Dawn and Dusk

Dawn and dusk
Prologue
I have dreamt of living a life that is simpler, slower and more pleasant. When morning finally comes and the dream fades into the background, I know my life will go on as it is. Murders and conspiracies, misfortunes and unpleasant dealings follow me everywhere I go. This is the life I chose to live, and it is not for the faint hearted. I had wanted to lead a life that is normal like other women, but I suppose it was predetermined even before my birth. I can’t choose my parent, and sometimes, I am glad that they are who they are, and I am who I am. Sometimes, when I can stop and think, I fear the darkness that follows me. I fear that one day I will end up dying slowly in a black ally, with blood pooling around me, helpless to do anything to change my fate. Sometimes, I feel dying is the glorious way of escaping this harsh life. I intend to have some fun first.
The weather is extremely well. The blue sky greets me as I fry a sunny egg and pour orange juice into the glass. Toasts jump out of the toaster and my breakfast is served. Changing into my gray business suit, I check my bag before locking the door. My roses are still competing for the crown of being the largest, sweetest, and most attractive queen. The lawn needs mowing, but it will have to wait.
Backing the Toyota Camry out of the driveway, the road is still empty as I leave the tree-lined street and enter the newly awaken city.
Dawn and Dusk stands formidably in the middle of the main street in the city. Dark glasses exterior conceals any activity from the inside to the outside, giving us some privacy. To the unsuspecting public, we are just another corporate entity that is driven forward by greed and creed. To the informed few, we are a spy agency with funding coming from Dawn and Dusk, Inc. Dawn and Dusk is essentially a seafood and shipping company that has resources all over the world. It is easy for us to do any spy work because if there’s fish, then we are there.
Cameron Brown Senior first set up Dawn and Dusk after the Second World War. He owns a seafood company in Tampa. His son, Cameron junior, is taking care of the company now.
The glass door revolves as I push through into the cool interior. She smiles as I nod good morning. She hasn’t stopped typing.
“Mr. Brown is waiting to see you.”
Cameron’s office is usually squeaky clean, but today it’s in a mess. That usually means trouble overseas.
“Celine, how much do you know about Angelina Simmons?”
Angelina Simmons is a famous actress who had made her name in Hollywood by starring in a historical war movie The Conqueror. She transformed her former vase status somewhat and has earned accolade. Her latest movie, Dream World, has been nominated for the Oscars. She is certainly on the way to superstardom.
“I have heard rumours about her. Why do you ask?”
Angelina has became a model in Starstruck Inc. Starstruck Inc. is a model agency and a front for an international spy ring. In other word, a company that is similar to Dawn and Dusk, only they recruit stars, and we recruit normal people.
“Two hours ago, Angelina has been kidnapped from Heathrow Airport. I need you to get to England as soon as possible and find her.”
“I will do my best.”
“Bring yourself back in one piece. I want no drama.”
Drama seems to follow me around. I can’t help it. Closing his door when I leave, the airplane ticket is sitting neatly on my desk. Taking the ticket and the file on my desk, I leave Dawn and Dusk as more people come into work. The traffic is getting worse by the minute when my car speed towards the airport in the countryside.
I wish this time I will be able to come back without too much trouble, but I have a hunch that I may not come back at all. Why should I care so much? I choose to live dangerously and this is a small price to pay.
The plane safely leaves the ground. Silently waving goodbye and whistling a tune, I close my eyes as the sky caress the white plane in the cloud. I will be there in no time.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
London, Heathrow Airport, two hours ago
My dream to work with the delicious Sean Thompson has finally come true, and I have arrived in London without too much trouble. I wish I look better, but as travel don’t agree with me, I wish the cameramen will spare me before I freshen up.
They are like rabid dogs. I hate them, but you can’t escape them. They are everywhere you go, following you like a plague that wouldn’t go away. You have to be very careful about what you wear and what you say. They note everything down. I should get used to it now, but I can’t.
Dean has been an angel. I don’t know what to do without him. He has made sure everything is in order so I don’t have to worry about a thing. When he said he couldn’t come to England with me, I almost fainted. He said I am a big girl now. I should be able to take care of things. I wish I could.
I would feel better once I leave the airport and get to the hotel. I am sure of it, but the tiredness finally gets to me in the comfy taxi. I fall asleep once my head touches the soft cushion.
The next thing I know is that I am not at the hotel. I don’t know where I am. A black bag covers my head and my hands are tied behind my back. Is this some kind of joke? This is so dreadful. I haven’t even been activated as an agent yet.
I can feel my bag beside me. Dean has packed for me before I leave. Yes, that must be the reason why I am here. He has packed a surprise for me. I have been kidnapped for something he has packed in my bag and I have absolutely no idea what it is.
If I survive this ordeal, I must ask Dean NOT to pack for me in the future. He will only get me into trouble.
“Get up, you lazy bitch.”
A man kicked me in the stomach. I struggle to stand up with my feet bound.
“What do you want?”
“Shut up and listen.”
A tape clicks as the man leaves the room. His footsteps echo eerily in the room.
“Open your bag and take everything out of your bag. Put everything on the ground. When you finish, sit down and wait for further instruction.”
A mechanical voice fills the room. It’s shrill and cold, reveals no emotion.
I can feel my clothes falling onto the ground. A satin dress for the dinner is in my hand, which I will not be able to attend. A pair of Capri pants and a white shirt has been folded neatly into a pile. These are my favourite. My makeup has been packed in a bag. More clothes, then my music box. I open and let the beautiful tune into the room. The jewelry is all in order. Diamond earrings, necklaces, and bracelets are tucked away in the compartment. There is an extra item in the box, a brooch. It is shaped like a flower.
This must be the item they are after. I close the lid and carefully placed the box on the ground. What are they going to do? Are they going to take the brooch and kill me? I hope they will let me live.
I can’t be more wrong.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
London, the film set for Dream World
George Simmons is waiting for her wife to turn up on set. He knows that she is never punctual, but a one-hour delay is almost too stylish even for Angelina. Something must have happened. He has to call Dean.
“Dean, Angelina is a no show. Have you talked to her after she arrived?”
“No, George. I haven’t heard from her since she got on the plane. Are you sure that she’s not just late?”
“No. It’s impossible. It’s been an hour after her starting time. You have to call Cameron.”
“I will do that right away. We must expect the worst.”
“You mean that the map and the key are missing.”
“Yes, she doesn’t know that she is carrying them, but she is. We must assume they are compromised.”
“That’s dreadful. Do you have another copy of the map?”
“Yes, but if they found the key then we are done.”
“Let’s hope she is good enough to protect these two items. I will call Cameron.”
“All right. Hope you find her.”
“I hope I do.”
Sean Thompson is ready for action. George will have to make the phone call to Cameron, and then he will have to film the York scene first, and then film the scene with Angelina now. That is if they can find her at all. If they can’t locate her, then they will have to find another actress who will fit the role. He hopes that Dawn and Dusk will be able to find Angelina for him because this movie needs her. Without a real star, the movie is sure to bomb and he will never be able to find another job again. His life is at the stake here.
He will try to help Dawn and Dusk to find Angelina. No matter what happens, the show must go on and the lead must be found.




