The news about the 493Please respect copyright.PENANAYUHvJZnRBk
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 493Please respect copyright.PENANAfZIpxdTUxy
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 493Please respect copyright.PENANAiqj6wcJ7YG
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 493Please respect copyright.PENANAW3znCVmlUb
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 493Please respect copyright.PENANAlWlULreEkT
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 493Please respect copyright.PENANAZ9KnfqLQP9
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 493Please respect copyright.PENANA0reHtAf7ML
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries493Please respect copyright.PENANA8m8bdgLTGp
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 493Please respect copyright.PENANASgoL5kDYZG
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.493Please respect copyright.PENANAzlk652aGnN
There was more to it 493Please respect copyright.PENANAkEm19bWzln
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 493Please respect copyright.PENANAnMbhOPZsgM
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 493Please respect copyright.PENANA1N1Lvfnlu7
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 493Please respect copyright.PENANA4dIFD81Wtm
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 493Please respect copyright.PENANAJ3sti6SZUr
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started493Please respect copyright.PENANAkHVktn61WP
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 493Please respect copyright.PENANAq1XJkTrVce
except from a few individuals. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAnPIWt5iPUZ
And apparently, one of 493Please respect copyright.PENANAGAbSbfuH1r
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 493Please respect copyright.PENANAPmngKReiRm
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In493Please respect copyright.PENANAfgHT0YPqsA
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 493Please respect copyright.PENANAkUciou7D4e
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 493Please respect copyright.PENANA7ZMUmy1iXC
really going on, all hell would break loose.493Please respect copyright.PENANAkpmmcCXi6D
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."493Please respect copyright.PENANAeQLpszdRWM
Rhénee dropped the 493Please respect copyright.PENANAdJOvNykq86
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 493Please respect copyright.PENANAk4RCFWBrrw
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 493Please respect copyright.PENANAOXOAMqhBac
ear, she took a sip of coffee.493Please respect copyright.PENANAS0nEDNM82k
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAD8Mtqt4n4H
"Ya, its crazy here," 493Please respect copyright.PENANA0z2D9lpVti
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 493Please respect copyright.PENANATIb98tmPPW
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 493Please respect copyright.PENANAODMUKB00xQ
broken in."493Please respect copyright.PENANAFbMyipQJFt
"If only they knew."493Please respect copyright.PENANAf2fu8zX1AS
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."493Please respect copyright.PENANAiZCy2j9isa
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAPqEbgZ4Rno
"She did. I had to make 493Please respect copyright.PENANAxMoZg9qtc5
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 493Please respect copyright.PENANAwUd00iDUE9
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."493Please respect copyright.PENANAxM2sg2NBGP
"I doubt if she believed that."493Please respect copyright.PENANAhmUgsmOwOg
"Haha, looks like you 493Please respect copyright.PENANAKtZE1muZOD
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAo049qWmxdQ
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."493Please respect copyright.PENANANxWoiTBDKq
"True. But we did. I 493Please respect copyright.PENANAJBvoNV4DWu
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and493Please respect copyright.PENANAerzMtWBPLr
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."493Please respect copyright.PENANAcCKvm6FEBA
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAo4V6ADGtJO
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAt1MGYXjW1V
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."493Please respect copyright.PENANA1oAj73LQhN
"Okay, bye."493Please respect copyright.PENANAk21QtmhZOA
"Bye."493Please respect copyright.PENANAlhhR73ZKhE
Rhénee cuts the call and493Please respect copyright.PENANAHP10WZYHH1
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 493Please respect copyright.PENANANT40KcplqW
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 493Please respect copyright.PENANAwrinN9g89h
wink last night.493Please respect copyright.PENANAquHg077k6c
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."493Please respect copyright.PENANAX4jhmEa7wd
"I wasn't going to 493Please respect copyright.PENANAAqHup40a5l
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda493Please respect copyright.PENANAxp6c4089ye
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."493Please respect copyright.PENANAmiXAcwRrVR
"You don't have to 493Please respect copyright.PENANAGkHYY4ilg5
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 493Please respect copyright.PENANAJEvp6xP59y
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."493Please respect copyright.PENANASnpcEwvBIy
