Anna quickly dashed out from her room and ran downstairs. And as she opened the door, she saw a black SUV parked in front of the house. Without wasting a second, she rushed towards it and opened the car door. She gasped out loud and her hands reached for her mouth at the sight of Leo. His white shirt was stained with blood and his hands were painted with it.

"Anna!" he panted as he heavily blinked at her.

"Don't say a word," Anna said hurriedly but softly and helped him out of the car. She then placed his hand around her shoulder and support him in walking.

"I'm-sorry—" He struggled to speak up. "—for troubling you, I didn't—"

"Stop talking, Leo." She interrupted quietly.

She led him inside her room and placed him gently on her bed. She scurried towards her closet and fetch the first aid box from the top shelf and then she went to the other shelf and took out her surgical instruments.

"Leo, please stay awake," she said worriedly and leaned down closer to him and unbuttoned his shirt and took it off. She fetched for the painkiller and injected on his wound. Leo winced in pain and clenched his jaw tightly. She took the forceps on her hand and gave him a troubled look.

"Do it," Leo said and gave her a nod.

Anna dipped the instrument into his wound and tried her best to gently stroke it while searching for the bullet. Leo shut his eyes tightly and groaned under his gritted teeth. After some seconds, she finally tapped on the bullet and carefully took it out. Leo groaned in relieved right after the bullet was removed and shut opened his eyes. She placed the bullet on the bowl and gently cleaned the blood with soft rags. She put some ointment around the wound and wrapped the bandage around it.

"Thank you," he said softly. All this time, Anna was contending herself not to show any emotions but she couldn't take it anymore and suddenly tears fell down through her cheeks.

"I'm sorry," she quickly wiped her tears and look away from him. "I don't know why am I even crying." She sniffled and drifted her eyes towards him. "What happened? Who did this to you?"

"The Sylvesters'." He spat out.

"You know that your enemies are after your life and still you came out alone with no securities," Anna said in a chided tone.

"You're worried about me!" he pointed out softly.

"I'm not," she snapped and looked away from him. "I'll be downstairs if you need anything—" she stood up from her place and looked down at him. "—don't call me." She deadpanned making Leo to chuckled at her softly.

"You can sleep in your bed. I will be leaving now." He said as he straightened up on the bed.

"You're not going anywhere!" she scolded him and make a move towards him but accidentally she tangled her legs and trip over him and came face to face. Her eyes went wide opened at the closeness they were sharing at the moment. She quickly looked away and attempted to straighten up but Leo wrapped his one hand around her waist and pulled her closer, stopping her from moving away. Her heart beats became irrational and her mind went blank, lost in his eyes. Leo eyes drifted down to her lips and move forward, closing the distance between them. But just as he was milli-seconds away in crashing his lips to her, the loud rings from his phone distract them.

Anna quickly came to her sense and immediately pulled away from him. She cleared her throat awkwardly and looked everywhere but him. Leo frowned angrily and reach for his cellphone in his pant pocket.

"Yes, Alesso!"

"Oh, you sound angry. Did I disturb something beautiful?" Alesso cooed teasingly when he noticed his harsh tone.

"What happened? Why did you call?"

"We were worried about you, you're not home yet! Are you staying the night there?"

"No. I'm coming right away!" Leo answered making Anna give him a pointed look. Then she quickly grabbed the phone from him and put it over her ear.

"Alesso, Leo's spending the night here. He's not in a good shape to be moving around." She informed.

"Anna!—what are you doing with my brother?"

"Your brother needs to rest. He's injured—talk to him in the morning—goodnight Alesso." She ignored his questioned and said.

"Okay—I'll talk to him tomorrow—goodnight to you too, Anna."

And she hung up the call and handed it over to Leo.

"Thanks to you, now my brothers will be cursing to kill me right now." He rolled his eyes over and sighed.

"Why!" She questioned.

"I threatened them to stay away from you. And now that they know I am with you, they'll misunderstand the whole thing."

"Why did you threaten them to stay away for me?" she pointed out and asked.

"I don't want your life to be in danger. It will be better if you stay away from all of us, my family." He didn't look at her. "I have enemies who want me dead any moment and I don't want you anywhere around me which will cause your life in danger—" he gravely added and sighed, "—but damn! This is hard, I just can't stay away from you." He muttered quietly under his breath but Anna heard him clearly and pretended not to know of it.

