DARKNESS

For that moment, Zoe never felt so safe until she was wrapped under that tight embrace. Its warmth travel through her heart and somehow, she started to calm down.

"Hans..." Zoe called the name of his husband in a soft voice against his chest.

She didn't see his face but she knew it was him. She very well knew how his cold voice sounded in her ears, how he smelled and the feeling of security he gave whenever he was near her.

Zoe let herself leaned weakly against Hans and she felt him stroked her back. It was so soothing that made Zoe relaxed. She closed her eyes and the pain in her head slowly subsided.

She can still hear some noises but it was so faint. What she could hear clearly is the slow yet loud beating of her heart.

"Can you walk? Let's go outside this building."

Hans asked after he felt Zoe's breathing calmed down and he got a nod as a response.

They need to get out of there because it is dangerous to stay inside the mall.

He still held her protectively as they walked towards the exit, avoiding to bump with other people. He made sure he won't lose her in the crowd.

Five minutes earlier, when the team just arrived in their HQ, Frail got the information that bombs were planted at Gio Mall and it will detonate in just three minutes.

Axel tried to call his personnel to give order to have the mall close but he couldn't reach them. It seems that the line was also destroyed.

Without thinking, Hans rushed with his Ducati motorbike knowing that Zoe was at Gio Mall. He doesn't have her contact number and he couldn't call her so he drove fast that he arrived in less than three minutes.

Hans have no idea whether Zoe was still in the mall or she already gone home but he needs to make sure.

In his way, he met Fern on the parking lot but without Zoe.

"Zoe? Where is she?"

"She went to the comfort ro-"

"Get out of here now!" He didn't let Fern finished his sentence and ran inside after telling Fern to leave.

Fern was left with confusion but he still managed to get on his car and drove out, just as what Hans told him.

Meanwhile, as Hans entered the mall, he took the path to the comfort room and he immediately saw Zoe.

But when he was about to approach her, the bomb exploded that caused for lights to turn off.

People started to panic because of what happened.

Hans lost sight of Zoe in the darkness but he adjusted his vision to somehow see and look for her.

People running and colliding each other gave Hans the difficulty to look for Zoe. He avoided them and walked towards the spot where he saw her just seconds ago.

"Damn it!"

Hans swore in frustration as another bomb blasted just right near the comfort room that caused him to stumble on his feet. He grew even more nervous every second he couldn't see Zoe.

He tried to squeeze himself through the number of people running towards the exit of the mall.

Just then, he saw Zoe on the floor, crouched down and trembling.

Hans took long strides to where she is and quickly grabbed her arm to prevent her from falling on the floor when someone didn't saw Zoe and bumped against her.

He heard the trembling voice of the woman as she tried to struggle in a weak force in his grip.

The only thing Hans knew was to hug her in order to calm her down. He felt Zoe's chest heaved up and down in his embrace as she gasped for air.

He tightened his arms around her and whispered, "It's me. Don't worry, I got you."

Hans was relieved that Zoe was in his arms. As long as she was with him, he will make sure she is safe.

They made their way out while making a beeline through the people. He covered Zoe's face and used the side exit to avoid too many media.

As soon as they reached the open space in front of the mall, Hans' eyes spotted Fern. He silently guided Zoe towards her manager, who has a worried look on his face.

"Oh my God! Zoe!" Fern ran towards their way as he saw them approaching.

Hans handed Zoe to Fern and the latter immediately took her in his arms.

"I'm going back to rescue others," he said as he looked at the two.

He turned around and was about to leave when he felt a tug on his coat. He looked back and saw that it was Zoe who stopped him.

"Thank you," Zoe lowered her gaze and whispered, but enough for Hans to hear, "and... and... be careful."

She then withdrew her hand from his coat and remained in her spot silently.

Hans looked at Zoe for a while before taking off his coat and covered it over her shoulders.

He saw the stunned look at the woman's face. Her misty amber eyes widen and mouth slightly opened as she looked up at him.

"You should go back home first."

Zoe looked at her husband as he stood right in front of her.

Her mind was still in daze because of his gentle gestures but the look on Hans' face was emotionless and cold.

She nodded in response and Hans turned away to go back inside the mall.

"Boo, let's get inside the car before anyone see you," Fern took her arm and deposited her inside the passenger's seat.

Zoe saw her reflection on the car's window as soon as Fern closed the door. Along with her phone, she lost her cap and sunglasses. Her slightly messed long hair draped over her shoulders and her eyes were red from crying. The few fake stubble were also erased by her tears earlier.

She was completely exposed as the famous model, Zoe Quinn, and being seen by the media is a bad news.

Fern walked to the driver's seat and got in. He then looked at Zoe and took her hand.

"Are you hurt? Do you want to go to the hospital?" Fern asked in a worried voice.

