The Arrangement

24 | Across The Pond

The trip to London and Paris was steadily approaching, and Tracy couldn't have been more excited. The past week with Matthew had been blissful; things had never seemed better between them.

Everything appeared perfect until Sebastian received a phone call five days before the trip that visibly unsettled him, prompting him to call Matthew immediately. Although he put on a brave face for Tracy, she could tell that something bad had happened.

When Matthew returned to the penthouse in a somewhat stoic trance, Tracy knew that something was indeed wrong. Despite her attempts to understand, neither Matthew nor Sebastian would divulge any details.

In the following three days, the atmosphere in the penthouse returned to its former chilly, somber mood, with Matthew avoiding her as he had previously. With each day, Matthew's aloof behavior increased Tracy's anxiety, her initial excitement for their trip gradually succumbing to her worries. She sensed the possibility of the birthday trip being called off. Yet, what troubled her even more was the cause behind the change in Matthew. Had she inadvertently done something to upset him again? Could the unfortunate phone call Sebastian had received be the sole reason for Matthew's abrupt change in attitude, and was it a business issue or a personal one? Tracy's thoughts were flooded with potential reasons, but she tried her best not to overthink it.

With the trip only two days away, she braced herself for the likely cancellation, choosing to give Matthew the space he required to address his issues rather than nagging him for an explanation. The excitement that once consumed her had given way to a blend of anxiety and uncertainty, leading her to hope that Matthew's troubles would be resolved soon.

In her room, Tracy heard when Matthew entered the penthouse that evening. Normally, she could make out parts of his conversations with Sebastian downstairs, but tonight was eerily quiet. The silence was unsettling, leaving her on edge.

Minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Startled, she stood up from the bed. "Come in," she said, her voice tinged with apprehension.

Matthew entered, looking utterly exhausted. Tracy knew he wasn't there for sex. Dark circles shadowed his under eyes, and his jaw was covered with thick stubble, a clear sign he hadn't shaved since receiving the mysterious news. His shoulders were slumped, and his entire posture radiated weariness. His expression was heavy with fatigue, as though the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. Tracy knew something serious must have happened to leave him in such a state, but what could possibly be weighing on him so much? She'd never seen him this way before.

"Matthew," she said softly, taking a step towards him. "Is everything okay?"

His eyes met hers, and for a moment, the vulnerability in his gaze tugged at Tracy's heartstrings. He opened his mouth to speak, but hesitated, as if unsure where to begin. The weight of unspoken words hung heavily in the air, and Tracy braced herself for the conversation she knew was about to come.

"Yeah," he finally said unconvincingly, "but I have some bad news." Tracy remained silent, knowing what would follow. "Something came up in London, and I'll have to be there for the entire week, including your birthday." She knew it. "I'm sorry, but I have to cancel the trip."

"It's okay," she said gently with a faint smile, not wanting to cause a fuss. Besides, she was still hopeful there'd be something they could do in London.

"No, it's not. I'll make it up to you when I return," he insisted, his voice heavy with regret. Paying attention to how he said, "when I return" instead of "when we return," it was now clear she wouldn't be going anywhere with Matthew for her birthday. Pangs of disappointment emerged.

"Don't worry about me. Honestly, I'm more worried about you," she said, walking closer towards him as he retreated. She caught a whiff of the faint stench of cigarettes. "Have you been smoking? I didn't know you smoked."