Ace's Point of View
"What do you want?"
Nicky's deep eyes were looking at me. You couldn't find any emotion on her face. A different kind of woman. How could she be so calm all the time?
I laid out the pictures of him taken by CCTV on the table. These were the pictures that had been in the brown envelope.
Nicky was visibly choking the man I had assigned to guard Zein until he lost his breath. The grip had been so tight that it was almost better that way.
The man's neck was still broken.
"Hmmm. I like these stolen shots," she commented.
She examined the photos while smiling.
"Why?" I asked.
"What?" She laughed before leaning back in her chair. "Aren't you going to thank me? I just saved your girlfriend." She flashed a playful smirk.
I knew it. There was a reason why she did that, and I knew it was for the best.
"You asked for our help. Wish granted."
"But he's the one I assigned to watch over Zein."
"Watch out?" She laughed a little at what I said. "Or maybe kill him? Someone manipulated him. Even though I didn't know who was behind it, I noticed it. I studied his actions, and to my surprise... he planned to kill Zein when he entered the CR." She explained.
I was silent at what she said. My man turned on us? Why? Who was behind this? Was it Hell?
"To make it short. I preceded him. I killed him to save Zein."
Silence enveloped us after what she said. So many things were going through my mind and I couldn't even think of anything sensible. It was so confusing.
"Do you really not know the people behind this?" she asked teasingly.
I looked serious. "I have a lead but—it's still vague," I replied, confused.
"Blurry? Really? Maybe you don't want to accept it?"
"What are you saying?" I asked, slightly irritated.
She shrugged her shoulder and didn't speak again. I suddenly thought of Zein because they might be going home, so I stood up. Maybe she was getting irritated again in the waiting shed.
"I have to go."
"Hunting by the past."
I ignored it and just walked straight out of her office. I almost ran across the parking lot just to beat the time.
She must be tired of waiting.
I guess I need to tell Zein everything. Mr. Sebastian was right—she needs to know. I can't solve this alone. I need her.
I sped my car out of the parking lot. I noticed my cellphone on the floor, probably dropped earlier because I was in a hurry.
I reached for it and opened it. I was quickly overcome with nervousness when I saw two missed calls from Zein and Cedric. But my forehead furrowed more at Cedric's.
I also saw a voicemail from Zein. I played it with trepidation, and because my cellphone was connected to the speaker, I could hear everything.
I quickly braked the car.
"A-Ace... Ace. I'm scared. H-Help me. Ace, please."
My whole body went soft. It was sent an hour ago. It was a while ago and I had just seen it now. I was stunned after hearing that.
I could feel the fear in her trembling voice and the trembling of her body.
FUCK! Not again, please.
I tried to call her but it was unattended.
I closed my eyes, and no matter how much I tried to calm myself down, I was still shaking. I had said some stupid things to myself.
I was careless. Now, what happened? Where is Zein?
I quickly called Cedric, who answered quickly.
"Where is Zein?" was my first question.
I was expecting relief from his answer, but I was wrong.
"I don't know. She said she was going somewhere but until now she still hasn't arrived."
"We have a fucking deal and you just fucking let her go alone! Fuck you!"
The other line went silent. I caught my breath. I honked the horn a few times. Shit! Where the hell is Zein?
If something bad happens to Zein, I'll blow their skulls off. Damn! I don't care who they are.
"Where are you?" I calmed down a bit, but not enough.
Until I'm sure Zein is safe, I won't calm down. I will fucking kill that bastard if something bad happens to my girl, and I will also kill myself. Fuck! It's my fault. I'm sorry.
I went to the park he told me to go to and quickly stopped my car. I got out and rushed at him. He was even more surprised when I grabbed his collar.
"Where the hell is Zein? Answer me!"
"I told you! I didn't know! Yes, I was with her a while ago. I went grocery shopping with her but she said I had to go first and that she was going somewhere."
I let go of his collar and washed my face with my palm.
I'm fucking scared—it's slowly killing me. Zein, where are you? Please, be safe.
Please.
"Wait, is the GPS on her phone turned on?" he suddenly asked.
I understood what he wanted to say, so I opened my cellphone. I felt a flicker of hope when we tracked her location.
