Cadence's POV

"Most girls are smart and strong and beautiful
Most girls, work hard, go far, we are unstoppable
Most girls, our fight to make every day
No two are the same
I wanna be like, I wanna be like most girls
I wanna be like, I wanna be like most girls
I wanna be like, I wanna be like"

I chuckled when I walked into the pantry by hearing the voice. Hensley was singing out loud and her back was facing me. She technically treats this place like her second home.

Hensley's attire is not in the proper way anymore. She tightened her hair in a pencil bun. Her light gray button-up shirt already untucks from her black slack.

Nonetheless, she was still attractive to me. She smoothly dances with swaying her hips and bobbed her head. But I furrowed my eyebrows when some of her tones sing disturbingly.

I clicked my tongue as I said loud enough for her to hear, "You're tone-deaf" Hensley jumped a little after she heard my voice. She pulled one of her earphones away from her ear, and she turned to face me with rolled her eyes playfully.  

Hensley leaned against the counter with folded her arms and said, "It's not tone-deaf. It's just for fun." She stuck her tongue at me as I chuckled at her.

She is such a child. 

"Let me show you what's pitch-perfect," she said smugly as I crossed my arms joined next to her, challenged her with an amused smirk, "Prove it." She gave me a determined smile with nodded her head. 

Hensley scrolled her phone as she was searching for a song. She slipped her phone into her black slack after she found a song. She closed her eyes as she was bobbing her head.

"I've been hiding for so long
These feelings, they're not gone
Could I tell anyone
Afraid of what they'll say
So I push them away
I'm acting so strange"

Hensley was right, her voice was different. It was really good and the pitch was perfect. I stared at her and relish her movement. She swayed her hips and used her hands to hold her invisible beater to drum.

She let her eyes fluttered open and stared at me continue sang with dramatic facial emotion. She rested her hand on her chest with pursed her lips.

"They're so pretty it hurts
I'm not talking 'bout boys
I'm talking 'bout girls
They're so pretty with their button-up shirts"

When she sang till the part button-up shirts, she bit her lower lips as she glances from my navy blue button-up top to my face, and winked at me. I rolled my eyes and shook my head at her.

"I shouldn't be feeling this
But it's too hard to resist
Soft skin and soft lips
Should be into this guy
But it's just a waste of time
He's really not my type
I know what I like
No, this is not a phase
Or coming of age
This will never change"

Hensley was getting into the song with her eyes gazing at mine. She chastely leaned in closer to me as she started smiling sweetly at me. 

There were two things I adored about her smile. One, her only right side dimple. And two, her eyes were smiling before her lips. Those pretty things from hers were boys and girls' killers. 

Her attractive eyes still smiling at me while she was singing. A joy filling my heart by listening to the lyrics rolled out from her tongue.

I do enjoy listening to her angelic voice singing. The voice was soothing and could send warmth to my heart.

Hensley's voice was irresistible and like the music to my ears. I was smiling from ear to ear by watching a lovely brunette was singing to me. I wished I could record her voice. So that, I could listen to it whenever I want to.  

Hensley eventually pulled away from me after she ended the song, and that was too soon for my liking. I felt that wasn't enough for me and I wanted more from her.

"How was it? 10 over 10?" she asked with a smug smirk crept on her face. She stared at me and made a thoughtful face "Hmm... your face could tell my result is more than that. You're melting!" she beamed at me cutely. 

I scoffed at her "You're conceit."

Hensley giggled at me which was adorable for me and said, "So, tell me. Is it awesome?" she waited at me expectedly like a kid, and her gleaming ocean blue eyes were gazing at me.

I decided to tease her, and said, "It's just more than average."

Hensley snorted as she rolled her eyes playfully, "Yes, that's fine. You're denying it, and I know you like it."

This brunette really loves to win.  

Hensley pressed her lips as she was debating to say something. After a few beats, she finally asked, "Umm... Any news from Mr. Anderson?"