Zoe shook her head quietly while looking outside the car's window. She was still a bit disoriented after what just happened.

Many people already gathered outside the mall. There are media, police and rescuers that were busy in attending the victims.

She searched for Hans but she couldn't find him.

"I'm sorry. It's my fault, I shouldn't have left you alone inside."

Zoe turned to face her friend and smiled at him, "Boo, it's not your fault, okay? I am fine. Don't be silly in blaming yourself."

Fern pouted and hugged her. It was one of the rare occasions when Fern initiated being this close towards Zoe.

She hugged back Fern and chuckled, "Ehh, you're so dramatic."

Fern pulled back and looked at her angrily, "Are you crazy? You were almost blown up inside that mall! And you expect me to stay calm?!"

"I'm sorry." Zoe lowered her head seeing Fern seriously mad.

Fern sighed and spoke softly, "I was so worried. Good thing Hans was there to save you."

Zoe kept silent and listened to Fern when he continued speaking.

"When I met him on the parking lot, he looked so anxious and frantic the moment he didn't saw you with me," Fern looked at her, "I don't think that he didn't care about you at all, boo."

"You think so?" Zoe couldn't just jump into conclusions when it was so clear for her that Hans hated her.

The other side of her wanted to believe what Fern said. Her friend doesn't lie to her and she just experienced being saved by Hans in her helpless state.

But it is also possible that he rescued her because he saw her crouched down against the wall but she wasn't his priority at all.

"I'm telling you what I have seen."

"Mm.." Zoe nodded, "whatever his reason is, I am grateful that he brought me out alive."

"Anyways, are you sure you don't want to check yourself at the hospital?" Fern started the engine of his car.

"No need, boo. Can you bring me home?"

"Quinn residence or Hans' or my place?"

"Hans' house."

She still needs to go home since Aunt Dhalia might be waiting for her.

Fern nodded and the car started to move. Once more, Zoe looked at the chaos caused by the bomb explosion.

She just survived death and thanks to her husband. She fixed Hans' coat on her shoulders and she snuggled herself into it. Hans' manly perfume lingered in her nose and it made her relaxed.

She saw Hans getting out the mall behind Mr. Mayor. From afar, Zoe could see his frosty and dangerous expression. Media approached them and Hans' figure were blocked by them.

Zoe closed her eyes and silently thought, 'Take care, Hans.'

***

Two hours ago when they arrived at Hans' house and she was greeted by Aunt Dhalia who was worried.

She asked Fern if he wanted to stay here for a night but the latter refused and drove back home after he made sure that she was okay. They also brought her shopping bags to the master's room.

Aunt Dhalia said that Hans texted her that's why she had an idea about what happened. She would constantly asked about her, if she's feeling well or she was injured.

There was a dinner prepared but Zoe politely refused because she has no appetite. She only drank the glass of milk Aunt Dhalia brought in her room.

It was already ten in the evening and Zoe was on her bed now.

She took out her tablet since her phone was nowhere to be found. She received a lot of messages and missed calls from her parents and Zeke, asking about her current situation.

'Maybe Hans or Fern informed them?'

She replied to each one of them, saying that she was fine and unharmed.

After that she opened her social media account and saw a news clip about Mr. Mayor's interview regarding the incident.

She clicked it and listened to Mr. Mayor's statement.

"We are deeply sorry about what happened at Gio Mall today. We have found out that the bombing that happened was caused by a terrorist attack and we will take responsibility for our negligence and failure in securing the safety our citizens. We thank God that no one lost their lives and we will aid in every victims treatment and help them recover from injuries, as well as trauma."

"We will make sure to catch and arrest who ever caused this turmoil and give justice to those who were affected. Thank you."

The way Mr. Mayor delivered his statement will surely give everyone an assurance that everything will be okay. He's always charismatic and gentle that made people very confident in his leadership.

The clip ended and Zoe put her tablet on the bedside table. She let the lights on and lied down on the bed. It is her first time sleeping in the master's bedroom and she was once again alone.

Her mind flashback at what happened earlier. How the loud explosion suddenly rang in her ears and how the darkness engulfed her.

She tried to remember the vague images that flashed in her mind but she can't clearly recall any of it.

It will always happen to her whenever she fell into the dark. Blurred images will play in her mind that will cause her head to be in excruciating pain.

That is the reason why she was afraid of darkness. Every time she would open her eyes but she sees nothing, it will only give her panic attacks.

She haven't told anyone about it. Even her family and bestfriend don't know her fear.

She closed her eyes and gripped on Hans' coat that she still wore over her thin nightgown since Fern already took her onesies. Zoe smelled the relaxing scent of the coat.

Her lips stretched into a soft smile. It felt like Hans was hugging her.

It will help her fall asleep.