The news about the 477Please respect copyright.PENANACrH4EI3r4I
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 477Please respect copyright.PENANArCRwPHaBjY
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 477Please respect copyright.PENANAPgie3moISh
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 477Please respect copyright.PENANAu9MiKYYQvi
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 477Please respect copyright.PENANACHQu3v8Pvp
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 477Please respect copyright.PENANAbuDgYiuWLl
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 477Please respect copyright.PENANAxXXcE0vBrj
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries477Please respect copyright.PENANAgHcZvhHE23
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 477Please respect copyright.PENANAJ8uDFuwt2J
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.477Please respect copyright.PENANAWqwJAIpODu
There was more to it 477Please respect copyright.PENANA2GUtwjUzRL
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 477Please respect copyright.PENANA965GGSAJRD
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 477Please respect copyright.PENANAy40QmW59p9
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 477Please respect copyright.PENANAMwgGssl9Do
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 477Please respect copyright.PENANA3z3p6UKTsS
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started477Please respect copyright.PENANA4Ce1OlGBQI
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 477Please respect copyright.PENANAmE9ADxE9e8
except from a few individuals. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAPLr4x5DbDa
And apparently, one of 477Please respect copyright.PENANA3UT1aLaREM
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 477Please respect copyright.PENANAUYtI0gcZbM
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In477Please respect copyright.PENANAI6IorvI6is
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 477Please respect copyright.PENANAYBwhY6bTzM
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 477Please respect copyright.PENANAO7qGTyOQLX
really going on, all hell would break loose.477Please respect copyright.PENANARXtU8bjga9
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."477Please respect copyright.PENANAI3mPCcH9ZC
Rhénee dropped the 477Please respect copyright.PENANAQVuk7bkf4k
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 477Please respect copyright.PENANAE3qP38I5MF
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 477Please respect copyright.PENANAgBX5dZOz3h
ear, she took a sip of coffee.477Please respect copyright.PENANAxtoLeeP03F
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAk3f9nJpN3A
"Ya, its crazy here," 477Please respect copyright.PENANAtMbRYPLOwr
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 477Please respect copyright.PENANAvSUDA0zKpC
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 477Please respect copyright.PENANA0R9d7LhVB4
broken in."477Please respect copyright.PENANAKBqsZEj2ta
"If only they knew."477Please respect copyright.PENANAp4asXpLhA3
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."477Please respect copyright.PENANAVk9tARzheL
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"477Please respect copyright.PENANADU9lEW6y3q
"She did. I had to make 477Please respect copyright.PENANA2clqAsB8zk
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 477Please respect copyright.PENANAiAebwnLYFs
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."477Please respect copyright.PENANAxiYVD8kqUS
"I doubt if she believed that."477Please respect copyright.PENANAbdjXeNprNT
"Haha, looks like you 477Please respect copyright.PENANABmYTG0rs94
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAUEM90TmPXF
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."477Please respect copyright.PENANAqAprhkQRCz
"True. But we did. I 477Please respect copyright.PENANAOAymd8QIMO
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and477Please respect copyright.PENANA3l2H81rPVu
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."477Please respect copyright.PENANAKQ71MfNUvR
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAEyLtMZlcZv
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAHoysYlxooT
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."477Please respect copyright.PENANAAXtQTrzVr5
"Okay, bye."477Please respect copyright.PENANAHyZCCEzkJe
"Bye."477Please respect copyright.PENANAw4EBnvqXPF
Rhénee cuts the call and477Please respect copyright.PENANABR9I262qXg
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 477Please respect copyright.PENANAlHMUv5YbI1
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 477Please respect copyright.PENANA1djP1j0YaX
wink last night.477Please respect copyright.PENANARg3naxqrQA
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."477Please respect copyright.PENANAMcsgPyX660
"I wasn't going to 477Please respect copyright.PENANACwfwttI4fX
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda477Please respect copyright.PENANAZVBinPbGcJ
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."477Please respect copyright.PENANAw7GWFBLA0g
"You don't have to 477Please respect copyright.PENANAAMcirIgfqc
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 477Please respect copyright.PENANAu9XaOC0YlS
