Alina stayed at the sa cheap hotel that night, the dress bag and stationery bundle placed carefully on the little chair by the window. But even with the light off and the blanket pulled up to her chin, sleep refused to co.
Her head pounded, a dull ache that settled behind her eyes and wouldn’t go away. She turned on her side, then again. The thin pillow felt too hard, the blanket too itchy. Her heart wouldn’t stop racing with old thoughts... the boutique girl’s smirk, Celeste’s cruel voice, Riccardo’s eyes, her mother’s pale hand...
She stared at the ceiling in silence.
It felt like the nights from before — when she had no job, no purpose, and everything felt uncertain. When the weight of the world sat on her chest and wouldn’t move.
She didn’t know when she finally dozed off, but it was restless and short. Before the sun even rose, she was already awake.
By six, she had checked out, clutching her bags in both hands as she walked through the quiet town, fog still curling in the morning air.
She reached the edge of Black Leaf Forest just as the sun peeked out behind the hills, golden light spilling between the trees. It was strange — the forest used to scare her... but now, driving back through it felt like returning to sothing warm.
Soon she reached the little house that had been given to her on kindergarten. The mont she stepped inside, sothing loosened in her chest. The silence was soft here, not heavy. The air felt clean.
She dropped her bags gently near the old wooden chair and slipped off her shoes.
Without thinking, she walked straight to the tiny bathroom and turned on the hot water. Steam rose quickly. As the warm spray hit her skin, she closed her eyes, her forehead resting against the cool tile.
She let the water wash away everything — the ugly voices, the mall lights, the fear. She stayed there for a while, breathing, the tension slowly lting off her shoulders.
Afterward, she changed into a fresh outfit and padded into the little kitchen. The sun now lit the room in soft gold as she placed a small pan on the stove. She cracked an egg, toasted two slices of bread, and brewed herself a cup of coffee. The sll filled the kitchen like a blanket.
She sat by the window, her fingers curled around the warm cup, and watched a few tiny birds hop along the fence.
For the first ti in two days... she felt peace.
***
Alina stood quietly near the staff room window, sunlight casting delicate patterns across the floor tiles. Her fingers still tingled from the morning chill, but her shoulders were loose, ward by the lingering comfort of her shower. She hadn’t expected to see Gabriel so early—she’d arrived a full half hour ahead of ti—yet there he was, as always, serene and luminous, like the first breath of dawn
"Miss Alina," he said with that soft, gentle smile, holding out a cup wrapped in a little napkin. "You looked like you could use sothing sweet today."
Alina blinked up at him, her eyes slightly dazed as she took the drink from his hand. It was warm in her palms, the cup light pink with a tiny heart drawn on the lid. The scent was sweet like berries and honey and vanilla clouds. She stared at the drink, then back at Gabriel’s face, feeling just a little too flustered for this early in the morning.
"Thank you," she murmured, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she took a careful sip.
The mont the taste hit her tongue, her eyes widened. It was soft and smooth, like drinking lted clouds mixed with sweet cream.
Gabriel smiled more warmly, his voice almost teasing. "You like it?"
She looked up at him with wide eyes, still holding the cup like it might float away. "It’s... it’s really good."
His cheeks dimpled. "My mom made it," he said. "I told her about you. She was excited and said you needed sothing sweet to start your day." He leaned a little closer, his golden hair catching the light like a halo. "She even called it Angel’s Heart. Special recipe."
Alina stared at him. Then at the cup. Then at him again.
He gave Angel’s Heart. His mom made it. He told his mom about .
She took another sip. The flavor danced in her mouth, and for a brief mont, she forgot every pain from the boutique, every smirk, every long night alone.
"Goodness," she whispered under her breath.
Gabriel tilted his head. "Hmm?"
She shook her head quickly, flustered. "Nothing! I just— it’s delicious. Like... like dessert and a hug in a cup."
He laughed softly, his voice like soft bells. "I’ll tell her you said that. She’ll be thrilled."
Alina nodded, still sipping, trying not to stare at his face — his perfectly angelic face but failing miserably. Her heart fluttered a little.
She hugged the cup to her chest and whispered to herself, Okay. Maybe today really will be good.
After sipping the last bit of the sweet drink, Alina reached down into her paper bag and pulled out the small bundles she’d brought from town — notebooks, pencils, sparkly erasers, and two colorful picture books with soft watercolor covers.
"I got these for Class D," she said, a little shyly, holding them out like treasures. "I think the kids will really love them."
Gabriel’s soft eyes lit up. He set his own drink aside and gently took the bundle, examining each item like it was made of gold.
He turned over the moon-shaped erasers with curiosity. "These are adorable," he said, smiling. "And this little dragon notebook... is this for Drake?"
Alina giggled, nodding quickly. "I couldn’t resist. It reminded of how he spins when he’s excited."
Gabriel held up the sticker sheets next. "Ghost ones... for Boo?"
"Yes! He’s going to stick them everywhere. I just know it," she laughed softly, cheeks pink with pride.
Gabriel looked at her, still smiling — that soft, angelic smile that made her heartbeat skip a little. "You’re thoughtful, Miss Alina. You rember every little thing about them." His voice was warm, honest. "They’re lucky to have you."
Alina’s heart lted completely. She blinked away the sudden sting in her eyes and looked down. "I just... I want them to feel special."
He nodded. "They will. They already do."
AN:
In the next Chapter, we’re going to et so of the other babies from the kindergarten...
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