Uncrowned Princess

29

The setting sun cast long shadows across the hotel's pool area, the water shimmering with orange and pink reflections. Isabella sat in one of the loungers, her mind replaying the earlier confrontation at the coffee shop. The sound of approaching footsteps broke her reverie, and she looked up to see Ethan standing there, his expression unreadable.

Isabella quickly averted her gaze, pretending to be absorbed in adjusting her sunglasses. Ethan, undeterred by her apparent dismissal, quietly took a seat in the chair next to her. For a long moment, neither spoke, the only sound the gentle lapping of water against the pool's edge.

Unable to bear the silence any longer, Isabella moved to stand. "I should go-"

"Wait," Ethan said, his hand gently grasping her wrist. "Please, sit. We need to talk."

Isabella smirked, a defensive mechanism kicking in. "Oh, now you want to talk?"

Ethan sighed, releasing her hand. "You're always running away from confrontation, aren't you?"

A short, bitter laugh escaped Isabella's lips. "That's not true. I came to see you earlier, didn't I?"

"That wasn't the right time or place," Ethan replied, his voice soft but firm. "That's why I'm here now. I've had time to clear my head."

Reluctantly, Isabella sat back down, her posture tense.

Ethan turned to face her, his eyes searching hers. "Isabella, I need to ask you something, and I want you to really think about your answer. Do you truly love me? Do you want this relationship?"

"Of course I do," Isabella responded quickly, almost defensively.

Ethan shook his head slightly. "Think about it, Isabella. Really think."

Anger flashed in Isabella's eyes. "What, you don't trust me?"

"How can I when you won't let me?" Ethan countered, his voice tinged with frustration and hurt.

A heavy silence fell between them. Ethan's next words were barely above a whisper. "I love you, Isabella. I've opened up to you like I've never done with anyone else. But I don't think you're ready to be with me. Not really."

"That's not true," Isabella protested, her voice wavering slightly. "I want to be with you. If this is about telling people, I'll do it. I'll announce it on social media right now if that's what you want."

Ethan let out a soft, sad laugh. "That's exactly what I mean, Isabella. I don't want to be in love with you in the media world. I want to be in love with you in the real world."

He stood up, his silhouette backlit by the setting sun. "I think we both have some thinking to do," he said gently. "Goodnight, Isabella."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Isabella alone by the pool. She watched his retreating form, a whirlwind of emotions battling within her. The easy solution of a social media post suddenly seemed hollow in the face of Ethan's words about real love.

As darkness fell around her, Isabella remained seated, grappling with the realization that the gap between her world and Ethan's might be wider than she had ever imagined – and that bridging it would require more than just words or grand gestures.

The late afternoon sun filtered through the hotel windows as Jenny busied herself with cleaning, her movements efficient and practiced. Isabella lounged nearby, her posture relaxed but her face troubled.

"I just don't understand him sometimes," Isabella sighed, continuing their conversation about her relationship woes. "One minute he's all about talking, the next he's giving me the cold shoulder."