“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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAO00O10jIZh
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“Hello, am I interrupting anything?” came a voice, bringing her out of her thoughts.179Please respect copyright.PENANAZl3Kpvega9
179Please respect copyright.PENANAypD8aVxfvx
179Please respect copyright.PENANArr8CnEz9zt
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.179Please respect copyright.PENANARGXm0g0lQ2
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“Uh-yes, I’m fine,” Angel quickly answered as she felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment.179Please respect copyright.PENANAnL7kwvihFP
179Please respect copyright.PENANAgU5cDXP7mn
179Please respect copyright.PENANAlEiTiWRQwj
“You’re the new girl, right?”179Please respect copyright.PENANA8IDEG9VWc6
179Please respect copyright.PENANAAoR6z3d0qu
179Please respect copyright.PENANAZHZAKnnTlD
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.179Please respect copyright.PENANApgVJLw3tg9
179Please respect copyright.PENANAyZS210Yj6x
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“Yes, I am,” she quickly answered again. “Angel Barclay, nice to meet you. You’re…?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAY2r7ut4Snm
179Please respect copyright.PENANA1mVnOTEOkA
179Please respect copyright.PENANAHo36OpU6rV
“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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAF9a8TiNSSC
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“Oh,” Angel felt her cheeks heat up even more. “I didn’t know I would still be the talk of the department.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAHaquTlPcEb
179Please respect copyright.PENANA1KX3zcWeQE
179Please respect copyright.PENANAD0ggH6mXq8
“With your looks, you’ll be the talk for a month. I can guarantee that.”179Please respect copyright.PENANANZwufsTYs2
179Please respect copyright.PENANA9JUqsfztlC
179Please respect copyright.PENANAwwb9BBsgBC
Angel nervously chuckled. “Don’t say that. I personally don't think so.”179Please respect copyright.PENANATGnI9cQans
179Please respect copyright.PENANAcBUXr3UUs6
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“Well, I do.” He looked at the files in her hands. “May I carry them for you? They look heavy.”179Please respect copyright.PENANABplRCnppfs
179Please respect copyright.PENANANJfe0pGI7g
179Please respect copyright.PENANAQZN7S6gS5U
“Ah, no thanks,” Angel quickly refused. “They aren’t heavy at all.”179Please respect copyright.PENANABPafidsKyG
179Please respect copyright.PENANAN4pXpR2g0k
179Please respect copyright.PENANA8pcC0w0kaG
“You sure? Here, let me help.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAOtX0LvLvaA
179Please respect copyright.PENANAN7IvaJG0kX
179Please respect copyright.PENANAoDrBbSvhtF
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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAqnjtYHuLln
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179Please respect copyright.PENANAA4qKqMoFQN
“Thanks,” Angel managed to say.179Please respect copyright.PENANAaaRBQQuIgM
179Please respect copyright.PENANAhvUCDULMyI
179Please respect copyright.PENANAqpLIsVqjUZ
“Are you walking over to your desk?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAqEuTSc7lkD
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“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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAxSDqI1I5kJ
179Please respect copyright.PENANAGv3XZxZmTi
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Derrick put the files on her desk. “I see you’ve a lot to work on.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAsiFwOiDrEe
179Please respect copyright.PENANAWVOOUB7oe9
179Please respect copyright.PENANA5ejNBcVTOq
“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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAWVP3Kppevy
179Please respect copyright.PENANAVZrdgg9fFN
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“I hear you'll be working closely with Mrs. Lance. You better buckle up. The woman is hard to please.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAJomdgp46qH
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“Ya, I’ve been warned. But I’ll do all I can to work hard.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAejrIAGmy0k
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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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAn6X9xfGszO
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“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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAmANdgEKtFq
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“Ah, I see. People are already asking you out?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAlRIZg5dSIQ
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Angel found herself blushing even more. “It’s not like that,” she managed to say. “It’s just between friends, nothing special.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAu6Ntc1RKkZ
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Derrick raised an eyebrow and a smile soon came across his face. “Maybe another time. How does that sound?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAbXNg3P0pZw
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Angel quickly shook her head. “That will be great. Thanks for helping me carry these files.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAImZiZyeJjA
179Please respect copyright.PENANAeLhMaSW1LW
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“You’re welcome. It’s nice meeting you. I’ll see you around?”179Please respect copyright.PENANASXEWsPNqGo
179Please respect copyright.PENANAzOAKLXIUkz
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“Ya, I’ll see you.”179Please respect copyright.PENANA0S4594dNdn
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANANw7tXoZf2T
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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:179Please respect copyright.PENANAcEzZjjbkzw
