former experience, I take death seriously, so don't ever say that again," I warned him, looking into his dark brown eyes. As a businessman himself, I already knew he knew I was in the Army.

"I won't," he promised and wiped the remaining yogurt from his mouth. "That was delicious, by the way."

"I know," I grinned. I finished my coffee and took the plates to the sink. I was going to take Dave's empty dish, but he wouldn't let me. "It's my job. You don't have to do that."

He left them in the sink and looked at me, "I know, but I wanted to help." We stared at each other's eyes for 3 seconds, which seemed like an eternity until he turned away and left the kitchen.

While washing the dishes, I remembered being like Dave. I was afraid of trying new things, like joining the Military. Was I afraid? Every second. But it was all worth it. Did I regret it? I thought about this question a million times after my parents' funeral. Did I? Sometimes I did, sometimes I did not. But that's the thing. Losing someone you loved, you asked yourself many questions that you start questioning about your life too. That's the moment of change. I wished I had a time machine to go back in time and say all the things I hadn't had the opportunity to tell my parents or Jared.

"I'm leaving now for work." His voice interrupted my thoughts, and I turned around. He had a gray coat on, a black scarf wrapped around his neck that looked like it was choking him, and a black leather briefcase in his left hand. "You've already got my number, so text me or call me if you need anything, okay? And thank you for breakfast. It was delicious."

"You're welcome."

"See you at lunch." He waved his hand goodbye.

"Bye! Have a nice busy day!"

Cleaning the entire penthouse felt like I was invading his personal space, especially his room. Did Judy also feel this way? Was she uncomfortable when she had to clean our underwear too? Cause I was. Dave's underwear were all from Calvin Klein: boxers, briefs, trunks, and boxer briefs, and I couldn't take off my mind that I was touching them, even though they were clean. It felt intimate. And not only did I find that he was insanely neat, but I also found dresses, shoes, and a woman's lingerie. They were very sexy and probably from the girl from yesterday.

His office was the last room I cleaned and the one I spent most of my time admiring his vast collection of Agatha Christie and Charles Dickens's books. He seemed like the type of guy who enjoyed reading crime, mystery, and classic books. Just like Jared, and that made me smile.

Exhausted, I went to my room and laid on my queen-size bed before cooking lunch. My room, painted in a light gray just like the carpet, was simple but sophisticated with warm colors and a big round mirror near the door. It seemed like I was sleeping in a hotel room with breathtaking views of the ocean. It was different from Dave's modern room, painted in dark colors and bigger. He told me I could decorate it as I pleased to make myself more comfortable, but I found it already perfect for me. I didn't want to be too attached to a temporary room. 

***

I fall asleep, and the ringing of my phone woke me up. It was a missed call from Judy. Because of the 5 hour time difference between Chicago and Hawaii, it was already past noon here. It was 0730 in the morning there.

"Good morning Judy. How are you?" I slid the glass door of the balcony and stepped outside. The cold made me shiver, so I zipped up my jacket before taking a seat in the white chair.

"Hello, sweetheart," she greeted excitedly. "I'm fine. We all are. You should see these amazing views I have on my terrace! Wait, I'm going to Facetime you."

"It's okay. You don't have-" Accepting the videocall, my screen switched from the call to beautiful views of the ocean. The sound of the waves bringing me back to the first trip Jared and I went on in South Carolina. "It's beautiful! I'm happy you're all having a good time."

"Thanks to you," she said, turning her camera to the front. "How are you? How's work going so far? Is the lad treating you nice?"

"It's only been a day, but yes, he's treating me well so far." We first started on the wrong foot, but he turned up to be funny and kind. And I wondered for a moment how Judy and Dave met.

"I'm gonna kill him if he is not," she said with a furrowed brow, and I shook my head, looking down at my cold hands. I knew Judy wouldn't hurt a fly, so there was a tiny chance she could hurt him.

"Don't worry. I think I can do that myself."

"I'm sure you will," she smiled. "I miss you, darling."

"I miss you too." It hasn't been a day, and I already missed them. Shannon was busy with work and meetings that I only got to see her only on weekends. "I gotta go to buy some groceries for lunch, but I'll call you later before going to bed."

"Sure. I'll be waiting for your call."

"I know." I smiled. "Enjoy your breakfast and say hi to them from me."

"I will. Love you," Judy said, kissing the camera, which made me smile. "Take care, will ya?"

"I will."

Hope you like it, I know this chapter was naaah but I have something good for you in the next chapters, so you better catch up ;)

Vote and comment, I'd really appreciate if you do :) Also, which places did you go and where do you plan to go this summer vacation, why and with who?

Have a nice weekend! <3

XOXO