Anna felt very tired than usual days and decided to go home early and take rest. It was seven-thirty in the evening when she reached home and dusk was taking place early than the usual. She entered inside the house and went upstairs to go check on Jasmine only to find her missing. Then she made her way downstairs and into the common hall but there was no one.

"Where's everyone?"

"They're at the kitchen, Dear," A familiar voice answered from behind and she turned back to see.

"Mrs Pitt, you're back." Anna smiled widely and hugged her immediately. "When did you come?"

Mrs Pitt is the Butler of the house. She is Lady in her mid-fifties.

"I arrived a while ago."

"I'm so glad that you're back. I miss you're cooking. I was honestly getting tired of eating my brothers cooking." She complains into a whine.

"I heard that," Vernon popped out from the kitchen and Jasmine followed him behind. "You barely comes home and here you are complaining about my cooking," He pointed out and crossed his arms over his chest. "And moreover Mrs Pitt was only away for two weeks and FYI; you were home only for two or three days for the last two weeks, Princess,"

"But still these two days stay and eating their cooking was torturous," Anna joked and stuck her tongue out at him. Then she diverted her gaze towards Jasmine and strolled towards her. "How are you feeling now?" she asked softly and cupped her cheek.

"I'm fine now. I'm getting better." Jasmine answered, keeping her hand on top of hers and smiled at her.

"By the way, what were you two doing in the kitchen?" Anna asked looking at Vernon with a teasing look. Vernon rolled his eyes over before poking on his sister's forehead.

"Cooking," He said and pinched on her both cheek. Anna groaned in pain and did the same but she pinched harder on her brother's cheeks.

"Leave," Vernon demand, mumbling.

"You first," Anna protested under her mumbling.

"Both of you, stop being childish," Michael chided at them in amusement. "On the count of three, 1,2—" he said quickly and both of them quickly released their hands from each other. Anna palmed her cheeks and nudged it gently. Vernon removed her hands and placed his palmed over her cheeks and nudged it.

"Did I hurt you?" He asked softly. Anna shook her head tiredly. He chuckled at her before placing a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Where's Val?" Anna asked.

"Maya took him over her place. She'll bring him home later." Michael answered and turned his gaze to Jasmine. "Jasmine," He called her softly. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling better." She smiled at him.

"Glad to know that. Make yourself home, alright?" He said with a sincere smile.

"Thank you, Zio." She smiled back at him.

Then suddenly Anna felt her head heavy and was about to stumble on the floor. Vernon was beside her and he quickly took notice of her and held her by her shoulders.

"Tessa, are you okay?" Vernon voiced in worried.

"I'm alright, I'm just tired a little bit," she said pressing her fingers on her forehead.

"I'm taking you to your room and get you a long rest," Vernon said and lifted her up on his arms. "You should take care of your health first. The hospital works are taking a huge toll on you." He chided softly as he ascended up the stairs.

"I'm just tired. I'll sleep for a while and I'll be totally alright," Anna's voice came out in a whisper.

"You can hardly speak." He sighed. He laid her on her bed and laid next to her. "Go to sleep, Princess." He said softly and brushed on her hair gently. After some minutes, Anna was asleep and was making soft snores. Vernon placed a kiss on her forehead before slowly getting off from the bed. He turned the light off on his way out and closed the door behind.

"How is she?" Jasmine appeared in front of him and asked in concern.

"She's sleeping." He sighed in worry. "I'm so worried about her health."

"Don't worry," Jasmine said and gently nudged on his arms. "She'll be fine." She said in an assuring voice and comforts him. Vernon nodded and gave her a weak smile. "I'm so happy for Anna that she has a brother like you. Thank you so much for taking care of her, protecting her and everything—we were so worried about her for the past five years." She said as tears formed on her eyes. Vernon pulled her softly into a hug. "I was so worried about my little angel." She sniffled under his chest.

"Shh—" Vernon shushed her softly and patted her back gently.

