It was Friday morning, and the place was busy as usual, with everyone in the house awake. It’s a crucial day for all of them, and they all knew how crucial it was.128Please respect copyright.PENANA1Ehiuxk8up
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Leo and Eric were all ready to head out of the house and head to the airport. The visitors from China will be landing there in an hour’s time, and it was essential for them to be there before they arrived to welcome them. Mr. McDonell saw them off. He, on the other hand, was going to be at the office for a little while until it was time for the meeting in the afternoon. As soon as Leo and Eric left, he took off with Oliver to drop him off at school first.128Please respect copyright.PENANArrrKdCrYPx
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That meant only Angel wasn’t going to work, as Diana offered last night that the ladies of the house go out on a shopping spree to find themselves lovely outfits for dinner. Angel wanted to oppose it, as she thought it was only meant for the family and that she wouldn't attend. However, Mr. McDonell thought it was a good idea and countered Angel while they sat at the dinner table discussing the issue.128Please respect copyright.PENANA5CJufGOh7c
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"Don’t say that, Angel," said Mr. McDonell. "You won’t go to work tomorrow. I’ll let Mrs. Lance know so that she can take care of the little details at the meeting place." Angel tried to say something, but he stopped her again. "Not another word from you. If you haven’t realized it yet, you and your sister are now part of the family. If you don’t come for this dinner, then you would be breaking my heart."128Please respect copyright.PENANApXjEKhjZUZ
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Angel had no choice but to comply, though she did receive a scary stare from Mrs. McDonell and, surprisingly, none from Leo.128Please respect copyright.PENANA8QBybiYtRX
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"What do you think we should do first?" Diana asked as she, Carly, and Angel sat at the dining table having breakfast.128Please respect copyright.PENANAkp7lKyYwcw
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"I think we should go shopping, and then we can go for the manicure and pedicure," said Carly, who sat next to Diana.128Please respect copyright.PENANAOQOkRtjWN1
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"Shouldn’t you be thinking of attending a lecture?" asked Angel, who sat opposite the two.128Please respect copyright.PENANA0eNKMCwOD1
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"Come on, Angel," said Carly, before filling her mouth with cereal. "Let me have this free day too. Besides, I already called my lecturers and told them that I wouldn’t be coming in."128Please respect copyright.PENANAp5HsBcv01M
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Angel rolled her eyes to the side. "If you wish."128Please respect copyright.PENANAtRRmvE9cHF
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Mrs. McDonell came into the dining room and sat at the head of the table.128Please respect copyright.PENANALmzDYxQi6Y
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"Morning, everyone," she greeted. "Ready for the day?"128Please respect copyright.PENANATqNDQcdkHm
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"Very much," Carly answered.128Please respect copyright.PENANAMjQkOlutX6
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"Don’t get too excited," said Amanda as she came in with Mandy pushing her wheelchair. "With someone around, it might not be such a good day."128Please respect copyright.PENANA1OJPs9i12M
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"I do hope you aren’t referring to me," said Mrs. McDonell as she watched Mandy settle Amanda around the table.128Please respect copyright.PENANAK30e8OY8BR
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"No, I was talking about the spa Diana will be taking us to. The employees there can be a little messy sometimes when they get absent-minded."128Please respect copyright.PENANAf1JSsaZt7S
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"Now you’re just exaggerating, mum," said Diana.128Please respect copyright.PENANAQch3eldTsm
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"As always," muttered Mrs. McDonell as she poured herself a glass of juice.128Please respect copyright.PENANAx1SBfuqQsp
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"Today will be a good day," Angel commented before Amanda, who now sat beside her, could reply to Mrs. McDonell. "I wouldn’t worry too much about employees at the spa, Amanda."128Please respect copyright.PENANAnk0MEZmhUu
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"Trust me, I didn’t really mean them," said Amanda as she winked at Angel.128Please respect copyright.PENANATx2qogIhd1
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"Gosh, I knew that-"128Please respect copyright.PENANA5z36smsMWQ
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"We have a tight schedule, don’t we?" Angel asked, interrupting Mrs. McDonell. "Let’s eat up so that we can leave. We don’t want to be a minute late."128Please respect copyright.PENANALwgAT3ZFsV
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Mrs. McDonell had nothing to say as she looked at Angel, surprised that she interrupted her from talking back at Amanda. Diana and Carly looked on at Angel, surprised that she did that without Mrs. McDonell snapping back at her. Amanda, on the other hand, couldn’t help but smile at Angel for her bravery.128Please respect copyright.PENANA2QX13t750o
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As soon as the women were done with their breakfast, they made their way out of the house. Bill was the one to be taking them out, and they were going to use the family SUV. Mrs. McDonell took the front seat while the others sat at the back.128Please respect copyright.PENANAW1HdEDSfIQ
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"Where are we going to look for clothes first, Diana?" Amanda asked as soon as they left the McDonell premises.128Please respect copyright.PENANAvl6hMGGurA
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"We thought of going to a few malls before going to the complex where my massage parlor is," said Diana. "I want us to try a certain boutique. I hear there are lovely dresses there."128Please respect copyright.PENANAwrI2P0rGD0
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"I’m so excited," said Carly. "It’s like a girls’ day out."128Please respect copyright.PENANAmVh9AmrVXm
