The tapping of his fingers onto the desk must have gone on for quiet a while. It was close to lunch time and Leo didn't seem to notice the time.361Please respect copyright.PENANAbtDczd4A9E
361Please respect copyright.PENANAIAOcvUqMGY
A knock came at the door, and Leo didn't seem to hear it at first, til it became louder. He jerked in his seat and sat up like he had just woken up from a dream.361Please respect copyright.PENANAyK2mR4nSdj
361Please respect copyright.PENANAG8ApqtPPW6
"Hello, Mr. McDonell?" came a female voice behind the door. "Are you in there?"
"Damn it," Leo muttered quietly to himself. "You can come in, Grace."361Please respect copyright.PENANAASA8dSH5TH
361Please respect copyright.PENANAGdFHSDnVLa
The door flew open and a young short lady with blonde hair, tied in a bun and glasses over her blue eyes, came into the room. She wore a white blouse with a black skirt and matching black high heeled shoes that made her look a bit taller. She had a blue file in her hand.361Please respect copyright.PENANAf6CoT6BFyb
361Please respect copyright.PENANAqGjtiT95vk
"Yes, Grace, how may I help you?" Leo asked as he rubbed his eyes.361Please respect copyright.PENANAFY4azAD0dT
361Please respect copyright.PENANAaZ5V9T6YpJ
"Were you asleep, sir?" Grace asked as she slowly approached his desk.361Please respect copyright.PENANAIpMgQAFy7i
361Please respect copyright.PENANAD834FyZ17i
"No, not really." Leo looked around his desk as though he was looking for something, then he went on to look at Grace.361Please respect copyright.PENANAOayCVLEm5H
361Please respect copyright.PENANAXNrBVEWRfg
"I was just asking because you weren't answering the door and your secretary assured me that you were still in your office."361Please respect copyright.PENANA5Xifw4whjB
361Please respect copyright.PENANAjRXeq7ASIQ
"Is she still at her desk?"361Please respect copyright.PENANAmtSv6bb3Sm
361Please respect copyright.PENANA3eyj5B7tFw
"I saw her heading out for lunch." Grace looked carefully at Leo. "You do know what time it is, right?"361Please respect copyright.PENANAUamB2kweAE
361Please respect copyright.PENANAmNBqf7AOEP
Leo tried not to look surprised as he stared at the silver round clock seated on his desk beside his computer. He completely lost track of time that he felt like muttering to himself of how much of an idiot he was.361Please respect copyright.PENANARkk8miGI1B
361Please respect copyright.PENANAXl67LXGiGn
"I simply lost track of time," he humbly admitted as he looked back at Grace, trying to keep his cool. He sometimes lost his temper in front of his colleagues. But today, he felt like it wasn't necessary.361Please respect copyright.PENANA8jxjq5RXrU
361Please respect copyright.PENANABfEtUus68j
"You look tired. Are you okay?"361Please respect copyright.PENANAMoOTeXKxmP
361Please respect copyright.PENANATwMrkjxxPX
"I'm fine. Just had a few things on my mind, that's all."361Please respect copyright.PENANALCYMtI95jY
361Please respect copyright.PENANAOVvugplcCO
"You should go out for fresh air. It looks like you need it."361Please respect copyright.PENANAqFwisa6zaU
361Please respect copyright.PENANAb9ntYTBrDy
Leo wanted to smile at the kind suggestion, but the thought of Angel working with him made his mind go dark and gloomy again.361Please respect copyright.PENANAoo1U62w1XE
361Please respect copyright.PENANAmLGjqd426S
He soon stood up from his seat and Grace took a step back, thinking that she might have struck a nerve.361Please respect copyright.PENANA2Tm1ECQvPu
361Please respect copyright.PENANAW6aUqvbMRF
"I'll try," Leo said as he picked up his phone on the table. "Though going out for fresh air really isn't my cup of tea."361Please respect copyright.PENANA6vgTpDdmY6
361Please respect copyright.PENANA1blokOS6Ge
Grace smiled at him as she relaxed. "You will enjoy it, sir. Before you go, your father isn't back yet and I needed him to sign this document."361Please respect copyright.PENANAokQxor7rPM
361Please respect copyright.PENANALWll22YvtV
