The smell of coffee and toast drifted through the Donovan's kitchen the next morning, pulling me up from my sleep. I blinked my eyes and ran my eyes around to my surroundings. For a moment, I forgot that I was not at my house.
It was a sleepless night after the last night encounter. I remember falling asleep only after Sophia's back from her discussion. It was almost 2:00 a.m. in the morning when I finally fall into my deep sleep.
It was not until I heard Sophia's loud voice that I remember to wake up. I immediately ran to the bathroom to change while shuffling through Sophia's wardrobe for an oversized shirt. Once done, I ran down the stairs and walked into the kitchen.
There in the kitchen, I saw Charlie Donovan sitting at the table, scrolling through his phone while buttering his bread without looking. Jamie and Sophia, while Jamie hovering over the stove, arguing with Sophia about the amount of sugar she needed for her coffee. I also saw their mother, Marie Donovan, moving gracefully between them, trying to restore the order.
My eyes were scanning the dining table when I saw there, at the head of the table, Tristan Donovan, sitting like every bit an eldest brother could be. Someone who is composed, yet unreadable, sipping through his coffee like he was at some board of meeting, instead of at home.
"Ellie, you're up," Sophia beamed, waving at me to come over. "Come sit here with me. I am sorry I did not wake you up just now. I saw you were really tired yesterday," Sophia continued.
"It's okay," I replied. "I do feel a bit tired yesterday," I muttered in my heart.
Jamie glanced up, grinning. "You are here again, Ellie. At this point, you might as well just move in," teased Jamie.
Heat crept up to my cheeks. "Please do not tempt me, Jamie. Your pantry is dangerously well-stocked," I grinned while replying to him.
Then I heard Charlie snorted. "Be careful, Ellie. You might need to keep up with all of our arguments if you do."
The room buzzed with laughter, but I could feel Tristan's gaze were on me. Steady, yet silent. When I finally find my courage to meet his deep eyes, he didn't even bother to look away.
"So, Ellie," Marie said warmly while she set a plate in front of me, "How is your mother doing?" She must be missing you when you were spending so much time here."
"She is good, Mrs. Donovan. Thank you for asking," I said, smiling. "She is busy as always, but I think she is happy to know that I have a second home."
Sophia nudged me, with her eyes sparkling. "See? I think mom loves Ellie more than she loved me."
Everyone in the dining table laughed, except for Tristan. His lips curved just slightly, but his dark eyes never left me.
"You have changed, Ellie. I almost could not recognize you." The table went into stillness, and I could find my heart did something that it should not be doing.