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Cadence's POV

Where am I? I walked aimlessly and search around. Everything looks blurry and has no boundaries for me. I couldn't know if there have any hole or bump in the way I walked. I carefully walked, looked around, and yelled for seeking if there have anyone around.

"Hello!!!" I yelled, my sounds echoed surround me, but no one in return. I was hoping I could get rid of this strange and unknown place. I gasped when I bumped into someone.

I gently pushed myself away from the person for me to look at the person properly. I covered my mouth and said with surprise, "Mum?"

I chuckled as I cradled my mum's face and called her with a wide smile "Mum?" I was blissful to see my mum back to gorgeous and healthy like used to be. She leaned in my cradle as she smiled withheld my hands, and said softly, "Yes, sweetheart."

I smiled in relief as I pulled her into a hug and snuggled my head to the crook of her neck and said "Mum, I missed you so much!"

She gently patted my head and chuckled, "You're such a baby." I chuckled lightly as I sniffed, and tightened my hold on her. "Mum, I'm glad you're back. Don't leave me again..." I trailed off as I furrowed my eyebrows when I felt my mum was getting lighter, "Mum?" I asked in worry as I saw my mum was fading.

"No, no! Don't leave me again please, mum. I've waited to see you for years!" I pleaded as my tears streaming down. She sadly smiled at me and she was gone again.

"No..." I whispered in dejectedly.

She won't leave me like that. No, I'll get to find her with all my strength. "Mum!" I yelled as I started running to look for her again. I slow down my pace when I saw a silhouette with a man-like look. The silhouette was familiar to me as I walked closer to it. 

"Dad?" I smiled as I saw my dad back to a charming and healthy look. Before I could say any further, he gently nodded his head, smiled warmly at me, and disappeared. "Dad, wait!" but I was too late to call him out. I sighed as I keep walking and finding a way to leave this mystery place.

I was getting tired of walking too much, my pace was getting slow. Somehow, the place was getting darkening as I turned back, there seems like no turning back for me. With no other option, I had to keep going the path I was walking.

I saw a flame was a distance from me, and I didn't feel like want to walk past. Somehow, the path was getting narrow and there was the only way out for me.

The more getting closer, the more I was getting furious to see that person. The person was Rachel who was sinisterly smiling at me. That bitch! I ignored her as I decided to walk past her.

I felt my skin was getting burning when I was getting closer to her. Ignore the pain, I forcefully walked for passing her. I braced myself and keep walking but my skin was hurting. I screamed in agony as Rachel was laughing hysterically.

The pain was killing me and I was dying. Somehow, I won't give up, I would never die in misery in front of this Bitch! Ignored the torturing aching, I ran and yelled in pain. I felt I finally left Rachel when I heard her laughter was disappeared as the burning was gone.

I swiftly touched my face and my skin to feel it. I sighed in relief by knowing that my face and my skin had no sign of burning. However, I heard a strong streaming sound running behind me as I turned around. I was shocked by seeing strong wave water was streaming in my direction.

I sprinted up to my speed and ran as fast as I could. Somehow, everything seems too late for me as I was trapped in the middle depth of the water. I tried to swim upward to the surface of the water to breathe.

No matter how much I swam, I felt I remain still and had no movement at all. Instead, I was sinking and felt like I was dragging by an anchor. I frowned when I peered downward, "Patricia?"

Patricia's facial was full of regret and pleaded with me, "Cadence come back to me, please. Let's start over again." She started crying as I shook my head and said firmly, "No."

Patricia didn't listen to me, she keeps pulling my legs down like pulling a flag. She leaned in her face on my legs and said stubbornly, "If you never forgive me, I'll let you stay here forever with me." She sobbed, "I'll never let you go again. I love you, Cadence."          

"No!!! Leave me alone!!!" I shouted as I was getting out of breath. I wanted to get rid of her. I tried to kick her away from her, but she was stronger than me. I couldn't take anymore and I was out of breath. I tried my last breath to yell weakly, "Help!" I choked with the water running down my throat.

I was giving up as I heard someone was calling me. "Cadence? Where are you?" that voice... angelic yet gentle. That was Hensley...

"Cadence, hold on. I'm coming to you. Don't worry, okay?" Hensley reassured me.

"Hensley help me! Please help me!" I yelled with all my strength once again.

After a few beats, I felt a pair of warm lips were pressing mine as my eyes shot open. Hensley was cupping my face and she was supplying air to me. I felt revived after she filling the air for me.

Hensley pulled away from me, her ocean blue eyes were staring at mine as she smiled gently, "Don't worry, I'm here now. Let's get out of here, alright?" I nodded my head as she held my hand and we were ready to swim upward and get rid of this place.

