Heads you lose, tails he wins.
~Claudia Moscovici

When the news reader started talking about the Liana Tran case, Gina turned off the television. Why were all stations acting as if they had nothing else to talk about? She was growing impatient as Dylan had taken longer than she expected. She removed her phone from the charger and searched her playlist for a song that matched her mood.

Hitting play, she placed the phone on the table and went to the bathroom to shower and get ready for her boyfriend's return. Even after moving in with him, she couldn't get enough of him. She had just finished undressing when the song changed to her ringtone. At first, she wanted to ignore but she thought it must be Dylan. She wrapped a towel around herself and left the bathroom. It was her mother and not Dylan but she answered.

"Hey mum," she said. "Are you okay?"

"No," her mother said. "We think Liana has been kidnapped again. Her cellphone is off. Have you seen her?"

"What?" Gina said, sliding down the sofa. "I last saw her at the court."

"We can't find her. Why can't those criminals leave the poor girl alone?"

"I'm coming home right now, mum." Gina hang up. She had not helped search for Liana the first time but now she was going to search everywhere. She was going to be stronger than her fear.

As soon as she placed the phone on the table, the door opened and Dylan walked in. She rushed into his arms and he embraced her. "Something terrible has happened. Liana has been kidnapped again."

"That's terrible," he said, pulling her to him.

"I'm going to take a shower and go home."

"No, you can't leave me alone." He said, kissing her lips. His hands moved to loosen the towel.

Gina pulled away, holding the towel against her body. "I'd like to stay but my best friend is in danger. I have to help her."

"She lied about you in court. Why would you help her?"

"Because I love her. Also, she only did that to save Hellen."

"Is that what she told you? She probably just lied."

"She didn't tell me, I just knew." Gina padded to the bathroom. She wondered why Dylan was being so insensitive.

When she finished, she went to the bedroom and dressed up. She got her purse and ambled to the living room. When she tried to pick up her phone from the table, Dylan grabbed her head and pulled her onto his lap. "Don't go. I'll take you later."

She struggled out of his hold and stood up. "I'm sorry, my love."

"I'm sorry, too." He said.

"What-" Gina froze when she saw the gun pointed at her. Eyes wide, she spoke. "What are you doing with that?"

"Sit down," he said.

Gina staggered back and sat on a chair, trying not to look at the gun. Her hands were trembling as she put her purse on the table. "Dylan. Wha- what is going on."

"I'm tired of playing games, darling." He said. "I know where your dear Liana is. If you what's good for you, stay still and don't move or scream. It's high time you knew the truth."

Gina had suddenly developed a headache. She clutched both sides of her head. "What's this? Have you killed Lia? I have to see her."

He stood up and pressed the gun against her forehead.

"I have waited so long for this day," he said.

"I need to go," Gina grabbed her phone and ran towards the door. The last thing she felt was the worst pain she'd ever felt in her life.

He had shot her left leg.