The news about the 507Please respect copyright.PENANADQd6wSyWZz
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 507Please respect copyright.PENANAbXje5XJpef
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 507Please respect copyright.PENANAGuWciacmWh
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 507Please respect copyright.PENANArqdNZPCMe1
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 507Please respect copyright.PENANAMwFMQE3AdP
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 507Please respect copyright.PENANAYabvUkrRJp
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 507Please respect copyright.PENANAn7UH2vjBL3
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries507Please respect copyright.PENANA1DKNKFb6em
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 507Please respect copyright.PENANAOiDgEesyq3
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.507Please respect copyright.PENANAdkCKL4sEiQ
There was more to it 507Please respect copyright.PENANA0U2zVL7gYP
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 507Please respect copyright.PENANAFJ6oKsuaAj
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 507Please respect copyright.PENANA3P5ZYN4i6n
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 507Please respect copyright.PENANACTo9mB0Ljr
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 507Please respect copyright.PENANAXXiHC0jgUF
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started507Please respect copyright.PENANAbPLntgSQbQ
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 507Please respect copyright.PENANAhLpxM6XVsl
except from a few individuals. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAstKxyylZVf
And apparently, one of 507Please respect copyright.PENANAA1TbNg27A4
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 507Please respect copyright.PENANARLiDPWMigj
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In507Please respect copyright.PENANAVYzfgaQVjg
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 507Please respect copyright.PENANA8mtzL1gG8Z
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 507Please respect copyright.PENANAbHJONHWWyq
really going on, all hell would break loose.507Please respect copyright.PENANAa8iD39GVPZ
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."507Please respect copyright.PENANALcZgRKI3UC
Rhénee dropped the 507Please respect copyright.PENANAwUt9DESloO
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 507Please respect copyright.PENANAI9CTbYNg5w
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 507Please respect copyright.PENANAJQ7UWfciNm
ear, she took a sip of coffee.507Please respect copyright.PENANAyAJUL8Jwm8
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAHZrBIKz8Eh
"Ya, its crazy here," 507Please respect copyright.PENANA4WYTNzUNuP
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 507Please respect copyright.PENANAfQhyII32bp
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 507Please respect copyright.PENANALrDsr2Pky1
broken in."507Please respect copyright.PENANAkb13bm5bnq
"If only they knew."507Please respect copyright.PENANARFQJ85JHBu
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."507Please respect copyright.PENANAgLO9t2BA6Z
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAcHFNo8a2zv
"She did. I had to make 507Please respect copyright.PENANAFUgZgLqMcY
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 507Please respect copyright.PENANAOxUp6uYtVj
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."507Please respect copyright.PENANAgUYYgafP0m
"I doubt if she believed that."507Please respect copyright.PENANAsvlRrf6C1h
"Haha, looks like you 507Please respect copyright.PENANAUXvGPm0iOu
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAeKgbBeD26I
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."507Please respect copyright.PENANA3t0iWtRvBr
"True. But we did. I 507Please respect copyright.PENANAfK8C7BNBL9
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and507Please respect copyright.PENANAnxP9d5HmO1
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."507Please respect copyright.PENANAYn2WUyQA8v
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAFT4iJcr8ha
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAhhlvJliUCJ
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."507Please respect copyright.PENANAEglCNMcaIN
"Okay, bye."507Please respect copyright.PENANAy9orBTBDGF
"Bye."507Please respect copyright.PENANAJBvfw0Ju2p
Rhénee cuts the call and507Please respect copyright.PENANAliRYXXFhGk
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 507Please respect copyright.PENANAU0yIE34cxw
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 507Please respect copyright.PENANA1vSshMZm21
wink last night.507Please respect copyright.PENANA8FNuw0vqa9
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."507Please respect copyright.PENANAIqOZyMCzAh
"I wasn't going to 507Please respect copyright.PENANAxhaHchQjrG
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda507Please respect copyright.PENANAd49GRNJMmB
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."507Please respect copyright.PENANAUirSVbdZBj
"You don't have to 507Please respect copyright.PENANAmotT0x5KLj
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 507Please respect copyright.PENANAgnDqyBviKR
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."507Please respect copyright.PENANAAJQ57Eh3eA
