After such a long day at work, Leo couldn't help but feel relieved as he walked through the door to his room, closing it behind him. He sighed as he leaned on it, unbuttoning the top of his shirt to let the air in. As he approached his bed, he took off his jacket and threw it onto the bed, knowing that he had plenty of time to take it back onto the hanger of his closest.472Please respect copyright.PENANA4iRzcIOmBo
472Please respect copyright.PENANAUwLTamVEEP
472Please respect copyright.PENANAmjDi1tRjtY
He sat at the foot of his bed and removed his shoes. Sighing in relief, he leaned back onto his bed, and for a second, he felt like dozing off. However, his eyes flew open as he remembered what happened in the afternoon.472Please respect copyright.PENANAmNtoFbzaTH
472Please respect copyright.PENANAmrP40AJMYF
472Please respect copyright.PENANAa8qf7ZzBoJ
Since his father had ordered for him and Eric to work alongside Mrs. Lance and Angel, they had gone to the hotel where they had planned to host the meeting. He remembered how he didn't like the idea of the two women helping out, and he still didn't. They had gone to the hotel and Mrs. Lance seemed to be spearheading everything, like she had thought of coming to the hotel in the first place, asking the person in charge of organizing the conference meetings in the hotel how she wanted everything done. The man in charge assured her that everything would be done accordingly.472Please respect copyright.PENANAEWSRDjOnUC
472Please respect copyright.PENANAlSJkehPgvJ
472Please respect copyright.PENANAtNoSqYzWGZ
While she and the man in charge were talking down the hall, Eric, Leo, and Angel watched from a distance. Leo didn't hide how he felt about how Mrs. Lance was handling things. It was like she was trying to fix up a mess that Eric and he had made when there wasn't any. He also made sure to point out that it wasn't his first rodeo organizing such an event.472Please respect copyright.PENANAgWE39IZR7M
472Please respect copyright.PENANAo3BUNBGFhl
472Please respect copyright.PENANAxEZANFH6sK
Angel went on to defend Mrs. Lance, saying she was only trying her best to help. Leo wasn't taking her story, and they almost got into a heated argument like they usually do. It took Eric to stand in between them and Mrs. Lance to assign them some mini-tasks around the conference room to separate the two. After they were done, Mrs. Lance was satisfied with everything and praised Eric and Leo for choosing such a place for the meeting. Eric appreciated the compliment, while Leo never took it in wholeheartedly. When they went back to the workplace, Leo and Angel didn't say a word to each other. Not even on the drive back home.472Please respect copyright.PENANAj49Z3ZwIDw
472Please respect copyright.PENANApVWh6g5f0E
472Please respect copyright.PENANAFwjxNpWe7s
"She can be so annoying at times," said Leo as he looked up at the ceiling.472Please respect copyright.PENANA2P7sqNl48z
472Please respect copyright.PENANAWPTxNiQ3JM
472Please respect copyright.PENANAye8FvfpDkN
He quickly sat up, trying not to think too much about it. It's pointless, he told himself. Eventually, Angel was going to annoy him over something else.472Please respect copyright.PENANAkhRtc1NgGb
472Please respect copyright.PENANA3AksK0hFrD
472Please respect copyright.PENANAxTJW2uxuw1
He started to unbutton his shirt. With the summer heat in New York, the evenings were now turning out to be gruesomely hot. A cold shower would do him good as he stood up from his bed, throwing the shirt on the floor as he started to make his way to the bathroom.472Please respect copyright.PENANAtRWmP8dNjr
472Please respect copyright.PENANAjVQnP09DuM
472Please respect copyright.PENANA0rypBGDkqC
A knock quickly came at the door, and Leo paused before entering the bathroom. The knock sounded small and urgent. It came once again, and Leo had a feeling that he knew who it was.472Please respect copyright.PENANA6US7Hw1uty
472Please respect copyright.PENANAAjlfDuVAe0
472Please respect copyright.PENANAp2TdAEGz4Y
He quickly went for the door, and when he opened it, Carly quickly pushed herself in, closing the door behind her.472Please respect copyright.PENANAxe2E1dthKV
472Please respect copyright.PENANAjSsAl39Bxv
472Please respect copyright.PENANAk4PvQO6kqx
"Whoa, Carly, that was quick." Leo chuckled at how fast she was getting into his room.472Please respect copyright.PENANAcFI3NNKCTW
472Please respect copyright.PENANAbtmj0qDk66
472Please respect copyright.PENANA3U4duxE4Bv
"There was no one in the hall, so I had to be quick before anyone saw me," Carly answered as she looked at him.472Please respect copyright.PENANAL0JcUgPpnP
472Please respect copyright.PENANA3MjZnSzLk0
472Please respect copyright.PENANAKtIlLcPb93
"Your sister is going to kill me if she ever knew you were in here."472Please respect copyright.PENANAr1hb9eX50r
472Please respect copyright.PENANA3QXj4DprMu
472Please respect copyright.PENANAEbQqGfzDS3
Carly looked Leo up and down, admiring his great physique. Her heart beat so fast at the thought of having her body so close to his.472Please respect copyright.PENANAVLnNwClvUa
472Please respect copyright.PENANAbx6pWriub9
472Please respect copyright.PENANAZKe4EKBLlk
"She wouldn't mind since I hadn’t seen you since last night." She smiled. "I really missed you, Leo."472Please respect copyright.PENANAnuoSvHlX6K
472Please respect copyright.PENANACYeh90CqDP
472Please respect copyright.PENANAFsPoudKcvD
Leo smiled as he wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her even closer. She placed her hands on his strong, bare shoulders. The two looked at each other with smiles on their faces. Leo placed his forehead on Carly’s, taking in her scent. He didn’t realize how much he had missed her until now.472Please respect copyright.PENANAwkRNSzRK5q
472Please respect copyright.PENANARlyLZVjg95
472Please respect copyright.PENANA783Oz0oEaf
"I missed you too," he said. "How did the party go last night?"472Please respect copyright.PENANAcN9S4X4mvv
472Please respect copyright.PENANAUjAd5W73gr
472Please respect copyright.PENANA1i1L3u1xkm
Carly grew tense at the mention of the party, and she quickly relaxed a little as she answered, "It was okay. But I bet if you were there, it would’ve been awesome."472Please respect copyright.PENANAmwFvACcr8B
472Please respect copyright.PENANAGq4w0ZxtbT
472Please respect copyright.PENANAzamhrUEoES
"Liar," Leo said as he smiled, ignoring the fact that Carly’s body felt stiff a second ago. He leaned in closer, placing his lips on Carly’s. She moaned as she responded to his kiss, her hands reaching for his hair and pressing her body onto his.472Please respect copyright.PENANA51dtA3ylnh
472Please respect copyright.PENANAFgPo8PkpMY
472Please respect copyright.PENANAD2AziT1hD4
Leo bent his knees a little to take hold of Carly’s thighs and lifted her off the floor as they continued to kiss. He took her to his bed, and they both landed there with Carly’s back on the bed and him on top of her.472Please respect copyright.PENANAbB4UL17dWA
472Please respect copyright.PENANA9PMdTopySB
472Please respect copyright.PENANAhDfDL3AbkU
"Wait, should we really do this?" Carly asked as she stopped kissing him.472Please respect copyright.PENANAILSok78j7O
472Please respect copyright.PENANAvtAukbMdZp
472Please respect copyright.PENANAwzNDUbUlfx
