Leo sat down on a nearby wooden bench in the flower garden, with blooming white roses behind him. After taking in the news, he couldn’t believe it. With the world spinning under his feet, he was grateful for the small bench. Everything around him seemed non-existent, including the sound of the birds chirping in the trees and the faint sound of people laughing inside the mansion. His mind revolved around what Angel had told him. He seemed to be lost in that world for a while before he felt a hand on his shoulder that brought him back to reality.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrhrS21L2T
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIj4FeIjw9
Eric looked down at Leo with a sad smile on his face. He could only imagine how Leo felt. Who could’ve thought a day like this would ever occur? No one did. What’s even worse was that Carly and Zac were together, getting along like they were just friends. The thought of them made Leo feel so confused and a little angry.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTTT1ZeVXd
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLQ7ICdWbj
“Hey, are you okay?” Eric asked.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPf1b0UGKR
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlbPMPlM84
“Yeah, I’m fine,” said Leo. He brushed off Eric’s hand on his shoulder.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10oyRbojaI
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQD1oWcPrF
“This is surprising for me too, Leo.” Trying to find the right words to say proved to be difficult for Eric. “I’m not going to lie, I don’t know how you feel. But you've got to understand that all that was in the past.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZhdCZOUuD
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYs370X0ZrP
Leo took a deep breath. “Honestly, I wish I didn’t know.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHDY0D68Xx
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQfj2n4ydz
“You were going to find out in one way or another,” said Angel, who stood a few feet away from them.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd35KhcSUMi
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUICPOubJek
Leo looked at Angel, who stood with a serious look on her face. He couldn’t help but wonder why she had to tell him. He wished he had never followed her into the garden. Later on, he started to wish he had never known her at all.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICIJ3sfvgw
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPjgXDlTGO
“Well, if you ask me, I was better off in the dark,” said Leo.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnx9HAqSGy
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCM1j84qweT
“Why am I not surprised?” Angel asked as she folded her arms. “You don’t see the big picture, do you?”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSej7jMTY7
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdizTWBIzjZ
“No, I don’t.” Leo stood up from the bench to face her. “Please, enlighten me.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNbSbRS97I
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhT5aaCakO
“Moving forward, we’re likely to encounter these incidences. Zac was reasonable enough to agree to keep Carly’s secret a secret. What if we happen to encounter someone who won’t feel the same way?”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybYx4t25G6
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68M7Ulwdbz
“Nothing like this is ever going to happen again.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNy0qlzHwlB
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMNF8s3wN6
“Stop being so ignorant, Leo.” Angel looked at him in disbelief. “New York might be a big city, but sooner rather than later, she might meet another one of her clients or someone who might have been associated with her at that club. The big question is how to deal with it.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HI4XMVhGT
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevUM5onf5j
Leo shook his head. “You’re being delusional, Angel. Even if a former client were to meet Carly out in the street, they would ignore her. Yeah, maybe they might approach her, but she could easily lie that they got the wrong person and move on.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIPRL0kpKD
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh842ePddqh
“Easier said than done,” said Angel. “We can’t ignore the fact that it won’t happen.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve5bmHNZiy
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tbnMbfAO1
Leo shook his head. “So what if it does?”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhezY3xXAa
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYHSfskFvF
“You sound like you don’t care.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHJKTEKkva
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOwIhYkcOx
“I do care. For goodness’ sake, I do care, and I’ll do all I can to protect her.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZlOvVuIhq
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUiusd3S5X
Angel and Leo looked at each other in silence, the tension in the air growing ever tighter. Angel broke contact first, as she looked the other way to catch a few deep breaths.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVwqwIlET1
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdVTdPC3Rq
“I don’t want anyone ever finding out about Carly,” she said. “Not now, at least. But I’m afraid, in one way or another, it will come out.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuInnrPtQ0
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs76uWUbaHR
Leo couldn’t believe his ears. “What are you saying?” he asked. He turned to look at Eric, looking shocked before turning back to look at her. “Are you trying to say that you would want the truth to come out? Is that it?”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCl8TKl1DG
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLm2qCxyeG
Angel sighed and, at the same time, closed her eyes before turning to look at Leo. “No,” she replied. “If anything, I don’t want the truth to come out, for it might expose our other lies. When it does come out, what are we going to do about it?”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJW6KdqkbP
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1C9KDRFxTD
“Nothing,” said Leo. “Because nothing will happen, and no one will find out.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypbAUBKiH6
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBdSqLnq9X
“Well, we all never thought that Carly would one day meet Zac, who happened to be a client of hers,” said Eric. “I agree with Angel on this one. One day, Carly might be exposed, and it will compromise all of us.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWt5RD94Pg4
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQxmLeTmXx
“As usual, you agree with her,” said Leo, looking at Eric.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOncI6XO5HW
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhsPakBVoR
“It’s the way life is,” said Eric. “Maybe we’ll get lucky and all this mess goes with us to our graves. However, we don’t know what the future holds. We need to think of something, or else all of this—your relationship with Carly, especially—falls apart.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCmjYm1CAw
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKG9Z6EGTqS
Leo looked at his cousin. He rubbed the side of his face with his hand and groaned in frustration. “I really wish you never told us, Angel,” he said, his eyes looking to the ground.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0dhn8DavV
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSFtsA940H
“Trust me, I wish this day never happened,” said Angel.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODFigA6qcZ
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtrfTxLzHb
“It was inevitable from the start,” said Eric. “We’re friends with the McAlisters after all. At some point, Carly and Zac were bound to meet.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1wz4az7g2
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRPG9jnhW9
Leo slowly gave a nod of his head, agreeing with Eric. He started to wonder how things had gotten to this point so suddenly. Well, he knew from the start that being in a relationship with Carly was bound to have some dire consequences. However, it showed its ugly head at the worst possible time.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWIzxyXk9Z
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6W5SI9Xopn
"Does Zac know that Carly and I are...?" Leo started to ask, but for a moment, he couldn't finish his sentence. It was almost as if he had choked on his words.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgKfXDQiZo
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6rmHYwW9l
"No," Angel replied. "I would rather he knows about it when you bring it out in the open yourselves. The fewer people know about your relationship, the better."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0c8W8gvOC
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7lpGD92KL
Leo scoffed. "You know, I'm still not happy that you told me about Zac and Carly."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6VBI1vAZJ
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmlArxP2jv
"And if she started to act funny whenever Zac was around, wouldn't you be suspicious?" Angel raised an eyebrow at him. "At this point, we're all involved, and this is the time to look out for each other. You can think cruelly of me, since I'm already used to it, but I care about what happens to my sister. Besides, all that happened in the past. So, I expect that you and Eric don't give Zac the cold shoulder."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQ1tOUZyQc
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6TH3anoXi
"Hey, you should be telling him, not me," said Eric.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6K9auPwhZd
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMaSUs06Lo
"I know," said Angel, giving Eric a smile. "But I'm warning you just the same."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6LsE0aoss
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6UqcmLUZC
"I'm guessing that's why those two are pretending to get along?" Leo asked, giving Angel a quizzical look.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl713pnx4xJ
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxXzOMakKo
"Carly never liked the idea of trusting Zac at first. I know you feel the same, but you don't have much of a choice."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDy7RW7EU8
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCTKKpcF5m
Leo hated that Angel was right, and he looked away angrily. Angel sighed, and that made Leo turn to look at her. This time around, the serious demeanor she had had fell away, and there remained a sad look on her face.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpdtncvIfY
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kFnxiXLbK
"Maybe you need some time alone to think things over," she said. "I'll be inside."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKgQ24AiuO
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE762NNhZdf
Angel started to make her way out of the flower garden and back to the mansion. Leo watched her go, and the picture of her facial expression, engraved in his mind. He didn't know why, but he felt a little remorseful and thought he shouldn't have been so hard on her.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzjsweOQz5
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06kdep29lB
Eric came to stand beside him, also watching Angel. "Do you need me around?" he asked.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2cuG9wAqZ
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4QdKqfpnc
"No," said Leo. He sighed as he turned his face upward, looking up at the clear blue sky. "I need to think."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPgnIGLnYg
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHcGTETTWl
Eric understood as he took a step forward, but then he stopped to say, "I know you might think Angel is against you, but just know she's looking out for her sister. In a way, she's looking out for you too."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeomwqZqhJi
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rDxTbWDQx
Leo brought his head back down to look at his cousin, but Eric had already started to walk away from him. He turned toward the bench he had sat on a little while ago, and he backed up a bit to sit back down. As he looked around the lovely flower garden, he couldn't help but wonder why Angel and Eric were right about everything.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxnmBdoOvQ
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpucPDHaks4
When Angel stepped back into the mansion, she was making a beeline to the ballroom when she heard the sound of a familiar voice in the foyer. She stopped to look around, and that was when she saw Mrs. McAlister standing alongside Mrs. McDonell and Kim. They had stopped to greet some people in the foyer. Angel couldn't help but hear the people around them were complimenting on how beautiful Kim looked. For Angel, Kim being here spelled trouble. Not when Leo was upset with the whole Carly and Zac issue.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2xvLn2RjY
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuGbXHbz2i
She started to turn around to make her way back outside when she saw Eric approaching her.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGGpIpI2xS
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdUzrrQdsV
"Is Leo still outside?" Angel asked.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUihu7M9UV
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SivschND1
"Yeah, he didn't need me," said Eric. "Why?"
