Chapter 110

Chapter 110
After a long, exhausting night, my body begged for just a few more minutes of sleep. But the sunlight slipping through the curtains pulled me out of my dream. I blinked my eyes open and let out a deep sigh. My arms felt heavy, and my back ached a little from all the running around yesterday. The event was finally over, but it had drained every bit of my energy.
I pushed off the covers slowly and sat up on the bed. My limbs felt stiff. I stretched both arms above my head and yawned loudly, rolling my neck side to side to ease the tension. My muscles needed some serious stretching, but at least I felt a little more refreshed than I did last night.
Then, I heard a soft knock at the door.
I blinked and glanced toward the sound. Who could that be this early?
I reached for my night robe hanging by the side of the bed and threw it over my nightdress. My feet dragged across the cold floor as I walked to the door. I unlocked it and pulled it open, not expecting much.
Donald stood there with a smirk on his face.
"Good morning, beautiful one. You look... amazing," he said in a teasing voice, his eyes dancing with amusement.
I frowned and tilted my head. "I do? Donald, are you teasing me?"
He chuckled, biting his bottom lip. "Of course not."
I narrowed my eyes at him. I knew that tone, and I knew that grin. "Yes, you are. What is it? I look crazy, right? One minute."
I spun around and hurried back into my room. My heart beat fast as I ran to the mirror.
The second I saw my reflection, my mouth dropped open.
"Oh my God!"
My hair was a disaster. Like I had been dragged through a windstorm. Strands were sticking out in all directions. I looked wild. No wonder Donald was smiling like that!
Grabbing my brush, I ran it through my tangled hair with a groan. I couldn't believe I had just opened the door looking like this. Once I got it halfway decent, I tied it into a messy bun and stormed back to the door.
I smacked his hand gently. "You! You should've told me I looked crazy! I would've carried my hair like that all day!"
Donald grinned like it was the best part of his morning. "Not possible. Not when I'm here."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the small smile pulling at my lips. "Yeah, yeah. Where's Tricia?"
He stiffened for a second, then scratched the back of his neck. "Huh? I'll go check the tea," he muttered and walked away quickly.
I blinked. "What? Why did he just... Whatever."
I closed my door and headed to the dining room. My bare feet tapped gently against the floor as I walked into the room.
Tricia sat at the table, holding a cup of tea with both hands. She looked calm, peaceful even, like nothing in the world was bothering her.
"Huh? Didn't he say... Did he? I mumbled under my breath, confused.
She looked up and smiled brightly. "Hey Monalisa. You're finally up. Good morning!"
I returned the smile weakly. "Thank you. You're having tea? Donald made tea?"
Tricia raised an eyebrow. "What? I made this tea. Donald hasn't even stepped foot in the kitchen this morning."
My lips parted. "Really? But earlier... he said..."
"Said what?" Tricia asked curiously.
"Nothing. Thanks for the tea then. I'll have some," I said, brushing it off.
"Yeah, do," she replied casually.
I picked up the teapot and poured some into the only empty cup I could find. The warm scent of the tea was comforting. I wrapped my fingers around the cup and sat down across from her.
I took a slow sip, then looked back at the teapot.
"Uhm... Tricia, that was the last of the tea. You didn't make any for Donald?"
She didn't even look guilty. "Yes, I didn't."
I blinked again. "Why?"
Just then, Donald walked by. He paused. He was clearly listening.
Tricia didn't hesitate. "Because he doesn't need anyone doing something for him. He's a pretty grown-ass man and can take good care of his own shit. So if he needs tea, he should make one for himself. I made tea for myself... and for my bestie."
I glanced between the two of them. The tension was loud. I could feel it.
"Oh... I see. Can you tell me what's going on between you two? You've both been acting odd lately, like you had a fight or something. What is it? Let me guess... lovers fight?"
"Never!!!" both of them shouted at the same time, making me jump.
Donald's voice was sharp. "Never! I would never date her! She ain't my type!"
I gasped. "What?"
Tricia stood up so fast her chair screeched against the floor. Her eyes burned with anger.
"I'm not your type? Then go get your type to love you, coward!"
She grabbed her teacup so tightly I thought it would break in her hands. Then she kicked the chair backward and stormed out of the room without another word.
I just sat there, stunned.
My head turned to Donald. "Wha... What's going on?"
He looked away quickly. "Nothing," he said coldly and walked away, leaving me sitting there with a mouth full of questions and no answers.
I watched him go, the room suddenly feeling ten times colder.
Whatever it was between them... it wasn't nothing.
It was something.
Something big.
And I was stuck right in the middle of it.
After I finished my tea, I sat there for a moment, letting the warmth settle inside me. But even though the tea helped relax my body, my heart still felt heavy. The little drama between Donald and Tricia kept replaying in my head. I could still hear Tricia's angry voice and Donald's cold reply. I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts aside.
I stood up slowly and returned to my room. I needed to clear my head, and the only thing that ever helped was exercise.
I walked into my room and closed the door gently behind me. The silence hit me again. It was the kind of silence that felt like a hug and a curse at the same time.
I moved toward my closet and picked out my gym clothes, a simple black top and leggings. I quickly changed into them, pulled my hair up into a ponytail, and grabbed my gym bag. I went to the drawer and reached for my car key, then stood still for a second.
I let out a quiet sigh.
"Let me go ease my body... and maybe my soul too," I whispered to myself.
With my bag slung over my shoulder and my car key in hand, I opened the door and stepped out of my room.
The whole house was strangely quiet. I walked into the living room, but it was empty-no sign of anyone.
"Hello?" I called out softly, just in case. No response.
I peeked into the kitchen. Everything was in place. No cups, no running water, no humming, nothing.
I walked toward the courtyard. Still no one. Even the porch was quiet. I looked around, hoping someone would walk out, Tricia, Donald, anyone. But the house felt cold and distant, like everyone had disappeared.
"Maybe they're in their rooms," I mumbled.
I walked to my car and unlocked it. I opened the door and dropped my bag inside. Then I stood there for a moment, not moving.
A part of me hoped someone would call my name. Maybe Tricia would ask where I was going. Maybe Donald would stop me. Just someone. But no one came.
I looked at the quiet house again, took a deep breath, and got into the car.
I drove in silence. The road was smooth, but my mind wasn't. Thoughts ran through my head like a storm. I tried not to think too much. I just wanted to feel okay again.
I arrived at the gym house and parked in one of the empty spots. I turned off the engine and leaned back in my seat for a second.
The gym looked quiet. Peaceful. Almost empty.
I liked it.
I grabbed my bag, got out of the car, and shut the door softly. I adjusted my top, trying to look a little presentable. I took a deep breath and walked into the gym.
The place was almost silent. Only three other people were inside. It wasn't that early, so it was strange that the place was so empty.
But honestly, it was perfect for me.
I dropped my bag at a corner and made my way to the treadmill. I started with some light cardio. My legs moved slowly at first, then picked up speed. My heart started to beat faster, and for the first time in hours, my mind started to calm down.
Everything around me began to fade. Just me, the rhythm of my breathing, and the soft thump of my feet hitting the machine.
Then I felt it.
A hand on my arm.