“Okay, I can do this,” she took a deep breath and tried to relax. She wished she could be in a quiet room, but with the noise around, she had to get used to it.168Please respect copyright.PENANAxsZCyTM5Hg
168Please respect copyright.PENANAdroa8MGacH
168Please respect copyright.PENANAllhJCCrjH7
“Hello, am I interrupting anything?” came a voice, bringing her out of her thoughts.168Please respect copyright.PENANAXfua6CAqG6
168Please respect copyright.PENANA3sXUgaYoSD
168Please respect copyright.PENANAD2rD9a5hAU
Angel quickly opened her eyes in fright and found a smartly dressed man standing in front of her. He wore a silver-grey suit that fit well on his body. His clear blue eyes looked at her anxiously, and Angel couldn’t help but stare at his kind, round face with his blonde hair cropped around his head leaving a reasonable amount of hair in the front and middle. A few strands of his hair fell in curls just above his left eye.168Please respect copyright.PENANAA4ovN8nowO
168Please respect copyright.PENANAvb1MsvPx3h
168Please respect copyright.PENANAPNFWO2UjN7
“Uh-yes, I’m fine,” Angel quickly answered as she felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment.168Please respect copyright.PENANA9B5D0nDCDi
168Please respect copyright.PENANAd1arjeAd14
168Please respect copyright.PENANA2nvAoSWfo2
“You’re the new girl, right?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAcN5egZ36fr
168Please respect copyright.PENANA1AcpA0bQPb
168Please respect copyright.PENANAZN5VubDpY9
Angel didn’t know what to say as she felt she would drop the files in her hands. The man in front of her is gorgeous. And judging by the way his suit fit well on his body, he definitely does workouts at the gym or something. She told herself to pull herself together.168Please respect copyright.PENANAYjONGzAGZD
168Please respect copyright.PENANAfETjayBuxo
168Please respect copyright.PENANA5Yf8I8GZY3
“Yes, I am,” she quickly answered again. “Angel Barclay, nice to meet you. You’re…?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAizjAOSJ1pb
168Please respect copyright.PENANAKriu9FxabV
168Please respect copyright.PENANAWqbTEJOBbL
“Derrick,” the man quickly drew out his hand to give her a handshake. Angel had to carry the files with her one arm to draw out the other. They shook hands. “I wasn’t in the architecture department when you passed by. I just heard we've a new girl in town.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA4HPIZBemOE
168Please respect copyright.PENANAqhHiuMHchx
168Please respect copyright.PENANAZWmTtbalK1
“Oh,” Angel felt her cheeks heat up even more. “I didn’t know I would still be the talk of the department.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAFNJNpgS7Py
168Please respect copyright.PENANA4GQNouMkbf
168Please respect copyright.PENANAdkeLSHeFfc
“With your looks, you’ll be the talk for a month. I can guarantee that.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAqN9pgTaJSG
168Please respect copyright.PENANApq52o2MgJh
168Please respect copyright.PENANAEZhAvsf1YV
Angel nervously chuckled. “Don’t say that. I personally don't think so.”168Please respect copyright.PENANANRcnjd6x8v
168Please respect copyright.PENANAxfcRbLfYeo
168Please respect copyright.PENANAn08BSril4i
“Well, I do.” He looked at the files in her hands. “May I carry them for you? They look heavy.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA3ttEQPX2gh
168Please respect copyright.PENANAd0hEDeaSDk
168Please respect copyright.PENANAvTnAk4KEPA
“Ah, no thanks,” Angel quickly refused. “They aren’t heavy at all.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAfys7RbmZlF
168Please respect copyright.PENANA7zeIMJlUbt
168Please respect copyright.PENANAOllM9WLyy3
“You sure? Here, let me help.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAHxHWaVSjMg
168Please respect copyright.PENANASuQTME5CK6
168Please respect copyright.PENANAstsIBc5x2z
Derrick came closer and took the three huge files from her hands. Angel felt like a huge weight has been lifted. She hadn’t realised how heavy the files were until now.168Please respect copyright.PENANAJB0hNd2gMb
168Please respect copyright.PENANA0RYP0Tqp01
168Please respect copyright.PENANAADBNzMZvPJ
“Thanks,” Angel managed to say.168Please respect copyright.PENANA8zv1J9tJeA
168Please respect copyright.PENANA1aF6FkuK44
168Please respect copyright.PENANAsdEs6YcFNm
“Are you walking over to your desk?”168Please respect copyright.PENANA0YX9t0EHBq
168Please respect copyright.PENANAsYU7LN0NCV
168Please respect copyright.PENANAc85tCyuOFk
“Ah, yes, I am.” Angel led the way to her cubicle in the main work area. She could feel a number of eyes on her and a few whispers here and there.168Please respect copyright.PENANAvwW6BFyJX4
168Please respect copyright.PENANA1AjzLOkZP5
168Please respect copyright.PENANAiobmg3axkl
Derrick put the files on her desk. “I see you’ve a lot to work on.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAAykajKqYWI
168Please respect copyright.PENANA3dh7WpJP0N
168Please respect copyright.PENANAPVQVpXgvNn
“Not really,” Angel said, trying to shake off the feeling she's getting from people around her. She started to rub the back of her neck. “Just trying to familiarise myself with what I’ll be doing around here.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAo9u4IBBVsq
168Please respect copyright.PENANA2y9zrsGta9
168Please respect copyright.PENANAN7Tj6UMzDm
“I hear you'll be working closely with Mrs. Lance. You better buckle up. The woman is hard to please.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAZ4SDg6ofhf
168Please respect copyright.PENANAatf6Ucp1zW
168Please respect copyright.PENANAl9bH2ZPOtO
“Ya, I’ve been warned. But I’ll do all I can to work hard.”168Please respect copyright.PENANANZdsnfGYwT
168Please respect copyright.PENANA0y4RStDSSS
168Please respect copyright.PENANAlONamoICmP
Derrick gave her a kind smile. “Well, I’ll leave you to it, Miss Barclay. Hey, if you’re up for it, you and I can go out for lunch with the others from my department.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAZzCpe4hhIG
168Please respect copyright.PENANAWL3PJvxYf5
168Please respect copyright.PENANAvfSgWCKNiT
“Thanks, but I’ll have to decline. I already made plans with someone today.” Angel stared at her phone on the desk. Eric sent a text a few minutes ago inviting her to lunch, so she couldn’t turn him down.168Please respect copyright.PENANAmWq7ilqgjr
168Please respect copyright.PENANA6fp8aWFUU5
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“Ah, I see. People are already asking you out?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAZXcnWnyoiF
168Please respect copyright.PENANAy1BBFJNAi2
168Please respect copyright.PENANAcXs9yf72fh
Angel found herself blushing even more. “It’s not like that,” she managed to say. “It’s just between friends, nothing special.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA5ilyPy8qRU
168Please respect copyright.PENANA93DUokxPye
168Please respect copyright.PENANAezSKotiVpt
Derrick raised an eyebrow and a smile soon came across his face. “Maybe another time. How does that sound?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAoXQkRnzUvj
168Please respect copyright.PENANAF0388L6Zly
168Please respect copyright.PENANAK7yJk0pTm2
Angel quickly shook her head. “That will be great. Thanks for helping me carry these files.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAJD6LE6mzAP
168Please respect copyright.PENANAqJH3vA8XME
168Please respect copyright.PENANAtGpmt08Ogk
“You’re welcome. It’s nice meeting you. I’ll see you around?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAKymJZPYAL9
168Please respect copyright.PENANA3UBlia8zrH
168Please respect copyright.PENANArhwzjMhDoN
“Ya, I’ll see you.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAeNrDz1HcTf
168Please respect copyright.PENANA58VqmvBMOV
168Please respect copyright.PENANARo8iUr489l
Derrick gave her a wave and started to walk out of the work area. Before Angel could take her seat, she could’ve swore that he had turned to look at her before disappearing out of sight. She didn’t want to think too much about it.168Please respect copyright.PENANARfACqdHSpF
168Please respect copyright.PENANAjP6M2yYT12
168Please respect copyright.PENANAaemOfYXPqP
She looked at the files in front of her and knew she had a lot to do. She better get to work now before work starts to pile up. She got one file and placed it in front of her when she heard:168Please respect copyright.PENANAflemu9xmSB
168Please respect copyright.PENANA2DuaQEulvf