"What? Are you scared that Angel might walk in through that door?" Leo asked as he teasingly looked at her.472Please respect copyright.PENANA3DJynbJxmv
472Please respect copyright.PENANAC9R10u16ET
472Please respect copyright.PENANAykEOFJ3GX6
"No." Before Leo could continue kissing her, she stopped him again by placing a finger on his lips. "It’s almost supper, and won’t they wonder where we are?"472Please respect copyright.PENANAOj5tnFs1gw
472Please respect copyright.PENANAqJUWNkQ1lO
472Please respect copyright.PENANAPUt7o3gvJo
Leo scoffed. "Forget them," he said. "Right now, it’s about you and me."472Please respect copyright.PENANAUXR19bgcLQ
472Please respect copyright.PENANAYMVMA4svos
472Please respect copyright.PENANArLR0jFrIWe
Before Leo could bring himself to kiss Carly’s neck, a knock came at the door. This time, it was a loud one.472Please respect copyright.PENANAaiwlhZrk2U
472Please respect copyright.PENANA7RrYOldXdV
472Please respect copyright.PENANApOiYszRjCG
For a moment, the two lovebirds froze as their eyes flew to the door. Who could it be? What an awkward time for all of this to happen.472Please respect copyright.PENANAi1jVjtyI5j
472Please respect copyright.PENANAaU1XPtU7OK
472Please respect copyright.PENANAq0ZHscVT7y
"Leo? Are you in there?" came Mrs. McDonell’s voice.472Please respect copyright.PENANACZDFT9QaM6
472Please respect copyright.PENANAnxrpgJcpvs
472Please respect copyright.PENANAf15NOlVN2U
Both Leo and Carly cursed under their breaths. They quickly got up from the bed, careful not to make a sound. Mrs. McDonell called out to her son again, and it was then that Leo realized that he hadn't locked the door.472Please respect copyright.PENANA4SZ1Ctqeom
472Please respect copyright.PENANAUjHUuOnjoR
472Please respect copyright.PENANAjVMWivjcHn
"Quick, you have to hide," Leo whispered to Carly.472Please respect copyright.PENANA6SHNFcLYbo
472Please respect copyright.PENANAL3BtYvid1l
472Please respect copyright.PENANALUxJhaF0kn
"Okay, but where?" Carly asked.472Please respect copyright.PENANAk6vseJzqZw
472Please respect copyright.PENANAAvLVKDeIip
472Please respect copyright.PENANAcd0HZHpRmc
Leo’s eyes looked around the room, and his eyes landed on the bathroom door. "You can hide in there. I’ll make sure she doesn’t get too close. Come on!"472Please respect copyright.PENANAnLTfSlNoqR
472Please respect copyright.PENANAjB6FqjBH7C
472Please respect copyright.PENANAM9W8zsKFJm
Carly quickly tiptoed to the bathroom, closing the door quietly behind her. Leo made his way to the door and quickly opened it.472Please respect copyright.PENANAauSBH0GRWX
472Please respect copyright.PENANA1Ygja5L1px
472Please respect copyright.PENANA81aePzdzq9
"Hey, mum," said Leo upon seeing his mother’s face. "I was just about to go and take a shower."472Please respect copyright.PENANA5qPFR8C9Jy
472Please respect copyright.PENANAOvQQ9tzQWQ
472Please respect copyright.PENANAeWtvLTgJqP
"I see," she said as she looked at Leo up and down with a frown on her face. Leo thought he should have put his shirt back on or, better yet, worn a bathrobe. "May I come in?" she asked.472Please respect copyright.PENANA51dK27GpSr
472Please respect copyright.PENANA9edG0Ca9Nb
472Please respect copyright.PENANARJlCZsBjiy
Leo stood aside as his mother started to make his way into his room. He couldn’t say anything since it was her house, after all. He closed the door.472Please respect copyright.PENANAxyY7TqxDnM
472Please respect copyright.PENANAZJ74XZ8IKr
472Please respect copyright.PENANA4DUmRy75xs
"What is it, mum?" Leo asked when he noticed his mother looking around. Her eyes landed on his shirt on the floor before turning to look at him.472Please respect copyright.PENANAGTwGAfjy9d
472Please respect copyright.PENANAbuGyTTbjx7
472Please respect copyright.PENANAcR7yIw8lYb
"I hear Mrs. Lance and Angel are helping out with the preparations for the meeting," said Mrs. McDonell.472Please respect copyright.PENANAVPeiMKpyDF
472Please respect copyright.PENANACxMP3YehTz
472Please respect copyright.PENANAiFvgNq3gKf
"So?" Leo shrugged his shoulders.472Please respect copyright.PENANAHDmytuJoVE
472Please respect copyright.PENANAN3RvKUPEvV
472Please respect copyright.PENANA5CvfMAxgpJ
"I just find it strange. Haven’t you and Eric always been in charge of these things?"472Please respect copyright.PENANACXDfrfU1fx
472Please respect copyright.PENANA6LYC6qTSUs
472Please respect copyright.PENANAlMmmp6X7qT
Leo folded his arms. "Yes, we have. They are just helping out, mum. Nothing else. We already chose the venue, and Mrs. Lance didn’t have any problem with it."472Please respect copyright.PENANASB01ApZJVY
472Please respect copyright.PENANAyQJFlMkTds
472Please respect copyright.PENANA6eXITfZxzE
"It’s not Mrs. Lance I’m worried about. I know we don’t get along so well, but she’s not my problem. Angel is."472Please respect copyright.PENANADlRRZsDJhk
472Please respect copyright.PENANAABYBVmF0kM
472Please respect copyright.PENANAzRR7xKgbRD
Leo would’ve happily agreed with his mother, but he had to be aware that Carly was hiding in the bathroom, obviously listening in on their conversation. She wouldn’t like it if he badmouthed Angel right here. There was something else too. Even if his mother was saying all this, he didn’t like how she brought it out, even if she wouldn’t have said it any other way. To call Angel a problem was his thing. Not hers.472Please respect copyright.PENANARkUwkwWUXf
472Please respect copyright.PENANAYUtBfmajI9
472Please respect copyright.PENANAc17bE2Fzwc
"And what's wrong with that?" Leo asked, still with his arms folded.472Please respect copyright.PENANAsxNrlSu0a9
472Please respect copyright.PENANAQB9tFRwTdu
472Please respect copyright.PENANA1CVG9jJXjT
"Your father is quickly engaging her in so many plans involving the company already," his mother answered.472Please respect copyright.PENANA5yWDCP3PVi
472Please respect copyright.PENANAfVObsYSd2L
472Please respect copyright.PENANAMlMYtRZVQP
"You’re overreacting," Leo said with a chuckle. "This is nothing. Besides, she might be helping us out with such things in the future."472Please respect copyright.PENANApwYWKHQ3VB
472Please respect copyright.PENANAxdzVIPuIzT
472Please respect copyright.PENANAXzIPRqrdpj
Leo felt like he had gone too far there and that he needed to kick himself for doing so. Did he actually defend Angel? This is not right, he told himself. And the funny thing is, he meant every word of it.472Please respect copyright.PENANA1Dd1YBdwnv
472Please respect copyright.PENANAujwdXiQUNg
472Please respect copyright.PENANAVBBICozar4
"You’re slowly becoming like your grandmother and father, you know?" Mrs. McDonell rolled her eyes.472Please respect copyright.PENANAslTN7oewjd
472Please respect copyright.PENANAqXWGOROvKX
472Please respect copyright.PENANAcPJoiiOVYZ
"I’m just being reasonable. Besides, if this bothers you so much, why haven’t you told dad about it?"472Please respect copyright.PENANAhXvmDCnE5K
472Please respect copyright.PENANAlnNBbrM7gK
472Please respect copyright.PENANAYDOnXwGABN
"Because he will respond in the same way you did. From him, I’m guessing it's going to be worse."472Please respect copyright.PENANAEzrVRhtUHN
472Please respect copyright.PENANAYF22QU82Na
472Please respect copyright.PENANAKipb281H6g
"No, grandma would’ve been worse. Just drop it, mum. We need all the help we can get since it’s only a day away."472Please respect copyright.PENANAJrBL27TwDX
472Please respect copyright.PENANApsF04hJpc7
