x

Mrs. Chamberlin felt someone gently shake her. She moaned a little as she opened her eyes. The buzzing fluorescent light blinded her for a bit until she realized that there was someone standing next to her. Her eyes opened widely now. It was her son, Eugene.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQW14NNAGHa
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeQU8KW7sC
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhRetE9iDU
"Hey, mum, are you alright?" he asked. "Sorry for waking you."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHzRItht8K
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNuzDmqaJF
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTdZLZgXkI
Mrs. Chamberlin sat upright; the big, heavy coat she had used as a blanket fell to her waist. She rubbed her eyes, trying to remove the sleep in them. She looked over at her son, who stood there looking at her.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0P5OX2V2A
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXIOIYFNuY
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKC06sXzHC
"I didn't expect to see you here," she said, as she put up a tired smile. "What time is it?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKncV7o0P0
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWbEd5HBoL
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQLqBgyyio
"It's five in the morning," said Eugene as he went over to sit on the chair she had been sleeping on in the waiting room.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs01EtwRHvX
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXC3Y5VR2yj
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULadw8hzU4
"And what about your brother? Aren't you going to see him off to school?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIKHFOiScr
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ds98LRtGX
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImgqSdYjjg
"I will. I came to check up on you first."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34QDlRoBW1
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkeTq1RZog
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3NNZY5C0S
"I thought you were going to ask how your father was doing."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtNOunuDp6
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ddum7ZU6B
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoz6469REUN
Eugene didn't know how to respond to that as he looked up at the ceiling and then back at his mother in silence.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwE8C71spa
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FP7hp1eOj
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Oyzl8IBQ8
Mrs. Chamberlin sighed. She wasn't going to force her son to do so, even though she knew Eugene cared a lot more than he thought.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDO1dgQdZ5
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgA38vbu0uU
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCw9wcs6lSN
"He's stable now," she said. "They managed to pull the bullet out. But he lost a lot of blood. The doctor said it would take time for him to recover." 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6pjPf3ZPq
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXUmE4q6Ty
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡap0THbSCtT
"Did you go in to see him?" Eugene asked. 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7mzIqQ5u0
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIjgAPALHk
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MrdidxVIV
"I did. But he lay there unconscious. I'm hoping he wakes up soon."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmceWprvL9n
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPINPC0J5A
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhC3VG5Xkpf
"When he wakes up, you know he'll have to face the police, right? In fact, what did they ask you when they came last night?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOg0vhoYLcR
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIrrLv3zvX
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVoW3nrirE
Mrs. Chamberlin muttered to herself as she put both her feet down from the chair, trying to make herself comfortable. Eugene wondered if she would stall so as not to answer his question.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1c8p02VhUS
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxAmNAUz7q
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqqvjYhWCw
"They asked if I knew about his whereabouts before he got shot," she answered. "If he had told me who had shot him, I would have told them, but I didn't know anything. He just showed up on my doorstep, and I had no choice but to call the hospital."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOsQjg1mRB
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqjhFN9JXC
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiREu0Z7wW
"Do they think he was involved in some shady deal?" Eugene asked. 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYgkPTHJux
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6ukP9sSfV
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTUz32604G
"They do." Mrs. Chamberlin sighed, shaking her head. "I wonder what he got himself into."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAoYPIUsFf
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6H8aAk11f
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HlFlUaHJf
"Something dangerous, that's for sure. Maybe this time when the police investigate, they'll find out the truth about whatever he's been keeping from us for so long."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQAe8dZkfZ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUM96IcSui
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQapEuKBTD
"You already know that he is involved with dangerous people. Do you really want to dig deeper and find out who he is working for?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKxBkmrbde
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJsTzyRRQN
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQ32p6d0D5
Eugene continued to look at his mother, and he had a feeling she wasn't going to like what he was going to say. He averted his eyes to the ceiling and stayed silent.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZZpWf5CEo
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMWrwbSVos
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJ61e3daRX
Mrs. Chamberlin looked on at her son. After what seemed to be a long while, she slowly stood up from her seat. She needed to stretch her legs. Likewise, she also raised her hands in the air to stretch her entire body.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXdsC0Lcin
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLLMR2Zhwt
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuaoY8VluT
Eugene now looked at his mother and asked, "Won't you be going back home to freshen up?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl62J18Jka
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkSNsZCCeq
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeA0BFVcoOr
"I will," she answered after dropping her arms. "I'll do so when your father wakes up."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskfdpRUMaS
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8nyY1hYQ8
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vae5AeLNo
Her answer made Eugene scoff. "He was at your doorstep when he came asking for help," he said. "You don't have to show that you've been with him this whole time. A big part of me knows he will figure that out when he wakes up."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmV83NqXrh
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEVum5dNqI
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCpIuFo9vP
"So, how is your brother doing?" Mrs. Chamberlin asked, ignoring Eugene's statement. "It must have been confusing for him when you told him he couldn't enter his own home."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YZJwKMpga
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaT2uuHC7Q
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjxDzapkpP
"He won't take it lightly after he hears this news at school. I wanted to tell him, but when I got back to Mrs. York's, I found that he was already asleep."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEuLzKrDKp
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LofzgHfdf
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqUiaHY7zl
"The disadvantage of living in such a town is that news travels so fast. I strongly advise that you tell him when you go and get him ready for school."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsuvSiz45N
