The sun began to set farther to the west as the last of its rays hit the windows of the skyscrapers and other tall buildings. The sky gave out a soft yet strong glow of orange.370Please respect copyright.PENANAOclLVNGbUp
370Please respect copyright.PENANAxaPbOQSiaH
At this time, a lot of New Yorkers were knocking off from work and heading home. Some headed for the metro station or used whichever means of transport. Others stopped somewhere to run a late errand. Many people, students and working class; school children and those young enough to be held by the hand, were also heading for home.370Please respect copyright.PENANAWkA1w16aAj
370Please respect copyright.PENANAnMqF3eIn6L
Leo stared out of the window of his office, staring at the sun set. He was so lost in thought that he didn't hear the door open behind him.370Please respect copyright.PENANA2PMJJ8Gxf6
370Please respect copyright.PENANA2hlhdgGAb8
"Is it a bad time?" came a voice at the door.370Please respect copyright.PENANA1g4OKwiaeF
370Please respect copyright.PENANAaz83ersZIk
Leo turned his head and smiled at his father standing at the door.370Please respect copyright.PENANANiGtwqhH8v
370Please respect copyright.PENANAPZapn0FPZu
"Not at all, dad," said Leo. "Please, come in."370Please respect copyright.PENANAqfG7Edq0Hv
370Please respect copyright.PENANAF7qjsUqeZZ
His father did likewise, closing the door behind him. Leo turned his body towards his desk.370Please respect copyright.PENANAgYyDi5SNsc
370Please respect copyright.PENANAnIJmNyn0ze
"I'm surprised that you haven't left the office yet," said Mr. McDonell as he sat down on the chair in front of Leo's desk.370Please respect copyright.PENANATBu8B9fG9f
370Please respect copyright.PENANAZxLJGLeYf9
"I was just about to," said Leo. "Just enjoying the sunset is all."370Please respect copyright.PENANAoXyaTsJbIU
370Please respect copyright.PENANAfuAmmenSJD
"You don't look like one who likes to look at the sunset."370Please respect copyright.PENANA080GQLt34J
370Please respect copyright.PENANA66ky1wZVUx
"You'll be surprised."370Please respect copyright.PENANAi01NR6m0Cw
370Please respect copyright.PENANA5BNzaiIuIY
"I need to talk to you about something."370Please respect copyright.PENANAI1VPlGsqLj
370Please respect copyright.PENANAO2Fle4qoPN
Leo noticed the tone in his father's voice. He sounded serious, and Leo didn't like it.370Please respect copyright.PENANAgCOUlLBxRG
370Please respect copyright.PENANAg9ITq1aAAp
"What is it about?" Leo asked.370Please respect copyright.PENANArk6fmpt8Kz
370Please respect copyright.PENANArgAatjcIwt
"It's about Angel."370Please respect copyright.PENANAP75SvjXAZ2
370Please respect copyright.PENANAyYXFNUBCcL
"Great! Just great!" Leo said in his thoughts. He had had enough of Angel already. First it was Eric and his paranoia that Angel might end up falling for her boss (that's if she hasn't already), and now, his father wanted to talk about her about who knows what. He felt like looking back at the window to continue looking at the sun, but he didn't want to seem rude.370Please respect copyright.PENANA8twcuWvzOd
370Please respect copyright.PENANAyRny8gm8h1
He sat down on his chair and asked, "what about her?"370Please respect copyright.PENANA81hexOezAy
370Please respect copyright.PENANAbt1ekTCoHB
Before Mr. McDonell could speak, he noticed something wrong with his son after he mentioned Angel. Leo could do all he can to hide his expression, but his father somehow saw right through him.370Please respect copyright.PENANACj4zkCHuwU
370Please respect copyright.PENANArkZGjFhi05
"Your grandmother must have told you a while back that she wanted Angel to work here," Mr. McDonell said.370Please respect copyright.PENANAPd3f9N7wB5
370Please respect copyright.PENANA6mX72fwz4G
"Yes, she did," said Leo trying to keep his cool. "But didn't Angel say she would think about it?"370Please respect copyright.PENANAtFpZ7RFAAZ
370Please respect copyright.PENANAmnRVSLCqV5
"She did."370Please respect copyright.PENANAXy7sOOejID
370Please respect copyright.PENANAMD6AnVeJM9
"And....?" Leo hoped and prayed in his heart that Angel had refused the offer. But somewhere deep down, he knew it was the opposite.370Please respect copyright.PENANAc5oItsa4cV
370Please respect copyright.PENANAF4p8UnELCD
"She agreed to work with us."370Please respect copyright.PENANAaJJSxlR4vp
370Please respect copyright.PENANAB7UtiKPATn
Leo almost held the edge of his desk as he felt the floor beneath him begin to spin, but he tried his best not to. His father was already giving him a look and he didn't want to seem weird.370Please respect copyright.PENANA1BujNcIL2i
370Please respect copyright.PENANAWc7hK1WNHb
He knew this was coming and he didn't know how to handle it. Right now, all he wanted was to be left alone and do God knows what.370Please respect copyright.PENANA5njyiSLw0H
370Please respect copyright.PENANAKD2WQhZgBK
"Umm, that's great," said Leo as he tried to sound enthusiastic.370Please respect copyright.PENANApUzS8aFn5I
370Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3xpaJ8Db0
Mr. McDonell still wasn't buying Leo's enthusiasm. He felt like he was missing something.370Please respect copyright.PENANAvBHLxps7Vg
370Please respect copyright.PENANAjM0pQjYpha
"She starts work tomorrow," Mr. McDonell added on.370Please respect copyright.PENANAuL3Qlsj8FI
370Please respect copyright.PENANArOfxan0NyA
"Tomorrow?" Leo couldn't believe it.370Please respect copyright.PENANAVo56LLtdP8
370Please respect copyright.PENANACaTP3vJnEv
"Yes. She told your grandmother and the message was passed on to me."370Please respect copyright.PENANAL5SHDr8U2v
370Please respect copyright.PENANAytzuOwPuT3
"What about her job at the editing company?"370Please respect copyright.PENANAouO3pzUMxx
