C5 Chapter Five - Sick?

Sick ???

Claudio's POV

"Hello!" A voice said on the other side of the phone.

"Amanda? What's wrong?" Claudio asked

"I'm sick, the contagious flu they said on the news, I guess. I wouldn't be able to come to work tomorrow, I can barely feel myself.

"And when did it start?" I asked knowing what her answer was going to be.

"On Friday night." She replied sounding guilty.

"Come on Amanda, Friday night! I remember asking you when I dropped you how you were feeling, you told me you were feeling better and I remember calling you tell next morning like I promised, you told me you were better." I said really furious

"I'm sorry I lied yesterday when you called to check up on me, I just didn't think it was serious, I didn't mean to lie I swear. she said weakly.

"Okay I understand, though I'm still super pissed, you know I hate liars I really do." I said calming down.

"So how are you, like how are you doing?" I asked after calming myself

"I'm good, Jessie sent a friend to give me my medication this evening, I've taken the drugs so any minute now it should start kicking in." She answered sniffing.

"I don't think so. I'm not trusting you over this issue again, I'm coming over okay!" I said.

"No! Done bother I'm really fine I'm totally...." She tried arguing as I ended the call.

Having spent 2 years with her, I've learnt to understand who she really is... She doesn't like to bother anyone, neither does she like asking for anyone's help... She pretends to be happy just because she doesn't want anyone to be worried about her.

I got to her driveway; a shadowy figure was standing on the porch. Amy, I thought, what was she doing outside? She left the porch and starter walking towards me looking really sick.

"Amanda what are you doing out here?" I asked walking towards her.

"You said you were coming, I had to wait for you and I couldn’t do that inside else I'll fall asleep." she replied.

"Let’s go inside you look like you are going to fall any second now." I said looking at her very pale face

"No, I won't, I'm really fine. she said giving me a small smile.

"Have you gone to the doctor?" I asked

"No, but I told you already Jessie sent a friend to get drugs for me and I've taken them; I'll be fine she repeats, like she was trying too convincingly herself.

Following behind her as headed inside, she fell while climbing the stairs to the porch, I caught her before she could fall.

"You are clearly not okay Amanda why didn't you call me I really feel bad as I am partially the reason you went out that night." I said removing my arms from around her.

"I'm sorry, I just thought it was a bug or something." she replied; "And besides I'm too worked up to argue not going to the hospital with you, I know you." she finished.

"Well, you do know me, and we are going to the hospital after all." I said turning her around and supporting her with one hand on her shoulder and the other on her waist.

"And you won like I knew you would, you are the boss after all." She said trying to smile.

Even on the sickbed she still makes me smile I thought always pretending to be strong.... I mean I know her to be very vibrant, when I'm tensed about a meeting, she cheers me on by telling me how I'm the best in town. And here she was looking like someone else.

I looked at her beside me, I am so sur I'd not driven out of the street before she dozed off, she looks so vulnerable, not at all like the redhead that I know, I felt my heart itching as I thought about her...

I parked my car at the entrance of my friend’s hospital and reached out to wake her.

She snuggled into my palm as I patted her shoulder, I felt tingly and warm all of a sudden. I think I groaned because all I saw was green eyes staring at me as I felt myself falling somewhere... She moved and confusion was in her eyes as she look around then said.

"We are here?!" She asked And I just nodded

I got down and rushed to her side to help, to see her trying to get down while leaning on the chair to stand I heard her voice calling out my name before she dropped in my arms as she fainted.

"Amanda" I called out shaking her without getting a response. Carrying her in my arms I started towards the hospital, the security guards saw what happened and informed the nurses at the counter, they brought out a stretcher and I placed her on it. I just watched as they took her to the ER, I’ve never felt so damn useless in my life except when my papa died. O God let nothing happen to her, please nothing should happen to her I prayed silently. Funny how I was praying I haven't prayed since my papa’s death, I felt like he doesn’t care but I think he has to hear me now. I thought.

Few minutes later my friend came out and I stood up immediately to meet him.

"How is she doing Maxwell?" I asked

"She isn’t in danger, she’s got high temperature and seems to have lost weight within the last 24 hours, cold, high temperature headaches these are the symptoms of the new bug a lot of persons have been infected by this past week." He replied.

"She is going to be okay after a few days, she will be kept for observation for 2-3 days as her state has to be monitored even if she regains consciousness." He finished.

"Well, I brought her here because you are the best, so do what you have to do. is she awake?" I asked.

"No, she regained consciousness but I told the nurses to sedate her so she could give her body time to recuperate, but she should be up in the next 4 hours, she would regain her appetite partially, so you can get her a meal that is not too heavy." He replied looking at his watch.

"Thanks Max, I owe you one man, I’m going out to get something for her, I won't be out long but if you need anything bill it on my card." I told him taking s quick look at Amanda from the door.

"You must be joking, it’s on me." He replied

"Well thanks again." I said walking towards the exit.

Well, she was right it was a bug but not a regular one, my mind went to who to call family to inform that she was ill, I could only think of one person Jessie. I went through her emergency details and saw her number. I called her when I got to their apartment, she came home immediately I called her she came out of the car and asked how she was I told her all the doctor told me.

"I swear I didn’t know she was that sick, I feel really guilty, I didn’t want to go to work she forced me to go to work, opting for drugs at the pharmacist instead of going to the hospital. But are you really sure she is going to be okay?" She rambled with tears running down her eyes.

"Yes, she is." I replied" "I just came to get some stuffs I know she would need and you are the only one that can do that I can only assist you. I say while she nods and started for the house in a hurry leaving me standing alone.

2 hours later, we left their apartment after she prepared something for Amanda, I told her to stay at home but she wasn’t hearing it. I realized why Amanda doesn’t stop talking about her, she was just as charming as she was outside as she was inside.

