She thought for a few seconds. “Subarus are nice.”
“Like yours?”
“I would get the Legacy. It’s a little bigger and looks nicer.”
“Shall we go pick out a new car?”
“You’re really going to do it?”
“I want to keep you, so yes.”
A broad smile broke across her face. “Okay.”
They stopped at Viktor’s apartment to pick up the title to his vehicle and then drove to a nearby Subaru dealer. A salesman was on them within a minute of their arrival.
“How are we doing today, folks?” a young energetic man asked.
“Good, thanks,” Viktor replied.
“I’m Evan,” the salesman introduced himself. “Is there a particular model you were interested in?”
“The Legacy,” Amanda answered.
“That’s a great car,” Evan replied. “Any particular features you’re interested in?”
“Well,” Viktor looked at Amanda. “I think we just need to pick a color. What are your thoughts, Amanda?”
“I think the blue is really nice,” she answered. “With grey interior.”
Viktor looked back at Evan. “You heard the lady. We’ll take a blue one, fully loaded with everything. Leather interior, sunroof, rims, remote starter. I’ll also take the service package and any other warranties you offer.”
Evan had a brief deer-in-headlights look before quickly offering a smile. “Sure, let’s sit you down with financing and get that going for you.”
“I don’t need financing,” Viktor said. “I would like to trade my car.” He gestured to his Cayenne parked in the lot.
“Uhh.” Evan looked a little unsure about how to proceed. “Sure, why don’t you come inside?”
Evan led them to a small office and offered them something to drink before retrieving the General Manager to discuss trading his $160,000 Porsche Cayenne for a $35,000 Subaru Legacy.
“We wouldn’t normally accept something like this for a trade-in,” the manager said hesitantly, wanting to make a deal but feeling nervous and suspicious about what Viktor wanted.
“That’s fine,” Viktor let him off the hook. He turned to Amanda. “I can bring it back to the Porsche dealer later, if that’s alright?”
“Yeah. Okay,” she agreed.
“Do you have what I want on the lot today?” Viktor asked.
“As a matter of fact we do have one that I think has everything you wanted and maybe a few extra features.”
“Great!” Viktor exclaimed. “Where do I sign?"
“We’ll draw up the papers right now,” the manager said and then left them in Evan’s hands for the rest of the process. Viktor called his insurance and added Amanda to his policy, stating that she might drive his vehicles. After signing papers, Viktor wrote out a check and they were handed the keys to his brand new Legacy.
They walked out of the dealership and Viktor suddenly stopped and turned to Amanda. “I don’t really want this car,” he stated.
“What?” she asked, thinking it was a heck of a time to have buyer’s remorse.
“Can I get a BMW?” he asked.
"No!" she replied disgusted as if he should have already known the answer.
"What about a Jeep then?"
“Viktor, why did you just buy this car if you didn’t want it?”
He put the keys in her hand. “Because this one is yours.”
She didn’t know how to react and just stood there staring at him with her mouth open.
“You want me to get a new car because you think this one is unsafe,” he explained. “I think your car is unsafe and I’ve given you over a month for you to get a newer one, which you promised and as of yet, have not done.”
“You tricked me.”
“Yes,” he agreed.
“You tricked me,” she repeated.
“We just covered that," he said flatly. "You want me to have a new car. I want you to have a new car. Agreed?”
“Are you giving me a choice?”
“No.”
“I’m never going to be able to afford the taxes or insurance on this thing!” she exclaimed.
“That’s why it’s in my name.”
“This was your plan all along?”
“Well, when I saw the opening, I took it. Can I go get a Jeep now?”
“No!” she said vengefully. "Now you’re going to get a Kia Rio.”
Viktor laughed and gave her a smile. “Don’t be mad.”
She shook her head and growled. “You are maddening.”
He stepped forward and kissed her lips. “I love you.”
“I love you too, you deceitful shyster.”
He kissed her again. “Let’s go buy my Jeep.”
Viktor managed to strike a deal with the Jeep dealer to trade in his Porsche. He walked out with a new, fully loaded, pearl Jeep Grand Cherokee and a check. They stood in the parking lot to discuss their next move.
“I’m really hungry,” Viktor admitted.
“Me too.”
“Do you want to go back to my apartment and get something delivered?”
“Yeah, let’s do that.”
“How do you like your new car?” he asked with a grin.
She smiled bashfully. “It is so nice. I’m still in shock.”
“I’m glad you like it, sweetheart.”
“Thank you, Viktor.”
“You’re very welcome.”
They ordered a pizza before heading home and it arrived a few minutes after they did. Viktor opened a bottle of wine and they reclined on the couch and talked while they ate.
“Your mom seems to be doing really well,” Viktor commented.
“Yeah. She really doesn’t need me anymore. I was thinking I would start work again on Wednesday.”
“Why go back if you don’t have to?”
“Because the agreement was, I would take off as much time as was needed for my mom to recover. That and if I don’t go back soon, I may get too used to this life.”
“So what if you get used to this life?”
“Viktor, I don’t want to just lounge around living off you.”
“I’ll put you to work,” he grinned.
She laughed. “You’re bad.”
“What?” He innocently replied. “I need a maid.”
“Oh yeah, because you’ve seen how good I am at that.”
“Ah, you’re a quick learner,” he playfully brushed it off.
“No, seriously. I have to get back to work. I need a normal routine.”
Viktor’s smile slowly diminished but he tried to mask his feelings about her going back to work. “As you wish, my love.”
Chapter 39
Viktor waited until Amanda went back to work on Wednesday to fly to California to take care of some matters that he needed
