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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAP0C64v7I2d
355Please respect copyright.PENANAdZZYBBgtwk
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAZnCwXegLG6
355Please respect copyright.PENANAOPc7QL9Pnr
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAuvfe5YAgXZ
355Please respect copyright.PENANANn9VOI6iOs
"Is it a bad time?" came a voice at the door.355Please respect copyright.PENANA1yKKZcuYOo
355Please respect copyright.PENANAQmV4sgHdlA
Leo turned his head and smiled at his father standing at the door.355Please respect copyright.PENANAPxQ4xqoCOO
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"Not at all, dad," said Leo. "Please, come in."355Please respect copyright.PENANAdPlZXRZmmH
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His father did likewise, closing the door behind him. Leo turned his body towards his desk.355Please respect copyright.PENANA9DpODFtcqc
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"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.355Please respect copyright.PENANASC8QYyPivZ
355Please respect copyright.PENANA5sj1dnD0Ps
"I was just about to," said Leo. "Just enjoying the sunset is all."355Please respect copyright.PENANATmcvcH8fiC
355Please respect copyright.PENANASHMGwDe9IF
"You don't look like one who likes to look at the sunset."355Please respect copyright.PENANAJ8w8KZUf5h
355Please respect copyright.PENANA262yWSCkM0
"You'll be surprised."355Please respect copyright.PENANACfFkZdCMn5
355Please respect copyright.PENANAxbud010QZD
"I need to talk to you about something."355Please respect copyright.PENANAzdWbTcYJXF
355Please respect copyright.PENANAZiBZpbEM9Q
Leo noticed the tone in his father's voice. He sounded serious, and Leo didn't like it.355Please respect copyright.PENANAo2ubsO0lIu
355Please respect copyright.PENANAuIK6Ptui3h
"What is it about?" Leo asked.355Please respect copyright.PENANANZhQBZ3q9S
355Please respect copyright.PENANA0hOiboVdBJ
"It's about Angel."355Please respect copyright.PENANAd4FPMyjb1h
355Please respect copyright.PENANAPq8LBz6Mog
"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.355Please respect copyright.PENANA87JiotOOt4
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He sat down on his chair and asked, "what about her?"355Please respect copyright.PENANA9ifp6iEW2Y
355Please respect copyright.PENANAhxpB3ak1gT
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAr2aN4M8K6X
355Please respect copyright.PENANAPfYpPpKhQo
"Your grandmother must have told you a while back that she wanted Angel to work here," Mr. McDonell said.355Please respect copyright.PENANAWEHv8hNeRS
355Please respect copyright.PENANAPw9wCS8hFR
"Yes, she did," said Leo trying to keep his cool. "But didn't Angel say she would think about it?"355Please respect copyright.PENANAP1bfCCAIaO
355Please respect copyright.PENANAGqleYapXN4
"She did."355Please respect copyright.PENANAUeivfirdHj
355Please respect copyright.PENANAPxSC2iizLp
"And....?" Leo hoped and prayed in his heart that Angel had refused the offer. But somewhere deep down, he knew it was the opposite.355Please respect copyright.PENANAHpq6l1ytbg
355Please respect copyright.PENANAH2Xcwpkvxb
"She agreed to work with us."355Please respect copyright.PENANA4NjDVfhqwX
355Please respect copyright.PENANAEGTjKZsKCy
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAw0uE4xYFuN
355Please respect copyright.PENANARCYdCtKTSN
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANA9vWPrtTrRS
355Please respect copyright.PENANArCB3w7mVMP
"Umm, that's great," said Leo as he tried to sound enthusiastic.355Please respect copyright.PENANAHxiBObNPuw
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Mr. McDonell still wasn't buying Leo's enthusiasm. He felt like he was missing something.355Please respect copyright.PENANAVUMgY6dYCn
355Please respect copyright.PENANAr79cOGIiV8
"She starts work tomorrow," Mr. McDonell added on.355Please respect copyright.PENANAamuzEZQNbK
355Please respect copyright.PENANA0LCuVh1bMV
"Tomorrow?" Leo couldn't believe it.355Please respect copyright.PENANAg6M73MRXb3
355Please respect copyright.PENANALob0f2YRnu
"Yes. She told your grandmother and the message was passed on to me."355Please respect copyright.PENANAZfne7oTLOH
355Please respect copyright.PENANAErNcsAJZnq
"What about her job at the editing company?"355Please respect copyright.PENANAEYXlBuaDTW
355Please respect copyright.PENANA6ezVvMR8pI
"I was told she met with her boss today. She hands in her resignation letter tomorrow."355Please respect copyright.PENANAXmbPLNYkph
355Please respect copyright.PENANABekCdQgbad
Leo gulped. "Okay...., does mum know about this?"355Please respect copyright.PENANARZoaEPXUXv
