After finishing their dessert, there was joyful laughter and conversation all around the table. Everyone was actively participating except for one person in particular, whose mind seemed elsewhere. Angel did all she could to keep track of what was being said, but failed to do so. A funny feeling came over her now and then that something bad was going to happen if Leo were to see Kim and Trina.52Please respect copyright.PENANAxex150TLbe
52Please respect copyright.PENANAbslH7ZRUtz
52Please respect copyright.PENANAE6W46K5iQv
She smiled kindly at Mr. Cho, who addressed her, and never said as much as a simple “yes.” Now and then, she would try to look over her shoulder at Kim and Trina. However, every time she did, Eric would find her looking and would throw her a smile, thinking that she was looking at him. Pretending like nothing was going on, Angel would smile back and try her best to engage herself in the conversation.52Please respect copyright.PENANAu9LVJQCwfo
52Please respect copyright.PENANAkbExQtJZXn
52Please respect copyright.PENANAW515PXvIFr
It was now time to leave, as the dinner event had finally ended. Angel felt relieved. Maybe if they left early, Leo wouldn’t have to see Kim or Trina. Mr. Cho and Mr. McDonell stood up to mark the end of their dinner date as they shook hands. Angel slowly stood up from the table before anyone else, and it was then that she saw Kim and Trina through the corner of her eye. Rising from their table, the two women made their way to the ladies' room.52Please respect copyright.PENANA6oD9NiVPIp
52Please respect copyright.PENANAabaGrJK7yx
52Please respect copyright.PENANAgub4nSXjgX
Trina and Kim entered the ladies’ room. They had noticed earlier that the McDonells had finished their dinner with the visitors, and Kim had told Trina that it was best to leave in case Leo looked across the room and noticed them.52Please respect copyright.PENANAIefyNUfaPo
52Please respect copyright.PENANAKjeabxsCZX
52Please respect copyright.PENANA7XlDJ74QDe
“Gosh, that was scary,” said Trina as she went over to the sinks to look at her scared self in the mirror.52Please respect copyright.PENANAnHkaB0AzfT
52Please respect copyright.PENANAb7E0p7OXBO
52Please respect copyright.PENANAKsl07mou3k
“Let’s hope that no one saw us,” said Kim, who still stood by the closed door.52Please respect copyright.PENANA6lNUYGlAj1
52Please respect copyright.PENANAlZrdLi4QD4
52Please respect copyright.PENANAzDVIcCNozH
“Angel obviously did. I feel she’ll tell Leo that we’re here.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAgQyyf2NihR
52Please respect copyright.PENANA3xF372mSvF
52Please respect copyright.PENANAu42wKxjHNP
“I doubt it.” Kim shook her head. “If she has known Leo in the short time they’ve been staying together, she wouldn’t tell him. Leo can be a time bomb.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAWTp11r89zd
52Please respect copyright.PENANAuckbVR4ROn
52Please respect copyright.PENANACZSBN9aczy
“Yet, I don’t know why you love him.” Trina looked at Kim, shaking her head.52Please respect copyright.PENANAwcj48hxfaU
52Please respect copyright.PENANAVfoFCEAbjI
52Please respect copyright.PENANA4Y18vlTAmP
“It’s called unconditional love. Maybe what you have for Eric is nothing but infatuation.”52Please respect copyright.PENANADUv4Li5BwC
52Please respect copyright.PENANAplAJMuKvuU
52Please respect copyright.PENANArySUCXlqlL
Trina threw a surprised look at Kim with her mouth wide open. Kim didn’t give her any attention as she entered one of the toilet stalls.52Please respect copyright.PENANAEvOGtRgkBe
52Please respect copyright.PENANAUxnXpUf5NC
52Please respect copyright.PENANAZG00nVhDf4
Meanwhile, at the table where the McDonells had had their dinner with the visitors, everyone had now stood. Angel wanted to go to the ladies’ room when Carly stopped her.52Please respect copyright.PENANA7Ue74DKJve
52Please respect copyright.PENANAIhv4nlHXF1
52Please respect copyright.PENANAngiVtF79na
“Hey, if you want to go to the ladies', we can go together,” she said.52Please respect copyright.PENANANi8S4kylBy
52Please respect copyright.PENANAqziV9bqpHD
52Please respect copyright.PENANAc74hiIfiro
Oh, no, Angel thought to herself. If Carly goes with her, she will find Trina and Kim in there, and no doubt she will tell Leo about them.52Please respect copyright.PENANArZNvumyHdq
52Please respect copyright.PENANAMF1384YX9q
52Please respect copyright.PENANApKoU7kgVUy
“Ah..., no, I was thinking maybe I should take a look around the beautiful hotel while we’re here,” said Angel.52Please respect copyright.PENANAypYgQv2L9I
52Please respect copyright.PENANAWcvlcTtK8C
52Please respect copyright.PENANATrdliCyqdF
“Good idea, Angel,” said Eric. “Leo and I were thinking of staying here for a while and exploring." Eric threw Leo a look, and Leo brought up a small smile. Carly smiled inward, knowing what Leo meant in the message he sent her.52Please respect copyright.PENANApTXWIp4F41
52Please respect copyright.PENANAFt7XBEfRcf
52Please respect copyright.PENANAS9gamhatv2
“I was just about to ask dad and the others to go home without us while we chill around here for a bit,” said Leo as he looked at his parents.52Please respect copyright.PENANAOJkHoqfWwq
52Please respect copyright.PENANAPw5E8EG698
52Please respect copyright.PENANAZOEaHOQtXW
“Do you mind if I join you?” Marco asked. “We’re booked at this hotel, and I wouldn’t mind."52Please respect copyright.PENANAGktFUAiqKn
52Please respect copyright.PENANA9jTERP0bgy
52Please respect copyright.PENANAIj4VUdGLhY
Leo, Eric, Angel, and Carly all looked at him coldly, not wanting him around at all. Marco read their looks, and it didn’t bother him one bit as he continued to smile at them.52Please respect copyright.PENANATOZsKJlOTl
52Please respect copyright.PENANAExbPxfom2s
52Please respect copyright.PENANA3i2cMwgaBH
“That will be great,” said Mr. McDonell. “That way, you can all get to know each other. We old folks will head off home.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAXFKnWXJj2A
52Please respect copyright.PENANAWEsYP3dRKi
52Please respect copyright.PENANAkNLksG2Pzj
Oliver looked at his mother beside him and asked, “Can I stay with Leo and the others too?”52Please respect copyright.PENANAnW6UOrXCLE
52Please respect copyright.PENANAG4x6EjCN70
52Please respect copyright.PENANA9icOzxtaOQ
“Considering it’s a Friday, I’ll allow it,” said Diana. She turned to Angel. “Make sure he doesn’t run around too much.”52Please respect copyright.PENANA0dA0r3xgZb
52Please respect copyright.PENANA6F4LQIPodi
52Please respect copyright.PENANA4MB6EEvQSk
Angel gave a nod of her head.52Please respect copyright.PENANAMZvpvvJcR1
52Please respect copyright.PENANAbGLxWStTcQ
52Please respect copyright.PENANAdYLIPubqfo
“Have fun,” said Mr. Cho. “But not too much fun.” With that last statement, he turned to look at his son.52Please respect copyright.PENANASQjEkCK9js
52Please respect copyright.PENANAYBIBcMt66m
52Please respect copyright.PENANAstm68QfVRv
“Don’t worry, we’ll be responsible,” Marco said as he looked at his dad.52Please respect copyright.PENANAhio9JRn6vB
52Please respect copyright.PENANA881JW2Qg3b
52Please respect copyright.PENANA7lBSiXgO86
Carly decided to go to the ladies’ room. Amanda and Diana said they would also come with her. Angel turned to look at the corner of the restaurant that led to the ladies’ room. Had Trina and Kim walked out without her noticing, or were they still in there? Should she follow Carly just in case? Angel didn’t know what to do.52Please respect copyright.PENANAcaKy1wOeRk
52Please respect copyright.PENANAwQ54NWQJYG
52Please respect copyright.PENANAFzRF9Stu00
Carly pushed Amanda’s chair to the restroom, with Diana following behind them. Angel was just about to follow when she felt Eric stand right next to her. She turned to look at him.52Please respect copyright.PENANAYorJ6pLERV
52Please respect copyright.PENANAa3UQRMBkT8
52Please respect copyright.PENANAE6EUWKOPbI
“Let’s wait for Carly outside,” said Eric.52Please respect copyright.PENANA94i4oeVNYU
52Please respect copyright.PENANAAnhbWUT7Hh
52Please respect copyright.PENANAQLGUfNX0AQ
“Yeah, sure,” Angel agreed.52Please respect copyright.PENANAFdeEbh3GUx
52Please respect copyright.PENANA4kpANmvtJF
52Please respect copyright.PENANAjj4q5lnqrI
Mr. Cho and his colleagues, together with Mr. McDonell, led the way out of the restaurant. Leo walked alongside his mother behind them, with Angel and Eric following behind them. Angel couldn’t help but watch the other three women on the other side of the room turn around the corner to the ladies’ room.52Please respect copyright.PENANANtec0UUgMC