168Please respect copyright.PENANArY8fXw1NyJ
“Excuse me, it’s Angel, right?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAzJ4zR6l1zV
168Please respect copyright.PENANA02QhRn1pNY
168Please respect copyright.PENANAOMyO8Uyakh
Angel turned around and found a young lady, an African American like her, seated at her desk opposite Angel’s cubicle. Her skin colour is darker than Angel’s, like that of dark chocolate. She had black, kinky hair tied above her head and leaving a huge tuft of hair. She wore glasses with a blue frame and wore a black suit with a white blouse and matching black high-heels. Angel couldn’t help but feel intimidated by the lady’s beauty.168Please respect copyright.PENANAq9pEAEYeRd
168Please respect copyright.PENANAvgwC6O3dSk
168Please respect copyright.PENANAJCGnMpHOIk
“Yes, it is," said Angel as she fully turned around in her seat and drew her arm out. "Your name is-?"168Please respect copyright.PENANAQBetmHfcse
168Please respect copyright.PENANAQuC4SOUfID
168Please respect copyright.PENANA19UDhQz87G
"Sabrina," said the lady as she leaned forward and shook hands with Angel. "I see a lot of people really want to know you."168Please respect copyright.PENANANaSVtxJhFJ
168Please respect copyright.PENANAiYcJiaarGc
168Please respect copyright.PENANAzf3zBbmkNo
"Maybe it's because I'm new here," said Angel, trying her best to stress a point kindly.168Please respect copyright.PENANA8PTzfmxEwH
168Please respect copyright.PENANAEKERjOTs5J
168Please respect copyright.PENANA3zUcD9Mq9o
"Or maybe it's because you're just too pretty," Sabrina gave Angel a flashy smile.168Please respect copyright.PENANAxdh7F3hKV6
168Please respect copyright.PENANALSKkBkHuKn
168Please respect copyright.PENANAD8LhmwE5ov
Angel playfully shrugged her shoulders. "I can't be too sure about that."168Please respect copyright.PENANAGKs4VjnCbV
168Please respect copyright.PENANAMJ5yAZOtrl
168Please respect copyright.PENANAoJjQS8Szgl
"It's because you don't see it. The person you were talking to just now, he's really hard to come by. A lot of ladies around here try to get his attention. For him to actually ask you out for lunch will probably leave a lot of people here speechless."168Please respect copyright.PENANAm6Zyg8wO94
168Please respect copyright.PENANA7Ef2BB3rz4
168Please respect copyright.PENANADlh7gJPm6L
Angel raised an eyebrow. "Really? Why do you say so? You make it sound like he's an introvert when he seems like a really outgoing person."168Please respect copyright.PENANAgojz2XJffS
168Please respect copyright.PENANABv85ZjqPpS
168Please respect copyright.PENANA66eiN4fVhF
"He is. It's just that he has his own circle of friends. When many ladies try to get close, he pulls away. He's acquainted with a lot of us, but none of us have ever gotten close to him."168Please respect copyright.PENANAx3ViNL9wIj
168Please respect copyright.PENANAlsdL1UeTOU
168Please respect copyright.PENANAeh5jRM06HF
"Okay, but what does that have to do with me? I just met him."168Please respect copyright.PENANAjyxYWyk40p
168Please respect copyright.PENANAb14rxDnD7n
168Please respect copyright.PENANA5X16uc4cSK
"Him escorting you here and asking you out for lunch is actually the first time I've seen him try to engage a lady in a conversation. He rarely does, unless he is talking about work."168Please respect copyright.PENANAf9x6qUh4p4
168Please respect copyright.PENANAfwrrtgMdot
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"Oh, I see. But that doesn't mean he likes me or anything, right?"168Please respect copyright.PENANAhsgZUfRiYD
168Please respect copyright.PENANAG0oYXqchVk
168Please respect copyright.PENANA9xzGpBlI2D
Sabrina shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows with men. One minute they're leading you on, the next they aren't. But with Derrick, he might really like you."168Please respect copyright.PENANA5jllIBogON
168Please respect copyright.PENANAhi9vQDaqt5
168Please respect copyright.PENANA58MBakhRYx
"He doesn't have a girlfriend, does he?" came another female with blonde hair and striking blue eyes. She stood in the aisle with papers in her hands. She seemed to have popped out out of nowhere.168Please respect copyright.PENANAsfw1d857GM
168Please respect copyright.PENANASXtKt1RYk6
168Please respect copyright.PENANAfZbd7Zd2Tq
"Not that I know of," Sabrina answered her. "Angel, this is Beatrix."168Please respect copyright.PENANASckzCrUY7r
168Please respect copyright.PENANAvDb4tlCtyh
168Please respect copyright.PENANA6eFDip9gcd
"Oh, sorry for butting in in your conversation," said Beatrix, looking at Angel and raising her hand apologetically. "Where are my manners?"168Please respect copyright.PENANAVAKLBxZa7R
168Please respect copyright.PENANAS6pRRTApGJ
168Please respect copyright.PENANA4520rOru6s
"It's okay," said Angel. "It's nice to meet you, Beatrix."168Please respect copyright.PENANArL04TzMVFA
168Please respect copyright.PENANA65fdDuVVFU
168Please respect copyright.PENANAzQv7RGqXh8
"Nice meeting you too. Just like Sabrina said, I'm also shocked Derrick actually talked to you so casually and actually asked you out for lunch."168Please respect copyright.PENANACExAGYqaaQ
168Please respect copyright.PENANAkql7VU6nE0
168Please respect copyright.PENANAEEqWvwB8Wg
"You see," Sabrina said to Angel with a smile on her face.168Please respect copyright.PENANAFK9mQz71ic
168Please respect copyright.PENANA3beUSEJX4z
168Please respect copyright.PENANA27iMoWTHaQ
"I'm not going to say anything," said Angel. "You obviously know him better than I do."168Please respect copyright.PENANAhAwHpxAH4M
168Please respect copyright.PENANAAd4kYZA59D
168Please respect copyright.PENANAcyAargRIbs
"Just admit it. He has his eye on you."168Please respect copyright.PENANAFNPigoOSaD
168Please respect copyright.PENANAhkr3Q7iKgP
168Please respect copyright.PENANARab2Xqg3Z0
Angel blushed. She looked to the floor, hoping that the other two wouldn’t notice.168Please respect copyright.PENANAfr6MmYgl52
168Please respect copyright.PENANAcillpp9Bkw
168Please respect copyright.PENANArlgHlLWrTe
"If you managed to get his attention, what more of the other male folk around here who are single?"168Please respect copyright.PENANABJu0yioJaP
168Please respect copyright.PENANAgXbFsh1VdF
168Please respect copyright.PENANADG2hkqXIkN
"Let's not talk about that," said Angel as she quickly spun around in her chair. “The last thing I need right now is to worry about who likes me.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAko52hRGAmq
168Please respect copyright.PENANALWXidiZvnm
168Please respect copyright.PENANAVflWwv7hvy
“Was it like this at your previous workplace? I hear you worked for some editing company, right?” Beatrix asked.168Please respect copyright.PENANAlEzZM577cP
168Please respect copyright.PENANAqJ3L9SUOj8
168Please respect copyright.PENANAAvyDAXsxBt
Looks like they got their information from HR, Angel thought before she turned around to look at the two ladies. “As far as I can remember, no. Most men were married, so, I didn’t have any problems.” Except Mark, of course. She made sure not to say that out loud.168Please respect copyright.PENANA26fm71qQjs
168Please respect copyright.PENANA98Lj9jdrHP
168Please respect copyright.PENANAD3MgnINiCG
“Anyway, since you’re close with Eric and Leo, I bet you have their attention too,” said Sabrina.168Please respect copyright.PENANACgLLwNh8Ir
168Please respect copyright.PENANAHII7VrWWnh
168Please respect copyright.PENANA2itDuSQBvf
“Oh, no, I don’t think so,” Angel was quick to deny.168Please respect copyright.PENANAz4BvlBMQXb
168Please respect copyright.PENANAuUX07faZPB
168Please respect copyright.PENANACE65qzTgSv
“They are very good-looking and all the ladies wouldn’t mind getting close to them. But just like Derrick, they also don’t like to get too close. Eric's better since he’s outgoing and all. But Leo keeps to himself. He seems like a no nonsense person and he was pretty serious with his relationship with Kim until they called off the wedding.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAlgLepVjCkz
168Please respect copyright.PENANAX69GQqfW6u
168Please respect copyright.PENANAiwlnWtuDIe
Angel didn’t want to hear any more of this. If only they knew that the reason why that happened is because of Carly.168Please respect copyright.PENANAaOZsfEwsUK
168Please respect copyright.PENANAAzsmqFjV5c
168Please respect copyright.PENANA9HdmlTPx3c
“Do you know why that happened, Angel?” Beatrix asked. “You’re close to the family, so you should know the reason.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAoz07nxA2by
