He straightened his tie as he stepped out of his black Lamborgini, looking towards the house. The bright lights inside illuminated through the windows. After a long pause, he closed the car door behind him and walked to the porch. It immediately flew open and the housekeeper dressed in her black dress and white apron stood in the doorway.268Please respect copyright.PENANA0NMeDlVEeD
268Please respect copyright.PENANAM94Wzix36P
268Please respect copyright.PENANAZBXrRwR8AR
"Mr. Sinclair, good evening," she greeted. She looked down at his hand. "Did you leave your briefcase in the car?"268Please respect copyright.PENANAtN9aW6Ibnl
268Please respect copyright.PENANA559rbKM6Xj
268Please respect copyright.PENANAHoZZ4kE0jE
Mr. Sinclair chuckled. "Silly me. I had to rush somewhere today that I forgot it in the office. No matter, I don’t plan on staying up to work anyway."268Please respect copyright.PENANAbGMRvhxl18
268Please respect copyright.PENANAQkvcwF2Xcw
268Please respect copyright.PENANAoSLoS9ogcV
"Of course, sir," she obliged with a smile, making room for him to step inside.268Please respect copyright.PENANAoEI6aHkK9I
268Please respect copyright.PENANAzG4ExOnz0v
268Please respect copyright.PENANAXfhUE5Acdw
"How is the lady of the house doing?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he stepped into the foyer.268Please respect copyright.PENANA0tdB0Us4y3
268Please respect copyright.PENANAluZQ4L3Nj6
268Please respect copyright.PENANADpne3dXFK2
The housekeeper helped Mr. Sinclair remove his jacket as she answered, "same as always. She moved around quite a bit during the day, though."268Please respect copyright.PENANAMnbzBZZdJd
268Please respect copyright.PENANAdwTdqc1ixz
268Please respect copyright.PENANAYrFfGJcQkU
"That's good. Is supper almost ready?"268Please respect copyright.PENANAafAYlBAfcw
268Please respect copyright.PENANA5HizUIUVSe
268Please respect copyright.PENANAStaIfiRyf0
"Yes, in a few minutes." The housekeeper held his jacket in her hands.268Please respect copyright.PENANAhXBhgFEaiw
268Please respect copyright.PENANAGjyoFQXExj
268Please respect copyright.PENANAQPzPksTRF0
"Okay, let me go see how she's doing."268Please respect copyright.PENANA2jIg5HZS68
268Please respect copyright.PENANApB0DFQkA2J
268Please respect copyright.PENANA9dQpdSzLQk
"Of course, sir," she went down the hall with the jacket in hand.268Please respect copyright.PENANAyZb8w25wKM
268Please respect copyright.PENANA9pGwQ3wjXP
268Please respect copyright.PENANAzveBigc4jK
Mr. Sinclair walked out of the foyer and made his way up the flight of stairs. When he reached the landing, he took a turn down to his right.268Please respect copyright.PENANARjvop72Nct
268Please respect copyright.PENANARXKbccPJMJ
268Please respect copyright.PENANAX0LQ4AFWIR
His hands flew to the front of his shirt undoing the top button. He realised how hot he felt and should've unbuttoned earlier.268Please respect copyright.PENANAbmr4UUpasX
268Please respect copyright.PENANAR5L5529SQS
268Please respect copyright.PENANAPoFYoJygKA
He reached his room. But before he could even open the door, he thought he heard a loud thud like something had fallen to the floor.268Please respect copyright.PENANAUi0auBUyeN
268Please respect copyright.PENANAMuww67o2jI
268Please respect copyright.PENANAlgnODtYzas
"Honey," he called out as he quickly entered the room.268Please respect copyright.PENANAm11IaxOkPj
268Please respect copyright.PENANAfjObAI6AQK
268Please respect copyright.PENANAZkRgaPcEkI
He paused for a second upon entering and later blew out a sigh of relief.268Please respect copyright.PENANA232ewgmXYB
268Please respect copyright.PENANA3HHYcNkkNJ
268Please respect copyright.PENANAxIons4lxyY
"Goodness, you scared me for a minute," he said as he walked in.268Please respect copyright.PENANAtkh6ypMR5V
268Please respect copyright.PENANA7PnfxxXBSv
268Please respect copyright.PENANAQt4Ka4icQT
"Sorry to startle you, dear," said Mrs. Sinclair, who sat on her bed, her back leaning onto the white headboard. "I just dropped the book I was reading."268Please respect copyright.PENANAL4f4qWtOWd
268Please respect copyright.PENANAZs2oJtqbd0
268Please respect copyright.PENANANZH0RSxTKI
Mr. Sinclair approached the bed and bent to pick up the thick red book on the red Persian carpeted floor. He sat on the bed, close to the edge and placed the book onto the white covers on the bed atop his wife's laps.268Please respect copyright.PENANAtXOFDluUvn
268Please respect copyright.PENANA7u6ZMV0dLU
268Please respect copyright.PENANAj8AUUD52QU
"How have you been today?" Mr. Sinclair asked, smiling at his wife.268Please respect copyright.PENANAKwc3ejGyFF
268Please respect copyright.PENANANreoCT4CEB
268Please respect copyright.PENANAWI07PZYPj0
She ran her thin, bony fingers through her thin, dull blonde hair as she tried to put up a smile. Her tired blue eyes looked on at Mr. Sinclair. Her grey, pale face with hollowed cheeks showed clear signs of her illness.268Please respect copyright.PENANATSwHcsvplQ
268Please respect copyright.PENANAjpJ5Hpy0fq
268Please respect copyright.PENANAP9kdDMyzjP
"I'm trying," she answered. "This illness isn't doing me any good."268Please respect copyright.PENANABwNgrIYnwg
268Please respect copyright.PENANAlFJvI6QKdQ
268Please respect copyright.PENANAn2Tderd9bN
"Don't say that," said Sinclair as he took hold of her hand. "You're still here, aren't you? There's a lot to be grateful for."268Please respect copyright.PENANAjrck9171of
268Please respect copyright.PENANA7lYaQIwQap
268Please respect copyright.PENANACTmyIJXI1v
She pulled her hand away and Sinclair didn't bother holding on. They have been through this conversation many times. And things aren't getting any better.268Please respect copyright.PENANABPq1orbbDA
268Please respect copyright.PENANAkgI1xONReQ
268Please respect copyright.PENANAos4a2wINRp
"So, how was work?" Mrs. Sinclair asked, changing the subject.268Please respect copyright.PENANAOD9vNTuqD2
268Please respect copyright.PENANAXaEDJIgDC4
268Please respect copyright.PENANAt9Hd5gp0ee
"Work was okay," he answered. "Although something tragic happened to Eugene’s father."268Please respect copyright.PENANAhF5PkcdBmH
268Please respect copyright.PENANAsB4tLfLNHN
268Please respect copyright.PENANAZIZhCr3YSD
Mrs. Sinclair now had a look of concern in her sad, hollow eyes. "Eugene's father? What happened to him?"268Please respect copyright.PENANAAYpRRRFI5z
268Please respect copyright.PENANAUrxPE5pkZg
268Please respect copyright.PENANAF9oEHnmmT3
"I haven't gotten the full details, but he was brought to the hospital with a gunshot wound."268Please respect copyright.PENANAImXCufmyBk
268Please respect copyright.PENANAkKwgbnbnxg
268Please respect copyright.PENANAH2zMYZtfFt
Mrs. Sinclair shook her head. "That's tragic. I hope his father is okay."268Please respect copyright.PENANARMlaMzEWXc
268Please respect copyright.PENANAmqYkZKIo7e
268Please respect copyright.PENANAo7fW7hd58N
"I just worry for the whole family."268Please respect copyright.PENANA80OeiMfnoM
268Please respect copyright.PENANAkAYmPw5kWn
268Please respect copyright.PENANAJg13SNcRU8
"Yes. Don't you think it's high time Mrs. Chamberlain finally divorced him? I mean, the man is nothing but trouble, if you ask me."268Please respect copyright.PENANAr1QacVsZP1
268Please respect copyright.PENANAwJAjgTvurC
268Please respect copyright.PENANA2UEH3T8MXp
