*WARNING: The following content may contain sexual content.*

By the time Maida woke up, she felt the soft breeze of the wind. Feeling a slight headache, she opened her eyes to see a beautiful mosaic ceiling. Recalling what had happened, she tried to sit up but fell back down onto the soft bed.

"Careful Maida," The kind voice surprised Maida.

Sure enough, Maida turned to see the protagonist rushing into the room with a tray in her hand. Quickly setting the tray on the end table, Rosie Zoua then helped Maida sit up against the headboard of the bed.

"Why?" Was all Maida could mouth out.

Seeing the confusion on Maida's face, Rosie explained the situation. Apparently, after that day when Maida helped Rosie broke free from the abductors in the dead forest, Rosie went back to the cave - wanting to get help from Erin Le whom she know was in the militia. Erin Le had learned through Rosie that Maida had been captured and immediately tried to go save her. Unfortunately, the vice-commander was badly injured. He could barely moved, much less go save anyone. Guilt and remorse filled Rosie as she realized that Maida had taken her place. After all, if it wasn't for Maida, Rosie would have been the one being auction off in the black market.

In the end, Rosie Zoua and Erin Le waited inside the cave until the man was well enough to move. Luckily, they didn't have to wait long. The very next day, a group of soldiers appeared and was thankful to find their vice-commander alive. On the other hand, Erin Le was relieved because now he can have his people search for Maida. But after three months into search - even after Erin Le was healed enough to go search for Maida himself, no news or information about the girl ever came up. Even Rosie who was safely returned to her home, begged her family to send people out to look for the girl who had helped her in multiple occasion. Still, Maida's whereabouts was never found.

It took an entire year before Rosie Zoua and Erin Le learned where Maida was. The day Maida was captured; she was sold off to one of the notorious auction house. The reason why no one could find Maida whereabouts was because that same auction house was destroyed the same week after the woman was sold. When Erin Le found out that the auction house was destroyed by the Gobi, he swiftly investigated further. Sure enough, he learned the Gobi's leader Zed Easton was the one who bought Maida in the auction. Knowing that beautiful woman had fallen into the dangerous mafia boss' hands, Rosie Zoua was devastated while Erin Le was filled with silent rage. Immediately, the protagonist and male lead set forward their plan to save Maida by getting some men to infiltrate the Gobi. But the deadly mafia was not an easy group to get in. There were rules, orders, and deadly initiations one must go through to be a Gobi member.

It took Erin Le years before two of eight of his men were able to get within the group. And only when one of the two men had successfully rose in rank and was able to enter the main den that Erin Le was able to "save" Maida. After hearing Rosie's explanation, Maida could only pinched the bridge of her nose. Should she cry or should she laugh?

"Maida?" Rosie saw Maida's tired expression and thought the woman was recalling horrible memories with the rumored evil mafia boss. "Don't worry Maida. You're safe here in Harika."

Hearing Rosie's comment, Maida lifted her head in surprised? Even though Maida entire was weak from the drug that still lingers in her system, she pushed herself off the bed.

"Maida," Rosie was startled when Maida rushed to the window, nearly falling before she reached it.

Holding herself up by the windowsill, Maida took in the stunning sight of the City of Gold. Unlike Inops where the land was dirty and grim - unlike Malum where the desert was dark and cold, Harika was the only area where the sun shines beautifully.

"Maida? Are you feeling pain anywhere?"

Regardless of the beautiful view of the golden city before her, Maida's expression did not hold joy. Pushing Rosie aside, Maida made her way to the door.

"Maida, what's wrong?"

Ignoring Rosie, Maida was just about to reach the door when it opened up to reveal the male lead himself. Dressed in the militia's commander uniform, Erin Le stood gorgeously in white and gold. Frowning when he saw Maida standing weakly, he went to pick her up. Maida, of course, tried to push him away but was ultimately carried back to the bed. Completely drained, Maida closed her eyes to gather her strength.

"Maida, the drug in your system will take a few days to completely get rid of," Rosie said with concern. "Take it easy okay?"

Maida wanted to scream. She wanted to ask the idiotic protagonist and male lead why they feel the need to knock her out with a drug that could knock out a bear. She was only a tiny woman.

"How are you feeling?"

Maida felt unfamiliar hand on her cheek and immediately slapped it away. Pulling away from Erin Le, Maida scowled at him.

"Maida?" Rosie was surprised to see hostility from the mute woman's face.

Maida motioned with her hands that she wants something to write with. Seeing her hand gestures, Rosie understood and quickly retrieved a notebook and pen.

"Why did you kidnap me?" Maida wrote out in big bold letters.

Rosie was confused, while Erin Le just stares at Maida and not at what she wrote.

"Take me back now," Maida flipped to the next page and continued to write. "Or he'll destroy your city."

"Don't worry Maida," Rosie assumed Maida was worried about causing trouble to Harika since they took her from the Gobi's leader. "He can't hurt you here."

"He's my lover," Maida wrote out fiercely. "He won't hurt me, but he'll kill you."

