Date The CEO.com

"Reporting live from The Magical Symphony, the police have arrived at the scene where a hostage situation had taken place. The suspect's identity is still unidentified and, based on given information, he has yet to contact anyone for negotiation."

Eve's phone clattered to the floor while her heart sank. The world became quiet in her ears. She only heard her own heartbeat, not even the reporter's voice reached her. To her, the pieces fell into place and created a picture.

She itched to break it apart.

Cale watched her in worry. The life in her face had vanished, particularly her gaze. It had turned dark and dull. He felt the temperature drop a few degrees. A shiver went down his spine.

"Nanzie," Eve said, blinking out of her daze. Something in her expression had changed. A small fire had begun to burn behind her eyes. "Go faster."

"Yes, Ms. Eve."

Jarrett stood in front of The Magical Symphony. The building loomed over him as if mocking. It wasn't big but their hands were tied about the situation. He cursed under his breath. The police force had divided into teams and had covered all exits while the experts discussed their next move.

Yet, none of this seemed enough for victory.

"Jarrett," he heard from behind. Turning around, Jarrett spotted Ambryan jogging up to the site. He sighed. That was one person down. The other one should be on her way. At least it was Ambryan who arrived first. He could be the one to deal with her.

"Ambryan," Jarrett greeted the CEO and shook the latter's hand. "I guess you're here about the twins?"

Nodding, Ambryan looked towards the windows. The blinds had been drawn. No one could see a peep inside. "Do you guys have an assessment of the situation?"

Jarrett crossed his arms over his chest and glanced in the same direction. "More or less. There's no accomplice from what we can tell since most of the class had escaped except for one room.  There haven't been casualties either and we'd like to keep it that way."

Ambryan's face became grim. "Is the classroom where Eri and Ede are?"

"Unfortunately, yes." Jarrett averted his gaze. His blood boiled. He was here as a spectator. One of his good friends had called him about the situation though he was no longer with the law enforcement. It frustrated him how he couldn't do anything but wait.

"She's not answering…" Ambryan muttered. He pulled his phone away from his ear and saw Eve's photo before the screen locked automatically. "This can't be good. Something could have also happened to Eve."

Jarrett whirled in his direction. "Is someone targeting Eve and her family? An enemy of yours or hers perhaps? Do you have any idea who could be behind this?"

"For this one, I don't think it's an enemy." Ambryan sighed. He left a voice message before hanging up. "But an old face who had decided to resurface."

Before Jarrett could ask again, loud static pierced through the air. A contorted deep voice spoke right after. "My, my, my… are we having a party? I see so many people had gathered. I must say, I appreciate all of you for coming here."

"Please release the students," one of the experts answered from the front row.

The deep voice chuckled. "Now, why would I do that for free?"

The expert sighed. "State your terms then."

"How about a million for each child?"

"That's absurd!"

"Are you saying a child's life isn't worth at least a million?" The kidnapper mocked. He laughed slowly, noting how the negotiator had gone quiet immediately. "How could you say something like that when you're supposed to protect public safety."

A gunshot echoed from inside the building.

The police officers readied for a fight. Jarrett guessed that one team or one person successfully infiltrated the school. Since there wasn't an accomplice, the scheme had plenty of holes. What mattered left was the timing and execution of the plan.

It should all be over soon.

Then, the ominous voice returned. 

"Ah, a sneak attack…" it said. "How commendable but too bad it didn't work."

A second gunshot fired then an anguished cry came from the megaphone. The law enforcement outside had stood up, dashing for the front entrance. They waited for the go signal from the other team that had entered the building. They needed to know if it was safe to barge in.

Unfortunately, that wasn't about to come any time soon.

Russell Spinster lied on his side. A pained grunt hissed between his teeth. He clutched his wounded leg while the students and teachers crowded beside the farthest wall. He clenched his hand into a fist and pounded at the floor.

A student screamed from the sound.

"Get the kids and the teachers out please," a new voice commanded.

