“Okay, I can do this,” she took a deep breath and tried to relax. She wished she could be in a quiet room, but with the noise around, she had to get used to it.217Please respect copyright.PENANAX0fYFBd4Wd
217Please respect copyright.PENANAvq3YxQF35H
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“Hello, am I interrupting anything?” came a voice, bringing her out of her thoughts.217Please respect copyright.PENANAB1b9CCyUOv
217Please respect copyright.PENANAlEv1DCpkSr
217Please respect copyright.PENANAvq8757tdH0
Angel quickly opened her eyes in fright and found a smartly dressed man standing in front of her. He wore a silver-grey suit that fit well on his body. His clear blue eyes looked at her anxiously, and Angel couldn’t help but stare at his kind, round face with his blonde hair cropped around his head leaving a reasonable amount of hair in the front and middle. A few strands of his hair fell in curls just above his left eye.217Please respect copyright.PENANAXJUQ12WBDO
217Please respect copyright.PENANAlkHtasPzOr
217Please respect copyright.PENANAZzXlKwFKBw
“Uh-yes, I’m fine,” Angel quickly answered as she felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment.217Please respect copyright.PENANAJMwzWt2D5l
217Please respect copyright.PENANAA893WKgVJk
217Please respect copyright.PENANAqaSdyQ9sWc
“You’re the new girl, right?”217Please respect copyright.PENANAH9guZfBAGE
217Please respect copyright.PENANAEjf8vgEaFV
217Please respect copyright.PENANABXHQZfx4x2
Angel didn’t know what to say as she felt she would drop the files in her hands. The man in front of her is gorgeous. And judging by the way his suit fit well on his body, he definitely does workouts at the gym or something. She told herself to pull herself together.217Please respect copyright.PENANAGnCGTSjied
217Please respect copyright.PENANA8SFeQ7wXkc
217Please respect copyright.PENANAsfl6Lrqh09
“Yes, I am,” she quickly answered again. “Angel Barclay, nice to meet you. You’re…?”217Please respect copyright.PENANAAiRtKa3r0l
217Please respect copyright.PENANAXHVd0gvALU
217Please respect copyright.PENANAK2e57KxlLz
“Derrick,” the man quickly drew out his hand to give her a handshake. Angel had to carry the files with her one arm to draw out the other. They shook hands. “I wasn’t in the architecture department when you passed by. I just heard we've a new girl in town.”217Please respect copyright.PENANA5IUJIB4h1o
217Please respect copyright.PENANAP2DfW9bsp0
217Please respect copyright.PENANA2YOAf04m2j
“Oh,” Angel felt her cheeks heat up even more. “I didn’t know I would still be the talk of the department.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAnfDLy8oiyc
217Please respect copyright.PENANASL9khHVMIn
217Please respect copyright.PENANAAZXWe0v9iO
“With your looks, you’ll be the talk for a month. I can guarantee that.”217Please respect copyright.PENANABeQbni63Op
217Please respect copyright.PENANAuXAo2mawsM
217Please respect copyright.PENANAvYmCXvqJe1
Angel nervously chuckled. “Don’t say that. I personally don't think so.”217Please respect copyright.PENANADZ8t7qiLw7
217Please respect copyright.PENANA1yQi8bR6w7
217Please respect copyright.PENANA6e3t87UcID
“Well, I do.” He looked at the files in her hands. “May I carry them for you? They look heavy.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAuR99khZwMR
217Please respect copyright.PENANA7AiowtwrPY
217Please respect copyright.PENANAqRXatRQ6Q5
“Ah, no thanks,” Angel quickly refused. “They aren’t heavy at all.”217Please respect copyright.PENANA4BDBpFwUEA
217Please respect copyright.PENANAmcUfYIDFIl
217Please respect copyright.PENANAe2A37TWQvd
“You sure? Here, let me help.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAVrNoQ1PFSh
217Please respect copyright.PENANAU9P6qPjPSy
217Please respect copyright.PENANAxsAlNZSwjS
Derrick came closer and took the three huge files from her hands. Angel felt like a huge weight has been lifted. She hadn’t realised how heavy the files were until now.217Please respect copyright.PENANAkAPeTjjdEY
217Please respect copyright.PENANAH3CqM0TUUT
217Please respect copyright.PENANAD1Tic2P7sr
“Thanks,” Angel managed to say.217Please respect copyright.PENANAq90vB8lTXj
217Please respect copyright.PENANAyb47uVUffq
217Please respect copyright.PENANAatIazeEdOd
“Are you walking over to your desk?”217Please respect copyright.PENANAAmuLz9bwhT
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“Ah, yes, I am.” Angel led the way to her cubicle in the main work area. She could feel a number of eyes on her and a few whispers here and there.217Please respect copyright.PENANAf50l27y8w4
217Please respect copyright.PENANAJij6vRrwVW
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Derrick put the files on her desk. “I see you’ve a lot to work on.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAZNY4iFj0v1
217Please respect copyright.PENANAcVgVG6lW4m
217Please respect copyright.PENANAe7GTA0w0eH
“Not really,” Angel said, trying to shake off the feeling she's getting from people around her. She started to rub the back of her neck. “Just trying to familiarise myself with what I’ll be doing around here.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAwCC8F2MwSY
217Please respect copyright.PENANAvNZ2LHTLg0
217Please respect copyright.PENANAPHfmR1zjEG
“I hear you'll be working closely with Mrs. Lance. You better buckle up. The woman is hard to please.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAK0fKXeTp6O
217Please respect copyright.PENANAG3ypqE3y5x
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“Ya, I’ve been warned. But I’ll do all I can to work hard.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAaH89nZplgW
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Derrick gave her a kind smile. “Well, I’ll leave you to it, Miss Barclay. Hey, if you’re up for it, you and I can go out for lunch with the others from my department.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAhqNzscXRlp
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“Thanks, but I’ll have to decline. I already made plans with someone today.” Angel stared at her phone on the desk. Eric sent a text a few minutes ago inviting her to lunch, so she couldn’t turn him down.217Please respect copyright.PENANAnEtkEwvznE
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“Ah, I see. People are already asking you out?”217Please respect copyright.PENANAfHAqLLiDcF
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Angel found herself blushing even more. “It’s not like that,” she managed to say. “It’s just between friends, nothing special.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAhWXD3KIi3T
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Derrick raised an eyebrow and a smile soon came across his face. “Maybe another time. How does that sound?”217Please respect copyright.PENANA7FClbxl8qo
217Please respect copyright.PENANARR5sIyhNS3
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Angel quickly shook her head. “That will be great. Thanks for helping me carry these files.”217Please respect copyright.PENANADDdmSCI7ZE
217Please respect copyright.PENANARQ6qUqT3Hn
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“You’re welcome. It’s nice meeting you. I’ll see you around?”217Please respect copyright.PENANAx364TTeECO
217Please respect copyright.PENANA2B1pqjwHT8
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“Ya, I’ll see you.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAf0t82TvDl1
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Derrick gave her a wave and started to walk out of the work area. Before Angel could take her seat, she could’ve swore that he had turned to look at her before disappearing out of sight. She didn’t want to think too much about it.217Please respect copyright.PENANAWCkvKTaUFg
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217Please respect copyright.PENANAeJJVFYEPkC
She looked at the files in front of her and knew she had a lot to do. She better get to work now before work starts to pile up. She got one file and placed it in front of her when she heard:217Please respect copyright.PENANAp3PL5CR3bz
217Please respect copyright.PENANAG6bGHFcHPu
217Please respect copyright.PENANAO11oK1oA3I
“Excuse me, it’s Angel, right?”217Please respect copyright.PENANABP2Q77z5KI
