VENN'S POV
That girl can be so stubborn! What on earth is she wearing? Hays, I can't believe she's done this again.
Feeling a surge of frustration, I stepped back inside and turned my attention to the CCTV monitor. My eyes darted over the screens, and I almost felt dizzy from searching for her.
Sh*t! She's by the back door! I can also see the enemies getting closer to her. Even with the knowledge that I’d never reach her in time, I quickly tried to head toward her.
"I-I'm late…" Oh no, those goons have gotten to her.
But… it’s alright, I know she can handle herself. Still, the worry gnawing at my gut is overwhelming. It's part of the plan; she's the bait. 
This shouldn't have happened yet, but it's too late to back out now, so I need to play my part.
I pulled out my phone and contacted Xyrex.
### RHAJIE'S POV
"OMYGHAD!" I jumped out of bed in shock.
"Wet morning," said the woman sitting next to me.
Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I realized we were in an abandoned room, surrounded by goons and that ridiculous clown girl.
"Is that it? Just water? Can't you do better? Where's the juice or something? I suppose it fits since you all are so cheap," I taunted.
"Oh, you're sassy today! Just wait and see; one of these days, Rhajie will fall," Cheska boasted, full of herself.
"Why would I fall? Am I suddenly flying?" I arched an eyebrow, even though my hands and feet were tied to the cot.
"Can I give her a punch? I'm itching to take this girl out, but Daddy ordered me not to. Otherwise, she’d already be in a coffin," she snapped at her henchman.
"And how’s that going to feel? Let me see," I retorted, delighting in pushing her buttons.
Just as I anticipated a slap, I shut my eyes.
"Stop that." My eyes flew open at the voice of Xyrex.
What is he doing here? -_-
"Hi, baby!" Cheska said, planting a kiss on Xyrex's cheek.
Disgusting—baby? Baby turd? BWAHAHA!
The looks on their faces were priceless; I must have laughed louder than I thought. JUSME! HAHAHA!
"Why are you laughing?" Cheska raised an eyebrow.
"Because you’re two-timing; you have Venn and also Xyrex?" I smirked.
"I'm just using YOUR HUSBAND! Yes, I know he’s your husband, but this one right here? He’s the one I’m going to be with forever," she said, shooting a sweet smile at Xyrex.
"Oh, so you’re getting married? Or should I say, planning to?" I teased.
"Let’s go, baby; she's not worth our time," Cheska chimed in with that annoying tone before they both left the room.
"SANI," Xyrex said sternly. What does he mean by that?
SANI?
SANI!
Caesar Cipher? I couldn't help but laugh at how clever he thought he was.
"Ah, wait!" Cheska called out as they were about to leave.
"Keep a close eye on her; if she escapes, I'll personally blow your heads off," she added, flashing me a smile before slamming the door shut.
### VENN'S POV
"My dear, your daddy is calling for you. After we finish off the Tonacci, we will be getting married," Cheska said happily as we walked toward her father’s room.
"Is that so, my love?" I replied with the voice changer.
I felt sick to my stomach just saying that! My love? It's f*cking ridiculous.
I shifted my gaze around the room and locked eyes with the person I loathed most.
"Xyrex, good to see you here," Cheska’s father nodded at me.
Yes, I’m Xyrex for now, and I’ll be Venn later. I wore the mask that looked like Xyrex; speaking of Xyrex—let's keep that a secret.
"Dad, we've got the black box, and we can utilize our forces again," Cheska said, clinging to me while sipping her coffee.
"Can I have it?" Even though confused, Cheska called in her men to deliver the black box.
Suddenly, shots rang out from outside. Without thinking, they handed the black box to me, and Xyrex pulled Cheska aside. Yes, Xyrex was pretending to be Cheska's daddy. He pulled a knife from his jacket and pressed it against her throat. I immediately removed my mask and switched it with Xyrex's.
"N-No! This can't be happening! Where's my father?!" Cheska screamed, frantically trying to escape.
"He's at his final destination," I replied curtly and then opened the door.
"LET ME GO! LET ME GO! I SAID LET ME GO!" Cheska screamed but Xyrex elbowed her in the neck, rendering her unconscious.
I rushed to the room where Chian was supposed to be, but my heart sank when I saw it was empty.
"Where the hell is she?!" I dashed to other rooms, but no one was in sight.
A hidden room, perhaps? Did they have one?
"Hey, pssst!" a soft whisper came from the shadows.
I turned toward a corner and smiled. Why did she have to be so cute? She looked like a little minion.
### RHAJIE'S POV
Furious, I marched up to the hidden figure and smacked them.
"Why did you do that?!" they hissed in annoyance.
"Because you act like a fool! Get moving!" I was about to turn away when my reflexes kicked in, and I immediately pushed her.
A wooden arrow suddenly hit the wall nearby, revealing a parchment. I read it hastily, then set it ablaze with my lighter.
"D-Dad…" I whispered, pulling Venn toward room 548.
"What's inside?" Venn asked, keeping his voice low as we huddled near the wall.
"M-My d-dad's... h-heart," I managed, choking back my tears.
It felt as though the heavens and earth collided around me. Why?! How could this have happened? They hadn’t even had a chance to be together, and now all we were taking home was his heart?
"H-How did that happen?" Venn asked solemnly.
"I… I don’t know. The note said it’s in there. I know it’s in my dad’s handwriting, but I don’t know who sent it." I felt utterly lost.
All I wanted was to retrieve it—come what may! I inhaled deeply and released it slowly. I tightened my grip on the gun and marched firmly toward the door.
Observant, Venn followed, fully aware that there was no stopping me now that my mind was set.
I squeezed my eyes shut as I smashed the doorknob with the extinguisher. I quickly sprayed into the room, fearing the worst. But to my surprise, it was eerily silent. 
As Venn and I entered, we saw a table with a box on top; I opened it without hesitation, and my fury intensified when I discovered it was a fake heart!
"It's just a trap! Ghad, I should have known!" Venn fumed, frustration evident in his voice.
"Yes, my dear, you should have known," Cheska’s smug voice cut through the tension as she appeared with her goons.
"Yah! You b*tch! I will kill you!" I lunged at her, but one of her guards was quicker, aiming a gun at me.
"Now, Rhajie, how do you plan on killing me, huh?" she taunted.
"Don’t you dare lay a finger on my girl!" Venn stepped forward, calm but authoritative.
"I thought I was 'YOUR GIRL', but how can you claim she's yours right in front of me?!" Cheska's bitterness was palpable.
"I was never yours, and I never will be. You know this was all an act from the beginning. Hand over Rhajie, and I’ll return your dad. It’s not a deal; it’s a demand." She spoke with a chilling firmness.
"NO! VENN, KILL HER FATHER! IF NOT, I WILL BE THE ONE TO KILL YOU! BARE THAT IN YOUR MIND!" I yelled, struggling against the grip of her henchmen.
### VENN'S POV
How can I kill her father if it means losing her in front of me? I don't want to lose you because I … I’m in love with you.
"No." That was all I managed to say as I pulled Cheska out of the room. 
Hitting the signal button on my watch, I didn’t turn back to check if she was following. 
Never lay a finger on my wife.
Wait, how did she manage to escape in the first place?