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVsggAlX70
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBbZfs3Yo4
"That will affect him, mum. He won't be able to go if it comes to it."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9z7BEeCn8m
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqAUIOojsw
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwTmBqICzY
"That decision will be up to him. If he doesn't go, the better. Make sure to call the school if it comes to it."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Xl5n4DINf
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PSM9m46Rs
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EvDp9bnBe
Eugene gave a nod of the head. "Will do."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKEecJqYgV
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpljOJeEhJO
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡustwRGz4xD
Mrs. Chamberlin looked down at her son and came up to him. She bent over a little and held his chin to lift his face and look straight into his eyes.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyAUqXnGdF
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rIUsU2e4x
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1xLN8wG0z
"Did you get any sleep?" she asked. "You look like you've been up all night."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkWyHeujvY
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2CmQq1nDn
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHnOYGFiSy
"Yeah, I didn't," said Eugene as he put up a tired smile. "Not that I was worried about him. I'm more worried about you."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7xO306ADM
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYObn13LVt
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGGSKbJA3H
"I'll be okay. Your father needs to recover first."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnGKtPd5dm
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsW6VY6HtKd
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9dF4aDPDz
"If he does, will you consider leaving him for good?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmhylqgM0d
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjFNPHt2II
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeNZxoG7ly
Mrs. Chamberlin let go of his chin as she stood upright. She didn't expect him to start talking about this subject at such a critical time.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBkqVIq1Vo
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62j5m8iNUU
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3NbZ38Qw0
"You should go and check up on your brother," she answered as she slowly turned away. "He will need you around when he wakes up."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZJdus6Tre
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXh3zqCo1G
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iFLzExQZG
Eugene continued to look up at his mother and, likewise, stood up from his seat. "I know you don't like to talk about this, but for once, think about Albert and me. What if that man brings danger to our own doorstep one day?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhT2nSb4kte
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4W53qXcGU
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiEC2f2GPg
"He can never do that. He promised me that whatever he's involved in will never affect us."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNP4dMGv8C
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Epc9muIs6
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJPbu47dpP
"I'm sorry, mum. But him coming to our doorstep with a gunshot wound is proof that he already did. When are you going to wake up and realize that?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWY459qbm1
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vjIhzkEBK
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQz9qY5wPV
His mother still didn't look at Eugene. And he took it as his cue to leave. Before he could turn around and head for the door behind him, he turned back to her to say:314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vLCImaWHL
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4rnpr8YmQ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmYjTi2TDX
"Mrs. York will be coming over to bring you breakfast. And she thinks it will be a good time for the two of you to switch so that you can go to the house to rest."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ619pwiBr1D
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAxEFXkOar
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlrCvwR3vX
Mrs. Chamberlin turned to Eugene. "And what if he wakes up and finds that I'm not here? I need to be here when he does."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMDFPcP11W
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68fJyh2FKm
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MrdjxHXel
"Seriously, mum, I don't know if you care about yourself at all."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqweZ1aue61
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlkmcjdDz8
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PWJwnT2Iz
Mrs. Chamberlin couldn't help but swallow. She noticed the look in his eyes. It might be him being tired from being up all night, but there is a sense of darkness in them that she has never seen before. She wondered where it came from. Could it be after having a talk about his father? She couldn't tell, but seeing him like he is now made her realize that there's something different about him.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9qRSHqWBw
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeH8hTNmjps
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTCovkRKRE
He said his goodbye, and without a second glance, turned and walked away, not realizing that he left a cold trail in his wake. Mrs. Chamberlin, at that point in time, didn't know if this was her son or some stranger.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcBstaqLLR
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J6bJomIRO
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9J5Y2A6wXe
Eugene had every right to be in the mood he was currently in. His mother still stuck to her marriage like a lifeline. He wished she would one day realize how much of a baggage his father was. Secondly, so many things happened last night that he didn't know what to think of his best friend anymore.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXffJrVzbrq
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiclqL0fPE
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6NLoH61Qt
After surprising Miguel with his presence last night, Eugene asked him where he was. Miguel lied to his face, saying he went out for some fresh air and didn't expect it to take so long. Eugene went on to ask him why he looked in such a mess, like he had just been beaten up in a fight. As usual, Miguel laughed it off and lied that he tripped and fell somewhere down the street. Eugene expected to be lied to, and he couldn't tell Miguel that he knew where he had been, for that might expose Miss Marie. So he pretended to buy the lie and told Miguel that he only passed by to have a chat. He left the place, saying that it was already late and he needed to be by Albert's side.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuA4HGqw8I
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTuBIx4dTE
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWddqlQsVc
Eugene had already found himself outside the hospital's premises, heading for the bus stop. His body was in flight mode, moving on its own while he continued to get lost in his own mind.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgc6Ikt1qn
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNmLdihG3i
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUTFnfj6Uc
As soon as he reached the bus stop, he sent a message to Mr. Sinclair, telling him that he would be coming to work a little late. For any ordinary person, they would've accepted a day off with a loved one in the hospital. But in his case, he needed a distraction. And the idea of staying in the hospital didn't sit well with him. Not when his father is the reason why his mother and brother are suffering.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbG4R4BajTf
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uRi0xKCiq
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J9Qi6E8dQ
A bus was coming from a distance, and Eugene felt his heart beat so fast as he realized that he was going back to wake his brother up and tell him the awful news. It was best he heard the news from him. Albert is emotional, so he needed to be there just in case he had a breakdown.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVEJxLVa90
