“Okay, I can do this,” she took a deep breath and tried to relax. She wished she could be in a quiet room, but with the noise around, she had to get used to it.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqTozYBF5k
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQifXczcJ7
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVtzRn40J3
“Hello, am I interrupting anything?” came a voice, bringing her out of her thoughts.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiD7HNINykb
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOnpyaWVmG
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYM2eDQFb3
Angel quickly opened her eyes in fright and found a smartly dressed man standing in front of her. He wore a silver-grey suit that fit well on his body. His clear blue eyes looked at her anxiously, and Angel couldn’t help but stare at his kind, round face with his blonde hair cropped around his head leaving a reasonable amount of hair in the front and middle. A few strands of his hair fell in curls just above his left eye.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGcYhnaeas
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvQdqt9lFx
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjqzdvs1UA
“Uh-yes, I’m fine,” Angel quickly answered as she felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOsfBOTLU4
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZXbA8GoSo
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe5nE34rL9
“You’re the new girl, right?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSvr22ltyJ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYEGJWy3Me
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQRnOov015
Angel didn’t know what to say as she felt she would drop the files in her hands. The man in front of her is gorgeous. And judging by the way his suit fit well on his body, he definitely does workouts at the gym or something. She told herself to pull herself together.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJx35URuApd
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVHI8HMSgh
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMzLDIaeO2
“Yes, I am,” she quickly answered again. “Angel Barclay, nice to meet you. You’re…?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4V9UvWbfoE
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAaZrmqtBr
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuCrQ8I8tZ
“Derrick,” the man quickly drew out his hand to give her a handshake. Angel had to carry the files with her one arm to draw out the other. They shook hands. “I wasn’t in the architecture department when you passed by. I just heard we've a new girl in town.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4t7ueIVOS
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxoA4SmcZC
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJV51OzJHTu
“Oh,” Angel felt her cheeks heat up even more. “I didn’t know I would still be the talk of the department.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGA99bnn9r
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1kwZFzqWm
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmtYu93Ftd
“With your looks, you’ll be the talk for a month. I can guarantee that.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzD8vl2w9d0
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrliBED5N2r
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrgoAgdN71
Angel nervously chuckled. “Don’t say that. I personally don't think so.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVWRZuhcAv
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG1X7TbtQ5
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5NyBeW6Oa
“Well, I do.” He looked at the files in her hands. “May I carry them for you? They look heavy.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMx1z3dhwY
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6AGHdZ1mp
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhbDyqXTbW
“Ah, no thanks,” Angel quickly refused. “They aren’t heavy at all.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjlHiykRYl
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslpDXZDvfS
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0joS7haZzU
“You sure? Here, let me help.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8e0xLI7LOa
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7alcfj3oRw
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aunFnYcuo
Derrick came closer and took the three huge files from her hands. Angel felt like a huge weight has been lifted. She hadn’t realised how heavy the files were until now.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBHjLFXtuL
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElGYrAJVnZ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKIzsYpt8E
“Thanks,” Angel managed to say.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYrMjTiFTp
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtebM9y6saj
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPkQWUucf3
“Are you walking over to your desk?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTX687Hk4T
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMP97MrNg0r
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhekNwn4dWP
“Ah, yes, I am.” Angel led the way to her cubicle in the main work area. She could feel a number of eyes on her and a few whispers here and there.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIVS0vIL9m
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxajARHUi0w
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEKPjJ5hni
Derrick put the files on her desk. “I see you’ve a lot to work on.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjo4oFaNWbA
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI34dsM85B3
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9CrIHwBPd
“Not really,” Angel said, trying to shake off the feeling she's getting from people around her. She started to rub the back of her neck. “Just trying to familiarise myself with what I’ll be doing around here.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOrhWBHNLW
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkZVsxagEd
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieaeISsD2y
“I hear you'll be working closely with Mrs. Lance. You better buckle up. The woman is hard to please.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJEIcSEPKy
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVvAnX2bja
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBqCLVTuaB
“Ya, I’ve been warned. But I’ll do all I can to work hard.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENr1h7PLI3
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQku7EzNzoQ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVSDeVaand
Derrick gave her a kind smile. “Well, I’ll leave you to it, Miss Barclay. Hey, if you’re up for it, you and I can go out for lunch with the others from my department.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJex5RCcnLo
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpOgbYgJ17
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZTnaWYfl9
“Thanks, but I’ll have to decline. I already made plans with someone today.” Angel stared at her phone on the desk. Eric sent a text a few minutes ago inviting her to lunch, so she couldn’t turn him down.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcxWPpNkWg
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJB0ZJx6kTf
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDwF5joj2Q
“Ah, I see. People are already asking you out?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxtntBVed5
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQ6Bd2HgM0
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLT2xucEfWw
Angel found herself blushing even more. “It’s not like that,” she managed to say. “It’s just between friends, nothing special.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJYI7SOzWx
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPEwXjB53h
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5Ht3prDWs
Derrick raised an eyebrow and a smile soon came across his face. “Maybe another time. How does that sound?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMmw4PqLkF
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyryCPiPLD
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXqdvQUIM5
Angel quickly shook her head. “That will be great. Thanks for helping me carry these files.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfwQ6lUsGK
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjHHOkfKJs
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpi0EOE5sWo
“You’re welcome. It’s nice meeting you. I’ll see you around?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnqWRR3Ujt
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXghfLoUQVl
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fxtihck4H
“Ya, I’ll see you.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aGv4DGVSL
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM13IPDhHNy
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlIh82PIQp
Derrick gave her a wave and started to walk out of the work area. Before Angel could take her seat, she could’ve swore that he had turned to look at her before disappearing out of sight. She didn’t want to think too much about it.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5FttLv4gJ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCj2WPsYsQ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsRGoG9iRn
She looked at the files in front of her and knew she had a lot to do. She better get to work now before work starts to pile up. She got one file and placed it in front of her when she heard:295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkwRS1Ti9S
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtG9XmaCWyB
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5PFwy13LW
“Excuse me, it’s Angel, right?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumPVHlOtNt
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBMJ7HUWGz
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNcpN4d9kY