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."493Please respect copyright.PENANAx2GjDHlaMv
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 493Please respect copyright.PENANA1FtifWrJYj
"Why Malcom?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAksQhNQNc4M
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."493Please respect copyright.PENANA6PyINNuavc
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."493Please respect copyright.PENANAFVmQQNkEUh
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "493Please respect copyright.PENANAOuuQXb54R5
"Alright, you go ahead."493Please respect copyright.PENANAq7fgRnmRo1
Miss Griselda gave 493Please respect copyright.PENANAfKgfrTtQNv
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 493Please respect copyright.PENANAw1tE3zf5sS
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she493Please respect copyright.PENANAherrq93H7a
did when they talked about Malcom. 493Please respect copyright.PENANARPaoA7vNQc
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.493Please respect copyright.PENANAbwOi3WP8QE
The sound of her phone 493Please respect copyright.PENANAWTKr3c0YUL
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the493Please respect copyright.PENANA0o1hHKMoP1
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 493Please respect copyright.PENANAseOFij3n8E
mother.493Please respect copyright.PENANAct1TIQkQ4h
"Hello?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAj4VrtD1M0R
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"493Please respect copyright.PENANA5ya67K3LtI
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.493Please respect copyright.PENANAXDaNo18Fgu
That voice. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAgLFU4nwok3
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAXWTwX1DbP9
"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?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAceZjkK0Fuh
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.493Please respect copyright.PENANAWWEFeEQKDX
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."493Please respect copyright.PENANA6M3wYVqIK7
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAz30vz8oZBB
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."493Please respect copyright.PENANA69zCdCtbHl
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.493Please respect copyright.PENANAodukwX6kcy
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."493Please respect copyright.PENANAJxKHJQ1oSW
"You don't know me, 493Please respect copyright.PENANAeQxsRpw3Wi
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 493Please respect copyright.PENANARj3uzPi7JR
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAWPYOs2TovF
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."493Please respect copyright.PENANAMPjAbVlpg2
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAnIJufVgQ7u
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAFJxDOY3JE4
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.493Please respect copyright.PENANAKDWXwMQTCI
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."493Please respect copyright.PENANAEUcOLjXWdn
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.493Please respect copyright.PENANATpXjAnKNuq
"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?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAdllDhSn3Mb
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."493Please respect copyright.PENANACBStl8Zthi
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAUP5rE3V4K1
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."493Please respect copyright.PENANABlNPYSCcOP
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."493Please respect copyright.PENANAHC2KBGIqO2
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."493Please respect copyright.PENANAkQ4rimMOJc
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 493Please respect copyright.PENANALUFnjPI48k
"Oh, and by the way, 493Please respect copyright.PENANAsFEhBtKRKV
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 493Please respect copyright.PENANAfPiPF7Nt0S
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 493Please respect copyright.PENANAtNGYs5HKbU
this time around."493Please respect copyright.PENANANtL0p9dQkM
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"493Please respect copyright.PENANA53BWp1sLEe
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."493Please respect copyright.PENANAXsiu5GwCcr
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 493Please respect copyright.PENANARcW7QFH5qp
Rhénee sat down on the 493Please respect copyright.PENANANhZwE6n789
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 493Please respect copyright.PENANAaiNTpvxhZS
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 493Please respect copyright.PENANAF9DBFLNZN2
the others, who know what might happen. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAI3vG3FPZzp
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.493Please respect copyright.PENANAzM5r54ZUhs
***493Please respect copyright.PENANAmWJahv4tgy
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAWZx7QxCG41
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAxEtdyJnbV5
"But she isn't hurt right?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAEWnJetX2OJ
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."493Please respect copyright.PENANA89r76zkMAY
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 493Please respect copyright.PENANARMBOv97B1I
