Don't Explain

five.

The morning light filtered softly through the curtains, bathing the room in a gentle, golden glow. When I opened my eyes, I instinctively reached out, expecting to find Prince still lying beside me. But the space next to me was empty, the sheets cool where his warmth had been.

I sat up slowly, stretching, feeling the slight ache in my body from the night before. My eyes scanned the room, landing on Prince, who was already up and dressed. He stood near the window, his back to me, speaking quietly into the phone, ordering room service. The odd thing was—he was wearing his sunglasses, even though the sun hadn't fully risen outside.

It felt like a wall had sprung up between us overnight, something unspoken hanging in the air. His usual vibrant energy, that magnetic pull, seemed distant now. His posture was relaxed but guarded, as though he was keeping something in.

I watched him for a moment, waiting for him to acknowledge me, to give me one of those smiles that made everything else melt away. But he didn't. He stayed focused on the phone call, his voice low and steady, discussing breakfast options without turning around. I could barely make out the words, though the tone was unmistakably calm and cool.

When he finally hung up the phone, he still hadn't looked at me. The sunglasses stayed on, masking his eyes, and with them, his thoughts. It felt strange, almost cold, not to see those eyes of his first thing in the morning. I wanted to say something, to break the silence, but I hesitated. There was something about the way he moved, the way he carried himself, that told me this wasn't the right moment to pry.

I pulled the sheets around myself, feeling a little more exposed than I had a few minutes ago. The quiet stretched between us as Prince stood there, motionless for a beat, before finally turning to face me. His lips curved into a small, almost detached smile, but the glasses still shielded the part of him I had come to crave—the connection in his eyes.

"You ordered breakfast?" I asked, my voice softer than I intended.

He nodded once, the small gesture almost dismissive. "It'll be up soon," he said simply, before turning back toward the window.

The distance between us was palpable, and I couldn't help but wonder what had shifted in those few short hours between last night and now.

I watched Prince for a moment longer, the silence between us thick and heavy, before deciding to give him the space he clearly needed. My body still felt the remnants of last night's intensity, a dull ache in my limbs and a fog of exhaustion lingering in my mind. I slipped out of bed, feeling the soft hotel carpet beneath my feet as I quietly padded toward the bathroom.

The sound of the shower turning on was a welcome distraction from the tension in the room. I stepped under the hot stream, letting the water wash over me, soothing my tired muscles and easing the stiffness in my neck. My thoughts wandered as I stood there, eyes closed, trying to shake off the strange mood Prince had woken up with.

The water cascaded down my body, washing away the remnants of sleep and the tangled feelings I woke up with. I took my time in the shower, allowing myself a few moments of solitude to gather my thoughts. The warmth of the water felt comforting, and for just a little while, I let my mind drift, trying not to overanalyze the shift in Prince's demeanor.

After rinsing off the last remnants of the night, I stepped out of the shower and wrapped myself in a fluffy towel. The steam lingered in the air, leaving the bathroom warm and inviting. I took a moment to breathe deeply, finding a semblance of calm in the aftermath of my earlier unease.

As I walked back into the main suite, the savory scents wafting from the dining area caught my attention. I found Prince seated at the table, looking polished and put-together, his sunglasses still perched on his nose. He was a picture of composed elegance, but the distance in his demeanor made my stomach flutter with uncertainty.