Always remember, he knows EXACTLY which buttons to push. ~unknown

Gina sat on top of the hill, breathing hard from the climb. She smiled, enjoying the feel of the wind against her face. She was finally at peace. People had not stopped asking about Liana since morning. It had began with her mother who inquired when she came to wake her up. Gina had lied, saying Liana had gone to see her parents and resolved to tell that to anyone who asked. Liana had been living with Gina's family since her parents opened up their medical practice in a remote area that didn't have a college. She regretted having gone to college that day. She'd lied to so many people including her friends and teachers. What if Liana turned up dead? She'd be the first suspect.

She shook her head, not wanting to think of that possibility. Liana was alive, probably kept captive somewhere. In the small town where she knew everybody, she didn't know where to start or who to suspect. Everyone behaved normally. Her head was killing her. Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Where are you, Lia?" She said, placing her head on her raised knees.

"Hey," she heard a familiar voice behind her. Startled, she turned and saw Dylan Ineroya.

"Hey," she said, looking away and quickly wiping her tears. Her heartbeat skyrocketed immediately. He'd never been anywhere close to her.

"How are you, Gina?" He came and sat next to her. Her lips parted slightly. How did he know her name?

"I'm okay," she said, gathering up courage to look at him. If it was someone else, she'd have made a sarcastic remark. How could she be okay when her best friend, the sister she never had was missing? Her whole world was breaking.

"So, Liana is missing but you're okay?" He regarded her curiously.

"Do I look okay?" She asked, looking at rooftops of the houses in the town below. She could see her own house in a row of similar buildings. "Wait, why do you say she's missing? She's at her parents."

"I don't believe that. Besides, I heard what you said just now."

For a moment she wondered if he knew something but immediately dismissed the thought from her mind.

She heard him move closer to her and froze. He touched her arm and she turned to look at him. His gaze was intense, eyes dark as midnight. He touched her wind-kissed cheek, his palm warm against her cold skin. For a moment, she couldn't tear her gaze away from his. He pulled her face close and their lips met. It was a short gentle kiss. They both sat in silence when it was done.

"Why did you do that?" She asked after some minutes had passed.

"I wanted to," he replied. She could feel his eyes on her. "I like you, always have."

"Why don't I believe you?"

"You tell me."

She spared him one last glance and stood up. Walking away, she felt so small and ashamed of herself. How could she be so weak, submitting to him just because he was extremely hot. She was like those weak girls she despised in telenovelas. She should be looking for Liana, not hiding away on top of the hill and kissing a boy who didn't care about her.

When she reached town, Gina went straight to Joe Lonid's apartment. Joe was Liana's boyfriend. She knocked on the door and waited. No response. She went back home through a path behind the town buildings.

Her cellphone rang immediately she reached her room. She answered and waited for the person to speak.

"Gina?" An unfamiliar voice said.

"Who are you?"

"How can you be so fine when your best friend is missing?"

"Shut up," Gina said. "You don't know what my day was like."

"Yes, I do." The man chuckled. "Saw you kissing Dylan. You seemed to be having the time of life."

"Are you stalking me?" Wide eyed, she looked out of the window.

"I know where Liana is a and can help you get her back, if you want."

"Please, I really need to find her."

"I have a proposal."

"I'll do anything for my best friend."

"I'm glad to hear that," the caller said.
"I want you to kill Cole, the doctor's son."

"Why would I do something like that?" Gina said. "I'm no murderer."

"To get Liana back, alive. Or would you rather she turns up dead in your room?"

"You crazy-"

"You're in no position to insult me and do not tell anyone about this," The person said, hanging up.

Gina sat on her bed. She aggressively ran hands through her hair, wishing it was all a nightmare.