The sun began to set farther to the west as the last of its rays hit the windows of the skyscrapers and other tall buildings. The sky gave out a soft yet strong glow of orange.322Please respect copyright.PENANADMFaqn66Z4
322Please respect copyright.PENANA4YbqPQ5FO1
At this time, a lot of New Yorkers were knocking off from work and heading home. Some headed for the metro station or used whichever means of transport. Others stopped somewhere to run a late errand. Many people, students and working class; school children and those young enough to be held by the hand, were also heading for home.322Please respect copyright.PENANAdQYuoJTkK7
322Please respect copyright.PENANAgVcCMFleVH
Leo stared out of the window of his office, staring at the sun set. He was so lost in thought that he didn't hear the door open behind him.322Please respect copyright.PENANA8rlFbOcsCB
322Please respect copyright.PENANA5Zo5STZsUQ
"Is it a bad time?" came a voice at the door.322Please respect copyright.PENANALMQ4YuUjru
322Please respect copyright.PENANAX0Qc4e57jX
Leo turned his head and smiled at his father standing at the door.322Please respect copyright.PENANAE35dgS9xrC
322Please respect copyright.PENANAYq8jNYiuKz
"Not at all, dad," said Leo. "Please, come in."322Please respect copyright.PENANAi9O1P5h1n6
322Please respect copyright.PENANARUYBsApSQS
His father did likewise, closing the door behind him. Leo turned his body towards his desk.322Please respect copyright.PENANAOgEtTegIEY
322Please respect copyright.PENANAlPHqtHnxTg
"I'm surprised that you haven't left the office yet," said Mr. McDonell as he sat down on the chair in front of Leo's desk.322Please respect copyright.PENANAMuNi9mt7lj
322Please respect copyright.PENANANjAoum9vJL
"I was just about to," said Leo. "Just enjoying the sunset is all."322Please respect copyright.PENANA7h6PVLSIzV
322Please respect copyright.PENANAvj60x1Xz3k
"You don't look like one who likes to look at the sunset."322Please respect copyright.PENANAQsMZ6sesZg
322Please respect copyright.PENANA9WZn094JvO
"You'll be surprised."322Please respect copyright.PENANAkV6TSX7tsU
322Please respect copyright.PENANAtMpMyXWMqv
"I need to talk to you about something."322Please respect copyright.PENANADiw8yMidGP
322Please respect copyright.PENANAMvb6L7U8Z3
Leo noticed the tone in his father's voice. He sounded serious, and Leo didn't like it.322Please respect copyright.PENANA7ohaoiMkQq
322Please respect copyright.PENANACPoIRk4Pgn
"What is it about?" Leo asked.322Please respect copyright.PENANAcAi1nPuxtf
322Please respect copyright.PENANAaywoDAFn1U
"It's about Angel."322Please respect copyright.PENANAGIfLeI7I3D
322Please respect copyright.PENANATQ7yFJrh6W
"Great! Just great!" Leo said in his thoughts. He had had enough of Angel already. First it was Eric and his paranoia that Angel might end up falling for her boss (that's if she hasn't already), and now, his father wanted to talk about her about who knows what. He felt like looking back at the window to continue looking at the sun, but he didn't want to seem rude.322Please respect copyright.PENANAD0gQVj82Wx
322Please respect copyright.PENANAIc6N5WGS1N
He sat down on his chair and asked, "what about her?"322Please respect copyright.PENANAFIJf0vGROp
322Please respect copyright.PENANAGTjuzrrINS
Before Mr. McDonell could speak, he noticed something wrong with his son after he mentioned Angel. Leo could do all he can to hide his expression, but his father somehow saw right through him.322Please respect copyright.PENANA59NWNpw4kD
322Please respect copyright.PENANAXGvR7GtBwd
"Your grandmother must have told you a while back that she wanted Angel to work here," Mr. McDonell said.322Please respect copyright.PENANAh2Q5yfEagM
322Please respect copyright.PENANAduslVqudiy
"Yes, she did," said Leo trying to keep his cool. "But didn't Angel say she would think about it?"322Please respect copyright.PENANA3op5nqBqUg
322Please respect copyright.PENANAmUwzBGeq4x
"She did."322Please respect copyright.PENANAJQSsxWAPv2
322Please respect copyright.PENANA1qCyMzPeP2
"And....?" Leo hoped and prayed in his heart that Angel had refused the offer. But somewhere deep down, he knew it was the opposite.322Please respect copyright.PENANACTse8RhJft
322Please respect copyright.PENANAlmPdDPDYmf
"She agreed to work with us."322Please respect copyright.PENANADPd1I6mXhO
322Please respect copyright.PENANAMHTr17rFit
Leo almost held the edge of his desk as he felt the floor beneath him begin to spin, but he tried his best not to. His father was already giving him a look and he didn't want to seem weird.322Please respect copyright.PENANA818GUfRvQM
322Please respect copyright.PENANAVFUAqcwyRV
He knew this was coming and he didn't know how to handle it. Right now, all he wanted was to be left alone and do God knows what.322Please respect copyright.PENANAeJby23uv3l
322Please respect copyright.PENANAKOIxi8sfJm
"Umm, that's great," said Leo as he tried to sound enthusiastic.322Please respect copyright.PENANALuTtScmHwJ
322Please respect copyright.PENANAQMwwtKvPUq
Mr. McDonell still wasn't buying Leo's enthusiasm. He felt like he was missing something.322Please respect copyright.PENANArzWvaadx07
322Please respect copyright.PENANAhl9EBTGWS1
"She starts work tomorrow," Mr. McDonell added on.322Please respect copyright.PENANArtgapMIrqN
322Please respect copyright.PENANAsZR4Kuz7hb
"Tomorrow?" Leo couldn't believe it.322Please respect copyright.PENANAYVoFfraGRD
322Please respect copyright.PENANAwJWzlwX2h0
"Yes. She told your grandmother and the message was passed on to me."322Please respect copyright.PENANA2qdysHAXR8
322Please respect copyright.PENANAKyPpMPNCtx
"What about her job at the editing company?"322Please respect copyright.PENANAcwI99y33if
322Please respect copyright.PENANABvq0lCmpDH
