Chapter 19
Ava
It’s been a while since Matthias had to leave for a business trip. He got a break from that when we found out Elizabeth was coming, but I guess now that’s she’s here, the days away will start up again.
I watch as he packs his suitcase with all he needs for the trip, wishing he didn’t have to go. “Do you want me to help with anything?” I ask as I lay in bed.
He shakes his head and smiles but returns to packing his shaving kit. Then I see him walk into our bathroom and a few moments later return with his bottle of cologne. That’s strange. I don’t remember him wearing cologne to work recently.
“Needing to smell good for a business meeting?”
Matthias nods as he tosses it into his suitcase. “Long trips pretty much demand it since I doubt I’ll be grabbing a shower before the meeting starts.”
Okay. That makes sense.
I lean over and grab the bottle of amber colored cologne out of the suitcase.
Even before I bring it to my nose, I remember how much I love this scent.
Woodsy and warm, it smells incredible on Matthias.
When I screw the top off and take a deep inhale of it, I’m practically transported back to the last time he wore it with me.
We were out on a date night before I found out I was pregnant with Elizabeth.
He took me to a fantastic Asian fusion place someone at work had told him about that turned out to be a wonderful surprise.
“I’m going to need that,” he says with a smile.
He seems so happy tonight. For a man who’s been miserable for days on end, this sudden change to a pleasant guy now that he’s leaving makes me wonder.
“Who’s all going on this trip with you?” I ask as I hand the bottle of cologne back to him.
For a split second, he hesitates and his smile fades just a little, but he quickly recovers and answers, “Just me and the lawyers. It’s that kind of trip.”
I don’t know what that actually means, but if it’s the company’s lawyers, I know who they are.
Each one reminds me of a copy of his father.
All older, all wearing three-piece suits worth thousands, and all focused on business.
I’ve been at parties with the King Industries’ lawyers, and it’s an understatement to say they aren’t a good time, although one of them, Robert something or another, was nice.
“Is Robert going? You know, the one with the granddaughter who plays violin?” I ask.
Matthias nods. “Yeah, but I hope he doesn’t talk about that the whole time. That makes for a long trip.”
Feeling bad that he has to spend eight hours on a flight with them, a day of meetings also with them, and then a flight home again with those men, I sit up and give Matthias a kiss. He’s surprised but kisses me back more passionately than I expect.
“Somebody’s in a good mood,” I tease as I fall back onto the mattress.
He stops packing for a few seconds and looks down at me. “Well, do you blame me? We just had great sex. I’ll be thinking of that this whole trip.”
Giggling as I think about how incredible it was, I stretch my arms above my head. “Me too. We’ll have to have a redo as soon as you get home.”
With a wicked grin I think is so sexy, he looks over at me, his gaze drifting up and down my body, and says, “I’m all-in. When I get home, I’ll check on the kids and meet you here right after that. Is it a date?”
“It is.”
I watch as he zips his suitcase closed, knowing it’s time for him to leave. It’s silly because I know this is part of his job, but I always hate seeing him with his suitcase like this.
He walks around the bed and sets his luggage on the floor. Leaning down, he kisses me tenderly on the lips, lingering for a second or two before he stands up again. Suddenly, he looks sad now.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, sure. I never like having to leave, but I’ll be back, and in less than two weeks, we’re getting married.”
The way he says that, like this trip has some connection to our wedding, confuses me, so I ask, “Is everything okay with the company, Matthias?”
With a shrug, he nods. “As good as can be. Record profits last quarter. From what I hear, we’ve got some new products that look like they’re going to be a hit. I can’t remember what they are at this moment, but from what the division heads tell me, they’re going to be a success. Why?”
“I don’t know. I just thought that maybe that’s what’s been making you unhappy.”
And just like that, the darkness that’s been nearly a permanent part of his expression recently returns.
“No, it’s not the business. That’s been doing fine.
I better go. I’m going to miss you and the kids, Ava.
I’m going to give them all a kiss before I leave, but tell them I’ll be back tomorrow night, okay? ”
I fling my legs off the side of the bed and grab my robe to follow him as he walks toward the kids’ rooms. We visit the baby’s nursery first and find her fast asleep. Curled up in her onesie, she looks adorable, her mouth in a cute pout.
