They were quiet as they ate. Viktor waited until she was almost finished before he brought up a subject that he knew might create some friction.
“I think we should talk about your mother’s long term care,” he stated.
“What do you mean?”
“She’ll eventually be released to go home but she’s likely going to need a lot of help. I don’t think she should stay alone.”
“She can come stay with me,” she replied.
“Amanda, your apartment isn’t even big enough for you. Besides, who is going to care for her during the day while you’re at work?” he asked. “I don’t mind helping out but there may be things she needs that I can’t do for her or that she wouldn’t want me to do for her.”
“My bedroom is big enough for her and we might qualify for a home health aide.”
“I don’t think that’s an acceptable solution,” he bluntly stated.
“Well, it’s not your problem,” she shot back.
Viktor wasn’t surprised by her stubbornness but it was still frustrating. “Okay,” he said, trying to diffuse the situation. “I’d like to offer you some alternatives and I’d like you to pick one.”
“What kind of alternatives?”
“Your mother stays in her home where she’s most comfortable and I hire nurses to care for her.”
“What are my other options?” Amanda asked, not liking that one.
“I rent an apartment for the two of you in Boston and hire nurses to care for her during the day.”
“Are there more options?” she asked, unenthused.
“You quit your job, I care for all of your expenses and you focus on your mother. I can hire part-time help if it gets to be too much.”
Amanda leaned back in her chair looking displeased. “Is that it?”
“Yes. You have 3 choices.”
“I don’t understand what’s so wrong with her staying with me?” She made no attempt to hide the irritation in her voice.
“I don’t want your life in chaos, sleeping on a couch, with a job from hell for a month, 2 months, 3 months or however long it takes for your mom to get better!” he replied, making no attempt to hide his own irritation.
“You seem to be forgetting that this is still my life.”
He crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat. “You’re being selfish.”
Her jaw dropped. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
“Where do you get off calling me selfish because I don’t want to accept your money?!”
“You’re not making your decision based on what’s best for your mother,” he shot back. “You’re basing it some stupid ideal you have that you should never take a penny from me. You’re not taking into consideration my feelings or your mother’s feelings. Do you really think she wants you sleeping on the couch, stressed out, taking care of her? You sure know I don’t!” He paused and waited for a response. She just sat looking quite shocked.
“You’re not being noble, Amanda, by refusing my help. You’re being selfish,” he said in conclusion.
Amanda was stunned by his strong tone and hard-hitting words. She found it difficult to counter his argument. She grappled with her emotions as she tried to formulate a response.
“You’re right,” she contritely replied. “I never thought of it in that way.”
Viktor’s expression softened. “I still love you.”
She forced a smile in return. “I love you too.”
“Will you let me help you?”
“Which do you think I should choose?” she asked.
“I think you should quit your job and stay with your mother.”
She chuckled. “Why am I not surprised?”
“You asked.”
She thought for a minute and then responded, “I can take up to 12 weeks unpaid time off. If she needs help after that, I will quit my job if they won’t let me stay out longer.”
“I think that’s a fair compromise. While we’re on the subject, have you even started looking for a new car?”
“One thing at a time, Viktor,” she said, having a hard enough time with him paying her bills.
“Are you looking?” he asked again.
She sighed. “I’ve been a little preoccupied.”
“Okay. I’m just asking. Your car isn’t exactly safe. I hope you can understand why I’m concerned. Since you’re not going to be working, maybe you could make that a priority after your mother?”
“I will work on it,” she assured him.
“Okay,” he agreed. “Can I get a hug?”
“Yes.”
Amanda made an official request for the time off and turned her bills over to Viktor. She felt afraid and relieved at the same time. It was a strange feeling. A couple days before Brenda was to be released, they took a ride to Amanda’s apartment to gather what she would need while staying at her mom’s. On the way back they stopped at Viktor’s new apartment to take a look.
It was located in a large high-rise that had on-site security staff, a secure parking garage and a front door camera and intercom system. There were only 2 apartments on Viktor’s floor but they took up the entire space.
Amanda expected the apartment to be filled with boxes since Viktor hadn’t even been present when the movers arrived. David oversaw everything while Viktor remained at the hospital with her. However, when the door opened it revealed a fully furnished and decorated apartment without one box in sight.
“Who unpacked everything?” Amanda asked as she struggled to find something that looked out of place.
The layout was similar to his house in Malibu. The front door opened into the large living area with floor to ceiling windows running along the entire far wall. None of the furniture looked familiar. She figured he must have bought new. The sofa was white leather, nonetheless.
On either side of the living room were the bedrooms, 3 in total. The master suite was to the left with 2 guest rooms and an office on the right. Around the corner from the front door was the kitchen and dining area. It had