Rosie was completely lost - not understanding why Maida was claiming to be the dangerous man's lover. She couldn't help if the mute woman had Stockholm syndrome. Seeing Rosie's disbelief expression, Maida rolled her eyes - knowing very well what the simple woman thought.

"He will not touch you ever again... I won't let him."

Not only was Rosie Zoua did not understanding Maida's words, Erin Le hadn't either. Tossing the notebook and pen aside, Maida gave up on the two one-track mind characters. It was useless for her to explain herself when they refused to listen. Rather than waste her energy in trying to get the two to believe her, she rather use that energy to plan her escape.

Rosie Zoua saw Maida lying back down with the covers over her head and figured the woman wanted to rest. After telling Erin Le that he can came back another day, Rosie walked him out the room. Once Maida was alone, she uncovered her head to stare up at the mosaic ceiling. Because she still felt weak, it wasn't long before she fell asleep.

Maida had thought to make her escape when she recovered her strength. The knock out drug, unfortunately, was too strong for her petite body to process - thus took three whole days before she was able to move steadily. And of course, once she was able, she sneaked out of the Zoua's mansion estate. When everyone was sleeping, Maida successfully left through the servant back door and stole one of the motorbikes. What she didn't account for was Rosie Zoua checking up on her in the middle of the night only to find the room empty. By the time Maida was half way through the golden city, Rosie anxiously informed Erin Le of her sudden disappearance. The militia commander immediately ordered for her search and went out personally into the dark night to find her.

Just as the morning sun was rising, Maida almost reached the tall fortress wall. To her dismay, not only were there many soldiers blocking the gates, but their leader - Erin Le. Maida stopped the motorbike and thought to find had alternative route to take. But turning her head, she saw Rosie Zoua with a large group of her guards. Scowling, Maida gripped onto the motorbike handles. Because she couldn't speak, she couldn't tell them to let her go. Instead, she has to watch as both groups slowly surround her and blocking her escape route.

"Commander! The Gobi has_"

The gunshot echoed - silencing everyone. Maida eyes darted back to the gateway to see countless Gobi members all with a deadly weapon in hand with a deadlier expression. Standing in the front was Zed Easton in black button up shirt tucked inside black pants. Instead of the usual businesslike attire, the man had rolled up his sleeves to his elbows, revealing the plum blossom tattoos. Standing casually with one hand in his pocket, Zed Easton's empty dark eyes was that of a grim reaper. Even though he wasn't holding a weapon in hand like the rest of the Gobi members, he was by far, the scariest. The soldiers who have seen many battles were even intimidated by the lethal mafia boss.

While everyone was terrified by the sight of Zed Easton, Maida was not. She rushed to his side only to be stopped by Erin Le who grabbed hold of her arm. Zed Easton suddenly smiles, but it only brought fear to the people who saw it. On the other hand, Maida struggled to break free from Erin Le's gripped.

"I won't let him hurt you," Erin Le told Maida even as she continued to struggle against his tight hold.

"He's my lover," Maida glared up at the man, mouthing each word firmly.

Erin Le didn't hear her words nor did he take the time to read her lips. All he wanted was for her to be safe and protected. As he continued to hold onto her, he ordered his soldiers to defend the gate. Maida had enough of the male lead's nonsense and bite down at his hand, startling him. Taking that moment, Maida made her escape. Before anyone could stop her, she had already run straight to Zed Easton. But what surprised Rosie Zoua, Erin Le, and the militia soldiers the most was Maida's bright dimple smiles as she leaped into Zed Easton's arms. He then lifted her up and held her within his arms.

"You_"

Before Zed Easton could say another word, Maida lowered her head to kiss his lips while wrapping her arms around his neck. Tongues instantly tangled in each other mouths as the kiss deepened. It wasn't until the mafia boss' right-hand man gave two short coughs that the passionate kiss slowly came to an end. Smiling against the man's wet hot lips, Maida gently lick and nibble on his bottom lip.

"Little devil fox..." No one but Maida could see Zed Easton's adoring filled eyes. "Wait until I have you back in my bed..."

Seeing her dimples smiles, Zed Easton did not care for anything else and turned to leave. The Gobi members naturally followed the mafia boss.

"Maida!" Erin Le call was filled with frustration and disbelief.

Despite what he had witness, Erin Le could not understand why the beautiful mute woman would choose to be with a treacherous mafia leader. Even the shell shocked Rosie Zoua had found it unbelievable to see Maida willingly jump into the arms of the dangerous Zed Easton.

Meanwhile, Zed Easton paused as he heard the man calling for Maida. Seeing his jaw clenched with annoyance, Maida soothed it out with gentle touch of her fingers. Realizing the woman in his arms only had eyes on him with her usual playful smiles, his mood lightened. Zed Easton hadn't care to deal with Erin Le or the people of Harika. He had already dealt with the spies and traitors in his group. Maida will not be taken from him a second time. Zed Easton will make sure of it.