“Daddy will be back tomorrow night, sweetie,” he whispers before quietly lowering the side of her crib so he can press a kiss to her forehead. “Be good for mommy, okay?”
She doesn’t wake up, thankfully, but we linger a few seconds next to her crib after lifting the side back up. In many ways, Elizabeth looks like her father, especially with that pout of hers.
As we walk out to the hall, I mention that similarity and he tries to make the pouty face himself. I can’t stifle my laugh at how silly he looks.
“That’s not it,” I whisper as we enter Matty’s room. “It’s just something about the way your face and her face look when you’re unhappy.”
Our younger son is stretched out with his arms above his head like he always sleeps. I look at Matthias and shake my head.
“I don’t think this kid has ever been uncomfortable. He hits the bed and instantly goes spread eagle.”
“He’s like his father,” he says before leaning down to kiss Matty.
Thankfully, he doesn’t wake up, because if he does, I’m going to be dealing with him for hours.
This child has reached the stage of life where he questions everything, which means my days are filled with why this and when that and how can that be for hours on end.
I love him, but I do enjoy nighttime when the questions get a break and give me one.
Finally, we walk to the end of the hall and our oldest child Theo’s room that used to be his father’s bedroom when he was growing up.
When we walk in, we see him curled up much like his sister was in her crib, but he doesn’t pout when he sleeps.
In fact, Theo always tucks his hands underneath his cheek, which makes him look far more angelic than he is in reality.
Matthias brushes our son’s dark hair off his forehead and kisses him goodbye. “Be good for your mother, Theo.”
As we walk out to the hallway, I say, “I noticed you didn’t talk to Matty. Why is that?”
With a knowing smile, he answers, “Because if he woke up, he’d be rattling off questions, and I don’t think either one of us wants to deal with that tonight.”
He does know his son and namesake well.
I walk with him down to the kitchen and see Eleanor left him a bag of goodies for the trip. Picking it up from the table, I open it and see cookies along with some healthy snacks like carrots and celery sticks.
“Eleanor’s care package for you.”
He takes it from me and smiles. “She does take good care of me. People wonder why I like working out of the house as much as I can. I tell them all the people I love to be around are here, including Eleanor since she always has good things for me to eat.”
“She does. Have everything you need?” I ask, choking back tears.
Matthias nods and shows me his suitcase. “Got it.”
It’s silly that I get so emotional when he leaves on trips, but I miss him. He’s not just the man I love. He’s also my friend I love to spend time with, so it’s not so ridiculous that I’d be sad when he’s gone.
I think all of that in an attempt to rationalize the tears that I’m wiping away as I walk him to the kitchen door.
It’s our routine when he goes away. I walk him through the house until the door where we say goodbye.
Then I cry a little, feel stupid because he’s going to be back in a matter of days, and eat something like a cookie to make myself feel better.
He stops at the door and sets his suitcase down before pulling me in for a hug. “I love you, Ava. I don’t think you know how much because I’m not always the best at showing you or the kids, but I’d be lost without you.”
I look up at him and see real emotion in his eyes. “I know how much you love me, honey. The kids know you love them too. Hurry back so we can show you how much we love you.”
One more kiss and then he walks out. I don’t watch him drive away anymore like I did the first few times he went on business trips because it makes me even sadder. I don’t know why. Something about it just tears me up.
So I watch the door close behind him and turn to find those cookies Eleanor made for his trip. She always makes sure to set some aside for us here, and I find them on a plate on the stove.
I grab a couple and sit down at the kitchen table. Eleanor makes the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever tasted, and these are no exception. While I savor the sweetness of each one, I silently pray that Matthias and his lawyers will have a good trip and return home safe and sound tomorrow night.
Glancing up at the clock, I see it’s already nine in the morning.
I wonder how Matthias is doing at his meeting.
It’s probably just some dry discussion of King Industries products.
My husband always tells me these kinds of things bore him senseless, so I bet he’s struggling to keep his eyes open as someone drones on about some new idea.