While we were swimming up, I felt I was stuck in here. Hensley furrowed her eyebrows as she peered down. She frowned in anger as she said, "I'll take care of this!" with that, she swiftly swam toward Patricia and pried off hand in one swift.

I smiled when I was finally freed from Patricia, but Patricia fast in action wrapped her arms around Hensley's waist from behind to stop her from moving. Patricia grinned in sinister, "Do you think that you can live with her happily forever after leaving me? I will never let this happened."

"No! Leave her alone!!" I shouted at Patricia.

Hensley keeps elbowing Patricia at her back as she warned, "Cadence, leave!" 

"No! I won't leave you." I said.

"Just go, I can handle this," Hensley reassured me as she keeps prying off Patricia from her, and I quickly swim toward them. 

Patricia still stubbornly holding Hensley and she was getting struggle to free herself from Patricia. Before I could reach them, Hensley pushed me away from them and yelled, "Just go!"

I was being pushed far away from them in a strong pressure as I saw Hensley was getting far away from me till disappear. I shook my head and started sobbing, "No! No! No! Hensley come back to me!"

***

"Hensley!!" I shouted as I sat up abruptly with my eyes shot open. I felt my body covered with cold sweat. I hastily scanned around as I signed in relief. That was a bad dream and I fell asleep on my couch in the living room. My TV was still running and playing a funny commercial.

I looked at the wall clock above the TV. It is already past 8.30 pm. Hensley had been out about an hour, but she hadn't come back. Was that bad dream was a sign of this? No, don't overthink. I snatched my phone from the coffee table and called Hensley. 

The phone was calling, but no one picked up the phone. I was thinking to make another call again, but I sighed in relief when I heard her voice,  "Hello,"

I didn't give her a chance to talk as I started rambling at her, "Hensley, where the hell are you? You've gone out an hour go. Is every-" before I could finish I was cut off by her, "Boo! Sorry, this is my voice mail. Please drop your voice mail after the beep. Ciao."

I sighed as I tried to call again and the call straight away was sent to voice mail. I couldn't help, but my adrenaline was rushing with this sign from Hensley. I clasped my hands together tightly as I shut my eyes to took a deep breath.

Be safe, Hensley. I don't want anything bad to happen to you.

I froze when I saw the headline of news was playing on the TV screen. It is written 'A tragic car accident'. I pressed my entwined hands on my lips and listened to the reporter carefully.

"There has an accident that a truck hit on the motorcycle in San Street. The motorcyclist had critically injured. We couldn't confirm who's the cyclist due to her face was unrecognizable."

The cyclist was a she, and I gasped in anxiety when I saw the screen showed the damaged black Ducati looks exactly like Hensley's. My tears rolled down my face as I hastily rushed to grab my purse and car keys ready to leave. 

I frantically rushed to the main door and swung it. I gasped with my eyes widened when I look into the person I had been worried about all the time since I woke up.

Hensley was standing at the doorstep of my door with her body covered with blood. Both of her hands were holding the packed food. She smiled at me apologetically. I was relieved to see she was standing in front in one piece. I pulled her into a hug before she could say anything.

"Whoa! Don't hug me, Cadence. My clothes are full of mess." She tried to pry me away from her as I tightened my hold on hers for not letting her go. I warned her with my voice contains a cry, "Don't ever leave me again, Hensley."

"I-I'm sorry. Something had happened just now. So, I spend a little longer time to come back." She tried to explain and seemed like shocked at my reaction as she gently touched my back and said softly, "I'm here now Cadence. I'm sorry, I should have called you and let you know I will be late. Don't cry, okay."

"Stay..." I pleaded as I held her tightly in my arms and sniffled.

"I won't leave you, I promise," She assured softly. 

We were having our dinner at my dining room after Hensley had her shower, and I changed fresh clothes. She bought two sets of steak and dessert for us. I smiled when I think of we finally could having a peaceful dinner after my anxiety.

"That cat ran too fast! I can't manage to stop her, and she was hit by a car. Luckily the car stopped on time, if not she would be killed." She sighed as she caressed Bubbles on her lap.

"The cat's owner was crying in panic when he saw her bleeding. So, I tried to help them and took them to the vet shop. That's all I could do for help. Thank god the cat is safe and alive." She grinned at me with holding Bubbles in her arms and snuggled her cheek on Bubbles' head.

I smiled when I saw her treat Bubbles like someone dear to her, and Bubbles was fond with her too. She gently patted Bubbles' body and said, "After that, I sent them back to their home. Their house was nearby the steak house which I've planned to go."  