"I was told she met with her boss today. She hands in her resignation letter tomorrow."322Please respect copyright.PENANA82mUMTD2ht
322Please respect copyright.PENANA3a2bUYQ38i
Leo gulped. "Okay...., does mum know about this?"322Please respect copyright.PENANADIulghq4u8
322Please respect copyright.PENANArOaPJS4irs
Mr. McDonell leaned back in his seat and folded his arms. Leo knew his mother was the only trump card he had to prevent Angel from ever stepping foot in the company. If he can't have a say in this, she most definitely will.322Please respect copyright.PENANAIgImW94ItL
322Please respect copyright.PENANAYXjLdn1i51
"She doesn't know," his father replied.322Please respect copyright.PENANA62dD3DPYvy
322Please respect copyright.PENANAbiM59P55Kj
Leo paused before he asked, "do you think she will like the idea of Angel working here?"322Please respect copyright.PENANAttwakqbCWf
322Please respect copyright.PENANAw6c1PSH1fY
"No doubt she won't. That's just how she is."322Please respect copyright.PENANAjxpXJLpAV7
322Please respect copyright.PENANApXah96nWtj
"How are you going to break it to her?"322Please respect copyright.PENANAjogEbM4gKl
322Please respect copyright.PENANAX2ory5xZ29
"Tonight at dinner you will be the one making the announcement to the whole family."322Please respect copyright.PENANAdH2UcWfSWW
322Please respect copyright.PENANAaWUKfP0jtZ
Leo straightened up even more on his seat, his eyes wide with surprise. "What?"322Please respect copyright.PENANACoXwq4O9UI
322Please respect copyright.PENANA2U9IigJ9nt
"You heard me."322Please respect copyright.PENANAxd0TRgt87E
322Please respect copyright.PENANArJID7FwYhx
Leo wanted to shake his head but stopped himself. "Why can't Eric do it?"322Please respect copyright.PENANAX9x6lgus7U
322Please respect copyright.PENANA5slWeOzegu
"He doesn't have to know right now. And if I do tell him, he will get excited and blurt it out as soon as he's home."322Please respect copyright.PENANAfzZbExu63K
322Please respect copyright.PENANAy0UOnfvbsc
"Looks like you know him way more than I do."322Please respect copyright.PENANA7vfPNSP98F
322Please respect copyright.PENANAuOXUh3is04
"He's almost like my son, of course I know. And I know he likes Angel, so I would like that you deliver the news."322Please respect copyright.PENANAMIetzWABJb
322Please respect copyright.PENANAtNvXInvy6A
Leo had no idea why his cheeks heated up when his father said that last statement. "You know that Eric likes Angel?"322Please respect copyright.PENANAwNwHlpbPTN
322Please respect copyright.PENANAH4s5dKJuBF
Mr. McDonell shrugged his shoulder with a smile. "It's not that hard to miss," he said, "especially with how he used to take care of her when she had that accident."322Please respect copyright.PENANALorAO9LVPG
322Please respect copyright.PENANA2v8ybkVhwG
"Oh." Leo hoped his father didn't know about him and Carly.322Please respect copyright.PENANAZxIJKbTWeP
322Please respect copyright.PENANAq8epKDWVqY
Carly! Oh, goodness! Leo forgot it was her first day at college and so far, he hadn't called to check up on her. He felt pathetic and he had no one else to blame but Angel. If Eric hadn't come talking about her in the first place, he wouldn't have been brooding about her all day. And now, his father just made it even worse telling him to announce to everyone back home that Angel would be working for them. Angel continued to ruin his life even if she wasn't physically present.322Please respect copyright.PENANAknvf6cnI5a
322Please respect copyright.PENANAloMC6fgiPC
"Leo, are you okay?" Mr. McDonell asked.322Please respect copyright.PENANAxXusGWtAId
322Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0ytDlhgCF
"Huh?" Leo turned to look at his father.322Please respect copyright.PENANAxIJAWlAlen
322Please respect copyright.PENANAlW3awWNRVM
"Are you okay? You just hit your forehead just now as though you're angry or something."322Please respect copyright.PENANAUUc1p8jTFE
322Please respect copyright.PENANAO77igMsnH0
Leo hadn't noticed his open palm upon his head and he felt like an idiot. He did that because he was mad at himself for not thinking about Carly when he had to.322Please respect copyright.PENANAz5EvzwvRuB
322Please respect copyright.PENANAioT6dxo1IQ
"I have to go get something," Leo said. "I better rush before heading home."322Please respect copyright.PENANAfr1EiNd03O
322Please respect copyright.PENANAM80Mc0NomX
"If you say so," said Mr. McDonell as he stood up from his seat.322Please respect copyright.PENANAecFI1FRMKk
322Please respect copyright.PENANAbWNcz5h4Ha
"I'll see you back home?"322Please respect copyright.PENANAWRkcbLc7iv
322Please respect copyright.PENANAoxz3p9Gj76
"Ya, you ride with Eric. I'll stay here for a bit to finish up. But I'll be there before supper."322Please respect copyright.PENANAzlAusJtzok
322Please respect copyright.PENANA5YjeS0P3je
"Sure. See you later, then."322Please respect copyright.PENANAbQ0pWQ6i7C
322Please respect copyright.PENANA5dJf0mrJQv
Mr. McDonell gently nodded and made his way out of the office. As soon as he closed the door, Leo quickly stood up from his seat and got his jacket that was hanging at the back of his chair. He took his phone, the car keys, the keys to the office and left.322Please respect copyright.PENANAJZytt5jRUL
322Please respect copyright.PENANAq73TkvMTw5
The hall was quiet and the working cubicles in the work area were almost empty except for two employees still at their desks. Leo passed the cubicles and went down the hall to Eric's office. Before he could even reach the door, it opened and out came Eric.322Please respect copyright.PENANAhf77EJre5K
322Please respect copyright.PENANAtMBX2ezlRp
"I was just coming to get you," said Leo as Eric locked the door to his office.322Please respect copyright.PENANA1JAV013sDS