179Please respect copyright.PENANA0QtWSU0Sgw
179Please respect copyright.PENANAyoe0JLmbE9
“Excuse me, it’s Angel, right?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAM6fqrS7UOS
179Please respect copyright.PENANAGeU5mB5fXy
179Please respect copyright.PENANAgT46OEphFo
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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAZnrx6bLzuK
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“Yes, it is," said Angel as she fully turned around in her seat and drew her arm out. "Your name is-?"179Please respect copyright.PENANAhHWhbmk8bv
179Please respect copyright.PENANAwLlnUYZxpV
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"Sabrina," said the lady as she leaned forward and shook hands with Angel. "I see a lot of people really want to know you."179Please respect copyright.PENANAU8NMG8Sr5Y
179Please respect copyright.PENANA9fD1mfEfx7
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"Maybe it's because I'm new here," said Angel, trying her best to stress a point kindly.179Please respect copyright.PENANA79zjPyKJUz
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"Or maybe it's because you're just too pretty," Sabrina gave Angel a flashy smile.179Please respect copyright.PENANABdpHMgPPpO
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Angel playfully shrugged her shoulders. "I can't be too sure about that."179Please respect copyright.PENANAfDHUCikrH3
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"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."179Please respect copyright.PENANAOGdicZutEB
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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."179Please respect copyright.PENANAbckZrrbzpe
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"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."179Please respect copyright.PENANAltw66L3EeP
179Please respect copyright.PENANAqEqGm6CSTM
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"Okay, but what does that have to do with me? I just met him."179Please respect copyright.PENANAFspUTQgxvF
179Please respect copyright.PENANABBKNGViepR
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"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."179Please respect copyright.PENANAdiwrabAIjT
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"Oh, I see. But that doesn't mean he likes me or anything, right?"179Please respect copyright.PENANA7yfOsGvBm2
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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."179Please respect copyright.PENANAjTAYvmpWdr
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"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.179Please respect copyright.PENANA2hxT6MdAxS
179Please respect copyright.PENANA7jYUAtwhd3
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"Not that I know of," Sabrina answered her. "Angel, this is Beatrix."179Please respect copyright.PENANARsNq2kC6oC
179Please respect copyright.PENANAmAx6taDz1s
179Please respect copyright.PENANACgPPiIxjL2
"Oh, sorry for butting in in your conversation," said Beatrix, looking at Angel and raising her hand apologetically. "Where are my manners?"179Please respect copyright.PENANAAZa1Fm21Sg
179Please respect copyright.PENANAxNuaudgrNC
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"It's okay," said Angel. "It's nice to meet you, Beatrix."179Please respect copyright.PENANASmmaWbSHJa
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"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."179Please respect copyright.PENANA1koDYz3rga
179Please respect copyright.PENANAhuF5NZcsW2
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"You see," Sabrina said to Angel with a smile on her face.179Please respect copyright.PENANAZXlCppaG48
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179Please respect copyright.PENANA1UUPgY02T0
"I'm not going to say anything," said Angel. "You obviously know him better than I do."179Please respect copyright.PENANAD6b8orK4iP
179Please respect copyright.PENANAPgmVJ6YQzq
179Please respect copyright.PENANA4yBCgDYQMI
"Just admit it. He has his eye on you."179Please respect copyright.PENANAprUPm6qbDy
179Please respect copyright.PENANAeWvAADtp1X
179Please respect copyright.PENANAKjb0Nho1Qp
Angel blushed. She looked to the floor, hoping that the other two wouldn’t notice.179Please respect copyright.PENANAzIeOHvkkCe
179Please respect copyright.PENANA2dyI4vdRdV
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"If you managed to get his attention, what more of the other male folk around here who are single?"179Please respect copyright.PENANA0jFYR2tRXX
179Please respect copyright.PENANANK2qqfKT0S
179Please respect copyright.PENANAPbMfaRAN71
"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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAjPExXnRljh
179Please respect copyright.PENANAwifRMuQXD7
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“Was it like this at your previous workplace? I hear you worked for some editing company, right?” Beatrix asked.179Please respect copyright.PENANA5IGl57e0Zx
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANA41gZqk0VcL
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“Anyway, since you’re close with Eric and Leo, I bet you have their attention too,” said Sabrina.179Please respect copyright.PENANA5OP5m4vBYw
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“Oh, no, I don’t think so,” Angel was quick to deny.179Please respect copyright.PENANAGRQGzDaIYG
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“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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAo6UoiOtAO0
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Angel didn’t want to hear any more of this. If only they knew that the reason why that happened is because of Carly.179Please respect copyright.PENANAaVgdJGiojB