Speaking of him, I was thinking to see him today. I finally decided to go after two nights of thinking. I shook my head at Hensley and said, "No, they didn't mention anything about him yet."

"Just now I was thinking to tell you that I'll go to see him later," I said as Hensley seem happy with my decision by seeing the way she smiles. 

"Really?" Hensley asked as I nodded my head "Yup, I decided." I pressed my lips and trying to find a way to ask her along with me.

"Do you mind if I ask-" I was cut off by Hensley's as she agreed willingly to me, "I'll go with you."

"Thank you," I thanked her as we smiled.

***

The man in this room looks like a stranger to me, and he looks barely recognizable. The last time I had seen him was 17 years back. He was a 40 years old, charming blonde man with an athletic frame.

At that time, he had numerous admires. They were envious of my mum that she was lucky to have a handsome man in her life.

But, my mum is not bad to herself. She was a gorgeous lady, and boys will fall for her. My dad would have numerous rivals to keep my mum.

Nonetheless, they were the perfect couple in people's eyes.  

He was totally a different man now. He was weak in his fragile body. His hair become white, he was skin in bone and looks older than his actual age. He looks like in the late 70.

If I bumped into him on street, I might not recognize him in instant. I only could recognize him from his eyes, and my had his eyes.

No matter how much I hate him, I would never curse him to die or get any illness. I only hated to see and deal with him.

Hensley was right, he didn't deserve to leave behind. I should let go of my hatred to see him once again before he is gone.

He was awake, yet drowsy after the side effect of the medic. His soulless eyes were on our side, and his body was fully pinned with the tubes, included his nose and neck.

The familiar needle on his arm was for the fluid of medic running to his vein. He was having dialysis and the machine next to him was purifying his blood.  

"Did anyone come and see him aside us?" I heard Hensley was asking the nurse and my back was facing them.

"No, nobody came and see him after that day. Now, only two of you come for today."

I clenched my jaw after I heard the nurse respond. That whore was pathetic, she could leave him after she knew he was dying.

She never changes. She is still a selfish and hopeless gold digger.

She was a money freak. My dad was too stubborn to believe them over me. He chose them over my mum and me. That was what he got, but he didn't deserve all of these.

That pathetic whore had finished spent his money, and abandon him after she knew he was useless to her. 

I didn't pay much attention to the conversation between the brunette and the nurse. Hensley as usual would ask plenty of questions when she was full of curiosity. 

I back to see my dad again as his eyes suddenly dilated and locked with mine. His mouth was weakly trembling as he was trying to mumble something.

His eyes started forming tears as his mouth was struggling to move. He was too weak in moving his muscles. My heart was tightened when I was seeing him like that.

At this moment, everything was faded as the voices were getting inaudible. There only left my dad in front of me.

The way he staring at me with his soft gaze, lead me returned to our past. I was back to the happiest moment with my dad and my mum still healthy.

My dad was back to his charming and healthy. He was carrying me on a piggy ride. I was shriek out loud and giggled in joy. I kept messing with his hair as he was laughing without bothering it.

He was laughing and calling me sweetheart, while my mum was sitting aside to watch us with shook her head, and she was smiling happily at us.

I shrieked with a burst of laughter again when my dad spun me over to see him. He was smiling at me warmly as he softly pressed his lips on my forehead and mumbled, "You are always my only little angel for us all the time, and forever."     

I missed that time of us so much.

What if that whore didn't step into our life? Everything would be different. My dad will not be alone if my mum is still here. My mum will never leave my dad because she loves him unconditionally.

I was overwhelmed with the past and now my dad is leaving me too. I exhaled as I chew my inner cheek to hold my tears. The knot was climbing up my throat, and I felt my eyes were burning with filling the tears.

I swallowed down to hold my tears for not letting myself cry, especially now. I had to be strong for him, and not letting him worry about me.

I couldn't help, but my tears were filling out from the corner of my eyes. I swiftly used my thumb to wipe away the tears. When started looking at him, he was started crying weakly with his body merely trembled.

