The sun began to set farther to the west as the last of its rays hit the windows of the skyscrapers and other tall buildings. The sky gave out a soft yet strong glow of orange.342Please respect copyright.PENANAsG2CLcFKXK
342Please respect copyright.PENANAsRuPXUb9Nt
At this time, a lot of New Yorkers were knocking off from work and heading home. Some headed for the metro station or used whichever means of transport. Others stopped somewhere to run a late errand. Many people, students and working class; school children and those young enough to be held by the hand, were also heading for home.342Please respect copyright.PENANAwlNghTNHrL
342Please respect copyright.PENANALPhwJRCsuc
Leo stared out of the window of his office, staring at the sun set. He was so lost in thought that he didn't hear the door open behind him.342Please respect copyright.PENANARKa51buNST
342Please respect copyright.PENANA66dipZQQ1F
"Is it a bad time?" came a voice at the door.342Please respect copyright.PENANAWAAxCoQne2
342Please respect copyright.PENANAofPVkeRHMT
Leo turned his head and smiled at his father standing at the door.342Please respect copyright.PENANAbft8IxKZNG
342Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0wi6XjTuT
"Not at all, dad," said Leo. "Please, come in."342Please respect copyright.PENANApV4vh5znw2
342Please respect copyright.PENANAaUIUX96bkN
His father did likewise, closing the door behind him. Leo turned his body towards his desk.342Please respect copyright.PENANAfnC6tlJTZX
342Please respect copyright.PENANAdAXgPNnSl8
"I'm surprised that you haven't left the office yet," said Mr. McDonell as he sat down on the chair in front of Leo's desk.342Please respect copyright.PENANAyfVtCjbOnK
342Please respect copyright.PENANAP3VYeXFhzU
"I was just about to," said Leo. "Just enjoying the sunset is all."342Please respect copyright.PENANA0GyoNBDqkA
342Please respect copyright.PENANAWxIsrJE9BC
"You don't look like one who likes to look at the sunset."342Please respect copyright.PENANAh961pUIrPP
342Please respect copyright.PENANAWpGHFcQhjb
"You'll be surprised."342Please respect copyright.PENANABMsLg5PD12
342Please respect copyright.PENANAPWOZJ5uwql
"I need to talk to you about something."342Please respect copyright.PENANAdlIgGHLD4z
342Please respect copyright.PENANA1MM6dgZBxz
Leo noticed the tone in his father's voice. He sounded serious, and Leo didn't like it.342Please respect copyright.PENANAy9J1FAJGqm
342Please respect copyright.PENANAEBpkYjvVaS
"What is it about?" Leo asked.342Please respect copyright.PENANA6IJ46EmAdy
342Please respect copyright.PENANArE8sDRDgqK
"It's about Angel."342Please respect copyright.PENANA9WzyehK7oZ
342Please respect copyright.PENANAtGRjXI5hKu
"Great! Just great!" Leo said in his thoughts. He had had enough of Angel already. First it was Eric and his paranoia that Angel might end up falling for her boss (that's if she hasn't already), and now, his father wanted to talk about her about who knows what. He felt like looking back at the window to continue looking at the sun, but he didn't want to seem rude.342Please respect copyright.PENANAmuU2wvfu2x
342Please respect copyright.PENANAS9nPVlSVZ8
He sat down on his chair and asked, "what about her?"342Please respect copyright.PENANAc1swswyzCd
342Please respect copyright.PENANAjfAffognUY
Before Mr. McDonell could speak, he noticed something wrong with his son after he mentioned Angel. Leo could do all he can to hide his expression, but his father somehow saw right through him.342Please respect copyright.PENANAXSPrLIobgw
342Please respect copyright.PENANARkG0cEv0Nx
"Your grandmother must have told you a while back that she wanted Angel to work here," Mr. McDonell said.342Please respect copyright.PENANAEoa3D0kwyf
342Please respect copyright.PENANA8WO5EYm3eI
"Yes, she did," said Leo trying to keep his cool. "But didn't Angel say she would think about it?"342Please respect copyright.PENANAQ52gb0233B
342Please respect copyright.PENANACFNBO5Xe3x
"She did."342Please respect copyright.PENANAImqS9s3HtW
342Please respect copyright.PENANAuL7a0si8dk
"And....?" Leo hoped and prayed in his heart that Angel had refused the offer. But somewhere deep down, he knew it was the opposite.342Please respect copyright.PENANAJZ0CXiv2EB
342Please respect copyright.PENANAA5i6mGBsMu
"She agreed to work with us."342Please respect copyright.PENANAPwAKoxvD4e
342Please respect copyright.PENANA9aE5KMF0JE
Leo almost held the edge of his desk as he felt the floor beneath him begin to spin, but he tried his best not to. His father was already giving him a look and he didn't want to seem weird.342Please respect copyright.PENANA5qQXs9fJr9
342Please respect copyright.PENANAdMyYafzTV9
He knew this was coming and he didn't know how to handle it. Right now, all he wanted was to be left alone and do God knows what.342Please respect copyright.PENANA6dfgoS18ag
342Please respect copyright.PENANA3p8oSvXS1v
"Umm, that's great," said Leo as he tried to sound enthusiastic.342Please respect copyright.PENANAGfCtrgD2VZ
342Please respect copyright.PENANAfWiotZu6Wg
Mr. McDonell still wasn't buying Leo's enthusiasm. He felt like he was missing something.342Please respect copyright.PENANAansUdCnwk9
342Please respect copyright.PENANA9S8gu5VGfo
"She starts work tomorrow," Mr. McDonell added on.342Please respect copyright.PENANAXlnsZlEbfz
342Please respect copyright.PENANA82Z2hwon2Z
"Tomorrow?" Leo couldn't believe it.342Please respect copyright.PENANAuzg6yL7M3O
342Please respect copyright.PENANA1gkhKaW8fp
"Yes. She told your grandmother and the message was passed on to me."342Please respect copyright.PENANAwyEKWw7eDi
342Please respect copyright.PENANADfGna0WuUQ
"What about her job at the editing company?"342Please respect copyright.PENANAm7NXQVmIwn