My phone vibrates, and I look down at the table to see Kellen’s name. That’s strange. He rarely calls me lately, especially on a weekday.
“Hey, what’s up?” I say as I answer his call.
“Nothing much. Just wanted to get my brother’s input on something. I tried his phone, but it went immediately to voicemail. I promise it won’t take long, but can you pry him away from whatever he’s doing there to get him to talk to me?”
Now I’m confused. Kellen works at the same place as Matthias. Why didn’t his assistant tell him my husband wasn’t even in town?
“He’s not here. Didn’t Donna tell you he was on a business trip?”
Kellen sounds as baffled as I am when he answers, “Uh, no. All she told me was he was working remotely today. I figured that meant from home.”
Ah, okay. That makes sense. Donna always tries to be as discreet as possible when it comes to her boss and his schedule. Kellen is his brother, though, so you’d think she’d tell him, at least.
“Nope, not today. He’s on a business trip, but he’ll be home tonight, as far as I know.”
That answer doesn’t make Kellen happy. Humming into the phone, he says, “Well, I’m here with the lawyers, and you know how they are. They aren’t going to want to wait until tomorrow. Funny how everything has to be on their schedule, right?”
“These wouldn’t be the company’s lawyers, would they?” I ask, sure there have to be many lawyers who deal with King Industries’ issues.
“Yeah, and they’re all sitting in my office. I stepped out to call you, but I need to get back in there. Jesus, I hope Robert isn’t boring the hell out of everyone with stories about his granddaughter.”
Suddenly, my heart drops. “Robert, the older man who has a granddaughter who plays the violin?”
“Yeah. As if anyone wants to hear about that shit all the time. Okay, I better get back in there. Sorry to bother you, Ava.”
The call ends, leaving me wondering what the hell is going on. Matthias said he was going on this trip with the lawyers, and he even mentioned that Robert would be there. Why did he lie to me?
My mind begins to spin at the idea that Matthias intentionally lied to me. If he isn’t going on this trip with the lawyers, who is he with?
I quickly dial his office number to speak to Donna, who answers almost immediately. As always, she’s kind with me and starts off asking me how I am today. I’m polite, even as my emotions are unraveling.
“I’m fine, thank you. I’m just calling to find out something. I hope you can help me.”
“Oh, honey. I’m happy to help. What can I do for you?”
I swallow hard and try to lick my lips to moisten them before clearing my throat.
“Uh, I was just wondering if you could refresh my memory about who Matthias is on his trip today. He told me, but I’m drawing a blank.
All I can think of is that nice man Robert who has a granddaughter who plays violin. ”
With a smile in her voice, Donna says, “Oh, not this time, but I know who you mean. Nice man. No, this time he’s traveling with Cynthia, his personal attorney. They flew out from Teterboro last night, and he told me to expect him back tomorrow morning bright and early at nine a.m. like usual.”
My stomach twists into an instant tight knot. Cynthia? Who’s she? I don’t know any Cynthia. Then it comes to me. Cynthia is the woman he dated in college who is now his personal lawyer. Why would he be on a trip with her? And why would he lie to me about it?
“He’s not traveling with anyone else? Just him and his lawyer?” I ask, not caring that it’s obvious all I said a few seconds ago was a lie.
“Just her. I don’t expect to hear from him, but if he checks in, do you want me to let him know to call you?” she asks, trying to be helpful, as usual.
I clear my throat again and try to get my emotions in order before answering, “No, no. That’s okay. I’ll just see him when he gets back and talk to him then. Thanks, Donna. You’ve been very helpful.”
“Oh, it’s my pleasure, Ava. Have a wonderful day!”
My hand trembles when set my phone down on the table again. My husband lied to me about this trip. He lied to me and made it seem like it was him and bunch of men traveling to this meeting when it’s him and his ex-girlfriend from college who now works as his personal attorney.
I never cared about that fact before now, but as I sit here with my head practically spinning from Matthias’s lies, I care a lot. In fact, I not only care, but I hate it.
Why would he lie to me about something like that?
As much as I don’t want to believe it, I know exactly why he’d lie.