"I've spoken to her about it a thousand times, but she still won't do it. She was there at the hospital since he came to her house after being shot."268Please respect copyright.PENANAgQ7D7koNJX
268Please respect copyright.PENANAx3DERu1omh
268Please respect copyright.PENANAE0bN58Lb3T
Mrs. Sinclair shook her head, already looking tired and frustrated. "I guess the woman still loves him. That's pretty much evident."268Please respect copyright.PENANAVPivEM9uXk
268Please respect copyright.PENANAXEsQQCnukF
268Please respect copyright.PENANAqyFEP3dDvf
"As much as she is, her relationship with him still worries me." Mr. Sinclair stood up from the bedside and went over to his wardrobe at the far end of the room.268Please respect copyright.PENANA3yBBE46COV
268Please respect copyright.PENANADTT9CmLZz7
268Please respect copyright.PENANAUNeXZfMhwx
"Why? Is it because he's involved with 'those' people?"268Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0DLfjsm7c
268Please respect copyright.PENANAgd3DOlbKWz
268Please respect copyright.PENANAYMxatsr1e9
Mr. Sinclair now wished he never started this conversation. He didn't like to talk about it, especially with his wife. Before he could start to unbutton his shirt, he turned around to look at her.268Please respect copyright.PENANAD8qCNv11cC
268Please respect copyright.PENANA1fYZ92V0Ro
268Please respect copyright.PENANAbXqk73te5d
"Let's be careful when we start to talk about these things, okay?" he suggested.268Please respect copyright.PENANAUoFPXgKT18
268Please respect copyright.PENANAsGx50kMdhz
268Please respect copyright.PENANA3TcQ1M5tyL
He thought he heard his wife hiss, but he can't be sure. She said, "don't act like I don't know what's going on. The late Emelda might have been your client, but she got you involved in her personal life that you don't even know who you are anymore."268Please respect copyright.PENANArjCStwG5Hl
268Please respect copyright.PENANA2Xj71jE310
268Please respect copyright.PENANA8BMX0x6sXD
Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow, confused that his wife is talking like she is right now.268Please respect copyright.PENANAbLBPlwnhLm
268Please respect copyright.PENANAca93yR0eEd
268Please respect copyright.PENANAyRe6IVDMpZ
"Where's all this coming from?" he asked.268Please respect copyright.PENANAWSS2XmMOp7
268Please respect copyright.PENANAxcDjAanQSQ
268Please respect copyright.PENANA0Wgv8XNZ3Z
Mrs. Sinclair pushed aside the bed covers. Even in her frail state, she pushed them with so much vigor like she had had the energy within her all this time. She placed her feet onto the floor and slowly stood up. Her long, loose white night gown almost reaching her feet. Mr. Sinclair so much as wanted as to go to his wife and drag her back to bed, but even when she was weak physically, she somehow had a strong hold over him when it came to her actions.268Please respect copyright.PENANApWaSM5l9ST
268Please respect copyright.PENANAYL69ZkD2ju
268Please respect copyright.PENANAySjdhjsvgl
She slowly went towards him. "You know where all this is coming from," she answered Sinclair’s question. "Your involvement with the late Emelda."268Please respect copyright.PENANA8LPtNGCE8M
268Please respect copyright.PENANACxjL98UxiM
268Please respect copyright.PENANAhbCPqBTjVf
"I was her lawyer. There’s nothing else to it."268Please respect copyright.PENANAX8AGpS2DdA
268Please respect copyright.PENANAlUTcMu1N36
268Please respect copyright.PENANA3LL0MUmJus
"A lawyer? Sure. But you and I both know that you were more than that busy handling her dirty affairs. She’s not as innocent and generous as people thought her to be. In fact, almost the whole town knows, but they don’t want to say anything because you’re there to always intervene and would do anything to clean up her mess."268Please respect copyright.PENANADlSW7p6lrR
268Please respect copyright.PENANAHLLIga1Axc
268Please respect copyright.PENANAMyLyUMR3nM
"You’re going way out of line, dear," said Sinclair, putting up a smile for his wife. "Why are you making me look like I’m the bad guy here?"268Please respect copyright.PENANArYiXfWqUcZ
268Please respect copyright.PENANAHrkfiNYdWB
268Please respect copyright.PENANAfVLzvdvVy0
"It’s because you’re." She pointed her long bony index finger onto his chest. Mr. Sinclair didn’t much as flinch at the gesture. "You know what you’ve been up to for years. And even when she's dead, you now take on all of her affairs like it's normal."268Please respect copyright.PENANARLKiHeKpQi
268Please respect copyright.PENANA9b1hcuVBdK
268Please respect copyright.PENANALgjIpFtYxc
"She left everything to her granddaughter and it’s my duty to make sure things are in order."268Please respect copyright.PENANAbXrVvSqVse
268Please respect copyright.PENANA1FsWf6WNoE
268Please respect copyright.PENANAZVJrTHQKX0
Mrs. Sinclair scoffed. "Tell me, dear husband," she said sarcastically, "does Rhénee even know what’s going on? Why she inherited everything from her grandmother? Why she never came back to this place and doing so now after such a long time? Don’t you think you’re putting that innocent girl in danger?"268Please respect copyright.PENANAwVe4rPdvQl
268Please respect copyright.PENANA4Uf5gmzSiO
268Please respect copyright.PENANAhsrsaRWGPj
"In danger of what, exactly?" Sinclair still had his smile intact.268Please respect copyright.PENANArRLM2c37mq
268Please respect copyright.PENANA6gmQ4LjdKl
268Please respect copyright.PENANAxKABkr5aDG
"Everything involving her grandmother! If you ask me, you just made the girl inherit Emelda’s problems."268Please respect copyright.PENANA7VN2Tu981R
268Please respect copyright.PENANAsnWXxeIATH
268Please respect copyright.PENANAVUVrqDGSOL
She soon let out a deep, shaky breath and Mr. Sinclair soon held her shoulder, comfortingly. "You need to sit." He said. "You can’t stand for too long."268Please respect copyright.PENANAon5uHpVAtv
268Please respect copyright.PENANARogJuJDrG6
268Please respect copyright.PENANA5obr8lwXXR
She slapped his hand away. "As if you care. You only care about the reputation you’ve gained after you got into that old woman’s world."268Please respect copyright.PENANAuL1sciwCzA
268Please respect copyright.PENANAk2TZJZOjzo
268Please respect copyright.PENANATfyA3hnvLz
"Well, if I can recall," Sinclair raised an eyebrow at her, but still with a smile on his face, "you’re the one who introduced me to her when we first came here. You convinced me to take her as my client."268Please respect copyright.PENANAoFn5eBAA3g
268Please respect copyright.PENANAahtr1Fd9II
268Please respect copyright.PENANAaF9J1PHVIR
"That was before we knew that she was nothing but a wolf in sheep’s clothing," Mrs. Sinclair turned away, making a slow walk towards her bed.268Please respect copyright.PENANABZSrkr5SAW
268Please respect copyright.PENANAtXfSfvC212
268Please respect copyright.PENANAnajMBMewv3
"Let’s not talk about this any further," Sinclair suggested. "We should learn to move on."268Please respect copyright.PENANAdLiTe0xClw
268Please respect copyright.PENANAWSb5MOmcPw
268Please respect copyright.PENANAdMlzicfFWC
Mrs. Sinclair settled at the foot of the bed, facing her husband. "Sadly, she left scars upon this town that a lot of people will never forget."268Please respect copyright.PENANAM74mybHcRj
268Please respect copyright.PENANA6rUQywuDfC
268Please respect copyright.PENANA5zwvV5xidX
"You exaggerate, dear."268Please respect copyright.PENANA912uKSA7Cj