217Please respect copyright.PENANAwyyDh055iL
217Please respect copyright.PENANAObCox13gvF
Angel turned around and found a young lady, an African American like her, seated at her desk opposite Angel’s cubicle. Her skin colour is darker than Angel’s, like that of dark chocolate. She had black, kinky hair tied above her head and leaving a huge tuft of hair. She wore glasses with a blue frame and wore a black suit with a white blouse and matching black high-heels. Angel couldn’t help but feel intimidated by the lady’s beauty.217Please respect copyright.PENANAFc544myS9y
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“Yes, it is," said Angel as she fully turned around in her seat and drew her arm out. "Your name is-?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAtpwCUACS4E
217Please respect copyright.PENANAXDb4wtz5Ih
217Please respect copyright.PENANAI9nzuEcUdB
"Sabrina," said the lady as she leaned forward and shook hands with Angel. "I see a lot of people really want to know you."217Please respect copyright.PENANAqPg9b3aLbY
217Please respect copyright.PENANAtJKgOlptGM
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"Maybe it's because I'm new here," said Angel, trying her best to stress a point kindly.217Please respect copyright.PENANA5kHSC8lwoL
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"Or maybe it's because you're just too pretty," Sabrina gave Angel a flashy smile.217Please respect copyright.PENANAK1ImLSOtAN
217Please respect copyright.PENANA3uLLO1RkW3
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Angel playfully shrugged her shoulders. "I can't be too sure about that."217Please respect copyright.PENANAtcaroi2lbD
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"It's because you don't see it. The person you were talking to just now, he's really hard to come by. A lot of ladies around here try to get his attention. For him to actually ask you out for lunch will probably leave a lot of people here speechless."217Please respect copyright.PENANAG8fu394zLr
217Please respect copyright.PENANAxWJ0rLCpMf
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Angel raised an eyebrow. "Really? Why do you say so? You make it sound like he's an introvert when he seems like a really outgoing person."217Please respect copyright.PENANAVcMRkEeGWM
217Please respect copyright.PENANAgEPif9tY7D
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"He is. It's just that he has his own circle of friends. When many ladies try to get close, he pulls away. He's acquainted with a lot of us, but none of us have ever gotten close to him."217Please respect copyright.PENANANX8KeJnNjs
217Please respect copyright.PENANAiA8AJqZJEl
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"Okay, but what does that have to do with me? I just met him."217Please respect copyright.PENANArIBI8yzFD4
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"Him escorting you here and asking you out for lunch is actually the first time I've seen him try to engage a lady in a conversation. He rarely does, unless he is talking about work."217Please respect copyright.PENANALZPC6kollX
217Please respect copyright.PENANA1fO89G50dV
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"Oh, I see. But that doesn't mean he likes me or anything, right?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAefzK303BnF
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217Please respect copyright.PENANAvm0gMJe1fU
Sabrina shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows with men. One minute they're leading you on, the next they aren't. But with Derrick, he might really like you."217Please respect copyright.PENANAyMnxeOkz7W
217Please respect copyright.PENANAVI4hUxhh8h
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"He doesn't have a girlfriend, does he?" came another female with blonde hair and striking blue eyes. She stood in the aisle with papers in her hands. She seemed to have popped out out of nowhere.217Please respect copyright.PENANAPtibwuijPM
217Please respect copyright.PENANAVxlAeZd8Me
217Please respect copyright.PENANAShdcAX2gQD
"Not that I know of," Sabrina answered her. "Angel, this is Beatrix."217Please respect copyright.PENANAepcfwcV9x1
217Please respect copyright.PENANAGmteQNILei
217Please respect copyright.PENANA9SneGC2nwG
"Oh, sorry for butting in in your conversation," said Beatrix, looking at Angel and raising her hand apologetically. "Where are my manners?"217Please respect copyright.PENANA6GsMeyraRd
217Please respect copyright.PENANA9nzVAPEeZd
217Please respect copyright.PENANAz8jbmI525R
"It's okay," said Angel. "It's nice to meet you, Beatrix."217Please respect copyright.PENANAyzNud8Sqgb
217Please respect copyright.PENANA6Lzzyc6DOt
217Please respect copyright.PENANASp4Cul6LY1
"Nice meeting you too. Just like Sabrina said, I'm also shocked Derrick actually talked to you so casually and actually asked you out for lunch."217Please respect copyright.PENANAnPOhJJoCrN
217Please respect copyright.PENANAzDdoiQgs1i
217Please respect copyright.PENANAhBfrsn2AkR
"You see," Sabrina said to Angel with a smile on her face.217Please respect copyright.PENANAvuEZDeQ3FZ
217Please respect copyright.PENANAn7MnyEYg68
217Please respect copyright.PENANAIxR9iRveIK
"I'm not going to say anything," said Angel. "You obviously know him better than I do."217Please respect copyright.PENANAFqP2mHKXYb
217Please respect copyright.PENANAw68WxpFUtY
217Please respect copyright.PENANA7e8EHHPgaj
"Just admit it. He has his eye on you."217Please respect copyright.PENANAuX5ZdpWl4k
217Please respect copyright.PENANAQvyDcGMpmL
217Please respect copyright.PENANArlXD5vjEEi
Angel blushed. She looked to the floor, hoping that the other two wouldn’t notice.217Please respect copyright.PENANAc8jRJZPHBi
217Please respect copyright.PENANAbC1YitFLcq
217Please respect copyright.PENANAgpz9ZR34P7
"If you managed to get his attention, what more of the other male folk around here who are single?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAo5BknYVUWa
217Please respect copyright.PENANAHkrE4GPaiV
217Please respect copyright.PENANAl9GMbFNBdL
"Let's not talk about that," said Angel as she quickly spun around in her chair. “The last thing I need right now is to worry about who likes me.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAQ9selJNsvA
217Please respect copyright.PENANANhaBL1CrLn
217Please respect copyright.PENANAQOjpeayH3W
“Was it like this at your previous workplace? I hear you worked for some editing company, right?” Beatrix asked.217Please respect copyright.PENANAvvaAKqDo9G
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217Please respect copyright.PENANAGiuoTubCrv
Looks like they got their information from HR, Angel thought before she turned around to look at the two ladies. “As far as I can remember, no. Most men were married, so, I didn’t have any problems.” Except Mark, of course. She made sure not to say that out loud.217Please respect copyright.PENANAy6FzFGKJb5
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“Anyway, since you’re close with Eric and Leo, I bet you have their attention too,” said Sabrina.217Please respect copyright.PENANAG2E5u3Y4mO
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217Please respect copyright.PENANALHIMX9j29M
“Oh, no, I don’t think so,” Angel was quick to deny.217Please respect copyright.PENANA1DSNNUmp3O
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217Please respect copyright.PENANAaSBqPvhldq
“They are very good-looking and all the ladies wouldn’t mind getting close to them. But just like Derrick, they also don’t like to get too close. Eric's better since he’s outgoing and all. But Leo keeps to himself. He seems like a no nonsense person and he was pretty serious with his relationship with Kim until they called off the wedding.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAwLnTBa3Z4K
217Please respect copyright.PENANASzLHWt8w6A
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Angel didn’t want to hear any more of this. If only they knew that the reason why that happened is because of Carly.217Please respect copyright.PENANALGR69uNi1U
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217Please respect copyright.PENANAeyVNJcjdVV
