CHAPTER 58: SILENT WAR
Diana stirred awake to the insistent buzz of her phone. Groggily, she stretched, only to realize she was still curled up on James's chest.
Beside her, James lay sprawled, the deep lines of exhaustion etched on his face somehow softened by sleep. She stretched again, the movement sending a wave of nausea rolling through her. Lately, that feeling seemed to be a constant companion.
"Hey babe," James mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. His gaze met hers, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes. He did look better, rested after his unexpected nap.
"You look rested," Diana commented, her voice neutral. Silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words.
She rose and walked to the window, surprised to see the day had surrendered to a blanket of night.
Diana checked her phone: 7:30 pm. The realization hit her like a punch to the gut – they'd lost track of time, lost in the quiet sanctuary of each other's arms.
"We should get going," she said, her voice betraying a weariness that went beyond the late hour. A wave of fatigue washed over her with Nausea, gnawimg at her stomach. She just couldn't understand it.
Ignoring it for now, She gathered her things and started for the door.
James's hand snaked out, catching hers, his touch sending a jolt through her.
"Diana," he began, a hint of urgency in his voice, "I want us to go meet my parents this Sunday."
Diana raised an eyebrow. "Suddenly? Is it finally time for me to meet them?" The words tasted like ash on her tongue, a sarcastic barb that hung heavy in the air.
James met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "Yes," he said simply.
A flicker of annoyance crossed Diana's mind as frustration bubbled within her. What a fool she thought, Did he truly not recognize sarcasm? Besides, did he not see her fatigue, her growing unease?
"Alright then," she replied, mustering a neutral tone and watching as James rose to his feet.
As she opened the door, a jolt of surprise ran through her. She was expecting the familiar sight of her secretary instead Antonio sat by the corner, waiting. His eyes darted between Diana and James, a spark of something unidentifiable in their depths.
He sprang up as he saw them.
James's voice, curt and commanding, broke the silence. "We're leaving."
The office was deserted, the echoes of their footsteps the only sound.
The trio descended to the lobby, tension thick between them.
Downstairs, Antonio slid behind the wheel, while Diana and James slipped into the back, a tense silence settling between them.
Leo, ever-present, trailed behind in Diana's car.
As they pulled out into the city's evening rush, Diana stole a glance at James. His jaw was clenched, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. What had transpired during his travel? and What exactly was going on?