The tapping of his fingers onto the desk must have gone on for quiet a while. It was close to lunch time and Leo didn't seem to notice the time.341Please respect copyright.PENANANLUebQOj2D
341Please respect copyright.PENANAuoQuQRHyI0
A knock came at the door, and Leo didn't seem to hear it at first, til it became louder. He jerked in his seat and sat up like he had just woken up from a dream.341Please respect copyright.PENANAbLj3kpwyMw
341Please respect copyright.PENANAj4PHNt3ByR
"Hello, Mr. McDonell?" came a female voice behind the door. "Are you in there?"
"Damn it," Leo muttered quietly to himself. "You can come in, Grace."341Please respect copyright.PENANAA8mdbUf8GJ
341Please respect copyright.PENANAdMvJPpeBwU
The door flew open and a young short lady with blonde hair, tied in a bun and glasses over her blue eyes, came into the room. She wore a white blouse with a black skirt and matching black high heeled shoes that made her look a bit taller. She had a blue file in her hand.341Please respect copyright.PENANA3W4oHEPre1
341Please respect copyright.PENANATBpgZe4dBV
"Yes, Grace, how may I help you?" Leo asked as he rubbed his eyes.341Please respect copyright.PENANAYvK6EIjA6l
341Please respect copyright.PENANATYdXbBJY1I
"Were you asleep, sir?" Grace asked as she slowly approached his desk.341Please respect copyright.PENANAaSyHhIoava
341Please respect copyright.PENANAuaeKWu1RJk
"No, not really." Leo looked around his desk as though he was looking for something, then he went on to look at Grace.341Please respect copyright.PENANASNKSNTPyrB
341Please respect copyright.PENANAU35owgRG0O
"I was just asking because you weren't answering the door and your secretary assured me that you were still in your office."341Please respect copyright.PENANAmy1UcjIPY7
341Please respect copyright.PENANABTLld3ny2h
"Is she still at her desk?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAYTobvDaX7W
341Please respect copyright.PENANAljSxN68qbu
"I saw her heading out for lunch." Grace looked carefully at Leo. "You do know what time it is, right?"341Please respect copyright.PENANABKOXqILBT6
341Please respect copyright.PENANAR2nMQfCoBe
Leo tried not to look surprised as he stared at the silver round clock seated on his desk beside his computer. He completely lost track of time that he felt like muttering to himself of how much of an idiot he was.341Please respect copyright.PENANAReDkCKJAYq
341Please respect copyright.PENANAX6KAxnyuPb
"I simply lost track of time," he humbly admitted as he looked back at Grace, trying to keep his cool. He sometimes lost his temper in front of his colleagues. But today, he felt like it wasn't necessary.341Please respect copyright.PENANAVRY2FcG4v0
341Please respect copyright.PENANA9F2nY3eeUC
"You look tired. Are you okay?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAxmCv2Umnd1
341Please respect copyright.PENANABOGuoQVuuQ
"I'm fine. Just had a few things on my mind, that's all."341Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5uh1uDEJ2
341Please respect copyright.PENANAGYUiyt2Aii
"You should go out for fresh air. It looks like you need it."341Please respect copyright.PENANASHXg8DwCbs
341Please respect copyright.PENANAubvBCBjSNK
Leo wanted to smile at the kind suggestion, but the thought of Angel working with him made his mind go dark and gloomy again.341Please respect copyright.PENANAwAmAxI2lUc
341Please respect copyright.PENANAMG1aNzdlgS
He soon stood up from his seat and Grace took a step back, thinking that she might have struck a nerve.341Please respect copyright.PENANAwVCPF3f3qR
341Please respect copyright.PENANAgyFsTmTg0W
"I'll try," Leo said as he picked up his phone on the table. "Though going out for fresh air really isn't my cup of tea."341Please respect copyright.PENANAdKAI7GuesY
341Please respect copyright.PENANA4BawxJtI1C
Grace smiled at him as she relaxed. "You will enjoy it, sir. Before you go, your father isn't back yet and I needed him to sign this document."341Please respect copyright.PENANA8MWgW9qVWn
341Please respect copyright.PENANAVYU8Sk4fOS
