The CEO's Spy

Anxious Ruby

Maxen looked conflicted, he was clutching the handle of his suitcase like his life depended on it. Before we got married it was never an issue to him, he could take the jet or hop on a plane to travel for work without me. Yet today he was reluctant to take the jet. He didn't want to leave his wife behind for a week, though we'd be so busy we'd probably didn't have time to miss each other like crazy. We tried to move things around so I could come with him but in the end, we figured it was more efficient if I stayed at the main office. So here we were, staring at each other without daring to speak up. Maxen sighed, his shoulder slumping while he finally let go of the handle of his suitcase. When his suitcase was freed from his grip the staff quickly moved it, needing to store it. I didn't have time to laugh because it was heartbreaking seeing the reluctance in his eyes. Maxen pulled me in, wrapping me tightly in his arms.

"It's just a week." I reminded him.

He kissed the top of my head, "It feels weird leaving my wife behind even if it's just for a week."

I rolled my eyes at that, "My mother just got in your head. Don't let her get to you, we're strong. We'd never do stupid things to mess up what we have."

"That's true." I could hear some of the concerns left him by me reassuring him about us, "You did make me wait for like years."

I gave his arm a slap, "Shut up."

He pulled away from me, his hands on my shoulders while he smiled down at me, "So I'll be back next Friday."

"I know, I'll be here to welcome you back."

He liked that, I could see it in his eyes. Why was my husband so adorable today? If he behaved like that it would be harder for me to let him go. I had to stay put and see him off with a smile, it would reassure him that I'd be fine. Thomas would be here, as well as his sister and my friends. I wasn't going to live at the office either, I actually wanted to go home and start cooking. Thea shared some of her easy recipes for beginners with me, I couldn't wait to start on that. She promised me she'd guide me through it today, knowing I needed some motivation on day one of my cooking class for beginners.
I met up with Thomas who patiently waited for me to climb into the backseat of the car. Once I was settled in he closed the door and then sat down in the driver's seat. His eyes met mine in the rearview mirror, his soulful eyes warming up to me.

"He'll be fine," Thomas reassured me.

I smiled, glancing out the window and surveying the city, "As my husband, he is quite the worrywart, isn't he?"

Thomas chuckled, "Yes, that seems to be the case."

"I never knew he could behave like this as well, he showed his protective side to me when Wes started to act funny but he didn't get so despondent. It was heartbreaking seeing him like that."

Thomas calmly responded to me, "He just needs to get used to the changes in your relationship. Sometimes you won't be able to join him on an overseas trip and that should be okay."

"Trust." I nodded, "I always assumed we had it but then my mother got to him last night."

"Nadia?" Thomas questioned.

Remembering her persistent questioning made me feel uncomfortable, she made Maxen feel restless for my sake and I didn't appreciate it. I'd let my mother know just how unhappy I was with her behavior. Maxen didn't need that kind of stress when dealing with issues at our Tokyo office, he needed a clear head. I held my mother responsible for his behavior today.

"She called last night to check in and then started to question me about the business trip. Let's just say that Nadia was not okay with me not tagging along with Maxen. She said a woman should never let her husband go overseas for too long because the distance could possibly strain the marriage."