I. Fire

*ring *ring*ring

The fire alarm rang loudly, creating that high pitch bell sound as the fire started to engulfed half of the cruise. People are running to the polar opposite of the fire, while there's one person who did not.

She kept on calling his name, hoping to receive a response out of the crowd. She forgot to bring her handphone with her and worried as hell.

"CEO Lu! CEO LU! CEO LU! "

'You better be safe.' Taking a few deep breathes is her way of reminding herself to be calm and compose while running into fire. She knew that being agitated will not help her in the current situation.

Pitch black smoke are coming out of every door making it difficult to see the way and breathe. Her face is half-covered with a damp towel that cover her mouth and nose.

"CEO LU! CEO LU! CEO LU!" She screamed his name out of her lungs.  Making her to inhale some of the smoke resulting to rough coughing.

The sharp pain in her chest as she clutches it with her hand and the burning feeling in her throat.

Hearing a faint sound of footsteps coming to her direction and without hesitation she hold the gun firmly.

Contemplating whether the person walking to her direction is a friend or a foe.

Assuming for a fight, she concealed her presence and waited for the person to come out from the smoke.

It's a man.

She take the chance and aim for his head but the man managed to dodge her kick.

She hissed out of irritation.

'Oh, boy, I really need to get myself fit.'  She said. She begins to regret the years she's been slacking off. It's supposed to be a cold night when you're in the waters and she's here wiping the sweat off her forehead.

She took a step forward to managed to land a kick or punch to the man and to her dismay, the man manage to block her attacks.

She smiled. Her smile send the man in full alert. The man step backwards and she step forward. She kicked aiming for his temple and he blocked it. She saw an opening and her kick landed in his stomach.

***

The fire is getting out of hand and the smoke made it more difficult for them.

T

he man is already breathing heavily and exhausted while assessing the person who attacked him.

'Interesting'

The man managed to find humor in his situation, elated with his new found opponent. If only, he was in his best condition. He felt a warm fluid gushing out of his body. He's been shot and felt a lot worse when a kick landed in his stomach.

'Sh*t! her kick is powerful another kick will sent me asleep.'

He thought that this might be his end. He is losing a lot of blood and his eyes going heavy.

He smiled.

Facing death, an image flash through in his mind.

'Atleast I get to die as she was'

A strong wind blew making the smoke dispersed to the other side. Once the smoke have clearly disperse.

The sight bring him agape.

'It's a woman?'

***

W

hen the smoke disappeared. She was shocked. She stood still in shock but quickly recover from the surprise.

She saw CEO Lu lying in the floor.

The wind is coming from the helicopter's propeller and a rope ladder dropped down along with a few men in suits.

Alertness kicked at her, she ran towards CEO Lu and shakes him lightly. She heard him groan and that's enough for her.

"Make it look like they died in fire."

The man said almost whispering but she heard him loud and clear. He grab on to the rope ladder and the helicopter went away.

The men in black suit had taken a fighting stance. She looked at CEO Lu, seeing that he was hardly breathing.

She made a decision. She looked at the men in front of her and smiled. That smile sent chills to the men. They are now contemplating to fight or run for their live.

"Leave us alone." She said warning them but they ignored her warning and lunged on her.

In a blink of an eye, all of them are in the floor, lifeless.

She threw the bulletless gun to the waters and checked CEO Lu's pulse.

She heard a distinctive sound, coming through his pocket. Searching for the sound, she found his handphone. She answered the phone immediately.

"Brother, come to the - - - " Puzzled, she looked at the phone and left dumbfounded.

In the most crucial moment, the phone died.

She throw his arm onto her shoulders and decided to carry him or atleast possible, she's dragging him.

'Heavy' She mumbled to herself. The call, was telling, to go somewhere the ship.

'Think. The fire started at the lower deck and the explosion earlier came for the stern, the choices where either port or starboard.'



Thinking hard, she come to a conclusion.

'It must be there.'

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*** 4 months ago ***

(Before the cruise scene)

******

"Good morning - - - Good morning.- - - Good morning - - - "

They greeted her one after another. Almost, everyone would greet her. She would simply nod lightly and kindly return their greeting with a smile.

She's Lynne Amon Velia, the current executive assistant of CEO Lu.

Everyone, calls her - - - 'Secretary Lynne '

Unlike her boss, She's warm, friendly and easy to go with. Always calm and composed. Lynne, has her own fashion style, especially her taste with-- shoes.

She never wore a skirt above her knees in the office and often wears a pantsuit. Yesterday, she wore a fitted pastel yellow trousers, black top with white blazer and her white rubber shoes.

Today, she's wearing a monotone color pantsuit, a powder blue trousers, white blouse with matching blazer and a simple flats. She's one of the Belle's in the company, they loved her and of course, there are also who hated her.

''There she goes again with her ridiculous shoes.'' Random woman, commented.

''Yeah, right. This is a corporation, not a playground to experiment for fashion. '' Another woman reckon.

Both of the woman made sure that Secretary Lynne will hear them and Lynne just give them a smile.

'Heh, jealous creatures. Those heels must be killing your feet. While, mine is breathing comfortably. '

Secretary Lynne told herself. Contented with the attention she's getting she smile widely before entering the elevator.

Just as before the door closes,  "Hold it." Someone said.

Secretary Lynne, immediately put her hand out to prevent the door closing.

She stands to the side, letting the person to enter inside.

"What floor?" Secretary Lynne asked politely. Her eyes are fixed with the elevator buttons as she did not bother to face the person.

"20th."

"Oh, where both going to the top office." Secretary Lynne blurted out.

Remembering the faces of the bitches downstairs. She giggled little did she know, someone was looking at her attentively over a period of time.

The man cannot tolerate anymore of her action and he clears throat. Hoping to catch the attention of secretary Lynne.

"Sore throat?" Secretary Lynne speak without looking at the man. Remembering that she has some candy for sore throat in her pocket, she reluctantly gave it too the man.

"Here, take this." Secretary Lynne passed the candy to the man without looking.

The man frown but not because of irritation but in confusion. 'What does she want me to do with this?'

The man curse inwardly. She insisted on giving the man the candy and the man was forced to took it. Then, she goes humming while browsing at the tablet on her hand.

"Secretary Lynne."

"Yes!" Secretary Lynne answered right away. She smiled brightly, before facing him.

（‐＾▽＾‐) ➙ her face

（ ￣ ー ￣ ）➙ his face

Secretary Lynne smile faded when she notice the face of the man infront of her. She blinked a couple of times to ensure that she's not seeing things or someone.

(′ʘ⌄ʘ‵) ➙ Lynne's face

Reality hits her, and she greeted him immediately.

"Good morning, CEO Lu"