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMUaDjf1o2
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCijV1TtBOa
As soon as the bus stopped right in front of him and the doors flew open, Eugene took deep breaths. He entered the bus feeling like he was going to a funeral. For whom, he wondered.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpepiWlf7G3
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeKeQ96R30
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSNYF9wVEm
***314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzz9PTnXycg
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDdux6FlaF
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAloXQduQn
Rhénee turned in her bed, facing the window, this time around. She could tell the sun was now rising even when the curtain was drawn shut. She hadn't been able to sleep well the whole night as images of what happpened kept replaying in her mind, and she had just slept in intervals, only to be woken again by her dreams.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgq6dR9nN05
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYeUoQgXt3
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmapsLYGERD
She suddenly sat up and decided to take a walk around the house. Her body ached with tiredness, and she decided that a cup of coffee would do her good.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUd04QgPmH
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tiYLxM1QY
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7yuxhB4gW
After getting out of bed and wearing her purple bed slippers, she started to make her way out of the room when she heard her phone on the bedside table vibrate. She wondered who could be texting her this early in the morning. Perhaps her mother? Rhénee could only wonder what her mother would say if she were ever to tell her about the events of yesterday. She would drive here with her brother, Rhénee thought, and force her to go back home.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZQoaYI5cM
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5ItHfZaUF
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYqm6rcyNn
She went back to her bed to get her phone, and she found herself sitting back down on the bed. As she checked her phone, she found she had a message from Mr. Sinclair telling her to meet him at his office at 11:30 AM so that they could go and have lunch together. Rhénee raised an eyebrow. He was taking her somewhere more public. It didn't seem convenient, but it must be because he knows I won't overreact in a public place, she thought.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45UTPKjPSE
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXvjt47a5y
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7H6SLkEcWX
She texted him back, saying that she would be there, and stood up from her bed, making sure to carry her phone with her.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M16cAmA1D
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ493vLu5aV
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFwWX0pPd0
After walking out of her room and closing the door behind her, the silence of the house greeted her. She stood in the hall for a while, taking it in. She thought if she moved or made a sound, it would disturb the calm of the place. But the sweet sounds of the birds singing outside her bedroom window did the trick, though not in a harmful way.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU02GO4WBHL
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCy9EnHLQt
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQjc5YiLLo
She walked down the hall, bypassing her late grandmother's room. Stopping to look at the door, she thought of going in. But the events of yesterday came to her mind in a flash, making her think twice. She realized that all that's been going on right now since she came here is because of her grandmother, which stirred up a lot of mixed feelings.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocOys7jakh
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxja1UJ9I2
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiM780PgHg
She scoffed and turned away, heading to the stairs and to the kitchen.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmYFVWceKM
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrd45jpgl67
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zAkh9zDKP
Upon entering the kitchen, she was greeted by the warm sun's rays that penetrated through the white kitchen curtain. The feeling was comforting, and it made Rhénee smile a little. She went on ahead to the coffee maker and started to bring out the coffee beans and sugar from the cupboard straight above her. Likewise, she made sure to pour some water into the coffee maker as well as putting in the coffee in the filter and switching on the appliance. She sat down on the kitchen stool near the island, waiting for the coffee to brew.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQzuwDIlDC
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrRP1KSLbM
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQHOEnsHZl
Nevertheless, she decided to look through her phone, checking things out on social media. She found herself looking at a post by one of her friends, whom she hadn't talked to since she came here. Seeing this made her realize that she hadn't talked to any of her friends in what felt like forever, when she had only been here for a few days. With so much going on, time seems to have moved so fast when it barely has at all.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5myzZGHRbB
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzD1psDx4iR
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf8IeKnOdB
Her coffee was still brewing, so she left the social media page and decided to call the one friend who wouldn't mind being bothered so early in the morning.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0Uf0C8zlJ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcNEX05Anx
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGacEYy5d7U
After finding their number in her contacts, she called it and put the phone to her ear. She heard the dialling tone and waited. It didn't take long before the person on the other end picked up.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxg52s24Yp
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx757oo297A
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lJtRpvx4l
"Rhénee?" There was a sleepy male voice on the other end. "Hey, it's been a long time. How are you?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVZgjbHWza
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQPboMhF7D
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqA3KPdoOB0
"I'm good, thanks; how are you, Alex?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNFlnWhxLv
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj9NSNdA3J
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9IypNHMad
"Never better, now that you've called. I thought you forgot about me."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9AvmNgIHC
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iuahXLkmt
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLkX4TrdJO
Rhénee looked up at the ceiling. "Yeah, I think I must have."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt04xrpFP1W
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09hY0CyGuD
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxh63d9qx7V
"Don't tell me you've made a tonne of friends over there and that you forgot about me. Or did your late grandmother's fortune get to your head?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeGux7BAHm
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuM05uxB9L
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CEMkthxCH
The last thing Rhénee needed was to talk about her grandmother, but she had to act like nothing was bothering her for the time being.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyFAHudlKE
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmXNGbmO8R
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMi0zRyVmq
"You're just as funny as usual," said Rhénee with a smile on her face. "I've just been busy."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQa1Q3TFDiD
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy93PAPgSvU
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSW7CmYGjo
"Yeah, a new house and a new life must be a lot of work."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvjF4C58uS
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6YyglIvMr
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEMHU2NCTd
