I was healing.

That was the first thought in my head as I stood in the ring and my eyes find her. I am fighting for a win today and not to just feel pain, not as an escape.

I was so engrossed in defeating the cheating jerk in front of me that I didn't realise that this time I lost something while winning. Shark scummed to the ground as I inflicted the final blow and blood streamed down his nose.

As I was declared the winner I looked for Magenta in the crowd but she was not there. I didn't realise when I developed this but her absence from my eyes made me worry. I had allowed myself to become vulnerable.

But in that moment I didn't care as slight panic hit me and my steps fastened pushing through the crowd. Where are you Magenta?

"Jeremy." Someone yelled as I hurried towards the locker hoping to find Magenta there.

It was Jack because only he knew who I was with the mask on.

"What?" I snapped at him because of my sour mood.

"Sullivan took Maureen." He uttered those words and red of anger flashed in my eyes.

Sullivan also popular as the mob boss who was also, unfortunately, the boss of Reggie the past Magenta was so afraid of.

"Help me find her," I said through gritted teeth.

"They have been after me since Magenta went with you that's why I never called or contacted. Why was she here today?" He said rather harshly his gaze accusatory.

I realised this happened because of me.

We started walking in a direction assuming that Jack knew where to go.

"What are they planning to do?" I asked bile rising in my throat.

"What do you think?" He said the fear evident in his eyes and his words.

I just knocked out the Shark who I very well knew was, Reggie. He was using me to bait Magenta. Anger was surging through me but besides that, I had the fear, fear of losing her. I didn't realise it until now but I have grown habitual to her presence and I wanted her to appear out of somewhere so that I can untie the suffocating knot in my chest.

We drove as per Jack's direction even though I had clue where he was taking me but right now my mind was not working.

In the old area of the town where you can get anything from drugs to stolen stuff was build a large motel. As I got down Jack threw my a black cap and a face mask.

"I don't Maureen to kill me if your stardom is harmed because of me." He simply said but his gesture was surprisingly in my favor.

We walked in with ease because apparently, they respected Jack and his skills in the ring. 

"Why did they take away Maureen?" Jack mused not aware that Reggie had his personal reasons.

"Jack finally I thought you ran away before paying the debt." A man with a bigger tummy said.

I know what I was walking into but I was not the least bit scared just pure angry.

"Where is Maureen Pascal?" Jack asked in a threatening tone.

"Still alive and fully clothed." He sneered and I lost my control.

I didn't hesitate and punched the guy in the face.

Other gathered around like an after effect of hitting on of their own. All guns were out and pointing in our direction. Jack gave me head shake of disappointment but I was not apologetic for my actions.

"Relax boys, he is a star." Sullivan walked in with his side kicks.

He was not threatening to look at, the middle forties, sagged skin, greying hair, gold rimmed glasses and clothes a size bigger for him. His teeth were rotten from all the drugs he consumed and there were more tattoos on his arm than I could count.

The guns backed up and he walked to us.

"Where is she you bastard?" I asked glaring at him.

The look of surprise was evident on everyone's else face.

"I didn't know she was important to you. My right-hand man Reggie wanted some revenge on her so she is just brought here as a pleasure doll for us."

My fist clenched together but this time Jack stopped me knowing this will not help Magenta.

"But now that you are here things changes. You killed one of mine, the director whose case you so efficiently escaped. I want you to pay the price for the girl."

"Or I can just kill all of you right now." I felt enraged enough to kill him.

"And lose all hope regarding Maureen's whereabouts, I don't think you are that stupid"

"I will kill you if she is hurt Sullivan."

"relax Jeremy, she is fine. Do this one thing for me and she is all yours. I will handle Reggie and his vendetta plans"

He was lying, everyone knew but for now, I had no other choice.

"I want to see her first." I put out my demand.

Sullivan inhaled sharply and smiled hysterically.

"Fine, let's meet her. But if you try anything funny it will take just a bullet to end her life"

He was right, even if alarmed police half of them were bought by him and even before another half could react she will be dead.

We went underground and walked through a corridor. Right, in the end, was a room which he unlocked and in there sat Maureen tied to a chair, her face streaked with tears and her head limply falling to her left. There were few injuries on her fingers and there was a cut on her right arm. I wanted to step forward and just take her away from there.

"Now, now lover boy no need to act impulsively." Sullivan's voice reminded me.

His voice made Magenta fidget a bit and her eyes opened.

I waited for her to see me so that I can tell her that she is not alone and I will protect her.

"Fought off this one, tried to punch few of our men."

So my Magenta did put up a fight.

"Jeremy." She whispered and her eyes widened when she realised I was actually there.

Before I could utter a word, she yelled angrily. I have never seen this side of her, the side that kept her alive in her hard life, the strong, fighter part.

"Why did you bring him?" She glared at Sullivan and then at Jack.

"I will get you out Magenta, I promise." I made another promise realising that I am back at square one I have someone I was scared of losing.

"No, leave me alone Jeremy, please. Don't do anything stupid." Why would she say that with such sincerity?

Did she have no will to live? She wants to relive the nightmares.

"Reggie brought you here," I said.

And her face ashen and fears dawns upon her. But she recovers and gives me a tired smile, "If I am to die this way then fine."

Stupid.

"But I am not. I will come back for you." I said it like final words as Sullivan's men closed the doors and pushed us out.

"She is trying to protect you," Jack said in a low tone filled with surprise.

"And I will do the same."

"What is she to you?" Jack asked with a fire of challenge in his eyes.

"Reason I want to live again," I answered simply but Jack slowly nodded as if he understood.

"Now gentleman we have seen all the melodrama, can we get to work." Sullivan pulled out his mobile and showed me a photography of Geoffrey Smith, another new actor on the scene.

"Kill him." He said without any hesitation.

"What?"

"I know you have talent with violence Jeremy, kill him for me and take your girl back."

"Why?" I asked feeling scared of this task not because I had to kill someone but because as I was on my way to heal and be someone better for Magenta he is making me Satan again.

"He is not ready to team up with us and even reported our hideout point because of which I lost twenty men, he needs to pay. Kill me as it is easiest for you to get in his villa party being a star and all and least likely to get caught."

"If I turn back to my Satan ways Sullivan start praying for your lives," I warn him and myself.

"Last time you didn't have a weakness Jeremy but now you do." He smirked and left me with no choice.

"What is the plan?" Jack asked.

"You are not coming. Magenta will kill me if I allow you to entangle in this shit."

"then how I am supposed to help save her."

"Use some brain, Jack," I said infuriated that there were no other options.

Suddenly nodded his head, "Go ahead, I will work something from my end."

And we parted ways hoping that no one has to die tonight.

☘ ☘ ☘:

Spoiler: Someone is going to find out she is sick in next EP :D

Jeremy is raging with fury but what can a man do in front of guns? xD

Thoughts about the chapter?