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"I know, right?" Diana couldn’t help but giggle. "What fun! We should be doing this more often."128Please respect copyright.PENANADOqRFsCO5b
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"Some of us are too old for these things," said Amanda. "So count me out. I’m just coming with you because my son suggested that I attend the dinner."128Please respect copyright.PENANAaWRrPPy7fY
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"If you ask me, you really shouldn’t be here," said Mrs. McDonell. "We wouldn’t like to trouble you since you’re pretty old."128Please respect copyright.PENANAX6Fc59Ordd
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"No, the only reason I wouldn’t even think about hanging out is because you would make things boring," Amanda retaliated.128Please respect copyright.PENANAwrJTu4Rzls
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"I’m not boring!" Mrs. McDonell turned in her seat to look at Amanda behind her.128Please respect copyright.PENANALc8XvOAqYF
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"Okay, you two better break it up," said Diana. "I can’t have you fighting in the car like this. You’re going to distract Bill while he’s driving."128Please respect copyright.PENANAe4XPawCfKI
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Bill didn’t say anything as he tried not to laugh. Fights between Mrs. McDonell and Amanda never get old.128Please respect copyright.PENANAzN8KZIshNc
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"But she started it," said Amanda. "You should tell her to have more respect for me. I’m her mother-in-law."128Please respect copyright.PENANAJ8haWauzxD
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Both Carly and Angel shook their heads, knowing they were going to have a long day.128Please respect copyright.PENANAQqVuir191X
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"How can I respect you when you don’t respect me?" Mrs. McDonell asked.128Please respect copyright.PENANAt9vLEbZeQd
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"Oh, goodness," said Diana, wishing she had taken her car instead. "Is it too late to take the bus, Bill?"128Please respect copyright.PENANA5tbWdj6S7d
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"I can stop by the nearest bus stop if you want," Bill answered.128Please respect copyright.PENANASltpFS84e8
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"Hold up," said Angel. "There will be no need for that, Bill." Angel turned to Mrs. McDonell and Amanda, who sat next to her. "Now is not the time for this, please. If we want this to be like a girls’ day out, fighting each other isn’t going to do us any good. Don’t forget, we have an important dinner tonight. So for today, can you make peace until this is over?"128Please respect copyright.PENANA60tvjt7koo
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Everyone in the car was silent. They probably didn’t expect Angel to speak up like she did when Diana tried and failed. Bill couldn’t help but smile, somehow. Though he did feel a little disappointed that Angel had to stop the two women from fighting, it was better for the two to be quiet. He did need to concentrate at some point with his driving.128Please respect copyright.PENANAwp2wzg4Yda
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Mrs. McDonell huffed as she turned around to look straight in front of her. Amanda, for a moment, folded her arms, and she looked like a child who didn’t like to be told what to do. However, she sighed and dropped her arms, looking at Angel.128Please respect copyright.PENANAHf2ecjMTwa
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"As you wish," said Amanda. She turned to look at her daughter-in-law, who still sat silently. "Let’s try not to get into each other’s hairs today, alright, Bertha?"128Please respect copyright.PENANAeEQQ1edyX4
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Carly and Diana watched on, waiting for Mrs. McDonell to respond. Bill took a quick glance at her in fear that she would end up snapping at him. In the end, she turned around in her seat to look at Amanda.128Please respect copyright.PENANAorZfchkMtp
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"You've got a deal," she said.128Please respect copyright.PENANAF6LyLzyNXS
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Diana and Carly almost cheered in excitement but stopped themselves when Mrs. McDonell flashed them a look. It’s like she knew they were about to do that. Carly, who sat next to the window, looked out, pretending to have seen something interesting. Diana smiled at her friend, assuring her that all this was for the better, even if it was only temporarily.128Please respect copyright.PENANAf2sEtb4zWg
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They reached the fashion boutique in one piece as Bill parked right in front of it. He and Carly helped Amanda out as Mrs. McDonell walked in. She was friends with the owner of the boutique and planned to have a quick chat with her before they got started. Angel and Diana waited for Carly and Amanda by the door of the boutique when Diana turned to Angel to talk.128Please respect copyright.PENANAg2lxRWnFec
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"What you did back in the car," Diana started, "was really brave of you, Angel. Thank you."128Please respect copyright.PENANAht2Kr8lz4o
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Angel vigorously shook her head as she said, "There’s no need to thank me, Diana. I was only trying to ease down the tension."128Please respect copyright.PENANAfKIr4hbl4m
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"Yeah, and you did it with ease." Diana chuckled. "I can’t believe that Bertha listened to you when she’s so stubborn. And also, I know she isn’t too friendly with you."128Please respect copyright.PENANA8E6SgaTZn2
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"Oh, I know. I thought for a minute she would snap my head off in there."128Please respect copyright.PENANAWgvDa0f4Lb
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"You didn’t seem the least bit scared. You did the right thing, though. If you didn’t tell them to lay their arguments aside, we weren’t going to do anything."128Please respect copyright.PENANAm2gbfLSMLn
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"That is very true," said Amanda, as Carly pushed her wheelchair towards them. "You were very brave to tell us off like that. We’re acting like children in there."128Please respect copyright.PENANAQbIaggMd9z