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."477Please respect copyright.PENANAGRJzisRJvn
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."477Please respect copyright.PENANALUlseft4OC
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAP5CdLo7wq3
"Why Malcom?"477Please respect copyright.PENANA26oaXsSz0O
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."477Please respect copyright.PENANAMIPUJRRF7P
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."477Please respect copyright.PENANAfVnrcePGNG
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "477Please respect copyright.PENANApklQ2pA0Yn
"Alright, you go ahead."477Please respect copyright.PENANA7NqopkugAz
Miss Griselda gave 477Please respect copyright.PENANAodya64gfvk
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 477Please respect copyright.PENANAJiQWpAfkav
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she477Please respect copyright.PENANA0NMKWvQv9s
did when they talked about Malcom. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAw2LyQx8UDN
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.477Please respect copyright.PENANAdSgaT0myrH
The sound of her phone 477Please respect copyright.PENANAYOuJfufCDx
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the477Please respect copyright.PENANA9OdCi51rgL
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 477Please respect copyright.PENANAjhZcJYpc7V
mother.477Please respect copyright.PENANA1ygedxMvPL
"Hello?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAy20YfpxSTh
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAHKCa1MtLN1
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.477Please respect copyright.PENANAmvLiYSaVot
That voice. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAlX3DyiT9qV
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAb3cJ3GM21U
"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?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAp91qAja8CQ
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.477Please respect copyright.PENANA3ETcfU2fPT
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."477Please respect copyright.PENANAUSJ9U8VaHf
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAQcca9l7iMv
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."477Please respect copyright.PENANAiHDKWc4ud1
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.477Please respect copyright.PENANAn0STvjqTJg
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."477Please respect copyright.PENANAfy9OWt2VdG
"You don't know me, 477Please respect copyright.PENANAUgthXka2SB
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 477Please respect copyright.PENANAxsvHelB7Ia
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAJ4SPUzefDG
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."477Please respect copyright.PENANAlI6uqmxbcD
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"477Please respect copyright.PENANA2Dhn7Eqpg3
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAHcScSBrkGI
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.477Please respect copyright.PENANARdzZQ9DfJ5
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."477Please respect copyright.PENANAWAcv0z5MKf
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.477Please respect copyright.PENANACXJbS6nbn4
"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?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAe9gm3wCL1X
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."477Please respect copyright.PENANA2PorMOXLyB
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAEfARrtzKgP
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."477Please respect copyright.PENANAuEAve48dYi
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."477Please respect copyright.PENANAa7ZtYugwBA
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."477Please respect copyright.PENANARUd1pLUNy3
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 477Please respect copyright.PENANA4xADeFBHwu
"Oh, and by the way, 477Please respect copyright.PENANASkuSeGKDDK
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 477Please respect copyright.PENANAyFvg4jPPm4
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 477Please respect copyright.PENANADFhyW3tf4g
this time around."477Please respect copyright.PENANAeAlzbxShf7
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAFPjbChsgHA
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."477Please respect copyright.PENANAsgTjMvC157
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAy1PfI8yqux
Rhénee sat down on the 477Please respect copyright.PENANA60xZtrtTOi
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 477Please respect copyright.PENANAwobWNDJwwA
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 477Please respect copyright.PENANAbymlIGxYW6
the others, who know what might happen. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAemGiyABcnp
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.477Please respect copyright.PENANAxsQ9IKZFPe
***477Please respect copyright.PENANA0zU2Yhlgzb
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAcXCUbSYm74
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAPayxN6QV12
"But she isn't hurt right?"477Please respect copyright.PENANANAmwyD8EwY
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."477Please respect copyright.PENANAjYCOVO8yHx
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAq4mSM2Jahu
