He pressed the numbers on his phone and waited for someone to pick up on the other end. When the connection was established, Leo spoke quickly in a language Mina didn't recognize, likely instructing someone to come and pick them up.
After finishing the call, Leo knelt beside Mina again, pressing the emergency bandage harder against her thigh. "You're going to be okay, Mina. Don't worry."
Mina looked at Leo, even though her eyes were growing heavier. "I… I don't want to die, Leo. I still… have so much left to do."
Leo stared at Mina seriously, then reached for her hand and held it tightly. "You're not going to die. Not today. You still have plenty of time; trust me."
Mina felt a bit calmer with Leo's words. Although her body continued to tremble, her panic started to subside. She tried to regulate her breathing, struggling to stay conscious even as dizziness threatened to overwhelm her.
A few minutes later, the sound of an approaching engine could be heard. A black SUV stopped at the end of the alley, and several men quickly exited, moving toward Leo and Mina.
Leo gave brief instructions, and one of the men carefully lifted Mina into the vehicle. Leo sat beside her, ensuring she was in a comfortable position despite the cramped space.
"We'll be in a safe place soon," Leo said, his voice a little softer this time. "Just hang in there."
Mina could only nod weakly, feeling exhausted. She closed her eyes, letting the warmth of Leo beside her be the only thing that provided her with a sense of safety.
Even though the pain from her injury was still intense, Mina tried to focus her thoughts on one thing—the will to survive.
Inside the speeding SUV, Leo remained alert, occasionally checking on Mina's condition.
*
In Leo's family-owned hospital, the atmosphere was tense and bustling as Mina was rushed into the emergency operating room. Bright lights hung from the ceiling, and the sounds of medical machinery filled the space. Nurses and doctors, accustomed to emergency situations, moved swiftly, setting up IV drips and preparing equipment. Leo stood outside the operating room, his face serious, though a hint of sweat glistened on his forehead. For the first time in a long while, Leo felt powerless—a sensation that was very unusual for him.
After about an hour, the operating room lights finally dimmed, signaling that the procedure was complete. A calm-faced doctor with a thin beard stepped out, removing his surgical mask as he approached Leo.
"How is she, Doctor?" Leo immediately asked, his voice filled with tension he tried to conceal.
The doctor offered a slight smile. "The bullet has been removed, and the bleeding has stopped. She's lucky; no vital organs were hit, just the thigh muscle that needed stitching. We've administered a strong anesthetic, so she may be a bit incoherent when she wakes up."
Leo exhaled in relief, though the tension had not fully dissipated. "Thank you, Doctor," he said, reflexively running his hand through his hair, a habit he had when anxious.
The doctor nodded. "She's stable now. We'll be moving her to recovery shortly. You can see her in a bit, but remember, she may still be half-conscious."
Leo smiled faintly. "I'll make sure she's okay," he said, patting the doctor on the shoulder before entering the recovery room.
Inside, Mina lay in a bed with an IV in her arm, her face slightly pale, but her breathing was calm. Her eyes were half-closed, still under the influence of the anesthetic that kept her in a liminal state between consciousness and dreams. Leo sat in a chair beside her bed, watching as Mina slowly began to open her eyes.
Mina blinked a few times, trying to focus on Leo's figure beside her. "Leo?" Her voice was hoarse and quiet, like someone waking from a very long sleep.
Leo smiled, this time a genuine smile that was rarely seen. "I'm here, Mina. You're safe now. The surgery went well."
Mina managed a weak smile, her eyes still half-closed. "You… look so handsome… like a prince," she said, her voice drifting. "I thought… I was dreaming."
Leo chuckled at Mina's words. He leaned back in his chair, feeling more relaxed. "Oh really? Is that so?" he replied teasingly, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Mina, who appeared so innocent in her drugged state.
Mina nodded slowly, her gaze slightly blurry but earnest. "Yes… You're my prince… I want to marry you," she continued in a soft but clear voice, her lips forming a sweet smile. "And have children with you… Like in fairy tales…"
Leo almost choked on his laughter. He covered his mouth with his hand, trying to contain himself but failing completely. A small giggle escaped his lips. "Oh, this is interesting," Leo murmured, watching Mina, who continued to babble under the influence of the anesthetic. "You want to marry me and have kids, huh? What else do you want?"
Mina took a deep breath, as if dreaming about a perfect life. "I want… a big house… and a flower garden… and a cute little dog… and the two of us lounging in the sunshine… you know, like in romantic movies," she said, closing her eyes again and smiling widely.
Leo shook his head, unable to hold back his laughter any longer. "A big house, a flower garden, and a little dog, huh? Wow, you really have big plans," Leo replied, still entertained by Mina's unusual ramblings. "What else do you want, young lady?"
Mina opened her eyes again, this time her eyes sparkling as if she were imagining a bright future. "I want… to vacation in Paris… and ride in a hot air balloon… with you, of course," Mina stated confidently, though Leo knew she likely didn't even realize what she was saying.
Leo nodded, following the increasingly absurd conversation. "Paris, hot air balloons… Great idea. Maybe we could also eat croissants while admiring the Eiffel Tower," Leo said, rolling his eyes but unable to hide the smile on his face.
Mina let out a small laugh, a soft and sweet sound, as if she were truly imagining it all. "Yes… croissants, and also… drinking wine, looking over the city from above… Ah, life is beautiful," Mina sighed. "But most importantly, you have to love me every day… and make me laugh…"
Leo paused momentarily at Mina's last words, still wearing a laughing expression. This time, his laughter ceased, and he looked at Mina with a different gaze. There was something in the way Mina expressed herself, even under the influence of the drug, that sounded sincere and pure.
Leo fell silent, momentarily reminded that behind all the jokes and silly chatter was someone who had just risked her life in a world far from her comfort zone.