"Huh?" Leo raised his eyebrow. "My father isn't back yet?"361Please respect copyright.PENANAP00dYqmW3I
361Please respect copyright.PENANAx7HpFehny8
"No." Grace shook her head. "So, I called him and he told me to give it to you to sign it."361Please respect copyright.PENANAgejjnm02Gz
361Please respect copyright.PENANAYuDzbSW5Vq
Leo stretched out his hand and Grace, likewise, gave him the file. He quickly opened the file and skimmed through the document. After familiarising himself with it, he put the file on the table, took the pen and signed it. He straightened up and gave the file back to Grace.361Please respect copyright.PENANAHXKTD3hp7R
361Please respect copyright.PENANAHrc2b0eRe2
"Thank you, sir," said Grace as she quickly walked out of the office, closing the door behind her.361Please respect copyright.PENANADrqlwI05w3
361Please respect copyright.PENANATtCkd8WSkb
Leo couldn't help but wonder how he's father had not yet returned to the office. It was so unlike him.361Please respect copyright.PENANAmZwjPkZKVm
361Please respect copyright.PENANAArDw9e1m8g
With the phone in his other hand, Leo decided to call him. But before he could do so, the door flew open and Eric came into his office.361Please respect copyright.PENANAQHrWhAOhLl
361Please respect copyright.PENANAMbiiE4cJ3b
"You should be knocking when you're coming here, Eric," said Leo as he looked up at his cousin.361Please respect copyright.PENANAhlVV4jwCiu
361Please respect copyright.PENANAdS2ION1qbM
"Sorry," said Eric apologetically. "I always knock on your door, it's just today is kind of-"361Please respect copyright.PENANAxkUu85VFFg
361Please respect copyright.PENANAThTzO70NP8
"-different?" Leo finished his sentence.361Please respect copyright.PENANAR011zXaNPK
361Please respect copyright.PENANAHX0VGorEUC
"Yep. So are you coming with me for lunch?" Eric asked.361Please respect copyright.PENANAhmkNGO0pOd
361Please respect copyright.PENANANUAoS5xOFw
"Nah, I think I'll skip lunch today."361Please respect copyright.PENANAWjaYsOaTOt
361Please respect copyright.PENANAcxRIGjpGv0
Eric raised an eyebrow at his cousin. "Are you sure?" he asked. "You seem to need it more than I do."361Please respect copyright.PENANA9rJ3fWPan9
361Please respect copyright.PENANAmoKWzC6OYQ
"Why do you say that?"361Please respect copyright.PENANAibmpLCBtEf
361Please respect copyright.PENANAnTxCPE56AN
"Because you look famished. I just passed Grace in the hall and she said you looked sick or something."361Please respect copyright.PENANAwaFlEnk2lx
361Please respect copyright.PENANAShAq55JE89
Leo rubbed his forehead with his free hand. "I've been thinking a lot, that's why."361Please respect copyright.PENANAANRhxlO7cb
361Please respect copyright.PENANALEjWselLAA
Eric's eyes lit up. "Wait..., is it because of Angel? You're still worried about her working here?"361Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZFhyzMCoX
361Please respect copyright.PENANAvE7QTv6Bo8
Leo shrugged his shoulders. "Well, what do you expect when you came here talking about her in the first place?"361Please respect copyright.PENANAPvVjJpgjPw
361Please respect copyright.PENANASFZbPT8K0R
Eric shook his head as he pinched his eyes with his index finger and thumb. "This is why I said you should go to a therapist. You can't hate someone who hasn't offended you."361Please respect copyright.PENANAJdOFRCQQLP
361Please respect copyright.PENANAvuFxD5jRB2
"What are you saying? Of course she has."361Please respect copyright.PENANAT11eBb2BPV
361Please respect copyright.PENANAWFaRnR0wEf
Eric folded his arms. "Okay, apart from the time when she attacked you at the club because you were making love to her sister, mention any other time when she did you wrong."361Please respect copyright.PENANAyh4rGCBCpd
361Please respect copyright.PENANAg810ohB2zD
Leo looked at Eric with a murderous look. He didn't have to think of anything because he knew he had none. Eric always had a way of getting to him when he wanted to.361Please respect copyright.PENANA2tagSTnkQt
