A Change of Heart // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 37

The Monday morning of Sebastian departure to Egypt was solemn. He was up before the sun, making sure he'd packed everything three times by opening his suitcase, taking everything out, looking at it all and repacking it again

"What are you doing?" Florence called from the bed, awake yet again from Sebastian making noise.

"I'm sorry, just checking some things. Go back to sleep." He said, his head buried in his bag.

"Well, I can't now." She said, getting out of bed and pulling on her robe.

She helped him reorganise his bag so it fit everything neatly assuring him that he did indeed have everything he could possibly need.

"Thanks." He said, clasping the bag.

"I'm going to miss you so much." Florence admitted, watching him finish the last buckle on his suitcase.

"Come here." He said, pulling her in to a hug. He cuddled her head, inhaling her scent for the last time. "It will fly by."

He squeezed her hard, holding back his own tears as Florence's fell onto his shirt.

"You'll be alright. I will write to you as often as I can. I promise." He said, planting a soft, delicate kiss on the top of her head.

He left shortly after, smothering Florence with kisses all over her face as if he was giving her all the ones he would have laid upon her for the two months he'd be gone.

Florence tearfully got herself ready for work not long after he left, trying hard not to think about his absence. The home felt empty even though he'd only been gone for an hour.

She met Poppy outside who sensed her pain, wrapping her in a hug before they left.

"It's two months out of the rest of your life, Florence. You'll be alright. You lived five years without him before this." She said.

"Yes, but I hated him then. It made it easy." Florence laughed, remembering the promises she'd made to herself when she was 18. That she'd never speak to him or cry tears over him again and here she was breaking all the rules she'd herself.

"If I can get through day 1, I can get through the rest." Florence said.

"That's the spirit!" Poppy cheered.

--

Florence lost track of the days, realising she was already halfway through his stint in Egypt. She'd periodically received owls from him, though they were vague, knowing he wasn't able to speak about his work much.

Florence sat at her work desk, filing away papers when suddenly a wave of anxiety and a realisation hit her.

"Shit..." she muttered to herself.

She struggled to focus on her work the rest of the day, leaving a little bit early to catch Poppy in the Beasts department.

"I'm heading off a bit early today. Care to swing past my apartment tonight? I could use the company." She asked.

"Sure." Poppy said. I'll meet you there when I finish up here." Poppy smiled, returning to her paperwork.

Florence quickly speed-walked the streets home, unable to relax when she got there. She tidied, she washed clothes, she swept. Three times.

She heard a knock at the door and frantically opened it to see Poppy's smiling face. It turned to concern very quickly.

"Are you alright?" Poppy asked.

"No." Florence replied.

Poppy took her by the arm and sat her down on the lounge.

"What's troubling you?" Poppy asked, her face covered with concern.