472Please respect copyright.PENANA2PLWC1Xdri
"Fine."472Please respect copyright.PENANAOzHF9Z5VuC
472Please respect copyright.PENANARFgtFQpGse
472Please respect copyright.PENANAAqXLM7njjQ
"Next time, if you don’t want Angel involved, you should be getting more involved with these things instead of only turning up for meetings just because you’re part of the board."472Please respect copyright.PENANAiavVVhpSZP
472Please respect copyright.PENANAoaMJBwgewi
472Please respect copyright.PENANAKbSI7GaZut
Mrs. McDonell scoffed. "Why do I have a feeling that you’re mocking me?"472Please respect copyright.PENANAAzywdv7Hgg
472Please respect copyright.PENANAMjIBuRZtiJ
472Please respect copyright.PENANAu194SZdzc7
"I’m not. I’m being serious about this, mum."472Please respect copyright.PENANA1KSFvWq30y
472Please respect copyright.PENANA4Lu9IfgLHy
472Please respect copyright.PENANASdr7iIbZyn
"You go take a shower, Leo. This heat must be messing with your head."472Please respect copyright.PENANAxE7t9QBmnA
472Please respect copyright.PENANA0i3eVuYixH
472Please respect copyright.PENANAbrXDXdMlZB
Mrs. McDonell made her way to the door and walked out, closing it with a bang behind her. Leo didn't mind her banging the door closed as he sighed in relief. He went to the bathroom, opened the door, and walked in. He found Carly sitting on the closed toilet seat. The look on her face confirmed that she had heard the entire conversation.472Please respect copyright.PENANAtbb47MKN5M
472Please respect copyright.PENANAzbQK122DRT
472Please respect copyright.PENANAnNHQzRonXg
"She’s gone," said Leo.472Please respect copyright.PENANA6zahTcp1nA
472Please respect copyright.PENANAl70l8MhYQZ
472Please respect copyright.PENANAoJFokswRYI
She stood up from the toilet seat. "That was a close one," she said.472Please respect copyright.PENANAe8KskemRlf
472Please respect copyright.PENANAV4YgvQLccb
472Please respect copyright.PENANArlsqWSB3QM
"Yeah."472Please respect copyright.PENANABOdWOjAeOH
472Please respect copyright.PENANAJy4QK8a8gT
472Please respect copyright.PENANAo7ieoqm38o
The two stood in silence until Leo said, "I’m sorry for my mum. She can be annoying sometimes."472Please respect copyright.PENANAaDjQo0OI9H
472Please respect copyright.PENANAbQNZOeaDPs
472Please respect copyright.PENANA3hcqKnTQeK
"I already know that. Thanks for doing what you did just now. I mean, defending Angel."472Please respect copyright.PENANAFNVH62NTT6
472Please respect copyright.PENANAYZcvSy5rUe
472Please respect copyright.PENANANyCEQrXeTh
"I wasn’t defending her; I was just telling the truth."472Please respect copyright.PENANAyntIR4Ks2z
472Please respect copyright.PENANAatWA1skxMR
472Please respect copyright.PENANAtNMinmkI8p
Carly smiled as she approached Leo. "Anyway, thank you. You’re a knight in shining armor."472Please respect copyright.PENANAZKIr1zgn5q
472Please respect copyright.PENANAv2sNjYVt8Q
472Please respect copyright.PENANAKGqCtxPgTP
"I’m your knight, not hers."472Please respect copyright.PENANAmQnwsuNu2S
472Please respect copyright.PENANAEn7NoQA7Jh
472Please respect copyright.PENANAnOKSxUQHIu
Carly came closer and kissed Leo on the cheek. "Yes, you are. I’ll leave you to take your shower. I’m afraid someone else might want to come into this room."472Please respect copyright.PENANAmoxsHXBO5Q
472Please respect copyright.PENANA1xZC3rEShU
472Please respect copyright.PENANA3z2a10rbAa
"Good idea. Should we continue this later?" Leo raised an eyebrow as he asked.472Please respect copyright.PENANAV60twu1LCE
472Please respect copyright.PENANAKydaPBXqDQ
472Please respect copyright.PENANAQvuNba93kt
"When everyone’s asleep?"472Please respect copyright.PENANAKPEEdWVOSL
472Please respect copyright.PENANAWyB7WtQP5d
472Please respect copyright.PENANAVmBnXY3pUz
"Deal."472Please respect copyright.PENANAxosJnT92WY
472Please respect copyright.PENANAh2VuHgceIf
472Please respect copyright.PENANAQOiuEmjvYd
Carly leaned in a bit closer and kissed Leo fully on the lips before walking past him out of the bathroom. Leo followed her, and as Carly got to the door, she turned around and blew a kiss to Leo. In return, he lifted his hand to capture her invisible kiss and placed it on his bare chest with a smile on his face.472Please respect copyright.PENANAQu3LO9H7fm
472Please respect copyright.PENANAUsCF9WLm2Q
472Please respect copyright.PENANAzUP50P0flj
She turned back to face the door to open it when, lo and behold, Angel stood right behind it with her right hand, ready to knock at the door. The two sisters paused upon seeing each other, and Leo, who stood further back, froze. Carly didn’t know what to say when the expression on Angel’s face changed into a sour one.472Please respect copyright.PENANAfQzjAbZCfI
472Please respect copyright.PENANANSbr1drgWF
472Please respect copyright.PENANAxWyUfm5AWn
"Angel, what are you doing here?" Carly nervously asked.472Please respect copyright.PENANAPCnSPMOIPQ
472Please respect copyright.PENANA3KQ3O6Yjvg
472Please respect copyright.PENANA4qXN9iKJU9
Angel held up a phone in her left hand. "I was returning Leo’s phone. He left in the car," she said. Her eyes looked past Carly, and she saw Leo standing there shirtless. She didn’t want to think of anything, so she quickly turned back to her sister. "Can you give it to him, please?"472Please respect copyright.PENANA51X12VDFWy
472Please respect copyright.PENANAoWCkidiJLd
472Please respect copyright.PENANAs6pyMZ9gKS
She handed the phone over to Carly, who nervously took it. Carly gulped as she looked at Angel, whose facial expression had changed all of a sudden. She looked like she didn’t even want to argue.472Please respect copyright.PENANAxaL2B9uNRD
472Please respect copyright.PENANA227Ws9JLyh
472Please respect copyright.PENANA3FkzmTTPVh
"You better come down," said Angel. "Food will be ready at any moment."472Please respect copyright.PENANA6swwmeZzmi
472Please respect copyright.PENANAMS0KWXbMqJ
472Please respect copyright.PENANAy2qJhyFAvK
Carly gave a nod of her head, and Angel backed away from the door, turning to walk down the hall and out of sight. Carly closed the door and turned to look at Leo, who now looked uncomfortable after what happened. She handed over his phone to him.472Please respect copyright.PENANAN3wIkWrW0M
472Please respect copyright.PENANAY72vjthmhV
472Please respect copyright.PENANASnbDDlPTAI
"I’ll meet you downstairs, Carly," said Leo as he looked at her. He had to stop her before she said anything concerning Angel.472Please respect copyright.PENANADKUH2dTVON
472Please respect copyright.PENANAcYX6kqNG2D
472Please respect copyright.PENANAUVbt8J6nRD
"Yeah, right," said Carly as she turned back to the door and slowly opened it.472Please respect copyright.PENANAA4juq7bwdA
472Please respect copyright.PENANARrJus1JOAi
472Please respect copyright.PENANAWtla1uacPH
Before stepping out into the hall, Carly stuck her head out to see if there was anyone there. The hall was empty, and she could hear Angel reach the foot of the stairs. Carly stepped out of the room, closing the door behind her and heading for the stairs.472Please respect copyright.PENANAj0QFkjdrod
472Please respect copyright.PENANAYZ5yr507mX
472Please respect copyright.PENANATrcTNS9v8B
Carly was oblivious to the fact that the hall wasn’t entirely empty. On the opposite end of the hall from Leo’s room and the stairs, there stood someone by the door of their room, hiding in plain sight when Angel had first appeared, going to Leo’s room, and now having watched Carly come out of his room and head downstairs.472Please respect copyright.PENANA6zl3Be0mt6
