Behind the Curtain

13

She held me in a tight embrace, her voice trembling slightly, "I hate to be apart from you after being together for so long."

I pulled away gently, placing my hands on her shoulders to steady her. "Yeah, but we'll be back again soon for Japan," I replied, trying to inject some optimism into the situation.

"About that.." she hesitated her eyebrows furrowing as she shifted her gaze.

"Hm?"

"Jay's tagging along," she said, with tension in her voice.

My thoughts immediately drifted to their complicated relationship, while it didn't directly impact me, I knew it was a source of strain for her. I guess they're trying to work it out. It's their dynamic and relationship.

"It won't look good to the general public and our family, we've been traveling apart and apart in general and it's not a good look on us." She says with evident concern.

I open my mouth to offer reassurance, but she cut me off. "Oh! Kelly and her family are also coming along."

I offered her a reassuring smile, "That's completely okay with me. This is your career and your people, not mine." She looked relieved, though a shadow of doubt still lingered.

"This will be good for us to take it slow, you know.. not being able to sneak around for each other." I whispered, glancing furtively towards Julius who was nearby.

"You're right," she said, leaning in closer, "but that's about three weeks. I can't bear being that far from you."

"Bey, I'm going to be there as well."

"Yes, I know but it'll feel like a slight barrier."

"We'll work something out."

Trying to mask her worry with a smile, nodding.

"Okay.. thank you again though," she said, her voice softening. Making the conversation appear harmless hoping Julius would remain oblivious. We said our goodbyes and they carried onto their next destination.

As I made my way to my suite, my mind buzzed with uncertainties. Despite our confessions of love and sex we shared, I craved something deeper and more meaningful. The current situation felt precarious, and I didn't want our relationship to devolve around something purely physical. I knew pushing her for more right now would be counterproductive; she was vulnerable, and I needed to tread carefully.

~

Hours passed by, after winding down with a hot shower and slipping into bed, I had answered emails and messages that had piled up during my time off the grid. The familiar buzz of my phone startled me.

"Hey Lauren! I've missed you. It's been so much, we just got back from France not too long ago."

"France?" She exclaimed. "And you didn't think to ask me if I wanted to come along?" She joked.

"I wish you could've joined us but it was strictly business."

"Well you better fill me in, what happened? How was it?"

"It was fantastic," I replied trying to capture the essence of the trip." The weather was perfect, warm and sunny. We stayed at their private villa right on a secluded beach. There were pools inside and out; it was paradise."

"Ooh you should've stuffed me into your suitcase," she teased.

I laughed along with her, though the guilt of keeping certain details from her lingered. "I wish I could've. Maybe next time."

"But, remember your small get together you're hosting in the next couple of days right?"

"Yess girl, I'd love to see you."