361Please respect copyright.PENANAKLXChF845k
Leo ended up shaking his head admitting defeat and said, "fine. You win this time. But that doesn't mean she plots behind my back."361Please respect copyright.PENANA8sAAQ9o1vQ
361Please respect copyright.PENANA4advlAC3RQ
"You don't even have proof of that," said Eric as he started to chuckle. "You're just being paranoid."361Please respect copyright.PENANADOPFrn8ITK
361Please respect copyright.PENANAyUsTN7dTww
Leo shook his head as he walked round his table. "I'm so done with you. Let's go. Arguing with you makes me hungry."361Please respect copyright.PENANAsFKJQCKCti
361Please respect copyright.PENANACA1rOF8dsx
Leo started to walk out of his office with Eric right behind him. When the two stepped out, Leo locked the door.361Please respect copyright.PENANAR9EzMWY4rN
361Please respect copyright.PENANA0EXLCIXnwI
"Since you really need to eat something," said Eric, "you can suggest where we can go for lunch."361Please respect copyright.PENANAvcrCutu9Cd
361Please respect copyright.PENANAE9mLJXCj1a
"First let me make a call to my dad. Can you imagine that he hasn't shown up to the office?"361Please respect copyright.PENANA2cFNIhRwUQ
361Please respect copyright.PENANAq9QGtxJQkp
"Maybe he is still helping Carly out with her college transfer. You know how these things take time sometimes."361Please respect copyright.PENANA95WU7RMLzf
361Please respect copyright.PENANAQYDNb7Y40Z
"Ya, but it's lunch time and he should have called me first if he was going to arrive late."361Please respect copyright.PENANAUzfPsGnast
361Please respect copyright.PENANAoVX87Lb0Og
"He probably just forgot. You can give him a call as we head out of here. I'm starving."361Please respect copyright.PENANAAXOs9IqY9l
361Please respect copyright.PENANAmbxmNvGrnC
Leo would've said something over Eric's appetite, but he was too worried about his father to even care. The two made their way towards the elevator while Leo dialed his father's number on his phone and called. He put the phone to his ear as Eric reached the elevator first and pressed the button to summon it.361Please respect copyright.PENANAyXWQgtBfe0
361Please respect copyright.PENANATH4d8O5nW2
Mr. McDonell answered the call upon the first ring and Leo was relieved.361Please respect copyright.PENANAnNOUVX9SUe
361Please respect copyright.PENANA9mTPpVQvqw
"Leo, hey," came his father's voice. "Is anything wrong at the office?"361Please respect copyright.PENANA1tbbqty1fj
361Please respect copyright.PENANAjAMKmSUmTw
"No, nothing's wrong," Leo replied. The elevator doors in front of him flew open and Eric stepped in first with Leo following slowly behind him. "Grace told me that you weren't around and I thought of checking up on you."361Please respect copyright.PENANAhltnZC4b6s
361Please respect copyright.PENANAH1CQbYB2BY
"Oh, I'm fine, son. There is no need to worry."361Please respect copyright.PENANALTlTiPE8Za
361Please respect copyright.PENANAE5aFclXTWj
"Where are you anyway?" Eric pressed the button to the ground floor and the doors closed. They soon felt the elevator start to move.361Please respect copyright.PENANAvs2o2xps1P
361Please respect copyright.PENANAwOJpFjpfdf
"Oh..., me?" Mr. McDonell seemed surprised by the question. "I decided to go for a walk in Central park, that's all."361Please respect copyright.PENANAWMkYRhlQ4R
361Please respect copyright.PENANAI0JHnLRFdu
"I was worried when Grace told me you hadn't shown up to the office." Leo looked over at Eric who was staring at his own two feet.361Please respect copyright.PENANAYD41Rrf5h3
361Please respect copyright.PENANAlszueJ9JPD
"You don't need to worry, son, I'm fine. Walking is good for me and I really need it today. I'll be back in the office as soon as lunch hour is over."361Please respect copyright.PENANAiErs86pTng
361Please respect copyright.PENANAfhxAyVdRTL
"Okay, see you later, then." Leo cut the call.361Please respect copyright.PENANAiCgABxat1n
361Please respect copyright.PENANAAW0s6Bjh0F
