It was Friday morning, and the place was busy as usual, with everyone in the house awake. It’s a crucial day for all of them, and they all knew how crucial it was.155Please respect copyright.PENANAKcLvpDA5o2
155Please respect copyright.PENANAe8IzlCFhno
155Please respect copyright.PENANAgPGFLPJKAZ
Leo and Eric were all ready to head out of the house and head to the airport. The visitors from China will be landing there in an hour’s time, and it was essential for them to be there before they arrived to welcome them. Mr. McDonell saw them off. He, on the other hand, was going to be at the office for a little while until it was time for the meeting in the afternoon. As soon as Leo and Eric left, he took off with Oliver to drop him off at school first.155Please respect copyright.PENANA8GJMsWh6bw
155Please respect copyright.PENANAjGG5iHcDc3
155Please respect copyright.PENANAdTwYN4SAWI
That meant only Angel wasn’t going to work, as Diana offered last night that the ladies of the house go out on a shopping spree to find themselves lovely outfits for dinner. Angel wanted to oppose it, as she thought it was only meant for the family and that she wouldn't attend. However, Mr. McDonell thought it was a good idea and countered Angel while they sat at the dinner table discussing the issue.155Please respect copyright.PENANARtsohBjYrJ
155Please respect copyright.PENANABF0NyPsCa3
155Please respect copyright.PENANAV1TgqcLbmp
"Don’t say that, Angel," said Mr. McDonell. "You won’t go to work tomorrow. I’ll let Mrs. Lance know so that she can take care of the little details at the meeting place." Angel tried to say something, but he stopped her again. "Not another word from you. If you haven’t realized it yet, you and your sister are now part of the family. If you don’t come for this dinner, then you would be breaking my heart."155Please respect copyright.PENANAkPxfD9kKAE
155Please respect copyright.PENANA6rEwRcSSCL
155Please respect copyright.PENANAO3PQqDp8g7
Angel had no choice but to comply, though she did receive a scary stare from Mrs. McDonell and, surprisingly, none from Leo.155Please respect copyright.PENANAR0H15BLHpp
155Please respect copyright.PENANA3ThYcZD3RK
155Please respect copyright.PENANAMHImdJnd3A
"What do you think we should do first?" Diana asked as she, Carly, and Angel sat at the dining table having breakfast.155Please respect copyright.PENANA0uDD44AAjM
155Please respect copyright.PENANA4UpjaYZplw
155Please respect copyright.PENANAEjC7mNoMa9
"I think we should go shopping, and then we can go for the manicure and pedicure," said Carly, who sat next to Diana.155Please respect copyright.PENANAGVkat4cm7T
155Please respect copyright.PENANAKOaxpH1stU
155Please respect copyright.PENANAf5GRDJvQAf
"Shouldn’t you be thinking of attending a lecture?" asked Angel, who sat opposite the two.155Please respect copyright.PENANAZ4EkLyp9Hj
155Please respect copyright.PENANA2twur3lQjx
155Please respect copyright.PENANAcqwi0ysZGe
"Come on, Angel," said Carly, before filling her mouth with cereal. "Let me have this free day too. Besides, I already called my lecturers and told them that I wouldn’t be coming in."155Please respect copyright.PENANAUc11q5nm2g
155Please respect copyright.PENANA4V2DF5QSLw
155Please respect copyright.PENANA52v0Y6Za6C
Angel rolled her eyes to the side. "If you wish."155Please respect copyright.PENANASmL8cpZgry
155Please respect copyright.PENANAvG7VyELPP3
155Please respect copyright.PENANAOI9Ro6nLf7
Mrs. McDonell came into the dining room and sat at the head of the table.155Please respect copyright.PENANA87dRb7zDaM
155Please respect copyright.PENANAXIsvKq6K2R
155Please respect copyright.PENANAVTjmndIL2M
"Morning, everyone," she greeted. "Ready for the day?"155Please respect copyright.PENANAxhFxMwr5FP
155Please respect copyright.PENANAgZYu0MTWQt
155Please respect copyright.PENANAY85lqv65LK
"Very much," Carly answered.155Please respect copyright.PENANAno41GJ9sRu
155Please respect copyright.PENANAa4FUWRKx3N
155Please respect copyright.PENANAH6Duvp47kG
"Don’t get too excited," said Amanda as she came in with Mandy pushing her wheelchair. "With someone around, it might not be such a good day."155Please respect copyright.PENANA8uswLtb0Mt
155Please respect copyright.PENANAyGdMoafhDI
155Please respect copyright.PENANApEWoA8YXdD
"I do hope you aren’t referring to me," said Mrs. McDonell as she watched Mandy settle Amanda around the table.155Please respect copyright.PENANA64HWYHv3Ty
155Please respect copyright.PENANAnqTgekOJtl
155Please respect copyright.PENANAScILcRrL2l
"No, I was talking about the spa Diana will be taking us to. The employees there can be a little messy sometimes when they get absent-minded."155Please respect copyright.PENANAYFKAn2Vtjs
155Please respect copyright.PENANAPVuw3PVu6I
155Please respect copyright.PENANA0XqPBvM2OZ
"Now you’re just exaggerating, mum," said Diana.155Please respect copyright.PENANAQb4R3ecAWu
155Please respect copyright.PENANAvRE9BsuV3R
155Please respect copyright.PENANAgbCoAlGdZR
"As always," muttered Mrs. McDonell as she poured herself a glass of juice.155Please respect copyright.PENANA3K8gk1Xjpm
155Please respect copyright.PENANAVEY0Czu6Ao
155Please respect copyright.PENANA8dMEPe71AO
"Today will be a good day," Angel commented before Amanda, who now sat beside her, could reply to Mrs. McDonell. "I wouldn’t worry too much about employees at the spa, Amanda."155Please respect copyright.PENANAIdyKx4GM8w
155Please respect copyright.PENANAwDNlznpvDc
155Please respect copyright.PENANApogA72IUiI
"Trust me, I didn’t really mean them," said Amanda as she winked at Angel.155Please respect copyright.PENANAmCzZViIzpR
155Please respect copyright.PENANADCdr09LIgr
155Please respect copyright.PENANAxsiQ1ffoNM
"Gosh, I knew that-"155Please respect copyright.PENANAh6K0SCKD8k
155Please respect copyright.PENANA7mW8lazbwl
155Please respect copyright.PENANAvmyKlD9XTN
"We have a tight schedule, don’t we?" Angel asked, interrupting Mrs. McDonell. "Let’s eat up so that we can leave. We don’t want to be a minute late."155Please respect copyright.PENANA2UMK2tnNZm
155Please respect copyright.PENANAzAbQR19Enc
155Please respect copyright.PENANAqffyK8aiRB
Mrs. McDonell had nothing to say as she looked at Angel, surprised that she interrupted her from talking back at Amanda. Diana and Carly looked on at Angel, surprised that she did that without Mrs. McDonell snapping back at her. Amanda, on the other hand, couldn’t help but smile at Angel for her bravery.155Please respect copyright.PENANAmaDjlQNDeQ
155Please respect copyright.PENANAsIUp3icTXj
155Please respect copyright.PENANA9sb1110QUd
As soon as the women were done with their breakfast, they made their way out of the house. Bill was the one to be taking them out, and they were going to use the family SUV. Mrs. McDonell took the front seat while the others sat at the back.155Please respect copyright.PENANAwccilnGFH2
155Please respect copyright.PENANAXxfptB0jPA
155Please respect copyright.PENANAYV9SKTn3x5
"Where are we going to look for clothes first, Diana?" Amanda asked as soon as they left the McDonell premises.155Please respect copyright.PENANA0xFmtSwZmK
155Please respect copyright.PENANAntTsyi4o3X
155Please respect copyright.PENANAVs2wX3sbhe
"We thought of going to a few malls before going to the complex where my massage parlor is," said Diana. "I want us to try a certain boutique. I hear there are lovely dresses there."155Please respect copyright.PENANA7YvKoUDdFe
155Please respect copyright.PENANAwzJh4LsRS6
155Please respect copyright.PENANA6pIR7kbpsS
