At the weekly meeting, everyone sat around the conference table expectantly. Liza felt her pulse quicken as Charles looked her way and smiled. She grinned like an idiot, and then forced herself to act like a person of her position. She was effectively named the CEO of this company for the past six months. She made the difficult decisions and had to present herself accordingly.
Diana, sitting a foot away, noticed their looks and rolled her eyes. "You two are incorrigible," she muttered, so that only Liza could hear. She and Diana had gotten closer these past months. Liza had confided in her about what had happened between her and Charles while he was away. After a few drinks at Marie's Crisis, Diana knew everything.
After Diana made it known Charles was back, everyone shuffled around to take notes.
"Thank you, Diana. I will be back in a limited capacity for the time being, as we adjust to some changes. That brings me to the next order of business. "
Charles continued his announcements, "I don't know if you have heard, but we've had a few people who tested positive for a virus going around." Everyone looked at each other in shock. They noted a few absences and put together who it might be. "We have a plan in place, and you are asked to work from home the rest of the week. Take what you need and reschedule what you need to change. An email will be forthcoming with details for teleconferencing with our colleagues and authors. Thank you. "
As the meeting continued, steps were outlined in an email. There was a plan for everyone to get tested at a nearby clinic. Liza went ahead with the procedure, as painful as it was to get the test. She packed up her computer and the manuscripts she was working on, and headed home.
Everyone stayed at home the next few days as they waited. Maggie also decided to get a test. Work was to be done from home indefinitely.
Her coworkers she was close with all excitedly shared their negative results with her. Liza carefully opened her results from the test company.
She glanced down at her results. 'Well, looks like I got a positive one.' Her shoulders slumped. She needed to call Maggie, who was doing laundry and preparing to stay inside.
"Mine was negative, somehow!" Maggie exclaimed.
"You may want to stay away from me and sanitize everything I've touched," Liza said.
"I'm sorry to hear. You can still stay with me, I'll probably have it soon anyway."
"No. I'll go stay at a hotel or something. Just for two weeks, then I can come back. " Liza called hotels, relatives, friends, anyone who she thought might have a space for her. It crossed her mind that she could hole up in the office with a sleeping bag for two weeks. Suddenly she looked down at a text.
Charles: 'I'm positive. Looks like the girls can't come home for a while. They are at Pauline's for spring vacation.'
She texted back: 'I am too. Trying to figure out where to go so I won't infect Maggie.'
Liza's phone rang and she picked it up. She already knew who it was. "Hey," She said.
"If this is uncomfortable, you can say no. I have a guest room if you want to stay there for two weeks since we both need to quarantine," Charles said.
"That might be, um, interesting," she said. Then she wished she hadn't. Maybe Charles would rescind his offer, and she had nowhere else to go. "On second thought, I have nowhere else to go. Thank you. I'll be there as soon as I can."
After figuring out the logistics of this new situation, Liza left with her packed suitcase. There were still cabs running with extra precautions taken by the drivers. She texted Maggie that she was leaving, and where she would be.
Maggie: Really? That won't be awkward at all. *eye roll emoji*
Liza: *worried emoji* I have no other options. I don't want you getting this. Stay safe!
When Liza arrived, Charles led her inside and showed her where she would be staying. She had been in his house before, but never in the guest room. He had set up her space with a desk for her work, and the wifi instructions. She sighed. Just like a hotel, like they had never been close before. Any thoughts she had about there still being something between them evaporated. Charles was rebuilding the emotional walls that he needed to protect himself.
Later that night, she got a call from Josh. She explained where she was staying. He seemed annoyed. "Why would you stay there?" he asked. "You should be with me and Gemma."
"You didn't want me staying with you. Remember, you said the baby might get it? Maggie said you were dating Angie from the bar now. That would be awkward for all of us. It's really ok."
"That's true. I have to think about Gemma as my top concern now. I'm not with anyone anymore. That girl at the bar, that's over. It was never real. I have to refocus."
"Josh, it's going to be fine. Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself. Anyway, Charles is my friend. We both have this mystery virus, and it's better to not spread it to anyone else." She felt like she was spinning in circles defending her choice.
"That's why I asked Clare to move in just until this is over. We have to minimize contact. I might have to close the studio too. This is a mess. Well, good luck to you in your, um, situation. Bye."
After he hung up, she phoned Maggie. "Are you still ok?"
"Yep. Lauren is staying here now. Also negative. We thought it best so her apartment can just be for Josh's little family unit."
"Oh really, is that the only reason?" Liza teased.
"Of course not. You know I enjoy her company," Maggie explained. Liza had noticed them getting closer since they had both broken up with their partners these past few weeks.
Liza got off the phone and suddenly sneezed a few times. She was still getting over lingering bronchitis from this winter, and thought nothing more of it. Her headache from this morning had worsened. A knock on her door got her out of her head.
"Do you need anything?" Charles asked. "Towels are in the hall closet." Having been there before, she knew this, but didn't correct him.
"I'm good. Thanks." Liza paused, about to say something else.
"Goodnight, " he said and left before she had the chance to talk.
She thought about him sleeping just down the hall. How many times had they slept there together? 'No, I won't think about that. ' she silenced her mind. Little did she know, Charles was having a sleepless night thinking the same thoughts.
During the next few days, she noticed the bronchitis coming back. But the cough was different and she was starting to get a fever on top of headaches. Liza wasn't sure if this was from the new virus, or her body fighting the old illness.
Charles and Liza worked from home that week, and they developed a routine of ordering takeout and groceries to the house, while they shared cooking duties. She offered to take care of some of the chores, and they worked well together. The housekeeper had asked to take time off when she learned Charles had tested positive and he had agreed.
Toward the end of the week, Liza woke up dizzy and had trouble catching her breath. She sat down in a daze.
"You ok?" Charles asked. "Our conference call is starting. It's that author you found - that driver to the rich and famous who was gifted a winning lottery ticket. I can take notes if you need some rest."
"Yes, thank you. " She tried to rest on the sofa, but kept waking up with a cough. She was starting to get concerned. The thought of calling her doctor crossed her mind.
The call was over and Charles returned to check on Liza. He asked her the question she was already thinking. "I don't mean to overstep, but should you call the doctor and see if we can get you an appointment? I'm just concerned as I am reading accounts of this going around."
Liza agreed and was admitted to the hospital later that day. She had to go in alone, as they weren't letting anyone in to visit. "I'll let you know what happens," she told Charles. He looked worried, and gave her a quick but intense hug. "Bye. Please let me know."