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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBxcvIxckO
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"Hey, mum, are you alright?" he asked. "Sorry for waking you."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPXCLVPbTu
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFYM3G5koo
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"I didn't expect to see you here," she said, as she put up a tired smile. "What time is it?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE350qBlkWO
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"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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXV12LqiXqu
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"And what about your brother? Aren't you going to see him off to school?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrZQR6H7dl
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"I will. I came to check up on you first."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUMd7I0j39
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"I thought you were going to ask how your father was doing."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡel3AXAcWKd
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Eugene didn't know how to respond to that as he looked up at the ceiling and then back at his mother in silence.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ9XUHrZIb
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiPaJaOb1a
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"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." 239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClwTTdFTnd
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"Did you go in to see him?" Eugene asked. 239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MUi9t3MB7
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"I did. But he lay there unconscious. I'm hoping he wakes up soon."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWaFlmPn2z
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"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?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyoqzfd0eG
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLSagXRgZ4
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"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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dzpjeHjwV
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"Do they think he was involved in some shady deal?" Eugene asked. 239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWMnwaVfMT
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"They do." Mrs. Chamberlin sighed, shaking her head. "I wonder what he got himself into."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZgpZCGEr3
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"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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KkqwSIYLw
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"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?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNIhMfGGlK
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVfqPXoAUm
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ltHIzS1AO
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Eugene now looked at his mother and asked, "Won't you be going back home to freshen up?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39SI5mqIlw
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"I will," she answered after dropping her arms. "I'll do so when your father wakes up."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZXKrCtNmF
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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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcF98TqGGsc
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"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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2JZlf8jud
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"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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJhoqIFdrc
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"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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunoregqpCw
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"That will affect him, mum. He won't be able to go if it comes to it."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXipgHbMxuG
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"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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM31x8MXsBd
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Eugene gave a nod of the head. "Will do."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjMM7ABSs2
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdnyq50HyE
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"Did you get any sleep?" she asked. "You look like you've been up all night."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlBmrrDuAy
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"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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtBPcGmnUx
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"I'll be okay. Your father needs to recover first."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoL2n8gAam1
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"If he does, will you consider leaving him for good?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphxJEJfUbB
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeJOpcd0Ra
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"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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh2mjGWKfi
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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?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTcaDI8ZcN
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"He can never do that. He promised me that whatever he's involved in will never affect us."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHzabNKVFU
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"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?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96cjRZDTlM
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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:239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeP1lmCDxw3
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"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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjyaE9Tfr5
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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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMwa6qsL8K
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"Seriously, mum, I don't know if you care about yourself at all."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrCV07w8tR
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6CLhGfu7a
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9MHbh8mhy
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmMh5Ue7u7
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkdZVQldZg
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueczPQSsNz
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGAw5qxlQJ
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmrgcTBplJ
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHJfFY1Hbp
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zOz17vJgn
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56LCv9JQA1
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhS8WSZbab
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbMuN1cIae
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She texted him back, saying that she would be there, and stood up from her bed, making sure to carry her phone with her.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvok3p9KF2E
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNxQ31cEux
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq25K6cQHQU
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She scoffed and turned away, heading to the stairs and to the kitchen.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMSBVAinUM
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEfScte0SS
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJewPpuKfY
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1tZS1hail
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoPOMRCKI6
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"Rhénee?" There was a sleepy male voice on the other end. "Hey, it's been a long time. How are you?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94xJgNsJ0V
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"I'm good, thanks; how are you, Alex?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyo9fRLXdX
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"Never better, now that you've called. I thought you forgot about me."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJkdHHymw1
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Rhénee looked up at the ceiling. "Yeah, I think I must have."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQmThhdSD7
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"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?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzPe17dGnh
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0puW8bfDr
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"You're just as funny as usual," said Rhénee with a smile on her face. "I've just been busy."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrhgWMD6Gt
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"Yeah, a new house and a new life must be a lot of work."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGazrW5Ygr8
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"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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWypMCp3i72
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"Please, it's impossible to forget a person like you. And you were adorable when you were younger, so there is that."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbRmDfuUjV
