Valerie had always been a regular sleeper. Since her school days, she'd gone to bed at 11 p.m. and woken at 6 a.m., giving her ample time to clean the house and cook breakfast for the family. This early-rising habit had persisted for many years. Lately, however, Valerie had been feeling increasingly sleepy. She attributed this to her pregnancy, but work still demanded her attention.

She dragged herself out of bed, freshened up, got dressed, and went out for breakfast, as usual. Matthew opened their bedroom door just as she returned.

"Morning, Mr. Grant!" Valerie greeted him with her usual bright smile. She set the table and waited for him to sit down.

"Good morning," Matthew replied. He noticed her smile and realized she'd moved on from the previous night's incident. He suddenly understood its strangeness; it was the same detached, polite smile he received from his company receptionist. She's treating me like a client, he thought.

He didn't mind much; he was hungry. The food on the table was different from his usual sandwiches. Its pleasant aroma filled his nostrils, and he craved the breakfast wrap he'd had yesterday. However, as he approached the table, he frowned.

"You didn't eat much yesterday, so I only bought two servings today, to avoid waste," Valerie explained.

"That's fine," Matthew replied. He didn't want to waste food either. "But where's the breakfast wrap I asked for?"

Valerie remembered his request. "The breakfast wraps were sold out, so I got fried butter bread instead. Try it; it's good."

Matthew was speechless. She did it again, making changes without my consent! The fried butter bread looked odd.

However, after Valerie had changed his password the night before without telling him, this felt less significant. She'd again challenged his boundaries, but he barely registered it. He picked up the fried butter bread and took a bite. It was surprisingly crispy and sweet, and the ketchup reduced the oiliness.

He was secretly impressed with Valerie's culinary choices. He watched her eat an egg sandwich, its pleasant aroma filling the air. Seeing her enthusiastically devour it, he thought, Breakfast wraps and fried butter bread are tasty, but she's had an egg sandwich for two days in a row. I wonder what it tastes like?

Matthew gathered his thoughts. "Have you finished moving?" He looked around; her belongings seemed minimal.

Valerie nodded. "Yeah, I don't have much."

Matthew didn't really care about her possessions. He suspected she'd brought little intentionally, to facilitate a quick departure after six months. But after eating, in a good mood, he said, "This place is sparsely furnished. If you need anything, tell me or buy it yourself."

Valerie considered this. "I want to buy a treadmill. It can go on the balcony. I hope it won't be in the way?"

"Okay," Matthew said, glancing at the balcony. She must know she eats a lot and wants to exercise to stay fit.

Valerie, however, thought, Getting exercise is good for me and the baby, but with work, the gym's impossible. A treadmill's the solution. I can walk on it daily, and I don't want to gain excessive pregnancy weight.

After breakfast, Valerie cleared the table, and Matthew left for work. At the door, he heard squeaks. He found a metal cage with a fluffy creature on a shelf. He frowned and looked closer. The furball wiggled its rear, raising its tiny head, revealing a pointy head, black eyes, and two long incisors. He remembered Valerie had a hamster.

She constantly surprises me. Even her pet is unique! he thought. The hamster, mistaking Matthew for Valerie, approached the cage, begging for food. It wasn't afraid of him, just like its owner. Matthew poked it; the hamster fell backward, unable to right itself due to its round body and short legs. Feeling good, Matthew left.