Dale Daniel’s POV
Since my father passed away, I thought no one could change me ever again but Zyah proved me wrong. In the battle between me and myself, maybe it was her who was the one I was waiting for to win the war on my battlefield. She is like a ray of sunshine to my gloomy mornings. As her smiles reflected on my eyes, she gradually taught me to learn to wear my smile too. 
You were the glimpse of fantasy in my reality, Zyah.
I was comfortably sitting on my office chair when my gaze caught the black notebook on my table. This simple notebook means a lot to me. This is where I wrote all of the messages that Zyah sent to me when I was in America. I reached it with my hand and opened it. I started reading some of the phrases I wrote. 
“Your dad will not be happy wherever he is right now if you’re still chained yourself to the past.”
“If your Dad has one last chance to talk to you, he will tell you to live a happy life.”
“Dale, you did nothing wrong. Don’t beat yourself too much.”
“Letting go does not change the past but it allows us to live life without regrets.”
“Every single day, it was wonderful,
You made my day indeed colorful,
Every minute was filled with bliss,
Can’t wait to see your smile with genuine happiness.”
“On every walk we do,
Every step I take with you,
It feels so nice to have you,
So please just love yourself so. ”
“As we take another step in a new journey,
We are now into a vast battlefield of reality,
Stand up and smile, you can do it,
This time, this journey is worth fighting with.”
She is the sweetest woman I have ever known. I have never been in a relationship before. But with her, I found myself taking the risk. I was already into her before I could even stop myself. I probably can’t let her go. I’ll cherish her with all my heart. She’s the most precious gift I have ever received. 
The ringing of a telephone interrupted my moment. I closed the notebook and put it back where I got it. Then I answered the telephone.
“Mr. Dale, speaking.”
“Good morning, sir. This is Mr. Lin’s secretary,” a woman’s voice speaks on the other line. “Mr. Lin would like to inform you that he’s not doing an interview anymore with your magazine.”
“What? Why?” I inquired in a polite manner even though terror began to stir up within me. 
“We already waited half an hour, sir. But no one came from your company. That’s all, sir,” she said and then put down the line before I could apologize.
I went out in a hurry to find out who was the one who had an appointment with Mr. Lin. He is one of the biggest features of the Inkwell this month. It would be a big loss for us to terminate the contract.
“Who went to have an interview with Mr. Lin?” I asked when I reached my staff's place. 
When I looked at Zyah’s chair, she was not there. Her things were properly arranged on her table. Her shoulder bag can’t be seen hanging on her chair. I could remember that she brought it with her when we came to work this morning. She really loved that bag. She could forget anything not her favourite shoulder bag. She loved the design of the bag and her dad allowed her to buy it. It was her gift from him when she finished her studies in college. 
“Sir?” Fatty went closer in my direction. She’s holding a cup of coffee. “Miss Zyah got the task, isn't she?”
“Zyah?” I started to worry about her when I heard what Fatty just said. If she was really sent there, why didn't she arrive at their appointed time?
“Yes, sir. I was the one who gave her the address,” Fatty confidently replied.
“She didn’t meet Mr. Lin,” I uttered, rubbing my forehead. “His secretary called and said they would call off the deal.” 
“Sir? It's been a while since Miss Zyah left. She is supposed to be with Mr. Lin now.”
I started to wonder where she went. She is taking her job seriously and now she didn’t make it? D*amn, woman. Where on earth are you?
I hurriedly went down to look for her while calling her phone. I already tried multiple times but it always says the same thing.
“The number you have dialed is now unattended. Please try again later.”
I was the one who approved that task for her. If anything happens to her, I really can’t forgive myself.
When I got to the parking lot, I hurriedly got into my car and started it. I don’t have any idea where she is but I am so eager to look for her. I couldn’t wait any longer. I am now terrified yet furious at the same time.
I dialed her number once again but still, I couldn’t reach her. The worries inside my chest rapidly increased. 
Her close friends! Yeah. Maybe they can tell where Zyah went.
I browsed for Dwight’s contact number with a shaky hand. 
“Hello, Dale?” She picked up the phone.
“Are you with Zyah?”
“Nah. I am with Ellaine,” she replied.
I immediately put down my phone when I heard her answer. She is with Ellaine. 
I was about to throw my phone due to frustration when I received another call. I was expecting it to be from Zyah but that thought made me feel disappointed.
