Muda

Debate (6.)

[A.Ham.]

There's that smell again. It smelled so warm and welcoming, so gentle. What a way to coax me to consciousness. I opened my eyes, rolling over in bed to see Muda kneeling as she had just yesterday. The tray resting balanced in her lap, this time with two bowls and two mugs of tea. Good, she remembered. What she didn't remember, or didn't bother to do yet as it's still early, was to get redressed. The shirt hung loosely on her frame, the unbuttoned top gave a view of her womanly form... one that didn't disappoint. Her hair was braided, draped over her shoulder lazily, probably just to keep it from being too wild as she did her cooking. Definitely a beauty of a woman. Muda noticed the staring again, as a blush rose on her cheeks. She straightened up, tentatively raising the tray to set it on my side table. I sat up as well, taking the moment to play it off as morning fatigue.

"Good morning, Muda. I trust you slept well?" I ask, taking one of the bowls and handing it to her. She nodded, lowering the bowl to her lap. "Good, and I see you remembered to make food for yourself too. I'm proud." Her face lit up at the praise, and I smiled in return. "It's important you eat too, you seem to like to keep yourself busy often. And today, you'll be coming back with me to the office so make sure you are presentable. You may eat." I said, taking my mug of tea to drink. Damn, she's good. She looked up to me between spoonfuls, simply gazing at me. The brass of her tag glints in the morning light, kind of like her eyes.

After breakfast and finally getting properly dressed (which earned a relieved feeling from me), I helped Muda tie her bow while she put her hair in a bun, the lock on the back of her collar on display.

"Leave you hair down." I said softly, earning a nod from her. She pulled the ribbon free, retying it like a headband, to keep it out of her face, but leaving her bangs draped over her forehead. "Good. Get your cloak and shoes, we're leaving."

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"Good morning, Hamilton, Muda." Washington greeted, and I shook his hand.

"Mr President, good morning." I said, Muda bowed beside me. "I think I'll be bringing Muda with me most days, if that's alright. Feel free to borrow her to run notes. Preferably within the building, she's not familiar with New York." Muda glanced at me, before looking back to Washington.

"I'll keep that in mind. Can you write, Muda?" He asked her, but she shook her head. "Ahh, okay."

"She's rather good at listening, though be careful. She might doze off on you." I smirked, the blush returning to her cheeks. She probably was remembering last night.

"Don't tell me you subjected this poor woman to your endless lectures." Washington groaned playfully, turning to go down the hall, towards our offices.

"Well, she didn't want to go sleep, so I put her to work in helping me proof my draft." I defended, earning a small huff of a chuckle from the woman. "Hey, you enjoyed my talk about neutrality in war." I glanced behind us to her, seeing her hide her smile behind her hand. "Well, just for that, you can go with Washington and run his errands. I, unfortunately, need to go find the prince of periwinkle."

"Alright. I'll babysit for you. Come, Muda." He said, continuing down the hall. Muda lingered, though. She stared at me, a spark of nervousness. She stepped forward to me, but Washington called after her. "Muda?"

"Don't worry. I trust him. You'll be okay. Now do as you're told." I took her cheek in my hand, stroking gently. I felt her sigh and nod, stepping back from me to run down the hall to where Washington was waiting.

Now to deal with the overgrown silkworm.

I really don't have the stamina to deal with this shit.