268Please respect copyright.PENANATSAco2mWFo
268Please respect copyright.PENANAoZSrtjyC1L
"Well, at least you’re not denying it."268Please respect copyright.PENANACROWUOo8iD
268Please respect copyright.PENANASs2tNtd6I4
268Please respect copyright.PENANAXqtvmTpFkm
Before Mr. Sinclair could say anything, a knock came at the door. He could only guess that the housekeeper had come to announce that supper is ready. However, the knock was a little fainter than usual.268Please respect copyright.PENANA9pMdcOQbrG
268Please respect copyright.PENANAcxGEgH68A1
268Please respect copyright.PENANAtQ1ijgxNI7
"Who is it?" Mr. Sinclair asked.268Please respect copyright.PENANAy4xF38OngX
268Please respect copyright.PENANANagKywYx6t
268Please respect copyright.PENANA6zgjrs6qaa
"It’s me, dad," came a female voice, behind the door.268Please respect copyright.PENANA0gVGB3DTVn
268Please respect copyright.PENANAcGVWOBG6qK
268Please respect copyright.PENANAfSI0u3lPMF
What perfect timing, Mr. Sinclair thought to himself.268Please respect copyright.PENANAG2JYv7lx6l
268Please respect copyright.PENANA3uGSPUUtdu
268Please respect copyright.PENANAM4FiTJ07CK
He went over to the door to open it and his seventeen-year old girl with bouncy blonde locks came slowly into the room, looking around at her father and mother.268Please respect copyright.PENANA3787Sy3q5O
268Please respect copyright.PENANAtiCpGOpZIo
268Please respect copyright.PENANAECdpKwBfzT
"I didn't interrupt anything, did I?"268Please respect copyright.PENANAxIYnNqjqMp
268Please respect copyright.PENANAi8Jk5SvZAM
268Please respect copyright.PENANAOnyw3fbdPT
"No, sweetie," said Mrs. Sinclair. She held up her bony hand for her daughter to hold onto as she entered the room. Her daughter came closer and held her mother’s hand.268Please respect copyright.PENANAwUli75aPp4
268Please respect copyright.PENANAZXi743R8qA
268Please respect copyright.PENANA9H23mn5YPd
"I thought I heard you guys arguing."268Please respect copyright.PENANApn8IOQIrxv
268Please respect copyright.PENANAaHqzPd6NY2
268Please respect copyright.PENANA2eFXUiNhaZ
"Just a silly argument," Mrs. Sinclair answered. "Your father once again forgot those biscuits I wanted."268Please respect copyright.PENANA8XCx987ltg
268Please respect copyright.PENANAkITqeLw9f2
268Please respect copyright.PENANAd7NgSDAtmA
"Wow, dad, you always forget to get them."268Please respect copyright.PENANA0oSfQ6XNdR
268Please respect copyright.PENANAGcG9DL9eHR
268Please respect copyright.PENANAU0lAAY4Mio
"That’s why either you or the help have to remind me. You know I easily forget about these things."268Please respect copyright.PENANAPrzmxv2IY1
268Please respect copyright.PENANAxBP5uL3YVV
268Please respect copyright.PENANAMUH8V7xtcH
"Anyway, I’ll try and remind you tomorrow when I get back from school." The teenager went on to look at her mother. "So how have you been?"268Please respect copyright.PENANAnahvPrKjIk
268Please respect copyright.PENANAw9sPOQYuBt
268Please respect copyright.PENANA62Xj19UC2C
"I’m okay," Mrs. Sinclair said, putting up a smile. "How was school today?"268Please respect copyright.PENANAaiiISZCAko
268Please respect copyright.PENANAsdi0FzYyRO
268Please respect copyright.PENANA3u73F79KEK
"Same as usual. Now that we’re approaching the end of the year, studies are getting more tiresome."268Please respect copyright.PENANAs9jEJjaUOe
268Please respect copyright.PENANAxSctawv8xj
268Please respect copyright.PENANADI7Ujkoiuv
"You just make sure to work hard. If you need our help, we are here for anything you need, Scarlet."268Please respect copyright.PENANAFccb9wUS1s
268Please respect copyright.PENANA5icuJhKmYp
268Please respect copyright.PENANAbzBTftIoM5
"I will, that’s if you two can stop arguing over more than just biscuits," Scarlet’s deep blue eyes flew between her parents.268Please respect copyright.PENANAYf83cVh8E7
268Please respect copyright.PENANAImTrCjo29B
268Please respect copyright.PENANA7DrPrWnNDw
Mr. Sinclair scoffed. He forgot just how smart their daughter can be sometimes.268Please respect copyright.PENANActMlw9AXu0
268Please respect copyright.PENANAidGYAAm14w
268Please respect copyright.PENANAIhVdUH9xTu
"How was work, dad?" Scarlet asked with so much excitement, looking at her father.268Please respect copyright.PENANAroDsi9nT6L
268Please respect copyright.PENANACGoZHT5ENv
268Please respect copyright.PENANA8HphVmNwwQ
"It was okay." He turned around to head back to his closet, but Scarlet quickly asked:268Please respect copyright.PENANAVrpbXja5b1
268Please respect copyright.PENANAr67mdqA97A
268Please respect copyright.PENANA4VMTlulmMV
"Was he in today? How is he?"268Please respect copyright.PENANARjZdhnEGK9
268Please respect copyright.PENANAxrXXKxltHQ
268Please respect copyright.PENANA5IkLYGkz3h
Mrs. Sinclair chuckled as she rubbed Scarlet’s shoulder. Mr. Sinclair winced as he turned back to look at the two on the bed. Somehow he just couldn’t dodge her questions.268Please respect copyright.PENANAFKJbSouZal
268Please respect copyright.PENANAiqN1unK3lA
268Please respect copyright.PENANAnE6qIHYWjs
"He’s good," Mr. Sinclair said as he folded his arms. "But not too good, I’m afraid."268Please respect copyright.PENANAhj9nEDwkou
268Please respect copyright.PENANA6cEoh6CoAw
268Please respect copyright.PENANAhu38lJOFnP
"Why? What happened to Eugene?" Scarlet sounded anxious.268Please respect copyright.PENANAqWZHyApYaD
268Please respect copyright.PENANASFiCH4A3Ic
268Please respect copyright.PENANAKMJBnjgdt7
"Well, you’ll probably hear about this at school since this is a small town." Mr. Sinclair paused before he could continue. "Eugene’s father is in the hospital. He was shot."268Please respect copyright.PENANANe1V4whW7W
268Please respect copyright.PENANAFdC3tNZpIZ
268Please respect copyright.PENANA1RvYhB1zPs
Scarlet gasped.268Please respect copyright.PENANAlvqBF9JV9s
268Please respect copyright.PENANA4kh6IgXz6F
268Please respect copyright.PENANAP8owJl5sX0
"Oh, no, that’s awful. But will he be okay?"268Please respect copyright.PENANAl7cb16ewas
268Please respect copyright.PENANAY0EBYSymli
268Please respect copyright.PENANAsurftH2kIZ
"I’m not so sure," said Mr. Sinclair. "But according to Eugene’s mother, he’s in pretty bad shape."268Please respect copyright.PENANABS4N9ozeEt
268Please respect copyright.PENANARqQzpT1pwL
268Please respect copyright.PENANA3855T9CMmJ
"I hope Eugene, himself is okay," said Scarlet.268Please respect copyright.PENANAYWnhUeLg3r
268Please respect copyright.PENANAfAzGjdaKmZ
268Please respect copyright.PENANAnPo6V3qzUY
"It’s Mrs. Chamberlin I’m worried about the most," said Mrs. Sinclair. "This is just too much for her."268Please respect copyright.PENANAaMXXUt3MUR
268Please respect copyright.PENANAvtTSk2FhgE
268Please respect copyright.PENANAMtM0D3za2M
"True," said Mr. Sinclair. "She might be a strong woman, but that man has put her in terrible situations I can’t even imagine."268Please respect copyright.PENANA0OGNeOpIta
268Please respect copyright.PENANA03SZBk7j3m
268Please respect copyright.PENANAGQZjdiXBRh
"I hope he gets out of this alive," said Scarlet.268Please respect copyright.PENANAA43xnLPaf3
268Please respect copyright.PENANAoCfFNlkI5c
268Please respect copyright.PENANAchzNMSnB7E
"I would advise not to call Eugene right now," advised Mr. Sinclair. "Not until we know that everything's alright."268Please respect copyright.PENANAgPTu9AgX89
