"Sparrow, what the fuck were you thinking putting my daughter's life in danger?!"

"Relax, she wasn't in any danger. The accident was just a normal one. That inflatable tow tube always toppled - that was the point of that water activity. The accident wasn't meant to harm your daughter. You know that."

"You expect me to trust you guys? They were threatening me! They are using my daughter to threaten me…" she sobbed. Her anger was overcome by fear - for her life, her daughter's life, and everything she holds dear.

"Nicole, Nicole. Tch, don't be overly dramatic. It has been taken care of. You know, how Owl is."

He said in a soothing voice that wasn't helping with the fear that she was feeling. Knowing that they could hurt her daughter whenever they wanted won't put her at ease. Hence, she agreed to the security Noah was proposing for their daughter.

"I have already talked to Owl. He apologized and promised that he won't do it again. Let's consider it as water over the bridge, hmm?"

She was still shaking with a mixture of fear and anger, but she had no other choice but to trust Sparrow.

"We are getting Noah, not your daughter."

"But - can we not get Noah at the expense of my daughter?" she yelled despite her efforts to calm down.

"You know that Lucille is the Achilles heels of your ex-husband. Pushing him in the corner is something that we want. But you don't have to worry -- when it's the time to get to Noah, your daughter will not be involved in any of it."

"Promise?" she whispered. She knew she already lost the upper hand a long time ago. Owl already showed her who the boss was. The only thing she can do is be useful to the organization if she wants to enjoy every perk they provide her.

"When did I disappoint you? Hmm, be a good baby girl, I'll take care of everything." his voice was laced with innuendo that Nicole was familiar with.

"Sparrow --"

"I'll be sending someone over there -- you know what to do? Okay?"

"Okay."

"That's my girl! Now, cheer up. Lucille will be back home soon. Safe and sound."

"Are you sure that --"

"Yes, yes. We already found someone else to get to Noah. So rest assured this would be the last time that they will involve Lucille in these 'little accidents'."

He suddenly giggled that made Nicole's skin crawl with dread.

"But, I honestly don't think that we could get to Noah through her."

He scoffed, "Why Nicole? You couldn't believe that there would be another woman that could make Noah tripped from his high horse other than his daughter -- and you, from a long time ago?"

"No. It wasn't like that. It's just that I met her in person. She doesn't like someone Noah would go crazy with."

"You are underestimating the charm of Miss Zimmerman, Nicole. Do I need to remind you that your ex-husband hauled his whole entourage, together with your daughter, to chase after Miss Zimmerman?"

She gritted her teeth. Yes, she truly couldn't believe that Noah would be crazy over that woman! She was so ordinary!

Noah had his share of women right after their divorce. He had those women entered his bedroom as quickly as a fast-food delivery. He got his fill, played a bit, then the woman disappeared.

Noah is a generous lover. Not just in bed but also with material things. None of those women ever complained after jumping onto his bed.

She doesn't want to believe that Noah would truly go crazy over one woman, however, the fact that he no longer used the date when he first met her as his passcode says a lot.

And she also could not deny what Sparrow said. After all, Noah did chase the woman ass all the way to San Lucas!

"Why, Nicole, are you jealous? Don't tell me you still have some lingering feelings over your ex-husband?" he asked in a tone laced with sarcasm.

"Shut up! Your duality was truly out of this world! If I didn't know you personally, I would not believe that you are what you are!" she clicked her tongue over Sparrow's taunting.

He roared in laughter in the other line, "That's hilarious coming from you, I would take that as a compliment."

"Shut up!"

"Aww, Nicole. Don't be shy. If you didn't get caught, you will still be lying to Noah -- oh, my bad! You still are!" he laughed like a maniac again.

"Asshole! Go die!"

She dropped the call and threw the phone across the room. Even if she wants to deny what he said, she can't.

However, she wanted to believe that what she did at that time was necessary. And the only regret she had was she got caught!

She turned her swivel chair and looked at the photo frame that was sitting on her bookshelf. The photo was an old one. It was a picture of her and Noah when they were sophomores in college.

It was the time when they were so young, and so in love. When she still honestly believes that to achieve a dream all you need is hard work. However, that wasn't the case.

In reality, you need more than just hard work to achieve a dream. Sometimes, you don't even have to work that hard to get what you want. All you need is the right determination.

She realized early on that for her dreams to come true, all it takes was to know the right people. She just needs someone who will take her under their wings and allow her to soar without any obstacle.

And she is a woman with a big dream.

She knew a good opportunity when she saw one. In addition, she has the guts to seize her dreams and turn them into a reality no matter what it takes.

And she does not need love to stand in her way.