57
New York, Mia
As the evening settled in, I found myself standing in the cozy warmth of our kitchen, a sense of contentment washing over me. Today, it was just me and Kieran for dinner, as Bella was working overtime. I decided to prepare a comforting meal of mashed potatoes and fried chicken, a simple yet satisfying choice.
As I worked on the dishes, I found myself humming a tune, a melody that seemed to dance in the air. Cooking had always been a therapeutic activity for me, a way to unwind and express my creativity in the midst of everyday life.
Just as I was about to finish up dinner preparations, my phone rang, and I saw that it was Sebastian calling. I couldn’t help but smile as I answered the call. “Hello.”
His voice was filled with warmth and affection. “What is my beautiful wife doing?” he inquired, his words washing over me like a gentle embrace.
I chuckled lightly, feeling a rush of love. “Just making dinner,” I replied. “Kieran is coming over later.”
“That sounds nice,” he commented. I could almost picture the soft smile on his face as he spoke. “I wish I could be there to watch you make dinner.”
I couldn’t help but laugh softly. “You have the rest of your life to do that,” I assured him, my heart filled with anticipation for the days ahead.
“So, what are you doing?” I asked, curious about his day.
He sighed, his voice carrying a hint of exhaustion. “I’m having pizza for dinner. I just came home after a long meeting.”
My heart went out to him, knowing how demanding his work could be at times. “And tomorrow I have another one.”
I nodded, even though he couldn’t see it. “Mmh, sleep early today then,” I suggested. “You need your rest.”
“That’s what I’m planning to do,” he said with a grateful tone. “That’s why I called you, to wish you goodnight.”
A warmth washed over me as I felt the sincerity in his words. “Alright then, goodnight, my love.”
“Goodnight, baby,” he replied, his voice filled with tenderness.
With that, he ended the call, and I couldn’t help but sigh in contentment. Though we were physically apart, moments like these made me feel closer to Sebastian, and the love between us continued to grow, despite the distance.
With dinner freshly prepared and the kitchen cleaned up, I was ready to sit down and enjoy the meal. The aroma of mashed potatoes and crispy fried chicken filled the air, making my mouth water in anticipation.
As I approached the dining area, I reached for the plates and cutlery, setting them on the table. Just as I was about to serve myself, my phone buzzed, and I glanced at the screen. It was a message from Kieran, informing me that he was running a bit late and suggesting that I go ahead and start dinner without him.
I quickly replied with an “Okay” and then proceeded to serve a plate for myself. The dishes I had prepared looked delectable, and I couldn’t wait to taste them, even though I was the one who had cooked them.
Sitting down in front of the television, I started eating, savoring the delicious flavors. The mashed potatoes were creamy and rich, the chicken crispy and perfectly seasoned. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in my culinary skills as I indulged in the satisfying meal.
As I took the last bite and finished eating, I realized that Kieran had still not arrived. I glanced at the clock and, noting the time, it seemed that he would be even later than anticipated.
With a sense of contentment from the meal and a hint of worry about Kieran’s delay, I decided to tidy up. I walked into the kitchen, placing my plate in the dishwasher, a sense of accomplishment accompanying my steps. The clatter of dishes being stacked and the hum of the dishwasher served as a comforting backdrop to my thoughts.
With the kitchen in order, I headed upstairs. As I ascended the staircase, I couldn’t help but wonder what had caused Kieran’s delay.
I felt like taking a quick shower to freshen up. I figured that if Kieran arrived in the meantime, we could simply have ice cream for dessert and enjoy a relaxing evening watching a movie.
As I stood in the bathroom, the warm water cascading over me, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of tranquility. The bathroom was filled with the soothing sound of running water, and I took my time, thoroughly enjoying my shower.
Once I stepped out of the shower, I wrapped myself in a towel and began my skincare routine. Humming a song softly to myself, I couldn’t help but feel at ease, despite Kieran’s delayed arrival.
However, as I continued with my routine, I noticed a sudden flickering of the lights in the bathroom. My heart skipped a beat, and I furrowed my brow in confusion. It was unusual for the lights to behave this way. What was happening?
The flickering continued, growing more erratic, and my initial sense of curiosity quickly turned into concern. I was about to step out of the bathroom to investigate when, suddenly, everything fell dark.
I screamed.