472Please respect copyright.PENANAt4GKkNUteC
472Please respect copyright.PENANAapBxXw82oZ
***472Please respect copyright.PENANARbpdXo6Uj7
472Please respect copyright.PENANAJz5oNq7eQB
472Please respect copyright.PENANAzA0FEAnw10
The preparations for the meeting went on smoothly as expected from the small team: Leo, Eric, Angel, and Mrs. Lance. On Thursday, the four didn’t spend so much time in the office as they went about their preparations. It wasn’t like they were throwing some big party or anything, but the meeting had to run perfectly. They had planned that after the meeting, they would treat their guests to dinner in the evening at a fancy restaurant. The whole McDonell family was also going to attend. That meant Angel and Carly, too.472Please respect copyright.PENANAlw2h3bp7bf
472Please respect copyright.PENANAXlxNmAwLmR
472Please respect copyright.PENANAVxHV0BX3nv
After a hard day’s work, everything was set for tomorrow. Their visitors were going to arrive at the airport in the early hours of the morning. Leo and Eric were in charge of meeting them and then having breakfast with them in the café just within the airport grounds. Later on, they will escort them to the hotel they were going to stay at. In the early hours of the afternoon, they were to have their meeting, then dinner later on in the evening.472Please respect copyright.PENANAXK6KzRK3cZ
472Please respect copyright.PENANAodKLoHcrcj
472Please respect copyright.PENANAERnROPkifZ
"I do hope everything goes well tomorrow," said Angel.472Please respect copyright.PENANAhHib3GlQ47
472Please respect copyright.PENANAzo3KYPPOKX
472Please respect copyright.PENANASb8U2U0qEs
She sat in the backseat of Leo’s car, with Leo on the wheel and Eric on the front passenger side. It was now 5 PM in the evening, and they were heading back home. As usual, they found themselves stuck in heavy traffic.472Please respect copyright.PENANAzihhf7Bxl1
472Please respect copyright.PENANAt4WIEU3jcr
472Please respect copyright.PENANAFZ2WzjLBAW
"Of course it will," said Eric. "If I were you, I wouldn’t think about it too much."472Please respect copyright.PENANAx4LvHluIR2
472Please respect copyright.PENANAPtWOFfz9nD
472Please respect copyright.PENANAzmELnfA0x6
"Yeah, you’re probably right. It’s just a meeting and dinner at the end of it. How hard could it be?"472Please respect copyright.PENANAL7JJYOKyBU
472Please respect copyright.PENANAaS80lSMG0P
472Please respect copyright.PENANAXQmBkXhf7M
"Harder than you think," said Leo as he looked at her in the rearview mirror.472Please respect copyright.PENANAaqZIhQB3e0
472Please respect copyright.PENANAm3qbb1QpLK
472Please respect copyright.PENANA6DzdWCsSZM
"Stop scaring her, Leo," said Eric, throwing him a look. "You’re always picking fights with her. I’m not going to tolerate it today. When I’m this tired, I get really cranky."472Please respect copyright.PENANA6q1OMdTHDN
472Please respect copyright.PENANAnaIW5QENu9
472Please respect copyright.PENANAGNY5JJu948
Angel smiled. "Well, we’ve all been working so hard," she said. "Don’t worry; I can handle my end with Leo."472Please respect copyright.PENANAK6zNBFJmb7
472Please respect copyright.PENANAbPLBFBCJxU
472Please respect copyright.PENANAkJ76HvGH0i
Eric raised an eyebrow in surprise as he turned to look at Angel and then at Leo, who had begun furrowing his eyebrows. Leo turned to look at Eric and said through gritted teeth, "Not a word coming from you."472Please respect copyright.PENANAn1Asal6mUV
472Please respect copyright.PENANAUdVta0z4p9
472Please respect copyright.PENANALPbAy6eJN7
Eric raised his hands in surrender. "I wasn't even thinking about it," he said. He suddenly looked out of the window. "Hey, can we stop by this shop real quick? There’s something I want to get."472Please respect copyright.PENANASd6KdymvHm
472Please respect copyright.PENANA0wMJFKEsyW
472Please respect copyright.PENANAoktS7BmPql
Leo looked at the shop Eric was pointing at and sighed. "What’s wrong with you? Are you really in the mood for candy?"472Please respect copyright.PENANARBAkiENLa0
472Please respect copyright.PENANAHSC48o3K5M
472Please respect copyright.PENANA5H9si4GcGz
"I am. Aren’t you?" Eric mocked. "Besides, you should buy something sweet for Carly. You know, a bar of chocolate will make her smile."472Please respect copyright.PENANAsO54NmzYeX
472Please respect copyright.PENANAxEE7181kaw
472Please respect copyright.PENANA6YFz3oLrp4
Leo scoffed. "Fine." Leo dropped down the lever by the steering wheel to show that he was turning and did so seconds later to pack in front of the pink and white-colored candy shop.472Please respect copyright.PENANA3tWl0yfwbU
472Please respect copyright.PENANADvcd0FXxoJ
472Please respect copyright.PENANAiCiGqWwxfm
"Should I get you anything?" Eric asked as he turned to Angel.472Please respect copyright.PENANAu15dvsBoSR
472Please respect copyright.PENANAZt358UqgvL
472Please respect copyright.PENANAuUldkiEDF3
"How about I enter the shop with you?" Angel suggested.472Please respect copyright.PENANAib2GNKAy1G
472Please respect copyright.PENANAFPrlQ18aEA
472Please respect copyright.PENANAKNMnqGbppT
"Okay." Eric looked at Leo. "Want to come along?"472Please respect copyright.PENANADigGLhqXux
472Please respect copyright.PENANAryYn0gMfVn
472Please respect copyright.PENANAVqQBHs6SAd
Leo looked back at his cousin and opened his mouth to say no, but he quickly closed his mouth and gave a nod of his head instead. He had a feeling that if he didn't, Eric was somehow going to find a way to make him.472Please respect copyright.PENANAO56yzM62Fi
472Please respect copyright.PENANAkCm2QznxIp
472Please respect copyright.PENANAJzqVtt4oWQ
The three of them all came out of the car, and Leo made sure to lock it. Eric led the way to the candy shop with Angel right behind him. The two had entered the shop first, while Leo lingered on the sidewalk for a minute before finally heading to the door of the shop.472Please respect copyright.PENANAP1It9M7vSA
472Please respect copyright.PENANAOHqT5xuxT8
472Please respect copyright.PENANA65XEkk36ND
She held her breath for a minute, as she couldn't believe who she saw standing right in front of her on the sidewalk. The sudden rush of hormones filled her body like a heat wave, and she felt like she was going to blow up. She felt like she was seeing things, like she had just come into contact with a creature so rare and precious that she felt the need to rub her eyes to see if what she was seeing was really real.472Please respect copyright.PENANAeWkFyRF6Ri
472Please respect copyright.PENANAira2wAREGD
472Please respect copyright.PENANA9BNhP4Gbyw
Leo, with all his might and glamour, stood in front of his car, looking at a shop in front of her. Miranda was glued to the spot when she first saw him, and she didn't know what to do next. He started to make his way into the shop, and for a moment, she felt like calling out to him to grab his attention, but nothing happened. She stood there like a statue, too stunned to say anything.472Please respect copyright.PENANAbaQ13N8wZo
472Please respect copyright.PENANAp8GiDoaWZ8
472Please respect copyright.PENANARCBENSn1MH
"Leo is here." Miranda finally got some words out of her mouth. "Oh, my goodness. He's really here."472Please respect copyright.PENANAo0fKu00FZn