His lips were shaking, his eyes widened as I mouthed at him, 'Dad, I forgive you.' His tears rolled from the corner of his eyes as he loosened his body with his eyes closed.

The scene of ICU was back, but the voice was still inaudibly. The doctor and nurses were rushing into the room and started doing CPR.   

I felt a warmth wrapped around my shoulder, and the hands rested the sides of my shoulder gently. I gently patted and linked Hensley's soft hand to reassure her.

Hensley remained quiet next to me as she was giving me a silent moment. The doctors and nurses stopped doing CPR when I saw the screen of the electrocardiogram became a straight line.  

I let my eyes closed for letting the tears streaming down my face. I rested my forehead to the window and a light sob escape from my lips. I felt Hensley press her forehead at my temple, and her voice sent me back into reality, "I'm sorry for your loss, Cadence. May his soul rest in peace."

I sighed with nodded my head weakly.

***

Death. Most of us would believe that our bodies were lifeless yet our soul would back to heaven which was our various types of religions' place for us to live happily and freely in eternity.

Whereas, Most of us would believe that death would be the body and soul dead along and sent to 6 feet under. Then, end of the story of our lives.

No one would know how was death could be. How would the people feel when they knew that they were going to die? Would they be afraid or be ready anytime?

Some of the people died without a warning such as in accidents, get murdered, and so on. Some of the people would be informed that they got uncured sickness which was the risk in their life. What would they think? They would have trauma that grim reaper would approach them anytime and anywhere.

What about the people who love them still alive? They would be grieving the loss of their love and wishing could see them again. What did we mean by 'Again'? They were dead.

That was most of the people hope there's a place call heaven. They would hope that someday they would see each other there and stay happily forever after.

Perhaps heaven was the only hope for us to know that death was a short term for us apart. Later or sooner we would see each other again. It's because everyone would die when the days came to us.

Most people fear death. Some of the people fought and struggled with their sickness for the people who love them. That was the hardest part for us (people who love them) to face.

We knew the people we love were struggling and fight for their lives every second for us to know that they were still alive. In fact, that was the cruelest thing for us to tell them 'be strong'.

We would never know the real pain they felt. We only could see their pain with our eyes but we would never felt how much pain they were enduring.

The tears from them were full of pain, fear, and worries with body and soul. Whereas, the tears from us were pain, fear, and sadness with only our heart and mind.

By knowing that the people we love were struggling. The only thing we could do was let them go.

There's the only way to set them free from their pain, fear, and worries.

***

It's was cold and in a downpour, everyone was in black with their black umbrellas to hover over them from the rain.  

The number of people who attended this funeral was out of my expectation. There had more than 40 people, some of them were my aunties and uncles, some of them might be my dad's old friends or business partners. 

Where the hell had they been?

They knew my dad passed away, but none of them visit my dad during his hard time. He was fighting his last battle in the ward bed.

They didn't keep in touch with my dad when he was alive, but now they were mourning and farewell to his corpse.

Funeral Ceremony was such bullshit for the people who were faking their condolences to the family.

While my dad's coffin was ready to bury in his grave, the corner of my eyes could see that whore was busy sobbing into her ex-husband's arms. Her daughter was sobbing and make it like she was really depressing. 

I wanted to slap across all of their fake faces if I have a chance. Instead, I took it back. I tightened my grip on the umbrella I was holding, and I was trying to keep calm and stop looking at them. 

Everyone started leaving after my dad's coffin had already been buried in his grave. The family was still there embracing each other like a happy family.

I had enough of their Oscar acting. 

I stormed toward them and was ready for my outburst to them. That whore merely tilted her head to face me without pulling away from her pathetic man.

"Where the fuck have you been the last few days?! Are you really that busy? Where the hell are you when my dad needs you? Are you going to somewhere god knows place?!" I yelled at her out of my rage. 

Her pathetic daughter voice out, "Hey, stop being rude to my mum."