"You sound coward!" she said quietly staring at the floor. Leo snapped his head towards her and furrowed his brows. "If I was in your place, I would do whatever to protect the one I love and staying away will be the least in all."

"So you're suggesting me to stay with you all the time and protect you!" Leo pointed out, feeling amused. "I would love to do that then!"

"No—I didn't mean it that way." She scowled and rolled her eyes over. "And moreover it's not like we are in love." She blurted out, shrugging. Leo quickly jerked his eyebrows and looked at her through his lashes with a small amused smile playing on his lips. Anna quickly looked away from him and cleared her throat awkwardly. "If the Sylvesters think that I'm very familiar with your family and that they can use me as a bait to get to you then they're damn wrong. I barely know your family—I barely know you—any of you!" she added feeling annoyed.

"But the Sylvester doesn't know that." He pointed out. "They think differently and they think wrong."

"Then let them be, they'll never get me. You don't have to worry—I mean you don't have to worry at all even if they get me. It's not like you will give yourself to save me." Anna said simply and shrugged off.

"I will." Leo deadpanned making her frown over at him. "I can't let an innocent die because of me." He added.

"Whatever!" She sighed. "All I want to say is you don't need to worry or protect me. I have many knights by my side to protect, I have my sisters and my own self." She smiled to herself before looking at him. "And tell your men to stop tailing around me. I can see them everywhere since morning."

"You're smarter than I thought. How did you know that they were my men?" he asked amusedly.

"I have my ways." She said cheekily. "You should rest now, goodnight!" she wished him and turned to walk away.

"Will you be able to sleep tonight?" he asked behind her making her stopped at her track. "You said earlier that you lose your sleep when you witness a murder." He reasoned quietly. "Actually you don't lose your sleep, it comes from inside your head. You keep thinking of it and don't sleep at all."

"Okay! So can you suggest me what will I do then to forget it and get sleep?" she turned and asked in a sarcastic tone.

"In times like this, you shouldn't be alone. You should preoccupy your mind with happy memories."

"I always go to my sister to sleep with her in times like this. But I stop doing that months ago, I'm trying to overcome this disorder." She said.

"You sounds like you witness murders every day." He pointed out, jerking an eyebrow at her.

"Not every day!" She looked away and said quietly.

"You're so mysterious," Leo sighed.

"And you're so complicated." She retorted and turned away. "Go to sleep, Giant and let me sleep too. Goodnight." She said as she made her way out of the room.

"Bouna noutte, Mio coure,"

Anna went downstairs to the living room and laid on the couch. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep but she couldn't. Hours had past and it started to rain heavily outside. She got off from the couch and went to check on the kids. The kids were sleeping safe and sound. Then she silently made her way to her room to check on Leo. She strolled inside and saw him sleeping but as she went closer towards him, she saw him shivering.

"Jesus! You're burning, Leo." She said placing her hand on his forehead. She pulled up the blanket over him and quickly went downstairs to fetch some cold water and soft linen. She went to her room and placed the bowl of cold water on the nightstand. She soaks the soft material and placed it on his forehead. She stayed up all night changing the cloth and checking on his temperature.

Anna opened her eyes slowly and suddenly straightened up. It was already bright outside and she didn't know when she slept over. She removes the cloth from his forehead and touch it and sighed in relieved knowing that his fever has died. Leo was sleeping peacefully and was making soft snores. Anna couldn't help but laughed silently under her hand as he was looking so adorable in his sleeping position. She then went downstairs and decided to make breakfast for the kids and some healthy soup for Leo.

"Goodmorning, Anna!"

"Goodmorning, Lizzie." She smiled and went towards the little girl. "Are the others awake?" she asked and Lizzie nodded at her. "Good, breakfast is just ready. Go and call everyone for breakfast, dear."

"Anna," Lizzie smiled shyly and Anna hummed in reply. "There's a handsome man sleeping in your bed."

"He's a friend of mine," she said amusedly. "Now go and call everyone for breakfast," Lizzie nodded at her and ran out of the kitchen. She lifted the hot chicken soup from the stove and poured some in a bowl for Leo.

"Anna!"