268Please respect copyright.PENANAmBZA8HTu8e
268Please respect copyright.PENANAscVQ8EtGZ1
Scarlet sighed. "I wasn't planning to, dad."268Please respect copyright.PENANAASsaKR5Rq6
268Please respect copyright.PENANAbHKIPJ8bkd
268Please respect copyright.PENANAWCeLMXcRUh
"You like Eugene too much," said Mrs. Sinclair. "I hope your little crush over him vanishes over time."268Please respect copyright.PENANANwN3ih01u6
268Please respect copyright.PENANA00a1kV4uWN
268Please respect copyright.PENANAfRTm2x7D6G
"I doubt it. Once I finish high school, I will be sure I can date him."268Please respect copyright.PENANAT9xcTbscDx
268Please respect copyright.PENANAInvCpRdfFm
268Please respect copyright.PENANAIikjAepuaE
Scarlet quickly prances up from the bed like a little deer and made her way for the door. Her parents watched her as she left.268Please respect copyright.PENANAFdMmdegvDv
268Please respect copyright.PENANA7AuAWaUzr5
268Please respect copyright.PENANAc8V09eIB9j
"Sometimes I forget she likes him," said Mrs. Sinclair.268Please respect copyright.PENANAGpmvKmhDvW
268Please respect copyright.PENANAXB2vMBBPjb
268Please respect copyright.PENANAt9K3lhLXfT
"I'm not too worried," said Mr. Sinclair as he closed the door. "When she goes to college, she'll definitely get over him and like somebody else. If not, Eugene will make a good son-in-law."268Please respect copyright.PENANArY6UnaHI79
268Please respect copyright.PENANAAnmhuFH5XU
268Please respect copyright.PENANA8uhMUHTdVI
Mrs. Sinclair shook her head. "I definitely don't approve of it. He's a good man. I just don't feel he's right for my little Scarlet. I pray when she does go to college, she will find someone."268Please respect copyright.PENANA8QASzCXm7J
268Please respect copyright.PENANAWzB5QrYiR5
268Please respect copyright.PENANAoMB3iEdSBB
"Eugene isn’t that bad, if I’m being honest," Mr. Sinclair chuckled.268Please respect copyright.PENANATUWGtDjxxf
268Please respect copyright.PENANAGfJxqbLxoO
268Please respect copyright.PENANA7gXOhGHyzX
"Well, I don’t want her to end up marrying a lawyer like I did." Mrs. Sinclair looked at her husband with a gloomy look and with her arms folded. "And to Eugene for that matter."268Please respect copyright.PENANAw6kKNufBpc
268Please respect copyright.PENANAmq5N96iEWn
268Please respect copyright.PENANA0yjuOYllWS
"What’s wrong now? Are you scared that Eugene is like me?"268Please respect copyright.PENANAG7pKq0fmA7
268Please respect copyright.PENANAxSzfCHpw8O
268Please respect copyright.PENANAVvxRnqeGGy
"I know he's a good person. I’m just scared that when push comes to shove, you might make him take up your role; working closely with Rhénee."268Please respect copyright.PENANA0uvds4115p
268Please respect copyright.PENANADp5iW8nDEB
268Please respect copyright.PENANAvacm8fOQIK
Mr. Sinclair bit his lower lip as his right hand rubbed the bottom of his chin. "That seems like an interesting proposition, dear. Why didn’t I ever think of that before?"268Please respect copyright.PENANATQcPReAyV7
268Please respect copyright.PENANAb52tJXPPJZ
268Please respect copyright.PENANAtjIku3CJTX
His wife didn’t say anything as a horrific look started to appear on her hollow face.268Please respect copyright.PENANA2WBKQNUwK3
268Please respect copyright.PENANA1jCiDvRGfK
268Please respect copyright.PENANAwlNTzX7pvl
"I’m just joking," said Mr. Sinclair as he walked up to her. He then knelt down on the floor in front of her and cupped both of her hands in his. "Why you come up with such ideas is just absurd. You know I wouldn’t do anything that would upset you."268Please respect copyright.PENANAUdxjGG0LSM
268Please respect copyright.PENANA2KpuXf9xPA
268Please respect copyright.PENANA9NYfCLSCqD
"You’ve done several of those even when I told you to drop whatever you were doing for Emelda when she was still alive."268Please respect copyright.PENANAgTvvCr7xlA
268Please respect copyright.PENANAqz8s8M4FZR
268Please respect copyright.PENANACcPsNMeaBw
Mr. Sinclair shook his head and stood up, still holding his wife’s hands. "Let’s drop the subject. I hate when we talk about it." He squeezed his hands a little, making sure that he didn’t hurt her.268Please respect copyright.PENANA1JC66YVZOg
268Please respect copyright.PENANAjoBpByXfqf
268Please respect copyright.PENANAwZm5Q0huUT
His phone soon started to ring and he almost forgot that he had it in the pocket of his trousers. He took it out with one hand while the other held onto Mrs. Sinclair’s hands. He looked at the caller ID. He picked the call.268Please respect copyright.PENANAxCSB9HwOHp
268Please respect copyright.PENANAIh4jpQoczO
268Please respect copyright.PENANAlMoqCNtgG7
"Evening," he said after placing the phone to his ear. "Yes, I’m home at the moment. What can I help you with?"268Please respect copyright.PENANAwGbp5eTgYr
268Please respect copyright.PENANAlttlReLGlr
268Please respect copyright.PENANABhetQTVM83
Mr. Sinclair paused to hear what the person on the other end was saying. "Alright, I’ll see what I can do." He soon cut the call.268Please respect copyright.PENANAKS4RwHYHNz
268Please respect copyright.PENANA1tMagKXcPv
268Please respect copyright.PENANAlGj73h52dm
His wife looked up at him. "Do I have to worry that you're going to walk out of this house because you've Emelda’s business to attend to? Or is it a call from work?"268Please respect copyright.PENANAAOB4MUXQHE
268Please respect copyright.PENANA4XJTkm7TGS
268Please respect copyright.PENANAoLzvWdgFde
"It’s work, nothing serious," Mr. Sinclair replied. "I left my bag at the office, so I'll just have to tackle it tomorrow morning."268Please respect copyright.PENANAIO9UAh7bOB
268Please respect copyright.PENANAM9GD1IVMhM
268Please respect copyright.PENANAD0AdCkaxkF
"If you say so."268Please respect copyright.PENANAU1b2KeUcvH
268Please respect copyright.PENANAGH6JbDakOB
268Please respect copyright.PENANA7yv4VB1rNE
A knock soon came at the door and the voice of the house help came behind the door: "dinner is ready."268Please respect copyright.PENANAkHbJ3de9nh
268Please respect copyright.PENANAvIg403r8rk
268Please respect copyright.PENANAHZdKLJnaHA
"Thank you, I'll be right there," said Mr. Sinclair. He turned to look at his wife. "Would you be joining us at the dinner table?"268Please respect copyright.PENANAIiI9wQ2koQ
268Please respect copyright.PENANAP7Xvx6hQvL
268Please respect copyright.PENANAdyRUpkt2x2
"Not today," she replied.268Please respect copyright.PENANAKAw7pLl3b2
268Please respect copyright.PENANAKzWWWobfAK
268Please respect copyright.PENANA7Y6uMisNub
"Alright, I'll tell the help to bring your food up to your room."268Please respect copyright.PENANAVNXkDIjees
268Please respect copyright.PENANAcVlR9gtrFO
268Please respect copyright.PENANAql0UGVyTgu
"No, need, she already knows."268Please respect copyright.PENANAcNKlWvqGJk
268Please respect copyright.PENANAggFzG9NWSr
268Please respect copyright.PENANAffGIq8W3ob
He let go of his wife's hands and made his way out of the door. As soon as he closed it, he made his way towards the stairs. He was about to descend, when he heard the sound of a door opening and closing at the other end of the hall. He saw Scarlet coming towards him.268Please respect copyright.PENANAaOvEtBW0ni
268Please respect copyright.PENANA6e5l3krlLh
268Please respect copyright.PENANA5o5E0l0eMb
"Isn't mum coming to join us?" she asked.268Please respect copyright.PENANA3wRBy6juSt