370Please respect copyright.PENANAGk7aGOuh4L
"I was told she met with her boss today. She hands in her resignation letter tomorrow."370Please respect copyright.PENANARl8st9QCot
370Please respect copyright.PENANACBtthjS57e
Leo gulped. "Okay...., does mum know about this?"370Please respect copyright.PENANAe2ZeAxsRgi
370Please respect copyright.PENANApATBxRleQ9
Mr. McDonell leaned back in his seat and folded his arms. Leo knew his mother was the only trump card he had to prevent Angel from ever stepping foot in the company. If he can't have a say in this, she most definitely will.370Please respect copyright.PENANA0V6ubHrEgz
370Please respect copyright.PENANATy2wUKB0W1
"She doesn't know," his father replied.370Please respect copyright.PENANApKq7oXbliy
370Please respect copyright.PENANAnIlSOatpbI
Leo paused before he asked, "do you think she will like the idea of Angel working here?"370Please respect copyright.PENANA2CzewZyt61
370Please respect copyright.PENANA8FPdtcXSzT
"No doubt she won't. That's just how she is."370Please respect copyright.PENANAkbiFrFcR5G
370Please respect copyright.PENANAxu7DykeORR
"How are you going to break it to her?"370Please respect copyright.PENANAaRFwbeMR0x
370Please respect copyright.PENANA4fQeBkyPER
"Tonight at dinner you will be the one making the announcement to the whole family."370Please respect copyright.PENANApXwBOlAJdg
370Please respect copyright.PENANAp0JEtHjohy
Leo straightened up even more on his seat, his eyes wide with surprise. "What?"370Please respect copyright.PENANA32Sbv7DwIA
370Please respect copyright.PENANAhdtxFtblla
"You heard me."370Please respect copyright.PENANAuiA5DTRyNR
370Please respect copyright.PENANAA4GSKvmD1m
Leo wanted to shake his head but stopped himself. "Why can't Eric do it?"370Please respect copyright.PENANAylX8fpO7zc
370Please respect copyright.PENANAk4atM6Xf6z
"He doesn't have to know right now. And if I do tell him, he will get excited and blurt it out as soon as he's home."370Please respect copyright.PENANAkpFXlSiqRZ
370Please respect copyright.PENANAUTb3cAaEPT
"Looks like you know him way more than I do."370Please respect copyright.PENANA65kdUtGqkr
370Please respect copyright.PENANADiTRyN0gCF
"He's almost like my son, of course I know. And I know he likes Angel, so I would like that you deliver the news."370Please respect copyright.PENANA1chRWKRnF9
370Please respect copyright.PENANAN421QzB9NX
Leo had no idea why his cheeks heated up when his father said that last statement. "You know that Eric likes Angel?"370Please respect copyright.PENANASUpCoyGSTT
370Please respect copyright.PENANAu9tu2y75Vd
Mr. McDonell shrugged his shoulder with a smile. "It's not that hard to miss," he said, "especially with how he used to take care of her when she had that accident."370Please respect copyright.PENANAxwhQ7DNGPL
370Please respect copyright.PENANAeS7yY2ASbz
"Oh." Leo hoped his father didn't know about him and Carly.370Please respect copyright.PENANAtFXQmN2G7v
370Please respect copyright.PENANArX01gQF1wX
Carly! Oh, goodness! Leo forgot it was her first day at college and so far, he hadn't called to check up on her. He felt pathetic and he had no one else to blame but Angel. If Eric hadn't come talking about her in the first place, he wouldn't have been brooding about her all day. And now, his father just made it even worse telling him to announce to everyone back home that Angel would be working for them. Angel continued to ruin his life even if she wasn't physically present.370Please respect copyright.PENANA0Kh0uOijBs
370Please respect copyright.PENANAjnc75ZI82v
"Leo, are you okay?" Mr. McDonell asked.370Please respect copyright.PENANAL3kPCWWDNI
370Please respect copyright.PENANAUhvWBAMrj9
"Huh?" Leo turned to look at his father.370Please respect copyright.PENANAdOlAtjIsUF
370Please respect copyright.PENANAEYkCpN15FM
"Are you okay? You just hit your forehead just now as though you're angry or something."370Please respect copyright.PENANAy5R6kL0JCZ
370Please respect copyright.PENANAg5zSXjdL2w
Leo hadn't noticed his open palm upon his head and he felt like an idiot. He did that because he was mad at himself for not thinking about Carly when he had to.370Please respect copyright.PENANAFNIjge4cDe
370Please respect copyright.PENANACqhViFC4m0
"I have to go get something," Leo said. "I better rush before heading home."370Please respect copyright.PENANAhpW7VtnEAu
370Please respect copyright.PENANAFK8Z31sGWB
"If you say so," said Mr. McDonell as he stood up from his seat.370Please respect copyright.PENANAhQVqfX5zt6
370Please respect copyright.PENANAYxJzMgJmL4
"I'll see you back home?"370Please respect copyright.PENANAmduzjtQtiK
370Please respect copyright.PENANAPGjixEviGC
"Ya, you ride with Eric. I'll stay here for a bit to finish up. But I'll be there before supper."370Please respect copyright.PENANAFVRQ2XIQjI
370Please respect copyright.PENANAKCPgUGOn2T
"Sure. See you later, then."370Please respect copyright.PENANA00PvmhGYaZ
370Please respect copyright.PENANAazsTrVnTNe
Mr. McDonell gently nodded and made his way out of the office. As soon as he closed the door, Leo quickly stood up from his seat and got his jacket that was hanging at the back of his chair. He took his phone, the car keys, the keys to the office and left.370Please respect copyright.PENANAHLOBcnrQr6
370Please respect copyright.PENANAB6YqjQcmMr
The hall was quiet and the working cubicles in the work area were almost empty except for two employees still at their desks. Leo passed the cubicles and went down the hall to Eric's office. Before he could even reach the door, it opened and out came Eric.370Please respect copyright.PENANAtb4avzJXc4
370Please respect copyright.PENANALRZVQNaH2R
"I was just coming to get you," said Leo as Eric locked the door to his office.370Please respect copyright.PENANA0oxhHNa2Kw