168Please respect copyright.PENANAnBaVnc43zA
168Please respect copyright.PENANAhS27z7Lmpx
“I can’t answer that.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAi9EOxyFIEo
168Please respect copyright.PENANAhDke3u25Ff
168Please respect copyright.PENANAlVwhm3IEnt
Sabrina drew herself closer, dragging the chair with her. “Why not?” she asked. “Is it that bad?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAs2qfTjHw8f
168Please respect copyright.PENANA2rE14EmGQ4
168Please respect copyright.PENANAYaYdHonYj3
“No one actually knows why Leo broke things off with Kim, and so does she.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAeGxl7EGdyx
168Please respect copyright.PENANAX5HMNS9rai
168Please respect copyright.PENANAmk2aTLso0n
“Oh, darn!” Beatrix clicked her tongue. “Everyone around here also says the same thing.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA8ylBpnuaE0
168Please respect copyright.PENANAsmmas6pJul
168Please respect copyright.PENANAfy9AJYjC1T
Good, Angel thought. It’s best she went with this. No one in the McDonell mansion knows the truth except for her, Eric, Carly and Leo. The more people think of it as a mystery, the better.168Please respect copyright.PENANAjoSHd34sj9
168Please respect copyright.PENANAEUhDRtV41x
168Please respect copyright.PENANA2IICagAcDU
“You see, Leo keeps things to himself,” said Sabrina. “As much as he is good looking, I feel he has such an attitude. You feel it sometimes when he talks to you, though he isn’t always like that.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAWx5E2o2r6e
168Please respect copyright.PENANAFyd7OBOjZW
168Please respect copyright.PENANAW1iBZdit8s
“Well, he does have an attitude, I can agree on that," said Angel.168Please respect copyright.PENANAEbkEih6Xew
168Please respect copyright.PENANA7bOToFdxcH
168Please respect copyright.PENANAAUMU2zTV8N
“How do you handle him? Doesn’t he get on your nerves?” Beatrix asked.168Please respect copyright.PENANAFwGFyHzIbb
168Please respect copyright.PENANAoWmJIW3pSz
168Please respect copyright.PENANAwuOgHVkOc2
“Sometimes. But he isn’t that bad.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAhvN7zZHb1e
168Please respect copyright.PENANA0DZ3xObIi6
168Please respect copyright.PENANAXzis4E8FBy
“Ya, I see how he’s close with his family, especially Eric,” said Sabrina. “I just wish he was more outgoing, you know.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA89LeVETkoa
168Please respect copyright.PENANA8wsxKspq0o
168Please respect copyright.PENANAGV89SNJohp
You and me both, Angel thought. “I better start working on these files.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA1w40TtonB9
168Please respect copyright.PENANAO6nCQl3m1s
168Please respect copyright.PENANAhNhTglphUo
“Oh, ya, sure,” said Beatrix, “sorry for disturbing you.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAlRHYLHJ9bb
168Please respect copyright.PENANArdOOAt5a0B
168Please respect copyright.PENANAMoR9VtQH4j
“Not a problem.” Angel quickly swirled round in her chair to face the file in front of her. She really needed to get some work done. She didn’t expect to be in engaged in so much talk on her first day. She still felt uneasy as she heard a whisper across the room and thought she had heard someone mention her name. She had to agree with Derrick. She would be the talk of the office for a while.168Please respect copyright.PENANAFj2lwiS61a
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She closed her eyes shaking off the feeling so as to try and focus on work. She always did this, even at the editing company when she sometimes felt anxious or pressured. When she opened them, she went straight to work on the files.168Please respect copyright.PENANA81KtnSSN2Q
168Please respect copyright.PENANAcVg56j3BGg
168Please respect copyright.PENANAf2oVvNOWfn
***168Please respect copyright.PENANAuk6PEjibXR
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168Please respect copyright.PENANARap8PU5mFR
Leo heard the phone on his desk vibrate. He wondered if it’s Eric sending him a text that he couldn’t find what he went to look for. Leo sighed. He now wished his father was handling this meeting with Eric and not him. With Eric out of the office for a while, now is the time he can try and catch up on work, especially with answering his emails on his iMac.168Please respect copyright.PENANAcsY6500EC2
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His eyes left the computer screen and he went on to look at his phone. A sudden feeling came over, telling him that it might not be Eric who sent him a message. Could it be his father? If he wanted anything from Leo, he would've called. Maybe it’s his mother? No, he shook his head. It can’t be her. Just like his father, she would’ve called. Could it be Carly? It might, he thought positively. Maybe she thought of texting him.168Please respect copyright.PENANAP6HpDIZ96z
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168Please respect copyright.PENANA4gRKhGb4G1
He quickly took his phone and turned on the screen to find the message isn’t from Carly. It's from Kim. He felt like putting his phone aside and getting back to work. Instead, he unlocked the phone to read her message and it was nothing but a simple “Hello.” He rolled his eyes as he wished he had never bumped into her at the café this morning. Should he ignore the message? As much as he wanted to, he still had to say something. He didn’t want to seem rude like he does sometimes.168Please respect copyright.PENANA6am4aWYBAV
168Please respect copyright.PENANAWwc5vNOU9E
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He texted her back and quickly put his phone down on the desk, hoping that she wouldn’t text back, but she did. Leo couldn’t help but groan.168Please respect copyright.PENANAkVMTIwuBYD
168Please respect copyright.PENANA745lV2DRIP
168Please respect copyright.PENANAjgvK5z3212
A knock soon came at the door and before Leo could tell the person to come in, the door flew open and Eric walked in with papers in his hands. Leo groaned even more, throwing his head back onto his chair.168Please respect copyright.PENANA9ZC47UUDOK
168Please respect copyright.PENANAsGzbkbkGO1
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“What’s up with you, grumpy?” Eric asked as he came to sit on the chair, facing Leo.168Please respect copyright.PENANAZecYhEoE70
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168Please respect copyright.PENANA8HJxav0MgT
“Why don’t you ever knock when you come in?” Leo asked as he folded his arms.168Please respect copyright.PENANAIAzSaA2udn
168Please respect copyright.PENANAfJtfZpqn3V
168Please respect copyright.PENANAavVO5ZjMDL
“I’m sorry, but I already know you’re used to it. So what’s up?”168Please respect copyright.PENANA4IBbfymlTb
168Please respect copyright.PENANAzNb99zzrsE
168Please respect copyright.PENANA0PohGOZ4DX
Leo looked at Eric. His cousin knew him better than anyone. He took a deep breath and leaned his elbows on the table.168Please respect copyright.PENANAm2Om0Rz1uR
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168Please respect copyright.PENANAf2XaQItLAr
“Kim texted me,” he said.168Please respect copyright.PENANAx4y9FEFklx
168Please respect copyright.PENANAEzCIrHaNS1
168Please respect copyright.PENANALM0IvGCsjs
“Whoa, Kim texted you?” Eric for some reason didn’t look at all surprised. “How come?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAQ12oJNg08R
168Please respect copyright.PENANA9FOaWJKbZF
168Please respect copyright.PENANAAPLhilJpL8
“Angel and I met her at the café where we bought croissants.”168Please respect copyright.PENANATYbviYHJ0w
168Please respect copyright.PENANAeEH7z4QULx
168Please respect copyright.PENANAtc8EuGDmmu
“Why didn’t you tell me?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAATgiA9eun5
168Please respect copyright.PENANAcsA1B8z4hf
168Please respect copyright.PENANAkfgaNvRcO0
“It didn’t matter then, but it does now. She just texted me.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAxW4e9Ivgg2
168Please respect copyright.PENANAdXJ27q2ROf
168Please respect copyright.PENANA2JiosJgmvo
“What did she say?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAp0OxdUKK7E
168Please respect copyright.PENANAqzW2cO8VOT
168Please respect copyright.PENANAeKqiOBrb8L
“Just a simple hello.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAB6lXxgLlzC
168Please respect copyright.PENANANQga3IYzEx
168Please respect copyright.PENANAvEg8QzyizB
“And did you reply?”168Please respect copyright.PENANADLphPFlpL5
