Is this destiny?

Jeff didn't let go of JoAnna, as if he was afraid that she will disappear if he is not holding onto her. During the drive home they held hands, he carried her inside the penthouse, placed her on the bed and cradled her in his arms.

After some time, Jeff relaxed a bit and with one hand held JoAnna firmly next to him while with other caressed her hair.

JoAnna enjoyed being in his embrace. Jeff made her feel safe, he made her feel loved. Next to him she felt needed.

They held each other without a word until Jeff's stomach made sounds letting him know that he should eat.

"When was the last time you ate?", JoAnna asked him.

He shook his head. "I don't remember."

Whole afternoon Jeff was in the hospital with bodyguards and police, and as soon as he finished there, he went to get JoAnna, so he didn't have time to eat. Jeff was so stressed and worried how JoAnna is doing, that he did not even feel hungry.

"How about we go out for dinner?" JoAnna suggested. The atmosphere was a bit heavy after everything that happened, and she could use the distraction of going out in public.

Jeff agreed. He could use some distraction as well.

JoAnna picked a Chinese restaurant and Jeff made a reservation. He was not pleased that they don't have VIP rooms but when they promised to give them the most private booth they have, Jeff proceeded with the reservation.

They ate in silence until JoAnna spoke. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" Jeff looked at her curiously. 'The whole day was crazy, what is she apologizing for?'

"For getting you worried." JoAnna clarified.

Jeff thought about it for few seconds before agreeing. "You should NOT have left the apartment."

"Oh, I'm not sorry for going out. I'm sorry that you got worried." She had a task to do that required her to go out. JoAnna is not sorry for that. It was unfortunate that she ended up in a situation that got him worried, and that is the only part which JoAnna wishes she could fix.

His brows creased as he observed her. "You are sorry for getting me worried, but not for getting yourself in danger?"

"Yes." She looked at him a resolve.

He exhaled in frustration. "You should take care of yourself more... Promise me that this will not happen again, and you will tell me if you are about to do something reckless." How can he keep her safe if she acts recklessly? 'I will increase her security.'

"I didn't want to keep it from you, but you didn't leave me with a choice." JoAnna knows that if she told him, she would not be able to go out without disrupting his schedule. But now that she sees how the things turned out, she still ended up disrupting his schedule.

"I would not stop you. I would come with you." Jeff hoped that she understands that he does not want to lock her up. He only wants her to be safe.

"That is why I didn't tell you. Each of us has things we need to do, and I don't want you to neglect your work because of me. I'm sorry that at the end you lost your afternoon because of me."

"Anna, there is nothing more important than you." Jeff's expression was grave.

How can she even think about his lost afternoon at work? Only he knows how much he was worried when he found out that she left the penthouse, and that she is in danger. The thought that he might lose her was driving him insane. Only when he saw her standing (and kicking that man) did he manage to relax. He will never tell her that he had thoughts of killing that man, and that he would probably do it if she didn't stop him.

"I know... but it all turned out well." JoAnna attempted to coax him.

"Yes, it did." Seeing her smile made him relax.

Jeff wanted to scold JoAnna so she understands the gravity of the situation she was in, but he can't make himself be firm with her. When faced with her smile, all his resolve wavered. The only thing he could do is to be grateful that all ended well, and that this beautiful woman is next to him, looking at him, smiling, and making his life better in any way imaginable.

He remembered the scene when he entered the abandoned store. JoAnna was fearlessly defending him in front of Greg. While thinking about it, his lips stretched into a smile. "I didn't know you can be so... ferocious."

JoAnna was anxious while waiting for him to continue.

Jeff scooted close to her and whispered. "You defended my honor in such an intense way."

"What do you mean?" She whispered back with a slight panic in her voice.

He observed her expression while he talked in a soft voice. "You proclaimed that I'm kind and gentle... and that I know how to hold you... and please you. I was never praised like that before." Jeff's wide grin showed that he is very satisfied with her choice of words at that time.

JoAnna was so embarrassed that even her ears turned red. 'He heard that!' She was happy that the lights in the restaurant are dimmed, so he can't see her color clearly. She cleared her throat. "Can we not talk about it?"

"You didn't mean it?" Jeff's face fell.

"No, no... I did mean it." She saw his lips stretch into a smile and realized that he tricked her into that confession. But she didn't lie. "You make me happy."

Jeff held her right hand and gazed into her eyes. He took a deep breath and said, "Anna, I would do anything for you." That simple sentence sounded like a biggest love confession he ever made.

JoAnna's heart fluttered. She put her left hand over his and smiled gently. "And I would do anything for you."

Just as she finished her sentence, she heard his deep voice.. "Marry me."