“What, Ryle?” I answered his call in a frustrated tone.
I am still looking around if I ever see her.
“What happened to you, Cuego? Who do you speak like that? You're mad as—”
“I am looking for Zyah. She’s missing!”
“What? Did you call her?” his voice started to panic. 
“I did. Couldn’t reach her!”
“Calm down, Cuego. She’ll be—”
“How am—”
“Dale! Maybe Ledger can help you!” Ryle stated. “He’s good at computers, remember? Maybe, he can help you track where Zyah is now!” he added.
Before I could speak another word, Ryle hung up. Maybe he has something to deal with. 
Being stubborn to myself, I phoned Zyah once again and this time her phone was ringing but no one was picking up. I am getting anxious. What is happening to her? She never ignored my calls before. 
I quit calling Zyah since I got nothing from her. Time is running out. I began contacting Ledger. I almost didn’t notice that the traffic light turned red. I was occupied by calling Ledge.
“Yes, boss?” He picked up on the other side. 
“Can you track Zyah’s location? I couldn’t reach her,” I started.
“Sir? Now?” He inquired
“Right now.”
“Piece of cake.” He then drops the line.
A few moments later, when the traffic light turned green, I received a text message from Ledger. 
“5406 Street, DZ Place, Area 12”.
I sped up when I started my car again. How come she’s at DZ Place? It’s so far from our workplace, the Dreammy Pen. What is she doing there? 
I did my best to arrive at the place as soon as possible. I don’t know how to calm down. There’s a fear growing inside my heart. 
Around 30 minutes, I reached the place. I immediately got down from my car. An abandoned building appeared before me. Wild vines are throughout the walls. Some areas were covered with lichens. Rusty metals are scattered everywhere. When I wandered around my gaze, I saw the sign board that said “Area 1”.
I hurriedly looked for Area 12. While I am on my way, I am calling her name now and then. Maybe she can hear me. The clouds are getting darker. I need to find her before the rain falls.
“Zyah? Are you there?” I called, searching for her. “Can you hear me?!” I shouted again but I’ve got nothing about her. I could only hear the sound of my shoes on the floor and the noise of the dried leaves and twigs I stepped on.
“Zy?!” I made my voice louder when the raindrops touched my skin. “Can you hear me?!” 
I am already at the place that Ledger mentioned. This place is too complicated. There are a lot of turns. It is more likely a maze. 
“Zy?!” I don’t even know where I am going. The only thought I have now is to find my woman. The rain is pouring heavily. I know her, she’s getting sick easily. I couldn’t afford to see her in that state.
“Dale. . . ” 
I turned around when I heard her voice echo through the rain. I rushed in that direction. The ambiance is getting blurry because of the rain.
“Woman?!” I exclaimed when I finally found her. She’s sitting on the floor, her hands on her ankles. Due to the rain, she’s soaked through. She looked so pale.
“What happened, woman?” I asked, worried. I caressed her cheeks. “Huh?” 
“M-my. . .” she started in a quivering voice. She switches her eyes from me to her ankle. 
I found out that her ankles were trapped in steel. I stood up and helped her out. I used all of my strength to lift the steel.
After she moved her foot, she wrapped me in her embrace. “You came. . . ”
“I’m sorry, woman.” I hugged her back, sliding a hand on the back of her head. “I’m sorry.”
“Let’s go.” I broke our hug first and carried her in a bridal style. “The rain is getting heavier. Let's get out of here.” I walked faster even though I could feel my knees shaking.
“Here. Slowly”. I helped her get inside the car. She shivered in her wet clothes. I turned around and went to the driver’s seat. When I got up I reached for my coat in the back seat and gave it to her. “It can lessen your cold.”
“Dale. . . ” she softly uttered as I started the engine of our car. 
“Don’t say anything, woman.” I took a glance at her. Even though I am worried about her, I need to be vigilant while driving because of the weather. “You don’t have to explain yourself.”
I brought myself to look at her after a moment of silence. She fell asleep. She covered herself with the coat I lent to her. What a relief that I have this one in my car.
I looked for my phone and decided to call Ryle.
“How did it go, Dale? Did you find her? Dwight couldn’t reach her either!” His words were unstoppable from the other line.
“I found her,” I replied. “I ne—”
“Good. That’s good. Her friends are worried.”