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."477Please respect copyright.PENANAodekJAjoXk
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAaLiCVXT8Zj
"Nah.477Please respect copyright.PENANACGOeaoAYVV
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 477Please respect copyright.PENANAU0SAPrh8FM
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."477Please respect copyright.PENANARyDdJyR2ZM
"Thats477Please respect copyright.PENANA2qx7Hr5Npb
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 477Please respect copyright.PENANAhvNZ4dvCcm
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."477Please respect copyright.PENANAgL5shW302F
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAdOh6G9feEi
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."477Please respect copyright.PENANAvxJ5V14xL4
"Alright."477Please respect copyright.PENANA1nQ1xKHS0W
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. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAkzCAcqRoNB
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.477Please respect copyright.PENANAy3wGCSC6qQ
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.477Please respect copyright.PENANAzGsZR6hgb6
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."477Please respect copyright.PENANAvvz7VqlImE
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."477Please respect copyright.PENANALHE5DN6tin
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."477Please respect copyright.PENANAAubctkGbgw
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAecgjDZowPP
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.477Please respect copyright.PENANAyUJsft7lrx
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.477Please respect copyright.PENANAdnDZdoL2Gx
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAh6xZXoY1Gm
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."477Please respect copyright.PENANAFhNqZHEEtA
"Does it bother you?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAHq4tc9CjXo
"Um... not really. But.... um."477Please respect copyright.PENANAJZ677mvGTf
Eugene477Please respect copyright.PENANAosu87aLnNs
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 477Please respect copyright.PENANABnTe9OLj4b
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.477Please respect copyright.PENANA41iYgTk7is
"Mum, are you okay?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAk8rP12qMTA
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 477Please respect copyright.PENANA2rQVkZoA9f
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAaLkNeTt64s
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAvNNgKT3g1x
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."477Please respect copyright.PENANAvIGIaON2S9
Mrs477Please respect copyright.PENANAalfkx1jagt
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene477Please respect copyright.PENANAc7h8tRRsHi
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 477Please respect copyright.PENANACUBP0RMqak
had talked about Rhénee?477Please respect copyright.PENANA6udcSBekis
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 477Please respect copyright.PENANAooFcI10kYq
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.477Please respect copyright.PENANA7DuaknoKsY
***477Please respect copyright.PENANAQY4HPFhpDe
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.477Please respect copyright.PENANAymAbUsvNff
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAUkjV12o7SL
"You better rest though. You still look tired."477Please respect copyright.PENANA8n1u8Sgces
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAxrWYqvxJwV
"No, I'll do it."477Please respect copyright.PENANAwkIJSFNsSy
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAEmOtfBhVnZ
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.477Please respect copyright.PENANAR8eoB4Zq2R
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.477Please respect copyright.PENANARxTIjDGZme
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.477Please respect copyright.PENANAf0XGLx6snV
Rhénee477Please respect copyright.PENANA4hSNsxbnwQ
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 477Please respect copyright.PENANAhOyIutPwkG
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.477Please respect copyright.PENANAylXlAObzC2
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.477Please respect copyright.PENANAJFcqR7hMB2
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.477Please respect copyright.PENANASsof1lINIK
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAJZidyzlpJK
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.477Please respect copyright.PENANA3Sx5cmgGeP
"Thank477Please respect copyright.PENANAGAdQ9t7QKD
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 477Please respect copyright.PENANAUa2vbQkyzX
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAvSsMuGp2Fc
"Well, yes. I still think I would."477Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZIryq563i
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."477Please respect copyright.PENANAI46ac8pze8
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.477Please respect copyright.PENANAHne24GUnfe
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."477Please respect copyright.PENANAmtHiV9ovWH
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.477Please respect copyright.PENANACbCSzO70KV