"I’m so excited," said Carly. "It’s like a girls’ day out."155Please respect copyright.PENANALWE4eVBdV4
155Please respect copyright.PENANAHUxQUq2zvN
155Please respect copyright.PENANA7uU82MbGjz
"I know, right?" Diana couldn’t help but giggle. "What fun! We should be doing this more often."155Please respect copyright.PENANAmbCzSOeURI
155Please respect copyright.PENANAL6KUvP40pT
155Please respect copyright.PENANAUBbyqLIhyn
"Some of us are too old for these things," said Amanda. "So count me out. I’m just coming with you because my son suggested that I attend the dinner."155Please respect copyright.PENANAqVxMYfG1q4
155Please respect copyright.PENANAk2umkClxLR
155Please respect copyright.PENANADQNUgFdAwr
"If you ask me, you really shouldn’t be here," said Mrs. McDonell. "We wouldn’t like to trouble you since you’re pretty old."155Please respect copyright.PENANAdyIBCBal2q
155Please respect copyright.PENANAr2dwCKLkTr
155Please respect copyright.PENANAXMb3T0dkbC
"No, the only reason I wouldn’t even think about hanging out is because you would make things boring," Amanda retaliated.155Please respect copyright.PENANAcoEVNBAWqB
155Please respect copyright.PENANA7NccjNAnFK
155Please respect copyright.PENANATkReryPmnb
"I’m not boring!" Mrs. McDonell turned in her seat to look at Amanda behind her.155Please respect copyright.PENANAKkTPS6Adg2
155Please respect copyright.PENANABvtBf1qnlw
155Please respect copyright.PENANA9gIK8hedmO
"Okay, you two better break it up," said Diana. "I can’t have you fighting in the car like this. You’re going to distract Bill while he’s driving."155Please respect copyright.PENANA0HiEdE5B5P
155Please respect copyright.PENANARPf3PFPPND
155Please respect copyright.PENANAsLS90pOy6A
Bill didn’t say anything as he tried not to laugh. Fights between Mrs. McDonell and Amanda never get old.155Please respect copyright.PENANACEoConH0Ws
155Please respect copyright.PENANAZH4GmwBfYl
155Please respect copyright.PENANA90ghnhJqJl
"But she started it," said Amanda. "You should tell her to have more respect for me. I’m her mother-in-law."155Please respect copyright.PENANAhL8bkPf7c2
155Please respect copyright.PENANA4mlojMnnS4
155Please respect copyright.PENANACS6lVJekoa
Both Carly and Angel shook their heads, knowing they were going to have a long day.155Please respect copyright.PENANAiQybE4XdnM
155Please respect copyright.PENANAEUITXFEy4Z
155Please respect copyright.PENANADi1s38xaMh
"How can I respect you when you don’t respect me?" Mrs. McDonell asked.155Please respect copyright.PENANAY17q5tOIFD
155Please respect copyright.PENANAgTXiKuxpXc
155Please respect copyright.PENANAYtZXimU5Nl
"Oh, goodness," said Diana, wishing she had taken her car instead. "Is it too late to take the bus, Bill?"155Please respect copyright.PENANAMsNWsWpiwS
155Please respect copyright.PENANAXzl4qDqQi4
155Please respect copyright.PENANAp3IN3kLdGJ
"I can stop by the nearest bus stop if you want," Bill answered.155Please respect copyright.PENANAuF3x3Uvy4w
155Please respect copyright.PENANA307K2rQBmU
155Please respect copyright.PENANAPars5jZ3wx
"Hold up," said Angel. "There will be no need for that, Bill." Angel turned to Mrs. McDonell and Amanda, who sat next to her. "Now is not the time for this, please. If we want this to be like a girls’ day out, fighting each other isn’t going to do us any good. Don’t forget, we have an important dinner tonight. So for today, can you make peace until this is over?"155Please respect copyright.PENANAqzUGzmtjIC
155Please respect copyright.PENANASWZ0UpB85R
155Please respect copyright.PENANAlgsFR5lZNb
Everyone in the car was silent. They probably didn’t expect Angel to speak up like she did when Diana tried and failed. Bill couldn’t help but smile, somehow. Though he did feel a little disappointed that Angel had to stop the two women from fighting, it was better for the two to be quiet. He did need to concentrate at some point with his driving.155Please respect copyright.PENANAhIDpsDWgIe
155Please respect copyright.PENANAgouz3gFmYy
155Please respect copyright.PENANAE3KeDK62YW
Mrs. McDonell huffed as she turned around to look straight in front of her. Amanda, for a moment, folded her arms, and she looked like a child who didn’t like to be told what to do. However, she sighed and dropped her arms, looking at Angel.155Please respect copyright.PENANAEHmTDrerra
155Please respect copyright.PENANAnu2mVKfBNX
155Please respect copyright.PENANAt3piFXJ5FI
"As you wish," said Amanda. She turned to look at her daughter-in-law, who still sat silently. "Let’s try not to get into each other’s hairs today, alright, Bertha?"155Please respect copyright.PENANAaqGKLgrxon
155Please respect copyright.PENANAPsgpz0PtV0
155Please respect copyright.PENANATEmOZNb5DE
Carly and Diana watched on, waiting for Mrs. McDonell to respond. Bill took a quick glance at her in fear that she would end up snapping at him. In the end, she turned around in her seat to look at Amanda.155Please respect copyright.PENANAw72Sn4nChc
155Please respect copyright.PENANAV11RHP2Tb6
155Please respect copyright.PENANA04HBqtYIc0
"You've got a deal," she said.155Please respect copyright.PENANAie6QKP8hB8
155Please respect copyright.PENANARYBsRn1sZk
155Please respect copyright.PENANAn8RP67nWvQ
Diana and Carly almost cheered in excitement but stopped themselves when Mrs. McDonell flashed them a look. It’s like she knew they were about to do that. Carly, who sat next to the window, looked out, pretending to have seen something interesting. Diana smiled at her friend, assuring her that all this was for the better, even if it was only temporarily.155Please respect copyright.PENANAA8QKAdOY1V
155Please respect copyright.PENANAbIL9FDuQE9
155Please respect copyright.PENANAabF6aIQzU1
They reached the fashion boutique in one piece as Bill parked right in front of it. He and Carly helped Amanda out as Mrs. McDonell walked in. She was friends with the owner of the boutique and planned to have a quick chat with her before they got started. Angel and Diana waited for Carly and Amanda by the door of the boutique when Diana turned to Angel to talk.155Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8JJ28YoDm
155Please respect copyright.PENANAlitSNXzkgm
155Please respect copyright.PENANAnlVUl1amF4
"What you did back in the car," Diana started, "was really brave of you, Angel. Thank you."155Please respect copyright.PENANALwJzunmutw
155Please respect copyright.PENANAorj45xAzMQ
155Please respect copyright.PENANA1etrSATLmA
Angel vigorously shook her head as she said, "There’s no need to thank me, Diana. I was only trying to ease down the tension."155Please respect copyright.PENANAPhcLVRaHop
155Please respect copyright.PENANAfHRgow7HIw
155Please respect copyright.PENANARoOO0t3Wvr
"Yeah, and you did it with ease." Diana chuckled. "I can’t believe that Bertha listened to you when she’s so stubborn. And also, I know she isn’t too friendly with you."155Please respect copyright.PENANA4MQ1dKk6IY
155Please respect copyright.PENANAgeifdqDm0C
155Please respect copyright.PENANAT0arWuhXwR
"Oh, I know. I thought for a minute she would snap my head off in there."155Please respect copyright.PENANAePvixY5dvM
155Please respect copyright.PENANAoKjuvGeo4r
155Please respect copyright.PENANANcetiKw6qy
"You didn’t seem the least bit scared. You did the right thing, though. If you didn’t tell them to lay their arguments aside, we weren’t going to do anything."155Please respect copyright.PENANA7OSKQfsBEC
155Please respect copyright.PENANALRMlNyQZXM
155Please respect copyright.PENANAHaIMEQu1lg
"That is very true," said Amanda, as Carly pushed her wheelchair towards them. "You were very brave to tell us off like that. We’re acting like children in there."155Please respect copyright.PENANAXomCJ6o2jP