“Do you know why that happened, Angel?” Beatrix asked. “You’re close to the family, so you should know the reason.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAG6B9C4ejz1
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“I can’t answer that.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAdA3t9Ab3lQ
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Sabrina drew herself closer, dragging the chair with her. “Why not?” she asked. “Is it that bad?”217Please respect copyright.PENANAxy6MSl7GKc
217Please respect copyright.PENANAfGUeTVpeIm
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“No one actually knows why Leo broke things off with Kim, and so does she.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAQYMONwpiWz
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“Oh, darn!” Beatrix clicked her tongue. “Everyone around here also says the same thing.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAvKbFDxPdL0
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Good, Angel thought. It’s best she went with this. No one in the McDonell mansion knows the truth except for her, Eric, Carly and Leo. The more people think of it as a mystery, the better.217Please respect copyright.PENANAw8yCyHjnIR
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“You see, Leo keeps things to himself,” said Sabrina. “As much as he is good looking, I feel he has such an attitude. You feel it sometimes when he talks to you, though he isn’t always like that.”217Please respect copyright.PENANA4JmZljl3zG
217Please respect copyright.PENANAqyvJHecPRK
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“Well, he does have an attitude, I can agree on that," said Angel.217Please respect copyright.PENANA5y2sNIHqCa
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“How do you handle him? Doesn’t he get on your nerves?” Beatrix asked.217Please respect copyright.PENANA7ITJRHVMy0
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“Sometimes. But he isn’t that bad.”217Please respect copyright.PENANADPQdNsMzRh
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“Ya, I see how he’s close with his family, especially Eric,” said Sabrina. “I just wish he was more outgoing, you know.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAG6odBLKxLy
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You and me both, Angel thought. “I better start working on these files.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAwHgNXf2s7W
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“Oh, ya, sure,” said Beatrix, “sorry for disturbing you.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAEhkpo7O5gY
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217Please respect copyright.PENANAmbSiyB2ATs
“Not a problem.” Angel quickly swirled round in her chair to face the file in front of her. She really needed to get some work done. She didn’t expect to be in engaged in so much talk on her first day. She still felt uneasy as she heard a whisper across the room and thought she had heard someone mention her name. She had to agree with Derrick. She would be the talk of the office for a while.217Please respect copyright.PENANAX9LgrK1AS3
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She closed her eyes shaking off the feeling so as to try and focus on work. She always did this, even at the editing company when she sometimes felt anxious or pressured. When she opened them, she went straight to work on the files.217Please respect copyright.PENANADxSYJJRAJj
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***217Please respect copyright.PENANAAu6sghR60p
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Leo heard the phone on his desk vibrate. He wondered if it’s Eric sending him a text that he couldn’t find what he went to look for. Leo sighed. He now wished his father was handling this meeting with Eric and not him. With Eric out of the office for a while, now is the time he can try and catch up on work, especially with answering his emails on his iMac.217Please respect copyright.PENANAnYLV7GRZ6r
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His eyes left the computer screen and he went on to look at his phone. A sudden feeling came over, telling him that it might not be Eric who sent him a message. Could it be his father? If he wanted anything from Leo, he would've called. Maybe it’s his mother? No, he shook his head. It can’t be her. Just like his father, she would’ve called. Could it be Carly? It might, he thought positively. Maybe she thought of texting him.217Please respect copyright.PENANA0FBqUASoiZ
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He quickly took his phone and turned on the screen to find the message isn’t from Carly. It's from Kim. He felt like putting his phone aside and getting back to work. Instead, he unlocked the phone to read her message and it was nothing but a simple “Hello.” He rolled his eyes as he wished he had never bumped into her at the café this morning. Should he ignore the message? As much as he wanted to, he still had to say something. He didn’t want to seem rude like he does sometimes.217Please respect copyright.PENANAKrUIhzS3E8
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He texted her back and quickly put his phone down on the desk, hoping that she wouldn’t text back, but she did. Leo couldn’t help but groan.217Please respect copyright.PENANAxeopEMhSOz
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A knock soon came at the door and before Leo could tell the person to come in, the door flew open and Eric walked in with papers in his hands. Leo groaned even more, throwing his head back onto his chair.217Please respect copyright.PENANAFjeHZ4lTjb
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“What’s up with you, grumpy?” Eric asked as he came to sit on the chair, facing Leo.217Please respect copyright.PENANA5YO7u4LEeI
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“Why don’t you ever knock when you come in?” Leo asked as he folded his arms.217Please respect copyright.PENANAQTD2fUjvVM
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“I’m sorry, but I already know you’re used to it. So what’s up?”217Please respect copyright.PENANA95qUKTZFDM
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Leo looked at Eric. His cousin knew him better than anyone. He took a deep breath and leaned his elbows on the table.217Please respect copyright.PENANASZTS2ZtguQ
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“Kim texted me,” he said.217Please respect copyright.PENANAzmMKmxo8M8
217Please respect copyright.PENANAdKMcY9AITI
217Please respect copyright.PENANA9c8TOaAGEU
“Whoa, Kim texted you?” Eric for some reason didn’t look at all surprised. “How come?”217Please respect copyright.PENANARDC9d9mwW9
217Please respect copyright.PENANA6DKyHwOuWj
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“Angel and I met her at the café where we bought croissants.”217Please respect copyright.PENANADfuYYxAz9I
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“Why didn’t you tell me?”217Please respect copyright.PENANAZ2qjAA8tno
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217Please respect copyright.PENANAxgTfXzCfZO
“It didn’t matter then, but it does now. She just texted me.”217Please respect copyright.PENANA6kwi0ZmAPt
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“What did she say?”217Please respect copyright.PENANAuRTfYmCK0L
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217Please respect copyright.PENANALfPQVdCCL4
“Just a simple hello.”217Please respect copyright.PENANARzemYoJdyT
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“And did you reply?”217Please respect copyright.PENANAKPIkUrPtzU
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“Of course, I did.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAQcvv1cSpQd
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217Please respect copyright.PENANA9Ur9PKaRYq
“And…?”217Please respect copyright.PENANAi37S8Ufiwl
217Please respect copyright.PENANAnQCwd0CJw7
217Please respect copyright.PENANAFDx5TE806d
“She texted back and I haven’t read the message.”217Please respect copyright.PENANA7QX2zvaOxw
217Please respect copyright.PENANA2Ah4QSc6Dg
217Please respect copyright.PENANAZL3O2NixOJ