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“Do you know why that happened, Angel?” Beatrix asked. “You’re close to the family, so you should know the reason.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAcCUaXWTbR1
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“I can’t answer that.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAge8t5JEZAw
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Sabrina drew herself closer, dragging the chair with her. “Why not?” she asked. “Is it that bad?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAFoLCrUnpk2
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“No one actually knows why Leo broke things off with Kim, and so does she.”179Please respect copyright.PENANA4F6w4VMQVD
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“Oh, darn!” Beatrix clicked her tongue. “Everyone around here also says the same thing.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAIZ8oSrTiGD
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAadvZsMeAhu
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“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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANA571LGgDcIP
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“Well, he does have an attitude, I can agree on that," said Angel.179Please respect copyright.PENANA25ohgMiIRm
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“How do you handle him? Doesn’t he get on your nerves?” Beatrix asked.179Please respect copyright.PENANA43IjiTS8Gy
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“Sometimes. But he isn’t that bad.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAzG3rmJX7ms
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“Ya, I see how he’s close with his family, especially Eric,” said Sabrina. “I just wish he was more outgoing, you know.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAnkCR30YKoA
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You and me both, Angel thought. “I better start working on these files.”179Please respect copyright.PENANA7Y8CaiXwhe
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“Oh, ya, sure,” said Beatrix, “sorry for disturbing you.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAaEPE8avNdj
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“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.179Please respect copyright.PENANANpsYSAjTRg
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAdJseY0Lb5w
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***179Please respect copyright.PENANAx8zw57XxKl
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANA4kEvFrz8g1
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAP6eb5jE1Bq
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAVcUyN2nEQ3
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANA06PLsPis1X
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANA7NCAHtfyf8
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“What’s up with you, grumpy?” Eric asked as he came to sit on the chair, facing Leo.179Please respect copyright.PENANAnBAIFtMGZJ
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“Why don’t you ever knock when you come in?” Leo asked as he folded his arms.179Please respect copyright.PENANAAcVQgYFKzN
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“I’m sorry, but I already know you’re used to it. So what’s up?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAPIs1x2Yd4R
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Leo looked at Eric. His cousin knew him better than anyone. He took a deep breath and leaned his elbows on the table.179Please respect copyright.PENANAgYvb0V97LW
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“Kim texted me,” he said.179Please respect copyright.PENANAWsUg7tjEaI
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“Whoa, Kim texted you?” Eric for some reason didn’t look at all surprised. “How come?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAEUqEP5ewas
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“Angel and I met her at the café where we bought croissants.”179Please respect copyright.PENANA1C1nMiIR5S
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“Why didn’t you tell me?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAp0yJ2cvvq8
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“It didn’t matter then, but it does now. She just texted me.”179Please respect copyright.PENANA0CjbNAMLSp
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“What did she say?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAmb6OVwTK2N
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“Just a simple hello.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7tqOfADUZ
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“And did you reply?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAZRue7oOAA2
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“Of course, I did.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAafUWzKx6Zf
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“And…?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAu9iYMDEAVK
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“She texted back and I haven’t read the message.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAXk4euLEttb
179Please respect copyright.PENANA4UaJdRnGiY
179Please respect copyright.PENANARzhoWJBKik
“You better see what that message says.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAe3TwM9adVc
179Please respect copyright.PENANATude1PZlkS
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“And what if I don’t want to? It’s pretty obvious that she wants to hook up for lunch or something.”179Please respect copyright.PENANA6ERrp0vR7c
179Please respect copyright.PENANA58dNxL0Vhv
179Please respect copyright.PENANAvoRfHhkfj1
“You’re right. I’m impressed with how much you know women, nowadays.” Eric gave him an encouraging smile.179Please respect copyright.PENANAY6jn8aB8Jn
179Please respect copyright.PENANAOnPopBHsG3
179Please respect copyright.PENANAzm3gBSzyd1
“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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAnxNB2tGvDR