342Please respect copyright.PENANAo2r2sit6Zv
"I was told she met with her boss today. She hands in her resignation letter tomorrow."342Please respect copyright.PENANATdUrVU7ZCS
342Please respect copyright.PENANAWnyph3MFpX
Leo gulped. "Okay...., does mum know about this?"342Please respect copyright.PENANAMg5DiznSby
342Please respect copyright.PENANAIJozXHqZt1
Mr. McDonell leaned back in his seat and folded his arms. Leo knew his mother was the only trump card he had to prevent Angel from ever stepping foot in the company. If he can't have a say in this, she most definitely will.342Please respect copyright.PENANAwJiWwvDPlE
342Please respect copyright.PENANAkmyfODaO6w
"She doesn't know," his father replied.342Please respect copyright.PENANAEJDDF16mfq
342Please respect copyright.PENANAfslORvoKg3
Leo paused before he asked, "do you think she will like the idea of Angel working here?"342Please respect copyright.PENANAkAmGSAIMT9
342Please respect copyright.PENANApPJuHa6lDB
"No doubt she won't. That's just how she is."342Please respect copyright.PENANAygzvfJbKsG
342Please respect copyright.PENANAIEYYAFvKPR
"How are you going to break it to her?"342Please respect copyright.PENANAsCnrFNVMkq
342Please respect copyright.PENANA2IokE9Eoff
"Tonight at dinner you will be the one making the announcement to the whole family."342Please respect copyright.PENANAFFTasKDZIb
342Please respect copyright.PENANAEx7bn8bYlb
Leo straightened up even more on his seat, his eyes wide with surprise. "What?"342Please respect copyright.PENANAGGvUwVxVBC
342Please respect copyright.PENANA7LLlr05omG
"You heard me."342Please respect copyright.PENANAfZ29MI3zhs
342Please respect copyright.PENANAvGEeNicmLF
Leo wanted to shake his head but stopped himself. "Why can't Eric do it?"342Please respect copyright.PENANAeUXwHfNZnB
342Please respect copyright.PENANABvi4z1pnbB
"He doesn't have to know right now. And if I do tell him, he will get excited and blurt it out as soon as he's home."342Please respect copyright.PENANAYqWgvFZNmq
342Please respect copyright.PENANAQdDm1wqbs8
"Looks like you know him way more than I do."342Please respect copyright.PENANARdIg7Vvgyi
342Please respect copyright.PENANA35CBDCkArW
"He's almost like my son, of course I know. And I know he likes Angel, so I would like that you deliver the news."342Please respect copyright.PENANA6UrPA7EdNL
342Please respect copyright.PENANALZv2zsRPBn
Leo had no idea why his cheeks heated up when his father said that last statement. "You know that Eric likes Angel?"342Please respect copyright.PENANAUXvrKwLdmB
342Please respect copyright.PENANAmPZ6QsQFJL
Mr. McDonell shrugged his shoulder with a smile. "It's not that hard to miss," he said, "especially with how he used to take care of her when she had that accident."342Please respect copyright.PENANAeZwn2lbW6z
342Please respect copyright.PENANAEA1GKfghwG
"Oh." Leo hoped his father didn't know about him and Carly.342Please respect copyright.PENANA7anoZLnAXg
342Please respect copyright.PENANAggoxrgHVV7
Carly! Oh, goodness! Leo forgot it was her first day at college and so far, he hadn't called to check up on her. He felt pathetic and he had no one else to blame but Angel. If Eric hadn't come talking about her in the first place, he wouldn't have been brooding about her all day. And now, his father just made it even worse telling him to announce to everyone back home that Angel would be working for them. Angel continued to ruin his life even if she wasn't physically present.342Please respect copyright.PENANAyOthBvCN7I
342Please respect copyright.PENANAHLpN1zavsR
"Leo, are you okay?" Mr. McDonell asked.342Please respect copyright.PENANAacgvZcYv7O
342Please respect copyright.PENANAX8mn9ek8f2
"Huh?" Leo turned to look at his father.342Please respect copyright.PENANAiYhDb9WQqr
342Please respect copyright.PENANAz6whwyT0zc
"Are you okay? You just hit your forehead just now as though you're angry or something."342Please respect copyright.PENANAxqtCHXxtgD
342Please respect copyright.PENANA2kwNPdx8vu
Leo hadn't noticed his open palm upon his head and he felt like an idiot. He did that because he was mad at himself for not thinking about Carly when he had to.342Please respect copyright.PENANAW9dNmPm0GD
342Please respect copyright.PENANANoNW1tuQq1
"I have to go get something," Leo said. "I better rush before heading home."342Please respect copyright.PENANABV22dbh5jJ
342Please respect copyright.PENANAtdfjlXRcme
"If you say so," said Mr. McDonell as he stood up from his seat.342Please respect copyright.PENANAbFGaCK3ZCW
342Please respect copyright.PENANAYFGjWQDawh
"I'll see you back home?"342Please respect copyright.PENANAyUzyc0sCuu
342Please respect copyright.PENANAPJc1JRcvdS
"Ya, you ride with Eric. I'll stay here for a bit to finish up. But I'll be there before supper."342Please respect copyright.PENANAamZxEeiRco
342Please respect copyright.PENANA6qJ5lBVWPI
"Sure. See you later, then."342Please respect copyright.PENANAs5jqvX6x3X
342Please respect copyright.PENANAT3F5y6rrw2
Mr. McDonell gently nodded and made his way out of the office. As soon as he closed the door, Leo quickly stood up from his seat and got his jacket that was hanging at the back of his chair. He took his phone, the car keys, the keys to the office and left.342Please respect copyright.PENANAzxjog7IYG0
342Please respect copyright.PENANAggT485ALMt
The hall was quiet and the working cubicles in the work area were almost empty except for two employees still at their desks. Leo passed the cubicles and went down the hall to Eric's office. Before he could even reach the door, it opened and out came Eric.342Please respect copyright.PENANAaMkKbHnyrl
342Please respect copyright.PENANAjYgfBFQi3N
"I was just coming to get you," said Leo as Eric locked the door to his office.342Please respect copyright.PENANASqyCeqRyrp
