Two women walked towards Kiana that early evening with their bags swung over their shoulders.

"Ana, aren't you leaving yet? We could leave together." The older looking one asked her, just as they stood in front of her desk.

Kiana looked up to them, away from what she was doing. She took a slight look around and realised everyone had retired for the day. She had buried herself in work throughout the day that she barely noticed when time flew by. She didn't want to think too much. She tried her best to avoid being idle which might lead her back to worrying about the present state of her life. Her mum's case was denied. Trent, the bank, her landlord were all on her neck for their money. So, peace of mind was sort of the thing she was really lacking in her life.

Kiana tried her best to put up a warm smile, as she lightly shook her head.

"Not yet. Probably in a few minutes, but thank you for the offer." Ana stated, trying her best to sound as polite as possible.

Both women smiled at her in understanding.

"Okay. Goodnight. See you next week." One stated, then they both waved to her and Ana waved back as she watched them walk away.

Kiana sighed as she focused back on her work, not wanting to let anything stay over the weekend and then pile up by Monday. After a few minutes of rubbing the back of her neck, rubbing her eyes tired from squeezing them in front of the computer, folding and releasing her palm at intervals from holding a pen all day; Kiana accepted she was done. She decided to let her boss know of her decision before she could leave the building, so she shifted her chair backwards then turned to her right to get up on her feet. She startled up a bit in surprise as her eyes slightly widened at who directly stood in front of her.

"Going somewhere, Miss Stuart?" Enrico asked with a sly smile at the corner of his mouth, as well as a raised brow.

"Uh... Um, yes. Your office... I was going to your office." Kiana answered with slightly furrowed brows somewhat confused at how he managed to walk out of his office and all the way here without her hearing not even the slightest sound possible.

"My office?" Enrico asked with an amusing look on his face in which Kiana found it quite strange.

"Yes. I wanted to tell you that I'm done for the day and I wish to take my leave." Kiana boldly stated, but all Enrico did was release a light chuckle at her words, as he walked past her and to her desk.

He slightly raised his right hand in which he held a big black polythene bag. He turned the bag upside down with both hands and poured its contents right on her desk. Kiana's brows furrowed deeply as she stared at the shredded papers on her table. She looked away from them to Enrico, clearly demanding an explanation with her eyes.

"Unfortunately, Kiana, you can't leave... tet." He told her as he let the polythene bag fall to the floor before he dusted his hands.

Kiana was tempted to yell 'why', but she just couldn't. The fact that he was her boss restricted her from yelling at him. It was always, 'yes, sir.'

"Accidentally, I shredded a few papers without realising they contained important information. Now, they're mixed with the actual rubbish so I need you, my personal assistant to sort them out. Glue the right ones together and write out what you see there. Any questions?" Enrico asked with raised brows, clearly not seeing the fault in his new assignment for her.

She stared at him a bit speechless before looking back at the impossible task now lying on her desk.

"Nothing? I see. So, I'll leave you to start right away." He stated regarding his question, before walking past her and towards his office.

"Excuse me, Mr. Vos." Kiana quickly spoke up as she turned to the direction he was headed at. He stopped on his track before turning to her.

"It's dark already and... everyone has left." She told him, hoping he understands even a little bit as to what she was trying to say.

He narrowed his eyes at her, as he slightly tilted his head to his right.

"And, so?" He asked, pretending he didn't understand what she was driving at.

Kiana let out a light and silent sigh just staring at his face. She finally understood that this was one of his tactics to trouble her. "Mr. Vos, I'm not saying this because I'm trying to avoid the work you just gave me but... I have another place to be at. I have another job." Kiana explained, but Enrico blinked several times as he buried his hands in the pockets of his trouser, then shrugged his shoulders.

"Then, cancel it. You're not married. You don't have a child or a man to go home to. Honestly Kiana, I don't see what the problem here is." Enrico stated while maintaining a mixed expression on his face.

The frown on Kiana's face grew deeper before she looked away from him for a few seconds. Enrico tilted his head further to the right, as if that would enable him to get a good look at the expression on her face. So far, she looked pissed off and he loved it, which caused a simple smile to appear on his face while she still wasn't looking.

Finally, she turned her head back to him, seemingly a bit calm.

"I can do this by Monday, Mr. Vos." She defended and Enrico slightly furrowed his brows at her.

"Can you? Hmm." Enrico started looking a bit deep in thought, before he turned away from her and towards the door into his office.

Enrico turned back to her only when he held the door knob. Personally, he loved how dramatic he was being at the very moment. What was life without a few dramas here and there? This was his turn to set the tune and she was definitely going to dance to it.

"Perhaps, I should explain better to you this way. There are two options. First, you sit down behind your desk like a good and obedient assistant you are, do exactly as I ordered, then everyone's happy. Second, you pack up your stuff, leave for the job you stated just as you had initially planned and never show up here for work ever again. It's up to you, no pressure at all." Enrico explained ending it with a sly smile before he turned the knob, pushed the door to open the door then walked in, thereafter, shutting the door behind him.

