MEAGAN

Chapter 5

The warm smell of sweet toast and steaming choco woke me up to a cheering morning.

No doubts, Danny had brought me breakfast in bed again. He was so sweet, one would think he was deeply in love with me.

“Up already?’’ Danny's voice sailed into the room with his footsteps approaching. “Seems you had a good dream last night.’’

I sat up groggily, wiping my face. “Good morning.’’

He kissed my cheek and fingered some strands of hair from my face, smiling ever brightly. “Morning, princess. What is it that has got you in such a mood this morning?’’

“What mood?’’ I asked back.

‘‘You've been smiling through your sleep.’’

“You've been watching me?’’ I creased my brows, half-smiling.

“Is that so bad of a husband to do for his wife?’’ He teased me.

It worked totally well, I couldn't stop a chuckle from leaving my lips. It's unimaginable what would have become of me if I hadn't collided with a sweet soul like Danny. It would have been totally bleak around my life now, I would never have been able to pull through from the tragic episode that struck me two years ago.

“I thought you were bringing me breakfast in bed.’’ I teased back, though it was partly true.

“I was going to do that, but you seem to have gotten too excited about it that you woke up before the time.’’

Oh Danny. He always had a way to spin things around with words. To have the last words when it came to teasing me.

‘‘Fine. You win.’’ I rolled my eyes playfully.

“C'mon, we have to see Dr. Thessa today.” He patted me back, coaxing me to get prepared for the day.

Morning routines were never a hassle for me. Mostly because every time I can't wait to get out into the outside world. Meeting people and interacting with the world widely was a good way to flail my thoughts. It was always an opportunity for me to live and act like a normal person like everyone else. Like someone who hadn't been struck by a tragedy that haunts my soul everyday. A chance to pretend to be happy and stray from the darkness clouding my soul inside.

I dried my hair with a towel, and my eyes fell on my neck in the mirror. Two years had passed since I lost it, but every time I looked at my neck during those two years it still felt so empty. It was a handmade necklace I made out of crystal beads with a locket containing Sarah's picture. I had made one for Sarah as well with my picture in it, but it was all buried with that accident, leaving me with nothing to hold onto.

My chest clenched, and I grabbed the washing sink tight, trying to restore back my breaths but it was hard. My lung was squeezing fast, shutting out every attempt to draw in air. I whimpered, feeling a sharp pain in my nose pipes.

“Meagan, are you done yet?’’ Danny called from outside.

But I couldn't even respond. I was losing my grip on the washing sink as pain clouded my face.

“Meagan?’’ Danny called again, and nothing felt more relieving than the sound of his footsteps approaching the bathroom.

I lost my grip and crashed against the floor, grabbing my chest in a tight massage. Danny must have heard the thud, he hurried into the bathroom screaming my name. Horror screeched through his eyes as he saw me struggling on the floor.

“Are you okay? What's wrong?’’

He quickly helped me up and sprinkled some water over my face from the sink, then patted my back rhythmically.

“You're okay. Relax, it's just an episode. Take a calm breathe.’’ He muttered softly, holding me carefully against his chest.

Exactly the kind of peace I needed to gain back control of my attack. I locked my fingers tightly in his, taking breaths slowly like he urged until my lungs swelled back to size.

“I–I'm sorry.’’ I sniffled. All the pain on my face seemed to move to my eyes, pushing tears out unhindered.

‘‘It's alright. You'll be fine. How did it happen?’’ Danny said softly.

‘I–I was just at it again. Thinking about her, the accident. I shouldn't have. I'm sorry, Danny.’’ I cried.

He didn't say anything and simply patted my hair, letting me sob to my heart's content.

‘‘I'll prepare your clothes, just take a rest.’’

“No, it's fine. You have to prepare too and I can't draw you back like that.’’ I quickly declined.

‘‘Meagan..’’

‘‘Besides, you've prepared breakfast already. I can't keep making you do everything for me, I should be the one doing these things.’’ I cut in, pulling away from him.

“Trust me I'll be fine.” I managed a smile.

Danny reluctantly nodded and headed out of the room once he was sure I was doing okay enough by myself.

It hurts deep in my heart to have him go through all of these when none of it was his fault. He was so unfortunate to meet a wreck like me just out of an innocent attempt to get out of the wreck of his family. He didn't deserve a mess like me. He didn’t deserve to pay for the havoc that was caused by another man. It was greedy enough of me to keep reminding him of a daughter that wasn't even his and making him clean up after something he didn't have anything to do with.

I wanted to take care of my own issues myself, and quit worrying him. But I couldn't even do that simple favour for him.

Yet Darrell dared to show up in my face after wrecking my soul.

I would make sure to leave a dent in his face if he ever shows up before me again.

Not like I hope to hear anything about him again. If I hadn't met him yesterday, just maybe I would have done better than I did from last night until now.