After that one bone chilling gunshot and Skye's panicky voice, I stood still. I could feel the stares of my friends boring holes into me but it was like everything around me was an annoying whisper even though it was eerily silent.

"Skye." And that's when I realized that I was crying. I could taste the saltiness of my tears because of my parted lips.

"Hey, Val, you need to-"

Before they influenced my mind with some assuring thoughts, I descended through that rickety ladder. I couldn't waste another second staring into space and imagining the worst case scenario.

Braving my heart and everything, I ran toward the front of the warehouse like a cheetah. Or maybe I was the deer because I sure felt like a prey right now.

"Valerie, wait! You need to think this through," Keith said, blocking my path and panting loudly like that short sprint drained the energy out of him.

"What's there to think?" I asked him incredulously but my voice was a mere shaky whisper. "Are you guys coming or not?" I turned to face the others. It wasn't their fault that I had carelessly followed a guy who was stalking me. Though, I was unaware that he was actually leading me to the vulture himself. I thought I'd corner him just like I did to Rick Stile but apparently that wasn't the case.

"I have an idea," Keith proposed, noticing my impatient look. "You go ahead alone, Valerie. We'll be right behind you. But not really. We'll come ten or so minutes later for the surprise element and also to make things convincing like - like we left or stuff like that. Plus, we need to call the police. I am saying this so that we can take our weapons and attack them because… pizza is God." He lifted up his fisted hand.

"The only thing Mr. Miller and I agree on," Shivaay muttered to himself, rolling his eyes.

"I know, right?" Chelsea laughed but stopped abruptly when she saw my face.

I just nodded my head because I was still scared about what would have happened to Skye.

This is all my fault and I can't help but blame myself for it.

"Okay, guys." With that, I jogged ahead and toward the metal door. Once in front of it, I mumbled the password and it opened, making an animalistic growl.

Before the door had even opened, it was as if all sets of eyes were on me because the moment I walked inside, I almost succumbed. I didn't look at anyone because my eyes unconsciously landed on Skye first. My gaze slowly roved over his body anxiously to check for any injuries but he had none. He wasn't harmed in any way.

That's when I realized that this was a bait and my eyes trailed ahead to see Mr. Miller pointing his gun at Skye.

My heart stuttered when I saw Skye giving me an assuring smile but it didn't work for me. Not this time when he was being held at gunpoint.

"Where are the others?" Mr. Miller asked. I knew that the question was directed at me and when I glanced at him, he seemed ready to combust. If there were any graphics to show his emotions then I'd say a burning storm fledging behind him would do.

My eyes widened because I didn't even think about it in depth. Keith did tell me to lie that my friends left but for some reason I couldn't bring myself to utter it out loud. Maybe I was still feeling numb. My lips were tightly sealed but if I would open them, they would be wide agape in fear. What am I supposed to say to that?

"Joseph…" Skye's voice had taken a venomous notch and even a highly mentally challenged person could say that he was mad mad. "The deal only included Valerie, didn't it? It's not others' fault, then leave them alone."

Mr. Miller's face darkened and his hand holding the gun was shaking vigorously. "Standing here… facing your death and trying to talk deals with me, huh? Don't test me, Skye. If you think that I need you alive, well yes, that's true because I still need your signature on the will. But… I can always inflict pain on you. And that, I am very much sure of. So! Don't try to be smart in front of me."

I almost stopped breathing at his harsh, villainous words and I couldn't believe that he was the old man who had complimented me about how good I looked during the gala event when we were in search of Kyle M. That very same guy now arrogantly stood in front of me.

Wait a second! Kyle M. I still can't tell why he chose that as his pseudonym but… he was there all along and we didn't even know!

"Tell me where are the others? Because if they have in any way contacted the police then I won't hesitate to kill you," he said the words "kill you" with bared teeth and a stinky smile. "You are useless to me now anyway. You've done my work and I've got my results as well as my half reward."

My blood started boiling as soon as I heard the word "useless". I couldn't tell if I agreed with him or not but for sure, I wanted to strangle his already old and weak body.

