I can't do this.

That stupid stomach virus that made its way through the office hit me around four in the morning. I felt like I gotten rid of my energy with my dinner. I hadn't felt that bad in a while. I tried to make myself drink loads of water. I felt dizzy and empty. I attempted to go back to sleep for a couple more hours. Although I did actually go back to sleep, when I woke up at seven, I felt as if I just had an all nighter.

I forced myself to get dressed, and take a shower. I did myself a favor last night and set out my clothes for today. I put on a white button down, and a dark grey blazer with jeans. I slipped on some black pumps and marched myself out the door.

I walked into the hotel lobby and slipped on my sunglasses. The light from the window in the hotel lobby fed my headache. My eyes were puffy and droopy.

"Wow, you look nice." Chris unexpectedly popped up next to me. For a second I was startled. I glanced over to him, and was to weak to even smile.

"Thanks, why are you here?"

"Waiting for you, everything okay?" He asked questioning the sunglasses while still being inside.

"Yeah, keep your distance. I got the stomach flu."

"Oh jeez" he said.

"Ready?" I asked, he looked at me skeptical, but he still followed me out the door. I appreciated that he didn't try to talk me out of going to work. I wasn't going to miss today for the world. I had one goal: Get Mr. Peters to sign the contract.

In the car ride to work I dozed off and on and fought the need to throw up. I pulled myself together and grabbed a water bottle before walking to my office.

"Good luck." Chris said before walking away

"I'm going to need it." The world was spinning but I held my ground.

I waited an hour for Mr. Peters, he was late. I was irritated when he finally showed his face.

"Ms. Jones" he said shaking my hand. I smiled and took a deep breath.

"Mr. Peters, why don't you follow me." I said, I ushered him further in the set.

"I hope, I'm not in your way. I just wanted to get a better understanding of this process."

"I perfectly understand" I didn't. I showed pictures, and explained the set building process in the meeting. We toured a set currently being made.

"Are these all up to standard code?" Mr. Peters asked slapping a wall almost like he was testing it's stability.

"Of course, I like to be strict on that. The actors and camera crew need to be as safe as possible at all times." Mr. Peter just gave an uninterested hum. My blood boiled, not from my fever, but from my anger. He strolled away from me wandering into where most of my crew was working. I huffed and followed him at a pace that I could take without falling. I wiped the sweat off my forehead, and fixed my blazer so it covered me more before I even addressed Mr. Peters.

"Sir, before we head in this area you need to put on a hard hat and goggles." I told him grabbing the items.

"Why, am I not safe?"

"It's just a precaution." I carefully explained. Has this man never been to a construction site? I gave him a little tour, explaining what each team is currently working on. He thankfully kept his mouth shut, and just nods.

"We have a set currently in use, would you like to see it?" I asked him. I ushered Mr. Peters towards the other side of the set. We walked at a slow pace so I don't fall over. I was feeling a little hazy, my condition seemed to be slowly getting worse. My head was killing me, and my energy was gone.

We finally made it on the other side of set and I pointed out what we built.

"This is what a finished product looks like. Feel free to walk around it, I'll be right here." I leaned against a table for support. He just nodded and shuffled his way around the set. I took a breather and tried to focus my dizziness. I took a sip of my water and ignored the nausea.

"How is it going?" Chris asked slowly coming up to me. I keep my face foreword, focusing on the horizon.

"I don't know." I looked him up and down before I asked him, "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to check up on you. How are you feeling?"

"Good enough. You could have just texted me." I would have ignored it, but it was less effort than coming down to my side of the set to ask about my condition.

"When are you going back to your hotel?"

"As soon as I close this deal."

"Luce, you're looking a little pale and green, why don't you just reschedule?"

"Because I can do this." I answered him starting to get a little annoyed. I didn't need anyone hovering over me.

"Well I know you can, but you don't have to." This finally got my attention and I looked at him. Before I could say anything Mr. Peters wandered back.

"What did you think Mr. Peters? This is my friend Chris Evans." I introduced and Chris politely shook hands with him.

"Ms. Jones, do you usually mingle with the actors, or do you work?" I wanted to strangle the man right now.

"I usually work Mr. Peters. Do you want to see any more? Any more questions?"

"None."

"Then follow me." I requested keeping my head high. Mr. Peters and his balding head followed me.

I took Mr. Peters in to the meeting room, took out the contracts, sat him down. I slid the contracts in his face.

"Mr. Peters are you ready to sign?" I asked leaning back in my chair. He took out his glasses and read through the print.

"I would like to negotiate the price."

"Mr. Peters" I started to say in a calm voice. "That is not up for negotiation, those are the terms and conditions"

"Ms. Jones, answer me this, why should I pay such a big price for your sets."

"I think it's very clear why. We design and build them. Our sets have been featured on just about every Marvel movie since Iron Man. We've worked with Lionsgate and other huge companies. We get the job done pretty well. Now tell me why, you believe you shouldn't pay full price for our work?"

"I just don't think this company is big enough, and has enough power to really do a good job for Sony."

"Jones Studio is becoming one of the top set building studios in Hollywood. We have to hire people every month to keep up. Mr. Peters, you must trust me to get this job done for you, because I will. This is your decision, and I truly hope you make the right one." I challenged staring him right in the eyes.

It was about five when I stepped out of the office. I was exhausted. My heels were in my hands, I felt as if I couldn't walk. My fever was worse, and so was my dizziness. I hadn't eaten anything all day. I was scared I would throw it up during my meeting. I wanted to go home.

I trudged towards the exit and before I turned the corner I saw Chris, sitting on the chair I use if people are waiting to meet me in the office. I wanted to turn around and slam my head through the wall. Why couldn't he leave me to be gross and sick alone?

"What are you doing here?" I asked him softly.

"I'm taking you home, wasn't sure if you were still in the meeting."

"I was tying up loose ends." I replied shuffling towards the exit. He stood up and stayed at my side. "Aren't they missing you at work?"

"They can go without me."

"Your character's name is part of the actual title. I doubt they can. Go back to work Chris."

"What you don't want me here?" He joked

"No, I just don't want to get in your way. And I don't want you sick." I don't want to be a burden. His burden.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of everything." He promised trying to sooth me. I still worried because I'm me and he's him.

"Please don't worry about me." I whined rubbing my eyes. I was too tired to argue, especially a stupid argument.

"Luce you look half dead. Just let me drive you back to the hotel and grab some Tylenol and soup for you."

"I won't eat the soup."

"Have you eaten anything today?"

"No because I don't feel like throwing it all back up. I'll be fine in the morning. I'm calling an uber." I stubbornly claimed opened the door. My feet dragged as I randomly put on my sunglasses like they would help my headache.

"Get in the car." Chris pointed to the car parked in the front of the lot.

"You're the worst." I groaned getting into his front seat.

"Yeah, and you're a pill." He told me starting the car.

"I know, I'm sorry. I just want to go back to the hotel and never come out."

We drove passed a drugstore. "Do you want to stop for some medicine?" Chris asked

"No. Really, I have Tylenol in my bag. I'll be fine thank you."

"Hey call me if you need anything." Chris told me shifting the car into park outside my hotel.

"Thank you. You're the best." I said dragging out the 'you'. I shot him a fake smile that made him roll his eyes. I got out of his car and he watched me stumble inside the hotel before driving away.