52Please respect copyright.PENANAI5FcVBc308
52Please respect copyright.PENANAayEKhxFtYv
A few seconds before everyone had started to leave the table, Trina had walked out of the ladies’ room first, with Kim still in the stall. She peeped around the corner before fully stepping out, and that was when she saw Carly, Diana, and Amanda heading in her direction. She quickly ran back in, and she knocked at the door of the stall Kim was occupying.52Please respect copyright.PENANADBkqkRBdn2
52Please respect copyright.PENANAevaVOSLP4o
52Please respect copyright.PENANAhLNgnS5KEY
Kim groaned, irritated at the intrusion. “What is it now, Trina?” she asked.52Please respect copyright.PENANAldNiSYXRfB
52Please respect copyright.PENANAIuoR9PyVla
52Please respect copyright.PENANAwmmEs44XkL
“You have to stay in there for a while,” said Trina as she made her way into the empty stall next to the one Kim was in and closed the door. “We’ve company. Amanda, Diana, and Angel’s sister are coming here.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAqokPiRgbVb
52Please respect copyright.PENANA8BbOLoeFa7
52Please respect copyright.PENANARzo1Q2lVdN
Kim muttered something out of frustration. “This couldn’t get any worse. What of Leo? Did you see him by the table?”52Please respect copyright.PENANAM5gZ098nEA
52Please respect copyright.PENANAvpjCFejNaz
52Please respect copyright.PENANAxcnTsnc4CN
“Well, everyone looked like they were leaving the place.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAvjoRRoQCGX
52Please respect copyright.PENANAD1vjJj4BpW
52Please respect copyright.PENANAkVD2FacAK4
Kim knew this was bad. With the three women coming here, she would miss her chance to follow Leo. Leaving this room was out of the question. If they meet Amanda, who is simply the smartest and most irritating person Kim has ever known, she will put two and two together and realize what’s going on.52Please respect copyright.PENANA6dVv6aKjNO
52Please respect copyright.PENANAa55ftLZd3Y
52Please respect copyright.PENANAOgn9BlTZqa
Before Kim could say anything, she heard the door to the ladies’ room fly open and the sound of wheels of a wheelchair alongside some footsteps. She couldn’t help but press her lips tightly together.52Please respect copyright.PENANAEIQff4Mzlm
52Please respect copyright.PENANATQCojHgdge
52Please respect copyright.PENANAKz0HrM2kq8
“I’ll help my mum, Carly,” said Diana. “You can go ahead.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAxwLk212daW
52Please respect copyright.PENANAioJ9RDXvlM
52Please respect copyright.PENANAsW7lmNHnNn
“Sure,” said Carly. She entered one of the empty stalls. Kim couldn’t help but feel relieved that there were many stalls in here.52Please respect copyright.PENANAowb1yq8mBt
52Please respect copyright.PENANAwEGBNjuhVa
52Please respect copyright.PENANAy6OPvIBGF2
Diana took Amanda into the special stall, and when Kim was sure that they in the stalls, she realized that this was the perfect time to leave.52Please respect copyright.PENANAaeWXYVV6mG
52Please respect copyright.PENANAiL01suWcLT
52Please respect copyright.PENANAt7CtEMaoed
Kim took a deep breath and flushed the toilet before she quickly opened the door to the stall and rushed out. Trina was shell-shocked when she heard Kim rush out as she did. She wanted to go out as well, but she was too shocked to move. Kim, on the other hand, managed to wash her hands in the sink. Without drying them, she rushed out of the ladies’ room.52Please respect copyright.PENANAggS5aclVAK
52Please respect copyright.PENANARjRTJL4ccy
52Please respect copyright.PENANAXMgTLlc48r
Angel stood outside the restaurant with Eric, Oliver, and Leo. Mr. and Mrs. McDonell stood a few feet away from them, saying their last goodbyes to Mr. Cho. Marco said his goodbyes to the McDonells when he slowly started to approach the four waiting in front of the restaurant with his hands in the pockets of his black trousers. Eric and Leo looked at him like snakes, ready to strike at any provocation. Oliver and Angel didn’t pay him much attention at first.52Please respect copyright.PENANAuzQMSJy7FH
52Please respect copyright.PENANAJkkdJqIWLS
52Please respect copyright.PENANAcO3dXM9tNr
“I suggest we try and mend our relationship over drinks,” Marco offered when he came within earshot.52Please respect copyright.PENANAvm4yGZsPwt
52Please respect copyright.PENANAzJAJNDkpRD
52Please respect copyright.PENANAiaT7hPh3dJ
“You talk like we just fought,” said Eric. Angel now turned to Marco with an eyebrow raised.52Please respect copyright.PENANAcfYw2L87Ko
52Please respect copyright.PENANAKNeoeY3rJb
52Please respect copyright.PENANAR0UD3qRLoh
“No, but I can tell that you all don’t like me,” Marco said with a smile. If anyone were to meet him for the first time would think, he was genuinely kind.52Please respect copyright.PENANAw68oX2DtR1
52Please respect copyright.PENANAQBSPcpKJMd
52Please respect copyright.PENANAp5uEzbxe39
“Well, if you weren’t looking at us in a funny way the whole night, you wouldn’t be saying such,” said Angel.52Please respect copyright.PENANAm773yNqHJ3
52Please respect copyright.PENANAZXQ9TmxNJW
52Please respect copyright.PENANAGPpcKbKQIc
Marco raised his eyebrow when Angel spoke, and he smiled even more. “I get that comment a lot. When I meet people for the first time, I can’t help but be curious about them. I’m sorry if the way I looked at you made you uncomfortable.”52Please respect copyright.PENANArqylWMrIGZ
52Please respect copyright.PENANAFh5iY9gl0g
52Please respect copyright.PENANAjTXWJEdcNh
“You should also apologize to Carly. She doesn’t like you one bit.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAUtkwYDyhHm
52Please respect copyright.PENANAzfeHjYYtar
52Please respect copyright.PENANABjICZKr3uQ
Speaking of Carly, Angel found herself quickly looking behind her to see if Carly was coming out of the restaurant. Nothing. Moreover, there was no sign of Trina or Kim anywhere.52Please respect copyright.PENANAjQJeJPkhNU
52Please respect copyright.PENANA1SRUcdNpXt
52Please respect copyright.PENANAGTvRsKQJEf
No sooner did Angel turn away to look at Marco, did Kim suddenly appear in the lobby of the restaurant, approaching the door. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Leo, with Angel, Oliver, and Eric beside him. They were with the other man they had dinner with. She couldn’t let them see her, so she went back into the dining area and decided to wait for Trina at the table they had been sitting at.52Please respect copyright.PENANATsuzdSxXfR
52Please respect copyright.PENANArPoTy2aII8
52Please respect copyright.PENANAJ6wcCRdbyx
Carly left the ladies’ room and started to make her way to the restaurant’s front when a woman in a white dress quickly passed her with no warning, almost bumping into her. Carly stopped and watched the woman walk away, and it didn’t please her that the woman didn’t so much as apologize. Brushing the incident aside, Carly made her way to the entrance, where she found Marco looking straight at her when she walked out.52Please respect copyright.PENANAedM8Q3OWEP
52Please respect copyright.PENANAeYam9r7Fur
52Please respect copyright.PENANAKOW63YXMv2
“Ah, here is she,” said Marco.52Please respect copyright.PENANAcWcYu1E2FE
52Please respect copyright.PENANA8NxiqRQfFY
52Please respect copyright.PENANAMG4hOOF5Dt
“What is it?” Carly asked as she looked at Eric and her sister.52Please respect copyright.PENANAOzIiDC7eyg
52Please respect copyright.PENANA3abOWL6EJ0
52Please respect copyright.PENANAhhq9Bf8rD4
“Marco here wants to apologize to you,” Eric answered. “He didn’t realize that he was looking at you funny during dinner.”52Please respect copyright.PENANA8LiczVDFTU
52Please respect copyright.PENANAw184gh4w80
52Please respect copyright.PENANANBUqnWFGKC
Carly scoffed. “If anyone didn’t know you better, they would think you’re a stalker,” she said.52Please respect copyright.PENANA0TNUppApVP
52Please respect copyright.PENANA91mlgj8VzH
52Please respect copyright.PENANAyU6DOFswOZ
“I can assure you, I’m not,” said Marco. “And if I made you uncomfortable in any way, I apologize.”52Please respect copyright.PENANABMa0uBzfEt
52Please respect copyright.PENANAMFQgCmwxYR
52Please respect copyright.PENANA9hEAyCImzA
Carly didn’t know what to say next as she looked over at Marco, still smiling. Arguing with him wasn’t going to get her anywhere. She gave a nod, accepting his apology. However, she still felt she had to be more careful around him.52Please respect copyright.PENANArubrBm6hpm
