Chapter 18
591 Words
Sienna’s POV
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One and a half Months
It had been One and a half months since Leo and I started living under the same roof.
40 days of forced proximity, shared spaces, and awkward silences.
40 days of not fighting, but not exactly getting along either.
At first, I told myself it was for the best.
That we weren’t supposed to be friends anyway.
That this entire situation—Eleanor’s ridiculous will, this estate, him—was just something I had to deal with until it was over.
But lately…
Lately, there was this distance.
Not the kind that comes from anger or resentment.
But the kind that comes from something unspoken.
Something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
And the worst part?
It was his doing.
Leo was avoiding me.
He left early, came home late, spent most of his time in his study or outside by the cliffs.
And I—
I should’ve been glad.
It was exactly what I wanted, wasn’t it?
So why did it bother me so damn much?
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Friday Night
I was sitting on the couch, flipping through a menu from one of my restaurant suppliers, when Ben barged in like he owned the place.
"Guess who’s got a date this weekend?" he announced, dropping onto the couch beside me.
I barely looked up. "The Pope?"
"Ha-ha, very funny." He nudged me with his elbow. "I do. And he’s a total ten."
I smirked. "You say that about all of them."
"Because I have taste, darling."
I rolled my eyes, setting the menu down. "So what’s his name?"
"Luca."
"Italian?"
"A man of mystery," Ben said dramatically. "Met him on Tinder, but he actually wants to take me to a fancy dinner first instead of just Netflix and chill."
I raised an eyebrow. "That’s new."
"Right? A gentleman."
I smiled, shaking my head. "Well, I hope it goes well."
"It will." He glanced at me, then frowned. "But let’s not make this about me. What’s going on with you?"
I blinked. "What?"
"Don’t play dumb, Clarke." He shifted, turning to fully face me. "You’ve been weird lately."
I scoffed. "I’m always weird."
"You know what I mean."
I sighed, leaning back. "Nothing’s wrong."
Ben narrowed his eyes. "This isn’t about Leo, is it?"
I froze.
For half a second.
But Ben caught it.
His eyes widened. "Oh my God. It is about Leo."
"It’s not—"
"Babe." He put a hand on my knee. "Talk to me."
I bit my lip.
And before I knew it, the words were spilling out.
"He’s avoiding me."
Ben blinked. "Okay… And that’s a bad thing because?"
"I don’t know!" I threw my hands up. "It just is!"
He smirked. "Interesting."
I glared. "Don’t."
"Don’t what?"
"Don’t give me that look."
"What look?"
"The I-told-you-so look."
He grinned. "Oh, sweetheart, I would never."
I groaned, shoving a pillow at him.
Ben dodged it easily, laughing.
Then, in a softer voice, he said, "Maybe you should talk to him."
I hesitated.
Talk to him?
About what?
That I noticed the way he never lingered in a room with me anymore?
That I missed the way he used to look at me?
That I hated this strange, empty space between us?
I swallowed. "There’s nothing to talk about."
Ben sighed. "Fine. Keep lying to yourself."
I scowled. "I hate you."
"Love you too, babe."
I rolled my eyes, but my chest felt tight.
Because deep down, I knew Ben was right.
And I hated that even more.
- Writer