“Are you busy?” I asked.
“Just finished doing my stuff.  Why? Zyah needs ame?” he assumed.
“Yeah. She hurt her ankle,” I stated. 
“Right away,” he responded and then ended the call.
On our way back, I saw a mini-dress store. I slowed down the car. I need to buy her some clothes. 
When I entered the store, all of their eyes were on me. Maybe they found me weird. I am a guy and I am here at “Pinky’s Lady Outfits”. Whoever saw me, maybe they are all laughing at me. But I don’t mind that. I must buy clothes for my woman.
“Good day, sir. Welcome to our store,” a woman, I guessed in her 30s, approached me.
“Err. . . ” I rubbed my forehead, gathering my courage. “I need to buy clothes. Girl things, you know?” 
I could hear the shrieks of some ladies inside the store while I was being entertained by this lady in front of me.
“For your girlfriend, sir?” she asked, even though she shared the same reaction with those other girls around.
“Yeah. She got soaked in rain.”
“Do you know her size, sir?” she asked which made me pause.
“What size?” I wondered. 
The woman chuckled. “Don’t be shy, sir. You know. . .”
“She’s 22. She has a skinny feature too,” I clarified. 
“Okay. Sir, just wait here ” She left and went to the other side of the store. 
After a minute, she came back holding a paper bag. “It’s all set, sir. All she needed was already in there. At the counter, sir,” she said. I accepted the paper bag she handed to me and went to the counter.
“Cash or card, sir?” the woman asked me after she summed up the price.
“Cash,” I replied and rummaged for my wallet in my pocket. 
“Thank you for coming, sir” she smiled and reached out her hand, giving me my change.
I parked the car when I reached my place. I carefully carried her inside the house. When my skin touched hers, I felt that she’s hot. She’s having a fever.
“What happened, Sir Dale?” Manang Lydia noticed our arrival. She looked so shocked.
“Manang, I need your help.” Manang Lydia understood what I meant and followed me upstairs. 
I slowly laid her down on my bed. I removed the hair covering her face before I faced Manang Lydia. “Here's her dress, Manang.” I gave her the paper bag in my hand.
“Lemme handle this, sir Dale.” Manang Lydia accepted it and moved closer to Zyah. “Be at ease.”
I went to my closet and got some clothes. I’ve got soaked in the rain too. Since they are here in my bedroom, I changed my clothes in the room next to mine. When I stepped out of that room, I saw Ryle enter the house. I went down to talk to him.
“Cuego, where is she?” he asked when he saw me.
“Upstairs. At my room,” I replied while holding a towel to dry my hair.
“Oh.” He looked at something from his pants pocket. He hands over his phone when he found it.
“What?”
“Aunt Sharriese, contact number. Dwight gave it to me. She’s worried because she couldn’t reach both of you,” he explained. 
“Sir Dale?” we both looked up when Manang Lydia came out from the room. “I am done changing Miss Zyah’s clothes.”
“I’ll go check her.” Ryle tapped my shoulder. “Talk to her mother first.”
When Ryle left, my eyes were fixed on the phone I am holding. I let out a deep breath to prepare myself before I tapped the “call” button.
“Hello, Auntie?” I started when she answered the call.
“Dale?” she asked, confused.
“Yeah. It’s me.”
“What happened to Zyah? To you? I was calling her but she didn’t answer. I couldn't reach both of you. Where are you? Did something happen? Are the both of you fine?”
“Auntie, calm down,” I uttered. I could feel tired of how fast she talked, one word after another.
I heard her heaved out a sigh from the other line. “What happened, Dale?” she asked seriously.
“Ahmm. . . ” I looked for a way on how to start telling her what happened. What if she gets mad? Her only daughter got hurt.
“Don’t hesitate, Dale. Tell me.”
“Auntie . .” I cleared my throat. “Zyah is with me. She’s asleep upstairs. Ryle is checking her condition,” I admitted.
“What happened to my daughter?” worries enveloped her tone.
When I told her what happened she got furious. Not on me but on those people who harmed Zyah. 
“Dale, I am on a business trip right now. I can only go home by next week,” she said in a melancholic tone.
“Don’t worry, Auntie. She’s safe with me,” I assured her.
“Sorry to trouble you, Dale.”
“It’s nothing. It’s what I should do.”
Tita Shariesse, your daughter is safe with me.