She kept talking on and on about when they were little, how Amanda saved her and how she gave her the nickname Amy. They seemed to have known each other since 5th grade. No wonder Amanda sees her as her sister, they were like the guys and myself.

“So, what of her parents, learnt she lost her dad when she was 9, and since then went to the boarding school till she graduated high school then to the university at Denver I said.

“I met her in Medivian Hall School, I would never trade that memory for anything else. My dad had just dropped me in the boarding school. She was sitting on the stairway and was staring at my dad as he was straightening my uniform, he caught her staring and called her over, she was so shy but she came over though.”

“FLASHBACK”

“Good morning, sir, my name Is Amanda and I like you.” Little Amanda says to Mr. Martinez

“Well good morning, dear child I’m Ryan but you can call me uncle Ryan. Would you like to call me that?” Mr Matinez said

“Yes, I would love to sir, you are really nice sir.” She speaks.

“I will be so happy if you take care of my sweet Jessie here, can I count you princess Amanda?”

“Yes sir, I’d love to be sisters with her.” Little Amanda replies

“FLASHBACK ENDS”

“Since then, we have been best buddies during the holidays she’d come over to our house and stay till we resume school. University also we were roommates. She is the only best friend I have and the closest thing to a sister that I have. I don’t know what I’d do without her.” she said getting teary again.

“Nothing is going to happen, it’s just a bug nothing else.” Claudio said.

“Yeah I know right, I’m just being a crybaby.” she said drying her tears; “she is so going to freak our when she learns you were in her room.” she laughed as we got to the parking lot and drove for the hospital.

Few minutes later, we were in the hospital.

She was awake when we entered, she was looking better. Her face lit up with surprise, maybe at seeing me I thought but it was for seeing Jessie

Amanda’s POV

"Amy I warned you didn’t I, then you went all black out with Claudio, what if he didn’t come around hon, what would have happened and you force me to leave I wouldn’t have gone to work you know?" Jessie complained as soon as she got close enough to scold me.

"Its okay Jess, I'm sorry I had you worried and Claudio did save me from my stubbornness. He is an angel like you. I said hugging her tightly as she sat beside me.

"Well I just had to check up on you I feel guilty, you probably caught the bug at the dinner we attended." Claudio said.

"It wasn’t anyone’s fault guys so lets drop it, I'm feeling better now." I said waiving the conversation off.

"So how are you feeling?" Claudio asked I saw his face was flooded with worry before he masked it.

"I’m feeling better, except my back aches and my chest feels a 100 times heavier." I answered holding my chest.

"Yes about that, the doctor said it will pass." Claudio said.

"So we brought somethings we thought you will need." Jess said handing me a shopping bag.

Checking through the things, I was really touched;

"Thanks guys, I’m grateful!" I said.

"You’re welome sweetie." Jessie replied laughing mischeaviously giving Claudio a small wink.

"What did you do?" I asked looking at no one in particular.

'Jessie what do?" I asked her when I saw the both of them grinning at me.

"Claudio what did you guys do?" I asked him pleading.

"We did nothing Claudio did we? I’m not sure we did anything wrong. He came home to get somethings for you after you fainted at his feet, and I was home so I assisted him in picking up your stuffs, that’s all." Jess answered mischeaviously

"You mean Claudio was in my room?" I screamed.

"Yes I was in your room, quite a nice room you’ve got." Claudio answered innocently which made Jessie laugh crazily and Claudio just smiled.

"Its not funny guys that’s my personal room.. ahhhhh… I hate you Jessie, you could have just packed my stuffs." I accused Jessie.

"Its okay the guy actually complimented you nicely if I remember, and I love you too." Jess said dodging the chocolate i threw at her.

"Okay I know you Jessie, you should really enjoy yourself, I know how I will get back to you." I said throwing her a mean look.

"Hmmmm... You're hungry aren't you?" Claudio asked.

I turned to face him, he was leaning too close and our eyes met, it felt a bit uncomfortable like he was staring at my soul, I looked away before answering him.

"I am so hungry you guys brought something? Jessie did you?" I said.

"Yh I cooked you something based on your doctor's orders with Claudios help though, we prepared your favorite." She shouted bringing out the cooler.

"Awwwnnn guys, that's so nice." I said collecting the plate she served for me, I tasted it and my gosh it was amazing.

"Anything for you babe!" Jessie replied.

"Remind me when I'm better to treat you guys to your favorite, it's an invite anyone can cancel." I said looking at Claudio wishing he would say yes.

"Well I'm sure Mr handsome CEO can find sometime away from work can't he." Jessie said looking at Claudio smirking.

"Yes I'll love to come Claudio said; let's leave her to eat, I have to go to the office in the morning very early and it's been one hell of a night..." Jess says and Claudio nodded

"I need my beauty sleep." He said rubbing his jaw that had not very noticeable but present shadow.

"But you're still handsome and hot as hell." I said unconsciously then looked up when Jessie hooked..., I quickly placed my hands on my mouth with my eyes wide open as I realized they heard me.

"She is right you are still handsome and so hot." Jessie finished looking at me with a I told you eyes.

"Well that's not new news, thanks for the compliment guys....And to a certain someone that scared the shits out of me when she dropped into my arms, Take care. he said looking at me

"Yeah don't mind the stubborn girl, I'm really happy that someone like you was there to help " Jess said hugging him. "Goodnight Mr Morelli!." She says as they separated.

"Bye Amanda, call me if you need anything." Claudio said kissing my cheeks.

"Bye Claudio, thanks for today." I said trying to stop my cheeks from flushing because of the kiss.

"Prego Cara mia, Ciao!" He replied leaving the room

"Buonanotte!" I replied saying goodnight in Italian