370Please respect copyright.PENANAi76O1HTxc0
"Don't tell me I'm taking the ride home with you," Eric said as he turned to look at his cousin.370Please respect copyright.PENANA4eX27CJaai
370Please respect copyright.PENANAOD5dkMDHnz
"Yep, and we have to stop by somewhere."370Please respect copyright.PENANAXWvM9WhJxG
370Please respect copyright.PENANAzW6BUhQ99s
"May I ask where and why?"370Please respect copyright.PENANASV98BgEDdW
370Please respect copyright.PENANAzaxwr9CiSg
"Come on. I'll tell you."370Please respect copyright.PENANAESXrjfnJ8Y
370Please respect copyright.PENANAioOgl3rc2y
***370Please respect copyright.PENANAzjw87ji8Ff
370Please respect copyright.PENANAOJ12hvwuer
"...I'm Harriet, by the way, what's yours?"370Please respect copyright.PENANAqRYNgr9eQt
370Please respect copyright.PENANAaY5e6m2eHS
"I'm Carly," said Carly as she smiled and shook hands with a green eyed brunette. "A pleasure meeting you."370Please respect copyright.PENANAFM2y0k1Ovp
370Please respect copyright.PENANACXuk7GaCqD
"Mine too," she said. "If you need any help with anything, I'm here to help."370Please respect copyright.PENANAAfPELydv16
370Please respect copyright.PENANAMkBtZptMoC
"Thanks so much. See you tomorrow."370Please respect copyright.PENANAvlSxvljv7t
370Please respect copyright.PENANA1VX7gfYlpJ
Harriet smiled back and quickly walked away so as to catch up with some of her friends who had gone ahead of her. Carly's first day had gone pretty well. Not only did she meet Robin, she also made new friends, Harriet being one of them. Her day couldn't get any better than this. But sadly, it was finally over and it was time to head back.370Please respect copyright.PENANAYcndIKvVTr
370Please respect copyright.PENANAYuxeRkWwn0
She still stood in the hall outside the lecture room. A few people who had stayed behind soon walked out. She checked for her phone in her backpack and removed it to see if she had any messages.370Please respect copyright.PENANAlpXFqaLxoZ
370Please respect copyright.PENANAt9Oc14O60B
There was only one message from Angel that was sent to her almost thirty minutes ago asking her how her day went and if she needed to be picked up. Carly decided to call her sister as she walked down the hall.370Please respect copyright.PENANAY9V9WZASwg
370Please respect copyright.PENANAGY4v5JGGCC
"Hey, sis," said Carly when she heard the line pick up on the other end.370Please respect copyright.PENANASxLwWY0XEf
370Please respect copyright.PENANAxc7V1sWI9x
"Hey, how was your day?" Angel asked.370Please respect copyright.PENANAzheioPkdE9
370Please respect copyright.PENANAS5TK2GBXub
"It was great," Carly replied with a smile on her face. "You won't believe who I met here."370Please respect copyright.PENANA6lCEYjJvFX
370Please respect copyright.PENANAyAAb4jec0N
"Who?"370Please respect copyright.PENANAjHO8xxTUxk
370Please respect copyright.PENANAhKJEsosVmP
"Remember that guy with grey eyes who...., uh...., you met at the place I used to work at?"370Please respect copyright.PENANAJwCQS41V6p
370Please respect copyright.PENANAgA9zfwnlrs
Talking about Mr. Walter's club brought up some uneasiness in Carly. She felt embarrassed just talking about it.370Please respect copyright.PENANAVhZ7z5bc2L
370Please respect copyright.PENANAXecH7KJzlb
"Oh, yes, I do." Angel answered quickly, knowing very well how it made them both uncomfortable. Just talking about it brought back very bad memories.370Please respect copyright.PENANAds8sYFVYqj
370Please respect copyright.PENANAE1TQptihXu
"In case you forgot, his name is Robin. And he sends his regards."370Please respect copyright.PENANA4bTglqNrwa
370Please respect copyright.PENANAGRJdrQNOTB
"I never got to know his name, sadly. Thanks. I hope he didn't try to convince you into going back to work there."370Please respect copyright.PENANAq3MFEHuWlr
370Please respect copyright.PENANA0cijOctShR
Carly turned round the corner that led to a open corridor. She saw a few students talking on the open green lawn, the sun slowly setting.370Please respect copyright.PENANAvBG5dWTUdQ
370Please respect copyright.PENANA5IBdpsWG1L
"Oh, no, he didn't. He's glad I never went back there. He always said that that place wasn't meant for me."370Please respect copyright.PENANAhSA9HsmkxP
370Please respect copyright.PENANAFiM2Bxr4QD
"Well, that shows how much of a good friend he is and I'm glad. I thought you needed a ride after your classes. I could easily ask one of the drivers here to pick you up."370Please respect copyright.PENANAjmuibqJYRb
370Please respect copyright.PENANAENJXbuzZ9p
"Nah, I'm cool. I'll take the bus."370Please respect copyright.PENANAlsrQsnybtc
370Please respect copyright.PENANAvaU2Rru3Yz
"Ok. Just be careful out there."370Please respect copyright.PENANAvSaV6vaH4W
370Please respect copyright.PENANArWgSZKNQ99
"I'll be fine. Don't you worry."370Please respect copyright.PENANAMIHB6MBPDZ
370Please respect copyright.PENANAj9YhTWDA0b
"See you later then."370Please respect copyright.PENANAdjnHvncB8K
370Please respect copyright.PENANA1XxIep4rWc
"Ya, see you."370Please respect copyright.PENANA8tqTOGeLbn
370Please respect copyright.PENANAdBx37E3rLB
Carly found herself at the college's parking lot. The place was almost empty. The last of the cars leaving the premises probably belonged to a student as it was an orange Lamborghini. Only a black old BMW and a white Cadillac remained in the parking lot.370Please respect copyright.PENANArriUOhCbg4
370Please respect copyright.PENANAXewaURUtZh
Carly walked out of the main gate and across the street was the boarding campus for the students. Carly went down the street and went on straight till she reached the traffic lights. The traffic light turned red for the cars to stop and Carly gladly walked down the zebra crossing after the green pedestrian light turned on. She was the only pedestrian and when she reached the other side of the street, she continued straight on, heading for the bus stop in front of her.370Please respect copyright.PENANAWTyTbrrlK6