342Please respect copyright.PENANAYOdu5qO1G0
"Don't tell me I'm taking the ride home with you," Eric said as he turned to look at his cousin.342Please respect copyright.PENANAyHWdzwItfJ
342Please respect copyright.PENANA7TQQA9ydsS
"Yep, and we have to stop by somewhere."342Please respect copyright.PENANAq04eSmL7ef
342Please respect copyright.PENANAnCygeWhAxd
"May I ask where and why?"342Please respect copyright.PENANALWDmLtg9kr
342Please respect copyright.PENANAWVZgEmir4c
"Come on. I'll tell you."342Please respect copyright.PENANAcKQ1ndLGku
342Please respect copyright.PENANA18G3igjuRr
***342Please respect copyright.PENANA9q1rEzWHkw
342Please respect copyright.PENANAhUkB3eURsy
"...I'm Harriet, by the way, what's yours?"342Please respect copyright.PENANA8fCza8Nnqh
342Please respect copyright.PENANAZnN5M5aLeH
"I'm Carly," said Carly as she smiled and shook hands with a green eyed brunette. "A pleasure meeting you."342Please respect copyright.PENANAZIzm9aM98d
342Please respect copyright.PENANA4tJsRJSuP9
"Mine too," she said. "If you need any help with anything, I'm here to help."342Please respect copyright.PENANAzqhBR2K6nB
342Please respect copyright.PENANAHhgUnAoN85
"Thanks so much. See you tomorrow."342Please respect copyright.PENANAoSqTvPrn78
342Please respect copyright.PENANAoFGfXyeAzM
Harriet smiled back and quickly walked away so as to catch up with some of her friends who had gone ahead of her. Carly's first day had gone pretty well. Not only did she meet Robin, she also made new friends, Harriet being one of them. Her day couldn't get any better than this. But sadly, it was finally over and it was time to head back.342Please respect copyright.PENANA1sWZS5TXDL
342Please respect copyright.PENANA713I1YwHeq
She still stood in the hall outside the lecture room. A few people who had stayed behind soon walked out. She checked for her phone in her backpack and removed it to see if she had any messages.342Please respect copyright.PENANAbMGfDWNY1q
342Please respect copyright.PENANAMcvREPzr6R
There was only one message from Angel that was sent to her almost thirty minutes ago asking her how her day went and if she needed to be picked up. Carly decided to call her sister as she walked down the hall.342Please respect copyright.PENANAWHqff1ysCj
342Please respect copyright.PENANAwsmByRGJmQ
"Hey, sis," said Carly when she heard the line pick up on the other end.342Please respect copyright.PENANA6kU46R8OLc
342Please respect copyright.PENANAVLvtnoh6py
"Hey, how was your day?" Angel asked.342Please respect copyright.PENANAjdidTaNA0y
342Please respect copyright.PENANAohTcsH8NVO
"It was great," Carly replied with a smile on her face. "You won't believe who I met here."342Please respect copyright.PENANAAIKIh9qaqD
342Please respect copyright.PENANAuExwYU2SB7
"Who?"342Please respect copyright.PENANAFS82K1JUsI
342Please respect copyright.PENANAiMXM7OWnyk
"Remember that guy with grey eyes who...., uh...., you met at the place I used to work at?"342Please respect copyright.PENANA8crTjDG0ug
342Please respect copyright.PENANAZ9JB7Hszul
Talking about Mr. Walter's club brought up some uneasiness in Carly. She felt embarrassed just talking about it.342Please respect copyright.PENANA0Qv14wwRRo
342Please respect copyright.PENANAqJONb7daCK
"Oh, yes, I do." Angel answered quickly, knowing very well how it made them both uncomfortable. Just talking about it brought back very bad memories.342Please respect copyright.PENANAAYE6JMKu3a
342Please respect copyright.PENANAIPhIrQpEks
"In case you forgot, his name is Robin. And he sends his regards."342Please respect copyright.PENANAXTZ6g3ORG8
342Please respect copyright.PENANAert8b8OnNu
"I never got to know his name, sadly. Thanks. I hope he didn't try to convince you into going back to work there."342Please respect copyright.PENANAMHRKqU9BBH
342Please respect copyright.PENANA9NL16WknK4
Carly turned round the corner that led to a open corridor. She saw a few students talking on the open green lawn, the sun slowly setting.342Please respect copyright.PENANAkKphiFHJWF
342Please respect copyright.PENANAl9fSJhkp6J
"Oh, no, he didn't. He's glad I never went back there. He always said that that place wasn't meant for me."342Please respect copyright.PENANAxvGqIUz0nd
342Please respect copyright.PENANAET4MzwxoUK
"Well, that shows how much of a good friend he is and I'm glad. I thought you needed a ride after your classes. I could easily ask one of the drivers here to pick you up."342Please respect copyright.PENANAeXYWyDhoim
342Please respect copyright.PENANA5l4SbanCGg
"Nah, I'm cool. I'll take the bus."342Please respect copyright.PENANA3aIPAZXj9F
342Please respect copyright.PENANACusvNATGul
"Ok. Just be careful out there."342Please respect copyright.PENANAEANpl9XD9C
342Please respect copyright.PENANAHG0kbN5oiY
"I'll be fine. Don't you worry."342Please respect copyright.PENANA48ZWLnGMaG
342Please respect copyright.PENANAnsDk2L0dQ2
"See you later then."342Please respect copyright.PENANAOl4cwm3ATZ
342Please respect copyright.PENANApKdZXPifR3
"Ya, see you."342Please respect copyright.PENANACtYCsvwwVY
342Please respect copyright.PENANAkufdA7nLUE
Carly found herself at the college's parking lot. The place was almost empty. The last of the cars leaving the premises probably belonged to a student as it was an orange Lamborghini. Only a black old BMW and a white Cadillac remained in the parking lot.342Please respect copyright.PENANA0kUD3Ewk3h
342Please respect copyright.PENANAeTlXwfol98
Carly walked out of the main gate and across the street was the boarding campus for the students. Carly went down the street and went on straight till she reached the traffic lights. The traffic light turned red for the cars to stop and Carly gladly walked down the zebra crossing after the green pedestrian light turned on. She was the only pedestrian and when she reached the other side of the street, she continued straight on, heading for the bus stop in front of her.342Please respect copyright.PENANAFLzD2zSfIu
