“Okay, I can do this,” she took a deep breath and tried to relax. She wished she could be in a quiet room, but with the noise around, she had to get used to it.169Please respect copyright.PENANAYJu494PrbZ
169Please respect copyright.PENANAH2bWSJgzD3
169Please respect copyright.PENANAJQZRw49Vlw
“Hello, am I interrupting anything?” came a voice, bringing her out of her thoughts.169Please respect copyright.PENANAEPoGHcJdwg
169Please respect copyright.PENANA8VkrrrLFpI
169Please respect copyright.PENANA39CpRSNydH
Angel quickly opened her eyes in fright and found a smartly dressed man standing in front of her. He wore a silver-grey suit that fit well on his body. His clear blue eyes looked at her anxiously, and Angel couldn’t help but stare at his kind, round face with his blonde hair cropped around his head leaving a reasonable amount of hair in the front and middle. A few strands of his hair fell in curls just above his left eye.169Please respect copyright.PENANAiDijYHjBjD
169Please respect copyright.PENANAp7wkG9NhOd
169Please respect copyright.PENANAMlKTaqC71f
“Uh-yes, I’m fine,” Angel quickly answered as she felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment.169Please respect copyright.PENANAAAtFVYJXJA
169Please respect copyright.PENANAdERxXKeXbk
169Please respect copyright.PENANAMkjqsY9BNY
“You’re the new girl, right?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAqxshig4mCz
169Please respect copyright.PENANAMKuWdCRxGK
169Please respect copyright.PENANAppU0WctV54
Angel didn’t know what to say as she felt she would drop the files in her hands. The man in front of her is gorgeous. And judging by the way his suit fit well on his body, he definitely does workouts at the gym or something. She told herself to pull herself together.169Please respect copyright.PENANAgV2vGmFipf
169Please respect copyright.PENANAmRfjS6yQQr
169Please respect copyright.PENANAJ1JLU5yDxj
“Yes, I am,” she quickly answered again. “Angel Barclay, nice to meet you. You’re…?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAsaMokD4uFk
169Please respect copyright.PENANAqq37DmZW0N
169Please respect copyright.PENANAXBdaKVrj2I
“Derrick,” the man quickly drew out his hand to give her a handshake. Angel had to carry the files with her one arm to draw out the other. They shook hands. “I wasn’t in the architecture department when you passed by. I just heard we've a new girl in town.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAQfrHulhQpb
169Please respect copyright.PENANAfIQCNhB8cd
169Please respect copyright.PENANAa0ystNR63a
“Oh,” Angel felt her cheeks heat up even more. “I didn’t know I would still be the talk of the department.”169Please respect copyright.PENANASmamQgj43h
169Please respect copyright.PENANAD8OBDsZqxQ
169Please respect copyright.PENANAAf2hm7o8XG
“With your looks, you’ll be the talk for a month. I can guarantee that.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAE0EtfCM1YZ
169Please respect copyright.PENANAroTosNSzFJ
169Please respect copyright.PENANAH3Di4LsVyk
Angel nervously chuckled. “Don’t say that. I personally don't think so.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAR1YoThvJRi
169Please respect copyright.PENANAH2u516fZjF
169Please respect copyright.PENANADahVh5eMql
“Well, I do.” He looked at the files in her hands. “May I carry them for you? They look heavy.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAFyRfvkykDQ
169Please respect copyright.PENANAsc2TXMn8uR
169Please respect copyright.PENANAnPpbDEqWpt
“Ah, no thanks,” Angel quickly refused. “They aren’t heavy at all.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAbHvlaV6SP0
169Please respect copyright.PENANArzbPvbeGTm
169Please respect copyright.PENANABpeOPpzcDw
“You sure? Here, let me help.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAQ2uTSqDrQN
169Please respect copyright.PENANAxWm5dTDR79
169Please respect copyright.PENANAie55ZI1RJt
Derrick came closer and took the three huge files from her hands. Angel felt like a huge weight has been lifted. She hadn’t realised how heavy the files were until now.169Please respect copyright.PENANA85FKNEo5Kd
169Please respect copyright.PENANA7J7CbYqQ1H
169Please respect copyright.PENANA6A1xrsaOM5
“Thanks,” Angel managed to say.169Please respect copyright.PENANAYPnCwanHnb
169Please respect copyright.PENANA64ZsRUkz7U
169Please respect copyright.PENANAUAKQ7lHwuw
“Are you walking over to your desk?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAi9jtP9CwaI
169Please respect copyright.PENANAT2BmvZdZ61
169Please respect copyright.PENANAiMmLZw3bEP
“Ah, yes, I am.” Angel led the way to her cubicle in the main work area. She could feel a number of eyes on her and a few whispers here and there.169Please respect copyright.PENANAXhoPBIlruq
169Please respect copyright.PENANAZF3aLWfRPn
169Please respect copyright.PENANA8ASCh8044W
Derrick put the files on her desk. “I see you’ve a lot to work on.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAd9akblD5PG
169Please respect copyright.PENANARS1D8svwSc
169Please respect copyright.PENANALNQTYIR5pK
“Not really,” Angel said, trying to shake off the feeling she's getting from people around her. She started to rub the back of her neck. “Just trying to familiarise myself with what I’ll be doing around here.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAZSyzlHJZFX
169Please respect copyright.PENANAoz63JzDPtX
169Please respect copyright.PENANAAH8MTawLpU
“I hear you'll be working closely with Mrs. Lance. You better buckle up. The woman is hard to please.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAqJu5ExJGfV
169Please respect copyright.PENANAiP1Wgn9h8o
169Please respect copyright.PENANAR9n5hURaaM
“Ya, I’ve been warned. But I’ll do all I can to work hard.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAtd1U2dMrQl
169Please respect copyright.PENANABf5UeSCgp4
169Please respect copyright.PENANAR3ubuplEqD
Derrick gave her a kind smile. “Well, I’ll leave you to it, Miss Barclay. Hey, if you’re up for it, you and I can go out for lunch with the others from my department.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAmvWP15hw1I
169Please respect copyright.PENANAj3pIzSBoY3
169Please respect copyright.PENANAONaxsTlQn4
“Thanks, but I’ll have to decline. I already made plans with someone today.” Angel stared at her phone on the desk. Eric sent a text a few minutes ago inviting her to lunch, so she couldn’t turn him down.169Please respect copyright.PENANA4XRVOydE51
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“Ah, I see. People are already asking you out?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAkHUqAsD2Wl
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169Please respect copyright.PENANAPUlapvPIo1
Angel found herself blushing even more. “It’s not like that,” she managed to say. “It’s just between friends, nothing special.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAXlEkacMG1V
169Please respect copyright.PENANA4RFa6M3A30
169Please respect copyright.PENANA49vXkGqX9R
Derrick raised an eyebrow and a smile soon came across his face. “Maybe another time. How does that sound?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAcs4mKL6qiU
169Please respect copyright.PENANADlxYos1DTy
169Please respect copyright.PENANAkFP9fzVORL
Angel quickly shook her head. “That will be great. Thanks for helping me carry these files.”169Please respect copyright.PENANANXnpJOBplb
169Please respect copyright.PENANAcK1TiO7a4O
169Please respect copyright.PENANANqCizUHFlH
“You’re welcome. It’s nice meeting you. I’ll see you around?”169Please respect copyright.PENANArbZlS0x1bk
169Please respect copyright.PENANAlgTrV0vKP7
169Please respect copyright.PENANAUwkN3yQCQn
“Ya, I’ll see you.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAKbRCwMPztw
169Please respect copyright.PENANAcMUdTO2pTe
169Please respect copyright.PENANAxQKUWniyJE
Derrick gave her a wave and started to walk out of the work area. Before Angel could take her seat, she could’ve swore that he had turned to look at her before disappearing out of sight. She didn’t want to think too much about it.169Please respect copyright.PENANAlxnuTCUwFH
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169Please respect copyright.PENANAH5f4QtNw2u
She looked at the files in front of her and knew she had a lot to do. She better get to work now before work starts to pile up. She got one file and placed it in front of her when she heard:169Please respect copyright.PENANAzVongKZGJx
169Please respect copyright.PENANAgt52PoOx5b
