As he drags his slimy hands down my leg, I quickly grab his hand that's holding the knife and twist it away from my neck, but it's not strong enough to make him release it. I don't waste any time and grab my bag that's on his neck then use all my strength to swing him down by using the shoulder strap.

He falls hard onto the ground, and I drop onto his abdomen knees first to weaken him then quickly wrap the bag strap around his neck and pull hard so that it blocks off his breathing. He grabs onto me frantically. Getting caught up, I do not notice him grab the knife, and he stabs it into my side. I let out a painful groan and crumble down as I put my trembling hand over the knife stuck in me.

He gets on top of me and grabs my neck forcefully. "I'm going to kill you, you bitch!" he spits out and slaps me. Just as he reaches for the knife that's stuck in my side, someone's leg comes in contact with his head, and he actually flies to the side, making his face rub against the pavement painfully. I turn to see that it's Collin. Right behind him on the second floor of the building is his Aunt Perilla holding a telephone to her ear, and she looks at me then walks away from the window. He punches the man a few times until the cops come and stop him.

"Julia!" He comes over to me and caresses me, his face full of concern. "Don't worry, they called the ambulance. Just wait. Okay?" he says, and I nod. "How could you be so reckless as to fight the thief? If I weren't here to save you, you would've died."

"But I didn't. Right?" I give a sheepish smile. "I feel tired. I'm going to close my eyes for a bit, Collin."

"No, don't! The ambulance is almost here!"

"Ha, don't worry, Collin. I'm not dying, I'm just sleepy," I comment weakly.

"Fine then. Close your eyes for a bit." I close my eyes, and he strokes my head.

. . .

*Beep...beep...beep* The sounds of a heart monitor echo through my head. I open my eyes and see a white ceiling. I try to lift my hand, but something's keeping it down. I look to see Collin asleep by me with my hand enveloped in his. Did he stay all night here with me? He's so nice. I have to repay him somehow. "Collin?" I call him, but he doesn't wake up. "Collin?" I pull my hand out from under his and tap his hand. He groans then looks up at me.

"Julia! You're awake! I'll call the nurse," he says and opens the door to call a nurse.

A few minutes later, a nurse comes in to check my vital signs. "She's fine. Just make sure to take lots of rest and eat healthily. You cannot leave yet, but you will be able to in about two days. Later, I will bring in some medication for your wound," she says and leaves.

"Are you hungry?" he asks, and I nod. "I'll go get you something to eat. I'll be right back." A few seconds after he leaves, his Aunt Perilla comes to visit me.

"Aunt Perilla?" I try to sit up, confused.

"You should be calling me Ms. Gray," she says sternly as she helps me get up.

"Oh, sorry, Ms. Gray. What are you doing here?" I question.

"Can I not visit one of my nephew's tenants?" she asks, annoyed.

"I guess you can." I shrug then I remember something. "Were you watching when I was getting robbed?" She doesn't answer. "I saw you at the window," I added. "I could've died."

"I called the police for you." She peels an apple.

"But you did that after Collin came."

"Now, that reminds me. You almost got him killed. I can't believe he fought the thief. He could've gotten hurt." She glares at me.

"He was saving me. I could've died while you watched," I say. "If Collin hadn't appeared, you wouldn't have called the police."

"That's-" she starts but is interrupted.

"Julia, I brought you some sandwiches. Aunt Perilla?" Collin returns, surprised to see his aunt.

"Collin, you're still here. I just came to see Ms. Heldin," she declares innocently. God, she's such a lying old woman. I can't believe she's actually so evil, but in front of Collin, she's the perfect aunt. "I have to go back now. See you when you get back, Collin," she says as she gets up. As soon as he turns around to do something, she whispers in my ear, "I didn't think you would fight back, making him stab you. I was planning to call the police as soon as he started leaving so don't say I wasn't going to." Then she leaves.

No way she called someone to rob me. Did she? No. Even though she's horrible, I don't think she'd stoop to that level. But why does she hate me? "Julia, here's some porridge and a sandwich." Collin brings the food over to me.

"Thanks." I smile. I take the container and raise the spoon, but a wave of pain shocks me in the side, and I grimace.

"Julia, are you okay?!" he asks, extremely worried.

"I'm fine. Just hurts a little." I smile bitterly.

"I'll feed you."

"No, it's totally fine." I reach for the spoon, but he grabs my hand gently.

"Julia, I don't want you to get hurt anymore. Please let me do it." He begs me.

"Fine." I give in. He picks up a spoonful, blows on it, and raises it to my mouth. I hesitantly open my mouth and eat it. I can feel a blush coming up. This is so embarrassing. Why does he have to be the one to feed me? But I guess it's nice...and kind of cute too. You know? To know that he cares about me this much. I...I think...I'm falling in love with him.

"Julia," he calls out to me.

"Hm?"

"After you get discharged, I want to tell you something important."

"Okay, I'll listen to whatever you have to say," I remark and smile, and he returns it then continues to feed me.