322Please respect copyright.PENANAlkzSptzto8
"Don't tell me I'm taking the ride home with you," Eric said as he turned to look at his cousin.322Please respect copyright.PENANAoZGlhvBQDX
322Please respect copyright.PENANAqAM4NGcs7W
"Yep, and we have to stop by somewhere."322Please respect copyright.PENANAHJIiuEATxN
322Please respect copyright.PENANAHx16lJHd5e
"May I ask where and why?"322Please respect copyright.PENANAPbzPnt6rvu
322Please respect copyright.PENANAf83sCDXC0C
"Come on. I'll tell you."322Please respect copyright.PENANA7MMjmdTrTG
322Please respect copyright.PENANAhRHatxZ9wZ
***322Please respect copyright.PENANAjiYqzi5tnM
322Please respect copyright.PENANAYUifC6ENkq
"...I'm Harriet, by the way, what's yours?"322Please respect copyright.PENANAsSpIRpcwWD
322Please respect copyright.PENANA8FJtmBad21
"I'm Carly," said Carly as she smiled and shook hands with a green eyed brunette. "A pleasure meeting you."322Please respect copyright.PENANAiHjcGo5yMo
322Please respect copyright.PENANA16nHs7iWNX
"Mine too," she said. "If you need any help with anything, I'm here to help."322Please respect copyright.PENANAhnP7uANFzV
322Please respect copyright.PENANA74c7enU04l
"Thanks so much. See you tomorrow."322Please respect copyright.PENANAGijJVnYZXD
322Please respect copyright.PENANAGxTqpOEGbc
Harriet smiled back and quickly walked away so as to catch up with some of her friends who had gone ahead of her. Carly's first day had gone pretty well. Not only did she meet Robin, she also made new friends, Harriet being one of them. Her day couldn't get any better than this. But sadly, it was finally over and it was time to head back.322Please respect copyright.PENANAJa2tnoLtNu
322Please respect copyright.PENANA37onkDmkO3
She still stood in the hall outside the lecture room. A few people who had stayed behind soon walked out. She checked for her phone in her backpack and removed it to see if she had any messages.322Please respect copyright.PENANA8dY8aVN73G
322Please respect copyright.PENANAVZKVfSK5gX
There was only one message from Angel that was sent to her almost thirty minutes ago asking her how her day went and if she needed to be picked up. Carly decided to call her sister as she walked down the hall.322Please respect copyright.PENANAVwpOyMGABo
322Please respect copyright.PENANA85RQfSHY32
"Hey, sis," said Carly when she heard the line pick up on the other end.322Please respect copyright.PENANACOTmzQKmK0
322Please respect copyright.PENANA2GOYvrHCYG
"Hey, how was your day?" Angel asked.322Please respect copyright.PENANAgBIdf3iLoZ
322Please respect copyright.PENANA3InNhPu3RL
"It was great," Carly replied with a smile on her face. "You won't believe who I met here."322Please respect copyright.PENANA4lqhiGg2k1
322Please respect copyright.PENANAH4S1Wjrnuu
"Who?"322Please respect copyright.PENANAvCktdHXeOD
322Please respect copyright.PENANApNjwNnnyRa
"Remember that guy with grey eyes who...., uh...., you met at the place I used to work at?"322Please respect copyright.PENANADtGYs0NON8
322Please respect copyright.PENANAex766FZ2WO
Talking about Mr. Walter's club brought up some uneasiness in Carly. She felt embarrassed just talking about it.322Please respect copyright.PENANAim5ZzsNSPJ
322Please respect copyright.PENANAnI9dbIbeBr
"Oh, yes, I do." Angel answered quickly, knowing very well how it made them both uncomfortable. Just talking about it brought back very bad memories.322Please respect copyright.PENANAV0fKrjTQ0f
322Please respect copyright.PENANAOH8P3wzsHy
"In case you forgot, his name is Robin. And he sends his regards."322Please respect copyright.PENANA1P9wnMfFNm
322Please respect copyright.PENANAERalRxVerd
"I never got to know his name, sadly. Thanks. I hope he didn't try to convince you into going back to work there."322Please respect copyright.PENANAov6GRKTLt7
322Please respect copyright.PENANAvzvF8QNCZi
Carly turned round the corner that led to a open corridor. She saw a few students talking on the open green lawn, the sun slowly setting.322Please respect copyright.PENANAtduOhcv4bF
322Please respect copyright.PENANAwdWKbTWeij
"Oh, no, he didn't. He's glad I never went back there. He always said that that place wasn't meant for me."322Please respect copyright.PENANAnXlXvTbzxs
322Please respect copyright.PENANAMwQ3G8e5nR
"Well, that shows how much of a good friend he is and I'm glad. I thought you needed a ride after your classes. I could easily ask one of the drivers here to pick you up."322Please respect copyright.PENANAki58krfnA0
322Please respect copyright.PENANATJFFaWY2vy
"Nah, I'm cool. I'll take the bus."322Please respect copyright.PENANAVATInG5fwi
322Please respect copyright.PENANA40AdLjE3Tl
"Ok. Just be careful out there."322Please respect copyright.PENANARNXQR6lWDp
322Please respect copyright.PENANAvikICZ9GJa
"I'll be fine. Don't you worry."322Please respect copyright.PENANAQLXPAnm629
322Please respect copyright.PENANASimJtdyAdT
"See you later then."322Please respect copyright.PENANAHTssk2jSsp
322Please respect copyright.PENANAUTJGAVYRgP
"Ya, see you."322Please respect copyright.PENANApiJLgsWhfU
322Please respect copyright.PENANADP5bUI6Wgc
Carly found herself at the college's parking lot. The place was almost empty. The last of the cars leaving the premises probably belonged to a student as it was an orange Lamborghini. Only a black old BMW and a white Cadillac remained in the parking lot.322Please respect copyright.PENANAfnmppPzhYP
322Please respect copyright.PENANAhWsMn4uccC
Carly walked out of the main gate and across the street was the boarding campus for the students. Carly went down the street and went on straight till she reached the traffic lights. The traffic light turned red for the cars to stop and Carly gladly walked down the zebra crossing after the green pedestrian light turned on. She was the only pedestrian and when she reached the other side of the street, she continued straight on, heading for the bus stop in front of her.322Please respect copyright.PENANA7iP6KKP8C5
