Early in the morning, Sienna Johnson woke up to the sound of birdsong and the scent of lotus flowers resting on the windowsill, filling the room with a gentle fragrance.
A few small birds with black and yellow feathers perched on the window, chirping away. When they noticed Sienna looking at them, they tilted their heads curiously, unafraid of humans.
Adrian Desmond, who shared her bed, had woken up long before and was out exercising, as he did every day—either jogging or boxing with Brett Jacobs. On days when he felt particularly good or bad, he would spar with Aaron Faber, who often ended up worse for wear.
Sienna guessed he had picked the lotus flowers in the vase after finishing his exercises.
As she sat up and stretched, Adrian happened to walk in.
They exchanged glances, and Sienna smiled at him. Adrian came over and bent down to kiss her, but Sienna dodged him. "I haven't brushed my teeth yet!"