The elevator came to a stop and the doors slid open. Eric turned to look at Leo.361Please respect copyright.PENANAHII2XCUa8D
361Please respect copyright.PENANA0ynWngomRW
"So, where is he?" Eric asked Leo as they both walked out of the elevator.361Please respect copyright.PENANAdYQ7v0TEOG
361Please respect copyright.PENANAjHhl6Vndcw
"He's taking a walk in Central park," Leo asked as they passed a few people down in the lobby.361Please respect copyright.PENANAoof1c8WTn2
361Please respect copyright.PENANA0E0WubPzhu
"Ah, you see. There was nothing to worry about."361Please respect copyright.PENANAdWN7XDIhcX
361Please respect copyright.PENANAYn8iEQxhyG
"Ya, there wasn't."361Please respect copyright.PENANAvs1QhAJlyy
361Please respect copyright.PENANAbsJM60JgIL
The two cousins stepped out through the large glass doors of the building, passing the doorman that stood guard.361Please respect copyright.PENANACi8cbNr2VR
361Please respect copyright.PENANABzmbgfx4wo
"That reminds me," said Eric as they turned down the street on the sidewalk, "which restaurant are we going to?"361Please respect copyright.PENANAnuU2hGzoYN
361Please respect copyright.PENANAVol8Olylnl
"Can't we have junk food for a change?" Leo asked as he put his phone in the pocket and left his hand in it.361Please respect copyright.PENANAQRjgvGV5I7
361Please respect copyright.PENANAhEZTmYrhUo
Eric looked at his cousin as they walked, careful enough not to bump into anyone coming in from the opposite direction and those in front of him who walked too slow. He looked surprised.361Please respect copyright.PENANAAs0fsLcJGd
361Please respect copyright.PENANAwtFCsEQM5C
"Did you just say you want to eat junk food?" Eric asked. "Minutes ago, you said you weren't hungry."361Please respect copyright.PENANAAiSvqrYTJb
361Please respect copyright.PENANAF09ELKXlQK
"I've changed my mind. Am I on a diet so as not to eat junk?" Leo asked.361Please respect copyright.PENANAX65uodhgIY
361Please respect copyright.PENANAzQbTdZ6gAs
"Not that I know of." They were soon near the traffic lights with many other civilians at the zebra crossing, waiting for the walk traffic light to turn on.361Please respect copyright.PENANA5hMK2yPUDk
361Please respect copyright.PENANAhdyU4s8eSX
"What's wrong with eating junk food, then?"361Please respect copyright.PENANAOll3Ll710z
361Please respect copyright.PENANAr4B3kFAxLh
Eric thought about it for a second but he had to cross the road with Leo and the other pedestrians as soon as the traffic lights turned red for the cars to stop and the green walk sign turned on for the pedestrians. As soon as they reached the other side of the crossing and the cars that stopped were finally on the move behind them, Eric gave his reply:361Please respect copyright.PENANAzAw0PlOIl0
361Please respect copyright.PENANAjbA00uzxdF
"There's nothing wrong with it. I'm just worried that you might grow fat. Besides, the only reason why I'm concerned is because you like going to fancy restaurants and eating salads all the time."361Please respect copyright.PENANAQJcDOkc2Jj
361Please respect copyright.PENANAR3VC21BEKw
"I know," said Leo as they passed by a coffee shop and the strong smell of coffee flew onto the street when a lady, opened the door to enter the cafe. "I don't know how to explain it, but I'm really in a mood for it right now."361Please respect copyright.PENANAABLhI5EUFr
361Please respect copyright.PENANAcZ0R4oXgtu
"Okay, if you say so. But if you gain a pound after this, don't blame me."361Please respect copyright.PENANAP5e5YggqXn
361Please respect copyright.PENANANyTYUOGvmk
Leo turned to look at Eric, walking beside him. "Admit it, you want to eat junk food way more than I do."361Please respect copyright.PENANAeynAko4w0h
361Please respect copyright.PENANAjSgKGatSBG
"Mind you, I love junk. I'm just surprised you want to join in on the fun. And I know exactly where to go. There's this amazing place where they sell the best burgers."361Please respect copyright.PENANAimoIFh7Yns
361Please respect copyright.PENANA9sLmFdqx5n