"Huh?" Leo raised his eyebrow. "My father isn't back yet?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAKl7zZY6XuQ
341Please respect copyright.PENANAwbsKZH2ii6
"No." Grace shook her head. "So, I called him and he told me to give it to you to sign it."341Please respect copyright.PENANA2Zj53CkxCw
341Please respect copyright.PENANAtglVWhA2as
Leo stretched out his hand and Grace, likewise, gave him the file. He quickly opened the file and skimmed through the document. After familiarising himself with it, he put the file on the table, took the pen and signed it. He straightened up and gave the file back to Grace.341Please respect copyright.PENANA8NGoQxPfxa
341Please respect copyright.PENANAHP3yyKyVae
"Thank you, sir," said Grace as she quickly walked out of the office, closing the door behind her.341Please respect copyright.PENANA4UblsI2CKL
341Please respect copyright.PENANAlwHjBpFGrB
Leo couldn't help but wonder how he's father had not yet returned to the office. It was so unlike him.341Please respect copyright.PENANAJu8yRQXRe5
341Please respect copyright.PENANAFUo1pOwICS
With the phone in his other hand, Leo decided to call him. But before he could do so, the door flew open and Eric came into his office.341Please respect copyright.PENANAOnti2nAaEZ
341Please respect copyright.PENANAUo4LWublGf
"You should be knocking when you're coming here, Eric," said Leo as he looked up at his cousin.341Please respect copyright.PENANASiSgbhAkLm
341Please respect copyright.PENANAGaPV3tRNPD
"Sorry," said Eric apologetically. "I always knock on your door, it's just today is kind of-"341Please respect copyright.PENANAHIEGd9PhPk
341Please respect copyright.PENANATsfSXNWey0
"-different?" Leo finished his sentence.341Please respect copyright.PENANA2Wr4cjhgum
341Please respect copyright.PENANAuGYq8p4HRw
"Yep. So are you coming with me for lunch?" Eric asked.341Please respect copyright.PENANAbmGgkAxB7q
341Please respect copyright.PENANA9GXA9kbfym
"Nah, I think I'll skip lunch today."341Please respect copyright.PENANAoKxgwqsv6n
341Please respect copyright.PENANA6EqWZIrihw
Eric raised an eyebrow at his cousin. "Are you sure?" he asked. "You seem to need it more than I do."341Please respect copyright.PENANA5xh79eWtsN
341Please respect copyright.PENANAHTTs7QrvkN
"Why do you say that?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAhRVfpofygp
341Please respect copyright.PENANACmsxXQC6Ql
"Because you look famished. I just passed Grace in the hall and she said you looked sick or something."341Please respect copyright.PENANAOITPoTzfH4
341Please respect copyright.PENANAGIC7FMEGSO
Leo rubbed his forehead with his free hand. "I've been thinking a lot, that's why."341Please respect copyright.PENANAQ6iYKOSMuN
341Please respect copyright.PENANANsiaMeSF14
Eric's eyes lit up. "Wait..., is it because of Angel? You're still worried about her working here?"341Please respect copyright.PENANArjNvHpaJKk
341Please respect copyright.PENANAD5RlUCW9H6
Leo shrugged his shoulders. "Well, what do you expect when you came here talking about her in the first place?"341Please respect copyright.PENANALeIIMrx8i0
341Please respect copyright.PENANAx9z8sAlVGI
Eric shook his head as he pinched his eyes with his index finger and thumb. "This is why I said you should go to a therapist. You can't hate someone who hasn't offended you."341Please respect copyright.PENANATGHU2uk4uN
341Please respect copyright.PENANATuZREiZYDl
"What are you saying? Of course she has."341Please respect copyright.PENANAcrbkPnJTnM
341Please respect copyright.PENANAfm2fJDlbot
Eric folded his arms. "Okay, apart from the time when she attacked you at the club because you were making love to her sister, mention any other time when she did you wrong."341Please respect copyright.PENANAaHr1gS61s4
341Please respect copyright.PENANAhxYRqopjZP
Leo looked at Eric with a murderous look. He didn't have to think of anything because he knew he had none. Eric always had a way of getting to him when he wanted to.341Please respect copyright.PENANACPIzAdkruJ