"You've no idea. But I'm getting by just fine. I know it's been forever since I last came here, but a number of people still recognize me. So I don't feel entirely alone."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVkotoixZQ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgZSsTm55I
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrOQMAlsPD
"Please, it's impossible to forget a person like you. And you were adorable when you were younger, so there is that."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSnXlHzHDv
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3kb8cUKZ1
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAos4ygDl5
"I wasn't adorable when I was younger."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWs1k6oIIA
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGJHUCZDTM
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmI5nPBckcA
"I've seen your baby pictures, Rhénee. You were just the cutest."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySYXlzXEoG
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT3ZEAE4x2
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxBX9dp5dp
"Who showed you my baby photos?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeRZilcZc8
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOb5nvtNd6
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37n3iMlvO5
"Zoey, of course."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZVcwpD2O8
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyiDFEZj72
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoDwj46J6a
The two continued to chat, even about the old times. To Rhénee, it felt good to have her mind off of things, even when she knew it wasn't going to last long. As she poured herself a cup of coffee, she laughed at Alex's jokes and what he had to say about other people, especially their close friends.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBfA7nmiLt
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmYf0HcFd9
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdvpQstQHe
"Goodness, I wish you were still with us, Rhénee," he said. "Everyone misses you here."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwO1Lrwl533
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeNb1SWoFW
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroPJaClzKV
"Yeah, I miss the place too," she said as she looked out of the window. "Don't worry though. When the holidays arrive, I'll make sure to be there. My mum will kill me if I don't."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvGLNWWC7K
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6obQb5MoV5
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKiR18sH4h
"Knowing your mother, I won't be surprised. How come she hasn't even thought of coming to get you back? I'll make sure to tag along if the thought ever crosses her mind."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrV89v9s9Ut
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjvWvf8BJi
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nMSki5MLB
"Because I told her not to. I know she cares about me, but she never treats Ryan that way, and they stay in the same city."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdfTh8gFfz
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgYECiLewD
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLNVJUYiOA
"Sorry, Rhénee, but you should know that you're her baby girl. Of course she would worry."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuUOrrBTqR
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OG5fpmDZ8
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtQBxKgTIb
"I wonder when she will ever get over me. I can look after myself, for goodness sake."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvykXK5jmZm
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvX2uTC787
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkKmPBtB5Y
"She'll get over it when she feels like it. Give her a break."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSvg6BfYGA
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0QDwQfdU5
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXxtTUtX3a
Rhénee thought she heard footsteps in the other room. Miss Griselda must be awake.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNo5pa4QGP
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdpcmonfFY
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLatlrQw2m
"Anyway, I better get myself ready for the day. It was nice talking to you, Alex."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVUS36JOhk
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFrc0ERFZQ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXMHyfpd4J
"You should call every day. It will be nice to hear your voice every morning."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbKBoRYZsc
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF5qrRJXjL
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJy0xgFV5Xj
Rhénee chuckled. "Why don't you get out of bed and go flirt with other girls?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhyI6wzRqY
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglpcXncqi6
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRr2fL6K1S
Alex, on the other end, laughed. "Oh, Rhénee, you're the only girl for me; don't you know that?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGYxG0wtiP
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooxOZ5d9XP
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2iGfGWgpM
"Bye, Alex," said Rhénee, not ready for Alex's proposals, which he always made. This time she wasn't going to hear it. Even when she misses him for doing it.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJcyysLJSc
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3Ba3yNCc7
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJ1IpdJfqx
After he said his goodbye, she cut the call and placed her phone on the table as she went to the sink to wash her cup. The door to the kitchen flew open, and Rhénee turned to see Miss Griselda walk in.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUv45qZYTqo
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlZjlnr0Ry
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ9N8OzxRE
"Morning, Rhénee," Miss Griselda greeted her. "Did you have a good night's sleep?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHqR0V0B8Z
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDj00987XFL
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzaWgRPSSj
"Not really," Rhénee answered. "I'm guessing that you didn't sleep well, either." She had finished washing her cup and had put it to dry on the plate rack.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYlBxPSoiG
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9rdPSkLiS
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oq3xtbu3Z
"No. I barely slept a wink."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRKiwRlgr8
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnCkDdfLao
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxRZwktbGe
"There's still some hot coffee if you need it." Rhénee pointed to the coffee maker.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fEMPIP1xQ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DN00y8m5i
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxy5O6dfEt6
"I heard you talking to someone just now over the phone." Miss Griselda went over to the cupboards to get herself a cup. "Who was it?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBBRgIfVff
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4fPsTB5db
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyaZpAikEB
"A friend of mine. I hadn't talked to him in what felt like forever."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RUVJF9fiz
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuZhkAZCo5
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTexS2h8Vy
"That's nice. You sounded like you were having a nice chat." Miss Griselda took a cup and poured herself some coffee.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8vyZ7uyfN
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmjnO7OQoF
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgwlwDtLa0
"I did. If only people like him knew what's really happening in my life right now. But the last thing I need is for him to get involved in something as dangerous as this."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡov95u7Nvsw
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnObcNDKS7
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXadcXu3JP
"A wise and sensible decision." Miss Griselda took a sip of the coffee, and her eyes brightened up a bit. "This coffee tastes great."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiWz0NXoKf
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuJYqHRfRy
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gP1uHyMcJ
"I'm just fortunate. I didn't do anything to make it as nice as you make it." Rhénee chuckled.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmaBanzaU0
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Tx91rcFXY
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9CptvdO7k
"So what do you have planned for the day?" Miss Griselda asked as she sat on one of the stools. "I hope you haven't forgotten that you've to meet Mr. Sinclair."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmveSDwKRL
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Qhg1QVSoR
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WgEVTQG5d
"No, I haven't," Rhénee replied as she walked away from the sink towards Miss Girselda. "He texted me this morning what time to meet and where."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XZnfd3Qc4
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2QjKGuEMR
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ724L2dlo2k
"Wherever you will be, don't try and give him a hard time, dear. You're quite stubborn, you know."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡme6fhaeuIV
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFHUIWlGjT
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqJALvpg0Y
"Oh, I think he already knows that. The message clearly states he'll be taking me out for lunch. So you don't have to worry."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqfXWlDQEF
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4Fq1pO9tA
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Iuj33z3rh
"Well, something tells me you'll still put him on edge with your questions."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgol1wEMOw
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINQ8ieDL5h
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNEptATIfJ
Rhénee raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? The way I see it, the man seems as cool as a cucumber. You saw how he was yesterday when we came back from the forest."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAucDaThCb
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrISbaRdP9L
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB7ohbE1ml
"I know. But just be careful of what you want to say to him, okay?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASzoG87oGx
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84DEZ5X9jI
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvU15Nuinu
"As you wish." Rhénee didn't like the feeling of being defeated so easily, especially from Miss Griselda.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkn0Pvj82If
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41qrzl8oUg
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xxT7hgQJ9
"I plan on making pancakes today. Would you want some? I figured that we had a tough day yesterday it would brighten our day at least."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaWpi5pk2m
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAxFg3w5Y6
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmEv9CHiHe
That put up a smile on Rhénee's face. "That sounds great. Let me go freshen up first."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD71FaXDTet
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwrBxQiO31
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjJXJ88u2q
Rhénee made her way to the door while Miss Griselda continued sipping on her coffee. Rhénee stopped for a bit as she wanted to turn around and ask Miss Griselda something concerning last night. But she stopped herself knowing fully well that Miss Griselda might not want to talk about it right now. She opened the kitchen door and walked out.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiKGQstJAK
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxC8YxqGmV
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5czUiCROZs
***314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJkDDJMx3Y
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSBlUHz3eb
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DSebbxaDz
Eugene walked out of the room he and his brother had slept in. He had just told the news of his father's accident to Albert, and as Eugene expected. He didn't take it so lightly, but mention that their father was now out of danger.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQodqQfiTL
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVS2igpk9tj
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9X60F84jBe
Albert had also asked if that's the reason why they couldn't go back to the house. Eugene replied accordingly, stating that their father had come home badly injured. Albert understood, but there was no denying that that he was disturbed. Eugene suggested that Albert should not go to school until he felt like it. Albert thought so too and he told Eugene that he wanted to be left alone. Respecting his brother's wishes, Eugene left the room and headed down stairs where the smell of food from the kitchen was calling to him. Eugene now realized just how hungry he was.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8lSzvHrGx
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1I3OCNqMN8
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNrlygzGyY
As he entered the kitchen, he found Mrs. York by the stove making scrambled eggs. He also noticed that there was toasted bread, a jug of juice and a pot of hot coffee on the kitchen table. Mrs. York turned to look at him as she heard him enter the kitchen with a smile.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8YeGMokK2
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72xKvc4yGE
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgQt28req4
"Please, Eugene, sit," she told him.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCkxp24gMk
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMt5IUZ6V2B
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskOBkiUfqD
Eugene did just that. "How is Mr. York this morning?" he asked.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3gSJWyGSG
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQyoBCpeP3
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYc89zgbvkW
"Oh, he's still fast asleep," she answered as she turned back to the eggs on the stove. "With the meds he is on, he sleeps like a rock. How did Albert take the news?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpFyBEYEet
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24bpYEPLMZ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OMzpfE679
Eugene clenched his hand into a fist. "Not too well, I'm afraid. He looked like he was about throw up or something. He wanted to be left alone for a bit."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GHulCZeJj
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSrY2RehBc
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCdcz6w4hp
"Will he be going to school?" Mrs. York removed the pan on the stove and put the eggs on a plate.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iy4CxHd1s
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTbfb9nmVc
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiVIsav2F7
"No. He won't be able to concentrate. Plus, people might be talking about it a lot."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVTKs3BZgf
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVm6BPr47H
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMHgY7wu07
Mrs. York approached the table with the plate and laid it in the table. "People will always talk, and you know that better than him."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iYJkn7ITe
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKC0Sj5QJF
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡif9YBKCz8M
She pulled a chair to take a seat. "And what about you?" she asked. "Are you going for work?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU0OAnePq2
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFU0mEyDkCh
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42N3l5wq2T
Eugene gave a nod of his head. "I need to get my mind distracted from all this," he answered.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgg4Cxthn5c
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrt6vxgeglW
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWHrMX01ev
"I see." Mrs. York took one of the cups on the table and poured herself a cup of coffee from the coffeemaker. "I'm guessing your meeting with your mother didn't go well?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xWG9M3BAO
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGGoCp7hpu
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepdjffAkKI
Eugene looked at Mrs. York and gave a nod of his head. "No matter, she didn't want to hear anything regarding her leaving him."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUr6mZPWX9
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBB2Woc3puo
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCoPY8C67O
"Well, that wasn't the most appropriate time for that," said Mrs. York as she took a plate and placed two slices of toast from the main plate. "You know how your mother still loves your father. You better eat up while the eggs are still hot."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGTIezHHSs
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38YWMmbr8U
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweVlmJ39xT
Eugene served himself a glass of juice and toast and eggs. "There's no denying that she still loves him," he said. "I'm afraid him  coming to our house to ask for help spells danger for all of us. I don't trust him."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxK2P2RH7iA
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz4GCog3un
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcqSlxzXM4
"Same here. It's going to take a lot to convince that stubborn mother of yours. But lets not think about it right now. Focus on taking of her and your brother."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0a0H9lhHob
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfzKFqv32o
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVPnQMOmGK
"I can't do that when she sticks to my father like it's all she knows how to do."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4pD7pB0Nr
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSd5TEmg5qk
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ182haxwQhG
Mrs. York sighed and she took a bite out of her toast. "It will take some sort of a miracle to tear those two apart."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhIXmqaJ35
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtbPpfyBFU
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbYltFJAQY
"You're right. Now that I think about it, I might as well just leave it be."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4Bzmbt9xH
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCHJ2dj5f5
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblJqQQWLKn
The two continued to eat their breakfast and as soon as they were done, Eugene went to prepare himself to go to work. Mrs. York had fortunately taken the liberty of taking some of his and Albert's clothes from the house when the police were around. Their house was still a crime scene, but knowing that his father had been injured else where, they might bring down the yellow tape sooner than expected.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdb9dUwpngy
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAuc0BXdM9
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MV22DzZx1
Before leaving for work, Eugene went to check up on Albert. Lucky enough, he found Mrs. York encouraging him to go to the kitchen and have something to eat. He also made sure to call Eugene's home room teacher to tell her that he wasn't going to be in today.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31zHS1ehvV
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Cdfu7ytgK
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPANQYGeaUa
After saying his goodbyes, he made his way out of the house, heading for the bus station. There was no need for him to call Miguel to pick him up for work like always. Eugene thought he wouldn't even go in his car, if Miguel was to appear at the moment.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAsoM8zwSk
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfK0ZS3ogC
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ4fKWYQfK
Knowing fully well, that he already told his boss that he won't be coming in early, Eugene took his time walking. While he did so, he wondered what he would tell his workmates at the office when he gets there.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoAUjyco4Z
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvm7QgyxYhx
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFONm0FBQO
***314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU8Z2F7eQM
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnKTaszkRB
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC67VT0hcMm
Rhénee looked at the time and figured it was now time to leave and head to Mr. Sinclair's office. She had been seated outside the patio, overlooking the garden with Miss Griselda and Sofie at her feet.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0463WuBDb3
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxPMipdCSo
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfN0DZRTZx
"I better get going now," Rhénee announced as she stood up from her seat. "I don't want to be late."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDWIEXdF0W
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxxycxSOj7
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElOWYo2c8i
"Alright," said Miss Griselda, sewing her red dress on the collar. "Remember what I told you about Mr. Sinclair and your questions."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHnFjYARaT
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHj8sxMvtu
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzt5JLaVmdV
Rhénee gave Miss Griselda a smirk. "I'll do my best. I'm not going to promise anything."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZTkCKnnrI
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XOIEEthD6
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfQd2wDEQS
Miss Grisleda looked up at Rhénee, regardless. "Take care," she said. "Make sure you don't wander off on your own like you did yesterday."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRlURpKTXm
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgHJakWyxd
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQrM7djYfT
Rhénee gave a nod of her head and started to make her way to the back of the house to the garage. She had left the door open leading to it an hour ago as she had come into the garage to check on the car for oil and gas. She also took the extra precaution of looking around the car for anything suspicious. You can never know with what's been going on around her lately. She had to be extra careful from now on, and that meant checking her car once in a while.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtnIIy1iXA
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8JSMu0YFg
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUvWxTuLHJ
She unlocked the car, opened the door and we went in. She started the engine and soon enough, she drove the car out of the garage and onto the front drive way. As she passed the front lawns of the house, she noticed Kevin at a distance mowing the lawn. He didn't have to come in for work today and Rhénee told him that this morning when he came to her door. But he insisted that he stick around just in case trouble came by. Besides, he also had to keep up appearances for people to see, or else they would figure out that something is wrong.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYkTAilSw5
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwJdmBX3oq
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLeWZNu3X9
Kevin stopped mowing as he saw her drive by and waved. Rhénee slowed the car and waved back. She reached the open front gates and drove off towards the town.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5A3AFJ44VU
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRf7tpgKs3
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcFwV1NrrQ
It took Rhénee less than ten minutes to find herself at the town centre. It's good she arrived on time. Even if Madison was a small town, slight traffic was starting to build up. The place isn't like New York where traffic could sometimes get you late, but Rhénee always liked to be where she had to be on time.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuaOY1iwmi
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76c8D7hmhM
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF90XjtDlXF
She reached the law firm and packed right outside in the car park. She checked the time. It's only ten minutes till 11:30. Better early than late, she told herslef as she took her small white handbag and got out of the car.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VjUbYixL5
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMNKAjZxPU
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uwNJAlVMm
After locking the door, she started to make her way to the building. She bypassed a guard making his rounds through the car park and she acknowledged her with a greeting by touching the brim of his cap. Rhénee in response smiled at him.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKoLkA8cG8