169Please respect copyright.PENANAim614Rxv2X
“Excuse me, it’s Angel, right?”169Please respect copyright.PENANA3OIRi6WAe4
169Please respect copyright.PENANAtS4rmZXLvL
169Please respect copyright.PENANAATn9D18m5k
Angel turned around and found a young lady, an African American like her, seated at her desk opposite Angel’s cubicle. Her skin colour is darker than Angel’s, like that of dark chocolate. She had black, kinky hair tied above her head and leaving a huge tuft of hair. She wore glasses with a blue frame and wore a black suit with a white blouse and matching black high-heels. Angel couldn’t help but feel intimidated by the lady’s beauty.169Please respect copyright.PENANA51Ejm9utX4
169Please respect copyright.PENANAnnndb2oJYC
169Please respect copyright.PENANAzUBrRhtFhD
“Yes, it is," said Angel as she fully turned around in her seat and drew her arm out. "Your name is-?"169Please respect copyright.PENANAXKtYsta64V
169Please respect copyright.PENANAlQa9V9n6FL
169Please respect copyright.PENANAxv1vBCetEB
"Sabrina," said the lady as she leaned forward and shook hands with Angel. "I see a lot of people really want to know you."169Please respect copyright.PENANAlxfYGCO0s3
169Please respect copyright.PENANAKyrltGzRiI
169Please respect copyright.PENANAmxeaklvCIP
"Maybe it's because I'm new here," said Angel, trying her best to stress a point kindly.169Please respect copyright.PENANA006JxpBCt8
169Please respect copyright.PENANARVPUfleusS
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"Or maybe it's because you're just too pretty," Sabrina gave Angel a flashy smile.169Please respect copyright.PENANAnlZxxw0Fpt
169Please respect copyright.PENANAAX71a9B0QX
169Please respect copyright.PENANA138CLk2TPL
Angel playfully shrugged her shoulders. "I can't be too sure about that."169Please respect copyright.PENANA1D05COshM4
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169Please respect copyright.PENANAfns6mPBg4a
"It's because you don't see it. The person you were talking to just now, he's really hard to come by. A lot of ladies around here try to get his attention. For him to actually ask you out for lunch will probably leave a lot of people here speechless."169Please respect copyright.PENANAuLbfzAUH3q
169Please respect copyright.PENANAcBIEbbB7br
169Please respect copyright.PENANAVEwEIjQkvt
Angel raised an eyebrow. "Really? Why do you say so? You make it sound like he's an introvert when he seems like a really outgoing person."169Please respect copyright.PENANAVNtV1UCwL6
169Please respect copyright.PENANAy9UFje5cLR
169Please respect copyright.PENANAbnNUoFbVbZ
"He is. It's just that he has his own circle of friends. When many ladies try to get close, he pulls away. He's acquainted with a lot of us, but none of us have ever gotten close to him."169Please respect copyright.PENANANIAmDiNVAf
169Please respect copyright.PENANASCDs88OwAD
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"Okay, but what does that have to do with me? I just met him."169Please respect copyright.PENANA6UROGkp8b8
169Please respect copyright.PENANAI8Tw3D13z5
169Please respect copyright.PENANAiKksrste5V
"Him escorting you here and asking you out for lunch is actually the first time I've seen him try to engage a lady in a conversation. He rarely does, unless he is talking about work."169Please respect copyright.PENANABh6KvNwn22
169Please respect copyright.PENANAPJ6odHf4GY
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"Oh, I see. But that doesn't mean he likes me or anything, right?"169Please respect copyright.PENANAvJz2ZB02i8
169Please respect copyright.PENANAA4IBLV7P8m
169Please respect copyright.PENANAiZjaG0F8yx
Sabrina shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows with men. One minute they're leading you on, the next they aren't. But with Derrick, he might really like you."169Please respect copyright.PENANAkTxWjcELIY
169Please respect copyright.PENANACBf462nZwn
169Please respect copyright.PENANAMFg6keEikK
"He doesn't have a girlfriend, does he?" came another female with blonde hair and striking blue eyes. She stood in the aisle with papers in her hands. She seemed to have popped out out of nowhere.169Please respect copyright.PENANA3lwZw1dnFk
169Please respect copyright.PENANAj1KIcIjX68
169Please respect copyright.PENANArzivotCnTT
"Not that I know of," Sabrina answered her. "Angel, this is Beatrix."169Please respect copyright.PENANA1NF569RtCT
169Please respect copyright.PENANAlqob3IXAcV
169Please respect copyright.PENANAXY8MNwy3mX
"Oh, sorry for butting in in your conversation," said Beatrix, looking at Angel and raising her hand apologetically. "Where are my manners?"169Please respect copyright.PENANA0UfoIAcSk8
169Please respect copyright.PENANAdCNsL5AEdE
169Please respect copyright.PENANAu1TMridEMH
"It's okay," said Angel. "It's nice to meet you, Beatrix."169Please respect copyright.PENANAqaAo38Fz7O
169Please respect copyright.PENANAEU8TefAld9
169Please respect copyright.PENANAX390veQw8Z
"Nice meeting you too. Just like Sabrina said, I'm also shocked Derrick actually talked to you so casually and actually asked you out for lunch."169Please respect copyright.PENANAJ5TPZvetGD
169Please respect copyright.PENANA5MNJxw9wv5
169Please respect copyright.PENANA8vBlcSY78f
"You see," Sabrina said to Angel with a smile on her face.169Please respect copyright.PENANAPlHu6zHFV9
169Please respect copyright.PENANAQx29YTi9CT
169Please respect copyright.PENANAHS6cFnOR5Q
"I'm not going to say anything," said Angel. "You obviously know him better than I do."169Please respect copyright.PENANAvZbQUfdAOv
169Please respect copyright.PENANABInKij6zRn
169Please respect copyright.PENANAdtDEOlOQF4
"Just admit it. He has his eye on you."169Please respect copyright.PENANAOceCC96qFb
169Please respect copyright.PENANA94sjmwdGu6
169Please respect copyright.PENANApkMA1rVV6p
Angel blushed. She looked to the floor, hoping that the other two wouldn’t notice.169Please respect copyright.PENANAUOTu2oSvWI
169Please respect copyright.PENANAxdbJzys7LL
169Please respect copyright.PENANAdqFwK4URmD
"If you managed to get his attention, what more of the other male folk around here who are single?"169Please respect copyright.PENANAmrgcRLhMB6
169Please respect copyright.PENANAhc91GHplEV
169Please respect copyright.PENANA0AzKU4EIJu
"Let's not talk about that," said Angel as she quickly spun around in her chair. “The last thing I need right now is to worry about who likes me.”169Please respect copyright.PENANArevmglEtyh
169Please respect copyright.PENANACATkpdzxQE
169Please respect copyright.PENANAc1GW0mvRx2
“Was it like this at your previous workplace? I hear you worked for some editing company, right?” Beatrix asked.169Please respect copyright.PENANAP5ENycq3DU
169Please respect copyright.PENANAMBIeWUuZpj
169Please respect copyright.PENANA5a0BbDTmSz
Looks like they got their information from HR, Angel thought before she turned around to look at the two ladies. “As far as I can remember, no. Most men were married, so, I didn’t have any problems.” Except Mark, of course. She made sure not to say that out loud.169Please respect copyright.PENANA9kfGPrIXmY
169Please respect copyright.PENANA7mv193k14f
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“Anyway, since you’re close with Eric and Leo, I bet you have their attention too,” said Sabrina.169Please respect copyright.PENANAw0MkhQemVK
169Please respect copyright.PENANArD9sEq0zbK
169Please respect copyright.PENANAQOkBzyoe2z
“Oh, no, I don’t think so,” Angel was quick to deny.169Please respect copyright.PENANACBaOUqpZJr
169Please respect copyright.PENANAMWfLzf7gYT
169Please respect copyright.PENANAWz0KGuV5zu
“They are very good-looking and all the ladies wouldn’t mind getting close to them. But just like Derrick, they also don’t like to get too close. Eric's better since he’s outgoing and all. But Leo keeps to himself. He seems like a no nonsense person and he was pretty serious with his relationship with Kim until they called off the wedding.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAct7AZ5hMCo
169Please respect copyright.PENANAUB0lwNkGWb
169Please respect copyright.PENANAftnQU1MykF
Angel didn’t want to hear any more of this. If only they knew that the reason why that happened is because of Carly.169Please respect copyright.PENANAmCFUD6V1kK
169Please respect copyright.PENANAzKxx5rdy6u
169Please respect copyright.PENANAmuTipfOID0
“Do you know why that happened, Angel?” Beatrix asked. “You’re close to the family, so you should know the reason.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAm6mjy8t4Kz