341Please respect copyright.PENANAfEwf2R1iHV
Leo ended up shaking his head admitting defeat and said, "fine. You win this time. But that doesn't mean she plots behind my back."341Please respect copyright.PENANAh4l5LtK13z
341Please respect copyright.PENANAetOVGK9NIS
"You don't even have proof of that," said Eric as he started to chuckle. "You're just being paranoid."341Please respect copyright.PENANAB3COhm6Ekh
341Please respect copyright.PENANAcmhIUB52k5
Leo shook his head as he walked round his table. "I'm so done with you. Let's go. Arguing with you makes me hungry."341Please respect copyright.PENANAfghEqYk6aq
341Please respect copyright.PENANAtbR1YVTXON
Leo started to walk out of his office with Eric right behind him. When the two stepped out, Leo locked the door.341Please respect copyright.PENANAqHyrhjlNCH
341Please respect copyright.PENANAzi9caXR3yK
"Since you really need to eat something," said Eric, "you can suggest where we can go for lunch."341Please respect copyright.PENANAl42jhau93K
341Please respect copyright.PENANAJtjPXp1fyB
"First let me make a call to my dad. Can you imagine that he hasn't shown up to the office?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAGRufpdsNrY
341Please respect copyright.PENANAVNnQy6syUq
"Maybe he is still helping Carly out with her college transfer. You know how these things take time sometimes."341Please respect copyright.PENANAdrKebuOJWJ
341Please respect copyright.PENANAfmqIY2MXGZ
"Ya, but it's lunch time and he should have called me first if he was going to arrive late."341Please respect copyright.PENANAU2lRJbrcFn
341Please respect copyright.PENANAUcbzfhkqNw
"He probably just forgot. You can give him a call as we head out of here. I'm starving."341Please respect copyright.PENANAREWZzkJ2ui
341Please respect copyright.PENANAFuit2NrgAu
Leo would've said something over Eric's appetite, but he was too worried about his father to even care. The two made their way towards the elevator while Leo dialed his father's number on his phone and called. He put the phone to his ear as Eric reached the elevator first and pressed the button to summon it.341Please respect copyright.PENANA4hIB5AKnCi
341Please respect copyright.PENANASy2SL1cvrv
Mr. McDonell answered the call upon the first ring and Leo was relieved.341Please respect copyright.PENANASkIRRGSOCN
341Please respect copyright.PENANAng6sh9lgPb
"Leo, hey," came his father's voice. "Is anything wrong at the office?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAXKYu3zk7yQ
341Please respect copyright.PENANAtIVI2tGlPO
"No, nothing's wrong," Leo replied. The elevator doors in front of him flew open and Eric stepped in first with Leo following slowly behind him. "Grace told me that you weren't around and I thought of checking up on you."341Please respect copyright.PENANAtkTPN0ixs9
341Please respect copyright.PENANAJVWfCuTXe4
"Oh, I'm fine, son. There is no need to worry."341Please respect copyright.PENANAS47VddV2m8
341Please respect copyright.PENANAJwdxjkBWl1
"Where are you anyway?" Eric pressed the button to the ground floor and the doors closed. They soon felt the elevator start to move.341Please respect copyright.PENANA9cpzRclElv
341Please respect copyright.PENANAJODT7NVDoK
"Oh..., me?" Mr. McDonell seemed surprised by the question. "I decided to go for a walk in Central park, that's all."341Please respect copyright.PENANAwZBwtJWbEa
341Please respect copyright.PENANAvIKM0Bfb3o
"I was worried when Grace told me you hadn't shown up to the office." Leo looked over at Eric who was staring at his own two feet.341Please respect copyright.PENANABMytksJplT
341Please respect copyright.PENANArl3KlnWLnN
"You don't need to worry, son, I'm fine. Walking is good for me and I really need it today. I'll be back in the office as soon as lunch hour is over."341Please respect copyright.PENANAyLpnWy9NKx
341Please respect copyright.PENANAVPZG7z7sdQ
"Okay, see you later, then." Leo cut the call.341Please respect copyright.PENANAzl6GbSZpyU
341Please respect copyright.PENANAt5JYdxkZLP