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 477Please respect copyright.PENANA3m0wW9akXg
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.477Please respect copyright.PENANAhoqIPk1r08
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAdH9bkQyO8e
"Coffee will be lovely."477Please respect copyright.PENANAfAFbLOMQKN
Miss477Please respect copyright.PENANACLYTYYaiZY
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 477Please respect copyright.PENANAITrjR5AFlA
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.477Please respect copyright.PENANADstK9shSkJ
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.477Please respect copyright.PENANAo5KlBKWjl7
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.477Please respect copyright.PENANA3R5CUCHpu9
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."477Please respect copyright.PENANAsgZjmnf8WS
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."477Please respect copyright.PENANA6QG2UtAzDM
"What mysterious person?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAXm2hpLDsbY
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."477Please respect copyright.PENANAKccPVknAgu
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"477Please respect copyright.PENANA5crW8CvaiF
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.477Please respect copyright.PENANA9rwuxcUeGy
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.477Please respect copyright.PENANA0Ct39SxTBw
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAyU93zwODC6
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAVToe2yMIHo
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."477Please respect copyright.PENANAv7Ej6lqLDc
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"477Please respect copyright.PENANAC7BbbmMtum
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."477Please respect copyright.PENANArY583Ng0iN
The477Please respect copyright.PENANA0zRUSPvo2f
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?477Please respect copyright.PENANAT6PDzm5kMe
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 477Please respect copyright.PENANAIsgSOxUNE3
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all477Please respect copyright.PENANAEhR6LlOAkN
of this.477Please respect copyright.PENANAo3KvNQ25s1
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.477Please respect copyright.PENANAHwgfMfmKA0
"I...477Please respect copyright.PENANACYXS88bzql
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 477Please respect copyright.PENANAYSCKHCZJiG
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 477Please respect copyright.PENANANJo7MgiNV6
frustration. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAUYNmwyLa17
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.477Please respect copyright.PENANAKPAXFSfyvG
Rhénee477Please respect copyright.PENANA99Ag5Sh7ZZ
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 477Please respect copyright.PENANAX14xnIgCpc
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 477Please respect copyright.PENANAair9xfnKf6
cups on the tray and wondered. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAEmhqTT8BP5
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAjqzmFbbSL2
477Please respect copyright.PENANAM4RGEUK92Y
As477Please respect copyright.PENANAWe6GheRKyA
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 477Please respect copyright.PENANA2H81hmmPv5
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 477Please respect copyright.PENANAAH8VUcPfz6
reminder kept ringing in her head.477Please respect copyright.PENANAGtQRxm8XfC
"And tell your friends not to get involved."477Please respect copyright.PENANABd372274OZ
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 477Please respect copyright.PENANA7pQGM37xUq
"I477Please respect copyright.PENANAN7tVVVkS0p
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 477Please respect copyright.PENANArueysUy7Yf
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 477Please respect copyright.PENANAUY1ZoR19Kz
talking about, Rhénee?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAcV9WoDQ15i
Rhénee477Please respect copyright.PENANAS2PHOsuik1
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 477Please respect copyright.PENANAWZwyIaZeDQ
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 477Please respect copyright.PENANAdxcbHS7ugi
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 477Please respect copyright.PENANAk9nylqol2l
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.477Please respect copyright.PENANAYY8GW8Qr9k
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.477Please respect copyright.PENANAWgye3K1ZWK
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAJnLm8imo9l
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."477Please respect copyright.PENANAVTjGraRaLd
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAv7o5lbSy7D
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAWwTs73XJk5
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.477Please respect copyright.PENANABQmZiebein
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAevk48EG7A0
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.477Please respect copyright.PENANAs3vTs51VMS
***477Please respect copyright.PENANAo0G7Ze9KPw
Sweat477Please respect copyright.PENANANX0dJHctm3
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 477Please respect copyright.PENANAArQbbd3PJW
