The sun had just begun to peer over the distant hills, casting a golden hue over the sleepy town. Birds chirped softly outside the window, announcing the start of a new day. The quiet hush of dawn hung in the air, and the house was still cloaked in a gentle silence—until a soft knock disrupted the calm.
Bella gently rapped her knuckles against JR's bedroom door. Without waiting for a reply, she pushed it open and peeked in. JR lay tangled in his sheets, his eyes just beginning to open, squinting at the early light.
"You must be tired," Bella said in a sweet voice, stepping into the room. She held a bottle of oil in her hand, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the cap. "I'm here to give you a massage. I've been learning a few techniques, and I need to practice."
JR raised an eyebrow, amused. He let out a groggy chuckle. "A massage? Bella, that's not necessary. The sun's already coming up. I might end up running late."
Bella walked over to his bed, placing the bottle of oil on the nightstand. "Even if you do run late," she said confidently, "you need to relax first. You've got a busy day ahead, and I won't let you step out without getting your body loosened up. Your muscles are probably tense—you don't even notice it."
JR sat up slightly, resting on one elbow. He gave her a mischievous grin. "You're getting bold, aren't you?"
She laughed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm just being helpful."
"No," he said with a mock stern voice, grabbing her by the wrist and pulling her gently closer. "You're being naughty."
Their eyes locked, and Bella couldn't help but giggle. "JR, stop it," she said, lightly hitting his arm. "You'll make me drop the oil."
JR leaned back, letting his head fall into the pillow, still smiling. "So, this is how you start mornings now? Sneaking into my room with massage oil and innocent intentions?"
"I'm serious!" Bella protested between bursts of laughter. "You always say your back hurts. Let me help. I've been watching tutorials and everything."
"Oh really?" JR teased, folding his arms. "And what exactly did these tutorials teach you? That sneaking in before sunrise gives better results?"
Bella playfully rolled her eyes. "Fine, tease me if you want. But you'll thank me later."
He tilted his head. "Or maybe you just wanted an excuse to be close to me."
Her cheeks flushed, but she didn't back down. "Maybe I did," she replied with a sly smile.
JR reached out and pulled her down next to him. The sheets rustled as she landed beside him with a soft thud. "You're brave," he murmured, brushing a finger along her jawline. "But I should warn you—massages can have consequences."
Bella gasped with exaggerated shock. "Consequences? Like what?"
"Like this," he said, and tickled her sides.
She squealed and squirmed, laughing uncontrollably. "JR! No! Stop, stop!" She tried to wriggle away, but he was too quick. Within seconds, they were both a mess of tangled limbs and laughter.
Breathless, Bella sat up and tried to regain her composure. "I came here with good intentions," she said, crossing her arms in mock offense. "And you're making it impossible."
JR leaned back against the headboard, still grinning. "Admit it. You love the chaos."
She raised an eyebrow. "What I love is giving you a proper massage, and you're wasting time. You said yourself you might be late."
He raised his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. Go ahead. Let's see what you've learned."
Bella grinned triumphantly. She took the oil bottle, poured a small amount into her palms, and rubbed them together to warm it up. JR lay down on his stomach, folding his arms under his head.
As Bella began to gently work the oil into his shoulders, the mood shifted. The room grew quiet again, the only sounds the occasional chirp from outside and JR's soft sighs of relaxation.
Her hands moved slowly but firmly, kneading into the knots at the base of his neck. "You weren't lying," she said. "You're tense."
"Told you," he mumbled.
She smiled to herself, feeling his muscles loosen under her touch. "You work too hard. You never take time for yourself."
JR didn't respond right away. He just closed his eyes and let himself sink into the moment. "It's hard to slow down sometimes."
"Well, that's what I'm here for," she whispered.
For a few minutes, there was silence. Bella's hands moved methodically over his back, her fingertips tracing the lines of his spine, her thumbs pressing gently into the tension points in his shoulders and lower back. She was focused, and JR could feel the care behind every movement.
Eventually, he turned over to face her again, his eyes searching hers. "You know, you could've just said you wanted to spend time with me."
She smiled shyly. "Maybe I did. But I also wanted to do something that made you feel good."
He reached up and cupped her face. "You already do."
Their moment hung suspended in the quiet morning light, and for a second, everything else—the stress, the schedules, the rush—faded into the background.
Then Bella broke the silence with a giggle. "Well, that's one way to start a day."
JR chuckled. "Best morning I've had in a while."
She stood up, brushing imaginary dust from her clothes. "Alright, get up. You've got work to do. I'll go make some coffee."
JR reached for her hand as she turned to leave. "Thanks, Bella. Really."
She gave him a wink. "There's more where that came from. Now hurry up before you end up missing your meeting."
As she walked out of the room, JR lay back with a smile lingering on his lips. The sunlight continued to pour in, now filling the room with warmth. It was a new day—but one that had already started with laughter, connection, and a little bit of playful mischief.