Herophine: All Good Things

Chapter 13

Jo's POV:

"I need to tell you something..."

Hero's words send a shiver down my spine and I suddenly come out of the trance he put me in mere seconds ago. I remove my hands from around his neck and place them on either side of his head on the back of the couch, straightening my body so I can look him in the eyes.

"What?" I ask in almost a whisper. My heart is about to beat out of my chest, yet again, only this time not because of pleasure.

I study Hero's face as he looks deep into my eyes. His hands still holding me around my hips.

"I have to leave tomorrow," he says quietly.

"What?"

"I have a meeting in New York on Tuesday. They need me there by tomorrow afternoon." His words are soft and his eyes are almost pleading. I feel him tuck a few loose strands of hair behind my left ear after he's said what I don't want to hear.

Leaving? We were supposed to have two more weeks together before we fly to Bulgaria. Two more weeks of just him and I. At least that's what we both agreed on yesterday.

"Why?" Is all I can manage to say.

"Farragamo is starting on their summer campaign. They need me there," he says, his hand resting on my neck just below my jaw.

He has work. I'm not stupid. Before the world went to shit a few months ago, we both had a million things to do, places to be and people to please for the sake of our jobs. But can you blame me for feeling like my world as i know it is being uprooted in the snap of a finger?

The silence inside my apartment is deafening as we stay still, trying to figure out what to say next. I'm trying to stay calm. I really am. I don't want Hero to think I'm some needy girlfriend who has to be attached to his hip 24/7 despite that being the case for the last few months.

"When did you find out?" I almost whisper, avoiding his saddened eyes at all cost.

"Yesterday. When they gave me the run down about my schedule. I'm sorry, Jo. I tried to postpone but they said it was impossible. Pulling the 'brand ambassador' shit on me."

He knew yesterday. And is just telling me now?

"When will you be back?" I ask, raising my eyes to his, trying not to sound as desperate as I feel.

Its temporary, Jo. You act like you've never been on opposite sides of the country for weeks at a time for crying out loud. I tell myself.

Hero takes a deep breath in, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "I'll meet you in Bulgaria."

Again, what?! Meeting me in Bulgaria in two weeks. Is this some sort of sick fucking joke? Did April 1st come late this year? The look on my face must have revealed my thoughts as Hero continues with his explanation.

"I'll be in New York for three days. Then back to London for a little over a week. I'm so-" I cut him off by grabbing my shirt from the couch beside us, pulling it over my head to cover my exposed body.

"Jo, stop. Let's talk. Why are you so upset?" Hero almost pleads, tightening his grip on my waist once again.

I am upset. I'm sad. I'm annoyed. I'm confused. Why couldn't he have just mentioned it yesterday when he found out? He really waited until I was at my most vulnerable state, naked and on top of him, my mind clouded with post-sex emptiness before bringing this up?

I'm not one to wallow in self pity. Believe me, after everything I went through in Atlanta last year. But things are so great between us. And now reality is smacking me in the face and I'm not prepared.

"I need to shower," I reply as unaffected as my voice allows. "Please, let go of me."

I don't want to talk right now. I just want some time to process that I'll be left here, in California for two weeks before flying to a foreign country by myself while my boyfriend is jet setting across the world for work.

Hero loosens his grip on me and I crawl off of his lap, gathering the remainder of my clothes at his feet before exiting the room, leaving him still sitting on the couch. I throw my dirty clothes into the hamper just inside my closet and lock the door to the bathroom once inside. I don't want him to follow me in here and go back and forth right now. But I also don't want to push him away. Fuck, Josephine. Get your shit together.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Hey all! Looks like quarantine is being cut short with these two 😩
Thank you so much for all the likes and feedback on the last couple chapters! I know updates are sporadic but I'm trying my best to keep them coming!
How do you think Hero and Jo will manage without each other before filming? Anything you guys would like to see happen in the updates to come?
I hope you are enjoying Herophine: Part3 so far and thanks again! Much love- JES