Chapter 42: Calm Morning.

Max woke when the morning sun touched his face. Warm light slipped through the curtains and spread across the bed. His body felt strangely satisfied, heavy, and relaxed, while his left arm was completely numb. When he turned his head, he saw Jennifer quietly sleeping on it, her cheek resting against him, her slow breaths brushing softly over his chest, gentle just like her.

For a moment, he didn’t move. He just watched her sleep.

Then Max leaned down and kissed her forehead. Carefully, he slid his arm out and placed her head on the pillow so she wouldn’t wake. The room was calm and warm. Peaceful. He was hungry. Needed a bath. And he had the gym to attend today. Jennifer also had classes at the university.

Let’s take a bath first. Then I’ll jog around the neighborhood… grab some fresh bread and meat, make sandwiches for us.

Taking a warm bath and starting a new day felt refreshing. The warm water washed away the fatigue from last night and cleared his head. After drying off, he wore his sports shoes. Seeing the day was a little warm, he put on shorts and a simple T-shirt. He grabbed his wallet and phone, locked the apartment door, and stepped out for his jog.

Morning wind is calming. It always feels nice.

It was 05:14 in the morning. The residential street was quiet, with only a few people around. When he turned toward the party street just one road away from his home, the scene changed. Groups of youngsters his age were leaving the clubs, some laughing loudly, some barely able to walk straight. A few stumbled into their cars and drove off like the night had never ended.

Max ignored the club exit doors as he jogged past. He had a bad experience just a few days ago with a drunk woman, and he didn’t want to deal with that again. Luckily, he didn’t run into anyone this time who would get in his face and yell that she was some kind of princess.

” Can I get two big loaves of rye bread, strawberry, apricot, and plum butter jam, and two sausage rolls, please? Also, this is a coffee pack, right? Give me something for waking someone up nicely ”

” Our Morning Blend ’Morgengruß’ is perfect for waking your loved one, sir ”

” Perfect ”

After finishing his hour-long jog, Max stopped at a classy local bakery. The fresh aroma of baked bread filled the air and made his stomach growl. As he stepped inside, rows of bread lined the shelves, warm and steaming. The rye bread looked the healthiest, thick and heavy, perfect for filling him up.

Each loaf could make eight to ten sandwiches. He took one extra since he was hungrier than usual and still had the gym to attend. Right now, he needed all the energy he could get.

Reaching his apartment, Max unlocked the door and stepped inside. The place was quiet and warm. A soft, clean fragrance greeted him the moment he entered, mixed with the fresh scent of washed sheets. He paused for a second, slightly surprised. After last night, he hadn’t expected the room to feel this neat and calm. Somehow, the apartment smelled nice and new again, like a gentle morning after a long storm.

He placed everything neatly on the dining table — the bread, jam, sausage rolls, and coffee — the paper bags rustling softly in the silence.

As he walked toward the bedroom, he heard the shower running at full speed. Water hitting tile. Soft steam drifting out under the door.

A slow smile appeared on his face.

*KNOCK*

” Hey, you ”

Max knocked once on the glass door.

” Hey, Babe ”

Jennifer slid it open slightly. She was wet from head to toe, hair clinging to her shoulders, water tracing down her skin. Warm steam wrapped around her body. Seeing him, she smiled, soft and inviting.

Max cracked his neck once, calm and steady, then stepped into the bathroom and closed the door behind him.

…

Jennifer sat at the dining table while the tips of her damp hair dripped tiny droplets onto the carpet. She wore Max’s baggy T-shirt and loose shorts that almost reached her knees. The oversized clothes swallowed her frame, making her look soft and cute now, more girl-next-door than the stunning beauty she usually was.

Max moved around the open kitchen with calm focus. The sausage sandwich with extra cheese rolled slowly inside the oven, the smell rich and warm. He spread strawberry jam over a slice of hot bread for Jennifer, the jam melting into the surface, then poured two cups of coffee. Steam curled into the air. Turning back, he smiled at her.

” Here, finish your breakfast. We both have to be somewhere in about half an hour ”

*SMOOCH*

Max leaned down and lightly pecked her soft lips as he handed her the plate full of food. Then he headed to his room to get ready. The morning had already started with two kinds of exercise — one on the road, the other in the bathroom, which later drifted into the bedroom.

Seeing it was 06:36 in the morning, Max decided to hurry. He didn’t want to be late on his first day at the gym. Though with his top-tier Tom Aspinall memories, he didn’t really need a trainer anymore — even the training was already carved into his body.

After getting ready, Max sat at the dining table. Jennifer had already finished her food, so she went to his bedroom to get dressed. Both of them had a long day ahead. Jennifer made another dark coffee to properly wake herself up. She still looked droopy. Last night’s sleep had barely mattered to her.

Max ate four sausage-and-cheese-loaded sandwiches, then two bananas to calm his stomach. He still wanted more meat, but he didn’t have much time left. Soon, both of them left the apartment together.

” You sure you don’t need a lift? ”

” Yeah, I’ll take a cab. Make sure to call Bronte and let him know. This is too early for a man like him. Take care. If anything happens, call me as soon as possible. And don’t ever go there until it’s safe ”

Max stood outside Jennifer’s car while she listened carefully. After he finished, she pouted a little. Max gave her a questioning look.

” I am going to miss you ”

” Get on with it. We live across the road. Come to me after you finish your work ”

Max leaned in and gave her a soft peck on the cheek, then patted her head. After that, he walked out of the parking lot ahead of her. If he didn’t hurry now, he would be late, and he hated being late.

Taking a cab, he reached the inner part of the Schwabing area. Last time, this place had felt expensive and high-class, but after seeing Bogenhausen, it now felt a little cheaper. Not by much, but enough for him to notice.

07:58 a.m.

He stepped into the gym building. The place still looked more like a bikini model agency than a fitness center. Bright lights, glass walls, polished floors. The guard gave him the same weird look as last time. Seeing so many women walking around in sports bras and tight shorts with barely any men in sight, he paused for a second. It almost felt like he had entered the wrong building. Maybe the entrance was for women only or something.

” Hello. Do you remember me? I got into the €450 class last— ”

” Yes, I remember you, sir. Here is your gym ID card and locker room keys. Heads up, all nine in your class are women, and you might want to hurry. Everyone is already here “

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