I was sleeping soundly when I heard the door creak open, followed by Ciara's voice. "Wake up, princess." Her tone was teasing, almost playful. I groaned, blinking against the morning light as I tried to make sense of what was happening.
Sitting up, I rubbed my eyes and looked around. Ciara was standing there with a tray of food. My initial grogginess turned into confusion. A few days ago, we were practically at each other's throats, and now this? It wasn't normal. Maybe she had finally lost her mind.
Ciara grinned at me. "I made breakfast for you. Figured I'd start the day off right."
I blinked at the tray. Eggs, bacon, toast, fresh fruit, and even a vase with roses. This was too much. I had no idea what her game was, but I was skeptical. "What's gotten into you?" I muttered.
She shrugged, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Maybe my parents were right. Maybe we should try to love each other."
I almost choked. "I think I might throw up."
Ciara laughed, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "Come on, at least try the food. You might like it."
The smell was undeniably tempting, and my stomach growled in response. Reluctantly, I picked up a piece of toast and took a bite. To my annoyance, it was delicious. The eggs were perfectly scrambled, the bacon crispy, and the fruit fresh and sweet. I hated to admit it, but she'd done a good job.
Ciara watched me intently, a smug look on her face. "Good, isn't it?"
I nodded, still suspicious. "Why are you doing this?"
She leaned in closer, her voice low and teasing. "Maybe I just want to see you smile."
I rolled my eyes. This was beyond weird. The whole atmosphere was off, and Ciara was acting way too nice. It felt like a setup, but for what, I couldn't tell. "You're acting really weird, you know that?"
Ciara shrugged again, not denying it. "Maybe. But you're eating, aren't you?"
I had to concede that point. The food was too good to resist, but I was still wary. After finishing, I got up to take a shower, needing some space to clear my head. This whole situation was messing with my mind.
As the warm water cascaded over me, I tried to make sense of Ciara's behavior. It didn't add up. Was she really trying to win me over, or was this some elaborate prank? I had no clue, but I wasn't about to let my guard down.
When I stepped out of the shower, Ciara was there, waiting with a bright smile. She held out some clothes. "I picked these for you. Thought we could match today."
I looked at the outfit she had chosen—a stylish but slightly revealing ensemble that mirrored her own. This was getting stranger by the minute. "I'm not wearing that," I said, shaking my head.
Ciara's smile faltered slightly, but she quickly recovered. "Oh, come on. It'll be fun."
I ignored her and went to my closet, picking out something more to my taste. "You're acting too weird," I repeated, hoping she'd back off.
Ciara sighed dramatically, but I could see a glint of amusement in her eyes. "Suit yourself, princess. But you're missing out."
I couldn't help but laugh a little at her antics, despite the unease still lingering in my mind. This was going to be an interesting day, to say the least.
As I was finishing getting dressed, Ciara suddenly appeared at the doorway, her grin practically splitting her face. "How about I drive you to Leora's castle today?" she suggested, her voice dripping with an unsettling mix of cheerfulness and flirtation.
I immediately shook my head. "No, thanks. I'd rather—"
Before I could finish, Ciara snapped her fingers, and in a flash of light, we were both teleported into her sleek, black sports car. She started the engine, the vehicle roaring to life, and pulled out of the driveway before I even had a chance to protest.
"Hey! What the hell, Ciara?" I snapped, crossing my arms and glaring at her.
Ciara shot me a sideways glance, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Relax, princess. Just sit back and enjoy the ride."
The car sped down the winding road, the scenery a blur of green and blue as we headed towards Leora's castle. Ciara's hands moved deftly on the steering wheel, and she drove with a confident ease that should have been comforting but only made me more irritated.
She was acting way too happy, her lips curled into a constant smirk as if she knew something I didn't.
"Why are you so chipper?" I muttered, staring out the window, trying to ignore the fluttering in my stomach from both her driving and her presence.
She laughed, the sound rich and warm. "Maybe I just like spending time with you, Aeliana. Is that so bad?"
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, right. You're up to something."
Ciara shrugged, one hand leaving the wheel to brush a strand of hair behind her ear. "Believe what you want. But isn't it nice to be driven for once? No stress, no worries, just you and me."
Her words made my skin tingle, and I hated the effect she had on me. I stayed silent for the rest of the journey, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a response.
Ciara, however, filled the silence with a stream of casual chatter, commenting on the weather, the scenery, and anything else that came to her mind. Her tone was light and playful, a stark contrast to the tension I felt.
Finally, we arrived at Leora's castle. As soon as the car came to a stop, I practically jumped out, eager to put some distance between us. "See you later, honey," Ciara called after me, her voice dripping with sarcasm and amusement.
I didn't look back, bolting towards the castle entrance. My cheeks were burning, and I could still hear her laughter echoing in my ears. Once inside, I took a moment to catch my breath, my heart still racing from the car ride.
Leora was waiting for me in her office, a knowing smile on her face. "Honey, huh?" she said, her laughter bubbling up.
"Don't start," I groaned, collapsing into a chair opposite her desk.
Leora's laughter grew louder, and she leaned back in her chair, shaking her head. "Oh, Aeliana. You look like you've been through the wringer."
I glared at her, though I knew it wouldn't have much effect. "Let's just get to work, okay?"
Leora's eyes twinkled with amusement, but she nodded, her laughter subsiding. "Alright, let's get to it. We have a lot to cover today."
As we delved into the day's tasks, I tried to push thoughts of Ciara and her antics out of my mind. But her voice, her smile, and her maddeningly playful attitude lingered, making it difficult to focus. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was far from over.