"I think it's high time we go back home." Zeidan's deep voice boomed when they got back to their suite. 

She flung her purse on the bed and her shoes went flying as well. She tried hard to hold back the tears welling up inside her. Thinking of when she had first met the girl, her pretty round face had caught her heart. Her red hair complimented her eyes. The freckled sprawled over her forehead and nose. Her defiance and confidence whenever she spoke all changed in a jiffy.

To a pale skin, lean and sick. Her dry, purple lips and pleading words. There was no atom of confidence when she was faced with death. It felt like every wall of strength she had built was torn apart by her weakness. The way she squeezed her hand and begged that she didn't want to die.

"I don't want to die." Her tiny frail voice faded in her head and she slumped on the bed, crying hard.

"No!" She screamed, yanking her golden hair. 

If only she could see the bastard. The ninja who had caused Tina pain. Her eyes were darkened and her skin filled with furs as she kept thinking of the ninja and holding her. The way the ninja had hurt Zeidan in the temple and even fought her infuriated her the more. What made it worse is the fact that she had killed her mother.

"Grrrr!" She growled and when she would come back to her senses, she had shifted.

"Lyne." Zeidan called softly, coming closer and she could hear him now. She wasn't falling in and out of consciousness. 

"Zeidan?" She called back and turned so that she could look into his eyes. She almost cried when she saw him heave a sigh of relief. "Zeidan, I can see you. I can hear you."

"Jeez! Are you okay?" He asked gently, coming closer and finally touching her furry body.

"You're beautiful even as a Wolf." He commented and embraced her around the neck. 

"I know, right?" They both laughed happily. 

"But we still need to get out of here."

"Yeah, you're right. I'll just prepare our bags, while you go talk to your employees. No more disappearing without goodbyes." She chided before returning to herself and grabbing a blue towel neatly folded on the bed.

"Now my favorite t-shirt is ruined." She looked down at the mud of the grey t-shirt she'd worn to the station and her jean trousers shredded apart. 

"So are your trousers. Sorry about that, wifey." He moved closer and kissed her head before heading to the elevator. 

"I'll be right back."

She sighed. What a sweet husband he's been to her. She wondered how he would treat their kids when they finally decided to have some. As she stepped forward to go to the bathroom, she felt lightheaded. She placed a hand on her burning forehead. 

★★★★★★★★★★

Zeidan finally got to the ground floor and he felt numb thinking of how to tell his employees he will be gone for a while. What if he never came back? Or what if all of them get caught up in the whole situation and start getting killed one by one?

There is only one way to make sure that doesn't happen. 

"Zoe, announce a brief meeting in the general hall, now." He ordered a frail-looking lady at the counter who nodded quickly and picked up the transmitter.

Adjusting his coat, he walked majestically to the second floor, entering a huge room covered in black and grey interior designs. The only colour that depicts his life right now.

For a while, he stood in the hall, heat welling up inside him. Why was he suddenly feeling unsure?

One by one, his employees started to fill up the building, all of them with questions on their faces. What's with their boss perspiring and having a worried face?

"Hello, everyone." He started, using the small microphone placed on a tall executive table. Silence filled the room. 

"I just want to say that I truly appreciate your effort in ensuring that this company is the best. Upholding it to the highest level of honour and respect. You all have made me all lovers of art proud. I wish there will be more time to appreciate your efforts but I guess fate has different plans for every one of us."

He paused, letting the words sink into their head. He could see worry written on their faces.

"Don't worry, no one is dying. It's just that I'm at a crossroads right now and I'll need to be away for a while. I wouldn't want you all to be choked on work so I just..." He looked into their faces, all of them expectant of his next words. 

"I want to let you all off."

Murmuring rose amidst them and he had to grab the edge of the furniture to gain stamina. 

"It's okay."

"Are you sure you're all right, Mr. Zeidan?" One of his staff asked.

"Yeah. Yeah, I am. Thanks for being concerned. But for now, you're all suspended. I'll arrange some money for you all after this meeting and I wish you good luck in all your endeavors."

The poorest way to end a meeting. His employees turned and started to leave the hall when he heard his name in a familiar tiny voice.

"Zeidan! Zeidan!" He looked up and saw her looking frail in the baggy shirt and trousers she wore. Her blonde hair was worn up into a ponytail and he never knew she was this small if she wasn't seen barefaced today.

"Gillian?" 

"Zeidan! Stop your employees!" 

He swallowed before nodding for them to go back inside, inciting mumblings and grumbling. 

"I can handle them while you're away. I mean, manage the company for you." She offered.

Zeidan straightened as he looked into her eyes. But she is just getting better.

"Gillian, you just left the hospital. I can't possibly pressurize you the more by asking you to manage this place. That will be very cruel of me."

"Except I'm willing to take it myself." She folded her arms, her mind obviously made up as she lifted her chin defiantly. 

He chuckled lightly as he looked at her again.

"You sure you can handle this? I mean, Tina just got killed."

"Tina is dead?" Her face turned white and he had to hold her waist to keep her balanced. "I can't believe it."

"So, you see why..."

"It still doesn't matter. I believe in you and I know that you won't let the black-cloaked ninja come close to me. Besides, I know how much you love this place. Shutting it down will only shatter your heart."

She is right. However, he never thought she could be this strong. There could be more to her that she never thought but he could see the light beaming through her with the way she smiled.

"Thank you." He mouthed and pulled her in for an assuring embrace.

The staff roared with cheers while some applauded. 

"So, there you have it, Palm Company. Your new Manager. Gillian Smart."