I gave myself some historical freedom in this chapter.

Cora was sorting out her clothes, she didn't know what to wear for this lunch.

Robert was looking at her, sitting on her canapé. He had stayed the rest of the week at her place. Falling asleep next to her was the best feeling he ever had, waking up and hearing her breathing was like being in heaven. Whatever would happen at lunch, he was going to stay with her.

During the hours he had to be at the office, he was thinking of her. How she moved, how she looked and not to forget how good she was at cooking. He wasn't a good chef but managed to make himself a proper meal over the years, but Cora, Cora was a magician in the kitchen. He never had a homecooked meal taste so good.

"Robert, are you even listening?"

Robert shook up from his thoughts, he didn't realise Cora had been talking.

Cora turned around, "What do you think? Is this suitable?" She was wearing a dark blue chino pants, with an orange blouse.

"It doesn't matter what you wear, darling, you always look beautiful."

"That was not what I asked." Cora sounded irritated. "Can I wear this to the lunch with your mother." Her voice was a little bit shaking.

Robert stood up, took Cora's head in his hands and said: "You look sophisticated, don't worry too much, I will be at your side at all times. My mother won't eat you up." And he kissed her forehead.

"I am not so sure about that last part she would definitely eat me up when she gets the chance. But with you next to me, I think I can handle it" she slid her hand in his and said: "I am ready."

Violet was already sitting in the restaurant, she deliberately arrived earlier, so she could see them coming in. There they were, walking hand in hand. Violet had to admit she could see the connection between them two, but Cora was and would always be an American. Being rich didn't make you classy, you were born into it.

"Dear mama." Robert bent over and kissed his mother on her cheek, "This is Cora Levinson"

Cora put out her hand and Violet took it, "Welcome, sit down." Violet said.

Robert sat down, next to Cora and laid his hand on her leg, he squeezed it encouragingly. It was mostly Robert talking when his mother asked questions, but Cora realised she needed to speak more. Violet must not get the impression she was simple and not worldly enough to hold a conversation.

"I read that the company you and your late husband started was the first one in this industry? How interesting."

"That's right, back in the days advertisements was already a thing, of course, but every company had to figure it out themselves, my husband figured he could help other companies with his knowledge and now we are here, with Abbey Advertisements, being the biggest and best."

Robert smiled internally, Cora was a smart woman, she knew exactly how to trigger mama.

"It's wonderful what Abbey Advertisements offers, Harold speaks highly of your work. He never had so many customers" Cora took a bite of her asparagus and gave a quick look to Robert.

Lunch had gone very smooth, and Violet had invited Cora and Robert for dinner this Saturday. Rosamund and Marmaduke would be there too. Violet was easing up on Cora.

Months had gone by, Cora and Robert spent a lot of time together, and were planning a trip for Robert's birthday.

"Robert did you see this room in 'Shangri-La Paris', can we go there, from the bed we will see the Eiffel Tower, oh darling, can we go to Paris?"

Robert looked up from his laptop, "We can go anywhere you want darling."

"I will book our train tickets right away, this weekend (is) still available in your agenda, we can leave with the early train at 08.00 o'clock, there are tickets available in Business Premier." Cora said enthusiastic.

"Whatever you want darling, my agenda is empty from Friday till Monday, book what you want, I am a little busy right now, but everything you want is ok for me." He looked up from his screen and gave Cora an encouraging smile.

Cora knew not to bother him anymore when he was busy like this, she booked the hotel, train tickets and for Saturday evening she made a reservation at 'Pierre Gagnaire', she was lucky there was still availability. She wanted Robert's birthday to be perfect. She was already daydreaming about walking along the Seine with him.

She looked at the clock and walked over to Robert. "Darling it is already 11 o'clock, come to bed, you can work more tomorrow." She tickled his neck with her fingers and kissed his temple.

Robert turned around, kissed her on the lips and said: "You are too good for me, you are right I can work again tomorrow" he closed his laptop and followed Cora to bed.