"Great, let's go."361Please respect copyright.PENANAqn9vSHwOBH
361Please respect copyright.PENANAH2DOJaoIDw
***361Please respect copyright.PENANAZsJ7bhO8tf
361Please respect copyright.PENANA5a6Zd4pqFI
"Comfortable?" Mark asked after Angel sat on the chair he had just pulled out for her.361Please respect copyright.PENANAOiJxstwECv
361Please respect copyright.PENANAhKTtfBRoHa
"Yes, thank you," Angel replied as she smiled up at him.361Please respect copyright.PENANADWz2OXQp07
361Please respect copyright.PENANAyYay6eu5uw
"Good." Mark gave her a smile and he went to sit on the other side of the table.361Please respect copyright.PENANA4aqi7DsVhm
361Please respect copyright.PENANACd67aPcQfA
Angel went on ahead to look at her surrounding a little more. They were at an outdoor restaurant. As much as it was outdoors, the place was luxurious with the open roof above them filled with green creepers and tiny bulbs above them to make the scene around them look beautiful and a little intimate. The wooden tables were covered with white table cloths and above them were little bulbs in shape of candles with little green creepers and white flowers. Angel liked the way the restaurant made her feel. She felt like she was in a fairytale.361Please respect copyright.PENANAigwF24Zor4
361Please respect copyright.PENANA93zHFQvfQr
"I see you like the place," Mark said, bringing her attention back to him.361Please respect copyright.PENANAI9QQy3RUez
361Please respect copyright.PENANA5VVUNKxFhm
"Yes, it's really lovely," said Angel.361Please respect copyright.PENANAcw7PZ6WRS7
361Please respect copyright.PENANAwL088zhtzj
"We should order." Mark lifted the navy blue menu in front of him and opened it. "What would you like to have?"361Please respect copyright.PENANA1P6EslRofy
361Please respect copyright.PENANA8cFS0SO7UU
Angel also took hold of the menu and looked at it. It had been a long time since she had visited a fancy restaurant that she forgot about some delicate cuisines that most exquisite restaurants liked to serve. She smiled to herself when she noticed one of the meals she enjoyed on the menu.361Please respect copyright.PENANAJWBeW7FHeb
361Please respect copyright.PENANAw79V4DtkwC
"What is it?" Mark asked as he looked up from his menu and noticed Angel smiling.361Please respect copyright.PENANAVirCAz6BdW
361Please respect copyright.PENANA1fVuWmx9RR
"Nothing," Angel replied, still smiling. "I realised I haven't had a ratatouille in like.., forever."361Please respect copyright.PENANAvf96a26gAr
361Please respect copyright.PENANAEuyZ413cBB
"Looks like you know your french cuisines." Mark smiled charmingly at her.361Please respect copyright.PENANAOaR863q0ZH
361Please respect copyright.PENANAAKot1G7AZ8
"There was a time when I was on a date and my boyfriend made me try it out. Goodness, it was magnificent."361Please respect copyright.PENANAekSddDZC2r
361Please respect copyright.PENANAJNdwcJfbUP
"You dated?" Mark looked surprised.361Please respect copyright.PENANAZHoIzPLhRI
361Please respect copyright.PENANAXXCuKVVjAc
"Ya, but he wasn't the best of boyfriends," said Angel as she went back to looking at the menu. "The ratatouille can be a good starter. Just saying."361Please respect copyright.PENANAzJo3sXHv04
361Please respect copyright.PENANAA7y14VLsUB
Mark continued to look at Angel and she didn't seem to notice. It was only moments later when she looked at him and caught him staring.361Please respect copyright.PENANA0Mt9hhLm6R
361Please respect copyright.PENANAmeXHPxCE3I
"What is it?" Angel asked.361Please respect copyright.PENANA9N0J5Qq9eM
361Please respect copyright.PENANA2Yx2n0EM8c
"Nothing," he said as he dropped his menu. "I wonder what the guy thought of letting you go."361Please respect copyright.PENANAPNA7mmufoH
361Please respect copyright.PENANAeXIPnoXSyu
Angel raised an eyebrow at him as she put the menu back down on the table. "That was three years ago. I caught him cheating on me and so..., just like everything that stays in the past..., it's history."361Please respect copyright.PENANAcEy222KIn8
