Wild Young Miss: Mister, Let's Kiss!

Meanwhile, on the middle floor of the yacht.

Zoey ran, firing shots back at the number of men chasing after her. She had been hearing shots after shots. She was nearly deafened by the sound of it.

However, she must survive this, no matter what. Hence, she would shoot without a second's hesitation. Because if she didn't, they'd riddle her body with bullets.

Still, Zoey found herself going back to the lower floor of this yacht. She had run around on this floor, and couldn't find Matthew.

'Damn…' Zoey cursed internally, blinking her eyes forcefully to have a clearer vision. Her sight had been blurring the longer this war proceeded. 

Although she had bandaged her wounds, fighting didn't help from forcing blood from oozing on them. She was losing too much blood, but due to adrenaline rush, she fought fiercely.

*BANG BANG*

Zoey fired another shot at the people who appeared before her. Instantly, they dropped to the ground. She didn't stop nor did she decrease her speed. 

However, just as Zoey was running ahead, someone grabbed her arms and pulled her in a direction. Caught off guard, Zoey still raised her handgun at the man's jaw.

Yet, the man didn't care at the round muzzle pressed on his jaw as he peeked outside. Zoey raised her gaze in disbelief.

"Niko?" Zoey breathed as her heart sank.

"Shh." Niko only shushed her before he suddenly pulled her in his arms, shooting the people passing by. 

"We will go away from here." Niko muttered as he loosened his grip and guided her to squat down. "The Silva Family will kill you. I won't let them, you understand?" 

Zoey's mind momentarily buzzed. Nikolai flicked his finger on her forehead, snapping her back to reality.

"Focus, sweetheart. We will go away from here and leave the Silva Family, okay?" Nikolai repeated, determination flickering across his eyes.

"Niko…" Zoey whispered in disbelief. At this point, Zoey realized that Nikolai had realized the Silva Family had ordered a kill order on her head without the latter's approval.

"What happened? To Inigo?" It may be dumb of Zoey to ask such questions, but words just blurted out from her mouth.

Nikolai's expression slightly changed as he remained silent. That instant, Zoey got the answer she sought.

Inigo's dead.

Nikolai wouldn't make that conflicted expression if Inigo just escaped. No, Nikolai wouldn't be here with her if Inigo was still alive. Zoey knew that well.

"That doesn't matter, Zia. Just follow me, hmm?" Nikolai shifted the subject, staring at her straight in the eye. He reached his one hand out, stroking her hair back as a subtle smile resurfaced on his lips.

"We'll go far, very far away from here. That's what you want, right? Away from all this chaos, away from the Silva Family, just away from everything. Let's start anew once we get out of here alive, hmm?" 

Nikola added. His voice almost pleading with her to listen.

His encounter with Inigo made him realize a thing or two. The Silva Family was not worth it -- this life was not worthy to die for. What was worthy to die and live spending it with someone he loved.

A life with Zoey, although the future was unknown and dim, Nikolai would take it at any time. A chance from her was all that he wanted right now. A little love, another chance, a little appreciation. It wasn't much, right?

But, Zoey… she couldn't do that. It was too much for her. Because she only wanted to start anew with Matthew -- no one else. 

Seeing her expression made his already dead heart sink to the bottom of the ocean.

"I can't, Nik." Zoey uttered almost like a whisper. This refusal under his desperation hurt her the same.

She may have hated Nikolai. But part of her could understand him. Still, she couldn't make more stupid sacrifices.

Coming in here was the most stupid mistake she had ever done. If she didn't come here, Matthew wouldn't be in such a dangerous ordeal. 

She had thought sacrificing herself and her happiness was enough. But, obviously, it wasn't. Zoey had realized that the second Nikolai mentioned their names to make her obey.

Zoey wouldn't make the same mistake. Matthew was willing to die for her. Hence, she couldn't disappoint him further by not fighting to death.

Thus, if she would choose who to hurt the least, that wouldn't be Nikolai. Because, at the end of the day, someone in this yacht would go through hell for her.

And that person, Matthew, Zoey didn't even know if he was safe or wounded. This entire ordeal was her fault, and atoning with her death was not enough.

She had to survive and apologize to him. To everyone for being a coward and not putting her trust on them.

Nikolai placed his gun on her forehead. His hand trembled, waiting for her to change her mind. Alas…

"Even if you pull that trigger, I won't change my mind, Nik." Zoey shook her head, her determined eyes not leaving him. "I'd rather die fighting for him. It's a mistake to even think I can do this all by myself. I can't. This is bigger than me and you… I have nothing to lose anymore."

Zoey never felt this solid resolve ever since she returned back in time. Her decision had been going back and forth, certain and waning the next second.

But this was different. Although it was a little late -- far too late to realize this -- Zoey still had to decide.

Slowly, Zoey reached for his gun and put it down. It pained her to see him struggle in silence, but pitying wouldn't help. Same with honesty, but being honest was better.

"Thank you, Nik. But I'm sorry I can't fulfill your wishes." Zoey swallowed down a mouthful of saliva. "If you want to stop me, you have to kill me."

With that being said, Zoey rose to her feet. As soon as she did, Nikolai asked under his breath.

"Why?"

Zoey pursed her lips, taking a deep breath as she peeked through the window. When she was certain it was clear, she reached the handle but stopped momentarily.

"Because it's him. It'll always be him."

Upon stating so, Zoey headed out. She ran as fast as she could, looting the guns from the dead bodies lying down, and continued on shooting at those who were in the way.

Meanwhile, when Zoey left, Nikolai let out a scoff. He slumped down on the floor, his back against the wall.

Without a word, he languidly took out a pack of cigarettes, clipped it in between his lips, and lit it up.

He puffed through his lips, his eyes glinting. "So be it, Zia.." Before he got back on his feet and headed into the direction she had gone.