“You better see what that message says.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAUu75BpVurq
217Please respect copyright.PENANAihRXE7O0G2
217Please respect copyright.PENANAt8QfNZvVHi
“And what if I don’t want to? It’s pretty obvious that she wants to hook up for lunch or something.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAaXwgqfAiI1
217Please respect copyright.PENANA8G7Q59t6jn
217Please respect copyright.PENANAKI3WMgk6Cy
“You’re right. I’m impressed with how much you know women, nowadays.” Eric gave him an encouraging smile.217Please respect copyright.PENANAiGW7hwu7yK
217Please respect copyright.PENANA5IA0ogaoy4
217Please respect copyright.PENANAisKS0eupdw
“Don’t flatter me. What am I going to do? I don’t want to meet her, that’s if she does ask that we should.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAijtyQBzXgf
217Please respect copyright.PENANAm0153lJffG
217Please respect copyright.PENANAp7Q6AQdC8h
“You’ll never know what you’ve to do if you don’t read the message.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAogJE8fQeWW
217Please respect copyright.PENANA6IT4cYwNhp
217Please respect copyright.PENANAF5FNdVZPS7
“You’re right.” Leo took his phone and unlocked it. When he read the message, he suddenly had a gloomy look. “She wants us to meet.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAjqLq3o8lqv
217Please respect copyright.PENANAnZS55NR45D
217Please respect copyright.PENANAGolgixQdih
“She really must be desperate, huh?” Eric raised his eyebrows. “Who can blame her? Being dumped on your wedding day to such a handsome man like you wasn’t what she expected.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAhWdwk5DdkO
217Please respect copyright.PENANAi6eToWbUyg
217Please respect copyright.PENANAN0IPPz8AYF
“You aren’t making me feel any better. Besides, I apologised. I don’t know what she wants me to do.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAFsDgU0vwQB
217Please respect copyright.PENANAwRqTLpky7s
217Please respect copyright.PENANAqYNYgUmvYZ
“She needs an answer from you. That’s what.” Eric leaned back on the chair. "You never told her why you left on your wedding day. In fact, everyone keeps asking me that question and I always say that I don’t know.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAH6Alwm37od
217Please respect copyright.PENANAGQE3UvT05l
217Please respect copyright.PENANArYh7eAr7ec
“The less who know, the better.”217Please respect copyright.PENANA6PkTk7QK6M
217Please respect copyright.PENANAktZVTqcPpf
217Please respect copyright.PENANAG6tEYwkKKd
“Sooner or later, you’ll have to tell Kim the truth. If anything, she deserves it more than anyone.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAOyKl67Zpzp
217Please respect copyright.PENANAB7QTBNgCxG
217Please respect copyright.PENANACQGPbgwKpk
Leo didn’t say anything as he looked down at his phone on the table. He took it and started to tap away, then he quickly put it down.217Please respect copyright.PENANArIiu1NOMDd
217Please respect copyright.PENANA2jHOnHEAgQ
217Please respect copyright.PENANA8Qfe5VhSG6
“What did you tell her?” Eric couldn’t help but look on curiously at Leo’s phone.217Please respect copyright.PENANAsvGnMuNNy4
217Please respect copyright.PENANAsbJlrULTnU
217Please respect copyright.PENANAj1Bx4RPXTK
“I told her we can meet,” Leo answered,217Please respect copyright.PENANAmnXqROo8A8
217Please respect copyright.PENANACf4QDqRiX3
217Please respect copyright.PENANApVKvhhU3UZ
“WHAT!” Eric held his head, not believing what Leo said. “I don’t believe you. Let me see the message.”217Please respect copyright.PENANACsFNOj4upN
217Please respect copyright.PENANA8zLDKCsu46
217Please respect copyright.PENANAoAnFctTWI5
Leo groaned, but he got his phone, unlocked it and gave Eric. When Eric read it for himself, he stared at Leo.217Please respect copyright.PENANAjv5Zv8Uuon
217Please respect copyright.PENANA2JcjFAuy8S
217Please respect copyright.PENANAauttUbOrQA
“You’re serious,” he said as he gave Leo back his phone. “Are you finally going to tell her the truth?”217Please respect copyright.PENANAfjT14Hvhqg
217Please respect copyright.PENANAYjfgAh5B1j
217Please respect copyright.PENANAIwiQrFpBhA
“On that part, I don’t know,” Leo answered as he leaned back on his chair, deep in thought.217Please respect copyright.PENANAS8fXUPGWwu
217Please respect copyright.PENANA6sndFOi5rt
217Please respect copyright.PENANAmbhPySwB24
“Well, if you tell her, it will finally give her the chance to move on, don’t you think?”217Please respect copyright.PENANAT7iIyaaGLr
217Please respect copyright.PENANAM5fpnCxJUl
217Please respect copyright.PENANAMVy6Vk7HRD
“If I do tell her, she’ll kill me.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAFPT9vLKTou
217Please respect copyright.PENANAc8MkF61CAG
217Please respect copyright.PENANAOBMahZYaxp
“It’s typical of a woman. Even I would kill you. I wouldn’t like to know that the reason why my man left me was because he fell in love with someone else.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAFTXpmBEdQj
217Please respect copyright.PENANALtgQ40cLv9
217Please respect copyright.PENANARhsXcGKFgd
Leo chuckled to himself as he stared at the ceiling. “I still remember that day. Gosh, all of that happened so suddenly.”217Please respect copyright.PENANARyhss6UEqO
217Please respect copyright.PENANAFmNES4aeKv
217Please respect copyright.PENANAcMPnnSSkMT
“I thought you had gone mad, but looking at you now, you seem to have made the right decision. You don’t look regretful for leaving Kim.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAR8ZVpNhCjs
217Please respect copyright.PENANAMwA62kG3up
217Please respect copyright.PENANAlT0l5te893
“I think it was the right thing to do.” Leo now had his eyes on Eric. “If anything, I feel like I really didn’t love her at all.”217Please respect copyright.PENANANjK7hf5NTY
217Please respect copyright.PENANAZnPPbZzqUs
217Please respect copyright.PENANAf4FMLtiuvK
Eric smiled. “Grandma will be glad if she heard those words coming out of that mouth of yours.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAmbooW4LEf0
217Please respect copyright.PENANAt4aepzp37w
217Please respect copyright.PENANAK8yywd6poe
“I know. Seems like she was right after all. Kim was never good for me.”217Please respect copyright.PENANALRrFnPbhC2
217Please respect copyright.PENANA8XmJc7L8zG
217Please respect copyright.PENANAu8yk2fxxl2
“Wait until she finds out that you’re actually in love with Carly.”217Please respect copyright.PENANA6yrkeEH9GQ
217Please respect copyright.PENANAFU6ZOGw5Iy
217Please respect copyright.PENANANh4lQFZ1qr
The two cousins looked at each other, imagining the scenario. Eric reacted first.217Please respect copyright.PENANAh9YFApJNzZ
217Please respect copyright.PENANAl1zpiP5QRo
217Please respect copyright.PENANAeC77LGN4cS
“No, I don’t want to imagine it,” he said as he shook his head. “Something tells me it won’t be a good one.”217Please respect copyright.PENANA492KT3uXBg
217Please respect copyright.PENANAD1phiTh3j0
217Please respect copyright.PENANAWP68jlAkbB
“I agree,” said Leo as he rubbed the temple of his head. “I don’t want to imagine my mother, though.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAsfu36ywDfy
217Please respect copyright.PENANAqKC7Y6UyQr
217Please respect copyright.PENANA94GRBs5efb
“That one is pretty obvious; I don’t have to imagine it, that’s if I want my head to explode.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAX4cKooLqLb
217Please respect copyright.PENANAIwFY6bZSg8
217Please respect copyright.PENANA8Sd5nf27uH
The two laughed.217Please respect copyright.PENANALLymvSb8LE
217Please respect copyright.PENANANMk6GFz1Hc
217Please respect copyright.PENANA0URI9gRDwF
“Okay, okay, let’s get back to work,” said Eric, wiping away a tear in his eye. “Remember, we’ve to finish these arrangements before lunch.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAr6MfHdRUBM
217Please respect copyright.PENANAshZ3byXthc
217Please respect copyright.PENANA1O5rJDSKIQ
“You’re right,” said Leo as he went on to look at his screen and switched windows from his email to an open document.217Please respect copyright.PENANAV2jBefG3hg
217Please respect copyright.PENANAuJmzD9QH59
217Please respect copyright.PENANAjaZjUfCKjR