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."507Please respect copyright.PENANAHxm6kaL2fT
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 507Please respect copyright.PENANA1BzkMKYLTq
"Why Malcom?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0omfsSvPc
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."507Please respect copyright.PENANATunCKGwGF7
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."507Please respect copyright.PENANAXQALFqJZ95
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "507Please respect copyright.PENANAYrrjuY0BYD
"Alright, you go ahead."507Please respect copyright.PENANATRYIiscMVF
Miss Griselda gave 507Please respect copyright.PENANAOwHHJBdlGH
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 507Please respect copyright.PENANAZl31dKjjU7
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she507Please respect copyright.PENANAnNYAHPmjFc
did when they talked about Malcom. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAQqBGCZmsNJ
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.507Please respect copyright.PENANAKlV4np8xX8
The sound of her phone 507Please respect copyright.PENANAoyMF3zOJmv
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the507Please respect copyright.PENANAfbJrnaJrRS
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 507Please respect copyright.PENANA8fjOWuh9OZ
mother.507Please respect copyright.PENANA5K9UNU0J8k
"Hello?"507Please respect copyright.PENANA9tD6fONTM1
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAL6WJjCGDWs
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.507Please respect copyright.PENANAaOONsl7bdM
That voice. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAK5I2Zo1Q16
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 507Please respect copyright.PENANACB47QqRqPr
"What's wrong? The other day you had the guts to talk to me when I talked to you about the necklace. Why are you so quiet now?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAtHTXb9drXP
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.507Please respect copyright.PENANANNDLYcfJDy
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."507Please respect copyright.PENANA5bOXLoDP37
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"507Please respect copyright.PENANALLRBJtQ6FC
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."507Please respect copyright.PENANAlaBcYNiwzM
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.507Please respect copyright.PENANAlfJAzA3acK
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."507Please respect copyright.PENANAZTVjlZdqn7
"You don't know me, 507Please respect copyright.PENANAvsDj0hwUBm
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 507Please respect copyright.PENANACeVEY5CTrC
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAEdKD1oXkYt
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."507Please respect copyright.PENANACFE27HkZuo
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAaXWyPRmuot
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 507Please respect copyright.PENANA316YLtE9p5
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.507Please respect copyright.PENANAn9d8zoErVd
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."507Please respect copyright.PENANAEWVNnA3RQF
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.507Please respect copyright.PENANAsusQWGYpBM
"Then why did you give me her necklace? And the picture of the house? What are you trying to achieve by scaring me like this?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAImWPwMjF8P
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."507Please respect copyright.PENANAl1286oZAK2
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAw6cCfmlfN8
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."507Please respect copyright.PENANAt4QVuHOuWn
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."507Please respect copyright.PENANAzI9at7FFbK
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."507Please respect copyright.PENANAtlSvuHXypI
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAm62Eko8rwc
"Oh, and by the way, 507Please respect copyright.PENANAts8qePmOfh
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 507Please respect copyright.PENANAo0E1x3cXNn
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 507Please respect copyright.PENANAKbfqfjObYK
this time around."507Please respect copyright.PENANAlGU0zDpQn8
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAzA9INi3w60
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."507Please respect copyright.PENANAgCrFEt3hub
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAW3nT3Xgdb5
Rhénee sat down on the 507Please respect copyright.PENANAS91a6IMEXu
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 507Please respect copyright.PENANAgRb9pwTNy5
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 507Please respect copyright.PENANA4tIhchzxcp
the others, who know what might happen. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAnPY6lxdQHm
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.507Please respect copyright.PENANAlR0gvhfnGM
***507Please respect copyright.PENANAmFW7w3apWZ
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAws7HhBPW0L
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAxPIQrjUT7R
"But she isn't hurt right?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAhs5Ism58Mq
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."507Please respect copyright.PENANAu1aaOrbO3F
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAWgsPIttOde
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."507Please respect copyright.PENANAgoQgKvtG4q
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAsYSOYq4w3A
"Nah.507Please respect copyright.PENANAore4nBsvTV
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 507Please respect copyright.PENANALCv2hXQJrb
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."507Please respect copyright.PENANAlMtROLBgDe
"Thats507Please respect copyright.PENANA6Nz9VN2LeC
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 507Please respect copyright.PENANA2sinFQk5R5
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."507Please respect copyright.PENANAy7jzljJN3y
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAKE9g1QBhpu
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."507Please respect copyright.PENANAkb93uBYtBO
"Alright."507Please respect copyright.PENANA9pjaGhVBF7
Eugene cut the call and noticed that his mother was standing by the kitchen door looking at him as he stood in the living room. 507Please respect copyright.PENANADv1bBB8iL0
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.507Please respect copyright.PENANAWxnOGXpD2P
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.507Please respect copyright.PENANAWYPXrjiA62
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."507Please respect copyright.PENANAVS0ll53cCO
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."507Please respect copyright.PENANACBeIPcWD74
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."507Please respect copyright.PENANARUWjz51Ow8
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAWBSw8bOzTI
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.507Please respect copyright.PENANArOPHU1pwfO
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.507Please respect copyright.PENANAxvByepsDgL
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAPGZrpPghvL
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."507Please respect copyright.PENANA7yPFBSuAna
"Does it bother you?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAP193RB5p47
"Um... not really. But.... um."507Please respect copyright.PENANAOFA3DuA12g
Eugene507Please respect copyright.PENANAVHIchIAnO3
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 507Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5GaSG4BD8
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.507Please respect copyright.PENANAsf25QsKwoU
"Mum, are you okay?"507Please respect copyright.PENANA3gDk8Wrngt
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAaUmetaC6Vb
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"507Please respect copyright.PENANACn7yYMzpKn
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 507Please respect copyright.PENANADKDMs6nAu7
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."507Please respect copyright.PENANAjokcD3uUaE
Mrs507Please respect copyright.PENANARtejvb5xCB
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene507Please respect copyright.PENANAMd9RRviqBf
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 507Please respect copyright.PENANAgXgZiORDqk
had talked about Rhénee?507Please respect copyright.PENANAC8hTM1Ytml
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 507Please respect copyright.PENANANjkUbj0FwL
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.507Please respect copyright.PENANACQHOjaO48U
***507Please respect copyright.PENANAT4mJHFbtMD
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.507Please respect copyright.PENANA6kmajkwZsc
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAu9AN2sf8xi
"You better rest though. You still look tired."507Please respect copyright.PENANAbozgC1gRZf
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAyRjbWapKae
"No, I'll do it."507Please respect copyright.PENANADjTL0x3cyC
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 507Please respect copyright.PENANA1E7HuXfnAI
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.507Please respect copyright.PENANA33F9wx57ki
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.507Please respect copyright.PENANAD5nMkLyTQQ
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.507Please respect copyright.PENANAKkjjZj9pqt
Rhénee507Please respect copyright.PENANADS0dtL6kAb
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 507Please respect copyright.PENANAzfCleS0j5p
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.507Please respect copyright.PENANAIUvsyJqXqd
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.507Please respect copyright.PENANAbwYTATW6sf
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.507Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5ngKDH4Jv
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"507Please respect copyright.PENANADW1qsG7Bed
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.507Please respect copyright.PENANAfTuFxP0jjk
"Thank507Please respect copyright.PENANAWGuGmy17x8
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 507Please respect copyright.PENANAhzokN68l4i
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAd8G6abdhB8
"Well, yes. I still think I would."507Please respect copyright.PENANAljvKL6W1wa
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."507Please respect copyright.PENANAN97koA2hYy
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.507Please respect copyright.PENANAi2kTV3PxzF
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."507Please respect copyright.PENANAKLX7AC53kr