Kiana sighed exhaustedly, as she looked away from the door. She buried her face in her palms frustrated at her new situation. Kiana walked back to her seat and after staring loathly at the shredded papers on her desk, she made up her mind.

Kiana called up her workplace and reported sick. Yes, she lied but she had to. She needed to save both jobs. Both were important to her. Luckily, the manager was understanding and gave her a night off.

Kiana yawned halfway into her new work. Her eyes were getting heavy and so she had to blink several times to stop herself from dozing off. She rubbed the back of her neck in discomfort and sat straight. She needed to finish piecing them all back together before she could go home and that was what she was going to do. She wasn't going to give Enrico the least bit of a chance to taunt her.

* * *

Enrico sat up on his black leather seat, resting his head backwards. He stared at the ceiling for what seemed like ages. His environment was too quiet. It reminded him of his home; the one he tried his best to stay quite a deal away from.

Enrico sighed, as he brought his head as well as his eyes down. His eyes fell on the door. Enrico wondered if Kiana actually left or perhaps, stayed behind to retain her job. Eventually, he got up on his feet and headed towards the door.

As he drew closer to her desk, he could see her but instead of sitting up, she had her head rested on the desk. His brows slightly furrowed. Finally, he stood by the side of her desk.

Kiana had fallen asleep with her arms folded on the desk and her head rested on them. Enrico snorted just taking one look at her.

"I can't believe she's sleeping." He stated, before he stretched out his hand to wake her up. Suddenly, she slightly moved her head, slowly furrowing her brows as well in discomfort.

That act alone froze his hand and the act he was about to do. Slowly, he withdrew his hand back to his side. The expression on her face told so many stories. He couldn't explain what exactly these stories were but for some reason, it didn't feel alright. He knew he should look away but he couldn't. He was stuck staring at her face and although his mind told him not to take the next step closet, he eventually did it. He bent a bit and stared at her sleeping face.

Suddenly, Kiana's eyes fluttered open and Enrico's eyes widened in surprise, frozen at his very position. Her brows furrowed, as she realised who was in front of her. Kiana sat up, as Enrico stood straight once more looking away for a second.

"You shouldn't be sleeping on a job." Enrico told her as he finally turned back to her, but Kiana remained silent.

Enrico noticed the look on her face and realised just how tired and stressed out she looks. Hating himself for giving a dime, Enrico went ahead and spoke up.

"Fine. I'll let you go home just because I'm a generous person and nothing else. You may leave." Enrico said and Kiana raised her eyes to him, quite surprised at his sudden change of heart.

Enrico turned and walked away back to his office, not really wanting to let her fish out something new about him.

* * *

The next day, Kiana sat behind a transparent glass waiting patiently to have the seat behind the glass filled by a person. She took a look from left to right at a few people seated just like her, but having a chat through the receiver of a phone attached to the transparent glass to a person behind it.

Eventually, Kiana had the sound of a creaking door and she turned back to her front away from the last sight. A woman dressed in an official prison uniform of an orange baggy jumpsuit was brought forward by two jail wardens, then made to sit before they walked away.

Kiana endeavoured to put up a light smile just taking a look at the middle-aged woman. Her hair was blonde, but cut into a pixie style. There was no makeup on her face and she barely put up a welcoming expression. Kiana picked up the phone receiver and brought it close to her ear. The woman behind the glass did the same.

"Hello, mum." Kiana started, quite happy to see her after a while from her last visitation.

"What are you doing here, Kiana?" Sandra asked, coldly.

"Mum..."

"Kiana, I know, alright. I know my case has been denied and I'm glad it happened. Perhaps, at least you will finally let me be." Sandra added, her cold attitude not shifting for a second.

Kiana shut her eyes for a second, trying her best not to get mad at this very scene that threatened to play out once more just like a lot of times in the past. Eventually, she opened her eyes once more.

"Mum, I'm not going to leave you alone, so please drop this act already."

"Act? Kiana, take a look around you. Whether you like it or not, this is now pretty much my life and nothing you do or say will get me out of here." Sandra stated and Kiana shook her head.

"Mum, don't say that... I'm going to get you out of here, even if it's the last thing I do. I promise." She told her looking straight into her eyes.

Kiana heard her sigh, as she looked down at the table beneath her arms before looking back up to Kiana.

"You need to move on, Ana. If you keep hanging around prison jails, then, that will do you no good. I need you to become something great in life. Be better than I could have ever been and just forget me 'cause what I'm doing right now is atone for my sins." Sandra told her, a bit more calmly and with a warm expression on her face. Her voice sounded a bit more caring than earlier.

Kiana shook her head as tears gathered her eyes. She was trying her best to retain them.

"How can I move on when I know you're in this situation because of me? You sacrificed your freedom for my sake."

"Ssshh." Sandra hushed her, as she slightly took a look around, but Kiana didn't care.

"Don't utter a word more. Go home, Kiana, and never return." Sandra told her in a hurry, before placing the receiver back on the phone and standing to her feet.

"Mum." Kiana called from the other side, but Sandra was further away from her and without taking one last look at her daughter, she left the room.

