Creeping Yellows

A bright London morning always felt special to Derek when he woke to a cup of soothing black coffee by his side. But that didn't stop him from gazing for a couple of minutes at the empty pillow next to him.

"Late again."

Not that he was actually late for work. He was late in waking up earlier than Liz. By now, he was on the verge of accepting it as an impossible task. No matter how hard he tried to wake up before her, Derek always found himself alone in bed.

Every morning, the empty pillow beside him served as a quiet reminder.

How did she always manage to slip away unnoticed?

Derek chuckled at the thought. Well, that wasn't entirely true. There were mornings when he had felt the warmth of a kiss on his cheek, a faint whisper in his ear—"Good morning, baby." He'd mumble something back, half-asleep, half-dreaming. Then, before he knew it, Liz was gone.

Today was no different.