268Please respect copyright.PENANAnz0oclXf5L
268Please respect copyright.PENANA95tTr9b2tO
"She'll eat from her room," he answered.268Please respect copyright.PENANAprATuI8wwI
268Please respect copyright.PENANAaBWbRXfV1U
268Please respect copyright.PENANAWqScmAP07R
"You upset her again, didn't you?" Scarlet folded her arms, looking at father with a stern look similar to her mother's.268Please respect copyright.PENANABWuTR9kfsy
268Please respect copyright.PENANAue0Q8YAwPX
268Please respect copyright.PENANAj6pBC6zDOY
Sinclair scoffed. "I wish I had, but you already know how your mother likes to pick a fight with me. Come on, let's go. The food will get cold."268Please respect copyright.PENANAIjLKaBaYnD
268Please respect copyright.PENANA5q4nw26UGs
268Please respect copyright.PENANAnwhHNFfhsE
Scarlet is quicker than her father as she walked past him to go down the stairs. Mr. Sinclair followed at a slower pace. She reached the bottom and went straight to the living room that led to the dining room.268Please respect copyright.PENANAd62EM8R65J
268Please respect copyright.PENANApHjZhGrF5E
268Please respect copyright.PENANAFEnhsLtHoT
As soon as Sinclair reached the bottom, he felt the phone vibrate in his pocket. He stopped before he could continue his way into the living room. He found a message. He unlocked his phone to read it. He cursed under his breath and pocketed the phone back, making his way to the dining room where he found his daughter already waiting for him.268Please respect copyright.PENANAIWjkGTUuJ4
268Please respect copyright.PENANAkFCjU4uvyg
268Please respect copyright.PENANAoWBG5zeumH
"You’re getting slower reaching the table these days," Scarlet said as she looked at him.268Please respect copyright.PENANAe95Gf2qBgm
268Please respect copyright.PENANArrWshTAfFh
268Please respect copyright.PENANA1cHSNJKl4W
"Maybe it’s because you’re so young and energetic," he said as he took his seat at the head of the table. Scarlet sat on the other end and said a prayer, asking the Holy Father to bless it. And as soon as the word "Amen" was uttered, they started to dig in. A few minutes hadn’t passed before Scarlet asked her father a question.268Please respect copyright.PENANA2PPzQnhm2a
268Please respect copyright.PENANALJGy4SOWpe
268Please respect copyright.PENANAmWXh2GD4hK
"Have you heard anything about Eugene’s father yet?"268Please respect copyright.PENANAt5eitgav9Q
268Please respect copyright.PENANAgBnJL3eirI
268Please respect copyright.PENANAMCSq84MNMu
"No, not yet," he answered.268Please respect copyright.PENANA9Pcj0HaGHX
268Please respect copyright.PENANAZKEtZYLoYo
268Please respect copyright.PENANAkCnNXhJmPR
There came a brief silence before she asked, "is it really true that his father got shot?"268Please respect copyright.PENANAFl0JdoKfwh
268Please respect copyright.PENANA73E5x98PnV
268Please respect copyright.PENANApxQNWbZrfx
"Yes," he answered. "It was pretty fatal."268Please respect copyright.PENANA75VZux9oIm
268Please respect copyright.PENANAwLogi2XAt2
268Please respect copyright.PENANA2ucYXopLup
"I really hope he gets out okay. Did he mess with the wrong people?"268Please respect copyright.PENANAmbqfZm9txd
268Please respect copyright.PENANAE2jGQrmG1z
268Please respect copyright.PENANAtGbEeuIOkM
Sinclair swallowed before he replied, "I can’t answer that. Maybe he did or he didn’t. I think it’s best to let the police handle it."268Please respect copyright.PENANA4FcOY7rzsH
268Please respect copyright.PENANAjy1zrvCqDa
268Please respect copyright.PENANA1xSz6AdYPX
"Okay." Scarlet paused for a bit. "I hope Eugene is doing okay."268Please respect copyright.PENANA5n6tQZk2hd
268Please respect copyright.PENANAz6fXeQapwj
268Please respect copyright.PENANAUj7v5aaI6K
"He was devastated when he heard the news. But he’ll be fine. If there’s a good chance that his father is out of danger, I’ll give you a heads up to call him tomorrow."268Please respect copyright.PENANAmbUthJWyuG
268Please respect copyright.PENANAkJXf5vKNWT
268Please respect copyright.PENANAI4GnqOKQ8J
Scarlet smiled at him. "Okay. I really want to know how he’s doing.”268Please respect copyright.PENANALxIBElc6YZ
268Please respect copyright.PENANASUQHUAsZRX
268Please respect copyright.PENANAvEMPyI9qMC
They continued to eat their supper and Sinclair in return fired Scarlet some questions concerning school and her friends. As soon as they were done, Sinclair stood up and told Scarlet that he’ll have to go to the study and do a bit of work. Scarlet didn’t mind as she quickly went up to her room.268Please respect copyright.PENANA2Aco5m02AA
268Please respect copyright.PENANAB9kfin7a9r
268Please respect copyright.PENANASBPkeAT8XZ
He slowly walked out of the dining room and into the living room while he watched his daughter go up the stairs. It will only be a few minutes till the help comes to take away the dishes in the dining room, so he pulled out his phone to make a call.268Please respect copyright.PENANAvhrfn0LeMr
268Please respect copyright.PENANAysxKdPACpx
268Please respect copyright.PENANAOdmA6n5Mqo
After pressing the call button, he placed the phone to his ear, making his way to the study.268Please respect copyright.PENANA5uGnNR4LvT
268Please respect copyright.PENANAZgKrowit7Y
268Please respect copyright.PENANA7esrUY3ylL
As the phone continued to ring, Sinclair got a little impatient. But just as he walked out of the living room, the person on the other end soon picked up.268Please respect copyright.PENANABJNTpQUsvp
268Please respect copyright.PENANAyY1jV2n5x1
268Please respect copyright.PENANAba1Eg2VJUS
"What took you so long to answer?" Sinclair asked, calmly, trying not to speak so loud.268Please respect copyright.PENANA1ZfXw02Net
268Please respect copyright.PENANAoFyAaOMfgw
268Please respect copyright.PENANAf4r14QoYsf
"I am in a dire situation right now that I can’t answer you immediately," came a hoarse breathy voice on the phone.268Please respect copyright.PENANALeQa6dsqjX
268Please respect copyright.PENANAmGwrKJx4b4
268Please respect copyright.PENANAIWnCmSD3kj
Sinclair reached his study and went in, closing the door. "What is it? I couldn’t text you since I was having dinner."268Please respect copyright.PENANAplsb65wUqx
268Please respect copyright.PENANApmqhyXhf7r
268Please respect copyright.PENANAMNlmdcuPTH
"Well, while you were playing house over there, we’ve trouble. Apparently Rhénee and her friends aren’t home where they should be. A situation arose and they decided to take matters into their own hands."268Please respect copyright.PENANA09WWPtiTmi
268Please respect copyright.PENANApRjzJI08QN
268Please respect copyright.PENANAmEafj3FyWp
"What situation?" Sinclair asked as he stood in the middle of the room.268Please respect copyright.PENANAzsP8RCcxpP
268Please respect copyright.PENANA6oCsLzIreO
268Please respect copyright.PENANAazyPxRgB3B
***268Please respect copyright.PENANAsWxQldiJTZ
268Please respect copyright.PENANA2WG4uCJe0s
268Please respect copyright.PENANAu5KU5VKJDM
As much as Eugene wanted to turn to look at Miss Marie, he had to focus his eyes on the road. He's driving her old, red convertible with the top covering their heads, heading towards the forest. He didn't like the idea of going there at this late hour.268Please respect copyright.PENANAokDQDA1lPO
268Please respect copyright.PENANAOARKIBDknR
268Please respect copyright.PENANA3FFrqD47xa