179Please respect copyright.PENANAZXlAqwvqvH
179Please respect copyright.PENANAgojCFBDpcz
“You’ll never know what you’ve to do if you don’t read the message.”179Please respect copyright.PENANA9C1EFyw6TR
179Please respect copyright.PENANA5h1phtUHg1
179Please respect copyright.PENANA1xnekH6QCo
“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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANA6E8fosXsDu
179Please respect copyright.PENANAf4B1k7ThAl
179Please respect copyright.PENANASXkVGYaDXy
“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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANA6BDe0FwCPF
179Please respect copyright.PENANA8haNB1fbHa
179Please respect copyright.PENANA47nFLsinSu
“You aren’t making me feel any better. Besides, I apologised. I don’t know what she wants me to do.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAf7FHDQlSUq
179Please respect copyright.PENANAVB8AhNlIGC
179Please respect copyright.PENANA3dmIQt1Dbf
“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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANA5uYejHOuLb
179Please respect copyright.PENANAxkwd906FgZ
179Please respect copyright.PENANAGCXLegkXSQ
“The less who know, the better.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAf7lQ6780j1
179Please respect copyright.PENANABZNIltEXB7
179Please respect copyright.PENANAl4jyyoVRVc
“Sooner or later, you’ll have to tell Kim the truth. If anything, she deserves it more than anyone.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAhi5TKFKwQ9
179Please respect copyright.PENANARB44Ts6HjT
179Please respect copyright.PENANAj8xsAwW47a
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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAw9VRJRH5Po
179Please respect copyright.PENANAVMWRcM26e0
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“What did you tell her?” Eric couldn’t help but look on curiously at Leo’s phone.179Please respect copyright.PENANAoGfCHhlXzF
179Please respect copyright.PENANAiIZp00HPdK
179Please respect copyright.PENANAFY4IPZBlEZ
“I told her we can meet,” Leo answered,179Please respect copyright.PENANAExSVw7B0oJ
179Please respect copyright.PENANAlH9rUWn0VD
179Please respect copyright.PENANAFpEbPo2Zhs
“WHAT!” Eric held his head, not believing what Leo said. “I don’t believe you. Let me see the message.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAJQdb7hNyKq
179Please respect copyright.PENANA6hodEAVJXW
179Please respect copyright.PENANAeOzA9j3yAX
Leo groaned, but he got his phone, unlocked it and gave Eric. When Eric read it for himself, he stared at Leo.179Please respect copyright.PENANA9fO0rNCJdr
179Please respect copyright.PENANAGMNFn0G6Ln
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“You’re serious,” he said as he gave Leo back his phone. “Are you finally going to tell her the truth?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAucYnKXZyPg
179Please respect copyright.PENANAYuN4CrZthp
179Please respect copyright.PENANAhznzSSPD4R
“On that part, I don’t know,” Leo answered as he leaned back on his chair, deep in thought.179Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1EbjBhnAf
179Please respect copyright.PENANAhn1JDrF1cO
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“Well, if you tell her, it will finally give her the chance to move on, don’t you think?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAyNEWAnQe1Q
179Please respect copyright.PENANA5Gg0XaWziS
179Please respect copyright.PENANAuvUQ38yhC4
“If I do tell her, she’ll kill me.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAm0N7PcUhdx
179Please respect copyright.PENANAXzU0IdeceS
179Please respect copyright.PENANAJxLMlx62GS
“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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAiSu3t8x0Xx
179Please respect copyright.PENANAKgibVv7MJ2
179Please respect copyright.PENANAlTIO3BJrGj
Leo chuckled to himself as he stared at the ceiling. “I still remember that day. Gosh, all of that happened so suddenly.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAd1Rx2xmLkK
179Please respect copyright.PENANAfWp1xDzszG
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“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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAOGST9qC36C
179Please respect copyright.PENANAN9CSqMsuYE
179Please respect copyright.PENANArtbxzEssor
“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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAUsFBSxWBcE
179Please respect copyright.PENANA5OFj5ucirg
179Please respect copyright.PENANAQJsVCEQLXX
Eric smiled. “Grandma will be glad if she heard those words coming out of that mouth of yours.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAdSxbmwnYaO
179Please respect copyright.PENANA8KA0kfSkU3
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“I know. Seems like she was right after all. Kim was never good for me.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAjiY1dqymyD
179Please respect copyright.PENANAGgzcbbZHJH
179Please respect copyright.PENANA2LszxaYpfa
“Wait until she finds out that you’re actually in love with Carly.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAn7AKk81lOh
179Please respect copyright.PENANA2PQ3QCYgH8
179Please respect copyright.PENANAPCY5VmOTjE
The two cousins looked at each other, imagining the scenario. Eric reacted first.179Please respect copyright.PENANANVSso7uJTp
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“No, I don’t want to imagine it,” he said as he shook his head. “Something tells me it won’t be a good one.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAVVK59tylJb
179Please respect copyright.PENANAqerqruNimV
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“I agree,” said Leo as he rubbed the temple of his head. “I don’t want to imagine my mother, though.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAP3U19WZynQ
179Please respect copyright.PENANAA3BcXQGTtY
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“That one is pretty obvious; I don’t have to imagine it, that’s if I want my head to explode.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAuryxt1evOu