A brief silence passed between them when they suddenly burst out laughing at the same time.217Please respect copyright.PENANADVqX1nRQBT
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217Please respect copyright.PENANAwYyDZsrXGK
***217Please respect copyright.PENANAv8Un7EJfUN
217Please respect copyright.PENANAyJ6RPgmbO1
217Please respect copyright.PENANA5HoQc75aD7
"Hey, Miranda, are you okay?"217Please respect copyright.PENANAcslQj87rmc
217Please respect copyright.PENANAtjewJyQ0PB
217Please respect copyright.PENANAho1gLwi0Bk
Miranda quickly turned to the person who spoke to her. It's Brad. She rolled her eyes. “Oh, it’s you,” she said, turning her head to look elsewhere.217Please respect copyright.PENANAc1yANyC6AS
217Please respect copyright.PENANAvlHSPs7ney
217Please respect copyright.PENANAzVPQcFqHJB
Miranda was seated on a chair in the lecture room. They were waiting for their next lecture as the previous one ended minutes ago. She had been going through her phone to pass time when she was supposed to be studying. God knows just how behind she is.217Please respect copyright.PENANAyjPLDg2BuO
217Please respect copyright.PENANAygyKNm6TUG
217Please respect copyright.PENANATx8olxNyfh
“Scoot over,” Brad insisted as he moved his body closer to hers, forcing her to move.217Please respect copyright.PENANAsjVVgG9ham
217Please respect copyright.PENANAzbEqccvaCL
217Please respect copyright.PENANAMzOpAGOgsf
Miranda moved over to the next chair which was empty and Brad finally managed to sit next to her.217Please respect copyright.PENANAB8JzIf1uKa
217Please respect copyright.PENANApK9VJgPVc6
217Please respect copyright.PENANAB2zHzTqAro
“What were you looking at?” he asked as he tried to see what's on Miranda’s phone.217Please respect copyright.PENANAmCCy8uMEtm
217Please respect copyright.PENANAasYiIHTCHa
217Please respect copyright.PENANAUsr8tmdHeZ
“Nothing, why do you want to know?” she asked, holding her phone tight and facing her body the other way to avoid him from looking.217Please respect copyright.PENANAXZllt9i2Xv
217Please respect copyright.PENANADGSoz4rSgf
217Please respect copyright.PENANA5qdll9mQqL
“You seem really fixed on it. I want to see what’s caught your interest.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAqZAW2ui6zz
217Please respect copyright.PENANAnQuBjTJzMK
217Please respect copyright.PENANArfRVHfJOSz
“Like I told you, it’s nothing. So why don’t you just mind your business?”217Please respect copyright.PENANAK1C2vKwKCd
217Please respect copyright.PENANAXZypxq5Uer
217Please respect copyright.PENANAgCBMLMmYoR
“I would, but I’m not going to this time.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAa3JqHDOu8i
217Please respect copyright.PENANADEfu2XPDyV
217Please respect copyright.PENANA4wcZ1gltza
“You never do.” Miranda gave him a gloomy look.217Please respect copyright.PENANAHx72DkdKFD
217Please respect copyright.PENANA5lZCLmcqGE
217Please respect copyright.PENANAwqv8OeGwdb
“I say that because something’s been different about you lately.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAXBh2IVc1YV
217Please respect copyright.PENANA1YIar2MNjC
217Please respect copyright.PENANAFLDOajgMPe
She raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”217Please respect copyright.PENANALZbIC6DcUo
217Please respect copyright.PENANA2rTBtG9tNz
217Please respect copyright.PENANAFnvgWvgvTc
“Well…,” Brad placed his elbow on the table with his hand supporting the side of his face so as to get a good look at Miranda. “You’re barely concentrating in class these days. And last week when we were handing in our assignments, you were late. You were so lucky that the madam took pity on you and accepted it.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAHFsfJtOoDy
217Please respect copyright.PENANAtgto7CBR2I
217Please respect copyright.PENANA6SaCk7TcZ1
“I had a slight problem with my laptop, that’s all.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAxTAAyFzjhm
217Please respect copyright.PENANAAvlbOyD543
217Please respect copyright.PENANARx2qCDHxRn
Brad scoffed. “Nah, that’s not it.” He wagged his index finger in front of her face. Miranda got irritated that she pushed his hand away. “Something is keeping you distracted.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAHPNwBLCbtS
217Please respect copyright.PENANAvVr3NUJ3Vc
217Please respect copyright.PENANAGh8YjDEQtp
“I’m just busy, that’s all.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAGuYtTaUXGV
217Please respect copyright.PENANAUmk69Ga3U7
217Please respect copyright.PENANAPHZUghdGf1
“There’s a difference between being busy and getting distracted. And you, my friend, are distracted.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAbfqpJH86Sj
217Please respect copyright.PENANAMfo5sI6IWK
217Please respect copyright.PENANA8NplTX8X79
Miranda rolled her eyes at him and looked down at her phone before she went on to look in front of her.217Please respect copyright.PENANA1U8e1o3Vas
217Please respect copyright.PENANAUh0oV2RQ7w
217Please respect copyright.PENANAEBVfzWL4Pg
“So what were you looking at on that phone of yours?” Brad went on to ask.217Please respect copyright.PENANAlQYeRJGj95
217Please respect copyright.PENANAUKgQCoMsVF
217Please respect copyright.PENANASLP7FVmHm1
Miranda looked at him through the corner of her eye. “You really don’t listen, do you?”217Please respect copyright.PENANACMUj748dr7
217Please respect copyright.PENANAek1Doan2sc
217Please respect copyright.PENANAzThWXX7ag0
“I thought I saw you looking at a guy's photo on Instagram just now. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAmKMKFKvohz
217Please respect copyright.PENANAlMY07BQRS7
217Please respect copyright.PENANA3QAnxJEk4X
Miranda felt like standing up from her seat to go elsewhere, but she soon felt Brad hold her free hand, pinning her in place. It’s like he knew what she was about to do and he did the only thing possible to pin her down.217Please respect copyright.PENANAn7JTlLr2tI
217Please respect copyright.PENANAo1OfSi9iB3
217Please respect copyright.PENANAGGfNra4gMH
“Let go of me, Brad,” she warned him.217Please respect copyright.PENANAYv4Xfk7WUy
217Please respect copyright.PENANAZGOA0ewLIB
217Please respect copyright.PENANA35PpzDzj3x
“And what if I don’t want to?” he asked with a smirk on his face.217Please respect copyright.PENANALZBLa2UVcL
217Please respect copyright.PENANAlefnPu1hwE
217Please respect copyright.PENANAVDjfkctPqK
“You’re hurting me. Why are you being such a prick?”217Please respect copyright.PENANABrPeD4h3dk
217Please respect copyright.PENANAxCd9yukIJN
217Please respect copyright.PENANAUi48Q1EjLo
“It’s because I’m worried about you. Something is up and I need to know what it is. Is it that man you keep looking at on your phone? Mind you, I’ve seen you looking at him time and time again.”217Please respect copyright.PENANA9TwC3ZNF9W
217Please respect copyright.PENANARKQjFdRxFs
217Please respect copyright.PENANAbUEVXcFj6y
Miranda felt her cheeks heat up. She couldn’t tell Brad about her sudden interest in Leo McDonell. Brad just said he looked familiar. And if he kept looking at her phone, he might realise who he is. She had to think of something.217Please respect copyright.PENANAbBTHejn9kw
217Please respect copyright.PENANACjtQrJ0XsO
217Please respect copyright.PENANAKwFaAKSBZD
“You’re worried over nothing,” she said. “Just some celebrity that I follow on Instagram. I think he’s really cute and that’s why I look at his photos.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAw5BOuwSPYW
217Please respect copyright.PENANAM76EqSyR1o
217Please respect copyright.PENANApSRkQc4H2m
Brad stared at her for a second. Miranda knew she had told him part of the truth. But she couldn’t go into detail or else she might say something about Leo. If he knew, she didn’t know what he would do.217Please respect copyright.PENANAhmpBTkPwFT
217Please respect copyright.PENANAyxH6MnUHNT
217Please respect copyright.PENANAL1PPQZv7K2
“Girls and your stupid crushes,” he said as he finally let go of her hand. “When will you ever let it go?”217Please respect copyright.PENANANVkM3RmJIm
217Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5dvRZ1IIg
217Please respect copyright.PENANAI8cvdeNN9S
“When the time is right,” said Miranda, doing her best not to sound nervous.217Please respect copyright.PENANAoe9LtdGBnx
