Viktoria was standing in the corner of her room with a picture fra in her hands, concentrating on what she was doing. The sun rays coming through the window highlighted the pale color still lingering on her face. Viktoria was recovering, yes, but she was sick of being treated as if she was fragile and could break at any mont.
The door of Viktoria’s room was slightly opened, and she did not notice Dmitri until he entered her room and closed the door behind him, his eyes imdiately focusing on Viktoria. "What are you doing?" Dmitri asked Viktoria, his tone firm but also worried.
"Dmitri," Viktoria said, surprised, still holding the picture fra in her hands. "I’m just rearranging so of my pictures. It’s not a big deal."
Dmitri approached Viktoria in a few quick steps and took the picture fra from her hands before Viktoria could even protest. "Stop," Dmitri said firmly but also softly. "You should not be doing anything. You’re still in the process of recovering."
"I’m fine," Victoria replied, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms over her chest. "Everyone’s been treating like I’m made of glass. It’s ridiculous."
"You are supposed to be treated like that," Dmitri retorted, placing the fra on the desk in front of her. "You almost—" He stopped, his jaw clenched as he breathed heavily. "You know what you’ve been through. You need to rest."
Victoria let out a sigh and shook her head. "I don’t want to be babied, Dmitri. I’m not a child."
Just as Dmitri was about to continue arguing, Victoria swayed, her hand reaching out to grasp the edge of the desk. Her face turned pale, and her eyes closed briefly.
"Viktoria!" Dmitri’s tone was alard as he caught her around the waist just as her knees buckled. His strong arms held her steady, bringing her close to him so she wouldn’t fall.
For an instant, Dmitri was frozen, holding Viktoria close. Her body was warm against his, and he for a mont it felt.... intimate. His heart skipped a beat. But then, like a cold splash of water, the thought occurred to him. She’s my sister. What the hell is wrong with ?
He gently lowered her into the chair by her desk, crouching in front of her with a frown etched deep into his face. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice softer now, his hands still steadying her shoulders.
Viktoria nodded weakly, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "I just got dizzy for a second. I’m fine."
"You’re not fine," Dmitri said firmly, grabbing the glass of water sitting on the desk and pressing it into her hands. "Here. Drink this."
Viktoria took a sip, her hands shaking slightly as she held the glass. Dmitri watched her intently, his concern growing. "I think we should go to the hospital," Dmitri said, standing up. "You’re obviously not as fine as you claim to be."
"No," Viktoria said quickly, setting the glass down. "I’m not going to the hospital."
"Viktoria—" Dmitri said, but Viktoria cut him off.
"I hate hospitals," Victoria said, raising her voice slightly. "And injections? Ugh, needles are the worst."
Dmitri looked at Victoria for a mont, his lips twitching despite himself. He let out a chuckle, shaking his head. "You sound like a five-year-old," Dmitri said, his tone light and amused. "You know injections are for your own good, right?"
"I don’t care," Viktoria said stubbornly, crossing her arms over her chest again.
Dmitri sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "You’re impossible, you know that?"
"And you’re overreacting," Victoria said quickly, a small smile on her lips.
Dmitri didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t push the issue. Instead, he crouched in front of her again, his expression softening. "You scared ," he admitted quietly. "When you almost fell just now... you scared ."
Viktoria’s smile faded, and she looked down at her hands. "I’m sorry," she said softly. "I didn’t an to."
Dmitri reached out and placed a hand over hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Just promise you’ll take it easy. No more moving pictures or doing anything else that’s going to make you dizzy. Okay?"
Viktoria hesitated, then nodded. "Okay," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Dmitri stood up, his hand lingering on her shoulder for a mont before he stepped back. "Good," he said, his voice returning to its usual firmness. "Now, stay here and rest. I’ll check on you later."
Viktoria rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small smile that crept onto her face. "Yes, sir," she said teasingly.
Dmitri smirked, shaking his head as he turned to leave. But as he reached the door, he paused, glancing back at her. "And if you feel dizzy again, call ."
"Got it," Victoria said, giving him a mock salute.
With one last glance, Dmitri left the room, closing the door behind him.