179Please respect copyright.PENANAPijo4R1IP6
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The two laughed.179Please respect copyright.PENANAAGhHN2n2Eb
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“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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANARN7THkjvDi
179Please respect copyright.PENANANB2rENzNLX
179Please respect copyright.PENANAjIQBFd93c1
“You’re right,” said Leo as he went on to look at his screen and switched windows from his email to an open document.179Please respect copyright.PENANAKP0xTua65Y
179Please respect copyright.PENANAP6YvKF1RZl
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A brief silence passed between them when they suddenly burst out laughing at the same time.179Please respect copyright.PENANAmksjShRGVK
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***179Please respect copyright.PENANAeYkyuwNzRu
179Please respect copyright.PENANA3p4kEBs9Av
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"Hey, Miranda, are you okay?"179Please respect copyright.PENANAlNvovQzIUk
179Please respect copyright.PENANAIrTtnBpvKL
179Please respect copyright.PENANA26dTwQeyUS
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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAKyhxRlXq9G
179Please respect copyright.PENANAWMS9uzBE5y
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANApWAcSTDyBm
179Please respect copyright.PENANAij5bNqXCzh
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“Scoot over,” Brad insisted as he moved his body closer to hers, forcing her to move.179Please respect copyright.PENANAxc0GO0K7UX
179Please respect copyright.PENANAhsuQgSfg0y
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Miranda moved over to the next chair which was empty and Brad finally managed to sit next to her.179Please respect copyright.PENANAVxirLdpTos
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“What were you looking at?” he asked as he tried to see what's on Miranda’s phone.179Please respect copyright.PENANAVLbVPWqIhN
179Please respect copyright.PENANAY3oJVuWyaK
179Please respect copyright.PENANAATd6jOitlE
“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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAPjZTc7tGS2
179Please respect copyright.PENANAhLs1YR8FzZ
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“You seem really fixed on it. I want to see what’s caught your interest.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAANEYLXUo6L
179Please respect copyright.PENANAOWIQZ6jPXk
179Please respect copyright.PENANATbCwXjIxVB
“Like I told you, it’s nothing. So why don’t you just mind your business?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAEGyX6ZQUqG
179Please respect copyright.PENANA9cFpurJVRN
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“I would, but I’m not going to this time.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAB3N0IVb8l8
179Please respect copyright.PENANAqL5CfIODZj
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“You never do.” Miranda gave him a gloomy look.179Please respect copyright.PENANA5t58fz9sXY
179Please respect copyright.PENANAgwu5qxXRJu
179Please respect copyright.PENANAcXvUoXl6J3
“I say that because something’s been different about you lately.”179Please respect copyright.PENANATInaAe21Ed
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179Please respect copyright.PENANACaWI6g2YPy
She raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAGlGirzK1sV
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179Please respect copyright.PENANA6mU357bvV3
“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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAHhuRkmCiuA
179Please respect copyright.PENANAxxdjXTkYpZ
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“I had a slight problem with my laptop, that’s all.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAvjv6YoqOKZ
179Please respect copyright.PENANAy9p8fVtwEw
179Please respect copyright.PENANAQwDp9rcIHs
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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANA7LXU4Z7561
179Please respect copyright.PENANA644MDrHSHD
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“I’m just busy, that’s all.”179Please respect copyright.PENANA90GwrQXk7X
179Please respect copyright.PENANAf84wBAfTWr
179Please respect copyright.PENANAfYQA1jdnNN
“There’s a difference between being busy and getting distracted. And you, my friend, are distracted.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAOy8LJGNtWO
179Please respect copyright.PENANA4gdx9igcfD
179Please respect copyright.PENANA5dvqnA89vn
Miranda rolled her eyes at him and looked down at her phone before she went on to look in front of her.179Please respect copyright.PENANA7k0fWxEeSZ
179Please respect copyright.PENANApFy1Nj4LEh
179Please respect copyright.PENANAgvJ2BGOZ0q
“So what were you looking at on that phone of yours?” Brad went on to ask.179Please respect copyright.PENANADhbsCn5ZkD
179Please respect copyright.PENANA6qTliud3JR
179Please respect copyright.PENANAgXGrZ2WJ4H
Miranda looked at him through the corner of her eye. “You really don’t listen, do you?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAOSS54C7PKC
179Please respect copyright.PENANAsXXLhwVq4l
179Please respect copyright.PENANA6tcHbDqlfu
“I thought I saw you looking at a guy's photo on Instagram just now. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAQXhoq0IGcZ
179Please respect copyright.PENANAVp7zlPwWx2
179Please respect copyright.PENANAGEXuUk8xr6
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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAsTQ6MXKw2x
179Please respect copyright.PENANAs1EVaBo3Il
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“Let go of me, Brad,” she warned him.179Please respect copyright.PENANA8jQ4IgK3HS
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“And what if I don’t want to?” he asked with a smirk on his face.179Please respect copyright.PENANAVrtVTumqoo