"Yes!" and as she turned, her eyes went wide and she quickly covered her eyes. "Your shirtless, Leo!"

"Ah—I know and you're over-reacting." he deadpanned and strolled inside the kitchen. "You've seen me like this yesterday night."

Anna remove her hands and continued doing what she was doing. "How are you feeling now?"

"Better!" he shrugged an arm and went near her. He took on her arm and turned her to face him. "Thank you for looking after me." He smiled down warmly at her. "Whenever it rains heavily at night, my mom always make sure that I sleep in warmth or I get sick." Anna look up at him and smiled. "You look like a real housewife in the apron." He teased looking amusedly at her. Anna rolled her eyes over and slapped on his bicep to which her eyes noticed an eagle tattoo over it. Her hand involuntarily reached for it and traced over it.

"Nice tattoo you got here!" She complimented.

"It's a family symbol." He smiled.

"I made you some chicken soup. But before you drink it, let me go get you some clothes to wear on." She said and scurried out from the kitchen. After a minute or two, she returned with some clothes. "These are my aunt's husband. Go and freshen up. I'll bring the soup in the room." She said extending the clothes towards him.

"No, don't take the trouble coming up. I'll be quick and join you down." Leo took the clothes from her hand and smiled at her before leaving the kitchen. After taking a quick shower, he went down to the kitchen. And as he entered inside, he saw Anna with the kids having breakfast. He felt a soft poke on his lower back and turned around.

"Goodmorning," A little girl wished him shyly.

"Goodmorning, sweetie." He smiled and bent down on her level. "What's your name?"

"My name is Arya. And what about you?"

"I'm Leo."

"Leo, you're so handsome." She giggled as she placed her tiny hand on his hand.

"Thank you and you are very cute." He smiled and kiss on her cheek.

"Arya, come and join for breakfast dear," Anna said and she ran towards her, "You too, Leo."

Leo went and settled himself on the chair next to Anna. "Here's the healthy chicken soup for the sick boy." She said amusedly and passed the bowl towards him.

"Thank you."

"Anna, who is he?" Lauren asked.

"Is he your boyfriend?" Spencer asked.

"No, he's not my boyfriend. He's a friend of mine." Anna answered quickly but softly.

"Hello, kids!" Leo smiled at them. "I hope you won't mind if I join you all for breakfast." And quickly the kids shook their heads and gave him a grin.

"Anna's friend is also our friend." Lauren grinned widely at him.

"You are very handsome, Leo," Annie said and the three little girls started to share giggles among themselves.

"Thank you, beautiful." He winked at the girls making them giggled out loudly. Anna simply chuckled at them and shook her head.

After breakfast, Anna cleaned the table and kitchen. And as she was about to do the dishes, she heard the sound of a guitar being plucked into a melodious song. Wearing a bright smile on her face, she strolled towards the living room. She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the door, watching Leo playing and singing to the kids.

"Wise man says, only fools rush in but I can't help falling in love with you." Anna cocked her head to the side, impressed at his voice. The kids listened to him lovingly and moved along to the muse. Leo saw her standing by the door and smiled at her and continued singing. "Shall I stay? would it be a sin if I can't help falling in love with you?" she chuckled softly and shook her head before turning away, back to the kitchen. She did the dishes and cut some vegetables for lunch and kept it in the fridge.

"Hey!" Leo's voice startled her as he came behind her. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you," he said amusedly.

"No, it's okay, what happens?"

"I'm leaving now. Thank you for everything."

"You're leaving!"

"You sound disappointed!" he said and moved closer to her.

"No, I'm-I'm not!" she stuttered and step back until she was pinned between the wall and him. Leo bends down closer and his eyes lingered on her lips. Anna was finding hard to breath and panted softly. Her heartbeat started thumping loudly like it was going to explode anytime.

"Please don't get mad at me, just this once." He whispered softly and crashed his lips onto hers. Anna shut her eyes closed involuntarily.

Push him away! Her head sounded but her mind and body didn't respond instead she kissed him back. And as she did, Leo smiled under their kiss and wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss.

Anna slowly pulled away as she was in need off oxygen and panted. Her cheeks were burning with fifty shades of red. "Drive safely." She said, too ashamed to face him.

"I will, Mio coure."

Always Smile,

Happy Virus.