Hi guys~ *waves* I know it's been three years but it's really me! I am still alive. XD

First of all, I really would like to apologise for the super long hiatus as I was so caught up in life. :') But when I did finally check back in here, I was really shocked! This story has garnered so much love and attention, even when I was away. I can't apologise enough for my disappearance, which is why I have finally decided to pick up where I left off and continue with the story.

I would like to give a big hug to you guys for giving this fanfic 160,000 views! I really appreciate the numerous reviews, favourites and follows! I have read through every single comment that you have left! I love you guys and thank you for being here with me! :D

I shall not hold you back any longer with my talking anymore~ Let's get started!

~ Chapter 12 Caught in Trouble ~

Leo led Nike back into the gigantic circus. They were wandering aimlessly in the crowd and calling out for Livi but to no avail. During their search, they passed by several colourful carnival food stands and Nike was hit immediately by the delicious, sweet aromas. Her mouth watered at the sight of all the irresistible food - there were hot dogs, funnel cakes, popcorns, cotton candy and many more. She didn't had breakfast since she and Livi were too busy trying to avoid being seen while sneaking out of their premises.

Her stomach let out a sudden, loud growl and she blushed with embarrassment.

Leo glanced sideways at her before chuckling lightly. "My lady, are you hungry?" he asked, his eyes twinkled with amusement.

"I-I am sorry, I can't help it," she apologised sheepishly. She facepalmed. Seriously, how could she be thinking of food when she has to look for Livi?

He grinned at her. "No worries," he said. "We can stop by here for a minute before we move on. What do you wanna try, Nike-sama? I'll treat you."

"Oh no, it's fine." She shook her head and held up both her hands to refuse the offer. "You have already helped me by treating my hand earlier. I can't possibly ask you to treat me to food too."

"It is my duty to make sure that my lady is well fed and contented." He winked at her. "In return, I hope that we can be friends. Promise me that you will stay for my performance until the end once we find your companion?"

She stared at him in awe. Wow, how could someone be so possibly thoughtful and helpful like him? It was proving to be rather difficult to turn down his request.

"Alright." She decided to give in. "I shall take up on your offer. Thank you very much for your kindness, Leo-san. You are a good man."

Like a gentleman, he tipped his hat and slightly bowed at her compliment. "Anything for a pretty lady," he said happily. "If you don't mind waiting here, I'll be back with some food and drinks for you to taste."

He escorted her to some empty seats nearby. When he made sure that she was comfortable, he disappeared into the crowd. Once alone, a tired sigh escaped from her lips and she bent forward to massage her aching feet. A wave of disappointment came over her, thinking of all the lost time that she could have spent with Livi because she didn't stick close to him properly. She surveyed her surroundings, hoping to spot the boy that she loves. Where did he go?

Leo came back a while later, carrying a plate of buttery, soft pretzels and a rainbow snow cone in his hands. He handed them over to Nike, whose eyes and face were glowing brightly at the food. She gratefully took a pretzel first and munched on it, savouring how it melted in her mouth. As she indulged herself in the food, she almost forgot about Leo.

"I-I am sorry, Leo-san. Would you like some as well?" she offered the pretzels, looking slightly abashed.

He shook his head and smiled. "You can have them all. To be honest, I am actually tired of them after eating them for so many years."

He sat down beside her and began telling her stories about the circus tours around the world. How they trained every single day and slowly gained recognition for their performances. How everyone was so different because they were employed from different places but yet, at the same time, they had the same goal. Nodding her head, Nike finished the rest of the food. She licked the crystal sugars off her fingers. Next, she tried out the snow cone and the sweetness made her groan in satisfaction. When she was done, she turned to Leo and bowed down to him gratefully. "Thank you, Leo-san," she thanked him.

"No problem," he replied. "Shall we get going? Your friend must be waiting."

She nodded eagerly and they both got off their seats. But she must have stood up too quickly, for she felt a sudden wave of dizziness overwhelmed her and she stumbled into a surprised Leo, who caught her in his arms. "W-what? Why am I so dizzy..." she trailed off. Strangely, the world was starting to spin around her.

"Nike-sama? Are you alright?" Leo asked. His face creased with worry and his arms went around her to support her weight.

"I-I don't know... It's so weird, I feel so sleepy..." she mumbled. Her eyes drooped heavily and she felt her whole body going limp.

And then the last thing she remembered was the world growing dark around her.

~ oOo ~

Livi folded his arms and tapped his feet on the ground impatiently.

It has been near two hours since he saw Nike and he was growing rather vexed.

After searching high and low for her in the circus, Cathy suggested waiting at the entrance area where the information booth was located. She informed him that often when kids went missing, they would be brought here instead where they would reunite with their parents once again. Perhaps Nike might end up coming here instead.

But it seemed like Nike wasn't going to show up anytime soon. Livi was tempted to return back to the circus and continue his search for her. Cathy has been kind enough to offer him some drinks but he declined her offer. He wasn't feeling hungry or thirsty, especially when he was having a terrible bad mood that his date plans haven't been going according to his wishes.

He stood up, having made up his mind then to stop wasting anymore time. He gave a grateful nod to Cathy, whom in return gave him a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry," she said. "If she turns up here, I will make sure to keep her here and get someone to inform you."

"Thanks."

He set off to continue on his search. There was a performance ongoing on stage, whereby a couple of performers were performing dangerous animal tricks with a few animals. He went around the stage, squeezing himself through the crowd as he kept an eye out for any eye-catching red wig that Nike was wearing. A thought came to his mind then. Knowing Nike and her recent food diet plans enforced by the top designer himself, she might have discovered the food stalls now and was probably filling her stomach. Smirking to himself, he made his way there. He was one hundred percent convinced that she would be there.

Sure enough, he soon spotted a familiar-looking female with red burgundy hair and dressed in the same outfit as what Nike wore earlier. He intended to sneak up from behind her to give her a scare when he noticed that she was conversing with a strange man wearing a circus costume with heavy makeup on his face. He noted the close proximity between them and his face started twitching with annoyance. What did she even see this guy, when he was nothing like her husband? Did she even know how vulnerable she looked?

And then the next thing that happened made Livi blood boiled. Nike stumbled into the man and his arms went around her. He shook her a couple of times but she didn't respond to him.

Wait...Nike fainted?!

The man lifted her motionless body off the ground swiftly like a doll and carried her out of the place. Livi hurried after them, shoving his way through the crowd and earning a couple of annoyed grunts from others. Thank goodness that his body was currently shaped like an adult. His tall height prevented him from losing sight of the pair in this crowd. He cursed under his breath, swearing that he was going to catch that man and put him in prison for the rest of his life for touching Nike.

Despite carrying a person in his arms, the man was surprisingly fast. He knew his way around the place well and he used the back exit, which was restricted to authorised personnel, to slip out of the place quietly. Livi followed suit, darting through the same exit when it was cleared from any watching eyes. He glimpsed the man walking through the small tents and he moved nimbly and quietly to keep up with them. He wanted to know where exactly was the man going to take to his Nike off to.

When they entered the forest behind the tents, Livi's heart quickened with a sense of foreboding. His gut feeling was telling him that Nike was probably in more danger than he thought. He muttered a string of profanity and his hand slipped to his belt where his hidden dagger was kept at.

"That son of-"

"Hey." A glacial female voice from behind cut him off mid sentence and he paused in his tracks. He felt a cool breath tickled the back of his neck and the edge of a cold knife pressing into his throat.

"Watch your mouth. That's my brother you are talking about," she hissed.