My eyes fluttered open slowly and I came face to face with Chris. He was asleep. His long eyelashes were kissing his cheeks adorably. His pink lips were pouted and his messy hair was partially covering his forehead. Up close I noticed his slight facial hair that seemed like light stubble. He was truly handsome.

My mind was empty. I was feeling so light, so safe, just staring at Chris and feeling his arm draped around my waist, keeping me beside him. I just wanted to raise my hand and gently caress his face. Nothing seemed out of place or odd. My mind was completely empty.

Mom!

My eyes widened as the single word echoed in my empty mind, pushing the haze away. My heart began to beat faster and my body become stiff as memoirs from the last 24 hours flashed in my mind.

She is fine!

The doctor's words echoed in my head and tears welled up in my eyes. Mom was fine. She had made it. She was going to be fine now that the tumors had been removed.

She was going to come home.

All thanks to the boy who was securely holding me in his arms now while sleeping.

A silent sob racked through my body as I just stared at Chris. My heart was bursting at how it was overflowing with relief, happiness, gratitude, and love. Love for this boy, my guardian angel, my boyfriend.

A small frown creased his forehead and his hold tightened on my body as sobs shock it and the next second his eyes fluttered open. He blinked several times to push away the sleep from his eyes before they fixed on me and widened.

"Eleanor!" he croaked with a voice deep and raspy from sleeping. "Fuck! Why are you crying?"

I couldn't control myself anymore. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my body to his, burying my face in his neck and sobbing loudly.

"Angel, everything is fine." said Chris softly as he rubbed my back. "Your mother is fine. We are fine. Everything is fine. Please don't cry. It kills me."

"Chris!" I wailed. "Thank you. Thank you so much. I love you so much."

"God! I love you too, angel." he groaned and pressed me more into his body. "You don't know how fucking much."

I finally calmed down after a few minutes and pulled away to look into his eyes. He smiled and wiped my tears using his thumb before kissing my forehead, then my cheeks and nose, making me giggle while sniffling.

"Thank you, Chris." I said quietly. "I owe you my mother's life. I owe you the happiness of my family."

"You owe me nothing, angel." his smile grew wider and warmer. "Just don't cry. It breaks my heart. I hate to be woken up seeing you cry. There are other ways to wake me up, babe, and I appreciate them more."

I smiled as he smirked and wiggled his eyebrows. I pulled him toward me using his neck and crushed my lips to his, taking him by surprise. It only lasted for two seconds before he groaned and kissed me back hungrily.

The kiss grew deeper and more passionate by the second. Chris moved us, so I was flat on my back and he was hovering on top of me with his legs between my legs, practically devouring me. His hand slid down my side only to slide up, this time from under my shirt. I shivered at the feeling of his warm hand on my skin.

His tongue won the fight against mine, tasting every corner of my mouth, making me moan and arch my back a bit. He made a guttural sound in the back of his throat and pulled back before resting his forehead against mine.

"If you like to get out of this bed and still be a virgin then we should stop." I shivered more at hearing his deep husky voice. "Fuck!" he said and lowered himself on me a bit and grinding his lower part to mine. "Look what you're doing to me, angel."

I gulped and heat rose from my neck to my cheeks and I was sure I was as red as a tomato. I could easily feel his bulge through the clothes we were wearing. I fought the pleasure that was raking through my body and the need for more and opened my eyes, seeing his eyes already set on me, a few shades darker as he stared into my eyes with lust.

The brave part of me that was locked deep down, was clawing at her cage, begging to take action and let him claim me. But I was not ready for that yet. I knew that for sure. And I still needed to see mom.

I raised my hand and ran my finger on his cheek and jawline, making him purr, close his eyes and lean into my touch.

"I'm not ready, Chris." I mumbled.

"I know." grunted Chris and pecked my lips gently before rolling off of me and laying on his back. He looked at me and smiled. His hand came and caressed my cheek. "Don't worry yourself. No rush, remember? I'm overly happy to be able to kiss you and simply have you in my life, being able to call you my girlfriend."

