CIRCUS - THE MOVIE

Episode 12 ─ "Two Choices, One Goodbye"

[Location: Georgia Sea Island Beach | Same Morning, Shortly After Episode 11]

The sky was clearer now, the gentle waves brushing against the sand like nothing had happened. But the mood in the air? Far from peaceful.

Liliana gave a subtle sign-just a flick of her fingers in a signal only Kai and James would understand. They exchanged a brief glance, nodded, and without a word, turned and walked away from the area, disappearing into the landscape with quiet obedience.

Liliana and Jack were alone again.

Jack took a deep breath, still processing everything that had just happened. Then he looked at her, eyes searching for something real.

> "Why do you even do all of this?" he asked, voice firm. "Are you just... too lazy to earn a living the honest way?"

Liliana didn't even flinch. As she began pulling her clothes over her bikini, her tone remained unbothered.

> "Family was poor, orphanage kid, adopted by a rich family... blah blah-too cliché," she said, slipping into her fury skinny pants and buttoning up a WW shell top, matching it with sleek black combat boots. "I graduated in Cybersecurity from the University of Chicago. So, no, money isn't a problem for me."

She zipped her jacket with precision, like suiting up for war.

> "But I've always been wild. Never had to explain myself to anyone. During holidays, I'd travel everywhere just to feel something. That's when I met James and Kai. And honestly? I get attracted to chaos. Excitement. Danger. Ordinary life? Not for me."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "You make it sound like crime is a lifestyle brand."

Liliana smirked.

> "Maybe it is."

Then she added, more casually than she should've:

> "Funny thing is, when I first found James and Kai, they were making bombs in an abandoned building. They almost shot me."
She paused, tilting her head. "But I shot them first-right in the legs. We laughed. And... we clicked."

Jack blinked. The way she said it-like she was talking about a fun memory, not a life-or-death encounter-was unreal.

Liliana turned toward him, reading the surprise on his face.

> "I know, darling. I'm amazing," she said sweetly, then blew a kiss at him like a movie star.

Jack chuckled, shaking his head.

> "There's no doubt. You've got this... effect on people. You drive me insane."

He stepped closer, his hands resting gently on her waist. She didn't pull away-her hands automatically rested on his shoulders, their bodies pulled in by gravity and chemistry.

> "Have you noticed something?" she whispered. "In life, we usually get just two options. So... I'm giving you two right now."

Jack smiled softly. "Uhh huh. What options?"

Her gaze locked onto his. Intense. Real.

> "Right now... Me. Or America."
She didn't blink. She meant every word.

Jack paused. His next question broke the rhythm a little.

> "Since when did you fall for me?"

Liliana clicked her tongue, tilting her head with mock impatience.

> "Tsk tsk. That's not the game. Just answer."

Instead, Jack pulled her into a hug-close, firm, emotional.

> "Do you really feel nothing for me?" he whispered into her ear.

And in that moment-the world fell away. There were no sirens. No FBI. No guns or secrets or betrayal.

Just two people, holding on like it was the last time they ever could. They didn't kiss-but their foreheads were close, their eyes half-lidded, breathing synced. A heartbeat away from something more.

A moment suspended in time.

Then-chaos.

Voices from behind.
Guns.
Dozens of agents.
Seth. Kevin. A tactical team, all armed and ready, aiming directly at Liliana.

Jack flinched-but Liliana didn't move. Eyes still closed, she smirked knowingly.

> "Remember when I said... I don't make friends?" she said quietly, voice laced with venom. "Because I don't trust anyone."

Jack's eyes flew open.

She had known all along.

And when he looked down-

She had a gun pressed against his stomach.

She stepped slightly to the side and, in one swift motion, twisted behind him-one arm across his neck, the gun now pressed against the back of his head.

> "If you don't want to lose your officer," she called out to the team, "PUT YOUR GUNS DOWN."

Kevin panicked.

> "NO-NO!! Don't do this! Everyone, put your guns down!"

But the agents hesitated.

> "I said... GUNS DOWN!!" Seth shouted again, more forcefully this time.

One by one, the agents obeyed. The muzzles of their rifles dipped toward the ground.

Seth stepped forward carefully.

> "Now... let him go."

Liliana shook her head, laughing lightly.

> "This is our final meeting, Mr. Seth. I hope the next time we meet, your skills will actually be worth my time."

Seth clenched his fists so hard his knuckles turned white. This woman... She had beaten him again. And again.

Liliana leaned in, whispering in Jack's ear.

> "I think I got my answer, darling."

His face said everything-guilt, heartbreak, confusion. But he didn't say a word.

Keeping him in her grip, Liliana slowly backed away. Step by step. Until she reached her bike, parked behind the dunes.

Then-just as smoothly-she shoved Jack forward. He stumbled a few feet ahead, but managed to steady himself. When he turned to look back at her-

Liliana was already straddling her motorcycle.

She smiled one last time.

> "Goodbye, darling," she said with a wink. "This is finally our last meeting."

Then the engine roared to life, and before anyone could react, she sped off down the coastal road, wind whipping through her hair, vanishing into the horizon.

And just like that-Liliana Mendoza was gone. Again.

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To be Continued ~