Chapter Thirty-Nine|Feeling A little Flu'y

Euphoria released a breath as she rubbed her eyes. She'd been sitting in her study after returning from the club meeting. After reading overly exaggerated lengthy e-mails Euphoria had come to the conclusion that her alleged aunt is deranged. Stewart was not lying that Melissa Creek, her late uncle's ex-wife, had gone to great lengths to gain her attention.

Melissa Creek had gone on to provide the proof that security had demanded. Euphoria found photo albums upon photo albums, teady bears and a few supposed family heirlooms. Looking through the box struck a cord in her heart.

"Miss." George, the butler, bowed at the now open door. "I knocked but you didn't answer, I thought something must've been wrong."

"No sorry, that was my mistake. I just have a lot on my mind. What can I do for you?" Euphoria rubbed her eyes once more.

"I came to inform you that dinner will be served in ten minutes."

"Oh great, I'm hunrgy. I'll be down in a few. Oh and may you please ensure there's a glass of water and pain killers at my plate setting."

"Of course ma'am." He bowed once more before leaving.

Euphoria stood up with a stretch and yawn. She slipped on her fluffy slippers and left her study. When she'd returned from the strip club she had removed her blazer, holster and replaced heels with slippers.

She could hear the all too familiar chatter and laughter of the family in the main dining room as she neared it. It brought a sense of déjá vu. Euphoria could feel her mood lift slightly at the thought of listening to everyone's stories of the day. Upon entering the dining room she smiled with a greeting at everyone present. She took her seat and waited for everyone else to arrive.

"Is your face like that because your tired or are those signs of aging as I can see some wrinkles." Simone sneered.

Euphoria scoffed. "Watch yourself trick. I'm younger than you last I checked. And we all know that black don't crack so all you're doing is looking stupid as hell with such remarks." She shot back.

"It won't be long before you're out of here."

"Who the hell invited you?" Gabriela asked.

"Mommy, bad word." Sean, her youngest son, said.

"Sorry honey." She patted his head lightly.

"Hey don't look at me." Imelda held up her hands. "This time I didn't invite her. She just showed up." She explained as everyone looked to her. Euphoria sighed sitting back in her seat ready for the day to come to an end.

Emilio, Parlo, Demetrius and Benny arrived after a short while with Salvatore trailing behind them. Everyone else had already been present. Once seated they said grace before the starters were served.

"Are you ok baby?" Euphoria asked Salvatore as she watched him pick at his food. She lifted her hand up paced her hand against his forehead. "You're heating up."

"No, my tummy hurts." He murmured before sitting back in his seat.

"What did you eat after lunch, during snack time?" Euphoria frowned.

"I had cookies, some candy and also a can of soda." He told her.

"Didn't I tell you not to eat anymore junk for today since you had dessert during lunch?" Euphoria asked as she finished up her salad.

Just as Salvatore opened his mouth to speak, he projectile vomited. Euphoria jumped back a little too late as some landed on her top and lap as the rest felt to the floor. Her face scrunched up at the acidic smell and the slimy feel of the body fluid. Euphoria could hear him begin to cry as everyone exclaimed at his sudden action of vomiting.

"I've got him dear, you go clean up." She heard Penelope say as Demetrius tried to wipe off the vomit on her.

"I'll be quick. Just have him rinse his mouth, drink water and-"

"I know sweetheart just go. He'll be fine."

Euphoria nodded before going up to shower. After making extra sure that she didn't smell of vomit she got dressed in grey leggings and one of Demetrius's t-shirts. Putting on a different pair of slippers she quickly tied up her hair before making her way to Salvatore's room which was two doors down.

"Hey, how's he doing?" Euphoria asked as she entered the room.

"He won't eat anything because he's scared that he'll vomit again." Penelope sighed as she rubbed his back. "Salvatore doesn't like vomiting, he'd rather catch a cold than vomit. He's been like this since he was a baby."

"Well it's not as if vomiting is like winning the lottery." Euphoria offered dryly. "I've got him from here, you can go have dinner."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure." She nodded with a small smile.

"Alright I'll have Demetrius bring you something."

"Thank you." Euphoria said before walking over to the crying boy.

