We don’t talk as we fall asleep, but the gentle caress and the softness of his breath say more than words could have said. I am at peace, comfortable, and safe as I slip into my dreams.
***
It’s late morning when I wake up. A smile immediately spreads over my lips. I can smell him on the white sheets. The blankets are tucked snuggly around me, pulled right up to my ears. Outside, I can hear the wind pushing against the windows, and I feel so perfectly comfortable that I don’t want to move.
Without lifting the blankets, I carefully roll over to face him, thinking I want to sneak closer. All night, he held me in his arms. It felt wonderful. But Adrian is already up. His side of the bed isn’t even warm anymore, and I sit up in surprise.
When did he get up?
But as I sit up, I see a gift-wrapped box where he was sleeping.
There is a big black ribbon over the bright pink wrapping. The tag has my name on it, and a smile spreads over my face.
With excitement and curiosity, I pick up the box and sit up in bed, pulling the blankets with me.
I’ve never woken up to a present before.
Tugging at the ribbon, I pull it off. My heart glitters as I lift the lid to see what’s inside.
Surprise bolts through me.
It’s a phone. The latest iPhone model in a custom pink color. I’m shocked.
There is a little folded note inside the box, and I carefully unfold it to read it.
Kitten,
I thought you might want a new phone.
I managed to get your old number back.
A
xxx
I read the message twice, admiring how neat his handwriting is.
A new phone?
This is bigger than just the gift of a phone. This means that Adrian trusts me.
The first week I was here, if not longer, I spent every moment trying to find ways to escape. Obviously, I haven’t tried to do that for a while, but the point is that he would never let me have a phone if he didn’t trust me.
Excitedly, I open up the phone box and realize he’s already set everything up for me.
The phone is on and logged in with all my accounts set up.
This is so amazing.
I’ve never had a phone this fancy before.
The thing is, no one ever called me except for work. But it’s not about that. It’s about the trust. The show of faith in me. And I have a camera now, and I can browse the internet. It doesn’t matter if no one calls. I can call Adrian if I need to. And he can call me.
Grinning, I throw the covers off and slip off the side of the bed. I grab the sheet to wrap it around me so I can go to my own room to get dressed, then go find Adrian to thank him.
On the way to my room, my phone buzzes, and I get such a fright I almost drop it.
Giggling at myself, I check the message.