155Please respect copyright.PENANAsNcnYgVozL
155Please respect copyright.PENANAwenZcGRLKU
"You always act like children, mum," said Diana.155Please respect copyright.PENANAAPsE7N0vY6
155Please respect copyright.PENANAw1Sccm9ym4
155Please respect copyright.PENANAEyC8NcdYjm
Amanda hissed at her. "I’m not a child. Watch what you say to your mother."155Please respect copyright.PENANAPAl56aQyvs
155Please respect copyright.PENANAwDsN38KrDk
155Please respect copyright.PENANAfoWkSFtRXX
Carly laughed. "She didn’t mean it like that," she said.155Please respect copyright.PENANAifMeYorNZc
155Please respect copyright.PENANARQSHvitdSR
155Please respect copyright.PENANAJKLKV8NwB9
"Come on, Carly, take me inside," said Amanda, looking upset with Diana.155Please respect copyright.PENANAPbQlC0fI2l
155Please respect copyright.PENANA4ea3Pv9Ajx
155Please respect copyright.PENANAqqTAW0RMuA
"You heard the lady," said Carly. "Move aside, people."155Please respect copyright.PENANAA6U1XaPxhR
155Please respect copyright.PENANACV8J4v3x1v
155Please respect copyright.PENANA6prhLFNUDS
Diana rolled her eyes at her mother, while Angel chuckled. They both moved aside for Carly and Amanda to go up the ramp to the door. Billy, who watched on, announced that he would be waiting in the car. Angel and Diana followed Carly and Amanda into the boutique.155Please respect copyright.PENANALHG6hV76zc
155Please respect copyright.PENANAJXTiz9aeHT
155Please respect copyright.PENANAUxuiuWOMlk
There was a certain ambience the four women felt when they first entered the boutique. The place looked exquisite, as did the beautiful clothes that hung out for display. Amanda and Carly couldn’t help but ‘wow’ at every dress they looked at. Diana and Angel looked cool and collected as they looked around. Soon enough, a young woman with blonde hair neatly tied back in a ponytail, dressed in a white blouse and black skirt with heels, came over to them.155Please respect copyright.PENANA4U5nd2sV6N
155Please respect copyright.PENANAttdL8oeqV3
155Please respect copyright.PENANA7AdSHypdCZ
"Good morning, ladies," she greeted them with a wide smile. "What can I help you with?"155Please respect copyright.PENANAeEaqf3QZ1Y
155Please respect copyright.PENANAhA0NAJsXNm
155Please respect copyright.PENANAiYjIm2F8Tm
"Ah, Julie!" came a voice behind the young woman. Julie turned to see Mrs. McDonell and a woman in a sky blue suit approach them.155Please respect copyright.PENANAnHf6Z0GaGp
155Please respect copyright.PENANASTAQxJqRsd
155Please respect copyright.PENANAmAhZeaciLN
"Yes, ma’am," said Julie, addressing the woman in the suit.155Please respect copyright.PENANAOBNEwAuMsG
155Please respect copyright.PENANApx8U2WBOqO
155Please respect copyright.PENANACbICHAXJYE
"This is the McDonell family, and I want you and Alicia to attend to whatever they need," said the woman in the suit. She walked past Julie towards the others.155Please respect copyright.PENANAclkxGlR6Ye
155Please respect copyright.PENANA1L9BMZyjTV
155Please respect copyright.PENANAusLKQduoCt
"Nice to meet you," she said, addressing Amanda and the others. "I’m Helena, the owner of this boutique. I’m very good friends with Bertha, and I’m glad you thought of coming here to shop for your dresses."155Please respect copyright.PENANAj5a2uAQ3I6
155Please respect copyright.PENANApw2EGRlpYx
155Please respect copyright.PENANAjeC85z1RYC
"Hello," said Amanda, who was bold enough to speak first. "I’m Amanda, her mother-in-law. This is my daughter, Diana, and these two are the Barclay sisters, Angel and Carly. Thank you for having us."155Please respect copyright.PENANAV64V0wNvWI
155Please respect copyright.PENANAfKpyM41P9i
155Please respect copyright.PENANAw23znKC1pO
"The pleasure is mine. Please, all of you feel free to take a look around."155Please respect copyright.PENANAY7NlukB7JG
155Please respect copyright.PENANAujri2Zojy5
155Please respect copyright.PENANAmRf1YBQ3Qx
Amanda and the others all thanked Helena as she went to join Mrs. McDonell, who spoke briefly and quietly. Julie went on to turn to the other women.155Please respect copyright.PENANAW2U36Zz786
155Please respect copyright.PENANAcU00KmpEg4
155Please respect copyright.PENANAWYNRJjkkXA
"Can I suggest some dresses for you, ma’am?" she asked Amanda.155Please respect copyright.PENANAKNFoxwgUJC
155Please respect copyright.PENANABQIOhvYwZI
155Please respect copyright.PENANALw9g1GUPfg
"Yes, please. I’m not good with things, so I would really need your help," said Amanda. "Will you accompany me, Carly?"155Please respect copyright.PENANAvrZOeeKIHS
155Please respect copyright.PENANAYnQj4Efe7a
155Please respect copyright.PENANAFswlnmwxPS
"Of course," said Carly. She went on ahead to push Amanda’s wheelchair as Julie led the way.155Please respect copyright.PENANASe6MaxEKYB
155Please respect copyright.PENANAAMVq7KvpWq
155Please respect copyright.PENANAj2d8NBMd8H
"Well, that leaves the two of us," said Diana as she looked at Angel.155Please respect copyright.PENANAXvi8CCq2o7
155Please respect copyright.PENANA2pbqn62MNZ
155Please respect copyright.PENANAxVI6rx9Lmx
"I thought someone would be joining us," said Angel.155Please respect copyright.PENANAx1tjkQF3o2
155Please respect copyright.PENANAGEDGAqpeZf
155Please respect copyright.PENANATr9QyaIeuL
"She’ll find us; that’s if Bertha wants to have her." Diana took Angel’s hand and started to drag her to the side. "Come, let’s look at the dresses over here."155Please respect copyright.PENANARhm2rxgeth
155Please respect copyright.PENANAHPolanLCAA
155Please respect copyright.PENANAZm0eyxfQYa
Angel had no choice but to comply as she followed. Mrs. McDonell had finished talking to Helena when she saw Diana drag Angel with her to the other side of the boutique. She didn’t mind much as the other girl, Alicia, came over to assist her.155Please respect copyright.PENANAZlovzNUNIa
155Please respect copyright.PENANAP5ETHfFBpd
155Please respect copyright.PENANASrpdkeAnkP
It took a while for Angel to get into the mood of looking for a dress. It took a little probing from Diana as she presented a few dresses to her. As fun as it was seeing and commenting on which dress to wear, they also had a few talks about their personal lives. Diana had even asked how life was before Angel and Carly came to live with them. Angel wasn’t shy about revealing that they had been struggling as they tried to make ends meet.155Please respect copyright.PENANAqekMEaz23F
155Please respect copyright.PENANA00ZVDSH9kR
155Please respect copyright.PENANAYaRczP6dxS
"Life was hard," said Angel as she looked in a navy blue sparkling dress. "It’s even harder now without her."155Please respect copyright.PENANACFKF2SjGGj
155Please respect copyright.PENANAOHbWydKtNR
155Please respect copyright.PENANA8dP3JKZJzT
"I can only imagine," said Diana, with her back facing Angel. "I lost my husband when Oliver was still very young. It took a toll on Eric and me. That’s why my brother offered that we stay with him."155Please respect copyright.PENANAaJib4iTZXb
155Please respect copyright.PENANAwL6FmV5Ht3
155Please respect copyright.PENANA9jkkc4c2Mb
Angel turned to look at Diana. "I didn’t know that," she said. "I’m sorry. Eric has never talked about his father before. Moreover, he seems so outgoing. I didn’t know he also lost someone that close to him."155Please respect copyright.PENANAjxpzHl2MU4
155Please respect copyright.PENANAo4sfkONevi
155Please respect copyright.PENANABvG86Fwkax