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.507Please respect copyright.PENANAjgY9VBCh8X
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAHJaIusdMAQ
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.507Please respect copyright.PENANAeBro6xCpm5
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAJ1K9sn521w
"Coffee will be lovely."507Please respect copyright.PENANAjlhvBZMbw0
Miss507Please respect copyright.PENANAfLgwMN21Xh
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 507Please respect copyright.PENANAM7xt0iIZvm
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.507Please respect copyright.PENANAxmbjVmM8il
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.507Please respect copyright.PENANAnjOB7eBViZ
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.507Please respect copyright.PENANAXr1hAY2hLw
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."507Please respect copyright.PENANAOXMNrLIHkV
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."507Please respect copyright.PENANANZx6zrLSuw
"What mysterious person?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAk5gTX1EsYp
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."507Please respect copyright.PENANAqQrXuZjVvj
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"507Please respect copyright.PENANA8HNPafoj2U
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.507Please respect copyright.PENANAeO2Oh3AdJn
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.507Please respect copyright.PENANA8Pq9Pi6Dn0
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAh8OUCR9AJE
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAZVf952qweF
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."507Please respect copyright.PENANAvnr6jJ9sjP
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"507Please respect copyright.PENANAS7YjqH3rCd
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."507Please respect copyright.PENANANrhPVZlaVd
The507Please respect copyright.PENANA6fOWIvgS3Z
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?507Please respect copyright.PENANAVblfklhSLs
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 507Please respect copyright.PENANA2QCOku1TGu
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all507Please respect copyright.PENANAtb9L22Mgtq
of this.507Please respect copyright.PENANAXXcjtJAam7
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.507Please respect copyright.PENANAbOXmtW9yQQ
"I...507Please respect copyright.PENANA3s9rMLxhli
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 507Please respect copyright.PENANA0vs6fXSprh
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 507Please respect copyright.PENANAEEpZgEJ2Wf
frustration. 507Please respect copyright.PENANA7M5tKmeqNr
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.507Please respect copyright.PENANAluQzW06Puc
Rhénee507Please respect copyright.PENANA6weeaADiXi
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 507Please respect copyright.PENANANxVEc6CWcT
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 507Please respect copyright.PENANABVzjj3N599
cups on the tray and wondered. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAZtZPVUk56P
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAmy58f5FU3J
507Please respect copyright.PENANArAN6Xmo6sa
As507Please respect copyright.PENANAusBiGxScA1
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 507Please respect copyright.PENANA6Xq7IQ3bw6
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 507Please respect copyright.PENANAKtCimZjaRd
reminder kept ringing in her head.507Please respect copyright.PENANAirRrljxFkg
"And tell your friends not to get involved."507Please respect copyright.PENANAGnKTW74JTo
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 507Please respect copyright.PENANA03cBUULjq2
"I507Please respect copyright.PENANAO2aKcGuyOu
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 507Please respect copyright.PENANAnr846T3IdX
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 507Please respect copyright.PENANAFkz2IfvTKh
talking about, Rhénee?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAChIy3cVEAD
Rhénee507Please respect copyright.PENANATj7cC5Ep5T
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 507Please respect copyright.PENANAuvZM1bVs6I
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 507Please respect copyright.PENANAztGHeTFyvz
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 507Please respect copyright.PENANAZXZixezDGv
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.507Please respect copyright.PENANAQjHFQfFEpm
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.507Please respect copyright.PENANA7NvaeiJE95
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAFJHW6PHLLb
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."507Please respect copyright.PENANAoIIiLpp6n1
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 507Please respect copyright.PENANADbdQOzylsB
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAj49CDaF013
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.507Please respect copyright.PENANAOQM1IixU3J
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"507Please respect copyright.PENANA0OzGRKRFWb
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.507Please respect copyright.PENANAv6WJ7QQkg7
***507Please respect copyright.PENANA38426jsSAS
Sweat507Please respect copyright.PENANA9t8obh2gs4
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 507Please respect copyright.PENANAvHawBgRYph