"You are-"

I cut Skye off and looked Mr. Miller dead in the eyes. "Who's Kyle M.? Because if I am useless, like you so kindly put it and that you'd kill me, then I need all the answers."

He started chuckling like my words held the top level of entertainment for him. "Don't you fear death?"

"Valerie-" Skye began warningly but I ignored him again.

"Actually, I do… Mr. Miller. Not gonna lie, death gives me the chills but the thing is that there is another fear that tops it off. Fear of not knowing the answer to something." I shrugged, schooling my features into nonchalance but if someone could scan my insides, they would see that every part, organ, cell and other stuff were cowering back in fear.

"I like you, Ms. Jones. Your attitude reminds me of my younger self," he said, smiling wistfully and staring into space.

Unable to hold back myself, I cringed and looked at Skye with a scrunched nose. Remind him of himself? Yikes because I don't wanna be like him when I reach the older days of my life. "Insane".

Skye pursed his lips to not laugh out loud at my expression and shook his head. Just then, I looked around carefully to see that the guards who had attacked us outside were standing in their position along with the others, manning the walls. The weird cameraman was bent over his camera, avoiding looking at everyone. Mr. Williams was hunched over in his seat as if in a prayer stance. It was as if he was teleported into a different world because of how serene he looked.

"Like…" Mr. Miller began. "I've always been fearless of consequences."

I had to roll my eyes. I could see that he was fearless which is why he was casually waving around his gun.

"But yeah, to answer your "curiosity" then I am Kyle M. Joseph Kyle Miller. Weird, isn't it? Good thing nobody knew my middle name so I took the advantage. The only reason I am telling you this is because you're all gonna die anyway. And so will my secret." He shrugged, mimicking me.

"Aren't you even a small percent scared that you're gonna go to the prison for all of this?" I asked him, raising an eyebrow. I wasn't shocked to hear that he was Kyle M. because certainly that was expected as his actions were giving it all away.

That seemed to have clicked something in him because he tightened his hold on his gun before pointing it directly at me. "Then I don't want to have any regrets, Ms. Jones."

I stilled, unable to move and I knew that this was it. This was the end. It was as if I couldn't stop it but could only stall it further.

"Don't, Joseph. She's never done anything to you," Skye told him and I could hear the tremble in his voice. He was about to come and stand in front of me but Mr. Miller's next words stopped him.

"You move, Skye and she dies. Stay where you are!" Mr. Miller bellowed.

Not wanting to test that theory, Skye stopped short and put his hands up to show that he wouldn't do anything stupid. "Put down the gun, Joseph. It-"

"I'll sign the will, Joe and so will Skye." Everything went silent after a new yet familiar voice spoke up all of a sudden. "That's what you want, right? I am ready to do it."

I was astounded to say the least. Because for one, Mr. Williams was so calm and collected that one would say that he was just casually lounging in a chair and wasn't in a dangerous position right now. And two, what was he going on about signing the will? What the hell is going on here?

"Dad, please… you don't have to do this," Skye pleaded, looking helpless and… sad. I hated that emotion on him. All I wanted to do at that moment was to hug away his worries.

I could feel something wet on my lips again and held back a sob. The happenings of the day were taking a toll on me. I just wanted to cry and scream and pour out all of my emotions.

"Skye, it's all right, son. I've lost my first son but I don't intend to lose you too. I will do just anything to prevent that. I know I don't show this at all but you've brought immense happiness to me and your mom. This… this will, it's gonna perish someday, it's just a materialistic thing that wouldn't matter after a certain period. I don't want to lose you over this. Your mother cares for us so let's just have Joe here have it," Mr. Williams explained to Skye who looked ready to cry.

I couldn't tell why his eyes were watering but I bet that it wasn't over losing the will but rather after hearing his dad's words. I remember Skye telling me once how their relationship was filled with cracks and bumps but it was good to see Mr. Williams making up for it.