I shut my eyes awhile, shot her a death glare. I pointed at her with my forefinger and spat at her, "Shut the fuck up! I'm not talking to you!"

Her eyes daggered mine as I ignored her, and I turned my attention to that whore again.

"So, this is what my dad gets huh! He left my mum for your and your dearest daughter." I said with a hint of sarcasm and scoffed, "Look at him? Did he deserve that? Don't you feel ashamed about that, do you?"

"This is what he gets to believe a liar who was faking to love him," I said in venom as that whore didn't dare to look at me anymore. She remained to hide her face into her man's chest.

I shook my head, "You know what. You're pathetic! First of all, you chose my dad over your ex-husband because of money! Now my dad was gone and you need someone to support. So, you get back to this man."

The man glared at me as I ignored him and spat at that whore. "You always find me because of my dad. And now, he's gone. So, you are completely a stranger to me and don't ever find me again. I would report to the police if you do that!" with that, I threw my umbrella aside as I stormed away from them.

The cold and heavy rain was drenching my boiling body. I couldn't feel the cold weather because anger took over me. I was rage and nearly take murder action against that pathetic family.

In the meanwhile, I felt the rain stopped dripping around my body, a familiar warmth and slender hand embraced my shoulder securely. Then, a warm breath was fanning my ear.

"I'll drive okay." that's all I could hear from Hensley's soft voice after she had said many things. I nodded my head, and let her take me with her.

We were having a silent journey to my home. The faint music of my favorite Beethoven song was running, Hensley's soft breathing, the humming of my car running, and the raindrop on the windshield and roof of my car.

I couldn't stay up any longer. I let my eyes close and drift off on the journey.

***

I entered my house with left the door open for letting Hensley enter the house. She followed behind as I heard my door shut behind us.

When I turned around, she stood still at the closed door and waiting for permission from me. I couldn't help, but I chuckled at her cuteness.

"Make it as your home, Hensley. You can go wherever you want." I said as she gave me a small smile with a slight nod of her head.  

"Umm... Can I take this off?" Hensley asked while she was indicating her drenching trench coat as I pointed the stand for her. She walked there as she took off the coat and hang it on the stand. 

"Do you have a mop or something? It's because I make your floor wet." She indicated the floor as I shook my head. She nodded her head, walked to the leather couch to sit in the middle awkwardly.

I chuckled again to see her like that, and I hang my trench coat at the stand. "Do you want to be alone? I can leave if you want." She asked before I turned back to face her.

I wasn't getting used to it her politeness.

"Can you knock it off, please? I can't stand you're being too formal to me." I chuckled while I was turning to face her.

"Hey, I always good to my friends. Even though I have a bad mouth to them sometimes." Hensley against as I joined next to her. I took her hands to squeezed them gently, "Thank you for spending all your time with me these few days. I am really grateful you are with me all the time."

Hensley rolled her eyes at me as she teased, "Who is the one being formal now, huh?"

I laughed lightly as I took my time to look at her. Her light brown hair was slightly disheveled and soaked with rain. Besides, her face back to a fair tone after a few weeks of her sunburn.

I mesmerized her beautiful features and studied her face once again. Hensley was getting awkward with her hand scratched the back of her neck. I saw her fair face was getting tinted.

Her smugly look was gone, and replace with a shy face.  

I just realize we were only a few inches away from each other after I heard her fast heartbeats. I saw her clean throat was running up and down visibly, and her teeth were tugging her lower lips.

That lips of hers were alluring.

A light hitch escapes from her lips when I rested my hand on the nape of her neck and staring at her eyes. After a few beats, I gently pressed her toward me as I held her torso tightly.

I felt the warmth of hers embracing my cold and hopeless soul. I rested my face on her shoulder as I started to break down. I tightened my grip on her clothes as I sobbed involuntarily.

I felt Hensley gently caressed the back of my head, descended the nape of my neck, and gently squeezed it.  

I eventually let my wall down, release the pain and hatred out of my chest. I held her torso tightly like worries she would vanish any time. I pleaded with my crack voice, "Stay..."