The elevator came to a stop and the doors slid open. Eric turned to look at Leo.341Please respect copyright.PENANAiZzpgWsgLA
341Please respect copyright.PENANAGTkPdUWNsG
"So, where is he?" Eric asked Leo as they both walked out of the elevator.341Please respect copyright.PENANAWcojtNi4zu
341Please respect copyright.PENANANHrVdbZ2Iy
"He's taking a walk in Central park," Leo asked as they passed a few people down in the lobby.341Please respect copyright.PENANAnNr9ieAzt6
341Please respect copyright.PENANA10VAwIOJb2
"Ah, you see. There was nothing to worry about."341Please respect copyright.PENANA4WWdL4WEAf
341Please respect copyright.PENANA6U99SwT0cC
"Ya, there wasn't."341Please respect copyright.PENANAJIvEwHtpZf
341Please respect copyright.PENANAhLOfQfPOzP
The two cousins stepped out through the large glass doors of the building, passing the doorman that stood guard.341Please respect copyright.PENANA7bjLVbkCqc
341Please respect copyright.PENANAWXsJPOQSzV
"That reminds me," said Eric as they turned down the street on the sidewalk, "which restaurant are we going to?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAeu1jHVREMK
341Please respect copyright.PENANAwJNqE73ANf
"Can't we have junk food for a change?" Leo asked as he put his phone in the pocket and left his hand in it.341Please respect copyright.PENANAPDRN0sxCXZ
341Please respect copyright.PENANA9xzjO4shi3
Eric looked at his cousin as they walked, careful enough not to bump into anyone coming in from the opposite direction and those in front of him who walked too slow. He looked surprised.341Please respect copyright.PENANA0NQQsQzWjX
341Please respect copyright.PENANA2JJYaFzAuC
"Did you just say you want to eat junk food?" Eric asked. "Minutes ago, you said you weren't hungry."341Please respect copyright.PENANAjNzwj3eHES
341Please respect copyright.PENANAevHA4i9l5b
"I've changed my mind. Am I on a diet so as not to eat junk?" Leo asked.341Please respect copyright.PENANAZcYqhlTREh
341Please respect copyright.PENANA1SLAtHdmYa
"Not that I know of." They were soon near the traffic lights with many other civilians at the zebra crossing, waiting for the walk traffic light to turn on.341Please respect copyright.PENANA7cIAox7Chx
341Please respect copyright.PENANAMMvUtHq2vx
"What's wrong with eating junk food, then?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAc74lH7dfmX
341Please respect copyright.PENANAifGGWwJhYT
Eric thought about it for a second but he had to cross the road with Leo and the other pedestrians as soon as the traffic lights turned red for the cars to stop and the green walk sign turned on for the pedestrians. As soon as they reached the other side of the crossing and the cars that stopped were finally on the move behind them, Eric gave his reply:341Please respect copyright.PENANAkvN925HRbF
341Please respect copyright.PENANAXTMYbdbXJn
"There's nothing wrong with it. I'm just worried that you might grow fat. Besides, the only reason why I'm concerned is because you like going to fancy restaurants and eating salads all the time."341Please respect copyright.PENANAWi64ohXJSc
341Please respect copyright.PENANA989P0TWPF9
"I know," said Leo as they passed by a coffee shop and the strong smell of coffee flew onto the street when a lady, opened the door to enter the cafe. "I don't know how to explain it, but I'm really in a mood for it right now."341Please respect copyright.PENANAVXj53tTIap
341Please respect copyright.PENANAMQbl60KLEo
"Okay, if you say so. But if you gain a pound after this, don't blame me."341Please respect copyright.PENANAPoOnvjS1WU
341Please respect copyright.PENANA6jnG79kchf
Leo turned to look at Eric, walking beside him. "Admit it, you want to eat junk food way more than I do."341Please respect copyright.PENANAdcVUtzVwi1
341Please respect copyright.PENANAUyBXND7C0m
"Mind you, I love junk. I'm just surprised you want to join in on the fun. And I know exactly where to go. There's this amazing place where they sell the best burgers."341Please respect copyright.PENANAgELJCtQHhq
