“I don't want you to leave me...”

Valeria pressed her ear to Nick's mouth, but she could barely hear him.

“Nick, I'm here... Come on, get up, you have to help me!” The girl tried to lift him, but unless Nick did his part, it would be impossible.

“Why did you leave, troublemaker? Where are you?

“Nick, I haven't gone anywhere, damn it!” he snarled, pulling on his hands to make him sit up, but he was as heavy as ten bags of bricks.

“Yes, you left! You disappeared! What am I going to do if I don't find you again, troublemaker?”

He seemed to be asleep, but Valeria remained still as she finally managed to understand what he was talking about. Nick was raving about the months she had been in Europe. Had he really been looking for her?

“No honey, I'm back now,” she told him to calm him down. “Come on, aren't you going to give me a hug?”

Nick half-opened his eyes, but Valeria doubted he was really conscious.

“Do you still want to hug me, troublemaker?”

“Of course I do, baby. Come on,