"Where are we?" Ronald asked after seeing the guards holding high powered ammo. A place with people like this is anything but ordinary.

"My childhood friend's villa. While we're here don't loiter around unnecessarily." Clarence replied nonchalantly.

"Boss, is your friend in the military? Am I right?"

"Haha, you're both like me when I first came here. To be exact, this place is a 'detective wannabe secret base." He looked at the two whose faces had question marks on them.

"Actually, my friend loves to play detective, so he hired this kind of men to make this place just as he wished to be. Somehow, his family is not also normal like any average family, so this kind of setting is also needed. I know you have a lot of questions but keep them for now. You'll understand later."

"Are we staying here?" This time it was Beauty who asked out of curiosity.

"Nope, I need some things from him. We came to get them. We might stay tonight."

As the car stopped at a parking lot, they saw a man standing to wait for them the whole time.

"Sir Clarence, you need to wear these and be prepared for battle." He gave each person a vest, helmet, knee pads, a pair of lightweight leather shoes, handguns and an extra cartridge each.

"Thanks, Phil. What's the scenario? Same as last time?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Beauty, Ronald, this is the way to pull the trigger. Just pull this and a colored splinter will come out. To replace the empty cartridge, click this and the empty cartridge will fall by itself. Just push the new cartridge in. You got it?" Both nodded but also wondering what was the purpose for this getup.

"Be ready, this guy loves to greet his guests like a make-believe invading enemy. Just be careful not to be hit. To be hit a few times is fine but being hit a lot... consequences await you as we arrive at the end zone."

"What consequences?" asked Beauty.

"Haha, like making you cook for him and others. It depends on his mood but not that bad. Be alert now, let's go."

They went into a large playground of which some boards and mini barricades made of hard plastic were placed. There were some seesaws, slides, trees, bushes and a fountain. Clarence held Beauty's left hand while his left hand was holding the handgun.

"You're left-handed?" she asked.

"Not exactly, I can use both efficiently. Just that you're right-handed. If I hold your right hand you can't use the handgun properly with your left. Ronald, I'll take Beauty, you watch yourself."

"No problem. I like this game. I'm pumped up."

Bang! They heard a gunshot, a red paint hit Ronald's left thigh.

"Run, look for cover," ordered Clarence.

Suddenly, a hoa.r.s.e male voice was heard. "You punk, your friend there is very slow. I can hit him a lot of times if I want to. You're also shameless for being chivalrous with a beauty. Girl, give up on him. He can't win against me."

Beauty and Clarence ran to a board enough for them to take cover. Ronald went to another board as well.

"To be chivalrous is good, most of all to the woman I love. I will protect her with my life, so she can't give up on me." Clarence shouted back. Beauty felt happy after hearing his declaration. Somehow, her mind was now debating on what was her true feelings for him. Most of all, she had not given him an answer yet.

"Hey, four eyes, you heard him. Join me to fight him so the girl will give up." The other man shouted at Ronald.

"Sorry, he's my Boss and the girl is my sis, I already gave my blessings," Ronald answered unashamed. The girl's complicated feelings were heightened with that sentence. She was so surprised to hear that from this amiable eyegla.s.ses guy. Who would have thought this companion of hers was in cahoots on tying her to Clarence.

"Stop talking, shoot." Clarence reprimanded the other.

Clarence pulled the trigger and almost hit the other guy. Ronald followed suit as the target was now visible. Beauty thought of shooting but not sure so she remained seated behind Clarence. Gunshots after gunshots were heard. They ran from one board to another and to a bush. Clarence made sure Beauty was behind him at all times. There were some paints on the two men.

Clarence signaled to Ronald for cover. Ronald shot to a nearby fountain. The splinter hit the water which splashed right in the eyes of the man hiding near it. With this chance opened, Clarence ran as fast as he can to where the man was hiding.

Unfortunately, the man responded on equal speed. He did not wipe his face, rather, tried to shoot at the running Clarence then rolled behind a tree. Clarence had good reflexes. After he saw the other was aiming his handgun at him, he immediately slid to a nearby bush. The splinter missed him by a hair.

"Chef boy, your reflexes are still good. Now taste my fury." A hand grenade, which was actually a balloon that resembled a grenade, was thrown and almost hit Clarence's hiding spot. Unexpectedly, the silent and unhindered girl, stood up and focused her eyes on the flying grenade balloon and pulled the trigger.

Bang! Paints splashed out from where the hand grenade balloon was. .h.i.t. Even Clarence got some on his helmet.

"Whoa, what was that?" Ronald shouted.

Everyone stood up from where they were hiding and stared at the girl who shouted, "YES!" She felt triumphant for her accomplishment.

"Wow, what eye focus and hand coordination. You're good at shooting, girl." The other praised her generously.

"Who would have thought you have good hand-eye coordination. A good quality from a good cook." Clarence gave his commendations as well.

"Nicely done, Beauty," added Ronald.

The other guy laughed heartily. "Come, come, let's go straight to the swimming pool for a good swim and breakfast."

After hearing the 'swimming pool', Clarence had a bad feeling about this invitation. "We'll just eat, no need to swim for now."

"What a killjoy. Okay, fine, you want to hide your beauty here from my scrutinizing eyes."

"Big Bro, actually my concern is . . ."

Suddenly, a woman's high pitched voice was heard.

"Leonard? Why are you eating at the pool? I told you we need to eat with Grandma every day. She is waiting at the garden patio."

"That's what I'm concerned about," finished Clarence.