Dmitri stood outside the door, one hand still on the doorknob, but he didn’t leave. He couldn’t. His mind kept replaying the mont Viktoria had almost collapsed, the way she felt so fragile in his arms. No, there was no way he was leaving her alone right now.
He turned back toward her, his expression firm. "I’m not going to the office."
Viktoria, now sitting cross-legged on the bed, raised an eyebrow at him. "What do you an you’re not going? Dmitri, you’re making a fuss over nothing."
"Nothing?" Dmitri said, crossing his arms. "You almost hit the floor a few minutes ago, and you call that nothing?"
"I’m fine now," she said, waving him off. "You’re overreacting. Go to work. I’ll be fine."
Dmitri ignored her, pulling his phone from his pocket. "You’re not fine, Viktoria. And if you think I’m leaving you alone after what just happened, you don’t know very well."
Viktoria groaned, flopping back onto the bed. "You’re impossible," she muttered.
Dmitri smirked faintly but didn’t respond. Instead, he scrolled through his contacts and pressed a na. The phone rang twice before his mother’s voice ca through on the other end.
"Алло, Дмитрий?" (Hello, Dmitri?) Yelena’s voice was warm but curious.
"Мама, я не смогу прийти в офис." (Mom, I won’t be coming to the office.) Dmitri leaned against the wall, glancing at Viktoria as he spoke.
"Почему? Что случилось?" (Why? What happened?) Yelena asked, her voice changing imdiately to one of concern.
"Виктория чуть не упала. Она почувствовала головокружение." (Viktoria almost fell. She got dizzy.) Dmitri’s voice was calm, but there was a hint of worry beneath the surface.
"Что? Она в порядке?" (What? Is she okay?) Yelena’s voice had risen, and panic was evident in her voice.
"Она говорит, что в порядке, но я ей не верю. Я решил остаться с ней." (She says she’s fine, but I don’t believe her. I decided to stay with her.) Dmitri looked over again at Viktoria, who glared at him from the bed.
Yelena took a quick breath. "Ты должен отвезти её в больницу." (You need to take her to the hospital.)
"Она не хочет идти." (She doesn’t want to go.) Dmitri replied.
"Дмитрий, не слушай ее. Найди способ отвезти ее туда." (Dmitri, don’t listen to her. Find a way to take her there.) Yelena’s voice was firm, the kind of tone that left no room for argunt.
Dmitri sighed, running a hand over the back of his neck. "Я попробую, но она ненавидит больницы. Особенно уколы." (I’ll try, but she hates hospitals. Especially the injections.)
Yelena made a sound of laughter. "Да, это звучит как Виктория. Но всё равно. Это для ее же блага." (Yes, that sounds like Viktoria. But still. It’s for her own good.)
"Я знаю, мама. Я найду способ." (I know, Mom. I’ll figure it out.) Dmitri’s voice softened slightly, he suddenly felt responsible for her and knew he had to care for her more than before.
"Хорошо. Держи меня в курсе." (Good. Keep updated.) Yelena’s voice was calr now, but the concern was still there.
"Конечно." (Of course.) Dmitri ended the call and slipped his phone back into his pocket.
Viktoria was eyeing him suspiciously, her arms crossed over her chest. "What did she say?"
"She said I should not listen to you," Dmitri said bluntly, making his way over to sit on the edge of the bed. "And that I should find a way to get you to the hospital."
Viktoria rolled her eyes and tossed her head back onto the pillows. "Of course, she did. You two are impossible. I told you, I’m fine. I don’t need to go to the hospital."
"You don’t get to decide that," Dmitri said bluntly, leaving no room for argunt in his tone. "You’re going, Viktoria. Whether you like it or not."
She sat up, staring at him. "You can’t force ."
Dmitri smirked, leaning closer. "Can’t I?"
Viktoria stared at him again, feeling trapped. She knew that look in his eyes, the one that ant he wasn’t going to back down. "You’re so annoying," she muttered.
"And you’re stubborn," Dmitri retorted, standing up. "But I’m not taking any chances with your health. So, get ready. We’re leaving in fifteen minutes."
Viktoria groaned again, flopping back onto the bed dramatically. "I hate you."
Dmitri chuckled, shaking his head. "No, you don’t. Now, get up."
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