The news about the 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBwXb5irNa
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KMoaPGBUR
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4mmK77q3y
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSL7Apvzgka
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rZpTLs2B6
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DuRTUDseh
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmrVZSpaj2
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGr0B8Bna6n
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDV5wwT8wzk
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD05ZtkxFjP
There was more to it 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1dcM89pne
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtvWVFId0k
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24jo4hklRH
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMUcPMaCD6
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYCXyOKx26
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtnmnNCcVq
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5v1ArXT7Dp
except from a few individuals. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFpIgQ8na5
And apparently, one of 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGRn6nkay1
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRmTvtkysF
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYe4HCvgWq
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5seX2RZAs
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfXW14nHdI
really going on, all hell would break loose.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgM7GUGUgy
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWXhYoJhdc
Rhénee dropped the 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBXJA0FJcg
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2KYvE1rbp
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheCrjFG5qU
ear, she took a sip of coffee.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHL9DpE2g6
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5ZUnmWvYX
"Ya, its crazy here," 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYUzh7FY7s
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DvOJbM0i0
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1ID2azuVA
broken in."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGdyaQSsvQ
"If only they knew."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7S52t4ezQ
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebrQPYg4tm
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmbSElvqkH
"She did. I had to make 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sqqcamQsd
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaNrg2gDKj
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzi0A32RO1H
"I doubt if she believed that."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFvmwEvv3p
"Haha, looks like you 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB5DgVau8M
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3pLrdHpJr
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5zbeGaHya
"True. But we did. I 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO84niWexNM
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVyDTuPEiR
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN1OIz4DcZ
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yrd2l32rj
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNwIVXDBOH
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAXdL8BWec
"Okay, bye."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ajclwMlr9
"Bye."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsqcY0d1cx
Rhénee cuts the call and907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqN5B0v0pK
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbH72auamdv
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZZGnbN8gY
wink last night.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnjnbMgfJI
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvMrpnvS7L
"I wasn't going to 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8PYn456Xc
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnecCTaJvf
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrfr4H7mtN
"You don't have to 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgV459xGOf
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvUFwBaPLu
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbHypkG2yd
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qYvdNVlCI
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasIIi08EFd
"Why Malcom?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHEaFYeSno
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTsIbRc5l9
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJgfSNeTHv
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYB22Kp5p1
"Alright, you go ahead."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHfbVZDY4i
Miss Griselda gave 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64c9fJ1W0w
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05b2QYFzTc
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8haA3tT31
did when they talked about Malcom. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFjj5RJDPn
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuALJxhJz92
The sound of her phone 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ700M0apMN0
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhfdrH4Rg7
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQu6oLCYbT
mother.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGUeYuCzJn
"Hello?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZ0p7xB4sE
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiv3yjGJwq
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdNyIpkREK
That voice. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaEg9R5blj
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpJIQRB1ja
"What's wrong? The other day you had the guts to talk to me when I talked to you about the necklace. Why are you so quiet now?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnypumm0mn
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaf8HcLzkB
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMRRuuGrGb
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYStpJlVNch
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0AOC74DbE
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvochpls0Xn
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBvZrYjljp
"You don't know me, 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRc75yJgJC
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4lchfEu2P
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbExRWR4uWk
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOsILCWHYA
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf8LpMTB67
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7Mpm2gHZv
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrixyPlYO3N
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aJM6NdD6d
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueVzV7Ylgu
"Then why did you give me her necklace? And the picture of the house? What are you trying to achieve by scaring me like this?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp55XhdRAVA
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpFu3DXaLF
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6HZakMhNb
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjvFDuZ1eu
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ8JHCPx8o
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0dp7d2unP
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHD1RMbQV6
"Oh, and by the way, 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRQLkm08AS
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ry8MfFtTC
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCF8dPLbeYw
this time around."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLEuUvaTeG
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeUUdTATkR
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUM1DoKUl5Z
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNDeMAIdED
Rhénee sat down on the 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanD99z4UB3
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS11p66DxUh
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwT9f5Q4Tb
the others, who know what might happen. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagzjM2174I
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHMeGs6JwU
***907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLEsgg2OwV
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡId4v0ZS4tU
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2YROmTOa8