217Please respect copyright.PENANAlVEQwVI267
217Please respect copyright.PENANAZBr5fvB0ts
“So who is this guy, anyway?”217Please respect copyright.PENANADKDaZ2Rt8U
217Please respect copyright.PENANAYuCepF50Qu
217Please respect copyright.PENANAtfvZk1rxiq
She was afraid he was going to ask that. So when their lecturer walked through the door of the theatre, she let out a silent sigh of relief. Everyone who was still up and about went to their seats, and the lecture begun.217Please respect copyright.PENANAEgDRA1vHxA
217Please respect copyright.PENANA10ydGaOgaW
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***217Please respect copyright.PENANAkes99vKBBG
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It’s finally lunch time, and Eric couldn’t wait to get out of the office with Angel and go somewhere nice. He had been in Leo’s office preparing for the meeting with the Chinese. Now that they're done, he couldn’t wait to leave.217Please respect copyright.PENANAVpZmcXiP0Z
217Please respect copyright.PENANAgIQsfIQAm1
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“Whoa, where do you think you’re going?” Leo asked, still seated behind his desk.217Please respect copyright.PENANA8EgrAApAfx
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217Please respect copyright.PENANAW4ayqXMjDr
“I’m going out for lunch,” Eric answered, heading for the door.217Please respect copyright.PENANAzGiyyiY4Za
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217Please respect copyright.PENANAWxAH8CMxht
“You look like you’re going to the bathroom.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAvAFoKXievi
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217Please respect copyright.PENANAltcCF022RP
“I’m taking Angel out,” Eric said with a proud look on his face.217Please respect copyright.PENANAxzn2keU7fZ
217Please respect copyright.PENANAfxRnVvKIGb
217Please respect copyright.PENANAqHjvhHw04i
Leo couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Oh, you’re going out with Angel, then?”217Please respect copyright.PENANAakCHyMxzUm
217Please respect copyright.PENANAhBxzmf8wLr
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“Yep. Wipe that sour look on your face. Or are you upset that you have to go out with Kim?”217Please respect copyright.PENANA8RwFUn2xQj
217Please respect copyright.PENANAWwZ45f95FJ
217Please respect copyright.PENANANDlnZznsif
“I couldn’t care less about that. Besides, having lunch with Angel doesn’t appeal to me.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAx1s7xNEED4
217Please respect copyright.PENANAT8uMFCWtxE
217Please respect copyright.PENANAJ5Le7ne195
“That’s because you don’t like her. Mind you, having lunch with Angel is way better than having it with Kim.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAP3PERVkRUC
217Please respect copyright.PENANA7YYYvydXzP
217Please respect copyright.PENANAxixmKMjUmP
The look on Leo’s face became grim. Even when he didn’t want to admit it, he knew Eric is right. He cleared his throat. “If you ask me there isn’t much of a difference.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAZQMJb6VWYk
217Please respect copyright.PENANACwWnvd0vnN
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It's Eric’s turn to roll his eyes. “You know, if you gave yourself time to actually know Angel instead of fighting with her all the time, you’ll find that she’s okay to be with than Kim.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAOwMQrRVpeY
217Please respect copyright.PENANA12eAjgp6pm
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“I beg to differ.” Leo’s face became even more serious.217Please respect copyright.PENANAaV8X2wQwod
217Please respect copyright.PENANAGNYk8gDmV4
217Please respect copyright.PENANAqIKL0rC3Mv
“I’ve to go now,” said Eric as he reached the door and held the knob. “Tell me how things go with Kim, okay? And try not to start an argument with her, wherever you will be.”217Please respect copyright.PENANA6tyChpMHXK
217Please respect copyright.PENANAhsx2saEXnb
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“I won’t.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAFtiyssjJ5z
217Please respect copyright.PENANAA3moktVNII
217Please respect copyright.PENANAFeS4bprNhb
Eric gave his cousin a concerned look. “I sure hope so. I’m off. See you later.”217Please respect copyright.PENANANPhlileEBd
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217Please respect copyright.PENANAzJhlJ3mLzZ
Leo gave him a nod and Eric quickly rushed out of the door like an excited young boy who had been told he could go outside and play with his friends. Even when Leo felt irritated by Eric’s enthusiasm, he couldn’t help but envy him a little. The man is in love, Leo thought to himself. Even when he knew he loved Carly, he didn’t experience the kind of lovey-dovey nonsense Eric is in right now. Is that what he admired? The crazy feeling of liking someone that you couldn’t wait to see them?217Please respect copyright.PENANAr6TJ9k5piw
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Leo shook his head. People are different and express love in different ways, he concluded. There’s no doubt in his mind that he loved Carly. Besides, he thought to himself, I don’t think Eric likes Angel to that extent. Maybe what he feels for her might pass in due time. Leo thought again, and concluded that Eric’s feelings towards Angel aren’t going to pass any time soon.217Please respect copyright.PENANAQdU2RdCPCM
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He soon got up from his seat as he also had to prepare himself to go and meet Kim. He didn’t know how his lunch with her is going to go. Before that, he thought he could lie to her that something came up to avoid any drama. But he couldn’t do that now. He would look like a coward. Something he doesn’t want to be.217Please respect copyright.PENANA733pKfJwSO
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He walked up to the door and got his jacket on the coat hanger. And with a deep breath, he opened the door and walked out.217Please respect copyright.PENANAjKCdG06E4I
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***217Please respect copyright.PENANANHYdhYwmYY
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“I bet you’re hungry, huh?” Eric asked as he and Angel finally got out of the complex building.217Please respect copyright.PENANABws6yHx7Sb
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"You can say that again,” she said turning to look at Eric. "I’m so famished for my first day.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAWA20ZzIZdL
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"I get what you mean. So many people keep asking me about you.” Eric had his hands in his pockets as he stared up at the sky. "You’ve made quite a reputation for someone on their first day.”217Please respect copyright.PENANACcqGXN0loX
217Please respect copyright.PENANAQDFc7oYC18
217Please respect copyright.PENANAraMrCXl101
"All that will pass.” Angel smiled at Eric. "It’s just the first day. By the end of the week, everyone would’ve forgotten that I even existed.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAR5JKEE9vRB
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"I doubt that. People will forget, but it’s no question that you’ll still be the talk of the office. I mean, you’ll obviously be classified as the most beautiful female member of staff.” Eric now had his eyes on her as he chuckled.217Please respect copyright.PENANAOYUVeM9PY4
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Angel playfully punched him on the arm. "What are you saying? There are many beautiful women at the company. If you ask me, their beauty is intimidating.”217Please respect copyright.PENANA0VzSuTDKfg
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"That’s because you miss the big picture,” Eric stopped walking as he now held her arm to stop her as well. "You really are very beautiful, you do know that, right?”217Please respect copyright.PENANAD7gM1Ukkr7