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 477Please respect copyright.PENANA4gqp49vqhG
the person waiting never likes to wait.477Please respect copyright.PENANAr0hTgWIgon
He477Please respect copyright.PENANAF0zKk41nX7
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 477Please respect copyright.PENANAPeANw31Edg
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the477Please respect copyright.PENANAIi0GfQ5VqA
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 477Please respect copyright.PENANAqsOFk0ZTXg
second.477Please respect copyright.PENANAKb2tvkdFk8
He477Please respect copyright.PENANABxI6WGMDju
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 477Please respect copyright.PENANAiCrtxMlv5Z
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 477Please respect copyright.PENANANEOfB17Cw7
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 477Please respect copyright.PENANACGx8oFakJK
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 477Please respect copyright.PENANA6lh3vdsewt
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.477Please respect copyright.PENANAbvt7uSpKXi
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 477Please respect copyright.PENANAxWUW6A1rhE
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 477Please respect copyright.PENANA65IxSoX1Vn
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAhYdhejkmeI
"You're late, again."477Please respect copyright.PENANAEUPzftVCX7
His477Please respect copyright.PENANAsl8h97mPa0
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 477Please respect copyright.PENANATUn30n8rIw
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 477Please respect copyright.PENANAen1EEq6Fje
lion door knob. 477Please respect copyright.PENANANYfdLbXFel
He477Please respect copyright.PENANALo4lvDDUKy
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 477Please respect copyright.PENANArKozYc2Xnj
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 477Please respect copyright.PENANA07P5KDxQjW
"What477Please respect copyright.PENANAFO16J8Ezlp
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 477Please respect copyright.PENANA6Owl2tbpuA
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"477Please respect copyright.PENANA6FaiRk72eS
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."477Please respect copyright.PENANACzXJ5OHEUC
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.477Please respect copyright.PENANAxy5HUrVkPe
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."477Please respect copyright.PENANAySySjWNhyI
A477Please respect copyright.PENANAJogdq1OImo
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 477Please respect copyright.PENANAject08XpDE
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 477Please respect copyright.PENANAbn5Zc21YHr
as they had their backs towards the window.477Please respect copyright.PENANAWJHklVzvSe
"You know we need him," said the tall man.477Please respect copyright.PENANARcUXz2gP6k
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."477Please respect copyright.PENANA6xIZPYDOBv
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."477Please respect copyright.PENANAxKdBEP9qSg
The477Please respect copyright.PENANAcyQDCdxKcM
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 477Please respect copyright.PENANAybgSAZ64ay
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 477Please respect copyright.PENANAPk3baExRAY
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.477Please respect copyright.PENANAUXZLk0wuNl
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.477Please respect copyright.PENANAzYceieMW3O
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.477Please respect copyright.PENANAV8pKQLqgRI
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."477Please respect copyright.PENANAAcrAfbKU1T
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAdh4eEVqlnX
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.477Please respect copyright.PENANAv9fJlH7rNA
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."477Please respect copyright.PENANAbgOA70ZdFG
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."477Please respect copyright.PENANAhbuEhZS8EZ
"What if she reveals the truth?"477Please respect copyright.PENANALIYTZZjh8t
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."477Please respect copyright.PENANAd4rsGieVca
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.477Please respect copyright.PENANAysz813Ju2x
For a moment, silence hung over them.477Please respect copyright.PENANAWSjM04wqOs
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."477Please respect copyright.PENANA5fjT2TMvCn
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."477Please respect copyright.PENANAVIMIUetKWP
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."477Please respect copyright.PENANAdA6PfOQjCy
"I477Please respect copyright.PENANAu0vKLcFIzA
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 477Please respect copyright.PENANATjfnLtoyTx
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 477Please respect copyright.PENANAQpFiXuwptt
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."477Please respect copyright.PENANADZMVLeWL3T
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.477Please respect copyright.PENANAMIiDIdPx3n
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.477Please respect copyright.PENANACZmqBSqeuH
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."477Please respect copyright.PENANAS5r0YhFlux
