C1 1

Rosa

“Yes! Just like that,” I exclaim, feeling a surge of pleasure as the mystery man between my thighs skillfully pleasures me. “Oh my God!” I cry out, the sensation building to a crescendo, time blurring as we lose ourselves in the moment.

Just as I’m about to reach the peak, a sudden loud noise shatters the euphoria. I groan in frustration. “Is that your phone, honey? Please turn it off so we can continue,” I beg, desperate to hold onto the dream.

“That’s not me, love,” he replies in a deep voice that sends shivers down my spine.

“Then what is it?” I whine.

“That’s your alarm,” he explains, his deep voice trailing off. “Time to wake up, my dear.” His voice fades as the dream slips away.

My eyes flutter open, blinking against the brilliant sunlight streaming through the drapes. As I adjust to the light, the familiar disappointment settles in. “Ugh! Every time. I never get to finish,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair.

This has become a recurring theme since I joined SAR, a budding tech company owned by three ambitious men. Lately, the man in my dreams bears a striking resemblance to the CEO, Samson Cross. Standing at 6’5” with piercing blue eyes, he frequently appears in my dreams. As enticing as he is, I yearn for satisfaction beyond my dreams.

Perhaps it’s due to my celibacy since giving birth to my son, Cole. I’ve avoided relationships, engrossed in work at the cleaning agency and as a stripper at a private club. Amidst the chaos, there’s been no time or desire for romance. The one person I crave remains out of reach. I only meet him in my dreams.

I stretch my limbs, the lingering tension from the dream still coursing through me. After a quick rinse in the bathroom, I pad down the hall to Cole’s room, the small apartment quiet except for the soft hum of the refrigerator.

Gently pushing the door open, I find Cole sleeping peacefully, his dark curls spilling over his forehead. The vibrant red and blue Captain America curtains cast a soft, colorful glow in the room, shielding him from the morning light. Standing in that spot, my heart is filled with affection and satisfaction. He is turning three this year, and I am still surprised at how quickly time has passed since I first cuddled him. He is already inquiring about his biological father. He's incredibly curious and eager to learn, which is understandable given his age. He probably noticed other dads dropping their children at school, but I’ve only told him that his father isn’t with us right now. I guess that was a satisfactory explanation for him. I’ve worked hard and long to be where I am after being abandoned by his father, making sure he knows that he is always going to be loved.

I step further into the room and turn off the blue LED lamp on his desk. His dark curls cover his face, so I gently push them away, my fingers brushing his soft skin. “Time to wake up, honey. “Time to get ready for school,” I whisper, kissing his cheek.

“Mama, can I sleep a bit longer?” he mumbles, still half-asleep.

“No, CJ. You have to get up now if you want to catch the school bus,” I say, ruffling his curls as he reluctantly gets out of bed. “But for being so obedient, you get extra bacon this morning,” I add with a smile.

“Really, Mama?”

“Yes, love, now hurry up and get ready.”

As I leave, I hear water running in the sink. I grab bacon, eggs, and spring onions from the refrigerator. The coffee machine begins to gurgle as I turn on the kettle for Cole’s hot chocolate. The morning is hectic with French toast for breakfast and spicy noodles for lunch, yet the routine brings me comfort. While the bread is soaking, I mix the eggs with a bit of milk, some salt, and a dash of pepper. I heat water on the stove for the noodles, and the smell of frying bacon fills the kitchen, blending with the coffee's aroma.

“Hope you got all your homework?”

“Yes, Mama, I packed everything last night,” he replies.

“Come sit down, hon; your meal is almost done.”

I remove the bread and bacon from the pan and place them on a plate. Placing the plate at Cole’s seat, I head to the cupboard to fetch his blue cup. I tear open a packet of Cadbury's hot chocolate mix, empty it into a mug, and mix it with hot water from the kettle. Once I add cold water to lower its temperature, I set the cup in front of him.

“Thanks for breakfast, Mama.”

“Always, my love. Hasten up so that you can meet the school bus.”

I return to the stove, remove the noodles, and put them into his lunch pack, adding an apple and some chewy fruit snacks. I close it up and hand it to Cole. He finishes his meal just in time as the school bus pulls into our apartment complex.

“Alright, dear,” I say as we head out the front door. “Remember to listen to your teachers and make good friends today. I love you, Bean.”

“Bye, Mama. Love you,” he replies, running towards the school bus, already waving at his friends.

I watch him leave, filled with pride and gratitude. His cheerful smile brightens every room, and I whisper a silent prayer of thanks for the joy my little boy brings to my life.

Closing the front door, I quickly head back into the kitchen. I nibble on the remaining French toast, my thoughts drifting to Pamela. She looked a little better last week, and her tests showed she was responding to the treatment. It's a small comfort amid the chaos.

After tidying up the space, I go to the bedroom to prepare myself for work. As I wash up, I silently hope I don’t encounter Sam today. But deep down, I know the universe has other plans for us.