Chapter 70: Breakfast

The first ray of sunlight shone in through the window. Chad stirred. It’s been a while since he felt properly rested. Slowly, he opened his eyes. The feeling was refreshing, to sleep when the sky was dark and woke up with the sun. He tried getting out of bed but something prevented his movement.

He looked down at the arms wrapping tightly around him. He blinked at his surroundings. Right. He almost forgot where he was. It seemed like he fell asleep in her room. Was she spooning him the whole night? On a single bed at that. He could feel her body pressed tightly to him.

Gently, he untangled her hands and placed her arm on the bed. He watched her sleeping features. She looked really peaceful. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He adjusted her blanket before sliding out of the room.

Not long after that, Stacy stirred in her sleep. She woke up in a daze. Her arms moved around the empty space. ‘Why do I feel like something’s missing?’ She looked around the room. ‘The last I remember, I was snuggling into..’ her eyes widened. Sleep immediately eluded her. ‘Did we spend the night together?’

She looked down at herself. Clothes intact. She patted the side of the bed where he was lying on. Her eyes narrowed as she tried to figure out if he was really here or it was just her having a horny dream.

She sat up and winced. Her left arm hurts. She massaged it lightly. ‘Why does my left arm hurt? Did an elephant sit on me while I was asleep?’

She got out of bed. Maybe it’s time to get out of the room. ‘I can, right? Unless I’m a prisoner. I’m not. Right?’ There’s an uneasy feeling in her heart as she reached for the door. The moment she swung it open, she saw Nelly at the door. Her hand was raised mid-air, prepared to knock.

“Good morning,” Stacy greeted, a little sheepish. Nelly especially told her to stay put and here she was, caught red-handed, guilty of trying to slip out of the room. “Morning! I see that you are recovering well,” Nelly said as she gestured for her to go back to bed. “Chad told me that you wanted to go to the warehouse,” Nelly said as she jotted some of her observations in her notebook.

“Sorry? The.. where?” The confused look on her confirmed the suspicion Nelly had. “Chad didn’t tell you, did he?” She sighed. Stacy gave her another confused look. “I think it’s time you get out of this suffocating place,” Nelly said instead.

That’s all it needed. Stacy lit up immediately. “Finally! Thanks, Nelly!”

“I’ll stay with you today in case anything happens,” Nelly extended her hand to help Stacy up. “Let’s get out of here!”

Stacy noticed the stares as Nelly guided her to the kitchen. Entering the kitchen, she saw the back of a tall figure as he tossed an egg in the pan. “Breakfast is on the way. Let’s sit for a bit,” Nelly propped herself up a stool and Stacy followed her action.

“Breakfast has arrived!” The man turned and his smile widened when he saw her. “Hey! How’d you sleep?” He asked as he placed the egg on the plate in front of her. “Good,” she replied awkwardly. “Glad to see you up and about,” he said, a smile still plastered on his face, “pancake?”

“Yes, please,” Nelly chimed in. She looked at Stacy before her eyes fell on the plate in front of her. “For both of us,” she added. “Coming right up!” The man was more than happy to oblige.

As he turned away to busy himself with the pancakes, Stacy leaned into Nelly and whispered, “who’s that?”

“That’s Jack. You have met him before. Just relax. He’s very easy to get along,” Nelly gave her a look of assurance. “Eat up! You need the energy,” she said as she reached for the toasts on the table. “Want some?”

“Sure, thanks!” Stacy reached for it as well. “Relax. Make yourself at home,” Nelly said as she chewed on her food. Jack burst out laughing. “What?” Nelly shot him a glare. Jack turned around. “That’s fresh coming from you,” he said, still laughing. Nelly’s eyes narrowed. “Can’t I say it?”

“Sure! Sure!” Jack raised both his hands in surrender. “I’m just saying that you are usually pretty uptight yourself. It sounded like something someone else should say to you.” He smiled and shrugged. “I’m saying that it’s fresh coming from you, that’s all. I like this new side of you. Stay that way!”

“Whatever,” Nelly focused on her food. “Ooh,” Stacy smiled mischievously as her eyes darted between the two. “Are both of you a couple?” Nelly choked on her food. She started coughing. Jack moved quickly, grabbing a glass of water and placing it in front of her. Stacy watched the whole exchange in amusement.

Nelly took a few sips from the glass. “What makes you think so?” Her voice came out in a rasp. Stacy observed her flushed face, either from the remark or the coughing, or both. She stole a glance at Jack. He was quick to turn around and work on his pancake. “I don’t know. I have a feeling,” she shrugged.

“We’re not,” Nelly outright rejected it. Stacy’s eyes immediately looked over at Jack. ‘It’s a pity I can’t see his expression. Poor guy,’ she thought. “Where’s Chad?” Stacy asked before she could stop herself. She wondered if it was her imagination, but she saw Nelly tensed a little at the question.

“He’s busy,” she said without looking up from her food. “Chad’s in the middle of something,” Jack said as he came back with the pancakes. “We will be honored to visit the warehouse with you.”

His eyes glimmered in excitement. Stacy chuckled. ‘Weird guy. Seems like someone fun, though.’ She started wondering what the warehouse place they were talking about was. It made her excited as she gobbled down the rest of her breakfast.