341Please respect copyright.PENANAfcGDUQlSow
"Great, let's go."341Please respect copyright.PENANAPaALBQwKPb
341Please respect copyright.PENANAJuxciR1B7p
***341Please respect copyright.PENANAfFS8xZdhUJ
341Please respect copyright.PENANA4TiopdGwkQ
"Comfortable?" Mark asked after Angel sat on the chair he had just pulled out for her.341Please respect copyright.PENANAuJOT7I9UGO
341Please respect copyright.PENANAjX21REL2JL
"Yes, thank you," Angel replied as she smiled up at him.341Please respect copyright.PENANAYdC9q9cX6v
341Please respect copyright.PENANAgtmP1UbzpR
"Good." Mark gave her a smile and he went to sit on the other side of the table.341Please respect copyright.PENANAwZGgOO4Zgq
341Please respect copyright.PENANAjpsB6Q2Dmw
Angel went on ahead to look at her surrounding a little more. They were at an outdoor restaurant. As much as it was outdoors, the place was luxurious with the open roof above them filled with green creepers and tiny bulbs above them to make the scene around them look beautiful and a little intimate. The wooden tables were covered with white table cloths and above them were little bulbs in shape of candles with little green creepers and white flowers. Angel liked the way the restaurant made her feel. She felt like she was in a fairytale.341Please respect copyright.PENANAw2yh4iOM9j
341Please respect copyright.PENANAXn1OAXN9fq
"I see you like the place," Mark said, bringing her attention back to him.341Please respect copyright.PENANAkoiDdtgO0q
341Please respect copyright.PENANAyosGbX6B3L
"Yes, it's really lovely," said Angel.341Please respect copyright.PENANAtMtUOx3xxR
341Please respect copyright.PENANAZx3dFieJGx
"We should order." Mark lifted the navy blue menu in front of him and opened it. "What would you like to have?"341Please respect copyright.PENANA4C8eeRzBiT
341Please respect copyright.PENANAHkz3iKmTVG
Angel also took hold of the menu and looked at it. It had been a long time since she had visited a fancy restaurant that she forgot about some delicate cuisines that most exquisite restaurants liked to serve. She smiled to herself when she noticed one of the meals she enjoyed on the menu.341Please respect copyright.PENANAfQNSaXx6VV
341Please respect copyright.PENANAA4a7U9RD6y
"What is it?" Mark asked as he looked up from his menu and noticed Angel smiling.341Please respect copyright.PENANAtBXMo9Dt0T
341Please respect copyright.PENANApkCShuyy94
"Nothing," Angel replied, still smiling. "I realised I haven't had a ratatouille in like.., forever."341Please respect copyright.PENANAejtC3K2CLI
341Please respect copyright.PENANA82tcIAgRSa
"Looks like you know your french cuisines." Mark smiled charmingly at her.341Please respect copyright.PENANAReF8mtRvB9
341Please respect copyright.PENANANAls1prRtU
"There was a time when I was on a date and my boyfriend made me try it out. Goodness, it was magnificent."341Please respect copyright.PENANA8I7BfpLhHG
341Please respect copyright.PENANAhik7qE3oDZ
"You dated?" Mark looked surprised.341Please respect copyright.PENANATNDXbhDUTO
341Please respect copyright.PENANAz3qvMRqV1H
"Ya, but he wasn't the best of boyfriends," said Angel as she went back to looking at the menu. "The ratatouille can be a good starter. Just saying."341Please respect copyright.PENANA2Ef9iwyyXi
341Please respect copyright.PENANATxp8oQBMRK
Mark continued to look at Angel and she didn't seem to notice. It was only moments later when she looked at him and caught him staring.341Please respect copyright.PENANA9d4NztIKgu
341Please respect copyright.PENANAvRZIin8Xk6
"What is it?" Angel asked.341Please respect copyright.PENANAk4ujRww5Bh
341Please respect copyright.PENANAq4fTny53qH
"Nothing," he said as he dropped his menu. "I wonder what the guy thought of letting you go."341Please respect copyright.PENANAe4Ua9Aj2Hm
341Please respect copyright.PENANA14yhJHyUrh
Angel raised an eyebrow at him as she put the menu back down on the table. "That was three years ago. I caught him cheating on me and so..., just like everything that stays in the past..., it's history."341Please respect copyright.PENANA0xR79BHylo