52Please respect copyright.PENANA8KZ4sMD80m
52Please respect copyright.PENANAhkO6sAYhqN
Angel continued to look at her sister, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. It seems like she didn't meet Kim and Trina in the ladies' room, Angel thought. If she had, Carly was going to ask and might as well have told Leo about it. May be it was for the best if she hadn't seen them after all, Angel concluded.52Please respect copyright.PENANAzuZ8eEjMFa
52Please respect copyright.PENANAfYRKjiIUCy
52Please respect copyright.PENANAA964k3ulJs
A minute after Carly left the ladies’ room, Trina quickly walked out, breathing a sigh of relief that she hadn’t been caught. She hoped she would find Kim waiting for her outside the restaurant, but as soon as she walked around the corner, she felt her phone beep in her green purse. When she pulled it out, she saw a message from Kim telling her to come back to their table. Trina found Kim exactly where she said she would be and went over to join her.52Please respect copyright.PENANADIAM61Dfbo
52Please respect copyright.PENANAaXzM5Lx2c0
52Please respect copyright.PENANAc6exDpZ6NQ
“I thought you went out of the restaurant,” said Trina.52Please respect copyright.PENANAGOHUQVk2vz
52Please respect copyright.PENANAtvMdyrca2n
52Please respect copyright.PENANAolgxk97akh
“I was about to when I found the rest of the family waiting outside,” said Kim, rolling her eyes.52Please respect copyright.PENANABiSCNWvi9I
52Please respect copyright.PENANApvoqjtiem3
52Please respect copyright.PENANACFP9vgrxLJ
“Well, maybe they will be going back home, and Leo won’t be staying at the hotel to meet his lover.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAo8tNls0pbu
52Please respect copyright.PENANAKNgTmbwWdB
52Please respect copyright.PENANAjgvWa1QqQQ
“I doubt it. I know Leo. Whenever he invited me over for dinner with his family, we would sometimes chill out somewhere at a hotel while everyone went back home. Trust me, with his new lover, he’s obviously going to do the same thing.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAPkcr7JmgJK
52Please respect copyright.PENANAYd33De6VI9
52Please respect copyright.PENANAuh3lqsmJQl
“I sure hope you’re right. Or else we would’ve come here for nothing.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAIdNz6er8ww
52Please respect copyright.PENANAqA6dcs8zam
52Please respect copyright.PENANAlYiOOGxtdT
"And I almost bumped into Carly just now," said Kim, looking sideways.52Please respect copyright.PENANAHTlMjtbBDm
52Please respect copyright.PENANA0Ncuc126vN
52Please respect copyright.PENANAQWrEGpe8lx
"Did she see you?" Trina asked, looking horrified.52Please respect copyright.PENANAarCBy0Hvm3
52Please respect copyright.PENANAFzh7zxdZAW
52Please respect copyright.PENANAQKuNF8BLWx
"No. But if I turned around to apologize to her, she would no doubt tell the others about me. Let's wait a little before we head out."52Please respect copyright.PENANAjD0hdF3IhU
52Please respect copyright.PENANAlZcj018Wot
52Please respect copyright.PENANA6jzbqr9UM2
At the entrance of the hotel, Mr. Cho and his colleagues went upstairs to their rooms. Diana and Amanda joined the rest of the family and split, with the older people heading back home and the youth bunch on their own.52Please respect copyright.PENANAp3dMuaUYXl
52Please respect copyright.PENANA12kRKZf37l
52Please respect copyright.PENANAUh0mws42HM
“I hear the hotel has a lovely garden out back,” said Angel. “Maybe we can start exploring from there.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAnxZOsjGL0R
52Please respect copyright.PENANArGJei78si1
52Please respect copyright.PENANAmZyaItPFp3
“Good idea,” said Marco. “I was there this afternoon, and the place is gorgeous. I bet it looks beautiful even at night.”52Please respect copyright.PENANARYwgAT2pdD
52Please respect copyright.PENANAYLyK8QRpKj
52Please respect copyright.PENANA1jW5AOSGlH
“Yeah, let’s go there,” said Eric as he came to stand in between Angel and Marco. He threw Marco a warning look, and all Marco did was smile.52Please respect copyright.PENANAuLXQMfM0nD
52Please respect copyright.PENANAyhWD0np6Pg
52Please respect copyright.PENANAwEhC36uISj
Leo and Carly, on the other hand, shared a look, and both of them smiled.52Please respect copyright.PENANAxuIG5bxf9u
52Please respect copyright.PENANA90gT9shRke
52Please respect copyright.PENANA771moeJqML
Marco started to lead the way. Angel, Oliver, and Eric followed closely behind him. Carly and Leo also followed.52Please respect copyright.PENANAXOHpgjFySn
52Please respect copyright.PENANANRo7XKfRtc
52Please respect copyright.PENANACWYHGzFY5z
Kim and Trina happened to appear in the lobby just in time to see Leo walk away with the others. She and Trina looked at each other. The two couldn’t help but share a look.52Please respect copyright.PENANAiHQls33urc
52Please respect copyright.PENANAGH3WGR4vHH
52Please respect copyright.PENANAhlaIMEmCKF
“I told you he would stay behind,” said Kim.52Please respect copyright.PENANAFmIQzny9ze
52Please respect copyright.PENANArPKFGM1cSv
52Please respect copyright.PENANAmFLZj4JkQH
“Yeah, but is he really going to meet his lover?” Trina asked. “They all look like a group of teenagers going out to have fun after prom night. And there’s Oliver with them.”52Please respect copyright.PENANALgn8wX7wIj
52Please respect copyright.PENANAHKPes3CXUe
52Please respect copyright.PENANAl1myyK48Jb
“Well, yeah. He’ll probably ditch the group and head off on his own. I know him. We better go, but we've got to be careful that they don’t see us.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAP7RnrxCyj6
52Please respect copyright.PENANALGM0vrCFjU
52Please respect copyright.PENANAI5Q4EDt44o
“You don’t have to remind me.”52Please respect copyright.PENANA6jg7EuJWUR
52Please respect copyright.PENANAiRqnVptslW
52Please respect copyright.PENANA7HRp4Ejoxa
The two women walked out of the restaurant, looking both ways to make sure there was no one else from the McDonell family around. They watched Leo from a distance and started to follow. They noticed that they were heading to the back end of the hotel. The two women made sure to follow at a safe distance.52Please respect copyright.PENANAfPWAabs1yr
52Please respect copyright.PENANA4uwc0lOOiE
52Please respect copyright.PENANAm1M4uT9ocG
At the entrance of the hotel, a black Chevrolet SUV pulled up, and the door to the passenger side flew open. Red Lion stepped out of it. He wore all black today, with a black leather jacket, shirt, jeans, and black boots. Hugo had come along with him as he appeared from the other side of the car. Red Lion signaled for the driver to go ahead and pack the car. The car drove away as Red Lion and Hugo approached the doors to the hotel.52Please respect copyright.PENANAehJRjZyxfk
52Please respect copyright.PENANARalmGk3sQ8
52Please respect copyright.PENANAEijjtJSzrg
“I hear Walters has already arrived,” said Hugo as they walked into the lobby.52Please respect copyright.PENANAonQmYOFQzH
52Please respect copyright.PENANA2Tn7t9mdRh
52Please respect copyright.PENANASh3QnYU5xp
“But not our host,” said Red Lion. The two of them walked over to the elevator.52Please respect copyright.PENANAh3fGjisekh
52Please respect copyright.PENANA2c7f9mhrC0
52Please respect copyright.PENANAEC4gRJe0Kn
“Strange,” said Hugo as he pressed the button to summon the elevator when they reached it. “Isn’t he supposed to be there?”52Please respect copyright.PENANAts8eqKD9H7
52Please respect copyright.PENANAChwahoCXyg
52Please respect copyright.PENANAnuMJiyBu0M
“I hear something came up at the last minute,” said Red Lion. The door to the elevator flew open. A blue-eyed blonde woman walked out of the elevator, holding the hand of a young brown-haired girl. The two men entered the elevator. Hugo pressed the button to go to the floor, where they were supposed to go. The doors closed.52Please respect copyright.PENANANUII2GHiGF
52Please respect copyright.PENANAWXfrzECBad
52Please respect copyright.PENANASar97n25zf
“Well, while we wait,” said Hugo, “maybe we can try and think through our proposal first.”52Please respect copyright.PENANA0HfaIW2V6e
52Please respect copyright.PENANA9nGjlCJdsS
52Please respect copyright.PENANARyqNtSVA1s
Red Lion slowly turned his head to look at Hugo. He raised an eyebrow. “And why would we do that?”52Please respect copyright.PENANAmm5fK7oqUI
52Please respect copyright.PENANAUJ3GgaLQlh
52Please respect copyright.PENANA9vW1HzDXPB