"Oh, he’s always been like that," said Diana with a chuckle. "Moving in with my brother was the best thing that I could’ve asked for. Eric went back to his old self, and I managed to get back on my own two feet. Oliver grew up in a home without feeling that he ever lacked a father since my brother took up the role. I’m really grateful for that."155Please respect copyright.PENANAx6MSjdTSTE
155Please respect copyright.PENANALjnX6fFAYx
155Please respect copyright.PENANA20TuDaLnDn
"I’m also grateful for what he has done for us. He’s like a father to me too. I grew up with mine, and he proved to be useless."155Please respect copyright.PENANA0IJHzNo7bQ
155Please respect copyright.PENANAQNcOM1td9W
155Please respect copyright.PENANAiCQU81R2yz
Diana turned to look at Angel. "Why? Did he treat you and your mother badly?"155Please respect copyright.PENANAK5RUCJxNQT
155Please respect copyright.PENANAbOqrqL1Roa
155Please respect copyright.PENANAmMcVD0cxuI
"Not exactly." Angel took a pink glittery dress from the hanger. "He loved to drink a lot. Moreover, he was never there when you really needed him. Whatever money mum made to provide for the family, he would squander it through gambling and alcohol. Mum chased him out of the house one day, and he never came back."155Please respect copyright.PENANAkAxMtTEDMg
155Please respect copyright.PENANAbYi621wXp9
155Please respect copyright.PENANAlN4g6CvcVE
"I see. He wasn’t worth having around. Your mum did the right thing."155Please respect copyright.PENANAgjvtnCJVCs
155Please respect copyright.PENANAhkaTtNhxHZ
155Please respect copyright.PENANAtPPPpNhq1f
"Yeah, she did." Angel put back the pink dress and pulled out a black one. "This one looks too revealing."155Please respect copyright.PENANA7Z8J43KBe1
155Please respect copyright.PENANAT4nb09ObyY
155Please respect copyright.PENANALmVA5rcOaV
"I know," Diana agreed with her. "And our visitors mind dressing and being etiquette."155Please respect copyright.PENANAm3E2QGsuyx
155Please respect copyright.PENANA7lKBkxBHbp
155Please respect copyright.PENANAam0FNCdINw
"I wouldn’t be too comfortable in this, anyway." Angel put the dress back on the hanger.155Please respect copyright.PENANAqakUxEbpmd
155Please respect copyright.PENANAakZD9NPOFT
155Please respect copyright.PENANA9HRSsTbJOg
"Okay, enough of the bad stuff," said Diana as she joined Angel, looking at a set of clothes on the hanger. "Tell me, has Eric asked you out yet?"155Please respect copyright.PENANA185SeIi55e
155Please respect copyright.PENANAr39zhgo32F
155Please respect copyright.PENANAKhOzWYn1sQ
Angel’s heart almost jumped. "What?" She looked at Diana with wide eyes.155Please respect copyright.PENANA4dm2cFgmFC
155Please respect copyright.PENANApBuwQT1AEq
155Please respect copyright.PENANATvmSqLXBSb
"Relax; I’m joking." Diana giggled. "Look, people are looking at you."155Please respect copyright.PENANAtdPf4dTq3V
155Please respect copyright.PENANAoytdAjn4rf
155Please respect copyright.PENANAKwsmwkK7DV
"You really need to learn how to joke around, Diana." Angel held her hand to her chest as her heart continued to beat so fast.155Please respect copyright.PENANAM0zO7p72ZJ
155Please respect copyright.PENANAhALiMDCS08
155Please respect copyright.PENANADyOV4obgzw
"Okay, relax." Diana rubbed Angel’s back gently. "The only reason I ask is that Eric has had his eyes on you since you two met. And if I can recall correctly, he never missed a day to visit you in the hospital."155Please respect copyright.PENANASLXIAcmbjd
155Please respect copyright.PENANAiuzvmHAXSe
155Please respect copyright.PENANAPUvqyJTGqk
"Well, he was only trying to be nice," said Angel, "since Leo wasn’t there."155Please respect copyright.PENANAqjdKYwWC8u
155Please respect copyright.PENANA7QmolQ3yme
155Please respect copyright.PENANARB9a1sSB4q
"Yeah, Leo can be a pain sometimes. Nevertheless, he’s a good guy. I see the two of you are slowly starting to get along."155Please respect copyright.PENANA1CXbuA8bmd
155Please respect copyright.PENANAMDvhylTXf2
155Please respect copyright.PENANAiwFXYIiOPb
Angel looked at Diana with a questioning look. "We are?" she asked.155Please respect copyright.PENANAiu2Kl53ZmA
155Please respect copyright.PENANA7MrVXvE5r2
155Please respect copyright.PENANAYvRreoP9DH
"Well, I haven’t really seen it for myself... maybe a little. However, Eric told me what happened yesterday at the candy shop. So, yeah."155Please respect copyright.PENANAZVJbmGdiIy
155Please respect copyright.PENANAW6v7PpHEbz
155Please respect copyright.PENANAKGs1A3DbHM
"Was it pretty obvious that we didn’t like each other from the very beginning?" Angel couldn’t help but blush as she asked.155Please respect copyright.PENANAMQeTYs31or
155Please respect copyright.PENANAluEhfM1DXE
155Please respect copyright.PENANAGrpwuL1hm5
"I don’t think a lot of people were paying attention. I get that you were upset with him because of the accident, and he didn’t get to apologize. Then there’s that pride that he has. I bet he gets that from his mother."155Please respect copyright.PENANAOMCLCSDDFG
155Please respect copyright.PENANA17cZ4E4RHV
155Please respect copyright.PENANAQwzQu8w5GY
Angel agreed with her, though there’s more to the story than that.155Please respect copyright.PENANAlCeK7fjz6H
155Please respect copyright.PENANAOKRS5t0oFE
155Please respect copyright.PENANA0RsVrD6CrS
"It’s good that the two of you are getting along," Diana continued to say. "Now that you are working together, you've got to put aside your differences to grow the business. It looks like I have nothing to worry about."155Please respect copyright.PENANACk1VLtZgwq
155Please respect copyright.PENANAdETlIOkimK
155Please respect copyright.PENANACSwKkchExm
"Don’t be rest assured just yet," Angel said as she continued to eye the dresses in front of her. "There are times when we almost act as if we’re like Mrs. McDonell and Amanda."155Please respect copyright.PENANA22RNV27N5J
155Please respect copyright.PENANAF0xZzlqsvI
155Please respect copyright.PENANAcSiZS344G2
"Yeah, Eric talks about your little fights. But the way I see it, you two seem a little better than those two."155Please respect copyright.PENANANtw4Kbsw2g
155Please respect copyright.PENANA71fadrU5UH
155Please respect copyright.PENANAgyITKJc0dl
Angel chuckled, feeling relieved. "That means a lot, thanks."155Please respect copyright.PENANAyOvX29cxZO
155Please respect copyright.PENANACSAJUf0AHg
155Please respect copyright.PENANAP1cuc72gLF
"Yeah, just don’t go grabbing each other’s throats."155Please respect copyright.PENANAKqZFjE6PX6
155Please respect copyright.PENANAt62Pyzse9e
155Please respect copyright.PENANAYKMR6jb5jL
A little too late for that, Angel thought to herself as she remembered how she wanted to lay her hands on Leo the first time they met.155Please respect copyright.PENANAaKjBldaoEV
155Please respect copyright.PENANAKlvYhMCCIZ
155Please respect copyright.PENANA3GdbEtsKQm
"I know the two of you aren’t close," Diana continued to say as she pulled out a black dress, "but is Leo seeing anyone at the moment?"155Please respect copyright.PENANA70Aigknc22
155Please respect copyright.PENANAmTrSnMNr8Z
155Please respect copyright.PENANAKqsBJIgpDO
Angel felt like the whole world shook beneath her feet as she stood still, trying her best not to fall over. She was overreacting, she told herself. It’s not like Diana knew who it was.155Please respect copyright.PENANAdaLa6V6oMS
155Please respect copyright.PENANAuBb4vevdA3
155Please respect copyright.PENANAvwYlyMUcMU
"No, I don’t think so," said Angel as she turned to look at Diana. "What makes you say that?"155Please respect copyright.PENANAgO3aFqhBi8
155Please respect copyright.PENANA6HD636uZ4T