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Angel couldn’t say anything as she continued to look at Eric. Her heart started to flutter and felt her cheeks heat up. She found all of this awkward as she started to look around. She looked back at Eric, wondering how to tell him that they were standing in the middle of the street and might be in the way. But the look he continued to give her left her speechless.217Please respect copyright.PENANALPnVbTmNUE
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"I wish you could see what I see,” he said in a whisper. Even with all the bustling of people about and the hooting of the car horns, Angel got what he said. That made her cheeks heat up even more. She cleared her throat.217Please respect copyright.PENANAfxp1sjvH2Z
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"Ummm, Eric, we’re standing in the way,” she said. "This isn’t the time or the place for this, don’t you think?”217Please respect copyright.PENANAfLv5lI0IeE
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"Oh,” Eric forgot they were in the middle of the sidewalk, with people moving around. "I totally forgot that we were here in the first place. I must have spaced out a bit.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAEJ6ZAzxABQ
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Angel cleared her throat again as she looked down at her feet for a brief moment. "That must be it. Come on, weren’t you taking me out for lunch? I’m starving.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAritXOTttYp
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Eric nervously chuckled and at the same time scratched the back of his head. "I shouldn’t keep a lady waiting. Sorry about that.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAaUXE4K01fg
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"Not at all.” She tried her best not to look like she had been flattered, but her cheeks continued to blush, making her even more nervous.217Please respect copyright.PENANAlkVSmI1vBG
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They continued their walk down the sidewalk when Eric said, "I mean what I said, though. I hope you aren’t offended or anything.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAdcTa0I8mYG
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They stopped at the traffic lights and they waited for the walk sign to light up when Angel turned to look at Eric. "No, don’t worry,” she said.217Please respect copyright.PENANAk4ixalqZYj
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The light soon went green and the pedestrians who stood at the edge of the sidewalk crossed the road to the other side.217Please respect copyright.PENANA6OtxItST1b
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"I’m glad,” said Eric. "I thought you would be upset or something.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAQHSCKXB0UW
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"I’ve received such comments before, so I’m not.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAbqGAniCk5J
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Eric clicked his tongue as he shrugged. "You would, obviously. I also shouldn’t be surprised.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAHzGx303p0c
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Angel tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. She couldn’t tell Eric that his approach was different from the ones she had encountered before. Even from Mark. She felt her cheeks heat up even more by the thought of it. It's best, she thought, that I don’t say anything.217Please respect copyright.PENANAlyPbLTVQbr
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"Let me take you to my favourite restaurant nearby,” Eric continued as he smiled at her. "You’ll love it. And you can order whatever you like.”217Please respect copyright.PENANACIPAnYKiNu
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Angel couldn’t help but chuckle. "Don’t be so silly,” she said. "As much as that offer sounds tempting, it’s pretty obvious that I won’t be that careless.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAw74zCQa4hC
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"Well, the food is on me, so I won’t mind if you order countless dishes.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAA0UnEATwrG
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"Thanks,” this time she laughed. "But even if I’m so hungry, I don’t eat that much.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAwMfISagAfd
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"Just letting you know that the offer is on the table. Ah! Here we are.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAO2XYLQWVY0
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They stopped in front of a small restaurant. From outside, it might not look like a five-star restaurant, but for some reason, Angel found it almost elegant as she looked through the huge glass window. The décor is simple but had a touch of elegance. White chairs and tables covered with white cloths with beautiful gold embroidery on them. Elegant flowers of different colours and types sat on different tables, making the place look more romantic. This scene reminded her of the place she went for lunch with Mark last week.217Please respect copyright.PENANAxkza1luD1H
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"Shall we?” Eric held the door to the restaurant open as he waited for her.217Please respect copyright.PENANAUdWpTCd1vA
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Angel shook herself from her daydream and went through the open door.217Please respect copyright.PENANAT6eNMkJ6cn
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She started to look around the place when a smartly dressed male waiter, approached her. Eric stood behind her after closing the door. Immediately, the male waiter smiled at Eric like they know each other. Angel shouldn’t be surprised. Eric did say he liked coming here.217Please respect copyright.PENANANuhGMOl0dV
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‘"Hello, sir,” said the young waiter with a wide smile. "I see you came with company. Will you be taking the usual table?”217Please respect copyright.PENANAZMPhA40GbE
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"That’s if it’s free,” Eric answered.217Please respect copyright.PENANAX9oTme7bQE
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"Well, you’re just in luck. Please, follow me.”217Please respect copyright.PENANA1T3fQjELgk
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Angel couldn’t ignore the way the waiter addressed them with so much courtesy. He led them to one of the tables by the corner, close to the window. When they neared the table, Eric drew out a chair for her to sit and Angel did likewise. Eric sat on the other side of the table, facing her. He told the waiter to serve them a glass of water as they looked through the menu before ordering.217Please respect copyright.PENANA64gzO0FyjZ
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"The waiter seems to know you very well,” said Angel as she picked up the menu card on the table.217Please respect copyright.PENANAd9ReiiT0rn
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"I come here a lot,” said Eric as he also picked up the other menu on his side.217Please respect copyright.PENANAaxocKpelXH
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Angel said nothing as she smiled and looked at the menu.217Please respect copyright.PENANALmybENkHYJ
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"It’s sad that Leo couldn’t join us,” said Eric.217Please respect copyright.PENANAyPH00fN1Q8
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Angel looked at Eric. "Why do you say so? Were you scared that the two of us would start a fight in the restaurant?”217Please respect copyright.PENANATej9C67gTs
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Eric laughed. "No, I didn’t think that way in the least. If there is one thing I know for sure, you two can behave yourselves in a public place like this one. I wasn’t going to worry at all.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAusVtTIC5sw
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Angel made a face because she knew Eric is right. She looked back at the menu when Eric put up a funny face. "So then, why did you say that?”217Please respect copyright.PENANAqDwYTP3jgP
