In your shadows || Sierra six

CHAPTER 5

(Present)

Donald's proposition lingered in my mind, making me question everything. Why, out of all people, would he choose me to take care of his niece? I could barely manage my own life, let alone be responsible for a child. The idea seemed absurd, almost laughable, but Donald seemed serious. At least he gave me time to think about it—he's expecting an answer by the end of the week. He mentioned that her name is Claire, and she's sick or something like that. I wasn't really paying attention. He said she's supposed to move in with him in a couple of weeks because of some issue with her mom, but I couldn't focus on the details. My mind kept drifting back to Yelena. My sweet Yelena.

I'm currently staying at Donald's house while he's away on a business trip. The place is massive, with a pool and a sprawling backyard. It's a far cry from the cramped, suffocating spaces I've known most of my life. Here, there's an abundance of quiet, a kind of peace I haven't felt in ages. I spend most of my time either baking or reading, finding solace in these simple activities. This house, with its calm and comfort, almost feels like home—a sensation I haven't experienced in what feels like forever.

I'm grateful that Donald let me have this opportunity because, honestly, I don't know where I'd be without him. The nightmares still come, but they aren't as bad as they used to be. They seem to flare up with stress, but in this serene environment, they've become more manageable.

The kitchen here is beautiful, spacious and filled with light. I've taken to baking, something I haven't done in years. I experiment with recipes, trying to recreate the pastries I used to make back when I worked at the bakery. Sometimes they come out great; other times, not so much. But it's the process that I find comforting, the familiar motions of mixing and kneading, the smell of dough rising in the oven. Poor Bob, my old manager—he probably thinks I'm dead. Or worse, that I ran off and got married.

At night, I turn to reading to help me unwind. I light a candle I bought from a small market a couple of blocks away, and the scent of lavender quickly fills the room, wrapping me in its soothing embrace. I get under my fluffy blanket and turn on the LED lights strung around my bed frame, their soft flicker creating a cozy ambiance. Usually, I prefer thrillers or mysteries, but lately, I've been reading a romance novel I picked up from the bookstore on my way home. It's a nice change of pace, something lighter to balance out the heaviness in my heart.

Sometimes I treat myself to a glass of almond milk with chocolate chip cookies sitting on my nightstand, but tonight I have some oatmeal raisin cookies left over from last night's baking session. The warm, sweet taste of the cookies pairs perfectly with the soft glow of the lights and the quiet of the night. It's in these small moments that I feel a semblance of normalcy, a reminder that there's still a life worth living outside the shadows of my past.

"Ah, this is comfort," I thought to myself as I sank deeper into the warmth of my bed, savoring the rare feeling of peace. The thought of leaving this beautiful place filled me with reluctance. The more I considered it, the more I realized that I didn't want to give up this newfound sanctuary. So, I made a decision—I'd take Donald's offer. How hard could it be? And besides, if Claire was anything like Donald, I was sure she'd be wonderful.

With a newfound resolve, I quickly picked up my phone and dialed Donald's number. He answered almost immediately, his voice a bit raspy, which made me think I might have woken him up.

"Hello? Is something wrong?" Donald asked, his tone tinged with concern.

"Hey, sorry, Donald, did I wake you up?" I replied, suddenly feeling a bit guilty for disturbing his sleep.

"Yeah, you did. What is it?" he responded, his voice groggy but patient.

"I just wanted to let you know that I've decided—I want to take care of Claire," I said, my voice more certain than I felt.