169Please respect copyright.PENANA6EPIKyJSAv
169Please respect copyright.PENANAYpqrr4uz5H
“I can’t answer that.”169Please respect copyright.PENANA8yAex2DL2g
169Please respect copyright.PENANAXUXTNMQHtd
169Please respect copyright.PENANANEan5SHlRm
Sabrina drew herself closer, dragging the chair with her. “Why not?” she asked. “Is it that bad?”169Please respect copyright.PENANA79JOW8l6J3
169Please respect copyright.PENANASbNneC7BmL
169Please respect copyright.PENANADfm32vYvoB
“No one actually knows why Leo broke things off with Kim, and so does she.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAXU93HDByYG
169Please respect copyright.PENANAbNIsnyipEM
169Please respect copyright.PENANAEXgFEVbGrF
“Oh, darn!” Beatrix clicked her tongue. “Everyone around here also says the same thing.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAWEVPlDDIXM
169Please respect copyright.PENANATBTsB8UxMA
169Please respect copyright.PENANAHOzioZQQLU
Good, Angel thought. It’s best she went with this. No one in the McDonell mansion knows the truth except for her, Eric, Carly and Leo. The more people think of it as a mystery, the better.169Please respect copyright.PENANAemwXrvZ6K3
169Please respect copyright.PENANAXFOKGEmYlr
169Please respect copyright.PENANAifwiJCGCRz
“You see, Leo keeps things to himself,” said Sabrina. “As much as he is good looking, I feel he has such an attitude. You feel it sometimes when he talks to you, though he isn’t always like that.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAUclJdAUxsr
169Please respect copyright.PENANArs9RWSZPBD
169Please respect copyright.PENANAEUgg6yNJR6
“Well, he does have an attitude, I can agree on that," said Angel.169Please respect copyright.PENANAKN3lJk7Vai
169Please respect copyright.PENANAitPcmWLdVD
169Please respect copyright.PENANA6fkoPMmm39
“How do you handle him? Doesn’t he get on your nerves?” Beatrix asked.169Please respect copyright.PENANAUeijQpye1k
169Please respect copyright.PENANAQiu4ULX7RA
169Please respect copyright.PENANAcNRd19FZfr
“Sometimes. But he isn’t that bad.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAnR1rVsjPCp
169Please respect copyright.PENANA8lN0wjfpGi
169Please respect copyright.PENANA5yjSOTTH16
“Ya, I see how he’s close with his family, especially Eric,” said Sabrina. “I just wish he was more outgoing, you know.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAhr208vuTbL
169Please respect copyright.PENANAGDj669w1aw
169Please respect copyright.PENANAQhbgiQ6vTT
You and me both, Angel thought. “I better start working on these files.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAllzk91Djco
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169Please respect copyright.PENANAxxiGTiReHi
“Oh, ya, sure,” said Beatrix, “sorry for disturbing you.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAOdnC6tTHNr
169Please respect copyright.PENANA5eHMjiVKtl
169Please respect copyright.PENANAiNfvWrkEq2
“Not a problem.” Angel quickly swirled round in her chair to face the file in front of her. She really needed to get some work done. She didn’t expect to be in engaged in so much talk on her first day. She still felt uneasy as she heard a whisper across the room and thought she had heard someone mention her name. She had to agree with Derrick. She would be the talk of the office for a while.169Please respect copyright.PENANAe94avcx9PW
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She closed her eyes shaking off the feeling so as to try and focus on work. She always did this, even at the editing company when she sometimes felt anxious or pressured. When she opened them, she went straight to work on the files.169Please respect copyright.PENANAaqmwPTeW4c
169Please respect copyright.PENANAE8eIgY4Goz
169Please respect copyright.PENANAogXp9JLmcN
***169Please respect copyright.PENANASgfWlVDNZ4
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169Please respect copyright.PENANAaQTRNUGN4H
Leo heard the phone on his desk vibrate. He wondered if it’s Eric sending him a text that he couldn’t find what he went to look for. Leo sighed. He now wished his father was handling this meeting with Eric and not him. With Eric out of the office for a while, now is the time he can try and catch up on work, especially with answering his emails on his iMac.169Please respect copyright.PENANALbkMdSmWcv
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169Please respect copyright.PENANANfogDf9vd5
His eyes left the computer screen and he went on to look at his phone. A sudden feeling came over, telling him that it might not be Eric who sent him a message. Could it be his father? If he wanted anything from Leo, he would've called. Maybe it’s his mother? No, he shook his head. It can’t be her. Just like his father, she would’ve called. Could it be Carly? It might, he thought positively. Maybe she thought of texting him.169Please respect copyright.PENANA498FEnbEAf
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169Please respect copyright.PENANApcEn3RxZCW
He quickly took his phone and turned on the screen to find the message isn’t from Carly. It's from Kim. He felt like putting his phone aside and getting back to work. Instead, he unlocked the phone to read her message and it was nothing but a simple “Hello.” He rolled his eyes as he wished he had never bumped into her at the café this morning. Should he ignore the message? As much as he wanted to, he still had to say something. He didn’t want to seem rude like he does sometimes.169Please respect copyright.PENANABKvygdb32F
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169Please respect copyright.PENANA1KyY3pIip1
He texted her back and quickly put his phone down on the desk, hoping that she wouldn’t text back, but she did. Leo couldn’t help but groan.169Please respect copyright.PENANAME6V76Qm6l
169Please respect copyright.PENANAxzxrBQBMwD
169Please respect copyright.PENANAZ6ZQoIg4mc
A knock soon came at the door and before Leo could tell the person to come in, the door flew open and Eric walked in with papers in his hands. Leo groaned even more, throwing his head back onto his chair.169Please respect copyright.PENANAImiiX66X1c
169Please respect copyright.PENANAu5JbRd3z8w
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“What’s up with you, grumpy?” Eric asked as he came to sit on the chair, facing Leo.169Please respect copyright.PENANAYJatax4w6h
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169Please respect copyright.PENANA5HGgRtjxXz
“Why don’t you ever knock when you come in?” Leo asked as he folded his arms.169Please respect copyright.PENANANN4X3HwLcP
169Please respect copyright.PENANAYTzQxwHC9h
169Please respect copyright.PENANAEXbWoYTG1w
“I’m sorry, but I already know you’re used to it. So what’s up?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAg2CHqWFpz1
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169Please respect copyright.PENANAr07yfsqnf5
Leo looked at Eric. His cousin knew him better than anyone. He took a deep breath and leaned his elbows on the table.169Please respect copyright.PENANA2Ql1d2XCVn
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169Please respect copyright.PENANAe8AEupGtgQ
“Kim texted me,” he said.169Please respect copyright.PENANA2P8LWpYCP9
169Please respect copyright.PENANAAMkeAIA0LN
169Please respect copyright.PENANAybyCImX3YN
“Whoa, Kim texted you?” Eric for some reason didn’t look at all surprised. “How come?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAFAfVJX0sR1
169Please respect copyright.PENANA10mnFL6Dhq
169Please respect copyright.PENANAM4RipjoUxD
“Angel and I met her at the café where we bought croissants.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAL9HFPWQ6vC
169Please respect copyright.PENANAXmhTLgDNd1
169Please respect copyright.PENANAXeOgz05rXQ
“Why didn’t you tell me?”169Please respect copyright.PENANACgwGUpVHt5
169Please respect copyright.PENANAsf4QPdwCs8
169Please respect copyright.PENANAgP58VLPIJa
“It didn’t matter then, but it does now. She just texted me.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAAaAyj6rp0j
169Please respect copyright.PENANAm2JYtFnGAO
169Please respect copyright.PENANAOc0DCDZsr4
“What did she say?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4k4rZRS0c
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169Please respect copyright.PENANAcUMIUPohny
“Just a simple hello.”169Please respect copyright.PENANA4Xdivt1pz1