361Please respect copyright.PENANAas03BRm9SN
"Well, I think he's a fool letting you go."361Please respect copyright.PENANAMbFaUaE5xA
361Please respect copyright.PENANA5fr0Vu4lWR
Angel looked up at the green creepers over her and the tiny bright lights. "He made a choice," she said. "Can't blame him. The girl he cheated on me with was very beautiful. I guess that's why."361Please respect copyright.PENANArMohQoIyf2
361Please respect copyright.PENANAKYrZDorbu8
Mark drew out his hand and placed it above Angel's that was on the table. Angel looked at him.361Please respect copyright.PENANAE46Og6kDtL
361Please respect copyright.PENANAL5suH9RA2Y
"He was too blind to notice how beautiful you are," he said. "You look heavenly, like an angel."361Please respect copyright.PENANAdwBca3pdSW
361Please respect copyright.PENANApeGrYbG4mz
Angel smiled. "Stop it," she said, her cheeks starting to heat up. "I know you're only saying that to try and make me feel better."361Please respect copyright.PENANAwxlfquN3VP
361Please respect copyright.PENANA8m2N1RLqHF
"Maybe. But I'm speaking the truth and you know it. I bet am not the first man to ever tell you that."361Please respect copyright.PENANA0mI423wqES
361Please respect copyright.PENANA8HcrNfbW2J
Angel shook her head. "No, you aren't."361Please respect copyright.PENANAVTCuUlQZwT
361Please respect copyright.PENANAnY3RYOxdlf
Mark withdrew his hand. "Let's not talk about him." He lifted his hand to catch the attention of a waiter nearby. A lean blonde young man came to the table all dressed in a black shirt, a black pair of trousers, with matching black shoes and a black half apron round his waist.361Please respect copyright.PENANAYzE5x7PaAL
361Please respect copyright.PENANA5nlQ94nfjx
"Ready to take your order, sir?" the man asked politely with a gentle smile on his face.361Please respect copyright.PENANAUDqAK5aulM
361Please respect copyright.PENANA0Rc9llB1zN
"Yes, please," said Mark as he looked up at the waiter and then he went on to look at Angel. "For a starter, we would like the ratatouille, please."361Please respect copyright.PENANAL6NuSHBMhc
361Please respect copyright.PENANAdwCiNelviS
"Coming right up, and would you like a drink while you wait?"361Please respect copyright.PENANAnOnriCIvJj
361Please respect copyright.PENANAZRCQY6MkP4
"Yes, a bottle of your finest wine."361Please respect copyright.PENANAL6sjX3Uxkw
361Please respect copyright.PENANAwSxwr9KI8J
"Of course," said the waiter as he smiled at both Mark and Angel before leaving them.361Please respect copyright.PENANA5XA3dMefA6
361Please respect copyright.PENANAU7uBbLmnXH
"We're having wine?" Angel asked with a questioning look on her face.361Please respect copyright.PENANAmBP0EWVp97
361Please respect copyright.PENANA4a8cu1x6Fm
"What is it?" Mark asked, this time his face grew a little worried. "Don't you take alcohol?"361Please respect copyright.PENANAOOfwzVvaBC
361Please respect copyright.PENANALxqNm5L2Js
"Well...," Angel playfully rolled her eyes up. "I can't say I take alcohol when I drink wine on special occasions." Her eyes flew back to Mark's face.361Please respect copyright.PENANAFtVvVXA129
361Please respect copyright.PENANA9p5ATgUqSM
"Oh," Mark let out a little laugh as he leaned back on his chair. "For a minute there, I thought you didn't take alcohol at all."361Please respect copyright.PENANAp2YrF8p2IP
361Please respect copyright.PENANAAUfJTBbhbH
"I like wine. I don't drink beer or whiskey.., those type of drinks."361Please respect copyright.PENANAGqxa3051qI
361Please respect copyright.PENANA5kc6H0rTCO
"Even scotch?"
"Even scotch." Angel said as she smiled.361Please respect copyright.PENANAfE4qM1mCWP
361Please respect copyright.PENANAwgb6LN3Lsm
"Women like you love wine."361Please respect copyright.PENANAGE7qJBQORN
361Please respect copyright.PENANA9vRlu3nwtJ
"Well, there are other women who love beers, scotch and whiskey...., champagne, maybe a little," Angel shrugged her shoulders.