"Let's go," I said.
We got in my car and headed in the direction the GPS indicated Zein was. I couldn't calm myself down and was honking the horn every minute.
"I didn't think you'd be so careless."
"It's no longer my fault. I just followed what she wanted."
"Oh, shut up. I don't need your explanation."
I heard the crisp sound of the sizzling fish, which I ignored. I was depressed when I realized what we would see at the end of this steep road.
"Is there something wrong with your GPS?" he asked. "It's probably broken," he continued.
All the blood rushed to my head and my whole body went cold. This is not happening. What I was thinking was not going to happen.
Am I too late? Shit! No. I can't forgive myself if something bad happens to Zein. I might end up killing myself.
We were stunned into silence when we saw the border. I stopped my car. I was just stunned as I looked at the cliff and the vast ocean below.
Cedric got out first, and I quickly followed. I was afraid to see what was below, but there was no denying that someone had come here earlier. There were tire tracks down the cliff, so it was likely someone had driven here before us.
"Shit!"
I couldn't peek over the edge because I was scared. Only Cedric peeked in. He was stunned.
I plucked up my courage and looked down. I almost fainted from the height and almost fell when I saw the almost crushed car below and the fire that had clearly erupted from it. It was on the rocky part of the beach.
"It's just a dream," I whispered.
I slapped myself and almost jumped out of it. I felt like I had lost all my strength.
"Let's see."
Cedric went back to the car first while I let out a sigh. No. Zein won't disappear. It won't all end here.
I sped up the car again until we could get out and go to the burned-out taxi.
We got out and approached it. Other parts of it were scattered around, and fuel was leaking from inside.
"There's no one inside," Cedric whispered.
Even I couldn't see anything. The entire vehicle was crushed, but we couldn't see anyone. I was right. It wasn't all over yet.
I was relieved and at least I could breathe a sigh of relief. The question is, where is she? The GPS took us here, so it's likely that Zein's cellphone was inside this burning car.
And the painful truth—Zein is gone.
Even though the cool breeze on the beach is soothing, it doesn't reach my entire body. I'm overwhelmed by excessive worry and regret.
"I wish you had told her earlier. I wish she had been more careful. We can't watch her all the time," Cedric whispered.
I was just lost in the vast ocean. All my mistakes were slowly coming back to me. I shouldn't have let it all lead to this.
I felt my knees go weak as it slowly dawned on me that I... was the one to blame. I had been careless. I could barely pay attention to her because I was always looking at something else. I shouldn't have taken someone else to watch over her. I'm supposed to be the one watching over her. I'm supposed to be the one protecting her.
Shit! I'm fucking stupid! I just let her go alone. I should be there, with her. I should have helped her when she was whispering my name... asking for help.
I sat on the ground and just stared into nothingness.
Where is Zein?
***
I am currently sitting on a bench in a nearby park. The cool night air is blowing. The entire surroundings are shrouded in darkness.
She is not there.
"Is there a problem?"
I looked up and met Allison's eyes. "Zein is missing," I said.
I saw the confusion in her eyes as if she didn't understand what I said.
"What are you talking about?"
"Zein is missing. I don't know where she is."
Her eyes still couldn't believe it, and I could tell the confusion there based on the way her forehead was wrinkled.
"You're wrong. We met earlier at home."
Now it was me who frowned. "R-Really?" I breathed a sigh of relief, but there was a big question lingering in my mind.
"Did something happen?" she asked. "I saw her eyes were red as if from crying," she added.
I shook my head and stood up. I need to talk to her. I need to see her because I can't rest until I do.
I see that she is fine.
I was about to leave when Allison told me something.
"She gave it to me. Her instructions were to give it to you."
I took the piece of paper from her hand and unfolded it. It was a handwritten letter, but it wasn't Zein's handwriting.
"Are you sure she gave this to you?"
I saw the confusion in her eyes.
"Yes. She gave it to me. She even hugged me, but I saw that her arm was injured. What happened?" she asked worriedly.
What the hell?! Damn! Zein.
I looked back at the piece of paper I was holding.
"Roses are red, violets are blue... For the last time, you failed me.
-Hell."
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