370Please respect copyright.PENANA3ud0YYsrBI
When she got there, she found no one waiting for the bus. She shrugged her shoulders as she sat down on the little bench. It looked like she was going to sit there alone till the bus arrived.370Please respect copyright.PENANARxuZxNVZ2w
370Please respect copyright.PENANA2YxvxRv0tN
She brought her backpack in front of her and placed it on her lap. She took out her phone and still no message from Leo. She figured that he must have had a busy day and probably forgot to call or text her. She decided to send him a text, considering that he must be driving back home from work.370Please respect copyright.PENANAW80UGzMkX7
370Please respect copyright.PENANAS3a3UZFRT4
Carly was oblivious that a black sedan that had been parked a block away had been following her from the time she left the college gates. She continued to look through her phone that she didn't hear the car slowly approach the bus stop. The cars driving by on the road, drowned the noise of the sedan's engine. Besides, the man behind the wheel made sure not to draw much attention by not turning on the car's headlights.370Please respect copyright.PENANAsmrPdaZHSc
370Please respect copyright.PENANAQjS9tFkusk
Carly grew bored going through social media with still no reply from Leo. She wanted to be pissed but couldn't. She had had a long day. But with no sign of the bus coming, it just set her peace of mind to a whole other level.370Please respect copyright.PENANA80xMVYg4yR
370Please respect copyright.PENANAy9u2HfP33N
She put her phone back in her backpack and strapped it round her shoulder. It was then that she noticed the black sedan right next to the bus stop, a few feet away from her. She looked into the car through the windshield and the blaring light of a phone shone through the glass. She caught sight of the man looking down on his phone. Looked like he stopped to be on the phone, she thought. She sighed and wished Leo could do the same and reply to her text.370Please respect copyright.PENANAyJRL5fC1yu
370Please respect copyright.PENANAPAyrhJ8nIQ
She turned her head, looking down the street and across. A few people walked by here and there, two couples had walked past her. She started to tap her foot impatiently on the concrete. The bus was a no show and she now felt like an idiot for not letting Angel send her a car. Maybe she could give her a call again and tell her to do so. But just before she could, a sound came from the car. She looked, surprised that there was a car there, and saw that the car door had opened. The man stepped out, closing the door behind him.370Please respect copyright.PENANAkt0yGUbo8z
370Please respect copyright.PENANAreUt26p8op
"You don't happen to have a cigarette lighter, do you, miss?" the man asked with a pack of cigarettes in his hands as he approached Carly. Carly realised how tall and well built the man was. He wore a black jumper with a hood over his head, but she was able to see his face.370Please respect copyright.PENANAKR2C5S2ea9
370Please respect copyright.PENANA3kcOIlEGdz
"Oh, no, I don't," said Carly. "I don't even smoke."370Please respect copyright.PENANAF4msgd0OMQ
370Please respect copyright.PENANAtTgVRDwuQe
"Oh," said the man, looking baffled as he now stood in front of her. "I was expecting you do."370Please respect copyright.PENANAgQ8l3jIfyL
370Please respect copyright.PENANAQA4xSLLTy9
"No, sorry," said Carly as she shook her head.370Please respect copyright.PENANAwKIjS6NJjj
370Please respect copyright.PENANAZXnOTNuWRD
"Too bad," said the man as he placed the pack in his pockets. "I would have enjoyed smoking a cigar and talking to a pretty lady like yourself."370Please respect copyright.PENANAmOudoWHDVK
370Please respect copyright.PENANAFDt55kDLiJ
Carly felt her cheeks blush, but she tried to hide it with a chuckle. She knew where this was going. She had met a lot like him back at the club. They were the ones who tried to attract your attention by small talk.370Please respect copyright.PENANArBh0iFfgKG
370Please respect copyright.PENANAOCqZHw3cUr
"Too bad, indeed," said Carly as she smiled at him. "Maybe some other lady would like that idea. Not me."370Please respect copyright.PENANAoqVkD1xpUp
370Please respect copyright.PENANA5gwRG4hYr5
"Funny. I don't think I would find someone as gorgeous as you."370Please respect copyright.PENANAtjUeBb9cJc
370Please respect copyright.PENANAMeUgRn7Ug1
Carly looked down the road to see if there was any sign of the bus. She went on to look at the man again.370Please respect copyright.PENANAJfki7b0WLg
370Please respect copyright.PENANANNWsLvy1Z7
"Sorry, I'm just not your girl."370Please respect copyright.PENANAAWdJOGozlu
370Please respect copyright.PENANAAsLCRLbJnG
The man scoffed as he took a step closer to her. "I wasn't really asking," he said with a grin.370Please respect copyright.PENANAvMgVdK2ckI
370Please respect copyright.PENANA89PcaAS8wU
Carly read the man's dark eyes and she knew she had to get up and run. But just before she could even stand, the man took hold of the back of her head and the next thing she knew, a piece of cloth that he withdrew from his pocket covered her nose and mouth.370Please respect copyright.PENANAI9Vpj8RcPx
370Please respect copyright.PENANAZlEgfwweW8
The smell on the cloth was intoxicating. She tried to fight, clawing at the man's face and arms, but he was too strong for her. It took almost a minute and a half of struggling when her vision started to blur. She was soon losing her strength faster than she anticipated. She soon fell unconscious.370Please respect copyright.PENANAhQ81b8FKCc