169Please respect copyright.PENANAAkK9EZzGeW
169Please respect copyright.PENANAekGSTvDH2Y
“And did you reply?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAh28kAeoszj
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169Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7DQwMu43s
“Of course, I did.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAPt9eZGat5C
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“And…?”169Please respect copyright.PENANASVmPMoo6RV
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169Please respect copyright.PENANAe08hPKSGpP
“She texted back and I haven’t read the message.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAeMFXUrwQJh
169Please respect copyright.PENANA76wORwyfN5
169Please respect copyright.PENANAxRwZcQ4yJO
“You better see what that message says.”169Please respect copyright.PENANA7lOmjZy3y2
169Please respect copyright.PENANAfWlaiJ83vW
169Please respect copyright.PENANASbG33L8UPh
“And what if I don’t want to? It’s pretty obvious that she wants to hook up for lunch or something.”169Please respect copyright.PENANASiV4qpDmLp
169Please respect copyright.PENANAvDvowU5kk9
169Please respect copyright.PENANAEgt5hRB9pu
“You’re right. I’m impressed with how much you know women, nowadays.” Eric gave him an encouraging smile.169Please respect copyright.PENANA7b7HcZ4ixr
169Please respect copyright.PENANAJaGprLOI70
169Please respect copyright.PENANAR5b2zfBBYQ
“Don’t flatter me. What am I going to do? I don’t want to meet her, that’s if she does ask that we should.”169Please respect copyright.PENANA3b0P7pZ4Y9
169Please respect copyright.PENANAvJVOxTKUbv
169Please respect copyright.PENANACMK7NZXBkK
“You’ll never know what you’ve to do if you don’t read the message.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAEH2Zg2xl5i
169Please respect copyright.PENANAE74sOhQqIk
169Please respect copyright.PENANAAPDDX6yDRB
“You’re right.” Leo took his phone and unlocked it. When he read the message, he suddenly had a gloomy look. “She wants us to meet.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAUx456aZhPR
169Please respect copyright.PENANAF9wcqjkoD3
169Please respect copyright.PENANAU0tJri7ZHv
“She really must be desperate, huh?” Eric raised his eyebrows. “Who can blame her? Being dumped on your wedding day to such a handsome man like you wasn’t what she expected.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAZmsX9XyiE5
169Please respect copyright.PENANAdA5mCVXrSP
169Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0Cz5q2VzS
“You aren’t making me feel any better. Besides, I apologised. I don’t know what she wants me to do.”169Please respect copyright.PENANADzMB8yZi06
169Please respect copyright.PENANA10LqdtRLEb
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“She needs an answer from you. That’s what.” Eric leaned back on the chair. "You never told her why you left on your wedding day. In fact, everyone keeps asking me that question and I always say that I don’t know.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAxRQo738uvu
169Please respect copyright.PENANAGTO41t6xmg
169Please respect copyright.PENANAV3HZQELe6p
“The less who know, the better.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAZJam6fGsKS
169Please respect copyright.PENANA5Kc9jXsYqI
169Please respect copyright.PENANAUkqcoaSmQf
“Sooner or later, you’ll have to tell Kim the truth. If anything, she deserves it more than anyone.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAjQnQAMCnDM
169Please respect copyright.PENANApFpVaI8Oju
169Please respect copyright.PENANAyyyFy1EZdr
Leo didn’t say anything as he looked down at his phone on the table. He took it and started to tap away, then he quickly put it down.169Please respect copyright.PENANAf8S9EYxPsX
169Please respect copyright.PENANAXNL7404ijn
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“What did you tell her?” Eric couldn’t help but look on curiously at Leo’s phone.169Please respect copyright.PENANAF2JXakx3am
169Please respect copyright.PENANAdBWvsRUoJy
169Please respect copyright.PENANAIpjlU5kSiF
“I told her we can meet,” Leo answered,169Please respect copyright.PENANAE16QPOe02j
169Please respect copyright.PENANAi97rv5O0BB
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“WHAT!” Eric held his head, not believing what Leo said. “I don’t believe you. Let me see the message.”169Please respect copyright.PENANA09P4GjQrAs
169Please respect copyright.PENANA9HXIAZ5BPc
169Please respect copyright.PENANA43VoahEPsv
Leo groaned, but he got his phone, unlocked it and gave Eric. When Eric read it for himself, he stared at Leo.169Please respect copyright.PENANAi5uoCvWbJu
169Please respect copyright.PENANAn5XVmjI5MN
169Please respect copyright.PENANABNGBaoqjEv
“You’re serious,” he said as he gave Leo back his phone. “Are you finally going to tell her the truth?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAeDwbocTEkR
169Please respect copyright.PENANAMT2qmp2rDg
169Please respect copyright.PENANAqmcTkJCZPf
“On that part, I don’t know,” Leo answered as he leaned back on his chair, deep in thought.169Please respect copyright.PENANAxp27abWqrA
169Please respect copyright.PENANAW4o6mIjkR0
169Please respect copyright.PENANADDjTL9ITJ6
“Well, if you tell her, it will finally give her the chance to move on, don’t you think?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAYwo9WTYaGP
169Please respect copyright.PENANAs3DlQEbaOY
169Please respect copyright.PENANACSJZ60tRr4
“If I do tell her, she’ll kill me.”169Please respect copyright.PENANA9Df22i2CIm
169Please respect copyright.PENANAAkJKtpf9Lt
169Please respect copyright.PENANAvwrZ6c5QS8
“It’s typical of a woman. Even I would kill you. I wouldn’t like to know that the reason why my man left me was because he fell in love with someone else.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAbPJiBXnZAa
169Please respect copyright.PENANAx8TsHTt6LQ
169Please respect copyright.PENANAF6bPZJN4HJ
Leo chuckled to himself as he stared at the ceiling. “I still remember that day. Gosh, all of that happened so suddenly.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAECJU7J2Y8v
169Please respect copyright.PENANARJlDSHjHaS
169Please respect copyright.PENANAfVkw69UZZf
“I thought you had gone mad, but looking at you now, you seem to have made the right decision. You don’t look regretful for leaving Kim.”169Please respect copyright.PENANA9etR97XoXi
169Please respect copyright.PENANA1OfRWUj0ZW
169Please respect copyright.PENANA1v2hcVjdZX
“I think it was the right thing to do.” Leo now had his eyes on Eric. “If anything, I feel like I really didn’t love her at all.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAm81a2LiALV
169Please respect copyright.PENANAEMQDFG96eL
169Please respect copyright.PENANAWbj8fumCGw
Eric smiled. “Grandma will be glad if she heard those words coming out of that mouth of yours.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAI7CMxXcCOF
169Please respect copyright.PENANA6QfYb8lb6z
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“I know. Seems like she was right after all. Kim was never good for me.”169Please respect copyright.PENANA3o2J6kCKXJ
169Please respect copyright.PENANAdX1xKTIvGv
169Please respect copyright.PENANAl5nwFRON5v
“Wait until she finds out that you’re actually in love with Carly.”169Please respect copyright.PENANA83mYHLg1Qm
169Please respect copyright.PENANAaPBPeLipwQ
169Please respect copyright.PENANAIg97SYMh3f
The two cousins looked at each other, imagining the scenario. Eric reacted first.169Please respect copyright.PENANAhsaSiKnGxw
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“No, I don’t want to imagine it,” he said as he shook his head. “Something tells me it won’t be a good one.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAIJp9di28uu
169Please respect copyright.PENANAo9jXsLO0ZZ
169Please respect copyright.PENANAAuRzSrEk3R
“I agree,” said Leo as he rubbed the temple of his head. “I don’t want to imagine my mother, though.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAbKhYVmfNXl
169Please respect copyright.PENANAGOj2yYQ8v8
169Please respect copyright.PENANAL4cHxSAzZl
“That one is pretty obvious; I don’t have to imagine it, that’s if I want my head to explode.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAX6pFaNkL6H
169Please respect copyright.PENANA433l2JL77e
169Please respect copyright.PENANAvs4O3RS6Th
The two laughed.169Please respect copyright.PENANA3olgMKg6Dx
169Please respect copyright.PENANAuzQOa908WY
