LEO

I had to be away from the US for two weeks because of work, but at the end of each day, I longed to hear Stephanie’s infectious laughter and kiss her soft lips. I found a solution to the first problem using the advantages of today's technology, but not to the second.

During last night's call, I kept quiet about me coming back today because I wanted to see that childish smile of hers that stood out from everyone. I got out of my car and motioned for my security not to follow me because her shift ended fifteen minutes ago, and knowing her, I knew she always took longer to change.

I felt the phone vibrate in my pocket and I answered immediately.

"Sir, everything will be ready for Friday." That was the man I had hired to take care of Stephanie's birthday surprise.

Although her real birthday is tomorrow, I knew that because of her residency, she would not accept us to leave immediately, so I had to move everything for the weekend.

"Don't forget to pick up the present. It'll be at the airport on Thursday."

"Of course, sir."

Max has already agreed to lend me the keys to his cottage, and I have planned to spend her birthday with him and Nicole. I wanted to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city at least on the weekend. I wanted to enjoy nature away from all problems and obligations, and besides, I wanted to connect my best friend with his female version.

I saw Stephanie moving towards the exit, but next to her was that William, who was smiling warmly at her, and for the first time I felt jealous when it came to a girl. I stepped aside, not taking my eyes off that handsome doctor I had heard so much about.

Why was he smiling at her and looking at her that way? Maybe Max was right about him after all…

When Stephanie noticed me, I saw a surprise on her face and she remained frozen in place, but the next moment she ran towards me.
She hugged me tightly, and I inhaled the scent of her hair that I missed so much. Her hair was raised in a messy ponytail, and her face was paler than usual, if at all possible. She wore her tight turquoise blue uniform that accentuated her perfect body and I wondered why she didn’t wear a coat over it, because I didn't want others to look at her lustfully.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming back?" She asked me with her childish smile.

"Because I wanted to see that surprise and that attractive smile," her laughter was contagious.

I saw a million questions in her eyes, but I just pulled her closer to me and kissed her passionately, trying to make up for all the time I missed with this kiss.

I didn't pay attention to that doctor, and I also wanted to let him know that Stephanie is only mine.

He coughed and that made Stephanie move away from me and then I saw her cheeks turn bright red. He came to us, and I possessively embraced my girlfriend around her waist.

I knew that the chances of something happening between them were almost non-existent because he was her old family friend and current mentor, but my male vanity simply did not want to accept it.

"Leo, this is Dr. William Limberg, my mentor," Stephanie introduced him.
"I guess this is the man who won your heart," he laughed, then extended his hand to me "Nice to meet you."

"Leo Anders, I'm glad," I agreed to shake his hand.

The last part of the sentence was especially difficult for me to say, but I knew that Stephanie would otherwise be suspicious, and I didn't want to spend the evening listening to her criticism.

Luckily for me, a nurse called him with the words that they had an emergency and he ran after her with an apology and I was finally left alone with my girlfriend.

"You must be hungry, we're going to a restaurant."

"You have no idea how much, but I can't go like this," she pointed to her uniform, and that made me smile sincerely.

"Besides, I can't just leave the car in the hospital parking lot…"

"We can handle it all, give me the keys," I told her and motioned for Ian to come.

"Miss, sir," he greeted us softly.

"Take the lady's car to the parking lot of her building," I handed the keys of Stephanie's car to my new security worker.

"Of course."

"Then let's go to my apartment, we can pick up food somewhere along the way," I kissed her once more before we headed for my car.

"You can sleep. I believe you're tired. I know a sports car isn't the most comfortable to sleep in, but it will serve until we get there."

I couldn't help but be proud of everything she has achieved and all her effort that she invests in this residency and patient care. I can't even imagine how much responsibility and dedication it takes to take care of someone else's life, and at the same time stay smiling and positive.

"At the moment, I'm still holding on to the adrenaline from the previous shift, so I don't believe that I will be able to fall asleep at all," she complained to me sincerely.

"What were you planning to do for the weekend?"

"To make up for this week's insomnia and probably go out with Lacey, why?"

“So you’re free?” I hoped for a positive response.

"Basically I am." she replied confused.

"So we're going to Max's cottage for the weekend; Max, Nicole, you and me. I know you're working tomorrow and I'd like to celebrate it together."

"Leo, there's no need for that, I know how busy you are, and I also don't know Max's responsibilities, and I don't believe Nicole will be up for this…"

"Stephanie, don't talk nonsense. Max and my schedule are in order, all that's left is for Nicole and you to agree."

"I don't want you to spend money on me, I don't like it…"

"I know you are persistent in your decisions, but I want us to find a compromise so that you can state your terms, and I will do my best to honor your wishes."

I saw the surprise on her beautiful face, but I will not give up. We’re both stubborn and persistent, but this time I don’t plan on losing to her. I came up with this game and I plan to win it.

"I don't want dizzyingly expensive decorations, lots of roses that will certainly wither, nor do I want branded and expensive gifts. I just want to spend that weekend with you and enjoy a friendly atmosphere that will not exude luxury and prestige."

"Agreed," I accepted her terms, and she looked at me suspiciously.

I would accept all the conditions just to spend the weekend with her, and in addition I will do my best to get a better gift than that teddy bear she received from William countless years ago. Money was not a problem for me and that is why I decided to give her something that will make her never lose that beautiful smile of hers.

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Stephanie

After a long persuasion, Nicole agreed to join us for the weekend. I saw that she was not thrilled with the idea of ​​staying in the same house with Max, but she relented because of me and I was sincerely grateful to her for that.

