Ch. 15: Morning Light
702 Words
Morning came quietly.
Soft sunlight slipped through the curtains.
Filling the room with a gentle glow.
Claire stirred slightly.
Her brows furrowed.
Then slowly relaxed.
“…Mm.”
She opened her eyes.
For a moment, and stared at the ceiling.
Then...
Everything from last night came back.
The movie, the closeness.
Her lips pressed together slightly.
“…That was…”
She covered her face with one hand.
“…too much.”
But instead of regret...
A faint warmth spread through her chest.
She sat up slowly.
Her hair slightly messy.
Her mind, still not completely calm.
After a few seconds,
She stood up and walked out of her room.
The living room was quiet.
Too quiet.
"Did he leave already?”
She muttered under her breath.
But just as she stepped forward...
She froze.
Alex was there.
In the kitchen.
Wearing simple clothes.
Hair slightly damp,
As if he had just showered.
He was making breakfast.
Casually.
Naturally.
As if—He belonged there.
Claire blinked.
“You’re still here?”
Alex turned.
Their eyes met.
And just like that, the memory of last night...
Hit both of them at the same time.
A brief silence followed.
“…Morning.”
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
Claire narrowed her eyes slightly.
“…Morning.”
Another pause.
Awkward.
Unusually awkward.
For the first time...
Neither of them knew what to say.
Alex cleared his throat.
“I made breakfast.”
Claire glanced at the table.
Simple food.
Neat.
“…You didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to.”
She walked closer...
Trying to act normal.
But her movements, were just a little stiff.
“…You woke up early.”
“I didn’t sleep much.”
Claire paused.
“…Why?”
Alex didn’t answer immediately.
Then, He looked at her.
“…You know why.”
Her ears turned slightly red.
“…Oh.”
Silence again.
But this time—
It wasn’t uncomfortable.
Just…
Claire sat down.
Alex placed the plate in front of her.
Their fingers brushed,
Just slightly.
Both of them paused.
Then quickly pulled back.
“…Eat.”
“…Okay.”
She picked up her fork.
Took a bite.
“…It’s good.”
Alex watched her.
Quietly.
“…Of course it is.”
She glanced at him.
“…Confident.”
“…Only with things I’m sure about.”
Their eyes met.
And for a second—
Something passed between them again.
Not as intense as last night.
But still there.
Lingering.
Claire looked away first.
“…Don’t look at me like that while I’m eating.”
Alex leaned slightly against the counter.
“…Like what?”
“…Like that.”
He smiled faintly.
“…I’m just looking at my girlfriend.”
Claire almost choked.
“…You—”
She coughed lightly.
“…Stop saying it like that.”
“Like what?”
“…Like you’re proud of it.”
“I am.”
Simple.
Direct.
Claire didn’t know what to say to that.
So she didn’t.
Instead—She focused on eating.
But her lips, curved slightly....
After a moment, Alex walked closer.
Then reached out, and gently wiped something from the corner of her lips.
“…You missed a spot.”
Claire froze.
“…I could’ve done that myself.”
“I know.”
His hand lingered for a second...
Then pulled away.
Just like that.
Not crossing the line.
But close enough....to remind her of last night.
Claire looked down at her plate.
“…We’re acting weird.”
Alex let out a quiet laugh.
“…A little.”
A pause.
“…Do you regret it?”
The question came out softer than expected.
Claire blinked.
Then looked up at him.
“…No.”
No hesitation.
Alex’s shoulders relaxed slightly.
“…Good.”
She tilted her head.
“…Do you?”
He shook his head.
“Not even a little.”
Silence.
Then, claire smiled.
Soft.
“…Then stop acting weird.”
Alex smiled back.
“…You first.”
She huffed lightly.
“…Impossible.”
He chuckled.
And just like that, the tension eased.
Not gone...
But softer.
Warmer.
Because now, they both knew.
Last night wasn’t a mistake.
It was just—
The beginning of the life she wanted.
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