472Please respect copyright.PENANAFqcWnkNoxz
472Please respect copyright.PENANAi7tl533noI
Miranda gleefully jumped in the middle of the sidewalk, where she caught the attention of a few people who happened to be walking by. She looked like a young girl who just happened to have received a message from a boy she had a crush on. For Miranda, it happened to be the sight of Leo.472Please respect copyright.PENANAdNNC5GX61i
472Please respect copyright.PENANABDJ9bor6Gv
472Please respect copyright.PENANAnTuFaoCkLj
After realizing that she was acting like a bimbo, Miranda pulled herself together and took a deep breath. She quickly made her way to the shop and was surprised to find that it was actually a candy shop. For a moment, she wondered what Leo could be doing in such a place. She tried to look through the huge display window of the shop, but the large white letters of the shop's name didn't do her any good. She thought the best would be to go inside, which she did.472Please respect copyright.PENANAYsytB89uJc
472Please respect copyright.PENANAMlhMyZzRmZ
472Please respect copyright.PENANA5R1GIiMusp
"Hey, Leo, have you found them yet?" Eric called from the other side of the shop as he looked through a shelf down an aisle.472Please respect copyright.PENANA7rf86Jb4Av
472Please respect copyright.PENANALq0wFGccHz
472Please respect copyright.PENANABD6DwTqTyI
Leo sighed. "No," he answered, as he was in the aisle next to the one Eric was in. "It would be best if we asked the person on the counter for help."472Please respect copyright.PENANA0QcunRygQu
472Please respect copyright.PENANAV4t5UtSsq6
472Please respect copyright.PENANAMXb19Zjowk
"Found them," came Angel’s voice. She was in the same aisle as Eric, but ahead of him, looking through the shelf opposite the one Eric was looking at.472Please respect copyright.PENANAY2ohU401Ul
472Please respect copyright.PENANA1uKMYle0Cn
472Please respect copyright.PENANAMFasXMMPeA
Eric rushed to join her. "Thanks, Angel," he said as he took the pack of red licorice twists. "You're simply the best. These are actually my favorites."472Please respect copyright.PENANAWz2UfqlhBo
472Please respect copyright.PENANAKf3zjqLckZ
472Please respect copyright.PENANA2rauF9IqjF
"No, they are not," Leo mentioned.472Please respect copyright.PENANAme0ztLZyKp
472Please respect copyright.PENANAHAmvgSnTcO
472Please respect copyright.PENANAt0qKaZfQY4
Eric threw Leo a look that he wasn't going to see anyway. "Have you thought of what treats to get yourself, Angel?"472Please respect copyright.PENANAlM9aCYRtby
472Please respect copyright.PENANAalsE2Jtv4W
472Please respect copyright.PENANAqzzpPEpaVj
"I was thinking of getting something for Oliver," Angel answered as she looked through the shelves. "Do you know what he likes?"472Please respect copyright.PENANAxk26kGxwnx
472Please respect copyright.PENANAzAojaon0lB
472Please respect copyright.PENANAhpVxCF4HVT
"Look at you, busy thinking of others. Don't get that critter anything. With the way he talks too much, sugar is only going to make it worse."472Please respect copyright.PENANA7hNTgxRF3B
472Please respect copyright.PENANAJEz0MT99lo
472Please respect copyright.PENANAczi0EJ4aDd
Angel laughed while Leo, on the other end, rolled his eyes and shook his head. He found a pack of chocolate mints and decided to get them.472Please respect copyright.PENANApdSNKrmFiJ
472Please respect copyright.PENANAlaqtoS9Vrq
472Please respect copyright.PENANAo7LdXy5s57
Miranda had been looking through a few aisles until she found Leo in one of them. She saw him grab a pack of chocolate mints, and for some reason, that made her smile slightly. Leo was slowly starting to make his way forward, and she quickly entered the other aisle to hide from his sight. She had no idea why she did that. It’s not like he's seen her before. Except that she was there during his bachelor's party, but he paid no attention to her since Carly was also there.472Please respect copyright.PENANAc5d7TRvciY
472Please respect copyright.PENANASAAXaLZMUe
472Please respect copyright.PENANAxEca3iLtIb
The thought of Carly almost made her want to grab a pack of marshmallows from the shelf next to her, but she did her best not to.472Please respect copyright.PENANAd47WXHqbVx
472Please respect copyright.PENANA0FibTnGiXP
472Please respect copyright.PENANACVm5fnvjim
"Have you found something for Carly, Leo?" Eric asked as he came to join Leo.472Please respect copyright.PENANAlr7trs6wLf
472Please respect copyright.PENANAPSjZprxee7
472Please respect copyright.PENANAF02tIJbaIE
The mention of her name made Miranda want to scream, but she quickly put her hand in her mouth. Who is this person asking Leo about Carly, she wondered. Is Leo really seeing her?472Please respect copyright.PENANAJXE3SXUyuA
472Please respect copyright.PENANA1lKLk50pk7
472Please respect copyright.PENANAhMB4kCalq0
"No," Leo answered. "I was thinking of getting her chocolate."472Please respect copyright.PENANAgFcT1LAozu
472Please respect copyright.PENANAisnb4Px4es
472Please respect copyright.PENANAMEbPyQtw9y
"That's probably the best choice," said Angel as she appeared behind Eric. "If you want, I can show you the kind she likes. I saw a stack of chocolate bars at the end."472Please respect copyright.PENANAXQzwxIMOjm
472Please respect copyright.PENANAbgcO3Y967C
472Please respect copyright.PENANAWMgDf3Oa52
Leo didn't know how to respond to that as Angel started to make her way towards him. He didn't think he needed her help since he guessed right away what Carly would like. However, he didn't know exactly what Carly's favorite flavor was.472Please respect copyright.PENANA50QtGh6HqO
472Please respect copyright.PENANAlItIosyUn1
472Please respect copyright.PENANALtclG0PZt5
Angel walked past him, and Leo had no choice but to follow her. Before he turned around, Eric gave him a funny grin.472Please respect copyright.PENANAfYi8inDgY8
472Please respect copyright.PENANAI6L4nRaOuV
472Please respect copyright.PENANAkdNcA19tR2
Miranda was surprised to hear the voice of Carly's older sister, Angel. She’s hanging out with Leo, she wondered. Maybe they are friends because of Carly. Miranda remembered that she was the one who called Angel to go over to the club to catch Carly red-handed with Leo. She couldn’t believe that the two could easily get along. What has she missed over the past few weeks? She snapped out of her thoughts when she heard their footsteps as they were moving to the back end of the shop. She silently followed.472Please respect copyright.PENANAHQRHj15iJV
472Please respect copyright.PENANAsjM3Y5c5ra
472Please respect copyright.PENANArOZTVjzKCQ
Leo joined Angel, who reached the chocolate bar section before him. She looked through the bars of chocolate until she finally found what she was looking for, took it, and gave it to Leo.472Please respect copyright.PENANAjRvKcA5LVn
472Please respect copyright.PENANAgUsqrgFbic
472Please respect copyright.PENANA0N8xojJ5Tp
"Here, she’s a big fan of Cadbury's caramel flavor," said Angel.472Please respect copyright.PENANAxM4xZFVoL0
472Please respect copyright.PENANAO0juHAjdpN
472Please respect copyright.PENANAbErsvRROal
"Thanks," said Leo as he slowly took it from her. "What's your favorite chocolate?" Leo couldn’t believe he asked.472Please respect copyright.PENANAIDVU0WBaCn
472Please respect copyright.PENANAJkHSCkSGBc