Angel turned around and found a young lady, an African American like her, seated at her desk opposite Angel’s cubicle. Her skin colour is darker than Angel’s, like that of dark chocolate. She had black, kinky hair tied above her head and leaving a huge tuft of hair. She wore glasses with a blue frame and wore a black suit with a white blouse and matching black high-heels. Angel couldn’t help but feel intimidated by the lady’s beauty.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gdxfi0ieJ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkHXpJinL2
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAjPWnmlPC
“Yes, it is," said Angel as she fully turned around in her seat and drew her arm out. "Your name is-?"295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXXdY2QXQq
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jTUiQXHPe
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUNEgyZ037
"Sabrina," said the lady as she leaned forward and shook hands with Angel. "I see a lot of people really want to know you."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jvvhDKqAl
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz5Dw3h6qW
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvuk8gxaAq
"Maybe it's because I'm new here," said Angel, trying her best to stress a point kindly.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cmpo4vhC4
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FxBhVsCoW
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiYKMNX6ov
"Or maybe it's because you're just too pretty," Sabrina gave Angel a flashy smile.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8xUwsxLiT
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2s3qYtunE
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvyG5TozwU
Angel playfully shrugged her shoulders. "I can't be too sure about that."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iHzqvpgOO
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gHEAH7PIb
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE65sv566Qv
"It's because you don't see it. The person you were talking to just now, he's really hard to come by. A lot of ladies around here try to get his attention. For him to actually ask you out for lunch will probably leave a lot of people here speechless."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jlTa3Wnij
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMlUG4il8H
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCs6bwc6Dv
Angel raised an eyebrow. "Really? Why do you say so? You make it sound like he's an introvert when he seems like a really outgoing person."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvS3kVKB1r
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mqx7FdpSi
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtlGTZPD4E
"He is. It's just that he has his own circle of friends. When many ladies try to get close, he pulls away. He's acquainted with a lot of us, but none of us have ever gotten close to him."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqVVUdjIca
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkq4bTiEyN
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeVf2TizlT
"Okay, but what does that have to do with me? I just met him."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVurreeJp1
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjGI2C5Xtu
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcJKVjFzT8
"Him escorting you here and asking you out for lunch is actually the first time I've seen him try to engage a lady in a conversation. He rarely does, unless he is talking about work."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3e5jxu76Mw
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqXn9SRJe9
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoSC0KYz07
"Oh, I see. But that doesn't mean he likes me or anything, right?"295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyr4ZSBM0Vt
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjbCOOkhki
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYrM6Lwd9w
Sabrina shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows with men. One minute they're leading you on, the next they aren't. But with Derrick, he might really like you."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99ibfbCAIy
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdVnz6kA28
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKQMavnONP
"He doesn't have a girlfriend, does he?" came another female with blonde hair and striking blue eyes. She stood in the aisle with papers in her hands. She seemed to have popped out out of nowhere.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mQLUGGDA1
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASzDZfzn3h
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfnzuSqf2Q
"Not that I know of," Sabrina answered her. "Angel, this is Beatrix."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0eO8Fe9Fv
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyD98P8P6J
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHmWArPhwA
"Oh, sorry for butting in in your conversation," said Beatrix, looking at Angel and raising her hand apologetically. "Where are my manners?"295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FEduNxKVQ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh1ZqeqQDD
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQMwvh2eWT
"It's okay," said Angel. "It's nice to meet you, Beatrix."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrquosV1qLU
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIZyI09moX
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFCt6mIria
"Nice meeting you too. Just like Sabrina said, I'm also shocked Derrick actually talked to you so casually and actually asked you out for lunch."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSEkxDo7dB
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDMaY8HPvL
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiZKhRHfPg
"You see," Sabrina said to Angel with a smile on her face.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkqrZ7EAr3
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrucNWDXbA4
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKhXCAgzl0
"I'm not going to say anything," said Angel. "You obviously know him better than I do."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumanbPPDng
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1dRYxWcQJ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDmDZGPyPp
"Just admit it. He has his eye on you."295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vY0keWcqC
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68d2Ap7hT6
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHiJO0KWea
Angel blushed. She looked to the floor, hoping that the other two wouldn’t notice.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MY1HwR1p6
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjee5WsZ4xb
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtgJPmDPz4
"If you managed to get his attention, what more of the other male folk around here who are single?"295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyVJCt8Iy8
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzys2wOuSS
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY31l2rggBk
"Let's not talk about that," said Angel as she quickly spun around in her chair. “The last thing I need right now is to worry about who likes me.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rR3HitXVb
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQXgGApnpT
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡochlwyEVuZ
“Was it like this at your previous workplace? I hear you worked for some editing company, right?” Beatrix asked.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNcNXNjth4
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLmoSO8Wcm
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqdNsNpcRb
Looks like they got their information from HR, Angel thought before she turned around to look at the two ladies. “As far as I can remember, no. Most men were married, so, I didn’t have any problems.” Except Mark, of course. She made sure not to say that out loud.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWkjBfuHlc
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy3g4mixWl
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8EG6CP2QP
“Anyway, since you’re close with Eric and Leo, I bet you have their attention too,” said Sabrina.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjpNSlmAb7
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CdrVJhjuA
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadffV3ITm2
“Oh, no, I don’t think so,” Angel was quick to deny.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFPVeACJVT
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrLUlVvPpK
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl26CeuMmSH
“They are very good-looking and all the ladies wouldn’t mind getting close to them. But just like Derrick, they also don’t like to get too close. Eric's better since he’s outgoing and all. But Leo keeps to himself. He seems like a no nonsense person and he was pretty serious with his relationship with Kim until they called off the wedding.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QhudSZ1ME
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOtZlzrFzF
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8C8BMrlSyn
Angel didn’t want to hear any more of this. If only they knew that the reason why that happened is because of Carly.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinB2V3JsXg
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsk55wRmcOd
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ826UO0Fheb
“Do you know why that happened, Angel?” Beatrix asked. “You’re close to the family, so you should know the reason.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI97ispTh4u
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZAPJDlExU
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uut4zsGJD
“I can’t answer that.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Di8fEsKXc
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDb2CAWDMAe
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0z9EOoXKEq
Sabrina drew herself closer, dragging the chair with her. “Why not?” she asked. “Is it that bad?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUq8V44oRF
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4dgWqnttE
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPy8AoJHk0p
“No one actually knows why Leo broke things off with Kim, and so does she.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7gZktK7eL