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."493Please respect copyright.PENANAM4XEnjTWNW
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAtUtpicbmpz
"Nah.493Please respect copyright.PENANA4IyjsFv76y
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 493Please respect copyright.PENANA7E4jMubiCS
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."493Please respect copyright.PENANAFx26wgQpRW
"Thats493Please respect copyright.PENANA7rqsEMhalx
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 493Please respect copyright.PENANABXUgMzt1zy
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."493Please respect copyright.PENANAyQPOi84znT
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAlYr00F8ddc
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."493Please respect copyright.PENANATegPGfgnzI
"Alright."493Please respect copyright.PENANA5i9MI0FfqF
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. 493Please respect copyright.PENANA3KaSNQJGQw
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.493Please respect copyright.PENANAtALx3mwiHa
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.493Please respect copyright.PENANANTcF2Dqws4
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."493Please respect copyright.PENANAvScDYOEBT3
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."493Please respect copyright.PENANA9HBvQuM0xA
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."493Please respect copyright.PENANA63URTUAdad
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 493Please respect copyright.PENANACu3OWnaMiO
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.493Please respect copyright.PENANAvNszA33YOS
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.493Please respect copyright.PENANAUPWPxGNGhe
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAQTC9aP0aBZ
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."493Please respect copyright.PENANANZwvNyhyDV
"Does it bother you?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAwAdsgvsiQl
"Um... not really. But.... um."493Please respect copyright.PENANAWlJYtxUQMZ
Eugene493Please respect copyright.PENANACMgcprCVPD
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 493Please respect copyright.PENANAv3O1YGLIUF
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.493Please respect copyright.PENANAOTHYHURVmI
"Mum, are you okay?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAGBK3ojpXG3
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAQHL069cizc
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"493Please respect copyright.PENANALlGs3NiAfR
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 493Please respect copyright.PENANA8rZRyCjpvH
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."493Please respect copyright.PENANA9GqcaQalIN
Mrs493Please respect copyright.PENANA2Kk6jCe9zD
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene493Please respect copyright.PENANA2vSXPhddQ9
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 493Please respect copyright.PENANAgWDwWyIiyh
had talked about Rhénee?493Please respect copyright.PENANAD8uTuW2OCu
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 493Please respect copyright.PENANA2POQhcTOkS
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.493Please respect copyright.PENANAQ6rlRcQlAb
***493Please respect copyright.PENANAt5T540usjI
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.493Please respect copyright.PENANAqg7Eoct8g5
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAVaOoUy5chx
"You better rest though. You still look tired."493Please respect copyright.PENANA8MrICErrm5
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAtcuMHw9PWJ
"No, I'll do it."493Please respect copyright.PENANAFFgeSfwTws
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 493Please respect copyright.PENANARFLIMfPgyW
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.493Please respect copyright.PENANAzhxK5zFH6I
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.493Please respect copyright.PENANAgHj7BuyKCw
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.493Please respect copyright.PENANAclnaD1SJnF
Rhénee493Please respect copyright.PENANAV0CrxE075m
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 493Please respect copyright.PENANAI9ovaQzxrk
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.493Please respect copyright.PENANALVFA9QtL9i
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.493Please respect copyright.PENANAR6AOHpXT8s
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.493Please respect copyright.PENANAhLeOekb1Bg
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAAlZzoD7Vas
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.493Please respect copyright.PENANAtgrYsM8n39
"Thank493Please respect copyright.PENANAwbVckkmLtB
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 493Please respect copyright.PENANAQlPNxi3Ea6
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAcfKOzIFJQA
"Well, yes. I still think I would."493Please respect copyright.PENANA71FVxv9ZdN
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."493Please respect copyright.PENANAeOWrfTjW9i
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.493Please respect copyright.PENANANaa8NdhFeO
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."493Please respect copyright.PENANAB7LEGK2olP
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.493Please respect copyright.PENANAHezwH7cpiO
