”Just some demonic possession,” Ying Sheng replied casually as she started the movie and then tossed the remote elsewhere. She nuzzled herself against his chest, peering at the screen with a content smile on her face.

Liam groaned, but he was just as happy as her deep down. He had her in his arms with a smile on her face. There was nothing more that he could ask for to make this moment any better or more complete than it already was now. He was just grateful that it was happening in the first place, and he wasn’t about to ruin it.

”Of course,” he chuckled as he held her close, his cheek resting against her temple. He could fall asleep like this, but he knew that she wanted him to watch. The small things made her happy, and he didn’t mind doing anything and everything just to put that dazzling smile on her face.

”It’s not as gory as the last one,” Liam laughed out, playfully crossing her heart with her finger. She shot him a wink before turning back to look at the screen, an excited expression adorning her face as it glowed from the television screen.

Liam didn’t even want to think about the last freaky movie she had put him through about a week ago. It was so sickeningly hardcore that it had nearly made him nauseous, while it had made her laugh, like it was a comedy. He had no clue how he managed to sit through that entire movie with her, but he had made it. Oh, what he did for love.

****************

Blame Layne’s new album poured out of Ying Sheng’s laptop speakers as her fingers flew over the keyboard, typing word after word to plug into her developing business plan. After her mini crisis the other day, she was feeling a lot better after being consoled by Liam and seeing her father’s Facebook post. She felt like things might actually start looking up soon, so she was struck with a bout of motivation that she was determined to put to use.

She really hoped that her parents were planning on surprising her for her birthday. That wouldn’t erase all that they did to her, but it would be a start, and that was all that she wanted. She didn’t want to live the entirety of her life resenting her parents. She wanted a better relationship with them if they would just try.

”Oh… I wonder if selling ice cream would be a good idea,” Ying Sheng muttered to herself as she tapped her forefinger against her chin thoughtfully, her eyes honing in on her laptop screen. She then shook her head, deciding to start out simple and effective first. Later on, she could add more features when she was more established and had her footing.

She finished typing up one more point before giving her fingers a few flexes, a tired sigh breaking from her. She had managed to finish a few pages today, which she was extremely proud of. Pride wasn’t something that she felt a lot for herself, but it felt really good. It made her feel like maybe her future wasn’t so dark and hopeless, like she wasn’t killing herself over work for nothing.

”And that’s why I need you!” Blame Lane’s vocalist belted out over thrashing drums and bold strumming.

Ying Sheng bit into her bottom lip absentmindedly as her thoughts shifted to Liam, who had been her saving grace. She knew that she wasn’t supposed to rely on him so much, but maybe she could make it up to him. She really wanted to thank him for comforting her the other night, but what could she do?

Ying Sheng shut off her music and then her laptop before standing up, glancing around for an idea of what to do for him before he got home for work in about an hour. She didn’t have time to run out and go get him anything, so it would have to be something she did here in the apartment.

With a curious look on her face, Ying Sheng ventured out of her room and into the kitchen. She sifted through all of the cabinets, the pantry, and the fridge, checking to see what they had lying around. She knew for a fact that his favorite meal was breakfast.

At the thought, she started laughing to herself as she shook her head. People typically said pizza or tacos were their favorite meals, but it was just breakfast for Liam. Luckily, she had the ingredients to make French toast and bacon, so she would make him breakfast for dinner when he got home from work.

Ying Sheng enjoyed cooking. She didn’t get to do it as much as she wanted to when she was growing up because the nanny would shoo her out of the kitchen, but Ying Sheng cooked whenever she had time now. It was relaxing to her, and she felt like she actually had some control over its outcome. Plus, she got to be rewarded by the end product.

Glancing at the clock, Ying Sheng moved around the kitchen to pull out all of the ingredients that she would need, hurrying around to fix them breakfast before he got home. She managed to finish up the last piece of French toast when he stepped through the door. Hurriedly, she scooped three pieces of French toast and two pieces of bacon on his plate, her heart beating rapidly as she heard him approach.

”Woah, what’s all this?” Liam’s voice sounded from the doorway as he stepped inside of the kitchen, a confused look adorning his face.

Ying Sheng turned away from the stove once she turned it off, plastering a warm smile on her face as she held both of their plates in her hands.

”I made breakfast. You really helped me out the other day, and I just wanted to thank you,” Ying Sheng explained as she stepped closer to him, her large band shirt swishing against her thighs just below the bottom of her black lounge shorts.