The protected

Leonardo shifted in bed, feeling incredibly uncomfortable. He experienced a sharp pain in his chest that burned with each breath he took. Opening his eyes, he quickly shut them again from the brightness, but soon forced them open and realized he was lying in a hospital room. Machines beeped, something was clamped onto his finger, he felt something in his nose, and noticed an IV in his arm, indicating he was receiving fluids.

He glanced around, spotting a tall, black man standing with his back towards him, gazing out the window. Leo attempted to call out to him, but his dry throat caused a coughing fit as he strained his voice.

In response, the man turned to face him, hurrying to the small table on the left side of the bed. He grabbed a glass of water and helped him drink.

"Thank you," he whispered.

"I'll call the doctor," the man quickly exited, leaving Leonardo alone in the room.

He looked at the IV, watching the drip, then glanced down to his bare chest, noticing a blood-stained bandage. Leonardo reached out with his free hand, touching the wound and recalling what had happened. He had been shot.

The door opened, and the man returned accompanied by a doctor who approached him.

"Hi, I'm Dr. Iago. How are you feeling?" he asked, while checking Leonardo's vital signs. Leo blinked, clearly uncomfortable with the bright light shining in his eyes.

"Well, just a bit of chest pain."

"Alright, that's normal. You'll feel it for a few days. Do you remember what happened?"

"Yes."

"What's your name, young man?" the doctor inquired, still examining him.

"Leonardo Guerrero."

"Great, your vital signs look good. I'll keep you here for tonight and then you'll be discharged to recover at home."

Leonardo noticed the doctor jot something down on his clipboard. It seemed strange to be released already; he knew he should have undergone surgery to remove the bullet. Was he ready to be discharged?

"How long have I been here?" he asked, intrigued.

"Two days," the doctor replied promptly.

Leonardo looked at him, completely surprised by the answer. Two days? He then remembered his father and the man to whom he owed money. Had he killed his father? It made him uneasy, but he felt too weak to leave at that moment, so he would find out another way.

The doctor left, and Leonardo gazed at the man in the suit who remained, typing something on his cellphone.

"You work for him, don't you?"

The man looked at him sternly, typed a bit more on his phone, then pocketed the device.

"Yes."

"Are you here to keep me from escaping?"

"No."

Leonardo was confused by the response and continued his questioning.

"I don't understand, then why are you here? If not to keep an eye on me? Can you tell me if my father is okay?"

"Frank asked me to protect you," the man replied briefly, revealing only what he could say.

"To protect me? Why?"

Finally, the man released a brief smile and glanced out the window as if monitoring something.

"You saved him. He's just showing gratitude."

"Will that make him forget the debt?" Leonardo asked hopefully.

"Certainly not, kid. Don't mix things up."

Leonardo nodded and settled back into the bed, still lost in thought.

"Where is he?"

The man looked at him, appearing a bit impatient.

"That's not your concern, but if it makes you feel better, we'll meet him as soon as we leave here."

Leonardo didn't like the idea of having to see Frank once he left. He only wanted to go home, see his father, and return to his life. He wondered about his jobs; would his employers keep him working? This worried him, but at the same time, he thought he could buy some time to gather the money he owed through his stupid and heroic act.

"By any chance, do you know if my father is alright?"

He kept persisting with that question since he hadn't received an answer.

"I don't know."

"Are you always like this?"

"Like what?" the man replied, turning back to gazing out the window.

"Monosyllabic."

"And are you always like this? Talkative?"

Leonardo laughed and noticed a slight smile form at the left corner of the man's mouth.

Upon arriving in the evening, the doctor discharged Leonardo who sat on the bed, eager to leave that room. However, upon looking around, he realized his clothes were missing. He was only wearing hospital pajama pants and was shirtless.

"I don't have any clothes to leave here. I can't go out like this."

"Your clothes are on their way," replied the man sternly and seriously, as he always did.

Leonardo glanced at the man who had been accompanying him since early morning, noticing that he was still gazing out the window. He stood up and walked over to the window, stopping by his side.

"What are you staring at outside?"

The man did not respond, and Leonardo looked down, observing the hurried pedestrians on the sidewalk at the end of the day. There was nothing strange about them.

"Can you at least tell me your name?"

"Louis."

Just as Leonardo was about to start a conversation, in an attempt to find out more about Louis, the door opened. Another man in a suit entered with a shopping bag in hand. His red hair caught attention, as did the freckles on his face. He seemed serious, much like Louis.

"I brought the clothes you asked for, Louis."

Without delay, Leonardo went to the man, took the bag, and thanked him. He then went to the bathroom and dressed in the clothes provided - navy blue sweatpants and a black t-shirt. He put on the white socks and seemingly new brand-name sneakers, something he had never had before.

"We can go now," he declared, resolute as he exited the bathroom.

Louis and the other man glanced at him, nodding in agreement, and then left the room. Leonardo noticed that they remained ever watchful, observing everything around them as if something might happen at any moment. He found it all strange but decided not to question it.

Outside, a black car with tinted windows awaited them. Leonardo got in, and Louis sat in the front seat. When he looked for the other man, he had already disappeared. As soon as the car departed, Leonardo leaned his head against the seat, gazing out the window.

"Can you take me home? I need to see my father; he must be worried about my disappearance."

"Sorry, we have to go straight to Mr. Gold's."

Leonardo sighed and continued watching through the glass. The journey from the hospital to Gold's mansion lasted a little over an hour, during which he was amazed as they passed through the grand golden gate and drove along a tree-lined road.

When they arrived in front of the mansion, Leonardo couldn't help but be shocked. It was enormous and beautiful; he had never seen such a tall and luxurious building except in photos. The entrance featured a grand double staircase and a huge chandelier. Louis led him to a large door between the stairs and, upon opening it, they entered a room with a fireplace. Louis instructed him to wait and closed the door, leaving Leonardo there, amazed by everything around him.

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