Pol In Love [gxg]

4.2: unspoken tension

Alice informed her farm manager that she wouldn't be able to help today. She couldn't reveal the true reason—that she'll be accompanying Senator Risa in her room. Instead, Alice concocted an alibi, claiming she had to review papers for a Senate hearing and other farm-related documents. This excuse served to mask the real reason for her unavailability, allowing her to manage the unexpected situation discreetly.

Alice also asked Lady Susan to prepare breakfast. Lady Susan was confused about why the mayor needed so much food for just herself. Alice explained that she felt particularly hungry after drinking the night before and needed energy for reading numerous documents.

Too many lies.

On the other hand, Senator Risa's anxiety seemed to intensify. The moment she heard the door open and saw Alice walk in, she practically leapt off the mattress in alarm.

"Senator, everyone is outside except for us. I think it's better if you stay in my room instead of here," Alice suggested, trying to ignore how tense Risa was. She hoped the senator would feel safer and more comfortable. "Also, I've prepared breakfast for you," Alice added with a reassuring smile.

Senator Risa moved quickly and followed Alice's suggestion. Once she entered Alice's room, she was surprised to see a tray full of breakfast meals awaiting her.

"Let's share it," said Alice, clicking the lock of her door. She approached the tray and began to arrange the dishes, inviting Senator Risa to join her.

As they settled down to eat, the senator began to relax and at the same time, tensed. She cannot fully explain the feeling. The fact that she's alone with the woman she accused of criminal cases. But, she's not afraid Alice would harm her, she knew the younger won't.

After eating their breakfast, Alice took her paper works along with her laptop in her room.

"Are you afraid that I might search documents that I can use against you during the senate hearing?" Senator said with her arms crossed as she noticed how Alice is keeping her company inside her room.

Alice, wanting to avoid any quarrel, replied to the senator in an indifferent tone, "I'll help you look if you want to." She kept her eyes on her laptop screen, though she could see Senator Risa eyeing her from the corner of her eye.

She felt a little tense from that stare. Was she nervous? Self-conscious? One thing was certain: her heart started racing.

But for what reason?

An hour had passed and yet the senator couldn't stay put, she kept walking back and forth and peeping through the window to check her car. She's been watching the time.

"Madam Senator, what if you sit and calm down?" Alice, this time meeting the older woman's eyes. Trying to ignore the swirling feeling inside her stomach.

"Well, it's easy for you to say that," Senator Risa replied, her tone edged with frustration. She crossed her arms and looked away, clearly distressed. "I left my phone inside my bag. People at home have probably been worrying about me since last night," she added, her voice softening slightly as she thought of her family.

Alice, noticing the change in Risa's demeanor, quickly offered her phone. "You can use my phone to contact them," she said, holding it out with a reassuring smile. The gesture was meant to be comforting, but Risa hesitated, her eyes flickering between Alice's phone and the floor.

"No, thank you..." Risa began, her voice trailing off. She seemed torn, as if reaching for the phone symbolized more than just making a call. It was an admission of vulnerability, a sign that she needed help, and that was something she wasn't used to.

Alice stood up from her seat and stepped closer, gently placing the phone in Risa's hand. "Let them know you're safe," she said softly.

With that quick skin to skin interaction, both felt electricity as if a current passed between them. But despite the obvious tension, both chose to ignore the feeling, especially Senator Risa. Alice, too, continued with her composed demeanor by continuing with her paper works.

Later on, the Senator dialed her home landline and informed them she wasn't able to go home last since she had an emergency out of town meeting and that her phone was dead. After that she handed the phone back to Alice's table.

"I didn't know you were still here," Alice ventured, her voice a tentative bridge into the morning's conversation, the weight of last night's events lingering faintly in her mind, clouded by the haze of alcohol but with a few clear memories shining through. Fortunately, she wasn't suffering from a hangover.

Risa glanced out the window, her expression thoughtful. "I didn't expect to still be here, either."

Alice hesitated, searching for the right words amidst the fragments of memory. "I remember last night," Alice paused as she tried to search for words, "thank you for giving back my sandals," she managed finally, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes.

The Senator, vividly recalling the events of the previous night, studied Alice intently. She observed with a mix of curiosity and apprehension, silently gauging whether Alice remembered the intimate reason that had led her to stay the night.

"You didn't really have to," Alice said softly, a hint of surprise in her voice. "Now you're stuck here with me," she added, a wry smile playing on her lips.

The Senator's gaze remained fixed on Alice, her eyes drawn not to meet Alice's, but instead lingering on her lips.

Risa then shook her head with the unnecessary thoughts, rolling her eyes, "I want to leave this place as soon as possible." she said to herself, escaping the tension that hung her.

Was it one sided?

Out of nowhere, Alice's phone rang, startling them both. But it was just an alarm she had set, signaling it was time for a bath.

"What was that?" asked by the Senator, who's clueless and a bit nervous as to why her phone rang.

Alice stood from her seat, "I'll just have to take a bath." she said, she walked gracefully towards her closet, her movements fluid as she selected clothes for after her bath.

"You're leaving?"

The question from the Senator echoed in Alice's ears, catching her off guard.

"I thought you wanted me gone?" Alice quipped playfully, a hint of teasing in her voice. "No, I'll just take a bath. The usual bath," she explained with a small smile. "You'll see my face again after 45 minutes," she added.

But the Senator's demeanor remained unchanged, her expression as unreadable as ever in response to Alice's playful remark. It was a familiar sight to Alice by now, the Senator's stoic composure seeming impervious to humor or light-hearted banter.

Alice made her way to the shower room but seconds later, she emerged, leaving the Senator puzzled by her sudden change of mind.

"Don't you think you need a bath more than I do?" Alice quipped with a teasing smile, her playful tone laced with gentle humor.

Meanwhile, Alice moved towards her closet, rifling through the clothes with a purposeful air. She scanned the racks for any blouse and trousers that might suit the Senator's style and size.

"Here!" Alice exclaimed, holding up a set of clothes she had selected. "Please take a bath because I can smell you from here," she added with a grin, her words delivered in jest as she extended the clothes towards the Senator.

The Senator raised an eyebrow, momentarily caught off guard by Alice's straightforward remark. She studied the offered outfit with a hint of amusement.

The Senator's expression tightened slightly at Alice's blunt suggestion. She hesitated for a moment, unsure how to respond, before reluctantly taking the clothes from her outstretched hand.

"If only I wasn't itchy..." she muttered, her tone tinged with mild irritation. Turning away, she headed towards the shower room, inwardly frustrated yet outwardly composed, preparing to comply with Alice's unexpected directive.

Taking a bath at someone else's house won't hurt a thing.