Jannis was anxious as he dialed Jasmin's number, his heart racing at the thought of hearing her voice again. But as the call rang and rang, a sinking realization hit him—this was her old number. Frustration bubbled up just as Leonie, his constant companion in these chaotic times, rolled her eyes.
"Maybe you're just a bit annoying sometimes, but I won't forget what I said," Leonie remarked, her tone half-serious, half-teasing.
"Okay, okay," Jannis replied, exhaling a heavy breath. "I thought this was a quick way to see my child again. Now I realize someone else might be using Jasmin's old number."
Leonie crossed her arms, her patience thinning. "Oh, and perhaps we don't have to waste our time here. You know what to do."
"Just like you said, you want to get David's money. We can get it," Jannis replied, determination creeping back into his voice.
Meanwhile, in Zurich, Sidel, Martel, Anja, and Marvin were grappling with an entirely different dilemma. They stood at the crossroads of the bustling city, each lost in their thoughts about how to locate their missing friend, Sarah.
"Oh gosh, how could we find Sarah like this?" Sidel exclaimed, frustration lacing her words as they surveyed the unfamiliar streets.
"I don't know, maybe we should search everywhere..." Anja suggested, her brow furrowing in concern.
"But we can't just separate," Sidel insisted. "I don't want to get harmed, or else Walter and the rest of my family will find out about our lame excuses."
Martel, ever the lighthearted one, chimed in, "But wow! There are so many hot guys here!" Her gaze lingered on a group of handsome boys passing by.
The group exchanged glances, knowing this was classic Martel.
"What?! Is it bad to look at their handsome faces?" she quipped, a playful smirk on her lips.
"Focus, Martel," Anja urged. "We need to find Sarah, or we'll be too late to find out what really happened to her."
"Oh, come on! You don't have to be so serious," Martel replied. "Besides, I know Sarah needs us badly. You're like your mother, you know..."
"I'm not like my mother!" Anja retorted, defensive. "My mom doesn't have feelings."
"Really? Seems like you do," Martel teased.
"Hey, are we going to waste our time like this?" Marvin interrupted, his curiosity piqued.
"It's just fun talking to Anja," Martel shot back.
"Now, Martel, this was your idea. What are we going to do?" Marvin pressed.
"Of course, we're going to eat breakfast first. I don't like skipping meals," Martel declared. "While we eat, we can brainstorm where to find her."
"Okay, that sounds good," Marvin agreed.
They settled in a cozy restaurant, with Martel savoring her grilled chicken. As they ate, Marvin brought up the pressing question, "Where could we find Sarah?"
"I don't know yet," Martel admitted. "We need to figure out the location first. We have no idea where she was taken, and I hope we can contact her somehow."
"Or detect her GPS," Anja suggested, her eyes lighting up with a glimmer of hope.
"That's right! If we can track her GPS, we could find her right away. I think she definitely misses us," Marvin said, determination igniting in his voice.
"I just hope I can detect her GPS," Marvin said, his fingers dancing over his phone. "There's a chance we could find her."
Sidel sat quietly, flipping through old photos on her phone. Among them were pictures of Jasmin and a man named Jannis—strange, given that Jannis's face had been tampered with a pen in every one.
"Are you okay, Sidel?" Marvin asked, noticing her distraction.
"I'm fine," she replied, though her eyes betrayed her turmoil. "I just can't concentrate on finding Sarah. I'm still wondering about my dad. Why is every photo with Jannis marked? My mom always tells me to ignore him, but I can't."
"Maybe there's a reason for all your questions," Marvin offered gently. "Perhaps your mother can't explain everything."
"I don't even know who my dad is," Sidel admitted, her voice small. "I just wish she would tell me the truth instead of brushing me off."
"Hey, don't you think that's not our problem right now?" Anja interjected, trying to keep the focus on Sarah.
"I know, but I'm just curious. Once we save Sarah, I want to find out my dad's name. There's nothing wrong with wanting to know the truth," Sidel insisted.
Anja nodded, "But we have to find Sarah first."
