Clouds Cover the Sun Because they like the warmth

A Chance To Grow

Manon gave Norman a smile as he walked into the breakroom. Things had been slowly going back to normal. Both of them had been getting a bit more touchy. Yet there was still a noticeable distance between them. Manon had been holding back after finding out what he had done. At this point she felt like they needed to talk it out even more. Manon didn't want to end it. She believed Norman could change. Unlike other men she had dated. "Good morning." Manon said as she handed him his coffee. "Good morning." He said though he sounded a bit tired. Not only that he looked tired. Bags were starting to appear under his eyes. The week had barely started, and he already looked stressed. "How's your morning been?" Manon gave him a smile "It's been good. What about yours?" Norman shrugged, his smile was faltering, fake even, and not the type when he would put on that customer service smile. "Is everything alright?" Manon asked as Norman let out a hum. "Yeah? Why wouldn't it be?" Norman said as Manon raised a brow. "Norman. What is going on?" Manon said suspiciously. Norman let out a sigh. 

"It's nothing bad, but I'm going to have to go out of town for about a week." Manon raised a brow. "Why?" Norman groaned as he slumped. "Business convention. Usually I would send Bryce but they insisted on me." Norman sighed. "I don't want to go." "Why?" Manon asked. Surely it couldn't be that bad. To be fair she had never been to a business convention before. "Well we're still trying to patch things up, and I don't want to leave in the middle of it." Manon couldn't help but agree. Being apart wouldn't do them any good right now. Both seemed saddened by it. Manon moved her hand out to touch his and Norman gave her a soft smile. Slipping his hand under hers. It was comforting. Manon wished she could go along. Wait a minute. "How many people do you usually send for these business conventions?" Manon asked as Norman looked back at her. "Two. One higher up, and one lower ranked." Manon let out a hum. 

"So the company will only pay for two?" Noman looked at her with a brow raised. "Are you suggesting I take you with me?" Manon shrugged. "If you want to." Manon said as Norman leaned closer to her. "I mean it may be like a vacation." Norman shrugged. "I mean when we're off." Manon chuckled. "Alright where are we going?" Manon asked. "Boston." "And when do we leave?" Manon asked. "Four days. Is that going to be enough time for you to pack?" Norman looked a little confused, but Manon gave him a bright smile. "Plenty of time." She said before pulling his hand up and giving it a kiss. Norman gave a sweet smile. "Alright then, do I meet you at your palace then?" "Yeah. Or I can get my aunt and uncle to pick you up at yours?" Norman froze for a minute. Processing what had just come out her mouth. "Sure." Norman said before lifting her hand up slowly. Manon let him. His grip was gentle. Giving her ample room to move her hand away if she wanted. He pressed a soft peck to it before heading out. "I'll see you later Manon." Norman said as he walked away.

Manon continuously looked out the window as the car passed buildings bringing them closer to Norman's apartment. Sure things had been going smoothly despite the past events, yet this was her first time introducing Norman to some of her family. It wasn't her parents, but they were pretty close to it. Thankfully it was just her aunt. She was the more calm of the two. "Just up here." Manon said as her aunt pulled up next to the expensive apartment building. Norman was waiting outside with two large suitcases. Manon exited the car and gave a smile and wave. "Hey." "Hey." Norman said as Manon walked over and grabbed one of his suitcases. "Thank you, but you don't have to." Manon rolled her eyes. "I insist." She said as Norman nodded while her aunt got out of the car to open the trunk. "You must be Manon's boyfriend." She said as she walked up to him. Manon felt her face flush as she lunged his suitcase into the trunk. "Yes I'm Norman." He said, seemingly a little embarrassed by it. 

"I'm Tiffany, Manon's aunt." "It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am." Tiffany smiled as Manon loaded up his other suitcase. "Already ready to take off." Manon said as she the trunk. Norman nodded as he and Manon slipped into the back. On the drive to the airport Tiffany was asking Norman all sorts of questions. Where did he work? What he did for work? How old was he? Norman happily answered all of them. Then of course came questions about their relationship. Those were easy, and both were more than happy to answer them. Manon would keep looking over at him. Seeing a smile on his face. It made her happy that the two were getting along. Yet as they came closer to the airport Tiffany made a comment that made the ride feel uncomfortable. "So you two have spent a lot of time at each other's apartments? Have y'all done anything special yet?" Both Manon and Norman tensed up. Their faces flush brightly. Manon couldn't help but feel incredibly embarrassed. "Uhm, that isn't relevant." Manon answered as Tiffany pulled up to the airport. Manon looked in the mirror to see her aunt now embarrassed. "Right, sorry." She muttered. "Well anyways we are here." She said as Manon nodded before looking over at Norman. Though instead of embarrassment she noticed something different. Some sort of fear, guilt maybe, but most of all he looked sad. They could talk on the flight. Especially since they were here, it gave them an opportunity to exit. 

"Well thank you for the ride aunt Tiffany." Manon said as she opened the door. "Not a problem." "It was nice meeting you miss." Norman said as the two crawled out of the car. Grabbing their suitcases before walking off with a bit more pep in their steps. The sky was still dark. They had to leave early. Boston, and New York flights tend to fill up fast. "I am so sorry about that." Manon said as they walked into the airport. "You don't need to apologize for that, it was not your fault." Norman said while looking straight ahead. "No, but she asked you that." "She shouldn't have asked us that." Norman corrected as he looked over at Manon. Giving her a sweet smile. "It's not your fault you can relax. Besides, we got a flight to catch." Manon let out a relaxed sigh. Walking through security was a minor pain they made it to the plane. Sitting right next to each other. 

Manon got the window seat, while Norman sat in the aisle seat. Manon was mostly expecting to nap on the plane, but she had brought a book with her just in case. Though Norman pulled on out right away. "What book is that?" Manon asked as Norman looked back at her and then the book. "The little shop of horrors." Manon raised a brow. "I've never heard of that book. What is it about?" Manon asked as she leaned over. Drawn in black ink was a thin man with a mustache, next to a plant that had a thick bud with a mouth. "Well it's about this guy who gets this weird plant on an eclipse, and it ends up making his failing flower shop a lot of money. But it turns out the plant is alive, and eats human flesh and blood to grow." Manon felt a small shiver go down her spine at the mention of human eating. Norman noticed her discomfort. "I'm sorry I didn't know that would make you uncomfortable." Norman said as he put his hand over Manon's. "Oh you're alright. Honestly I should've expected some sort of blood mention with a title such as "The Little Shop of Horrors."" Norman nodded. "So what did you bring to read?" Manon gave a smile. She had a feeling that everything was going to be okay.