I slowly sat up and leaned on the headboard. Glancing at the bedside table it was half past 2 in the afternoon. "How long have I slept?" I asked cluelessly and looked around confused. "Are we in your room."

"Yes we are and I think we slept six or five hours." answered Chris and frowned while looking up at me. "You gave me a heart attack. You fainted. You should not strain your body."

"I want to go to hospital." I said and bit my lip. "I think I can't go to work today as well." I said nervously. I still needed to work, even harder to pay back Chris and his father.

"Of course, you won't." said Chris as he sat up with a groan. "I talked with, Jax. He is adamant you don't go to work for a few more days."

I shook my head and gazed at my hands in my lap. "I will go to work from tomorrow." I said and then looked at Chris shyly. "I need to work to pay you back. We can pay your father once I get the money from NGO."

Chris leaned down toward me and kissed my cheek before throwing the covers away from him and standing up. "Forget about NGO's money." he said and I frowned.

His face was serious when he turned to me. "Call them and tell them you don't need the money anymore." he said firmly. "Only God knows how many people need that money right now urgently. It hurts to even think about it."

I looked at him stunned as he gazed at the wall of his room deep in thought. Who would have thought he thinks this mature? I was feeling so proud of him. He truly had a heart of gold.

He looked down at me and gave me a smile. "You can use my bathroom to freshen up." he said. "I will use the guest bathroom. We will eat something and then I will take you home to change first and then we will go to the hospital. Daisy is also here."

I threw the covers away from myself and got up. I walked toward Chris who was looking at me a bit confused. Once in front of him, I threw my hands around his neck and pulled him down for a chaste kiss. He smiled and happily kissed me back.

"I'm so proud of you, Chris Harrington." I whispered to him and watched his eyes sparkle at hearing my words. "You are the most amazing and kind-hearted boy I have ever seen. You are my pride."

An odd look covered his face as he gazed into my eyes. He looked a bit dazed, happy, and relieved. He seemed like he wanted to burst into tears at any moment.

He buried his face into my neck. "Thank you, angel." he croaked and it was only then, and by hearing his sniffle that I found out he was really crying. "You don't know how much hearing those words mean to me. It feels good to hear someone you love is proud of you."

My heart shattered a bit, knowing what he meant. Now I was understanding how much he needed approval, especially from his parents, especially his father. I think that was how anyone would have felt if they only had been criticized for a long.

I tightened my hold on his neck and let him have his time and relax in my arms. "You are an amazing guy, Chris." I whispered and kissed the side of his neck. "Anyone would be proud to have you by their side. I love you so much."

"Thank you, angel." he said after a moment and pulled away, smiling down at me. I smiled although the sight of his slightly red eyes hurt my heart. "Now let's freshen up before going down. I really need a cold shower desperately."

I blushed and dropped my head, at hearing his teasing comment. "Okay," I said shyly and looked down.

I jumped when I felt Chris's warm breath on my ear and neck. "You look so fucking sexy in my clothes, babe." he husked.

Good Lord! Was he wanting to kill me?

I looked down at my clothes and for the first time realized that I was in a shirt and basketball shorts that were not mine. I cleared my throat and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

"I um going to use your bathroom. Thank you." I mumbled and practically ran to the bathroom, hearing his throaty chuckle.

That boy and his ways to make me die of embarrassment!

I went to the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. I looked like a tomato. I hated my skin for showing this much color. I groaned and pulled my hair into a messy bun on top of my head.

I really wanted to go to the hospital. I was feeling guilty for leaving Liam alone. Quickly I did my business and washed my face and hands, before walking out. Chris wasn't in the room. I found my clothes neatly folded on his desk's chair.

I changed into my clothes in the bathroom and sat on Chris's bed, waiting for him patiently. Now, I had time to look around his room. It was a big room and surprisingly neat. Though I doubted it was his doing. Surely someone had tidied his room up.

A queen size bed with white and light blue-gray covers that I was currently sitting on top of it had been placed in the space between two windows with white simple curtains. A gray rug was on the ground. A mahogany desk with a few shelves on top of it was in a corner of the room with a laptop and a lamp and a few other things on top of it.