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you all about this in the first place, Cadence. Next time I'll tell you if anything happened." she looked at me apologetically.

I nodded my head, "I don't care wherever you go, you must at least inform me. I'm worried sick about you just now."

She nodded her head "Yes, ma'am." I rolled my eyes as she grinned which flash her dimple.

She pouted her lips when I gently poked her right dimple and pinched her face. I chuckled to see her cuteness as she whined, "Why did you do that to me? When I was a kid, the adults love to pinch my face and always called me a chubby girl. I hate that."

I smiled at her and said in genuine, "You might be a cute girl when you were younger that time."

She said smugly with flipped her hair back, "Of course. Now I become smoking hot!"

I rolled my eyes and scoffed at her, "Stop bragging yourself, Hensley."

💋💋💋

"That dream was so real for me," I said in worry as I was resting my head on Hensley's chest. I felt my cheek was vibrated by her chest when she laughed.

She said in laughter, "Oh, come on! I swear the dream wasn't real. I'm not a heroine. Believed me, I will let you drown instead."

I slapped her upper arm as she laughed louder again. Her contagious laughter made me joined her to laugh. We eventually stopped laughing as she gently patted my head and reassured me, "It was just a dream. Don't worry about it."

I nodded my head as we shared a comfortable silence a moment. I snuggled closer to her, and I smiled when I was listening to her steady heartbeat. I felt relieved after I had shared with her about that bad dream. And now we were relaxing in my bed.

Perhaps, I should give myself a break.  

"I might take a few days off," I informed.

"Yes, you should. You need to take a break," she agreed as she sighed, "Well, too bad I have to back to work."

I chuckled and said, "Don't be lazy, Hensley. You have to get back to work."

She groaned, "That's sucks. Can I skip tomorrow?" she asked in a hopeful tone.

I laughed as she asked in clueless, "What's so funny?"

I teased, "Don't you think that was funny? You're telling your manager that you're going to skip working tomorrow."

She gasped with a playful manner, and joked, "No shit Sherlock! Don't send me a warning letter, please."

I chuckled at her playfulness and advised her, "I think you should take a day off for tomorrow. You just recovered from your fever. Besides, you might be tired after the incidents."

I felt a warmth rested on my forehead and I heard she teased, "Are you the infamous devil, cold and meanie manager I know?"

I laughed as I slapped her hand away from me and said, "I'm a strict manager, but that doesn't mean I'm a cruel manager, silly."

She giggled and said in awe, "Oh, how sweet of you, my sweet manager." She gently brushed my hair backward and rested on the back of my head. She gently caressed it and say, "I'll see if tomorrow I will be tired or not. I have many jobs left behind."

I nodded my head, "Sure, I'll leave it up to you."

"I have an idea." She suggested with the hint of delight as I hummed. "Do you want to watch a movie?"  

I teased her with contains smile, "Are you asking me for a date?"

Her hand stopped stroking my head a second, and she slowly caressed my head. She said with a hint of shyness, "Umm... you can treat it as a date if you want."

I tried to shift my body as she removed her hand from my head for me to move. I propped one of my elbows and rested my cheek on my palm and stared at her cute face. I raised one of my brows and teased her with an amused smirk, "So, It's a date for us?"

I remained my smirk and watching her face getting tint. She blinked her eyes with cleared her throat and wanted to say it confidently. Somehow she failed, she stammered, "I-It's m-my pleasure if you want to call it a date." 

I chuckled with shook my head at her shyness and I said, "I was messing with you, Hensley."

Hensley rolled her eyes with her teeth tugging her lower lips and teased, "I knew you want it, Cadence. Just now I saw you full of excitement when I said that to you."

"Don't flatter yourself, Hensley," I said with rolled my eyes and comfortably rested on her chest again.

"We will go to watch a movie, Right?" she asked expectedly and I hummed with nodded my head.

"Great. Let's make it this Saturday!" I heard she said in anticipation as I grinned to myself.

"Sure, I'll pick you up," I suggested.

"Okay." she said and suggested excitedly, "Do you want me to pick you up instead? With my badass baby."

I shook my head and insisted, "No, I'll drive."

She chuckled, "Yes ma'am."

My eyes were getting heavy with a comfortable warmth, soothing heartbeat and her hand caressed my head. I said sleepily with my hand covered my lips to yawn, "I'm getting sleepy. Good night Hensley."

"Good night, Cadence." I could hear her respond with a hint of a smile.