***

Joshua was back at home from his business. He got inside the house and strolled into the common hall and found Vernon and Jasmine, sitting on the couch, talking to each other.

"Tessa's home early, I saw her car at the entrance. When did she come home?" He said and sat on the couch opposite to them.

"An hour ago," Vernon answered. "She's very tired. She's sleeping now."

Joshua nodded at him and diverted his gaze at Jasmine. "Your family was asking for you. You should give them a call." He said and stood up from his place. "You can stay here as long as you want. Just let me know when you feel like going home. I'll book the ticket for you." He said with a sincere smile.

Jasmine blushed and tugged her hair behind her ear. "Thank you very much," she said courtly with a hint of shyness. She couldn't deny but admire how manly and handsome Joshua was—all the mafia men are. Then suddenly they hurt the sound of bullets going off from a distance and immediately Joshua and Vernon pulled out their guns from their waistband and got alarmed. Soon Michael walked out from his room with his gun ready at his hand.

"What's going on?" He asked glancing at Joshua.

"Don," Matteo, the head of security came in rushing. "It's an ambush. The Morgan's are opening fire." Jasmine stood up from her place at once and fisted her hands in anger.

"They're here for Jasmine," Joshua snapped.

"Jasmine, stay in your room and do not come outside," Vernon said in a low tone.

"No, give me a gun. I will put every bit of bullet inside him for every bit he ordered his men to torture me." She gritted out in anger.

"Don't be stubborn and go to your room, now," Vernon said and gave her a pointed look. Jasmine glared at him before giving up and going to her room.

"Secure the house. And get ready. Kill each and every man of his." Joshua ordered.

Anna woke up immediately at the sound of bullets going off from downstairs and quickly got off from the bed. She swiftly pulled her door opened and came face to face with Jasmine.

"What's going on?" Anna asked in alarmed.

"Morgan's has opened fire," Jasmine said. "They're here for me."

"There's no way I'm letting them take you away from here," Anna grunted and took her by her hand and pulled her inside and locked her in her room.

"Anna, let me out," Jasmine shouted from the other side.

"Stay low, Jasmine. I have to protect my brothers."

"Let me help you."

"No, they're here for you. I can't take the risk." Anna said and quickly strolled towards Vernon's room. She pulled out the drawer of the nightstand and took his guns and suited herself. And as she made to downstairs, her eyes caught to a man who was about to shoot at Joshua. She quickly shot at the man's hand and charged towards him. The man looked up to him only to be knocked out on his forehead and fell unconscious. The men were busy shooting that they didn't notice her. Anna hid behind pillars to pillars and shot each and every man one by one and knocked them down.

Vernon slid over and hid behind the wall. His eyes went wide in shock when he saw Anna behind the pillar.

"What the hell are you doing down here?" Vernon asked angrily. Vernon's gun was out of ammo. Anna took out another gun from her back and threw it towards him. He caught the gun in his hand and gave her a pointed look.

One man appeared beside her from out of nowhere and pulled the trigger at her but luckily his gun was out of the bullet. Anna smirked at him and grabbed his hand and twisted it. He fell on his knee and knocked him hard on his forehead with the back of the gun.

Vernon came beside her and stared at the unconscious body and then looked at her. "C'mon," He sighed and dragged her along with her. There were no men anymore. They were retreating back.

Vernon and Anna ran out from the house only to see Joshua shooting his gun dangerously at the back of the car driving away. He stopped shooting once the car was out of sight. He cursed out loud in anger and kicked on the driveway. Then he turned back and his eyes went wide in shock, looking at Anna and also with a gun. He strolled towards her and took the gun from her.

"What the hell are you doing down here and with a gun?" Joshua grumbled and gave her a pointed look.

"Joshua," Michael, along with Matteo and some men came rushing towards them. "Are you all okay?" he asked and it took some seconds to notice Anna. "Biscuit, what are you doing down here? You look messed up. Did she—"

"Yes, she did." Vernon interrupted looking sharply at her.

"It's dangerous." Michael couldn't help but chide at her.

