Chapter 3 

The man's eyes went wide when he heard the news that Elena had left her room without anyone knowing. "The VIP escaped?!" he shrieked. 

What now? 

Why was this woman suddenly disturbing Evander's peace again and again? 

Couldn't she just leave him alone for once? 

"Her last known location, didn't Miss Elena go inside?" Evander rasped. "The CCTV even shows the VIP entering her room!" 

"That's right, bu-but when I brought this food and went in, Miss Elena was already gone," one of the trembling servants explained nervously. "I-I don't know where she went!" 

"The window in her room is open, Captain," Evander's subordinate said, detailing how Elena escaped. "There's a rope hanging all the way down," he added, presenting the evidence to Evander. 

"Which she used to escape from here," Evander mumbled. "Where exactly did Miss Elena go?" he whispered, tensely rubbing his chin. 

Without hesitation, the team captain immediately left, following his instinct, guessing the VIP's whereabouts by focusing and imagining himself in Elena's shoes, someone who had just been reported missing. 

"It's not about where Elena went, but why she went. Think, Evan!" he pressed himself, anxious, the man couldn't waste any time if he didn't want something bad to happen. 

The longer Elena was missing, the more dangerous it would be for her, her life might be in jeopardy. 

Especially if the VIP's disappearance was due to someone's malicious intent. 

"No one saw her leave through the main gate, Captain. The VIP left through the back door," Bram explained, his face tight. 

"The back door?" Evander repeated, responding to his teammate's statement. "What is Miss Elena looking for in the wilderness?" 

The Montgomery residence was indeed unique. The grand, palace-like house was nestled between hills, with a wilderness area behind it that led directly to the open ocean. 

Evander was silent for a moment, thinking about what Elena might be contemplating this time. 

"Should we search for her in the forest, Captain?" Bram confirmed once more, making sure he hadn't misheard Evander's recent utterance. "Do we need additional team members?" 

"I will go in to find Miss Elena. Alpha Team will spread out as instructed." 

This wasn't the first time Elena had caused trouble. However, this was the first time she had left without Evander by her side, making the man worried. 

Something must have happened. 

"We need to find her before nightfall. Understood?!" Evander commanded before truly going in and beginning the search. 

Not going empty-handed, the man first chose a weapon he could use. The dangers weren't just human, wild animals could also be encountered while searching for Elena in there. 

"Miss Elena!" 

"Miss Elena, can you hear me?!" 

Evander's footsteps continued through the forest, his gaze sweeping every corner. Perhaps he could find a useful trace or small clue. 

His earpiece crackled again, a sign that the search team members were trying to contact him. 

"Have you found any signs of Miss Elena?" 

"Not yet, Captain. The northern area is clear." 

Evander closed his eyes, rubbing his temples. The pressure grew, especially as the sun began to set. It would be dark in a few moments. 

Would Elena be alright? 

What if he failed to find her? 

"Miss Elena!" 

"Hic... hic..." 

Evander's footsteps halted, the dry grass he stepped on rustling. "Did I mishear, or does it sound like someone is crying?" 

Approaching slowly but surely, Evander saw the shadow of a woman in a gown behind a leafy tree, near a large cliff overlooking the sea. 

"Miss Elena?" Evander called, realizing who he had found in the fading twilight. 

She sat on the cliff, her small body hidden, curled up endearingly, digging at the earth with small sobs. 

"Captain! What took you so long?!" the woman cried out, sounding relieved. "I've been waiting for you." 

"Oh my God. Thank goodness! Thank goodness I can see you here." Evander also expressed his heart's unease, offering a prayer of thanks. 

"How did you know I was here?" Elena asked, her eyes still fixed on the refreshing expanse of grass on the other side from the cliff's western edge. 

The beautiful view was her salvation, as she didn't have to directly meet Evander's sharp gaze. 

The captain approached, positioning himself next to Elena. "Most importantly, I am here now," he replied, flatly. 

"You must return, Miss. Everyone-" 

"Can you just talk to me normally, Evan?" the woman interrupted, cutting Evander off quickly. "I'm so uncomfortable with the way you talk. So formal," Elena said, without a trace of hesitation. 

She looked annoyed, the overly stiff and formal demeanor Evander displayed so clearly emphasized the distance between them. 

Elena only wanted to be treated like a friend if he refused to have a deeper relationship. 

Meanwhile, Evander couldn't give her what she asked for. 

"How did Miss Elena get here?" 

"Call me by my name, Evan. Didn't you hear what I just said? We're not at home." 

"Then what made you come into the forest like this?" This time, Evander carefully corrected his words. "What if something happens? This isn't a place just anyone can come to, alone," he continued, worried. 

Don't ask how Evander looked at Elena, so tenderly. His eyes welled up at the thought of not being able to see her again. 

Just like someone who would even give everything, even sacrifice his life, for the well-being of the woman he loved. 

"I'm sure you would find me if I disappeared. So what do I have to worry about?" Elena depended on Evander, relying on him for everything. 

Whether it was her heart, her life. 

Meanwhile, the man who still looked at the fair-skinned woman with gentle eyes was speechless. "But still-" 

"You promised you'd find me, anywhere. Even at the ends of the earth, Evan," Elena interrupted suddenly. 

"I'm holding you to your word. So this time I tried to prove it," she explained, her illogical explanation met only with a long sigh from the man before her. 

A smile curved on that beautiful face, captivating Evander for a moment. 

Elena had a small face, yet it was so pleasing to look at. Her full lips moved, humming a melody with a soft intonation. 

"Thank you for finding me here," the VIP who constantly troubled Evander said sincerely. "I might have spent the night alone if you hadn't found me." 

"Did something happen, Miss?" 

"Does my face really show that something's wrong, huh?" Elena asked back, chuckling softly. She fidgeted nervously with her fingers, exhaling. 

Evander didn't reply, just listened silently. He knew Elena needed time to articulate what was truly weighing on her heart. 

"Evan?" 

"Yes?" 

"If I told you I like you, what would happen between us?" Coinciding with the sounds of nocturnal animals feasting, the declaration of love was uttered calmly by Elena. 

Her face was serious. "Can I still feel this way about you?"