LOVE IN THE SHADOW

Summer was still in shock as she quickly pulled her hand away from the stranger's and stood up, her heart racing. Jane moved closer to the stranger, her eyes locking onto his piercing silver eyes.

"Wow, so perfect," Jane breathed,

"W...who are you?" He asked weakly as he stared at the two women in front of him, one looking frightened and the other smiling broadly.

"Finally, you regained consciousness. There's nothing to be afraid of. We're not bad people. You were badly injured, and my friend brought you here to attend to your wounds." Jane said.

His eyes landed on Summer, and he let out a groan as he tried to sit upright. Jane and Summer quickly supported him, their hands gentle on his arms.

"How long have I been unconscious?" he asked, his voice still weak.

"Since yesterday," Jane replied. "It's a good thing you're awake."

Summer stood up to leave, but the stranger's hand shot out, grasping her wrist. She turned to him, surprised, as their gazes met. Jane smiled knowingly at the connection between them.

"Um...w...," Summer sputtered nervously.

"What were you trying to do to me earlier?" He asked, his eyes locked on hers.

Summer's face flushed as she forced herself to withdraw her hand from his grasp.

"I was trying to clean you up," she said, avoiding eye contact with him.

"Exactly. If you still want her to continue, she can." Jane chimed in and Summer shot her a warning look.

"There's no need for that," she said firmly. "He's awake now. Let him get dressed and go back to where he came from."

"Excuse us for a moment," Jane grinned and pushed close to Summer and turn to the stranger, dragging Summer into the kitchen.

"Jane..." She tired to protest.

"What's wrong with you? Why are you so cold towards him?" Jane asked.

"I wasn't being cold. He's up now, and he should go back to where he came from."

"He just regained consciousness, and he's still disoriented. It will take time for him to process what happened to him. His wound isn't fully healed yet."

Summer sighed. After a moment, they returned to the living room. Summer looked grumpy, while Jane remained calm and cheerful.

"Would you like to eat?" Jane asked the stranger, her voice friendly.

"Weren't you going to clean me up?" he asked, as his gaze shifted to summer.

"I was, but since you're awake, you can help yourself out," she replied, avoiding his gaze.

"Well, I don't mind."

"Sure, she will," she said, forcefully pushing Summer to sit next to him.

"I'll go fix your breakfast while she cleans you up," Jane said, hurrying off before Summer could protest.

She turned to see him looking at her, his eyes piercing. She stood up quickly, avoiding his gaze.

"I'll kill you for this, Jane," she muttered to herself.

As she soaked the hand towel in the bowl, she hesitated to wipe his body. his gaze never left hers, and he grabbed her wrist with the wet towel, pulling her close.

Summer was caught off guard as he used her hand to wipe his body, his eyes locked onto hers. Jane watched from the kitchen, a smile on her face. She quickly released her hand from his grasp.

"If you don't want me to do it, why not do it yourself?" she said, turning to leave. his hand shot out, grabbing her hand again.

"You kept hesitating," he said, his voice low.

Summer frowned at him and flipped her hand out of his grasp. She stood in front of him, using the wet towel to wipe his body, her movements efficient but not gentle. his gaze remained on hers, his eyes piercing.

"Are you a doctor?" he asked.

"Yes," Summer replied curtly.

"Is this how roughly you wipe your patients' bodies?" he asked.

"You're not my patient," she said.

"Really? But you attended to my wound and brought me here. Isn't that what doctors do?" He asked and she rolled her eyes.

"Done," she said, quickly finishing up and rushed off quickly to her room.

Jane came over, holding a tray of breakfast, and placed it on the table in front of him.

"Sorry about that".She said with a warm smile. "She's not always like this. Don't worry with time, you'll get to know her better... enjoy your breakfast'.She said and walked away to meet summer in the room.

Some hours later, Summer and Jane came out of the room to see him sleeping calmly on the couch with Sophy sleeping next to him. Summer's eyes widened in surprise, wondering why Sophy, who usually clung to her, was snuggled up beside a stranger.

"Even Sophy likes him already," Jane said with a smile. "Alright, see you tomorrow. Don't be late," she added, turning to leave.

"You can't leave me with him," she said.

"Why? He's your patient, not mine," she replied, nonchalantly.

"But...I'm scared. What if he's an assassin wanted by the police? You know I hate being involved in trouble."

"You worry too much. He doesn't look like a criminal to me. He looks like a mafia boss," she said with a sly grin.

"And you want to leave me with him? You know those people are the most dangerous people in the world." She said as her eyes widened in horror.

"He doesn't look scared to me. It's your cross, bear it," Jane patted Summer's cheek gently. rushing out before Summer could respond.

She sighed, her eyes fixed on the stranger. She moved closer, her heart racing with anticipation.

"Who are you? Where did you come from? Are you really a mafia boss?" she thought to herself.

As she turned to leave, a hand grabbed her wrist, pulling her closer. Her eyes widened in surprise as she found herself laid down on the stranger's body, her fingers spread across his bare chest.

His eyes locked onto hers, and Sophy wiggled out of the couch, leaving them alone. Summer gulped hard, her heart pounding in her chest.

The air was electric with tension as their bodies touched. She could feel his warm breath on her skin, and her pulse quickened. The room seemed to shrink, leaving only the two of them, lost in each other's eyes.

His gaze held hers, his eyes burning with intensity. Summer's skin tingled, and she felt a spark of attraction that she couldn't ignore. She tried to push herself up, but his grip on her wrist remained firm.

"Let me go," Summer whispered.

His eyes never left hers, and he didn't respond. Instead, he pulled her closer, his face inches from hers. Her heart skipped a beat as she felt his warm breath on her lips.

After what felt like eternity, he let go of Summer's wrist, and she remained on him, lost in thought and emotions.

"Aren't you going to get off?" he asked, his voice teasing.

Summer quickly came back to her senses and pulled away from him, rushing inside. She entered her room, resting her body against the door as she tried to calm her nerves.

Later in the evening, She was preparing dinner in the kitchen, stealing glances at the stranger on the couch. He was caressing Sophy beside him, his eyes fixed on the program on the TV.

After she was done preparing the meal, She dished it onto the table and called for Sophy, who didn't waste any time rushing to her. She served Sophy her food and watched as she started eating.

"Dinner is ready. Should I bring yours over there?" She asked from the dining table.

"I would prefer eating with you at the dining table," he said, standing up and walking weakly to the dining table.

Summer served him, avoiding his gaze, and sat down to eat after serving herself. He took a scoop of the meal and was amazed by the taste.

"You're not that bad at cooking," he said, and She rolled her eyes.

"You want to tell me what happened to you? Why were you attacked?" She asked, her eyes locked onto his. He ignored her question. "Are you into criminal acts? Are you an assassin?" She continued, but she was interrupted.

"Do you really want to know who I am?" He asked, his eyes locking onto hers.

"I just want to know the person living in my house. Tell me, are you a criminal wanted by the police?"

"Why not take a guess?" he scoffed as he continuing to eat.

She frowned at him, resuming her meal and her mind was racing with questions. Who was this mysterious stranger, and what was he hiding? She couldn't help but feel drawn to him, despite the danger that seemed to surround him.