The room had three doors. One for the bathroom, one for a walk-in closet probably, and the other for the entrance. Based on the size of their mansion I wasn't surprised by the size of his room. They were a very rich family.

And I was in their debt.

I looked down at my hands and played with my fingers. As much as Chris was so cool about the money he had given me, it was a great sum. I couldn't just play cool like him. Though after hearing his thoughts, I didn't want to take the NGO's money anymore. He was right, there were people out there who needed the money desperately and weren't as lucky as me to have a Chris by their side.

A smile tugged on my lips by remembering his words. His parents should have been so proud of having such a great boy. Yet I doubted they had ever shown it to him even if they were. The way he reacted after I told him that I was proud of him was evidence of that.

My heart clenched at the thought of my poor boyfriend. How much it must have been hard for him to feel not being enough for his parents. He must have felt so lonely and bad at a times and I was not there for him to comfort him.

I sighed and rubbed my face tiredly. I was really tired although I had rested for a few hours. I had a light headache and I was still worried about mom and how to pay back Chris. I just wanted to go home and rest.

***********************************************************************************************

Fuck!

For the second time that day, I was in the shower with water cascading down my back and my forehead pressing to the cold tiles.

Only this time, the water was cold!

I really needed that shower. She was just so fucking tempting. First in the bed and then with her words that lifted my spirit. Seeing her in my clothes was temptation itself.

You are my pride.

Never in my life have I had anyone look at me the way she did. Her beautiful blue eyes were literally glinting with pride. It was obvious that she uttered each word honestly. The way she praised me made my soul and heart burst with happiness and relief. I couldn't help the few tears that I shed. I think I never had been appreciated this way in my whole fucking life.

And I was feeling this way, over the moon, just because of her.

It was so hard for me to pull away from her. I desired her a lot. All I wanted was to throw her on the bed and take her right there and then, claiming her for myself.

Mine and mine only. My secret little wife.

It was odd for me to call her my wife secretly in my mind, yet it was so satisfying, filling me with male pride and other male possessiveness shit.

Can I make her pregnant?

My eyes shot open at my last thought and I began to shower fast. It even scared the shit out of me.

I need someone to take care of me yet. How can I take care of a small little baby?

But I couldn't deny that the thought was so scarily fucking appealing and had made me hard instantly and I had to stand under freezing water afterward.

What the fuck was happening to me? Jesus! For fuck's sake I only knew Eleanor like this for 2 months.

Yeah, two months that you two saw each other in the worst times of your lives.

My subconscious reminded me.

Oh and by the way, can you bear the thought of her with someone else?

The fucker reminded me again, making me clench my fists tightly and shiver in disgust. Even the thought was making my blood boil, filling me with the need to even beat the imaginary fucker that dares to touch her to a pulp.

I quickly changed into the clothes I had brought with me. Let's face the fucking day. I had to go to Jax's hotel and talk to him later as well.

I walked out of the bathroom and found Eleanor in my room. "You look beautiful." I said as I saw her sitting on my bed. Her hair was in a messy bun on top of her head with a few strands framing her face. The light that was falling on her through the window made her look like an angel.

She scoffed and stood up. "I look like shit and smell like shit as well." she said and rolled her eyes although there was a small smile on her lips. "I really need to go home and change. Can we go now?"

"Of course." I answered as I kept the door open for her. "Though, after we have lunch. I think we can find some leftovers in the kitchen."

Her face fell a bit as we walked out of the room. "I don't have any appetite." she mumbled.

"You will eat or I will shove it down your throat." I said sternly and she looked at me a bit shocked. "You haven't eaten properly in more than a day. You are weak Eleanor. You will become sick again."

"I'm sorry to make you worried for myself." she put a hand on my arm as we stopped at top of the stairs. "I will take care of myself. Don't worry."

"Good," I groaned and pecked her lips gently. "I hate to see you sick. It kills me."