I circled her waist with one of my arms as I felt her body tensed a little. She relaxed her body after a moment and gently caressed my head again. I eventually drifted off by listening to her soft heartbeats.

💋💋💋

I snuggled closer to an unfamiliar soft thing. It was comfortable but, It wasn't as warm as Hensley. I let my eyes opened as I chuckled at the thing I was hugging. It was a bolster. I stretched my arm to get my phone from my bedside table and read it.

It's already past 8 am. I saw there had a new message notification from Hensley. I read as I smiled at it.

"Good morning, you're too lovely in your slumber and I didn't want to wake you up. You might be missing my presence, so here is a bolster represent me for you. I know it's not as comfy as me, but it's just temporary for you when I'm not around. Anyway, I made you a toast. Enjoy!"    

I stretched my arms over my head, yawn with a hand covered my mouth, and be ready to get started my day off activity.

I was looking for the breakfast prepared by Hensley after I have done my morning routine. I smiled when I saw the container placed nicely on my dining table. I slipped in a seat as I opened the lid of a container. It was a toast cut into half for me easier to eat.

I took out a slice of toast and bit it. I moaned in satisfaction after I tasted the food. The toast got scrambled eggs, hams, and mayo avocado. The combination of the ingredient is not bad.

I took my phone and snap a picture of the toast. I send it to Hensley which written, "It's really good. Thank you for that. But, you still can't earn any credit from me." I smiled as I hit the send. 

She very soon replied with the message "Ow! That's too bad. It's okay, I will never give up. Wink"

I smiled as I heard Bubbles 'Meow' to me. I bent down and used my free hand to scoop her up "Hey there, Good morning my dear. Mum is having a day off, and we can spend longer time together." She meowed in delight as she trying to reach my toast for a bite.

I swiftly pulled the toast away from her and grinned, "No no, that's not for you my dear." She meowed sadly as I reassured her, "You'll have one later. I promise yours will be the good one, baby girl."

She meowed happily as I beamed, "Now you're happy, aren't you?" she meowed louder as I chuckled and bent down my body for her to jump off. She ran off to have her fun as I continue to enjoy Hensley's handmade breakfast.

💋💋💋

I had been enjoying reading my novels for hours on my comfy couch in the living room. My favorite Beethoven music was playing as Bubbles was sleeping on my lap with curled up her body.

I heard my phone ringing as I simply stretched my hand to take the phone from the coffee table and answered. My skin was tingling when I heard the familiar soothing voice which I heard a few hours ago.

I was grinning from ear to ear by listening to her simple greeting, "Hello there." 

I teased the attractive brunette after listening to her lovely voice, "So, you're sneaking out to call me while your manager is on leave now?"

She laughed lightly, "Damn! Things are getting ironic. I suppose to sneak out to call my favorite girl, but I call my devil manager who's taking a leave."

I rolled my eyes "So, you're working out for impressing your manager, huh."

She hummed, "Hmmm, I still work on it. Somehow, my plan is distracting you now."

I said in amusement, "What's that for?"

I could hear her said with grinning "You'll know in a while. So, how's your day?"

"Seriously Hensley? You're sneaking out to call me and ask me how's my day?" I asked as she laughed lightly.

"I told you I'm distracting you." She said playfully as she cleared her throat, "Alright, a quick question for you. Did you eat anything after you had my 5-star meal?"

"Nope, I was happily reading after I ate your lovely meal. But, I was interrupted by someone during my happy time. If she didn't disturb me, I might be able to read at least more than 10 pages now." I said. 

"Oh, I'm so sorry for my little interruption, bookworm." She apologized, yet in a teasing way. She asked with a hint of a smile, "Did you just say that my 5-star meal is a lovely meal?"

I rolled my eyes and said, "Very well, Hensley. You're paying so much attention to my words. You should do that during our working time too."

"Well, I could do that. Only if you're talking sweet to me in working place like the way you're talking with me now." I could picture she said with a casual shrug.

Our lovely talk was interrupted by the doorbell. Bubbles jumped off for me to move. I swiftly reached the front door and opened it. I furrowed my brows in confusion, when I saw a pizza boy was holding a box of pizza stood in front of me.

"Did you come to the wrong place?" I asked as the pizza boy furrowed his eyebrows as he quickly checked his phone.

"You're welcome, Goddess. Have a nice lunch." Hensley chuckled through the phone and I just realize we haven't ended our call. I quickly apologized to the boy as he handed the pizza to me with a friendly smile.

I shut the door, placed the box of pizza at my dining table I opened the lid of the pizza box as I grinned and asked, "How do you know I like Margherita Pizza?"