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMMxV0IqWt
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwDKC8il6u
“Oh, darn!” Beatrix clicked her tongue. “Everyone around here also says the same thing.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquVbKSFQGW
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG97aDcOFzb
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBhpL3TuaF
Good, Angel thought. It’s best she went with this. No one in the McDonell mansion knows the truth except for her, Eric, Carly and Leo. The more people think of it as a mystery, the better.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSAFzZnlcI
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqBCTSuksl
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4NLmTeP19
“You see, Leo keeps things to himself,” said Sabrina. “As much as he is good looking, I feel he has such an attitude. You feel it sometimes when he talks to you, though he isn’t always like that.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRUbDgmQiZ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyrA4VN6qt
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNXtC1aygP
“Well, he does have an attitude, I can agree on that," said Angel.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPVKU2bcGC
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFPTpq6CRB
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3fhrmuGGH
“How do you handle him? Doesn’t he get on your nerves?” Beatrix asked.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkySrfRD4N1
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYD6pu2s4Kv
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZhAw83kHh
“Sometimes. But he isn’t that bad.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVgeC0koE5
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRlx4JHvu5
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaEwdVARsj
“Ya, I see how he’s close with his family, especially Eric,” said Sabrina. “I just wish he was more outgoing, you know.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NtcJ1O7tr
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1LqxCGPJ8
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzK2jovcoaK
You and me both, Angel thought. “I better start working on these files.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvRfsBomoz
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOln9ivEtvy
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKnYYpdyA6
“Oh, ya, sure,” said Beatrix, “sorry for disturbing you.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktzC9yt2I8
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiLBo63RCg
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYW2gNRxjkP
“Not a problem.” Angel quickly swirled round in her chair to face the file in front of her. She really needed to get some work done. She didn’t expect to be in engaged in so much talk on her first day. She still felt uneasy as she heard a whisper across the room and thought she had heard someone mention her name. She had to agree with Derrick. She would be the talk of the office for a while.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xMHAA3Ds6
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUAGvnncgZ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡez6r90IO1O
She closed her eyes shaking off the feeling so as to try and focus on work. She always did this, even at the editing company when she sometimes felt anxious or pressured. When she opened them, she went straight to work on the files.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzWqJEG5Qf
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0my7VlQnv
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSgmKnC3aP
***295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwihe6LjhDg
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RQbZIw0QR
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRSNS3ZL0c
Leo heard the phone on his desk vibrate. He wondered if it’s Eric sending him a text that he couldn’t find what he went to look for. Leo sighed. He now wished his father was handling this meeting with Eric and not him. With Eric out of the office for a while, now is the time he can try and catch up on work, especially with answering his emails on his iMac.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG2vruNOvm
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJBAyeaDI0
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70xLwMpO6M
His eyes left the computer screen and he went on to look at his phone. A sudden feeling came over, telling him that it might not be Eric who sent him a message. Could it be his father? If he wanted anything from Leo, he would've called. Maybe it’s his mother? No, he shook his head. It can’t be her. Just like his father, she would’ve called. Could it be Carly? It might, he thought positively. Maybe she thought of texting him.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIulZOYAcqb
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOznTyiqUP
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8B7fGF52QC
He quickly took his phone and turned on the screen to find the message isn’t from Carly. It's from Kim. He felt like putting his phone aside and getting back to work. Instead, he unlocked the phone to read her message and it was nothing but a simple “Hello.” He rolled his eyes as he wished he had never bumped into her at the café this morning. Should he ignore the message? As much as he wanted to, he still had to say something. He didn’t want to seem rude like he does sometimes.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupYuA16bvj
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpJmROoalm
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHholFzhZ7n
He texted her back and quickly put his phone down on the desk, hoping that she wouldn’t text back, but she did. Leo couldn’t help but groan.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniU1x2GPM9
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMSY5Xd2ES
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2uFwohWly
A knock soon came at the door and before Leo could tell the person to come in, the door flew open and Eric walked in with papers in his hands. Leo groaned even more, throwing his head back onto his chair.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0bDc6a6br
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBoRwmfSaV
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9euxRCpea
“What’s up with you, grumpy?” Eric asked as he came to sit on the chair, facing Leo.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAFjfU1wb8
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGPURTvxME
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEIhbhau7T
“Why don’t you ever knock when you come in?” Leo asked as he folded his arms.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GmjTsjrcn
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAwGS12dfh
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmOn1X3f2U
“I’m sorry, but I already know you’re used to it. So what’s up?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqdznytVQY
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Gx1NSXGD2
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFLuWjcq3A
Leo looked at Eric. His cousin knew him better than anyone. He took a deep breath and leaned his elbows on the table.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YK7xChkq3
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgicgjvqp9
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLzgKyHHlZ
“Kim texted me,” he said.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSan2VRPMd
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fqXnvvbYy
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIgy4Uz0rQ
“Whoa, Kim texted you?” Eric for some reason didn’t look at all surprised. “How come?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw55QU7nPF0
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TnQjdY7T5
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTEEZntJ3L
“Angel and I met her at the café where we bought croissants.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRypCL52nK
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGPTJ15G1i
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHtEI2ztgw
“Why didn’t you tell me?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6aaHWkqfs
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsPtWuccvC
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJA8CwWgbC
“It didn’t matter then, but it does now. She just texted me.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06YUYcwMkr
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXVAHWbN9M
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnOsTcCSMf
“What did she say?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dMFvYHmt5
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv7Q82aQP8
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELCa3js670
“Just a simple hello.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJc0YkY4Xj3
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuyXXGv3nU
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzcbu3b8lZ
“And did you reply?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6Ki2PuYNT
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemambP6aoH
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODxbsbiwz5
“Of course, I did.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Fngd5H5oO
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagSySAkhXO
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U6RRIdiH5
“And…?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFH1W7e6loh
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGm89dqkj8
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHqtdWZiVj
“She texted back and I haven’t read the message.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJ1j7dURSK
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYsAqLmNht
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxYhJ01k8e
“You better see what that message says.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Hnvc87TNJ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTulHNM1pAi
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXl2mX50DC
“And what if I don’t want to? It’s pretty obvious that she wants to hook up for lunch or something.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqjcKexvEe
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3xTQZr5Pj
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ivvVvkRNV
“You’re right. I’m impressed with how much you know women, nowadays.” Eric gave him an encouraging smile.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbSHNCPmlB
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjtEwsiHBf
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsl4zILViW
“Don’t flatter me. What am I going to do? I don’t want to meet her, that’s if she does ask that we should.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tQFypCEWt
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgldmeRKbI0
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl7MOiTABS
“You’ll never know what you’ve to do if you don’t read the message.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSENeNsGzh
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkkuiJ5GzA
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsbz3CPelu
“You’re right.” Leo took his phone and unlocked it. When he read the message, he suddenly had a gloomy look. “She wants us to meet.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAGv3tIMdw
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuRwRsVTsv
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB24M6XSTqP
“She really must be desperate, huh?” Eric raised his eyebrows. “Who can blame her? Being dumped on your wedding day to such a handsome man like you wasn’t what she expected.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqh8NQKzJy
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIRCEqJOM4
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBVEcBCvQX
“You aren’t making me feel any better. Besides, I apologised. I don’t know what she wants me to do.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfA7Vbm9I2
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOSsrtsNmM
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4oAWBopYC
“She needs an answer from you. That’s what.” Eric leaned back on the chair. "You never told her why you left on your wedding day. In fact, everyone keeps asking me that question and I always say that I don’t know.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FTBpwEI3l
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4gsCtjiMa
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpQ3892yy0
“The less who know, the better.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli154rt3cZ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefyb6k7tPT
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5Se2OIuLr
“Sooner or later, you’ll have to tell Kim the truth. If anything, she deserves it more than anyone.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7AulySHvE
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnnHT6I2K3
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuU8jJvA4Z
Leo didn’t say anything as he looked down at his phone on the table. He took it and started to tap away, then he quickly put it down.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0pQm0DwRq
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRm9NYsm56
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2Z4NohWH2
“What did you tell her?” Eric couldn’t help but look on curiously at Leo’s phone.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh0V9uWs99
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2e9icAeXdp
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVyZOnr0HC
“I told her we can meet,” Leo answered,295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sojdL3CRC
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMokC2ohkA
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QqeZTkJSN
“WHAT!” Eric held his head, not believing what Leo said. “I don’t believe you. Let me see the message.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9P6Dq4v1Q
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD76xQNGbC
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8J9VlPxNs
Leo groaned, but he got his phone, unlocked it and gave Eric. When Eric read it for himself, he stared at Leo.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpLdWNaeGj
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWVAWAaCUy
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6XuefUKZf
“You’re serious,” he said as he gave Leo back his phone. “Are you finally going to tell her the truth?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3rvvjUPVa
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2tKPZe0If
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQaElP33OT
“On that part, I don’t know,” Leo answered as he leaned back on his chair, deep in thought.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3foF0EWvyA
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMKf0tbv9e
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwYqZferfW
“Well, if you tell her, it will finally give her the chance to move on, don’t you think?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquACnphVYl
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNy6TtKqLR
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9slQ4ipRr
“If I do tell her, she’ll kill me.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTUJGJTYuT
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMvjjKggTL
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYXVvr1hY4
“It’s typical of a woman. Even I would kill you. I wouldn’t like to know that the reason why my man left me was because he fell in love with someone else.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtmoGuni5C
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1SrdcAvNr
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjQmjh0uKi
Leo chuckled to himself as he stared at the ceiling. “I still remember that day. Gosh, all of that happened so suddenly.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeH8cUBPg1
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeESWOIY84
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EFMOL6NuX
“I thought you had gone mad, but looking at you now, you seem to have made the right decision. You don’t look regretful for leaving Kim.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLZuFDxMcn
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezzIjbgUcB
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgYCDvUiV9
“I think it was the right thing to do.” Leo now had his eyes on Eric. “If anything, I feel like I really didn’t love her at all.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncFYVIBEXN
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDq3jfKDsPh
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UtXZAMAIS
Eric smiled. “Grandma will be glad if she heard those words coming out of that mouth of yours.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9k3VERXEU
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxyXc5UEcK
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZeoxPo7FX
“I know. Seems like she was right after all. Kim was never good for me.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEKeSI98Kd
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69Kz6obfLb
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0JKXDW9HU
“Wait until she finds out that you’re actually in love with Carly.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRw9aiyV5kT
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPvahBAGFv
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJ62ticFCm
The two cousins looked at each other, imagining the scenario. Eric reacted first.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9ipARRGHv
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeJgDmPj2u
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgGPQAzTze
“No, I don’t want to imagine it,” he said as he shook his head. “Something tells me it won’t be a good one.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkcNVZUYfV
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikHphsqIvf
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4p1HcXRRwn
“I agree,” said Leo as he rubbed the temple of his head. “I don’t want to imagine my mother, though.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVmsA5PDP1
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyckzy2UFwC
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zbMcJE1ts
“That one is pretty obvious; I don’t have to imagine it, that’s if I want my head to explode.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpKpkYiQMZ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuw8DtKhJG
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rx14DF9w0
The two laughed.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSx4KvZPM6
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fh1pBiKKN
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV0BiXHck9
“Okay, okay, let’s get back to work,” said Eric, wiping away a tear in his eye. “Remember, we’ve to finish these arrangements before lunch.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyRS7Z33TU
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwPVM1bzQZ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovOuJetx0A
“You’re right,” said Leo as he went on to look at his screen and switched windows from his email to an open document.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmf3w8418Y
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPSBeA67fg
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpdbo1iToO
A brief silence passed between them when they suddenly burst out laughing at the same time.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JKOofO2YS
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzqAN1E5Jn
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVskOOMCmv2
***295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKITj0FfGv
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKTCkqRpNu
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bL2yq6whz
"Hey, Miranda, are you okay?"295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcktJCFVcnG
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPs96BaW2ax
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYx8UcLaULa
Miranda quickly turned to the person who spoke to her. It's Brad. She rolled her eyes. “Oh, it’s you,” she said, turning her head to look elsewhere.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVxQh1oVJt
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRd4uqlwybx