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAp9k9Gfjpc0
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.493Please respect copyright.PENANAUpC56G4gS0
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"493Please respect copyright.PENANA8zZvTbxMiM
"Coffee will be lovely."493Please respect copyright.PENANAUcw1Se7K8N
Miss493Please respect copyright.PENANA9ueZYcCnxs
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 493Please respect copyright.PENANAylrOiTnAyf
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.493Please respect copyright.PENANAdqdubqNJCm
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.493Please respect copyright.PENANAVTwa4IUQxi
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.493Please respect copyright.PENANAJIE81SICHs
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."493Please respect copyright.PENANAyXvRdVZU82
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."493Please respect copyright.PENANAAT4oIOPKGw
"What mysterious person?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAPuJEPlEbk7
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."493Please respect copyright.PENANAEU2K1IJVnZ
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAEu4kwmTuxA
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.493Please respect copyright.PENANAeWucfxc97n
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.493Please respect copyright.PENANA2t48re3HSg
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 493Please respect copyright.PENANA6eMSTwCx0m
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAAXXUlcOfNu
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."493Please respect copyright.PENANAl6jUquMCIe
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"493Please respect copyright.PENANAAmUSH63AQa
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."493Please respect copyright.PENANAwE2BgnLmTd
The493Please respect copyright.PENANA6ByxDyq2FI
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?493Please respect copyright.PENANAQWMKPYuHzd
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 493Please respect copyright.PENANAGFWbu3s2L0
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all493Please respect copyright.PENANAXvs2nnzFoI
of this.493Please respect copyright.PENANAJ4U1WqhSr6
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.493Please respect copyright.PENANAKPxoTR1sq1
"I...493Please respect copyright.PENANAkPAlX91KQZ
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 493Please respect copyright.PENANAu7h65RlFiA
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 493Please respect copyright.PENANApWgJGbIHdT
frustration. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAnaXqVNCJ5r
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.493Please respect copyright.PENANAqRXvgt7hgN
Rhénee493Please respect copyright.PENANAWIxaZJ0gx8
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 493Please respect copyright.PENANAe0tvGRRF6Y
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 493Please respect copyright.PENANAedSJ2D8HKp
cups on the tray and wondered. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAM7N8FVfmUJ
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAz6M4pu0idQ
493Please respect copyright.PENANAWXSAIlzAu3
As493Please respect copyright.PENANAvSxNmVxKly
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 493Please respect copyright.PENANARqeduO59Uu
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 493Please respect copyright.PENANAaKXOMCdBoY
reminder kept ringing in her head.493Please respect copyright.PENANADOsuDEsaeY
"And tell your friends not to get involved."493Please respect copyright.PENANAqMdmrO8dPQ
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAjtZNRw91cR
"I493Please respect copyright.PENANA6McU6bstid
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 493Please respect copyright.PENANA1kinx1LySe
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 493Please respect copyright.PENANASxz0BO8ns2
talking about, Rhénee?"493Please respect copyright.PENANA1xMYSKGUgK
Rhénee493Please respect copyright.PENANAm8lFvl8n1I
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 493Please respect copyright.PENANAn6BACExeA9
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 493Please respect copyright.PENANAA3mM6kJBSI
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 493Please respect copyright.PENANAVg5ekPktD4
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.493Please respect copyright.PENANAEOG1j2glui
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.493Please respect copyright.PENANAfuKgUirBBC
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAGc1qZYBImY
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."493Please respect copyright.PENANAsY9hsq8l5K
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAjCAzthuaP8
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 493Please respect copyright.PENANA4GbNanBHCs
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.493Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7Jd1jH1Vf
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAvpjdhL5wJY
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.493Please respect copyright.PENANAdKrT1CbSnP
***493Please respect copyright.PENANAb3t0BERduI
Sweat493Please respect copyright.PENANAOjdFeO54Fn
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 493Please respect copyright.PENANA15uQIfnQHH
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 493Please respect copyright.PENANA1WZff8bAwE