155Please respect copyright.PENANAAZ0pcuYDfq
"Oh, no reason. I thought he found someone, you know. When he called off the wedding, we all thought he did that because he fell in love with someone else."155Please respect copyright.PENANAGuaaosDAmt
155Please respect copyright.PENANANmeeGeaPWq
155Please respect copyright.PENANAz34OT5HxGw
"Well, Leo’s love life isn’t really my business." Angel went back to looking at dresses. "It’s sad that he and Kim aren’t together. He must have his reasons for doing so."155Please respect copyright.PENANATDcqF6YPue
155Please respect copyright.PENANAjpYphX2ug0
155Please respect copyright.PENANA9VWEtnWpUf
"Yeah, you’re right. To be honest, I don’t think he and Kim were a good couple to begin with. However, you know how his mother favors Kim. Anyway, I hope he finds someone he truly loves."155Please respect copyright.PENANAK9OCyuC0Yn
155Please respect copyright.PENANA24UIw3XHtV
155Please respect copyright.PENANAaZKzjOLf1g
Angel did her best not to comment as she looked at Diana, who continued to look at the black dress.155Please respect copyright.PENANAgvJtyaBFGL
155Please respect copyright.PENANAwjvlGCxJA7
155Please respect copyright.PENANAWApxBzrZLP
"You should try it out," said Angel. "I’m guessing that it will look good on you."155Please respect copyright.PENANAu0xjDQ9Dux
155Please respect copyright.PENANAYPOIn27Edb
155Please respect copyright.PENANA7OuKkbHYk5
"You think so too?" Diana asked. "I’ll take your advice."155Please respect copyright.PENANAneblnfzwpd
155Please respect copyright.PENANAEPIDdKYTJU
155Please respect copyright.PENANA8oRWrJ3tJQ
Diana quickly left Angel for the dressing room, making Angel breathe out a sigh of relief. Talking to Diana was fun and all, but as soon as she started to ask about Eric and, most especially, Leo, she couldn’t help but feel a little nervous. She had to warn Carly and Leo to be careful with how they meet each other in the house. The last thing she needs is for people to start to think otherwise. If they do decide to be together, then they'll have to find a way to break it to the family. Which also means lying to them about when they fell in love with each other and what not.155Please respect copyright.PENANAM6MNaMfvCl
155Please respect copyright.PENANAvHx3HD9zF2
155Please respect copyright.PENANARJmuv3xvU9
"It’s just lies built on more lies," Angel said to herself as she thought it over. She wondered when all of this would ever end.155Please respect copyright.PENANAW3sN2P8p4d
155Please respect copyright.PENANAkTAnZT53rT
155Please respect copyright.PENANAG9y1V6eI3n
Diana finally wore the black dinner one-sleeve dress she had picked, showing it to Angel. Carly and Amanda came over to look as she got out of the dressing room. Carly had also found an aqua blue strapless dress that glittered at the bodice and the hemline. When she tried it on, she looked like a fairy tale princess. Everyone commented on how pretty she looked.155Please respect copyright.PENANAu88A1zOEOV
155Please respect copyright.PENANArfxb1hlGHn
155Please respect copyright.PENANAsoawTCjojD
"Haven’t you found anything to wear, dear?" Amanda asked Angel.155Please respect copyright.PENANA3Y5Fb4KxGh
155Please respect copyright.PENANA2pAF0ZBSdC
155Please respect copyright.PENANA40B6GkQ1qq
"No, not yet," Angel answered, shaking her head.155Please respect copyright.PENANAxd41PKJitJ
155Please respect copyright.PENANA4otMiRgHhv
155Please respect copyright.PENANAMZCNqjzT7m
"Well, that makes the two of us." Amanda laughed aloud.155Please respect copyright.PENANAzWUGaeB6op
155Please respect copyright.PENANAxlPhKK1kHa
155Please respect copyright.PENANAd5s8KVncAB
Julie appeared behind the two. "I think I found a dress suitable for you, ma’am," she said.155Please respect copyright.PENANAwZCaoQNHBE
155Please respect copyright.PENANAaV3XVUreKd
155Please respect copyright.PENANATVRrzfnv2f
Amanda and Angel turned to see Julie with a cream-white dress in her hands. Angel couldn’t help but notice pearls in some areas of the dress. Moreover, it looked like a fitting dress for Amanda, and she approved admirably.155Please respect copyright.PENANAdtDxNKPOdU
155Please respect copyright.PENANAlBPNkb2jmM
155Please respect copyright.PENANApgCLuiYIvV
"Good work, dear," said Amanda. "This will do me just fine."155Please respect copyright.PENANAVpglWz4Wfr
155Please respect copyright.PENANAotXwGCB30F
155Please respect copyright.PENANA7VNxFVWQCz
Diana had come out of the changing rooms as she was back into the clothes she was wearing earlier with the black dress in her hands. She looked at the dress Julie had chosen and approved. She and Julie helped Amanda in the dressing room to help her try to put it on. Angel stood outside the dressing rooms as Carly was still in one of the rooms, changing out of her dress. Wondering where Mrs. McDonell was, Angel decided to go look for her.155Please respect copyright.PENANA8rSCox4vpc
155Please respect copyright.PENANA07j8TYutS4
155Please respect copyright.PENANAtJiMkkEXDE
She went to the other side of the store, where she saw her last, and found her with the other attendant, who, one at a time, held up a dress for Mrs. McDonell to see. Mrs. McDonell was on the phone, and she shook her head at every dress Alicia presented to her. At some point, she would hold up her hand to stop Alicia so that she would look at the dress and feel its texture, and then she would signal Alicia to pick the next one.155Please respect copyright.PENANAV5CFEDhAqG
155Please respect copyright.PENANAVxxmww8PT2
155Please respect copyright.PENANAxtVSP8tGNn
Angel walked over, and at a certain distance, she couldn’t help but hear Mrs. McDonell’s conversation over the phone.155Please respect copyright.PENANAihkfcpHJRj
155Please respect copyright.PENANA9KSBYDI7Eq
155Please respect copyright.PENANA6cJ0OPvI6J
"I wish you could come over for dinner," she said as she shook her head at a white dress Alicia held up. "But it’s more of a family thing, and who knows how Leo would react again?"155Please respect copyright.PENANAz7EFJKIdTm
155Please respect copyright.PENANANVneqlt0E3
155Please respect copyright.PENANAJO3GBSVuk4
Angel raised an eyebrow and knew that Mrs. McDonell was talking to Kim.155Please respect copyright.PENANAkrOuU43dQL
155Please respect copyright.PENANAeHmhUE41Hr
155Please respect copyright.PENANA3jPpde9lK9
"If you ask, it would be the perfect time for the two of you to bond... Yes, I know there will be guests; it’s nothing but a business dinner. It would be nice to have you around to try to persuade him to get back together with you. I mean, those two sisters are also going to be there, and they aren’t even family… I think you’re right. Maybe another time."155Please respect copyright.PENANAGqBWkQDWF7
155Please respect copyright.PENANA5XaFnkxerH
155Please respect copyright.PENANAMcB3tyHChG
Angel slowly continued with her approach. Even when Mrs. McDonell mentioned her and Carly, it didn’t seem to bother her. It’s the fact that she’s still pushing Kim towards Leo that annoyed her. It’s not that she had fully accepted Leo dating her sister, but the fact that Leo is free to choose whomever he wants. If his mother continues to do this, it won’t end well for the both of them.155Please respect copyright.PENANATjrhNL4WnX
155Please respect copyright.PENANArXLBcJ7BZT
155Please respect copyright.PENANA2hRSba744B
Alicia held up a maroon dinner dress, and Mrs. McDonell gave her a thumbs up. "I just picked out a dress, darling," she said over the phone. "I’ll call you later."155Please respect copyright.PENANAJxSNFWnPUb
155Please respect copyright.PENANAqWio05o47w