322Please respect copyright.PENANA8dny3CULFV
When she got there, she found no one waiting for the bus. She shrugged her shoulders as she sat down on the little bench. It looked like she was going to sit there alone till the bus arrived.322Please respect copyright.PENANAggcpjYj79l
322Please respect copyright.PENANAdfmkoKXklp
She brought her backpack in front of her and placed it on her lap. She took out her phone and still no message from Leo. She figured that he must have had a busy day and probably forgot to call or text her. She decided to send him a text, considering that he must be driving back home from work.322Please respect copyright.PENANAU2PkfoTKXK
322Please respect copyright.PENANAsL2tKZRj0o
Carly was oblivious that a black sedan that had been parked a block away had been following her from the time she left the college gates. She continued to look through her phone that she didn't hear the car slowly approach the bus stop. The cars driving by on the road, drowned the noise of the sedan's engine. Besides, the man behind the wheel made sure not to draw much attention by not turning on the car's headlights.322Please respect copyright.PENANAfvJljS2oSv
322Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0ZrnVD5G4
Carly grew bored going through social media with still no reply from Leo. She wanted to be pissed but couldn't. She had had a long day. But with no sign of the bus coming, it just set her peace of mind to a whole other level.322Please respect copyright.PENANA6sKP2IsXuO
322Please respect copyright.PENANA3K8Rc42vBp
She put her phone back in her backpack and strapped it round her shoulder. It was then that she noticed the black sedan right next to the bus stop, a few feet away from her. She looked into the car through the windshield and the blaring light of a phone shone through the glass. She caught sight of the man looking down on his phone. Looked like he stopped to be on the phone, she thought. She sighed and wished Leo could do the same and reply to her text.322Please respect copyright.PENANAWut80GBmae
322Please respect copyright.PENANAxOZpSWwE37
She turned her head, looking down the street and across. A few people walked by here and there, two couples had walked past her. She started to tap her foot impatiently on the concrete. The bus was a no show and she now felt like an idiot for not letting Angel send her a car. Maybe she could give her a call again and tell her to do so. But just before she could, a sound came from the car. She looked, surprised that there was a car there, and saw that the car door had opened. The man stepped out, closing the door behind him.322Please respect copyright.PENANAlsjuV0bHEu
322Please respect copyright.PENANA4B7YzHRG8l
"You don't happen to have a cigarette lighter, do you, miss?" the man asked with a pack of cigarettes in his hands as he approached Carly. Carly realised how tall and well built the man was. He wore a black jumper with a hood over his head, but she was able to see his face.322Please respect copyright.PENANAftAKRrWx0u
322Please respect copyright.PENANAAf4GbyNayg
"Oh, no, I don't," said Carly. "I don't even smoke."322Please respect copyright.PENANAKV7wQlNoQg
322Please respect copyright.PENANAJJOQZPexoH
"Oh," said the man, looking baffled as he now stood in front of her. "I was expecting you do."322Please respect copyright.PENANA9Tx8JRxjQr
322Please respect copyright.PENANATVLJuNPNJ7
"No, sorry," said Carly as she shook her head.322Please respect copyright.PENANAXUxm6U7VbU
322Please respect copyright.PENANASmp31OHWiL
"Too bad," said the man as he placed the pack in his pockets. "I would have enjoyed smoking a cigar and talking to a pretty lady like yourself."322Please respect copyright.PENANA9M97FZpzQT
322Please respect copyright.PENANAz74cyCgKKk
Carly felt her cheeks blush, but she tried to hide it with a chuckle. She knew where this was going. She had met a lot like him back at the club. They were the ones who tried to attract your attention by small talk.322Please respect copyright.PENANASw14ElmFwU
322Please respect copyright.PENANA7dFw3GgXgy
"Too bad, indeed," said Carly as she smiled at him. "Maybe some other lady would like that idea. Not me."322Please respect copyright.PENANA53gl0eqHbv
322Please respect copyright.PENANAKX7HuJlbOk
"Funny. I don't think I would find someone as gorgeous as you."322Please respect copyright.PENANAnktQEzZI9y
322Please respect copyright.PENANAsVNdAaovET
Carly looked down the road to see if there was any sign of the bus. She went on to look at the man again.322Please respect copyright.PENANAYab7a78iVZ
322Please respect copyright.PENANAC6eFgDKb0F
"Sorry, I'm just not your girl."322Please respect copyright.PENANAo6CGI8pu8V
322Please respect copyright.PENANAzX82KJcITt
The man scoffed as he took a step closer to her. "I wasn't really asking," he said with a grin.322Please respect copyright.PENANAL5XWX55shG
322Please respect copyright.PENANAr7Zznl6wSY
Carly read the man's dark eyes and she knew she had to get up and run. But just before she could even stand, the man took hold of the back of her head and the next thing she knew, a piece of cloth that he withdrew from his pocket covered her nose and mouth.322Please respect copyright.PENANA3OzhYTFMp1
322Please respect copyright.PENANAhKYvA2rh1r
The smell on the cloth was intoxicating. She tried to fight, clawing at the man's face and arms, but he was too strong for her. It took almost a minute and a half of struggling when her vision started to blur. She was soon losing her strength faster than she anticipated. She soon fell unconscious.322Please respect copyright.PENANAwu5OgJW4Wg