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ19MAmf7iu
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tDUlMxPjE
Before entering the building, two women in grey suits who she pointed out as lawyers, walked out through the front door. A chill ran down her spine all of a sudden as she had a strange feeling that she was being watched.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kCBEHLC6r
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡestscDffJ8
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwgKV0ws3P
She looked behind her at the car park. Nothing seemed suspicious or was she just thinking too much? If there was one thing her father taught her over the years, is not to ignore your instincts, especially in such a situation she now found herself in.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HrU4yIlk0
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OW4AGHHMl
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtcaWNj3Nx
With one last look around the car park, Rhénee turned around and started to make her way into the building. It wasn't her first time there so she made her way to the front desk and told the receptionist that she had an appointment with Mr. Sinclair. The receptionist told her to go right ahead. Rhénee thanked her and made her way to the elevator.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPPMmDAYXH
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dKBi9RDmJ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vtRhW4GTr
Eugene continued to stare blankly at his computer in his work station. He hadn't managed to get much work done as his mind wandered off every now and then, thinking of his mother and brother. Maybe he shouldn't have come to work after all. When his workmates first saw him, they were actually surprised. They didn't bother to ask him why he had come, but they did ask how his father was doing. Eugene knew they were only trying to be sympathetic, but he could tell that they found him pretty weird to be coming in for work, especially with what happened.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeQOpDItVI
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tbekMrJ8g
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt90GflFfU
He could feel people's eyes on him every now and then. That bothered him. At a time when he had to go get a piece of paper by the printer, he thought he heard two of his colleagues whispering. He thought he heard his name and when he turned to look at them, they stopped talking and went about their business. It's either they were talking about him or now he's mind was just playing tricks on him. With his mind so preoccupied, he couldn't tell which was which.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7UQNVLjmN
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUefAq5ont1
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZCy6IIQkU
He groaned and finally stood up from his desk. Looking at the screen wasn't going to do him any good, not when he couldn't concentrate. Even when Theodore and Mr. Sinclair had given him less work to do to, he still couldn't get anything done.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiBQ1RynfI
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQxGMZbM0a
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3j04Oyp0G
Eugene gave a good stretch with his arms wide, that he almost hit someone who was walking round his cubicle. He stopped himself just in time and when he turned to see who it was, he found Preeta with a stack of files standing there.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1BN4ar0pG
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQAskTtxMU
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSSPzHcSSn
"Oh, sorry, Preeta," he said, dropping his hands. "I didn't see you there."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cchUgUIFY
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IPtiurJzN
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYctf6DCrOh
"Oh, no, it's fine," she said. "I stopped just in time."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLasbgMlIUx
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHtGboBQsr
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mRTTqS3oy
Eugene tried to smile at Preeta, but his facial muscles seemed too tired to do so. He noticed the worried look on Preeta's face, and knew she what she was going to ask.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA60Mx9x6A
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnd966Vo4Tq
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCYhtepcEm
"Eugene, are you okay?" she asked. "Maybe you shouldn't have come in today."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYsQveLEzC
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPiUQs4igO
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Qqz48UDmN
"I'm fine, Preeta," he answered. "I just need to keep my mind busy to forget all that's happening."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvkBmACEAz
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZpTKcdhSq
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGJJmAYC7Y
"But you can't, can you?" Preeta raised an eyebrow. "I can tell you're only stressing yourself out by being here."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B8Y7WD5gk
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkUeGuBoKU
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6M1a7bplhk
"I know you're concerned, but I can take care of myself."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi19kj80V2B
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQwiMPnova
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFmsd9urX6
"I know you can, but if you ask me, you need to be with your brother and your mother right now. Isn't that's what most important?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KmFTrO81n
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9BMe7Zvhp
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAf3nMxbuh
Eugene sat back down on his chair, with a sigh. His hand fell upon the side of his face as he asked, "how can I ever go to my mother's side when she doesn't even listen to me at all?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodx54wZoWk
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbR6uZtby5
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCSpg3I46j
Preeta stood there silently, wondering whether to ask the question. She knew why he had asked this. His parents' affairs were well known to everyone in the town of Madison. And Preeta now found herself in some sort of bear trap.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuxrE8pMpZ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXhnqOu1zx
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIIIcchPah
"I wish I could answer that, Eugene," she found the voice to say. "Doesn't that have to be her decision?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVdnwT50jP
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4grcIETED
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZ6X0JzAQK
Eugene looked up at the ceiling. "Her decision, huh?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8XZpoVkLu
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMTr55OO6A
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVfE3pl5lO
Preeta looked at him, and she wished she could try and get Eugene out of the hole he was in. But he seems so lost in his own world. There was a sort of brokeness in his eyes and Preeta wondered if it's only his father's accident that might have caused it.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtwTXq3laA
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuec0qhzljM
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtbjpZTQzD
The land-line on Eugene's desk rang and before he could pick it, he continued to look up at the ceiling. Preeta looked at his landline that kept ringing, and then back at him. Should she pick the line instead, she thought. It could be important.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnE1htqqml
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s6X49KyBI
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGYBGtmpw1
Before Preeta could even stretch her hand to reach the phone, Eugene quickly took it and put it to his ear. "Hello?" he answered.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrswhH2COtU
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSIFp5GMlk
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dLmyZpbsx
He listened to whoever was talking on the other end, and afterwards, he replied with a low grunt and put the receiver back in it's place.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlwWCRyukb
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzRnMT8r1a