When Euphoria got a good look at his face no tears were rolling down his cheeks and all he was doing was making the crying sound. "C'mon now, no tears are coming out. Stop crying or else you'll give yourself a headache."

All he did was hiccup and continue with his "crying". Euphoria sighed before getting up and going over to the panel by the door and buzzed for George. She went back to the bed and began to soothe Salvatore as she rubbed his back slowly. It got his cries to decrease in volume.

"You called ma'am."

"Yes. May you please have a small tomatoe soup made with plain toast on the side, painkillers that are child friendly, a bucket one quarter filled with water, a bowl of cold tap water with Salvatore's wash rag and a glass of water brought up for me please. Oh, and may you please call Dr. Rizzo to be here within two hours. Also have a staff meeting held tomorrow morning."

"Yes ma'am." George bowed before leaving with a light click of the door closing behind him.

By the time Dr. Rizzo had arrived George had done everything that she had asked of him. Euphoria was also able to bathe and dress Salvatore in a thin pair of pajamas before Dr. Rizzo arrived. Salvatore had managed to eat some of the toast and tomatoe soup without throwing it up. However, that didn't last long after he took the medicine. He threw everything up and started crying once more. Euphoria was able to get him to drink a bit of water with the help of Demetrius. He had arrived before Dr. Rizzo after Salvatore had vomited for the second time.

"It seems he has the stomach flu." Dr. Rizzo said after she had checked up on him. "For now, don't feed him anything and have him sleep until tomorrow. If he wakes up hunrgy in the middle of the night give him something small and stray away from proteins. If he still doesn't want to eat tomorrow morning just give him half a pill of these pills to open his appetite. If he's hungry but still can't keep anything down or is scared of vomiting again, give him one of these pills. Then this syrup will help relieve the burn from vomiting in his esophagus. Ensure he doesn't become dehydrated and that he is comfortable. It is normal for him to sleep tonight and most of tomorrow away. By tomorrow night or the morning after he should be alright." Dr. Rizzo stated as she placed the medication on his bedside table. "And for the temperature: it should be going down since you've already given him a bath, got him dressed appropriately and for the cold cloth on his forehead. If his condition doesn't improve then you'll have to come down to my office so we can run all test and take an x-ray."

"Thank you for your help once again Dr. Rizzo." Euphoria sent a greatful smile her way.

"My pleasure." The woman nodded with small smile before packing up her equipment. George had one of the guards walk her out.

"You called a staff meeting?" Demetrius tilted his head in question as he watched her rub Salvatore's back soothingly.

"Yes and you're going to deal with it this time." She grumbled. "I'm sick of some or these workers stepping out of line and disobeying orders. I want it fixed by lunch time tomorrow."

Demetrius gave her a nod before standing to his feet. "I'll go take a shower and join you both afterwards." He turned to George. "George please have her dinner brought up with the pain killers and a cup of tea."

"Yes sir." He nodded before leaving the room.

"I'll be back in a few minutes." He kissed her head.

"We're spending the night in here?" Euphoria asked with a quirked brow.

"Yes. I want to make sure nothing happens to him."

"Alright see you in a few."

~¤~

Euphoria groggily opened her eyes and climbed over Demetrius to reach the screeching phone. With her half of her body laying on him and the other in the spot she was in, she answered the phone.

"What?" She snapped.

"Ma'am a miss Tasha is at one of the club's asking for you."

"At this hour of the morning? Do you have any idea what time it is?"

"We didn't want to disturb you miss but she threatened to go to the cops."

"Take her to a hotel or something. Just shut her the fučk up until I get to her. If she has any confiscate all her devices and search her. I don't trust her. Stay vigilant."

"Yes ma'am."

"Ok bye." Euphoria hung up with out waiting for an answer.

"What was that about?" Demetrius asked groggily as he wrapped his arms around her.

"We will talk in the morning. Just sleep for now." She murmured.

"Alright." He pecked her lips. "Get off me."

"No Salvatore is kicking the shít out of me." Euphoria wrapped her arms around him

"I told you he kicks. Even you kick."

"Shut up Demetrius. Sleep time now." Euphoria growled playfully.

"Big baby."

"Big zaddy."

"Don't start." He warned.

"You started it."