342Please respect copyright.PENANA9jD423TsXv
When she got there, she found no one waiting for the bus. She shrugged her shoulders as she sat down on the little bench. It looked like she was going to sit there alone till the bus arrived.342Please respect copyright.PENANA87lfCw7Jk2
342Please respect copyright.PENANALcIDWUdJgj
She brought her backpack in front of her and placed it on her lap. She took out her phone and still no message from Leo. She figured that he must have had a busy day and probably forgot to call or text her. She decided to send him a text, considering that he must be driving back home from work.342Please respect copyright.PENANABB7XcaHN5j
342Please respect copyright.PENANAKKnD04T2j3
Carly was oblivious that a black sedan that had been parked a block away had been following her from the time she left the college gates. She continued to look through her phone that she didn't hear the car slowly approach the bus stop. The cars driving by on the road, drowned the noise of the sedan's engine. Besides, the man behind the wheel made sure not to draw much attention by not turning on the car's headlights.342Please respect copyright.PENANAqJe7gvnWWM
342Please respect copyright.PENANAVLdmah4l4F
Carly grew bored going through social media with still no reply from Leo. She wanted to be pissed but couldn't. She had had a long day. But with no sign of the bus coming, it just set her peace of mind to a whole other level.342Please respect copyright.PENANAECZAlS6oSa
342Please respect copyright.PENANAp5BoUodHWs
She put her phone back in her backpack and strapped it round her shoulder. It was then that she noticed the black sedan right next to the bus stop, a few feet away from her. She looked into the car through the windshield and the blaring light of a phone shone through the glass. She caught sight of the man looking down on his phone. Looked like he stopped to be on the phone, she thought. She sighed and wished Leo could do the same and reply to her text.342Please respect copyright.PENANAOfnSPzrseW
342Please respect copyright.PENANApNuwGxBVfJ
She turned her head, looking down the street and across. A few people walked by here and there, two couples had walked past her. She started to tap her foot impatiently on the concrete. The bus was a no show and she now felt like an idiot for not letting Angel send her a car. Maybe she could give her a call again and tell her to do so. But just before she could, a sound came from the car. She looked, surprised that there was a car there, and saw that the car door had opened. The man stepped out, closing the door behind him.342Please respect copyright.PENANAYyNFZWzwZy
342Please respect copyright.PENANAuFFtARWAlC
"You don't happen to have a cigarette lighter, do you, miss?" the man asked with a pack of cigarettes in his hands as he approached Carly. Carly realised how tall and well built the man was. He wore a black jumper with a hood over his head, but she was able to see his face.342Please respect copyright.PENANAfpRLa2tIOQ
342Please respect copyright.PENANAUyooKNgJW1
"Oh, no, I don't," said Carly. "I don't even smoke."342Please respect copyright.PENANA6zJK9FKwKi
342Please respect copyright.PENANA3oySzZHmzy
"Oh," said the man, looking baffled as he now stood in front of her. "I was expecting you do."342Please respect copyright.PENANAUcGJhvjI9G
342Please respect copyright.PENANA0DX5157qDX
"No, sorry," said Carly as she shook her head.342Please respect copyright.PENANAxat5zfULdW
342Please respect copyright.PENANArMEgwrVefJ
"Too bad," said the man as he placed the pack in his pockets. "I would have enjoyed smoking a cigar and talking to a pretty lady like yourself."342Please respect copyright.PENANAxrDRoo0fCQ
342Please respect copyright.PENANA42QmS5P37b
Carly felt her cheeks blush, but she tried to hide it with a chuckle. She knew where this was going. She had met a lot like him back at the club. They were the ones who tried to attract your attention by small talk.342Please respect copyright.PENANAbLNPNBx1H9
342Please respect copyright.PENANABfF1SjOFR6
"Too bad, indeed," said Carly as she smiled at him. "Maybe some other lady would like that idea. Not me."342Please respect copyright.PENANAoBWWMyFmpp
342Please respect copyright.PENANAP3wELWer21
"Funny. I don't think I would find someone as gorgeous as you."342Please respect copyright.PENANAuAbL4Sd0CJ
342Please respect copyright.PENANAF32YV8GOmU
Carly looked down the road to see if there was any sign of the bus. She went on to look at the man again.342Please respect copyright.PENANAKglrqthqIE
342Please respect copyright.PENANAwk6wbVqiZc
"Sorry, I'm just not your girl."342Please respect copyright.PENANADTdM2ZQNve
342Please respect copyright.PENANAscgeTkfktm
The man scoffed as he took a step closer to her. "I wasn't really asking," he said with a grin.342Please respect copyright.PENANAMsFBog1oY8
342Please respect copyright.PENANAKH44kLZ9Ei
Carly read the man's dark eyes and she knew she had to get up and run. But just before she could even stand, the man took hold of the back of her head and the next thing she knew, a piece of cloth that he withdrew from his pocket covered her nose and mouth.342Please respect copyright.PENANAFtMMpHDTaG
342Please respect copyright.PENANA3XCtmUqEKG
The smell on the cloth was intoxicating. She tried to fight, clawing at the man's face and arms, but he was too strong for her. It took almost a minute and a half of struggling when her vision started to blur. She was soon losing her strength faster than she anticipated. She soon fell unconscious.342Please respect copyright.PENANAH1LoJP4OxY
