Stephen eyed the cop a moment. Confusion swam in his eyes. "I need to speak with Ju Won alone," Stephen said, firm but polite. The cop hesitated before nodding. "You've got a few minutes," he replied, stepping out of the cell and closing the door behind him with a heavy thud. Ju Won squinted at Stephen, trying to place him. "Who are you?" he asked, suspicion in his voice. Stephen reached up and carefully peeled off the fake mustache and beard. Ju Won's eyes widened in recognition. "Stephen?" he gasped, then his voice bloomed in amazement. "I thought you were gone for good." "It's a long story," Stephen replied, his voice low. "But I need your help." "How?" Confusion was on Ju Won's face. "I'm sorry, supremo. But what could you possibly need from me?" Stephen drew closer, dropping his voice to hush. "I need knowledge about Clarke. I know he's the person behind all this, and I need to stop him." Ju Won blinked in surprise. "Clarke? You're going after him?" Stephen nodde
Stephen kept his cool and gave Clarke a thin smile. "I'm leaving already," he said, tone even. "I just came over to visit with Ju Won."Clarke did not move, his eyes narrowing as he continued to search Stephen's face. "What's the hurry?" he asked, his interest tinged with suspicion, taking a step forward to get a better view of Stephen. "I really would like to see who this guy is, this 'Mr. Cruz'.".Stephen didn't flinch. His eyes were locked on Clarke's. "Nothing to see here," he answered coolly. "Just a man visiting an old acquaintance. Now, if you'll excuse me."Back in the van, Ariane watched nervously as Yuna worked away, gradually loosening the rope binding her wrists. Yuna turned to look at Ariane and whispered, "You need to create a diversion—just say anything."Ariane paused as her heart galloped. "What do I say?" she whispered back, her voice trembling.One of them—the larger one—sent them a scowl. "Shut up, the both of you," he growled. "You're cramping my peace."Yuna was
Stephen watched hawk-eyed from far off, where Clarke and Marriane were standing beside the van. He remained in his hiding and wondered what their next step would be. Clarke paced up and down, his cell phone pressed against his ear, the frustration almost palpable. Marriane just stood, her arms crossed, her impatience self-evident. SCRATCH That was finally when the call he had placed got connected. MAN "Hello, boss," replied one of the men, his tone straight."Where.are.the girls?" he demanded, trying hard to keep his anger at bay.The man hesitated before blurting an answer, "Boss, there is something wrong. These girls have tricked us and run away."Clarke's face darkened into a scowl, but his voice was low and cautious to avoid attracting unwanted attention. "What?! How could you be tricked by some kids? Find them in five minutes.or else."He hung up, his jaw tight, then turned to Marriane with a forced smile. "The kids are on the way. They'll be here soon."Marriane regarded him sus
Enoch swiftly walked down the hallway of the empire. His steps clanged on the polished marble floor. He remained focused and pushed aside attentions from the several other employees who filed down the area, glancing at him. Forty minutes had elapsed since he entered the office, but there was still no Marriane. He would have thought she would be around dealing with the business as appropriate for the status of a CEO, but the office remained deserted.Frustration, boiling beneath the surface, came forth with a sigh. "She doesn't know a thing about running this place," he muttered under his breath. "Leaves without a word, and no one knows where she's gone."All of a sudden, there was that familiar chug-chug of an engine. His ears whipped up, and he turned to the entrance. It was definitely his vehicle. What right had Marriane to take his car out?Enoch rushed towards the entrance just in time to see Marriane alight from the driver's seat. A deep frown marred her face, although she was no
Yuna's wrists ached from the tight ropes digging into her skin. She struggled, a petite frame unable to make the chair creak. Tears ran down her face as she begged, "Please, let me go. I won't tell anyone. I swear."Clarke looked straight across the table, his eyes glued to the glowing screen of the cell phone. The only sound in the room was the very soft clicking of buttons as his fingers danced across the screen. He did not even flinch upward as Yuna continued to plead."Please. just let me go home," Yuna's voice trembled.Suddenly, "Game Over" flashed on Clarke's game. He snarled and threw the phone on the table with a thud. His cold, unrelenting eyes locked themselves onto Yuna. "You know, I had about two moves to victory. Then your whining made me lose."Yuna flinched. Her body trembled. "I—I'm sorry," she meekly mumbled."What?" Clarke sneered. "You just can't keep quiet, huh?" He moved even closer, his face just some centimeters distant from hers. "Why don't you just shut up fo
Marrianne laughed open-mouthed at Yuna as she was thrust even closer to the water, her small child's body squirming mightily against the ropes as the chain dragged the chair closer to the edge. Yuna's eyes popped in her face as the water loomed closer. The cold shock of hitting the water snapped her into a frantic struggle on hitting the water; the weight of the chair drew her down swift—.Stephen watched at the doorway, his fists clenched. **Now's the moment for me to act.** He caught sight of a black coal-dust pile not far off, and without pausing to think about it, he ripped a strip of cloth off his shirt and rubbed at his face with the dirt. **This should help me blend in, but I need a distraction.His eyes shifted quickly to the two guards at the entrance, riveted on the struggling girl inside the well. Stephen could feel his heart pounding. **They'll intercept me fast if I go charging in. I'll need a plan.** He slid out of the room and, unseen, down to where the waiting car was
Enoch came out from the camera room, his heart racing, as he nodded at the security man who was still explaining to him how the camera worked. **There's no time for this.** His mind racing, he went swiftly down the hallway towards Marriane's office. **I have to plant the camera before she gets back.**Transpired into the office, and he slipped noiselessly within, closing the door behind him. The room was chill and dark; the one light there was upon the desk threw a dim shadow on the walls.He hurried toward Marriane's desk, produced the little camera from his pocket. **This has got to go under the table, where she won't see it.**He knelt down, placing the camera carefully under the table and trying to hold it in place. But just as he was trying to adjust it, the door creaked open. Enoch froze; his heart dropped to the pit of his stomach."Enoch?" Marriane's voice was cold, cutting through the silent atmosphere. "What are you doing in my office?She's back already? I didn't even hear
-She sat at the edge of the bed, bathed by the soft light of the hotel room as she puzzled it all through. **How is Mr Stephen here? He vanished .** Her eyes strayed into his for the answers.Stephen saw the confusion in her, weakly smiling back. "I know it's confusing, Yuna, but I have to remember who I am." There was a deep tone of urgency behind his firm voice.Yuna's eyes narrowed at his. Something was definitely wrong. That faraway look in his eyes; he hadn't fully come back into his memory. "How am I going to be of help?" she asked softly but firmly.Stephen eased his gaze as he looked into her eyes. "I don't yet. but I need you to trust me."Although she nodded, she truly had no idea how she was going to help him actually regain his memory—short of some kind of medical intervention—but she did have to try.Stephen's expression suddenly changed. His eyes lost focus, as if he saw something she couldn't. **What is happening to him?** thought Yuna, her heart racing.Here, Stephen