Daisy woke to the soft glow of morning light filtering through the curtains, casting a warm golden hue across the bedroom. She blinked a few times, slowly coming to her senses, and for a brief moment, she was disoriented, unsure of her surroundings. But then she felt the familiar warmth beside her, the steady rhythm of Ferdinand's breathing just a few inches away, and everything clicked back into place. She was in Ferdinand's bed.
It wasn't often that she woke up before him. In fact, this might've been the first time it had ever happened. Ferdinand was usually up and about well before her, always on top of his schedule, always so composed and put-together. But this morning was different. The usual sense of hurry in the air wasn't there. It was peaceful, quiet, and the only sound was the gentle rise and fall of Ferdinand's breaths beside her.
She turned her head slowly, her eyes landing on him, still fast asleep. His face was relaxed, softened by the tranquility of sleep, free of the sharp focus he always carried during the day. His dark lashes rested against his cheeks, and the faintest smile tugged at the corners of his lips, as though he was dreaming of something pleasant.
Daisy found herself smiling too, unable to resist the warmth spreading through her chest as she watched him. There was something about seeing someone in such a vulnerable state, something tender and intimate that stirred feelings she hadn't expected. She rarely got to see this side of Ferdinand—completely unguarded, utterly at peace—and it made her heart flutter in a way she couldn't quite explain.
Carefully, not wanting to disturb him, Daisy shifted in the bed, turning her body slightly so she could get a better look at him. She propped herself up on her elbow, resting her head on her hand as she gazed down at him. Her fingers lightly traced the edges of the blanket, her mind wandering as she observed the little details she'd never paid attention to before: the faint lines of sleep around his eyes, the way his chest rose and fell with each breath, the barely-there stubble on his chin that made him look even more endearing.
*He looks so different when he's sleeping,* Daisy thought, her lips curling into a soft smile. The usual intensity that surrounded him, the way he carried himself with such a strong presence, it all melted away in sleep. In its place was a softness, a kind of innocence that she hadn't realized was there.
She sat there for a while, just watching him, feeling an unfamiliar sense of calm wash over her. Normally, her mind was racing with thoughts, overthinking every little thing, worrying about what was next. But right now, in this quiet moment, everything felt... still. And it was nice.
Her eyes wandered to his lips, slightly parted as he breathed softly. For a moment, she had the urge to lean down and kiss him, just a gentle peck to see if he'd stir. The thought made her cheeks flush, and she quickly shook it off, feeling silly. *He needs his sleep,* she reminded herself. Besides, she wasn't sure if she was brave enough for that just yet.
But her heart thudded a little faster at the thought of being this close to him, of waking up beside him like this more often. The idea of it—of this becoming their norm—made her feel warm and light, like she was on the verge of something wonderful. Could they really be moving in that direction? It certainly felt like it.
Just as Daisy was about to settle back down, the soft ringing of a bell echoed through the apartment. She froze for a moment, her heart skipping a beat as the sound startled her. It wasn't loud, but in the stillness of the morning, it felt sharp and intrusive. Her eyes darted toward the door, wondering who could possibly be at the apartment this early.
She glanced back at Ferdinand, but he didn't stir. His sleep was deep, undisturbed by the faint noise. Daisy hesitated for a moment, unsure of whether she should wake him or let him sleep. Her first instinct was to protect his peace, to keep him wrapped in the warmth of his slumber. But someone was at the door, and it could be important.
Carefully, Daisy slid out of bed, moving as quietly as she could. The mattress shifted slightly under her weight, but Ferdinand remained blissfully unaware, his breathing steady and calm. She smiled softly at the sight of him, feeling a pang of affection as she tiptoed toward the door.
The bell rang again, this time a bit more insistent. Daisy's pulse quickened as she reached the door, her bare feet padding silently across the wooden floor. She wasn't sure what to expect—was it a neighbor? A delivery? Or perhaps something more unexpected?
Daisy's heart raced as she reached the door, her bare feet moving softly across the wooden floor. The second ring of the bell felt more urgent, and she hesitated for a moment before cautiously approaching the peephole. Her curiosity had gotten the better of her, but nothing could have prepared her for what she saw next.
Through the tiny circular view, Daisy spotted a girl standing outside the door, holding a small overnight bag. The girl looked composed, not exactly impatient, but certainly expectant. Daisy's pulse quickened as a wave of panic swept through her. *Who was this? Why was there a girl at Ferdinand's door with a bag?*
Daisy stepped back from the door, her mind racing. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, her palms suddenly clammy. *What should I do?* The possibilities were endless, and none of them made her feel at ease. Without thinking, she spun on her heel and hurried back to the bedroom, her panic rising with each step. She shook Ferdinand gently, then a little more urgently when he didn't wake immediately.
