She went across the hall and knocked on his door. She saw room service coming down the hall as he opened his door. He looked her up and down with a grin.
“Do you look this good every morning?” he asked.
“Would you please let me in,” she said, not wishing to be in the hallway any longer than necessary.
He stepped aside and let her pass. Just then the waiter was at his door. Viktor waved him in also and he pushed the cart into the room. He brought fresh coffee, fruit and bagels.
“You ordered room service?” Amanda asked, wondering why she was surprised at all.
Viktor tipped the waiter and saw him out as he took with him the other cart that had been in the room. He then turned to Amanda and explained, “The coffee I ordered earlier was getting cold. Plus I was a little hungry.”
She gave him a skeptical look. “Uh, huh.”
“So judgmental,” he playfully scolded.
“Fair enough,” she replied, realizing he was right. “Up to you how you spend your money.” She poured herself a cup of coffee. “Tomorrow I’ll get the coffee.”
He moved in close behind her as she was pouring some cream into her cup. He put his arms around her waist and then softly said, “No.”
“No?” she stopped and turned her head to look at him.
“No,” he said firmly, thinking now might be a good time to tell her the truth.
Abandoning her coffee she turned her entire body to face him. “What is this?”
The displeased tone in her voice made Viktor lose all courage. He didn’t know how to respond anymore and went silent as he struggled to find his words. His arms were still around her and she made no attempt to remove herself. She simply looked at him perplexed and waited for a response. Getting none and seeing how uncomfortable he was, she gently touched his face.
“What’s going on, Viktor?”
“Nothing,” he shrugged it off. “You can buy coffee tomorrow if you want.” He tried to move away but she grabbed his arms and stopped him.
“Tell me,” she insisted.
Viktor now felt desperate to end the conversation, regretting his attempt to open up to her. He looked in her eyes, wishing he hadn’t rocked the boat. “I’m not hurting for money, Amanda. I would like to pay for you while you’re here,” he said, knowing she was unlikely to go along with it.
“You paid for my plane ticket. And just a few weeks ago you gave me thousands of dollars …,”
“That was a gift,” he quickly interrupted. “You don’t owe me anything.”
Amanda sighed, feeling frustrated. “We’ve talked about this. Why can’t you respect my feelings?”
“Are your feelings the only ones that matter?” he defensively shot back and then quickly rescinded with, “I’m sorry.” He closed his eyes and silently cursed himself.
Amanda was stunned. She stood there with her mouth gaped open, wondering what just happened.
Not knowing what else to do, he contritely repeated, “I’m sorry.”
“Your feelings matter too,” Amanda timidly stated, looking like she wanted to cry.
He tenderly caressed her face and offered her a warm smile. “I know sweetheart. I’m sorry.”
“I really feel like we need to talk about this,” she said.
He sighed as he tried to think of how to dig himself out of the hole he was in. He lost all desire to come clean and just wanted to enjoy the day with her and not argue. “Let’s talk about it later,” he suggested.
“Why not now?”
“Because I don’t want to argue with you right now. I don’t think it will be a short discussion and we only have so much daylight. It’s really not important. I’m sorry. I overreacted.”
Amanda quietly considered his words before making her reply. “You’re wrong. It is important.” She reached her hands up to his neck and cradled his face. “Your feelings are very important to me. I’m willing to let it go right now as long as you promise we will talk about it before I go home.”
“I can agree to that.”
“Okay,” she said, appearing relieved. “Can I have a hug?”
He quickly took her in his arms and held her tightly. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Viktor.”
After they ate, Amanda went back to her room to shower and get dressed before they headed to the San Diego Zoo.
“Can I pay for your ticket?” Amanda asked as they walked towards the entrance, hand-in-hand.
Viktor kept walking without answering.
“Viktor?”
“I’m thinking,” he replied with a nervous grin.
“Can I pay for my own?” she then asked.
He answered, “Yes” and then kissed the back of her hand.
Amanda stepped up to the ticket counter. “Two adults.”
Viktor shook his head, thinking that he should have anticipated that and gone first. Though she probably wouldn’t have let him anyway. She turned with the tickets in hand and smiled at him.
“You didn’t say I couldn’t buy yours,” she defended her actions.
“It’s no problem,” he assured her with a devilish grin. “I have your bank account number.” He took her hand and began walking towards the entrance.
“Don’t you dare!” she warned with a nervous laugh, wondering if he was serious or not.
He held the door for her with a massive smile, not revealing whether his threat was real or not. Rather than go through the door she walked up to him and leaned on his chest as she pleaded, “Please, Viktor. This ticket probably cost less than the room service you ordered.”
He kissed her without responding verbally and then gently pushed her through the door and took her hand, leading her towards the exhibits.
“Don’t make me change my bank account,” she teased.
He laughed. “Stop being so difficult.”
Their mood was light and cheerful as they began touring the animal exhibits. The sun was shining and there was a cool breeze that made the day feel simply perfect.
Amanda was so excited to see a harpy eagle, she was like a little kid. She took so many pictures and
