More Tea

The next couple of days moved on slowly. I was withdrawn and worried. Britney's words kept tugging at my mind.

Hollis was an absolute gentleman throughout this period. He thought I was withdrawn because of the incident that took place at the Villa, but that is far from it.

I avoided the Dojo and Maxine entirely. Spent most of the day in our bedroom and only entered the sitting room and the kitchen only when I was certain nobody was around.

I was gradually stepping into a hole of self-preservation and Hollis was doing all he could to get me out, but I wasn't letting him. Alessia seemed miserable and helpless during this period, but I really didn't care.

On the fourth day, I finally got myself to go downstairs, when I confirmed that Hollis stepped out of the house. When I got outside, the morning sun was already steaming the waterlogged lawn, making the air stifling.

No wind blew through the trees. No birds chirped. I could see Hug