***477Please respect copyright.PENANATwxOg7GTlJ
The477Please respect copyright.PENANAwZkoujPlRo
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 477Please respect copyright.PENANACqlte3P8BG
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 477Please respect copyright.PENANACCmZVEZjBb
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 477Please respect copyright.PENANADcMd1ME6bl
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time477Please respect copyright.PENANACHXU190ClX
they met, they seemed sky blue.477Please respect copyright.PENANANwdBRtNNI9
And477Please respect copyright.PENANALo120hni22
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No477Please respect copyright.PENANA740wRkqapH
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.477Please respect copyright.PENANA4trci4IQTi
Rhénee477Please respect copyright.PENANAz4fEemL2CL
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 477Please respect copyright.PENANAY8NK5boWFg
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied477Please respect copyright.PENANA9m3CuNyXz2
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 477Please respect copyright.PENANAPXGch2A3Z3
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 477Please respect copyright.PENANA1Grl6KlmVQ
coffee table in the middle.477Please respect copyright.PENANAr6J7q4Sevp
When477Please respect copyright.PENANAQv34FMU5Ul
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 477Please respect copyright.PENANAbVMbd8pW7I
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.477Please respect copyright.PENANAuVyBrH9OVt
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.477Please respect copyright.PENANAn17kdj2NHd
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.477Please respect copyright.PENANAvqcy58iZk0
"Are you sure?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAhFxlHutwOP
"Yes, I'm positive."477Please respect copyright.PENANA1XaE1UBcPx
Miss477Please respect copyright.PENANAFfVSph1W2L
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 477Please respect copyright.PENANAgP3zd9fWY8
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 477Please respect copyright.PENANAtXpQwE8Fda
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips477Please respect copyright.PENANASo1ufIXYY1
from their cups.477Please respect copyright.PENANAbk6kGHWuW3
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.477Please respect copyright.PENANAxiNc2pNc6G
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.477Please respect copyright.PENANABj2fuGv0Vv
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAnwIPFvzbEi
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.477Please respect copyright.PENANATPl56TBFA8
"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.477Please respect copyright.PENANA0Q0KRZzdep
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."477Please respect copyright.PENANA87z7ZwFeCo
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."477Please respect copyright.PENANAklGB5TdMMO
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."477Please respect copyright.PENANA4FpTWEFIl4
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.477Please respect copyright.PENANAMoDdlq4KwX
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."477Please respect copyright.PENANAsVDK162hty
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.477Please respect copyright.PENANAbW16CKzXr6
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.477Please respect copyright.PENANAjMLy4RroQC
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."477Please respect copyright.PENANA2T05xUWn5j
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"477Please respect copyright.PENANAlfd54uTKj8
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.477Please respect copyright.PENANAUlw7SHNfJx
"Oh,477Please respect copyright.PENANAl78hEItMFr
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted477Please respect copyright.PENANAFbhDXhNVho
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 477Please respect copyright.PENANAylaX9vJuB0
who he is."477Please respect copyright.PENANAR5Cs4Z5aF5
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."477Please respect copyright.PENANA5S99fzZSLX
Rhénee477Please respect copyright.PENANAbA5GaBGCLe
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 477Please respect copyright.PENANAllkuS5f8F7
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want477Please respect copyright.PENANAarZLELfVeG
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 477Please respect copyright.PENANASk3n5ULYsS
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.477Please respect copyright.PENANAOJ7m1aNqzM
Rhénee477Please respect copyright.PENANAYkNEB6F46R
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 477Please respect copyright.PENANATLObuk4pjB
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.477Please respect copyright.PENANA2igr87e26P
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 477Please respect copyright.PENANAjPvbxQQlFX
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.477Please respect copyright.PENANAaiduU14DjW
"Fine,477Please respect copyright.PENANA6fmBz5ZSmY
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.477Please respect copyright.PENANAqIxUZgXeo3
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 477Please respect copyright.PENANAn60DaSJ1Oa
or die if you stay by me."477Please respect copyright.PENANAhO8qMTJ9o6