XIMENA'S POV. I stood with my back against the huge doorframe, gasping for breath after I made my way back to my room. "How! How is this possible?" I muttered incoherently, my gaze blank as tears rolled down my face in streams. The image of my once-perfect father, shattered to pieces. "No, I must have heard wrong," I muttered, wiping the tears off my face, as I tried to convince myself that there was no way my father was a drug lord. My ravings seemed to serve no purpose, as there was no way I could deny what I had heard. It wasn't hearsay, it was the cold, hard truth. I couldn't fathom how in the span of a day, I could lose both my mother and father. "What am I going to do?" I cried out in anguish as I hugged my knees for comfort. "I-I have to get away from here," I muttered as I needed a form of escape. I needed to get away so I could process things, maybe find a solution of sorts. With a resolute expression on my face, I don't even bother changing as I quickly but quietly make my way down the stairs and out to the garage. I quickly spotted my car, thanks to its vibrant red sheen, but before I could sigh in relief, I came to a terrible realization. "Shit, I don't have my keys," I let out in frustration, as I fumbled around my pockets but to no avail. Holding back the tears that threatened to spill, my figure trembled slightly as I heard a cold shout, "Who's there?" "Shit!" I cursed, as I knew I couldn't get caught no matter what. I wasn't sure if my father would hurt me, but I wasn't exactly in the mood to find out. I quickly ran away from the direction of the voice as my thoughts spun. I had always wondered why we had so much security, now it all made sense. I ran as fast as my legs could take me, but it was inevitable that I would be no match for a trained professional. It didn't take long for me to feel him creeping up on me. I stiffened as I ducked into the nearest bush. My lungs worked in overdrive as I tried my best to suppress my breathing. My heart leaped to my throat as I heard the sound of footsteps getting closer. I stiffened as there seemed to be more footsteps than I remembered. I could hear the sound of my heart thumping against my chest as the footsteps came to a halt in front of the bush I was inside. I couldn't care less about the fact that I was accumulating bruises with every minute I spent there. All I wanted to do was get away safely. "Where's the intruder?" an authoritative voice resounded as he addressed someone. "We lost him boss," another cold voice replied. "Keep searching while I go report to the master," And with that, the footsteps dispersed. I waited for a few seconds, before I finally found it safe enough to breathe again. "Haa!" I let out, as I drew in large breaths of air. Suppressing a coughing fit that threatened to come out. "Seems like I haven't been exposed for now," I muttered, as I was glad things seemed to currently be in my favor. But I wasn't going to stick around until they weren't. I had to get out of the estate as fast as I could. "Did you hear that?" A cold voice suddenly rang out, causing my pupils to constrict as I felt dangerous coming towards me with every second that passed. My body froze as sweat trickled down my forehead. The wind at night was especially chilly, but it was nothing compared to the chill that filled my chest. I could hear rustling sounds outside the bush, and just as I was about to fight to my last breath, my heart leaped to my throat as a large hand suddenly made its way over my mouth. A slightly magnetic but somewhat familiar voice whispered into my ear, "Don't move," My breath halted in my throat as the owner of the voice pulled me deeper into the bushes. My eyes reddened at the thought of everything I had gone through that day. And now it seemed like I was going to get kidnapped or worse. I closed my eyes as tears trickled down my face. I let the owner of the voice take me away. I wasn't lugged like a sack of potatoes like I had expected, but I felt myself sunk into the arms of my kidnapper, as I was carried in a bridal-style position. I didn't have the strength to move, so I let myself be carried. The exhaustion from running around all day, coupled with the fact that I had still not eaten, gradually dawned on my body. It was obvious the adrenaline rush I had gotten had faded away. My eyelids fluttered slightly as I felt myself about to give in to the exhaustion. "You can open your eyes now," the voice called out in a light tone, a light chuckle accompanying his words, rousing my sleepy self. "I will when you put me down," I replied carefully, as I could sense my kidnapper didn't have any bad intentions towards me. "Oh, my apologies," he replied almost instantaneously, as he let me down carefully. His large hand was still placed on the small of my back, as he made sure to support me in the event that my knees gave out. "Careful," he said, as he allowed my small frame to lean on him. I was filled with relief as I felt my feet finally touching solid ground. "Thank you," I muttered, rubbing