SELENA'S POV
The next day was a Saturday, and I was still in bed even though I was already wide awake. I stared at the ceiling and counted the tiny cracks above me. I was not ready to face the day, not with all the tangled thoughts running through my mind.
A soft knock on my door broke my chain of thoughts.
"I need your help in the kitchen, darling," my mother called. Her voice was calm but carried that usual motherly firmness.
I turned my head to the table clock. It was 8:46 a.m. I groaned and pulled the duvet over my head, wishing she would just forget I existed for one more hour. But then, as I closed my eyes, an image of Caleb flashed in my mind. His smirk. His voice. The way he looked at me like he could read my thoughts. I opened my eyes at once and sat up, shaking my head.
"No. Not this morning," I whispered to myself.
Yesterday had been nothing short of confusing. Caleb had called and texted several times, but I had ignored every single message because I didn't have a reply for him just yet. I told myself it was better that way. Yet every time my phone buzzed, my heart would skip, and I'd wonder what he wanted to say.
I had even tried to distract myself by going through the profiles of interior decorators in Grayhaven, but none of them had designs like what I saw in Caleb's condo. It was too perfect, too detailed… almost like it was designed to pull me in.
Another knock came, this time louder and more impatient.
"Selena, I know you're awake!"
I sighed and swung my legs off the bed. "Coming, Mom!"
I quickly put on my slippers and trudged out in my nightgown. The smell of toast and scrambled eggs greeted me before I even stepped into the kitchen. My stomach rumbled a little. That was my favorite breakfast, and my mother knew it.
"You look refreshed," my mother said with a smile as she stood near the counter, holding a steaming cup of coffee.
"You interrupted my refreshment," I grumbled, rubbing my eyes. "I need all the rest I can get."
She frowned playfully. "That's not a proper way to greet your mother early in the morning."
I sighed and smiled softly. "Good morning, Mom. Please, where's Dad? I haven't seen him since last night."
"Good morning, darling," she said warmly. "Your father went on a short journey with Alpha Magnus. He should be back today."
I pulled a chair and sat down. "We were supposed to talk the last night. He promised to tell me something important. He should've at least called."
My mother sipped her coffee. "It's not something to discuss over the phone, Selena. He'll explain everything when he returns. Now come sit and eat."
I nodded. Whatever it was, it could wait. But the way she said it made me uneasy.
"What exactly does he want to discuss with me though?" I asked as I moved closer to the table.
"Oh mine!" my mother gasped suddenly and set her cup down with a clink. She rushed toward me, eyes wide.
"What's wrong, Mom?" I asked, startled.
"Look at you!" she exclaimed. "Your breasts are fuller! Your body looks even more shaped. Selena, are you seeing someone?"
"Mom!" I nearly screamed. "What are you talking about?"
She laughed and held my shoulders, still examining me like I was a piece of art. "You have such a lovely figure, dear. It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"A while since what happened?" I asked suspiciously.
"You need a man to balance things," she said casually, not even looking at me.
I rolled my eyes and gently pushed her hands away. My mother had always been fascinated by my love life, or rather, my lack of it. But this morning, that was the last thing I wanted to discuss.
"Just tell me what you want me to do," I said with a sigh as I sat down.
She chuckled and poured me a cup of coffee. "We'll talk while you eat. That's why I called you."
"Sure, Mom," I said, eyeing her. She was definitely up to something.
The toast popped up from the toaster with a ding, and she placed two warm slices on a plate, adding scrambled eggs beside them. The smell made me instantly hungry.
"Thank you," I muttered and took a bite.
"So tell me," my mother began, placing her hands on her hips, "have you met anyone new since the last card reading?"
The toast caught in my throat, and I began to cough violently. My mother panicked.
"Don't do that!" she cried, rushing to grab a glass of water. "Let me get you some!"
Tears welled up in my eyes as I coughed harder. She quickly returned and handed me the water. I took a few sips, gasping for breath.
"Where are all the housekeepers when you need them?" I rasped, wiping my eyes.
My mother shook her head. "Take it easy. Your father gave them the weekend off, except for the guards."
"Why would he do that?" I asked, puzzled.
She turned to me with raised eyebrows. "Are you the only one in Grayhaven who doesn't know what's going on?"
I frowned. "Apparently, yes. So, tell me already."
She sighed and looked toward the window, as if making sure no one was listening. "That's part of what your father wants to discuss with you. Something is happening in Grayhaven, and he doesn't trust anyone in the house right now. That's why he gave everyone time off."
My stomach tightened. "That sounds serious."
"It is," she said softly. "But you'll hear everything when he gets back. Now eat your food."
I took another sip of coffee and tried to calm my nerves. My mother walked to the cabinet and handed me a small bottle of mint syrup.
"Take a spoonful," she said. "It'll settle your throat."
I obeyed quietly. She stood watching me with that same curious smile.
"I haven't gotten a reply to my question," she said, tilting her head. "Is there someone new?"
"Mom," I groaned. "If there was someone, you'd be the first to know."
She gave a satisfied nod but didn't seem convinced.
"I'm going to my room," she said after a pause. "I wanted to ask you to go shopping with me later today. I need to buy things for the charity event next week. There's not much time left."
"Why don't you let me do the shopping for you?" I offered suddenly.
Her eyes brightened. "Really? You'd do that for me?"
"Of course. It's nothing." I smiled. Shopping was one of my favorite things to do anyway, and maybe getting out of the house would help clear my head.
"Alright then," my mother said cheerfully. "I'll go make a list of everything we need."
"Thank you, Mom," I said, standing to clear the dishes.
She leaned in, kissed my forehead, and said, "You're such a blessing, darling." Then she walked off toward her room, humming softly.
When she left, I sat quietly in the kitchen for a moment. The whole place felt empty without the servants bustling around. The only sound was the faint hum of the refrigerator and the ticking of the clock.
I looked out the window. For a moment, I let myself breathe.
But even then, Caleb's image slipped back into my mind. The way he looked at me as if I were a parcel he wanted to open. I hated that he had that power over me.
I shook my head and laughed softly.
I stood up, carried my coffee cup to the sink, and rinsed it.
Shopping would be a good distraction for now, but deep down, I knew I wouldn't rest until my father returned and that open secret everyone knew that I didn't.
For now, Caleb can wait.