Worst Nightmare

Chapter 19

Authors Pov

The dining room was steeped in an uncomfortable silence, broken only by the occasional clink of cutlery against plates. Yoko sat at the head of the table, her posture regal and composed, scrolling through her tablet with a quiet focus that bordered on detachment. The usual ease in her demeanor seemed reserved for only one person today—her sister, Becky.

Becky, seated to Yoko's right, sipped her tea with a relaxed air, her expression soft as she addressed her sister. "Princess, don't forget to review the draft I sent you for the charity auction. It needs your touch."

Yoko glanced up, her eyes briefly softening. "Of course, Lady Becky. I'll get to it this evening," she replied, her tone warm and assuring. The subtle curve of her lips resembled a smile, something that hadn't been extended toward anyone else at the table.

Faye, seated a few chairs down, observed the interaction quietly, her masked face betraying none of the irritation bubbling inside her. She had greeted Yoko earlier, tried to engage her in conversation, but each attempt had been met with curt responses or ignored altogether. The warmth Yoko showed Becky only highlighted the chill she offered Faye.

Across the room, Freen stood with her usual stoic demeanor, her sharp eyes taking in every detail. But the sight of Faye—masked, attempting to catch Yoko's attention—was too much for her to handle without amusement. She pressed her lips together, struggling to suppress the laugh threatening to escape. Her shoulders shook ever so slightly as she caught Faye's piercing glare through the mask.

Faye didn't need to say anything. The glare itself spoke volumes. Stop it, her eyes seemed to warn, the intensity in her gaze only making Freen's struggle worse.

Freen's lips twitched, a faint smile escaping her restraint. She glanced toward Yoko, hoping to compose herself, but the fleeting amusement was still evident on her face.

Yoko, who had been focusing on her tablet, looked up at that exact moment. Her gaze shifted from Freen to Faye, catching the faint tension between the two. Her calm expression didn't falter, but a flicker of irritation passed through her eyes as she took in Faye's barely concealed glare at Freen. She exhaled softly, setting her tablet down.

"Is there something you'd like to share with the table, Freen?" Yoko asked, her voice calm but laced with a subtle edge.

Freen straightened immediately, her expression neutralizing. "No, Your Highness. Everything is as it should be," she replied smoothly, though the amusement still lingered faintly in her tone.

Yoko's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before turning back to her tablet. She didn't say another word, but the slight tightening of her grip on the device spoke volumes. Faye, sensing the shift in Yoko's mood, leaned back in her chair, her posture stiff as she cast a final, pointed look at Freen.

The tension in the room thickened, yet Becky seemed entirely unbothered. She placed her cup down gently and turned to Yoko with her usual lightness. "Princess, do you want me to handle the final confirmations for the gala? I know you're swamped."

Yoko's expression softened instantly as she looked at Becky. "That would be helpful, Lady Becky. Thank you."

The warmth in Yoko's tone toward her sister only deepened the sting for Faye, who remained silent, her fingers tightening around the edge of her plate. Freen caught the subtle shift in Faye's posture, and while she kept her expression composed, the glint in her eyes hinted that she wasn't done teasing just yet.

Yoko, sensing the lingering unease, glanced toward Faye briefly but quickly returned her focus to Becky, maintaining her calm façade. But deep down, the tension between Faye and Freen only irritated her further. She refused to let it show, though, choosing instead to center herself in the calm presence of her sister.