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"Because he’s having lunch with Kim. He must be heading to her as we speak.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAheYRt39NyV
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Angel raised her eyes from the menu. "Kim? We met her when we went to buy croissants this morning.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAIlxOLYPWD1
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"He told me. She actually texted him that she wanted to meet. And he agreed to do so.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAK7d76Gsttp
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"That’s so unlike him,” she looked towards the waiter who had brought them glasses of water. He asked if they were ready to order, and they both said they weren’t.217Please respect copyright.PENANALSVtjuI99i
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"I know, right?” Eric agreed with Angel after the waiter left. "I think he’s doing the right thing. Maybe he'll finally get to tell her the truth.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAghBv4ZRgjw
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Angel didn’t say anything as she thought about it. "Do you think he will? I mean, him going to see her is already unbelievable as it is.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAerd5Xhhb42
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Eric shrugged. "Who knows. If he does tell her, I think she’ll be at peace, right? But she’ll probably freak out and would want to know who it is.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAiJD5NMExT7
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"Now that you mention it, I fear it will turn out to be a disaster.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAtFZZSEHSlj
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"You’re probably right,” Eric looked up at the ceiling, deep in thought. "That’s if Leo does tell her the truth and mentions that it's actually Carly he’s now in love with.”217Please respect copyright.PENANA1BD2AsU5ed
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The two looked at each other in silence as they thought of the scenario. Eric groaned in frustration as he quickly pulled his phone out from the pocket.217Please respect copyright.PENANAZA9Xpi8lbT
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"What are you doing?” Angel asked.217Please respect copyright.PENANAqVfPt8HizW
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"Calling Leo so that he won’t tell Kim the truth,” Eric answered as he looked through his phone.217Please respect copyright.PENANAJPFPuudsPo
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"I think we’re just overthinking things. What if he doesn’t say anything? Or what if he does but doesn’t mention Carly’s name? If Leo is in line with what we just thought, the best is not to mention Carly.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAXVcnIgQMrD
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"You’re probably right,” Eric put his phone aside on the table and looked at Angel.217Please respect copyright.PENANAFTgEDHQfzI
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Angel continued to stare at him, but then, she put the menu on the table and started to play with her fingers. She bit her lower lip. "On second thought, I think you better give him a call. Just in case.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAisnkdtSZS7
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"I agree.” Eric quickly took his phone and went on to call Leo.217Please respect copyright.PENANAybU18zzsZL
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He had his phone to the ear when the ringing tone of Leo’s phone came up. He started to get worried in the moments that passed as the phone kept ringing. Could Leo already be with Kim at this very minute? He looked at Angel who looked back anxiously. She also started to worry. And just when Eric thought Leo wasn’t going to pick the call, he heard the cracking sound at the other end of the line.217Please respect copyright.PENANA4ojHIPG4hJ
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"Hello?” came Leo’s voice.217Please respect copyright.PENANAIYxr2ibS7Z
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"Thank goodness, you picked the call,” said Eric. "We were starting to get worried.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAD2lS0DVCe5
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"By ‘we’ you mean, you and Angel?” Leo sounded unconvinced.217Please respect copyright.PENANAkKnD8znSxw
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"It might seem unbelievable, but it’s true.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAmugB4R1tuC
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Leo sighed. "Get to the point. Why are you calling me?”217Please respect copyright.PENANAc8tCGIiYdV
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"Are you heading to lunch with Kim right now?”217Please respect copyright.PENANAaihqEuqaUc
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"I was about to enter the car and head there. What’s up?”217Please respect copyright.PENANAl28yMarsvp
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"Quick question. Are you going to tell Kim the truth?”217Please respect copyright.PENANAsl9sApHG4S
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"The truth about what? Why I didn’t marry her?”217Please respect copyright.PENANAn9ilnNjtWh
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"Yes.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAYGMFSgooto
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"Weren’t you the one saying I should? What’s wrong? Are you getting second thoughts or you think I might screw this up?”217Please respect copyright.PENANADxEranW8H3
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"Uh…,” Eric hesitated as his eyes found Angel who had been looking at him the entire time. Judging by Leo’s statement, he felt like he didn’t have to worry at all.217Please respect copyright.PENANA1RPgn9dChv
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"Nah, you got this all under control,” Eric quickly pointed out. "I trust that you’ll do the right thing.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAfc1utTzn0k
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Leo murmured and Eric knew he had just got on his nerves. "I don’t know why you’re scared, but I already know what I'm going to do. And if I'm going to tell her the truth, then you shouldn’t be bothered about it.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAY4rL6Olq0z
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"I believe you. You’ve a nice lunch.” Eric cut the call.217Please respect copyright.PENANAukNGgtp3l7
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"What did he say?” Angel quickly asked.217Please respect copyright.PENANAvgEoNLNkdF
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"That he’s got everything under control,” he answered. "I believe him. If he really is going to tell her the truth, I don’t think he’ll tell her he’s actually in love with Carly. If he does, then Kim will tell aunt, and she’ll be furious.”217Please respect copyright.PENANA6ygNNtfYZE
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Angel cleared her throat before she said, "not only that. Once she finds out, she’ll realise that before Carly and I moved in, we had all known each other and have been pretending this whole time. And they might end up finding the truth about how Leo and Carly met.”217Please respect copyright.PENANAct56SjXsnU
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The two looked at each other in silence, again. They both shook their heads as they picked up their menus.217Please respect copyright.PENANAm9wV9KTWXK
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"Leo has this under control,” Eric assured her. "We’ve nothing to worry about.”217Please respect copyright.PENANASnnjPtxe9y
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"Ya, you’re right,” said Angel as she looked at the menu, holding it tight. She really hoped that Eric is right.