the person waiting never likes to wait.493Please respect copyright.PENANAmiLySenn6Q
He493Please respect copyright.PENANAVKjWR8XbJG
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 493Please respect copyright.PENANANYGjNAFuSV
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the493Please respect copyright.PENANAqYRnqu9lXO
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 493Please respect copyright.PENANARfNVZQZLjV
second.493Please respect copyright.PENANAKeSCwgwWjO
He493Please respect copyright.PENANArkqrrcAvwE
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 493Please respect copyright.PENANAohPKTnZOX8
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 493Please respect copyright.PENANAGN4evutcrg
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 493Please respect copyright.PENANAhF6tDtTEj8
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 493Please respect copyright.PENANAGxLKxEb0jG
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.493Please respect copyright.PENANAkIeFxldmps
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 493Please respect copyright.PENANAmh7YPfIu5W
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 493Please respect copyright.PENANAsRh2WOk8UD
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 493Please respect copyright.PENANArTkuWQymSa
"You're late, again."493Please respect copyright.PENANAkN5dS4BeG7
His493Please respect copyright.PENANA0gZq2umoTS
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 493Please respect copyright.PENANAiIp2mOZEb6
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 493Please respect copyright.PENANAcZjiA2LU3h
lion door knob. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAsHJ9XE3s4u
He493Please respect copyright.PENANAmTYvX4dk5Y
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 493Please respect copyright.PENANA9Kl5yzrbfC
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAFuMWkcYOCH
"What493Please respect copyright.PENANAGyjR5PKAYB
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 493Please respect copyright.PENANAeKbDoU98Nn
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAEdT6L2fsLz
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."493Please respect copyright.PENANAGJBs8HTWvV
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.493Please respect copyright.PENANAXJu4x1cPzy
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."493Please respect copyright.PENANAosc4MsiDtA
A493Please respect copyright.PENANAevsFeJbDMv
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 493Please respect copyright.PENANAg2CwalygPi
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 493Please respect copyright.PENANAecVUlfVCbt
as they had their backs towards the window.493Please respect copyright.PENANAt0ITlSKExH
"You know we need him," said the tall man.493Please respect copyright.PENANAElbixwlwzn
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."493Please respect copyright.PENANANgYdkgkmQ7
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."493Please respect copyright.PENANAkzgDFYHiId
The493Please respect copyright.PENANAxrfHalM71H
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 493Please respect copyright.PENANAN1UP6qILPf
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 493Please respect copyright.PENANAyxcCSzGIRh
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.493Please respect copyright.PENANAnYjh3qdsxA
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.493Please respect copyright.PENANA8KYOhAyVh5
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.493Please respect copyright.PENANAswlrHR7snm
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."493Please respect copyright.PENANA4nqPP9odAK
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"493Please respect copyright.PENANA1O7AWE9hbn
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.493Please respect copyright.PENANA0Ace9rDVhK
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."493Please respect copyright.PENANAw6HRZfs9zW
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."493Please respect copyright.PENANAxnSUn3YXAJ
"What if she reveals the truth?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAbcZ9mtzSRc
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."493Please respect copyright.PENANA4l2CfgKXnd
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.493Please respect copyright.PENANAiWatC2rkpu
For a moment, silence hung over them.493Please respect copyright.PENANAnfyjfUc6r6
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."493Please respect copyright.PENANAOxdIUDF11R
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."493Please respect copyright.PENANA4Nak5X8GLo
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."493Please respect copyright.PENANATrlRlDWIGC
"I493Please respect copyright.PENANAruJFmlT3FB
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAKnJbEsjDW2
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 493Please respect copyright.PENANAhgL9fgKmie
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."493Please respect copyright.PENANAIXJcXavCP9
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.493Please respect copyright.PENANAaeKSlVcJin
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.493Please respect copyright.PENANAcrmQ4yHQMr
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."493Please respect copyright.PENANAwpZj9ntKAj