“Oh, it’s simple. Did it ever occur to you that all this might be a bad idea?”52Please respect copyright.PENANAyIEXzHnN74
52Please respect copyright.PENANAgQb5crWqzi
52Please respect copyright.PENANA4Ojlg0OO31
“If we’re going to infiltrate Andre’s cartel without him knowing, we will need his help. I’ve worked with him and his men before.”52Please respect copyright.PENANA0Af87noPL2
52Please respect copyright.PENANA57TqsVNHX2
52Please respect copyright.PENANAaKE2hX59kJ
The elevator stopped, and the bell rang, indicating that they had reached their desired floor. The doors slid open, and the two walked out.52Please respect copyright.PENANAOjYOLfkWKc
52Please respect copyright.PENANAlK0b0VybGH
52Please respect copyright.PENANAQQVirb5Pp4
“I sure hope your plan works,” said Hugo.52Please respect copyright.PENANA0GX0Z0vOfv
52Please respect copyright.PENANAhe7DXuOVjQ
52Please respect copyright.PENANAL3ONf1PWWz
Red Lion scoffed. “Since when have my plans ever failed?”52Please respect copyright.PENANAB0Edd1HaBA
52Please respect copyright.PENANATtLj5rkk0Q
52Please respect copyright.PENANAmTGbw0Lczt
“Sometimes it does have a few hiccups on the way. There is never a perfect plan, you know. We’ve had to make contingencies.”52Please respect copyright.PENANA1UtCWFuU1M
52Please respect copyright.PENANA7SLiCTd7Uy
52Please respect copyright.PENANAqmS48Ux6v5
They had finally reached the hotel room, and before Hugo could knock on the door, Red Lion turned to look at him.52Please respect copyright.PENANAUeuq1cLoSA
52Please respect copyright.PENANAU2dh6MSiXA
52Please respect copyright.PENANAwVcxrzOiUU
“You’re right,” said Red Lion. “But I have a good feeling about this one. And there will be fewer contingencies, I promise you that.” He indicated with his head to Hugo to knock on the door.52Please respect copyright.PENANA5jWa5zUcUi
52Please respect copyright.PENANAnqZ0t9yb5A
52Please respect copyright.PENANAqjxl0hyBns
Hugo did as instructed, and a few seconds later, the door flew open. Standing before them was Walters.52Please respect copyright.PENANA9SRewxjXqs
52Please respect copyright.PENANA3aBTB6HWhf
52Please respect copyright.PENANAjT8SlHyGH3
“Hey, Walters,” said Red Lion, not waiting to be invited in as he walked past. “Good to see you’re early.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAwJEhXzUwFW
52Please respect copyright.PENANA5t6ts36mkR
52Please respect copyright.PENANAIdWnliqSGn
“I’m not always late for,” said Walters, sounding irritated as he closed the door after Hugo.52Please respect copyright.PENANAxOAa3f6L2g
52Please respect copyright.PENANAaseKG6B9wc
52Please respect copyright.PENANARbjSTPYvou
“I see there are no guards around,” said Red Lion as he stood in the living room area. “Where’s that girl you said you'd bring along?”52Please respect copyright.PENANALIAa8p1Gc0
52Please respect copyright.PENANAtqECqxCDpy
52Please respect copyright.PENANARb6djgfZ9i
Before Walters could say anything, the door to the bathroom flew open, and Miranda walked out, humming to herself. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Red Lion and Hugo standing in the living room. Her face filled with horror when she saw Red Lion, as the memory of him back at the party came back to her.52Please respect copyright.PENANABaScGdIq7j
52Please respect copyright.PENANAGouKCg79un
52Please respect copyright.PENANAwN3Q0ek6UD
Red Lion smiled at her, remembering her as well. “I remember you,” he said. “You were the girl who couldn’t mind her own business, right?”52Please respect copyright.PENANAmiUw2HDChx
52Please respect copyright.PENANAQmhIjTDuPY
52Please respect copyright.PENANA18ifUBgUBo
Hugo and Walters gave Red Lion a questioning look. Miranda blushed in embarrassment.52Please respect copyright.PENANAIGgXXMr8X8
52Please respect copyright.PENANAGpueL5zYMf
52Please respect copyright.PENANARIOfjZi9CI
“I’m joking, sorry,” said Red Lion, quickly reading the room. “I didn’t mean it like that, really. I don’t want to ruin this for everyone, so I’m sorry.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAjEiEFGLXv6
52Please respect copyright.PENANANpGeVh6hNX
52Please respect copyright.PENANAEADeaHApoe
Miranda meekly said, “Whatever. I’ll be out on the balcony if you need me.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAT6zzxm0yqn
52Please respect copyright.PENANAZr9XTI0UPM
52Please respect copyright.PENANA76glqwvZlL
She slowly made her way to the open balcony. Red Lion watched her go, and as soon as she was out of sight, he turned to look at Walters. Walters knew what he was about to say, so he quickly had to say something.52Please respect copyright.PENANAzDNujWBeMQ
52Please respect copyright.PENANAaQDuEv7o9G
52Please respect copyright.PENANA3tR3PwKA6P
“I know what you’re thinking, and it’s not happening,” said Mr. Walters.52Please respect copyright.PENANAYq0H0C0X4N
52Please respect copyright.PENANAjzyPc1aEvc
52Please respect copyright.PENANA3SPMmHTgkc
“Oh, I’m in too much of a good mood to say it now,” said Red Lion as he smiled and approached Walters. “But she better not mess things up for me, got it?”52Please respect copyright.PENANA3wLJowTVOb
52Please respect copyright.PENANAZjhifFEPT7
52Please respect copyright.PENANAYNhvuIRD5B
Walters swallowed. “She won’t. I can promise you that.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAcEgrA8AASD
52Please respect copyright.PENANA6hlYo07qmG
52Please respect copyright.PENANAw4BXcZnhgX
Red Lion gave me a huge grin. “Cheer up and relax, Walters,” he said. He sat on the couch. “Oh, the game is on. Pour me a glass of champagne, would you, Hugo?”52Please respect copyright.PENANAiM09XDdXxK
52Please respect copyright.PENANAgQqDPpvyK2
52Please respect copyright.PENANAZkfZppvrP7
“Sure,” said Hugo. He gave Walters a look before going over to the tray. Walters, on the other hand, felt relieved that Red Lion was in a good mood. But she had to give Miranda a heads-up.52Please respect copyright.PENANAE2xOuyvUjY
52Please respect copyright.PENANA7KBeaewVTa
52Please respect copyright.PENANAFJFFVr2P9v
***52Please respect copyright.PENANA8ICUjQjGFG
52Please respect copyright.PENANAuf2z0ODo4B
52Please respect copyright.PENANAnPK6kTWUTr
Angel held on to Oliver’s hand as they walked out of the hotel’s doors into the beautiful garden outside, with well-manicured square lawns surrounded by short green hedges. The garden lights made the place look even more beautiful, as Marco had proclaimed. Angel couldn’t help but look around in awe. There were a few lawns up ahead with white garden benches to sit on. A few people walked around the garden. On the east side was an outdoor bar.52Please respect copyright.PENANAuxzKK0OqIb
52Please respect copyright.PENANAsFaamge61J
52Please respect copyright.PENANAk8ydKOupcE
“Well, this looks lovely,” Carly commented as she joined her sister.52Please respect copyright.PENANATzI85Q3spo
52Please respect copyright.PENANAPDK2ALiCI0
52Please respect copyright.PENANAeNvkpC5dG2
“I see why they book weddings here,” said Eric. “It looks like a really romantic spot for newlyweds.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAcNkdHBm84u
52Please respect copyright.PENANA48WdDxQuYd
52Please respect copyright.PENANAXphTcRGdVJ
“Or for couples,” Carly added, looking at Eric.52Please respect copyright.PENANA0lZu74VQXa
52Please respect copyright.PENANAcOKiN2j2z7
52Please respect copyright.PENANAsSYbFtY3Ri
“Oh, look, there’s a fountain over there,” said Oliver as he pointed to the white fountain at the center of the garden. Surprisingly, the others hadn’t noticed it before, except Marco.52Please respect copyright.PENANA9ynnwLLBNN
52Please respect copyright.PENANAyIZkXOchmz
52Please respect copyright.PENANAsxEN4CR19K
“I didn’t see it there,” said Leo. “You really have a good eye, Oliver.”52Please respect copyright.PENANA8E9WrNLhUl
52Please respect copyright.PENANA2mYlD6AtKN
52Please respect copyright.PENANAWDUEH1HmfL
“Can we go there and see it?” Oliver looked up at Angel.52Please respect copyright.PENANAFlwHaewL38
52Please respect copyright.PENANAV3jtFI57QL
52Please respect copyright.PENANA3xOEt2Hdty
“Sure,” said Angel, and the two started to walk down the stone path. “This place surely is beautiful.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAuJgJWwqNFp
52Please respect copyright.PENANAIa6vZsKHap
52Please respect copyright.PENANAnfMTBymJZx
“It really is,” said Marco, who came up walking behind her.52Please respect copyright.PENANAl1mYWNK54J
52Please respect copyright.PENANAy3otlwwMb9
52Please respect copyright.PENANA4LLlP2E9Fk