"True. I'm glad I guessed that you're a wine drinker."361Please respect copyright.PENANAR9hoA8JaCa
361Please respect copyright.PENANAZ9LiTymO2H
"Ha. Just now you thought I didn't even take wine."361Please respect copyright.PENANAuc0Dh6sRDd
361Please respect copyright.PENANAHESOuw2koa
"Because you caught me off guard with that question."361Please respect copyright.PENANAbIDLfIMqko
361Please respect copyright.PENANAomtYuxhx9s
Angel let out a laugh but one that didn't attract people's attention in the restaurant.361Please respect copyright.PENANA3bqKRTQrQU
361Please respect copyright.PENANACYOsWHBXD7
"Ya, I'm sorry about that," said Angel after she gathered her composure. "I just wanted to see your reaction."361Please respect copyright.PENANAVHBQ0SJ4MQ
361Please respect copyright.PENANAasLb4g9l1k
Mark had an amused look on his face and he didn't notice how charmingly he smiled at Angel until the waiter came back pushing a serving tray. On it was a black champagne bucket with a bottle of wine in it with ice all around. Alongside the bucket were two wine glasses.361Please respect copyright.PENANAuN5uWsjz7y
361Please respect copyright.PENANApUKUPyCcVZ
The waiter placed the two glasses in front of Mark and Angel, opened the bottle of wine and poured into the glasses. Afterwards, he placed the bottle back in the bucket, kindly excused himself and walked away.361Please respect copyright.PENANAkkWnEKRIZi
361Please respect copyright.PENANAFSnl1Lguz1
"Shall we have a toast?" Mark suggested as he held his glass.361Please respect copyright.PENANAL6NpfkML1k
361Please respect copyright.PENANADCI1QfCOnT
"A toast to what?" Angel asked, her fingers around the stem of her glass.361Please respect copyright.PENANAGKb4N1oq7o
361Please respect copyright.PENANAfb2L3XMEzt
"A toast for your health, that's one. And also, for you just being you."361Please respect copyright.PENANA1c5tWD4BKs
361Please respect copyright.PENANATyGEMUW6LQ
Angel smiled. "I will toast to the first one most of all, and the other reason is quite reasonable...., so cheers."361Please respect copyright.PENANAXV64CJGwd1
361Please respect copyright.PENANAvqzgsSpX0c
Their glasses clinked when they touched and they both drank.361Please respect copyright.PENANAnATyvo7U0O
361Please respect copyright.PENANAMx8HjQZXlj
"This is really good," said Angel after she withdrew the brim of the glass from her lips.361Please respect copyright.PENANA5VyzYvEmVI
361Please respect copyright.PENANAFBfnj5VGQ7
"That's why I ordered the best of the best," said Mark as he put his glass on the table.361Please respect copyright.PENANAxbewAf380v
361Please respect copyright.PENANAfLPuHGN7sg
"I might end up drinking the whole bottle. But that won't be so ladylike of me."361Please respect copyright.PENANAT7U7CmMxn4
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"I should be worried." Mark raised his eyebrow at her. "Do you easily get drunk, Angel Barclay?"361Please respect copyright.PENANAPFVRI9nJrc
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Angel took another sip of her wine. "If I have too much, then yes. I can get a little tipsy."361Please respect copyright.PENANAMk2NWiPgN7
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"Then we can take it a little slow, shall we?"
"Slow is good."361Please respect copyright.PENANAfhn611EDh2
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It didn't take long for their to starter arrive. And as they had their meal, they continued to chat unaware of how much they enjoyed each other's company. But they had more matters to discuss, and they both knew it.361Please respect copyright.PENANA50H14OKmN4
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***361Please respect copyright.PENANA8C2x5FKVyp
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The white tulips in his hands smelled fresh and divine as he walked, his eyes focused ahead. The place around him was quiet except for a few words he heard aloud at a distance. As he walked, he turned to the voice and saw a group of people, almost all of them dressed in black, gathered together surrounding a white casket. The person speaking before them was a priest, all dressed in white and purple robes with the Holy Bible in his hands. Those closer to the casket, crying silently and holding tissues to their noses were obviously the family to the deceased.361Please respect copyright.PENANAwDSj7B2wra
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Death was a sad thing, especially if it happens to take a loved one away from you. But such was life. Death itself was inevitable and it was up to those alive and in the present to move on. Though it's hard for many others to do so.361Please respect copyright.PENANAOVow30f8An
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As he continued to walk away from the funeral procession and through the neatly arranged tombstones in the graveyard, he approached her grave. There stood a white marble tombstone that he had set up just a day after her burial. He was glad that his wife hadn't visited the graveyard with him. She would have been pissed to see such a magnificent tombstone and would have blamed him for wasting so much money on a dead person.361Please respect copyright.PENANAPwmkz0qnrl
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As he got closer, he stood there for a minute as he read her name in big black capital letters. He bended over to put the white tulips on the ground, next to the tombstone. After straightening up, he took a few steps back.361Please respect copyright.PENANApqaXqDyFIW
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He sighed as he smiled at the white tulips. If she were here, she would have smiled back at him, taken a sniff out of them and said thank you.361Please respect copyright.PENANAv9eoUmfX3d
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"God, how I've missed you," he muttered to the wind.