Don't Explain

eight.

The next morning, I woke early, the faint light of dawn filtering through the curtains. Prince was still asleep beside me, his breathing steady and deep. I lay there for a moment, the events of the previous night replaying in my mind. I felt an overwhelming need for space, for a quiet moment away from the hotel, from him, from everything that had transpired over the last few days.

Carefully, I slipped out of bed, not wanting to wake him. I quickly gathered my things, dressing quietly in the dim light, and slipped on a pair of flats. The room felt stifling, heavy with unspoken words, and I was desperate to get out, to breathe.

Once I was dressed, I grabbed my bag and quietly left the room, the door clicking shut behind me. The hallway of the hotel was eerily silent, and as I made my way to the elevator, I could feel the tension leaving my shoulders.

Outside, the cool morning air greeted me, refreshing and invigorating. The city was just beginning to wake up, and there was a certain calmness to the streets that I hadn't experienced in a while. I headed toward a little café I'd noticed nearby, wanting nothing more than to sit alone with my thoughts and enjoy a quiet breakfast.

The restaurant was cozy, the smell of fresh coffee and warm pastries filling the air. I found a seat by the window and ordered a simple breakfast—scrambled eggs, toast, and a cappuccino. As I waited for my food, I stared out the window, watching the early risers going about their morning routines, feeling like an outsider looking in on a world that seemed so much more peaceful than the one I'd just left.

When my food arrived, I ate slowly, savoring the solitude. It was a moment of calm, one I hadn't realized I needed so badly. As I sipped my coffee, I let myself forget, if only for a little while, the complicated mess that awaited me back at the hotel. For now, it was just me, the quiet morning, and the city beyond the glass.

After breakfast, I decided to take a walk, enjoying the peacefulness of the early morning in the city. My feet carried me toward a small bookstore I'd passed a few times during the trip, its quaint facade and warm interior inviting me in. The idea of getting lost in a sea of pages, escaping into someone else's story for a while, was tempting.

As I stepped inside, the comforting smell of books enveloped me, and I allowed myself to drift through the aisles, my fingers brushing over the spines of novels, memoirs, and poetry collections. It was a welcome distraction, a brief escape from the tangled thoughts still gnawing at me.

Just as I was about to pick up a book, my phone buzzed in my pocket, interrupting the quiet moment. I sighed, glancing at the screen. It was Prince.

My stomach tightened slightly, and for a moment, I hesitated. I knew I couldn't ignore him—not now. With a resigned sigh, I swiped to answer the call.

"Good morning," I said, trying to keep my tone light, though my heart was pounding.

"Where are you?" His voice was calm, but there was an undercurrent of control, as there always was with him.

"Just out, getting some air," I replied casually, hoping he wouldn't press too much. "I stopped by a bookstore."

There was a brief pause on the other end, and I could picture him, sitting up in bed, maybe checking the time. "Come back to the hotel. We need to talk."

I swallowed hard, my fingers tightening around the book I was holding. "I'll be there soon," I said, keeping my voice steady, though my mind raced.

Hanging up, I stared at the phone for a moment, feeling the weight of reality pulling me back. The brief sense of freedom I'd had this morning vanished in an instant. Placing the book back on the shelf, I headed toward the door, my peaceful morning now overshadowed by whatever conversation was waiting for me back at the hotel.