"Matteo, take care of the bodies," Joshua ordered him. Then he went on checking the gun that Anna was holding earlier. He took out the magazine and found it empty. He gave her a disapproving look before sighing in defeat. "Tessa," He shook his head and sighed again but this time in amusement. "What will I do with you?"

"Nothing, I was just protecting my family and—" Her words died midway when a sudden pain pricked from her left abdomen. She groaned and pressed onto her abdomen and slump her sides.

"Tessa," Vernon came beside her in an instant and lifted the hem of her shirt gently. Blood was dripping out from her wound. "Damn it, she's been shot." He cursed under his breath and looked at Joshua.

"I can't feel the bullet." She said like it was of nothing big. "It's just a slide."

"Just a slide," Joshua chided at her.

"I was totally fine some seconds ago." She pouted sadly and looked at the ground.

"Let's get you treated and we'll talk about it later," Joshua said softly and led her inside the house.

They got inside her room and Jasmine volunteered to tend on her wound since none of the males knows how to stitch, they'll make it even worse. Anna held onto Joshua tightly as Jasmine stitches her cut.

"Where did you learn that?" Anna asked her as Jasmine cut the last of the thread.

"I learned it from Severina." Jasmine smiled before turning a straight face at her. "You locked me inside."

"I was protecting you," Anna said cheekily.

"I know you are the Ace but baby sister, you shouldn't be very selfish." Jasmine crossed her arms over her chest and chided her but softly. "Don't do anything on your own."

"Si," Vernon agreed with her.

Then there was a soft knock on the door to which Joshua gestured Matteo to come in.

"Don, we found nine dead and seven unconscious bodies including the bullets injury." He informed and Joshua snapped his head at Anna.

"Seven unconscious bodies," Joshua deadpanned but there was a glimpse of amusement in his voice.

"That's her doing," Vernon said looking down at her and gave her a proud smile.

"They are locked down at the basement."

"Secure the house and double the security in every corner." He commanded. Matteo nodded at him before leaving the room.

"Jo, I'm sleeping with you tonight," Anna said resting her head on his shoulder.

"Of course." He kissed the top of her head. "You witnessed many today." He said quietly.

"Anna, you're still suffering from this phobia?" Jasmine asked softly and Anna nodded at her.

"How is my little love doing?" Reginald asked as Michael rolled him inside.

"I'm alright, Nonno. It was just a small cut." Anna said with a smile making her brothers frowned at her.

"Small cut." Vernon scoffed. "You just earned seven stitches, Princess." He reminded her in a sharp tone.

"It's nothing," She muttered bitterly under her breath, not looking up at her brother and Vernon narrowed his eyes down at her.

"I'm proud of you, my little love," Reginald said softly and smiled at her. "Anita had trained you all very well," he added glancing at Jasmine then to Anna. "She had always been the second-best when it comes to women."

"Who was the first?" Anna asked.

"Your mother, Jocylene," He answered softly looking at her. Anna looked down on her lap and remained silent. "And you are just like your mother. Innocent, pure and loving but tough at the same time, your father was head over heel for her when he saw her for the first time." He said with a glint of reminiscing. "He nagged me so much to marry your mother." He chuckled softly. Anna smiled beautifully looking at her Nonno.

"Though I agreed to let them marry, I was late and the marriage was taken to the Worthy," Reginald added with a bit of remorse in his tone.

"And Papa won the Worthy and married our Momma," Joshua said looking down her.

"What is The Worthy?" Anna asked, hearing about it for the first time.

"A tradition. It is a battle zone. If the proposal—marriage proposal are numerous from the royalty, they take it to the Worthy in order to have a fair acceptance and the one who wins will be the suitor for the betrothal." Michael explained.

"That's ancient era!" Anna exclaimed with wide eyes open.

"We are ancient. We have followed this tradition for a generation. Royalty blood runs through us." Michael said proudly opening his arms wide.