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 507Please respect copyright.PENANAIN2WIIA2h6
the person waiting never likes to wait.507Please respect copyright.PENANABy2DLTYlrm
He507Please respect copyright.PENANA9wa7YsFpz2
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 507Please respect copyright.PENANAlWDJGz2KKW
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the507Please respect copyright.PENANAHTXABvUAJ4
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 507Please respect copyright.PENANA3TSgozVnE2
second.507Please respect copyright.PENANAFaHfVG9d9d
He507Please respect copyright.PENANAAcxpov45gF
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 507Please respect copyright.PENANAjdBvo0JGsN
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 507Please respect copyright.PENANAZitJKLmop5
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 507Please respect copyright.PENANAllMrDBlp3u
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 507Please respect copyright.PENANASi1xXn4esf
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.507Please respect copyright.PENANAz717d7MGPk
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 507Please respect copyright.PENANAZ8V8o9lHfR
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 507Please respect copyright.PENANAKxoYHeXj3X
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAit4uNVgIrG
"You're late, again."507Please respect copyright.PENANAK9Gg293G11
His507Please respect copyright.PENANAXdcMacrS9f
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 507Please respect copyright.PENANAvXkLAv6Ekw
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 507Please respect copyright.PENANANw4kpxroUl
lion door knob. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAulbfoXpJX7
He507Please respect copyright.PENANALMa9zGHNPE
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 507Please respect copyright.PENANAiBqeGMzO7O
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAq4nWe7sCic
"What507Please respect copyright.PENANAcbV7KnjzfU
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 507Please respect copyright.PENANADb7zdnP1Gc
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAIBz1t9R5wP
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."507Please respect copyright.PENANAktRl4o5Dxl
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.507Please respect copyright.PENANAZL2Sb7tcgC
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."507Please respect copyright.PENANAfY3J8IPMZk
A507Please respect copyright.PENANArT0Gz3PH2T
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 507Please respect copyright.PENANA8wUaghqGwq
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 507Please respect copyright.PENANAZ4b1dmSBLe
as they had their backs towards the window.507Please respect copyright.PENANAhNqgQPITEy
"You know we need him," said the tall man.507Please respect copyright.PENANApxPFvEsnMH
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."507Please respect copyright.PENANArNKKsRcr10
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."507Please respect copyright.PENANAFhoUakLww1
The507Please respect copyright.PENANAaghk3l9nFA
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 507Please respect copyright.PENANAnzLHYQMMHW
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 507Please respect copyright.PENANAblWpKw9cGL
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.507Please respect copyright.PENANATf6Zo0K6Mo
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.507Please respect copyright.PENANAJSfFo3StJT
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.507Please respect copyright.PENANAFcsKcym3YK
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."507Please respect copyright.PENANACPDoWeJLN4
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"507Please respect copyright.PENANA2EPDswjLai
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.507Please respect copyright.PENANAvo6bfbHXNs
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."507Please respect copyright.PENANAf1R7fXTTGm
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."507Please respect copyright.PENANAlh39zKjcqB
"What if she reveals the truth?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAYztLGa1KA5
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."507Please respect copyright.PENANABsc6YgVJgz
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.507Please respect copyright.PENANAYnEZtGBTQB
For a moment, silence hung over them.507Please respect copyright.PENANAn2Lzbko09Y
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."507Please respect copyright.PENANAdiopAL22hg
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."507Please respect copyright.PENANA4STAuMOip5
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."507Please respect copyright.PENANAJXRrcjOMGC
"I507Please respect copyright.PENANAOQTdAcgxol
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 507Please respect copyright.PENANAUoUmThqXzA
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 507Please respect copyright.PENANA8xdhg3yXer
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."507Please respect copyright.PENANApttDtBNAmJ
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.507Please respect copyright.PENANA090LgJvpVm
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.507Please respect copyright.PENANArcqsH17yxw
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."507Please respect copyright.PENANAD5LdRukmYu