355Please respect copyright.PENANAiDARgHZb7O
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANADP2DMBg86p
355Please respect copyright.PENANAkcdAVGz5aF
"She doesn't know," his father replied.355Please respect copyright.PENANAlcMPutu0HC
355Please respect copyright.PENANAOeJ23Yw891
Leo paused before he asked, "do you think she will like the idea of Angel working here?"355Please respect copyright.PENANAzm2DmwuLI9
355Please respect copyright.PENANAmSB7vSLdAR
"No doubt she won't. That's just how she is."355Please respect copyright.PENANAudj35Y2McA
355Please respect copyright.PENANA0NfI3vAkjh
"How are you going to break it to her?"355Please respect copyright.PENANAV3KpyHIkp1
355Please respect copyright.PENANAV2wXn0zLMd
"Tonight at dinner you will be the one making the announcement to the whole family."355Please respect copyright.PENANAPmT3arsV0X
355Please respect copyright.PENANAlGhugFNP7t
Leo straightened up even more on his seat, his eyes wide with surprise. "What?"355Please respect copyright.PENANAFMZM01by27
355Please respect copyright.PENANAk6E8th3QaA
"You heard me."355Please respect copyright.PENANApx21dDOUvl
355Please respect copyright.PENANA5oCfcXcYDh
Leo wanted to shake his head but stopped himself. "Why can't Eric do it?"355Please respect copyright.PENANACCRnTZV3fl
355Please respect copyright.PENANAM4IKgZLkex
"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."355Please respect copyright.PENANArnW1lwVrmM
355Please respect copyright.PENANAEfZH9JsMsT
"Looks like you know him way more than I do."355Please respect copyright.PENANAqFvuxfywUK
355Please respect copyright.PENANAr4PWoOUP8Q
"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."355Please respect copyright.PENANA7KO8g1XTEN
355Please respect copyright.PENANAQRuZpFd6Ep
Leo had no idea why his cheeks heated up when his father said that last statement. "You know that Eric likes Angel?"355Please respect copyright.PENANAShbCimgO3S
355Please respect copyright.PENANArJS6z8Epme
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."355Please respect copyright.PENANAec2PaZdji7
355Please respect copyright.PENANArVjSb48BGg
"Oh." Leo hoped his father didn't know about him and Carly.355Please respect copyright.PENANAyKsfdmC46d
355Please respect copyright.PENANAcVSOAFzIlh
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAervz9SRpkh
355Please respect copyright.PENANAUcCkXNwkKT
"Leo, are you okay?" Mr. McDonell asked.355Please respect copyright.PENANAJBZqnIniBn
355Please respect copyright.PENANA8UdZ2ZuSGO
"Huh?" Leo turned to look at his father.355Please respect copyright.PENANAT1XxLZEEtH
355Please respect copyright.PENANAhuPX94QZeW
"Are you okay? You just hit your forehead just now as though you're angry or something."355Please respect copyright.PENANAHOZWDCcFtu
355Please respect copyright.PENANAW083XtSac5
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAxvRb0Vwlfc
355Please respect copyright.PENANA8dvnBGBHwM
"I have to go get something," Leo said. "I better rush before heading home."355Please respect copyright.PENANANNjSjrvRa1
355Please respect copyright.PENANAay1Yfx4KdU
"If you say so," said Mr. McDonell as he stood up from his seat.355Please respect copyright.PENANA5zQIK6MWcX
355Please respect copyright.PENANA3Mgv0GDfJX
"I'll see you back home?"355Please respect copyright.PENANAGlaOvMgY2f
355Please respect copyright.PENANAUdaGm2R1Dj
"Ya, you ride with Eric. I'll stay here for a bit to finish up. But I'll be there before supper."355Please respect copyright.PENANAOgexg9hrnG
355Please respect copyright.PENANANqlIeBkpC8
"Sure. See you later, then."355Please respect copyright.PENANACrEh58N3EZ
355Please respect copyright.PENANA9nzGJEtveg
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAp5xs4EaB1g
355Please respect copyright.PENANA6dctFYiYyZ
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAGhD7pswOCo
355Please respect copyright.PENANAoudYtt17kH
"I was just coming to get you," said Leo as Eric locked the door to his office.355Please respect copyright.PENANAYdnWV0xGMU
355Please respect copyright.PENANAJCq5WbHoBR
"Don't tell me I'm taking the ride home with you," Eric said as he turned to look at his cousin.355Please respect copyright.PENANAm11roao39O
355Please respect copyright.PENANAGAJLvrqSua
"Yep, and we have to stop by somewhere."355Please respect copyright.PENANAamfvqt6png
355Please respect copyright.PENANAlwySGA3l6S
"May I ask where and why?"355Please respect copyright.PENANAy3vp7g8G3y
355Please respect copyright.PENANAmH9pLErlmv
"Come on. I'll tell you."355Please respect copyright.PENANAYNnQwfTi6f
355Please respect copyright.PENANA19LtIQKE9C
***355Please respect copyright.PENANAgqX0bb20PP
355Please respect copyright.PENANAJpG4hn49Rb
"...I'm Harriet, by the way, what's yours?"355Please respect copyright.PENANAKMpAhfWBSk