"Fine, I'll resolve my own issues later. Right now, we need to focus on Sarah," Sidel conceded.
Suddenly, Marvin's excitement broke through the somber atmosphere. "Guys! I've got news! I found Sarah's location! It's in an unknown place here in Zurich—an abandoned residence!
"Yes! I knew this would happen! I'm such a clever detective!" Martel exclaimed, her relief palpable. "We're finally going to find her!"
"I'm just glad we're not lost!" Sidel added, her spirits lifting.
"Just remember, we have to be cautious. I hope Sarah is still alive," Anja said, her earlier optimism tempered by a hint of realism.
"Why, Anja? Are you being negative?" Martel teased.
"I'm just saying we shouldn't get too excited. Unexpected things can happen," Anja retorted.
"Fine, but I'm still hoping she's alive! I'm going to be the coolest detective ever!" Martel declared.
"Ugh, you're not!" Anja shot back playfully.
"Jealous because Christoph isn't here to talk to you?" Martel teased further.
Anja playfully shoved Martel away, her irritation evident, while Sidel pondered the mystery of her father and the tangled emotions that swirled within her. The group's laughter and banter echoed through the restaurant, a semblance of normalcy amidst the chaos of their mission. But as they prepared to find Sarah, each of them carried their own burdens, seeking answers that lay just out of reach.
Martin was on a mission, his heart pounding in rhythm with his anxious thoughts. The plan was simple: stop by the gift shop, pick up something nice for Jasmin, and then pop the question. But as he wandered through the aisles, he felt the weight of uncertainty. Did he really need to buy something special? The thought flitted through his mind as he picked up a bouquet of delicate flowers and, more importantly, an engagement ring.
With the ring nestled securely in his pocket, Martin's nerves began to churn. He had rehearsed the proposal a million times in his head, but now, standing outside the guesthouse, he felt like a giddy schoolboy. He knocked gently on Jasmin's door, the sound echoing in the quiet hallway.
"Jasmin, I would like to say... I know you might do some psychotic things, but please open up when you're ready. I want to dedicate this song to you. It's a Filipino song, and I hope you love it."
He could hardly contain his excitement as he noticed her shoes placed neatly by the door. She was definitely inside. Martin took a deep breath, ready to sing his heart out, but panic coursed through him when he realized the door was locked. In a moment of desperation, he remembered the hairpin he had borrowed from Janina.
After a few fumbled attempts, he managed to unlock the door. Just as he stepped inside, he was met with an unexpected sight—Fabienne, sprawled on the sofa, her expression a mix of annoyance and confusion.
"Why are you being so noisy? I could hear you from the other room!" she exclaimed, her voice cutting through his excitement.
"Huh?" Martin was taken aback, his mind racing. He looked around, searching for Jasmin, but it became evident she wasn't there.
"What's with the flowers?" Fabienne asked, squinting at the bouquet in his hand. Martin felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him as he realized she might suspect something.
In his flustered state, the engagement ring slipped from his fingers, clattering to the floor. Fabienne's eyes widened as she picked it up. "Are you planning to propose to Jasmin?" she asked, the shock evident in her voice.
"No! Not yet! I'm just... I'm so clumsy!" Martin stammered, his cheeks flushing. "I thought she was here. I wanted to confess something."
"So, you're in love with her?" Fabienne pressed, her tone shifting to curiosity.
"Yes, I am! But I'm so nervous! I want to tell her how I feel, but it's complicated. She talks about Janina—her hallucination friend—and I don't know how to compete with that."
Fabienne nodded knowingly. "You're like freaking Aladdin, you know?"
"Why do you keep calling me that?" Martin asked, exasperated.
"Just watch some Disney. You'll get it," she replied with a smirk. "It's Jasmine and Aladdin. The way you treat Jasmin is special."
Martin couldn't help but smile at the analogy, even as doubt crept in. "But why did you buy her an engagement ring?"
"I just want to prove my love for her," he shrugged, a hint of desperation in his voice. "I don't know how else to show her."
