It's Lily again!

Pink Villa

Alice pushed open the balcony door & saw a faint silhouette standing by its edge. Her heart was beating wildly. She approached him slowly, taking a step each. Her hand was shaking but nevertheless, she pressed her hand on his shoulder. The figure moved & turned to her, "Hello, dear!"

"You...", Alice was shocked.

"Surprised?",Zach crossed his arms over his chest, "Too bad!"

"Why are you here?", Alice yelled, "Where is Daniel?"

Zach leaned in which made her retreat back a few steps, "Your Dan? I'm impressed by how much he had prepared for this candlelit dinner."

"What do you mean? What have you done to him?" her nostrils were flared.

Zach moved about in circles around her, "Do you want to know?"

Alice turned around to face him, "I'll ask you one last time. Where is Daniel?"

Zach laughed whole-heartedly & his laughter echoed in the silent night. But very soon, his eyes turned chilly, "Very well. You want Daniel? Then, do as I say."

"What do you want?", Alice spoke through gritted teeth.

"You've your interview tomorrow, right?"

Alice silently nodded. Finally, Zach spoke again, "Meet me here." He handed her a card.

Then he turned to leave & waved his hand, "Ta-da!"

As soon as Zach left, Alice sat down on the floor heavily. She moved only when she heard a car move out of the Villa. She took a glance before she fled to her room.

Quickly, she changed into jeans & sweatshirt. She pulled off a leather jacket & a pair of leather gloves. She jabbed the Bluetooth speaker in her ear, grabbed the keys & headed out.

She headed into the garage, jumped on her motorbike & called Assistant Lin. The call got through one ring.

"Hello? Madam?"

"Assistant Lin, Daniel is in danger."

"Ma'am! How? Where?"

"I'm following the people. Track my location & discharge the forces from the main branch."

"Yes, Ma'am!"

Alice immediately hung up. She had been following Zach for quite a while. The car crossed the city limits and stopped near an abandoned construction site. The darkness added a creepy atmosphere to it.

Alice stopped her motorbike at a distance from the car. Zach climbed down the car & fixed his shirt. She squinted her eyes when she saw him walking towards the site. Soon, three pairs of headlights glared at her sharply. She covered her eyes with her hands.

Very soon, she could make out the armed silhouettes approaching her.

"Madam?",Lin called out.

"I'm here", Alice jumped out from behind the bike.

"Shall we proceed?"

"Wait!", Alice raised her index finger, "Do you have extra guns?"

"Yes", Lin nodded hesitantly.

"Hand me one", Alice extended her arm.

The armed guards exchanged glances hesitantly.

Alice frowned, "If I'm asking you, I sure know its use."

Finally, she was handed a gun. She examined it carefully & a mischievous smile appeared on her face, "Musketoon? Not bad."

"Ma'am?", Lin was a bit worried.

"Don't worry", Alice raised her head, "Now listen to me. Assistant Lin will stay near me. And all of you will divide into three groups. Wait for my instructions here. I guess everyone has walkie talkies with you."

"Yes", the armed guards nodded in unison.

"Good", Alice nodded.

"Shall we start?", Lin asked.

"Wait for my instructions. Let me go in first."

The next moment, they saw Alice walk towards the entrance. They silently followed behind.

Alice looked back and nodded before she began climbing the metal rods. She had already shoved the gun & gloves in her jeans.

"Madam?", Lin called out hesitantly.

"Don't worry. I'm quite experienced with this stuff."

She continued climbing up. After all, she was used to it. During her school & college days, she would usually get late & so she had to climb up the high rise wall almost every day. In short, climbing up the rods was a cakewalk for Alice.

5 minutes later

Alice jumped in through the wall & landed on the top floor. From there, she saw many thugs standing guard around three people. One was gagged and bound to a chair, while the other two were standing & having a peaceful conversation. Lily & Zach!

It's Lily again!

And on the chair was an unconscious Daniel.

She adjusted the trigger of the revolver before saying, "Assistant Lin, can you hear me?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Tell the guards to divide themselves & hide in the dark corners. And, there are thugs everywhere."

"Yes, Ma'am. Anything else?"

"Wait for my countdown. We've to shoot down all the thugs. I'll count backward from three."

"Okay, Ma'am."