155Please respect copyright.PENANAyOHOGdU7EZ
Mrs. McDonell cut the call, and with her other free hand, she took the dress from Alicia. As soon as she turned around, she saw Angel standing there.155Please respect copyright.PENANAddXftTodS9
155Please respect copyright.PENANA5lKnRqniQ1
155Please respect copyright.PENANArvfHhXrx0r
For a moment, the two women looked at each other. Mrs. McDonell thought of walking past Angel when Angel opened her mouth to speak.155Please respect copyright.PENANAFykEEnGBHC
155Please respect copyright.PENANA8Am0x5ByCF
155Please respect copyright.PENANAVoo8nGFO3h
"I’m sorry if I’m going to sound rude, but don’t you think you shouldn’t try to bring Kim and Leo back together?" Angel asked.155Please respect copyright.PENANAJouXmCIt8g
155Please respect copyright.PENANAbprRUi8DOO
155Please respect copyright.PENANAkTFG3WxqqV
Mrs. McDonell looked back at Angel, her look slowly turning into a glare. "What does it matter to you?"155Please respect copyright.PENANA70LthlB2mF
155Please respect copyright.PENANA84o2B1i4Jh
155Please respect copyright.PENANAtOmLjdGP89
"It matters because he is your son."155Please respect copyright.PENANAYuYCeeC9Xw
155Please respect copyright.PENANA4GXSZw7rDR
155Please respect copyright.PENANALuyNSiafvp
"I don’t need advice from you. If I say Kim is good for him, then she is."155Please respect copyright.PENANAOz8DwXVtQW
155Please respect copyright.PENANA5Mfo1vT1v5
155Please respect copyright.PENANAs2MyzfrrqR
"Is that why you’re desperately trying to bring them back together? If you do that, you’re only going to make things worse. You do realize he knew that you sent Kim to have lunch with him the other day, do you?"155Please respect copyright.PENANAQD2jxGxoli
155Please respect copyright.PENANALC2Lw7jl3g
155Please respect copyright.PENANAUMXd6D5v3J
Mrs. McDonell’s face grew flustered. "So what if he knows? I’m only looking out for his best interest."155Please respect copyright.PENANArzpu4ejLYR
155Please respect copyright.PENANA10CTcvTqVK
155Please respect copyright.PENANAZaGNUPO4ee
"Your best interests don’t align with his, Mrs. McDonell. The time you realize that, it might be too late."155Please respect copyright.PENANAzfpa9cl1LB
155Please respect copyright.PENANAGJ7oDfSVo1
155Please respect copyright.PENANA0vXZZGliYm
"What? You’re going to start advising me now?"155Please respect copyright.PENANA1GO9XnZsUh
155Please respect copyright.PENANAqCxXiovinU
155Please respect copyright.PENANAjK0Dk0U35w
"You don’t like me, and that’s fine. If you don’t want to listen to me, that’s fine too. But if you really care about Leo, then you wouldn’t do what you’re doing and let him live his life."155Please respect copyright.PENANARpJw0YAJTP
155Please respect copyright.PENANAUkIzeMKLG7
155Please respect copyright.PENANAXeXGs5FI8z
"You sound just Diana. I hope you two weren’t talking about this when you were out there looking for clothes."155Please respect copyright.PENANASBoBaIOMAH
155Please respect copyright.PENANALejBCyJ5o0
155Please respect copyright.PENANApfYxgUOt1h
Angel chuckled. "Now you’re being paranoid. No, we didn’t talk about this. I wouldn’t have brought this up if Leo hadn’t told me that he went to have lunch with Kim the other day, and I so happened to hear you talk to Kim over the phone some seconds ago."155Please respect copyright.PENANA21YIoZxe8l
155Please respect copyright.PENANAm8B7ylt6FO
155Please respect copyright.PENANAT69WoH7Qcq
Mrs. McDonell didn’t even guess for a second that Angel was lying. There was something about the way Angel portrayed herself that made Mrs. McDonell convinced that she wasn’t. Angel continued to look straight at Mrs. McDonell without flinching.155Please respect copyright.PENANAn1r969ZPsr
155Please respect copyright.PENANA9E5jZi5EGA
155Please respect copyright.PENANAIcFYERSNTS
"That’s all I wanted to tell you," said Angel. "You can give me that death stare that you like giving me so much. Like I said earlier, I don’t really care."155Please respect copyright.PENANAo8jQ8INbiJ
155Please respect copyright.PENANA24Ski7LPAV
155Please respect copyright.PENANAPUfhVXlDuc
Mrs. McDonell huffed as she started to make her way to the dressing rooms, walking away quickly. Alicia, who watched the whole scenario, looked on at Angel, stupefied to say anything. Angel smiled at her before speaking.155Please respect copyright.PENANAscsGlKInAt
155Please respect copyright.PENANA0Yc2Oa8sHJ
155Please respect copyright.PENANAzPf2qgfIai
"Sorry about that," she said. "I hope you didn’t take things the wrong way."155Please respect copyright.PENANAnFCrmFJk7w
155Please respect copyright.PENANA3B2m6MPj4Y
155Please respect copyright.PENANAsbr9YUxNIu
Alicia shook her head. "Not at all," said Alicia. "Mrs. McDonell is a regular customer, so I know how difficult she can be. To go up against her is pretty brave of you."155Please respect copyright.PENANAefd3H2h3jJ
155Please respect copyright.PENANAxWnrtVHMNi
155Please respect copyright.PENANAGtL82SVSNd
"I’m just lucky today," said Angel, scratching the back of her head. "I know I’ll get the silent treatment when we get home."155Please respect copyright.PENANApfrWBLKWrY
155Please respect copyright.PENANAjcJwhXsIPI
155Please respect copyright.PENANArSDdzbOfIT
"Hey, Angel," said Carly as she came from behind. "I saw Mrs. McDonell talking to you, and she looks like she’s about to blow a fuse. What did you say to her?"155Please respect copyright.PENANAAbumCIs3or
155Please respect copyright.PENANAE7AmBx0zPC
155Please respect copyright.PENANABvQq74Uptk
"I’ll tell you about it later. I still have a dress to look for."155Please respect copyright.PENANAv7rbUiQD1C
155Please respect copyright.PENANA1DMg5V8LZx
155Please respect copyright.PENANAMJrEYY5xW4
"Oh, yeah. But if we can’t find anything, we can go to the boutique Diana mentioned that’s within the mall where her parlor is."155Please respect copyright.PENANAAMVCOrBxQy
155Please respect copyright.PENANAuFtprIn9Ue
155Please respect copyright.PENANAfPoOPxjdhJ
"Let me help you out," said Alicia. "There’s a special collection of dresses that just came in, and I think I know one that will look great on you."155Please respect copyright.PENANAYYwo0U7f8a
155Please respect copyright.PENANAu4JpfhlzKi
155Please respect copyright.PENANAMljOQLcTvM
Alicia led the way to the section close to the counter. Angel and Carly followed, and when they were shown the collection of dresses, they couldn’t help but admit that the dresses were more unique than the rest. After helping her mother in the dressing room, Diana came to join them in helping Angel pick a dress. So did Amanda and Julie.155Please respect copyright.PENANA4PVYAPITy7
155Please respect copyright.PENANATQqHslhHHI
155Please respect copyright.PENANAM33RntfXxq
"Gosh, should finding a dress be this hard?" Angel asked as she continued to look around.155Please respect copyright.PENANAwW8Lf9AbdK
155Please respect copyright.PENANADFpj0G0xyf
155Please respect copyright.PENANAyitlUtgvGu
"Don’t worry, you’ll find it," said Amanda. "It’s best you find a dress right here instead of going to many stores just looking." She drew aside a few dresses when she suddenly said, "Ah, this will suit you, Angel. Come take a look."155Please respect copyright.PENANAXfAbvQo8Ss
155Please respect copyright.PENANAsdgVRK66os
155Please respect copyright.PENANAIXSPBFH9Dr
Angel came to join Amanda and pulled out a red velvet dress.155Please respect copyright.PENANABBMZQ91HVv
155Please respect copyright.PENANApbls7wGeHN
155Please respect copyright.PENANABOxs8oljQi
