Adam's POV

I looked at the ceiling while I slept on the bed, listening to the clock tick as time went by. A very dim light was being broadcasted by the sun through the covered windows. I hadn't bothered to open the curtains today, wanting the room to be as dark and empty as my soul.

I turned and looked to my left, where there was an empty space. I touched it, hoping that it would be warm. I knew that it would be cold, but I couldn't help but hope. Sighing again, I looked at the ceiling.

Emilia and I had moved out of the house that we'd been in before Kathy died as a way to forget, but it seemed like she still followed me here. I wanted her off my mind, but the mere thought of letting her go broke me, and made me feel guilty for even thinking about it. I loved her, i always will.

I took my phone and looked at the time.

10:53am

Putting my phone on my left side, I thought of what happened last night, thought of what Ms Rollins was asking.

'Why do you not eat?'

I scoffed out loud, being the only sound that had been made that morning besides the ticking clock. What right did she have to ask me that?

She could actually be concerned about you.

To this, I rolled my eyes. Sighing again, I thought to myself, and how rudely I'd answered her at that time. It had been a long day, and I didn't expect to get home and be interrogated about my life, especially by a woman who didn't know me at all.

My stomach grumbled, signalling that I had no food in it. Getting up, I stretched my body and slowly walked to the door. Just as I opened the door, I squinted my eyes, making sure that they slowly adjusted to the brightness that was in the hallway.

When they were used to the light, I walked downstairs and got into the kitchen.

Mmmm.........what to cook........eggs and toast? Pasta? Something simple.

Me being my lazy self, I opted for orange juice again and an apple instead. I opened the fridge to get the juice, when I saw the plate of food that was there. Ignoring it entirely, I took the juice and just when I was about to close the door, something caught my eye.

Was that............a star shaped carrot?

Abandoning the juice, I took the plate out. Perfectly made pasta, sauce, green veggies and star-shaped carrots decorated the plate. Looking at the plate brought back memories, memories that made me happy and sad at the same time.

They reminded me of Kathy. That was how she made pasta for Emilia. I guessed that she had told her how she wanted it to be prepared, since Linda made it like this sometimes. She said that she wanted the child to know how her mother was creative, even on a plate.

My stomach grumbled again, and looking at the plate made the juice and apple option seem stupid and unreasonable.

After all, it didn't matter if I ate the food. Ms Rollins wanted me to eat it. If she didn't, she wouldn't have made it for me.

Putting it in the microwave to heat up, I made my coffee.

The house had a ghostly silence, a silence that oddly made me feel the need to talk to people. I had been an antisocial for five years now, and I guess the mind had had enough, and wanted other people to talk to other than James.

You could talk to Ms Rollins.

Ha! My mind was on a role this morning, thinking about crazy stuff!

How could I possibly talk to her? Not only did I avoid her like the plague, I spoke to her harshly the previous night. She honestly hadn't done me wrong, all she wanted was to make sure that I was eating okay, even though it was a promise.

I had been a terrible employer.

Running my hands through my hair, the ding of the microwave made me stop my action. I took the plate out and poured my coffee, thinking about how I was going to be nicer to my employee. She was taking care of my daughter after all.

*******

Leila's POV

When we got to the church, we greeted James and his wife before Emilia ran to her friends, being her bubbly self. She told her friends that we were wearing matching dresses, and they looked at me. I waved and they waved back, smiling.

I followed the couple into the church, to see Tori and Gabriel sitting together a few rows ahead. After saying my good-byes to James, I went to sit next to my best friend.

She looked at me, and a cheshire grin grew on her face.

"Lei! I missed you so much. How is work?"

I told her that we had the weekend for that. Now was the time for us to be in church. We sang a few songs, prayed and the pastor came to the pulpit.

"Good morning church. It's so great to see that you are all alive and well. God has kept us safe through out the week, and for this, we must be grateful and thankful.

Did you thank him for the breakfast you had this morning? If you didn't, aren't you one ungrateful child! Someone died due to hunger and starvation, but here you are, waking up and starting your day with a very nutritious meal as if it was by your willpower.

You have clothes, shelter, warmth!! There are urchins all over the world who could wish for just one day, for at least one of those things. As people who gathered here today, I pray that you always give thanks to Him who provides all your needs."

I felt my heart squeeze because of what he'd said. Some days, I just woke up and went on my way like I was alive because I was the one who made myself awaken. I had heard of people in counties which had wars on a daily basis, slavery, hunger, and at that point and time, I really felt grateful for this life I had.

"Let the Lord be the center of your life, even when things aren't going well. Remember to always say that it is well with my soul. May your day be blessed, sons and daughters of the Most High!"

The entire congregation screamed an amen as he sat back down, and before we knew it, the service was over, and people were greeting each other as per usual. Emilia went to her friend's house for yet another sleepover, and I laughed to myself at how she had bonded very well with Christie, her best friend. I was like that with Tori, up to the point where both mothers considered us their daughters.

Seeing James a few feet away, I couldn't help but think of Mr Carter, and why his friend came to church, but he didn't. Asking him somewhat felt awkward, but I was curious. I walked to him and smiled. After some greetings, I dived in.

"Um, James, I wanted to ask you something."

James turned from his friends and looked at me.

"What is it, Leila?"

"Why doesn't Mr Carter come to church? This question has troubled his daughter a lot."

And me as well.

He looked troubled by my question, like he knew the reason. That only intrigued me even more.

"Something happened back in the past, and ever since then he hasn't come here."

So, that man had a past? But, why would it make him not come to church?? I thought it best not to ask any further.

"Oh? Okay then, James. I have to go. My weekend has to be spent well."

He waved at me as I made my way to the road to stop an uber. I had told the driver to not come and take me, since I'd thought of going to Tori's house directly. I had forgotten something at home, and I needed it for the weekend.

When I got there, I ran upstairs to my room. Taking extra money for the cab and my bathroom essentials, I made my way downstairs. As I passed by the kitchen, I suddenly had the need for a fruit.

I got in, and everything was where it had been when I left it. I got to the refrigerator and opened it to take a fruit. I looked up to see that the plate I had left in the morning was not there anymore.

Had he finally eaten the food?

The idea of him eating the meal made me feel happy, satisfied that I had been able to keep Linda's promise. At the same time, he had finally eaten something I had made. Oddly, deep within, I hoped that he liked it.

Smiling to myself in glee, I closed the door and took a big bite of the apple.

Mmmmmm, just how I liked it. Cool and refreshing.

Sighing, I victory waltzed out of the house, happier than I had been when I walked in.