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168Please respect copyright.PENANA4e3xqN023N
“Of course, I did.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAmLvo8QoMC7
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168Please respect copyright.PENANAcAAyi6jCgp
“And…?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAoxPpZ56Me9
168Please respect copyright.PENANAfFRP7fqRme
168Please respect copyright.PENANAKfCj3eOkIJ
“She texted back and I haven’t read the message.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAr430KFoVZM
168Please respect copyright.PENANA3VWBX08eCb
168Please respect copyright.PENANAYDlsBW6Mgw
“You better see what that message says.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAk6gozeRSIw
168Please respect copyright.PENANAGzQ4BfDZL7
168Please respect copyright.PENANApoorD6Y67G
“And what if I don’t want to? It’s pretty obvious that she wants to hook up for lunch or something.”168Please respect copyright.PENANATW8kwHZavy
168Please respect copyright.PENANAo3DCXOchiR
168Please respect copyright.PENANAfSoWKhGKr7
“You’re right. I’m impressed with how much you know women, nowadays.” Eric gave him an encouraging smile.168Please respect copyright.PENANAe8jZ4v6v7j
168Please respect copyright.PENANAiANNtO0FP3
168Please respect copyright.PENANAdSiPmDHM6o
“Don’t flatter me. What am I going to do? I don’t want to meet her, that’s if she does ask that we should.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA7yX5D08alf
168Please respect copyright.PENANAerVwH5OZtV
168Please respect copyright.PENANANVMmGE3wKL
“You’ll never know what you’ve to do if you don’t read the message.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA58O00yv65O
168Please respect copyright.PENANA7gV80aA3V2
168Please respect copyright.PENANAJvbsD4MuTY
“You’re right.” Leo took his phone and unlocked it. When he read the message, he suddenly had a gloomy look. “She wants us to meet.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAreC2AlKXx9
168Please respect copyright.PENANAtMAuRj6xvH
168Please respect copyright.PENANAWBmpXg6FER
“She really must be desperate, huh?” Eric raised his eyebrows. “Who can blame her? Being dumped on your wedding day to such a handsome man like you wasn’t what she expected.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA3aVU5UKbM6
168Please respect copyright.PENANAV6qP9abf2W
168Please respect copyright.PENANARKOgHzDlQy
“You aren’t making me feel any better. Besides, I apologised. I don’t know what she wants me to do.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAh0vjfo5PM5
168Please respect copyright.PENANAiVxJtgTxEe
168Please respect copyright.PENANAK6DnmKpko1
“She needs an answer from you. That’s what.” Eric leaned back on the chair. "You never told her why you left on your wedding day. In fact, everyone keeps asking me that question and I always say that I don’t know.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAG6rUcRywOF
168Please respect copyright.PENANAhkjYOLjAay
168Please respect copyright.PENANAVlRi5eBZry
“The less who know, the better.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA7mN42ZKvOc
168Please respect copyright.PENANA6E1a0KPCb1
168Please respect copyright.PENANAjvuG6MO7RW
“Sooner or later, you’ll have to tell Kim the truth. If anything, she deserves it more than anyone.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAUmrImmxILO
168Please respect copyright.PENANAX5FNd9J3NV
168Please respect copyright.PENANALPczDY0AnI
Leo didn’t say anything as he looked down at his phone on the table. He took it and started to tap away, then he quickly put it down.168Please respect copyright.PENANA9G50o8IwQG
168Please respect copyright.PENANAxhX1l9JBfv
168Please respect copyright.PENANAKMkmvpHhdk
“What did you tell her?” Eric couldn’t help but look on curiously at Leo’s phone.168Please respect copyright.PENANAejpxgesIae
168Please respect copyright.PENANA9aoDdOWslJ
168Please respect copyright.PENANAI7kaufsK7W
“I told her we can meet,” Leo answered,168Please respect copyright.PENANAXusImDWYI7
168Please respect copyright.PENANATZwnRI38cI
168Please respect copyright.PENANARmZPUzclXA
“WHAT!” Eric held his head, not believing what Leo said. “I don’t believe you. Let me see the message.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAPlglEaZiCo
168Please respect copyright.PENANAKoPwxp7Z76
168Please respect copyright.PENANACB7FMG1rk0
Leo groaned, but he got his phone, unlocked it and gave Eric. When Eric read it for himself, he stared at Leo.168Please respect copyright.PENANAOLiM2jqvhC
168Please respect copyright.PENANAG9jqRWHotA
168Please respect copyright.PENANAwkUba2zewa
“You’re serious,” he said as he gave Leo back his phone. “Are you finally going to tell her the truth?”168Please respect copyright.PENANA1LZYcPn47Z
168Please respect copyright.PENANAX7nWhzpdap
168Please respect copyright.PENANAMNeNxxAodi
“On that part, I don’t know,” Leo answered as he leaned back on his chair, deep in thought.168Please respect copyright.PENANAZVWqIGCB8q
168Please respect copyright.PENANA4L5cKOh9LK
168Please respect copyright.PENANAYUrBWohUWd
“Well, if you tell her, it will finally give her the chance to move on, don’t you think?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAiHY1hpiTx1
168Please respect copyright.PENANA9CcnHeHZtD
168Please respect copyright.PENANAhoNxXQBE7M
“If I do tell her, she’ll kill me.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAjj7pEbKx3D
168Please respect copyright.PENANAPceev3I02o
168Please respect copyright.PENANAYWq7bDW7Cf
“It’s typical of a woman. Even I would kill you. I wouldn’t like to know that the reason why my man left me was because he fell in love with someone else.”168Please respect copyright.PENANASQAmsrViaE
168Please respect copyright.PENANAihhmLqz9yt
168Please respect copyright.PENANA16bsGVEuM5
Leo chuckled to himself as he stared at the ceiling. “I still remember that day. Gosh, all of that happened so suddenly.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAjeS0yr7cy2
168Please respect copyright.PENANABi5Xa3d4Nz
168Please respect copyright.PENANAXCvzdnEfe7
“I thought you had gone mad, but looking at you now, you seem to have made the right decision. You don’t look regretful for leaving Kim.”168Please respect copyright.PENANArb664MYrnm
168Please respect copyright.PENANA2oeG9ipqY5
168Please respect copyright.PENANAVXMhjUZF5V
“I think it was the right thing to do.” Leo now had his eyes on Eric. “If anything, I feel like I really didn’t love her at all.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAXq0UCD1I7R
168Please respect copyright.PENANAMsBug8AFNP
168Please respect copyright.PENANAedUQVyZQaZ
Eric smiled. “Grandma will be glad if she heard those words coming out of that mouth of yours.”168Please respect copyright.PENANATZHBdxWL5M
168Please respect copyright.PENANAXarfd9Vgwn
168Please respect copyright.PENANA5PCcdwy64v
“I know. Seems like she was right after all. Kim was never good for me.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA7BruzGboxA
168Please respect copyright.PENANAQb2RXUWqvL
168Please respect copyright.PENANAlQF0AgLmZJ
“Wait until she finds out that you’re actually in love with Carly.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA2zk63tKPzC
168Please respect copyright.PENANAzndZ3U0Y5f
168Please respect copyright.PENANAuM2FIFqRYI
The two cousins looked at each other, imagining the scenario. Eric reacted first.168Please respect copyright.PENANAs0t8ILAKLi
168Please respect copyright.PENANAK1Eqckf394
168Please respect copyright.PENANAfJ9SCiGZWq
“No, I don’t want to imagine it,” he said as he shook his head. “Something tells me it won’t be a good one.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAikBBzmA80K
168Please respect copyright.PENANA57V35rKOxM
168Please respect copyright.PENANApDR0t7MFGI
“I agree,” said Leo as he rubbed the temple of his head. “I don’t want to imagine my mother, though.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA0x9TnUHdgF
168Please respect copyright.PENANAtiHmq7gxCA
168Please respect copyright.PENANATuz7xLJObO
“That one is pretty obvious; I don’t have to imagine it, that’s if I want my head to explode.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAKBYdPrRJ1N
168Please respect copyright.PENANARo9H2nSVe1
168Please respect copyright.PENANArTdwvmbT0Y
The two laughed.168Please respect copyright.PENANA3Fo1P0IvWQ
168Please respect copyright.PENANA5CCqvjaKHU
168Please respect copyright.PENANA8HZzqbbelu
