32 Astra's Favorites

We both pause when we touch, not taking our eyes off of each other. Then after a moment, he takes the rose from my hand and smells it.

"Beautiful things should never be tarnished. Thank you for the rose, Astra."

"I hope you enjoy it."

"I need to do the dishes. Excuse me."

Mindlessly, I wash the dishes. What just happened and what are these feelings I'm feeling? I don't understand. I haven't felt this way since Alexi and even then, I didn't understand those feelings. I see something out of the corner of my eye and prepare to fight and run. Turning my head, I realize it's Will. He grabbed a dish towel and is wiping and putting the dishes away.

"It's ok, Will. I can put the dishes away."

"I should be the one doing the dishes. It's the least I can do."

"Nonsense, I would do anything for my beloved dog children."

"Right, the dogs."

"... and my favorite boss in the whole world."

"I'm your only boss."

"Well there's Keller who's above you and Mrs. Callista who's above him so those are also my bosses."

"Technically, that's your boss's boss and your boss's boss's boss."

"The point is out of all of them you're my favorite."

"No matter how much I warn you, you still think flattery is going to get you somewhere."

"Mr. Wang, if you play your cards right, flattery will get you everywhere."

"I thought I told you to call me Will."

"Sorry, force of habit."

We continue doing the dishes in silence. Me washing and him drying and putting them away. When I look at the clock, I realize it's already 8PM. Mom's gonna kill me.

"I have to go. I have a long drive ahead of me."

"I'll walk you to your car."

I give Donner and Blitzen hugs and remind them to be good while I'm gone. Not that I need to tell them. They're the best dogs in the world of course.

When I get to the car, Will opens the door for me and stands there for a second. Leaning on the door and the frame with his hands.

"Have a safe drive home. I'll see you early tomorrow."

"Thank you Will, have a goodnight."

I sit there for a moment feeling my heart race. This is going to be just like my drive. As I head towards the mountain I get more and more nervous. Every tree, every shadow, every light looks like a person lurking. Just waiting for the right opportunity to jump out and try to kill me. I scream a few times; thinking he's hiding, waiting to finish the job from the dream. Why aren't there any cars on the road? It's just like my dream. I wish there was someone here with me. I would feel safer.

Finally making it home, I turn on my car's high beams to make sure there isn't anyone lurking around the house. I hold my house key in my hand so I can unlock the door immediately. Planning my route to the door, I then run from the car to the door. Opening the door in record time, I see that mom isn't waiting for me. All the lights in the house are off. I can't tell if anyone else is here or not. I flip the lights on and check each room to make sure that there's no one waiting for me. Once I check the last room and know it's clear, do I relax and put down my knife. That drive was exhausting, but I need to make sure mom has something to eat. Looking through the fridge, I see ingredients for chicken fried rice. While I cook, my mind is elsewhere. Now I know there isn't a threat I should feel relaxed but I don't. I just feel like a robot. I want to feel but I can't. I just want to sleep. Finishing the fried rice, I put it on a plate and leave a note for my mother since I know she'll wake up at some point during the night. Too tired to change my clothes, I kick my shoes off and flop onto the bed. Soon my world goes dark.

Hearing "No Truck, No Boat, No Girl" by Joe Nichols I realize my alarm is going off. Shutting the phone off, I go through the motions of getting ready. I don't even remember putting on. Looking down to see what I'm wearing, it looks like I went black on black today. Black shirt, black high waisted slacks, black pumps. I add some delicate silver accessories and put my hair in a bun. Man, I hate wearing heels to work everyday. I wish I could dress casually. I should ask Will what my dress code is. I got 8 hours of sleep, but I still feel tired. Something was just draining. I grab a pair of flip flops to put on once I leave work and head out the door skipping breakfast. Remembering that I was supposed to make breakfast for Will, I stop at a coffee shop and pick up a couple of breakfast sandwiches and two latte's. I try to eat my food, but I just don't have an appetite today. I wonder why. Arriving at the set, I walk towards the building where I see Will smoking a cigarette.

"Good morning." I say while holding out his sandwich and latte.

"You're not a morning person are you?"

"What gave it away?"

"Well, usually you're all smiles and jokes but right now you look like a robot."

"Sorry, I haven't fully woken up yet. I didn't have time to make breakfast today, so I picked up a sandwich. I hope that's ok."

"That's fine. You can make it up another day."

Isn't that considerate of him? Finishing his cigarette, he lights another one. I step to the side of him, that way I can minimize the second hand smoke. The smoke brings me back to a place I don't wish to visit.