370Please respect copyright.PENANAqyxImDNuae
The man removed the cloth filled with chloroform from her face and held her steadily. He lifted her off the bench and carried her to his car. He laid her down on the sidewalk so as to open the passenger side door. He looked around to make sure there was no one around watching him. To his luck, there was none.370Please respect copyright.PENANAsEZtRXLW1Y
370Please respect copyright.PENANA0qB3lksl9M
He lifted Carly into the car and laid her on the passenger seat in a sleeping position. He closed the door and went back to the bench to get her backpack. He turned back to his car, got inside, closed the door and threw her backpack to the passenger's seat.370Please respect copyright.PENANAKH1uaQoMyP
370Please respect copyright.PENANASHhrzVDMRB
His job had been much easier than he had thought. He couldn't help but smile when he pulled out his phone and called Mr. Walters.370Please respect copyright.PENANA5yrbDP6bTq
370Please respect copyright.PENANAMJB5qrruno
"Is it done?" were the first words Mr. Walters asked upon picking the call.370Please respect copyright.PENANAGOmBVBBTQV
370Please respect copyright.PENANAC1npLZK4Vo
"It's done. She's in my car right now."370Please respect copyright.PENANAqgL12w2dVX
370Please respect copyright.PENANAgenvHCt88w
"Great. I'll give you the address to the Red Lion and I'll inform him of the news."370Please respect copyright.PENANAL9vhoIMPVR
370Please respect copyright.PENANA48GM7vRuwW
The man cut the call. Seconds later, his phone beeped. He read the message and knew exactly where to go. He put the key in the ignition and started the engine. He looked at Carly lying unconscious in the backseat.370Please respect copyright.PENANAWUnhhLFQf2
370Please respect copyright.PENANAKrlowGab73
"Let's go meet the Red Lion," he said to her and he set his eyes on the road.370Please respect copyright.PENANAEhk1UcWKXz
370Please respect copyright.PENANAjjrwMVvgSu
***370Please respect copyright.PENANAfc76RqNRlK
370Please respect copyright.PENANA1M8vRBgEu3
Leo climbed into the driver's seat with a brown paper bag in his hands. Kevin who sat on the passenger seat was looking through his phone.370Please respect copyright.PENANAyjvLn8boc4
370Please respect copyright.PENANAiwo4FhD9Q3
"Can you stop looking at that darn thing?" Leo asked as he closed the car door and placed the bag at the back. "I left you looking at the phone and you're still on it."370Please respect copyright.PENANAj3qCORgrlA
370Please respect copyright.PENANAq3ElLSKpZK
"You were only in the store for like a minute," said Eric. "And it's also thanks to me that you managed to make a last minute call to Nate to get you a present for Carly."370Please respect copyright.PENANAu1ExYeIOXQ
370Please respect copyright.PENANAbmRHpqTUHl
"You expect a thank you from me, don't you?" Leo asked, giving Eric the look.370Please respect copyright.PENANAu26vxjCSci
370Please respect copyright.PENANAtQJuzUAZ3Z
"Well, ya. You would have found the store closed if I didn't call Nate on time."370Please respect copyright.PENANAbh50WfEhQf
370Please respect copyright.PENANAtemMT8rMDE
"Okay," Leo rolled his eyes before he focused them back on his cousin. "Thank you, Eric. You're the best brother ever."370Please respect copyright.PENANAD62COaFq0S
370Please respect copyright.PENANAZM9uKzClSn
"I wasn't expecting that last bit, but I'll take it."370Please respect copyright.PENANAeyGSuFenXb
370Please respect copyright.PENANAlw6Kc2o40a
"I wonder how I deal with you sometimes." Leo put the keys in the ignition and started the engine.370Please respect copyright.PENANACXeqxiqgFn
370Please respect copyright.PENANAStDfzmVSHg
Leo's car took off to the streets, heading home. But as usual, they ran into a bit of traffic.370Please respect copyright.PENANABgjeOoJVu3
370Please respect copyright.PENANAuIHtH4Gfgu
"Oh, I almost forgot," said Eric. "You have a message on your phone. I didn't want to read it because-you know-I might be invading your privacy."370Please respect copyright.PENANAdKPImKNJ7e
370Please respect copyright.PENANAdkhubcgmQY
"Knowing you, you must have read it already." Leo's eyes were still fixed on the road as the traffic ahead started to move.370Please respect copyright.PENANAexs6i1hBgn
370Please respect copyright.PENANApu6KneXwsu
"No." Eric looked out the window. "But I do know it's from Carly."370Please respect copyright.PENANAhKDfcBUclh
370Please respect copyright.PENANApLKBjpNoO7
Leo winced. "Dang it! She must be wondering why I haven't given her a call the whole day."370Please respect copyright.PENANAp132M814YI
370Please respect copyright.PENANAZTES68ubNE
"For someone who really cares about someone, you have a terrible way of showing it."370Please respect copyright.PENANAl561SBknfT
370Please respect copyright.PENANA5usocpHC0I
"That's why I'm making it up to her by getting her a gift. My mind was just off today."370Please respect copyright.PENANAJNOSTZerna
370Please respect copyright.PENANAJhPCwSFPZc
"Hmmm, I wonder why," Eric turned to look at Leo.370Please respect copyright.PENANAkmjgxViAgt
370Please respect copyright.PENANAm5J8udC3fo
"You know why. I don't even want to talk about it."370Please respect copyright.PENANAyFLKrwOGTm
370Please respect copyright.PENANAIRnCoqlsMu
"Ya, let's not."370Please respect copyright.PENANAw5cqOZgpDk
370Please respect copyright.PENANAvMBmCBehXa
Leo sighed. "Can you read the message for me?"370Please respect copyright.PENANAMyKpOLJTZE
370Please respect copyright.PENANAQyapHdV5cF
"Gladly," said Eric as he almost jumped in his seat even with the seatbelt on. He took hold of Leo's phone on the dashboard and he didn't struggle with the phone's password because he already knew it.370Please respect copyright.PENANAiC0yM1j61k
