The next morning, Sebastian personally took me to the airport.
On the drive there, he kept his eyes fixed ahead, looking calm as he drove, but his thoughts were a whirlwind:
[My wife is going out of town alone. Is it safe? Should I go with her? But if I do, will she think I'm being too controlling?]
I quietly remarked: [Well, not really.]
[But I'm going to be away from my wife soon... One day apart feels like three years. What do I do? I think I'm already starting to miss her.]"
I was a bit anxious: [Then why don't you come with me!?]
[Stop just fantasizing in your head, take some action!]
But until I got out of the car, Sebastian kept up his cool and distant demeanor.
I thought: [You think you're so noble, so amazing. Well, it's your fault you're going to lose your wife for the next few days!]
A little annoyed, I grabbed my suitcase and turned to leave, but Sebastian called out to me.
For a brief moment, I felt a little hopeful.
But all he said was, "Be careful."
His tone, his expression—he sounded like an old bureaucrat.
Even my father didn't speak so seriously.
Well, I guess this is the husband I picked.
However, on the first night at the hotel, I still called Sebastian to check in.
Over the phone, he was more talkative than usual:
"How's the hotel?"
"Is the project going smoothly?"
"If there's anything difficult, feel free to tell me."
I chuckled softly. "You're concerned about me?"
Earlier at the airport, he'd been acting so calm, yet just a few hours later, he couldn't help but ask?
Sebastian responded honestly, "Mm."
Perhaps it was because of the distance, but now that I couldn't hear his thoughts, I didn't know what he was thinking.
But that was fine.
By now, after spending time together, I had figured out Sebastian's personality.
We chatted a bit more before I reminded him to eat on time and that I'd be back soon.
Sebastian obediently agreed.
We fell into a comfortable silence, neither of us hanging up.
So, we both listened to each other's shallow breathing.
Just then, someone knocked on my door, and a male colleague's voice came through:
"Rosalie, want to grab a bite to eat?"
"Coming."
I replied and said a few more words to Sebastian before hanging up.
Not thinking too much, I grabbed my jacket and headed out.
Originally, I was supposed to be on the business trip alone, but my supervisor was worried I wouldn't handle it well, so they sent a male colleague with me last minute.
It was a surprise, and they hadn't informed me in advance.
We only ran into each other at the airport.
I didn't think much of it, so I didn't feel the need to explain it to Sebastian.
However, when I returned to the hotel later that night, Sebastian's call came in right on time.
After a long pause, the man on the other end finally spoke:
"What were you doing earlier?"
I replied, "Eating."
"By yourself?"
"No, I was with a colleague."
"You said you were the only one going on the business trip."
I understood immediately—Sebastian probably wanted to know about the male colleague, not about what I was eating.
His indirect questioning technique was so clumsy.
I decided to directly address his concerns:
"He was sent last minute too, just a subordinate. Plus, he's married, so what are you worried about?"
There was a slight pause on the other end. "Just asking."
Although his voice was calm, I found it amusing.
Even though I couldn't hear Sebastian's thoughts anymore, I could tell that he was probably mentally cursing my colleague's entire family right now.
I teased him:
"Is that so? I thought you were jealous."
I clearly heard his breath hitch on the other side of the line.
Sebastian stopped talking, and I wasn't sure if he was more upset or just speechless.
I checked the time. It was still early, but keeping the silent standoff with Sebastian wouldn't help.
I asked cautiously, "Unless there's anything else, should I hang up now?"
"Mm."
I:?
Is everything okay? Why was he agreeing so quickly?
Seems like he wasn't in a rush after all.