341Please respect copyright.PENANAjlXpj70rVl
"Well, I think he's a fool letting you go."341Please respect copyright.PENANADW0leVyY2X
341Please respect copyright.PENANAgOMIios8OU
Angel looked up at the green creepers over her and the tiny bright lights. "He made a choice," she said. "Can't blame him. The girl he cheated on me with was very beautiful. I guess that's why."341Please respect copyright.PENANA7Md8CsKcQr
341Please respect copyright.PENANANyc3nn5px0
Mark drew out his hand and placed it above Angel's that was on the table. Angel looked at him.341Please respect copyright.PENANAdnfpFAc4Lp
341Please respect copyright.PENANAbOjRDwJGmM
"He was too blind to notice how beautiful you are," he said. "You look heavenly, like an angel."341Please respect copyright.PENANAnr8CxZLaA9
341Please respect copyright.PENANA6YA4qIAfzw
Angel smiled. "Stop it," she said, her cheeks starting to heat up. "I know you're only saying that to try and make me feel better."341Please respect copyright.PENANABpiDMwtpTy
341Please respect copyright.PENANAPhb5KWu0Tv
"Maybe. But I'm speaking the truth and you know it. I bet am not the first man to ever tell you that."341Please respect copyright.PENANA5HzMUQJ9Tt
341Please respect copyright.PENANAI0MLFGKg27
Angel shook her head. "No, you aren't."341Please respect copyright.PENANAgasWcjhEp7
341Please respect copyright.PENANA1HqhIH0GaD
Mark withdrew his hand. "Let's not talk about him." He lifted his hand to catch the attention of a waiter nearby. A lean blonde young man came to the table all dressed in a black shirt, a black pair of trousers, with matching black shoes and a black half apron round his waist.341Please respect copyright.PENANAOiaaw2hvgB
341Please respect copyright.PENANAdyCgdUCG20
"Ready to take your order, sir?" the man asked politely with a gentle smile on his face.341Please respect copyright.PENANAhHL7Pvj9XK
341Please respect copyright.PENANAOQ5wEcSR1f
"Yes, please," said Mark as he looked up at the waiter and then he went on to look at Angel. "For a starter, we would like the ratatouille, please."341Please respect copyright.PENANAI01N8zZaiW
341Please respect copyright.PENANAsYva7OVJjD
"Coming right up, and would you like a drink while you wait?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAqi8QfHf97b
341Please respect copyright.PENANAL0HppFPtS9
"Yes, a bottle of your finest wine."341Please respect copyright.PENANAgoQcKjjED5
341Please respect copyright.PENANAgHPsBH8By6
"Of course," said the waiter as he smiled at both Mark and Angel before leaving them.341Please respect copyright.PENANAYoA5m7JHR7
341Please respect copyright.PENANATnG3T7pVES
"We're having wine?" Angel asked with a questioning look on her face.341Please respect copyright.PENANAubLNatfj5S
341Please respect copyright.PENANAcWLO4wq4z3
"What is it?" Mark asked, this time his face grew a little worried. "Don't you take alcohol?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAcw890JN37W
341Please respect copyright.PENANAmcKBB6f6Xy
"Well...," Angel playfully rolled her eyes up. "I can't say I take alcohol when I drink wine on special occasions." Her eyes flew back to Mark's face.341Please respect copyright.PENANAI7b4EKLNNn
341Please respect copyright.PENANASoVxD6i0qs
"Oh," Mark let out a little laugh as he leaned back on his chair. "For a minute there, I thought you didn't take alcohol at all."341Please respect copyright.PENANAEuyVCbgbzU
341Please respect copyright.PENANAntDfRDNCm7
"I like wine. I don't drink beer or whiskey.., those type of drinks."341Please respect copyright.PENANAiTdeyh0g8f
341Please respect copyright.PENANAMewasl4ZMa
"Even scotch?"
"Even scotch." Angel said as she smiled.341Please respect copyright.PENANADZCZzjvYFm
341Please respect copyright.PENANATsMoBTg9zz
"Women like you love wine."341Please respect copyright.PENANATYGQlukv3e
341Please respect copyright.PENANA7T0Isv6NoQ
"Well, there are other women who love beers, scotch and whiskey...., champagne, maybe a little," Angel shrugged her shoulders.