472Please respect copyright.PENANAan5boaETGp
"What makes you think I like chocolate?" Angel asked, raising an eyebrow.472Please respect copyright.PENANAMhpBA5kw2f
472Please respect copyright.PENANAuU9V4riRo0
472Please respect copyright.PENANA9BeEV8Ubd4
"Don’t all women?"472Please respect copyright.PENANAIwGIVKTIn6
472Please respect copyright.PENANApSRCuhHqUj
472Please respect copyright.PENANAwTEe08kYah
"Yeah, true." Angel looked back at the bars of chocolate. "I’ll make you guess on this one."472Please respect copyright.PENANAzPN3QoxDY4
472Please respect copyright.PENANAJ4sMWspWEN
472Please respect copyright.PENANA0E5c50rjec
"Oh, this just got interesting," said Eric as he came from behind. "I would like to see what you would pick."472Please respect copyright.PENANAflx1BQwdQN
472Please respect copyright.PENANAMKuxmWtBFa
472Please respect copyright.PENANAfSkXIMd73z
"This is so unfair," said Leo. "There are so many brands here. And then I would’ve had to break it down to flavor."472Please respect copyright.PENANAvmcKP4kff3
472Please respect copyright.PENANACD6GkE8nfC
472Please respect copyright.PENANABW5WhGGeV2
"You’re right," said Angel. "Okay, I’ll break it down so that you can only figure out the flavor."472Please respect copyright.PENANACgn7TA65a4
472Please respect copyright.PENANAxzXYyDYzfQ
472Please respect copyright.PENANAFzQbDNsBS9
Angel moved a little to her right, and next to the Cadbury chocolates were the Lindt ones. Leo knew this was going to be tough for him. The chocolate brand is well known for making the best chocolate in the world. He wondered when Angel got such great taste in chocolates.472Please respect copyright.PENANA4VH6GtoCou
472Please respect copyright.PENANAIrJ7jX4d2s
472Please respect copyright.PENANAw8bJO6BUFF
"This is going to be a tough one, Leo," said Eric. "I wish you all the best."472Please respect copyright.PENANA9EoGN7Ljll
472Please respect copyright.PENANA8FOcVgSV9G
472Please respect copyright.PENANAqkvOeUTLM1
"You make it look like it’s a death sentence," said Leo, shooting Eric a look.472Please respect copyright.PENANA22xsQKzlhw
472Please respect copyright.PENANA43pb2Ks9ac
472Please respect copyright.PENANAVeJAFhAG4Y
"I say it is," said Angel as she gave Leo a smirk.472Please respect copyright.PENANAFACvDlnwiB
472Please respect copyright.PENANAH0CSK82Cco
472Please respect copyright.PENANATcdMRfP52b
Great, Leo thought to himself. She was obviously getting back at him for last night. He was surprised when she didn’t try to bring it up afterwards, and he thought she must have pushed it past her. It seems like she didn’t.472Please respect copyright.PENANAk65U7qBi2U
472Please respect copyright.PENANAizwGgRPNha
472Please respect copyright.PENANA81Ijqs35k2
"If I fail, what would my punishment be?" Leo asked.472Please respect copyright.PENANAayWnWOPC6U
472Please respect copyright.PENANA8WSaF60J61
472Please respect copyright.PENANAfh9z6evTHy
"Oh, you'll know when it comes," Angel answered, as the smirk on her face grew ever more sinister.472Please respect copyright.PENANAmVHtDkT9x3
472Please respect copyright.PENANA8EgwD8uPsI
472Please respect copyright.PENANAWyM4tTC8rJ
Leo didn’t know if her expression scared him or made him feel more courageous to take her on. He wasn’t going to back away, for he is no coward.472Please respect copyright.PENANAwaMDafvpNN
472Please respect copyright.PENANAHXc9UrG1VM
472Please respect copyright.PENANAyIyUzWjoWN
He started to look through the chocolate flavors, making sure to land on each one. While he did so, he couldn’t help but wonder what flavor she liked. He could spend the whole day looking and trying to figure it out, but he didn’t have time.472Please respect copyright.PENANAzWZNZcWeUz
472Please respect copyright.PENANAZyuDkfTzaO
472Please respect copyright.PENANALBrzBvfr2h
"Time is ticking, Leo," said Eric as he smiled. Leo knew very well that if he were to fail, Eric would laugh at him for all eternity.472Please respect copyright.PENANAYjvjciUf4S
472Please respect copyright.PENANAIpu9gPsJbs
472Please respect copyright.PENANAUae0Ze2yru
Miranda, who remained hidden behind some shelves a few rolls back, couldn’t believe what was going on. She didn’t imagine that Angel would pull Leo into such a petty game. She looked at Leo and noticed that he was taking it rather seriously. Miranda thought he must have been doing it just to impress her. She wished that Angel wouldn’t play games like this with him. However, the intense look he had on his face as he looked at the chocolate bars captivated her. He looks so gorgeous when he’s serious, she said to herself.472Please respect copyright.PENANAAOTuamMhn2
472Please respect copyright.PENANAfUIjmXmlii
472Please respect copyright.PENANAwZ27Erc7ku
Leo’s eyes soon landed on the strawberry flavor, and that made him remember the night he held Angel close in his room as they were hiding from his mother. Her hair smelled of strawberry, and he thought it would be best to pick the flavor. However, something stopped him. Just because her hair smells of strawberry and cream doesn’t mean she would like strawberry-flavored chocolate. He decided to move on when the next flavor was raspberry. A sudden urge pulled at him, telling him to pick it up. He thought he remembered something that made him feel like raspberry was the right one to pick. Sadly, he couldn't picture what it was.472Please respect copyright.PENANA7xYI7g2OA3
472Please respect copyright.PENANAG9wj6Vx0sg
472Please respect copyright.PENANAbtp0X9kWZS
"Have you decided what to pick?" Angel asked.472Please respect copyright.PENANAHIL4NTwrgC
472Please respect copyright.PENANA3lux6TKBq6
472Please respect copyright.PENANAHDMBf8GWrD
Leo had no choice. If it meant he should be humiliated for the rest of his life, then so be it. He closed his eyes as he stretched out his hand and reached out for it. He thought that by doing so, he might end up going for something else, and he might just get lucky. As he opened his eyes, he still found himself holding the raspberry-flavored chocolate bar.472Please respect copyright.PENANAohpLdmLDpC
472Please respect copyright.PENANAsgjYusGd6C
472Please respect copyright.PENANAmSTXI9nEuV
He turned around to face Angel. "Is this the one?" he asked.472Please respect copyright.PENANAbXXTeq1WO8
472Please respect copyright.PENANAHKacR5KdQI
472Please respect copyright.PENANA3azuinS9gz
"Are you asking me? I should be the one asking if you’re sure it’s the flavor I actually like," said Angel as she folded her arms.472Please respect copyright.PENANA0JtQGT5YjN
472Please respect copyright.PENANAS347RwjlSq
472Please respect copyright.PENANAU2NRzJ1Q6h
"Seriously?" Leo shook his head. "Why are you being so difficult today?"472Please respect copyright.PENANAd47qPStu2m
472Please respect copyright.PENANAAyT79fkzu9
472Please respect copyright.PENANAoGaPoFuvMx
"Because you trouble her too much," said Eric.472Please respect copyright.PENANAjJmlL7Dvow
472Please respect copyright.PENANAzGzdblIMoE
472Please respect copyright.PENANA0JS0l3AFP4
"She does the same to me, you know." Leo sighed. "Okay, I’m just going to take it. This is your favorite flavor, Angel. If I’m wrong, then I’ll be ready for what’s to come."472Please respect copyright.PENANAhq4i8caUci
472Please respect copyright.PENANAaOJOstq6i9
472Please respect copyright.PENANAzYGi7Md0Ho