"Ferdinand!" she whispered, her voice filled with tension as she nudged him. He stirred slightly but didn't open his eyes. "Ferdinand, wake up! There's a girl at the door."
That seemed to do the trick. Ferdinand groaned softly and slowly sat up, rubbing his eyes as he processed what she had just said. "A girl?" he mumbled, still groggy and half-asleep.
Daisy nodded quickly, her anxiety clearly written across her face. "Yeah, with a small bag! I don't know who she is, but she looks like she's here to stay."
Ferdinand blinked a few times as the realization hit him. He suddenly sat up straighter, wide awake now. "Oh no," he muttered under his breath. "That's my sister. She said she'd be here for the weekend."
Daisy's eyes widened. "Your sister?" she echoed, her panic morphing into confusion. "You didn't mention—"
"I forgot," Ferdinand said quickly, running a hand through his hair. His voice was more serious now as he swung his legs over the side of the bed, standing up. "Daisy, listen. I need you to stay in the room, alright? Don't come out until I say so."
Daisy's heart pounded as she tried to make sense of the situation. "Stay in the room?" she repeated, her voice laced with uncertainty. "Why?"
Ferdinand was already pulling on a t-shirt, moving swiftly as he prepared to open the door. "I just need to stall her for a bit, okay?" he said firmly. "I'll take her to the balcony or somewhere out of sight, and then you can leave when you get the chance."
Daisy bit her lip, nodding despite the uneasy feeling settling in her stomach. She understood what he was asking, but the suddenness of it all had thrown her off balance. "Okay," she agreed, stepping back toward the bed. "I'll stay in here."
Ferdinand gave her a quick, grateful look before hurrying out of the bedroom. Daisy sat down on the edge of the bed, her mind buzzing with a mix of emotions. She heard the muffled sound of the door unlocking and then Ferdinand's voice, calm and collected, greeting his sister.
Her curiosity nearly got the best of her, but she forced herself to remain in the room as instructed. Her heart was still racing, her thoughts whirling. *What if his sister suspects something?*
She strained to hear bits of their conversation, but most of it was lost to the space between the bedroom and the front door. After a few tense moments, Daisy heard the sound of footsteps moving away from the front door and toward what she assumed was the balcony. Ferdinand was likely keeping her sister preoccupied, just as he'd promised.
*Now's my chance,* she thought, taking a deep breath. The idea of sneaking out made her feel a bit like a criminal, but she didn't have much of a choice. She didn't want to cause any awkward situations between Ferdinand and his sister, especially if this was an unplanned visit. *This weekend just got complicated,* she thought wryly.
Daisy moved quickly, slipping out of bed and gathering her things as quietly as possible. She tiptoed to the bedroom door, pausing for a moment to listen for any sounds of movement. The apartment was eerily quiet, save for the faint murmurs of Ferdinand's voice coming from the balcony.
*Perfect.* Daisy carefully opened the bedroom door, peeking around the corner. The coast was clear. She quickly made her way toward the front door, heart hammering in her chest. Her hand hovered over the doorknob, nerves buzzing in her fingertips as she prepared to make her escape.
But before she could twist the handle, she heard Ferdinand's voice, a bit louder this time. "I'll be right back, just going to grab something from inside."
Her heart leaped into her throat. *Oh no, he's coming back in.* Daisy's pulse skyrocketed as she panicked. She had only seconds to either get out or hide. With no time to think, she slipped behind the door, pressing her back against the wall and praying he wouldn't see her.
The door to the balcony slid open, and Ferdinand stepped back into the living room. His expression was tense, though he maintained a casual tone as he moved toward the kitchen. Daisy held her breath, squeezing her eyes shut and hoping that he wouldn't notice her in the corner.
She could hear him rummaging around in the kitchen, likely grabbing whatever excuse he had made up for his sister. Then, as if by some miracle, he walked back toward the balcony, his footsteps fading as he rejoined his sister outside.
Daisy didn't wait for a second chance. She quickly opened the door and slipped out, carefully closing it behind her before rushing down the hallway. Her heart was still racing, her cheeks flushed with adrenaline as she made her way down the stairs, trying to process what had just happened.
As she finally stepped out into the cool morning air, she let out a shaky breath, relief flooding her system. *That was close,* she thought, glancing back at the apartment building. She didn't know what would've happened if Ferdinand's sister had caught her, but she was glad she didn't have to find out.
She walked quickly toward the street, her mind still spinning from the events of the morning. *What a way to start the weekend.*