"But she isn't hurt right?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTgxcWMNX8
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIRmehrNBO
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yRJDP1mE9
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUokWqZYepe
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEuuzp6cP6
"Nah.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCChfMUZ3V
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1B6f7ud3CU
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpR4gXkJwr
"Thats907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fBT3uR2gD
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMRJOk987I
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JxutvpJGb
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUW0JWkE7lA
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfAQtSMgoT
"Alright."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIlemt7IgY
Eugene cut the call and noticed that his mother was standing by the kitchen door looking at him as he stood in the living room. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblbHdP4DlQ
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCnB0J51JK
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSnDaZbRKv
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAg6SfEd63N
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CxwRmPKLi
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrprxAPsHCQ
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhnmWh9I19
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMI32WA4ND
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wmy0MjKSz
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3q1sQg13u
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jTbCR7L2v
"Does it bother you?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUwwSomR7I
"Um... not really. But.... um."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoO1IFJoKvg
Eugene907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2pz4mHHld
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jlp16r7BE
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMkEVRHtPM
"Mum, are you okay?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwdvJStc9Z
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NcP7nCmll
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrh9dv6tUyl
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCu82rJubsR
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wXWldChYq
Mrs907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXWIdntbBa
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYEO3TZhk5
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMYZjPCWle
had talked about Rhénee?907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb62A2gIQDK
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0M5lCLzHa
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpIELygEBI
***907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtoAn3MG5q
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmP837vilg
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4UXT31ax1
"You better rest though. You still look tired."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZcqSCuhvD
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU807aNl2jJ
"No, I'll do it."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNHf8qVSJU
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQyebgpRjI
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPnCaQi6V7
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5vFvR25a2
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrZDgx9oCs
Rhénee907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPjBXm58r5
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOEyJpQ8xY
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJepd1KXGZ
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdPUF3J0vX
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ755vLOfFPo
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkUNoq1S2M
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkh0D1cviYL
"Thank907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnV2cOYzOV
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZejLeCCAg
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySiuHZi0rs
"Well, yes. I still think I would."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmz7aZc692U
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeWbebjwhZ
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQR3ns4syu
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXK582D6s3
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqOp1UIZR9
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNifWKMjo7I
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTcXpkX5bc
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpq2mxNOiPa
"Coffee will be lovely."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ErY9o2iif
Miss907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9ypa0m1iv
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTx4Oah5i6
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxao2D0Ip70
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOht4IypF9Z
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWStjiKj7un
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD3rxAXx3k
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhARdv7dzO
"What mysterious person?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAdwufTFDC
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfcvIAVN98
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgJ7Xwd7gv
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbRtKcI7Xn
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQt5iJP7cz1
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGaCcUin0C
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy17OFdAhKO
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9LDps8KKL
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoud6Fd1tA
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXwbXgD2pV
The907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyX6EXspwJI
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsd83QKJGdH
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVih2Uco1j
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdENSsxsyqI
of this.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCfJdu8Ob3
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0GVs7kH5y
"I...907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZdB3Qc48w
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzub2dGDLqB
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahpfqk9EbO
frustration. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGK47Gx7UJ
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xRvKZ2yNE
Rhénee907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgclavYMtNT
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhd7alQSHC
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRBKQLcANo
cups on the tray and wondered. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lKdz3puL6
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEQFvahmjv
907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZsRlAGO0l
As907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXZNfclfAZ
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3AD5FdX3W
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0SkYwSAsr
reminder kept ringing in her head.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUaS1YHT3h
"And tell your friends not to get involved."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrD96HJHtX
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKOiEb6kPH
"I907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmCCMB2iro
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl182p4fPuh
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasud5HQ7NO
talking about, Rhénee?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTc9z4McuTb
Rhénee907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwThN0bcGe
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniJ2gUaeen
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeften4WRw
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsn8bTIrUt
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVbLzLPfEm
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcphCafDVt
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDT6nPVkh2
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGA1xRiUNJ3
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQK6U7cDHBP
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjT3mhvRzj
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WZK4MySrj
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOc9wtMvzQ
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvJ1GIZRtk