“Okay, okay, let’s get back to work,” said Eric, wiping away a tear in his eye. “Remember, we’ve to finish these arrangements before lunch.”168Please respect copyright.PENANALg0XUtHQNh
168Please respect copyright.PENANAznmqmPesFH
168Please respect copyright.PENANAXMK93dIGWQ
“You’re right,” said Leo as he went on to look at his screen and switched windows from his email to an open document.168Please respect copyright.PENANA4IqVCisMio
168Please respect copyright.PENANA9Vqd2ZldUv
168Please respect copyright.PENANAc3KpJmK4sN
A brief silence passed between them when they suddenly burst out laughing at the same time.168Please respect copyright.PENANAQEUURGTxw7
168Please respect copyright.PENANAFPHy4GuyEK
168Please respect copyright.PENANAkZFasjQGIe
***168Please respect copyright.PENANAI4K1mWtD32
168Please respect copyright.PENANADb4vJyrz4K
168Please respect copyright.PENANAIu1wvNAjPH
"Hey, Miranda, are you okay?"168Please respect copyright.PENANAOlKdrbyWZP
168Please respect copyright.PENANAxKvpCHky5r
168Please respect copyright.PENANAF5L1TEAYHJ
Miranda quickly turned to the person who spoke to her. It's Brad. She rolled her eyes. “Oh, it’s you,” she said, turning her head to look elsewhere.168Please respect copyright.PENANAYT5CM3NGBV
168Please respect copyright.PENANAseuDeMBDPE
168Please respect copyright.PENANAIRfJle8ZCI
Miranda was seated on a chair in the lecture room. They were waiting for their next lecture as the previous one ended minutes ago. She had been going through her phone to pass time when she was supposed to be studying. God knows just how behind she is.168Please respect copyright.PENANAC48xCbZ7mj
168Please respect copyright.PENANAyrsJNQiNTo
168Please respect copyright.PENANAxLOHby1ACD
“Scoot over,” Brad insisted as he moved his body closer to hers, forcing her to move.168Please respect copyright.PENANAR1hs065PcO
168Please respect copyright.PENANAzEj42GJykr
168Please respect copyright.PENANATA3KyllvMC
Miranda moved over to the next chair which was empty and Brad finally managed to sit next to her.168Please respect copyright.PENANAKO0PgTyh45
168Please respect copyright.PENANA1sewtdQjDT
168Please respect copyright.PENANAVS15j56nKw
“What were you looking at?” he asked as he tried to see what's on Miranda’s phone.168Please respect copyright.PENANAcRwxitx7aV
168Please respect copyright.PENANArhTrvxJqSG
168Please respect copyright.PENANAcZsE8JWfqF
“Nothing, why do you want to know?” she asked, holding her phone tight and facing her body the other way to avoid him from looking.168Please respect copyright.PENANAtfVAwZZ9e1
168Please respect copyright.PENANAcp9HpThVcO
168Please respect copyright.PENANA5Uw5sHMGJN
“You seem really fixed on it. I want to see what’s caught your interest.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAxpsq2Nlndz
168Please respect copyright.PENANAGMSmFXngFX
168Please respect copyright.PENANAQTND10omJR
“Like I told you, it’s nothing. So why don’t you just mind your business?”168Please respect copyright.PENANArwrMzSgOBJ
168Please respect copyright.PENANAJgzUbV4ErE
168Please respect copyright.PENANAWb6Mx5o0RC
“I would, but I’m not going to this time.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA9yZw5hMaTJ
168Please respect copyright.PENANA1iwmtdK9cf
168Please respect copyright.PENANALwq3QVXSdT
“You never do.” Miranda gave him a gloomy look.168Please respect copyright.PENANAcb8Ty4BpHv
168Please respect copyright.PENANAHMDa8Z2hKK
168Please respect copyright.PENANA9DfsIehrdb
“I say that because something’s been different about you lately.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAH0QL7Ue1Rf
168Please respect copyright.PENANAgJ1dp1VoCb
168Please respect copyright.PENANAho2sbiJVFQ
She raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAGGxjqrzVrg
168Please respect copyright.PENANAREVpojVhDj
168Please respect copyright.PENANAyNCjMRLTkT
“Well…,” Brad placed his elbow on the table with his hand supporting the side of his face so as to get a good look at Miranda. “You’re barely concentrating in class these days. And last week when we were handing in our assignments, you were late. You were so lucky that the madam took pity on you and accepted it.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA19NB6dqTpq
168Please respect copyright.PENANAJXMnXt0QtM
168Please respect copyright.PENANAsTJD42TE4N
“I had a slight problem with my laptop, that’s all.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAioas1ivzBT
168Please respect copyright.PENANAFdmV4kEn8s
168Please respect copyright.PENANAK1U0RFHtXL
Brad scoffed. “Nah, that’s not it.” He wagged his index finger in front of her face. Miranda got irritated that she pushed his hand away. “Something is keeping you distracted.”168Please respect copyright.PENANALplpGCkFVx
168Please respect copyright.PENANA8t12dVkmii
168Please respect copyright.PENANA6xKqRdV8sg
“I’m just busy, that’s all.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAUQufiLmMn5
168Please respect copyright.PENANALYlNibXXXH
168Please respect copyright.PENANA29Ht3pnm5n
“There’s a difference between being busy and getting distracted. And you, my friend, are distracted.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAvSxzSs5eWm
168Please respect copyright.PENANAMPedrmfQRj
168Please respect copyright.PENANAxRyV6YU9fh
Miranda rolled her eyes at him and looked down at her phone before she went on to look in front of her.168Please respect copyright.PENANAjj4MBMaTCB
168Please respect copyright.PENANAnnfuiDv9XB
168Please respect copyright.PENANA4RoOCSHmm4
“So what were you looking at on that phone of yours?” Brad went on to ask.168Please respect copyright.PENANAacCjdvoHId
168Please respect copyright.PENANAFlnC3Ikmt0
168Please respect copyright.PENANAGu6aOJxpHH
Miranda looked at him through the corner of her eye. “You really don’t listen, do you?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAjkg2gzSdgF
168Please respect copyright.PENANAeQlKc46I2G
168Please respect copyright.PENANARFPjrPzEzS
“I thought I saw you looking at a guy's photo on Instagram just now. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA1l7ExGJOtb
168Please respect copyright.PENANAK5bLupyNmT
168Please respect copyright.PENANAj3FhgBfKLn
Miranda felt like standing up from her seat to go elsewhere, but she soon felt Brad hold her free hand, pinning her in place. It’s like he knew what she was about to do and he did the only thing possible to pin her down.168Please respect copyright.PENANAadYIkJTVda
168Please respect copyright.PENANAhK20sMoVGt
168Please respect copyright.PENANA79gVCzXp7g
“Let go of me, Brad,” she warned him.168Please respect copyright.PENANA88KLQMop8O
168Please respect copyright.PENANAx5UPm5ZVwu
168Please respect copyright.PENANAM0BKR18l8O
“And what if I don’t want to?” he asked with a smirk on his face.168Please respect copyright.PENANAsxzaXBqBZ8
168Please respect copyright.PENANAnTEjJIacqm
168Please respect copyright.PENANA4Zxbl3fg9O
“You’re hurting me. Why are you being such a prick?”168Please respect copyright.PENANALZbLUjVW6R
168Please respect copyright.PENANA8CEgtWFpOF
168Please respect copyright.PENANAEzURJuVjMD
“It’s because I’m worried about you. Something is up and I need to know what it is. Is it that man you keep looking at on your phone? Mind you, I’ve seen you looking at him time and time again.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAgbw1GwokgQ
168Please respect copyright.PENANAWA114YvK0A
168Please respect copyright.PENANAUPdjgKLcTd
Miranda felt her cheeks heat up. She couldn’t tell Brad about her sudden interest in Leo McDonell. Brad just said he looked familiar. And if he kept looking at her phone, he might realise who he is. She had to think of something.168Please respect copyright.PENANA8uRGf0qrRT
168Please respect copyright.PENANAonSwC6soxd
168Please respect copyright.PENANADDyQ4tkO33
“You’re worried over nothing,” she said. “Just some celebrity that I follow on Instagram. I think he’s really cute and that’s why I look at his photos.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA6axCmtRhNJ
168Please respect copyright.PENANAyqvvWhPoUU
168Please respect copyright.PENANAWzvv58Qt5U
Brad stared at her for a second. Miranda knew she had told him part of the truth. But she couldn’t go into detail or else she might say something about Leo. If he knew, she didn’t know what he would do.168Please respect copyright.PENANAMPAei3QePZ
168Please respect copyright.PENANAzvU4QDL5S3
168Please respect copyright.PENANA3PiizuoG3f
“Girls and your stupid crushes,” he said as he finally let go of her hand. “When will you ever let it go?”168Please respect copyright.PENANA5nqelfQMmG
