“It’s not that I can’t coordinate it. I think I’d just be terrified the whole time that something might happen to it.”
“Amanda, how often do you lose jewelry?”
She was forced to admit, “Almost never.”
“So what’s the likelihood that you’ll lose this?”
She pouted, not liking his effective reasoning. “Low.”
“I’d really like you to wear it.”
“Why?”
“Because it will make you think of me.”
She laughed. “I don’t need any help doing that.” She couldn’t help but think that there was another reason he wanted her to wear it. “Seriously, why is it so important to you?”
“I want you to enjoy the things I give you. I don’t want them to sit in a box, collecting dust.”
“Is that all?”
He grinned. “What? You think I have some greater, diabolical plan?”
“Knowing you, yes.”
“Just wear it, please.”
She shook her head while unable to suppress a smile. “I’ll have to change my shirt.”
“Can I watch?”
“No!” she said loudly and quickly.
“I was just kidding!” he quickly retracted the request.
“Uh huh,” she said, not entirely believing him.
She finished her food and then went to her room to change. She came out wearing a bright purple scoop neck sweater and the jewelry he gave her.
“You look beautiful,” he said.
She chafed at the compliment, feeling bashful. “I should get going.” She stepped over to the door and took a key off a hook hanging on the wall. She handed it to him. “Spare key to my apartment. As my landlord I’m sure you could get in if you had to,” she teased. “But this should make it easier.”
He stepped closer and kissed her. “I’ll text you when I’m on my way back.”
“Okay.” She kissed him back. “Drive safe.”
“You too.”
Viktor stayed behind after Amanda went to work. Brenda was expecting him after lunch so he sat on the couch and watched the news for a bit. At 10:01 he placed a call.
“Hello, this is Viktor Dostoyinsky … Yes, she loved it … Yes, I am going to purchase the ring. You can charge my credit card. I’ll be by in a few weeks to collect it … Yes … Thank you.” He hung up the phone and a smile crept across his lips.
Chapter 32
Viktor arrived at Brenda’s just after 1:00. When she answered the door he thought she looked thinner than he remembered. She was wearing an oversized grey sweater though, so he figured it must be an optical illusion.
She warmly greeted him with a hug and kiss on the cheek. “It’s great to see you again.”
“Same here. How are you feeling?” he asked with genuine concern in his expression.
“Oh, I’m okay. Just tired.” She smiled and tried to brush it off.
“Worried about Amanda,” he added.
She nodded as her smile faded, replaced with a look of unease. He stepped towards her and put his arms around her. She hugged him back as she fought off tears.
“You and Amanda are very close,” Viktor reflected.
“She’s all I have,” Brenda declared, her voice quivering.
Viktor squeezed her tighter as he felt his eyes tearing. “It’s going to be okay.” He pulled back and looked her in the eye. “I’m here for both of you.”
Brenda nodded and wiped her tears. “I’m so glad she has you.”
“She has you too,” he reminded her.
She smiled and took a deep breath. “Wow. I didn’t realize that was building,” she remarked, feeling surprised by the sudden swell of emotion in her.
“I feel it too.”
“Must bring back memories of your mother,” Brenda said.
“A little more than I’d like,” he admitted.
She squeezed his hand, not knowing what to say.
“Are you ready to go?” he asked.
“Yeah. Do you need anything before we go? Did you eat?”
“I ate already. I could use the bathroom, though.”
“Sure. You know where it is.”
Viktor texted Amanda when they were on the road to let her know they were on their way. She didn’t respond for almost an hour, which usually meant she was swamped with work.
“Must be having a rough day,” Viktor asserted.
“Those are the only kind she has,” Brenda agreed.
“Hmm.” He frowned, wishing Amanda wasn’t so stubborn.
“Hopefully that guy is leaving her alone today,” Brenda added.
“Umm. What guy?” Viktor asked, this being the first time he’d heard about it.
“Oh … she didn’t tell you,” Brenda said regretfully. “I’m sorry. I thought she would have told you.”
“Told me what? What’s going on?”
Brenda kicked herself for mentioning it. “She’s going to kill me.”
“Does that mean you’re not going to tell me?” he asked, a touch of disbelief in his voice.
“Please don’t tell her I said anything,” Brenda begged.
“I can’t promise that,” he replied, almost ready to call Amanda that moment and ask her about it.
“Viktor, please don’t be angry.”
“Why is she keeping things from me?” He tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
“I can’t answer that. I really don’t know.”
“What’s going on with this guy?”
She answered even though she thought this was a conversation Amanda should have with him. “One of her coworkers has been ... aggressively pursuing her.”
“What does that mean, aggressively pursuing?”
“She’s told him no. But he won’t listen.”
“How long has this been going on?”
“Maybe a month,” she answered, knowing it would likely upset him further but feeling like he had a right to know.
Viktor was clearly resentful about being kept in the dark.
“She probably just didn’t want to worry you,” Brenda reasoned.
“There’s a lot of that going around lately,” he said angrily.
“I’m sorry, Viktor.”
“Not your fault.”
“What are you going to do?” Brenda asked.
“I don’t know.”
“Can I make a suggestion?”
“Of course.”
“Don’t confront her about it …”
“I don’t think I can do that,” he interrupted.
“Let me finish. Don’t confront her right away. Tell her how much it bothers you that she didn’t tell you about her medical issue. Tell her how much it means to you to not have secrets between you and see if she comes clean on her own. I think it will prick her conscience and she will tell you. She needs to learn to trust you and confide in you.”
“What more do I have to do to earn