"But you can't just propose to someone you're not even dating, Martin. Isn't that a bit... obvious?" Fabienne challenged.
"Maybe, but I feel it in my gut. I just want to do this now! I don't care if I'm still married to Janina. She never loved me anyway—she loves Henrik."
"Lucky for you... but where's Jasmin?" Fabienne asked, her tone shifting again.
"She's working," Fabienne replied, her expression softening. "David asked her to help find some troublemakers around here. He's hiring another bodyguard next week."
"Oh, thank you for telling me," Martin said, relief flooding over him. "I'll just wait for Jasmin to come back. There's still time."
As he settled onto the sofa, the engagement ring glinting in the dim light, he couldn't shake the feeling of hope. If only Jasmin would understand how much she meant to him.
Jasmin was on a mission. She had heard whispers about a syndicate operating in Wuppertal, a shadowy group notorious for their illegal dealings in guns and explosives. Armed with determination and a hint of bravado, she approached a pair of police officers standing near the corner.
"Excuse me, guys, do you know if some syndicates are coming around the corner?" Jasmin asked, her voice laced with feigned innocence.
"Nope, never heard of any syndicate you're talking about," one of the officers replied, his tone dismissive.
"But maybe you're describing some people in Wuppertal. They're known for selling illegal weapons, and I hear they're on the watch list," a stranger interjected, leaning in closer.
"Thank you, boy, you must be very helpful," Jasmin smirked, sensing an opportunity.
As she gathered information, the pieces began to fit together. The people she had spoken to were indeed part of the syndicate, and their reputation for illegal activities was well-known.
She decided to confront them directly, heading towards an abandoned garage rumored to be their hideout. As she stepped inside, a group of men emerged from the shadows, guns drawn and aimed directly at her.
"Stay away from here!" one of the men shouted, his voice heavy with menace.
Jasmin couldn't help but laugh at the theatrics. "Oh please, this is no comedy show," she quipped, rolling her eyes.
"I told you to stay away or I'll kill you," he threatened, his finger twitching on the trigger.
"Scared of you? You look more pathetic than threatening. But hey, you're kind of handsome, in a bad-boy way."
In a bold move, she leaned in and kissed him, catching him off guard. As he froze, she swiftly snatched his gun, pivoting and firing at the men surrounding her. One by one, they fell—headshots, chest shots—the precision of her aim unwavering.
Just as she took down the last of them, a familiar face appeared. Albert, Jannis' closest friend, had a gun pointed at her, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"You have to stay out of this place!" he warned, his voice shaking as he prepared to pull the trigger.
"Oh really? Are you going to shoot me then? I think you're scared too, Albert," Jasmin replied, a smile creeping onto her face as she smeared the blood from the fallen man across her cheek.
"How do you know my name?" he asked, confusion clouding his features.
"I see you in my dreams. Maybe you still think of me, and I don't care about you. You bother me," she responded, her tone teasing yet serious.
"I know Jannis knows you too, and after all these years, I finally remember you," Albert admitted, the tension in the air shifting slightly.
"Great! But let's not drag others into this. Don't threaten innocent people," she said firmly, her voice steady.
"What are you talking about?" he shot back, defensive.
"I'm talking about the innocent guy you wanted to rob. David just wants to live peacefully with his daughter. You killed his wife for what? Money?"
"Well, my boss needs cash now! It's an emergency!" Albert fired back, desperation creeping into his tone.
"I could make you a deal. Leave David and his family alone, and I'll give you money," Jasmin proposed, her mind racing.
"Are you serious?" he asked, skepticism evident in his voice.
"Yes. 200 million euros, in exchange for their peace. Consider it a buyout," she stated confidently.
"Fine, but you better come through with that money. Or there will be consequences," Albert warned, his resolve hardening.
"And new guns. That's part of the deal. You'll need them," Jasmin added, determination shining in her eyes.
"Okay, I want the money and the weapons in 24 hours," he agreed, a smirk forming on his lips.
"Deal," she replied, a glint of mischief in her gaze. This was just the beginning.