Liana's POV:
I was having breakfast, not with everyone, but with Laura, just the two of us on the terrace. I wasn't sure what this woman was trying to do, but one thing was clear: she didn't seem too concerned about staying alive.
"You know," Laura spoke, snapping me out of my thoughts. Without even looking at me, she continued, "We shouldn't put pressure on things that are already weak."
She chewed her bread slowly, like it was the most important thing in her life.
I raised a brow, took a sip of juice, and leaned back in my chair. "Care to share what you mean by that?"
She smirked and leaned forward. "Sure, darling." She winked, and I couldn't help but chuckle. This woman would never change. Never.
I rolled my eyes and stopped laughing when I noticed her grinning like an idiot. "You just called my brain weak?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
She nodded, laughing even harder, patting the table as if she'd cracked the best joke in the world. I hated her for her nonsense....
But seeing that bright, carefree smile, how could I even stay mad? My lips tugged into a soft smile before I could stop them.
I pointed the butter knife at her and changed the topic. "You wanna get killed by Ethilia or what?"
Laura threw her head back and laughed. "Maybe."
Her laughter faded into a small smile as she leaned back again. No matter what, I couldn't deny she looked beautiful in that sundress. The sunlight touched her blonde hair, making it shine even more.
"See…" she started, playing with her glass. "Me and Char are trying to make Ethilia jealous, but…" She paused to take a sip of juice and leaned forward. "Char is kind of like your sister, so it'd be weird if she flirted with you."
I nodded, finishing buttering the bread. "So, you're doing that job instead?" I looked at her and handed her the piece of bread, which she gladly accepted.
She grinned. "Yeah, right. And from Ethilia's reactions lately, I'm sure she'll explode soon."
She ran her fingers through her hair and winked at me. Her blue eyes caught the light, and for a second, I got lost in them.... though I'd never admit that out loud.
She smirked, placing her hand over mine. "What? Developing feelings for me now?"
I laughed softly and shook my head. I gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "You're beautiful, Laura. I'd be lying if I said I don't find you attractive. But…"
She smiled, patting my shoulder with her other hand. "Attraction isn't love. And no matter how beautiful I am, you won't hold me the way you hold Ethilia."
Her voice softened near the end, a little crack slipping through before she cleared her throat and pulled her hands back.
I drew in a slow breath and looked away, humming faintly. "Maybe… you're right."
Laura hummed in response, then stood up. I frowned slightly, but noticed her plate was already empty. "So fast?" I asked, stuffing the last piece of bread into my mouth before standing too.
She nodded and stretched, her movements slow and lazy, but her tone was oddly tight. "I have an important call to make," she said before walking out.
I paused and looked at her retreating back. For a moment, I thought I heard a shaky breath escape her, and felt a pang in my chest.
I always used to say that we should love the ones who love us. But when it was my turn, I ended up falling for someone who wasn't ready to love me back. Not yet.
Maybe Laura still has feelings for me. I know and I can feel it. She just hides it nicely, but sometimes, the way she looks at me… it's the same way I look at Ethilia.
But even when I tried to move on, I couldn't. I won't pretend I didn't try.... because I did. Yet every time, I found myself searching for Ethilia in someone else's smile, someone else's touch.
No one's perfect. Not even me. I made mistakes, and I've apologized for them. Some people forgave me; some didn't. But we all moved on.
Still, I don't know how one person, without even trying, became my whole world. Ethilia has a hold on my heart that never loosened, no matter how hard I tried to let go.
However, I exhaled slowly and pushed the thoughts away. Picking up the tray, I turned toward the door and walked out of the terrace.
As I went downstairs, I saw Alena running toward me. All my sadness and heavy thoughts flew away the moment I saw her face.
I smiled and ruffled her hair. "Let me put these in the sink first, then I'll play with you, okay?"
She nodded eagerly and ran off in another direction. I chuckled watching her go, but the moment she disappeared, that ache returned.
The thought of leaving made my chest tighten again, like something pressing hard against my lungs, not letting me breathe properly.
Still, my feet carried me to the kitchen. I froze when I saw Ethilia leaning against the counter and sipping her coffee quietly.
I smiled softly and placed the plates down. "Morning… I didn't see you since I woke up," I said, moving to stand beside her.
Her eyes met mine but those brown eyes remained unreadable. I let out a sigh, "Say something?"
Ethilia set her cup down and started walking past me, but I caught her wrist and gently pushed her back against the counter. "Stop with your attitude… I'm done with it." I snapped.
I didn't even know why I was angry. Maybe it wasn't about now, maybe it was everything I'd been holding in. But when her gaze softened, my anger melted instantly.
"You have time for me?" She whispered with broken voice, making my eyes go wide. The vulnerability in her tone… I hadn't expected that.
God, I just hoped this little plan of those two idiots, Laura and Char, wouldn't push Ethilia away even more.
She's not someone who fights back. The Ethilia I know runs when things get hard… and regrets it later.
"Yes," I whispered before I could think.
I cupped her cheeks gently, pressing my forehead against hers. "Why wouldn't I have time for you? As long as I'm here… all my time is yours."
Her eyes widened slightly, and before I could process it, she wrapped her arms tightly around me. My breath caught in my throat, and hands started trembling as warmth spread through me.
"Won't hug me back?" she murmured. I could feel her breath against my neck, and that was all it took for me to soften completely.
I wrapped my arms around her and buried my face into the curve of her neck. Words got stuck in my throat. I wanted to say something, anything, but the quick rhythm of her heartbeat against mine left me speechless.
I exhaled slowly, running a hand through her hair. Neither of us said a word after that. We just stayed like that, holding on like this was where we belonged.
And somehow… the part of me that had been wounded for so long began to heal. The calm I felt in that moment was something I never wanted to feel with anyone else.