Angel could feel his eyes on her, and for once, she thought it better that he walk in front of her. Eric walked beside Marco, keeping an eye on him.52Please respect copyright.PENANAIbYlcmEXkj
52Please respect copyright.PENANAFQI6Pv583C
52Please respect copyright.PENANAc7Mbgi5Zyx
“I love the way this place is so romantic,” said Carly as she walked alongside Leo. Leo gave her a smile.52Please respect copyright.PENANA2nTy9wgeIz
52Please respect copyright.PENANAHITNI70uW4
52Please respect copyright.PENANAK0Kpg8gLGX
Angel had a brief look behind her and noticed the look Leo gave Carly. She couldn’t help but feel there was something wrong with this whole affair. She remembered that Eric mentioned that he and Leo had thought of staying behind. Was it because Leo thought of spending some time with Carly? Then a sudden thought came over her. Kim.52Please respect copyright.PENANAQ9QBY652sI
52Please respect copyright.PENANAqtEbg8lMD0
52Please respect copyright.PENANAR5qlePOmJy
“Hey, are you okay?” Eric asked.52Please respect copyright.PENANAYyuKhmVh5x
52Please respect copyright.PENANA1LVccPmCc4
52Please respect copyright.PENANAVA5WNMYnDh
Angel snapped out of her thoughts as she realized she had actually stopped in her tracks. Oliver, who walked with her, looked worried.52Please respect copyright.PENANADSqBVSdZ2M
52Please respect copyright.PENANAXcnqByJOyt
52Please respect copyright.PENANApULGF9m9Cz
“Oh, no, don’t worry about me,” said Angel. “I’m fine.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAOsz2X3VBHj
52Please respect copyright.PENANA62ecA2tM0w
52Please respect copyright.PENANASf9VaJNLqt
"Maybe you're just tired," said Eric. "You did work a lot yesterday."52Please respect copyright.PENANA3Vn8hxnpf2
52Please respect copyright.PENANAPXvCRMY9yl
52Please respect copyright.PENANAtG4PFdI1ZI
"No, really, I'm fine. I just remembered something, that's all."52Please respect copyright.PENANAco9OhWHTWs
52Please respect copyright.PENANAnouCDWdn2f
52Please respect copyright.PENANAyLezuViTt9
She turned to look behind her, and she got caught looking at Marco, who, for some reason, wasn't smiling at her. Was he also worried about her? No, that's silly, Angel thought to herself.52Please respect copyright.PENANAnjXddl7bc6
52Please respect copyright.PENANAk0LknKI5me
52Please respect copyright.PENANA1EPL2gTS35
Her eyes soon fell on the pair of lovebirds. She realized that the two were slowly following behind them in deep conversation. Angel couldn't tell what they were talking about, but if Kim was here for Leo, then it spelled trouble. Kim would without a doubt realize that Carly is Leo's new lover.52Please respect copyright.PENANACCHxCXdVF7
52Please respect copyright.PENANAxN0uOuYBH8
52Please respect copyright.PENANA1qkMdfvedt
"Hey, what's going on here?" Leo asked as he noticed everyone had stopped walking.52Please respect copyright.PENANAitGLDKN3lh
52Please respect copyright.PENANAdm0qwNIUMb
52Please respect copyright.PENANAH14g8TViIu
His eyes fell on Angel, who didn't look so happy with him. He started to wonder if maybe it was because he was hanging back with Carly. He thought staying far behind would give him and Carly the opportunity to run off without anyone noticing. He would've had to wait a little longer for that to happen.52Please respect copyright.PENANAZqsJfKEr3u
52Please respect copyright.PENANADDBs1FCfZD
52Please respect copyright.PENANAflNbtGjWB3
However, he found himself blushing at the way Angel looked at him. Angel, on the other hand, wondered whether to tell Leo or not that Kim was around.52Please respect copyright.PENANAn4svMUBlTs
52Please respect copyright.PENANAjT93uNrJWM
52Please respect copyright.PENANAOiVs6uMump
Kim and Trina stood a few feet away from the exit that led to the garden. They watched as Leo and others walked down the straight stone path into the garden. Leo and Carly looked like they were in some conversation with the rest ahead of them.52Please respect copyright.PENANAi4tu3IluVP
52Please respect copyright.PENANAgP5mkX9MBf
52Please respect copyright.PENANAijvfCNieTD
"You know, we better stay back," said Trina. "We’re straight in their line of sight if any of them ever decide to look behind them."52Please respect copyright.PENANA9eYa6q3mFi
52Please respect copyright.PENANA75ItOJnv45
52Please respect copyright.PENANATSKXJaDvEt
Kim agreed with her. The two stood behind one of the open doors of the exit, peeping every now and then. If anyone were to look behind them, they could easily turn their heads to face the other direction.52Please respect copyright.PENANAu5yBiawULo
52Please respect copyright.PENANAysFYjFdtGG
52Please respect copyright.PENANAf7YzA7cjlF
They looked at the group ahead of them and noticed Leo and Carly talking to each other.52Please respect copyright.PENANA4YaKBCkiGl
52Please respect copyright.PENANAa3ZjADAUCn
52Please respect copyright.PENANA8bhxnzp3fa
“Those two seem to be getting along just fine,” said Trina. “Do you think the two of them could be...”52Please respect copyright.PENANAy1LiLWcSsr
52Please respect copyright.PENANAJc64Z8C8Se
52Please respect copyright.PENANA452lcOhR1c
“I don’t think so,” said Kim. “They aren’t leaning in so close to each other. I mean, they live under the same roof, so they have no choice but to get along.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAiDjcAlW6iw
52Please respect copyright.PENANAH0ENPH4NTl
52Please respect copyright.PENANAP80BudEBdu
“But she’s very pretty. If you ask me, I wouldn’t be surprised if he did happen to fall for her.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAsMFnk3EYbF
52Please respect copyright.PENANA07xKvJ3Pdx
52Please respect copyright.PENANA55jalfP9sN
“The timeline doesn't add up. Those two met after Angel’s accident, and Leo had decided before then to break up with me, so it can’t be her.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAHMvYhUjjnW
52Please respect copyright.PENANAamdvGVmSVS
52Please respect copyright.PENANAuf7fHKgtSH
“I hear you. Do you think the woman is in this building right now waiting for him?”52Please respect copyright.PENANAtpNjfVzpSg
52Please respect copyright.PENANAjAnqR7gYzD
52Please respect copyright.PENANA2VODgMX4gX
“Obviously. I just want to see who it is so that I can pull all her hair out.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAu1hcmuACp9
52Please respect copyright.PENANAtEqWuEbR1J
52Please respect copyright.PENANAk6sn0Re0I7
“Hey, look.” Trina, who stood closest to the door, held Kim’s arm to grab her attention. “They stopped walking. I wonder what’s up.”52Please respect copyright.PENANALEoY1SGri0
52Please respect copyright.PENANAsfZLIFrbX3
52Please respect copyright.PENANAgitvsR5F95
Kim bent her head and wondered as well. Was something wrong?52Please respect copyright.PENANADlXy2tu9ti
52Please respect copyright.PENANAvuYzomB5tE
52Please respect copyright.PENANAkr8A4MDTuu
Angel looked at Leo before landing her eyes on Carly. She had to think of something quick.52Please respect copyright.PENANArFFdarXkdB
52Please respect copyright.PENANAuNHR8fYl4T
52Please respect copyright.PENANAcWNaV0Mgng
“Carly, can I talk to you for a second?” Angel asked. She looked at the rest of the male folk. “You guys can walk ahead. It’s just a little girl talk.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAahFxOhbOa5
52Please respect copyright.PENANA22MwkJxQ8c
52Please respect copyright.PENANATlvi7QX072
Marco raised an eyebrow at her but smiled kindly. “As you wish,” he said. “Though it would’ve been interesting to know what you’re talking about.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAvFTfPEIQIp
52Please respect copyright.PENANAsuJ15Ae0sh
52Please respect copyright.PENANAzmbiMgwOhI
Angel felt her cheeks heat up, but she quickly looked away by turning her eyes on Oliver. “You can go on with the guys. I’ll catch up.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAW2WLfCkjCD
52Please respect copyright.PENANA0qXdJ4yrD1
52Please respect copyright.PENANAW5DHZZT0jc
Oliver nodded, and the others went on ahead, leaving the two sisters behind.52Please respect copyright.PENANAY7OPzGEIOM
52Please respect copyright.PENANAujiGaAfbQu
52Please respect copyright.PENANAd8ZazlnjD2
“What is it, Angel?” Carly asked. “Are you upset with me and Leo?”52Please respect copyright.PENANA75eCIE8Pql
52Please respect copyright.PENANAQswCpOwV8r
52Please respect copyright.PENANAJmOKS5gZpr
Angel wrapped her arm around Carly’s. “Let’s continue walking,” she said. “There’s something I want to ask you.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAmmYiUhwSu8
52Please respect copyright.PENANAlViM72xZl9
52Please respect copyright.PENANAQCtqOvye1V
