American Pyramid

Back to Work

Victoria

I felt like I was cooped up in an asylum, though I was grateful I was around the ones I loved to ensure that I was resting the way I needed to. I referred to this room as an asylum because I was questioned or monitored every time I got up on my own. Zak was borderline suffocating, but I was grateful for it because he just wanted to take care of me, and I know I'd be the same if he was in my shoes, but I knew for a fact I thought this way because I wasn't used to having to rely on someone else for my own needs, but considering the fact that he was leaving for Los Angeles today to resume filming had me both relieved and saddened. 

"How're you feeling today, sweetie?" Zak asked from the bathroom, towel around his waist as he had just exited a shower, and I swear if I wasn't ill I would've climbed him like a tree right then and there. 

"Better than I was," I sighed, sitting up in the bed on my own as I scratched between Gracie's ears, that dog never leaving my side the entire time I was in bed. "You're still leaving today?" 

"Yes," He nodded. "We won't be gone long. We'll be filming for three episodes in different parts of California before doing the Riviera episode here. We'll be filming for two days on each location and doing the investigation the night of the second day."

"Why so short?" 

"So I can get home to you," He answered confidently. "I don't want to be away for too long just in case. Not until you're better. We're filming like this so that we can have plenty of time to edit and send these episodes over from home. Gives us three episodes for this month and next so I can focus on taking care of you."

"I've been feeling okay, though. I'm itching to go outside and go for a walk or go and visit my horses." 

"You will eventually, sweetie. But until then, you need to stay where my mom can keep her eye on you. If you need to go somewhere, just tell her and she'll take you. I'll be gone for almost two weeks, and don't be afraid to ask her to take you somewhere." 

"I won't, but you know me, I won't ask her to take me somewhere unless I can give her gas money-" 

Zak cut me off with that confident chuckle and smirk that he does that lets me know that he had already thought forward about this, "Already one step ahead of you, sweetie. I sent her money just for gas if she needs it, but she's stubborn like you and refused it." 

"I'm not surprised." 

"No, but she did say last night that if you felt like you could help around like I know you've been wanting to do, then that's fine, but you need to tell her if you start getting lightheaded or dizzy. You can't be stubborn about this." 

"Will she take me to see the horses?" 

"Of course, but if you wanted to go and see them now, I can take you. I don't leave until three." 

"I'd love to. I also have another question." 

"I have an answer." 

"Would you be opposed to letting me do some work from home? I feel so cooped up and lazy where I haven't really been doing anything and I'm itching to do something productive." 

He sighed as he tightened the buckle of his belt before sliding on a shirt, "I'm going to be opposed to it, but you've been watching movies and TV without any issues, so I don't see why doing some computer work will change anything. Just don't overwork yourself on that. Watching TV and doing computer work is two different things." 

"I know. I'll stop as soon as I start feeling weird," I nodded. "I'll start with sorting through all of my emails then taking a look at my bank account because I feel like I'm behind on something." 

He chuckled, "You're not behind on anything financially, I can promise you that. Just pace yourself, sweetie. That's all I ask." 

"I will. I'll probably go outside and get on my computer. It's warm out today and I want to soak in some sun." 

"Well, like I said, if you start feeling one bit dizzy or not yourself, please let my mom know. She'll be watching you like a hawk. You thought I was suffocating, wait until I leave and you'll see who I learned it from," He chuckled. "You'll be lucky to even go to the bathroom by yourself." 

"She can't be that bad." I scoffed. 

"You'll see. There was no escaping her when I was sick. You won't even have to worry about contacting me because I'll already know what's going on before you even pick up the phone." 

"If you say so. I'm going to act like I'm just going back to work." 

"Remember what I said. When you feel like you need to take a break, do it."