168Please respect copyright.PENANA0NWlk7T0lL
168Please respect copyright.PENANAglyp9ydyqC
“When the time is right,” said Miranda, doing her best not to sound nervous.168Please respect copyright.PENANAf3GFmUkUiU
168Please respect copyright.PENANAD8AQ2opC9L
168Please respect copyright.PENANAHSiJIlCMN6
“So who is this guy, anyway?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAhW8ec4OL3U
168Please respect copyright.PENANAxh64fbSlHq
168Please respect copyright.PENANABbESPxbfDT
She was afraid he was going to ask that. So when their lecturer walked through the door of the theatre, she let out a silent sigh of relief. Everyone who was still up and about went to their seats, and the lecture begun.168Please respect copyright.PENANAHWLGU6GyIq
168Please respect copyright.PENANAOHnvBV9tWW
168Please respect copyright.PENANAJqmifO7RhJ
***168Please respect copyright.PENANAgPR3RZa3Vq
168Please respect copyright.PENANA5iAtXrGbge
168Please respect copyright.PENANAUhKVtihjed
It’s finally lunch time, and Eric couldn’t wait to get out of the office with Angel and go somewhere nice. He had been in Leo’s office preparing for the meeting with the Chinese. Now that they're done, he couldn’t wait to leave.168Please respect copyright.PENANAt5FUGV6bbH
168Please respect copyright.PENANAgGxqTZ6VIE
168Please respect copyright.PENANAP5Ii3CZM2B
“Whoa, where do you think you’re going?” Leo asked, still seated behind his desk.168Please respect copyright.PENANAf1fsq9mz38
168Please respect copyright.PENANAiHx5ykozM5
168Please respect copyright.PENANAfk7wiX0odS
“I’m going out for lunch,” Eric answered, heading for the door.168Please respect copyright.PENANAa7gHwH2J2u
168Please respect copyright.PENANAoXrZPryZhD
168Please respect copyright.PENANAib9BS6Gibp
“You look like you’re going to the bathroom.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAe1XYJX1z3j
168Please respect copyright.PENANAjU0vVQlKIC
168Please respect copyright.PENANAkyz5nbMjDQ
“I’m taking Angel out,” Eric said with a proud look on his face.168Please respect copyright.PENANAl5Em8Ppgcg
168Please respect copyright.PENANAikWBLRkbf8
168Please respect copyright.PENANA6Cx24CF6MN
Leo couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Oh, you’re going out with Angel, then?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAxHQujE4NQp
168Please respect copyright.PENANA1TTNXU42q5
168Please respect copyright.PENANA5X6xWL0w8Q
“Yep. Wipe that sour look on your face. Or are you upset that you have to go out with Kim?”168Please respect copyright.PENANArjDhdykZAc
168Please respect copyright.PENANAjvQOkMudvd
168Please respect copyright.PENANAAZxsOBgJ4S
“I couldn’t care less about that. Besides, having lunch with Angel doesn’t appeal to me.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAsc57IANP6V
168Please respect copyright.PENANAvTO72p2J4V
168Please respect copyright.PENANA0fLItG0rlQ
“That’s because you don’t like her. Mind you, having lunch with Angel is way better than having it with Kim.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAWvlmnYGBMD
168Please respect copyright.PENANAAtF5uoMHKg
168Please respect copyright.PENANA95zsYyLUUa
The look on Leo’s face became grim. Even when he didn’t want to admit it, he knew Eric is right. He cleared his throat. “If you ask me there isn’t much of a difference.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA3Zhbfj4Mf3
168Please respect copyright.PENANAaegIGnNDuE
168Please respect copyright.PENANA1eEvWSMkFe
It's Eric’s turn to roll his eyes. “You know, if you gave yourself time to actually know Angel instead of fighting with her all the time, you’ll find that she’s okay to be with than Kim.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA0qhtQKpWUN
168Please respect copyright.PENANAhsumT1BwHn
168Please respect copyright.PENANAHmVpynNjxM
“I beg to differ.” Leo’s face became even more serious.168Please respect copyright.PENANAEYvzFVBmg6
168Please respect copyright.PENANA8vHstl5CWj
168Please respect copyright.PENANAbZNrC6XxND
“I’ve to go now,” said Eric as he reached the door and held the knob. “Tell me how things go with Kim, okay? And try not to start an argument with her, wherever you will be.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA4QCVRmud5Z
168Please respect copyright.PENANA7DWn9XJveq
168Please respect copyright.PENANAVe7XlqWZJA
“I won’t.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA8P4GLh0CZd
168Please respect copyright.PENANAu3QjWaT2Fh
168Please respect copyright.PENANA5ppMiZTMa3
Eric gave his cousin a concerned look. “I sure hope so. I’m off. See you later.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA6UcA5dpYCQ
168Please respect copyright.PENANAnT6xQVwneF
168Please respect copyright.PENANAvGP6hkMWpl
Leo gave him a nod and Eric quickly rushed out of the door like an excited young boy who had been told he could go outside and play with his friends. Even when Leo felt irritated by Eric’s enthusiasm, he couldn’t help but envy him a little. The man is in love, Leo thought to himself. Even when he knew he loved Carly, he didn’t experience the kind of lovey-dovey nonsense Eric is in right now. Is that what he admired? The crazy feeling of liking someone that you couldn’t wait to see them?168Please respect copyright.PENANAmSnC0eAFPL
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168Please respect copyright.PENANA3fv7rKmlZY
Leo shook his head. People are different and express love in different ways, he concluded. There’s no doubt in his mind that he loved Carly. Besides, he thought to himself, I don’t think Eric likes Angel to that extent. Maybe what he feels for her might pass in due time. Leo thought again, and concluded that Eric’s feelings towards Angel aren’t going to pass any time soon.168Please respect copyright.PENANAiS3jDhKf9w
168Please respect copyright.PENANAd0prkOSIkm
168Please respect copyright.PENANANt4uiQRqum
He soon got up from his seat as he also had to prepare himself to go and meet Kim. He didn’t know how his lunch with her is going to go. Before that, he thought he could lie to her that something came up to avoid any drama. But he couldn’t do that now. He would look like a coward. Something he doesn’t want to be.168Please respect copyright.PENANAIFlxmBMVBJ
168Please respect copyright.PENANAwaq6Xb295e
168Please respect copyright.PENANAnmKB76ITl3
He walked up to the door and got his jacket on the coat hanger. And with a deep breath, he opened the door and walked out.168Please respect copyright.PENANAioN4LtlNz3
168Please respect copyright.PENANAB8DoUUGV1f
168Please respect copyright.PENANAc0XyJ1chy6
***168Please respect copyright.PENANAM1sbJeTwv1
168Please respect copyright.PENANAX2ymwnom7e
168Please respect copyright.PENANAoJi8SchyYI
“I bet you’re hungry, huh?” Eric asked as he and Angel finally got out of the complex building.168Please respect copyright.PENANAc7qfOxWD15
168Please respect copyright.PENANAr01dhcUxOJ
168Please respect copyright.PENANAkwDN8hUY7G
"You can say that again,” she said turning to look at Eric. "I’m so famished for my first day.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA4DntEUX9vo
168Please respect copyright.PENANAkz9kKCROnA
168Please respect copyright.PENANAxjGGmj3XkX
"I get what you mean. So many people keep asking me about you.” Eric had his hands in his pockets as he stared up at the sky. "You’ve made quite a reputation for someone on their first day.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAlv3hQQSlE3
168Please respect copyright.PENANA17sM4WXU63
168Please respect copyright.PENANA03kN8OBjWR
"All that will pass.” Angel smiled at Eric. "It’s just the first day. By the end of the week, everyone would’ve forgotten that I even existed.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAU3QdQw5ymp
168Please respect copyright.PENANA7KAqI3naBx
168Please respect copyright.PENANAhCsy0XO1Xl
"I doubt that. People will forget, but it’s no question that you’ll still be the talk of the office. I mean, you’ll obviously be classified as the most beautiful female member of staff.” Eric now had his eyes on her as he chuckled.168Please respect copyright.PENANAR1Vofgz9Yl
168Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1m0uqCtSO
168Please respect copyright.PENANAukTjscpILn
Angel playfully punched him on the arm. "What are you saying? There are many beautiful women at the company. If you ask me, their beauty is intimidating.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA0KXpZONIFU
168Please respect copyright.PENANAnfOv1IkvA4
168Please respect copyright.PENANAN3E89C2vaV