355Please respect copyright.PENANALf6M7jeXd6
"I'm Carly," said Carly as she smiled and shook hands with a green eyed brunette. "A pleasure meeting you."355Please respect copyright.PENANAWK0RbnynpX
355Please respect copyright.PENANAEcVm1F1oZu
"Mine too," she said. "If you need any help with anything, I'm here to help."355Please respect copyright.PENANAcBLMBK77Od
355Please respect copyright.PENANAc5L6UJEGZV
"Thanks so much. See you tomorrow."355Please respect copyright.PENANAc00iOCbvwV
355Please respect copyright.PENANAqLJTYKpSxp
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAlfWsH5hAuk
355Please respect copyright.PENANArVuqFuMGUA
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANArQNTL0Z3fD
355Please respect copyright.PENANAa6UcP2xcAl
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANARsw4szyMh8
355Please respect copyright.PENANA2qiG2i8kbt
"Hey, sis," said Carly when she heard the line pick up on the other end.355Please respect copyright.PENANAVm0X5BCzhx
355Please respect copyright.PENANAb1FeLdW2HW
"Hey, how was your day?" Angel asked.355Please respect copyright.PENANAX74PBDkdcG
355Please respect copyright.PENANAiYkJDFqrhJ
"It was great," Carly replied with a smile on her face. "You won't believe who I met here."355Please respect copyright.PENANAJFay94Qnqe
355Please respect copyright.PENANA0qn6CqgyMS
"Who?"355Please respect copyright.PENANA8cL81S5Xpp
355Please respect copyright.PENANAgWLxBgh8na
"Remember that guy with grey eyes who...., uh...., you met at the place I used to work at?"355Please respect copyright.PENANAM4ZIdPynps
355Please respect copyright.PENANA31XckK8ZFr
Talking about Mr. Walter's club brought up some uneasiness in Carly. She felt embarrassed just talking about it.355Please respect copyright.PENANAoGiClcybz1
355Please respect copyright.PENANAmUnUPuGPcn
"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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAzVw4zP40Lm
355Please respect copyright.PENANAGmSdDnJi5h
"In case you forgot, his name is Robin. And he sends his regards."355Please respect copyright.PENANACvkxOWnteq
355Please respect copyright.PENANAh6TGxoQGOw
"I never got to know his name, sadly. Thanks. I hope he didn't try to convince you into going back to work there."355Please respect copyright.PENANAv6zLrIKlNa
355Please respect copyright.PENANAq0Qj6eUNZk
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAOBBTAfyEAa
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"Oh, no, he didn't. He's glad I never went back there. He always said that that place wasn't meant for me."355Please respect copyright.PENANA6fw6ab0TPI
355Please respect copyright.PENANAqMJ54QRL7i
"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."355Please respect copyright.PENANAIoXZdt1kbH
355Please respect copyright.PENANAwOKfmCzlnv
"Nah, I'm cool. I'll take the bus."355Please respect copyright.PENANAYVJZFRprX7
355Please respect copyright.PENANA17X2fVXO3l
"Ok. Just be careful out there."355Please respect copyright.PENANAW9PyKgBdxB
355Please respect copyright.PENANAq0TIz72c4J
"I'll be fine. Don't you worry."355Please respect copyright.PENANAhdu0wxXCE1
355Please respect copyright.PENANAue0kDmyDgY
"See you later then."355Please respect copyright.PENANAfPzD5YlmS7
355Please respect copyright.PENANAvEV1lltD84
"Ya, see you."355Please respect copyright.PENANALXnxdDBH7b
355Please respect copyright.PENANAW6yltNMLCc
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANArrJT1fc3rz
355Please respect copyright.PENANAWAqfMITDCw
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAdUFRM6LmUe
355Please respect copyright.PENANAu4cptlVVc6
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAs7M2RCpFV7
355Please respect copyright.PENANA3giY5Dui7Q
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANASiqFFe0s3z
355Please respect copyright.PENANAZbkV8O8jUI
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANA9KOaexs95N
355Please respect copyright.PENANArLcoHt8CNZ
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANA2azvtT6smg
355Please respect copyright.PENANA5xMljVmUaW
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANA9b83vdNdtF
355Please respect copyright.PENANAeNTu3Zfb9k
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANANxFnThg1CJ
355Please respect copyright.PENANAiCJNKykPmW
"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.355Please respect copyright.PENANArP0X5dOT3h
355Please respect copyright.PENANAYv8aC4Wdw0
"Oh, no, I don't," said Carly. "I don't even smoke."355Please respect copyright.PENANABOhfWyd9gn
355Please respect copyright.PENANAYp68tH7lpu
"Oh," said the man, looking baffled as he now stood in front of her. "I was expecting you do."355Please respect copyright.PENANAU0GOksCamQ