"I agree with my mother on this one," said Diana as she saw the dress. "This one looks gorgeous, elegant, and sexy. Wow."155Please respect copyright.PENANAkm0UmiunN2
155Please respect copyright.PENANAH2Z7aIiheX
155Please respect copyright.PENANAmTn17XsQI5
Carly came behind her sister and looked at the dress. "This is a dress to kill," she commented. "Like Diana has pointed out, it’s elegant and sexy. Let’s hope no one falls head over heels for you wherever we’re going."155Please respect copyright.PENANAVWC0ErkqyK
155Please respect copyright.PENANACp02r8tvr4
155Please respect copyright.PENANA3DpZSY23uM
"It looks like I still have some good taste after all," said Amanda with a huge grin on her face. "Go try it on, dear. We want to see how you will look."155Please respect copyright.PENANAGIaIn3vp1f
155Please respect copyright.PENANAnVx4vxcCnV
155Please respect copyright.PENANA7vYmBVfZEZ
Angel made her way to the changing rooms when Mrs. McDonell also walked out of one of the rooms in the dress she had picked. The off-shoulder maroon dress looked lovely on her as it came down with a flare, and there was a beautiful white rose dress piece on the left side of her chest.155Please respect copyright.PENANA2d4lnI4E17
155Please respect copyright.PENANAEfO8iJFIzo
155Please respect copyright.PENANABabKLlEqlp
"The dress looks lovely," Angel commented. "Do you plan on getting it?"155Please respect copyright.PENANAFRdCO9sCbg
155Please respect copyright.PENANALRgM0xR3Rg
155Please respect copyright.PENANATRh8zFNLno
"Yes, I will," said Mrs. McDonell, who forced herself to answer. She already noticed Diana and Amanda behind Angel, giving her a glance. The last thing she needed was to make a scene in front of them.155Please respect copyright.PENANApm5Np6mHfd
155Please respect copyright.PENANAeJRsCD3qQF
155Please respect copyright.PENANACrjOX3phPf
"I’ll be going in to try this dress," said Angel, and she passed Mrs. McDonell to go to the dressing room.155Please respect copyright.PENANAjkY1oEtBfG
155Please respect copyright.PENANAZYjZWJlrZ6
155Please respect copyright.PENANArhxtKdXFzL
A few minutes later, Angel came out wearing the dress. She got everyone waiting for her off-guard, as the women were engaged in a conversation before Amanda noticed Angel first.155Please respect copyright.PENANAnceu7C6Bft
155Please respect copyright.PENANAphV9Mfolov
155Please respect copyright.PENANAfR1K421SIP
"Oh, my, Angel," said Amanda. "You look so lovely."155Please respect copyright.PENANAIxRMptZgCG
155Please respect copyright.PENANAJXuVgHY5nJ
155Please respect copyright.PENANAnOFvOwWHye
The rest turned to look at her, and they gasped at how beautiful she looked in the dress. Mrs. McDonell, who stood alongside Diana, who had already changed out of the dress she picked, looked on without passing a comment.155Please respect copyright.PENANACUjbCBEpqH
155Please respect copyright.PENANA7awauPyWTm
155Please respect copyright.PENANAppI0C61Ekj
"With proper make-up, you’ll look like a goddess," said Diana.155Please respect copyright.PENANACKR1pIu1U3
155Please respect copyright.PENANASJdZjFgUH4
155Please respect copyright.PENANA6gzwGKiWZG
Carly chuckled. "That’s something Eric would say," she said.155Please respect copyright.PENANAvTvzDCOBE5
155Please respect copyright.PENANAv7j5fyCqyy
155Please respect copyright.PENANAjVpA8CTUeH
Angel couldn’t help but blush as Julie and Alicia also commented on how the dress looked beautiful on her. Angel thanked everyone and soon after went to change out of the dress. Diana was relieved that they didn’t have to go elsewhere looking for dresses.155Please respect copyright.PENANAIgz9CtF2VA
155Please respect copyright.PENANAc6RTV1dSqs
155Please respect copyright.PENANAJfsMs3jTil
After purchasing the dresses, they made their way to a fancy shoe store, where the women all found matching shoes to go with their attire. They went to the mall to have lunch before going to the spa to get themselves a manicure and pedicure. During that time, all five women sat in white bathrobes and chatted amongst themselves. Mrs. McDonell pitched in a few times in their conversation, even when she didn’t feel like it.155Please respect copyright.PENANAsVnjmLwazh
155Please respect copyright.PENANApzQJMvSYwQ
155Please respect copyright.PENANAS9x5dpZFDC
Afterwards, Mrs. McDonell suggested that they pass by a saloon first to do their hair before heading back home. The others received the suggestion openly and went to have their hair done. By the time they got back home, it was late in the afternoon. There was still time for them to get ready for dinner.155Please respect copyright.PENANA8u5aYwKAm5
155Please respect copyright.PENANAOrHFto5v05
155Please respect copyright.PENANAKnWoulkmIN
"Okay, ladies, we've got to start off from this place at 6:30," Mrs. McDonell announced as she made her way up the stairs to her room. "So, I advise we rest up a little, or if any of you feel like it, get yourselves ready."155Please respect copyright.PENANAgWwYqpcwdV
155Please respect copyright.PENANAd3l5ewHFsj
155Please respect copyright.PENANALzQWu28IBk
"Does anyone want their make-up done?" Diana asked before she could also go up the stairs, turning to look at the others.155Please respect copyright.PENANAzGe7pbS6gG
155Please respect copyright.PENANADKihSz5jJp
155Please respect copyright.PENANAXtsNHQwhFx
"I do," said Carly.155Please respect copyright.PENANADcqvqXkT5v
155Please respect copyright.PENANAMk35LTBqFG
155Please respect copyright.PENANAuiUodFyIV2
"Not me, thanks," said Amanda, shaking her head. "I’ll just powder my face and put lipstick on. I'm too old for make-up."155Please respect copyright.PENANAn1VXhVdYDq
155Please respect copyright.PENANAQClLFVwR3z
155Please respect copyright.PENANAkTikBD40go
"Angel, I need to work on you the most," said Diana, pointing at Angel, who stood behind Amanda.155Please respect copyright.PENANA5iqGDXKmCW
155Please respect copyright.PENANAjupjrUhBVH
155Please respect copyright.PENANAWjQClfkFhw
"Okay," Angel answered with a bit of hesitancy. "But not too much, okay?"155Please respect copyright.PENANAE7EnmqdltC
155Please respect copyright.PENANAdMGz0lRDQ9
155Please respect copyright.PENANAG3FDEj78DM
"Don’t worry, I’m a professional," said Diana. "I’ll be right back. I need to check up on Oliver and get the make-up kit." Diana rushed up the stairs.155Please respect copyright.PENANA7FXdJMPIcu
155Please respect copyright.PENANAtpjvuOZeMR
155Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4ljb0t66s
"I’ll rest up a little," said Amanda.155Please respect copyright.PENANAnV91dj1vNm
155Please respect copyright.PENANAWeBtCCxVLW
155Please respect copyright.PENANAjBqus99AH1
"Let me take you to your room," said Angel as she took the shopping bags she had, placed them on Amanda’s laps, and pushed Amanda’s wheelchair to her room.155Please respect copyright.PENANAYBFx46EHwP
155Please respect copyright.PENANAGVCMMbdADY
155Please respect copyright.PENANAmbDUPaROgi
Carly was just about to go up the stairs when she felt her phone beep in her bag. She realized she hadn’t looked at her phone for almost the entire day. She checked it and found she had missed three calls and a message. When she looked at the number, her insides froze. She didn’t have to think twice about who it was. When she opened the message icon, she confirmed it was Andre. The message read:155Please respect copyright.PENANAMNw8iQWe3N
155Please respect copyright.PENANALgNpivc4dt
155Please respect copyright.PENANAOuUaE0ojgL
"Hey, this is André. I’m guessing you’re busy today and thought of dropping a message to say how much I’ve missed you. Do you have time to talk? If not, you can call me at whatever time you see fit. Just know that I miss you."155Please respect copyright.PENANA83srm6b7nW
