Whispers of My Sweetheart

Chapter 3 ~ Day 4...

Chapter 3 ~ Day 4...

Light filtered through the curtains pulling Aster from her drifting sleep into wakefulness. Her mind slowly registered the stiff and itchy bed sheets sending Aster into a moment of disorientation. ‘Where am I? In the hospital?’ Her panicked thoughts raced through her mind.

Slowly out of the shadows developed her tiny Taipei apartment, along with her sense of relief. It was her third morning since arriving, but she still awoke confused like it was her first.

Stretching away the dull ache that always lingered in her arms after sleeping, a phantom sensation of holding someone within them. This manifestation of unremembered longing causing pain in her heart.

Sitting upright she wiped the sleep dust from her eyes, then with eyes still closed she allowed her emotions and mind run free. Going over, under and through each other, until they were balanced enough with her physical state that she could start her day. It had become a ritual she needed, in order to continue in life and her constant mission put the past behind her.

With a sigh, she climbed out of bed and trudged towards her bathroom. Looking back at the stark white sheets on her bed, it occurred to her that maybe she should ask Lucy to help her find some new comfy ones.

Feeling cleansed, Aster exited the bathroom wrapped in a towel. Reaching for her cell, she put on her morning playlist, starting with Delacy’s version of ‘Dream It Possible’. Singing along she rifled through her closet and half unpacked suitcase for an outfit to wear. By the time she was pulling on her chunky heeled ankle boots, the playlist had moved on through several songs and Lost Prophets ‘Where we belong’ had started to play. Flicking her headphones on she rocked along with the music as she headed out the door.

Purchasing a caramel latte from a nearby cafe, she power walked her way to the office, only taking one wrong turn on the way. Lucy had met her the day before at her apartment, and they had done a brief walk around to find a new SIM for Aster’s phone then planned a route for Aster to use to get to work.

Aster greeted the ladies as she entered reception. Lucy had a warm smile for her, as she remarked on Asters good mood.

“An upbeat playlist and a real, decent coffee will do that for you” Aster happily commented, tucking her headphones away. Andy, knowing and trusting Aster, had allowed her to have flexible hours, starting and ending the day whenever she felt needed. On the proviso that she completed all tasks required, informed Lucy or Wei-ting of her expected start time for the next day and logged around 45 hours a week. It would be no different from what he would have done if he came.

In her office a few hours later, Aster sat exasperated trying to make sense of the half translated reports in front of her. The focus on the production of the drama had started to put a strain on the companies finances. It was one of the things Andy had been called back, however Aster, having a slightly higher than a basic understanding of accountancy, had been confident she would serve well in his place. Jason had the business mind but was unfocused lately, so she hoped to find places where they could save money.

“Cup of tea,” Lucy’s quiet voice came as she placed a mug on the table in front of Aster.

“Thanks” Aster looked up her a spied a box in Lucy's hands.

“This arrived for you,” Lucy explained, handing it to her.

Unsure who would send a package to her, Aster quickly examined the outside looking for clues. Unsatisfied to find none, she quickly opened it. Inside she discovered different coloured crepe paper made into carnation-like flowers. Pulling out the top layers of firmly packed fake tissue flowers, Aster found cushioned amongst them a silver frame with ‘Friends Forever’ carved on it. The photo in the centre was one of Aster and Andy from a charity ball he had dragged her along too. With one arm wrapped around her shoulders, he had jumped into her arms. The photographer had managed the timing perfectly, capturing them laughing while Andy extended his other arm out past his head and his legs in the opposite direction. Aster had barely coped to hold him up for it and had dropped him on his arse mere seconds after the click.