355Please respect copyright.PENANAvBdePo9QbI
"No, sorry," said Carly as she shook her head.355Please respect copyright.PENANAeWLQMh5YCo
355Please respect copyright.PENANAAunlwi8oef
"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."355Please respect copyright.PENANAzvJw6b41sn
355Please respect copyright.PENANA7OLbrM55N7
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0UlJHZeMJ
355Please respect copyright.PENANA3U32j8waWV
"Too bad, indeed," said Carly as she smiled at him. "Maybe some other lady would like that idea. Not me."355Please respect copyright.PENANAATYhteqqC5
355Please respect copyright.PENANA4bSUIQdOhu
"Funny. I don't think I would find someone as gorgeous as you."355Please respect copyright.PENANA29ua2atvSO
355Please respect copyright.PENANAlHFTP5NWPw
Carly looked down the road to see if there was any sign of the bus. She went on to look at the man again.355Please respect copyright.PENANA9rgqafvDiN
355Please respect copyright.PENANADyvA157wWg
"Sorry, I'm just not your girl."355Please respect copyright.PENANA42H4rxX0ZY
355Please respect copyright.PENANAaD2p5hKbaa
The man scoffed as he took a step closer to her. "I wasn't really asking," he said with a grin.355Please respect copyright.PENANA15SnhzleQi
355Please respect copyright.PENANARHB4EN1SlU
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANATmm3p92RMH
355Please respect copyright.PENANAEBx5IFtGqS
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAHDlkNmdIld
355Please respect copyright.PENANA4Kk2nep76J
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANA6f6z2CKhl4
355Please respect copyright.PENANAIygevCN9Ey
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAuaknm8kjSf
355Please respect copyright.PENANAE8xDSR1rKf
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANA4xrcs0tQZC
355Please respect copyright.PENANASCCEAAH9BP
"Is it done?" were the first words Mr. Walters asked upon picking the call.355Please respect copyright.PENANAIesAKYY8YK
355Please respect copyright.PENANAdHroDcCTwE
"It's done. She's in my car right now."355Please respect copyright.PENANA0VWkQRvwSS
355Please respect copyright.PENANAs7T20nny8z
"Great. I'll give you the address to the Red Lion and I'll inform him of the news."355Please respect copyright.PENANA3pp8m1jBgL
355Please respect copyright.PENANAY7r4xsTrpg
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAtSQZP6eLoK
355Please respect copyright.PENANAx5msSbIGpk
"Let's go meet the Red Lion," he said to her and he set his eyes on the road.355Please respect copyright.PENANAGxtlKUOSSr
355Please respect copyright.PENANA5wwuHXLkrF
***355Please respect copyright.PENANA2RZgIsIHw6
355Please respect copyright.PENANAdY5c27Et8j
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAOE8EjSsrzd
355Please respect copyright.PENANA2DVKfCoWDj
"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."355Please respect copyright.PENANAZVTqhZDek1
355Please respect copyright.PENANAw8iHwyD0Xi
"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."355Please respect copyright.PENANA7fRBEmiKUK
355Please respect copyright.PENANAl6ErWwDlsv
"You expect a thank you from me, don't you?" Leo asked, giving Eric the look.355Please respect copyright.PENANACs2rY2CGxd
355Please respect copyright.PENANAVbsmiNthMt
"Well, ya. You would have found the store closed if I didn't call Nate on time."355Please respect copyright.PENANAoGUNYgQKaz
355Please respect copyright.PENANAyhdLjLxGEp
"Okay," Leo rolled his eyes before he focused them back on his cousin. "Thank you, Eric. You're the best brother ever."355Please respect copyright.PENANAbRmBxad7j9
355Please respect copyright.PENANAKGchkaUS0O
"I wasn't expecting that last bit, but I'll take it."355Please respect copyright.PENANAIp47Gzxehv
355Please respect copyright.PENANA3T7Gy6CaFY
"I wonder how I deal with you sometimes." Leo put the keys in the ignition and started the engine.355Please respect copyright.PENANAdiE6OOoq0d
355Please respect copyright.PENANAg7HyAE6cFk
Leo's car took off to the streets, heading home. But as usual, they ran into a bit of traffic.355Please respect copyright.PENANAmfjCEqsBQj
355Please respect copyright.PENANAF5v6jllDpQ
"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."355Please respect copyright.PENANAAIFtIVoFSX
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"Knowing you, you must have read it already." Leo's eyes were still fixed on the road as the traffic ahead started to move.355Please respect copyright.PENANAtyoQrnb7SY
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"No." Eric looked out the window. "But I do know it's from Carly."355Please respect copyright.PENANAlqUjz7gJ4J
355Please respect copyright.PENANA0IwFQbVWla
Leo winced. "Dang it! She must be wondering why I haven't given her a call the whole day."355Please respect copyright.PENANAHXvaR1g33b
