A MORNING OF QUESTIONS 1
965 Words
Alexander went back into his room and took a seat on his couch . "Damn..." He sat carefully, pressing his fingers against his temples.
"What the hell did Ryan make me drink? "He tried to remember the previous night. The club. Loud music. Ryan laughing.Whiskey. Lots of whiskey.
After that...Nothing. Just blurred images that disappeared the moment he tried to focus on them. He then stood up to take a shower.
After taking a quick shower and dressing in a crisp black shirt with matching trousers, he glanced at himself in the mirror. "You look terrible."
He adjusted his cufflinks before leaving the room.
Downstairs, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and pancakes filled the dining room.
Mrs Victoria was already seated at the table, gracefully sipping her tea while reading the morning newspaper. Liam sat opposite her, scrolling through his phone.
The moment Alexander entered, Victoria looked up and smiled warmly. "Good morning, sweetheart."
Alexander nodded politely.
"Morning, Mom."
"You don't look well."
"I'm fine."
Victoria raised an eyebrow.
"No, you're not. "Liam smirked. "He looks like he got hit by a truck."
Alexander shot him a warning look.
Liam simply shrugged.
"What? I'm just being honest."
Mrs Victoria folded her newspaper. "Were you drinking?"
Alexander reached for a cup of coffee. "A little."Liam burst into laughter.
"A little? Ryan sent me a picture of you trying to argue with a lamp post."
Alexander froze.
"He what?"
Liam quickly pulled out his phone.
"Wanna see?"
Alexander glared at him.
"Delete it."
"I'm just kidding."
Victoria couldn't help but laugh. "My sons never fail to entertain me."
Alexander shook his head.
"I seriously need better friends."
"You definitely do," Liam agreed. A comfortable silence settled over the table.
Just then...
Soft footsteps echoed from the hallway. Everyone turned.Elara stood at the entrance.She wore a simple cream-colored sweater tucked into a long blue skirt, her dark hair tied into a loose ponytail.
She looked beautiful without even trying.
Alexander found himself staring.Again.The memory of Ryan's teasing voice from yesterday echoed inside his head.
"You're obsessed."
He quickly looked away.
Mrs Victoria smiled brightly. "Good morning, sweetheart."
Elara forced a smile."Good morning, Mum."
She greeted Liam with a nod. "Good morning."
Liam smiled.
"Morning, Lara."
Finally...Her eyes landed on Alexander. Only for a second. Then she immediately looked away.
Alexander frowned. Was it his imagination...
Or did she seem nervous?
Elara quietly walked to the empty chair furthest from Alexander. Bella entered carrying another plate.
"I made your favorite pancakes, Miss Elara."
"Thank you, Bella."Bella smiled before excusing herself.
Victoria watched Elara closely.
"My dear..."
"Hmm?"
"You've barely touched your food. Elara looked down. She hadn't even realized she'd been moving the pancakes around with her fork. "I'm eating."
Victoria smiled knowingly."No.....You're decorating the plate."
Liam chuckled.
"She's right."
Elara laughed awkwardly.
"I guess I'm just not very hungry."
Victoria reached across the table and gently squeezed her hand."Are you feeling alright?
"Yes."
"Are you sure?"
Elara nodded. "I'm okay."She wasn't.Not after last night.Every time she closed her eyes...She remembered Alexander's voice.
"You're beautiful..."
"Don't go..."
Her cheeks warmed instantly. She quickly picked up her cup of juice.
Unfortunately...Her trembling hand caused the glass to knock against her fork.
The loud metallic sound echoed throughout the dining room. Everyone looked at her.
"Oh...I'm sorry."She quickly apologized.
Alexander continued watching her.Something was definitely wrong. She couldn't even look at him.
Victoria noticed it too.She looked from Elara...To Alexander...Then back again.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Did something happen between the two of you?"The question caught both of them completely off guard.
"No. "Both answered at exactly the same time".
Silence.
Liam slowly looked from Alexander...To Elara...Then back again.
"That was suspicious"
Victoria couldn't help smiling. "Exactly what I was thinking."
Elara laughed nervously.
"No...Nothing happened"
Alexander folded his arms
"She's right."
Liam smirked."You two even sound guilty"
Alexander sighed.
"Liam"
"What?"
"Eat your breakfast"
"I'm eating"
"No"
"You're investigating"
Victoria laughed softly
"My boys...Elara managed a small smile, but she still refused to meet Alexander's eyes.
That tiny action didn't escape him. Instead...It made him even more curious
A few minutes later...Breakfast came to an end.
Liam stood first. "I have classes today."
Victoria smiled "Drive safely
"I will."
He hugged his mother before waving at Elara.
"See you later."
"Bye."
Once Liam left, Mrs Victoria also excused herself.
"I have a charity meeting this morning."She looked at Alexander."Don't work too hard."
"I'll try."
Then she turned to Elara.
"My dear, if you need anything, don't hesitate to tell Bella."
"I will."
Victoria smiled before leaving.
Within seconds...
The large dining room became unusually quiet.
Only Alexander and Elara remained.
The silence was almost unbearable.
Elara slowly stood "I should go."She had barely taken two steps when Alexander spoke.
"Elara."She froze.Her fingers tightened around the edge of her sweater.
"Y-Yes?"
Alexander frowned.
Finally...She turned around. But instead of looking at his face...Her eyes remained fixed on the floor.
Alexander noticed."Are you avoiding me?"
Her heart skipped.
"What?"
"You haven't looked at me once this morning."
She forced a laugh."I've just been busy."
"Busy eating?"
She swallowed....I...Alexander took a slow step toward her.For reasons he couldn't explain...
He felt an overwhelming urge to know why she was acting this way.
"Did I do something?"
Elara's breathing hitched.
Images from last night flashed through her mind.
His trembling voice...
His gentle confession...
His forehead resting against hers....
She quickly shook her head."No."
"Then why won't you look at me? "For the first time that morning...Their eyes met.
Only for a heartbeat.Then Elara looked away again.
"I really have something to do."
Without waiting for another question...She hurried out of the dining room.
Alexander stood there, watching her disappear down the hallway. His brows knitted together.
"What is going on with her?"
- Writer