169Please respect copyright.PENANADjFhLvKp9W
“Okay, okay, let’s get back to work,” said Eric, wiping away a tear in his eye. “Remember, we’ve to finish these arrangements before lunch.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAGpKYeQ50AE
169Please respect copyright.PENANAx2rGLjztwQ
169Please respect copyright.PENANAvoP0m7tnr3
“You’re right,” said Leo as he went on to look at his screen and switched windows from his email to an open document.169Please respect copyright.PENANAdZne8NrryS
169Please respect copyright.PENANAYPxG2HlRLI
169Please respect copyright.PENANAO0EGJh4GF3
A brief silence passed between them when they suddenly burst out laughing at the same time.169Please respect copyright.PENANAwpK0jh24Ek
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***169Please respect copyright.PENANAbbJYFAvExa
169Please respect copyright.PENANAMgwqKgZz0o
169Please respect copyright.PENANAeCULGN9A86
"Hey, Miranda, are you okay?"169Please respect copyright.PENANA2GqrzDrtze
169Please respect copyright.PENANAkyalf2EzMC
169Please respect copyright.PENANABmO9b5evFa
Miranda quickly turned to the person who spoke to her. It's Brad. She rolled her eyes. “Oh, it’s you,” she said, turning her head to look elsewhere.169Please respect copyright.PENANAsM7gJft9yG
169Please respect copyright.PENANAs2V7bkFLDU
169Please respect copyright.PENANAHImH3DSk8m
Miranda was seated on a chair in the lecture room. They were waiting for their next lecture as the previous one ended minutes ago. She had been going through her phone to pass time when she was supposed to be studying. God knows just how behind she is.169Please respect copyright.PENANApaCfDUR6gi
169Please respect copyright.PENANAL2HiWvQ5A8
169Please respect copyright.PENANAJdWH7NphN1
“Scoot over,” Brad insisted as he moved his body closer to hers, forcing her to move.169Please respect copyright.PENANAGcYTRuPU4j
169Please respect copyright.PENANA2wqn82YpiE
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Miranda moved over to the next chair which was empty and Brad finally managed to sit next to her.169Please respect copyright.PENANA6eqnj7aDPR
169Please respect copyright.PENANAkOJ17Z1Qy2
169Please respect copyright.PENANANVmS4EbvXU
“What were you looking at?” he asked as he tried to see what's on Miranda’s phone.169Please respect copyright.PENANATjAPu5DcS5
169Please respect copyright.PENANAC8McYDF7rJ
169Please respect copyright.PENANAdYaibIsDGM
“Nothing, why do you want to know?” she asked, holding her phone tight and facing her body the other way to avoid him from looking.169Please respect copyright.PENANAJqZ16aocol
169Please respect copyright.PENANAMIY80JGsVr
169Please respect copyright.PENANAmiaIUSqJP3
“You seem really fixed on it. I want to see what’s caught your interest.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAiPkz16dqVI
169Please respect copyright.PENANA2RQgOlyf49
169Please respect copyright.PENANAKJLdXq0BBK
“Like I told you, it’s nothing. So why don’t you just mind your business?”169Please respect copyright.PENANA68ps338mnI
169Please respect copyright.PENANATrgTVWQWlC
169Please respect copyright.PENANAzRqCAzwKGB
“I would, but I’m not going to this time.”169Please respect copyright.PENANArB3mzVn2sv
169Please respect copyright.PENANADw4peiUzWe
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“You never do.” Miranda gave him a gloomy look.169Please respect copyright.PENANA4uKtEnGdSM
169Please respect copyright.PENANAawVT4puU0l
169Please respect copyright.PENANAXEWM009Bin
“I say that because something’s been different about you lately.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAjwEQLFzaQk
169Please respect copyright.PENANAjWpOT3Q7FN
169Please respect copyright.PENANAEuDDJ8cOwE
She raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAjDuelINjTD
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169Please respect copyright.PENANAEHKHXBmkdE
“Well…,” Brad placed his elbow on the table with his hand supporting the side of his face so as to get a good look at Miranda. “You’re barely concentrating in class these days. And last week when we were handing in our assignments, you were late. You were so lucky that the madam took pity on you and accepted it.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAPeo1Al05VC
169Please respect copyright.PENANA86n5t2nM9T
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“I had a slight problem with my laptop, that’s all.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAzOJbdGRsvy
169Please respect copyright.PENANAzRCy5yD12n
169Please respect copyright.PENANAKnGa2KpCCb
Brad scoffed. “Nah, that’s not it.” He wagged his index finger in front of her face. Miranda got irritated that she pushed his hand away. “Something is keeping you distracted.”169Please respect copyright.PENANArCc6JUJLsw
169Please respect copyright.PENANAs5A0mwwUrO
169Please respect copyright.PENANAyBDONMwDDC
“I’m just busy, that’s all.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAL7GTf2GdNc
169Please respect copyright.PENANAdwMhvLYdOK
169Please respect copyright.PENANAbP2FaiDAxF
“There’s a difference between being busy and getting distracted. And you, my friend, are distracted.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAynzAx7WSpl
169Please respect copyright.PENANAcYYpRIUCGa
169Please respect copyright.PENANAhG2CCT9jtt
Miranda rolled her eyes at him and looked down at her phone before she went on to look in front of her.169Please respect copyright.PENANAVEFycS8ZpW
169Please respect copyright.PENANAooxwjvkH4V
169Please respect copyright.PENANAi4kGETCPsV
“So what were you looking at on that phone of yours?” Brad went on to ask.169Please respect copyright.PENANARc3T0jLUAv
169Please respect copyright.PENANAJYZtt5bPLa
169Please respect copyright.PENANApsjYPkftHK
Miranda looked at him through the corner of her eye. “You really don’t listen, do you?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAKJ8aeC3QF5
169Please respect copyright.PENANA0NniqNaBP9
169Please respect copyright.PENANAqyaQIaAv9I
“I thought I saw you looking at a guy's photo on Instagram just now. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAm8nfkKBsnR
169Please respect copyright.PENANAeFVMacnK4D
169Please respect copyright.PENANAYD0T9DeJ0i
Miranda felt like standing up from her seat to go elsewhere, but she soon felt Brad hold her free hand, pinning her in place. It’s like he knew what she was about to do and he did the only thing possible to pin her down.169Please respect copyright.PENANA33nlMA8QgC
169Please respect copyright.PENANAJWve0DXobu
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“Let go of me, Brad,” she warned him.169Please respect copyright.PENANASXyRky6vnH
169Please respect copyright.PENANATGbFuNi7US
169Please respect copyright.PENANAt2epiDsuof
“And what if I don’t want to?” he asked with a smirk on his face.169Please respect copyright.PENANA5lYyCl1FV8
169Please respect copyright.PENANAlKoMt3tTqn
169Please respect copyright.PENANAUdcMFuXcPx
“You’re hurting me. Why are you being such a prick?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAcjYci5tTIo
169Please respect copyright.PENANAin05yMJUvd
169Please respect copyright.PENANA9z96tNGYeg
“It’s because I’m worried about you. Something is up and I need to know what it is. Is it that man you keep looking at on your phone? Mind you, I’ve seen you looking at him time and time again.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAdhwtHS0U6I
169Please respect copyright.PENANAiNHHvt17yn
169Please respect copyright.PENANAaItDZ33wMf
Miranda felt her cheeks heat up. She couldn’t tell Brad about her sudden interest in Leo McDonell. Brad just said he looked familiar. And if he kept looking at her phone, he might realise who he is. She had to think of something.169Please respect copyright.PENANAh2EeMKoO8o
169Please respect copyright.PENANAY3cxn3ut0a
169Please respect copyright.PENANAw2SM6A3way
“You’re worried over nothing,” she said. “Just some celebrity that I follow on Instagram. I think he’s really cute and that’s why I look at his photos.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAlcC2WGUylI
169Please respect copyright.PENANATxDeqvdxPz
169Please respect copyright.PENANAJtU8tsQBl7
Brad stared at her for a second. Miranda knew she had told him part of the truth. But she couldn’t go into detail or else she might say something about Leo. If he knew, she didn’t know what he would do.169Please respect copyright.PENANAwAo8HrAOVk
169Please respect copyright.PENANAfLZpQV4Jr1
169Please respect copyright.PENANAqTunEsbQgV