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“You’re hurting me. Why are you being such a prick?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAyBkrQYXybx
179Please respect copyright.PENANAMSkr4duIHr
179Please respect copyright.PENANAMdZ40NBo2J
“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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANA2z429xYrTi
179Please respect copyright.PENANA7xclkx9Igj
179Please respect copyright.PENANAumbx75uYXY
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.179Please respect copyright.PENANARtTVKMFyyq
179Please respect copyright.PENANARDsP3AbSwB
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“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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANANkytOGxobE
179Please respect copyright.PENANAoi3ItTGosA
179Please respect copyright.PENANA3VdG9U4apn
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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAT4AkR53mpl
179Please respect copyright.PENANA6zXfsJ5KV4
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“Girls and your stupid crushes,” he said as he finally let go of her hand. “When will you ever let it go?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAFnN6cRYhcQ
179Please respect copyright.PENANAkYUnctzGZ8
179Please respect copyright.PENANATckJrczVP9
“When the time is right,” said Miranda, doing her best not to sound nervous.179Please respect copyright.PENANA1My9D1aILp
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“So who is this guy, anyway?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAHhCTEyhCLq
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAD6rtzkLTAs
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***179Please respect copyright.PENANAe6OnEHCEms
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANADir89H03Yt
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“Whoa, where do you think you’re going?” Leo asked, still seated behind his desk.179Please respect copyright.PENANAAewCDJoV9a
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“I’m going out for lunch,” Eric answered, heading for the door.179Please respect copyright.PENANA6RBd3tHvgJ
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“You look like you’re going to the bathroom.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8C6v8MUgi
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“I’m taking Angel out,” Eric said with a proud look on his face.179Please respect copyright.PENANA5yUiqzj7zN
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Leo couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Oh, you’re going out with Angel, then?”179Please respect copyright.PENANA1WyUQNBPbN
179Please respect copyright.PENANACJPvm6aFiy
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“Yep. Wipe that sour look on your face. Or are you upset that you have to go out with Kim?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAmvVTKM8ARy
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“I couldn’t care less about that. Besides, having lunch with Angel doesn’t appeal to me.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAZmomQvqdWI
179Please respect copyright.PENANATxftYWegu5
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“That’s because you don’t like her. Mind you, having lunch with Angel is way better than having it with Kim.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAzQ0JDFf1yD
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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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAh4Ct7K4EBW
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It's Eric’s turn to roll his eyes. “You know, if you gave yourself time to actually know Angel instead of fighting with her all the time, you’ll find that she’s okay to be with than Kim.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAYIZVgBL7j6
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“I beg to differ.” Leo’s face became even more serious.179Please respect copyright.PENANAwBAoHluKD1
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“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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAunlDRxwgjz
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“I won’t.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAU3MMk4AJoi
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Eric gave his cousin a concerned look. “I sure hope so. I’m off. See you later.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAMljylAFrd2
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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?179Please respect copyright.PENANA9q5roZ1Iae
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Leo shook his head. People are different and express love in different ways, he concluded. There’s no doubt in his mind that he loved Carly. Besides, he thought to himself, I don’t think Eric likes Angel to that extent. Maybe what he feels for her might pass in due time. Leo thought again, and concluded that Eric’s feelings towards Angel aren’t going to pass any time soon.179Please respect copyright.PENANArOWKtaHk3d
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He soon got up from his seat as he also had to prepare himself to go and meet Kim. He didn’t know how his lunch with her is going to go. Before that, he thought he could lie to her that something came up to avoid any drama. But he couldn’t do that now. He would look like a coward. Something he doesn’t want to be.179Please respect copyright.PENANAujdS2bhrGL
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He walked up to the door and got his jacket on the coat hanger. And with a deep breath, he opened the door and walked out.179Please respect copyright.PENANAScwTXikIX4
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***179Please respect copyright.PENANAGQszAoMvol
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“I bet you’re hungry, huh?” Eric asked as he and Angel finally got out of the complex building.179Please respect copyright.PENANA9wvY5GnBKG