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"You always act like children, mum," said Diana.128Please respect copyright.PENANAegy5pepQjg
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Amanda hissed at her. "I’m not a child. Watch what you say to your mother."128Please respect copyright.PENANA6cMc33X5DD
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Carly laughed. "She didn’t mean it like that," she said.128Please respect copyright.PENANAywlkLsg3fl
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"Come on, Carly, take me inside," said Amanda, looking upset with Diana.128Please respect copyright.PENANAVrOSOqnPgE
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"You heard the lady," said Carly. "Move aside, people."128Please respect copyright.PENANAO0QaJg50LJ
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Diana rolled her eyes at her mother, while Angel chuckled. They both moved aside for Carly and Amanda to go up the ramp to the door. Billy, who watched on, announced that he would be waiting in the car. Angel and Diana followed Carly and Amanda into the boutique.128Please respect copyright.PENANAdEtK7zIzUF
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There was a certain ambience the four women felt when they first entered the boutique. The place looked exquisite, as did the beautiful clothes that hung out for display. Amanda and Carly couldn’t help but ‘wow’ at every dress they looked at. Diana and Angel looked cool and collected as they looked around. Soon enough, a young woman with blonde hair neatly tied back in a ponytail, dressed in a white blouse and black skirt with heels, came over to them.128Please respect copyright.PENANAmbYKauQiD5
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"Good morning, ladies," she greeted them with a wide smile. "What can I help you with?"128Please respect copyright.PENANAKBKwjVCmrE
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"Ah, Julie!" came a voice behind the young woman. Julie turned to see Mrs. McDonell and a woman in a sky blue suit approach them.128Please respect copyright.PENANA8NQixA0BpJ
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"Yes, ma’am," said Julie, addressing the woman in the suit.128Please respect copyright.PENANAu8i6VqyDVv
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"This is the McDonell family, and I want you and Alicia to attend to whatever they need," said the woman in the suit. She walked past Julie towards the others.128Please respect copyright.PENANA0AXR4QdYob
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"Nice to meet you," she said, addressing Amanda and the others. "I’m Helena, the owner of this boutique. I’m very good friends with Bertha, and I’m glad you thought of coming here to shop for your dresses."128Please respect copyright.PENANAAB261Cilhu
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"Hello," said Amanda, who was bold enough to speak first. "I’m Amanda, her mother-in-law. This is my daughter, Diana, and these two are the Barclay sisters, Angel and Carly. Thank you for having us."128Please respect copyright.PENANA5hUj6FDtft
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"The pleasure is mine. Please, all of you feel free to take a look around."128Please respect copyright.PENANAUnYuJylu0M
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Amanda and the others all thanked Helena as she went to join Mrs. McDonell, who spoke briefly and quietly. Julie went on to turn to the other women.128Please respect copyright.PENANATQ7uojynBA
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"Can I suggest some dresses for you, ma’am?" she asked Amanda.128Please respect copyright.PENANA7SWtcUeXmZ
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"Yes, please. I’m not good with things, so I would really need your help," said Amanda. "Will you accompany me, Carly?"128Please respect copyright.PENANAXM2WIL7cHm
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"Of course," said Carly. She went on ahead to push Amanda’s wheelchair as Julie led the way.128Please respect copyright.PENANAW8k4mLy6Ef
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"Well, that leaves the two of us," said Diana as she looked at Angel.128Please respect copyright.PENANA2W6voaDyuD
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"I thought someone would be joining us," said Angel.128Please respect copyright.PENANAtR0E1zVK0f
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"She’ll find us; that’s if Bertha wants to have her." Diana took Angel’s hand and started to drag her to the side. "Come, let’s look at the dresses over here."128Please respect copyright.PENANArqJOR0NnIG
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Angel had no choice but to comply as she followed. Mrs. McDonell had finished talking to Helena when she saw Diana drag Angel with her to the other side of the boutique. She didn’t mind much as the other girl, Alicia, came over to assist her.128Please respect copyright.PENANA9Kxk4mIwqY
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It took a while for Angel to get into the mood of looking for a dress. It took a little probing from Diana as she presented a few dresses to her. As fun as it was seeing and commenting on which dress to wear, they also had a few talks about their personal lives. Diana had even asked how life was before Angel and Carly came to live with them. Angel wasn’t shy about revealing that they had been struggling as they tried to make ends meet.128Please respect copyright.PENANAmqaySYZCFx
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"Life was hard," said Angel as she looked in a navy blue sparkling dress. "It’s even harder now without her."128Please respect copyright.PENANA8m30iI84rw
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"I can only imagine," said Diana, with her back facing Angel. "I lost my husband when Oliver was still very young. It took a toll on Eric and me. That’s why my brother offered that we stay with him."128Please respect copyright.PENANA3N64FzS6f1
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Angel turned to look at Diana. "I didn’t know that," she said. "I’m sorry. Eric has never talked about his father before. Moreover, he seems so outgoing. I didn’t know he also lost someone that close to him."128Please respect copyright.PENANAmt7WwARpKZ
