Morning Shenanigans

The clock struck 3 in the morning when Asher finally reached home, exhaustion weighing heavily on his shoulders. After dropping Natalie at her place, he quietly entered the house, careful not to disturb the tranquil silence that enveloped the night.

Making his way to his mother's room, he checked on her. She was in a deep, peaceful sleep, the worries of the world momentarily lifted from her shoulders. Satisfied that she was well, Asher retreated to his own room.

Once inside, he closed the door behind him and, with a sigh, began to loosen the buttons of his shirt. The day had taken its toll on his body, leaving him physically drained. However, as he crashed onto his bed, his mind refused to find rest. Thoughts of Ezra swirled relentlessly, occupying every corner of his consciousness since the moment his eyes had first landed on her.

In the quietude of his room, with the soft hum of the night outside, Asher lay there, his tired body seeking reprieve, while his restless mind continued to navigate the labyrinth of emotions that Ezra's presence had stirred within him.

On the other side of the night, in the quiet solitude of her room, Ezra sat in front of her mirror, eyes fixed on her reflection. Droplets of water trickled down from her long hair, evidence of the refreshing shower she had just taken. As she stared into her own eyes, a flood of memories from the reunion surged through her.

The once cold and guarded chambers of her heart now resonated with the warmth of rekindled friendships. But amidst the reminiscing, her thoughts briefly touched upon Asher, casting a shadow of gloominess across the room. The complexities of their shared past lingered in the air, leaving a poignant trace.

Pushing the melancholy aside, she picked up her moisturizer, applying it with gentle strokes on her face. The familiar routine brought a sense of grounding, a momentary escape from the whirlwind of emotions. As she completed her night-time rituals, the clock neared 3 in the morning.

Exhaustion draped over her like a heavy blanket after the day's journey and the emotional rollercoaster of the reunion. With a soft whisper of "good night" to herself, she surrendered to the embrace of sleep. The room, once filled with echoes of memories, now embraced tranquility, and Ezra welcomed the solace that nightfall brought.

The morning sun painted the sky in hues of gold as Asher, true to his routine, woke up at 7 o'clock. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, he checked his phone and discovered a message from Natalie awaiting him. It read, 'Asher, can we have breakfast together?' Without much thought, he replied to Natalie and proceeded with his morning routine.

After getting ready for the day, Asher took a refreshing shower, the water cascading over him, washing away the remnants of the night. His mind, however, was occupied with the events from the reunion, and the name Ezra lingered in his thoughts like a gentle whisper.

Leaving his house early, Asher had a busy day ahead. He had to pick up Natalie and then ensure he reached the office on time.

Having had breakfast with Natalie, Asher hurried back to the office, the day's responsibilities pressing on his mind. For Natalie, however, the morning held a tinge of disappointment. Throughout the meal, Asher's attention seemed distant, as if he were merely fulfilling a duty rather than sharing a moment.

Natalie, accustomed to Asher's occasional bouts of distraction, couldn't shake the feeling that something more profound occupied his thoughts. Her mood ticked down a notch as the morning unfolded, and she returned to her usual routine, contemplating the subtle shift in dynamics between her and Asher.

Asher's day was a comedy of errors, all thanks to his fantastic yet occasionally eccentric personal assistant, Dylan. Picture this: Dylan, the maestro of scheduling, with wires in his brain that sometimes played a quirky symphony.

Today's schedule was tighter than Asher's favorite pair of shoes, and Dylan had it all perfectly mapped out—on paper, at least. Three office meetings and two outdoor rendezvous—all color-coded and neatly organized in Dylan's meticulously crafted planner.

As Asher entered the office, ready to conquer the day, he was met with the first surprise. Dylan, in his moment of scheduling glory, had decided to cancel not one, not two, but four meetings—all while Asher was still in the middle of the first one.

Asher's mood resembled a stormy sky, clouds of frustration gathering around him. How on earth could Dylan cancel those crucial meetings without a word of discussion? The nerve! Fueled by irritation, Asher grabbed his phone and dialed Dylan's number.

"In my office now!" he barked into the phone, not bothering to hear any explanation. The call ended abruptly, leaving an air of tension lingering in Asher's office.

A few moments later, a timid knock echoed through the room. Asher knew it was Dylan—there was no escaping this confrontation. "Come in," Asher called, and the door swung open to reveal Dylan, strolling in with an air of casual nonchalance, as if the chaos he'd unleashed was all part of a grand plan.

Asher suppressed a huff of disbelief, muttering to himself, "Fine, he wants to play it cool? Let me remind him exactly what happened."

A burst of exasperation erupted from Asher as he confronted Dylan, demanding an explanation for the impromptu meeting cancellations. "Dylan, are you out of your senses or what? Why did you cancel all my meetings without even discussing it with me?" Asher roared, a boss reclaiming his throne. Yet, there stood Dylan, as casual as a cat on a sunny windowsill.

In response to Asher's thunderous demeanor, Dylan adopted a tone of mock concern. "Whoa, whoa, calm down. Why are you so angry at me so early in the morning, Asher boy?" he quipped, his nonchalant attitude irritatingly intact.

Asher, both bewildered and amused, couldn't help but marvel at Dylan's audacity. Did this boy seriously think he could get away with anything? First, he cancels all the meetings, and now he has the nerve to address Asher as "Asher boy."