morning in the warmth

The morning crept softly into their small room. Gentle sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the quiet wooden walls. Athena began to stir, her eyes still heavy, but there was something she immediately noticed.

An embrace.

A warm body pressed tightly against her side, strong arms wrapped possessively yet gently around her waist, as if unwilling to let go.

Asher.

The man held her like a child afraid of losing something, like someone who had a nightmare and could only feel safe by clinging to the source of his warmth.

Athena didn't move, just stared at her husband's peaceful sleeping face. His hair was a bit tousled, his breath soft and steady.

She smiled. Gently. Tenderly.

Her hand lifted slowly, brushing against his face in featherlight strokes, as though afraid to disturb his dream.

"I never imagined I'd wake up like this," she whispered. "Waking up in the arms of a handsome man."

She gazed at his face deeply. "And that handsome man doesn't even have a shadow of a past behind him."

Her voice was soft, nearly a prayer.

"I just hope you truly belong to me. Not to anyone else. No one waiting for you out there. No other name but the one I gave you. My husband."

As if hearing her silent wish, Asher stirred gently. His eyes began to open, lashes fluttering slightly. And when he realized Athena was caressing his face so closely, so tenderly, he froze.

His gaze locked on hers, only inches away, and for a moment, he was utterly speechless.

Athena smiled softly and whispered, "Good morning."

Asher swallowed, his eyes clear and honest. "Is this what marriage means?"

Athena furrowed her brows slightly, then chuckled, nodding.

"Yes, this is one part of it. Waking up in an embrace. Knowing you're not alone," she explained, looking into his eyes.

"Do you like it?"

Asher didn't respond with words. He simply smiled an earnest, glowing smile that made his blue eyes sparkle.

"I love it," he whispered. "It makes me want to kiss you."

Athena froze. Her cheeks instantly flushed red. The words were so innocent, yet touched something deep within her.

"You, you want to kiss me?" she whispered back, barely believing it.

Asher nodded slowly, his warm smile still etched on his slightly disheveled but undeniably handsome face. There was no pressure, no urgency. Just an honest desire from a heart that had never known love.

Athena caught her breath. Something trembled inside her, yet for some reason, she didn't want to pull away. Not this time.

With trembling hands, she cupped his cheeks. Looking into his eyes, and with a courage that slowly gathered from deep within her, she leaned in.

Their lips met.

Soft. Gentle. Like a leaf falling on a quiet lake.

Not a kiss of passion. Not a kiss full of promises. Just a simple kiss, born from sincerity and hope that mornings like this would keep coming.

"Athena!"

A woman's shrill voice broke the quiet morning from the front door. Athena jolted slightly on the bed, then turned toward the window, eyes wide.

It was Lucy's voice.

Immediately, Asher who had still been holding her, let go instinctively and sat up straight, his eyes wide like a child caught sneaking cookies.

Athena quickly pulled the blanket over herself and looked at Asher with a hint of panic.

"We have to get up, honey," she said quickly, trying to stay calm.

Asher nodded obediently. "I'll get the door."

Athena simply gave a quick nod, slowly rising from the bed and walking into the bathroom to clean up. She had to get ready for work and of course, prepare breakfast.

Meanwhile, Asher headed to the front door. When he opened it, he was immediately greeted by Lucy's bright smile and enthusiastic face.

"Asher!" Lucy beamed. "You look like you just woke up. How was your first night with Athena?!"

Asher grinned brightly, his face glowing with innocent joy.

"Last night was wonderful. We had our first night together, in a romantic way."

Lucy fell silent for a second, then her eyes widened. "What?!"

Her voice nearly shrieked, her brain instantly spiraling into wild thoughts. First night? Romantic? With someone as innocent as Asher? Her imagination started running wild.

"She must've taught him a lot," Lucy muttered in her mind, half horrified, half amazed.

Before her thoughts could spiral further, Asher continued calmly.

"We slept together," he said as he stepped inside the house. "Then I gave Athena a massage, we talked for a long time, then fell asleep."

Lucy stopped walking. Her face, once beaming with excitement, suddenly froze. Her mouth fell open, shocked, and her smile disappeared.

She stared at Asher, eyebrows furrowed.

"So, that's what you meant by your first night?"

Asher nodded confidently, his innocent smile never fading.

Lucy could only slap her own forehead.

"Oh dear God, that's a mess," she muttered, half laughing, half exasperated.

But Asher shook his head gently.

"No, it wasn't a mess at all," he said earnestly. "I was happy. And Athena was happy. We even hugged and kissed this morning."

Lucy, who had just started chuckling, abruptly stopped. She crossed her arms over her chest, eyebrows slightly raised.

"You what?"

Asher nodded. "We kissed."

Silence. A beat of stillness.

Lucy stared at him for a long moment, then exhaled sharply.

"Okay, either you're way too innocent, or incredibly lucky."

Asher said nothing. He simply walked slowly toward the kitchen, following the smell of freshly brewed coffee.

Lucy stood in the living room, still half in shock, half amused. And for a moment, she thought silently to herself:

'Athena, you're lucky. That man he might love you more deeply than anyone else even if he doesn't yet know what love really means.'

Lucy stepped into the kitchen, following the scent of coffee and toasted bread. There, Athena was busy making sandwiches in a rush. Her hands worked quickly, spreading peanut butter, stacking vegetables, and wrapping them up while glancing occasionally at the clock on the wall.

Lucy leaned against the doorway, arms crossed over her chest.

Athena immediately noticed her.

"I need to head to the bakery," she said quickly without turning.

"Madam Janet, I have to return her money I didn't use. And I need to get back to work properly."

She placed the last sandwich into the lunch box and added,

"I need the extra income. I'm not just supporting myself anymore."

Lucy sighed softly, watching her friend's back with a complicated expression.

"Let me help."

Athena smiled faintly, still not stopping.

"No need, Lucy. You've already helped me too much."

Lucy didn't respond right away. Her eyes shifted toward Asher, who was now opening the fridge, pulling out a bottle of milk and drinking straight from it like a kid. He then wiped his mouth with his sleeve and gave them a big, silly smile.

Lucy turned back to Athena, her tone now more serious.

"I'm going to help you find out who Asher really is."

Athena's hands instantly froze. She stood with her back to Lucy, rigid, before slowly turning.

Her eyes were distant. Her lips pressed into a thin line. She didn't say a word. But the disappointment on her face was impossible to hide.

Lucy looked at her gently.

"Athena, we need to know who he is. We have to. For the marriage certificate. For your future. You need something real to hold onto. This isn't just about running from Carlos, right? You want this marriage to be real. I know you do."

Athena lowered her head slowly.

"I know," she whispered.

Lucy stepped closer, her voice softer.

"Finding out who he really is doesn't mean you'll lose him. It might be the exact solution you need."

Athena didn't move.

Lucy continued,

"What if he used to be rich? Or at least had a home, some savings? You can't keep working yourself to death alone. You need help. You need stability."

Athena nodded slowly, but her eyes were already red. She closed them for a moment, trying to stop the tears from forming.

She knew Lucy was right.

But when her eyes instinctively drifted toward Asher who now sat at the pantry table, happily munching on the sandwich she had made, that childlike grin still on his face, her heart ached.

In just a few days, that man had become part of her rhythm. His presence was quiet, but it filled the space. It was as if Asher had filled a void she never realized she had.

And now, the possibility that all of it could disappear, made her hard to breathe.