The three of them stood in silence, but this moment belonged to Leo and Angel as they looked at each other. Miranda couldn’t help but notice the way Leo looked at Angel with his deep blue eyes. She wished he could look at her like that too. Then a sudden wave of confusion flooded her head. It’s his eyes. He had that serious look on his face, but his eyes looked warm and gentle. Miranda couldn’t tell what she was seeing, and that left her almost delusional. Leo had a way of looking at people that made you feel something else, Miranda concluded.472Please respect copyright.PENANAi7gE6e4HNB
472Please respect copyright.PENANAlC4Hjg7yh5
472Please respect copyright.PENANANX5fBP2jMB
Angel suddenly smiled, catching Leo off guard. His cheeks soon started to heat up. Was it in embarrassment? He didn’t know if he had guessed right or not, and he was just dying for Angel to say something.472Please respect copyright.PENANAeR9rlLkgiw
472Please respect copyright.PENANA9eo5Ch4qef
472Please respect copyright.PENANAP2sNCXFFy2
"You guessed…" Angel paused for a second as Leo held his breath. Eric was on the verge of laughter if she happened to say the magic word.472Please respect copyright.PENANAjZYhvDrPlj
472Please respect copyright.PENANAciYZRgsAI3
472Please respect copyright.PENANAk0T51EaiOu
"…right," she finished her sentence.472Please respect copyright.PENANArv6dlWawc2
472Please respect copyright.PENANAnCRrgjJw1M
472Please respect copyright.PENANAbMllYvqkaw
"What!" Leo and Eric yelled simultaneously. Even Miranda couldn’t believe it.472Please respect copyright.PENANAY77FAcsT4e
472Please respect copyright.PENANAUTgOssJ7fv
472Please respect copyright.PENANABYL8EXiEh3
"Yep, it’s my favorite. You can ask Carly if you want."472Please respect copyright.PENANAWjB68A1tpe
472Please respect copyright.PENANAKPrTPNz2d4
472Please respect copyright.PENANAg11vX3m5nW
Angel took the chocolate bar from Leo’s hand with a smile on her face. Leo stood there, stunned. He didn’t think he would ever get it right.472Please respect copyright.PENANAjVgBy231ov
472Please respect copyright.PENANAjoZzDLs6Rd
472Please respect copyright.PENANANys2Ez76D2
"No way," said Eric as he pulled out his phone. "Leo can’t simply have known. Let me call Carly."472Please respect copyright.PENANANvCTLZtahd
472Please respect copyright.PENANAREWTIQw4IV
472Please respect copyright.PENANA3BG6fBXiAF
Miranda felt her heart skip a beat. The other man was going to call Carly. She didn’t know if she was ready to even hear her voice.472Please respect copyright.PENANAnodZfArO3l
472Please respect copyright.PENANAe20f3x0Y78
472Please respect copyright.PENANAi6rNsLS4Hn
"Carly must have mentioned it to him while they had their many talks," said Eric, putting the phone to his ear after he dialed Carly’s number.472Please respect copyright.PENANAhvqBvzNAxP
472Please respect copyright.PENANAltgiTJ8fwo
472Please respect copyright.PENANAiJQvQJMa7a
"They are still getting to know each other," said Angel as she turned to look at Eric. "He didn’t even know Carly’s favorite chocolate, remember?"472Please respect copyright.PENANA9RBcJGuwIq
472Please respect copyright.PENANAN16yAKenP8
472Please respect copyright.PENANAQS0CpPGR7f
Eric held his hand up to stop Angel from talking. "Hey, Carly, how are you?" he greeted. "I’m good, thanks. I wanted to ask, what is Angel’s favorite chocolate and flavor?"472Please respect copyright.PENANATrA5nKa5Ho
472Please respect copyright.PENANAYoJ4aqfcN6
472Please respect copyright.PENANABqHnnGRQm5
Leo and Angel continued to look at Eric. His facial expression soon changed as he cut the call.472Please respect copyright.PENANA1h4qNFxtA4
472Please respect copyright.PENANA42Wkpgxfib
472Please respect copyright.PENANAezm0RmjQHC
"She’s right," he confirmed. "Angel does like the dark Lindt chocolate, raspberry-flavored."472Please respect copyright.PENANABQU278bLih
472Please respect copyright.PENANAWjkmEHIgk5
472Please respect copyright.PENANACUAhAx6erj
"Wow, yes," Leo cheered, looking rather relieved. Angel couldn’t help but laugh at Leo’s reaction.472Please respect copyright.PENANAsWbFPvI3Em
472Please respect copyright.PENANAt4Cfq15JQQ
472Please respect copyright.PENANAM6oYcE48QJ
"You’re let off the hook this time," said Angel. "Next time, you won’t be so lucky."472Please respect copyright.PENANAT4vaXv4gDM
472Please respect copyright.PENANAw50q4q028P
472Please respect copyright.PENANA5s37AH9X5H
"Bring it on," Leo challenged, feeling pumped up after his little victory.472Please respect copyright.PENANADVavNtA4ac
472Please respect copyright.PENANADF823jR7En
472Please respect copyright.PENANAyRdDa7gvom
"I don’t want another challenge," said Eric. "We can save that for later."472Please respect copyright.PENANAUkb8TnI0vO
472Please respect copyright.PENANAHbKUFLm0GG
472Please respect copyright.PENANA03GHemPIRI
"Sure," said Leo, still feeling rather pleased with himself. "We better get home before supper."472Please respect copyright.PENANAnG1GlYqDrl
472Please respect copyright.PENANAF1RpTrxTTa
472Please respect copyright.PENANAfLLZ6VFgds
Miranda couldn’t help but smile at how Leo had emerged victorious. She wished she could walk up to him and hug him. Leo and the others soon started to make their way to the front, entering one of the aisles.472Please respect copyright.PENANANQDPDwfvYb
472Please respect copyright.PENANAeprpPtRiVM
472Please respect copyright.PENANABQNGnZ3I81
"Uh, Eric, you didn’t tell me what to get Oliver," said Angel as she led the way to the counter.472Please respect copyright.PENANAEDkdXGyYt8
472Please respect copyright.PENANAeBDg6D8pJm
472Please respect copyright.PENANAGkplzORVw1
"Oh, he likes gummy bears," said Eric as he stopped to look at the shelves. "I saw a pack of them somewhere. Want me to help you look?"472Please respect copyright.PENANAUgK9q5EVfs
472Please respect copyright.PENANAE5TklpUlO4
472Please respect copyright.PENANAG5i5BbrXbd
"Sure," said Angel as she also stopped to look around.472Please respect copyright.PENANAwF6JGTZ4Vt
472Please respect copyright.PENANAqvbvpETW27
472Please respect copyright.PENANAAKl2ulWHDa
"You two will find me at the counter," said Leo as he walked past them.472Please respect copyright.PENANAXfpl2WFiVs
472Please respect copyright.PENANAg1yTrnVzvP
472Please respect copyright.PENANAHwuvPYgNO0
Miranda, who walked in the other aisle, also started to make her way there.472Please respect copyright.PENANATzpXwogZFC
472Please respect copyright.PENANAePQuLkoxDb
472Please respect copyright.PENANAtCM0gd7fzI
As Leo reached the counter, which was empty, he took his phone from the pocket of his trousers to pass time. He was completely oblivious that there was someone coming out from one of the aisles, silently looking at him.472Please respect copyright.PENANAXlJYHkxqg1
472Please respect copyright.PENANALD4ICDRw9k
472Please respect copyright.PENANA17Br7Mi2tO
Miranda gulped as she felt her heart beat fast. She didn’t know what to say or do if she were ever to get close. Worse, if he were to turn around to look at her.472Please respect copyright.PENANA7DWczpSlE6
472Please respect copyright.PENANAt1SPwRnmx9
472Please respect copyright.PENANAzWV395CAwv
As she continued her silent approach, she lost all sense of her surroundings and ended up bumping into a spinning display stand. She almost spilled the contents hanging on the hooks. She knew she had made a huge mistake as she looked up to see Leo looking at her.472Please respect copyright.PENANA5C6I8o1dva
472Please respect copyright.PENANAUGUmKJPRsw