370Please respect copyright.PENANAC8RsFqh3aO
"All she write was hi and asked how your day went," said Eric, his eyes on the lit screen. "Huh..., I was expecting her to write how upset she is that you hadn't communicated with her all day."370Please respect copyright.PENANASCSAymvke4
370Please respect copyright.PENANA5Szg66hNhM
"Carly's understanding," said Leo as he tried to smile. "I bet she knew I have had a busy day at work and forgot."370Please respect copyright.PENANA8vzdmFQXLS
370Please respect copyright.PENANA15TAA6jyvY
"Oh, please! You weren't meeting with any clients and you weren't even busy. You were just sulking in your office over Angel coming to work at the company."370Please respect copyright.PENANAEWZeW0qmHV
370Please respect copyright.PENANAdKjRUfSP1j
"I thought we weren't going to talk about it," Leo said through his gritted teeth, holding the steering wheel tightly. He prayed that he could keep himself under control and not cause an accident.370Please respect copyright.PENANAMEBlCnR4SN
370Please respect copyright.PENANAYSIINGj2kf
"I know. But you've to be honest with Carly and tell her what's on your mind."370Please respect copyright.PENANAJkZeqTZyS5
370Please respect copyright.PENANAxsFT57dioW
"What are you now? My therapist?" Leo gave Eric a confused glance before focusing on the road again.370Please respect copyright.PENANAcKgaXnWBbc
370Please respect copyright.PENANAGwvzyCGPEh
"No. But you have an issue with Angel. Carly might know it already, but she doesn't know to what extent."370Please respect copyright.PENANAt9l0HavNlO
370Please respect copyright.PENANAMfHaNSlyvg
"Pssh. That's ridiculous. I can't start telling Carly about these petty issues."370Please respect copyright.PENANAz2yh1CGngB
370Please respect copyright.PENANAJuFyEZkuTl
"I'm glad you agree that this whole Angel thing is petty."370Please respect copyright.PENANAdNcA3R1HZc
370Please respect copyright.PENANAKIrBjlcqN0
"Wait-no-it's not-" Leo was at a loss for words. "What I mean to say is-"370Please respect copyright.PENANAiriSUB4V8a
370Please respect copyright.PENANABqKnHjbp0s
"That you can't tell her that you have been thinking about Angel the whole day instead of focusing on work? Or maybe during your free time, you should have been thinking of her instead?"370Please respect copyright.PENANAaP1z9lOFRn
370Please respect copyright.PENANA85DBsF8E4H
Leo felt like giving Eric a punch as he shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe you."370Please respect copyright.PENANAMcyTaeqn0c
370Please respect copyright.PENANA79YcnKTlIo
"But you can't deny it. I still think you should get help. You always think Angel is out to make your life miserable. That might end up being an obsession, you know?"370Please respect copyright.PENANAKQmmVDBzd5
370Please respect copyright.PENANABItO9kdlsI
"Well..., you brought her up in the first place."370Please respect copyright.PENANAsbt3YNuFvk
370Please respect copyright.PENANALqUUL5vrKG
"I know, but that was only because I like Angel and I was telling you as a friend. You took it to a whole new level all on your own."370Please respect copyright.PENANAk5paxiG2lI
370Please respect copyright.PENANAxkT90H1SUm
Leo shook his head. If only Eric knew that what he had feared is about to come true. He would know in a hour or so.370Please respect copyright.PENANAHBSAsbX6Yw
370Please respect copyright.PENANAeZnAJtHie9
"Anyway, you're already in trouble with Carly over not communicating with her. She might sound sweet and sincere on text, but who knows when you get to meet her tonight."370Please respect copyright.PENANA71dJOEREZX
370Please respect copyright.PENANAzxdv3iMfRR
"I know, women are complicated," said Leo.370Please respect copyright.PENANAnaHmMqoJnk
370Please respect copyright.PENANANyoJwV0ujz
"And so are you." Eric gave his cousin a mocking smile.370Please respect copyright.PENANAKMVfxDjvkK
370Please respect copyright.PENANAP8M5UZ8yty
Leo would have said something back, but he realized that he didn't know what to say. Maybe Eric's right. He is complicated.370Please respect copyright.PENANAMKkSwNvlLe
370Please respect copyright.PENANAqXzArMfvDl
They soon reached home and Leo couldn't wait to see Carly and apologise. But then the thought of seeing Angel made his heartbeat even more. Why was he nervous all of the sudden?370Please respect copyright.PENANArxmmDiogEZ
370Please respect copyright.PENANA1AvCO2VotA
"Hey, Leo, are you okay?" Eric asked.370Please respect copyright.PENANA2ZrJKk1qq8
370Please respect copyright.PENANA6RtUWNJPd0
"Huh?" Leo turned to look at his cousin.370Please respect copyright.PENANAGZN4RFlkVW
370Please respect copyright.PENANAKNGvVTLl1A
"You seem lost. Are you sure you're okay?"370Please respect copyright.PENANAnUfoR1hJzJ
370Please respect copyright.PENANABOnZycLpNP
Leo tried to put up an embarrassing smile. He couldn't tell Eric about Angel. They had dwelled on her long enough.370Please respect copyright.PENANA8Dpq0d8YzZ
370Please respect copyright.PENANA5gMEZ9cb6p
"Oh, no," said Leo. "I'm just worried that Carly won't accept my gift."370Please respect copyright.PENANAOF7cwXzQJH
370Please respect copyright.PENANAz3qHyRA4OP
"Mmmm...., not to worry, she will love it. Besides, I don't think she's mad. I bet she's tired to even be mad."370Please respect copyright.PENANAVuc9mZfxsv
370Please respect copyright.PENANAYA01bqjDls
"I hope so."370Please respect copyright.PENANAiH7C6z0Ndi
370Please respect copyright.PENANAFgkVtDgkfA
"Come on, we better go inside."370Please respect copyright.PENANAdAPC6SJhpK
370Please respect copyright.PENANAjy9px1lLQp
Eric got out of the car first. Leo waited for a few seconds until he got the paper gift bag at the back, removed the key out of the ignition and got out of the car.370Please respect copyright.PENANA7l0icPPNqT