Silence stood between them. Eugene wanted so much as to ask where he's taking her, but he knew the answer he's going to get. They were out here to look for Miguel, which is pretty absurd, Eugene thought. He might be walking back to the house and they were here taking a drive.268Please respect copyright.PENANAfrqEwB1yp4
268Please respect copyright.PENANAoyC4t5Untp
268Please respect copyright.PENANAS6txbOe4qP
Miss Marie soon started to hum as she looked out her side of the window. Eugene wondered how she could be so calm. For once, he wanted that she would go insane, making it easy for him to turn the car around and take her back home. That's if she wouldn't go mad to the point where she might distract him as he is driving.268Please respect copyright.PENANABnZzgbV6Q1
268Please respect copyright.PENANArqekPQL5Ij
268Please respect copyright.PENANAZxoQkasIZ1
On the point of insanity, Eugene wondered whether Miss Marie is sane or not. Why take him out here to find Miguel? Eugene couldn’t help but feel stupid after thinking about it a little. His gut feeling told him that Miss Marie wasn't insane when she told him where to find Miguel nor is she insane right now. A sudden thought soon crossed his mind. What if she's been pretending to everyone this whole time?268Please respect copyright.PENANA9KuDvWh487
268Please respect copyright.PENANAznowcfbGE5
268Please respect copyright.PENANAs4ql4icTTD
Miss Marie stopped humming. "Make a stop here."268Please respect copyright.PENANA1GzbjPqnyL
268Please respect copyright.PENANAa8hN5KceNe
268Please respect copyright.PENANApjunxQSVAK
Eugene did as he was told and he got a little puzzled. There’s a bridge just up ahead and he thought they were going to reach it. He turned to look at Miss Griselda.268Please respect copyright.PENANAyKEk1w3X5m
268Please respect copyright.PENANAD0mbuLxGkz
268Please respect copyright.PENANAwF8P4SLsnR
"I thought we would stop by the bridge," he said.268Please respect copyright.PENANAES7LTijS2Q
268Please respect copyright.PENANA5Q53P6w4LC
268Please respect copyright.PENANAbRA3kh4FyR
"I don’t want us to draw attention," she answered. "Park by the side of the road. It’s dangerous to leave a car out here."268Please respect copyright.PENANAf8bf7xOkZT
268Please respect copyright.PENANA8H6eddhUnN
268Please respect copyright.PENANA5IgpAYq6ph
Eugene did just that, killed the engine and the headlights. He looked at Miss Marie, whom he could see was smiling at him in the dark.268Please respect copyright.PENANAZjyowqcSCQ
268Please respect copyright.PENANAsRb7ONsWtT
268Please respect copyright.PENANAAsB9sX20XD
"Let’s go," she said as she opened the car door on her side. "We don’t want to miss out on all the fun."268Please respect copyright.PENANAB4e7t05KTt
268Please respect copyright.PENANApEiYLsCnZj
268Please respect copyright.PENANAlmaxnqEfYe
"Fun?" he wondered what she meant. There’s nothing fun about being out in the forest so late at night.268Please respect copyright.PENANAeF44yBy7Ei
268Please respect copyright.PENANApwWrz2YBH7
268Please respect copyright.PENANAonR6HIX7XE
He also stepped out of the car and made sure to lock behind him. He found Miss Marie going ahead and he had to quickly catch up to her.268Please respect copyright.PENANAGM0vFYhudy
268Please respect copyright.PENANAx9gT9Ch6Hf
268Please respect copyright.PENANAlj15vlcAzH
"Are you sure Miguel is at the bridge?" he asked.268Please respect copyright.PENANAZD20R7pELE
268Please respect copyright.PENANAlo5UZJE2hb
268Please respect copyright.PENANAMBH2AokgtO
"If you keep asking the same question, you’ll run mad," she said. She had her hands in the pocket of a brown, fluffy coat that she managed to grab before leaving, wearing it over her sleeping gown. Eugene felt he should’ve gotten something warm himself. The night air around the forest is a lot chillier than he had thought.268Please respect copyright.PENANAcXWpjX9Iq8
268Please respect copyright.PENANAX6wUgBNWLJ
268Please respect copyright.PENANA5CEjG13JxS
They continued to walk and it's then that Eugene realised that they still had quite a way to go before they reach the bridge. As the leaves gently rustled above them in the trees, he realised just how dark it is, despite the full moon shining brightly above them.268Please respect copyright.PENANAtRtizhVv4G
268Please respect copyright.PENANApQNxA9TjAS
268Please respect copyright.PENANA3EfHEOHc0F
He was just about to pull out his phone from his pocket when all of a sudden, Miss Marie held his hand, stopping him from doing so. He turned to look at her, surprised at her quick reflexes.268Please respect copyright.PENANAtZSwKlHqql
268Please respect copyright.PENANAqp1iFeyl1V
268Please respect copyright.PENANA9l6GkLgGSp
"If you want to pull out your phone to turn on your torch, I advise not to," she said, without looking at him. "The last thing you want to do is draw attention when all we’ve come to do is watch a spectacle."268Please respect copyright.PENANA8O30OB8IOm
268Please respect copyright.PENANAkZVQlrHL3d
268Please respect copyright.PENANAtWIl9Bri5O
Eugene is confused. Now he can’t use his phone and they were just here to spectate? He had a funny feeling that Miss Marie might be dragging him into something he never even imagined.268Please respect copyright.PENANAl5LLTCSFF3
268Please respect copyright.PENANAscw4DlSQSv
268Please respect copyright.PENANASLovKYc1SM
"Before we go," he said, "you don’t want us to get caught. Why is that? Is Miguel involved in something? Like a gang, perhaps?"268Please respect copyright.PENANAn3VLTE7sL2
268Please respect copyright.PENANAGM8CUIEccD
268Please respect copyright.PENANAWKmqvEqeci
Miss Marie turned to smile at him. "You’re quite right," she said.268Please respect copyright.PENANAenzqozvQ7z
268Please respect copyright.PENANAQBCqPQda6M
268Please respect copyright.PENANAxw0rfX4pBJ
She started to go on ahead, leaving Eugene standing there. Miguel, his childhood best friend, is in some kind of gang? Is Miss Marie telling the truth? Somehow, he knew that she is, but then he didn’t want to accept it at all.268Please respect copyright.PENANA2lFFeA9iTA
268Please respect copyright.PENANABd0RGQIVzf
268Please respect copyright.PENANAacurvmEJgT
"We better hurry up," Miss Marie called out to him. "We don’t want to miss anything."268Please respect copyright.PENANApuJAFUA8LJ
268Please respect copyright.PENANAPYjM7ZMI9q
268Please respect copyright.PENANALpEm0MGI3F
Eugene took a deep breath, trying to bring himself back to reality. He quickly caught up to her, and for a while, the two of them walked in silence.268Please respect copyright.PENANAEgiIaIceuY
268Please respect copyright.PENANA1PPiEAEn6u
268Please respect copyright.PENANAthHpsw2tHV
"Why did you decide to bring me here, Miss Marie?" he asked. "If I never came over to your house tonight, were you going to come here alone?"268Please respect copyright.PENANAhokmZ9aXgA
268Please respect copyright.PENANA1lPobmTVg2
268Please respect copyright.PENANAQPv8WfVENO
"Yes," she answered without looking at him. "The only reason why I carried you along is because for once, I can finally show you who Miguel really is."268Please respect copyright.PENANA2DdJ7AUpGj
268Please respect copyright.PENANArXg4iJWaXI
268Please respect copyright.PENANAiwrgktFANe
He scoffed. "What kind of group is he in? Do they deal with drugs or guns?"268Please respect copyright.PENANA9DOg3z0Mko
268Please respect copyright.PENANANaJJcrE6t2
268Please respect copyright.PENANAxFOxpYj5KD