“Girls and your stupid crushes,” he said as he finally let go of her hand. “When will you ever let it go?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAr7qo1hwBPf
169Please respect copyright.PENANADR512YRb2r
169Please respect copyright.PENANAIHKLt3DZOn
“When the time is right,” said Miranda, doing her best not to sound nervous.169Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2Aaw3lCJc
169Please respect copyright.PENANAlYq7UJakac
169Please respect copyright.PENANAdyOgJY1uju
“So who is this guy, anyway?”169Please respect copyright.PENANATsh6RFa5Pi
169Please respect copyright.PENANAi3mclrpNxP
169Please respect copyright.PENANA1iqjaiBQO1
She was afraid he was going to ask that. So when their lecturer walked through the door of the theatre, she let out a silent sigh of relief. Everyone who was still up and about went to their seats, and the lecture begun.169Please respect copyright.PENANALRA7M2h7v7
169Please respect copyright.PENANAcYvt7xsxYG
169Please respect copyright.PENANAclfSa8veHl
***169Please respect copyright.PENANAHbn0ynVHrC
169Please respect copyright.PENANAUee0wobN3L
169Please respect copyright.PENANAEqbRKOKbd6
It’s finally lunch time, and Eric couldn’t wait to get out of the office with Angel and go somewhere nice. He had been in Leo’s office preparing for the meeting with the Chinese. Now that they're done, he couldn’t wait to leave.169Please respect copyright.PENANApGaTVhPXcX
169Please respect copyright.PENANAYGxgj4P55O
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“Whoa, where do you think you’re going?” Leo asked, still seated behind his desk.169Please respect copyright.PENANApxuFiueOru
169Please respect copyright.PENANAshPMcTt5HS
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“I’m going out for lunch,” Eric answered, heading for the door.169Please respect copyright.PENANAyLVMNSO2na
169Please respect copyright.PENANAA2qQ23okPj
169Please respect copyright.PENANAxVPcwQ1qMS
“You look like you’re going to the bathroom.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAqtJzSS75nH
169Please respect copyright.PENANACVyq1WAYP0
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“I’m taking Angel out,” Eric said with a proud look on his face.169Please respect copyright.PENANAaJBpOsyRB1
169Please respect copyright.PENANAVo8MMjBxsV
169Please respect copyright.PENANAm8x600Ewfb
Leo couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Oh, you’re going out with Angel, then?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAVwNExyqkEp
169Please respect copyright.PENANApAZ8Yr9OGV
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“Yep. Wipe that sour look on your face. Or are you upset that you have to go out with Kim?”169Please respect copyright.PENANACkveKkl1zi
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169Please respect copyright.PENANASmZSo0n41v
“I couldn’t care less about that. Besides, having lunch with Angel doesn’t appeal to me.”169Please respect copyright.PENANARZ6zDPt2Ng
169Please respect copyright.PENANAeDRKXFYt3o
169Please respect copyright.PENANAso9pf6Xx0Z
“That’s because you don’t like her. Mind you, having lunch with Angel is way better than having it with Kim.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAoAbRygrWGu
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169Please respect copyright.PENANAJwTgyWp1yM
The look on Leo’s face became grim. Even when he didn’t want to admit it, he knew Eric is right. He cleared his throat. “If you ask me there isn’t much of a difference.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAk9MIMek1X9
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It's Eric’s turn to roll his eyes. “You know, if you gave yourself time to actually know Angel instead of fighting with her all the time, you’ll find that she’s okay to be with than Kim.”169Please respect copyright.PENANA8s11MY3lUN
169Please respect copyright.PENANA5yKGUtA3Bj
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“I beg to differ.” Leo’s face became even more serious.169Please respect copyright.PENANAajpVHkRjgk
169Please respect copyright.PENANAnZlWTvTe6r
169Please respect copyright.PENANAtAYqmfXj9k
“I’ve to go now,” said Eric as he reached the door and held the knob. “Tell me how things go with Kim, okay? And try not to start an argument with her, wherever you will be.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAb0YrCqopKQ
169Please respect copyright.PENANARhsn9lGTL6
169Please respect copyright.PENANAzDpgBWWY39
“I won’t.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAb81vTZE9sZ
169Please respect copyright.PENANAYZUcan29HL
169Please respect copyright.PENANAMQy18IPZ3W
Eric gave his cousin a concerned look. “I sure hope so. I’m off. See you later.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAiooaFkeobY
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169Please respect copyright.PENANA4eUAvSfoHR
Leo gave him a nod and Eric quickly rushed out of the door like an excited young boy who had been told he could go outside and play with his friends. Even when Leo felt irritated by Eric’s enthusiasm, he couldn’t help but envy him a little. The man is in love, Leo thought to himself. Even when he knew he loved Carly, he didn’t experience the kind of lovey-dovey nonsense Eric is in right now. Is that what he admired? The crazy feeling of liking someone that you couldn’t wait to see them?169Please respect copyright.PENANA4giilIMKvd
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Leo shook his head. People are different and express love in different ways, he concluded. There’s no doubt in his mind that he loved Carly. Besides, he thought to himself, I don’t think Eric likes Angel to that extent. Maybe what he feels for her might pass in due time. Leo thought again, and concluded that Eric’s feelings towards Angel aren’t going to pass any time soon.169Please respect copyright.PENANADcOrIX30MG
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He soon got up from his seat as he also had to prepare himself to go and meet Kim. He didn’t know how his lunch with her is going to go. Before that, he thought he could lie to her that something came up to avoid any drama. But he couldn’t do that now. He would look like a coward. Something he doesn’t want to be.169Please respect copyright.PENANAF8kGbg7UO4
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He walked up to the door and got his jacket on the coat hanger. And with a deep breath, he opened the door and walked out.169Please respect copyright.PENANABVECJlCnAU
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169Please respect copyright.PENANAIIIQ5nJg6N
***169Please respect copyright.PENANAEbSY61xGXy
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169Please respect copyright.PENANArEhp03BEHa
“I bet you’re hungry, huh?” Eric asked as he and Angel finally got out of the complex building.169Please respect copyright.PENANAk2h3dKIEI6
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"You can say that again,” she said turning to look at Eric. "I’m so famished for my first day.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAJmn1czAGK3
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"I get what you mean. So many people keep asking me about you.” Eric had his hands in his pockets as he stared up at the sky. "You’ve made quite a reputation for someone on their first day.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAMyOHiNkwq1
169Please respect copyright.PENANAvjUos7rV7d
169Please respect copyright.PENANAX1tI9oJ3NR
"All that will pass.” Angel smiled at Eric. "It’s just the first day. By the end of the week, everyone would’ve forgotten that I even existed.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAjP9ZeRP8XC
169Please respect copyright.PENANAoyVpnvrujY
169Please respect copyright.PENANA4SGMTSq27b
"I doubt that. People will forget, but it’s no question that you’ll still be the talk of the office. I mean, you’ll obviously be classified as the most beautiful female member of staff.” Eric now had his eyes on her as he chuckled.169Please respect copyright.PENANAl9D3J3VSgt
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Angel playfully punched him on the arm. "What are you saying? There are many beautiful women at the company. If you ask me, their beauty is intimidating.”169Please respect copyright.PENANA66wh0E6MI9
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169Please respect copyright.PENANA1D3aZt8c2f
