When the realization of it all dawned on me like the fireworks on Fourth of July, I was shaking vigorously on this fine Winter morning. All this while, due to my adrenaline, I was blanketed inside an unknown warmth but as the truth came down crashing on me, it was like someone had taken away my blanket and replaced the fireplace with some killer snow pellets.

Cold. It's what I was feeling at that moment. Immense cold. Joseph Miller was behind it all this time? But then who could be 'Kyle M.?' Why was Jonathan Williams tied to a chair out of all things? I knew that I didn't have time to think through this entire mystery so I went ahead with the next best option available to me.

Removing my cell phone from my pocket, I dialled Shivaay's number. Not even one ring and he picked up the call. That was quick.

"What the hell, VVJ? Where are you?!" He all but screamed but even I could detect the worry in his voice. I've never seen or heard Shivaay getting all angsty but I knew what this was all about.

"Look, Shivaay. Hear me out because this is really important," I whispered, sitting on my knees and clutching my phone tightly.

He must have sensed something in my voice because his panic notched down a bit. "What is it?"

"Do you still wanna win the Pulitzer prize?"

"Heck, yeah, I do! But what is it thi-"

"Then hear me out carefully. I am at this old warehouse being used to store the useless cars in Midtown. I was following this paparazzo who's been on my case for quite some days now. He's the one who started another fire of me being with Skye. I followed him to get some answers and landed here. But that's not even it," I said in a low voice, rushing out my words in a single breath. Just an exaggeration because I was breathing a lot while talking to him.

"Don't kill me at the best part, tell me the climax. Did you find something?" He asked me impatiently.

"Oh, yeah, I think I might have hit a jackpot. I think Mr. Miller has kidnapped Mr. Williams. Jonathan Williams. And I think this is somehow linked to me because the very same paparazzo is inside the room with his camera," I told him.

"What do you mean, you "think"? Are you not sure? And Mr. Miller as in… the Board of Director guy?" He whisper-yelled.

"Because I can't hear a single thing. I am assuming but by the looks of it, Mr. Miller is our guy and Mr. Williams is in grave danger," I said and soon the image of Joseph Miller's gun flashed before me. "And yes, Mr. Miller as in… the Board of Director guy."

"Okay, what do you want me to do?"

"I'll send you my exact location and you come here. But bring some kind of weapons too because there are guards. Nothing lethal though, please." I didn't have any intention to kill anybody and have their blood on my hands.

"You got it, VVJ. Let's bring that good for absolutely nothing Miller down," he said, sounding way too excited for some reason and I rolled my eyes. "But just a quick question. Why didn't you call Skye to let him know about his dad?"

I was silent for some time, thinking about the same thing. "I… I don't know," I mumbled sadly. "I guess I am scared to talk to him." I blinked away my tears furiously and sniffled, suddenly getting all emotional. I miss my wine but more than that, I miss Skye's kisses, smiles, laughs and hugs reserved only for me.

"Oye, VVJ! Let's slay the monsters then and you won't have to be scared again. This commander here is gonna be there with his King and his army!" He exclaimed dramatically.

"Wait, what? King and ar-" I didn't even get to finish my sentence because he had already cut the call. I scowled and looked at the screen before huffing out loud.

However, just as my phone's screen went blank, I yelped when I saw my reflection in it. My make-up was completely smudged because of my sweat when I had an oversized crown on my head. My once smooth curls were in a disarrayed 'akdnfhdjdjfbfhej' knots now. I sighed and avoided looking at my face.

I knew that I couldn't hear a single thing from where I was but 'actions speak louder than words.' Like literally. Sitting down on my knees, I hid my entire face under the windowsill except for my eyes. I swear if I could see myself right now, I'd be resembling a perverted cartoon character peeking through the window.

Mr. Miller had stopped circling his tied up captive and had a deep scowl etched onto his old, wrinkly face. He continuously waved the bundle of papers in his hand with a really agitated expression.

Jonathan Williams, on the other hand, though tied up to a chair, was sporting a calm and serene look. He was shaking his head at whatever Mr. Miller was saying.