"If I told you that they deal with both and even more than you can ever imagine, would you believe me?" Miss Marie now turned to look at him even when he can’t see her face clearly in the dark.268Please respect copyright.PENANAlGL86HFGfB
268Please respect copyright.PENANAz9enkovcDp
268Please respect copyright.PENANAFxGy6baf1C
Eugene swallowed. Deep down, he didn’t want it to be true. Maybe she’s acting delusional and what he’ll see will probably be nothing. Yes, he thought to himself. She must have gone bonkers and isn’t thinking straight. But he has to know whether she is or not.268Please respect copyright.PENANAhNLtsBAzrO
268Please respect copyright.PENANAAS7hsNysT3
268Please respect copyright.PENANAnbvfFNTgTN
"Wait," he said, holding her by the shoulders. "Are you serious of such an accusation? He’s your grandson."268Please respect copyright.PENANAtK3Dt3OFKJ
268Please respect copyright.PENANAHnOIteW1lS
268Please respect copyright.PENANAsjBJ1t8orE
"Grandson or not, I can’t hide from you what he truly is," Miss Marie answered as she looked at him. "You’re a good man, Eugene. Associating with such people isn’t right for you who is trying to build a reputation as a lawyer. Then there’s your father too. God knows just how many sins he has committed for him to be dying in his hospital bed right now."268Please respect copyright.PENANA0dlWYebR1B
268Please respect copyright.PENANAPwwSO4UQ7U
268Please respect copyright.PENANAIVEJ3ZeWxQ
Eugene is shocked to know Miss Marie knew about his father's condition, but he brushed that aside. "I know my father does some shady things, but why do you’ve to tell me this about Miguel? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?"268Please respect copyright.PENANAsk4k8bBFtc
268Please respect copyright.PENANAn1d5WINMrY
268Please respect copyright.PENANA4nVAXEji2G
"I’ll answer that question with one of my own." Miss Marie sounded serious. "Have you and I ever stayed in the same room whenever you came to visit and had a serious conversation?"268Please respect copyright.PENANAB5qFzOr0OH
268Please respect copyright.PENANACSLssk0Bqz
268Please respect copyright.PENANAZ0F2CraiBX
Eugene's eyes widened. "You’ve been pretending to be delusional this whole time?"268Please respect copyright.PENANADqV2xnt4Bh
268Please respect copyright.PENANAqVtxxF0Bv9
268Please respect copyright.PENANA00kAaxii1d
"A woman like me has to play her cards right in order to survive in this wretched town. If I hadn’t Miguel would’ve put a bullet in my head a long time ago."268Please respect copyright.PENANAd85h3vDSLk
268Please respect copyright.PENANAfz3Hw4oL8R
268Please respect copyright.PENANAJknUGUCkXM
"He can never do that. He cares about you a lot, yet you go ahead and just lie to him?"268Please respect copyright.PENANAsgk4AAIOBO
268Please respect copyright.PENANA9glyGNeMcp
268Please respect copyright.PENANA0p9m08B4Ud
"For a lawyer, you clearly didn’t listen to what I said just now. I would be dead by now if I didn’t keep up with the farce. And as for Miguel, he might look like he cares, but he really doesn’t. I’m telling you this now because if he ever knew that I brought you here, I'll be dead and no one will find my corpse for a long time. You will probably be dead too."268Please respect copyright.PENANAlyWpf3fPo3
268Please respect copyright.PENANArMeSEg7xBL
268Please respect copyright.PENANANWCCdJcqVk
Eugene slumped his shoulders and looked upwards at the dark, night sky. He went back to look at her. "I’ll believe you if I see him myself."268Please respect copyright.PENANADUsT4lFrzZ
268Please respect copyright.PENANAnAaNUBc52E
268Please respect copyright.PENANAsy8Vt7HbvV
"It will be dark. But I know you’ll see him."268Please respect copyright.PENANAHRqOkifGfN
268Please respect copyright.PENANAQnHKyqvFlM
268Please respect copyright.PENANA47NrPp2Sor
Miss Marie went back to leading the way and Eugene had the option of running back to the car and leaving her. But he felt his mind wander off, and it’s like he had no control over his body as he followed her.268Please respect copyright.PENANA8GHBdKUGN2
268Please respect copyright.PENANA9XvCMtNCL2
268Please respect copyright.PENANA6twGfkzyra
The road went up a small hill and Eugene knew they were almost there. As they reached the summit, they had a clear view of the bridge below. Eugene hoped they would find nothing there, yet the sight of a few cars parked on the side of the road near the bridge and a few dark figures that he made to be people, made his heart ache.268Please respect copyright.PENANA7qVvHjvxHN
268Please respect copyright.PENANAFB7dZydDUo
268Please respect copyright.PENANAnetRzngUJB
"See, I told you something's about to go down," said Miss Marie.268Please respect copyright.PENANAxzNxnj50UY
268Please respect copyright.PENANAciX4ZXqQl0
268Please respect copyright.PENANAvL3M2xg6vc
"I can’t see the people very well," said Eugene. "Maybe you’re wrong and Miguel isn’t down there."268Please respect copyright.PENANAFu1zIKYjLz
268Please respect copyright.PENANANthn7p47le
268Please respect copyright.PENANAexhS5V0I3E
"Let’s hide behind those trees. They might not see us from afar, but it’s best to not leave anything to chance."268Please respect copyright.PENANA1o6u2gdP0q
268Please respect copyright.PENANA1Ate8ukCmI
268Please respect copyright.PENANArSlkqjHnmC
Eugene followed Miss Marie and partly entered into the forest where they still had a clear view of the bridge. As they waited, Eugene couldn’t help but pray that what Miss Marie said isn’t true about Miguel being one of the people down there. Even if he tried to, he realised that it’s already too late.268Please respect copyright.PENANAiuUNYT4ViJ
268Please respect copyright.PENANAeTYLre2Ew0
268Please respect copyright.PENANAg8oiHtPe9T
***268Please respect copyright.PENANAArWYuFCEN6
268Please respect copyright.PENANAvfNYQWUYjz
268Please respect copyright.PENANAtBJEVtOYwH
Rhénee leaned against the tall tree and bent her neck to peek at what's in front of her. She and the others were now within reach of the people near the bridge, but still using the forest as cover. She looked to her left. Greta hid behind a tree, also peeking. To Rhenee’s right was Malcom also keeping a lookout. Kevin, knowing the area very well, had left to scout it a few minutes ago.268Please respect copyright.PENANApzoLLMdYw5
268Please respect copyright.PENANAQEMAI2OFvQ
268Please respect copyright.PENANAhWrE4ZJHrY
He soon came back in the direction Malcom was standing. Rhénee and Greta quietly went to join them.268Please respect copyright.PENANAbvR7wg51qf
268Please respect copyright.PENANA6l4sBe1DGs
268Please respect copyright.PENANA9IwVDYCt1h
"Okay," he whispered. "There are four cars. Three SUVs and the other is Mr Cowell’s. The car closest to the bridge to the right has two people sitting inside and two people guarding it. I’m guessing that’s where they’re holding Miss Griselda."268Please respect copyright.PENANAYVUa1sPYk2
268Please respect copyright.PENANAz7V8zIL9sg
268Please respect copyright.PENANAkn1KeYAZs5
"How many people are there?" Rhénee asked.268Please respect copyright.PENANAoZNgyd4HsX
268Please respect copyright.PENANAB3UEsOflyq
268Please respect copyright.PENANATykcdasK67
"I counted fifteen people, including those in the car. Though I can't be too sure."268Please respect copyright.PENANAINnfoBn4ig
268Please respect copyright.PENANA3rCa70SPrO
