When Clara embarks on her business trip, excited to take her career to a whole new level, an unexpected encounter changes everything. A stranger delivers devastating news, news that marks the end of her marriage. What will she do now?
Traveling alone had always been something she enjoyed, especially when it came to business. There was a particular charm to being a stranger in an unfamiliar place, even if it was only for a few days.
Work absences usually made the distance from her husband, Tom, more bearable. She knew he stayed home, relaxing in front of the TV and enjoying unhealthy snacks until her return.
“Anyway, I won’t do anything different,” Tom joked, smiling as he held his suitcase and waved goodbye.
But this time was different. This time, he had his own travel plans, too.
As she prepared everything for her departure, Clara felt a mix of emotions. This wasn’t just any trip; the future of her business was at stake. After months of hard work, the opportunity to turn their restaurant into a franchise depended on securing investor support.
“Don’t worry, Clara,” her partner, Malcolm, told her with an encouraging smile. “Just get in there and present everything we’ve been working on these past six months. And above all, be yourself.”
“You should come with me,” I insisted.
It was the night before my departure, but Malcolm was still convinced it wasn’t necessary.
“I trust you completely. Besides, I can’t leave town right now. I could become a father at any moment.”
At least he had his priorities straight.
“You’ll do great,” Tom assured me as he dropped me off at the airport. “You’ve done presentations like this many times before.”
“Yes, but the stakes are higher this time,” I admitted. “We’re asking the investors for a huge sum.”
“And they wouldn’t have considered you if they didn’t think you were worth it,” he said confidently. “Relax, honey.” Be yourself and you’ll impress them.
I knew she was right. If our proposal wasn’t promising, they wouldn’t have put us up in such a luxurious hotel.
“Besides, it’s only a short trip. We’ll be back home soon,” she added.
“Are you nervous about your trip?” I asked as I rummaged through my bag for a piece of gum.
“Not at all. Actually, I’m looking forward to it. I’ve been feeling restless lately, and this is a good opportunity to clear my head. We really should plan a vacation.”
“When we get back,” I promised, “we will.”
Tom kissed my forehead and left.
As soon as I boarded the plane, a wave of emotions washed over me: excitement, anticipation, but also a nagging unease I couldn’t quite figure out.
“This isn’t just any business trip, Clara,” I reminded myself. “You have to prove yourself.”
A flight delay left me with just enough time to rent a car and get to my meeting.
“I’ll have to check in later,” I murmured as I left the airport.
The presentation was flawless.
“Thank you for your time, Clara,” said Grant, the lead investor, shaking my hand. “You and Malcolm have done an excellent job. Your presentation was impressive.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“We see the potential and want to make it a reality. You can expect an official response in a day or two; my assistant will schedule a follow-up meeting.”
A wave of relief washed over me. The hardest part was over. Now all that was left was to wait.
“Enjoy your stay,” Grant added before disappearing into the conference room.
The hotel was majestic, the perfect place to relax while I awaited the final decision. My plan was simple: check in, take a shower, and let Tom and Malcolm know about the meeting.
As I waited at the reception desk, my eyes fell on a familiar woman. She’d been sitting next to me on the plane.
“Hi!” she greeted me enthusiastically. “Are you staying here too?”
I smiled back and nodded. Even though we were strangers, there was something comforting about seeing a familiar face.
“How long will you be in town?” I asked.
“Just a few days. I’m here for a little fling,” she replied. “A break from home. With my boyfriend. But it’s a little complicated.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, taking a sip of the complimentary champagne.
“He’s married,” she confessed. “So it’s all a bit hush-hush. But I try not to think about it too much. Actually, his wife travels frequently, and he suspects she’s having an affair with a colleague.”
I laughed, uncomfortably.
“That sounds crazy!”
I couldn’t imagine justifying infidelity just because someone traveled a lot for work.
Don’t think about it anymore, I told myself. Other people’s decisions aren’t your problem.
The woman was called to the front desk. I stepped aside while she spoke to the receptionist.
“Hello!” she said cheerfully. “My name is Veronica. The reservation should be in the name of Tom Harrison. He hasn’t arrived yet; he’s catching a flight tonight.”