“Early morning if we want to miss the traffic.”
“Okay. We can stop to eat on the way?”
“Yeah. I think that would be best,” he concurred.
She picked up one of the chocolates. “Did you bill this to my room?”
A nervous look of guilt washed over him and she had her answer. Still, she calmly leaned back in her chair as she ate the chocolate and waited for a response.
“Well … I was ordering it so I billed it to my room,” he sheepishly confessed, wondering how she would respond.
She sat with a slight smirk finding his disquieted demeanor somewhat endearing. “It bothers you when I spend money,” she observed.
“I don’t have a sick mother that I need to help,” he softly replied.
“I’m doing okay, Viktor. I’m not like super wealthy or anything but I’m not on food stamps.”
He took a sharp breath not knowing how to respond.
She reached forward and squeezed his hand. “I’ll let you pay for room service.”
Feeling relieved, he let out a light laugh. “Okay.”
“But don’t make this a habit,” she warned.
He just smiled without vocalizing any agreement.
“I don’t hear a ‘yes ma’am’ in there,” Amanda playfully scolded.
He looked away, not wanting to agree.
“We discussed this,” she reminded him.
He nodded. “I know.”
“So what’s the problem?”
He took a deep breath and growled in frustration. He looked in her eyes and shook his head as he grit his teeth with a half-smile and then forced himself to reply, “Yes, ma'am.”
“That was really hard for you,” she laughed at him.
“You are stubborn,” he asserted, wishing she wasn’t so amused.
“Oh and you’re not?” she taunted while giggling mercilessly.
He just shook his head and gave her a broad smile, not knowing how he was going to manage her.
“Thank you, Viktor,” she said, wanting to show her appreciation and let him off the hook.
“You’re welcome.”
They chatted for another hour before Amanda really started to doze off. Viktor saw himself out and she headed straight for bed.
Chapter 13
For the next three days Viktor and Amanda toured the sights in Rome, taking in the sunset every night in a different spot. But like a looming storm cloud, Amanda’s vacation neared its end, bringing with it a sting of sadness that she and Viktor would soon be forced to part ways. At times she became quiet and glum. Viktor tried to cheer her up but he felt it too and couldn’t blame her for feeling sad. He just tried to comfort her while he still could.
Amanda woke early in the morning on her last day in Italy. She reluctantly sat up and swung her feet off the side of the bed. Seconds later she burst into tears. She felt ridiculous but couldn’t stop. After 5 minutes of trying to get a grip but being unable to she called her mother.
“What’s wrong sweetheart?” her mother asked, hearing Amanda crying on the phone.
“I don’t know.”
“Did something happen with Viktor?”
“No.”
“Are you sad you’re leaving?”
“Yeah,” Amanda acknowledged.
“And you’re sad about leaving Viktor,” her mother surmised.
Amanda couldn’t even reply, she just cried.
“Honey, I think you’ve probably over done it and you’re extra tired and now it’s harder for you because you don’t have the reserves to cope.”
“I don’t want to leave him,” she bellowed.
“Sweetheart, trust me. This time apart will be good. It will not be as terrible as you imagine.”
Amanda took a few deep breaths and tried to calm down. “This week has been so perfect.”
“I know. But I hope you also realize this past week isn’t what real life is like.”
“I know that.”
“Well, I’m a little worried that maybe you’ve fallen into a fairy tale scenario because you met Viktor while on vacation. You may be in for a disappointment when you get back to reality.”
“What do you mean?”
“This past week, the two of you have been focused only on each other. That doesn’t happen in day to day life. You have a job. He has a job. You have obligations. He has obligations. You won’t be able to spend every second together. And that’s even if you lived near each other.”
“Do you think it was a mistake?”
“No, honey. I don’t think it was a mistake to spend this time with Viktor. But I think you need to take off the rose colored glasses.”
Amanda dried her tears and took a ragged breath.
Her mom continued, “If Viktor cares for you the way I think he does and the way he seems to, this time you’re apart isn’t going to make a difference. And you will work it out.”
“I knew you would know what to say,” Amanda stated, finally feeling calm again.
“I’m always here for you.”
“Thanks, mom.”
“When are you meeting Viktor?”
Amanda looked at the clock. “In about an hour.”
“Everything is going to be fine, sweetheart. You’ll see.”
“Okay.”
“Now go wash up. Take a long, hot shower. Have a good time and enjoy the day.”
“Okay. I will.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, mom.”
They hung up and Amanda did as her mom suggested. By the time Viktor arrived to collect her, she appeared happy and carefree. He carried her luggage and they stopped at the front desk so she could check out of the hotel.
“I found a nice restaurant for breakfast with really great reviews,” Viktor said as he placed her luggage in the trunk of the Fiat.
“Okay,” she agreed.
“There’s just one thing,” he added as he shut the trunk and turned to her.
“What is it?”
“It’s rather expensive and if you insist on paying for your own meal, I’d prefer not go there.”
“So you’re saying you won’t go unless I let you pay for my meal.”
“I’m saying I want to buy you breakfast.”
Amanda looked down, unsure how she should answer.
Viktor took her by the wrists and pulled her close to him. “Let me buy you breakfast … Please.”
She smiled and looked into his eyes. “How can I say no to that?”
He grinned wildly. “Good, because I really want to eat there.”
“You’re silly.”
“No, you’re silly. What kind of woman doesn’t let the man pay,” he teased.
She laughed and rolled her eyes. “We don’t