370Please respect copyright.PENANAuwuB6wxyyw
Leo walked up the stone path to the front door. The outdoor lights on the lawn had been turned on. He looked ahead at the open door in front of him. Eric had just entered the foyer, removing his jacket.370Please respect copyright.PENANAfvrRBbUdUx
370Please respect copyright.PENANAAIs06oAFl8
Leo joined his cousin, closing the door behind him. Eric carried his jacket with him to the living room. Leo heard him give out a cheerful greeting and he knew that his grandmother was there.370Please respect copyright.PENANA1vQuXoFB0Y
370Please respect copyright.PENANAt9ord0DAVs
"Hello, dear," came Amanda's voice. "Where's Leo?"370Please respect copyright.PENANALgZFQ2dRB5
370Please respect copyright.PENANAQ6V3mq20Xl
"I'm here, grandma," said Leo as he came into the living room and found his grandmother on the wheelchair seating close to a chair where Oliver sat.370Please respect copyright.PENANAM6L2bvUxuu
370Please respect copyright.PENANAMKcMTAqKIA
"Come give me a hug, dear," said Amanda and Leo did just that.370Please respect copyright.PENANAHinJvKXSSM
370Please respect copyright.PENANAkyr3rAQPHS
"Hey, Oliver," said Leo as he ruffled his cousin's hair.370Please respect copyright.PENANA7ApFmE8W3D
370Please respect copyright.PENANAxJdE2sppvi
"I'm great and how are you?" Oliver asked. "Were you so busy at work?"370Please respect copyright.PENANAQdGh3i5Pnl
370Please respect copyright.PENANAOlUk7EOHAP
"Not really. Why?"370Please respect copyright.PENANAqJgWBOpagT
370Please respect copyright.PENANAE8QJnLxqhx
"You look really tired."370Please respect copyright.PENANALYH3ZEZFje
370Please respect copyright.PENANAJ7Kmj5l3ae
Leo gave Oliver a smile and cleared his throat. Eric, on the other hand, joined his young brother on the couch and chuckled to himself. Leo knew Eric was only making fun of him.370Please respect copyright.PENANArAugjEQI2R
370Please respect copyright.PENANAgCbTwfWqHR
"What's that in your hand, Leo?" Amanda asked as she looked at the paper bag in his hand.370Please respect copyright.PENANAKLPmhG22EB
370Please respect copyright.PENANASeyL4jwDsh
"Oh..., this?" Leo lifted it. "Just something I got for myself from the store."370Please respect copyright.PENANAmFnSZnytb9
370Please respect copyright.PENANADWnE0lAGmL
"Okay. Why don't you put that bag away in your room, then come back and tell me how your day went."370Please respect copyright.PENANAcpglBPv81n
370Please respect copyright.PENANAuKYz7SNcZm
"Sure, grandma."370Please respect copyright.PENANAsUwT5BmQKG
370Please respect copyright.PENANA7KO7Tmz3dy
Leo felt relieved that his grandmother didn't ask further about the gift bag. Just as he turned around to head for the stairs, standing by the doorway leading into the living room, was Angel.370Please respect copyright.PENANAHxKERVJJUw
370Please respect copyright.PENANA30oDBcM7g9
His heart stopped beating for a moment as he looked at her. He was out of breath too. His head started to feel a little fuzzy as he tried to say something, but somehow he couldn't. Angel's appearance had somehow left him dazed that he couldn't move or even speak.370Please respect copyright.PENANAc4tIA4G9C6
370Please respect copyright.PENANAcWDtY1kGKS
Angel broke the ice between them saying, "hello, Leo."370Please respect copyright.PENANAE2rvu1XEiH
370Please respect copyright.PENANAiUm3D4V2iw
Leo struggled to move his lips but he said something at least. "Hello."370Please respect copyright.PENANAeeMvvGEhhd
370Please respect copyright.PENANAg2hcJnhiYI
Leo felt tiny beads of sweat appear on his forehead and he prayed that Angel didn't notice. It would be embarrassing. Why did he feel like he had just run a marathon? His heart still pumped like crazy.370Please respect copyright.PENANAErDFrdV5QW
370Please respect copyright.PENANA2per5LYzzK
"Hi, Angel," came Eric. "Wow..., Angel, you look amazing."370Please respect copyright.PENANAHox4BLp2vs
370Please respect copyright.PENANAvGWdA4iz6w
Angel looked at Eric behind Leo who stood up from his seat to look at her in her white summer dress. Angel smiled and slightly blushed. Leo who kept staring at her also couldn't help but blush himself. When he realised it, he quickly looked down at his feet, feeling angry with himself.370Please respect copyright.PENANAUIC9BIt1M6
370Please respect copyright.PENANA4jHdOmDypQ
"Thanks, Eric," said Angel. Angel looked at Leo and then back at everyone else in the living room. "I thought Carly had arrived."370Please respect copyright.PENANAu5AzCJ4iy2
370Please respect copyright.PENANAdF9LMeI6MA
"Wait, Carly isn't here?" Leo asked as he looked up at Angel.370Please respect copyright.PENANAhrRLANBj04
370Please respect copyright.PENANA2tDxlW0zdE
Angel shook her head. Her eyes were now filled with worry and Leo knew how that felt as he looked into them. He quickly looked away.370Please respect copyright.PENANA2AIKIw7NKe
370Please respect copyright.PENANArfLCQ4ZF5X
"Maybe she's still stuck in traffic," said Eric. "The bus she used must probably have used a longer route or something."370Please respect copyright.PENANAL7GGe68L1U
370Please respect copyright.PENANA3VzZCZMJur
"That's what I told her, Eric," said Amanda. "But she has every right to be worried and now I am too. She should have been home by now."370Please respect copyright.PENANAImGb2njtsk
370Please respect copyright.PENANA3o144pkywg
"When was the last time you talked to her?" Leo asked, still not looking at Angel.370Please respect copyright.PENANALfqRw8GwJO
370Please respect copyright.PENANAUxu4RkF5T6
"That was close to 6 PM," Angel answered. "She was done with her classes then. I offered to send a car, but she assured me that she would take the bus."370Please respect copyright.PENANA3TFv1NXd70