***493Please respect copyright.PENANAbNE1pWnqtQ
The493Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2zlHIvdyT
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 493Please respect copyright.PENANAKCKiVEiRXP
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 493Please respect copyright.PENANARifwHxiutX
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 493Please respect copyright.PENANAqP7OR6cmn3
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time493Please respect copyright.PENANA1BrSrL53Ng
they met, they seemed sky blue.493Please respect copyright.PENANA3dAE0gd7PL
And493Please respect copyright.PENANAmySBoH0q8T
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No493Please respect copyright.PENANAtuOv1RJIdL
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.493Please respect copyright.PENANAVtS2T38CQl
Rhénee493Please respect copyright.PENANAgriDulFZe0
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 493Please respect copyright.PENANAajNqJTff6M
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied493Please respect copyright.PENANAXf53xm3t5K
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 493Please respect copyright.PENANApm5fZ4WrGK
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 493Please respect copyright.PENANA6oan6Y1X0f
coffee table in the middle.493Please respect copyright.PENANAIPUUaulocT
When493Please respect copyright.PENANA3kMKt48INH
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 493Please respect copyright.PENANAYGLuZwt9mD
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.493Please respect copyright.PENANAUgEwSkn3qJ
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.493Please respect copyright.PENANADmXUy1tPea
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.493Please respect copyright.PENANANSKGliy78Z
"Are you sure?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAR2dP974oa2
"Yes, I'm positive."493Please respect copyright.PENANALNvsVBr4tg
Miss493Please respect copyright.PENANAhpvh7tx7ux
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 493Please respect copyright.PENANAZ4tZWdIkCA
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 493Please respect copyright.PENANAJNS1xuhobQ
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips493Please respect copyright.PENANAIKBl6Ly3BD
from their cups.493Please respect copyright.PENANAHlDunIA6OV
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.493Please respect copyright.PENANA08EY8LbIr8
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.493Please respect copyright.PENANATGd8VlmYdP
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"493Please respect copyright.PENANAvxGtFutT0W
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.493Please respect copyright.PENANA4fj2UYbz0E
"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.493Please respect copyright.PENANAVRiSaKIjkt
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."493Please respect copyright.PENANAOy3C8zL9nb
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."493Please respect copyright.PENANAqcUnMUVgbT
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."493Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZzNR9A55e
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.493Please respect copyright.PENANApC2K8BKMfo
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."493Please respect copyright.PENANAgwoEAEOFit
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.493Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0jXqbemyc
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.493Please respect copyright.PENANAz1Q3wO2qPQ
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."493Please respect copyright.PENANADZGaZZtLot
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"493Please respect copyright.PENANADGSi5APLr0
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.493Please respect copyright.PENANA46UdbXeuDk
"Oh,493Please respect copyright.PENANA2Dpo5zvF6A
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted493Please respect copyright.PENANAdZF8c4SpQU
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 493Please respect copyright.PENANA5SPgeQJuNo
who he is."493Please respect copyright.PENANAaGnUJO864R
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."493Please respect copyright.PENANAopQlAI2IQZ
Rhénee493Please respect copyright.PENANAYQkrWVNgId
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 493Please respect copyright.PENANAGKOeWpSbvm
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want493Please respect copyright.PENANAsPidn62tVg
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 493Please respect copyright.PENANAp7RnVVmRon
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.493Please respect copyright.PENANA8v9hYyMWqN
Rhénee493Please respect copyright.PENANAPKAvTRS8Jf
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 493Please respect copyright.PENANAJl1qZEzef3
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.493Please respect copyright.PENANAWwwxmmLHKU
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 493Please respect copyright.PENANAWUlMK5YqO4
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.493Please respect copyright.PENANAZSeSHHqZ72
"Fine,493Please respect copyright.PENANAmwAAwTLmzS
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.493Please respect copyright.PENANASI50PmsJ9u
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 493Please respect copyright.PENANAZbOHmA59bQ
or die if you stay by me."493Please respect copyright.PENANAD33ybxjXiH