Chapter 25: Flow With Me

She returned to the adjoining door and rapped softly before pushing it open. She poked her head in first and saw Toby concentrating on his phone call by the window. From the way he’d fisted his hands, she automatically assumed he didn’t want to be disturbed. “What do you want, Evonne?” His voice sounded cold and distant; it actually made her feel like a little girl being admonished for bad behavior. Her throat suddenly felt clogged. She swallowed some saliva and, in a tiny voice, managed to let out, “Bathroom.” He brusquely pointed to his left and went back to his phone call.  She went back to her room, grabbed her towel, and went to freshen up. She was positive she had come up with a solution to her puzzle by the time she was done. **** “Rise and shine, sleeping beauty!” Toby’s voice pierced through her dream bubble, pulling her harshly back to reality. She slowly opened one eye and saw him drawing the curtains to let the light in. “It’s not even eight yet!” She complained in a hoarse voice. From what she could tell, it was still dawn. “Yes, well, I need your decision, NOW!!! Or I leave you alone to figure your shit out on your own,” He warned her. He sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at her. “My parents have summoned me to talk about their condition, Lord knows what is the truth, then after that, we could go on a short road trip, deal with your heartbreak, and get back to the real world... How does that sound?” He looked at her anxiously, waiting for her reply. Now that she took a good look at him, he was impeccably dressed. His hair was held back neatly, and he wore an impressive grey Armani suit.  “You clean up well,” She said in a sly tone pushing his shoulder playfully. “I always look good. I’m just in official clothing, which I guess you’ve never seen me in. And you’re drifting away from the topic. I need your decision now, Evonne.” She shut her eyes for a few seconds. She’d already come to a decision... But saying it out loud makes it all too real. She groaned out loud and sat up. “Do I also need to be officially dressed?” She asked, looking back at Toby. She watched as a triumphant smile made its way to his face. “We are gonna kick ass together!” He stood and began taking his leave before he abruptly stopped. “Yes, you need to dress officially. Have you forgotten my parents? Be downstairs in 30 tops.” Oh, she hadn’t forgotten his parents. If anything, she remembered the Menard family too well. They were the epitome of the perfect family. “Stop zoning out. Hurry!!!” Toby shouted from the corridor. He knew her too well. She followed his voice and found herself in the dining room talking on the phone. He watched her come and added something brusquely to the other party, then hung up.  “Your darling husband is looking for you. Apparently, he or his team are on their way here. They managed to track you, maybe with your phone... What do you want to do?” He looked at her seriously, waiting for her reply.  She honestly hadn’t thought he’d even be bothered by her absence. It made her happy, actually, a bit. But he had to know she wasn’t going back for round two of his bullshit.  “Nothing is going to make me change my mind, Toby. The sooner we leave here, the better. I don’t want to run into him.” “Good.” She presumed he took the last sip of his tea, then stood up, grabbing his coat off the chair.  “Let’s go,” He urged her as he walked to the door. She followed him out, making sure to leave her phone behind. She didn’t want him on her trail anymore. It was time for them to live away from each other. She won’t dare to come back into his life. She went up and grabbed a rucksack she’d quickly filled with her essentials.  “Your husband is crazy,” Toby muttered between chuckles as they walked to board the plane. “He just doesn’t want bad publicity because he is rich, and people know he was married; without my presence, it will have a big impact on his credibility,” she muttered softly.  She’d been thinking about the whole scenario: The ride to the airport, and that’s the only explanation that made sense. “Hmm,” he tossed her a look over his shoulder but added nothing further.  “Anyway, why do we have to be so official, and it’ll be 7 hours before we even get there?” “Again, do you know my parents?” He halted his pace, slightly glancing at her. Well, she did. But what did that-oh right-since their son was coming, they’d probably be at the airport waiting or something just as grand. “Well, this is going to be fun.” A smile came out from her gritted teeth, slowly began to regret her decision. Anyway, the upside was after all this was over... They were definitely going for a road trip. She uses that as a mantra to keep her going. She nodded slowly, agreeing with herself as she took her seat.  “Try not to get too intimidated by my parents, okay? The last time you saw them, I think it was a fleeting experience. This time you’ll actually be having dinner. I don’t know if they know you’re married, but if they don’t, then don’t tell them, okay?” Toby rushed out anxiously as he pulled into their driveway. “Not many things scare you, but your parents are a different story, huh?” She was actually a bit amused by the way he was acting. Did she also look and act like this when she was preparing to meet her dad? Man, if that was so, that was just sad. Shouldn’t there be a bond between parents and children? Anyway, whatever. It doesn’t concern her in the least. “Our luggage will be handled. Don’t worry.” He said softly, opening the door and holding his hand out for her. He’d somehow managed to gather himself enough to look like a focused businessman. “I might spout some lies in there, so I need you to flow with me, got it?” “I got it!” She punched his shoulder playfully and tossed him a grin. Then, to ease his nerves, she added, “Don’t worry, I’m the master of pretense and elegance. I won’t embarrass you.”