𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑋𝑜𝑛𝑒

𝑋𝑋𝑋

I lay there in the quiet aftermath, her words echoing in my mind, I'll love you always. Her voice, soft and full of promise, played on repeat, filling the room with an invisible warmth. I turned slightly to watch her as she slept, her face serene, her breathing steady, and her hand resting just inches from mine. She was on her back, completely at ease, her beauty even more radiant in sleep.

The weight of her words sank in, each syllable wrapping around my heart. I could hardly believe it, but there was a calm certainty that settled over me. I had never felt so vulnerable, yet so profoundly safe. I'll love you always, I whispered back, my voice barely a breath in the stillness, as if hoping my own silent promise would reach her even in sleep.

Gently, I reached out, letting my fingers trace a delicate line down her steel core, memorizing the softness of her skin. I wanted to savor this moment, to hold onto the purity of it, knowing that no matter what came next, this was ours, untouched, unbreakable, and held in the stillness of the night.

I watched her chest rise and fall, each breath steady and peaceful, her body so still yet alive with a quiet strength. My hand, almost of its own accord, began to trace a path up along her toned abs, soft and warm beneath my fingertips, the gentle curve so familiar yet endlessly captivating.

She stirred just a little, her lips parting as if lost in a dream. I hesitated for a moment, savoring the tenderness of it all, the closeness that felt both fragile and eternal. There was something comforting in knowing every inch of her like this, the small details that made her undeniably herself, and realizing that this was where I belonged, right here, beside her, held in the intimate quiet of the night.

She shifted slightly, her face turning toward me, and I couldn't help but smile. In her sleep, she looked so peaceful, almost childlike, her features soft, her lips slightly parted, and a stray curl falling over her cheek. There was something so endearing about seeing her like this, unguarded and relaxed, her usual poise giving way to this quiet vulnerability.

I brushed the curl gently away from her face, careful not to wake her. In that moment, just watching her, I felt my heart swell with a warmth that only she could bring. She was adorable, and it struck me how lucky I was to see her like this, to know her in ways the world never could.

I awoke slowly, my mind still lingering on the softness of last night, every touch and whispered promise. Reaching out instinctively, my hand met only cold sheets, the emptiness of her side stark against the warmth I still felt inside. My eyes opened fully, adjusting to the morning light streaming in from the open balcony. I glanced around the room, but Janet was nowhere in sight.

The gentle breeze from the open doors sent a chill over me, and I shivered, feeling an ache from the absence of her beside me. The curtains swayed softly, hinting at her recent presence, but the balcony was empty. I told myself she might've stepped out for coffee, or maybe just to breathe in the fresh morning air. But deep down, I couldn't ignore a small, anxious tug in my chest.

Memories from last night came rushing back, the way she'd held me, the look in her eyes, her voice echoing in my mind, "I'll love you always." And yet, here I was, alone in the quiet aftermath. For a moment, I considered just lying there, hoping she'd return, but curiosity and that lingering sense of unease finally urged me to get up.

I wrapped a blanket around myself and made my way to the balcony, looking out at the early morning city below, the soft hum of life beginning anew. There was something beautiful and bittersweet in the view, and for a moment, I wondered if she'd been out here, staring at the same sights, perhaps lost in her own thoughts.

Just as I stood there, lost in thought, I heard a faint voice from outside the room. Janet's voice. My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly peeked my head out, catching sight of her standing by the doorway, talking to someone in the hallway.