155Please respect copyright.PENANANinM0nsfRf
155Please respect copyright.PENANAYBt0KO9lvX
Memories of what happened the night before came flooding back, and Carly wished she had never gone to the party in the first place. In addition, she completely forgot that she gave Andre her number. Apart from the two of them kissing on the deck, nothing else happened that night. She thought he might as well have forgotten her, but the message proves that he hasn’t. What was she to do? Should she reply to the message or not?155Please respect copyright.PENANAyh7JvFs7Ka
155Please respect copyright.PENANAxrC0vGOwog
155Please respect copyright.PENANAgeuf17aJ3r
"Hey, what are you standing there for?" asked Angel.155Please respect copyright.PENANAvM9UHIlFkS
155Please respect copyright.PENANA9YmZBvnYEz
155Please respect copyright.PENANAlwoYdTCQe6
Carly quickly turned around, frightened, as she found her sister looking at her. Angel raised an eyebrow at Carly.155Please respect copyright.PENANAtt2x0SLqOB
155Please respect copyright.PENANAN4RnTWy3CE
155Please respect copyright.PENANA01GVKuqhl7
"Are you okay?" Angel asked. "You look so pale all of a sudden."155Please respect copyright.PENANAiWmidlzH4P
155Please respect copyright.PENANAcD6ZswhWTn
155Please respect copyright.PENANAwbxHC16For
"It’s nothing," Carly quickly answered, though she felt her throat quickly run dry.155Please respect copyright.PENANAVEW6AXPUf7
155Please respect copyright.PENANAOdmbWPTBCW
155Please respect copyright.PENANAPh0uAmikre
Angel looked at her sister, then at the phone in Carly’s hand. She hoped no one sent her a disturbing message or anything. One thing is for sure: Leo wouldn’t have sent her anything disturbing.155Please respect copyright.PENANAX6LSxcAF52
155Please respect copyright.PENANAkXP5JlOdED
155Please respect copyright.PENANAKOwD9aNluN
"What were you looking at on the phone that’s got you so worked up?" Angel asked, folding her arms.155Please respect copyright.PENANASkL88aTMQN
155Please respect copyright.PENANAoGQiMhWdB5
155Please respect copyright.PENANA4AeCTF2WiQ
"Ah, it's really nothing," Carly said, doing her best not to feel nervous. "I found a few missed calls from a friend at school, and she texted me, saying that I have to study for a test on Monday."155Please respect copyright.PENANAXBjalLbbZs
155Please respect copyright.PENANAqc44akDqAw
155Please respect copyright.PENANAa0S5MPPIRL
Angel scoffed as she shook her head. "This comes to show you that you shouldn’t be missing classes."155Please respect copyright.PENANAuizoajHSe7
155Please respect copyright.PENANAJjzcuikAs8
155Please respect copyright.PENANAR6lHgqRCsG
"I was going to miss all the fun. It’s actually good that I went with you."155Please respect copyright.PENANAOJv83vpPbn
155Please respect copyright.PENANAJaUiDfBzxX
155Please respect copyright.PENANAYcrz7s1vQ7
"Whatever. I’m so thirsty. Do you need anything from the kitchen?"155Please respect copyright.PENANAUMVq1j178w
155Please respect copyright.PENANArwbebzre9F
155Please respect copyright.PENANAEGBoS9lGLY
Carly shook her head. "No, thanks; I’m good for now."155Please respect copyright.PENANAqOFzTdoODF
155Please respect copyright.PENANAWAfVZx28pA
155Please respect copyright.PENANAK5RWUlveXd
Angel smiled at her sister as she passed her to head to the kitchen. As soon as she disappeared behind the stairs, Carly looked back at her message. She had to decide quickly. If she does answer his message, won’t that make him think they have a chance of being together, even if she lied about herself for reasons she still didn’t know? Not to mention that she’s dating Leo. She was stuck between two handsome men who were interested in her. What was she to do?155Please respect copyright.PENANAKZn62RnnCZ
155Please respect copyright.PENANA9hCskRRvQy
155Please respect copyright.PENANAjRRzO1qkct
She started to text Andre back, telling him that he would call her later in the evening. Maybe then she could talk to him and try to end things. However, the thought of it didn’t sit well with her. The question of why Red Lion introduced them to each other kept playing in her mind, and she realized that she wasn’t too sure of Red Lion’s true intentions. Why did she feel like she was being used for some reason?155Please respect copyright.PENANAGy3i8sMbg1
155Please respect copyright.PENANA5muBAfr9tq
155Please respect copyright.PENANAnMTTI3YElQ
Carly heard footsteps up the stairs, bringing her back from her thoughts. Diana was coming down the stairs with her make-up kit box in her hands. Carly soon realized that she sent the message to Andre, and she had unconsciously pressed the send button before thinking twice about it. Dang it, she thought to herself. There’s no taking it back. He had already texted back, saying that he would be waiting for her call.155Please respect copyright.PENANAMwNqOJIodj
155Please respect copyright.PENANAF70Zd3WPDv
155Please respect copyright.PENANAEAcfCmCKVC
"Hey. What are you standing here for?" Diana asked as she reached the bottom of the stairs.155Please respect copyright.PENANA4zy1hhPbJi
155Please respect copyright.PENANAv5QROM8lut
155Please respect copyright.PENANADuHkxEGnRM
"Oh, nothing," Carly replied, putting her phone back in the bag. "You’re heading to Angel’s room."155Please respect copyright.PENANACjeX9iSw5b
155Please respect copyright.PENANAHg6xgD6sGB
155Please respect copyright.PENANAJZTxsNrDfk
"Yep," said Diana. "I’m just going to put the box there, and after showering, we’ll go in her room to have our make-up done."155Please respect copyright.PENANA2PUxsVBcgv
155Please respect copyright.PENANAtBGP08RKUK
155Please respect copyright.PENANAxExU2zeW1p
The door to the kitchen flew open, and Angel appeared beside the stairs with a glass of water. She stopped when she saw her sister and Diana with a make-up kit box.155Please respect copyright.PENANA4p7I7z9tSf
155Please respect copyright.PENANAb9XvZfyVQw
155Please respect copyright.PENANATkncEvNjoe
"Don’t tell me we’re going to put on makeup in my room?" Angel asked.155Please respect copyright.PENANA79wciqMiPz
155Please respect copyright.PENANAEyAgdw9qkI
155Please respect copyright.PENANAfPMfLDkHlS
"Yeah, where else?" Diana asked. "I’m just putting this in your room so that when we come to your room for make-up after freshening up. This is going to be so much fun!"155Please respect copyright.PENANAHcUEzqpLc6
155Please respect copyright.PENANAsZ91Ns2MoL
155Please respect copyright.PENANAYTpZ6KEJFy
Diana started to make her way down the hall to Angel’s room. With a glass of water in hand, Angel chased after Diana, telling her that doing make-up in her room wasn’t necessary.155Please respect copyright.PENANAiEcVaALKy8
155Please respect copyright.PENANAmWtAX3J9oj
155Please respect copyright.PENANAIBEbUWQojb
Carly stood there for a moment before telling herself to go up to her room. She had to shake away the thought of Andre’s text and focus on dinner tonight. The last thing she needs is to look absent-minded in front of their guests, especially around Leo. He might suspect that something’s up.155Please respect copyright.PENANA1rvppwsfn8
155Please respect copyright.PENANAxGhkYCr0nv
155Please respect copyright.PENANAUtAlJfiyqj
"And it won’t look good," Carly said to herself. "I'll have to deal with this later."155Please respect copyright.PENANASBIfmmCAOU
155Please respect copyright.PENANARZYlP5q4IM
155Please respect copyright.PENANAYk1cx4gmDB
With that, Carly went up the stairs, already shaking the thought of Andre out of her mind.