"That’s because you miss the big picture,” Eric stopped walking as he now held her arm to stop her as well. "You really are very beautiful, you do know that, right?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAhJ8ZT9j8TN
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Angel couldn’t say anything as she continued to look at Eric. Her heart started to flutter and felt her cheeks heat up. She found all of this awkward as she started to look around. She looked back at Eric, wondering how to tell him that they were standing in the middle of the street and might be in the way. But the look he continued to give her left her speechless.169Please respect copyright.PENANAjj1e66FB1z
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"I wish you could see what I see,” he said in a whisper. Even with all the bustling of people about and the hooting of the car horns, Angel got what he said. That made her cheeks heat up even more. She cleared her throat.169Please respect copyright.PENANAr0tXkjtu2U
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"Ummm, Eric, we’re standing in the way,” she said. "This isn’t the time or the place for this, don’t you think?”169Please respect copyright.PENANACL7BG37X80
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"Oh,” Eric forgot they were in the middle of the sidewalk, with people moving around. "I totally forgot that we were here in the first place. I must have spaced out a bit.”169Please respect copyright.PENANABmiGsKrXOj
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Angel cleared her throat again as she looked down at her feet for a brief moment. "That must be it. Come on, weren’t you taking me out for lunch? I’m starving.”169Please respect copyright.PENANATtl0nR1POo
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Eric nervously chuckled and at the same time scratched the back of his head. "I shouldn’t keep a lady waiting. Sorry about that.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAh3hj19U7lY
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"Not at all.” She tried her best not to look like she had been flattered, but her cheeks continued to blush, making her even more nervous.169Please respect copyright.PENANAtl4fQqX9Gc
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They continued their walk down the sidewalk when Eric said, "I mean what I said, though. I hope you aren’t offended or anything.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAIs45LH6kAl
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They stopped at the traffic lights and they waited for the walk sign to light up when Angel turned to look at Eric. "No, don’t worry,” she said.169Please respect copyright.PENANAmNKsKOw7cB
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The light soon went green and the pedestrians who stood at the edge of the sidewalk crossed the road to the other side.169Please respect copyright.PENANAfpb7keFijU
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"I’m glad,” said Eric. "I thought you would be upset or something.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAgMeVbRa0AP
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"I’ve received such comments before, so I’m not.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAliqBRIKQCE
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Eric clicked his tongue as he shrugged. "You would, obviously. I also shouldn’t be surprised.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAR5ISKRKEAa
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Angel tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. She couldn’t tell Eric that his approach was different from the ones she had encountered before. Even from Mark. She felt her cheeks heat up even more by the thought of it. It's best, she thought, that I don’t say anything.169Please respect copyright.PENANAW2Q1ZIEvFu
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"Let me take you to my favourite restaurant nearby,” Eric continued as he smiled at her. "You’ll love it. And you can order whatever you like.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAJgb8orprjm
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Angel couldn’t help but chuckle. "Don’t be so silly,” she said. "As much as that offer sounds tempting, it’s pretty obvious that I won’t be that careless.”169Please respect copyright.PENANApGYwNTteEE
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"Well, the food is on me, so I won’t mind if you order countless dishes.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAPISMprEO27
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"Thanks,” this time she laughed. "But even if I’m so hungry, I don’t eat that much.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAee2dldulqF
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"Just letting you know that the offer is on the table. Ah! Here we are.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAPRH6ZEBfzU
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They stopped in front of a small restaurant. From outside, it might not look like a five-star restaurant, but for some reason, Angel found it almost elegant as she looked through the huge glass window. The décor is simple but had a touch of elegance. White chairs and tables covered with white cloths with beautiful gold embroidery on them. Elegant flowers of different colours and types sat on different tables, making the place look more romantic. This scene reminded her of the place she went for lunch with Mark last week.169Please respect copyright.PENANAVJgjTsrKVB
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"Shall we?” Eric held the door to the restaurant open as he waited for her.169Please respect copyright.PENANAnWvokFUAHw
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Angel shook herself from her daydream and went through the open door.169Please respect copyright.PENANAslQq9jaDlj
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She started to look around the place when a smartly dressed male waiter, approached her. Eric stood behind her after closing the door. Immediately, the male waiter smiled at Eric like they know each other. Angel shouldn’t be surprised. Eric did say he liked coming here.169Please respect copyright.PENANAzkB1xBehxi
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‘"Hello, sir,” said the young waiter with a wide smile. "I see you came with company. Will you be taking the usual table?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAnc8hekw9PX
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"That’s if it’s free,” Eric answered.169Please respect copyright.PENANA1zsrbHVcwd
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"Well, you’re just in luck. Please, follow me.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAmHeHEnfBIx
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Angel couldn’t ignore the way the waiter addressed them with so much courtesy. He led them to one of the tables by the corner, close to the window. When they neared the table, Eric drew out a chair for her to sit and Angel did likewise. Eric sat on the other side of the table, facing her. He told the waiter to serve them a glass of water as they looked through the menu before ordering.169Please respect copyright.PENANA9NqfcR4vGt
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"The waiter seems to know you very well,” said Angel as she picked up the menu card on the table.169Please respect copyright.PENANAy2BXJHjOSa
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"I come here a lot,” said Eric as he also picked up the other menu on his side.169Please respect copyright.PENANAsLllyQqqVR
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Angel said nothing as she smiled and looked at the menu.169Please respect copyright.PENANA4qZOm5Aj3z
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"It’s sad that Leo couldn’t join us,” said Eric.169Please respect copyright.PENANAsny7Dyub8V
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Angel looked at Eric. "Why do you say so? Were you scared that the two of us would start a fight in the restaurant?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAQCzCzufksb
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Eric laughed. "No, I didn’t think that way in the least. If there is one thing I know for sure, you two can behave yourselves in a public place like this one. I wasn’t going to worry at all.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAOKT1s3ERcO