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"You can say that again,” she said turning to look at Eric. "I’m so famished for my first day.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAlb7SRb2vLD
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"I get what you mean. So many people keep asking me about you.” Eric had his hands in his pockets as he stared up at the sky. "You’ve made quite a reputation for someone on their first day.”179Please respect copyright.PENANACZXZnDTSm4
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"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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAuVqof3sRdd
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"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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAh4bYMgUzH8
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Angel playfully punched him on the arm. "What are you saying? There are many beautiful women at the company. If you ask me, their beauty is intimidating.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAVeWnfdq3qc
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"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?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAs5a4v5b7Y4
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAOmamjMKDNI
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAJrC1Ld04YY
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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?”179Please respect copyright.PENANACKaYwIbUsK
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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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANA28V0WdOjHm
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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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAbyPo5QfkL1
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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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAkpJvwWLQDv
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANA27d9kmmS6u
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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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAeaGJFg0VfO
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANArUftNo1D5B
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANA4p7HV6tHKl
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"I’m glad,” said Eric. "I thought you would be upset or something.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAc2hGAPvSoQ
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"I’ve received such comments before, so I’m not.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAuIlxg1MuaM
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Eric clicked his tongue as he shrugged. "You would, obviously. I also shouldn’t be surprised.”179Please respect copyright.PENANARhb56sOZcz
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAAsLproaki2
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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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAJQuOERaYA7
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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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANA37qh66XSk9
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"Well, the food is on me, so I won’t mind if you order countless dishes.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAFxpEqjMKkn
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"Thanks,” this time she laughed. "But even if I’m so hungry, I don’t eat that much.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAdPXKNL9hQe
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"Just letting you know that the offer is on the table. Ah! Here we are.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAM3DmZHD4sy
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAc7wmqM2YRn
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"Shall we?” Eric held the door to the restaurant open as he waited for her.179Please respect copyright.PENANAkZxVMASM66
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Angel shook herself from her daydream and went through the open door.179Please respect copyright.PENANA9R51b73Jw9
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANA2F7JNNWL4m
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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?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAD0aVh1dRHj
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"That’s if it’s free,” Eric answered.179Please respect copyright.PENANAKLypb07Akb
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"Well, you’re just in luck. Please, follow me.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAkS4NMKWYCf
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAAFzMGnZTKI
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"The waiter seems to know you very well,” said Angel as she picked up the menu card on the table.179Please respect copyright.PENANAbITbzklS15
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"I come here a lot,” said Eric as he also picked up the other menu on his side.179Please respect copyright.PENANA1XxM83KuTx
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Angel said nothing as she smiled and looked at the menu.179Please respect copyright.PENANA8bm70kCNbQ
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"It’s sad that Leo couldn’t join us,” said Eric.179Please respect copyright.PENANABh7POCQx2E
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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?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAUPtKME3Kf7
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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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANArEMlMOIFo8
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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?”179Please respect copyright.PENANA04gSP7YAOV