"Sure, anything for you, Cadence." I heard her said with a tender tone as she gently patted my head.

I've no idea how long I've cried and I passed out in Hensley's arms.

"Meow." I heard bubbles was calling. I let my eyes fluttered open and saw Bubbles tilted her head aside and stared at me. I smiled when I saw her.

When I tried to shift my body, I just realize that I was resting on top of Hensley. My lower back was locked by hands securely as I felt she was resting her cheek on the top of my head.

I could picture her adorable sleeping face and hugging me like a little girl holding her beloved teddy bear.

I snuggled my face on her chest to feel the warmth from her. I was getting too comfortable to rest on her body. I might fall asleep again if I kept snuggling on her.

I gingerly removed away from her, for letting her have a good rest. While I was lifting my body, I chuckled at her cute face. Her lips were pouty in her sleeping face.

Hensley slightly tilted her head back and rest on the armrest couch. She frowned a little and soften her face after shifting her head's position.

I do enjoy her warmth with me, but this time her body temperature was warmer than usual. I swiftly reached my palm on her forehead and I knew she was having a fever. 

Hensley stirred and she slowly let her eyes fluttered open. She used one of her hands to rub her eyes with pursed her lips.

She finally looks at me and said with her raspy voice, "Oh, I'm sorry I was falling asleep just now. I should go."

She tried to push her body as I rested my hand on her chest to stop her, "No, you have to stay. You're having a fever, and you should overnight at here." 

Hensley chuckled lightly and waved me off, "Hey, it's fine. I still can ride my bike to go back. I feel bad to trouble you."

I shook my head and insisted, "Stay, you need to rest, Hensley."

She surrendered at me and said lazily, "Fine, yes ma'am. You are always right."

I rolled my eyes at her with a smile, "Be right back." She nodded at me tiredly as she let her eyes closed and rest.

I walked back to the living room after I had prepared the bathtub and a set of clean clothes for her. I smiled when I saw Bubbles curled up and rested on Hensley's belly comfortably while Hensley was resting one of her hands on Bubbles' body.

Bubbles likes her too.

I squatted down next to Hensley, gently patted Bubbles' body to wake her up as she meowed lazily at me. Then, I gently caressed Hensley's cheek to wake her up. "Hey, wake up. I'll take you to a bath."

"Can I sleep a little longer, please?" Hensley asked groggily.

"No. Come, go to bath before the water turned cold," I said as I removed my hand from her cheek and took her hand, and was ready to pull her on feet. 

Hensley slowly wakes up as she was holding my hand. Bubbles jump off from her and ran to somewhere for her entertainment. I took Hensley to the bathroom with hand in hand.

When we reached the bathroom, I started unbuttoning Hensley's clothes. I felt my hands were held by hers when I undid the button until the valley of her breasts.

"Whoa! I do enjoy this, but I have to ask you to stop." Hensley said with her face in beetroot color, "I'm shy for letting you do this to me." She said in a small voice as her face down timidly.  

I couldn't help, but I was laughing at her. This was the first time I saw Hensley turned into a shy, and her cockiness attitude was gone.

"There's nothing to be shy about because I'm taking care of you," I said truly.

Hensley opened and closed her mouth for a while as she stammered, "I-I'm good anyway. I-I still could bath without any help." She chuckled nervously and said, "Thanks for your sweet offering. I knew this offer is most of the girls and boys die for it."

I eventually free my hands from her clothes and left them parted to expose her black cotton bra. Hensley quickly shut it with one of her hands.

I chuckled lightly at her, "Are you sure you don't need any help?"

She nodded her head firmly, "Yes, I'm sure about it."

I shrugged lightly and said, "Okay, better don't lock the door."

"Okay, I'll not lock it, but make sure you come in when I call you," Hensley said with a hint of nervousness.

"Sure," I said as I glanced at her shy face one more time before I left her alone in the bathroom.