Maybe Mr. Williams' defiance must have cracked up Mr. Miller's patience because he backed up from his chair and handed over the papers to one of the guards. Straightening up and patting his tie, he began speaking. It was like he was going into a long and elaborate speech about something only God and the men inside the room could hear, understand and know.

Five minutes later, he was still going on with his talk so I turned around and sat down defeatedly. There was nothing more that I could get my hands on.

There were some swirling thoughts buzzing through my head. Why did he kidnap Skye's dad and what were those papers in his hand. Why did that paparazzo, who had been following me, come here? How was I a part of all this? How did I even make it in the picture?

Nothing was making sense and the more I thought about it, the more I felt like I was losing my brain cells.

"Argh." I closed my eyes after quickly sending Shivaay my location and putting the phone back in my pocket. When I opened them back, my gaze landed on the two unconscious guards. An idea was beginning to formulate in my head and I grinned cheekily.

Five minutes later, I had cleaned my face from the smeared make-up after stealing the handkerchief of a guard. Surprisingly, it smelled fresh and clean. To cover up my "scary" joker look, I even wore his suit pants and jacket over my dress. Don't ask me, I was beyond grossed out but not even once did I look at him. However, he was still in his shirt and… boxers.

The reason I took his clothes was because of my - Shivaay's to be precise - dress shoes. I looked down at myself to see the loose pants with my creasy dress billowing underneath the suit jacket. Least to say, I could be the breakdown of the fashion industry. But I didn't have any choice and I wouldn't get naked to wear them plus it did a pretty decent job to keep the cold winds at bay.

I think the champagne in my system was starting to make its presence known because I was laughing when I shouldn't be.

My lip curled up in disgust just at the mere thought of being dressed up like this in front of Skye. I'd be too embarrassed to even face him. I was snapped out of my nonsensical thoughts when I heard a loud groan.

I took a step back as the fully clothed guard slowly opened his eyes with his expression pinched into pain.

"Shit," I muttered but it seemed like he heard me because slowly like a vicious snake, his bloodshot eyes met mine.

Like a trained lion, he jumped upon his feet, his minuscule pain long forgotten. "You bitch," he snarled angrily. Stealthily, his hand slid in his holster for the… gun.

I gulped thickly when he clutched the weapon in his hand as if it was a cell phone. So casually and without any remorse.

My entire body was on an anxiousness spree. Since my heart knew nothing more than just to beat, it was as if it was running a marathon to tell me about the danger level of the situation like I didn't know about it already.

With an agonizingly and purposefully slow speed, my life was beginning to flash before my eyes. I didn't even get the chance to say 'I love you' to Skye. A lone tear rolled down my cheek and I could feel my lower lip quivering in fear.

What made me think that coming here would be a good idea? But then again how would I have known that the imbecile paparazzo would be having a dangerous company. Mr. Miller being the villainous leader of them all. And most of all, what is his intention to carry out this entire drama?

As I was about to take another step back, my feet came in contact with something hard. Fearfully, I glanced down to see the black helmet.

"Don't you even dare!" His voice boomed.

A voice inside my head kept on reminding me about something. Taekwondo, I chanted in a conspiratorial whisper internally. I remember telling my dad in seventh grade that a guy pecked me on the lips and he got so mad that he had enrolled me into a taekwondo class. Let's just say, I quit after two months. I had just somehow grasped the basics but I wouldn't get too ahead of myself. I don't feel like I could remember them either.

"Put your hands up!" He bellowed, his left eye twitching continuously like an enraged bull.

Where the hell is Shivaay? I can't do this. Oh, my God. I am gonna die today.

With slow movements, I began raising them but twice as quickly bent down and retrieved the helmet. I was proud of my deceptive move but the next second, I heard his gun shot ricocheting everywhere like a demon's laugh.

It must have been the 'fight or flight' case with me because my body was on high alert. Within a snap, I put the helmet on my head and fell down on my knees. It was so quick that I would have put even the Flash to shame. Just an exaggeration but that's how I had felt.

