March 30, 2024 — 8:30 AM
Angel's Townhouse, Quezon City
The scent of warm air and lavender still lingered faintly as Matthew stirred again beneath the quilt. He blinked against the slatted sunlight pouring through the blinds, slower this time, as if his body was reluctant to let the moment pass.
Beside him, Angel hadn't moved much. One arm draped across her pillow, the other gently curled between them. Her breathing remained steady, eyes still closed, strands of hair falling loose across her cheek. Her bare shoulder peeked above the blanket, and Matthew instinctively reached up to brush a lock of hair away from her brow. His touch was featherlight.
Angel stirred, eyebrows lifting faintly before her eyes blinked open, unfocused for a second.
Then she saw him.
"…Morning," she murmured, voice still heavy with sleep.
Matthew smiled. "Morning."
She closed her eyes again, stretching her legs gently under the covers. "What time is it?"
"A little past eight-thirty."
