"AHHHHHHH!"
The sudden sound of gunfire echoed through the air, sending everyone into a frenzy as they ran for cover. Panic was palpable as the bullets rang out one after the other. Instinctively, I activated the bracelet my mother had given me, signaling the start of a game—a twisted sort of fun that sent a thrill down my spine. "Let the game begin, BWAHAHAHA!" I thought to myself. 
I sprinted towards the bleachers, my heart racing. As I reached my destination, my fingers dug into my pocket to pull out a tracking device. I knew this was my only chance to turn the tide in my favor. Minutes passed, and finally, I heard the sweet sound of success; my plan was working.
"Well! Well! Well!" I heard a woman's voice nearby. Despite being flat on my back, blood staining my side, I couldn’t see her clearly. I felt the sharpness of a panic mixed with excitement as I thought, "Watch and learn, mwhehehe." 
"Didn’t I tell you how hard it is to bring down a Rhajie Chian Tonacci Nefarious? Look at her! She’s already out, and we haven’t even begun!" The voice dripped with sarcasm. My mind raced—who was this person? I was lying there, feigning unconsciousness, bleeding but aware, listening intently. 
"Anyway, take her away. Guison will be pleased. And take note, you’ll get a bonus of one million each from me." My mind was swirling with questions. Who was Guison? Was he from the underworld? How did I end up here on Earth? 
“Thank you very much, ma’am Miya,” one of the thugs mumbled with delight. I felt their hands grasping me, lifting me as I continued my charade. With each bump and sway, my anticipation grew. The vehicle came to a halt, and I kept my eyes shut, tuning into the sounds around me.
"Boss, where should we lock her up?" asked one of the men still holding onto me.
"Room 101," came the crisp reply. I couldn’t help but think, what is this? A school? A hotel? Or a hospital?
Then I heard the door opening.
"Hey, you handle her for now. I still have things to settle with Madam,” one gangster remarked. They laid me down gently, but I couldn’t tell if it was on the floor or a cot. Maintaining my act, I remained perfectly still.
“LET ME GO! CAN’T YOU UNDERSTAND TAGALOG?! DO YOU WANT ME TO SPEAK ENGLISH?” I heard the woman shout, her voice layered with anger and frustration. It sounded familiar, though I wasn’t sure why. 
“Shut up,” said a male voice, sending a jolt of anxiety through me. I didn’t understand how a simple directive could make my heart race faster.
“S-Sir X-Xyrex?” an awe-struck man stammered.
“Leave,” Xyrex said coldly. A chill washed over me at the sound of his name. Who was he? Why did the name feel so foreboding? My heart thudded in my chest as tears trickled down my cheeks, despite my closed eyes and pretended unconsciousness.
“You can deceive everybody else, but not me, Yanyan,” came the taunting voice, and I could feel coldness radiate from the cloth against my neck.
Without realizing it, I grabbed his hand and moved it behind him. I hadn’t noticed how close we had gotten until he smiled—a disarming yet unsettling smile.
“It’s been 13 years, Yanyan,” he reported monotonously.
“I am not Yanyan!” I snapped, twisting the cloth around his neck to assert my defiance.
“J-Jet' aime,” he repeated, his resolve wavering. Suddenly, I felt like I was losing my grip on the situation as fatigue washed over me.
“W-Who are you?” I managed to choke out, my strength faltering.
“It’s me, Xyxy,” he replied, though I was too lost in confusion to understand the significance.
*DOOR OPENS*
“Xyrex Guison Monticilio.” A woman entered, her demeanor icy. She wasn’t tall, yet carried an air of authority that commanded attention.
“So, you’ve found her,” she said, an edge of surprise in her voice.
“Hanessie? What are you doing here?” Xyrex—no, this “Hanessie”—called out to the woman with a frown.
“Your father and his assassins are just ten minutes away. Can I knock her out?” she asked glancing toward me.
“No,” he replied, lost in a deep thought. 
“Can you trust me? I’ll get you out of here,” she urged, her voice serious.
“Go ahead,” I heard Mom’s voice crack through the earpods, steady yet fortified. 
I wanted to speak, to ask so many questions, but the words wouldn’t come. Hanessie and Xyrex led me out of the room, but we were immediately confronted by guns trained at us.
“I knew it, my son,” a man boomed, and I instinctively knew who he was—Xyrex’s father.
“D-Dad, I told you! Don’t lay a finger on her,” Xyrex demanded. My brows furrowed at the sounds around me, confusion enveloping my every thought.
“Have you forgotten? Her family was responsible for your Mon’s death! And you dare protect her? What kind of son are you?” his father yelled, his voice thick with rage.
Family? I darted my gaze back and forth, trying to process his words. What did he mean about my family?
“What do you mean?” I demanded in a whirlwind of confusion.
“W-What?” I paused at the top of the staircase, heart racing.
“He’s Xyrex Guison Monticilio, and I’m Ellinox Venn Valorous.” Xyrex sat back, nonchalant on the couch while my brain scrambled to connect the dots.
WHAT?! My husband Venn's name was Xyrex? And now Xyrex was the real Venn?
