Fate's Unwritten Path

Chapter Twenty-Two

Sasha's POV:

I woke to the first rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains of the guest bedroom. It was September 15th, and the crisp autumn air had firmly settled in, filling the penthouse with a refreshing chill. The weather was just perfect for cozy outfits, so I slipped out of bed and dressed in black leggings and an orange-brown sweater. The colors reminded me of falling leaves and pumpkin spice lattes. I tugged on my black boots, the ones that were both stylish and warm, and braided my hair, leaving a few front pieces out to frame my face.

When I stepped out of the guest bedroom, the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the penthouse. In the living room, Lucas was on the floor, playing with Scooby and Daisy. He looked up from his spot, a playful glint in his eye. The sight of him with the dogs was oddly comforting, like a scene from a perfect autumn day.

"Morning, Sasha," Lucas greeted, his voice warm and welcoming.

"Morning," I replied with a smile. "What are you up to?"

Lucas shrugged, his eyes still on the dogs. "Just enjoying some time with the pups. What's your plan for today?"

"I'm heading to the library for a bit," I said, adjusting the cuffs of my sweater. "Thought I'd spend some time reading. What about you?"

Lucas's expression shifted slightly, becoming more serious. "I'm getting close to figuring out who broke into your apartment. We should have some answers in the next few days if not today."

Relief washed over me. "That's good to hear. Thanks for keeping an eye on things."

Lucas nodded, his gaze softening for a moment before he turned back to the dogs. I gave Scooby and Daisy a final pat before heading out.

The library was my favorite refuge on a chilly autumn day. I arrived around 9 a.m., feeling the familiar rush of calm as I walked through the doors. The smell of old books and the quiet atmosphere were always soothing. I made my way to a corner table, settled in, and ordered a pumpkin spice latte and a chocolate croissant from the café inside. The warmth of the latte and the rich, flaky croissant were the perfect companions to a morning of reading.

I picked up a stack of romance novels, their covers adorned with autumn themes, and began to immerse myself in their worlds. The library was quiet, save for the soft rustle of pages and the occasional murmur of other readers. Time seemed to slip by unnoticed as I lost myself in tales of love and adventure. I was so absorbed that I barely noticed when the clock struck 1 p.m.

Reluctantly, I gathered my things and left the library, the autumn air cool and crisp against my cheeks. Back at the penthouse, I grabbed the leashes for Scooby and Daisy, ready for our afternoon outing. Ryan, who had become a good friend, was already waiting outside.

"Hey, Ryan," I greeted as I approached. "Ready for a walk?"

Ryan nodded with a grin. "Absolutely. Let's get these two some exercise."

We headed to the park, where Scooby and Daisy's excitement was palpable. They bounded ahead, their tails wagging furiously. Daisy, who was still a bit skittish around water, was particularly amusing as she followed Scooby to the pond's edge. They both barked at the ducks that had ventured into the water, refusing to go in themselves. Watching them was like a live-action comic strip, full of their antics and the ducks' indifferent swims.

The park was lively, with families enjoying the pleasant weather, children laughing, and leaves crunching underfoot. Scooby and Daisy had a blast, and Ryan and I chatted about everything from work to our weekend plans. It felt good to be out and about, enjoying the simple pleasures of the day.

Once the dogs had sufficiently tired themselves out, we made our way back to the penthouse. Lucas still wasn't home, which wasn't unusual given his busy schedule. Ryan decided to give Lucas a call to check in on him, while I headed to the living room to unwind.

I turned on one of my favorite autumn-themed movies, the kind that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. The cozy, nostalgic film was a perfect backdrop to the afternoon, though I started to feel a bit off as time went by. My nose began to run, and a dull ache settled behind my eyes. I brushed it off at first, thinking it was just the change in weather.

By the time the movie was halfway through, I was starting to feel feverish. My head felt heavy, and my limbs seemed unusually fatigued. The combination of the chill in the air and my growing discomfort made me realize I might be coming down with something.

I decided to lay down for a nap, hoping that some rest would help me feel better. With Scooby and Daisy curled up beside me on the couch, I snuggled under a warm blanket. The dogs' gentle breathing and the movie's soft soundtrack created a soothing environment, and I soon drifted off, hoping that a nap would bring relief from the nagging symptoms.

The hours passed, and when I finally woke up, the room was dimly lit by the setting sun. My nose was still running, and my head ached more than before. I felt a bit disoriented as I got up and shuffled into the kitchen to grab some water.

Ryan was still around, and when I spotted him, I thanked him for his help earlier. He reassured me that everything was fine and that Lucas had been busy but would check in soon. I nodded, feeling a bit reassured by his presence.

By the time evening rolled around, I was starting to feel worse. My body was aching, and I could tell that I had a fever. I tried to push through it, but the symptoms were persistent. I decided to make a simple dinner for myself and the dogs, hoping that eating something would help me feel better.

Just as I was finishing up in the kitchen, I heard the front door open, and Lucas's voice carried through the penthouse. He had finally returned. I greeted him as he walked in, feeling a bit self-conscious about how poorly I was feeling.

Lucas's eyes immediately landed on me, and he took in my appearance with concern. "Hey, Sasha. How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay," I replied, though my voice was a bit hoarse. "Just a bit under the weather."

Lucas's gaze softened. "You look like you've been through a lot today. Why don't you go to rest? I'll take care of things here."

I nodded, grateful for his understanding. I shuffled back to the guest bedroom, where Scooby and Daisy had already made themselves comfortable on the bed. I lay down, the warmth of their presence providing some comfort despite my fever.

As I closed my eyes, I could hear Lucas moving around the penthouse, talking to Ryan and checking in on things. The combination of exhaustion and the fever made me feel like I was floating in and out of consciousness. I drifted off again, hoping that tomorrow would bring better health and a clearer mind.