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"Oh, he’s always been like that," said Diana with a chuckle. "Moving in with my brother was the best thing that I could’ve asked for. Eric went back to his old self, and I managed to get back on my own two feet. Oliver grew up in a home without feeling that he ever lacked a father since my brother took up the role. I’m really grateful for that."128Please respect copyright.PENANAJZIlwCepKf
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"I’m also grateful for what he has done for us. He’s like a father to me too. I grew up with mine, and he proved to be useless."128Please respect copyright.PENANAcIRQVDCMCm
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Diana turned to look at Angel. "Why? Did he treat you and your mother badly?"128Please respect copyright.PENANAAe7ZYvnlQ5
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"Not exactly." Angel took a pink glittery dress from the hanger. "He loved to drink a lot. Moreover, he was never there when you really needed him. Whatever money mum made to provide for the family, he would squander it through gambling and alcohol. Mum chased him out of the house one day, and he never came back."128Please respect copyright.PENANAkqn7jZTb72
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"I see. He wasn’t worth having around. Your mum did the right thing."128Please respect copyright.PENANAMk1s24srT1
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"Yeah, she did." Angel put back the pink dress and pulled out a black one. "This one looks too revealing."128Please respect copyright.PENANA1bU0gp4kWa
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"I know," Diana agreed with her. "And our visitors mind dressing and being etiquette."128Please respect copyright.PENANASe8I8Ubs40
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"I wouldn’t be too comfortable in this, anyway." Angel put the dress back on the hanger.128Please respect copyright.PENANATcwThfb1Za
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"Okay, enough of the bad stuff," said Diana as she joined Angel, looking at a set of clothes on the hanger. "Tell me, has Eric asked you out yet?"128Please respect copyright.PENANAMlOD02HW8S
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Angel’s heart almost jumped. "What?" She looked at Diana with wide eyes.128Please respect copyright.PENANAeTNS5ty5Z0
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"Relax; I’m joking." Diana giggled. "Look, people are looking at you."128Please respect copyright.PENANALHqjIVrexa
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"You really need to learn how to joke around, Diana." Angel held her hand to her chest as her heart continued to beat so fast.128Please respect copyright.PENANAhWS5cOHimd
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"Okay, relax." Diana rubbed Angel’s back gently. "The only reason I ask is that Eric has had his eyes on you since you two met. And if I can recall correctly, he never missed a day to visit you in the hospital."128Please respect copyright.PENANA8p1UibnPrV
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"Well, he was only trying to be nice," said Angel, "since Leo wasn’t there."128Please respect copyright.PENANAEbYVa2ibiK
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"Yeah, Leo can be a pain sometimes. Nevertheless, he’s a good guy. I see the two of you are slowly starting to get along."128Please respect copyright.PENANAbj6HUKq95R
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Angel looked at Diana with a questioning look. "We are?" she asked.128Please respect copyright.PENANAWI8woORneb
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"Well, I haven’t really seen it for myself... maybe a little. However, Eric told me what happened yesterday at the candy shop. So, yeah."128Please respect copyright.PENANArD1gBSvDie
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"Was it pretty obvious that we didn’t like each other from the very beginning?" Angel couldn’t help but blush as she asked.128Please respect copyright.PENANA0VUbXIVGZj
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"I don’t think a lot of people were paying attention. I get that you were upset with him because of the accident, and he didn’t get to apologize. Then there’s that pride that he has. I bet he gets that from his mother."128Please respect copyright.PENANA30ksOpgzfM
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Angel agreed with her, though there’s more to the story than that.128Please respect copyright.PENANANccAf51HA6
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"It’s good that the two of you are getting along," Diana continued to say. "Now that you are working together, you've got to put aside your differences to grow the business. It looks like I have nothing to worry about."128Please respect copyright.PENANAg56ln9Woa5
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"Don’t be rest assured just yet," Angel said as she continued to eye the dresses in front of her. "There are times when we almost act as if we’re like Mrs. McDonell and Amanda."128Please respect copyright.PENANA58euTWLaGZ
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"Yeah, Eric talks about your little fights. But the way I see it, you two seem a little better than those two."128Please respect copyright.PENANAx8emfgli73
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Angel chuckled, feeling relieved. "That means a lot, thanks."128Please respect copyright.PENANAOUUHj1nhAk
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"Yeah, just don’t go grabbing each other’s throats."128Please respect copyright.PENANAZmG7qDV5xw
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A little too late for that, Angel thought to herself as she remembered how she wanted to lay her hands on Leo the first time they met.128Please respect copyright.PENANASKiVrGYRxS
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"I know the two of you aren’t close," Diana continued to say as she pulled out a black dress, "but is Leo seeing anyone at the moment?"128Please respect copyright.PENANAIIqpAd8gns
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Angel felt like the whole world shook beneath her feet as she stood still, trying her best not to fall over. She was overreacting, she told herself. It’s not like Diana knew who it was.128Please respect copyright.PENANA94gmBnPNUF
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"No, I don’t think so," said Angel as she turned to look at Diana. "What makes you say that?"128Please respect copyright.PENANAapaoMJuuT1
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"Oh, no reason. I thought he found someone, you know. When he called off the wedding, we all thought he did that because he fell in love with someone else."128Please respect copyright.PENANAEnivalsVvQ