my eyes softly as I tried to get accustomed to the light. It wasn't too much of a hassle, as the lighting of the shack we took refuge in wasn't exactly the best, so I could barely ascertain his features. He looked to be a boy with a fragile physique that seemed to be still growing into itself. His hair was a messy tangle of dirty blond locks. But it was his eyes that truly set him apart - vibrant hazel orbs that sparkled with innocence and curiosity. They shone like emeralds in the dim lighting of the shack. Despite his scrawny build, there was something undeniably compelling about him. "You're not what I expected," I said truthfully, as I no longer sized him up. "I'm sorry, young miss," he let out sheepishly, as he scratched his hair awkwardly. I was truly confused as he seemed so different from the owner of the calm, yet powerful, magnetic voice that took me out of my predicament. "Wait, you know who I am?" I asked, taking a step back as I stared at him warily. He didn't say anything as he just stared at me silently. I suddenly felt my cheeks burn as I went on to say, "You don't have to answer that." I had only just realized what a stupid question that was. "Can I ask why you're hiding from the guards?" he said suddenly. His question suddenly brought my situation into hindsight as I felt my head turn woozy. Everything I had to experience in the past few hours. My mother's apparent death, my father's secret identity, and the fact that my perfect family was ruined forever. My body trembled visibly as tears streamed down my face. "Shit! I'm so sorry," the scrawny kid let out, as he pulled me into his warm embrace. His hands wrapped around me as he let my head rest on his chest. "It's fine, I'm here, you're safe," he says comfortingly, causing me to bawl my eyes out as I hug him back. It felt like I suddenly had a place to let go of all my frustration, all the negativity that plagued my mind. "I need to get out of here," I cried out, the plea in my tone evident as I stared into his vibrant hazel eyes. His eyes flickered with hesitation, but it was only for a brief moment, as they suddenly became resolute. "I'll do it," he said, taking my face into his palm as he stared straight into my verdant green eyes. The slight disbelief in my heart dissipated by his simple, resolute gaze. He was going to help me, and he meant it. "I know a tunnel that leads right out of the estate. You just have to follow my lead," he goes on to say, as he had a look of contemplation on his face. It was all so surreal that I couldn't stop myself from asking, "Why? Why are you helping me?" I asked, the confusion in my tone evident as I looked up at him. He was silent as he just stared at me, as though his hazel orbs held all the answers. And indeed they did. We locked eyes and everything suddenly became clear. The passion and warmth blazing in his hazel orbs invasively roamed my features, causing me to break away. "Thank you," I muttered in an inaudible tone as I failed to notice the reddening of my cheeks.

XIMENA'S POV. "Ugh, not another one," I grumbled as I tore up what seemed to be news regarding my father's organization. He seemed to have been even more active ever since I ran away that night. I let out a light sigh as memories of my escape resurfaced. The heartbreak I felt from my father's deceit, the fear I felt just being around him, and that boy. 'The green-eyed stranger', as I had termed him. A smile tugged at my lips as my encounter with him still lingers on in my memories. "It's been five years and I still can't seem to forget him," I muttered, as I fiddled with my hair, a new habit I developed anytime he crossed my mind. My eyelids fluttered slightly as I wondered how he was. "Why hello there rookie," an obnoxious voice resounded in my ear, pulling me out of my reverie, causing me to jerk back in surprise. "I told you to stop doing that, Jacob," I seethed as I sized up the man in front of me. Jacob was a detective. And well, even though I hate to admit it, he was the best I had ever seen. His skills only served to highlight his already impeccable features. He had piercing blue eyes that seemed to bore into one's soul. His lean but athletic build filled out his tailored suit. He stood at a staggering height as he towered well over my six-foot frame. Even with his obnoxious personality, I couldn't help but admit to his good looks. "Oh come on, I know you like it when I call you that," he went on to say with his usual obnoxious smile. I shot him a look as I suppressed the urge to wipe that smile off his face. "The only thing I like to do is picture how prettier your face would be with my fist print on it," I scoffed. Jacob leaned in as he whispered, "Oh, so what I'm hearing is you think I have a pretty face!" his hot breath tickling my senses. "Not in a million years you narcissist," I replied, my cheeks pink as a blush crept up my features. "I beg to differ," Jacob added with a triumphant smirk as he noticed the redness of my cheeks. "You know, rookie, my offer