Old habits

Cosette and Conrad stayed in the garden to talk about things they would usually talk about. He didn't ask her anything anymore and trusted that her actions towards Maxen were just as she claimed it was. But there was a real reason Conrad called for her in the garden. 

"I will be away for a week," Conrad announced in his usual tone. "There's a problem in our international branch and I need to fix it myself." 

"Oh..." her lips formed an o-shape as she rocked her head. "When are you flying?" 

"In six hours."

"That soon?" she gasped and looked at him with conflict in her eyes. 

His lips opened and closed, but Conrad's voice was stuck in his throat. Business trips were not new to them. In the past, he would frequently fly to other countries because of their business. Sometimes, he would go back and forth on the same day because he didn't want to stay away from his daughter for too long.