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"Well, Leo’s love life isn’t really my business." Angel went back to looking at dresses. "It’s sad that he and Kim aren’t together. He must have his reasons for doing so."128Please respect copyright.PENANAjg8twHqtkC
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"Yeah, you’re right. To be honest, I don’t think he and Kim were a good couple to begin with. However, you know how his mother favors Kim. Anyway, I hope he finds someone he truly loves."128Please respect copyright.PENANADf4h9hFnAB
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Angel did her best not to comment as she looked at Diana, who continued to look at the black dress.128Please respect copyright.PENANAUGiyBnV8pP
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"You should try it out," said Angel. "I’m guessing that it will look good on you."128Please respect copyright.PENANAmi75txoqVr
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"You think so too?" Diana asked. "I’ll take your advice."128Please respect copyright.PENANAH6TBSnoD9a
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Diana quickly left Angel for the dressing room, making Angel breathe out a sigh of relief. Talking to Diana was fun and all, but as soon as she started to ask about Eric and, most especially, Leo, she couldn’t help but feel a little nervous. She had to warn Carly and Leo to be careful with how they meet each other in the house. The last thing she needs is for people to start to think otherwise. If they do decide to be together, then they'll have to find a way to break it to the family. Which also means lying to them about when they fell in love with each other and what not.128Please respect copyright.PENANAN5FCslK7Ut
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"It’s just lies built on more lies," Angel said to herself as she thought it over. She wondered when all of this would ever end.128Please respect copyright.PENANAL7APaYlq47
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Diana finally wore the black dinner one-sleeve dress she had picked, showing it to Angel. Carly and Amanda came over to look as she got out of the dressing room. Carly had also found an aqua blue strapless dress that glittered at the bodice and the hemline. When she tried it on, she looked like a fairy tale princess. Everyone commented on how pretty she looked.128Please respect copyright.PENANAWoy79Si3zE
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"Haven’t you found anything to wear, dear?" Amanda asked Angel.128Please respect copyright.PENANApNu3XLzI3F
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"No, not yet," Angel answered, shaking her head.128Please respect copyright.PENANAmoeGrS0S84
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"Well, that makes the two of us." Amanda laughed aloud.128Please respect copyright.PENANAabcVJbj1lf
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Julie appeared behind the two. "I think I found a dress suitable for you, ma’am," she said.128Please respect copyright.PENANACFT516Amff
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Amanda and Angel turned to see Julie with a cream-white dress in her hands. Angel couldn’t help but notice pearls in some areas of the dress. Moreover, it looked like a fitting dress for Amanda, and she approved admirably.128Please respect copyright.PENANAiAIM8Tj9vg
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"Good work, dear," said Amanda. "This will do me just fine."128Please respect copyright.PENANALO4IKGLOAS
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Diana had come out of the changing rooms as she was back into the clothes she was wearing earlier with the black dress in her hands. She looked at the dress Julie had chosen and approved. She and Julie helped Amanda in the dressing room to help her try to put it on. Angel stood outside the dressing rooms as Carly was still in one of the rooms, changing out of her dress. Wondering where Mrs. McDonell was, Angel decided to go look for her.128Please respect copyright.PENANAYRgeGLhqfu
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She went to the other side of the store, where she saw her last, and found her with the other attendant, who, one at a time, held up a dress for Mrs. McDonell to see. Mrs. McDonell was on the phone, and she shook her head at every dress Alicia presented to her. At some point, she would hold up her hand to stop Alicia so that she would look at the dress and feel its texture, and then she would signal Alicia to pick the next one.128Please respect copyright.PENANACq93LPm75y
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Angel walked over, and at a certain distance, she couldn’t help but hear Mrs. McDonell’s conversation over the phone.128Please respect copyright.PENANAmtAOsVLVX3
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"I wish you could come over for dinner," she said as she shook her head at a white dress Alicia held up. "But it’s more of a family thing, and who knows how Leo would react again?"128Please respect copyright.PENANAoxX8XCmv9o
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Angel raised an eyebrow and knew that Mrs. McDonell was talking to Kim.128Please respect copyright.PENANATB0Upzm4Qt
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"If you ask, it would be the perfect time for the two of you to bond... Yes, I know there will be guests; it’s nothing but a business dinner. It would be nice to have you around to try to persuade him to get back together with you. I mean, those two sisters are also going to be there, and they aren’t even family… I think you’re right. Maybe another time."128Please respect copyright.PENANACafbHXGBZ7
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Angel slowly continued with her approach. Even when Mrs. McDonell mentioned her and Carly, it didn’t seem to bother her. It’s the fact that she’s still pushing Kim towards Leo that annoyed her. It’s not that she had fully accepted Leo dating her sister, but the fact that Leo is free to choose whomever he wants. If his mother continues to do this, it won’t end well for the both of them.128Please respect copyright.PENANAVt6KhRZc3U
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Alicia held up a maroon dinner dress, and Mrs. McDonell gave her a thumbs up. "I just picked out a dress, darling," she said over the phone. "I’ll call you later."128Please respect copyright.PENANA4MY0iciM7s
