Chapter 56 Breakfast Tension
Dandelion.
I woke up that morning with a headache and a heart that wouldn't stop racing. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Alex's face inches from mine, I felt his lips crashing against mine over and over again, and I heard his voice saying those final words.
"Don't ever say you hate me again."
I pressed my palms against my face and groaned into my hands. What is wrong with me? Why can't I stop thinking about it?
After forcing myself out of bed, I took longer than necessary getting ready. I changed outfits three times and fixed my hair twice, yet I still felt unprepared to face him. When I finally stepped out of my room, my stomach twisted into knots.
The dining room was already occupied when I arrived. Grandma Winifred sat at the head of the table, sipping tea with a pleased expression. Viola sat stiffly across from her, barely touching her food. Tristan was scrolling through his phone, looking bored.
And then there was Alex.
He sat in his usual spot, dressed in a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His expression was unreadable, but his jaw was tight. He didn't look up when I entered.
My heart did that stupid flutter thing again.
I forced my feet to move and took the seat far away from him, which unfortunately was still close enough to feel the tension radiating between us.
"Good morning, my dear," Grandma Winifred greeted warmly. "You look lovely today."
"Thank you, Noona," I managed to say without stuttering.
A staff member placed a cup of juice in front of me and I grabbed it quickly, because I needed something to do with my hands.
The silence stretched. I could feel Alex's presence like a weight pressing down on me. But I refused to look at him, keeping my eyes on my plate.
"Did you sleep well dearie?" Grandma asked casually.
"Yes Noona," I lied with a thin smile.
"And you Alex?"
"Fine," he said curtly.
Grandma's eyes flicked between us with narrowed brows. She knew something was off. Of course she did. The woman had radar for this kind of thing.
The door suddenly opened, and Nicholas strolled in like he owned the place, grinning widely.
"Good morning to the Graham family!" he announced cheerfully.
I nearly choked on my juice. What was he still doing here?
He pulled out the chair next to me and sat down without waiting for an invitation.
Alex's glare at him could have melted steel.
But Nicholas ignored him completely and turned to me instead with a bright smile. "Morning, Mrs. Graham. You look absolutely stunning today."
My face flushed at his compliment which seemed to hide something beneath. "Thank you."
"Doesn't she, Alex?" Nicholas asked innocently.
Alex's grip on his fork tightened. "Nicholas."
"What? I'm just asking" Nicholas grabbed a piece of toast and bit into it. "It's called being polite. You should try it sometime."
Grandma Winifred laughed softly. "Typical Nicholas, It's nice to have some energy at the table."
Viola made a small sound of disapproval but said nothing.
Tristan finally looked up from his phone, his eyes shifting between Me, Alex, and Nicholas. His expression was curious, like he was trying to solve a puzzle.
I focused hard on my food, cutting my eggs into tiny pieces I had no intention of eating.
"So," Nicholas said after a moment. "Did everyone sleep well?"
"Well I did have a wonderful night, I don't know about others though," Grandma said with a suspicious look.
"Noona you already asked us before" Alex muttered with a raised brow.
"But you both sounded uncertain." Grandma defended.
Nicholas grinned. "Hmm, did you have trouble sleeping, Alex? That's quite unusual for you."
"Drop it, Nick" Alex warned.
"I'm just concerned for my friend's health," Nicholas said with mocking sincerity. "Besides you look tense. Very tense."
I stabbed my eggs a little too hard.
Gosh, why was Nicholas trying to make things more awkward.
Grandma Wini's smile widened. She was enjoying this way too much.
"And you, Dandelion?" Nicholas turned to me. "you definitely slept well didn't you?"
"Of course I did" I answered quickly.
"Really? Because you look a little flushed."
My head snapped up. "I'm not flushed."
"You are," he insisted. "Your cheeks are red. Are you feeling okay? Maybe you caught a fever?"
"I'm fine," I said through gritted teeth.
Grandma leaned forward, studying me closely. "Now that you mention it, Nicholas, she does look flushed. And so does Alexander."
I froze.
"Seriously Noona, can't we just eat in peace" Alex said coldly.
"I'm just concerned that's all, did something....happen last night?" Grandma asked innocently.
I choked.
The juice went down the wrong way, and I started coughing violently. My eyes watered as I tried to catch my breath.
"Dandelion!" Grandma stood up in alarm.
Nicholas patted my back, though I could hear the laughter in his voice. "Easy there."
I coughed a few more times, my face burning with embarrassment. When I finally managed to breathe normally again, I found everyone staring at me.
"I'm fine," I croaked.
Grandma sat back down slowly, her eyes narrowing between us. "Are you sure nothing happened?"
"Nothing happened," I said quickly. Too quickly.
Her gaze shifted to Alex. "Alexander?"
"Nothing happened," he repeated flatly.
But the way his jaw clenched told a different story.
Grandma looked at Nicholas. "Nicholas, dear, you stayed over last night. Did you notice anything unusual?"
Nicholas opened his mouth, clearly about to say something that would make everything worse. But Alex's glare intensified. It was a look that promised endless scolding later on.
Nicholas caught the warning and grinned wider. "Nope. Nothing unusual at all Noona."
I could see the lie written all over his face, and so could Grandma.
She hummed thoughtfully. "Hmm, if you say so."
My heart hammered in my chest. Thank goodness she didn't probe further.
The rest of breakfast passed in an uncomfortable silence. I kept my eyes on my plate, hyper aware of every movement Alex made. He didn't look at me even once.
When Grandma Wini finally left, I nearly collapsed with relief.
Nicholas stood up, stretching dramatically. "Breakfast was delicious."
Alex also stood too, with a dark expression. "A word now, Nick."
Nicholas followed him out without protesting, though I could see the amusement still dancing in his eyes with that annoying grin of his.
I was left alone with Tristan and Viola.
Viola excused herself quickly, leaving just the two of us.
Tristan studied me for a moment. "So. You and Alex."
I looked up sharply. "What about us?"
"I don't know, but something's different." He tilted his head. "You're both acting strange."
"We're not, gosh why is everyone suddenly asking these weird questions" I said defensively.
He scoffed. "I've known Alex my whole life. I've never seen him like this."
"Like what?"
"Distracted." Tristan's eyes were squinted. "And you look the same way."
I stood up abruptly. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Hmm, Sure you don't." He smiled faintly.