10 days later
*Nina*
"Thanks for helping me darling". Nick gives me a light but warm kiss as he puts the last food for breakfast on the table.

"Always a joy helping you with breakfast". I can't help smiling at him.

Zac makes a face. "Damn you two are so cutesy.. makes me want to throw up just a little bit".

"Oh shut up Zac.. you know the saying about throwing stones when you live in a glass house.. you two are just as bad". Nick says, shaking his head.

Zac just grin and wink at Pilar. "You are totally right.. but I do not have to watch myself be obnoxious.. so I have no problem with that".

Nick just rolls his eyes. "We better call the rest... oh morning Marshall.. okay so Emilia, Matt and LZ missing then".

"Morning.. Emilia and Matt are on their way, I saw them". Marshal says.

"Okay.. great.. then we only need to locate LZ". Nick looks at Zac. "Could you go find him.. I bet he is out back or on his laptop".

Zac gets up, giving Pilar a small kiss on the way. "Sure.. I think I know where he is".

After Zac has left I bite my lip. "Guys.. I am worried about LZ.. I think he is taking this whole Emilia thing much harder than he lets on".

"Definitely". Pilar says, looking sad. "He never smiles anymore.. he just mope around and all his videos are so.. dark and sad".

"Yeah.. yesterday he totally snapped at me when I cracked a joke.. he has never done that before.. it's really sad to see". Nick says, wrapping his arms around me from behind.

I lean into him.. I am not sure I agree with Emilia's choice.. and to be honest her and Matt seems kinda.. well stiff and weird around each other. "I wish there was something we could do.. but I guess it's just about giving him time and space".

"You are probably right.. you know what I hate to say this as Matt is family and I love him.. but.. I think Emilia might have made the wrong choice". Nick says softly.

I watch my cousin and Matt come walking up to the house. "She doesn't really look happy.. does she ?"

"Nope.. she looks almost even more sad than LZ.. but again.. nothing we can do..". The door opens and they walk in.

"Nothing you can do about what ?" Emilia looks around, like she might have understood exactly what we were talking about.

Nick tightens his grip on me for a second, then he smiles as Zac walks back in. "That weirdo moustache beard Zac is growing.. nothing we can do.. even if it is a horrible eyesore".

"Hey.. no hating on my magnum look". Zac says, his hand going up to touch the rapidly growing hair on his upper lip. "It's really starting to come along".

"Zac.. mi flor". Pilar pads on his chair and he goes to sit down, looking at her. "I love you.. but that thing.. lets just say it tickles in all the wrong ways.. trim it.. please".

I make a face, groaning.. automatically changing to spanish. "Oh good girl.. the mental images.. I have to eat in a minute you know".

She just grins and wink at me, answering in spanish. "Payback for the details about how Nick's ass moves when you.. arg.. karma".

"Why do I have a feeling we are getting trashed here ?" Nick says, grinning at Zac over my shoulder.

"Hmm I got something about your ass.. honestly I don't want to know more than that". Zac chuckles.

At that moment LZ walks in, kicking off his crocks at the door and walking in on bare feet. He looks absolutely miserable. "Morning".

"Oh wow LZ what did you do to your toes.. kick a brick wall or something ?" Marshall says, pointing to his feet.

LZ stops, looking down at his feet, so does everyone else.. he has some dark spots.. like bruises on the toes of both feet. "Hmm weird.. must have bumped them without noticing".

"I think you should get that checked out sweetie". Sherry sounds slightly worried.

LZ shrugs. "By who.. going to the hospital these days is asking to get sick.. and most doctors offices are closed down... I think I give it a couple of days.. see if it goes away".

He goes sit down and it's like Emilia automatically slides her chair slightly away from Matt.. the tension is.. stressful.. but people start eating and Zac tries to get a conversation going.

After less than ten minutes LZ pushes his plate away, the food less than half eaten. "Sorry Nick.. but that's a fail.. it tastes like nothing.. like chewing cardboard".

"Well ain't you just a ray of sunshine". Marshal says, shaking his head. "And by the way the food tastes just fine to me.. as always.. I think it's you not the food".

"Maybe it's you .. have you considered that". LZ says getting up from the chair.

Pilar looks at him with worry. "Hmm LZ.. are you okay ? Are you feeling sick in any way.. like coughing".

"No.. not really.. my throat is a bit sore.. but else way I am fine.. probably I am just not really hungry". He walks over to step into his crocs. "See you guys later".

He walks out and Pilar looks around. "Uhm guys.. losing the sense of taste and smell can be the first signs of coronavirus.. I am really worried".

"So am I". Nick looks up from his phone. "Cause so is bruising and dark spots on the toes.. what do we do ?"

Everyone looks at each other.. 4 days ago the police had called to warn us that the guys who attacked us had turned out to be infected. We had agreed that there was really no idea in isolating anyone at that point.. as we had all been close to one another after being in contact with them.

"We better keep an extra eye on him". Zac says biting his lip. "And if any of us start feeling the slightest.. we inform the others immediately.. okay ?"

We all nod.. but it is definitely a damper to everyone's mood.