𝒫𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓃𝓃𝑒

Chapter 22

Eleanor woke up to the soft glow of the early morning light filtering through her curtains. She blinked, disoriented, trying to remember when she had finally fallen asleep. The night had been a restless blur, her mind racing with thoughts of Alessio, replaying every moment they'd shared over the past few days.

She sighed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she glanced at the clock on her nightstand. It was Saturday. Normally, she would have been relieved to have a day without university, a chance to unwind and relax. But today was different. Alessio would be home, likely working from his office or overseeing whatever business needed his attention. Whether she liked it or not, she'd have to face him after the tension that had built between them.

As she lay in bed, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her chest. Alessio had been on her mind constantly, and not just because of the kiss. There was something about him that both drew her in and made her wary, a magnetic pull she couldn't resist despite the warning bells in her head.

Eleanor groaned, burying her face in the pillow. She knew she couldn't avoid him forever, but the thought of facing him today made her heart race. She wasn't even sure how she was supposed to act around him anymore. The lines between them had blurred, and she felt like she was walking on a tightrope, unsure of her footing.

Forcing herself to get out of bed, she shuffled to the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face in an attempt to wake herself up. The reflection staring back at her in the mirror looked just as conflicted as she felt. Her thoughts were a tangled mess, and no amount of water could wash them away.

She dressed casually, opting for comfort over style, and ran a brush through her curls before heading downstairs. The mansion was quiet, the usual buzz of activity muted in the early morning hours. As she made her way to the kitchen, she couldn't help but wonder where Alessio was.

Was he in his office, already buried in work? Or was he somewhere else in the house, waiting for her to appear?

The thought made her pause at the bottom of the stairs. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. There was no use in avoiding him; they lived in the same house, after all. Sooner or later, she'd have to face him.

Gathering her courage, Eleanor made her way to the kitchen. She could smell the familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee and bacon sizzling on the stove. The warmth of the kitchen was comforting, a stark contrast to the unease she felt.

Marco was at the stove, flipping pancakes with a practiced hand. He glanced over his shoulder when she entered, a warm smile spreading across his face.

"Good morning, Eleanor," he greeted, his voice filled with the usual kindness that never failed to put her at ease. "You're up early for a Saturday."

"Morning, Marco," she replied, managing a small smile of her own. "I didn't sleep much, so I figured I might as well get up."

Marco gave her a knowing look but didn't press her for details. He simply nodded and gestured to the table. "Sit down. Breakfast will be ready in a minute."

Eleanor did as she was told, grateful for the distraction of food. As she settled into her chair, she couldn't help but glance towards the door, half-expecting Alessio to walk in at any moment. Her stomach twisted at the thought, the knot of nerves tightening with each passing second.

But the door remained closed, and the only sound was the clatter of dishes as Marco prepared their breakfast.

"Alessio is still in his office," Marco said, as if reading her mind. "He's been up for a while now. Probably buried in paperwork."

Eleanor nodded, trying to hide her relief. At least she had a little more time to collect herself before facing him. But the thought of seeing him again still made her heart race.