342Please respect copyright.PENANANyDN0qbAzQ
The man removed the cloth filled with chloroform from her face and held her steadily. He lifted her off the bench and carried her to his car. He laid her down on the sidewalk so as to open the passenger side door. He looked around to make sure there was no one around watching him. To his luck, there was none.342Please respect copyright.PENANAnCnIRbUZnU
342Please respect copyright.PENANAS3J5A2vWsy
He lifted Carly into the car and laid her on the passenger seat in a sleeping position. He closed the door and went back to the bench to get her backpack. He turned back to his car, got inside, closed the door and threw her backpack to the passenger's seat.342Please respect copyright.PENANAtLKFVQoiEV
342Please respect copyright.PENANACFRtsxP0cH
His job had been much easier than he had thought. He couldn't help but smile when he pulled out his phone and called Mr. Walters.342Please respect copyright.PENANAevJyD1WT7s
342Please respect copyright.PENANAUcJFladZDD
"Is it done?" were the first words Mr. Walters asked upon picking the call.342Please respect copyright.PENANA6BSzoJT7Qt
342Please respect copyright.PENANAANbgcPS2yr
"It's done. She's in my car right now."342Please respect copyright.PENANAL2hDP6XxOr
342Please respect copyright.PENANAq8t9WT3NFO
"Great. I'll give you the address to the Red Lion and I'll inform him of the news."342Please respect copyright.PENANA1UZtMnsV36
342Please respect copyright.PENANAGrnxZ47FwH
The man cut the call. Seconds later, his phone beeped. He read the message and knew exactly where to go. He put the key in the ignition and started the engine. He looked at Carly lying unconscious in the backseat.342Please respect copyright.PENANA66DwNV6ULf
342Please respect copyright.PENANAyFkTDa4lFl
"Let's go meet the Red Lion," he said to her and he set his eyes on the road.342Please respect copyright.PENANA1XufRF2Kq7
342Please respect copyright.PENANAFzfgwHjSoO
***342Please respect copyright.PENANApUzyici3Ky
342Please respect copyright.PENANAoMl1l4zoqB
Leo climbed into the driver's seat with a brown paper bag in his hands. Kevin who sat on the passenger seat was looking through his phone.342Please respect copyright.PENANAattyEbutCe
342Please respect copyright.PENANAJv0EOLDWfC
"Can you stop looking at that darn thing?" Leo asked as he closed the car door and placed the bag at the back. "I left you looking at the phone and you're still on it."342Please respect copyright.PENANAMJCMMI3ilz
342Please respect copyright.PENANAVshlnTPviI
"You were only in the store for like a minute," said Eric. "And it's also thanks to me that you managed to make a last minute call to Nate to get you a present for Carly."342Please respect copyright.PENANAMyUsLvZrFU
342Please respect copyright.PENANAeQNBHM1lxL
"You expect a thank you from me, don't you?" Leo asked, giving Eric the look.342Please respect copyright.PENANAz0BWkqvpL3
342Please respect copyright.PENANAGV3nkBNht0
"Well, ya. You would have found the store closed if I didn't call Nate on time."342Please respect copyright.PENANAdJiXkMROmP
342Please respect copyright.PENANArsYL69Y4Jo
"Okay," Leo rolled his eyes before he focused them back on his cousin. "Thank you, Eric. You're the best brother ever."342Please respect copyright.PENANAVy4XIvdUKQ
342Please respect copyright.PENANAwrAx7sWL6D
"I wasn't expecting that last bit, but I'll take it."342Please respect copyright.PENANAoNpkkV2Uzm
342Please respect copyright.PENANAGtHqaaLhEG
"I wonder how I deal with you sometimes." Leo put the keys in the ignition and started the engine.342Please respect copyright.PENANACfSA6weC54
342Please respect copyright.PENANAZWAkKnFC9b
Leo's car took off to the streets, heading home. But as usual, they ran into a bit of traffic.342Please respect copyright.PENANASCdZBattk2
342Please respect copyright.PENANAVW1oPMqblg
"Oh, I almost forgot," said Eric. "You have a message on your phone. I didn't want to read it because-you know-I might be invading your privacy."342Please respect copyright.PENANADPVxnorLCp
342Please respect copyright.PENANAIvnt3pAbBu
"Knowing you, you must have read it already." Leo's eyes were still fixed on the road as the traffic ahead started to move.342Please respect copyright.PENANAZWm1BvOWJR
342Please respect copyright.PENANAPO0kkm4XRD
"No." Eric looked out the window. "But I do know it's from Carly."342Please respect copyright.PENANAUkNHuWWBqM
342Please respect copyright.PENANAshPIQhhsNE
Leo winced. "Dang it! She must be wondering why I haven't given her a call the whole day."342Please respect copyright.PENANA9NnzLWWsus
342Please respect copyright.PENANABHNWVUjpMo
"For someone who really cares about someone, you have a terrible way of showing it."342Please respect copyright.PENANA6DiHKVXkNJ
342Please respect copyright.PENANA3y6A5KYqLc
"That's why I'm making it up to her by getting her a gift. My mind was just off today."342Please respect copyright.PENANANk6EFP8AKa
342Please respect copyright.PENANAe8c8TFXZNA
"Hmmm, I wonder why," Eric turned to look at Leo.342Please respect copyright.PENANAdO8Zj01tMX
342Please respect copyright.PENANA056SgudALl
"You know why. I don't even want to talk about it."342Please respect copyright.PENANAKyeoLhsHk3
342Please respect copyright.PENANAilzoZooCgK
"Ya, let's not."342Please respect copyright.PENANAO5bZTO9vyn
342Please respect copyright.PENANAVKkrap2PEL
Leo sighed. "Can you read the message for me?"342Please respect copyright.PENANAGUoc736CfW
342Please respect copyright.PENANA7HUpEoi4cF
"Gladly," said Eric as he almost jumped in his seat even with the seatbelt on. He took hold of Leo's phone on the dashboard and he didn't struggle with the phone's password because he already knew it.342Please respect copyright.PENANArPEWg7y8qh
