Sanctuary [h.s.]

Chapter Seven

"Is it alright

To feel this way so early?"

***

As the sun hung low in the city skyline, I savored my last evening alone. Tomorrow, Olivia was flying in, and I couldn't be more excited to see her. We had planned a lazy weekend inside together, a perfect escape from the hectic pace of the past week. Olivia was exhausted and needed time to recuperate. While she loved going out, this weekend would be about rest and relaxation, a chance to recharge and to simply enjoy each other's company.

I woke up with an unusual burst of motivation. It felt like I was finally coming to terms with the strange events that had unfolded over the past few weeks. Determined to start the day on a positive note, I went for my morning jog, finding peace in the familiar rhythm of my footsteps and the serenity of the early hours.

Returning home, I took a refreshing shower and decided to put some effort into my appearance. I added curls to my hair and pulled half of it up to keep it out of my face. A touch of light makeup brightened my complexion. For my outfit, I chose a pair of blue denim overalls paired with a white tank top. Wearing overalls always gave me a sense of hardworking purpose, almost like I was channeling the spirit of a farmer.

I put the final touches on some projects before submitting them, leaving the rest of my day relatively free. With a sense of accomplishment, I decided to tidy up the place, organizing and cleaning until the apartment felt fresh and inviting. The sight of a well-kept home always lifted my spirits.

Feeling inspired, I headed to the kitchen to do some baking. I loved the process—measuring ingredients, mixing batter, and filling the apartment with the warm, comforting aroma of freshly baked goods. As I wiped down the counter, ready to dive into my culinary endeavor, my phone began to ring.

Curious, I picked it up and saw "No Caller ID" flashing on the screen. It was likely a spam call, but part of me hesitated, believing that there was a possibility it could be Harry on the other end. I didn't like to get my hopes up in these kind of situations. With a sigh, I decided to answer, just in case.

"Helloo," I answered in a sing-song tone.

"Hello there," Harry's voice came through the phone, its familiarity registering with me. He sounded a bit rougher than usual, gravelly like he had just woken up.

"Good morning," I teased, noting the hour on the clock—just a quarter past four in the evening. "Everything okay?" I inquired, a tinge of concern lacing my words. It struck me as odd for Harry to be calling so soon after his departure yesterday morning.

"What are you doing?" his voice still heavy with sleep.

"Uhm, I was about to do some baking," I replied, my voice slightly muffled as I held the phone to my ear with my shoulder, multitasking as I finished wiping the counter.

"Can I come over?" Harry spoke, a smile evident in his tone.

"Hmm, only if you help," A playful grin grew on my lips.

"I'll be there in twenty," He spoke quickly before the line ended.

With Harry's imminent arrival in mind, I set to work, wiping down the counter and gathering the necessary ingredients for our baking session. As I moved around the kitchen, the soft notes of music from my playlist filled the air, adding a serene backdrop to the evening's activities.

Feeling a mixture of excitement and nervous anticipation, I paced around the space, my eyes darting to the clock with each passing minute. The wait seemed to stretch on, heightening my eagerness for Harry's arrival. So when I finally heard a knock on the door, it startled me, causing me to jump slightly in surprise.