A Love Restored

I had almost forgotten what it felt like to be cared about. I rarely found myself on the receiving end of such kindness. The warmth of gratitude filled my chest as I rose to prepare a hearty breakfast for Felix, a silent acknowledgment of the refuge he had provided during the storm.

The aroma of fresh coffee and sizzling bacon wafted through the kitchen as I hummed a tune under my breath. The spread on the table was a culinary canwas, and I had worked hard on it scrambled eggs with herbs, crispy bacon, freshly baked bread, hash browns, and a pot of steaming coffee. I wanted to express my appreciation through the language of food, a sentiment that transcended words, I had always expressed my emotions through food, and I hoped he remembered it

As the smell of breakfast permeated the air, Felix emerged from his room, his tousled hair a testament to the night’s turmoil. His eyes softened as they met mine, and I gestured towards the table. It had been a while since I had seen a soft look on Felix’s face, aimed at me,

“Breakfast is served,” 1 announced with a smile.

He offered a nod, and as he settled at the table, I couldn’t help but marvel at the sense of domesticity that filled the room. The clinking of cutlery, the muted morning light dancing on the walls.

In another life, the same

me scene would play out, but I would be his wife instead of his housekeeper. We’d eat together.

“You should eat, too.” He offered, nodding to a chair in front of him.

“Oh!” I was taken by surprise. “Its fine, I can eat later.”

He began making me a plate, so I sat down on a chair. It felt surreal. Over breakfast, we exchanged small talk, the clatter of dishes punctuating our conversation. I thanked him for his kindness during the storm, and he dismissed it with a casual wave, as if my presence in his house were the most natural thing in the world. As if he wanted my presence in his house.

As I cleared the dishes, Felix excused himself, mentioning some tasks he needed to attend to outside.

I lingered in the kitchen, the hum of the refrigerator and the tap of the dishes against the sink the only sounds in the rooms. There was so much to do. I had to clean up all the mud and dirty water Felix and I had brought inside last night. 1 got to work with a mop, wiping all over the hallway and the porch.

I went back to the kitchen, and then suddenly, a familiar voice echoed through the hallway, and a chill ran down my spine. Felix’s parents had arrived, and with them, a flood of memories that threatened to drown me. I Eistened to their greetings, all while I stood in one spot

I had to make sure I stayed in the kitchen. There could be no way that Mr and Mrs Corsino could ser me. I had to make sure of it.

Fingers trembling, I busied myself with the dishes, deliberately avoiding the family reunion that unfolded beyond the kitchen door. My heart pounded in my ears as I eavesdropped on the familiar cadence of their voices

Lately, so much had been happening to remind me of my life. In the past few weeks since I had started working for Felix, I had been reminded so many

times.

I guess the biggest reminder was always in front of me. Him.

As I rinsed a plate, the kitchen door creaked open, and a ball of fur darted inside. Startled, 1 looked down to find a sleek white cat with striking green eyes- a creature that seemed to have materialized from the deepest corners of my memory,

“Princess?”

A gasp escaped my lips as I sank to my knees, the memories flooding back, Felix had given her to me years ago, a silent promise at prom, and I hadn’t seen her since, many, many years. The years had changed her, but her beautiful eyes were unmistakable.

Felix had gotten me a green eyed cat so each time I looked at it, I would be reminded of him. As if I needed a reminder.

Oh, she had grown so much.

Princess wound around my ankles, purring contentedly. The familiar gesture brought back a flood of memories. I sank to my knees, running my fingers through her soft fur, and the anxiety that had gripped me moments ago dissipated like morning mist. I never thought I’d see my cat again. Had Felix’s parents kept her after we had left?

R

I scooped her into my arms, overwhelmed with emotion. Princess nuzzled against me, a silent reassurance that made me forget of time and its distance. In that moment, it was like light was filling inside me. I hadn’t felt so happy in years.

As I played with Princess, the familiar meow loud in the room, I failed to notice the silent observer at the doorway,

Felix stood there, his gaze fixed on the scene before him. I looked up at him. Our eyes met. For one single moment, it was like the masks we wore for the world, and to each other, crumbled.

Felix was crying. He sniffled, and before I could say anything, he turned around and quickly left.

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