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"Because he’s having lunch with Kim. He must be heading to her as we speak.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAUKOkgbsyP5
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Angel raised her eyes from the menu. "Kim? We met her when we went to buy croissants this morning.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAYshOAQ3IrK
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"He told me. She actually texted him that she wanted to meet. And he agreed to do so.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAfSHCxVPflx
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAsDESnXP3zR
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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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAhfELeWO6BY
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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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAuP510PmLP8
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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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAaL74WMc89f
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"Now that you mention it, I fear it will turn out to be a disaster.”179Please respect copyright.PENANA7GlZIraEdC
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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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAAT9BqPpxsG
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAXHzyk5baju
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"What are you doing?” Angel asked.179Please respect copyright.PENANA70GKSzEq5p
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"Calling Leo so that he won’t tell Kim the truth,” Eric answered as he looked through his phone.179Please respect copyright.PENANAWpwjJGg4CC
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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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAI6KlEtc8qd
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"You’re probably right,” Eric put his phone aside on the table and looked at Angel.179Please respect copyright.PENANAvqlkdFlo2t
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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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAImWudmTw8b
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"I agree.” Eric quickly took his phone and went on to call Leo.179Please respect copyright.PENANAbUJt1Sh0M1
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAOyQuY7KCpl
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"Hello?” came Leo’s voice.179Please respect copyright.PENANArArWtZpkUW
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"Thank goodness, you picked the call,” said Eric. "We were starting to get worried.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAAVZFOempGW
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"By ‘we’ you mean, you and Angel?” Leo sounded unconvinced.179Please respect copyright.PENANAK52yIx9I3Q
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"It might seem unbelievable, but it’s true.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAxxzw8nEgwS
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Leo sighed. "Get to the point. Why are you calling me?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAENAUBbomen
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"Are you heading to lunch with Kim right now?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAlTWxngPM5g
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"I was about to enter the car and head there. What’s up?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAAu0iiD2S9K
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"Quick question. Are you going to tell Kim the truth?”179Please respect copyright.PENANAsh0dtbhflo
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"The truth about what? Why I didn’t marry her?”179Please respect copyright.PENANA4XD8uy5wlx
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"Yes.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAGKTyqLOPez
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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?”179Please respect copyright.PENANA4N0YPzC2kh
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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.179Please respect copyright.PENANAtQcLGpAt8g
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"Nah, you got this all under control,” Eric quickly pointed out. "I trust that you’ll do the right thing.”179Please respect copyright.PENANA8MzK9S33wm
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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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAXisuNW8mDz
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"I believe you. You’ve a nice lunch.” Eric cut the call.179Please respect copyright.PENANAJQGfZYYWTl
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"What did he say?” Angel quickly asked.179Please respect copyright.PENANAUcFgbOXgNf
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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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAYyWIlU3ota
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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.”179Please respect copyright.PENANA287U7y28MV
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The two looked at each other in silence, again. They both shook their heads as they picked up their menus.179Please respect copyright.PENANAaDD3KbTz8N
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"Leo has this under control,” Eric assured her. "We’ve nothing to worry about.”179Please respect copyright.PENANAhgB7Iols1d
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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.