Though my superhero moment ended the moment I realized something. The bullet wasn't even fired in my direction. I mean that's what I thought. How can someone like me dodge a bullet.

"Jesse! What the actual fuck, man!" Screamed the guard who was pointing the gun at me just seconds ago. Jesse, the unconscious guard, was standing up from his sleeping position like a zombie. He was still disoriented because he was swaying from side to side weirdly. Maybe that sway made the angry bull's aim fail.

"Thank you, Jesse," I muttered to myself, kneeling on the ground.

Just then the angry bull turned toward me and this time, he looked beyond pissed.

Jesse, who was holding his head, was going on with his weird swaying dance. At one point, both his legs tangled and he even fell down on the ground, pulling the bull along with him.

I tried to refrain myself, I really did but my giggles were unstoppable. Jesse in only a shirt and boxers along with his socks and shoes seemed like he came straight out of the circus business. Look who's saying. "Tommy, I swear I didn't drink but this feels worse than a hangover."

"It's Tom or Thomas," Thomas, the angry bull, gritted. "And what the hell is wrong with you?" He slapped Jesse hard across his cheek. The impact must have been so… thunderous because the sound of it was really loud.

This time, I laughed like a cackling witch and pulled out my legs from underneath me. I even slapped my thighs because everything was so funny to me since I was at the brink of my life… anyway.

"Shut up, you stupid girl!" Thomas spat, directing his words at me before getting up.

"Can I be honest with you?" I tried to tone down my laugh into an uncontrollable chuckle. "Who even trained you both? If you were my guards, I would have freed you guys from your duty already." Wrong move.

Thomas' face reddened and he was the epitome of 'don't mess with me because I am your death'. "You have quite a mouth, you little pest, don't you?" He smirked viciously and Jesse joined him with that same dark look.

I guess I just messed with their "masculine ego". "You can't kill me…" I tried keeping a neutral face but in reality, I was just gambling.

"Oh, we won't but don't get too ahead of yourself." It was Jesse, showing me his walkie talkie as if that was supposed to make sense to me.

"Um… Jesse. Could you not talk please? I can't take you seriously when you're like that. I-" I coughed quickly to stop another fit of giggles.

"I swear I want to kill her so bad right now," Jesse said to Thomas while pulling at the hem of his shirt like that would cover his bare thighs. "You do the task." He huffed defeatedly.

Thomas nodded and pulled out his walkie talkie and said something in it in a low voice. With a click in the end, he showed me his perfectly aligned teeth. He felt victorious and it was written all over his face.

One second, he was beaming along with Jesse and the next, their faces morphed into a painful grimace. Their mouths were hung open as they fell down. Again. I had even lost the count.

"Aakraman!" A voice with a thickly laced accent, speaking in some foreign dialect shouted from up ahead. Looking up, I saw Shivaay… running with a slingshot? Was that a slingshot? I spotted Chelsea, Emika and Keith following behind him with long sticks in their hands along with a few plastic bags filled to the brim with something.

Clasping my hands, I laughed because that was a nice shot. Or more like nice shots. Getting up, I grinned but they couldn't notice it because of my huge helmet crown.

Before I had the chance to thank my friends, I heard a grinding noise from behind me. Turning around, I saw some guards filing out and their aura was actually dangerous. They seemed to be the real guards. That's when I joined the dots. Thomas and Jesse must have been some low qualified watch guards stationed outside.

These guys on the other hand were a real deal. My heart was back to thumping back and forth as if my lungs were its treadmill. They were completely bathed in different types and sizes of guns.

And the worst thing? I was standing directly in front of them. I was an easy target and somehow Skye's words from long ago made their way back into my memory. "I'd thought that you were equally a part of this as much as I was but I was wrong. You were just a pawn in all of this. You just happened to be at the right place and at the right time for that person."

Meaning they didn't have to think twice to shoot me on the spot. I am just a pawn. Just thinking about that brought tears in my eyes. I was scared of death. Always have been. My dreams about making it to the top in the advertising world were squashing before my very own eyes.

I was too numb to even move because I felt like moving would be more dangerous than standing still.