"Listen to your old man, Skye." Mr. Miller grinned, seeming like he was over the moon after hearing Mr. Williams' affirmative answer. "Oh, and one more thing. It's for you, Valerie. How about you call the NYPD and say that nothing's wrong and they don't have to come over?" He ordered with a sickly sweet smile. Just as I was about to decline his request, Skye intervened and I sighed in relief internally.

"But how can you trust him? What makes you think that he'll let us go alive after signing those papers?" Skye asked, his voice slightly cracking and completely ignoring Mr. Miller's words.

Even though I was very much clueless, it was obvious that Mr. Miller did all of this to gain Skye's will. It all made sense too, considering he was holding some papers in his hand when I had been peeking through the window from outside. Bloody, greedy bastard.

Mr. Williams just smiled calmly like he knew something that none of us did. I furrowed my brows because it somewhat pushed me off guard. Just then we heard the door grumble heavily and we all looked behind to see my friends running in with loud roars of enthusiasm. Or at least that's what I thought it was.

"Aakraman!" Shivaay screamed his signature dialogue and I released a watery giggle. I almost forgot about them and I've never been too happy to see them.

And thus the "battle ensued", like Shivaay put it. I was being dramatic but I couldn't help it because all I wanted was to kick Mr. Miller's ass.

I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings much but I felt a body colliding with mine. I was about to panic but the familiar woodsy scent wafted through my nostrils and I relaxed instantly. It then dawned on me that he wasn't pushed into me but was hugging me very tightly.

Skye put his chin on my shoulder as his arms tightened around me, his blonde hair tickling my face. Snapping out of the daze, I wrapped my arms around his neck. With his arms still around my waist, he leaned back to look at me. "Are you crazy?!" He finally bursted out like a bomb but I could see the fear and relief clear in his eyes.

"How are you?" I asked him instead and his face softened instantly though there was a hint of frustration in his expression because I completely ignored his question.

"No, how are you?"

I chuckled softly and dusted off an invisible lint off his chest, stalling my answer. "I am scared." We were both talking as if we weren't in the middle of a fight. It was as if the world around us was just quickly whirring but we were both breathing at our own pace.

"Duck, Skylerie!"

Skye and I both turned to my left, looking like two deers caught in the headlights. Chelsea was holding two beer bottles in her hand and I wanted to remind her of its content but in the very next instant, I felt myself dip.

With a beating heart, I looked up to see Skye leaning onto me. Our position seemed like we were dancing together in a ballroom. A ballroom of war and chaos, if I may say so.

Once I heard the clashing of glass against someone's body, I winced. Skye pulled me up just as quickly as he had dipped me. "What… was that?" I rasped, tightening my hands on his shoulders.

He smiled at me beautifully and I couldn't help but mirror his expression because his smile was damn contagious.

I was in complete bliss but the moment was, however, broken. A maddening gun shot was fired and I stopped moving altogether. Hell, I felt like even my heart had stopped beating for a second there.

The whole room was silent as I saw Mr. Miller had his gun pointed upward before pointing it against Emika's temple. He was holding her as a leverage to scare us and it was working.

The worst thing was that I couldn't tell if she was frightened or not because her face was void of any emotions. Though her dark eyes were shining with a gritting strength.

"Leave her alone!" It was Shivaay and I was stupefied to hear the warning growl in his screaming voice.

Mr. Miller just raised an eyebrow at him, unimpressed. "Sit down or she gets shot. And trust me, you don't wanna test me right now 'cause I am not joking. Everybody! Sit down there!" He pointed toward the cars in front of him. He even motioned for the paparazzo to do the same and so he did without any questions. Although, it seemed like he couldn't believe his ears.

Skye intertwined our fingers and led us toward the rustic cars. We all sat down, forming a horizontal line and I couldn't tell about the others but I was literally trying to console myself. Although I deserved what I was suffering through because everyone present in here was because of my stupidity.

And by the end of this if I would lose my friends then I wouldn't be too surprised either.

"Now, listen to me carefully, all of you," he started, waving his gun at us. "Who here has called the police? And before any of you say, "no, we didn't call the police" then remember your girl's with me. I won't hesitate to blow her brains off so if you're smart enough then don't lie to me," he finished, his beady eyes glaring at us.