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wUzYAdsYV
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIURWQp5Zu4
"Kim's here."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2DJKV8m5x
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoeyEp6MBf
Angel turned in the direction where she saw Kim, and Eric followed her eyes. He gulped immediately when he saw her.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfNuaIA3uN
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡat65OzFl3N
"Should we warn Leo?" Eric asked.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolKJPtYkgT
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFyVD5wySo
"For now, no one apart from us knows where he is," said Angel. "If any of us go out and warn him, they can easily spot us, and we would lead them straight to him."
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ2zMXP09c
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNGz54FGjh
“Good thinking. We better tell Zac and Carly, don’t you think?”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6vSfrFQuP
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QqxS6YPkQ
Angel gave a nod of her head. She turned to see if either Kim or Mrs. McDonell had seen her and Eric. They were still talking with the guests. Angel motioned to Eric to follow her into the ballroom. The place was now lively with guests. Many of Mrs. Harris’ old friends had settled on the chairs, ready for the game, but catching up with each other nonetheless. Angel saw Amanda, June, and Mrs. Harris at one end of the room, talking and laughing. She turned to the bar and found many people there, getting their drinks. There seemed to be no sign of Zac or Carly anywhere.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZTTh9AldM
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSewdmG8iQ
“They must have walked out to the patio outside,” said Eric, after noticing the look on Angel’s face.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4Nm0PxFxE
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPCbifIODp
The two of them stepped out of the ballroom, and luckily enough, they found Zac and Carly talking to a man who seemed to be in his mid-40s. Carly noticed Angel and Eric coming over to them, and she addressed the man in front of her.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpSbrNqrQ6
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuUWv9u4Lu
“Ah, the lady coming here is my older sister,” said Carly. “Angel, we were just talking to Mr. McAlister about you.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfp1N7kr5U6
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQmqBPGbJd
Angel didn’t expect to be a subject of a conversation. What stunned her was the fact that the man Carly and Zac happened to be talking to was Mr. McAlister. She turned to look at him. Just like his son, he also wore casual clothing, a simple green t-shirt and cargo pants. No one would think that he was the owner of such a beautiful mansion.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSNidRXhuJ
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFr30EI3ITl
“Nice to meet you, Mr. McAlister,” said Angel, smiling at him.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcJoBf2MdT
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHK0SGDDfGM
“A pleasure,” said Mr. McAlister, bowing his head at Angel. His blue eyes were similarly deep as his son’s. “I’ve heard so much about you from my mother-in-law.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX06JoyAYpI
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GNmrmGuu3
“I don’t think she knows me very well,” said Angel, feeling rather embarrassed by his comment. “But it’s nice to know she’s been saying nice things about me.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyYsBsvvAY
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREwP5xTJGw
Mr. McAlister went on to greet Eric, who greeted him back. Angel was about to excuse herself, when Mr. McAlister saw his friends seated around one of the garden tables and decided to join them. After he left them, Carly and Zac looked at both Angel and Eric with slightly worried looks on their faces.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYXVHI8QGy
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9CnQ3iUdp
“How did Leo take it?” Carly asked.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkFkPl3Uwb
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEJ8Dp8NGn
“Not well,” said Eric. “But he’ll get over it. We’ve got bigger problems to deal with.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jfXXo8gX9
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNGIQR17jh
“What?” Zac asked.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV2W0NGebQ
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvLKryqCmf
“Kim is here,” Angel answered, her eyes falling on Carly. Carly’s eyes widened with surprise.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLKHRX6oDP
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYHAGK7Sse
“So what if Kim is here?” Zac asked, looking confused. He looked at Eric and Angel, and after reading their faces, he understood. “There’s still bad blood between those two?”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsD79wjtBK
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4Znw2OC3j
“Not exactly,” said Eric. “You can say there’s a little tension. Trust me, with the way Leo is right now, seeing Kim might spark a fire. So if she asks where Leo is, tell her you have no idea.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTc3Kh6Lmm
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGU5xwHY8V
“Where is he anyway?” Carly asked.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcnLDwMlqe
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrwduinPWY
“We left him in the garden alone,” Eric answered.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nR1fFsDJw
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnXFV9A2gS
“Okay, we’ll keep that in mind,” said Zac. “But what if they do meet each other?”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLV6b97fds
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5tqxZg7Dd
“By then, Leo will have cooled down, hopefully. I just hope he’ll be able to keep it together, not after what happened last time.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1mOfsXLqo
