The news about the 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiyL1RLPsU
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkZoEEaKvB
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIrwWBnY66
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxI219wGlI
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALsjRc5eKY
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtdh7DVH3r
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonjl48nhri
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDoGfc84hQ
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5LHS26Yng
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC3u6X0r25
There was more to it 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ70iyus1s3
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJxjvJ07Iq
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjb27toNjoF
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EwD0dB3T4
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90x6wR3kTO
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiYgEEk2sY
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIEhLN31V9
except from a few individuals. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtX8httCasX
And apparently, one of 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuc7RPEhwu
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOIN2mHGcZ
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SpXny9GOB
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYHUH7OzbT
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0TGchn8qi
really going on, all hell would break loose.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53O8oLRhbo
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH37v4EYe60
Rhénee dropped the 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImnhCDUEJs
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKG32DyMvL
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDofpcYo2EE
ear, she took a sip of coffee.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2TmLybN28
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTY04YD4I2
"Ya, its crazy here," 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKoLqaJUIb
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGSGHCnU1p
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6t31DLcgpi
broken in."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqbI8EP7NE
"If only they knew."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JXfWdH7JU
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsViUCNO6Z9
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodQs5S2l8X
"She did. I had to make 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbg6tZirXeH
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVKeTKYGrz
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8XTT8LGhW
"I doubt if she believed that."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qIV2XrL9E
"Haha, looks like you 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBm6gSBF94
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsyNu4n3D3
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXzGfmjwto
"True. But we did. I 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdabpAKL9kW
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64XmO0GRFn
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor1xUp6PjQ
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ExNFtc9BB
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEmmsLgJEb
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2ZZ5wlbRl
"Okay, bye."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rCRRvrBRU
"Bye."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplRP71RZ8Q
Rhénee cuts the call and651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfKxAUoYr7
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QXIqzJf9K
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zhHGG1G2B
wink last night.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYtXCTznXX
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0D56xGYun
"I wasn't going to 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAddUvzZNk
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8F1me708ze
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLws1rN891w
"You don't have to 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQ3kTb5w65
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwknLKLyoT
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX65YRoh7zO
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkto5Bmg7Uo
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWV4t4gL3Ir
"Why Malcom?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7COO0516L
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rVIrjG22W
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMwiPk7rYP
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rcqQ2sVZg
"Alright, you go ahead."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7P9S4uCHpf
Miss Griselda gave 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaLAsUzoaZ
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8AvazeScQ
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIk7u71ZMJ
did when they talked about Malcom. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXeS1iTCBX
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLi0UkfdSJ
The sound of her phone 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctKYMXgLvz
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtntua5EgI
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVHSIrRsd5
mother.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SWMTlYQlc
"Hello?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CQyZsJKQt
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfHV5q3wpg
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvAMw8AKJW
That voice. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLm2kAVb5b
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOAwCmvzs8
"What's wrong? The other day you had the guts to talk to me when I talked to you about the necklace. Why are you so quiet now?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwn5t0DWHw
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHArd3V7lV
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MRLLhULff
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6Pm5PRDKe
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfZ8ccz9a2
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynAYhxPxyg
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1toe03PWJy
"You don't know me, 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0mF3GxFdi
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSpvlOqbJb
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUY0Ejn4tKX
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrzpToXYqq
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs14IpUBs2J
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPKNjLOee8
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ9a3hs5r9
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUezTfvZIP
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5eBBo2XAB
"Then why did you give me her necklace? And the picture of the house? What are you trying to achieve by scaring me like this?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUFuCY6k7N
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pN6zeB8Ye
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJqbmTqOsv
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiUGSUa6hm
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K1AppP7f1
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeT6DwdZUYk
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9VL1nDlxP
"Oh, and by the way, 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEpSx1AxhM
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEQIJHeD33
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wwEUJx9Wf
this time around."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0Ecit3HUX
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODiS5zVNvl
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhao3rLR3F
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKmVjYTEcc
Rhénee sat down on the 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JtuuyTCAf
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgvGcyPqev
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK69kDyYhzT
the others, who know what might happen. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNDvbZnvDB
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElufsD0XaS
***651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dFB3LNEPK
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpye293fmtB
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM48zMuIaxy