“What is it?”52Please respect copyright.PENANA2qXwdw5QsD
52Please respect copyright.PENANAIg8K6sVExj
52Please respect copyright.PENANAJ8Zn95gun6
They slowly walked along the path. The men and Oliver ahead of them turned around the corner to the right, heading towards the fountain. Oliver seemed to be saying something funny because the men had smiles on their faces. Children can be something sometimes, Angel thought to herself.52Please respect copyright.PENANANl2BQ55vHC
52Please respect copyright.PENANAEiKiinNWmp
52Please respect copyright.PENANAPEKdV3WRX2
“Were you planning on running off with Leo to the hotel room he booked for the evening?” Angel asked.52Please respect copyright.PENANALb2Hw61tas
52Please respect copyright.PENANAfpoZEtiLKy
52Please respect copyright.PENANAB97nAm9PAG
Carly looked at Angel. “Ah..., no. No, I don’t think so.”52Please respect copyright.PENANApm6Q2gdahc
52Please respect copyright.PENANAGEkSOHev8J
52Please respect copyright.PENANA2WI0hJbMAZ
“Funny. Because when I said I wanted to go sightseeing, Eric said that he and Leo had planned to stay here a little longer. And the way you two were falling behind, I had a feeling you were planning to run off. Correct me if I’m lying.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAZ9dob4YqSW
52Please respect copyright.PENANAITkGSj3d2v
52Please respect copyright.PENANAEAqGj26uUP
Carly swallowed as Angel turned to face her. There was a serious look on Angel’s face. Carly didn’t want to admit it, but the look made Angel look even more beautiful. Her dark brown eyes looked so intense that, as much as Carly wanted to look away, she still found herself looking into them. Carly cleared her throat before she spoke.52Please respect copyright.PENANAY8CdbUTm1I
52Please respect copyright.PENANAJUktyIe0Oj
52Please respect copyright.PENANAy0vQRZMZ5a
“You’re right, Angel,” she replied. Angel scoffed. “But you don’t have to worry. Leo and I are responsible adults.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAWgISaghA5g
52Please respect copyright.PENANAhHcbcEkKzz
52Please respect copyright.PENANANpwbUDMtPG
“It’s not the fact that you’re responsible that has me worried,” said Angel. They were now reaching the turn. The others had already gone far ahead.52Please respect copyright.PENANA3ezLpmxF3e
52Please respect copyright.PENANAZMCt9R5tXk
52Please respect copyright.PENANAULpliNi5hr
“Then what is it? Are you worried that Marco will figure out about me and Leo?” Carly asked.52Please respect copyright.PENANAHv2zpr7Ruu
52Please respect copyright.PENANAeTqdl1yiXg
52Please respect copyright.PENANAM5h3vJifOa
“Well, if he hasn't, then it’s either you’ve been lucky or he really doesn’t have the natural gift of figuring things out about people.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAtQd7r6UyrE
52Please respect copyright.PENANAyyMolGKgmQ
52Please respect copyright.PENANAJbt4cymTJo
Angel had to choose her words cleverly there. She thought it was best not to tell Carly about Kim and Trina. No doubt, she would tell Leo, which wouldn’t spell good for anyone right now. And if he were to lose his temper in front of Marco, the result would still remain the same.52Please respect copyright.PENANA1s56ajwtdG
52Please respect copyright.PENANA81PKZ4DKqj
52Please respect copyright.PENANAjScdsBtu9T
"So, what are you trying to say?” Carly asked as they turned to the path heading straight to the fountain.52Please respect copyright.PENANAnfpUnr1q06
52Please respect copyright.PENANAgJc2KY8qtc
52Please respect copyright.PENANAQogsl9HziY
“Wait for Marco to leave,” said Angel. “That way, we wouldn’t have to worry about him saying things he shouldn’t be saying.”52Please respect copyright.PENANALFN18KaB29
52Please respect copyright.PENANAjjoA8QGnT0
52Please respect copyright.PENANAr2BYv9mMXb
Carly chuckled. Angel looked at her sister, surprised that she was finding this amusing.52Please respect copyright.PENANAzXhCTftwQY
52Please respect copyright.PENANAAumrbJwHMk
52Please respect copyright.PENANAadJqdWaOT8
“I’m sorry, Angel,” said Carly. “You sound like some undercover agent, and you want to keep things secret.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAZUItMVBGEP
52Please respect copyright.PENANAaKrhhQizaV
52Please respect copyright.PENANAHZCKrwnKhJ
If only she knew that that’s exactly what I’m doing, especially because of Kim, Angel thought to herself. “I’m just looking out for you," she said.52Please respect copyright.PENANAcUL9MRugt8
52Please respect copyright.PENANAELwYKSTcgs
52Please respect copyright.PENANAzdJaMXmVg1
“And Leo.” Carly gave her sister a smile. “As much as you don’t like to admit it, your looking out for me means you’re fond of him. Don’t pretend.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAnXNiMX3QUF
52Please respect copyright.PENANAEbLFAlwzN0
52Please respect copyright.PENANA15TdwQYVEa
Angel rolled her eyes as she scoffed. “Don’t be silly. If you weren’t involved with him, I wouldn’t mind if he ran off a cliff.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAf6aNZVEDU6
52Please respect copyright.PENANA1skdeMtnNK
52Please respect copyright.PENANAZk9hCdD8Hi
“Now that’s mean.” Carly playfully hit Angel on the head and laughed out loud. “Don’t worry. There will be a time when the two of you will get along like old friends.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAnG0fsxSd28
52Please respect copyright.PENANAPjKX8Pxu5Z
52Please respect copyright.PENANA0y6FTOMjmq
“That will only happen when pigs fly,” said Angel. “Let’s hurry. I see Oliver beckoning to us.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAuFi6eFNLvU
52Please respect copyright.PENANAq26F35u3a0
52Please respect copyright.PENANAM4EJfDsaqn
The sisters hurried along, and from afar, near the exit door of the hotel, Kim and Trina looked on at the two sisters. They started to make their way slowly down the stone path into the garden. With the cover of trees, they could still hide themselves from plain sight.52Please respect copyright.PENANAMopwXJPOWt
52Please respect copyright.PENANATt1Skt6Wvl
52Please respect copyright.PENANAIFGJRSKjSQ
“I’m guessing Angel didn’t tell Carly about us,” said Kim as she stood beside a tree to hide herself. She noticed Carly laughing aloud.52Please respect copyright.PENANAXj2mntG48E
52Please respect copyright.PENANA8zfVb8JKo2
52Please respect copyright.PENANAwSRjAd6KHi
“Maybe they were talking about the other man who is with them,” said Trina, who looked towards the fountain. “When I noticed him at their table, I couldn’t help but realize how handsome he is.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAwpmHOfZCqt
52Please respect copyright.PENANAfTP39VNrrZ
52Please respect copyright.PENANAHe8MEZyySF
Kim shook her head. “You claim to be in love with Eric, but it’s plain to see that you’re always drooling for the next handsome guy you lay your eyes on.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAdNop2TOOv1
52Please respect copyright.PENANACGHbmihhjC
52Please respect copyright.PENANA7sNQeeOehL
“Oh, please, you can’t deny that there are more men out there handsome than Leo. I just say he’s eye-catching, not that I want to date him or anything.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAUzJ55HzcWR
52Please respect copyright.PENANA0DSD5EqGX2
52Please respect copyright.PENANAw5MqXSPqp6
“We should stay here for a while,” said Kim as she folded her arms. “If we follow, they will see us in plain sight.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAH6x698Rri6
52Please respect copyright.PENANAGFiZTNEZ9I
52Please respect copyright.PENANAX5mX5NpDB4
Trina didn’t argue there. And the two watched as the sisters joined the others at the fountain.52Please respect copyright.PENANAQukEsN5VHR
52Please respect copyright.PENANAjSjVZpuOnz
52Please respect copyright.PENANAaKZH2kBWEB
“Hey, what is it, Oliver?” Angel asked as she unhooked her arm around Carly’s and approached him.52Please respect copyright.PENANAdrPX8OdwSv
52Please respect copyright.PENANAiX88wN9p5R
52Please respect copyright.PENANAd68xA3Xigi
“This seems like a wish fountain,” said Oliver as he pointed to the pool basin. At the bottom of it were dimes and nickels scattered around.52Please respect copyright.PENANA0mvexE1rCr
52Please respect copyright.PENANAgJjOM7p1C6
52Please respect copyright.PENANAW2Ewf610zy
“Would you like to make a wish?”52Please respect copyright.PENANAZd3uZSkZjE
52Please respect copyright.PENANAtvtF3WSa4t
52Please respect copyright.PENANAlbLZEnvSTm
