To The Sky

CHAPTER 18 - The Split

CHAPTER 18 - The Split

"You weren't kidding when you said that word does travel fast." Amelia said as she sips coffee and reads an article about her and Trip on her phone. Trip laughs, "Wait til you see this." He said and turns on his TV. Amelia's eyes widen, "Oh my god." She reacted.

The TV was showing pictures and videos of her and Trip cuddling and kissing at the bleachers overlooking 10th avenue at The Highline. The report read, "Who is Trip McAllister's new lady love?"

Amelia rubs her temples while Trip hugs her from the back, "Are you okay?" He asked. "I don't know what to feel." She replied. "I'm so sorry that this happened." He said. Amelia looks at Trip and sighed, "It was bound to happen sometime, right?" She asked. Trip pulls her tight, "It didn't have to be this way." He said. "What do I do?" She asked. "I wish I could tell you that it's gonna get better, but I just can't. It's gonna get worse." He replied. "Wow. Thanks for being honest with me." She retorted sounding sarcastic.

Trip sighed, "I just mean that we just opened Pandora's box and everyone is going to go crazy. They'll look you up, post, stalk, take pictures and talk about you. Everyone, not just the paparazzi, is gonna invade your privacy now." He said. Amelia's expression turned sour then looked hopeful and then looked Trip in the eye, "If that's what it takes to be with you, I'm willing to weather it all." She said. Trip smiled, "And I will do my best to protect you and help you in whatever way I can." He replied. "I love you." He said. "I love you too." She replied and then they kiss.

Then Amelia and Trip eat dinner that they both cooked together. Trip lowers the volume on the TV and Amelia keeps her phone and they were silent for a while. Trip breaks the silence clearing his throat, "So now that the cat's out of the bag, we can go anywhere we want. Gone are the days of home cooked dinners, not that I'm complaining." He said with a laugh. "Yeah with people taking pictures of us." She replied. "Look on the bright side, at least you look smokin hot in those photos." He tried to lighten the situation and Amelia rolled her eyes at him. "And what's wrong with home cooked dinners? They're the best!" She said. "True and we can get dessert right after." He said with a wink. Amelia smiles, "Oh Trip, I'll go anywhere and do anything as long as you're right there with me." She replied. Then Trip kisses her and they continue to eat.

"So are you all packed for tomorrow?" Amelia asked then drank some wine. "Yup! I'm also ready to spend the night at your place." He joked and they laugh. "What about you? Are you done packing?" He asked. "Sort of, I just need to pack a few more stuff and I'm good to go." She replied. "What time are we leaving tomorrow again?" He asked. "Five in the morning." She replied. Trip pouts, "Why so early?!" He asked. "It's a four hour travel by car, Trip." She replied. "Remind me again why we aren't flying instead?" Trip asked. "Uhm you were the one who wanted to take the car!" Amelia replied. "And you believed me?!" Trip joked. Amelia giggles and rolls her eyes, "Sometimes I wonder if I should take you seriously or not." She replied and Trip laughs.

After having dinner, Amelia volunteers to clean the dishes while Trip gets his weekend bags, suit carrier/garment bag and brings it down to the living room area then scurries over to help Amelia finish cleaning the dishes.

After cleaning and locking up his penthouse, Trip and Amelia head down to where he parked his black Jaguar XK convertible and put the bags in the trunk and carefully put his garment bag on top of the bags. Then they headed to Amelia's place, where he parked his car in Amelia's special parking place and covered his car. Then Trip gets one bag and they go up to Amelia's place.

When they arrived, Trip puts down the bag on the "submerged living room" and relaxed for a bit while Amelia quickly finishes packing in her room.

After a while, Trip goes to the mini library where he peruses Amelia's book shelf and sees the picture frame faced down. He grabbed it and examines the photo, "Ben" as he remembered her say, looked awfully familiar. He thinks about everything Amelia has said to him in the past regarding "Ben".