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qbIDi5FQv
"Was that Mr. Sinclair?" Preeta asked.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVGRt1fzFj
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY59GwIDatJ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqLPpXqZyW
"No, his secretary called to go get some work files at her desk," he replied. "I better go. Those files won't fly here themselves."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZlBliaNm9
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgqAcC5mL7
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRrUJqUCxR
Eugene stood up from his seat and before he could make his way to Mr. Sinclair's office, Preeta took hold of his shoulder to stop him.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMXvtfsNbb
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DiJmGxtUQ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkw0hL79vNU
"Hey, it will be lunch soon. Do you mind if we can go out?" Preeta asked. "We can get to talk if you want."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC35TQWLWE6
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdA5RjEmwU
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5MgmH77l9
Eugene looked at her and the corner of his lip was raised to a smile. "Yes, that will be very nice, thanks," he said.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65K3ElWJy3
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvhipEeEfo
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSG4dyvLkoU
"As soon as you're back, I'll meet you here at your station. Sounds good?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUEN5XFaC2
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOphE5csnU6
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kHsAeBv6Q
Eugene gave a nod of his head and without any hesitation, made his way to Sinclair's office.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReDOaWNn47
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L98QS3woL
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceFKUhv9Hv
Rhénee stepped out of the elevator and started to make her way to Sinclair's office just down the hall. She had a clear view of the secretary's desk. The secretary looked away from her computer to see Rhénee approaching.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbmhe1v9ui
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTGlqYN4Un
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7JSArQ2CE
Before Rhénee could reach the secretary, there came the sound of footsteps coming from the other end of the hall, and a young man appeared in front of Rhénee entering the hall she was in and also approaching the secretary's desk.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6jaTzjH5c
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwAeJzErmc
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYmGc1R6f4
"Ah, Eugene," said the secretary looking at him as he reached the desk first. "I thought I wasn't going to get the chance to see you. How is your father doing?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVX86EdUsq
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYiCXZ88zk
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEHWdTniHH
"He's out of danger at least," Eugene answered, not realizing that there was someone coming behind him.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdweEoO5Squ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2G4K5LBoKF
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKf5gykVgkh
"Good morning," said Rhénee as she came to stand beside Eugene.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZFNxdYrAu
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpdZoZuRnr
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtF4GLqo5e
Her presence startled Eugene that he almost jumped in fright. He responded to her greeting bleakly.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGczZjn8BG
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwMPX1Mv7H
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3IK9sxt9n
"Good morning, Rhénee," said Mrs. Clarks with so much enthusiasm, like she hadn't sounded sympathetic with Eugene minutes ago. "Mr. Sinclair just stepped out, but you can go in his office and wait for him there."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmYjlY6S0w
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLijSFWRxky
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQtZTQFOkS
"He trusts me to be in his office?" Rhénee asked, sounding surprised. "Won't it be better to wait for him out here?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahPzYXkuB7
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdT774GSO6V
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6N6EpZwBR
"No, he wouldn't mind. Please, you can walk right in."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSUWUAZdpz
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzNngbXzI1
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7Fo9UDoJf
Rhénee thought twice about it and quickly made up her mind and started to make her way to Sinclair's office.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeW42kEsQm
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpiplsvheg
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mc92d3Xqx
Eugene had been staring at Rhénee the whole time and it was only Mrs. Clarks placing the files so loudly on her desk, that brought him back to earth.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EZhMH6R3A
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SlHI6AyDD
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99N5QDoN0o
"How is your father doing?" Mrs. Clarks asked as she looked on worringly at Eugene.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo30g9fRBl9
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1QnTC4jCr
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM569NVHwBq
Eugene quickly shook his head, trying his best to gather his thoughts. "Well, he's out of danger for now," he answered.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gL2z0FGlR
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nuCG09tHR
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2pidcnki7
"Just know that I have you and your family in my prayers. As soon as I heard the news, I got terrified. I still am. Do you know how he ended up like that?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoidRJFULEj
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHixpCeefdi
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOxCigTkoD
Eugene shook his head. "No clue. He didn’t tell my mum anything, either. He passed out when he got to the house."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92CxrJcO7k
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGCyFsDDOR
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNYyArCuJ7
"It’s good that he’s okay. But isn’t it bad for him, though? I hear it was a gunshot wound, and the police are now investigating the matter. Did he say who shot him or what had happened?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1Szhwrtc8
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQwfCQP8NA
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoHu6xLENi
Eugene shook his head. "No, he didn’t say anything to mum before he passed out."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pql0FQ4YD
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJ9iJswFBh
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvD0w4OfhW9
"Well, I hope it isn’t serious. No one reported any shootings, though, so hopefully it was just an explainable accident. It would be pretty bad if it turns out that he was involved in something shady."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7GDY0WjQG
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAifNLBBju8
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1EJ0gWb6m
Eugene had had enough of Mrs. Clarks' talk as he picks up the files on the desk. "I better be going now. I’ll see you later."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmjEnWXjbG
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA48idlK1zD
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKYOmhB9Mp
"You take care of yourself, dear. And tell your mother that I’m praying for her."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3c8XGYwrjA
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KuhpsJbXt
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABj0KoqtoS
Eugene gave a nod of his head and turned around to make his way back to his workstation. He completely forgot about Rhénee, who stood in Sinclair’s office and had heard the entire conversation.8964 copyright protection310ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuMnV4sLpU 維尼

3.144.39.0