Losing Out.

Thea walked towards the main lodge, her fist clenched in annoyance. How could he say those things, kiss her so passionately and then pretend nothing happened?! After being so tender and gentle with her last night, he's going to act this way?

Maybe she should give up. Seth is never going to admit it. Hell, how sure is she that he even feels anything for her?

She spotted Daisy and Celine sitting on a plush couch by the fireplace, a pot of tea and some pastries on the low table between them.

And standing across from Celine is a man dressed in a suit, a butler most likely. And behind him, Thea could see the queue of attendants behind him, luggage in hand.

Thea exhaled, pushing back her frustrations as she walked closer to them.

“Good morning Celine. Daisy.” Thea offered, forcing a small smile.

“Thea!” Daisy called as soon as she laid eyes on her, a smile on her face. “I was just about to come look for you. We were worried when you didn't show up for breakfast."

Thea offered a weak smile. "I'm sorry. I just... I overslept." It was a flimsy excuse, and she knew Daisy didn't buy it.

Celine smiles, patting Thea's back fondly. “Good morning my dear. No need to apologize, my dear. We understand. A good night's rest is important. Come, join us. The tea is still warm." Celine said, gesturing at the teapot on the center table.

Thea sat down, accepting a cup of tea from Celine. Bringing the cup up to her lips, she knew it was Jasmine tea. Just what she needed to calm her nerves.

“I need to attend to the staff. Give me a moment.” Celine said , leaving the room with the Butler.

"What's wrong, Thea?" Daisy whispered, her voice full of worry. “Is everything okay?”

Thea sighed, setting her teacup down. She didn't want to bring it up or tell Daisy about it but she felt like she was losing her mind not having anyone to discuss this with.

She didn't know where to begin. How could she tell Daisy about last night, Seth's silent confession, the passionate kiss, and his coldness towards her that morning?

“Something happened yesterday night with Seth. I know I don't really say anything about …us but it's complicated. But yesterday, he was free. Freer than he's ever been with me and this morning when I saw him at the field, he just…ignored me. Like last night never happened..”

Daisy's eyes wide in surprise, this was quite different from what she thought about the duo.

“I don't understand. Has he always been not so open with you? I knew something was up when you agreed to marry him after you claimed he ruined your life but I didn't ask questions. I trusted your judgement.”

Thea sighed. “I know. I…theres so much in between that I can't tell you. I don't want you to worry but…last night was different. I felt it. Yesterday's kiss was different. Different from the one’s we've shared and now he's so distant. He wouldn't even look at me.”

"He... he did that and then just acted like he didn't know you?" Daisy asked, her voice a mix of disbelief and anger."That's... that's not right, Thea. That's cruel."

Thea nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "I know. I don't understand it, Daisy. He was so... real. So open. It felt real Daisy, like I ... .I don't know how else to explain it.."

Daisy sighed, she didn't have enough details to make a conclusion. “You love him, don't you?"

Thea sighed, her eyes telling Daisy what she couldn't put in words. It was a messed up situation, nobody knows better than Thea.

She leaned on her knees, covering her face with her hands. “ This is messy. I was supposed to stick to the plan, get what I can and rebuild my reputation but now my feelings are attached and I hate that he keeps giving me mixed signals..”

Daisy pats Thea's back gently, her face full of concern. She knew Thea wasn't in love with Seth when she agreed to marry him but she hoped their relationship was at least doing okay.

“He said things that…he normally wouldn't. He was drunk.”

“That loosened his tongue, didn't it?”

Thea sighed. “I’ll be fine. If he's going to pretend that didn't happen, I'll do the same..”

“Thea…Why not talk to him instead?”

“No. I'm not going to do that.” Thea replied.

“You'll never know what's going on in his head unless you ask the right questions. Every relationship is built of communication, he should give you an answer when you ask.”

Thea scoffed, Seth was great at avoiding giving direct answers to her questions. Talking to him is not going to fix this.

Arian suddenly walked into the room, a towel in hand, drying his hair. He walked over to the fireplace, leaning his body against it as if to warm himself up.

“Are you okay, Thea?” Arian asked, concern on his face.

Thea smiled. “I'm okay.” She said cheerfully, almost too cheerful even.

Arian sighed, he knew something happened between them but Seth refused to tell him what was going on.

“I'll go talk to him.” Arian offered.

“Don't! Please don't.” Thea pleaded. Hell, she shouldn't have said anything. Now everyone knows that something happened between her and Seth.

“I'm starving.” Thea said, changing the subject.

“Well, you will have to cook something yourself. Celine said the staff won't be around for the weekend.” Daisy offered..

“Okay. I guess we're cooking then. Let's go.”

Thea and Daisy get on their feet, ready to head to the kitchen when Arian blocks Thea's path, dropping his voice in a whisper.

“Listen, I know Seth is an asshole but he cares about you. I've known Seth for a long time, and I can tell when he's being a difficult person. I'll talk to him.”

Thea met his gaze, flashing him a faint smile. “Don't. There's no point to it.”

She leaves for the kitchen and Arian exhales. If Seth doesn't get his shot together, he's going to lose her..