Chapter 24: All In

Friday promised to be another sunny, hot August day, just like the rest of the week. My symptoms had subsided, the fever was gone, and I was visibly better, even though I hadn’t slept much last night.

Right after getting up, I had taken off my bandages and had a long shower. It had been so wonderful. While I was still in the shower, Isabell was already changing the bed and throwing the sheets into my washing machine. Kindly, she refrained from starting it right away. I hated showering under alternating cold and warm water. When I got out of the shower, she slipped in, but not without pressing herself naked against me and kissing me. I was tempted to shower with her again.

But instead, I prepared our breakfast. After she had taken care of me all week, I wanted to at least serve her breakfast today. I quickly slipped into a comfortable tracksuit and took the elevator down to buy fresh croissants and rolls from the bakery in the building next door. By now, I knew the building quite well and was familiar with the connecting passages. Of course, these could only be opened with key cards or chips, so that only authorized persons from the other side of the street could enter this building.

I could still feel the cold in my bones and wasn’t really feeling well. But it was enough for the short walk. I didn’t even have to go outside. I entered the bakery through the emergency exit, so to speak.

When I came back, I had the feeling that the cameras were watching me particularly closely. That was just my imagination, of course, and after thinking about it for a moment, I blamed it on my guilty conscience. I was actually still on sick leave, which is why tomorrow’s show had to be completely rescheduled. And now I was happily hopping around the building.

Back at the apartment, Isabell was waiting impatiently and reproached me for being out and about again: “I could have fetched it for you.”

It was a wonderful morning.

After we had eaten, we started planning the day. But she forbade me from doing anything I suggested, saying, “You’re not fit enough for that yet.”

She forbade me from swimming, cycling, going to the sauna, even shopping.

“I suggest you stay in bed today, and I’ll keep you company!” was her proposal.

“I’m not fit enough for that!” I replied dryly.

We looked into each other’s eyes and smiled, leaned forward, and kissed deeply.

When we finally broke apart, Isabell immediately jumped up and quickly cleared the table.

“You rest today. You can answer your messages and surf the net.

I’ll clean up here in the meantime.”

That wasn’t a bad idea. Over the last few days, I hadn’t done much more than post short status updates and acknowledge the occasional get-well wishes. It was incredible how many people here knew I was sick and sent me greetings.

It wasn’t particularly surprising that Thomas was the first. What was striking, however, was that Rebecca hadn’t sent a single line. Diana had confirmed receipt of my sick note and immediately wished me a speedy recovery.