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCqHIrrism
Carly and Angel looked at Eric, and they both knew what he meant. The night they had dinner with the Chos. Leo and Angel had told both Eric and Carly that Kim had been there. Carly felt relieved that she and Leo didn’t get a chance to be alone together. That would’ve been the day Kim found out about the two of them, and who knows what would unfold afterwards? Zac, who noticed the look, knew he wasn’t meant to butt in and ask.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZq4hxSvB5A
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzisdlIQUyP
“Okay, if anyone asks, we don’t know where he is,” said Zac. He looked down at his left wrist to check the time. “The game is supposed to start in fifteen minutes. Angel, you better be ready.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU50VIFCrQu
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBEfMdOjxu
Angel gave a nod, and Zac made his way back into the ballroom. Eric said he needed another drink and asked the two women if they would need any. Angel hadn’t had the luxury of getting anything to drink, considering that she was welcoming the guests. She told Eric that she would have fruit juice instead. Carly asked for a dry martini. They settled at a nearby table while Eric went to fetch their drinks.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyo8wPOtL2
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaczsyDvPu
“How did he really take it?” Carly asked, looking at her sister.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJOE9vAijm
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoHXyTyMlh
“You know Leo,” said Angel as she watched the people in front of her and those visible inside the ballroom through the open door and windows. “He has a temper. Of course, he didn't take it lightly.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCdyiRf7Vi
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbH4WExcdU6
Carly was silent as she played around with her fingers on her lap. “I bet that’s why he wanted to be alone in the garden.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGopv9Eiw3
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWBfFfmCBZ
“He’s stubborn, but he knows what he has to do. It’s just going to be hard for him to accept it. What happened will most likely happen again. We just have to know what to do when it does.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5g3Jc3HY3h
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqG5cROAEY
“I’m not proud of what I’ve done.” Carly looked up at the sky. “I sometimes wish things could’ve been more different.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvjnowiSV4
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2c51yPEQj
“Most people will criticize your past,” said Angel as she turned to look at her sister. “Only a few will understand that it’s the future and the present that matter. If you change now for the better, then well and good. If not, you’ll give them a platform to criticize you more.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCViyX4YGkr
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLWI376STU
Carly swallowed upon hearing those words. How she wished Angel had never told her that. Those words reminded Carly of her mother.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvX2qDe2QV
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydsigQaaJY
“And if it does happen again, what then?” Carly asked, looking at Angel.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRK7drxCAW
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjb8TJjsSg3
“Who knows? Maybe it won’t be as complicated as it was with Zac. However, there will always be difficult people. Those are the ones we should be careful around.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIR16f6yvS
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMmgqpBu7r
Apparently, Carly was involved with such people, and she couldn’t help but feel guilty about it. She continued to watch the people enjoying themselves, trying to rub it off. When Eric came by with their drinks on a tray, she felt relieved.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXUvf4nwkk
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrdnxjtZ1H
“Kim is in the ballroom right now,” he told the two sisters as he served them. “Just by the way she’s looking around, she must definitely be looking for any one of us or Leo.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcxPrplFjs
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp0QoaqV6R
“This is bad,” said Angel as she took her glass of mango juice. “I hope Leo doesn’t blow up in her face about that night. I wonder why Mrs. McDonell can’t accept that Leo doesn’t need Kim in his life. She’s trying to fix a relationship that will never mend.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2jJASg3mO
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7SMWAnLAY
“Oh, you know how she is,” said Eric as he sat beside Angel. “She’s stubborn.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneukprwSDg
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZdbrzQGzT
Carly chuckled. “I see where Leo gets that from,” she said.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxszrsaDHVV
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBruF9gnKfp
“Still. The more she tries to fix things, the more she makes them worse,” said Angel. She took a sip of her juice and later added, “Kim is the worst one of them all. She really can’t let Leo go.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXPIo54C1j
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69ePJ0pq9C
Angel remembered the conversation she had with Kim not too long ago. She could only hope Kim was looking for Leo to apologize for what she did at the hotel. If not, then there’s nothing much Angel could do.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ru7XRDlTu
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6tH2q3bAt
The three continued to have their drinks in silence when Zac appeared by the doorway of the ballroom. He beckoned Angel. The game was about to start. She quickly finished her juice and started to make her way inside. Carly and Eric remained at the table after telling Angel that they would come inside to help with the elderly if there was any need for it.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJCFWirXzY
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRALmFTqG7
When Angel got to the door, she asked Zac if he had seen Leo anywhere nearby.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLm0iA4YgES
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4X2vQUMx9
“No,” he replied. “I bet he’s still in the garden. But I did meet Kim, though. She had asked for him.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwt7DkR4chJ
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuaWKs5aKJ
Angel looked around, hoping not to bump into Kim as well. She would eventually. Zac mentioned that they should go to their designated seats at the other end of the room. They made their way to the table, facing the people already settled to play the game. Apparently, even children who were old enough to play also settled among the old folk.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpsIBpiYCe
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWr0JZRzBp
Mrs. McAlister stood beside the table with the microphone in hand. She obviously wanted to say a few words before the game began. Looking elegant in white, Mrs. McAlister smiled at the guests before her. She began talking in the microphone to get people’s attention. After the room settled, she began first by greeting everyone and thanking them for appearing for the event. She introduced her son and Angel as the people in charge of the game. She wished everyone all the best and for the best person to win. Also adding that there were prizes for the winners. She handed the mic back to her son, who was to call out the letters and numbers on the bingo balls Angel picked.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkdVZK0WuB
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP18OTNPqEd
While the bingo game was underway, Leo, who was still in the flower garden, realized that he had stayed there for too long. It was best for him to go back inside the mansion. He had already made up his mind. As much as he didn’t want to go through with it, he saw no other option.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhecmKxDFD
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLDcbZ7EFj
He stood up from the bench and made his way out of the flower garden. As soon as he got back inside, he noticed there weren’t many people in the hallway. The sound of Zac speaking through the mic echoed in the hall outside the ballroom. The game must have started, he thought to himself.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiPCcy3vfn
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIX0QYV6bC
When he entered the ballroom, he found many of the elderly and a few children already settled for the game and holding up their bingo markers. He spotted Eric across the room, slowly walking around those who were playing the game in case anyone needed anything. His eyes turned to the far end of the ballroom, where Angel and Zac sat. A few people stood around the walls of the room, silently watching the game. A good number of guests had gone outside to socialize more loudly and merrily.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFvP04Uoe6
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxOysx70EO
When he looked to his left, he saw Carly, who, just like Eric, slowly walked around the room. She looked up and saw Leo. That made her stop in her tracks as she studied his face. For a moment, she gave a grim look, and it only took Leo’s smile to change it. She sighed in relief and smiled back at him. That was a sign that all is forgiven, and he was willing to move on.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqXn88zvcm
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXblPT4DbTC
The lovebirds’ moment disappeared abruptly when someone appeared beside Leo. The smell of the person’s perfume made Leo aware of their presence. He turned to look. Standing there, looking gorgeous in her pink dress was Kim.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOopLuPckK
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKRUr9OB9P
“Hi, Leo, I was looking for you,” said Kim.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfXiq1OvLZ
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0u5H0QV4V
A few elderly women seated nearby turned their heads to hush at Kim, telling her to be quiet. That drew everyone’s attention to Kim and Leo. Angel, who was rolling the bingo ball container, saw Kim standing beside Leo, and a grim look fell on her face. Eric, on the other side, could only watch and hope that Leo wouldn’t explode. Carly stood there helplessly. The last thing she needed was to come in between them. That would only make things worse. So, she quickly looked away, turning her attention to the children playing the game.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjPxF81Upk
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBkro6eC77
“Can we talk outside?” Kim whispered to Leo.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QZ8MZnr3h
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUA9YCiyh0S
Before Leo could refuse, Kim wrapped her hand around his arm and slowly started to drag her with him, leading him back the way he came. Eric, who saw the whole thing, looked over at Carly, hoping that she didn’t see that. Sadly, he found her turning her head with her lips set in a straight line and her eyes staring blankly elsewhere. Angel had also seen what had happened, but she had already picked out a ball that she showed to Zac. She didn’t want to look out of focus. When she turned to Carly, she couldn’t help but feel a little worried.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhhj2TwGuL
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfRpRlGEuZ
When Leo and Kim stepped out of the ballroom and into the hall, Leo brushed aside Kim’s hand around his arm and took a few steps before turning to look at her. Kim looked at Leo with a smile on her face.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡch8ot1hSRm
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8QWVO3ecH