***507Please respect copyright.PENANAyvgpu2qHmo
The507Please respect copyright.PENANAaPTiasrd4V
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 507Please respect copyright.PENANA1w4UvrxDRq
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 507Please respect copyright.PENANAfVFTi7gvMw
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 507Please respect copyright.PENANAoDIZBM8Ndk
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time507Please respect copyright.PENANAp6zcd9fJgF
they met, they seemed sky blue.507Please respect copyright.PENANAPqJmerxG3Z
And507Please respect copyright.PENANAoDnxJS6Ilz
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No507Please respect copyright.PENANAlUAfCVZIxg
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.507Please respect copyright.PENANAzuRLl8Y7Sm
Rhénee507Please respect copyright.PENANANEZKeLs8SO
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 507Please respect copyright.PENANA0sWACnsHMj
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied507Please respect copyright.PENANAwNITSesN5e
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 507Please respect copyright.PENANA2dq0F3GKRK
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 507Please respect copyright.PENANACCrQFKxOWw
coffee table in the middle.507Please respect copyright.PENANAlX6YXA5rCS
When507Please respect copyright.PENANAk7u02uhFq4
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 507Please respect copyright.PENANAzZ40OGeIqQ
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.507Please respect copyright.PENANAzd8Z49rvei
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.507Please respect copyright.PENANALuQk4mMPxs
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.507Please respect copyright.PENANAPcpOgxj89B
"Are you sure?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAEST7LX9oqb
"Yes, I'm positive."507Please respect copyright.PENANAPmru3UxZhu
Miss507Please respect copyright.PENANAW47wSkjjGf
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 507Please respect copyright.PENANAyeShEKWrmf
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 507Please respect copyright.PENANASZimLaVQDK
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips507Please respect copyright.PENANAK1HuujOM1k
from their cups.507Please respect copyright.PENANASQicftsPB5
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.507Please respect copyright.PENANAeKTFiJzedz
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.507Please respect copyright.PENANAUenls6T5wH
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"507Please respect copyright.PENANALakAJGrOSa
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.507Please respect copyright.PENANAGYDH71ZVoP
"And how about the fact that you and Greta were imposing as other people the time I was coming here?" Rhénee spat out at Malcom.507Please respect copyright.PENANAXehojdJdS2
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."507Please respect copyright.PENANASEuszE39ap
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."507Please respect copyright.PENANAZMRDlmOU7R
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."507Please respect copyright.PENANAhA3DVy5KQz
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.507Please respect copyright.PENANAhzKKFWa4wF
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."507Please respect copyright.PENANAE0K11HHDjK
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.507Please respect copyright.PENANAlzkj4349Nx
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.507Please respect copyright.PENANA9zQ9eJRobz
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."507Please respect copyright.PENANAszMYchhxS6
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"507Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8AqGkYO0R
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.507Please respect copyright.PENANA80JsnIBkbw
"Oh,507Please respect copyright.PENANAmRadXs1hf4
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted507Please respect copyright.PENANAkRpQQXVSw4
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 507Please respect copyright.PENANANlVPZH2HxE
who he is."507Please respect copyright.PENANA3G94STKdhJ
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."507Please respect copyright.PENANAbb0dpJRR5f
Rhénee507Please respect copyright.PENANA2QAGS1hLAg
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 507Please respect copyright.PENANA1daH0BNHkW
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want507Please respect copyright.PENANAbzektg0tFE
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 507Please respect copyright.PENANA5saRsZwRsm
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.507Please respect copyright.PENANAdNNcwfee5n
Rhénee507Please respect copyright.PENANA3peEIuXvVm
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 507Please respect copyright.PENANAauuRc83ZFv
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.507Please respect copyright.PENANApS0hg1VSGI
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 507Please respect copyright.PENANAfNxawpfK0H
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.507Please respect copyright.PENANAzl2TQihSZR
"Fine,507Please respect copyright.PENANAQbwlyBRP7J
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.507Please respect copyright.PENANAXzjmbcs0Qg
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 507Please respect copyright.PENANAVQDe27GHqv
or die if you stay by me."507Please respect copyright.PENANAffZ9NZzbJw