“I’m tired of throwing up. I can’t do it anymore.”
He set the glass on the nightstand and sat down on the bed.
“I’m so tired,” she said.
“Try to rest. I’ll be right here if you need something.”
Amanda closed her eyes and managed to doze off for 20 minutes before being awoken with a sudden need to use the bathroom at which point she also threw up again. She was trembling as she came back out of the bathroom. She felt weak and a little out of it from a combination of exhaustion and the fever.
Viktor ordered ginger ale, apple juice and crackers hoping she might be able to settle her stomach. She tried the ginger ale but it didn’t stay down for long. For the next few hours she cycled between drifting off to sleep and being suddenly ill. She felt miserable and Viktor felt helpless.
Checkout time came and went. Viktor wasn’t about to make her leave. She slept off and on most of the day and into the evening but still couldn’t keep anything down and her fever persisted.
“I think maybe you need to go to the hospital,” Viktor said as he watched her shivering in bed even under all the covers.
“No. I’ll be fine,” she said.
“You don’t look fine.”
“Everything here is going to be out-of-network,” she explained. “I’ll be fine.”
“If it’s out-of-network, I’ll pay for it.”
“Stop it. I’ll be fine. This will pass.”
Needing to do something, went to get a damp cold washcloth to dab her face with.
“That feels good,” she said as he gently touched her skin with the cold cloth.
“I don’t think you’re going to make your flight tomorrow,” he said.
“I have to.”
“I don’t think you’re going to have a choice.”
“I can’t take anymore time off of work.”
“Sweetheart, you’re not going to work like this. And there’s no way I’m taking you to the airport like this.”
She curled up on her side and began to cry.
Viktor stroked her hair and rubbed her back. “Baby, just stay with me for a few days until you feel better. I’ll help you out with your bills.”
“I never get sick,” she cried, feeling immensely sorry for herself for getting sick while on vacation with him.
“Then you were overdue,” he tried to comfort her.
She clutched her pillow and sobbed into it.
“Come here. Let me hold you.” He lifted her up and took her into his arms as he sat with his back against the headboard. She buried her face in his chest and continued sobbing. He held her tightly and told her he loved her. He didn’t know what else he could do to make her feel better so he just held her until she stopped crying.
“Everything is going to be fine,” he assured her.
“What time were we supposed to leave?” she asked.
“Leave where?”
“This room.”
“Ah. 11:00 A.M.”
“Do you have to pay for another night now?” she asked, now feeling bad that they hadn’t left on time.
“Yes, but it’s fine.”
“I’m sorry,” she started to cry again.
“Stop it!” he gently scolded. “This isn’t your fault. You can’t control when you get sick.”
“I just feel terrible.”
“Look. Tomorrow, if you’re able to travel, we’ll drive to my house. When you’re feeling better I’ll book you a flight home. You’ll just have to endure me a few more days.”
She gave in to a laugh. “Oh you’re such a burden.”
He grinned feeling pleased he was able to make her laugh. “I know. You have the patience of a saint for putting up with me.”
She laughed again and then finally relaxed in his arms.
Viktor tried to get her to drink something that night but she still wasn’t able to keep anything down. He became even more concerned when they passed the 24 hour mark and she hadn’t been able to take any liquid. Her breathing was still labored at times and she seemed like she couldn’t catch her breath. She had stopped sweating which wasn’t necessarily a good sign.
They left the hotel during the early morning hours. Viktor wanted to get Amanda home before the LA rush hour. He didn’t expect the ride to be easy for her and wanted it to be as short as possible.
As they drove he tried to think of the best way to tell her that he was a millionaire. Their conversation in the vineyard kept replaying in his mind though, making it difficult to overcome his fear. As they got closer and closer to his house the pressure mounted.
“Before we get to my house,” he started. “There’s something I need to tell you.” He glanced over at her. She was slumped over in her seat, leaning her head against the door. She could barely keep her eyes open. She looked pale and miserable. “Amanda?”
She moaned but didn’t move her head or acknowledge him in any other way.
He looked back at the road. “Nevermind.”
He didn’t know what was going to happen when they arrived at his house but a part of him hoped that she would be so out of it that she wouldn’t notice that he lived in a mansion or that maybe she wouldn’t care.
The sun was rising as he pulled into his neighborhood. Amanda lifted her head as the car slowed.
“Where are we?” she asked.
“Malibu,” he casually replied and then held his breath.
“Malibu?” She sat up and looked around as they drove. “Isn’t this where movie stars live?”
“Some. Yes.”
She leaned her head against the door and watched the houses as they passed. The car then slowed and Viktor turned into a gated driveway. He rolled down his window to punch a code into the keypad.
“What is this place?” she asked as the gate opened.
The pit in Viktor’s stomach had grown so big he thought he might throw up. “My house,” he answered flatly.
Amanda gaped at the massive dwelling as they drove up the stone paver driveway toward a 3 car garage. “Is this like apartments?”
Viktor felt more dread with each question. “No, it’s a house.”
He parked outside one of the garage doors and shut the car off. “I’ll