322Please respect copyright.PENANArgRp3MVDog
The man removed the cloth filled with chloroform from her face and held her steadily. He lifted her off the bench and carried her to his car. He laid her down on the sidewalk so as to open the passenger side door. He looked around to make sure there was no one around watching him. To his luck, there was none.322Please respect copyright.PENANA1TzrKHQvrU
322Please respect copyright.PENANADHewDOrg5x
He lifted Carly into the car and laid her on the passenger seat in a sleeping position. He closed the door and went back to the bench to get her backpack. He turned back to his car, got inside, closed the door and threw her backpack to the passenger's seat.322Please respect copyright.PENANANlOc51sBDJ
322Please respect copyright.PENANA5gBFBoJrxq
His job had been much easier than he had thought. He couldn't help but smile when he pulled out his phone and called Mr. Walters.322Please respect copyright.PENANAgAUAiG2pLQ
322Please respect copyright.PENANAyCLpWBApCp
"Is it done?" were the first words Mr. Walters asked upon picking the call.322Please respect copyright.PENANADLWRQqcRDm
322Please respect copyright.PENANAR8GoOMoY73
"It's done. She's in my car right now."322Please respect copyright.PENANANHYdxnLlW3
322Please respect copyright.PENANAGcufDjWgD3
"Great. I'll give you the address to the Red Lion and I'll inform him of the news."322Please respect copyright.PENANA7wSg6OnibR
322Please respect copyright.PENANANFW4DFtDRh
The man cut the call. Seconds later, his phone beeped. He read the message and knew exactly where to go. He put the key in the ignition and started the engine. He looked at Carly lying unconscious in the backseat.322Please respect copyright.PENANA3m40XX5qnQ
322Please respect copyright.PENANA6MXq30ZTos
"Let's go meet the Red Lion," he said to her and he set his eyes on the road.322Please respect copyright.PENANA8pqAXa5g2H
322Please respect copyright.PENANAqwSIQvlcCu
***322Please respect copyright.PENANA3tGmg4DEgw
322Please respect copyright.PENANA9PxxftmZBa
Leo climbed into the driver's seat with a brown paper bag in his hands. Kevin who sat on the passenger seat was looking through his phone.322Please respect copyright.PENANAkiEXgMBwA0
322Please respect copyright.PENANAiDIWMHCN6K
"Can you stop looking at that darn thing?" Leo asked as he closed the car door and placed the bag at the back. "I left you looking at the phone and you're still on it."322Please respect copyright.PENANAn94L9bGfRR
322Please respect copyright.PENANABZGUOMjKtD
"You were only in the store for like a minute," said Eric. "And it's also thanks to me that you managed to make a last minute call to Nate to get you a present for Carly."322Please respect copyright.PENANAyuxtP6gwYy
322Please respect copyright.PENANAsuougz0NPy
"You expect a thank you from me, don't you?" Leo asked, giving Eric the look.322Please respect copyright.PENANAWnLmIF8jaU
322Please respect copyright.PENANAsjvwqnAN2y
"Well, ya. You would have found the store closed if I didn't call Nate on time."322Please respect copyright.PENANAvTImZKwLXW
322Please respect copyright.PENANAgBAM3Lab5d
"Okay," Leo rolled his eyes before he focused them back on his cousin. "Thank you, Eric. You're the best brother ever."322Please respect copyright.PENANAL9NAmT1k4A
322Please respect copyright.PENANAlbzo8v8YXx
"I wasn't expecting that last bit, but I'll take it."322Please respect copyright.PENANAVgdmUR0BsN
322Please respect copyright.PENANA4SWOVch9o7
"I wonder how I deal with you sometimes." Leo put the keys in the ignition and started the engine.322Please respect copyright.PENANALdtT7Wi0vh
322Please respect copyright.PENANApnVFzq9By0
Leo's car took off to the streets, heading home. But as usual, they ran into a bit of traffic.322Please respect copyright.PENANA3gUpVtxIQL
322Please respect copyright.PENANAKgnsCvDoDx
"Oh, I almost forgot," said Eric. "You have a message on your phone. I didn't want to read it because-you know-I might be invading your privacy."322Please respect copyright.PENANA0NyH5Z9d3g
322Please respect copyright.PENANAYXDrjxaLJ8
"Knowing you, you must have read it already." Leo's eyes were still fixed on the road as the traffic ahead started to move.322Please respect copyright.PENANAKS8YQIvtq4
322Please respect copyright.PENANAtkSoBR6xO1
"No." Eric looked out the window. "But I do know it's from Carly."322Please respect copyright.PENANA4WCtkAxIZZ
322Please respect copyright.PENANAmqbcz0N8Dy
Leo winced. "Dang it! She must be wondering why I haven't given her a call the whole day."322Please respect copyright.PENANAhwZhUEgoyf
322Please respect copyright.PENANA3qdgPAh5bi
"For someone who really cares about someone, you have a terrible way of showing it."322Please respect copyright.PENANA0yQ1F1NS9c
322Please respect copyright.PENANA17aRrEuGEy
"That's why I'm making it up to her by getting her a gift. My mind was just off today."322Please respect copyright.PENANAL4WEa7UlOQ
322Please respect copyright.PENANAy73hBHLU4K
"Hmmm, I wonder why," Eric turned to look at Leo.322Please respect copyright.PENANAGwSRmDgkvb
322Please respect copyright.PENANATcQOw2Uiw4
"You know why. I don't even want to talk about it."322Please respect copyright.PENANAHGMmrWjZSD
322Please respect copyright.PENANAQKUemAqiK7
"Ya, let's not."322Please respect copyright.PENANANRImdLGsgD
322Please respect copyright.PENANAEWKAxzsRZu
Leo sighed. "Can you read the message for me?"322Please respect copyright.PENANAfK00Z8ITZs
322Please respect copyright.PENANAIfmghc6bjD
"Gladly," said Eric as he almost jumped in his seat even with the seatbelt on. He took hold of Leo's phone on the dashboard and he didn't struggle with the phone's password because he already knew it.322Please respect copyright.PENANACv8aQtzq4d
