What cant be bought part.., p.28
What Can't Be Bought: Part 1, page 28
A week and a half had passed since her mother was admitted to the hospital. Amanda woke to the smell of fresh coffee and Viktor sitting on the side of the bed, stroking her hair.
“Good morning, my love,” he greeted her.
She groaned and rolled on her back. “What time is it?” she asked as she rubbed her face.
“Just after 9:00.”
She sat up and took the coffee from his hands.
“I spoke with your mom already. She is doing fine. She’s having breakfast right now.”
She closed her eyes and savored her beverage. “Thank you for checking on her.”
“I ordered breakfast. They just delivered it. You want to eat at the table or here?”
“Table is fine.” She groggily followed him to the table and sat down as he set a plate of eggs, home fries and sausage in front of her, with a bowl of fresh fruit and cups of yogurt off to the side.
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 granite countertops and stainless steel appliances.
Amanda wandered around while Viktor took stock of where everything had been moved to. He found her in the master bedroom, standing in front of the floor to ceiling windows that lined the far outer wall. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist as he joined her in admiring the view.
“Not a lot of privacy,” she noted.
“Oh, just wait.” He walked to the nightstand and picked up a remote. He pressed a button. “Turn around.”
She turned back towards the windows and they were completely frosted out. “You just did that?”
“Yeah, isn’t it cool?” He pressed the button again and the windows were again clear.
“Let me see that.” She grabbed the remote from his hands and pressed the button, completely fascinated by what was happening.
He grabbed the remote back from her before she was able to un-frost the windows again and pulled her into his arms. “Is this enough privacy for you?”
She grinned. “Seems to be.”
“Do you think you’d be able to live in a place like this someday?”
She looked in his eyes as she ran her fingers through his hair and playfully replied, “If it has a rain shower like the one at your house in Malibu, I might.”
A wide smile took over his face. “I’ll have it installed by next month.”
She giggled. “You spoil me rotten, you know.”
He kissed her lips. “Told you I would.”
Chapter 38
Over the next 3 weeks, Brenda regained strength and was almost back to a normal routine. The tumor was benign and unlikely to return but they were going to continue monitoring, just in case.
One of Brenda’s old friends from Connecticut was coming up to stay for the weekend so Amanda took advantage of the visit to return home and spend some time with Viktor in Boston. Viktor picked her up Friday evening to take her out for dinner.
“Ooo. We get to go in a spaceship!” she excitedly declared as she got into his Porsche.
Viktor laughed. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Wait! Wait!” she shouted as he was about to pull into traffic. “Let me strap in before takeoff!” she said as she put her seatbelt on.
Viktor sat looking at her like she was the most silly person he had ever met. “Are you done now?”
“Yes,” she said with a grin.
They drove to the restaurant and parked.
“Houston, we have landed,” Amanda announced.
“Would you stop,” Viktor said, starting to feel slightly annoyed.
She giggled and stepped from the vehicle. He got out after her and they both heard shouting coming from the parking lot. Viktor shut the door and met up with Amanda behind the car. He looked in the direction of her gaze and saw a hooded figure pull out a gun and shoot an older man dressed in a suit standing outside a silver Mercedes with the driver’s door open. Amanda shrieked and jumped back. The man instantly crumpled to the ground. Viktor grabbed Amanda and pulled her behind his car as the hooded figure took something from the victim’s hand then got into the Mercedes and drove away.
As soon as the car was gone a young man who had witnessed the event ran to assist the man who had been shot. Another bystander approached while talking on his phone. They were both in shock over what they had just witnessed. Amanda couldn’t even look and she was shaking like a leaf.
They waited for the police to arrive and gave a statement and their contact details before leaving. Neither felt like eating out after what had transpired, not to mention the entire area was now a crime scene.
“What do you want to do?” Viktor asked as he began driving aimlessly.
“I want you to get rid of this car,” she replied as she stared blank-faced out the window. When he made no reply she looked at him and repeated her words with more force. “I want you to get rid of this car!”
“Amanda, that could happen to anyone.”
“No. No. That man wasn’t killed for a Honda!” she angrily replied. “He was killed for a Mercedes. Your car is worth twice as much. If we had gotten there any sooner that might have been you in the parking lot!” Her whole body shook and tears streamed down her face. “I want you to get rid of this car today,” she demanded.
Viktor waited a few minutes for her to calm down before even attempting to respond. “I would have given him the car, Amanda. I’m not going to risk my life to save money.”
“And what if they don’t bother to ask first?” she countered.
Viktor could see her point but still felt like she was overreacting. He didn’t reply, thinking that after a few days she wouldn’t feel so strongly about it.
“What’s it going to be?” she asked.
“Give me some time to think about it,” he replied.
“How about this … I’ll give you two choices. You pick which one you want.”
“What are the choices?” he played along.
“The car or me.” Her demeanor openly reflected her unyielding determination.
“You’re serious?”
“You can keep the car, Viktor. But you’ll bring me home and I won’t see you again until it’s gone.”
He didn’t need to think long. “You know I’ll choose you, Amanda. I’ll always choose you.” He reached out and took her hand.
She released a stifled cry of relief and then broke down weeping. Viktor pulled off the road so he could comfort her. She crawled over the console and practically sat in his lap as she held onto him and cried her heart out.
“It’s going to be okay,” he tried to reassure her. “We’re going to grow old together.”
She sat up and looked in his eyes. “I’m going to be so mad at you if we don’t.”
He chuckled and wiped her tears. “I love that you get emotional about me. Have I told you that?”
“I don’t love it. It’s awful. I hate feeling this way.”
“Well, I don’t want you to be sad either. But I like that you care so deeply.”
“I do, Viktor.”
“I know.” He kissed her lips. “What kind of car should I get?”
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.