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"For someone who really cares about someone, you have a terrible way of showing it."355Please respect copyright.PENANAXEWXKRtsWq
355Please respect copyright.PENANAJmKaTnESbi
"That's why I'm making it up to her by getting her a gift. My mind was just off today."355Please respect copyright.PENANAo9KkbULFLA
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"Hmmm, I wonder why," Eric turned to look at Leo.355Please respect copyright.PENANALV1CunQDgJ
355Please respect copyright.PENANAtAgixSGv9t
"You know why. I don't even want to talk about it."355Please respect copyright.PENANAMd9CaYzEwm
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"Ya, let's not."355Please respect copyright.PENANAwaYP9v3ZF5
355Please respect copyright.PENANAWYUGnSx0VX
Leo sighed. "Can you read the message for me?"355Please respect copyright.PENANA9Swpkq1dQk
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"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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAuG3yQkGdaI
355Please respect copyright.PENANAGRyFdZDlSj
"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."355Please respect copyright.PENANAkDGulyqksr
355Please respect copyright.PENANAJKeOlNiQlx
"Carly's understanding," said Leo as he tried to smile. "I bet she knew I have had a busy day at work and forgot."355Please respect copyright.PENANAtCOeohFAso
355Please respect copyright.PENANAABsszMdEHV
"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."355Please respect copyright.PENANAAV3ueiHfAv
355Please respect copyright.PENANAoRzlBR1TIo
"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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAXXMfbYr1Zd
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"I know. But you've to be honest with Carly and tell her what's on your mind."355Please respect copyright.PENANASkn7BG0znG
355Please respect copyright.PENANAk113Apv8Kl
"What are you now? My therapist?" Leo gave Eric a confused glance before focusing on the road again.355Please respect copyright.PENANAOX1WVSOvqp
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"No. But you have an issue with Angel. Carly might know it already, but she doesn't know to what extent."355Please respect copyright.PENANA0KQ417UF9I
355Please respect copyright.PENANA2lSnc8x6JO
"Pssh. That's ridiculous. I can't start telling Carly about these petty issues."355Please respect copyright.PENANAFP327gGCV5
355Please respect copyright.PENANATi3tv3Umjt
"I'm glad you agree that this whole Angel thing is petty."355Please respect copyright.PENANA9Y7NXF2yEW
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"Wait-no-it's not-" Leo was at a loss for words. "What I mean to say is-"355Please respect copyright.PENANA2aIbXoxWis
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"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?"355Please respect copyright.PENANAcKntJQAiAw
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Leo felt like giving Eric a punch as he shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe you."355Please respect copyright.PENANAMtenWArKGx
355Please respect copyright.PENANAmNufl82W3l
"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?"355Please respect copyright.PENANAmHzRyz5MGt
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"Well..., you brought her up in the first place."355Please respect copyright.PENANAUkrXesOkSV
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"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."355Please respect copyright.PENANAL1jrsRqlFM
355Please respect copyright.PENANAVliRYZEAKq
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANA8maTZZCF8S
355Please respect copyright.PENANARxxtQjqNcg
"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."355Please respect copyright.PENANAFOx6R2ai2A
355Please respect copyright.PENANALMyX82amqH
"I know, women are complicated," said Leo.355Please respect copyright.PENANAXiHJgxEw23
355Please respect copyright.PENANA6UvnI36dio
"And so are you." Eric gave his cousin a mocking smile.355Please respect copyright.PENANAXrmOLw686K
355Please respect copyright.PENANAoPREqk6piM
Leo would have said something back, but he realized that he didn't know what to say. Maybe Eric's right. He is complicated.355Please respect copyright.PENANAL2lpZYkOgD
355Please respect copyright.PENANAvkSu99bex9
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?355Please respect copyright.PENANAFmzuuvLKnS
355Please respect copyright.PENANAQzNZsxuUwH
"Hey, Leo, are you okay?" Eric asked.355Please respect copyright.PENANAOvyYbwpgku
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"Huh?" Leo turned to look at his cousin.355Please respect copyright.PENANAPiQ2KYxIZV