322Please respect copyright.PENANAVW8UxDghrQ
"All she write was hi and asked how your day went," said Eric, his eyes on the lit screen. "Huh..., I was expecting her to write how upset she is that you hadn't communicated with her all day."322Please respect copyright.PENANAz9LiI3ybmm
322Please respect copyright.PENANAY3OttVDlEn
"Carly's understanding," said Leo as he tried to smile. "I bet she knew I have had a busy day at work and forgot."322Please respect copyright.PENANAmUxGJP7b4i
322Please respect copyright.PENANAxTAGSPk3CR
"Oh, please! You weren't meeting with any clients and you weren't even busy. You were just sulking in your office over Angel coming to work at the company."322Please respect copyright.PENANAew987cTzdp
322Please respect copyright.PENANA9h67E90rEq
"I thought we weren't going to talk about it," Leo said through his gritted teeth, holding the steering wheel tightly. He prayed that he could keep himself under control and not cause an accident.322Please respect copyright.PENANA6q3Gtnldbn
322Please respect copyright.PENANADL2wNinKnc
"I know. But you've to be honest with Carly and tell her what's on your mind."322Please respect copyright.PENANA70da54Fs9L
322Please respect copyright.PENANAcevCUDfMUo
"What are you now? My therapist?" Leo gave Eric a confused glance before focusing on the road again.322Please respect copyright.PENANA5LGUXwwaaC
322Please respect copyright.PENANAfK0VnmQrVE
"No. But you have an issue with Angel. Carly might know it already, but she doesn't know to what extent."322Please respect copyright.PENANAiSy9C2xu90
322Please respect copyright.PENANA6MaDUKvYP8
"Pssh. That's ridiculous. I can't start telling Carly about these petty issues."322Please respect copyright.PENANAqwIw7YVgmr
322Please respect copyright.PENANAWrqIBmBESv
"I'm glad you agree that this whole Angel thing is petty."322Please respect copyright.PENANArshwB9WrHr
322Please respect copyright.PENANAZgnNF51Wc9
"Wait-no-it's not-" Leo was at a loss for words. "What I mean to say is-"322Please respect copyright.PENANAQqxyNhWb97
322Please respect copyright.PENANA9l3OXFy6hw
"That you can't tell her that you have been thinking about Angel the whole day instead of focusing on work? Or maybe during your free time, you should have been thinking of her instead?"322Please respect copyright.PENANA5noccLLZCg
322Please respect copyright.PENANAmZ6AZH6cTX
Leo felt like giving Eric a punch as he shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe you."322Please respect copyright.PENANAhQDYBraMtV
322Please respect copyright.PENANAfYxzb6iTsd
"But you can't deny it. I still think you should get help. You always think Angel is out to make your life miserable. That might end up being an obsession, you know?"322Please respect copyright.PENANAPlkqfC7sPC
322Please respect copyright.PENANAjE6Bq3nG2t
"Well..., you brought her up in the first place."322Please respect copyright.PENANAEnQPWNlq8o
322Please respect copyright.PENANAvBPm3IioMV
"I know, but that was only because I like Angel and I was telling you as a friend. You took it to a whole new level all on your own."322Please respect copyright.PENANA1v3bt8MuJg
322Please respect copyright.PENANAnVHndl7Hur
Leo shook his head. If only Eric knew that what he had feared is about to come true. He would know in a hour or so.322Please respect copyright.PENANAXpD9zpf7fN
322Please respect copyright.PENANAFUnDe4QS4Z
"Anyway, you're already in trouble with Carly over not communicating with her. She might sound sweet and sincere on text, but who knows when you get to meet her tonight."322Please respect copyright.PENANAv9gEUnoRmu
322Please respect copyright.PENANAddgeE2w6xr
"I know, women are complicated," said Leo.322Please respect copyright.PENANAw66Em7opdr
322Please respect copyright.PENANAeSzgsGBFnm
"And so are you." Eric gave his cousin a mocking smile.322Please respect copyright.PENANA2LR2y2EQ3l
322Please respect copyright.PENANAk1Pgv1eiYG
Leo would have said something back, but he realized that he didn't know what to say. Maybe Eric's right. He is complicated.322Please respect copyright.PENANAr74tHJghg3
322Please respect copyright.PENANAJA9Z7W9Oy0
They soon reached home and Leo couldn't wait to see Carly and apologise. But then the thought of seeing Angel made his heartbeat even more. Why was he nervous all of the sudden?322Please respect copyright.PENANA6ySJpn2TXU
322Please respect copyright.PENANARghkqeIIVA
"Hey, Leo, are you okay?" Eric asked.322Please respect copyright.PENANApipMLKAkEI
322Please respect copyright.PENANArCXw8CqZQn
"Huh?" Leo turned to look at his cousin.322Please respect copyright.PENANADPp6Rl9ra3
322Please respect copyright.PENANAKihL8fxcqn
"You seem lost. Are you sure you're okay?"322Please respect copyright.PENANArsLob4tXSg
322Please respect copyright.PENANAVxP57XxzEl
Leo tried to put up an embarrassing smile. He couldn't tell Eric about Angel. They had dwelled on her long enough.322Please respect copyright.PENANANbLtDm1Sxz
322Please respect copyright.PENANAGD05j7FC4B
"Oh, no," said Leo. "I'm just worried that Carly won't accept my gift."322Please respect copyright.PENANABaw8QY2RPb
322Please respect copyright.PENANAMewxRuQhAe
"Mmmm...., not to worry, she will love it. Besides, I don't think she's mad. I bet she's tired to even be mad."322Please respect copyright.PENANA0sNH2Dir7t
322Please respect copyright.PENANA5je4tdw3vl
"I hope so."322Please respect copyright.PENANABEKq0RfQ7x
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"Come on, we better go inside."322Please respect copyright.PENANAjXk37NFf5j
322Please respect copyright.PENANAkmL4zaTX9u
Eric got out of the car first. Leo waited for a few seconds until he got the paper gift bag at the back, removed the key out of the ignition and got out of the car.322Please respect copyright.PENANAQPdzRPZ6w5