I had prepared a drink with grain and out, and a few slices of bread for her light dinner before she took the medic.

I backed to the room with taking the meals and set them on the side table of the bed. Just right after I placed the meal, Hensley walked out from the bathroom with my gray loosen sweater and matching sweatpants which look better on her.

She was holding the towel to wipe her hair with one of her hands. I walked toward her and took her to the dresser.
I gently pressed her shoulder to sat on the stool, took over the towel from her, and started to wipe her hair.

She chucked at me through the reflection of my dresser mirror and said, "I can do it myself, Cadence. You can rest."

I continued to wipe her hair and stared back to the mirror and teased her, "You should enjoy the privilege from your manager."

Hensley playfully rolled her eyes at me and said, "Thank you, manager. It's my honor to enjoy this privilege offered by you. I really enjoy it." Both of us laughed together.

I took her darkened brown to start drying with my hairdryer. I saw her eyes were getting heavy as she drifts off very soon. I chuckled as I took a neck pillow and put it on her neck before I continued to dry her hair.

Hensley's head dropped aside and was supported by the neck pillow. I have finally done drying her hair as her hair back to light brown. I gently comb her soft hair with my comb.

I gently patted Hensley's head as she opened her eyes sleepily, "Oh, you're done. Thank you." She stood up as she stared at me and waited for me to usher her.

"I told you, you can go anywhere you like, Hensley," I said with a smile at her.   

She chuckled, "Okay, a very important question. Where will I sleep tonight?"

I indicated the love seat as she nodded her head at me "Okay."

When she was ready to walk to the love seat, I held her hand to stop her, "I was joking, silly." I took her to my queen size bed and said, "You'll sleep here tonight."

She obediently walked to the left side and tugged herself into the bed. I walked to the bedside table took the drinks to her, "Take this before you sleep. You need to take medic too."

Hensley pushed up herself, leaned against the bedboard and took the drink from me, and jested, "How sweet of you. I really do enjoy this privilege."

I smiled at her as I took the plate of oat bread for her to take. She held her mug as she took a slice of the bread from me, and finished the bread within a few seconds.

I was shocked with the speed of her eating, I said in amused, "I didn't know someone could be a good appetite when she is having a fever."

"Trust me, don't matter what I will never give up on food. Food is my life. I could eat a bowl of macaroni cheese when I was sick." she grinned at me cutely.

I shook my head at her, "This is the first time I meet someone good in appetite when she was sick."

She finished the drink as she shrugged casually, "I told you, I'm good. I just felt sleepy whenever I was sick. I only need to sleep to recover."

"So, I don't think these will be enough for you, right?" I teased.

She chuckled lightly "It's enough for me with this portion in late hours. Besides, this is 5 star meal for me, and it's more than enough.

I rolled my eyes, "It's more like a peasant meal, Hensley."

Hensley was sleeping soundly in the bed after she had done her dinner and took the medic.

I was doing my own business such as feeding Bubbles, cleaned the house, and do the laundry. I slipped in the bed next to her after I had showered in my pajamas.

This would be the second time we were sharing a bed to sleep in. Last time she was drunk. This time she was sober, yet having a fever. 

I scoot a little closer to her and stared at her sleeping peacefully. She was laying flat with facing up the ceiling. I enjoyed studied her lovely features under the dim light.

Her cute lips will move whenever she was having light snoring. I gently used my fingertips to brush her perfectly shaped thick eyebrows, and run my fingers on the smooth skin of her nose.

I smiled when my fingers reached her lips and brushed them softly. I flashed back that night, this pair of tender lips reached mine. I missed it and wanted to feel these lips once again.

But, she will never remember this.  

I removed my hands from her lips, rested my hands on the crook of her neck, pressed my lips on her forehead gently, "Thank you for taking care of me, Hensley." I whispered.

I laid down as I snuggled closer to the crook of her neck, descending my hand from the other side of her neck down to her waist and side hug her. I was content to feel her with me inmy bed and I drifted off very soon in this position.