370Please respect copyright.PENANANtKYQcKX7A
"Try calling her again, dear," said Amanda. "I sure hope she's okay."370Please respect copyright.PENANAcwjmLALDnZ
370Please respect copyright.PENANA6LT4Szabiy
Angel already had her phone in her hand. She quickly dialled the number and called.370Please respect copyright.PENANAK4eZfGfiQf
370Please respect copyright.PENANAxxgn8E6i8w
Leo hoped that Carly would pick up. But from where he stood, he could hear the ringing tune from Angel's phone which she placed on her ear. He closed his eyes and groaned in frustration when Carly didn't pick up.370Please respect copyright.PENANAC4JfpFTu9Q
370Please respect copyright.PENANAGU7FjqbONL
"No answer," said Angel as she stared at her phone.370Please respect copyright.PENANAENwK8rwLz8
370Please respect copyright.PENANAwodVwRYBJb
"Her phone's probably on silent or something," said Eric.370Please respect copyright.PENANAnVDZxwjtGE
370Please respect copyright.PENANAuwofVewJO3
"Maybe. She does like to leave it that way when she goes for lectures that she forgets even when she's out of class."370Please respect copyright.PENANAMSdrZkzNPM
370Please respect copyright.PENANA4fnEA8CdsS
"Well, she should be putting it on vibrate more often," said Amanda. "She's probably on her way, don't worry."370Please respect copyright.PENANAnBPDQrTSxD
370Please respect copyright.PENANAT8JkYqel3Z
"I'll try not to." Angel tried to put up a smile but failed terribly. "I'll be in my room if anyone needs me."370Please respect copyright.PENANAxcp2StJWjP
370Please respect copyright.PENANACyB0AT0D8h
Angel turned around and left the living room. Leo looked on at her as she walked down the hall. He almost got lost in thought until he shook his head.370Please respect copyright.PENANAffX7oQE02l
370Please respect copyright.PENANA9Wx83gUa8z
"Angel's really worried," said Oliver. "I hope Carly gets here safely."370Please respect copyright.PENANAGGSN7pqYeo
370Please respect copyright.PENANAWIobi06olE
Amanda held Oliver's hand that was on the armrest of the couch. "Of course, she will," she said with a smile.370Please respect copyright.PENANA7PtJK23ipX
370Please respect copyright.PENANAETdta8jSgh
"I better head upstairs and change," said Leo and he made his way to the stairs.370Please respect copyright.PENANAi1TrmJrotW
370Please respect copyright.PENANAUCrm60h4hV
Leo couldn't help but worry about Carly's whereabouts. Now he felt even more guilty for not calling her when he had the chance. He would have been the one to pick her up. As he headed up the stairs to his room, he couldn't help but wonder if Carly was okay.370Please respect copyright.PENANAp0gLwi9Xjl
370Please respect copyright.PENANA5wCabykBHS
***370Please respect copyright.PENANARIWFW2Q43j
370Please respect copyright.PENANAczYGORPS51
Carly groaned as she felt her head spin. She tried to open her heavy eyes but everything in front of her was a blur. She tried to come around but everytime, she felt like she was slipping back into oblivion.370Please respect copyright.PENANAMwGkg8m5tG
370Please respect copyright.PENANALiEZ97xhAv
She heard muffled sounds that she couldn't make out. She wondered where she was. She tried to remember what happened earlier, but her head hurt like hell.370Please respect copyright.PENANAKawH6l5AwX
370Please respect copyright.PENANAYx7dM0TnyC
Gentle taps on her cheek made her nerves wake up a little bit. Her sight slowly started to clear up a bit. She made out a person in front of her, but she still couldn't see properly.370Please respect copyright.PENANA9mOxLMHZtm
370Please respect copyright.PENANA99s8oYbaOh
She heard a voice, but it sounded all muffled up in her ears. She started to black out, but again, she felt a gentle tap on her cheek.370Please respect copyright.PENANAF60Dso3VgE
370Please respect copyright.PENANAWWPndu3vVG
This time she was wide awake and she looked at her surrounding. She was in a room with grey walls and with a fluorescent tube above her. She wondered how she got here. The last place she remembered was the bus stop.370Please respect copyright.PENANA4jUeSn2Wce
370Please respect copyright.PENANAAo41PRHFJi
"Glad you're awake, Carly," came the voice in the room.370Please respect copyright.PENANA7l15CYkuGC
370Please respect copyright.PENANAQJnuuwJG9g
Carly looked straight in front of her and there was a man squatting on the floor, looking at her with a smile on his face.370Please respect copyright.PENANAcZSBRwB1Ju
370Please respect copyright.PENANAXAWY0RNFp3
Carly felt like she knew who the man was, but she couldn't remember. And then at that moment, everything dawned on her. This man had drugged and brought her here. Carly started to panic but then she realised she couldn't move. She looked down at her hands. She was strapped onto a wooden chair with rope and so were her legs. She tried to scream for help, but that was then that she realised that she had a cloth in her mouth. All she made were muffled loud noises.370Please respect copyright.PENANARFty8Oxxxg
370Please respect copyright.PENANAIohzHxd2qL
"Ssh," said the man in front of her, smiling gently. "All you've to do is cooperate and we won't hurt you, okay?"370Please respect copyright.PENANAf65VBiRrzh
370Please respect copyright.PENANAg2m5dIVr99
Carly started to panic even more, trying her best to break free. The man stood up and walked away. Carly heard the door open and close behind her. More people came into the room. She stopped struggling and waited as the man who had tied her up and another man came to stand in front of her.370Please respect copyright.PENANAD4rySF8ukW
370Please respect copyright.PENANAc5OvdCImfz
"Carly Barclay," said the tall African American man as he got close and squatted in front of her. "I finally get to meet you at last."370Please respect copyright.PENANAFEMrVp2tyA