Snuggle Application

TEN

 MAY

I wanted to move. I really did. My brain exploded with thoughts I couldn't even comprehend. He was naked. Things could go south. The easy way out would be to shrug his hands off or jump off the bed but there was also a massive possibility that Edmond would rouse. I didn't want to have to deal with the conversation that was sure to arise from such an awkward encounter. So I stayed still. I told myself it was just an embrace. It did not have to be termed as s****l. Plus, the duvet still shielded any real body-to-body contact. I carefully retrieved my phone and clicked the lowest button. The screen sprouted to life and my eyes were greeted by a notification from Snuggle just like I had expected. Congratulations, It said. Two hundred dollars have been credited to your account. Below Snuggle's notification was a statement from my bank convincing me that Snuggle had indeed been true to their word. Perhaps, I thought to myself. Perhaps this didn't such a terrible arrangement after all. All that was left was twenty-nine days. I could survive this. I knew I could. I stretched my hands for the second time to drop my device on the counter table right before I could do so, a loud chime erupted from behind me. What happened next was a blur. My phone slipped from the ends of my finger and landed splat on the tiled marble floors. At the same time, Edmond drew me closer and moaned loudly. My breath hitched as a ripple of hot air brushed against my neck. 

"What time is it?" I heard him say and I instinctively shut my eyes. 

Christ! He was awake. My heartbeat quickened threatening to explode. My throat became a desert. There was a strange hush that followed after his question. It almost made me believe he had been talking in his sleep. I was going to open my eyes when Edmond spoke again.

"Bloody hell," He said as he jumped out of the bed. I heard his footsteps gather around and stop in front of me. What the hell was he up to, I wondered. Slewn by my curiosity, I opened my eyes ever so slightly and observed. My sight was blurred but it was a sacrifice I had to make if I was to go unnoticed. Edmond drew closer. As I asked myself why he was even checking up on me, Edmond waved a palm over my face. Now I would admit that I was not the brightest but Edmond's stunt was crystal clear. He was inspecting if I was awake. I watched him heave in relief when I did not budge. He walked back to his side of the bed right before stepping outside. 

 I had to suck in my breath, my pulse hammering as Edmond's footsteps echoed into the distance. I stepped out of the bed and picked my phone which had landed headfirst into the marbled ground. Like I had reckoned, the screen was in shambles. Lucky for me, I had not been such a cheapskate and I'd gotten a screen guard. I peeled the guard off to be greeted by a cleaner screen and another message from Snuggle. I was hesitant to open this one. Upon giving it an afterthought, I reluctantly opened it and read. 

"Losing your job can be a strenuous process but it is important that you do not lose your sense of self and the dynamic of your relationships. So today Snuggle dug up a bucket list you made yourself nine years ago. We hope fulfilling these tiny tasks helps you rediscover yourself as you prepare for the labor market."

Below was a picture of the bucket list. I did remember it. I was fifteen and frustrated that my mom wouldn't let me go to design school. She had mouthed how she thought it was foolish to make money off my looks rather than my smarts. On her demands, I was coerced to major in marketing instead. It was a small bucket list. Five little things minor me knew she could never have. The first one spoke the most to me. Be a fashion Icon. Fifteen year old me sure could dream. I retreated to the bathroom and proceeded to brush my teeth whilst my mind ran through the latter four items on the bucket list. Do something out of your comfort zone. Conquer a fear. Bleach your hair. Try that food mom won't cook because she's allergic. It was funny how until today, I had never considered achieving one of the five. It was even worse that I had yet to fulfill any of them unconsciously. My life was still very much ruled by fear and remaining in my comfort zone. It was depressing that Snuggle brought it up. I pondered on how their potential life coaching had anything to do with this farce of a relationship. Plus, this task made no mention of me earning back what I lost. So it probably wasn't mandatory. Yet, it lingered at the back of my mind even as I stepped out of the bathroom to undress.  

 A knock sounded on the door followed by the deep baritone voice of a man. "Good morning Miss May, Master Edmond requires your presence at the table."

I remained silent. Deep in thought as to why Edmond would willingly seek my presence. It took a minute but I eventually opened the door and greeted the butler with a smile. The butler smiled back. He was a good-looking man with brown eyes and the giant suit he was in barely hid the fact that he was packed. He looked more like a bodyguard than a butler. 

"Should I give you some time to freshen up?" He asked with the kindest eyes ai had ever seen.

"No," I answered laughing awkwardly. "I've brushed so I should manage."

"Of course. Let me lead the way."

As the butler led me down the flight of stairs, the hall literally became the birthplace of the homiest of aromas, the kind of fragrances that spoke directly to the soul and strummed good old memories. The cook had talent. I'd give them that. 

 "Master, Miss May is here." The butler said as he stopped at the kitchen door and I instinctively walked in. And what do you know, Edmond Walters was the chef. I watched Edmond pick up a chopping knife and cut vegetables into perfect matchsticks in the time it took most people to just peel carrots. Every motion was precise from intense repetition and he prided himself on the machine-like perfection of his shapes. Everything was even, apron, perfect. He looked over in my direction and smirked. My eyes narrowed as he veered towards his dish again and applied seasoning. There was no way this was the scowling man child from yesterday. He could cook? Not to mention he looked ten times hotter in that apron. My mouth tightened to a thin straight line knowing that I just admitted that.

“Good morning May.”