322Please respect copyright.PENANAcsMI6hEwP5
Leo walked up the stone path to the front door. The outdoor lights on the lawn had been turned on. He looked ahead at the open door in front of him. Eric had just entered the foyer, removing his jacket.322Please respect copyright.PENANAhOWihKN2yD
322Please respect copyright.PENANA3niAnWjexH
Leo joined his cousin, closing the door behind him. Eric carried his jacket with him to the living room. Leo heard him give out a cheerful greeting and he knew that his grandmother was there.322Please respect copyright.PENANAJ59A9eOis0
322Please respect copyright.PENANAvGb9oZ1voF
"Hello, dear," came Amanda's voice. "Where's Leo?"322Please respect copyright.PENANA1osMDthff8
322Please respect copyright.PENANAQgwGef1rhn
"I'm here, grandma," said Leo as he came into the living room and found his grandmother on the wheelchair seating close to a chair where Oliver sat.322Please respect copyright.PENANAe9g2hlDKSN
322Please respect copyright.PENANAMaDAs1ucfL
"Come give me a hug, dear," said Amanda and Leo did just that.322Please respect copyright.PENANAhKOrGRA0eE
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"Hey, Oliver," said Leo as he ruffled his cousin's hair.322Please respect copyright.PENANArqvrIRvbFq
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"I'm great and how are you?" Oliver asked. "Were you so busy at work?"322Please respect copyright.PENANAx2n4DVN4rR
322Please respect copyright.PENANA2SbaUR61KA
"Not really. Why?"322Please respect copyright.PENANAKpS42ooVSW
322Please respect copyright.PENANATjesRVb0jl
"You look really tired."322Please respect copyright.PENANA7KyK9QiKLS
322Please respect copyright.PENANAduDkciOUlw
Leo gave Oliver a smile and cleared his throat. Eric, on the other hand, joined his young brother on the couch and chuckled to himself. Leo knew Eric was only making fun of him.322Please respect copyright.PENANAtt5IaEeOtz
322Please respect copyright.PENANAdh9cPDzSCM
"What's that in your hand, Leo?" Amanda asked as she looked at the paper bag in his hand.322Please respect copyright.PENANA0YTQHtyw1N
322Please respect copyright.PENANAgpLviS5TD5
"Oh..., this?" Leo lifted it. "Just something I got for myself from the store."322Please respect copyright.PENANAHA1dS5t7iB
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"Okay. Why don't you put that bag away in your room, then come back and tell me how your day went."322Please respect copyright.PENANA5FwQ5hlkMd
322Please respect copyright.PENANAeoY7bMr0jI
"Sure, grandma."322Please respect copyright.PENANAqMbCfEj4mh
322Please respect copyright.PENANAaDeYEXPHKV
Leo felt relieved that his grandmother didn't ask further about the gift bag. Just as he turned around to head for the stairs, standing by the doorway leading into the living room, was Angel.322Please respect copyright.PENANAoh91Mz2xOi
322Please respect copyright.PENANAL830IjvWQZ
His heart stopped beating for a moment as he looked at her. He was out of breath too. His head started to feel a little fuzzy as he tried to say something, but somehow he couldn't. Angel's appearance had somehow left him dazed that he couldn't move or even speak.322Please respect copyright.PENANAOmV6edtTfg
322Please respect copyright.PENANAai4TB4vHww
Angel broke the ice between them saying, "hello, Leo."322Please respect copyright.PENANABuxJsV9lsR
322Please respect copyright.PENANAljf5i4jZPa
Leo struggled to move his lips but he said something at least. "Hello."322Please respect copyright.PENANAm3N9HDbaqP
322Please respect copyright.PENANAtbHAtbKGlM
Leo felt tiny beads of sweat appear on his forehead and he prayed that Angel didn't notice. It would be embarrassing. Why did he feel like he had just run a marathon? His heart still pumped like crazy.322Please respect copyright.PENANAgKPqlrf02Q
322Please respect copyright.PENANAF9j3d4FUag
"Hi, Angel," came Eric. "Wow..., Angel, you look amazing."322Please respect copyright.PENANAzJvYiD4Ppo
322Please respect copyright.PENANAktQzLkS1si
Angel looked at Eric behind Leo who stood up from his seat to look at her in her white summer dress. Angel smiled and slightly blushed. Leo who kept staring at her also couldn't help but blush himself. When he realised it, he quickly looked down at his feet, feeling angry with himself.322Please respect copyright.PENANAHxigcmLp44
322Please respect copyright.PENANAwpmdIHWl5T
"Thanks, Eric," said Angel. Angel looked at Leo and then back at everyone else in the living room. "I thought Carly had arrived."322Please respect copyright.PENANApVMNIT0bUX
322Please respect copyright.PENANAwRevQK5jCa
"Wait, Carly isn't here?" Leo asked as he looked up at Angel.322Please respect copyright.PENANArHtNElQoZQ
322Please respect copyright.PENANAUKNRrFLpkH
Angel shook her head. Her eyes were now filled with worry and Leo knew how that felt as he looked into them. He quickly looked away.322Please respect copyright.PENANASdPn7oQMG1
322Please respect copyright.PENANAjTGU8icA7O
"Maybe she's still stuck in traffic," said Eric. "The bus she used must probably have used a longer route or something."322Please respect copyright.PENANAFjN3sU5WU6
322Please respect copyright.PENANAFNQHo38fG7
"That's what I told her, Eric," said Amanda. "But she has every right to be worried and now I am too. She should have been home by now."322Please respect copyright.PENANAwJc4FLLqrE
322Please respect copyright.PENANAMdb2UzoDSy
"When was the last time you talked to her?" Leo asked, still not looking at Angel.322Please respect copyright.PENANAIWae4MClZs
322Please respect copyright.PENANAD0K9GEMOy1
"That was close to 6 PM," Angel answered. "She was done with her classes then. I offered to send a car, but she assured me that she would take the bus."322Please respect copyright.PENANAh7DOz338um
322Please respect copyright.PENANAo60dPJsCLB