His closed eyes slowly opened. He craned his neck to look at the doorway. The first thing he saw was a flash of red hair. The light from the hallway made the person glow—much like an angel that fell from the sky,

"Evangeline…?" He breathed out.

"Look again."

Squeezing his eyes shut, Russell reopened his eyes. The person before him became clearer. Where he usually found hazel eyes were brown ones that match his own. Behind her was a woman he didn't recognize and the legs of the police officer he shot earlier.

"Everlee…" he whispered as he returned to his focus towards her. "You shot your own father?"

"No." Eve stepped closer, her hands inside the pockets of her denim jacket. She nudged her head in Nanzie's direction. "My bodyguard did."

"So you told her to shoot."

Eve was ready to snap. She was on her last thin fiber of wood. "Again..., no. You thought we were the cops and were ready to shoot. We just shot first." 

Never in her wildest dreams did she think her father was capable of this much. Despite her worries a week ago, she had a sliver of thread left that believed he'd keep the twins safe. Maybe he wasn't planning on harming them now either but what about the other hostages?

Was he willing to compromise their safety just for his own desires? And, even if the twins were spared, this incident had left an invisible scar. He really didn't care at all! The only person he ever cared about was himself.

And Evangeline Hart.

"Kidnapping…" Eve started to say. She moved to her dad's side, crouching low. Her brown eyes pierced him like daggers. "Most of the time criminals do that for money. Did you bury yourself in debt? Or did you not have enough money to buy your drugs?"

Her hands clenched and unclenched alternatively. It took all her willpower not to hit him. Just the sight of his face made her sick. He was no longer than the man she knew. He had been replaced by the monster beneath his bloodshot eyes.

Russell clenched his jaw and refused to let her get under his skin. 

Aggravated and enraged, he shot back. "This wouldn't have happened if you hadn't turned me away! You're really selfish, keeping all that money to yourself. Have you ever thought about how your poor dad was doing?"

Eve slammed her hand next to his right ear. Then, she bent forward and pointed a finger at his nose. "Listen here, Russell… You had left us to starve. You didn't leave a single cent. How dare you ask for compassion when you're incapable of it?"

"Oh, please. There were plenty of people to help you out."

"They helped out by giving that money that you stole!" She screamed at his face. There was no point in holding back now. "I don't know where you got this bizarre idea that I owe you but… you are deeply mistaken. I have done EVERYTHING that I could just so Eri and Ede have a better life! The least you could do is come up with a better explanation than some cheap excuse!"

Ambryan appeared in the doorway. He made eye contact with Nanzie who stepped aside. Then, his violet eyes found Eve. She knelt on one knee beside her father. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Her nostrils flared with every breath.

He raised a hand towards the police officers, telling them to wait.

"I want them to be able to reach their dreams which I wasn't able to do because of you," Eve sneered. She sniffed and poured out her pent up emotions. "They deserve so much better than the life you had left us." 

"And whatever is in your future… I could only hope you realize that the only person who can help you is yourself." She rose to her feet and Russell never broke away from her intimidating eyes. She almost taunted him for his numbness.

He really was incapable of being shameful.

Eve stomped her foot, resisting the urge to kick him. She wiped the back of her hand against her nose and said, "Heavens know that's what I learned from you."

Without another word, she turned her back onto him. It didn't take long for her to spot Ambryan. The police officers flooded into the room while he stayed by the door. Eve dapped away her tears before approaching him.

"How are the twins?" She asked, swallowing the lump in her throat.

He caressed the side of her hair and cupped her cheek. They stayed silent for a moment. Despite the lack of verbal words, the couple understood one another. Eve leaned into the palm of his hand. It was small but it was more than enough comfort.

Then, Ambryan yanked her into his arms. 

She buried her face into his chest. "Are Eri and Ede okay?"

"They're fine." His thumb brushed the outline of her ear. Jarrett is with them and so is Cale. And judging by the sudden noise outside, mother is probably there too."

"That's good," Eve managed to say. She cleared her throat and nuzzled her nose against his suit, breathing in his scent. "But we probably should stop your mother though."

"Good luck with that because I won't even try."