"Stephanie, are you sure you haven't forgotten anything? Did you check your documents?" She asked me as I closed my suitcase.

"Nicole, you're forgetting again that I'm not a child and that I can pack on my own."

"I'll just be surprised if we get there and you don't miss something, but the most important thing is that you packed enough things to spend a couple of months," she pointed to my suitcase.

"I just like to be prepared for everything," I protested childishly.
I don't think I'll ever understand how she manages to go on a trip with one small bag that contains only the most basic necessities, without ever missing anything, while with all my efforts I always forget something...
"You and your readiness…"

Our argument was interrupted by the doorbell and I got up to open Leo's door, ignoring my sister's criticism.

As soon as I opened the door, I threw myself into his arms, and he kissed me passionately.

Nicole coughed behind us and Leo immediately moved away from me, which made me smile. He is a dominant man who used to always be the one who issues orders, but in front of my sister he was like a teenage boy.
"Good afternoon, Nicole."

Leo greeted her and extended his hand, which she accepted, still scolding him for the previous kiss. My sister is still old-fashioned when it comes to relationships, but I will do my best for her to change her attitudes.
"Good afternoon, Leo."

"Max is waiting for us in front, I came to help you with the suitcases," Leo smiled at her, trying to relax the atmosphere, but he couldn't do it.
“Okay, I’m going to get my bag,” Nicole headed for her room, and Leo and I were left alone.

"Looks like someone always has to interrupt us," he whispered to me, and I laughed at his words.

For a short period of time, Leo crawled under my skin so hard that I could no longer imagine a day without talking to him. He brought a lot of happiness and smiles into my life, while showering me with love and attention like no one before.

He took my suitcase and pulled it away without commenting on its size, but when Nicole offered to take her bag, she refused, saying that she could do it herself. My sister still resented Leo's disappearance and was still distrustful of him.

"I'm with you two in the car," Nicole said as we entered the elevator.
"Well Nicole, I am with my sports car, I hope you won't have a problem driving with Max…"

"That's nonsense Leo, my sister has to be in the car with me and that's the end of the story, then the two of us will be at Maximilian's," she said as she got out of the elevator.

I couldn't help but notice the way Max looked at my sister, the look that was full of lust and passion. Many looked at Nicole that way, but she didn't pay attention to any of them, although I have a feeling that it will be different with Max.

"But his car is full of things for the trip, and now that I've put Stephanie's suitcase in, I'm not sure even you two will fit in his car," Leo said with a laugh, and I elbowed him.

"Then the two of us will go in my car," my sister said, and Leo and I looked at each other.

"Nicole, I assure you that your sister will be completely safe with Leo, and we will be right behind them, so they will always be near you. I have a younger sister like you and I fully understand your concern, but I think you are exaggerating right now. The road is long, and Leo and I will be safer if we drive," Max tried to reason with my sister, for which I was infinitely grateful.

"Sorry, Mr. Keringen, but I'm most relaxed when Stephanie is next to me."
"I understand you, but they will be only a few meters away from us, we all had to change our schedules because of this weekend and I believe that such little things should not create a rift between us."

I could see in Nicole's look that he would soon give in. There was something unusual about that man that could have changed my arrogant sister's opinion as well. While the two of them were arguing, I couldn't help but notice how good they would look together. Maximillian was muscular and dark, and my sister, although quite tall, was still up to his shoulders, and her rigorous healthy diet provided her with a body that others could only envy.

"Leo, watch how you drive, because if my sister gets a single hair out of her head, I'll crush you," Nicole shot him a look.

Even after fifteen years, Nicole had a huge fear of driving for the long trips and although she didn’t want to admit it, she was always scared to death when I needed to travel somewhere without her. That traffic jam not only took away our parents, but also instilled in Nicole an irrational phobia of traveling, which I believe she will never completely overcome.

"I expect you to keep your promise and drive right behind them," she said coldly to Max and sat in his car.

"Of course…" He couldn't even finish his thought, and she was already in the car, fastening her seat belt.

"Thank you, Max," I thanked him sincerely.

At first glance, he gave me the impression of a conceited and antipathetic person, but when I got to know him better, I realized that he was a loyal and dedicated friend. Although he claimed that he was not interested in my sister, the way he looked did not convince me of his words.

"You're welcome, Stephanie," he said, then turned to Leo, "Why do I think you planned all this?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," my boyfriend laughed and opened the passenger seat for me.

"Now we can finally relax," Leo smiled at me as he started the car.
We started an informal conversation, and Leo had an unexpectedly large number of questions about William and my job. I wonder if he is jealous… Dr. Limberg could only be an older brother and mentor to me, and I liked him as a person, but nothing more than that.

As we drove away from the city and out onto the open road, so did Leo's increasing speed.

“Leo, for God’s sake, slow down!” I said when he started touring I don’t even know which car in a row.

"You have nothing to worry about, Stephanie," he replied with a smile, continuing to add gas.

"Leo, slow down this car or I'll cross to drive with your security guards!" I threatened him.

"I just don't want to get in a crowd. If that happens, we won't get to the cottage until midnight…"

"We'd better get there at midnight than not get there at all!" I shouted at him.

"You're exaggerating…"

"Do you know how many deaths I've witnessed during college and this residency?" I asked him, but he said nothing, "Too much, Leo, and they were all in a hurry thinking that a five-minute drive would mean something to them, but they were still faster than life. Stop this! "

"You're safe with me."

The next moment I heard the sound of a loud siren and saw a truck going straight at us at full speed.

"Leo, watch out!!!", I screamed out loud.

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