"Alright," Anna chuckled at him. "What about women? Do they follow this tradition as well? Do they battle like men for the marriage?" She asked.

"Yeah, it's the same for women too but never once the situation occurs for the women to battle for the marriage," Michael answered in deep thought.

"You're missing the important keyword there, Zio—the battle is dead or alive," Vernon said crossing his arms over his chest.

"That's barbaric!" Anna said in horror. "Who establishes this stupid tradition?" She asked to no one in particular.

"Well, that will be your great-great-great-grandfather, Salvatore," Reginald said in amusement. Anna sighed and looked at her Nonno. She wanted to talk about The Absolute that he has created but couldn't bring it up. Reginald titled his head sideways and arched his both eyebrows at her. "Is there something you want to say, my little love?" he asked softly.

Anna blinked hard from her reverie and looked at him. "Nothing," She sighed and glanced at Vernon who returned her a knowing look. Then suddenly Joshua phone vibrated under his pocket and everyone turned to face him. He fetched his phone and received it. After listening to it for some moments, hung up the call.

"Vernon, you have to leave for Italy in two days and deal with the investors," Joshua informed to which Vernon nodded at him. "Jasmine, do you wanna go with him in two days or you want to stay for a while?" he asked looking at her.

Jasmine glanced at Vernon and think for some seconds. "I'll leave with him." she decided. "My family must be worried and I have my works to do." She added.

"Alright," Joshua nod at her. "Gentlemen, in the study now," He informed glancing at each man present in the room.

"Take rest, my little love," Reginald said before Michael rolled him away from the room. Vernon leaned down and placed a soft kiss on his sister's forehead before leaving the room.

"You should take rest now, Tessa," Joshua said softly over her hair and placed a kiss on top of her head. "I'll come and accompany you later." He said and stood up from the bed. "You should rest too, Jasmine." He patted softly on her shoulder and smiled at her before walking out of the room.

"So you're leaving in two days?" Anna said softly to which Jasmine smiled and nodded her head slowly. "I'll miss you,"

"I'll miss you too, my little angel." Jasmine pulled her into a soft hug. "Do you still think of him?" She asked softly and pulled away. She grasped on her hand and looked at her. "I'm sorry if I hurt you. It's been five years and both of you didn't even get the chance for the proper goodbyes—" Anna kept silent and listened to her. Leo has not told them yet. "I know that our families are worlds apart, but I really wish that you both end up together—I don't want Ballerina and him to get married—" Anna jerked an eyebrow and tilted her head as jealousy took over her face.

"Who the—I mean who is Ballerina?" She asked trying to mask her emotion.

"She's Severina's niece. I don't like her." Jasmine answered in a bad-tempered at the thought of her. "She has a huge crush on Leo since childhood, that's what I heard and she wants to marry him." She added. Anna crossed her arms over her chest and sucked a sharp breath trying to stay calm. Jasmine noticed her reaction and looked at her in amusement. "You still love him," she stated softly. Anna didn't say anything and simply glance at her.

"You have to know that there have been many marriage proposals for him for the past five years," Jasmine trudged her words slowly and glanced at Anna, reading her expression.

"I hope he's not married yet," Anna said trying to pretend to not know anything at all.

"He kept rejecting. Severina's worried of him, you know. He kept rejecting and creating more enemies. Almost all the mafias want to avenge him." Jasmine said in a mixture of serious and worries tone.

"Arrogant and narrow-minded people," Anna scoffed quietly under gritted teeth, glaring on the tiles. "Why are they all after my boyfriend? I will protect him from everyone." She mutters quietly under her breath.

"You look pissed," Jasmine said in amusement.

"Anyone will be pissed after hearing that," She said lazily, masking away her emotions. "Am I not right?"

"Yes, you're right," Jasmine smiled at her. "You should rest now, Anna," She said softly gesturing at her wound. "I'll see you later, my little angel." She kissed on her both cheeks. She smiled down at her to which Anna returned the smiled and she walked out of the room.

Always Smile,

Happy Virus,