***907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaMw41BJd3
Sweat907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvFO8mYJrb
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlPBeUxXY6
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooXpiUYiDd
the person waiting never likes to wait.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacdMrcUgKM
He907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUPNEby6Cv
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfgxWywfZO
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wya0RvJuY
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai1JQFUSDr
second.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6Qr1Hhfoh
He907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3UvpwZlE1
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllENofbqTv
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4x1PggefP2
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQAyTZInhP
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDdOpOPwwy
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBroNGwM9QK
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTP89ev8gG
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlN0nkV5xJW
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wZzoNLCBn
"You're late, again."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfAGNEvAtp
His907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOVYjwzE14
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLeLhFn58I
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YryRloBZ2
lion door knob. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR2GSrkMem
He907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9KAyLFdsF
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAao7k2U3p
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtu5CneSeS
"What907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT98ZrkWxl2
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg5Tosr9lO
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMzFmdUHW8
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsdIYyjq5l
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOB5l4TwQk
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nEAFH6gPP
A907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzeED1Jpft
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLABFNV0kw
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjtaSLpbu1
as they had their backs towards the window.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UvO2PgLji
"You know we need him," said the tall man.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOc0ABF96i
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17xPnKEnzU
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpg1eTvlmQ
The907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGie8fUNaw
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64RYdQseBK
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOKmy1u45y
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEN6UF3a5d4
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g3hR8KgmE
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01kR37hpuv
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC4noovqwl
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79SWatDMGW
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwattfpcIG5
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclX3MRbRbb
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgVX5VFgLX
"What if she reveals the truth?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8afXX60uD
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WvtV7EhQc
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhrmAqaHaL
For a moment, silence hung over them.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa1Im4Os5K
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWNIhYJZ6V
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HVtotZhsj
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TFaKjoIH7
"I907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytErGrph3w
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Nfbyawxs8
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhX2MoTUzh
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz4bcdHlD7
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJHFJS9MIF
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GXcL4EhEm
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBY7inIyc7
***907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkIfJkTfXO
The907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSijTOgT5a
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGctfA1oQzu
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2VDM4aAw2
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViek58WDa6
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2N4JYseKO
they met, they seemed sky blue.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFpT9JspdB
And907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qNjiiaBkw
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqIUq5I6l8
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3j4x7zdpv
Rhénee907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSF1FNzMeN
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwi7fDBHJu
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEu4LEZkl2
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhabdZsfnC
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RKJER6wqw
coffee table in the middle.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9Z2EyrRcJ
When907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGrmlJdrsY
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mBwUpGuh8
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZ6rYnAorH
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlE2CE6P8o
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVEnreORiG
"Are you sure?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsygaPD95H9
"Yes, I'm positive."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZ20c2kjGI
Miss907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLsdUiClaw
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5Ipuhetjt
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8LF4AfiMH
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8LZsEI5Fv
from their cups.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpJt6TRFcN
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCONqj7oaW5
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjMDBRPVRp
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOL9plAEsUf
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIIswAKvIQ
"And how about the fact that you and Greta were imposing as other people the time I was coming here?" Rhénee spat out at Malcom.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpD67jbF6v
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ09IbaZOBj
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bs8oBAvzo
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tFoN7LeE0
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwwi83a1YN
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnURqo8PEL
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LRvdAY1C1
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVN15bck0J
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGJgSqgjHi
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKn50ixyHTa
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bXTvwonno
"Oh,907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPiwnQhHvG
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bPT7Lg684
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1q2H9YnW2
who he is."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3N87QscPsK
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bQHwZeFZd
Rhénee907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuyyB7ph4X
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtEKh9vlb9
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hG7YyqH7u
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wIiMKFtZI
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwv1vH2K3Vq
Rhénee907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wfmFE8kOc
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVGK3vRCxF
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRSpGBhew4
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeZT9JbDuC
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rySy40vlM
"Fine,907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0DE49q0JZ
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mNtXeN3RK
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrNYHjNHQ3
or die if you stay by me."907Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpwNk2wDnS
