Viktor didn’t know either, so for the next few minutes they sat in strained silence. As the seconds ticked away, Amanda felt she needed to say something to break the tension.
She looked at him and forced a smile. “It’s beautiful here.”
“It is,” he agreed while still looking vexed. He set his glass down and looked away from her as he tried to decide whether to push for an answer or let it go.
“Viktor.”
Despite feeling upset, the sound of her voice softly calling his name made his heart skip. He turned to her and their eyes met.
“I don’t want to fight,” she said. “Especially not about this. I feel really tired and not myself and I have a headache. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”
He didn’t want to fight either and lost all desire to pursue the conversation. He knew it was foolish to put it off again but he just wanted to have a nice time with her and feared it would completely ruin the evening. He decided that it would be better to discuss it over breakfast the next day where they would have privacy in their room if the discussion became heated.
His expression softened and he gave her a smile. “How about we order the tuna and scallops and we can share them?”
She smiled back. “That would be nice.”
They sampled 4 more wines as they ate their meal. When it was time for the winery to close, Scott came out to check on them.
“We will be closing soon,” he informed them. “Is there anything else you need before we leave?”
“Do the chairs and table need to go back inside?” Viktor asked.
“No, no. You can just leave everything where it is. Leave the glasses on the table. We’ll take care of it in the morning,” Scott assured him.
“Very well. Would you please give us a couple bottles of Cabernet before you leave?”
“Absolutely.”
Scott returned with 3 bottles and Viktor asked him to take their photo, giving Scott conclusive evidence they were a couple. While he had suspected, he didn’t dare ask. Viktor held her in his arms against the backdrop of the vineyard, mountains and distant ocean. They looked happy though sedate. When Viktor assured him that they needed nothing else, Scott locked up and left.
“They must really trust you,” Amanda said. “Did you even pay?”
A slight smirk crossed his lips. “No.”
“Who did you have to blackmail to get this treatment?” she teased.
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” he joked back.
She sat grinning at him and he couldn’t help but think how beautiful she looked with the sunlight casting a golden glow on her skin. He moved his chair next to hers, facing the ocean. She turned her chair to face the same direction and sat next to him. Reaching out, he took her hand, slipping his fingers between hers. He then pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it.
“You make me so happy, Viktor,” she said.
“And you make me happy.” He squeezed her hand. “How are you feeling? Do you still have a headache?”
“Yes, unfortunately. And a little achy. I think I’m just overtired.”
He reached up and felt her forehead and then touched her cheek. “You feel a little warm.”
“If I wasn’t, I’d be dead,” she joked.
“Maybe we should get you back to the room?”
“Not yet. I really want to see the sunset.”
He gently stroked her hair. “Okay.”
They stayed until the sun disappeared below the ocean and the last light faded from the sky. The view was breathtaking and they both felt calm and peaceful as they returned to their car and headed back to the hotel.
Chapter 22
Viktor woke while it was still dark. He rolled over to look at the clock which told him it was 3:47 A.M. He sighed and closed his eyes. He heard a faint sound and tried to identify it but couldn’t. He heard it again. It sounded like it was coming from inside their room. He got out of bed to investigate. He opened his bedroom door and heard the sound again but this time understood clearly what it was.
He walked to Amanda’s door, opened it and called out to her. The bathroom door was closed and the light was on. He walked to the bathroom and called her name through the door just as she threw up again.
“Are you okay?” he asked through the door.
“No,” she called back.
“Can I come in?”
“Not unless you’re wearing a hazmat suit.”
He would have laughed if he hadn’t been so concerned. He opened the door to see her on the floor cradling the toilet. “When did this start?”
“A little before 1:00 in the morning.”
Her clothes were drenched in sweat, her hair was a mess and she looked exhausted and pale.
“Can I get you anything?”
“Strychnine, arsenic, cyanide, any of the above in large quantities.”
He knelt down beside her and stroked her hair. She closed her eyes as she fought back the urge to vomit again. Her breathing was labored and she really didn’t look well.
“Is it just vomit?” he asked.
“No. But I’d be surprised if there’s anything left.”
He sighed as he looked over her with concern. “Let me bring you the ice bucket and you can lay in bed.”
“That would probably be more comfortable,” she agreed.
“You should probably drink something.”
“Oh no. I tried that. Didn’t work out so well.”
“Okay.” He stroked her hair and then went to the kitchen to grab the ice bucket from the counter. He came back and helped her to the bed. He felt her forehead and she felt like she was burning up. Her cheeks were red, her face was sweaty and she was panting heavily as if she wasn’t getting enough oxygen.
Despite her earlier objection, he brought her a glass of water.
“No,” she said again. “There’s no point, it will just come right back up.”
“You have to try, Amanda. You’re