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Mrs. McDonell cut the call, and with her other free hand, she took the dress from Alicia. As soon as she turned around, she saw Angel standing there.128Please respect copyright.PENANAXgwub4sLDe
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For a moment, the two women looked at each other. Mrs. McDonell thought of walking past Angel when Angel opened her mouth to speak.128Please respect copyright.PENANAuKdkZ5zT8l
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"I’m sorry if I’m going to sound rude, but don’t you think you shouldn’t try to bring Kim and Leo back together?" Angel asked.128Please respect copyright.PENANAlgJ9hk7h7z
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Mrs. McDonell looked back at Angel, her look slowly turning into a glare. "What does it matter to you?"128Please respect copyright.PENANAPEJ7n8gBgH
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"It matters because he is your son."128Please respect copyright.PENANAK5b2zKxNj2
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"I don’t need advice from you. If I say Kim is good for him, then she is."128Please respect copyright.PENANAm230ec8f3u
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"Is that why you’re desperately trying to bring them back together? If you do that, you’re only going to make things worse. You do realize he knew that you sent Kim to have lunch with him the other day, do you?"128Please respect copyright.PENANA2Atjdx3Twq
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Mrs. McDonell’s face grew flustered. "So what if he knows? I’m only looking out for his best interest."128Please respect copyright.PENANAY38AqVKkRS
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"Your best interests don’t align with his, Mrs. McDonell. The time you realize that, it might be too late."128Please respect copyright.PENANAT90n9lCSRp
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"What? You’re going to start advising me now?"128Please respect copyright.PENANAKjF0nFZZzE
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"You don’t like me, and that’s fine. If you don’t want to listen to me, that’s fine too. But if you really care about Leo, then you wouldn’t do what you’re doing and let him live his life."128Please respect copyright.PENANApKAyyqk20P
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"You sound just Diana. I hope you two weren’t talking about this when you were out there looking for clothes."128Please respect copyright.PENANAJDRQtTLAh9
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Angel chuckled. "Now you’re being paranoid. No, we didn’t talk about this. I wouldn’t have brought this up if Leo hadn’t told me that he went to have lunch with Kim the other day, and I so happened to hear you talk to Kim over the phone some seconds ago."128Please respect copyright.PENANA5ktsYwV9JO
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Mrs. McDonell didn’t even guess for a second that Angel was lying. There was something about the way Angel portrayed herself that made Mrs. McDonell convinced that she wasn’t. Angel continued to look straight at Mrs. McDonell without flinching.128Please respect copyright.PENANAqeiT86iJHM
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"That’s all I wanted to tell you," said Angel. "You can give me that death stare that you like giving me so much. Like I said earlier, I don’t really care."128Please respect copyright.PENANAxWzxM38o96
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Mrs. McDonell huffed as she started to make her way to the dressing rooms, walking away quickly. Alicia, who watched the whole scenario, looked on at Angel, stupefied to say anything. Angel smiled at her before speaking.128Please respect copyright.PENANAZGHDqH1aD7
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"Sorry about that," she said. "I hope you didn’t take things the wrong way."128Please respect copyright.PENANAOF98GDei1N
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Alicia shook her head. "Not at all," said Alicia. "Mrs. McDonell is a regular customer, so I know how difficult she can be. To go up against her is pretty brave of you."128Please respect copyright.PENANAygoc39fuPd
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"I’m just lucky today," said Angel, scratching the back of her head. "I know I’ll get the silent treatment when we get home."128Please respect copyright.PENANAhSjOL7yyZ1
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"Hey, Angel," said Carly as she came from behind. "I saw Mrs. McDonell talking to you, and she looks like she’s about to blow a fuse. What did you say to her?"128Please respect copyright.PENANAe1Ag3oZJJI
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"I’ll tell you about it later. I still have a dress to look for."128Please respect copyright.PENANAs1JMDYPfWh
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"Oh, yeah. But if we can’t find anything, we can go to the boutique Diana mentioned that’s within the mall where her parlor is."128Please respect copyright.PENANA6MWYHudiai
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"Let me help you out," said Alicia. "There’s a special collection of dresses that just came in, and I think I know one that will look great on you."128Please respect copyright.PENANAbfiYx86Uvu
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Alicia led the way to the section close to the counter. Angel and Carly followed, and when they were shown the collection of dresses, they couldn’t help but admit that the dresses were more unique than the rest. After helping her mother in the dressing room, Diana came to join them in helping Angel pick a dress. So did Amanda and Julie.128Please respect copyright.PENANAOrVx5cQ7B8
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"Gosh, should finding a dress be this hard?" Angel asked as she continued to look around.128Please respect copyright.PENANAKOfJXTWRf0
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"Don’t worry, you’ll find it," said Amanda. "It’s best you find a dress right here instead of going to many stores just looking." She drew aside a few dresses when she suddenly said, "Ah, this will suit you, Angel. Come take a look."128Please respect copyright.PENANAV6um0w1PPH
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Angel came to join Amanda and pulled out a red velvet dress.128Please respect copyright.PENANAlaJqYKtEKt
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"I agree with my mother on this one," said Diana as she saw the dress. "This one looks gorgeous, elegant, and sexy. Wow."128Please respect copyright.PENANALUQ5meyrpv