"It's because I've paid attention whenever you are talking and sharing your story with me." She said.

"Thanks. Do you want me leftover a few slices for you?" I asked.

"Nah, I have ordered my lunch too. Enjoy!" she said as she hummed, "Hmm... I think it's time for me to say goodbye after I have risked my job sneaking out to have a lovely talk with you."

"Well, I should go before I get a warning letter from my devil manager who is going to enjoy her Margherita Pizza." She teased.

I laughed lightly as I said to her sternly, "You better finished up at least one assignment today."

She playfully gasped, "Ouch! This's what I get rewarded after I've sent a lovely pizza to please my manager." I could feel she said with pouted her full lips.

"Hurry get back to work," I said sternly.

She giggled "Roger that. Later."

"Why are you still on phone?" I asked while I was waiting for her to end the call.

"I'm waiting for you to end the call," she said with a hint of a smile.

I rolled my eyes, "Bye." I heard her chuckled as I ended the call. I read a new message from her again.

"Dear Manager, I hope you enjoy your lovely lunch, later."

I replied, "Go to work."

She replied "Yes Ma'am."

I smiled as I took a slice of pizza to eat, and moaned in satisfaction. I probably get stuff for today.

After a few hours

I was so content to finish a novel that had abandon for a long time. I was enjoying a new novel halfway. I took my phone when I heard it ringing, I smiled when I heard the same voice again. "What is it now?" I teased.

"It's after working hour, Miss Manager. I'm calling you because I've left something in your house. And I'm going to take it now." 

I asked, "Really? Do you need help before you're here?"

"Hmmm, you don't have to. I'll find it by myself when I reached your place." She said.

"What are you trying to have your gameplay now, Hensley?" I asked in amused as she chuckled.

"Oh, you're great in reading mind, but It's not gameplay, Cadence. I really left something at your home. I am already on my way, I just wanted to call you for entertaining me while I am riding my bike alone at the boring street." She said.

"Be safe, silly," I said sternly.

She chuckled and assured me, "I'm a careful biker, no worries."

"So, Did you finished at least one assignment as promised?" I asked as she hummed.

"Almost. I'll do some touch-up later." she chuckled sheepishly.

"Why didn't you finish your work before you come to my place?" I pressed.

"Because I don't want to interrupt your slumber time later. It might be late as usual." She said softly.

I heard the doorbell rang as I swiftly go and opened it. I felt a warmth sent my heart when I finally see her face after hours. I grinned in delight at my favorite handful, yet attractive brunette stood at the doorstep.

She was holding a bag of food in her hand. She smiled sweetly at me flashing her cute right dimple and handed the food to me before she pressed her earphone.

"It's dinner time." She beamed as I stood aside for her to enter my home. She rested her hands at her back while she was strolling to the dining room and said "I'll just stay here for a while and I'll leave."

I raised one of my brows and asked, "Didn't you leave something in my place?" 

"My trick can't be used twice." She winked as I rolled my eyes at her.

I placed the pack of food on my dining table as I asked her in amusement, "So, gaining my weight is your plan?"

She chuckled, "Right, that's one of my plans."

I grinned when I opened the lid of the food, and I looked at her and asked, "Don't tell me you remember I like this too."

She nodded her head and said, "Mhmm, Pesto pasta from Fiesta is one of your favorites."

"Thanks. Do you want to have a drink?" I offered.

"Nope, I have to go back finished up the remaining work. I have a plan after that." She said and I was slightly disappointed she would be leaving very soon.

She seems could read my mind, a smirk crept on her face, "I can spend a little longer time with you. If only you don't mind my works have to be postponed by tomorrow."

I shrugged, "You can just take note of what I said in a working hour. Anything out of working hour you can leave it if you want."

She made a thoughtful face as she said, "Is that mean anything you have assigned to me during your off day I could leave it?" she teased, "Correct me if I'm wrong."

I didn't respond to her as I took two bags of Blue Mountain coffee and started making the coffee as I said, "I'm making coffee for us. Have a seat."

"That's sweet. I can enjoy a great coffee with a goddess." I heard she said with a hint of a smile from my back. I smiled as I continue to make our coffee.

Hensley had spent an hour at my place, and I had given her two cups of coffee. It might be hard to fall asleep for her tonight. I cleaned my house, feed Bubbles, and helped her to shower.

I took Bubbles with me after I had done everything, and settled in my bed. I'll let Bubbled slept with me tonight. I started missing to share a bed with Hensley. She back to her home tonight and made me miss her warmth and presence. I held my bolster and pretending that was Hensley with me. I smiled as I drifted off shortly with Bubbles next to me.