Kiana sighed exhaustedly, as she kept the receiver back in its place. She rubbed her face with her palms and tried her best to control her sobs. Her mother wasn't ready to listen to her. She wasn't ready to understand how much her conscience had weighed on her all these years. If only she could understand what it's like for her, leaving with her mother. All Sandra wanted was for her daughter to forget her and move on, but Ana wasn't ready to do so.

Kiana got off the bus but walked aimlessly down the street. Her mind was totally occupied by a lot of things. Piece by piece scattered everywhere. If there was only one thing she could change in this life, that would be the night her mum got arrested.

"Kiana!" She heard her voice called from a distance, but she ignored it as she thought she might just have started hearing things.

"Kiana!" She heard it once more which caused her to furrow her brows and take a look around for any sign of someone she might know.

"Kiana!" A man called once more from where he stood, a bit farther from her. He waved his hand to her and Ana's eyes slowly widened upon realisation of who the man dressed in black was. Beside him, stood another huge man just like him and dressed in complete black as well.

"Kiana!" He called once more and gestured for her to come. She shifted her eyes left and right in thinking. These men were Trent's minions. She had completely forgotten about the money she owed him. She was supposed to return it all with interest this very day but she had nothing on her. Trent wouldn't let her go with a warning. He had done that far too many times. She knew her life was in danger and so for once, she was grateful to be putting on jean trouser and a shirt. She wore canvas, instead of any sort of heels. Slowly, she looked away from them and before they could understand what was going on, Kiana took to her heels.

"Hey!" They called after her, hating the path she just chose, so they had to run after her.

Kiana ran as fast as she could, trying her best not to bump into people, but it got pretty hard when people themselves refused to clear the way after seeing someone running right towards them. She couldn't think anymore. The only word that made sense to her was 'run'. Her heart was beating so fast and she breathed hot at her every intake. The cool air of the afternoon slapped her face the faster she went.

A man with a mobile phone stuck to his eyes stepped out of a coffee shop with a foam cup in his other hand. Kiana had no time to yell 'get out of the way!', so she bumped right into him causing both his phone and cup to fall to the ground.

"Hey!" He yelled at her and Kiana had to stop and turn, so she could apologise but her eyes widened on seeing the man likewise his.

"Kiana!?" Enrico called, a bit surprised at what was going on.

"Kiana, stop!" The man who had been chasing her called, just as they drew closer. Kiana had no time for chitchat so once again, she took to her heels.

"Kiana!" Enrico called after her just as he noticed the man from afar but she paid no attention but ran ever faster for her life.

Finally, she found an empty alley and realised she couldn't outrun them. Sooner or later, they were going to catch up with her, so she decided to hide. She ran into the alley and stood, searching around with her eyes for a good hiding place. Finally, she noticed a dark spot which seemed to be a cramped up space. What choice did she have? So, she ran right into there and stayed quietly. She tried her best to steady her breathing.

Eventually, Kiana heard footsteps followed by a dark shadow, drawing closer to her hiding spot. Kiana clenched on to her handbag tightly, ready to make it her weapon. When it seemed like the owner of the shadow was going to get her, she took a step out and swung the handbag right at his face.

He moaned in pain as he took a step backward. Kiana decided to make a run for it while she still had the opportunity. He noticed her act quite quickly and caught hold of her arm, just as she tried to run past him. Kiana struggled her best for her freedom, still refusing to have a look at the man.

"Kiana, it's me! Enrico!" He stated, as he held her in his arms to keep her put. At the mention of his name, she calmed down breaking out of his hold before turning to take a look at his face.

Enrico stood with one hand over his forehead where it hurt the most from her earlier stunt.

"God! Is your bag made of iron? How could it hurt this much?" Enrico complained, quite frustrated at his situation.

Her brows furrowed in confusion seeing him here.

"What... What are you doing here?" She asked, still a bit paranoid.

"What... What am I doing here? I suppose that's the sorry I get." Enrico stated as rubbed his forehead, but Kiana wasn't quite getting his point.

"You followed me?" She asked upon remembering how she had bumped into him earlier.

He tilted his head a bit to the left.

"Of course I did. You broke my phone and cost me a cup of coffee. You owe me, Kiana." He stated, quite emphasizing on the word, owe me.

Kiana looked away from him to think through what her next plan could be. She wondered if she might have somehow lost the men that were after her. Perhaps, she did and so she turned back to him only to slowly widen her eyes.

"What? What is it?" Enrico asked, as he noticed the loom on her face and the fact that she stared at something behind him.

"You have that look on your face that says... Someone is standing behind you... I probably shouldn't turn, right?" Enrico asked, as he could feel it himself that there was someone standing behind him but being a human he is, he was going to turn anyway, and he did.

He instantly received a heavy blow to his head causing him to lose his balance and fall to the ground.

"Tyler!" Kiana exclaimed, almost at the top of her voice as he fell to the ground.

As Enrico slowly lost consciousness, he could see a blurry image of a man trying to get hold of Kiana, while she struggled a great deal.

He wanted to get up. He needed to but he was way too weak and so eventually, he lost consciousness, shutting his eyes in the process.