342Please respect copyright.PENANAXjreVKkkUH
"All she write was hi and asked how your day went," said Eric, his eyes on the lit screen. "Huh..., I was expecting her to write how upset she is that you hadn't communicated with her all day."342Please respect copyright.PENANAZrSVsbKwHA
342Please respect copyright.PENANAlMQyFbv1eY
"Carly's understanding," said Leo as he tried to smile. "I bet she knew I have had a busy day at work and forgot."342Please respect copyright.PENANADONBv9sWHW
342Please respect copyright.PENANA4cYHWYP104
"Oh, please! You weren't meeting with any clients and you weren't even busy. You were just sulking in your office over Angel coming to work at the company."342Please respect copyright.PENANAKMsYeNfuDV
342Please respect copyright.PENANA6EKQ1BrYUw
"I thought we weren't going to talk about it," Leo said through his gritted teeth, holding the steering wheel tightly. He prayed that he could keep himself under control and not cause an accident.342Please respect copyright.PENANA3zqC24QI6O
342Please respect copyright.PENANAUQbEFIj2pp
"I know. But you've to be honest with Carly and tell her what's on your mind."342Please respect copyright.PENANAGXCRZuGtcf
342Please respect copyright.PENANAwAoTGqiLVJ
"What are you now? My therapist?" Leo gave Eric a confused glance before focusing on the road again.342Please respect copyright.PENANA0khHG69fzX
342Please respect copyright.PENANAqQkb2XOjpR
"No. But you have an issue with Angel. Carly might know it already, but she doesn't know to what extent."342Please respect copyright.PENANA2fLKG30d9o
342Please respect copyright.PENANAZMW689LIum
"Pssh. That's ridiculous. I can't start telling Carly about these petty issues."342Please respect copyright.PENANAVDP7Y2pigY
342Please respect copyright.PENANAdMJ6Rp3xhS
"I'm glad you agree that this whole Angel thing is petty."342Please respect copyright.PENANANb6MsNiDHJ
342Please respect copyright.PENANAiAQEY0qDxZ
"Wait-no-it's not-" Leo was at a loss for words. "What I mean to say is-"342Please respect copyright.PENANAja1hPY861w
342Please respect copyright.PENANAWkYZcs6pk2
"That you can't tell her that you have been thinking about Angel the whole day instead of focusing on work? Or maybe during your free time, you should have been thinking of her instead?"342Please respect copyright.PENANAgdPEy83kdg
342Please respect copyright.PENANAzEpgX6XcWF
Leo felt like giving Eric a punch as he shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe you."342Please respect copyright.PENANAGUPhl3uphG
342Please respect copyright.PENANAs8mOnUehRQ
"But you can't deny it. I still think you should get help. You always think Angel is out to make your life miserable. That might end up being an obsession, you know?"342Please respect copyright.PENANAepCOnMndrp
342Please respect copyright.PENANAnw1gnGjUJV
"Well..., you brought her up in the first place."342Please respect copyright.PENANAw2rxAkdovI
342Please respect copyright.PENANAETcrKjOHEQ
"I know, but that was only because I like Angel and I was telling you as a friend. You took it to a whole new level all on your own."342Please respect copyright.PENANA2BtZ2LTXKb
342Please respect copyright.PENANAzc9sevYQWI
Leo shook his head. If only Eric knew that what he had feared is about to come true. He would know in a hour or so.342Please respect copyright.PENANAs4n34EUdsV
342Please respect copyright.PENANATUibS2eEtl
"Anyway, you're already in trouble with Carly over not communicating with her. She might sound sweet and sincere on text, but who knows when you get to meet her tonight."342Please respect copyright.PENANA8jSw6whjYa
342Please respect copyright.PENANAVeoFdyJRQq
"I know, women are complicated," said Leo.342Please respect copyright.PENANASfdsJuyGy0
342Please respect copyright.PENANAivcbT2uTj3
"And so are you." Eric gave his cousin a mocking smile.342Please respect copyright.PENANAlXtZMR3AmL
342Please respect copyright.PENANAI0D9R6EOYV
Leo would have said something back, but he realized that he didn't know what to say. Maybe Eric's right. He is complicated.342Please respect copyright.PENANAFeGjsnMl60
342Please respect copyright.PENANAxbHRW78Bym
They soon reached home and Leo couldn't wait to see Carly and apologise. But then the thought of seeing Angel made his heartbeat even more. Why was he nervous all of the sudden?342Please respect copyright.PENANA0hIbEeypOE
342Please respect copyright.PENANA4Ca2suzB21
"Hey, Leo, are you okay?" Eric asked.342Please respect copyright.PENANAMq32QFgZAc
342Please respect copyright.PENANA2O2d1gCCzo
"Huh?" Leo turned to look at his cousin.342Please respect copyright.PENANA3ZXYFxUGud
342Please respect copyright.PENANAJSTxu4euz9
"You seem lost. Are you sure you're okay?"342Please respect copyright.PENANANwc5LLAaT8
342Please respect copyright.PENANAClRuK7P7ye
Leo tried to put up an embarrassing smile. He couldn't tell Eric about Angel. They had dwelled on her long enough.342Please respect copyright.PENANAr15fIjYih4
342Please respect copyright.PENANAXGjjZqd9YL
"Oh, no," said Leo. "I'm just worried that Carly won't accept my gift."342Please respect copyright.PENANAxgpUIMyeYd
342Please respect copyright.PENANAelTIEtZfQX
"Mmmm...., not to worry, she will love it. Besides, I don't think she's mad. I bet she's tired to even be mad."342Please respect copyright.PENANAQcv6jKqt6o
342Please respect copyright.PENANAe5karcLawS
"I hope so."342Please respect copyright.PENANAPc71ag2sWB
342Please respect copyright.PENANAgx98K52iuY
"Come on, we better go inside."342Please respect copyright.PENANAr7ePyiYKtJ
342Please respect copyright.PENANAgUtuQfz5Xp
Eric got out of the car first. Leo waited for a few seconds until he got the paper gift bag at the back, removed the key out of the ignition and got out of the car.342Please respect copyright.PENANAFvS71yKdK3
