22. Maya
twenty-two
Maya
T he sun began to rise and peeked through the small curtains on my window. I could feel extra layers of blankets weighing heavy on me, and even though I felt completely warm, my body shook with even the whisper of cold. I sat up, pushing the heavy wall of blankets off of me, and found that I was completely alone in the apartment.
"Asher," I called out gently.
No response.
I swing my legs over the bed and step down, and a dull ache runs through my body. I'm shivering, and my head now has a persistent ache.
I tiptoed over to the bathroom, peeking inside, and like the rest of the apartment, it was empty.
I walk over to my dresser and open a drawer, pulling out a soft green turtleneck and a slip-over dress that's white and cinched at the waist with ribbons falling down. I pull off the shirt that I'm wearing and realize that it's not one of my own. I smiled to myself warmly as I realized Asher must've slipped it on me before bed. I slide the shirt and dress on, then grab a pair of pale green ankle socks and slip them on before grabbing my black buckle shoes.
I look around the apartment again and go to the bathroom to grab my brush. I was slowly growing more and more anxious at the absence of Asher. A cough suddenly racks through me, and after brushing my hair, I grab some water before heading downstairs.
As I make it downstairs, the bakery is just as empty as my apartment, and I start to worry.
"Asher?" I called again.
Still no answer.
I begin walking around the bakery and find that the small cough has now persisted into a more serious one. This forces me to run back upstairs and grab a small vial of medicine. I spend the next hour downstairs in the shop, organizing and preparing to open for the day.
Nicholas walks out from under the Christmas tree in the back of the shop and meows at me loudly. I smile, happy to have some form of company.
"Nicholas, where is Asher?" I picked up the large cat and planted him on my shoulder, holding him with one arm. He purred loudly and immediately began kneading into my shoulder with his claws.
That man looked so familiar, but no matter what, I couldn't figure out why.
Another hour goes by, and just as I have finished baking a new batch of cookies, the bell on the shop door rings. I drop everything in my hands in a rush around the corner; a wave of relief washes me as Asher walks in; his arms are full of bags and baskets of food.
"You're up," he says surprised.
"Where did you go?" I run up and try to help him by grabbing some bags of food out of his hands. And he denies me, lifting them above my head where I can't reach them.
"No, let me," he says. He walks past me and sets all the groceries in the kitchen before slowly putting them away.
I cough again, and suddenly, the ache in my body grows stronger.
"Are you okay, my dear?" Asher peaks around the corner at me, and as soon as he sees me, he pulls me close and hugs me.
"I'm okay. I was just about to grab some more wood for the stove."
"No, let me. You're freezing." Asher hands me a couple of bags of groceries and sends me upstairs to put them away in my small kitchen. Just as I finish, Asher returns with an arm full of wood and attends to the fire stove, making the flame double in size. I cough again as I make my way down the stairs, covering my mouth this time, and my body shivers violently.
"Would you like me to make you some tea with honey?" Asher reaches me and cups my face in his hands. "That cough sounds vicious, princess."
I cough again and shake my head, waving him off.
"I took medicine already. I'll be okay. It's just a cough." I lean into his warm and comforting hands.
Asher kisses me gently and returns back to the kitchen. I quickly turn things on in the bakery when I suddenly become weak and dizzy. I stumble and fall into a nearby self, sending various cookies and trinkets to the floors.
"Maya?" Asher comes racing around the corner, grabs me, steadies me, and pulls me into him.
"Asher?" My mind feels blurry, and my headaches, as does my body. Asher brings his hand up to my forehead and gasps in shock.
"Maya, you're burning up. And you're shaking." Asher immediately swings me up in his arms and carries me upstairs.
"Asher, I'm fine. I need to sit down for a minute." My voice is hoarse and quiet. Each word that I spoke was painful and sent me into a coughing fit.
"You're not fine; you're sick." Asher nudges the apartment door open with the toe of his boot before walking me over to the bed and sitting me down. He immediately slides off my shoes and socks before sliding my dress and turtleneck up and over my head. I silently obey him, and he takes control of the situation.
The sudden blast of cold air on my skin makes me shiver, and Asher's eyes linger on me for a moment before he reaches into his bag nearby and pulls out another T-shirt. He pulls the T-shirt over my head, and it fits like a short dress on me. The shirt is a soft, white cotton T-shirt that feels gentle on my skin, and I immediately lay down.
"Get some rest for the day," Asher says, covering me with blankets.
"I have to run the shop, Asher. I can't stay in bed all day." I sit up slowly, and another ache runs through my head. I wince, and Asher immediately reaches for me.
"I'm telling you to stay in bed all day," Asher responds. I can sense his growing irritation and my stubbornness, but I don't give in.
"And I'm telling you , I must run the shop today." I try to sit, but Asher gently pushes me back into the bed.
"I will do it." Asher looks at me with determination in his eyes.
"You'll do it?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. "Asher, you don't have to do that. I'm perfectly fine."
"Stay in bed. I'll run the shop. Everything will be fine. If I catch you out of bed, you will be in trouble. Do you understand?" Asher places the tip of his finger on my lips, and his stare is a warning tone.
"Fine," I roll my eyes, annoyed.
"Tone," he warns. He taps the tip of his finger against my lips.
"I understand," I correct myself.
Asher runs his fingers over my forehead before sliding my hair behind my hair and kissing me gently. Asher tucks me back in and stands to leave.
"Asher," I say sleepily.
"Yes, my dear," Asher turns around immediately and hums in response.
"Thank you." My eyes are exhausted, and another round of coughs escapes my chest.
"Of course, princess." Asher walks back over and pulls the curtains before the window, lowering the lighting. Asher smiles at me warmly before shutting the apartment door behind him.
I feel myself begin to drift off. Just as I'm about to break into a deep sleep, the apartment door suddenly opens, and I snap my eyes open to see Asher tossing Nicolas into the apartment.
Nicholas lands on four feet and looks around, confused. He turns and begins looking between Asher and me.
"He keeps trying to drink the milk for the muffin," Asher says, annoyed. He shut the apartment door, and Nicholas stared at me for a moment before hopping up on the bed and shoving himself under the blankets with me.
Not even a moment later, I slip into a deep sleep, finding comfort in Nicholas’ purr.
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