It had to have been around one in the morning.

I had been laying in bed, mind running wild with different possibilities that would have led to Lucy's and Theo's suspicious conversation which then resulted in him basically avoiding me for the rest of the evening.

While he had gone on a two hour long run, I spent time with dad, Louis and Lucy in the living room. We had watched a black and white film which my father had requested, since it was his favourite.

Lucy and Louis had retired to go to sleep before Theo had even returned. My dad and I had stayed up talking.

When Theo did return, he wished my father good night and once more a happy birthday, and a short good night to me. I hadn't even received a kiss from him.

I felt like the bridges between my father, Louis and me had been restored, but the bridge between Theo and I was wavering in the wind, the structures unsure. Maybe it was just me and my over-thinking mind.

I couldn't help but feel as if I'd done something wrong. Why else would he have suddenly pushed me away as he had done?

The door of my bedroom creaked open.

I had my back turned to it, with an empty space on the bed behind me.

Since he had been so cold to me, I hadn't even initiated any sneaking around tonight.

I knew this was Theo, though, now sneaking into my room.

The door closed, and quiet footsteps neared me. I kept my eyes closed, awaiting his next move.

"Scarlett?" His voice was low and quiet, warmth flooding my body immediately after hearing it.

"Yes?" I whispered, still not turning around to look at him. It was very dark anyway, I doubt I could have sen him.

"Can I sleep in here?"

I was tired. I should have sat up and asked him to tell me what the hell had been going on. Or I should have said no, taking into account his attitude towards me earlier.

"Okay."

An almost relieved breath left his lips and the next thing I knew, he was getting onto the bed and underneath the duvet.

I only had on very unattractive panties and his hoodie. Knowing Theo usually slept naked, I wondered now if he was. He wouldn't risk getting caught sneaking into my room naked, though.

"Can you still drive me to the airport tomorrow?" He asked after a moment.

My eyes were open now, my chest feeling constricted.

I had definitely expected and hoped for him to say something completely different; explain what was going on and maybe even apologise for being so cold, but no.

"Yes," I replied quietly, hating the space between us. It was not only physical, but also emotional now that I was positive there was something important he wasn't telling me.

I felt him turn onto his side from his previous position on his back.

"Theo—" I was beginning to ask him what he'd been talking about with Lucy. I knew that he was aware of what was on my mind.

"Not now," he murmured, his arm snaking over my waist to gently pull my back against his front. I was holding the duvet tightly against my chest, feeling the sweatpants he was wearing.

"When, then?" I sighed, understanding that if what they'd been talking about was such a big deal since it had abled him to get so cold and now unwilling to discuss with me, it would surely end up biting us in the bum.

"Not now," he repeated, his hot breath hitting the bare skin at the crook of my neck. I felt his forehead against the middle of the back of my head, his breathing steady and deep.

"I'm going to miss you," Theo told me almost inaudibly.

My heart ached, something telling me he didn't just mean the following week when he'd be in Russia.

"Tell me what's going on, Theo," I whispered, knowing he could hear how troubled I was with all this.

I felt his lips by my neck, leaving a small kiss lingering, "everything's fine, love."

"You know you shouldn't sleep in here, someone might realise you're gone from your room in the morning and then come to check on me..." I sighed, just gazing into the darkness in front of me.

It was very disrespectful for us to be defying my father's wishes like this, but what could we do.

"I'll wake up early to go back, I just— I'm leaving tomorrow, I want to sleep with you for a few hours at least."

I was silent. There had to be another reason, and I hated that he wasn't telling me.

"Everything's not fine, Theo, since you acted the way you did. You can trust me, you know you can..."

He stayed quiet for a moment, "it's late, we have an early morning. Good night, Scarlett."

I wanted to be stubborn and find out right now what it was that was going on, why he was offering to pay Lucy. I wanted to force it out of him, but knowing him, I knew it would be to no use. He wouldn't tell me.

I was too exhausted anyway.

"Night," my tone was frustrated and tired.

__

"Have you got everything with you?" I asked Theo while I buckled myself in on the driver's seat.

He was replying to some email on his phone.

"Yeah, I do."

He had said bye to my dad and Louis, and had been forced by the presence of us to also say an awkward goodbye to Lucy.

I started my car and drove onto the road after starting up my navigator to direct us to the airport.

I fumbled around with my aux cord, somehow managing to stick it into my phone and put my playlist on shuffle.

"Do you like Coldplay?" Theo asked after hearing Chris Martin's sweet voice through the speakers. I had the music at a quiet level, just enough to make this car ride somehow bearable.

"I love Coldplay," I told him, a small smile finding itself onto my lips, "I've always loved Chris Martin."

"And Ronaldo... Is there any more men I should know about?" I heard the almost teasing tone in his voice. He was lightening up the mood.

I laughed quietly, "none that I can think of right now. What kind of music do you like?"

It was such a simple question, but I realised I had no idea what the answer might be.

"Anything jazz-ish or reggae-ish. R&B is great," he spoke, his phone now in the front pocket of his hoodie. I nodded, eyes focused on the road ahead once we got onto the highway.

"Cristiano called you cute, by the way."

All kidding aside, I almost drove off the road.

"Excuse me? You could get us both killed, saying things like that..." I shook my head at him, glancing over very quickly with furrowed brows to find him watching me with an amused smile.

"You really haven't checked social media lately?"

"No, I've stayed as far away from it as possible..."

He chuckled, "that video I tweeted of you? Cristiano called you cute."

"I'm about to faint," I squeaked out.

"Jesus, Scarlett," Theo laughed, "you can meet him when you come to Russia."

"Please, stop talking. I'm about to drive off the bloody road," I let out a nervous breath just at the though of meeting Cristiano Ronaldo.

He only placed his hand on my thigh, still amused. Just his hand on my thigh made me feel more things than the thought of being in a room with ten Cristiano Ronaldo's.

"Theo, will you now tell me what it was yesterday with you and Lucy?" I asked after a moment, knowing I was killing the mood.

"It's nothing you need to worry yourself with, I'm taking care of everything," he assured me.

"Listen, it sounds serious. Why don't you feel like you can talk to me about it?"

He sighed, relaxing in the passenger's seat, "I'll explain everything when you come visit me. Now's not the right moment."

"Will it ruin what we have?"

"No."

"Could it?" I rephrased.

"Yes."

__

At the airport, the paparazzi didn't concern either of us. I got out of the car to hug him and kiss him.

"Text me when you land," I murmured against his lips, my arms looped casually around his neck.

"There's wifi on the jet, I'll text you there as well," he kissed me, "I wish you were coming with me now."

"We'll see in a week. You'll do great," I pulled back to give him a small smile.

I was bothered by whatever it was that he wasn't telling me, but decided to leave it be for now.

"I'll Facetime you when I get to my suite, alright? It'll be in the evening, but the time difference is only one hour," he took a step back to prepare the large suitcase he had with him.

"Mr Black," two men dressed in dark suits appeared.

"Would you two mind carrying my stuff?" And then he was handing his sports bag and suitcase to the men, whom I presumed were his security guards.

They stayed silent and simply stood there, looking rather intimidating.

"Scarlett?" Theo caught my attention back.

"Hm?"

He kissed me.