342Please respect copyright.PENANAhpiUsmqATY
Leo walked up the stone path to the front door. The outdoor lights on the lawn had been turned on. He looked ahead at the open door in front of him. Eric had just entered the foyer, removing his jacket.342Please respect copyright.PENANAOc15ZVPxzs
342Please respect copyright.PENANAtp142L5KWc
Leo joined his cousin, closing the door behind him. Eric carried his jacket with him to the living room. Leo heard him give out a cheerful greeting and he knew that his grandmother was there.342Please respect copyright.PENANAsS0KQqMoMQ
342Please respect copyright.PENANAek6NbghOgv
"Hello, dear," came Amanda's voice. "Where's Leo?"342Please respect copyright.PENANAO1hdlyl6DK
342Please respect copyright.PENANAxXYLjvAYyu
"I'm here, grandma," said Leo as he came into the living room and found his grandmother on the wheelchair seating close to a chair where Oliver sat.342Please respect copyright.PENANA3nm1dXS8rU
342Please respect copyright.PENANA34X5r8W3NP
"Come give me a hug, dear," said Amanda and Leo did just that.342Please respect copyright.PENANAVyr6f5852G
342Please respect copyright.PENANAapN91jLT89
"Hey, Oliver," said Leo as he ruffled his cousin's hair.342Please respect copyright.PENANAQqORqQ9yVP
342Please respect copyright.PENANAR0hoQcdWAg
"I'm great and how are you?" Oliver asked. "Were you so busy at work?"342Please respect copyright.PENANA2yO8i03Whi
342Please respect copyright.PENANADs63VxXYSh
"Not really. Why?"342Please respect copyright.PENANAv7VDymlLjY
342Please respect copyright.PENANAy2RDGj4IAX
"You look really tired."342Please respect copyright.PENANAbfO15ikg9B
342Please respect copyright.PENANALfJAiH1Wc0
Leo gave Oliver a smile and cleared his throat. Eric, on the other hand, joined his young brother on the couch and chuckled to himself. Leo knew Eric was only making fun of him.342Please respect copyright.PENANAzN9X8z2ZeE
342Please respect copyright.PENANAWWPp0oIlbY
"What's that in your hand, Leo?" Amanda asked as she looked at the paper bag in his hand.342Please respect copyright.PENANAx8sZFfTdM7
342Please respect copyright.PENANALTzXfr0nN3
"Oh..., this?" Leo lifted it. "Just something I got for myself from the store."342Please respect copyright.PENANA6wWWl5RVfB
342Please respect copyright.PENANAlX4CFogWtb
"Okay. Why don't you put that bag away in your room, then come back and tell me how your day went."342Please respect copyright.PENANAYBNiblS7dL
342Please respect copyright.PENANADwmJK7pfDo
"Sure, grandma."342Please respect copyright.PENANAhOcBoHv2eY
342Please respect copyright.PENANA7W5GXgG2wg
Leo felt relieved that his grandmother didn't ask further about the gift bag. Just as he turned around to head for the stairs, standing by the doorway leading into the living room, was Angel.342Please respect copyright.PENANAtSdNk0Zzc1
342Please respect copyright.PENANAFKnc7kcXLh
His heart stopped beating for a moment as he looked at her. He was out of breath too. His head started to feel a little fuzzy as he tried to say something, but somehow he couldn't. Angel's appearance had somehow left him dazed that he couldn't move or even speak.342Please respect copyright.PENANAUEO0fbabcP
342Please respect copyright.PENANAmHDRJeHXGp
Angel broke the ice between them saying, "hello, Leo."342Please respect copyright.PENANAr797QyeU9N
342Please respect copyright.PENANAnDg6Kdt74A
Leo struggled to move his lips but he said something at least. "Hello."342Please respect copyright.PENANA9mW6ZOXvhj
342Please respect copyright.PENANAyTMPp0Zyo1
Leo felt tiny beads of sweat appear on his forehead and he prayed that Angel didn't notice. It would be embarrassing. Why did he feel like he had just run a marathon? His heart still pumped like crazy.342Please respect copyright.PENANAw8oeZ7h360
342Please respect copyright.PENANAYVKCyYVbpe
"Hi, Angel," came Eric. "Wow..., Angel, you look amazing."342Please respect copyright.PENANAjUYofaIkEq
342Please respect copyright.PENANAT99sSqd4VQ
Angel looked at Eric behind Leo who stood up from his seat to look at her in her white summer dress. Angel smiled and slightly blushed. Leo who kept staring at her also couldn't help but blush himself. When he realised it, he quickly looked down at his feet, feeling angry with himself.342Please respect copyright.PENANAYGngEqkbVo
342Please respect copyright.PENANAyoa2N97dk9
"Thanks, Eric," said Angel. Angel looked at Leo and then back at everyone else in the living room. "I thought Carly had arrived."342Please respect copyright.PENANAplORMgNBxr
342Please respect copyright.PENANAbRIg0dJwMw
"Wait, Carly isn't here?" Leo asked as he looked up at Angel.342Please respect copyright.PENANAJ3U6laEKOp
342Please respect copyright.PENANAKAkGvFxQyC
Angel shook her head. Her eyes were now filled with worry and Leo knew how that felt as he looked into them. He quickly looked away.342Please respect copyright.PENANAqEdIM8BWLH
342Please respect copyright.PENANAVtMzOVp55p
"Maybe she's still stuck in traffic," said Eric. "The bus she used must probably have used a longer route or something."342Please respect copyright.PENANAMQzghgH8u7
342Please respect copyright.PENANAd7MOjr90z3
"That's what I told her, Eric," said Amanda. "But she has every right to be worried and now I am too. She should have been home by now."342Please respect copyright.PENANAPKCbusJbsZ
342Please respect copyright.PENANA2AtFleuWk7
"When was the last time you talked to her?" Leo asked, still not looking at Angel.342Please respect copyright.PENANAnwx7rebFAy
342Please respect copyright.PENANAzB5W3ZgRcm
"That was close to 6 PM," Angel answered. "She was done with her classes then. I offered to send a car, but she assured me that she would take the bus."342Please respect copyright.PENANAWgpsMoPVY8