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YCLtDEfQR
Miranda was seated on a chair in the lecture room. They were waiting for their next lecture as the previous one ended minutes ago. She had been going through her phone to pass time when she was supposed to be studying. God knows just how behind she is.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmhjR4yQqK
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSaaLAZnFl
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUZ88R60p9
“Scoot over,” Brad insisted as he moved his body closer to hers, forcing her to move.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡberIOlS7kW
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2SaDKRzm2
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx86oX8wav
Miranda moved over to the next chair which was empty and Brad finally managed to sit next to her.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHx0pVduB0r
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SiDEnZe7x
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9MlGd0LpL
“What were you looking at?” he asked as he tried to see what's on Miranda’s phone.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCcQOF9Vg8
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvscyAxC71u
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds6uHz7VHU
“Nothing, why do you want to know?” she asked, holding her phone tight and facing her body the other way to avoid him from looking.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0uBmupuat
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjX0REq9VuJ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaBe2XKbQR
“You seem really fixed on it. I want to see what’s caught your interest.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoVcqIxkoW
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wCKGs28Lz
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroOn6tbAp1
“Like I told you, it’s nothing. So why don’t you just mind your business?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwdKasCnwz
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmpaMdwK8F
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUWAFAwQVS
“I would, but I’m not going to this time.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9opR8IDB9m
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfacKB9gKb
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp81BprMk9
“You never do.” Miranda gave him a gloomy look.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqB8mLn83Sc
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4v5iPSiSZ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIob0XDPe1n
“I say that because something’s been different about you lately.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xBgLqNPw4
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlffLaeeDhY
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7EMKbaAvW
She raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyQK1XiKpc
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1omATPvcA
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtM6OmKntjz
“Well…,” Brad placed his elbow on the table with his hand supporting the side of his face so as to get a good look at Miranda. “You’re barely concentrating in class these days. And last week when we were handing in our assignments, you were late. You were so lucky that the madam took pity on you and accepted it.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5eYYnBxur
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFfMKoXBXx
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyxQPH4SVx
“I had a slight problem with my laptop, that’s all.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhmIf0sQ04
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsc20OVkHQy
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYmYHdPLlL
Brad scoffed. “Nah, that’s not it.” He wagged his index finger in front of her face. Miranda got irritated that she pushed his hand away. “Something is keeping you distracted.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsWq1wK5Eu
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYabwUDcJc
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxPGLmJia2
“I’m just busy, that’s all.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvmnseHeeO
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KCRDqmAll
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoCcF225Qe
“There’s a difference between being busy and getting distracted. And you, my friend, are distracted.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAzPeRGfPl
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8naOgkuzR
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndZZNKLx5Y
Miranda rolled her eyes at him and looked down at her phone before she went on to look in front of her.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RDICEwWke
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfn31Q9YZl
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwicMoFZsFT
“So what were you looking at on that phone of yours?” Brad went on to ask.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDWLGqCdEu
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoVapYpSq7
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoiIBotvtn
Miranda looked at him through the corner of her eye. “You really don’t listen, do you?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cut9q4YpS
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eSCmrtzb9
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsg7SRZTMe
“I thought I saw you looking at a guy's photo on Instagram just now. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjc8aL0RuW
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4s2HUw7ZJ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm58ZQrFILD
Miranda felt like standing up from her seat to go elsewhere, but she soon felt Brad hold her free hand, pinning her in place. It’s like he knew what she was about to do and he did the only thing possible to pin her down.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3ILu3V5df
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhgV7rOBiS
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQfazJttrW
“Let go of me, Brad,” she warned him.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8howSAWVbG
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WcnxUFrk8
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzKSCkBFgA
“And what if I don’t want to?” he asked with a smirk on his face.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5X0oGNnt5
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCswaNTeTp
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGM7vCkfXL9
“You’re hurting me. Why are you being such a prick?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPuFaSkp57
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTgWYAXyPW
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQM53aSwBoW
“It’s because I’m worried about you. Something is up and I need to know what it is. Is it that man you keep looking at on your phone? Mind you, I’ve seen you looking at him time and time again.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXq2vGgtENe
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLUNaBTdsk
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡne9iOb0Ahd
Miranda felt her cheeks heat up. She couldn’t tell Brad about her sudden interest in Leo McDonell. Brad just said he looked familiar. And if he kept looking at her phone, he might realise who he is. She had to think of something.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfZYu5N766
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWvG5Gblgj
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWSPkaId0v
“You’re worried over nothing,” she said. “Just some celebrity that I follow on Instagram. I think he’s really cute and that’s why I look at his photos.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfmLx7kRjE
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2626Bvruh
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1Ys2y4dwp
Brad stared at her for a second. Miranda knew she had told him part of the truth. But she couldn’t go into detail or else she might say something about Leo. If he knew, she didn’t know what he would do.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW9zR0Pfzp
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLce5v49y0
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPyAKW85G6
“Girls and your stupid crushes,” he said as he finally let go of her hand. “When will you ever let it go?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlptRpE7Kq
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhncx9eeK7P
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjXoHX1mSN
“When the time is right,” said Miranda, doing her best not to sound nervous.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLjHwCLb1u
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoSRjeiLU0
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvj6LYvEbjO
“So who is this guy, anyway?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUve21wEywF
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fe8zkQ60m
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2l6c8SZey
She was afraid he was going to ask that. So when their lecturer walked through the door of the theatre, she let out a silent sigh of relief. Everyone who was still up and about went to their seats, and the lecture begun.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDM6cxY1LE
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrolII6UC6
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WDK5tC0xv
***295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZsOu9dWUA
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdI6KkdzNnh
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGp0eToIhAi
It’s finally lunch time, and Eric couldn’t wait to get out of the office with Angel and go somewhere nice. He had been in Leo’s office preparing for the meeting with the Chinese. Now that they're done, he couldn’t wait to leave.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZe32FrGsTj
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWrtA3fHrg
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMH6l3h0cL
“Whoa, where do you think you’re going?” Leo asked, still seated behind his desk.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZCcLOrsGY
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfhQQt6l6k
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTryAKMSzk
“I’m going out for lunch,” Eric answered, heading for the door.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX6e1btBdE
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWycvojl1r
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRwffBbLZF
“You look like you’re going to the bathroom.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj8T3u3aXu
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvGEXfOjzM
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVPqxEi7ek
“I’m taking Angel out,” Eric said with a proud look on his face.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENbeNqYm2o
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62rRzy0Vsn
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwL5sQgogP
Leo couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Oh, you’re going out with Angel, then?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7SsrTDoR6
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGh48C3MBOL
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKygeJaZRVA
“Yep. Wipe that sour look on your face. Or are you upset that you have to go out with Kim?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FzxAptMY7
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45Nr7KDNig
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIjha9HRVX
“I couldn’t care less about that. Besides, having lunch with Angel doesn’t appeal to me.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWbLH9bfcz
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eOqsjN0R6
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItv7AdG2UA
“That’s because you don’t like her. Mind you, having lunch with Angel is way better than having it with Kim.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZRQwonzYG
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXUPeN2kfC
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡki7uXqXZs2
The look on Leo’s face became grim. Even when he didn’t want to admit it, he knew Eric is right. He cleared his throat. “If you ask me there isn’t much of a difference.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfWnnb125R
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQEdd0f4ks
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzbkOXTzaf
It's Eric’s turn to roll his eyes. “You know, if you gave yourself time to actually know Angel instead of fighting with her all the time, you’ll find that she’s okay to be with than Kim.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkNxUdWYyw
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡep7qOQOpGw
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPZbWCL1ph
“I beg to differ.” Leo’s face became even more serious.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkf434BfHwL
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGg87xNH8K
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyHJ4bRCK6
“I’ve to go now,” said Eric as he reached the door and held the knob. “Tell me how things go with Kim, okay? And try not to start an argument with her, wherever you will be.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeltDGbW3Ii
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRtm8Xye4H
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUsCLzOUWW
“I won’t.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzBjY6fThZ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCGoccHWrA
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1vAo3lj5A
Eric gave his cousin a concerned look. “I sure hope so. I’m off. See you later.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ogdyy0ZFT
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsuELn5W2v
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSlmH4kwWa
Leo gave him a nod and Eric quickly rushed out of the door like an excited young boy who had been told he could go outside and play with his friends. Even when Leo felt irritated by Eric’s enthusiasm, he couldn’t help but envy him a little. The man is in love, Leo thought to himself. Even when he knew he loved Carly, he didn’t experience the kind of lovey-dovey nonsense Eric is in right now. Is that what he admired? The crazy feeling of liking someone that you couldn’t wait to see them?295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCswpb8m7h
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIT2lClVlMa
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmPJtbs8yh
Leo shook his head. People are different and express love in different ways, he concluded. There’s no doubt in his mind that he loved Carly. Besides, he thought to himself, I don’t think Eric likes Angel to that extent. Maybe what he feels for her might pass in due time. Leo thought again, and concluded that Eric’s feelings towards Angel aren’t going to pass any time soon.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJfstzFKzR
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUZ7IH6Sz3
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkXpws0eD3
He soon got up from his seat as he also had to prepare himself to go and meet Kim. He didn’t know how his lunch with her is going to go. Before that, he thought he could lie to her that something came up to avoid any drama. But he couldn’t do that now. He would look like a coward. Something he doesn’t want to be.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCotY3L8B7B
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPaWNZ7gG9
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUhzpiWDfI
He walked up to the door and got his jacket on the coat hanger. And with a deep breath, he opened the door and walked out.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgnlN69AjC
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPpiW8f9zz
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLlqsFWE4r
***295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceAkC3uwsY
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcfGzrE9Yz
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSxRY6LVVx
“I bet you’re hungry, huh?” Eric asked as he and Angel finally got out of the complex building.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqsDcOhZ2U
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDVyV45V7u
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOXN2yJo0Q
"You can say that again,” she said turning to look at Eric. "I’m so famished for my first day.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT83IeZ8boQ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXCxfwmOhd
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHBoGcSTjK
"I get what you mean. So many people keep asking me about you.” Eric had his hands in his pockets as he stared up at the sky. "You’ve made quite a reputation for someone on their first day.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwoW0mjq6u
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqgfUFEy9f
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86crgRWOgb
"All that will pass.” Angel smiled at Eric. "It’s just the first day. By the end of the week, everyone would’ve forgotten that I even existed.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsqBKPxlZd
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsvfyI7MCR
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpK2V5O7Qr
"I doubt that. People will forget, but it’s no question that you’ll still be the talk of the office. I mean, you’ll obviously be classified as the most beautiful female member of staff.” Eric now had his eyes on her as he chuckled.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpZrNNu8VX
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8ttgGAmjr
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXRolu7DGZ
Angel playfully punched him on the arm. "What are you saying? There are many beautiful women at the company. If you ask me, their beauty is intimidating.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1ykiS86ef
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUgVBnKxO9
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxSHLl9VhE
"That’s because you miss the big picture,” Eric stopped walking as he now held her arm to stop her as well. "You really are very beautiful, you do know that, right?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jcJjEPx0V
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRToi2XGAfp
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2QZwH5iTG
Angel couldn’t say anything as she continued to look at Eric. Her heart started to flutter and felt her cheeks heat up. She found all of this awkward as she started to look around. She looked back at Eric, wondering how to tell him that they were standing in the middle of the street and might be in the way. But the look he continued to give her left her speechless.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC4caUSzNr
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwOLqPSCQO
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLY3nYLgfV
"I wish you could see what I see,” he said in a whisper. Even with all the bustling of people about and the hooting of the car horns, Angel got what he said. That made her cheeks heat up even more. She cleared her throat.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EogAZjbYy
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0U0yCJQL0
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwgGnAi4mg
"Ummm, Eric, we’re standing in the way,” she said. "This isn’t the time or the place for this, don’t you think?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddMZenNv9l
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kcaE8oFbn
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblQmlZ46mu
"Oh,” Eric forgot they were in the middle of the sidewalk, with people moving around. "I totally forgot that we were here in the first place. I must have spaced out a bit.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfVPxGq9Yl
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLa7GNbNYt8
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInjSsKMCaO
Angel cleared her throat again as she looked down at her feet for a brief moment. "That must be it. Come on, weren’t you taking me out for lunch? I’m starving.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiA8b8mqpwe
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLpVQsgFJo
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02RvcqDyOw
Eric nervously chuckled and at the same time scratched the back of his head. "I shouldn’t keep a lady waiting. Sorry about that.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYfNkpj18x
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK6F2V5FST
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGObaSJBpKq
"Not at all.” She tried her best not to look like she had been flattered, but her cheeks continued to blush, making her even more nervous.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMroSx0Wf8x
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl1ESum2EQ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxEw3Gf0we
They continued their walk down the sidewalk when Eric said, "I mean what I said, though. I hope you aren’t offended or anything.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDn0sin3SBs
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzI0IqqNhG
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3tDNitMg7
They stopped at the traffic lights and they waited for the walk sign to light up when Angel turned to look at Eric. "No, don’t worry,” she said.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrVDAmxIZ6
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KwcPCdMKs
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6qODNHMAh
The light soon went green and the pedestrians who stood at the edge of the sidewalk crossed the road to the other side.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47Cl1yHizK
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ5YdpKeTl
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyvDvzHj7o
"I’m glad,” said Eric. "I thought you would be upset or something.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiurSg8yWG
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiwYyBjbgR
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1KLtvw5pu
"I’ve received such comments before, so I’m not.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMLnztALEv
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWEWE7dnGh
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVwaWCIdQa
Eric clicked his tongue as he shrugged. "You would, obviously. I also shouldn’t be surprised.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDbVx95O87
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPx3NBlhIbP
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9OjPs9yfe
Angel tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. She couldn’t tell Eric that his approach was different from the ones she had encountered before. Even from Mark. She felt her cheeks heat up even more by the thought of it. It's best, she thought, that I don’t say anything.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaXbPcMsOm
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaoTcGB2md
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3ZUTf7544
"Let me take you to my favourite restaurant nearby,” Eric continued as he smiled at her. "You’ll love it. And you can order whatever you like.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqty973pJL
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNZucRyI6j
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSnEnfATfJ
Angel couldn’t help but chuckle. "Don’t be so silly,” she said. "As much as that offer sounds tempting, it’s pretty obvious that I won’t be that careless.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJFxWFxJO1
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU99jo9EAk
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPwYlBRF7J
"Well, the food is on me, so I won’t mind if you order countless dishes.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLploChuuA2
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMb5oaeMZM
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7hrZM4uOC
"Thanks,” this time she laughed. "But even if I’m so hungry, I don’t eat that much.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SzHExIbFT
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGpo2HQ8i5
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QOhfx05Hz
"Just letting you know that the offer is on the table. Ah! Here we are.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdU3SrbcqU
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEb53hV5a4
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyL8d03IJH
They stopped in front of a small restaurant. From outside, it might not look like a five-star restaurant, but for some reason, Angel found it almost elegant as she looked through the huge glass window. The décor is simple but had a touch of elegance. White chairs and tables covered with white cloths with beautiful gold embroidery on them. Elegant flowers of different colours and types sat on different tables, making the place look more romantic. This scene reminded her of the place she went for lunch with Mark last week.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaqYAJ9y88
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk73QKMNiu
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZyHY0bhVk
"Shall we?” Eric held the door to the restaurant open as he waited for her.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXS4lhLkWUT
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugIAbXnNWD
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkn2nb7nnu
Angel shook herself from her daydream and went through the open door.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ5GCQcZvS
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiV5Mw5fZ6
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgel1uywJTo
She started to look around the place when a smartly dressed male waiter, approached her. Eric stood behind her after closing the door. Immediately, the male waiter smiled at Eric like they know each other. Angel shouldn’t be surprised. Eric did say he liked coming here.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8HpDR50jn
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLkxoWlAqh
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2Q9Ref2qY
‘"Hello, sir,” said the young waiter with a wide smile. "I see you came with company. Will you be taking the usual table?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtezoTlP80
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZrjZKQX97
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40Je19WQbl
"That’s if it’s free,” Eric answered.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7bffIWCKu
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptO5auFFud
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEuMG3m4e8
"Well, you’re just in luck. Please, follow me.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7JgieLCqN
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasoZObCDHI
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoO3fJgF61
Angel couldn’t ignore the way the waiter addressed them with so much courtesy. He led them to one of the tables by the corner, close to the window. When they neared the table, Eric drew out a chair for her to sit and Angel did likewise. Eric sat on the other side of the table, facing her. He told the waiter to serve them a glass of water as they looked through the menu before ordering.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jBNZFWpBL
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJCaRP8mh7
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZovoeFWPz
"The waiter seems to know you very well,” said Angel as she picked up the menu card on the table.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZ3ylcdiOf
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXj1m2D2POw
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukvxx7MEF3
"I come here a lot,” said Eric as he also picked up the other menu on his side.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iwqoaH6rx
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYe1R0KR1R
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgaGceoS4v
Angel said nothing as she smiled and looked at the menu.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTrW9Mgwg3
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPei7Fwyc8
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SFbJeUQHy
"It’s sad that Leo couldn’t join us,” said Eric.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡub4KKl3ugo
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvie9kVTGY
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJiuvOkHJn
Angel looked at Eric. "Why do you say so? Were you scared that the two of us would start a fight in the restaurant?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahlKktrBgj
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHhXmJKlnp
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSV8Zn4vDB4
Eric laughed. "No, I didn’t think that way in the least. If there is one thing I know for sure, you two can behave yourselves in a public place like this one. I wasn’t going to worry at all.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dvyzPT4gL
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7c3rT0qXb4
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwpZTbb5Mn
Angel made a face because she knew Eric is right. She looked back at the menu when Eric put up a funny face. "So then, why did you say that?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmekxKJOZR
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfUmLsmuQg
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76qM10BixA
"Because he’s having lunch with Kim. He must be heading to her as we speak.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWOLXu3kj4
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVCPVYYz2S
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLruKWSX9pS
Angel raised her eyes from the menu. "Kim? We met her when we went to buy croissants this morning.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLae5kcRdx
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPprd4iNcWL
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhopL34yeW
"He told me. She actually texted him that she wanted to meet. And he agreed to do so.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhj1hHZka3
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrz5WPdmjdX
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQhgGigrzm
"That’s so unlike him,” she looked towards the waiter who had brought them glasses of water. He asked if they were ready to order, and they both said they weren’t.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbAaPMvBJO
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxkRrlRBKw
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7k2ngEGo1
"I know, right?” Eric agreed with Angel after the waiter left. "I think he’s doing the right thing. Maybe he'll finally get to tell her the truth.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0hwJRKqNH
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhKwPy5mKr
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0HzbklzXE
Angel didn’t say anything as she thought about it. "Do you think he will? I mean, him going to see her is already unbelievable as it is.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhVvJ1z0dd
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjp9ooAQjX
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3v3zRyiY6N
Eric shrugged. "Who knows. If he does tell her, I think she’ll be at peace, right? But she’ll probably freak out and would want to know who it is.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRil63X8TFO
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5ho0uFNCS
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dwV0QZefx
"Now that you mention it, I fear it will turn out to be a disaster.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9QWxxxReX
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPWt6c3SJ5
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlg23U0uoW
"You’re probably right,” Eric looked up at the ceiling, deep in thought. "That’s if Leo does tell her the truth and mentions that it's actually Carly he’s now in love with.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1Xoac1hV1
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaxUAAwYaz
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLbWAv9LSE
The two looked at each other in silence as they thought of the scenario. Eric groaned in frustration as he quickly pulled his phone out from the pocket.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7c5CrMzHs
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDT9EpaGuXE
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHbA3IQ9bx
"What are you doing?” Angel asked.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOUqDPKjiG
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtzbGDs79q
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9JBix60yT
"Calling Leo so that he won’t tell Kim the truth,” Eric answered as he looked through his phone.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1m2aQoQWF
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa03tU3NaaN
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzU85duVPGY
"I think we’re just overthinking things. What if he doesn’t say anything? Or what if he does but doesn’t mention Carly’s name? If Leo is in line with what we just thought, the best is not to mention Carly.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnupCYRbOPP
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoD7tXPxhF
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uD1gHthrA
"You’re probably right,” Eric put his phone aside on the table and looked at Angel.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteFTtQ2sMC
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3GjXkMnjx
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVOcXAxgCi
Angel continued to stare at him, but then, she put the menu on the table and started to play with her fingers. She bit her lower lip. "On second thought, I think you better give him a call. Just in case.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJOYeUOTeP
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3uoMJnOuS
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZRcRNJxB2
"I agree.” Eric quickly took his phone and went on to call Leo.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0f1tKaCdL
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsqyAUZVkR
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPHziYtUxz
He had his phone to the ear when the ringing tone of Leo’s phone came up. He started to get worried in the moments that passed as the phone kept ringing. Could Leo already be with Kim at this very minute? He looked at Angel who looked back anxiously. She also started to worry. And just when Eric thought Leo wasn’t going to pick the call, he heard the cracking sound at the other end of the line.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSyMeqNi72
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEGqowMnWK
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxO0lEAfID
"Hello?” came Leo’s voice.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIqxVmGNiM
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsTHsZycL3
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L87W27J8M
"Thank goodness, you picked the call,” said Eric. "We were starting to get worried.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Dh6czGLZN
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsPLYPLTol
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbE1CroIh6X
"By ‘we’ you mean, you and Angel?” Leo sounded unconvinced.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeW1y1bUQm
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZ9sTdOAGh
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCcy3GjpcU
"It might seem unbelievable, but it’s true.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKJlxR9tXU
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2vIl7fAfU
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zD4uedvB5
Leo sighed. "Get to the point. Why are you calling me?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWEyF77yj3
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQbcB1Pl4W
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPXFPkn8rE
"Are you heading to lunch with Kim right now?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWpNnPrvAG
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxR2G7ejWo
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cS4W3e7B1
"I was about to enter the car and head there. What’s up?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSynvuZKJHL
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBhnH2l51o
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSwpXO3tYU
"Quick question. Are you going to tell Kim the truth?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RflWdyi0r
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iQXyZb99e
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxIuZWwxok
"The truth about what? Why I didn’t marry her?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIBE1t0h3D
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtadPetV8f5
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ArLZ9tzvc
"Yes.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxuwuBhYVZ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaW4ljkKXc
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmZ6l9Bxu0
"Weren’t you the one saying I should? What’s wrong? Are you getting second thoughts or you think I might screw this up?”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsUesrW5nX
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnDifhGYf3
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0Uc0lVtn9
"Uh…,” Eric hesitated as his eyes found Angel who had been looking at him the entire time. Judging by Leo’s statement, he felt like he didn’t have to worry at all.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1AENHYSEH
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkxCJRCPeJ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM45Xbcjah
"Nah, you got this all under control,” Eric quickly pointed out. "I trust that you’ll do the right thing.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4P6QilB9GT
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUDMTsC4qq
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2TNLOW0w8
Leo murmured and Eric knew he had just got on his nerves. "I don’t know why you’re scared, but I already know what I'm going to do. And if I'm going to tell her the truth, then you shouldn’t be bothered about it.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCpFESCoc3
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLrzyusjVJ
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SYUDAqCXU
"I believe you. You’ve a nice lunch.” Eric cut the call.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwITlL5IMn
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAGuAnZDbK
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUB0Ezal39
"What did he say?” Angel quickly asked.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSv3PrJGfiM
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqO32HwmC69
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIwNB1btWH
"That he’s got everything under control,” he answered. "I believe him. If he really is going to tell her the truth, I don’t think he’ll tell her he’s actually in love with Carly. If he does, then Kim will tell aunt, and she’ll be furious.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCu6Y2zgL3
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAW8y2pCh6
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetjmvfHvw7
Angel cleared her throat before she said, "not only that. Once she finds out, she’ll realise that before Carly and I moved in, we had all known each other and have been pretending this whole time. And they might end up finding the truth about how Leo and Carly met.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51vXGVBd5I
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXeMclCXG7
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jUwgysTng
The two looked at each other in silence, again. They both shook their heads as they picked up their menus.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6NV3AMztV
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jKektdhjO
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60erJ3ynvG
"Leo has this under control,” Eric assured her. "We’ve nothing to worry about.”295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOALc86iGPY
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqzj6UM1zk
295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6ZUqpOC85
"Ya, you’re right,” said Angel as she looked at the menu, holding it tight. She really hoped that Eric is right.
Penana
search
Loginarrow_drop_down
Registerarrow_drop_down
