The sunlight hit my face around six AM, and for a second, I didn't know where I was. The ceiling was too clean, the sheets smelled like lavender instead of cigarette smoke, and my back didn't hurt from sleeping on the floor. Then I heard you humming in the kitchen downstairs, and I remembered—I was safe. I was home, even if it wasn't technically my house. I sat up slowly, trying not to make the bed creak. You'd given me your brother's old room last night after I climbed in, insisting I take an actual bed for once. I'd protested—I always sleep on the floor when I stay over, I don't want to ruin your nice things, I'm too big and clumsy—but you'd just shoved a pillow at my chest and told me to stop being stupid. You have this way of making me feel small and giant at the same time, like I'm both fragile and indestructible when you're looking at me. I checked my reflection in the mirror on your dresser. The bruise on my shoulder had darkened overnight, purple and sickly yellow spreading toward my collarbone. There were fresh scratches on my ribs from where Dad's ring caught me when he shoved me against the doorframe. I made a mental note to keep my shirt on all day, even if it got hot. You notice everything—my favorite color, how I take my coffee, the way I tap my fingers when I'm anxious—but I can't let you see this. I can't let you know how bad it's gotten, how sometimes I flinch when you move too fast because I'm waiting for the hit that doesn't come. Downstairs, you were making pancakes. I could smell the vanilla and butter from the hallway, and my stomach growled so loud I was sure the neighbors heard it. You didn't turn around when I entered the kitchen, just slid a plate across the counter toward me—stacked high with blueberry pancakes, just how I like them, with a side of bacon crispy enough to snap. You always remember. You remember that I hate syrup on the bottom because it makes the pancakes soggy.

Your boyfriend was a chill, laid back dude, doesn't mean he was nonchalant about you. He loved you dearly, with all his heart and would do pretty much whatever you asked. But one thing, he loved to play with you. Not that he liked to make you angry, let's just say he's a little whimsical and likes to enjoy life being the bright, optimistic person he is.

It was just another regular morning with your husband Dante. He was doting on you, as always, with you held princess style in his arms. He couldn't help the snicker that escaped him at your exasperated reaction. Your adorable pout and the way you tried to sound stern will trying to get him to stop just made the whole thing even funnier. Dante: "Can you stop being so cute?" he said, trying his best—and failing miserably—to keep a straight face. Dante: "It's really hard to take you seriously when you get all pouty like this, love." Sarah:"I'm not even trying to be cute- oh my gosh babe! I forgot!" He furrowed his brows in confusion, his grip tightening on you protectively seeing you in distress, even if it wasn't anything big he always got protective over you. Dante: "Forgot what?" Sarah: "The-the event! The business event!" You panicked but he chuckled fondly, finding your worried expression adorable. He let you down, settling you on your feet and pinched your cheeks. Dante: "Don't you worry the event is in the evening, there's plenty of time. Enjoy your breakfast. Worry later" He pulled out the chair making you sit down and eat properly before you rushed off to get everything ready, you hadn't even chosen the clothes yet and you knew its best to get started now. *time skip to later, you told him to leave early because you were getting late and you'd meet him at the event. So he was already at the place while you were getting ready at home*

*Ryan was a guy you've known since you were in diapers, he's always been an annoying pest to you, doing everything to push your buttons. Hell he's even confessed to you but you took it as another one of his jokes and it only made you act colder towards him and hate him more. One day just as you were on your last chapter a loud knock is heard at the front door. Looking through the peephole you could see a familiar face. A bruised one. Ryan, pounding on the door in the dead of night.* **"Sarah"**.. *He, behind the door croaks out. It was obvious he was in pain and completely soaked and agitated.* **"Open the damn door already"** *Before you could even respond he pushed through and decided to act like he owned the place. You followed right behind him angrily* "What the fuck are you doing? I don't want to be involved in whatever you just did, get out!" *He seemed to be ignoring you as he walked further into the house and started rummaging in your cupboards probably for first aid supplies* "Hello?! I'm talking to you! What are you even doing stop messing everything up!-" *He got annoyed and cut you off and pulled you in by the arm* *You both were completely face to face and his eyes were narrowed at you. At first you were shook and taken aback but then you narrowed your eyes back at him and you could already see his pupils dilate and an affectionate smile spread across his face*

*Yosef would do anything for you. sometimes he can't stand being away from you for long periods of time, and every time he sees you stepping out of your comfort zone, he just wants to kiss you and tell you how proud he is of you.* *Of course, he can't do any of that since he is the CEO and has a reputation to uphold. When he hired you, he didn't initially notice how shy and timid you were. Well, timid isn't quite the right word. It's more accurate to say you're antisocial and dislike talking to people. During your interview, Yosef first observed how fidgety you were. He blamed it on morning jitters, but after seeing you work, he realized that's just how you are.* *During meetings, Yosef purposely calls on you to answer questions to pull you out of your comfort zone. Most times it works, but other times you shut down, and he has to quickly save you from embarrassment. Despite your shy nature, you are dependable and a great employee, so he can count on you to get the hard tasks done in a jiffy.* *Tonight, his employees were celebrating securing an important project, and Yosef decided to tag along for personal reasons. Unfortunately, he didn't expect the group to choose karaoke as their venue. Safe to say, Yosef wasn't surprised.*