Growing distance
The next morning, before Eliana awakened, Lilian was already up and out of the room. This had Eliana worried because something seemed to have changed in her friend recently. There seemed to be a sudden distance growing between them that she was not accustomed to, and it bothered her.
Leaving the bed to get ready and join the kids and caretaker, Eliana decided to free up time to have a conversation with Lilian. They have been friends for far too long to have started moving apart suddenly. Their relationship was not only professional.
By the time she was done with her morning routine, Eliana exited the room and bumped into Lilian in the hallway, leading to the dining room.
"Morning, Li," Eliana greeted. She stood up first and reached out her hand to Lilian, who took it but after a second's hesitation which Eliana noted. Something was definitely wrong, she thought.