Chapter 1 The missing star
Sean Thompson is a handsome young man with a perfect athletic body. God has blessed him with the gift of acting and good looks, so his rise in Hollywood is no surprise to anyone. Dream World is a great story. He liked the script the first time he picked it up, and is more than willing to try out for the role of Donovan Lancaster. Donovan is first knight who lives in York. Edward French will play Michael Cunningham, the princess’s fiancé. Steven White will play Fraser Wood, knight in the court. Damien Mark Mason will play Toby Englewood, the King’s council. Angelina Simmons will play Princess Gabrielle and her twin. Donna Avery will play the Queen and Tony Rathbone will play the dying King.
He knows that Angelina is late to the set and they are supposed to start shooting the first scene where he confronts her and Michael. That will have to wait now. What has happened to her? He wonders. He can’t do anything if she doesn’t show up.
“Is Angelina coming today?”
“No. We don’t know where she is. I have called the police. She may have been kidnapped.”
“What? Really? Who is the last one she contacted?”
“It had to be Dean, her manager.”
“So she left Los Angeles safely?”
“Yes, it seems that she has disappeared after getting off the plane in Heathrow Airport. She definitely left Los Angeles because the people at the airport confirmed that. We are trying to track her down here.”
“That’s awful. What if something happen to her?”
“Exactly. We don’t want that to happen.”
“No. I hope she is okay. I don’t care if this movie doesn’t go ahead, but I want to know that she is safe.”
“Yes. If she doesn’t come back, then this movie is not going to be filmed. I don’t think we can survive this time.”
“No, we can’t. How much have you spent already?”
“Quite a lot. We’ve made the set, the costume, and we’ve got people over in France filming as well.”
“I know. It’s going to bring us all down.”
“I have also called Cameron.”
“Is he going to help us?”
“Yes. He will help us to find Angelina.”
“Thank God. You have gone to the right people. I hope she will be found.”
“Yes, and as soon as possible. We can’t afford to lose any time now.“

My life is not a fairy tale

Once upon a time, there was a prince who lives in a castle. She has been put into a deep sleep after getting pricked by a needle. She is waiting for a handsome knight to come to rescue her from her sleep.
When will the prince come to rescue the beautiful princess? When will he break her out of this stupor? When will they live happily ever after?
I wish that my story is fairy tale, but it isn't. I am not a beautiful princess who lives in a castle. I have not been put to sleep by good witches who protect me. I doubt that I will ever get rescued by a prince, but then again, I may be wrong.
Here it goes. Hold on to your seat and turn the pages to find out what is happening in my life. In the end, you can decide whether my life is a good one or a bad one, but not until you finish this story. Be patient.