Chapter 15: A Morning Surprise

Harper groggily rubbed her eyes as the morning sunlight filtered through the thin curtains of her small apartment. She was running on little sleep, as usual, after spending most of the night preparing for a presentation at work and catching up on her college assignments. Her stomach growled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten much the day before, but breakfast would have to wait until she was on campus—if she even had time to grab something.

As she gathered her bag and prepared to walk to the bus stop, a sharp knock at her door startled her. Harper froze, her mind immediately jumping to worst-case scenarios. She wasn’t used to unannounced visitors.

When she opened the door, she was met with an unexpected sight: Blyaine Walker, standing impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, holding a brown paper bag and a tray with two coffees.

“Good morning,” Blyaine said, a small, almost hesitant smile on her lips.

“Ms. Walker?” Harper asked, completely thrown off.

“Blyaine,” she corrected with a faint smirk. “Are you going to let me in, or should we have breakfast out here in the hallway?”

Harper blinked, stepping aside to let her in. “What… what are you doing here?”

Blyaine placed the bag and coffees on Harper’s small table, looking around the modest apartment with quiet observation. “Your car is still out of commission, and I figured you’d need a ride to work. I also thought you could use a proper breakfast,” she said matter-of-factly, gesturing to the bag.

Harper stared at her, still processing the situation. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know,” Blyaine replied, meeting her eyes. “But I wanted to.”

---

Over breakfast, which consisted of freshly baked croissants and fruit, Harper couldn’t help but feel a little self-conscious. Her apartment wasn’t much, and she wasn’t used to someone like Blyaine—polished and successful—seeing her personal space.

“Thank you,” Harper said quietly, breaking the silence.

Blyaine waved her off. “It’s nothing. Besides, I’ve been curious about your morning routine. You always show up to work on time, perfectly prepared, despite everything you juggle.”

Harper hesitated. “It’s… not that interesting,” she said, avoiding Blyaine’s gaze.

“I’d disagree,” Blyaine said, taking a sip of her coffee. “You’re a fascinating young woman, Harper. I don’t say that lightly.”

Harper’s cheeks warmed at the compliment, and she quickly busied herself gathering her things for the day.

---

The ride to work was surprisingly relaxed. Blyaine asked Harper about her classes, her interests, and even her goals for the future. Harper, though initially hesitant, found herself opening up little by little.

“I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer,” Harper admitted. “I like the idea of helping people who don’t have anyone else to fight for them.”

Blyaine glanced at her, a glimmer of admiration in her eyes. “That’s a noble goal. It takes a lot of heart—and a lot of grit—to do what we do.”

Harper smiled faintly. “I think I’ve got the grit part down.”

“That you do,” Blyaine agreed, her lips curving into a rare, genuine smile.

---

Over the next few weeks, Blyaine continued to pick Harper up in the mornings, sometimes surprising her with breakfast, other times simply offering a quiet, comfortable ride. The two women began to develop an easy rapport, their conversations shifting from strictly professional topics to more personal ones.

Harper learned that Blyaine had grown up in a strict household, where expectations were high and failure wasn’t an option. It explained her perfectionism and rigid demeanor, though Harper also saw glimpses of vulnerability beneath the surface.

In turn, Harper shared fragments of her own life—her struggles, her dreams, and the challenges she faced balancing school and work. Blyaine listened intently, never pushing for more than Harper was willing to offer.

---

One morning, Blyaine surprised Harper again—this time by pulling into the lot of a used car dealership.

“What are we doing here?” Harper asked, confused.

“You need a reliable car,” Blyaine said simply. “I made a few calls and found some options within a reasonable price range.”

“Blyaine, I can’t—”

“You can,” Blyaine interrupted firmly. “And you will. Consider it an investment in your future.”

Harper felt a lump form in her throat as she followed Blyaine onto the lot. By the end of the day, she drove away in a modest but dependable car, her heart heavy with gratitude she didn’t quite know how to express.

---

The bond between them deepened as Harper began her first semester of college. Blyaine made it a point to ensure she had the support she needed, whether it was helping her navigate her course load, offering advice, or simply being a steady presence in her life.

For Harper, who had spent so much of her life relying only on herself, Blyaine’s kindness and guidance were both foreign and comforting. And for Blyaine, Harper’s resilience and determination were a reminder of the fire she’d once carried herself.

Though neither of them could fully articulate it, they both felt that their growing connection was something rare—something neither of them wanted to lose.