The atmosphere was thick with tension, filled with anticipation as I hesitated, stuttering, “I-I'm... I’m...” My voice trailed off, teasingly reluctant to finish the sentence.
"What?" came the prompt reply, the curiosity palpable in the air.
"I-I’m... Handsome! HAHAHAHA!" I exclaimed, bursting into laughter as I plopped down onto the swing, a smirk plastered on my face. 
Oh, how tempting it was to give him a playful punch in the gut. He was just too exasperating!
“Why aren’t you laughing? Don’t tell me you thought I was going to say I like you?” He continued laughing, looking like he’d completely lost his marbles.
“Oh? Is that funny?” I raised an eyebrow, my tone dripping with sarcasm.
“Well, don’t! Tsk! I’m just trying to surprise you, don’t be shocked tomorrow! Bye!” He was fuming as he stood abruptly and stomped back inside.
"Aisshh! You’re so childish!" I shouted after him and followed him inside, hoping to find some peace and quiet to unwind.
But my breath caught as I walked into the living room and discovered our entire family waiting for us. My menopausal so-called wife was sitting at the side, looking smug.
“HAPPY FIRST MONTHSARY, BABIES!” my mom greeted enthusiastically.
“Abunjing!” I exclaimed in shock upon seeing the woman who had cared for me like a second mother after my actual mom had passed away. Abunjing was my mother’s sister.
“A-Abunjing ko,” I said, a warm smile emerging on my face as I gently embraced her.
“I miss you, Abunjing,” she replied, her voice peppered with affection.
“I miss you more, Lola Abunjing,” I said, feeling my heart swell with fond memories.
“Pfft!” I could hear someone stifling a laugh, likely the one who would regret it later.
I shot him a razor-sharp glare, plastering a fake smile in front of Abunjing, so she wouldn't see the brewing storm of annoyance.
“Abunjing, I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to your wedding, you know how it is; I needed to rest,” she acknowledged with a nod, evoking an understanding smile from me as we both pushed her wheelchair toward the dining table.
"It's alright, Lola. We're going to have a church wedding again anyway," I replied with a slight grin.
“Let’s eat!” Mom interjected, her voice cutting through the chatter.
“Can I ask for a grandchild?” Abunjing joked, referring to me by the cutesy nickname she had chosen for me since I was little.
“*EHEM* A grandchild, huh?” Joy chimed in, clearly enjoying this playful moment.
“Don’t worry, Lola! Soon, maybe even a dozen!” Venn said laughingly.
WHAT THE F*DGEEEE! A dozen? Seriously?
“I’m looking forward to that, my dear,” Abunjing chuckled as everyone laughed in unison.
"Ah...ouch..." Venn moaned as I accidentally stepped on his foot under the table.
“MA’AM... MA’AM!” one of the staff rushed toward us, clearly panicked.
“Sir Hajie has been located, thankfully they haven’t taken his belt yet.”
“We have to go!” I exclaimed, adrenaline surging through my veins as I grabbed bullets and loaded my gun.
“You’re not going anywhere, Chian!” Venn’s voice held a threatening undertone.
I glared at him, my annoyance boiling over. He had no right to restrict me! It’s not like he was my father.
“You're not my boss!” I snapped back, storming out of the room in frustration.
However, I was startled when a strong arm wrapped around my neck, lifting me off my feet.
“Let me go! Let me go!” I struggled against him, but he only tightened his grip.
“Follow me, or else…” he warned, his tone ominous.
“Rhaj… I think you need to rest,” Mom chimed in, trying to diffuse the situation.
Venn continued dragging me upstairs until we reached the master bedroom.
“Do I need to lay you down?” he asked with a smirk.
Smiling at him, I mustered the courage to head-butt him, causing him to release me and fall onto the bed.
“Ow! That hurt!” he complained, rubbing his head.
Seizing the moment, I opened the cabinet, grabbed my gun, and pointed it at him. 
“Are you underestimating me?!” I yelled, anger rising within me.
He chuckled, nonchalantly walking toward the wall near me. He leaned against it, casually facing me.
“So, you want to show off?” His laughter hindered any seriousness as he spoke.
“Is that so? Are you trying to philosophize me?” I shouted in irritation.
“I’m not a philosopher,” he retorted with a teasing smile.
“Just let me be!” I asserted, my voice steady.
“No, I won’t!” he replied, equally serious.
In my frustration, I pointed my gun at him while slowly backing away toward the window. Suddenly, I fired at the glass to distract him, planning to leap from the second-floor balcony.
“RHAJIE!” I heard Venn shout from the third floor.
Ignoring him, I continued sprinting toward the gate. I abruptly halted when I noticed the guards lying on the ground. Panic gripped me as someone yanked me to the side and covered my mouth. I struggled to breathe, but they quickly released me, noticing my distress.
“I told you to stay put! You scared the life out of me!” Venn hissed softly, urgency lacing his words.
“What’s happening?” I whispered back, confusion knitting my brow.
“I don’t know, but we need to find the safest place. Just please, follow my lead! You’re so stubborn,” he replied, his frustration evident.
I pouted but ultimately decided to go along with his instructions.
He led me to the overgrown part at the back of the house, an area I rarely visited. He pushed aside some thick vines, and I couldn’t help but smile when I discovered a hidden room.
Carefully, I followed him inside, observing as he plopped down in a chair and switched on a monitor. It turned out to be a flat-screen TV displaying the feed from the security cameras.
“VENN! ABUNJING!” I shouted anxiously when I noticed the enemies nearing Abunjing's room.
“Don’t worry! I locked all the rooms, and I won’t let them touch anyone, especially you! I’ve activated the bulletproof system around the house, so please calm down! If you have an asthma attack, we don’t have a nebulizer here. Unless you want to breathe in my air,” he said, raising an eyebrow at me while smirking.
Good grief! He was driving me crazy! I brushed off his comment and focused on the monitor.
“Sh*t! I forgot to activate the protection for your mom's room; I was rushing to find you,” he said, panic creeping into his voice as he stood.
“No, don’t! OMYGHAD! The monitors are down in the basement!” I thought to myself as I instinctively opened the door to leave.
“RHAJIE!” he called out, but I didn’t look back, bolting outside.
I quickly drew my gun, becoming hyper-vigilant of my surroundings. I hurried to the back door, relieved that our adversaries hadn’t arrived yet. Carefully, I turned the doorknob and stepped inside.
Sheesh! My head spun with frustration over Venn! Why didn't he activate the protection? I sighed heavily, realizing this mess was due to my impulsive decision.
“Dude, the door won’t be penetrated by bullets. It’s different when you’re wealthy, right? Bulletproof, lucky you,” I overheard someone say.
“We need to find the box; otherwise, we’re in serious trouble with Master,” another voice responded urgently.
“Split up!” a voice commanded, unmistakably authoritative.
“Smoke bomb now! Make them scatter,” asserted the one in command.
Oh no! Please don’t!
I quickly covered my nose with my hand as an acrid smoke filled the air. NOW I WAS DOOMED! I should’ve followed Venn immediately!
I couldn’t suppress my cough any longer; the smoke was overwhelming, and I was desperately searching for fresh air. My vision began to blur until I spotted a figure approaching me, and I fell into darkness, gasping for breath.