Muda

Intervention (13.)

[A.Ham]

In the morning, I woke to an empty bed. I admit, it was not the best feeling in the world, but a necessary one. Stretching and sitting up, I noticed my room was a bit brighter than usual. Had I slept in? Had Muda slept in? She was rather exhausted yesterday, that's alright. I got up and dressed, and stepping out of my room I was greeted with the smell of food wafting through the house.

"Good morning Muda, got a bit more slee... you're not Muda." I started as I made my way downstairs to the kitchen, but the sight I was greeted with wasn't what I expected. Maria, still in her pajamas, was cooking.

"Morning to you too." She giggled, rolling her eyes at me. "Your little slave didn't make breakfast this morning so I am."

"Where is she then?" I crossed my arms, leaning against the doorframe. Of course, after last night, I'm skeptical.

"How would I know? She's your property." Was the only response I got. I groaned, this woman was going to be the death of me. I gave up on that front to go see if Muda was awake. It didn't take long, as her room was the closest to the stairs. I knocked a few times to give fair warning before opening the door. "Muda?" I asked, peeking into the room. Her bed was made, her room was tidy, a piece of paper laid on her blanket. Frowning, I walked in and picked it up, reading... until I remembered. "MARIA!" I yelled, storming downstairs, the meaningless note crumpled in my hand.

"Yes, Alex dearest?" She replied, a bit too calm for my liking.

"You think you're clever, but you're not. Stop cooking, get your stuff and get out of my house." I growled lowly. She gave a rather convincing shocked face.

"But why? What's wrong? She's gone?" She asked, trying to look concerned.

"Muda can't write. You assumed she had some way of communicating to me if she didn't speak. Wrong again. Now I want you gone before I get home." I didn't have time for this, I walked to the door, grabbing my cloak and hat. "And if I see you back here, I will make sure no one in this city will accept you." And I left.

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I wandered the city for hours, glancing about every alleyway and corner, asking passing people if they've seen her. By noon, I pause in realization that I was... late for work. I should at least explain my absence.

"Mr President, I apologize for my tardiness, but I have been-"

"Looking for Muda?" He finished my sentence as I entered his office, not even looking up from his writing. How did he even... He used his quill to point past me, to my left. In the corner was his reading chair, my slave resting in it, a cloak wrapped around her. "She was sitting outside the office when I got here, alone and asleep in what I assume to be her nightwear. Lord knows how she got there or how long she had been there." He continued his writing, but his scolding tone was clear.

"Sir, if I may explain?" I asked, trying not to flinch.

"You may, and it better be good."

"It's a misunderstanding. The woman who had been staying with me had been mistreating Muda behind my back. I just found out last night, and planned to put her out after her hearing, but something must have happened after I went to sleep. I would never put Muda out like that, Sir." I said, a little too quickly. "As soon as she I realized she was gone, I went looking for her, Sir, all morning." Washington stared at me contemplatively. I always hared when he didn't say anything... it always made me nervous. "Sir, you have to believe me. Maria tried to make it look like she ran away and forged a note, but she didn't realize that Muda couldn't write. I told Maria to leave before I got home."

"Hamilton."

"Yes, Sir?" He took off his glasses, opening a drawer in his desk.

"Here are Muda's papers," He said, holding one of a few sealed envelopes he dug out. "These are papers you might need in the future, and these are papers I'll need incase you fuck up." He noted the other two in his hand. "So, here's what's going to happen. Muda?" Looking beside me, Muda was sitting alert, probably having been listening the whole time. "Do you want to go home with Hamilton today? If not, you will come with me and I'll return you when Hamilton gets a clue of what he wants in his life."

Muda looked to me. She examined me, studied me. I stared in return. How had I missed the darkened circles under her eyes, the creased lines in her forehead from stress or concern... "Please." I said. Less than a month in my life, and I'm afraid to lose her.

Muda stood from the chair, Philip's shirt falling to her thighs, the cloak quickly covering her further. She stepped closer to me, standing on her toes. Her hands went to my shoulders to steady herself as she pressed her lips to my cheek. Barely a heartbeat, but it nearly took my breath away. I wanted to put my arms around her, to hug her, to hold her again like when I would carry her to bed. But, she stepped back from me, and moved by Washington and took a knee at his side.

"Alright then. Hamilton, she'll be with me. Sort out whatever loose ends you need to." Washington said, and I nodded in return. It hurt, I couldn't lie. Was it because I was afraid to lose her that I realized I needed her by my side? She's been a constant presence, a soothing companion for such a short time, but I've learned to lean on her and let her lean on me in return. I...

I needed her.

"Yes, Sir." I said.

I'll get her back.

I had to.

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09/30/17