The One

Truce

 The next morning, she awoke refreshed, invigorated by a night of deep sleep. As was her routine, she prepared herself for the day before heading down to the dining hall for breakfast. Without a thought, she unplugged the charger and tucked it into her small pouch, her phone still off, a mere accessory to her unfolding adventure.

Without a fresh pair of clothes, she donned the same bathrobe and ventured from her room, her heart quickening as she made her way to the dining hall. The moment she entered, the enticing aroma of breakfast filled her senses, drawing her towards the food aisle. Yet, it was not the food that seized her attention; instead, her gaze fell upon a sight that ignited a flicker of joy within her.

In the centre of the hall sat another woman, draped in a bathrobe identical to hers, enjoying her breakfast with a carefree air. The sight struck a chord in her heart, a shared unspoken camaraderie. A smile blossomed on her face as she piled her plate high before gravitating towards the window section, where the morning light bathed everything in a soft glow.

Just as she was about to take a bite, a firm hand landed on her shoulder, causing her to freeze mid-action. Turning, she found herself face to face with a smirking figure retreating to claim the seat in front of her.

Speechless, she lowered her spoon, her throat tightening as she managed to stammer, "What are you doing here?"

"Eating breakfast. Then I saw someone familiar, so I decided to say hi," the intruder replied nonchalantly.

"No, no. You shouldn't be here at all," Karol insisted, panic rising in her chest.

"Yes, we are here," the smirking figure shot back.

"Shit! Like all three or just two?" Karol's heart raced, silently praying for the latter, but Sharon's smirk quashed her hopes instantly.

"All three of us."

"Okay, well I didn't do anything wrong, so I'm okay. I mean, whatever," she replied, more to convince herself than anything as she forced a bite of food into her mouth. Sharon watched, a smile tugging at her lips, amused by her sister's flustered reaction.

"You know if you're both strictly friends, you shouldn't be angry with him in the first place, unless you have feelings for him," Sharon said knowingly.

"Yes, we're just friends—nothing more! I was overreacting over nothing," she insisted, but Sharon pursed her lips tightly, a forced smile dancing on her face.

"Don't get it into your head, okay, sissy?" she added, rising but still locking eyes with her sister.

"Don't tell them that I'm sitting here, okay?"

Sharon nodded and sauntered away, leaving her to handle her breakfast alone. As Sharon approached her fiancé, she couldn't resist murmuring to herself, 'I won't, I won't sell you out, don't worry. But if they notice you, then it's not my fault,' a fleeting smile gracing her lips at the thought.

A few minutes later, another hand landed on her shoulder, this time sending a delightful tingle through her. Instinctively, she knew it was Christian. She turned her head slightly, feigning surprise.

"You here?" she asked, her voice laced with false astonishment.

"Yes, I am. Where have you been?" he queried as he settled into the seat opposite her.

"Nowhere," she replied curtly, returning her focus to her breakfast. Christian leaned in, his curiosity palpable. "I mean last night, where did you go?"

In a fluster, she shoved a bite-sized piece of pancake towards him, "Here, eat some pancakes," she insisted, interrupting him as he chewed.

"No problem. Now that you've devoured all my pancakes, you can go and get some more vanilla pancakes," he teased.

"Okay, boss," she replied, her mood lifting.

But as she heard mumbles and soft gasps ripple across the hall, she chose to ignore the stares, relishing her breakfast and the sweet morning vibe that hung in the air, both refusing to touch on that fateful night.

Their meal concluded seamlessly, and neither wished to disrupt the moment with talk of their past. They returned to their room, pledging to meet in the lobby by noon to check out.

"You guys ready?" asked Sharon as they reconvened in the hotel lobby.

In a perfect synchrony, both Christian and Jason replied, "Yup," while Karol exchanged glances between her sister and Jason.

"Are you two going somewhere else after this?" she inquired.

"After our lunch, maybe. It's up to your sister to decide," Jason replied.

"Yeah, I was thinking of sightseeing afterwards. Do you both want to come with us?" Sharon asked eagerly.

"Nah, I'll pass. I just want to head back home and rest," Karol replied.

"I'll just follow her," Christian added.

"Okay then, let's head out for lunch together and then we'll part ways right after that," Sharon confirmed.

Both couples made their way to their vehicles parked in the VVIP section, driving off towards Olcan's Authentic Food Restaurant for their promised lunch.

After the enjoyable meal, they parted ways, Sharon and Jason off on their sightseeing adventure, while Karol and Christian headed back to Theodulf.

As they drove, Karol and Christian engaged in light conversation, trying to learn more about each other as friends.

"Okay, this is my exit. Thank you for the ride, good Sir," Karol joked as she prepared to exit the vehicle.

"No problem at all, my queen," Christian responded, tipping an invisible hat.

In unison, they burst into laughter, a moment of pure joy, before she stepped out and waved goodbye to her newfound mate.

Christian then sped away, his sleek car glinting under the fading twilight as he made his way back to his opulent mansion, which loomed just a stone's throw from the rental house.