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"You seem lost. Are you sure you're okay?"355Please respect copyright.PENANAG0jhMI7iGE
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Leo tried to put up an embarrassing smile. He couldn't tell Eric about Angel. They had dwelled on her long enough.355Please respect copyright.PENANA0GiWRgNcpQ
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"Oh, no," said Leo. "I'm just worried that Carly won't accept my gift."355Please respect copyright.PENANAS3ZpdVj01j
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"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."355Please respect copyright.PENANAp5I5ZUI7VT
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"I hope so."355Please respect copyright.PENANAFMWK83mjL6
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"Come on, we better go inside."355Please respect copyright.PENANAO8R4nY7vba
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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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAakhAhvYiRl
355Please respect copyright.PENANAw22rzJa0pX
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAd0wP5hK9Te
355Please respect copyright.PENANAKb368Pbx4i
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAvRvCX8j7eM
355Please respect copyright.PENANAKH7RiYp2UP
"Hello, dear," came Amanda's voice. "Where's Leo?"355Please respect copyright.PENANAAyDIIE17Ho
355Please respect copyright.PENANAHAyikRW1YR
"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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAXRklAJWGZJ
355Please respect copyright.PENANAJla7443w7e
"Come give me a hug, dear," said Amanda and Leo did just that.355Please respect copyright.PENANA5TKizwoxSs
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"Hey, Oliver," said Leo as he ruffled his cousin's hair.355Please respect copyright.PENANAYCeuAsRXZf
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"I'm great and how are you?" Oliver asked. "Were you so busy at work?"355Please respect copyright.PENANAkuw5FbFZ7s
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"Not really. Why?"355Please respect copyright.PENANA1luqNN5BPn
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"You look really tired."355Please respect copyright.PENANAfFqJi2cRsY
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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.355Please respect copyright.PENANABunvLYCUHg
355Please respect copyright.PENANAYxXMPcyOB5
"What's that in your hand, Leo?" Amanda asked as she looked at the paper bag in his hand.355Please respect copyright.PENANAanYo8BmQ41
355Please respect copyright.PENANAWxtUPB7cnY
"Oh..., this?" Leo lifted it. "Just something I got for myself from the store."355Please respect copyright.PENANAWtEutyp4Nz
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"Okay. Why don't you put that bag away in your room, then come back and tell me how your day went."355Please respect copyright.PENANA2PstUL2Y34
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"Sure, grandma."355Please respect copyright.PENANAAJVEG67jdB
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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.355Please respect copyright.PENANA4ebjxdzMmo
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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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAmQTdzbhEVh
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Angel broke the ice between them saying, "hello, Leo."355Please respect copyright.PENANAs9CYnUAzaa
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Leo struggled to move his lips but he said something at least. "Hello."355Please respect copyright.PENANAUF1AIPqz8i
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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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAzvFUf82AqF
355Please respect copyright.PENANAMUwDOoNCDQ
"Hi, Angel," came Eric. "Wow..., Angel, you look amazing."355Please respect copyright.PENANAShxGtoCwHf
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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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAsVlKumeho4
355Please respect copyright.PENANAgUu5NTVqcK
"Thanks, Eric," said Angel. Angel looked at Leo and then back at everyone else in the living room. "I thought Carly had arrived."355Please respect copyright.PENANAkfCws3xxZm
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"Wait, Carly isn't here?" Leo asked as he looked up at Angel.355Please respect copyright.PENANAqARSlBGhvY