“I would love to, but Leo and Eric are bullying me, saying that those things don’t work and won’t give me a coin.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAOe2laouU0R
52Please respect copyright.PENANA1PS9Rb8Nh8
52Please respect copyright.PENANARDHQH16Lxh
Leo and Eric, who both stood on the opposite side of the fountain, looked at Oliver in disbelief. Angel looked at the two of them and folded her arms.52Please respect copyright.PENANAuOtLSlXwrM
52Please respect copyright.PENANAfKGn4NhQFc
52Please respect copyright.PENANAv8DInA8hGg
“Don’t believe a word he says,” said Leo. “You know how Oliver lies a lot.”52Please respect copyright.PENANA1tNnA1D8F3
52Please respect copyright.PENANAr3sKWag5WE
52Please respect copyright.PENANAXHlo7DDARx
“Oh, I can assure you, Angel,” said Marco as he came over to her. “They were in a deep argument about it. I didn’t want to intervene since it felt more like a family affair.” Marco raised an eyebrow at Eric and Leo.52Please respect copyright.PENANAXZzcN6BdR4
52Please respect copyright.PENANAvTxdcXHeNs
52Please respect copyright.PENANABuTBPUuBgk
“No way,” said Eric as he shook his head at Marco. “Angel, you seriously can’t believe Marco too.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAJiHOILQSGp
52Please respect copyright.PENANAHYahgc5fbp
52Please respect copyright.PENANAbRbfozVYJN
“Come on, you two, give Oliver a coin,” said Angel. “No one has to land in the pool of water tonight.”52Please respect copyright.PENANAqCiU2uAXXL
52Please respect copyright.PENANARU5O23y5fV
52Please respect copyright.PENANAOlvVMzNake
“Will you really do that?” Leo asked.52Please respect copyright.PENANAaOC6WmRFlZ
52Please respect copyright.PENANA4hpLxRFBSE
52Please respect copyright.PENANAlMsS3oeLmL
“Are you testing me?” Angel cocked her head to the side. She started to make her way around the fountain towards Leo and Eric.52Please respect copyright.PENANAAzp7GVxamj
52Please respect copyright.PENANA3Z4RwKrnLU
52Please respect copyright.PENANA4ED14g0ZK4
While Leo and Eric were making up excuses to save themselves, Marco went over to Carly, who was watching the whole affair with amusement.52Please respect copyright.PENANAZNC13y6jLF
52Please respect copyright.PENANAPEhudVTxYM
52Please respect copyright.PENANAQOGL2Sshez
“So, I hear you're a college student," said Marco as he stood beside her. "What are you studying?"52Please respect copyright.PENANAnY9eHb30Cn
52Please respect copyright.PENANAfZDBTpAIvM
52Please respect copyright.PENANAdAf9785347
"History," answered Carly. "I'm in my second year."52Please respect copyright.PENANAOdRGDLGQTU
52Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5vFe3LefU
52Please respect copyright.PENANAlmt60wVWCI
"Nice. I was hoping you were also working for the McDonells. I was going to be seeing you at the office."52Please respect copyright.PENANAPqQSvGTS3o
52Please respect copyright.PENANApQxVMkGuiJ
52Please respect copyright.PENANA7cDKBlRN3Q
"You will be around for a while?" Carly asked, trying not to feel uncomfortable.52Please respect copyright.PENANAJr7u0CK2s8
52Please respect copyright.PENANA7VZamWeXSY
52Please respect copyright.PENANA8OXwDdQMXH
"Yeah, I will. My dad and his associates will be heading back a day after tomorrow. He told me to stick around to see how things are done at the McDonell company."52Please respect copyright.PENANARbq2xrWXTV
52Please respect copyright.PENANAHxL2FWjPyt
52Please respect copyright.PENANABRjLG7h5Mh
"Oh, okay." Carly felt a little bad for Angel. She would've had to put up with him for a while longer.52Please respect copyright.PENANAiWaoik7kZs
52Please respect copyright.PENANA6FpyrBM95r
52Please respect copyright.PENANAaMmvB93Qcq
"Is your sister dating anyone?" Marco asked as he focused his eyes on Angel, who was now probing Leo and Eric to give her a coin.52Please respect copyright.PENANAzxqW2sKsLl
52Please respect copyright.PENANAcrwy99elxZ
52Please respect copyright.PENANAgAlOcWPbo8
"Huh, why do you ask?" Carly raised an eyebrow.52Please respect copyright.PENANAR4g4RZJxA7
52Please respect copyright.PENANAVy9rUWjVLq
52Please respect copyright.PENANApx8qDwGnS6
Marco looked at her with a smug smile on his face. "I was just asking," he replied. "I'm betting a woman like her is already taken."52Please respect copyright.PENANAj9ZSX9oWZl
52Please respect copyright.PENANAeJ0obkLiYP
52Please respect copyright.PENANAwjX71T0p2W
Carly cleared her throat. Lying to him would've been appropriate, but she knows Angel wouldn't like that, especially if he happened to ask around.52Please respect copyright.PENANAQh7nDWNUWO
52Please respect copyright.PENANAtcp31f9pqs
52Please respect copyright.PENANALJXRZYe3Ql
"No, she's single," she answered. "Her previous relationship didn't go so well. He cheated on her, and she broke things off."52Please respect copyright.PENANA6tWpulG2qc
52Please respect copyright.PENANA9HzBqWkM2B
52Please respect copyright.PENANApBgh97cKPq
"I bet the guy begged for her forgiveness." Marco’s eyes seemed to drift off somewhere in his thoughts. "But a woman like her wouldn't tolerate such behavior."52Please respect copyright.PENANAbHpgtHxnHg
52Please respect copyright.PENANA7Re6eerfsS
52Please respect copyright.PENANAjutTYS7Jwn
His response surprised Carly. He sounded like he had known Angel all his life. She noticed the look in his eyes when he went back to look at her sister. She couldn't tell what she saw in them, but it made her suddenly want to change the subject.52Please respect copyright.PENANAaPJpydYsSY
52Please respect copyright.PENANA9n8Rgzaxqt
52Please respect copyright.PENANA3azirumbZx
"And what about you?" she asked. "Aren't you seeing someone?"52Please respect copyright.PENANAsBcnSxabkX
52Please respect copyright.PENANAEGlEHdtspJ
52Please respect copyright.PENANAME8o7puk8v
The look in his eyes disappeared as he turned his head to answer her. "No," he said. "Or can I say yes? Many women fall head over heels in love with me, and they enjoy my company so much that I can't really point out if I have one."52Please respect copyright.PENANA6s5h85Znuv
52Please respect copyright.PENANAoNpTVlNUSm
52Please respect copyright.PENANAKCx1V6LEXo
"Huh?" She shouldn't be surprised. She had a feeling he was more of a player.52Please respect copyright.PENANAjhtwTzz1Tv
52Please respect copyright.PENANAtA1XdH5jcv
52Please respect copyright.PENANAzsiJh0p6hG
"Don't tell your sister," he warned jokingly. "I don't want her resenting me because of that."52Please respect copyright.PENANAaZUrr4tMab
52Please respect copyright.PENANAYR6RisjeGC
52Please respect copyright.PENANATYa7o5tdAQ
"I doubt she will." Carly had a funny feeling that Marco might actually be interested in her sister after all.52Please respect copyright.PENANA9uuXgaco3h
52Please respect copyright.PENANAuIt4Q6NC9S
52Please respect copyright.PENANAgFfzxLScDO
She turned to look at Angel, who had somehow managed to get a coin from Leo. He dug into the pocket of his trousers and fetched out his wallet. He brought out a nickel and placed it in Angel’s outstretched hand. She gladly smiled at him.52Please respect copyright.PENANApqFaurbnuG
52Please respect copyright.PENANALAzgT4ogwv
52Please respect copyright.PENANAy3So5otdT6
"Now, that wasn't so hard, was it?" she asked.52Please respect copyright.PENANAqukT46JyOS
52Please respect copyright.PENANAiiNIUM9MpV
52Please respect copyright.PENANAhvOLyL7oe5
"Well, you threatened to throw us in the water, and I'm wearing an expensive suit," said Leo, feeling his cheeks start to heat up.52Please respect copyright.PENANADReSkSWg7L
52Please respect copyright.PENANA94cWQAI5Q0
52Please respect copyright.PENANAMGpsaTucZn
"It was worth it. You don't think I would?"52Please respect copyright.PENANA1Gs0d2Km9P
52Please respect copyright.PENANAJyqg8MLJ7h
52Please respect copyright.PENANAZqhuamFAGA
"Oh, I believe you would," said Eric.52Please respect copyright.PENANAkt8it069UH
52Please respect copyright.PENANAuqaorHvOu9
52Please respect copyright.PENANAemM3JJUi5t
"Why are you agreeing to this?" Leo asked as he looked at Eric with a confused look.52Please respect copyright.PENANAVuNLQvqC3V
52Please respect copyright.PENANAsJbGr33Rpp
52Please respect copyright.PENANAMGYtfiXSpW
"You better believe it too," said Carly. "Angel is a lot stronger than you think."52Please respect copyright.PENANAhLfYy1nIoy
52Please respect copyright.PENANAc0dIjHcBWn
52Please respect copyright.PENANAKOAoBsAkgc
"I'll believe it when I see it." He didn't have to. The struggle they had a few days ago at Carly’s bedroom door was proof of that.52Please respect copyright.PENANAD5Mogz9tUj
52Please respect copyright.PENANAmLgQpmvvrr