472Please respect copyright.PENANAIxqYLG5DfH
"Are you alright?" Leo asked with an eyebrow raised.472Please respect copyright.PENANAg3lhuE6MkR
472Please respect copyright.PENANA2Gwrgnbxpk
472Please respect copyright.PENANA5eyetjN3tp
The look on his face made Miranda blush like crazy that she almost whined. A hand automatically flew to her mouth to stop herself from doing so. Her heart beat so fast that she would die of a heart attack. Maybe even worse, as she felt herself run out of breath.472Please respect copyright.PENANA5Pgi2Awmwc
472Please respect copyright.PENANAmPaxyeI2Yx
472Please respect copyright.PENANAbRvND4W9Mn
"Oh, no," said Miranda as she quickly uncovered her mouth and gathered her composure. "I’m good; I just lost balance, that’s all."472Please respect copyright.PENANAponxs4OaXp
472Please respect copyright.PENANAZ5sOKkwgjK
472Please respect copyright.PENANAMrPF0UKvv3
"Oh, okay," said Leo. He went back to looking at his phone.472Please respect copyright.PENANAvDqAUaklT7
472Please respect copyright.PENANAMBDnuScnBc
472Please respect copyright.PENANAHjTZsVDRbQ
Miranda felt her heart flutter this time as she smiled. Leo talked to her! She screamed inside with glee. She wished she could’ve actually fallen to the floor instead. He might as well have helped her up. She imagined the thought of his arms around her, trying to get her up. I would’ve liked that, she thought to herself. Maybe another time.472Please respect copyright.PENANAsGWAo9Jdi9
472Please respect copyright.PENANAbbfUtZwQIc
472Please respect copyright.PENANAnT1kq5V6AW
She could hear the sound of the others’ footsteps coming towards the counter. It was now her cue to leave, but she decided to look at Leo one last time. This time, sensing that someone was looking at him, Leo turned his eyes back on her. Miranda quickly looked away, wishing that she hadn’t done that. She made a quick run for the door, her cheeks flushed in embarrassment.472Please respect copyright.PENANA71bXV3EbQ0
472Please respect copyright.PENANAvvwBrIhejK
472Please respect copyright.PENANAiUiRz9tmSj
Eric and Angel appeared by the counter. Eric had his eyes on the door as he caught a glimpse of the woman literally running out of the shop. He turned to look at Leo.472Please respect copyright.PENANA35Zn7lZ08S
472Please respect copyright.PENANAS2Zv3wQqB7
472Please respect copyright.PENANA3wikRQtzNv
"Who was that?" Eric asked.472Please respect copyright.PENANAGDsJ4UGNvm
472Please respect copyright.PENANAU8OVygkoQF
472Please respect copyright.PENANAwIKP6FqYZJ
"Some lady," Leo answered as he placed the chocolate bar and the pack of chocolate mint on the counter.472Please respect copyright.PENANANofH3fkK0z
472Please respect copyright.PENANAvme7bxRHmw
472Please respect copyright.PENANA8uSelbD6md
"I wonder why she was running out of here. Did you scare her or something?"472Please respect copyright.PENANAqZJAuXi7GU
472Please respect copyright.PENANAv29W0OlTAt
472Please respect copyright.PENANAztWABObyie
"Do I look like a werewolf?" Leo asked. Angel could help but snicker. "She almost fell over a minute ago, and she looked pretty fine to me. I don’t know why she ran out like that."472Please respect copyright.PENANAp0RhuOfFop
472Please respect copyright.PENANAzUT2soHe1A
472Please respect copyright.PENANAaMZ2Io3NcZ
"Maybe you made her nervous. You do have a knack for making people faint because of your looks. And yes, you do look like a werewolf."472Please respect copyright.PENANAw5CSdzA0Ua
472Please respect copyright.PENANA8UGku7G7iW
472Please respect copyright.PENANAv0bhLc7HbI
Leo gave Eric a glare, and it took Angel to snap him out of his thoughts as she came to stand in between them.472Please respect copyright.PENANA2px85SAIZz
472Please respect copyright.PENANAhszlCLtcM7
472Please respect copyright.PENANAxowYLlQfPh
"Let’s just pay for the candy and go," she said. "You really didn’t have to call Leo a werewolf."472Please respect copyright.PENANAmk3hRzvtIA
472Please respect copyright.PENANAjKudmwmLQR
472Please respect copyright.PENANApViqs9BaJ3
"I know," said Eric. "I was just joking. He called himself that first. Many young women easily fall for his looks since he’s so popular on social media. That lady may have been a fan of his and was too scared to try and talk to him."472Please respect copyright.PENANARZBBaZuoB9
472Please respect copyright.PENANAeuWhhXv0WW
472Please respect copyright.PENANAdjJpfcoV0m
Leo rolled his eyes. It’s no surprise that Eric would bring that up. If only Eric knew that he was just as popular as Leo was.472Please respect copyright.PENANAXYGcQvfQod
472Please respect copyright.PENANAloLk913Yt8
472Please respect copyright.PENANA8LuaN5Mrgi
"I can agree to that," said Angel, "but that doesn’t give you the right to call him a werewolf."472Please respect copyright.PENANA3XXZpjpv9A
472Please respect copyright.PENANA26fHIBWbbv
472Please respect copyright.PENANAWTOBxtL2xD
"Why are you taking his side?" Eric asked. The cashier soon appeared from the back room to attend to them. "You rarely do."472Please respect copyright.PENANA8Lr2AGXqiT
472Please respect copyright.PENANAVLnMNHVSma
472Please respect copyright.PENANAjqZafqgOCZ
Leo realized that Eric was right. It was rare for Angel to defend him, and so openly, too.472Please respect copyright.PENANAb34ZTmcLZt
472Please respect copyright.PENANAeJpRlpTJj5
472Please respect copyright.PENANAJL13eTGz04
"Just drop it," said Angel as the cashier ran their items through the scanner. "How would you feel if someone called you a hedgehog?"472Please respect copyright.PENANA8alLK5fu8l
472Please respect copyright.PENANA482J67Gt2w
472Please respect copyright.PENANA3yQBaq27RN
Leo couldn’t help but burst into laughter. "Angel has a point, though," he said.472Please respect copyright.PENANAjWbuWSSLv6
472Please respect copyright.PENANAPrq1S0UVnI
472Please respect copyright.PENANAR7aVYSuUYD
"Whatever," said Eric, who started to bag up the candy into a plastic bag. "You’re just defending him because he guessed your favorite chocolate flavor."472Please respect copyright.PENANAb4QgZmf8hA
472Please respect copyright.PENANASbLvINENkv
472Please respect copyright.PENANA0qjxTyGVqP
Angel threw Eric a smile and didn’t answer. Leo noticed it, and that suddenly made his cheeks blush. He looked away, afraid that the others would notice.472Please respect copyright.PENANAQpsXfrhQB4
472Please respect copyright.PENANAnlii6Ry2XT
472Please respect copyright.PENANAjIDARzPgIK
Leo paid for the candy, and Eric started to make his way for the door with Angel behind him. Leo followed Angel, and just as they were walking out of the door, he finally realized why he had chosen the raspberry flavor instead of the strawberry. As Angel stepped out of the door of the candy shop, the light bulb just above the door shone on her head, and the red strips of her hair shined brightly in Leo’s eyes alongside the rest of her black hair. He paused for a bit, holding the door open as he watched her go to his car with Eric.472Please respect copyright.PENANARu1VQrAhWi
472Please respect copyright.PENANAyOug7gOLCo
472Please respect copyright.PENANAXaIcVVoME6
"Hey, Leo, are you coming?" Eric called out to him.472Please respect copyright.PENANAZVGphfw16C
472Please respect copyright.PENANAXhCwmSnhbL
472Please respect copyright.PENANA5jvvi2fSH1
Snapping out of his thoughts, Leo walked out of the shop, with the door swinging shut behind him.