𝒫𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓃𝓃𝑒

Chapter 18

The next morning, Eleanor approached her usual routine with a heavy heart and a sense of trepidation. Her steps down the grand staircase felt slower, her usual enthusiasm dimmed by the turbulent feelings from the previous night. The vibrant energy that once accompanied her morning routine now felt overshadowed by uncertainty and awkwardness.

As she descended, Eleanor replayed the events of the previous night over and over in her mind. The car ride, Alessio's proximity, and the strange mix of emotions she had experienced were all too vivid. The knot in her stomach was still there, a constant reminder of how her feelings had shifted.

Entering the dining area, she saw the familiar faces of the men she had grown accustomed to over the past few weeks. Marco, Luca, and Jay were engaged in their usual morning chatter, their presence a comforting constant in her otherwise disoriented state.

Eleanor hesitated at the entrance, trying to muster the confidence she usually had. She wanted to continue with her morning greetings—kissing each man gently on the cheek, a gesture she had come to enjoy. However, today was different. Her usual routine felt awkward, tinged with the unease she felt about Alessio.

As she walked over to the breakfast table, she caught Alessio's eye. He was already seated, his usual stern expression softened by the morning light. The memory of their close proximity in the car, and the strange feelings it had stirred within her, made her heart race. She wasn't sure how to approach him, how to act around him now that everything felt so altered.

"Good morning," she said softly, trying to keep her voice steady. She approached Alessio first, extending a hesitant hand to kiss his cheek. The gesture felt more like a formality than a warm exchange. She tried to ignore the way his gaze lingered on her, and the intense emotions it evoked.

Alessio responded with a nod, his eyes following her movements closely. "Good morning, Eleanor," he said, his tone neutral but his gaze sharp. There was an underlying tension in his demeanor, as if he too was struggling with the change in their dynamic.

Eleanor moved to the others, exchanging polite kisses and greetings, though her heart wasn't fully in it. She found herself caught between wanting to act normal and feeling overwhelmed by the undercurrent of attraction and confusion she had towards Alessio.

After taking her seat, Eleanor tried to focus on her breakfast, but her mind kept wandering back to the events of the previous night. She glanced at Alessio, who was now absorbed in his newspaper, his demeanor serious. The knot in her stomach tightened, making it difficult for her to concentrate on anything else.

The men around the table chatted animatedly, seemingly unaware of the internal conflict Eleanor was facing. She appreciated their attempts at normalcy but found herself struggling to engage fully. The shift in her feelings towards Alessio was making her morning routine feel foreign and uncomfortable.

As the conversation continued, Eleanor stole occasional glances at Alessio, trying to gauge his mood and figure out how to navigate this new, uncertain territory. She knew she needed to address her feelings, but for now, she was simply trying to get through the morning without letting her confusion show too much.

Eleanor hastily excused herself from the dining room, her mind racing as she made her way to her room. The breakfast had been filled with polite but strained conversation, and she could barely focus on anything but the lingering unease from the incident with Olivia. The knot in her stomach seemed to tighten with every step she took, making her anxious about starting the day at university.

She rushed up the stairs, her thoughts scattered. Her encounter with Olivia had left her feeling vulnerable and self-conscious, and the prospect of facing another day of classes and potential confrontations was daunting. The encounter with Olivia still felt raw, and she couldn't shake the feeling of being on edge.