52Please respect copyright.PENANACqz5tMFgEe
"I can show you tomorrow if you want," said Angel. "I would like to have done it right now, but you're in a suit, and you've already given me what I need." She gestured with her eyes toward the coin.52Please respect copyright.PENANACs9il1xuAC
52Please respect copyright.PENANACHidTk5FUO
52Please respect copyright.PENANAVBZZRdElSY
"Is that a challenge?" Leo raised an eyebrow.52Please respect copyright.PENANAKFoWVn9M9i
52Please respect copyright.PENANAaXwJVIvjTO
52Please respect copyright.PENANAwsn2IIhOUe
"No, no more challenges between the two of you," said Eric.52Please respect copyright.PENANAsUBa0aa5Fr
52Please respect copyright.PENANA7poEhsPm96
52Please respect copyright.PENANAchvKbnt78e
"Why don't we all go and have a drink instead?" Marco suggested.52Please respect copyright.PENANAUrg74bfMnn
52Please respect copyright.PENANAuXza7OQ47q
52Please respect copyright.PENANATIM3d7Opco
"Yeah," Angel agreed. "Let's leave this challenge for another day."52Please respect copyright.PENANAMpLmsAksxD
52Please respect copyright.PENANA0JWb5WSbRf
52Please respect copyright.PENANAh2jG84sj1K
"Oh boy," said Eric, rolling his eyes. "As long as it's not tomorrow, I'm okay. I want to lose my head a little with a drink tonight."52Please respect copyright.PENANANb47yPu047
52Please respect copyright.PENANAGyKgf9qIn9
52Please respect copyright.PENANAukokEYnQtS
"Do you mean you want to get drunk?" Oliver asked.52Please respect copyright.PENANAtONLpZKRZO
52Please respect copyright.PENANAtMwIVYMV4y
52Please respect copyright.PENANAVFshCbMqW4
Angel looked forcibly at Eric, warning him that he shouldn't have said that in the presence of a child. The others, who saw her expression, almost burst out laughing. Eric knew he was going to get an earful from Angel after this.52Please respect copyright.PENANAmGZvZQVJK4
52Please respect copyright.PENANAJus1meSSHl
52Please respect copyright.PENANAsLrB7xKgZQ
"No, I meant having fun," said Eric as he looked at his brother.52Please respect copyright.PENANASZOhPB2Yjg
52Please respect copyright.PENANAJTPLUFjxni
52Please respect copyright.PENANAiJD0KFhgBi
"Then let's go have fun," said Marco.52Please respect copyright.PENANAnZp0XhfOA7
52Please respect copyright.PENANA2KgwU8T4DX
52Please respect copyright.PENANA3Tv4riVFNh
"Wait," said Angel as she gave Oliver the coin. "Don't you want to make your wish?"52Please respect copyright.PENANAnWpPJGskPX
52Please respect copyright.PENANAgP55lHqxq6
52Please respect copyright.PENANAq4NIWegzml
Oliver looked at it with a contemplative look. "Mm, can I do it after having fun," he answered.52Please respect copyright.PENANAoZhSAVY8dL
52Please respect copyright.PENANAR22XfnS5B3
52Please respect copyright.PENANAv2mzMHUy5D
Eric and Leo rolled their eyes at Oliver. They knew giving him the coin was pointless, and that's why they didn't want to give it to him in the first place.52Please respect copyright.PENANASDQsU952aE
52Please respect copyright.PENANADis8MgqSli
52Please respect copyright.PENANAsC0Pt6NGr0
They all left the fountain and started to make their way to the outdoor bar. Kim and Trina, who kept their eyes on them, started to follow up the stone path.52Please respect copyright.PENANAVVXEPEcNi9
52Please respect copyright.PENANAY4ktjpLV6V
52Please respect copyright.PENANAdKe3L79jnS
Miranda felt like staying on the balcony a little longer. Walters had come to check up on her a few minutes ago to see if she was okay. He brought her a glass of champagne to cheer her up a little and asked her if she would come back inside. She declined, telling him that she would only come in when their host arrived.52Please respect copyright.PENANASnjqWvLo8F
52Please respect copyright.PENANAVAIp8Hdtct
52Please respect copyright.PENANAozevCRKApH
As she looked out of the balcony, below her was an open bar. It was evening, and it would only be obvious to find people occupying the tables on the cobblestones of the bar area. Some in large groups; others small. She wished she could go down there and get herself a drink, but not when she was only there for business.52Please respect copyright.PENANAarbcuT9ZQe
52Please respect copyright.PENANAfLbt6uRyvK
52Please respect copyright.PENANAH9BwXGMzN2
She took a sip of her champagne and wished for something out of the ordinary to happen. After Red Lion terrified her with his presence, she felt going back in there wasn't much of an option.52Please respect copyright.PENANA44NqunRde7
52Please respect copyright.PENANAZieoBhpbYW
52Please respect copyright.PENANAuHx4DGxvZf
After taking the glass away from her lips, she stared at the bar below, and her eyes suddenly fell upon a face she never expected to see. Her heart fluttered at the sight of his handsome face. Looking elegant in his suit was Leo McDonell in the flesh.52Please respect copyright.PENANA5ISnSyTOxT
52Please respect copyright.PENANAKly6Udv1YD
52Please respect copyright.PENANA8Isvadtbqa
Miranda gasped, and her fingers around the glass almost grew so numb that she had to quickly tell herself to get it together. Leo McDonell was here. And he walked into the bar area like he owned the place. That's one thing she liked about him. He carried with him authority, and he didn’t shy away from showing it.52Please respect copyright.PENANA99NZRFbEDs
52Please respect copyright.PENANAMO07DXzYuj
52Please respect copyright.PENANAOZfCJ17mUg
Walking beside Leo was another good-looking man whom Miranda felt she had also seen before. Behind Leo was another handsome Asian man. And walking beside him were two women who looked extravagantly beautiful. One of them, who wore a red dress, held the hand of a little boy. She couldn't see the faces of the women clearly, as they had their backs facing her as they talked to the Asian man.52Please respect copyright.PENANAUT5aXYaNTW
52Please respect copyright.PENANAAm0sUBODCL
52Please respect copyright.PENANAL1aExeRCEh
Miranda turned to Leo, and after he talked to the man who was beside him, he turned around while the man he had been talking to walked to the bar counter. The woman in the red dress and the child went over to the other side of the bar, with the Asian leading the way. Leo remained behind with the woman in the aqua blue dress. Miranda still couldn't see her face.52Please respect copyright.PENANAECf9bQmuQz
52Please respect copyright.PENANADIplfOp53J
52Please respect copyright.PENANALrTe30DEzj
She noticed how Leo talked with the woman before him, and Miranda couldn't help but feel a little envious. She wished she was the one who was standing with him.52Please respect copyright.PENANAOLMPAC5A2Q
52Please respect copyright.PENANA3wctLnJq6T
52Please respect copyright.PENANAu1pWgp9Ehs
The man who went over to the bar called over to Leo. Leo turned to him and went back to address the woman before leaving her on her own. Miranda would've glued her eyes on Leo, but she wanted to see who this woman was.52Please respect copyright.PENANAmyHSbTv1LB
52Please respect copyright.PENANA7ELlNiA7jn
52Please respect copyright.PENANATThZAb544F
The woman in the blue dress started to look around the bar, and it was then that Miranda saw the side of her face. There was no mistaking who it was under all that makeup. And she should've known from the very start by her body language that it's her.52Please respect copyright.PENANASZ0VztCaxy
52Please respect copyright.PENANAiKPTexOGzW
52Please respect copyright.PENANAtChRYmeIHR
The glass in Miranda's hand slowly started to grow a crack, but she somehow managed to stop herself from fully breaking it. She watched Carly with viciousness, as she looked elegant in her aqua blue dress. Miranda felt like jumping off the balcony to reach her quickly.52Please respect copyright.PENANAG1chJYMNuN
52Please respect copyright.PENANAhMOjgKkrwm
52Please respect copyright.PENANAt4pvaZ8K0W
Miranda put the glass down on the glass table on the balcony and took a deep breath. Her heart felt like it had been lit up by a fiery fire, and it was raging ever more quickly. There's something she has to do about it. She had been keeping this frustration in for a long time, and the woman down there just had to be the reason for it. It was best to let it out on her.52Please respect copyright.PENANA6pcaHKxTpT
52Please respect copyright.PENANASJPh12b992
52Please respect copyright.PENANAFrgFf5QjrH
Miranda had to think of an excuse to go downstairs. As much as she wanted to see Leo down there in person, she had to get rid of Carly first, and no one was going to stop her.52Please respect copyright.PENANAExzJa2nm6a