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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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAbHBeDDNL7v
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"Maybe she's still stuck in traffic," said Eric. "The bus she used must probably have used a longer route or something."355Please respect copyright.PENANATvuRbrJc5N
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"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."355Please respect copyright.PENANAUGTbzHUjiS
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"When was the last time you talked to her?" Leo asked, still not looking at Angel.355Please respect copyright.PENANAnkyrC3FKoY
355Please respect copyright.PENANAVpoMdThgxi
"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."355Please respect copyright.PENANAZ8w5wN1lDL
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"Try calling her again, dear," said Amanda. "I sure hope she's okay."355Please respect copyright.PENANAEohf5skc4u
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Angel already had her phone in her hand. She quickly dialled the number and called.355Please respect copyright.PENANA5PWB9o03L5
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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.355Please respect copyright.PENANA9GNMhFtVBY
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"No answer," said Angel as she stared at her phone.355Please respect copyright.PENANA9Zzvf7ofAI
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"Her phone's probably on silent or something," said Eric.355Please respect copyright.PENANAZIhZUH9vzE
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"Maybe. She does like to leave it that way when she goes for lectures that she forgets even when she's out of class."355Please respect copyright.PENANAxNQNEa5T0d
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"Well, she should be putting it on vibrate more often," said Amanda. "She's probably on her way, don't worry."355Please respect copyright.PENANAZFISacbcle
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"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."355Please respect copyright.PENANApt4netXWFJ
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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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAfuwV6aezAb
355Please respect copyright.PENANAAxp6ZgXWMJ
"Angel's really worried," said Oliver. "I hope Carly gets here safely."355Please respect copyright.PENANAO2MhoE5OG0
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Amanda held Oliver's hand that was on the armrest of the couch. "Of course, she will," she said with a smile.355Please respect copyright.PENANAYN05tCbpUV
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"I better head upstairs and change," said Leo and he made his way to the stairs.355Please respect copyright.PENANA3xiWEFT6HB
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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.355Please respect copyright.PENANA5qoqfF7NbD
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***355Please respect copyright.PENANAtssuMi62zW
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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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAeyyQAt4CIs
355Please respect copyright.PENANAQkQexIzT64
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANA1rlh6P3aP5
355Please respect copyright.PENANAGxhE0ZkRrX
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANA2JoQhjEKd1
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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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAaFxrwNQEEX
355Please respect copyright.PENANAIL8NUWayB9
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANA6FBizZGopk
355Please respect copyright.PENANA0au3OxFHMi
"Glad you're awake, Carly," came the voice in the room.355Please respect copyright.PENANAeYhkWW9kBd
355Please respect copyright.PENANALALblB1UxZ
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAkNZmpnzreR
355Please respect copyright.PENANA1UbaNngfGq
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAtDeeE4caWE
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"Ssh," said the man in front of her, smiling gently. "All you've to do is cooperate and we won't hurt you, okay?"355Please respect copyright.PENANAq2nxPo5NeF
355Please respect copyright.PENANAT1CA3li2nJ
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.355Please respect copyright.PENANAlmTsyQrMSq
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"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."355Please respect copyright.PENANARmFYioEcgZ