"True. I'm glad I guessed that you're a wine drinker."341Please respect copyright.PENANAIRf2iiiOW7
341Please respect copyright.PENANA0jKvUoq5K8
"Ha. Just now you thought I didn't even take wine."341Please respect copyright.PENANA9lO5xt6wHm
341Please respect copyright.PENANAU5IrYfn0KV
"Because you caught me off guard with that question."341Please respect copyright.PENANA1mKyd8MBjt
341Please respect copyright.PENANAkqBDsl95d2
Angel let out a laugh but one that didn't attract people's attention in the restaurant.341Please respect copyright.PENANA8qCwpKUV6o
341Please respect copyright.PENANA4LeuRyL5ki
"Ya, I'm sorry about that," said Angel after she gathered her composure. "I just wanted to see your reaction."341Please respect copyright.PENANACZPYTfyp18
341Please respect copyright.PENANAcRndmMmDet
Mark had an amused look on his face and he didn't notice how charmingly he smiled at Angel until the waiter came back pushing a serving tray. On it was a black champagne bucket with a bottle of wine in it with ice all around. Alongside the bucket were two wine glasses.341Please respect copyright.PENANAhrJtWUYErE
341Please respect copyright.PENANAVfGpJSuvhz
The waiter placed the two glasses in front of Mark and Angel, opened the bottle of wine and poured into the glasses. Afterwards, he placed the bottle back in the bucket, kindly excused himself and walked away.341Please respect copyright.PENANAlqo6m0mzpu
341Please respect copyright.PENANAWWUkkB0fHZ
"Shall we have a toast?" Mark suggested as he held his glass.341Please respect copyright.PENANABBXBsR1T3c
341Please respect copyright.PENANAhRLpl4Xtpr
"A toast to what?" Angel asked, her fingers around the stem of her glass.341Please respect copyright.PENANAOYEno81sjH
341Please respect copyright.PENANAHRD13fQRkz
"A toast for your health, that's one. And also, for you just being you."341Please respect copyright.PENANAQAHlpnDyWE
341Please respect copyright.PENANAD8L5h8fDYb
Angel smiled. "I will toast to the first one most of all, and the other reason is quite reasonable...., so cheers."341Please respect copyright.PENANANdWDNbsi6r
341Please respect copyright.PENANAAsDdsbApu3
Their glasses clinked when they touched and they both drank.341Please respect copyright.PENANAdmhChcAonh
341Please respect copyright.PENANAZRskCAd8J0
"This is really good," said Angel after she withdrew the brim of the glass from her lips.341Please respect copyright.PENANAQV7Xq0Chw6
341Please respect copyright.PENANA1U8UadJ596
"That's why I ordered the best of the best," said Mark as he put his glass on the table.341Please respect copyright.PENANAr6moKhYPAf
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"I might end up drinking the whole bottle. But that won't be so ladylike of me."341Please respect copyright.PENANAhR9wOA3JEz
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"I should be worried." Mark raised his eyebrow at her. "Do you easily get drunk, Angel Barclay?"341Please respect copyright.PENANAZvfN86pMOU
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Angel took another sip of her wine. "If I have too much, then yes. I can get a little tipsy."341Please respect copyright.PENANAsWrYxTpzMZ
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"Then we can take it a little slow, shall we?"
"Slow is good."341Please respect copyright.PENANAdlLCzMSnJz
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It didn't take long for their to starter arrive. And as they had their meal, they continued to chat unaware of how much they enjoyed each other's company. But they had more matters to discuss, and they both knew it.341Please respect copyright.PENANAA94V7SHQgL
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***341Please respect copyright.PENANAEc7Hk0jHE8
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The white tulips in his hands smelled fresh and divine as he walked, his eyes focused ahead. The place around him was quiet except for a few words he heard aloud at a distance. As he walked, he turned to the voice and saw a group of people, almost all of them dressed in black, gathered together surrounding a white casket. The person speaking before them was a priest, all dressed in white and purple robes with the Holy Bible in his hands. Those closer to the casket, crying silently and holding tissues to their noses were obviously the family to the deceased.341Please respect copyright.PENANAkBAlvk4CbL
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Death was a sad thing, especially if it happens to take a loved one away from you. But such was life. Death itself was inevitable and it was up to those alive and in the present to move on. Though it's hard for many others to do so.341Please respect copyright.PENANApzFlOrZwD3
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As he continued to walk away from the funeral procession and through the neatly arranged tombstones in the graveyard, he approached her grave. There stood a white marble tombstone that he had set up just a day after her burial. He was glad that his wife hadn't visited the graveyard with him. She would have been pissed to see such a magnificent tombstone and would have blamed him for wasting so much money on a dead person.341Please respect copyright.PENANAVdLDvYBRS1
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As he got closer, he stood there for a minute as he read her name in big black capital letters. He bended over to put the white tulips on the ground, next to the tombstone. After straightening up, he took a few steps back.341Please respect copyright.PENANAE0odYfAssj
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He sighed as he smiled at the white tulips. If she were here, she would have smiled back at him, taken a sniff out of them and said thank you.341Please respect copyright.PENANAbDrSwxcVVn
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"God, how I've missed you," he muttered to the wind.