268Please respect copyright.PENANAC8PwNXndoj
"That’s still a lot of people," Greta complained.268Please respect copyright.PENANAsjfAFgErQA
268Please respect copyright.PENANA27OyhZwSej
268Please respect copyright.PENANAg9RXvX0KnU
"Meaning we’ve to be strategic in how we’re going to do this," Malcom whispered. "I think I know how we might capture their attention."268Please respect copyright.PENANA0fonr73VR1
268Please respect copyright.PENANArN8ioSAIMh
268Please respect copyright.PENANAigZlFS82GD
"Always the strategist," Greta smiled at her brother. "Tell us, how will we do it?"268Please respect copyright.PENANAEJB5MBAQSL
268Please respect copyright.PENANANkQ3eTupcw
268Please respect copyright.PENANAgihwqWgKWo
Rhénee could feel Malcom’s eyes fall on her. "I figured we could use Rhénee."268Please respect copyright.PENANAGCJwJ0GUvs
268Please respect copyright.PENANAWCw8e67gcB
268Please respect copyright.PENANAu8jdUgux13
"Me? Why?" Rhénee asked.268Please respect copyright.PENANAmHxJ30NNOX
268Please respect copyright.PENANAJhCLRgNXKP
268Please respect copyright.PENANAy2yP9f51TG
"You’re their target and if you bring yourself forward, they’ll be caught off-guard. Besides, they won’t kill you. I’ve a feeling they want you alive for some reason. Moreover, we might be able to pull this off."268Please respect copyright.PENANAyWr6NnOq8s
268Please respect copyright.PENANAxocjgzj3OG
268Please respect copyright.PENANAj0VfHh57el
Rhénee sighed. As much as she wanted to oppose, she knew Malcom made a good point. He continued to lay down the plan for them and when he was done, he asked if all was in order.268Please respect copyright.PENANA9rmsqKGPzC
268Please respect copyright.PENANAmxZusT3BBb
268Please respect copyright.PENANAmu8fxlanvK
"Seems fine to me," said Kevin. "But this will be difficult, so we all need to be careful."268Please respect copyright.PENANAVJdVS0hdrl
268Please respect copyright.PENANA42d7aKTAHw
268Please respect copyright.PENANALonAV26Fvn
"We’ll try," Greta and Rhénee answered at the same.268Please respect copyright.PENANAIYPtdcDX9T
268Please respect copyright.PENANAudqtKSAr5C
268Please respect copyright.PENANAOwJpqDDb6T
The four of them all broke away from each other going into position.268Please respect copyright.PENANA7gz4MuSrtJ
268Please respect copyright.PENANAMeSakaubZb
268Please respect copyright.PENANAr1Bx4MnTq2
***268Please respect copyright.PENANAR3Xq3k7i83
268Please respect copyright.PENANAPrj648Gr88
268Please respect copyright.PENANABDd7lpQDqG
Miguel looked at the car beside him and for a minute, he felt drowsy. He now regretted smoking before coming to guard the car. He wanted so much as to trade places with someone, but they would know that something is wrong. It won’t be the first time he ever smoked before coming in to work.268Please respect copyright.PENANAJB6QUpynov
268Please respect copyright.PENANAapRS1udthC
268Please respect copyright.PENANAMzM5tmqmzH
He shook his head, trying to get himself together. He cannot slack off now. The boss will get angry with him and who knows what he will do. His boss may have given Miguel a few chances in the past, but this time, he might not be so lucky.268Please respect copyright.PENANAaWPc9zZYwj
268Please respect copyright.PENANAI0EZlvQjuH
268Please respect copyright.PENANAQjWpWK4ZBZ
He turned to see his comrade guarding the other side of the car through the passenger side window. He hasn’t noticed that Miguel isn’t himself just yet. Miguel has to hang on a little while longer. However, things are moving quite slow. Their other comrade hasn’t arrived with Rhénee yet. What could be holding him up, Miguel wondered.268Please respect copyright.PENANAtcGwtQlRha
268Please respect copyright.PENANAGhyEQlo7TL
268Please respect copyright.PENANA7Wl4YfxfAz
He felt the mood around him become hectic. And he thought he had seen the boss ahead of him, leaning against one of the cars with the phone in his hand trying to call. At some point, Miguel had heard Mr. Cowell suggest to the boss that he should go back to his house and see what’s holding the other guy up. The boss shouted at him, telling him to shut up and go away. Something’s wrong, and everybody knew it.268Please respect copyright.PENANARQtwvTNeU3
268Please respect copyright.PENANAkbFQ8g4zTl
268Please respect copyright.PENANAWYW1jqIumF
A good twenty minutes had passed and a loud shout rang across the forest. The source? The boss man. Everyone stood silent, looking at him under the partial darkness. Miguel gulped. When his boss is mad or frustrated, he does like to give a loud roar like a mad lion. Someone has to calm him down. The funny thing is, nobody is willing to go and do so.268Please respect copyright.PENANAxs2jT7Q3DQ
268Please respect copyright.PENANAFVrNE2GKij
268Please respect copyright.PENANAEzkVd18YWP
The car door Miguel is guarding flew open on the other side and their female comrade came out. She quickly approached the boss, holding his shoulder so that she could turn and look at him.268Please respect copyright.PENANAU2m8nyoNpQ
268Please respect copyright.PENANAuvoTFmIu5W
268Please respect copyright.PENANAdhSsYTpZgC
"Now isn’t the time to start losing control," she told him. "Pull yourself together or else you might just ruin the whole plan."268Please respect copyright.PENANAsJl41nImi3
268Please respect copyright.PENANAqKmG84msgg
268Please respect copyright.PENANATKCTIMPvp0
"I take it that I’m late for the party?" came another female voice as loud as a blow horn.268Please respect copyright.PENANAc2fwJHdIMv
268Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8VtzIMds7
268Please respect copyright.PENANASvSbz1Pmif
Everyone turned to where the voice came from and there stood a figure of a female at a distance that someone had to turn one of the car's lights on. There stood Rhénee Johnson. Miguel is among the few that murmured in surprise. How is she here alone? And where is their comrade?268Please respect copyright.PENANA5swniVKzMU
268Please respect copyright.PENANAA7Ff0rlRd5
268Please respect copyright.PENANA1SDPomYe6f
His boss scoffed and slowly made his approach towards her, stopping at a reasonable distance.268Please respect copyright.PENANAvRFoNU3oFP
268Please respect copyright.PENANA5V18daoqG5
268Please respect copyright.PENANAhYPq8WceIj
"How are you here alone?" he asked her.268Please respect copyright.PENANA8rRn8g54zG
268Please respect copyright.PENANAD5AD6BSZ0n
268Please respect copyright.PENANAvMPVtbTXq1
"That doesn’t matter," Rhénee told him. "I want Miss Griselda back."268Please respect copyright.PENANA9wJElpT95Q
268Please respect copyright.PENANA8BHJIRWTGD
268Please respect copyright.PENANAhDKrTCTwVB
Miguel’s boss scoffed. "It will not be easy and you know it."268Please respect copyright.PENANAHkN3jGZSd5
268Please respect copyright.PENANAjzSZi4yjsJ
268Please respect copyright.PENANAyy2iYgk9Hr
"Good, because I don't intend to negotiate."268Please respect copyright.PENANAM454wYG9Zy
268Please respect copyright.PENANAgE4CCReB7I
268Please respect copyright.PENANAElZKdsRzzR
Before anyone knew it, an explosion occurred near the centre of the ring of cars, sending the men into a frenzy. The man, considered as the boss, turned to see the confusion. Before he could do anything, Rhénee quickly hit the back of his head hard with the handle of the gun and he fell to the ground out-cold. Rhénee passed his unconscious body, cocking her gun as she raised it to aim and fire.