Thursdayarrived, and Cora had brought her suitcase to Robert's place, so they could leave early in the morning.

Robert was working, as he was every night last week. He looked at Cora and said: "Can you check if we can change our tickets to the late train at 19.00 o'clock on Friday, I really need to go into the office tomorrow morning."

Cora sat up she was laying on the couch reading a tour guide about Paris. "Oh, uhm yes I can check." She said (and) relented.

"Can you also check if we can go back on Sunday evening? I really need to be at the meeting with 'Johnson and Johnson' on Monday."

"Of course I can check, but darling, you said you were free this weekend, is there nobody else who can step in for you?"

"Cora, if that was an option, I wouldn't ask you to change the tickets." Robert answered curt.

Cora didn't say anything, because it would only upset Robert, she changed the tickets, luckily with Business Premier, you could change as long as there was availability. She got up, gave Robert a quick kiss on his cheek and went to bed. Very late that night she felt Robert step into the bed, but he didn't wrap his arm around her, he even faced the other way.

Finally Robert arrived at the train station. "I was worried you weren't going to make it." Cora said while she gave him a kiss.

"Sorry, darling, it is just very busy at the moment, but I am here now."

The train ride went very smooth, Cora had arranged a late check-in, and the hotel had a taxi service to pick them up from the station. Once they arrived, Robert got undressed and got under the covers. "Darling, I am exhausted, I am going to sleep."

Cora looked at him, she felt a bit sad, he didn't even take the time to look out of the window. She was standing in front of it, and saw the beautiful lights shining on the Eiffel Tower. Hopefully Robert would be in a better mood after a good night sleep. She also changed into her night suit and crawled up to Robert. He was already fast asleep.

She woke up from the smell of coffee and croissants. Robert was sitting on her side of the bed, brushing her hair, he bent down and kissed Cora's forehead. "Good morning, darling, Paris is waiting, and I ordered room service."

After a very rich breakfast they went outside to explore Paris, they went to see all the highlights of the city they could see in one day. Cora had hooked her arm, in Robert's and she didn't leave his side, while they walked along side of the Seine.

They had stopped and were sitting on a bench for a while now, looking at the Notre-Dame. Cora was resting her head against Robert's shoulder. "How sad, we never got to see the full glory of this magnificent building." She said.

"I once went with my dad to Paris, when I was much younger, we went inside, but I don't remember much of it, but I remember..." Robert got interrupted by the ringing of his cellphone.

"Please, don't answer that, please let your work go just for this weekend."

"I can't, I need to answer this." He picked up and walked away.

Cora went over to Robert and tapped his shoulder. "We have a dinner reservation in 45 minutes, we need to go"

Clearly not willing, Robert said, he would call back later, and turned to Cora. "Can we make this a quick dinner?"

She didn't know what to answer and just nodded. The whole dinner was a fiasco, Robert was constantly on his phone.

The next day, he didn't even want to leave the hotel room. Just one hour before they had to leave for the station, Cora got back to the hotel, she had walked around the city on her own, feeling very down, but everything was better than sitting in the hotel room with Robert. She wished he would tell her what was wrong. But he shut her out.

"We should soon leave, are you ready to go?" Cora asked tuneless. Do I need to pack your bags, or are they already packed?"

Robert didn't even look up and said, it was already done, they could go to the station if she wanted.

"If I want? If I want?" Cora shouted. "What I wanted was a nice weekend together with you celebrating your birthday. I didn't even get the chance to give you your present, here you can have it." She threw his gift at him, it was a nice watch, the one she knew he wanted for a long timebut thought it was to extravagant. "Can we please go to the station I want to go home"

The train ride back home was awkward, Robert knew he messed up, but couldn't leave his work, he was about to lose his business, if he couldn't figure out what happened with his investment. How could he tell Cora that, he was about to go bankrupt?

Back in England, Cora got in a taxi, without saying a word to Robert.