"But she isn't hurt right?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXADWV7DiT
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94kmyC4H1S
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfs1zhUrsK
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYuJsursJa
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wV8a2FGXr
"Nah.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5uVQCANWf
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnGgZi86Ag
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyE9GO8r3ua
"Thats651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2AuUY11O4
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jP8qAwvox
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mv6asWc66
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BNljCp2ua
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7qDVeijn6
"Alright."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DjtlDbzyJ
Eugene cut the call and noticed that his mother was standing by the kitchen door looking at him as he stood in the living room. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0HoXfas4r
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJLuOViLFL
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIZ8yQJfFn
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVrEbWVN0d
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIot1Pby16L
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn3kbmXH9M
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGbiilWRXL
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBeFi1j67Y
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9CMKPOJFa
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1uGot8Ddv
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfC0kMP1kxe
"Does it bother you?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQYK2Gd3O7
"Um... not really. But.... um."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3Syh2BY7Y
Eugene651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkYWMfKVte
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsO2d8NdVWu
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTo7CYg1N0
"Mum, are you okay?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOXn5Vj0zd
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0zbEPMgXq
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLD5tKILzK
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7CZojhLKT
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3Y6M2bmJJ
Mrs651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZX1peENmM1
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8QrMEdLKG
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3kV8RucnY
had talked about Rhénee?651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPulNKtvs4
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzHvOhHfse
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JtDtkv0Z8
***651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzyyUHapql
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxyPnVNEmu
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMeo5TxBk3
"You better rest though. You still look tired."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytUiEJXKYn
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY33dC4GGTj
"No, I'll do it."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5ynrATsoH
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa43jXdZc1x
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92S5drHoYk
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkciJemQbv
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7q3PHmUXe6
Rhénee651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VHWANMd4s
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBSZvHvKub
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dfOs0eXN6
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMVwFCftbb
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmpBvqxNzO
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrWtrJsAO6
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfu6LP634ln
"Thank651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto6nGnWGqB
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCCuuIivzG
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1oHFjfvY1
"Well, yes. I still think I would."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa632FDL8Y3
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbecCz9FfMs
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2t4YeAAkS
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYi0qiKAkus
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq13ON0iXp5
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzlqSC7GUW
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpz4PXspG3
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIXakOa2XL
"Coffee will be lovely."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFBM0Ntvdw
Miss651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHfsosa7gq
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGKer6W8IT
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVM9XLFeyW
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsIUbyrIc3
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5L0E3GMU0
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZGMvUydB4
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2BdVjmSGS
"What mysterious person?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQNWBIHE3m
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw19CQ6ku79
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbefLMzc9NV
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhQXtqY0Ah
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nwxCoSeCf
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFzzRVYfaM
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjXKFPaYH2
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8K9L8Y5XZ
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroLTVj2L6h
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwDBR8cnbG
The651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoSrKtwZaN
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxrjWOjCIm
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzOXG6UjPC
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmhWqdICfb
of this.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA1bqiuYgD
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTldygl1g9m
"I...651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbs2pEKOCV
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKVNZTUuBW
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWmwDv4yq3
frustration. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQABrkvTow
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8gmDPiMUL
Rhénee651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqtSUruosQ
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2fcIHj21L
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCVbH7f7Ct
cups on the tray and wondered. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD5i6cWeT0
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wjII0jQGe
651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HCcVG1Txg
As651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZBTK3LGYY
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiSRhybPwd
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqn3YpbtW2
reminder kept ringing in her head.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TzyexwtH2
"And tell your friends not to get involved."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLFqlutsDt
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugJPNqp8EO
"I651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Or52WLRv3
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUF2gkyNEwa
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1UoSgR5BG
talking about, Rhénee?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWMnjdWfrk
Rhénee651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0XFrdd4cx
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQDoF584J8
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsauy2Cxyg8
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfXuIz1wVZ
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSAPjVns2n
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡattRXHPlUA
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0pJygFfYE
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOC7NWwvTOO
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLyfi4S1JD
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQbjwAgeBr
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6EZMSwj0E
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdMY9hSR4i
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEUiPjctUu
***651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2DwFZY9vN
Sweat651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybLoa1NXrz
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjCA01u3ON
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vTcKQw9Nz
the person waiting never likes to wait.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBYnVAiWOo
He651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE084ci55b
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PCqaiVlKp
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJS8GR7Njf
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHK12qhuch
second.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDcZJoKpKK
He651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMgM8k82VZ
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoiYTPPV01
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOe6drIY4n
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wrVkTctFS
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggXLw5IBNh
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpSGLopQUO
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlmbMqgq9X
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7I8QG0lQa
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qOtTZDOk4
"You're late, again."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIY5uCqMkBO
His651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeokuzGN4n
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGlaNaqiYU
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr0RVc0kL7
lion door knob. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewNQkQqRie
He651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN57zf95sb
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZwajVMMYu
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWKvc0d7Di
"What651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePtpMJT87P
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjzcU9oh1U
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yID2ds0Mx
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHsiES9D7E
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DPVpO3VeK
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqHmWgUgyU
A651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2sj0sQCLH
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBW8fztSRn
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofFr9XVYx6
as they had their backs towards the window.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqq5gisDbE
"You know we need him," said the tall man.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNIAIt0Jid
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRSmv9478b
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFugUxRVPD
The651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbP56mDuIE
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3aoT44HfG
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQMbzNSyw0
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xksxtgB7x
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNPFeyuRr3
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWJNx8i5ay
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTihuFlVFD
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgl91sMz0ym
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnC70yWS8Qi
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvlgblOxyu
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdCTEwkYv7
"What if she reveals the truth?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jxIowZ8Wq
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7muqSxY99h
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQePYJN45x
For a moment, silence hung over them.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnS5GsU8QO
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3Ul6SEZn3
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qwRFOg17H
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNt19YB1f1
"I651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDG6miZfB1y
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDvtJ0LY30
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbPvWcLFdj
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcoTJ3j7Ow
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ttDvBg29J
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2tR4Ej9T1
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRRuqlBIqp
***651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsI3FxfkVEU
The651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFf9dekwFBS
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXDh4d4kAx
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeTVhsDAe9
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcj8p1iEPE
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PofrPaQaA
they met, they seemed sky blue.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbP5mKVv2lX
And651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr6U6bSypa
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNGM9GGJU7
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAhKVsFD8c
Rhénee651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtaTrikeoy
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgo6qaDEi5A
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKAaF97XL0
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8asnkm5Bb
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19fEPfNGn1
coffee table in the middle.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgkcQITG2c
When651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacCNCYeiqP
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgWyQo1Ovo
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGICqp2msvS
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNkgbp0kIu
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0SLwJUNI4
"Are you sure?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nHCvP0Oud
"Yes, I'm positive."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k7Zmpdq6o
Miss651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNlipnODFb
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjx0nJh4C0
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdtHn3Swtf
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYmSuPrhPo
from their cups.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AityJ2DJp
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DtuqHMbnE
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLePhDsUK8
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDJceCKeRd
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcnSgodQEv
"And how about the fact that you and Greta were imposing as other people the time I was coming here?" Rhénee spat out at Malcom.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARrQwnN9cG
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xnqfzsmlS
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHKTFiyk7B
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iH5wuW8ZV
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpNklMunYZ
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6hFGKc94S
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHD6zm4Y7N
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINsLl9iW7f
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTf82SHof3S
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcWFGWImIs
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkR9PEDdLDA
"Oh,651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEscZx0inWP
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPh6WCHsJC
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡld388GO9qw
who he is."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gtT964yp4
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYYEhM7urG
Rhénee651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhXuOYldiz
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd4TJrMqOp
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaY6GSDX1h
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BhaaetV7s
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWhs4Ba8Db
Rhénee651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYHrku5eFt
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpALdkwbfaM
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDxICLHSS8
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkSIsVK6j3
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQ4Ln8h2XP
"Fine,651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhAcuQq9u3
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZtOt5GFWK
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgl6gJYK9i6
or die if you stay by me."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl217xmuADH