“You’re a hard man to find,” said Kim. “I was looking for you, and I thought I would find Eric and ask him where to find you. But it wasn’t easy to find him either.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhID3gNfW6v
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WK82o6ceY
“What is it you want, Kim?” Leo asked.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbdKkJ13fT
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2ud09oML9
Kim opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. It took her a few seconds to gather herself. “I want to apologize,” she said. “About what happened the last time we saw each other.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Y2Ntn3YNk
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBNWHMbIRr
Leo raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t like what you did,” he said. He was upset, but he sounded calm. “What were you expecting to see by following me like that?”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUu7hnovkb
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTE0OjaI2b
“I’ll be honest with you,” said Kim. “I wanted to see your new lover.” Her eyes fell to the floor, feeling a little ashamed for saying it.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94cem9MbfF
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdGs60uM6e
“I bet you were disappointed when I caught you.” Leo put his hands in the pocket of his trousers. “You didn’t look surprised like we met by accident. You and Trina looked guilty, and I knew you had been following me. Angel, in the end, told me you had been in the area for quite some time.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IbFW0sFPs
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKD9JySFID4
“Yeah, I know, and I feel so stupid for doing that.” Kim looked up at Leo. “That’s why I’m asking you to forgive me.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSv8HVyzmng
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfML6fVCXx3
Leo looked at Kim, wondering how to answer that. He was still upset with her after her little stunt, but if he didn’t want to ever bring up this issue again, he had to do one of the things he despised to do.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI6EDvpNRX
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu4wS2OBcR
He sighed. “I forgive you,” he said. Kim’s eyes brightened up with delight when she heard those words. A smile even appeared across her face. “But don’t take it the wrong way here. Just because I forgive you doesn’t mean this brings us closer.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi07IcW0oyf
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoFNMliuSK
“I know,” she said, her cheeks starting to blush. “By forgiving me, this is a sign that you still have a caring heart.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0A7yPBXIo
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjBnuXY5fo
“I’m just doing this because I don’t want to ever bring up this matter again. If I may ask, what were you going to do if my lover happened to be around that day?”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsQyUCTDaK
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQyNZpsmIz
Kim looked taken aback by that question. The smile on her face slowly started to disappear. This was the last thing she needed right now.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMIhYV0MVQ
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8HntISWL5
“Why are you asking me that question?” Kim asked.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyDyDXiTb1
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZ1KAHwxiH
Leo took some time to answer. “Because I know you,” he said. “You’re impulsive, and I know you’ve been dying to know who my lover is. Who knows what you would’ve done if you did? I bet it would be something unpleasant.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XchzHCd8N
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIUtZMeIa7
Kim shook her head. “That’s not true,” she said. “I would never do that.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcUevgqdyY
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygvpA2mtiF
Leo scoffed. “Anyway, I’m not going to argue with you there when you know I’m right. You shouldn’t come after me, begging for my attention. I have a life to live, and so do you.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLpHFNbxnH
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEStrncgiZ
A voice of a woman shouting “bingo, bingo” rang loudly into the hall. What Leo was grateful about these games was that it didn't take too much time. They were obviously going to go for another round of bingo.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xs2YCLw6X
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwFUHyAiAl
Leo turned to look at Kim, who was looking back at him. There was a look of hurt in her eyes, and sadly, there was nothing that Leo could do about it.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJdGwfcPVk
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPPNHWPO5J
“I better be going back in there,” said Leo. “I’ll see you around.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyoYHYq7YC
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1cBxrpxq7
Just as Leo was about to take a step towards the door leading to the ballroom, Kim blocked his way, standing in front of him. She looked set on not moving aside.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFgUi9aApT
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TLZFjzJx2
“Kim, please move,” said Leo.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOK2t2zKHB
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY6TmqTgRJ
“I’m not going to end this conversation like this,” she said.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s3XB3v2Ja
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPZPrKyqhT
“What else is there to say?” Leo asked as he shrugged his shoulders.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGhd3hrOCs
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFX7wVYEsSw
“Don’t you care about me at all? Don’t you think I've got the right to know who she is that stole your heart from me?”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4BmV7vCTY
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENvXiSUvQX
“Kim, your voice is getting a little too loud. And no. I don’t think you’re ready to know who it is. Not with that attitude.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJzxjZ8iXr
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopJLdnqLll
“Why are you protecting her? It’s not like I’m going to do anything.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFaFieql7P
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVttAfAofFv
“Says the person who isn’t over our breakup. I can’t tell you who she is until I’m sure you can handle moving on. Right now, I clearly see that you can’t.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fzW808RfJ
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLBNmni8bS
The door to the ballroom that stood ajar opened up a little, and a young man stepped out. He walked past Leo and Kim. They remained silent until he was out of sight.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIxpXVlLO2
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTM2WGg0Tp
“I promise, Leo, I won’t do anything rash,” said Kim.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPDCXxAZRv
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkA9LXk1i3X
“No,” said Leo. He was firm with his response, and Kim could clearly see that her whimpers weren’t going to work on him. “Not now, Kim. Not like this.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gw8ZxeuZq
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rZUKkVbfq
Before Kim could think of another way to persuade him, Eric appeared at the door. Leo could never have felt too relieved to see anyone.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwx5bPCBN8V
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlfbXGUsVz
“Leo, I need some assistance over here,” said Eric. Kim turned around to look at him. “We need to clear out some chips on the papers for the next round, and there are a few people who have trouble getting them off since they are old. You could come help too, Kim, if you want.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCdIVJpH9x
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhI9jMx70D
“I’ll be right there,” said Leo. He turned to look at Kim, hoping to say a few words to her, but nothing came to mind. She looked at Eric with an angry frown, upset that he had to interrupt them. He walked past her and joined Eric inside the ballroom.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh4biczaWb
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVpDoN3frR
“Thanks for that,” said Leo when he and Eric approached the tables.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuUS9I9aT9
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJt0MhWoYf3
“I figured you needed the help,” said Eric. “And we really do need your help with those chips.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelp4Y9qnnt
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhfWR9i216
“Never have I felt relieved to help out with anything.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHc2e1Q1qT
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrY09jwhwI
Leo heard footsteps behind him, and he saw Kim enter the ballroom. She was making her way to the patio, where the lively people were. As she passed, she gave Leo a side-ways glance. Judging by the look, Leo could tell that she was upset.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIG19pfqLS
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ExTfv28UN
Three rounds of bingo were played, with three different winners. Amanda happened to be one of them, for she won the last round. Her grandsons, Angel and Carly, went to congratulate her. Amanda couldn’t help but express how excited she was over winning the game and that it was her first time.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmm74MtshD
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhXlzy7Wim
Mrs. McAlister and Mrs. Harris presented prizes to those who won. Afterwards, the place became more of a social event, with those who were outside coming in. The helpers had to arrange the tables and chairs for the elderly as if in a dinner-like manner, in case anyone wanted to help themselves with some food and needed a place to sit.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLt0qK3DwLo
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFhqjrgzan
Leo has stepped out for a bit with a glass of wine, out to the patio and to the lawn. The sun was slowly starting to set, and he had a clear view of it. He had a feeling they might have dinner at the McAlisters, considering the amount of food that had been brought in. With so many people around, all he wanted was to be alone.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDZWeMle0Y
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdK67gIoqq
He took a sip of his wine, so lost in the beauty of the setting sun that he didn’t hear soft footsteps coming from behind. It only took him a minute to realize that Carly was standing beside him.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd0zwF4iZD
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeXMN0M64L
“Hey,” she said to him.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjEPIzenCr
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEvMQ0tr9I
“Hey,” he answered back.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3dd1xGemz
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUYvKv7TfQ
There was a brief moment of silence before Carly spoke. “You’re not mad, are you?” she asked.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLtXGYTnPv
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMyPmOWLaf
“Mad about what?” He asked with an eyebrow raised and looking confused.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNNG9GAGjC
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhi41gcC3T
“This thing with Zac and me?”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQsVcSEFql
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JyJxGLVRp
Leo chuckled. “I had just forgotten about it. To be honest, I was so busy that it never once crossed my mind. Until now.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡay9HmD9R9t
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOMWxgab3u
“I know it’s weird…”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3eGTPivV3
