Love's Resilience

STEPPING INTO THE UNKNOWN

I woke up to the most amazing smell wafting through the apartment. Pancakes and bacon. My mouth watered at the thought, and for a moment, I wondered who could be cooking. Then it hit me—Allison.

The realization brought a smile to my face, and I found myself getting out of bed with an unusual spring in my step. After a quick shower, I got dressed for the office, my mind wandering back to the delicious aroma coming from the kitchen.

As I descended the stairs, I stopped midway, catching sight of Allison moving gracefully around the kitchen. She was a vision, her movements fluid and efficient as she flipped pancakes and tended to the bacon. A soft hum escaped her lips, and I couldn't help but admire her.

For a moment, I allowed myself to imagine what it would be like if this were real—if she were here because she wanted to be, not because of a contract. But then, reality snapped back, reminding me that she would be here for only a year. This arrangement was temporary, and I couldn't afford to forget that.

Shaking off the thought, I continued down the stairs, putting on my best morning smile. "Good morning, Allison," I greeted as I entered the kitchen.

She turned to me, her face lighting up with a smile that made my heart skip a beat. "Good morning, Aaron. I hope you don't mind, but I thought I'd make breakfast."

"Not at all," I replied, sitting down at the kitchen island. "It smells amazing."

She placed a plate of pancakes and bacon in front of me, and I couldn't help but notice the slight bruise on her wrist. I wanted to ask her about it, but I didn't want to ruin the moment.

"Thank you," I said, digging into the food. "This is incredible."

Allison blushed, looking pleased. "I'm glad you like it. I thought it would be nice to start the day with a good breakfast."

"It's perfect," I assured her between bites. "You're a fantastic cook."

We ate in comfortable silence for a while, the only sounds being the clinking of cutlery and the sizzle of bacon on the stove. It was a peaceful, almost domestic scene, and I found myself wishing it could last.

After breakfast, I checked the time and realized I needed to get to the office. "I have to get going," I said, standing up. "But thank you for breakfast. It was a great way to start the day."

"You're welcome," she replied, giving me that warm smile again. "Have a good day at work."

I nodded, heading towards the door. "I'll see you later."

As I drove to the office, I couldn't help but think about Allison. There was so much I didn't know about her, so much I wanted to understand. I knew I had to be patient, to give her time to open up. But I also knew that I couldn't let myself get too attached. This was a business arrangement, nothing more.

Yet, as I parked my car and walked into the office, I couldn't shake the feeling that this year might be more complicated—and more important—than I had anticipated.

When I entered the building, I was greeted by the familiar hustle and bustle of the office. Jennifer, my PA, approached me with a stack of files.

"Good morning, Mr. Knight. Here are the documents you requested for today's meetings," she said, handing them over.

"Thanks, Jennifer," I replied, taking the files. "Is there anything else on the agenda for today?"

"Yes, you have a meeting with the board at 10 AM, and lunch with Mr. Richardson to discuss the merger at 1 PM," she informed me.

"Got it. Please reschedule the lunch for tomorrow," I said, thinking about spending more time with Allison later in the day. "And make sure the conference room is ready for the board meeting."