Liberation [completed]

Cupcakes and Hamptons- Mia

The past few weeks have been amazing!

I have never had so much fun working in one place. I have made more real friends here than I ever did in my whole life. Everyone ranging from children to elderly people came in to buy the cupcakes. It only took me one day to conclude that people on this side of town were more civil. They weren't untrusting and living for their own survival. I guess when that was sort of taken out of the equation, people could focus on being nicer to everyone. Everyone was happy and kind, even when there was one rude person, the others made up for it. Plus the rudeness here was not saying 'thank you' or asking you to 'hurry up'; the rude in my past workplaces was treating you like you weren't human and threatening to blow your brains out and then there was constant sexual harassment.

It was like living in a different world. I liked this new world. I loved my life here and I loved the people here. Even my relationship with Asher was better. He insisted on picking me up after work and on the first day he carried me into the apartment cause I'd fall asleep on the car ride home. Asher being the gentleman that he was made sure to take care of me on my first few days. Even now, he demands to give me foot massages even if I ended up kicking him in the stomach cause it was too ticklish.

Mrs Bukowski's cupcakes were really popular and there was always someone in the shop buying something. I still remember how exhausted I felt on my first day, I hadn't sat down at all and my feet hurt from walking back and forth. I longed for the moment I could bend my knees and curl up on a seat. However, the joy of working had managed to dull out the exhaustion until we closed for the day. By then I was so grateful Asher had insisted on picking me up after work. I was too tired to walk back to the apartment.

After closing up that day, I dragged my feet out of the store and looked around for Asher. I had expected him to be waiting outside the store for me but he wasn't there. I had been so busy that day, I didn't have a chance to get a look at my phone, maybe he was going to be late. As I rummaged through my bag for my phone, I couldn't help but feel the disappointment creep into my chest and dig its heels in. I didn't want to be mad at him for not showing up. I knew it was just my tiredness causing the frown on my face as I stared at the blank screen on my phone. Asher hadn't said anything.

Feeling my mood plunge for the deep end I groan out loud and turn the corner deciding to walk back. The bath I was planning to have when I got home already luring me back. But when I turn the corner, I see Asher already staring at me with his signature smirk and I stop feeling my chest explode in my chest. Staring at him now, I realised how much I missed him and wanted him to see me at work today. I also understood what he must feel like every day coming home to me. I knew I wasn't home yet, I wasn't in the bath I desperately needed but just seeing Asher by his car looking at me, made me feel like I was home.

The frown I had on my face transforms into a smile and I feel my chest grow lighter. I couldn't tell if I sighed out loud or in my head as I grinned back at him. I watch, mesmerised as he lifts his hand up and curls his finger in an inward and outward gesture calling me to him. His eyes bore into me and I felt giddy with love and happiness at seeing him. Maintaining the awestruck grin on my face, I make my way to him and stop just in front of him. I inhale taking in his perfect scent- a mixture of leather, aftershave and Asher's distinct scent: Power.

"The shop's still here. That's a good sign, you haven't burnt it down" Asher teases me as I glare at him. He catches my annoyance and I watch the mischief disappear from his eyes. "I'm joking." He says firmly and cups my neck pulling me closer to him as he moves in to kiss me.

Asher kisses me in all the right ways, he gives me the comfort I needed and his arms wrap around me holding me up and shouldering my weight on my feet. He apologises and claims me the way I like him to. When we pull apart, he is still carrying me a little and I grin up at him.