I crossed my fingers tightly when no one answered even after ten seconds had passed. Just as I was about to say that I did, Shivaay broke the dead silence. "It was me."

Skye stiffened beside me and I wanted to tell him that we had no choice but I didn't even turn to him. I couldn't face him right now. I couldn't find it in me to look at him or anyone for that matter.

"Very well then. Call them again and tell them that it was a wrong signal. Do it," Mr. Miller ordered and there was not a single ounce of humor in his weathered face. He beckoned the two guards toward Shivaay, who apparently understood what he meant.

Taking hold of Shivaay's arms from both sides, they pulled him to a corner.

I was confused and everyone must have had the same look on their faces because he spoke again. "Network stuff, you know." He shrugged, smiling.

Few minutes later, Shivaay was made to sit back in his place.

"Good. I am pleased." He grinned before asking those same guards to hold Emika.

"Joe, you-"

"Shut up, John! Don't talk unless you're spoken to! I am this-" He pinched his thumb and index finger together, leaving almost no space between them. "-this close to killing all of you but I won't. At least not yet."

Chelsea, who was sitting on my other side, whimpered unconsciously and I held her hand. She tightened her hold before passing me a forced smile. She was terrified, making my insides overflow with guilt.

"Valerie, the curious one," Mr. Miller acknowledged me with a wide smile.

I saw Skye clenching his jaw from my peripheral vision. As I glanced at him discreetly, I could tell that he wanted to say something to Mr. Miller.

"Do you wanna know why I've done all of this?"

I gave him a perplexed stare. "Wow, I feel so honored that you're willing to tell me your reasons out of everyone," I deadpanned and resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

Mr. Miller began laughing with mirth at my words and I had to remind myself to not invoke him. It was all rainbows and sunshines until the volcano decided to throw it all over. "Because weren't you the one to follow Yousuf?" Noticing my expression, he elaborated. "Your "paparazzo guy", Ms. Jones. Your curiosity has led you here. Not only that but also your friends are endangered because of you, you know."

His words were like a painful slap on my face. And the guilt I had been feeling earlier was back at its full force. I looked down at my lap to avoid everyone's gazes.

As some sort of assurance, Skye squeezed my hand to show that he was still there.

"Anyway!" Mr. Miller clapped his hands once. "That's some quarrel for later that I don't care about. But since you all are here, I'll tell you why I did this. I did it because of this good for nothing Skye here. Ever since he became the CEO, the profits have been dwindling just like our sun that soaks all the water. I am fed up! Can you blame the poor ol' me?" He grinned darkly.

I wanted to punch his face so bad for even daring to call Skye "good for nothing". He didn't know Skye like I did. Heck, he doesn't even know what a hardworking person he is. I wanted to punch and kick some sense into his already dead brain. But I just resorted to glowering at him for the sake of everybody's safety and especially Emika's.

"I tried to talk to everyone about the sales issue and about how ZAE Inc. is going down the waters. It was flourishing when John was handling the company but now I've got no hopes. So I began planning everything. And Valerie, your involvement with Skye was like a cherry on top for me. You were the one to encourage me to follow up with this entire thing," he explained without any remorse in his voice.

With a brave heart, I decided to speak. "So what? You go on kidnapping the founder and now threatening us? What good is it doing to you?"

"Tsk tsk. Naivety is closely related to stupidity." He smirked because he knew that he hit a nerve.

I clenched my free hand into a tight fist. No one spoke. It was very quiet that I wanted nothing more than to break this man's peace by banging his head against a wall. Maybe that would spur some goodness into him.

"I want Jonathan and Skye to sign the will so that I could be the owner of the company. I can finally take it to the peak it deserves to go to," he told me and his visage was shining with a far off dreamy look.

We didn't even get to process his words and nobody knew how and what happened next except for the fact that the huge, bulbous metal door fell down on the ground with a loud crashing thud. I jerked due to the impact as we all stared at the now broken door with a bated breath. It was silent for two whole minutes and honestly speaking, those two minutes seemed to be never ending.