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Carly came behind her sister and looked at the dress. "This is a dress to kill," she commented. "Like Diana has pointed out, it’s elegant and sexy. Let’s hope no one falls head over heels for you wherever we’re going."128Please respect copyright.PENANAJRz9v8nPqI
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"It looks like I still have some good taste after all," said Amanda with a huge grin on her face. "Go try it on, dear. We want to see how you will look."128Please respect copyright.PENANATk5EVTUKZU
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Angel made her way to the changing rooms when Mrs. McDonell also walked out of one of the rooms in the dress she had picked. The off-shoulder maroon dress looked lovely on her as it came down with a flare, and there was a beautiful white rose dress piece on the left side of her chest.128Please respect copyright.PENANAXOWWTn2K0q
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"The dress looks lovely," Angel commented. "Do you plan on getting it?"128Please respect copyright.PENANAjtnrsyvHV3
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"Yes, I will," said Mrs. McDonell, who forced herself to answer. She already noticed Diana and Amanda behind Angel, giving her a glance. The last thing she needed was to make a scene in front of them.128Please respect copyright.PENANA2FDIOrOXGP
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"I’ll be going in to try this dress," said Angel, and she passed Mrs. McDonell to go to the dressing room.128Please respect copyright.PENANAOqhAuRQg0F
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A few minutes later, Angel came out wearing the dress. She got everyone waiting for her off-guard, as the women were engaged in a conversation before Amanda noticed Angel first.128Please respect copyright.PENANArcCtpBjXYV
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"Oh, my, Angel," said Amanda. "You look so lovely."128Please respect copyright.PENANAe4407u8NUE
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The rest turned to look at her, and they gasped at how beautiful she looked in the dress. Mrs. McDonell, who stood alongside Diana, who had already changed out of the dress she picked, looked on without passing a comment.128Please respect copyright.PENANA9AtJqQ2YkP
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"With proper make-up, you’ll look like a goddess," said Diana.128Please respect copyright.PENANAccuXb85C7G
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Carly chuckled. "That’s something Eric would say," she said.128Please respect copyright.PENANALS6rlS3ZM6
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Angel couldn’t help but blush as Julie and Alicia also commented on how the dress looked beautiful on her. Angel thanked everyone and soon after went to change out of the dress. Diana was relieved that they didn’t have to go elsewhere looking for dresses.128Please respect copyright.PENANAehxCCv2mjd
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After purchasing the dresses, they made their way to a fancy shoe store, where the women all found matching shoes to go with their attire. They went to the mall to have lunch before going to the spa to get themselves a manicure and pedicure. During that time, all five women sat in white bathrobes and chatted amongst themselves. Mrs. McDonell pitched in a few times in their conversation, even when she didn’t feel like it.128Please respect copyright.PENANATP0bN9WCZ0
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Afterwards, Mrs. McDonell suggested that they pass by a saloon first to do their hair before heading back home. The others received the suggestion openly and went to have their hair done. By the time they got back home, it was late in the afternoon. There was still time for them to get ready for dinner.128Please respect copyright.PENANAVmnIKD1wRc
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"Okay, ladies, we've got to start off from this place at 6:30," Mrs. McDonell announced as she made her way up the stairs to her room. "So, I advise we rest up a little, or if any of you feel like it, get yourselves ready."128Please respect copyright.PENANAPeUtYKeLzS
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"Does anyone want their make-up done?" Diana asked before she could also go up the stairs, turning to look at the others.128Please respect copyright.PENANAMI7gVxBydS
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"I do," said Carly.128Please respect copyright.PENANA6vMXlBaU8A
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"Not me, thanks," said Amanda, shaking her head. "I’ll just powder my face and put lipstick on. I'm too old for make-up."128Please respect copyright.PENANAxzsjE7Tf4E
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"Angel, I need to work on you the most," said Diana, pointing at Angel, who stood behind Amanda.128Please respect copyright.PENANAZgmfDc6p1l
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"Okay," Angel answered with a bit of hesitancy. "But not too much, okay?"128Please respect copyright.PENANAEsjbkkkjDu
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"Don’t worry, I’m a professional," said Diana. "I’ll be right back. I need to check up on Oliver and get the make-up kit." Diana rushed up the stairs.128Please respect copyright.PENANABDC6xuTdh7
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"I’ll rest up a little," said Amanda.128Please respect copyright.PENANAqHehpE0CQR
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"Let me take you to your room," said Angel as she took the shopping bags she had, placed them on Amanda’s laps, and pushed Amanda’s wheelchair to her room.128Please respect copyright.PENANAX8lrri6Pn6
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Carly was just about to go up the stairs when she felt her phone beep in her bag. She realized she hadn’t looked at her phone for almost the entire day. She checked it and found she had missed three calls and a message. When she looked at the number, her insides froze. She didn’t have to think twice about who it was. When she opened the message icon, she confirmed it was Andre. The message read:128Please respect copyright.PENANA8FEoMPEla0
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"Hey, this is André. I’m guessing you’re busy today and thought of dropping a message to say how much I’ve missed you. Do you have time to talk? If not, you can call me at whatever time you see fit. Just know that I miss you."128Please respect copyright.PENANAvcUkOLWQuD