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbzHWEr1dW
“Carly,” Leo interrupted her. “That’s all in the past. As much as I would like to keep a grudge, you knew Zac before you knew me. I shouldn’t be jealous at all. He’s an annoying prick, yeah, but I can’t blame him for that either. The last thing I want is to be mad at you.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77vpvsnAG3
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhDqqZXJS2
Carly smiled. “That’s a relief. If there weren’t many people around, I would’ve hugged you.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXFR25XqAF
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8q4gbyQlS8
“Tell me about it,” said Leo as he turned around to look at the guests that remained outside. “Let’s not draw any unnecessary attention.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEt9lJEwOZX
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0ZI2kEW23
“And what about Kim? What did the two of you talk about?”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAxlUlPSGe
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooNnf44r8c
“The incident at the hotel when we had dinner there. And also, she wants to know you. Or let me say it in her words: The woman who stole my heart from her.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNa4l7Ue5uN
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGstK7pber
Carly rubbed the back of her neck. “She must be really mad, huh?”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjEe2tjUQg
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo8TOCifCL
“Yeah, but I’m not going to tell her until she settles down. Better yet, she’ll know when everyone else does.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWKmzWEdis
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQ6wDReu7p
“We still have time. And what are you going to do about your mum? It’s clear to see that she brought her here to try and bring you two together.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzp7kg4ng5N
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7HJcqvOIP
“It’s annoying, but I’ll have to have a talk with her one of these days.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBXrOx5g1h
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQbb8v4Z2D
“Leo! Carly!” came Angel’s voice behind them. The two turned around to see her approaching them. She wore her white jacket over her shoulders, as it was getting chilly now.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CNFLKpMD1
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRL3SABz79
“What is it?” Carly asked when Angel came closer.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxP2I2y6fp
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRJQLatFOH
“Zac’s girlfriend is here, and Zac wants to introduce you to her,” Angel answered. “He made a show of how you and I are like goddesses, and she wants to see you for herself. So that’s why I came to find you. They’re in the hall outside the ballroom.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjtLI0Nqpb
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJMU7qD60s
“Fine,” said Carly. She turned to look at Leo. “Aren’t you coming?”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScDUXOZG02
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRNW6wqEAv
“Yeah, I’ll follow behind you,” he said.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aY8rZponY
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkkxKG82ak
“Before I get there, I need to stop by the bar to get a drink. Let’s go, Angel.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGF17xLZdon
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mAToX1xB5
Carly took off quickly before Angel. In trying to catch up with her sister, Angel also hurried. In doing so, her white jacket slipped off her shoulders and fell on the green grass. She stopped in her tracks and turned to pick it up. However, Leo already got to her jacket and picked it up for her. He placed the empty glass he was holding on a nearby table.
Leo closed the distance between them. Before Angel could reach out her hand to grab it, he swung the jacket over her head and made it rest over her shoulders. Angel looked stunned at the gesture that she was almost lost for words. For some reason, her cheeks started to tingle.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7TMFO0xaN
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJ6VnEqZsO
“Thanks,” she managed to say. “You didn’t have to do that.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hxWTlCh9w
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHfsNX0pz2
“It’s nothing,” he said.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FIWAoypDo
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNaNG1JWsE
Leo still held on to the collars of her jacket, and Angel realized why she was blushing. The feel of his fingers tucked under the collars slightly touched her neck. His hands soon fell away, and he placed them in the pocket of his trousers. He gave her a cool look with his eyes, and that made Angel blush even more.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotZISyXqA8
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGywttBmgD
“Are you okay?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “You look shocked or something.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lkE0Q2N6K
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUCWe4LjZP
“I’m fine,” said Angel, quickly drawing her head downward. “Let’s go.”
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WOmd2dUrI
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6Gz9tN9Gj
She quickly turned around and started to make her way back into the ballroom, with Leo following behind her. She shook off the feeling and told herself it was nothing. Leo, on the other hand, didn’t seem bothered by her reaction or what had taken place.
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zLlct3HwB
379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXcb8cJXG1
Standing by the window inside the ballroom was Kim, holding a glass of champagne. She had seen the little incident between Angel and Leo. That sent her mind buzzing with thoughts. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one who had seen them
.
ns216.73.216.82da2