still stands. You, me and a picnic under the night sky," he finished as he reached out to tuck a lock of my hair backwards. I shivered slightly as I felt his finger brush against my skin. "I-I have work to do," I let out, as I took a step back, my gaze darting around as I searched for an escape route. "Not so fast," Jacob let out, as he stretched out an arm to halt my steps. "I got word from the chief. He asked for both of us, and it sounded urgent," he added, his tone serious as the teasing tone he once had was suddenly nowhere to be seen. "What are we waiting for then?" I said, as I mirrored his tone. My figure a blur, as I take the lead to the Chief of Police's office. Yes, the police. After I found out what my father was into, the only thing that fueled my being was bringing him to justice with my own hands. And nothing was going to stop me. No one here knows my true identity, and they never will. Ximena Mendoza died that night. Now there is only Ximena Morales. Knock knock "Come in," an authoritative voice sounded from behind the door. I pushed open the door, only to be greeted by a burly figure. This isn't the first time I've come in contact with the Chief, but his burly figure leaves quite an impression each time. "Reporting for duty, sir," Jacob and I greeted in tandem as we gave a military-style salute. "Ah yes, you're here," the police chief, Wyatt, lets out in a grim tone, raising his gaze to meet ours. My eyes narrowed as I had never seen Wyatt in such a state. The atmosphere immediately turned somber as tension filled the air. "We have a big problem on our hands," Wyatt went on to say, as he handed some files to both of us. My figure trembled slightly, as I had a premonition that something bad was about to happen. "No way!" I blurted out in shock as I looked through the files that were handed to me. My knuckles turned white as I clenched the papers tightly. My gaze was fixated on the first file, as I didn't have it in me to pull away. The logo of a black snake coiled around a rod was especially prominent, as it took up the entirety of the page. It's beady eyes piercing, as I could almost feel it staring directly at me. That logo was all I needed to see, to know what my premonition was about. My gaze turned bloodshot as I turned towards Wyatt. "Tell me it's not what I think it is," I said with a low tone, as my voice trembled with every word that escaped my lips. I ignored the strange gazes I got from both of them, as I prayed that it was all a ruse. Wyatt kept silent for a while, before his lips parted to say, "We're not sure yet, that's why we need both of you to investigate." He finished, throwing me a look that seemed to say he had questions, but I was in no mood to pay attention to that as I let his words register. "How accurate is this?" Jacob asked. "If the Blackwater snakes are indeed going to have a showdown with the purple begonias at the docks, this isn't something just anyone can get involved with." He let out, revealing information I wasn't even privy to, as I wasn't in the mood to go through the papers after seeing that logo. I flinched as he mentioned the Blackwater snakes, the name of the organization my villainous father is in charge of. "You both know what kind of existence the Blackwater snakes are," Wyatt started, his tone bleak as I only just noticed his pale countenance. "It is the largest crime syndicate in North America. Anything that involves them isn't something to be taken lightly," he finished, his initially grim tone devolving into a helpless sigh. I didn't blame him one bit. There wasn't anything one could do in the face of such a giant existence. "If that's the case, why aren't we mobilizing more officers?" I questioned, the anger in my tone evident as I was unable to hold myself back any longer. "It's not that easy," the purple begonias, although a similarly large crime syndicate isn't on the same level as the Backwater snakes. Even I find it hard to believe the trustworthiness of the intel," Wyatt let out, massaging his temples as though to express his helplessness. "I-i," I started, multiple thoughts racing through my head as my heart pounded against my chest. There was a feeling that kept gnawing at me. The feeling that they might be coming for me. "Are you okay?" Jacob asked, as he noticed my irregular behavior. His figure drew closer to me as he slipped his palm into mine. I couldn't help but look into his piercing blue jewels, as I felt the warmth radiating from him, soothing my restless heart, albeit slightly. I knew it was because of the emotional high I was on, but that didn't stop me from squeezing tighter. "Okay, okay, break it up!" Wyatt said as he noticed the ambiguous atmosphere starting to form. He let out a light chuckle as he tried to dissolve the former grim atmosphere. "Alright, who knows, maybe the intel was false after all," he continued, before he issued his command. "Set out immediately!" And be careful!" "Sir yes sir!" Jacob and I both reply, our salutes a little more in sync than before.