“How did this happen?” Mom’s voice tinged with disbelief.
“That incident occurred when my mom shielded me and Vanexx from a bullet. I ran toward the assailant and shoved him toward my mother. That day, my trauma was ignited. The loud bang shattered my ability to speak or move. We're the same- well, we share similar features," Xyrex explained, and my heart pounded harder as I stared into his eyes, trying to decipher what all this meant.
“Bro, get her out of your sight; she’s mine,” Venn said coldly, claiming dominion. I stiffened at his words—SHE'S MINE.
SHE'S MINE.
OH MY GOSH! How could I dispel this intrusive thought? Why was I feeling this way?
“Elly called me. Your dad and brother are furious! You're in deep trouble when you return here,” Hanessie added, breaking the moment.
Xyrex placed his coffee cup down, retrieving something from his pocket to hand it over to Mom.
“Thank you for this; it’s a huge help for us. I owe you one,” Mom smiled warmly at him, as if sharing a private joke.
“What’s that?” I asked, puzzled.
“The key,” she replied simply.
“Key for what?” I questioned, lost in the fog of confusion.
“For their minds,” Mom answered with a knowing glance.
What does that even mean?
I was left in the hall, my mind swimming with deep thoughts—“key to their minds,” echoing in my head over and over. 
Oh my goodness! Was that related to the peculiar place Venn took me to? Would it grant me control over them?
“Miss, you seem deeply lost in thought. May I ask what’s bothering you?” Venn chimed in as if sensing my turmoil.
“Miracle of miracles; have I dazzled you with my beauty so much that it’s rendered you speechless?” I teased, unable to resist the quip.
“I’m merely practicing my Tagalog, tsk!” he shot back with mock annoyance, but with a smile that hinted at affection.
Raising an eyebrow, I noticed he’d extended his hand to me. 
“Hold my hand; I’d like to show you something,” he said, excitement sparking in his eyes.
With nothing to lose, I took his hand as we stepped outside toward Mom’s mini garden. 
“Wow! How come I’ve never seen this before?” I asked in awe upon discovering the newly erected treehouse.
“When was that built?” I queried, glancing around, but he had disappeared from my side.
“Just now; I expedited the process because it’s our first wedding anniversary, and I wanted to surprise you." He spoke shyly, that faint smile traced across his lips.
He remembered! How could this be? I was floored, utterly astounded that Ellinox Venn Valorous had put so much thought into surprising me.
“Am I losing my mind?” I joked, tapping his forehead in search of a fever.
"W-What are you doing?" he stammered, taken aback as he stepped away.
“I was just checking for a fever. Did you catch something? You’re acting all warm and fuzzy, HAHAHA!” I teased, exhilarated by the moment.
“I just wanted you to feel special,” he murmured softly, but I could hear him clearly.
“W-What?” I asked for clarification, unsure I’d heard correctly.
“Nothing. Let’s go up,” he insisted, taking the steps two at a time while I followed, bewildered.
Weird.
Upon reaching the top, I was met with a beautifully arranged table under the stars—a candlelight dinner setup he must have prepared. The ambiance was soothing, and the twinkling stars offered a comforting embrace.
“Have a seat,” he instructed. Then I heard faint music playing in the background, instantly capturing my attention.
“What’s the title of this song?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“Binibini,” he chuckled softly as I nodded, finally sitting down.
“Dance with me in the rain, my love; for your life, I’d do anything," the lyrics serenaded me, their sweetness floating with the soft patter of a light drizzle outside. Thankfully, the roof sheltered us, and we remained dry despite the rain. In fact, I wouldn’t mind curling up here for a peaceful sleep—the entire setting was pure bliss.
“This is romantic,” I murmured, smiling up at him.
“Are you falling in love with me?” he teased.
“NEVER. It’s the place, not you, duh!” I shot back playfully, peeking over the balcony.
“I wish I were free,” I heard him say, his voice close behind me.
“W-Why?” I asked, suddenly too aware of how close he felt.
“Nothing,” he replied, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Anyway, what are we doing here?” I asked curiously, wanting to understand his intentions.
“To make you happy,” he replied, sincerity radiating from him. But something about those words sent shivers through my body, striking a chord within me.
“T-Thank you,” I responded, feeling warmth wash over me.
As the music transitioned, he simply turned and caught my gaze.
“Can I have this dance?” he asked, eliciting an instinctive nod from me, caught somewhere between surprise and anticipation.
“Y-Ye—”
*BANGGG!*
Startled by the sudden noise, I instinctively glanced around. But then, he stepped closer, pulling me to gaze at the night sky.
“Wow! It’s just fireworks! Goodness gracious, I was about to panic and thought it was another gunshot,” I commented, a grin spreading across my face as the next spectacle lit the sky.
“This time, no one will hurt you. No one will make you cry—unless it's tears of joy. And I’ll make sure that it’s because of me,” he promised softly, his voice full of determination.
“Hey! What did you eat? Stop talking like that, it’s giving me goosebumps!” I chuckled nervously, the air growing thick with emotion.
“Rhajie,” he whispered, staring deeply into my eyes.
OMG!!! Don’t tell me he’s in love with me!