22

Haula's POV:

"You didn't have to come with me, you know. I can take care of myself." I tell my Mom.

Ever since I got sick last mom has decided to follow me everywhere I go, which is kind of possible because I don't go anywhere except toMargaret's, singing at Ceddi and since my makeup class has ended and I've graduated make up school, so I'm just at home.

"I wanted to, I want to spend some time with you, watch you sing," I know what my mom is trying to do she's trying to make me not think about Theo which is impossible.

He's always on my mind, I just wonder how he is doing, I really want to see him but I don't know where he stays anymore, I don't even know what he came to do here and I could have known if I had just let him explain, but dumb me didn't,, she was too busy getting angry at some she loves so much.

"I know why you're really here?" I tell her honestly as we arrive at Ceddi.

"Really?" She asked surprised. "Apart from wanting to spend time with my daughter, I don't see another reason why. And nick is at school, so..." she raises her eyebrows and winks at me while I laugh, as she does the same.

"Mom I love you, you know that right?" I tell her. Ever since she told me about how she felt yesterday I've been feeling quite guilty, and I just want her to know how much I appreciate and love her.

"I know and I love you too, now let's hurry before you miss it." She smiles as we hurry up. We got here kind of late all because mom and I were playing catch the mouse.

She was the cat and I was the mouse, in sense that she chased me round the house just for me to eat breakfast and take my medicine to which I protested against, so upon all those running and protesting, she won and I had to eat if I wanted to meet up.

"Like it isn't your fault?" I pouts as we reach the event side.

"Ha, me?" Mom pretends to put her hand on her chest like she's hurt. "When did I do that?" She laughs. I love having this kind of moment with her it makes me feel closer to her.

"Very funny Mom," I hold her hand not wanting to let go.

"Now go make me proud," She caress my hand as I leave happily.

I greet the DJ, as we've become kind of buddies lately, I give him my instrumental, while I proceed to the front.

I decide to choose something that makes me remembers Theo, something that's not too saddening, but also emotional.

"This song is to someone very special to me." I speak on getting to the stage while the crowds applause. I look at Mom as she gives me a brilliant smile making me smile back.

"Took you like a shot, Thought I could chase you with a cold evening, Let a couple years water down how I'm feeling about you.

And every time we talk, Every single word builds up to this moment, And I gotta convince myself I don't want it, Even though I do.

You could break my heart in two,

But when it heals, it beats for you, I know its forward, but it's true."

I sing letting the rhythm take control of my voice, as I let it pass fluently. I look at crowd seeing how concentrated they are and look at my mom seeing her wiping the already fallen tears from her eyes, and I smile at her before looking back at the crowds when my eye gets a view of him.

It is as though déjà vu, the way we met at first, but this time he is in his uniform looking very handsome, just like the first day I saw him. The way his eye lingers on me like he is piercing through my soul making my voice hitch for the second time again.

I take control and look at him making sure I sing everything right because this song is for him. I bow my head only to look up and he us gone.

"I wanna hold you when I'm not supposed to, When am lying close to someone else, You're stuck in my head and I can't get you out of it."

I try singing louder maybe he would come back, but he didn't and he just left again.

"If I could do it all again,

I know I'd go back to you.

I know I'd go back to you." I sing as my voice begins to die down.

I end the song, as the whole crowd cheer and clap forming a smile on my lips. I looked at my mom but I don't find her where I left her.

I look her around the crowds, but I still don't find her anywhere. Where did she go?

Theo’s POV:

"Derek let's go." I call.

We made the plan I talked about. Lisa and some soldiers are going to be at Ceddi ready in formation for Vladimir to show up. General Ortega already talked to the CEO of Ceddi and they agreed as far it wouldn't ruin their business and we would keep it undercover keeping everyone safe. We don't want this to get out if not it could cause mass panic and we're not ready for that.

Lisa and her team were already prepared to go as Elias their tech whiz here kept tab on everything going and coming of Ceddi. The plan was for Lisa and some of the soldiers to go on, while I and Derek go and get Haula then when we get back I'll leave her with Matt and go with my team to help Lisa out.

If you're wondering what about me well I'm cured now, the bacteria has left my system all thanks to Matt injecting me with an antidote. Everything was so crazy yesterday after learning the truth It was too much but then Lisa came and calmed me down, she told me she would help me carry my burden that I wasn't alone in this which made me feel much better.

"Yeah I'm here, let's go" Derek came running. "Finally" I said and we left to Haula's house.

We got there and knocked but there was no one responding, we knocked again then pressing the doorbell but nothing still. There was no one home.

"Where could they have gone" Derek asked.

