C1 Chapter 1

Eeeeeeek...

"Shit"

Bibiana cursed silently at the screeching sound the door made as she tried to shut it.

After waiting to see if the sound made any effects, she continued tiptoeing into her home, careful not to make another sound.

The clock on the wall whispered that it was almost midnight, and she didn't want to wake her sleeping niece, Bella. The soft glow of the moonlight streaming through the sheer curtains guided her way in.

Exhaustion weighed heavily on her shoulders. She had just finished a long and challenging shift at her second job. She knew she had to take care of herself, especially after her recent health scare. Her heart condition required her to be diligent about her medication and self-care.

After successfully maneuvering past the living room, she went to check on Bella, and thankfully, she was still sleeping.

Satisfied, she made her way to the bathroom. She undressed with a sigh of relief and entered the shower, letting the day's tension wash away.

The warm water cascaded over her, erasing the stress and fatigue.

Once done, she reached for the small container of pills on the bathroom counter. She carefully counted out her medications and took them. The rhythmic sound of water droplets falling from the shower head onto the tiles provided a soothing backdrop as she stood there, lost in her thoughts.

"Bibi, is that you?" Bella's tiny voice dragged Bibiana away from her thoughts.

Ah, she should have known. Bella was, of course, a light sleeper.

"Yes, my love! I'm so, so sorry."

Bella giggled softly. "Oh, it's okay."

Bibiana wrapped herself in a soft towel and entered her bedroom. Her nine-year-old niece lay on her queen-sized bed, counting her fingers. She immediately sat up upon seeing Bibiana.

"How are you, my princess? I'm sorry for waking you up," Bibiana went over and showered her with kisses.

"You didn't, Bibi. I had a bad nightmare, so I woke up."

"Just say 'nightmare,' sweetie. I'm sorry you had that. Wanna sleep with me? You can tell me about this dream tomorrow."

"Yeah."

This was her trick to help Bella forget about her nightmares. By the next morning, she would have completely forgotten the dream.

Bibiana slipped into her pajamas as they chatted. After getting dressed, she quickly completed her nighttime skincare routine with Bella's assistance.

"Okay. Time for bed, munchkin," Bibiana announced.

"I don't wanna dream that nightmare again."

"I promise you won't, my love. I'm right here with you, and I'll be with you inside your dream to watch over you. Come on, you've got school tomorrow."

Bibiana tucked her in and planted a kiss on her cheek. "I'll be right with you."

"Mhmm..." Bella nodded and rubbed her eye, sleep evident in her face.

Bibiana quickly made last-minute arrangements in her room and set out her work outfit for the next day.

Climbing into her bed, she pulled the duvet snugly around her and Bella before drifting off to sleep.

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Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please like, comment and share as it really keeps me going and motivated. Thankssss :D

Luv,

Ugo 💋