She smiled and intertwined our hands. I squeezed her hand in return and guided her down the stairs.

"Are your parents at home?" whispered Eleanor while looking around nervously.

I was sure it was scary for her to meet my father after the money he gave us. I really didn't know how to assure her that it was alright. It was me who was in debt with my father, not her. And I had a plan in my mind to pay him back fast.

"I don't think my dad is home." I answered as we reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Oh, you are awake."

We both turned and saw mom walking out of the living room. Her eyes looked at our intertwined hands and then at our faces. Knowing my mother and based on the heart shape look she was giving us, she was planning our wedding right at the moment.

And surprisingly I didn't have any problem with it.

"Mom, this is ridiculous to say because you already know, but this is Eleanor, my girlfriend." I said and puffed my chest proudly, happy to introduce the angel beside me as my girlfriend. "Angel, this is my mom."

"Awww, I'm so happy to finally meet you, dear. You are so beautiful." said mom and hugged Eleanor tightly. She then pulled away and looked at Eleanor sympathy. "And I'm so sorry for what you went through yesterday. It must have been so frightening. I'm so happy that your mother is fine."

"Thank you, ma'am." smiled Eleanor warmly and glanced at me briefly. "I really don't know how to thank Chris and your family. I promise to pay you back as soon as possible. Also thank you for taking care of Daisy. She can be a handful sometimes."

I roll my eyes but my mother hugged her tightly again. "Don't worry yourself about the money at all." she said and released Eleanor again and frowned at her playfully. "And don't talk bad about my little angel like that. She is the most polite, angelic, and cute little girl I have seen in my life. And lastly, please call me Rose."

As if on cue, Daisy's golden head appeared from behind the wall of the living room as she peeked inside the corridor. Her blue eyes sparkled with happiness and the next second she ran toward Eleanor in full force.

"Ellie!" she exclaimed happily as Eleanor picked her up and smothered her with kisses.

"Hello, my little flower." said Eleanor as she kept Daisy on her hip. "Were you a good girl while you were here?"

"Of course, she has been." I said and petted Daisy's golden hair. "She is a polite little flower."

"I was." answered Daisy proudly. "I did everything that Mrs. Rosei said."

"And we are proud of you for it." I said and kissed her little nose, making her giggle.

"Awwwwww,"

We turned to my mother and I frowned when I saw her wiping her eyes, looking at us warmly. "You look like a cute little family." she gushed with tears in her eyes.

And sure we did. I had an arm wrapped around Eleanor's waist and she had Daisy in her arms while we both were cooing and talking with Daisy like proud parents.

Fuck me if that sentence didn't put images in my head.

I cleared my throat and decided to save Eleanor from melting into a puddle. I could feel the heat radiating from her face.

"Mom, do we have something to eat? We need to leave soon." I asked mom, changing the subject.

"Oh, yes, what kind of a mother am I?" she said and rushed to the kitchen. I gently pushed Eleanor to follow mom. "I prepared soup and grilled chicken with vegetables for you. Eleanor, you need to eat to gain back your health."

Soon, we ate our lunch and left my house after mother gave Eleanor packed food to take home and took a promise from Eleanor to join us later for dinner. We first stopped at Eleanor's house so she can take a quick shower and change from her clothes and then we all headed to the hospital. This time, Daisy didn't let us leave her behind. She wanted to see her mom as well.

It was near five when we reached the hospital and Miller was the first one we saw. "Hey," he greeted us. His concerned eyes fell on Eleanor. "How are you? Did you rest well?"

"Ethan!" said Eleanor and hugged him tight. I was working on my self-control recently to not get agitated when they would show affection toward each other and accept Miller as a good friend of Eleanor or as he would say her brother.

"Thank you for staying all of this time." said Eleanor gratefully as she pulled away. "I was so relieved that you were here to help Liam. It means a lot to me."

"To be honest I left around 10 in the morning and came back an hour ago." responded Miller and scratching the back of his head. "After your mother was stable and placed in her room, Liam forced me to go and rest, saying he was okay and I needed to rest. The poor boy is so exhausted."