|A L W A Y S & F O R E V E R| B O O K 1

10|S t e p p i n g O u t

Date: 4/29/15
Day of the Week: Wednesday
Location: Los Angeles, California
Place: Ciara's Condo

Russell
I tiptoed down the hallway, careful not to make too much sound. Once I passed her room and got downstairs, I went to the kitchen. Since Ciara wasn't feeling the best, I figured I'd cook her breakfast in bed. It was an act of kindness to make her feel a bit better. I scanned through her fridge, took out everything I needed, and placed it on the island. Afterwards, I got started on breakfast. It was done in twenty minutes. I got a bed tray and put her plate on it with a glass of orange juice before walking upstairs to her room. I sat the tray on the floor before knocking. She didn't answer, so I figured she was still asleep. I cracked the door open and peeked through.

"Ci..." She didn't answer, so I figured she was in the shower. I picked the tray back up and opened the door a little more to walk in. She gasped and jumped at my sight.

"I'm so sorry. I swear I didn't see anything." I covered my eyes as I closed the door back. Before leaving, I placed the bed tray down in front of her door.
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Omniscient
Ciara clutched onto her robe as her chest heaved up and down. She ran her fingers through her wet hair before continuing to find her undergarments. When she found a matching pair, she slipped her robe off and put them on. She got a long-sleeved button-up plaid shirt and a pair of ripped blue jeans from her closet and put them on. Her hair was still wet from her shower. She left it how it was and headed for the door to go downstairs. When she opened it and saw the bed tray in front of it, she smiled. She picked it up and took it downstairs with her.

"Thanks." Russ looked up from his phone.

"You're welcome. It was something I wanted to do for you after yesterday. I know you're tired, and you could use a break."

"Well, thanks again." She smiled weakly. She took a seat on one of the barstools at the island and took a bite of the breakfast burrito.

"This is good. I didn't know you could cook." He tilted his head to the side.

"Do I look like somebody who can't heat a microwave dinner without burning it?" She shook her as she laughed.

"I mean...you kind of do. I've never seen you touch a microwave, let alone a stove." His mouth hung open at her words.

"You can close your mouth now. You know it's true."

"But still-"

"I don't wanna hear it. You always order takeout, or we either eat out for lunch. You never cooked for me while I was here."

"But I cooked you breakfast."

"I'm still questioning that. How do I know you didn't get someone else to cook it?"

"You know what? I'm not saying another word. You'll just have to see for yourself tonight."

"And what's happening tonight?" She raises her brow in confusion.

"I'm taking you out."

"Taking me out? Russ I-"

"As friends, Ci. It doesn't have to be anything more than that."

"Well, what about Zahir? I don't want him out in the night air, and I can't just leave him here by himself."

"I know that. That's why I called Alani last night after you went to sleep." He says, referring to Lala.

"She's going to watch him for a couple of days. She'll be here soon."

"And if I would've said, no?"

"You didn't have a choice." He chuckled.