"That’s because you miss the big picture,” Eric stopped walking as he now held her arm to stop her as well. "You really are very beautiful, you do know that, right?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAyKX5FjlwMh
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Angel couldn’t say anything as she continued to look at Eric. Her heart started to flutter and felt her cheeks heat up. She found all of this awkward as she started to look around. She looked back at Eric, wondering how to tell him that they were standing in the middle of the street and might be in the way. But the look he continued to give her left her speechless.168Please respect copyright.PENANAdM5oiFXNiq
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"I wish you could see what I see,” he said in a whisper. Even with all the bustling of people about and the hooting of the car horns, Angel got what he said. That made her cheeks heat up even more. She cleared her throat.168Please respect copyright.PENANAfrzca9BdIG
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"Ummm, Eric, we’re standing in the way,” she said. "This isn’t the time or the place for this, don’t you think?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAvzcPF02pnh
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"Oh,” Eric forgot they were in the middle of the sidewalk, with people moving around. "I totally forgot that we were here in the first place. I must have spaced out a bit.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA3G8lH7kHT1
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Angel cleared her throat again as she looked down at her feet for a brief moment. "That must be it. Come on, weren’t you taking me out for lunch? I’m starving.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAAdj5drgYSQ
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Eric nervously chuckled and at the same time scratched the back of his head. "I shouldn’t keep a lady waiting. Sorry about that.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA55rXmqtBLr
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"Not at all.” She tried her best not to look like she had been flattered, but her cheeks continued to blush, making her even more nervous.168Please respect copyright.PENANASLYgWM5c8u
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They continued their walk down the sidewalk when Eric said, "I mean what I said, though. I hope you aren’t offended or anything.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAHsRvcKLTzH
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They stopped at the traffic lights and they waited for the walk sign to light up when Angel turned to look at Eric. "No, don’t worry,” she said.168Please respect copyright.PENANA1eakK0bWbJ
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The light soon went green and the pedestrians who stood at the edge of the sidewalk crossed the road to the other side.168Please respect copyright.PENANAK6fgYnIvJW
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"I’m glad,” said Eric. "I thought you would be upset or something.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAnay88rLqtC
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"I’ve received such comments before, so I’m not.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA4x3mRnnCFc
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Eric clicked his tongue as he shrugged. "You would, obviously. I also shouldn’t be surprised.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA5s5FUjsuqD
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Angel tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. She couldn’t tell Eric that his approach was different from the ones she had encountered before. Even from Mark. She felt her cheeks heat up even more by the thought of it. It's best, she thought, that I don’t say anything.168Please respect copyright.PENANA8Vsoe60GJH
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"Let me take you to my favourite restaurant nearby,” Eric continued as he smiled at her. "You’ll love it. And you can order whatever you like.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAet5QM5IuQC
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Angel couldn’t help but chuckle. "Don’t be so silly,” she said. "As much as that offer sounds tempting, it’s pretty obvious that I won’t be that careless.”168Please respect copyright.PENANANB0Lf39caJ
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"Well, the food is on me, so I won’t mind if you order countless dishes.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAjfLftDaSTo
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"Thanks,” this time she laughed. "But even if I’m so hungry, I don’t eat that much.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAkfqJmTXm8F
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"Just letting you know that the offer is on the table. Ah! Here we are.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAZJbpz3njDz
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They stopped in front of a small restaurant. From outside, it might not look like a five-star restaurant, but for some reason, Angel found it almost elegant as she looked through the huge glass window. The décor is simple but had a touch of elegance. White chairs and tables covered with white cloths with beautiful gold embroidery on them. Elegant flowers of different colours and types sat on different tables, making the place look more romantic. This scene reminded her of the place she went for lunch with Mark last week.168Please respect copyright.PENANAuSqdaTmmzW
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"Shall we?” Eric held the door to the restaurant open as he waited for her.168Please respect copyright.PENANAgmGIDYFav9
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Angel shook herself from her daydream and went through the open door.168Please respect copyright.PENANAX0IHoNKnLb
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She started to look around the place when a smartly dressed male waiter, approached her. Eric stood behind her after closing the door. Immediately, the male waiter smiled at Eric like they know each other. Angel shouldn’t be surprised. Eric did say he liked coming here.168Please respect copyright.PENANAPnFpJe90lU
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‘"Hello, sir,” said the young waiter with a wide smile. "I see you came with company. Will you be taking the usual table?”168Please respect copyright.PENANACYoi9Nmo9b
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"That’s if it’s free,” Eric answered.168Please respect copyright.PENANAtLRtGEXa4P
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"Well, you’re just in luck. Please, follow me.”168Please respect copyright.PENANALmBjfOweVR
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Angel couldn’t ignore the way the waiter addressed them with so much courtesy. He led them to one of the tables by the corner, close to the window. When they neared the table, Eric drew out a chair for her to sit and Angel did likewise. Eric sat on the other side of the table, facing her. He told the waiter to serve them a glass of water as they looked through the menu before ordering.168Please respect copyright.PENANAVja3tCfRNz
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"The waiter seems to know you very well,” said Angel as she picked up the menu card on the table.168Please respect copyright.PENANAo4rIkK4q6D
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"I come here a lot,” said Eric as he also picked up the other menu on his side.168Please respect copyright.PENANAFyGNWQ16zk
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Angel said nothing as she smiled and looked at the menu.168Please respect copyright.PENANAaWoZX6o6BK
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"It’s sad that Leo couldn’t join us,” said Eric.168Please respect copyright.PENANAHYWySdtd9I
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Angel looked at Eric. "Why do you say so? Were you scared that the two of us would start a fight in the restaurant?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAiJkC7PaeNs
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Eric laughed. "No, I didn’t think that way in the least. If there is one thing I know for sure, you two can behave yourselves in a public place like this one. I wasn’t going to worry at all.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAbmzvzaREzE
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Angel made a face because she knew Eric is right. She looked back at the menu when Eric put up a funny face. "So then, why did you say that?”168Please respect copyright.PENANApN9zptVHWj
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"Because he’s having lunch with Kim. He must be heading to her as we speak.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAGF10eZq8WK
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Angel raised her eyes from the menu. "Kim? We met her when we went to buy croissants this morning.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA6aAHq2OkCz
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"He told me. She actually texted him that she wanted to meet. And he agreed to do so.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAbwm9GLzSHs
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"That’s so unlike him,” she looked towards the waiter who had brought them glasses of water. He asked if they were ready to order, and they both said they weren’t.168Please respect copyright.PENANAPWl5P23agi
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"I know, right?” Eric agreed with Angel after the waiter left. "I think he’s doing the right thing. Maybe he'll finally get to tell her the truth.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA2FgiadIhau
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Angel didn’t say anything as she thought about it. "Do you think he will? I mean, him going to see her is already unbelievable as it is.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAFTtlf87g0n
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Eric shrugged. "Who knows. If he does tell her, I think she’ll be at peace, right? But she’ll probably freak out and would want to know who it is.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAoOEIhMhZVs
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"Now that you mention it, I fear it will turn out to be a disaster.”168Please respect copyright.PENANACE0bkHC3sQ
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"You’re probably right,” Eric looked up at the ceiling, deep in thought. "That’s if Leo does tell her the truth and mentions that it's actually Carly he’s now in love with.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAIDtHWkg3Rk
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The two looked at each other in silence as they thought of the scenario. Eric groaned in frustration as he quickly pulled his phone out from the pocket.168Please respect copyright.PENANAh0F3ztjBD2
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"What are you doing?” Angel asked.168Please respect copyright.PENANA7PYPeMQfL8
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"Calling Leo so that he won’t tell Kim the truth,” Eric answered as he looked through his phone.168Please respect copyright.PENANANjbFBOa66T
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"I think we’re just overthinking things. What if he doesn’t say anything? Or what if he does but doesn’t mention Carly’s name? If Leo is in line with what we just thought, the best is not to mention Carly.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAA0dIGQtPj9
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"You’re probably right,” Eric put his phone aside on the table and looked at Angel.168Please respect copyright.PENANAMnY55xR4Su
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Angel continued to stare at him, but then, she put the menu on the table and started to play with her fingers. She bit her lower lip. "On second thought, I think you better give him a call. Just in case.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAV483nQcKQV
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"I agree.” Eric quickly took his phone and went on to call Leo.168Please respect copyright.PENANAZ8toWqALud
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He had his phone to the ear when the ringing tone of Leo’s phone came up. He started to get worried in the moments that passed as the phone kept ringing. Could Leo already be with Kim at this very minute? He looked at Angel who looked back anxiously. She also started to worry. And just when Eric thought Leo wasn’t going to pick the call, he heard the cracking sound at the other end of the line.168Please respect copyright.PENANAelIPkmpMaY
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"Hello?” came Leo’s voice.168Please respect copyright.PENANAZW7FMFKGog
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"Thank goodness, you picked the call,” said Eric. "We were starting to get worried.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAfrHXaoIN4R
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"By ‘we’ you mean, you and Angel?” Leo sounded unconvinced.168Please respect copyright.PENANAUejJqkUKOl
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"It might seem unbelievable, but it’s true.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA88Oj9NYjuJ
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Leo sighed. "Get to the point. Why are you calling me?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAdsIzcgS3D3
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"Are you heading to lunch with Kim right now?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAqIjqs04RId
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"I was about to enter the car and head there. What’s up?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAEE0UGkPteD
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"Quick question. Are you going to tell Kim the truth?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAfiIFnfiIfH
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"The truth about what? Why I didn’t marry her?”168Please respect copyright.PENANAYGsABFbR2W
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"Yes.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA2Oc6xohcoX
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"Weren’t you the one saying I should? What’s wrong? Are you getting second thoughts or you think I might screw this up?”168Please respect copyright.PENANARuA06sKenn
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"Uh…,” Eric hesitated as his eyes found Angel who had been looking at him the entire time. Judging by Leo’s statement, he felt like he didn’t have to worry at all.168Please respect copyright.PENANAXzOnQi9AyQ
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"Nah, you got this all under control,” Eric quickly pointed out. "I trust that you’ll do the right thing.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1wfm0VpP3
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Leo murmured and Eric knew he had just got on his nerves. "I don’t know why you’re scared, but I already know what I'm going to do. And if I'm going to tell her the truth, then you shouldn’t be bothered about it.”168Please respect copyright.PENANA8dcHS23Pg9
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"I believe you. You’ve a nice lunch.” Eric cut the call.168Please respect copyright.PENANAixlJWthKMD
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"What did he say?” Angel quickly asked.168Please respect copyright.PENANAC95YL5lTyd
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"That he’s got everything under control,” he answered. "I believe him. If he really is going to tell her the truth, I don’t think he’ll tell her he’s actually in love with Carly. If he does, then Kim will tell aunt, and she’ll be furious.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAzrk0KWh4Hl
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Angel cleared her throat before she said, "not only that. Once she finds out, she’ll realise that before Carly and I moved in, we had all known each other and have been pretending this whole time. And they might end up finding the truth about how Leo and Carly met.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAyvPaY1FRC2
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The two looked at each other in silence, again. They both shook their heads as they picked up their menus.168Please respect copyright.PENANAnYeii4hODU
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"Leo has this under control,” Eric assured her. "We’ve nothing to worry about.”168Please respect copyright.PENANAMFg4msoXRP
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"Ya, you’re right,” said Angel as she looked at the menu, holding it tight. She really hoped that Eric is right.