342Please respect copyright.PENANACBmVZMwVK4
"Try calling her again, dear," said Amanda. "I sure hope she's okay."342Please respect copyright.PENANAfzRs3EUac2
342Please respect copyright.PENANA0U5kanQiVv
Angel already had her phone in her hand. She quickly dialled the number and called.342Please respect copyright.PENANAwoqlp205Ec
342Please respect copyright.PENANAaRfoWAdTQa
Leo hoped that Carly would pick up. But from where he stood, he could hear the ringing tune from Angel's phone which she placed on her ear. He closed his eyes and groaned in frustration when Carly didn't pick up.342Please respect copyright.PENANA64WB81JhTa
342Please respect copyright.PENANAvPPi9CbKeV
"No answer," said Angel as she stared at her phone.342Please respect copyright.PENANAcOtmzwEfgp
342Please respect copyright.PENANAkQcomr4vy5
"Her phone's probably on silent or something," said Eric.342Please respect copyright.PENANA0MpK8SBme6
342Please respect copyright.PENANAjwDg0XIiEU
"Maybe. She does like to leave it that way when she goes for lectures that she forgets even when she's out of class."342Please respect copyright.PENANABSxvOrj9JQ
342Please respect copyright.PENANAzM61QGY3m0
"Well, she should be putting it on vibrate more often," said Amanda. "She's probably on her way, don't worry."342Please respect copyright.PENANARikejCTgcP
342Please respect copyright.PENANA1oScbkBIIg
"I'll try not to." Angel tried to put up a smile but failed terribly. "I'll be in my room if anyone needs me."342Please respect copyright.PENANAbWwE2udlTG
342Please respect copyright.PENANA3fI2xW6O9a
Angel turned around and left the living room. Leo looked on at her as she walked down the hall. He almost got lost in thought until he shook his head.342Please respect copyright.PENANA97d0SlG2yO
342Please respect copyright.PENANAi6360dYpaG
"Angel's really worried," said Oliver. "I hope Carly gets here safely."342Please respect copyright.PENANAmgdsnJ8adm
342Please respect copyright.PENANAjdEJCNlo7Y
Amanda held Oliver's hand that was on the armrest of the couch. "Of course, she will," she said with a smile.342Please respect copyright.PENANAtcpKiaijhY
342Please respect copyright.PENANAo4DVZF5gQU
"I better head upstairs and change," said Leo and he made his way to the stairs.342Please respect copyright.PENANAi1WpUzJ0ru
342Please respect copyright.PENANAfHtQ7BlFx1
Leo couldn't help but worry about Carly's whereabouts. Now he felt even more guilty for not calling her when he had the chance. He would have been the one to pick her up. As he headed up the stairs to his room, he couldn't help but wonder if Carly was okay.342Please respect copyright.PENANACIludHzoMG
342Please respect copyright.PENANA42ptlDJPn1
***342Please respect copyright.PENANADWWA2UFSdu
342Please respect copyright.PENANAVQQlx0v07v
Carly groaned as she felt her head spin. She tried to open her heavy eyes but everything in front of her was a blur. She tried to come around but everytime, she felt like she was slipping back into oblivion.342Please respect copyright.PENANAvpOCKiJTYV
342Please respect copyright.PENANAqAJC3BUy6H
She heard muffled sounds that she couldn't make out. She wondered where she was. She tried to remember what happened earlier, but her head hurt like hell.342Please respect copyright.PENANAau5OsvT1sL
342Please respect copyright.PENANADLPdGKDvpz
Gentle taps on her cheek made her nerves wake up a little bit. Her sight slowly started to clear up a bit. She made out a person in front of her, but she still couldn't see properly.342Please respect copyright.PENANA2aI7NXXlrL
342Please respect copyright.PENANAQPH3ajPsyJ
She heard a voice, but it sounded all muffled up in her ears. She started to black out, but again, she felt a gentle tap on her cheek.342Please respect copyright.PENANA226nPYHzEI
342Please respect copyright.PENANAEzwA0289Qq
This time she was wide awake and she looked at her surrounding. She was in a room with grey walls and with a fluorescent tube above her. She wondered how she got here. The last place she remembered was the bus stop.342Please respect copyright.PENANAyF5cGHVAol
342Please respect copyright.PENANA4fHTVNeRwt
"Glad you're awake, Carly," came the voice in the room.342Please respect copyright.PENANAmotM50Twku
342Please respect copyright.PENANALG3c5d0SBI
Carly looked straight in front of her and there was a man squatting on the floor, looking at her with a smile on his face.342Please respect copyright.PENANAEhsRDa09gk
342Please respect copyright.PENANAJPtbsuEV3O
Carly felt like she knew who the man was, but she couldn't remember. And then at that moment, everything dawned on her. This man had drugged and brought her here. Carly started to panic but then she realised she couldn't move. She looked down at her hands. She was strapped onto a wooden chair with rope and so were her legs. She tried to scream for help, but that was then that she realised that she had a cloth in her mouth. All she made were muffled loud noises.342Please respect copyright.PENANAtviR5MJ4oo
342Please respect copyright.PENANAfHwbJFjlFJ
"Ssh," said the man in front of her, smiling gently. "All you've to do is cooperate and we won't hurt you, okay?"342Please respect copyright.PENANAHrH1hL1N1V
342Please respect copyright.PENANAi8D51AdxVl
Carly started to panic even more, trying her best to break free. The man stood up and walked away. Carly heard the door open and close behind her. More people came into the room. She stopped struggling and waited as the man who had tied her up and another man came to stand in front of her.342Please respect copyright.PENANAa4L4sACCJa
342Please respect copyright.PENANArIYAgeKPpT
"Carly Barclay," said the tall African American man as he got close and squatted in front of her. "I finally get to meet you at last."342Please respect copyright.PENANAKzCSMv6PhU