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Angel made a face because she knew Eric is right. She looked back at the menu when Eric put up a funny face. "So then, why did you say that?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAt5jAD80yFO
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"Because he’s having lunch with Kim. He must be heading to her as we speak.”169Please respect copyright.PENANApYJBn3Ly1z
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Angel raised her eyes from the menu. "Kim? We met her when we went to buy croissants this morning.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAhKhzm3E27G
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"He told me. She actually texted him that she wanted to meet. And he agreed to do so.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAso4uM7Gjdo
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"That’s so unlike him,” she looked towards the waiter who had brought them glasses of water. He asked if they were ready to order, and they both said they weren’t.169Please respect copyright.PENANA2AL8A8qUu2
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"I know, right?” Eric agreed with Angel after the waiter left. "I think he’s doing the right thing. Maybe he'll finally get to tell her the truth.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAfEUyeQ9kIs
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Angel didn’t say anything as she thought about it. "Do you think he will? I mean, him going to see her is already unbelievable as it is.”169Please respect copyright.PENANADgTQlxWoMm
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Eric shrugged. "Who knows. If he does tell her, I think she’ll be at peace, right? But she’ll probably freak out and would want to know who it is.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAIxBt81ejYT
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"Now that you mention it, I fear it will turn out to be a disaster.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAdk73lqTYFe
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"You’re probably right,” Eric looked up at the ceiling, deep in thought. "That’s if Leo does tell her the truth and mentions that it's actually Carly he’s now in love with.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAKEpUbPpN4v
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The two looked at each other in silence as they thought of the scenario. Eric groaned in frustration as he quickly pulled his phone out from the pocket.169Please respect copyright.PENANAMLDAvI0qwT
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"What are you doing?” Angel asked.169Please respect copyright.PENANAf05pN5X1w7
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"Calling Leo so that he won’t tell Kim the truth,” Eric answered as he looked through his phone.169Please respect copyright.PENANAnMNB4j6Ni7
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"I think we’re just overthinking things. What if he doesn’t say anything? Or what if he does but doesn’t mention Carly’s name? If Leo is in line with what we just thought, the best is not to mention Carly.”169Please respect copyright.PENANALVG5N1UCNl
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"You’re probably right,” Eric put his phone aside on the table and looked at Angel.169Please respect copyright.PENANAtsXhKX2nPq
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Angel continued to stare at him, but then, she put the menu on the table and started to play with her fingers. She bit her lower lip. "On second thought, I think you better give him a call. Just in case.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAeMVbp08vJq
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"I agree.” Eric quickly took his phone and went on to call Leo.169Please respect copyright.PENANABXZ9TKI3El
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He had his phone to the ear when the ringing tone of Leo’s phone came up. He started to get worried in the moments that passed as the phone kept ringing. Could Leo already be with Kim at this very minute? He looked at Angel who looked back anxiously. She also started to worry. And just when Eric thought Leo wasn’t going to pick the call, he heard the cracking sound at the other end of the line.169Please respect copyright.PENANA9YVARVxDVP
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"Hello?” came Leo’s voice.169Please respect copyright.PENANAKkO9Bf2tXs
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"Thank goodness, you picked the call,” said Eric. "We were starting to get worried.”169Please respect copyright.PENANA7F6bpN3mwo
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"By ‘we’ you mean, you and Angel?” Leo sounded unconvinced.169Please respect copyright.PENANAAinrjMuhik
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"It might seem unbelievable, but it’s true.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAqoPzFKHoE9
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Leo sighed. "Get to the point. Why are you calling me?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAGxbPQUbzTb
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"Are you heading to lunch with Kim right now?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAXf8FvpUueq
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"I was about to enter the car and head there. What’s up?”169Please respect copyright.PENANADb6E3VejQs
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"Quick question. Are you going to tell Kim the truth?”169Please respect copyright.PENANA1ohp5XvWFJ
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"The truth about what? Why I didn’t marry her?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAHzXp2G9Dex
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"Yes.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAb0VRfn3Wqh
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"Weren’t you the one saying I should? What’s wrong? Are you getting second thoughts or you think I might screw this up?”169Please respect copyright.PENANAGCXnv5bDwD
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"Uh…,” Eric hesitated as his eyes found Angel who had been looking at him the entire time. Judging by Leo’s statement, he felt like he didn’t have to worry at all.169Please respect copyright.PENANAS89t1dGuow
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"Nah, you got this all under control,” Eric quickly pointed out. "I trust that you’ll do the right thing.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAE9V0uvc9hj
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Leo murmured and Eric knew he had just got on his nerves. "I don’t know why you’re scared, but I already know what I'm going to do. And if I'm going to tell her the truth, then you shouldn’t be bothered about it.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAT68vdaFFaY
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"I believe you. You’ve a nice lunch.” Eric cut the call.169Please respect copyright.PENANAEEKsKBRLZ1
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"What did he say?” Angel quickly asked.169Please respect copyright.PENANAFekeAtZTnK
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"That he’s got everything under control,” he answered. "I believe him. If he really is going to tell her the truth, I don’t think he’ll tell her he’s actually in love with Carly. If he does, then Kim will tell aunt, and she’ll be furious.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAJvbeOc1pDL
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Angel cleared her throat before she said, "not only that. Once she finds out, she’ll realise that before Carly and I moved in, we had all known each other and have been pretending this whole time. And they might end up finding the truth about how Leo and Carly met.”169Please respect copyright.PENANA3FeEVZfQPz
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The two looked at each other in silence, again. They both shook their heads as they picked up their menus.169Please respect copyright.PENANAqryNo9EexN
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"Leo has this under control,” Eric assured her. "We’ve nothing to worry about.”169Please respect copyright.PENANAhhKgTTEezF
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"Ya, you’re right,” said Angel as she looked at the menu, holding it tight. She really hoped that Eric is right.