"Try calling her again, dear," said Amanda. "I sure hope she's okay."322Please respect copyright.PENANApA0DA9Bdbn
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Angel already had her phone in her hand. She quickly dialled the number and called.322Please respect copyright.PENANAPq3Jxcca10
322Please respect copyright.PENANADLbnmN9H7V
Leo hoped that Carly would pick up. But from where he stood, he could hear the ringing tune from Angel's phone which she placed on her ear. He closed his eyes and groaned in frustration when Carly didn't pick up.322Please respect copyright.PENANAVeo8Pw0O7J
322Please respect copyright.PENANAY2pJ3lLW5N
"No answer," said Angel as she stared at her phone.322Please respect copyright.PENANA3UhJ7pu2Kg
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"Her phone's probably on silent or something," said Eric.322Please respect copyright.PENANA1lZr2iog7Y
322Please respect copyright.PENANAQWMm7m9aqG
"Maybe. She does like to leave it that way when she goes for lectures that she forgets even when she's out of class."322Please respect copyright.PENANASv0iSRgZvR
322Please respect copyright.PENANANFCvw4zMxk
"Well, she should be putting it on vibrate more often," said Amanda. "She's probably on her way, don't worry."322Please respect copyright.PENANAHa0mdtGBdD
322Please respect copyright.PENANAV7pdwluK4H
"I'll try not to." Angel tried to put up a smile but failed terribly. "I'll be in my room if anyone needs me."322Please respect copyright.PENANAz6hpmz1pr4
322Please respect copyright.PENANArI1NB2TTMn
Angel turned around and left the living room. Leo looked on at her as she walked down the hall. He almost got lost in thought until he shook his head.322Please respect copyright.PENANAg1EzNoulB8
322Please respect copyright.PENANAz505JwMU3t
"Angel's really worried," said Oliver. "I hope Carly gets here safely."322Please respect copyright.PENANAFpAC7EiWtj
322Please respect copyright.PENANA5URMKm9cfF
Amanda held Oliver's hand that was on the armrest of the couch. "Of course, she will," she said with a smile.322Please respect copyright.PENANA7H30ifZ5jR
322Please respect copyright.PENANARkstDHTyPz
"I better head upstairs and change," said Leo and he made his way to the stairs.322Please respect copyright.PENANAWuEUMvzpMo
322Please respect copyright.PENANAWqvoENkY5r
Leo couldn't help but worry about Carly's whereabouts. Now he felt even more guilty for not calling her when he had the chance. He would have been the one to pick her up. As he headed up the stairs to his room, he couldn't help but wonder if Carly was okay.322Please respect copyright.PENANAQx8Ymi29qX
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***322Please respect copyright.PENANAtAcE8Z4vnZ
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Carly groaned as she felt her head spin. She tried to open her heavy eyes but everything in front of her was a blur. She tried to come around but everytime, she felt like she was slipping back into oblivion.322Please respect copyright.PENANA7fg5reFuiR
322Please respect copyright.PENANAgTxXBi4Hza
She heard muffled sounds that she couldn't make out. She wondered where she was. She tried to remember what happened earlier, but her head hurt like hell.322Please respect copyright.PENANABDRTvx2gFL
322Please respect copyright.PENANAM2nqm37rCm
Gentle taps on her cheek made her nerves wake up a little bit. Her sight slowly started to clear up a bit. She made out a person in front of her, but she still couldn't see properly.322Please respect copyright.PENANAKW07wt1zYT
322Please respect copyright.PENANAulNxX5Jo7f
She heard a voice, but it sounded all muffled up in her ears. She started to black out, but again, she felt a gentle tap on her cheek.322Please respect copyright.PENANAXh4ipbMgHC
322Please respect copyright.PENANAxtgqIII0NV
This time she was wide awake and she looked at her surrounding. She was in a room with grey walls and with a fluorescent tube above her. She wondered how she got here. The last place she remembered was the bus stop.322Please respect copyright.PENANA8GdsEG2FZc
322Please respect copyright.PENANABJpi7DD6hI
"Glad you're awake, Carly," came the voice in the room.322Please respect copyright.PENANAKuwxMavOA6
322Please respect copyright.PENANAvDzBOS1mva
Carly looked straight in front of her and there was a man squatting on the floor, looking at her with a smile on his face.322Please respect copyright.PENANAbjvWtNjLNG
322Please respect copyright.PENANA4SURqkvFjy
Carly felt like she knew who the man was, but she couldn't remember. And then at that moment, everything dawned on her. This man had drugged and brought her here. Carly started to panic but then she realised she couldn't move. She looked down at her hands. She was strapped onto a wooden chair with rope and so were her legs. She tried to scream for help, but that was then that she realised that she had a cloth in her mouth. All she made were muffled loud noises.322Please respect copyright.PENANAsLjpx5N51B
322Please respect copyright.PENANAeCAveCm9Z0
"Ssh," said the man in front of her, smiling gently. "All you've to do is cooperate and we won't hurt you, okay?"322Please respect copyright.PENANADkIusqmX9d
322Please respect copyright.PENANAvCSVH4kC0g
Carly started to panic even more, trying her best to break free. The man stood up and walked away. Carly heard the door open and close behind her. More people came into the room. She stopped struggling and waited as the man who had tied her up and another man came to stand in front of her.322Please respect copyright.PENANAeXNIYWllJF
322Please respect copyright.PENANA8MS2WSNeZr
"Carly Barclay," said the tall African American man as he got close and squatted in front of her. "I finally get to meet you at last."322Please respect copyright.PENANAXtiBukUAtB