"I have no idea" I answered. Yesterday Derek told me I've changed and I wonder if that's true but he advised me, he said I shouldn't let evil people get to my good side and still be the same Theo that he knew, I didn't even notice I changed until he told me I guess thinking about all these has changed me but I won't let it not anymore. I just need Haula, she's my redemption and she the only thing that keeps me from running mad right now. I don't know what I'll do without her.

My phone rang as I picked it seeing its Mathew. Yes I finally got a new phone. "Mathew" I called.

"Captain there's a problem" what is it now.

"What happened" I composed my voice as Derek looks at me. "You didn't meet Haula right" Mathew asked.

"Yes how did you know, where is she?" I ask him sounding more louder than before.

"She and her mom are just seen going into Ceddi Plaza now." Mathew replies. This is really bad.

Thank God Mathew knew Haula, if not I wouldn't know and keep looking for her. "Thank you, I'm on my way back to the base." I tell him.

"Yes sir." He replies and I hang up. "What happened?" Derek asks concerned.

"We have to go back to the base, I have to get ready, Haula and her mom are at Ceddi Plaza and I don't know what they are doing there," Derek nods without saying anything which takes me a little surprised he didn't say anything.

I have to go back to the base and armor up before going there with my team, we don't know what to expect there.

We get to the base and I go to the General straight, informing him about our latest encounter before going back to my team.

"Armor up, let's go." They start to put on their uniform and every other accessory as I do also.

"Comms,"

"Check."

"Guns,"

"Check."

"Vest,"

"Check." "Ready to go?"

"Ready to go sir!" They all reply.

"Let's move." I say as we head our way out. Derek decided that I be Captain, as he said he was going to quit after we get Vladimir.

I protested and begged him not to, I told him I wouldn't be able to do this without him and he said something that touched me. He said, 'look at yourself Theo you've handled yourself and the team better than I could ever do, and you would do more than that for you have done it over and over again without me by your side'.

Those were his words and I hugged him not thinking how pathetic it looked, as we shared that moment and then back to reality.

I've already called Lisa to inform her about our movements as she is awaiting us. We get to Ceddi after taking our formations when I hear that voice.

"I'll be right back," I tell Lisa who I am close. "Where are you going?" She asks.

"That voice, its Haula," I say and she nods for me to go.

There she is looking as beautiful as ever, as she sings her song out, making her voice to be heard all over the mall.

I stare at her, appreciating how this wonderful woman came into my life and I was never letting her go anytime soon. I stare at her lost in thoughts just like the first time we met, as I saw her standing over there that very day.

Her eyes wonder the place and lands on someone which she smiles at when I notice it is her mom. She looks around as her eye catches me and we stare at each other before she bows her head down.

"Captain get out of there, we've got movements on Vladimir," Lisa speaks through the comm.

"Yes sir, but I have eyes on Haula's mom," I say.

"Bring her with you," We don't know if Haula's mom is infected with the disease, but we decide to take all precautions as I pat her.

"Theo?" She asks surprised looking at me from head to toe as I look different in an army uniform.

"Ma'am you have to come with me now, you're not safe here." I tell her. "What's going on? why will I leave and with you?" Her voice seemed demanding.

I had no time, for Vladimir has been sighted and anything can happen. I have to get back.

"We have a terrorist on the loose and he is coming right here, there's a lot I want to explain but I can't right now, you just have to come with me, trust me Mrs. Mathews," I tell her and she still stares undoubtedly scared.

"But Haula, I can't leave her here."She says turning to look at her daughter whom her head is still down.

"Captain get out of there Vladimir's boys have been sighted," Derek told me that there is a possibility Vladimir might want to take me, which I don't know what for.

"On my way sir," I speaks getting a look from Mrs. Mathews.

"I'll come back for her, I promise you right now she'll want you to be safe." She nods still looking back as I take her away.

I take her to somewhere safe telling her to stay safe and not to come out till I come back for her. She looks scared and begs me to get Haula as soon as possible, which I promise to do.

"Captain Steven what's your go?" Lisa asks. Steven and his team are also here. "We've got two of Vladimir's boys." Steven responds through the comm.

"I've got two also," Lisa reports.

"Oops sorry you got the wrong guy, Vladimir's got the box and he is going." We heard from Lisa's comm as one of Vladimir's boys says.

No no no, I can't let him release it and since it has no effect on me right? Then I'll go.

"I'll get Vladimir," I say. "Captain..." Lisa warns.

"We have no choice." I reply going after Vladimir. Elias put me through at where to find him as he is the only body signal left and damn is he right.

"Lieutenant?" I speak. "Captain?" Lisa answers.

"Please get Haula, meet Mathew." I request.

"Of course." She speaks as I glare at Vladimir from his face and to the box in his hands, just waiting till the time I can put him behind bars.

"Hello Theo,"