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Memories of what happened the night before came flooding back, and Carly wished she had never gone to the party in the first place. In addition, she completely forgot that she gave Andre her number. Apart from the two of them kissing on the deck, nothing else happened that night. She thought he might as well have forgotten her, but the message proves that he hasn’t. What was she to do? Should she reply to the message or not?128Please respect copyright.PENANAyuoeA0jDNw
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"Hey, what are you standing there for?" asked Angel.128Please respect copyright.PENANA5OTTID1tX7
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Carly quickly turned around, frightened, as she found her sister looking at her. Angel raised an eyebrow at Carly.128Please respect copyright.PENANAifpnxkc3mo
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"Are you okay?" Angel asked. "You look so pale all of a sudden."128Please respect copyright.PENANAVNqkT6cZHV
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"It’s nothing," Carly quickly answered, though she felt her throat quickly run dry.128Please respect copyright.PENANAvxI1OyvdIZ
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Angel looked at her sister, then at the phone in Carly’s hand. She hoped no one sent her a disturbing message or anything. One thing is for sure: Leo wouldn’t have sent her anything disturbing.128Please respect copyright.PENANAxrCxKnvvlC
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"What were you looking at on the phone that’s got you so worked up?" Angel asked, folding her arms.128Please respect copyright.PENANA4vBKMHBXqe
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"Ah, it's really nothing," Carly said, doing her best not to feel nervous. "I found a few missed calls from a friend at school, and she texted me, saying that I have to study for a test on Monday."128Please respect copyright.PENANAr7n0oqriIh
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Angel scoffed as she shook her head. "This comes to show you that you shouldn’t be missing classes."128Please respect copyright.PENANABSoqDP9FPY
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"I was going to miss all the fun. It’s actually good that I went with you."128Please respect copyright.PENANAzVFIpino7l
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"Whatever. I’m so thirsty. Do you need anything from the kitchen?"128Please respect copyright.PENANA9I5zwV8hx6
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Carly shook her head. "No, thanks; I’m good for now."128Please respect copyright.PENANAEWxVR8ptEf
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Angel smiled at her sister as she passed her to head to the kitchen. As soon as she disappeared behind the stairs, Carly looked back at her message. She had to decide quickly. If she does answer his message, won’t that make him think they have a chance of being together, even if she lied about herself for reasons she still didn’t know? Not to mention that she’s dating Leo. She was stuck between two handsome men who were interested in her. What was she to do?128Please respect copyright.PENANAQiYauMUbOu
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She started to text Andre back, telling him that he would call her later in the evening. Maybe then she could talk to him and try to end things. However, the thought of it didn’t sit well with her. The question of why Red Lion introduced them to each other kept playing in her mind, and she realized that she wasn’t too sure of Red Lion’s true intentions. Why did she feel like she was being used for some reason?128Please respect copyright.PENANA81omFrIjIZ
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Carly heard footsteps up the stairs, bringing her back from her thoughts. Diana was coming down the stairs with her make-up kit box in her hands. Carly soon realized that she sent the message to Andre, and she had unconsciously pressed the send button before thinking twice about it. Dang it, she thought to herself. There’s no taking it back. He had already texted back, saying that he would be waiting for her call.128Please respect copyright.PENANAUWgWq7EvPz
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"Hey. What are you standing here for?" Diana asked as she reached the bottom of the stairs.128Please respect copyright.PENANAK753BxDIHM
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"Oh, nothing," Carly replied, putting her phone back in the bag. "You’re heading to Angel’s room."128Please respect copyright.PENANAvnoIEchsWQ
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"Yep," said Diana. "I’m just going to put the box there, and after showering, we’ll go in her room to have our make-up done."128Please respect copyright.PENANAFrwlMTTH9P
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The door to the kitchen flew open, and Angel appeared beside the stairs with a glass of water. She stopped when she saw her sister and Diana with a make-up kit box.128Please respect copyright.PENANAlqJf2kk7EF
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"Don’t tell me we’re going to put on makeup in my room?" Angel asked.128Please respect copyright.PENANAii9je7zs0r
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"Yeah, where else?" Diana asked. "I’m just putting this in your room so that when we come to your room for make-up after freshening up. This is going to be so much fun!"128Please respect copyright.PENANAr3fWJCCn1J
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Diana started to make her way down the hall to Angel’s room. With a glass of water in hand, Angel chased after Diana, telling her that doing make-up in her room wasn’t necessary.128Please respect copyright.PENANATbKSwQwKXM
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Carly stood there for a moment before telling herself to go up to her room. She had to shake away the thought of Andre’s text and focus on dinner tonight. The last thing she needs is to look absent-minded in front of their guests, especially around Leo. He might suspect that something’s up.128Please respect copyright.PENANAx2rNnfcrdu
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"And it won’t look good," Carly said to herself. "I'll have to deal with this later."128Please respect copyright.PENANAYPoIe5m297
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With that, Carly went up the stairs, already shaking the thought of Andre out of her mind.