Gerald and Aubrey sat across from each other in a cozy corner of the restaurant. It was Aubrey’s favorite spot, a charming little place tucked away from the bustling streets, known for its intimate atmosphere and exquisite cuisine. The smell of deliciously cooked meals filled the air, mingling with the murmur of voices around them.
They had just finished placing their orders, the waitress leaving them with a polite smile. Gerald leaned back in his chair, studying Aubrey with a curious expression. She had been quiet since they arrived. He noticed the way her fingers absentmindedly traced the rim of her glass, her brows slightly furrowed in thought.
"So, how was Paris?" Gerald asked, trying to ease into the conversation. He kept his tone light, genuinely interested in hearing about her trip.
Aubrey’s responded instantly—a quiet grunt of frustration that escaped her lips before she could stop it. Her eyes flashed with annoyance, and she let out a sigh as she leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest.
Gerald raised an eyebrow, surprised by her reaction. "What? What’s wrong?" he asked, leaning forward slightly. His voice was filled with concern, and he searched her face for any clues.
Aubrey shook her head, her lips pressed into a thin line. "It was horrible," she muttered, her voice laced with bitterness.
Gerald’s eyes widened in surprise. He had expected her to gush about the beautiful city, the sights, and maybe even the time she had spent with Mason. But this? This was unexpected. "Horrible?" he echoed, his voice gentle but probing. "What happened?"
Aubrey let out another sigh, this one heavier, as if the weight of her disappointment was too much to bear. She looked down at her hands, fidgeting with her napkin before finally speaking. "I couldn’t really find any time to be with Mason," she confessed, her voice tinged with frustration. "He was so busy, Gerald. It felt like he was ignoring me the whole time."
Gerald’s heart ached for her. He could see the hurt in her eyes, the way her shoulders slumped slightly as she spoke. He reached across the table, placing his hand over hers in a comforting gesture. "Aubrey, I’m really sorry," he began, his voice soft and understanding. "But... I have to take Mason’s side on this one."
Aubrey’s eyes shot up to meet his, a mix of confusion and hurt flickering in them. "Take his side?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Gerald nodded, his gaze steady and sincere. "He was in Paris for work, not for a holiday. It’s only natural that he couldn’t spend as much time with you as he wanted to. I’m sure it wasn’t because he didn’t want to be with you... but because he couldn’t."
He could see the conflict in her eyes, the way she was processing his words. She bit her lower lip, something she often did when she was trying to hold back her emotions.
"I know it’s not what you wanted to hear," he continued, his voice still gentle. "But Mason’s job is demanding. It’s tough to balance work and personal life, especially when he’s in a different country for work."
Aubrey sighed again, her shoulders fell even more. "I know," she admitted quietly, her voice barely audible. "You warned me about this, didn’t you? When you helped me find out about his trip..."
Gerald nodded, his expression sympathetic. "I did, and I also know how much you care about him. I just wish things could have been different for you."
Aubrey didn’t respond right away. Instead, she stared down at the table, her fingers tracing patterns on the linen tablecloth. Gerald watched her closely, noticing the way her lips tightened, a sign that there was more she hadn’t said yet.
Finally, she spoke again, her voice tinged with a deeper frustration. "Not being able to spend time with Mason wasn’t even the worst part," she muttered, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Gerald frowned, his concern growing. "What was the worst part?" he asked, his voice gentle but filled with genuine curiosity.
Aubrey’s jaw clenched slightly, and she took a deep breath as if trying to steady herself. "That woman was there too," she spat out, her voice low and laced with venom.
Gerald’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "That woman?" he repeated, his confusion evident. "You mean... Ellen?"
Aubrey nodded, her eyes flashing with anger. "Yes, Ellen," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "Somehow, she was there too. I underestimated her, Gerald. I really did."
Gerald could see the bitterness in her expression, the way her hands tightened into fists as she spoke. He nodded along, understanding why she was so upset. "No wonder you’re mad," he said softly, his tone soothing. "That must have been really tough for you."
Aubrey let out a frustrated huff, her fingers curling around her napkin as if she needed something to hold onto. "You have no idea," she muttered, shaking her head slightly.
Gerald’s mind raced as he tried to piece everything together. What was Ellen doing in Paris? Had Mason invited her? Nah, no freaking way. He knew Mason well, and the idea of him asking Ellen to join him didn’t sit right.
"What was she doing there?" Gerald asked, his voice laced with confusion.
Aubrey shook her head, her expression hardening. "I don’t know," she admitted, her voice tinged with frustration. "But seeing her there... it just made everything worse. It was like she was trying to rub it in my face, Gerald."
Gerald reached across the table, gently taking Aubrey’s hand in his. Her skin was soft and warm against his, but he could feel the tension in her grip, the way her fingers tightened slightly around his. He offered her a reassuring smile, though a hint of uncertainty lingered in his eyes.
"Aubrey," he said softly, his voice filled with a mix of concern and determination. "Everything’s going to be fine."
Aubrey looked up at him, her eyes searching his face for the comfort she so desperately needed. The corners of her mouth lifted into a small, almost hesitant smile, a flicker of gratitude shining through her otherwise troubled expression. "Thank you, G," she whispered.
Would everything really be okay? He wasn’t so sure.