It has been a week since we've decided to get away, and finally Eric agreed to the idea of me picking the location. He has been dubious because of the places I have suggested, which makes no sense. I asked him where he wants to go and he said Lanzarote, Bahamas or Africa.

Compared to those choices, mine seem very watered down. But come on… England can't be that bad.

"For the last time," Eric sighs, flopping down onto the bed, "We can afford it. You don't have to go on that stupid money saving website."

My fingers hover over the laptop keyboard before I glance over at him, "We're going away for 3 days. What is the point? Besides… Violet would want to come if we go somewhere that exotic."

He smirks, propping his head up as he watches me, "Then I will take her wherever she wants to go."

I understand that money isn't a problem for him. But coming from where I did, it feels pretty dumb and uncomfortable to pay thousands for a 3-day getaway.

"I thought you told me I could pick where we go?"

"You can, but… ugh!" he drops his head onto the pillow, shutting his eyes.

Ignoring him, I open the bookmark I saved earlier today. A cute little cottage appears on the screen of my laptop with prices and facilities listed on the right-hand side.

$400 for two people. For 3 days. Breakfast included.

Satisfied, I get off the chair and walk over to Eric with the laptop in one hand, "Take a look."

He rolls his eyes before sitting up and taking the device off me. I watch him furrow his eyebrows and type a few things, knowing he'll say this is a mistake.

"It's a cottage… with no Wi-Fi," his grey eyes glance up.

"Oh, stop being such a baby!" I sit down next to him, pointing out the image on the screen, "Look at the price! And the view! I mean… it's the perfect place to go for 3 days!"

"I don't know," he scratches the side of his beard, "It seems a bit cheap. It's got a 3-star rating."

It takes me all the power I have within me not to slap him across the face.

"Oh, please," I whine, leaning in closer, "I want to go there."

"You want to go there?" he seems surprised, as if I am only choosing the location because of the price.

"Yes," I clarify, reaching over to scroll down the page, showing him more images of the area, "It's near a beach. There's loads of places to visit. And apparently that little village is famous for its fish and chips."

He watches me, and I think that he is considering saying yes. He doesn't reply. He looks back at the laptop screen.

I take the silence as acceptance and crawl behind him, resting my chin on his shoulder, "Please? Can we go there?"

I feel him sigh against me. It is a bit concerning that I may be dragging him into doing something he doesn't want to do… but that concern disappears as soon as I remember how he sticks up for my stalker. He will just have to deal with it.

"Fine," I squeal and hug him from behind, feeling him smirk against my cheek, "Alright, don't get too excited."

"This will be perfect."

SHSHSHSHSHSH

I spend the next day stuck in Eric's office, looking at various job offers against his will. He said with the experience I have working with him, I could get an amazing job as an assistant, but I am positive he just wants me to work for him again.

The door starts rattling and I assume it is Eric returning from his training session, but then Jake walks in. He smiles as soon as he sees me, holding a cardboard box above his head, "How's it going?"

"Hey," I greet him, shutting the laptop on the desk, "What is that?"

"Oh," he grins, glancing at the box like he only just noticed it, "Christina asked for me to drop this off."

I raise my eyebrows.

"Some of your things she found," he clarifies.

"Oh," I smile, getting up off the big chair. He places the box on the table, "Thanks."

I refrain from opening it in case there is something embarrassing in the box. For example, underwear.

It's crazy to think that I moved out almost a year ago. And now somebody might be taking my place. I smirk at Jake, "Is she busy?"

"She's at work," he rolls up both of his sleeves, pacing around the room, touching stuff out of curiosity, "I heard you and Eric are going on holiday."

"Well, it's not really a holiday," I walk around the desk until I am next to him, watching as he pokes a metallic statue on a shelf, "Violet will be on a school trip so we figured we'd also take some time off."

"That sounds like a holiday," Jake grins, showing his dimples.

"It's not a holiday," I repeat, "Besides, Eric doesn't feel like going to England… for whatever reason. We'll just explore and," I perch on the edge of the desk, "I dunno. But it's not a holiday."

He releases a chuckle, "Well, I'll mind your apartment while you're away. Christina will too," I am about to protest when he cuts me off, "We'll water your plants."

An image of them fucking on our couch pops into my head.

"W-We don't have any plants," I say.

"Oh," he chuckles again, shrugging, "Then we'll feed your fish."

"We don't have fish either," I sense that he is going to say something, so I point to the door, "Hey, I should get going. It's time to pick up Violet from school."

"Oh. Sure," he nods frantically, making his way over to the door, "I will walk you out."

SHSHSHSHSHSHSH

In the evening, Eric starts whining again. Anything to put me off going to that cottage. I ignore him the best I can, slipping into my pyjama shirt.

"I checked the weather, and it's going to be raining for the whole time we will be there," he grumbles behind me.

"Eric, I told you there are lots of things to see. There are museums and various cafes. We won't have to be outside at all."

It is silent for a second, "Yeah, well what about the Wi-Fi? How will we contact Violet-"

"There is an internet café right next to the hotel," I turn to look at him. He looks defeated, "Would you relax?"

He runs a hand down his face, looking over at his packed suitcase with the saddest eyes. I start laughing, slapping his shoulder playfully.

"Eric, it's a three-day getaway!"

It seems ridiculous to have that sort of attitude, but I must admit that Eric spent most of his life glued to technology and obsessing over his business. It might be hard to part with it, no matter how long.

"It will be fun. We will have a good time," I approach him, wrapping my arms around his neck, "And do things and eat things- "

"Wow, you're really selling it," he smiles softly, leaning down to kiss me. I respond enthusiastically.

"Everything will be fine. You might not want to leave."

"I wouldn't push it."

"Is that a threat?"

"No," he smirks, pecking my lips.

"I have a feeling the weather will be great you know."

SHSHSHSHSHSHSH

We walk out of the airport mid-afternoon to hail a cab. I drag my suitcase along the cobbled ground, feeling Eric close behind me. We made it to England. We flew in coach which provided zero leg space for Eric. Or so he said. At least he is not arguing about anything yet.

I secure the travel wallet around my neck, causing Eric to roll his eyes, "You're just jealous."

Eric finds a free cab and starts loading our two suitcases into the truck. I take a moment to look around. Not a lot of people here. Cloudy skies, which I expected. Beautiful greenery in the distance, which is probably where we are headed. I glance up when a clap of thunder roars in the sky.

Eric glances at me, probably feeling all cocky because he managed to predict the weather.

I smile and wave a hand at him, "It's just thunder. We get that in Chicago all the time."

As if to prove me wrong, the clouds erupt and it starts raining in sheets. I step under the roof which happens to be close to our taxi. Eric shoots me a small smirk, quickly opening the door and getting in.

I told you so. I don't have to hear him say it because it's written all over his face.