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"I wasn't adorable when I was younger."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSatoXKzy1
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"I've seen your baby pictures, Rhénee. You were just the cutest."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZudhzlSMs
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"Who showed you my baby photos?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFgleTa5CG
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"Zoey, of course."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfku5gqdGO
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnpQUvC2v4
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"Goodness, I wish you were still with us, Rhénee," he said. "Everyone misses you here."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6vBgec8gi
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"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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LmkzK1cs4
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"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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFhxy8jGfU
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"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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DOD4DMLYq
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"Sorry, Rhénee, but you should know that you're her baby girl. Of course she would worry."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK9jC3QYE0
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"I wonder when she will ever get over me. I can look after myself, for goodness sake."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKJ9xHaF1x
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"She'll get over it when she feels like it. Give her a break."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kqGiALqkq
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Rhénee thought she heard footsteps in the other room. Miss Griselda must be awake.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp1tBTYlCE
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"Anyway, I better get myself ready for the day. It was nice talking to you, Alex."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaofbsp5Srt
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"You should call every day. It will be nice to hear your voice every morning."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsTvATvbIg
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Rhénee chuckled. "Why don't you get out of bed and go flirt with other girls?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWnW1ixsuD
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Alex, on the other end, laughed. "Oh, Rhénee, you're the only girl for me; don't you know that?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeUgH2dX5g
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"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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1xZ9LbtPV
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYlar3zq7v
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"Morning, Rhénee," Miss Griselda greeted her. "Did you have a good night's sleep?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlKsVkQ2UA
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"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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvWPiM55lC
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"No. I barely slept a wink."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIyGgkHQ7W
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"There's still some hot coffee if you need it." Rhénee pointed to the coffee maker.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYimySxKf3
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"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?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xUMzIretD
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"A friend of mine. I hadn't talked to him in what felt like forever."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8bbpK8FW5
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"That's nice. You sounded like you were having a nice chat." Miss Griselda took a cup and poured herself some coffee.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNn4jngXuX
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"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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9v5jhbxpn
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"A wise and sensible decision." Miss Griselda took a sip of the coffee, and her eyes brightened up a bit. "This coffee tastes great."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF3lvt12AA
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"I'm just fortunate. I didn't do anything to make it as nice as you make it." Rhénee chuckled.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gQeFiltg1
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"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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCN4zIAAD6S
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"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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQ0rpGl4mj
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"Wherever you will be, don't try and give him a hard time, dear. You're quite stubborn, you know."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI8oA846qm
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"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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCD8VfBxTZ
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"Well, something tells me you'll still put him on edge with your questions."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbM488cHFb
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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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TiM5iuprh
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"I know. But just be careful of what you want to say to him, okay?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MGn3hwgLc
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"As you wish." Rhénee didn't like the feeling of being defeated so easily, especially from Miss Griselda.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKnlJBAfYq
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"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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzC28Df7Zw
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That put up a smile on Rhénee's face. "That sounds great. Let me go freshen up first."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElsogDxpDW
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡox9LiaDUo9
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBNcH2bf3K
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjfiTHCMZ7
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DeOlrmRNy
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"Please, Eugene, sit," she told him.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtdltSfHoP
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Eugene did just that. "How is Mr. York this morning?" he asked.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vqDlF1Yv0
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"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?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXQULfovC3
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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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4wMbaeynM
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"Will he be going to school?" Mrs. York removed the pan on the stove and put the eggs on a plate.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNQA3ZlFjG
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"No. He won't be able to concentrate. Plus, people might be talking about it a lot."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IGZxWHeiE
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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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CB6IfQ9LM
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She pulled a chair to take a seat. "And what about you?" she asked. "Are you going for work?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0thmtBTiKF
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Eugene gave a nod of his head. "I need to get my mind distracted from all this," he answered.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGtyO3sfTm
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"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?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPZhPFFsMg
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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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nYRALK3FB
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"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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SXm3yhCr5
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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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6it3YDVF8J
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"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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SrfkqS8dX
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"I can't do that when she sticks to my father like it's all she knows how to do."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjMew25VbP
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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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvu2msRvYeA
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"You're right. Now that I think about it, I might as well just leave it be."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rz7KGXRC0
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaipTcN5IlD
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s2Ab2qmd0
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCAsxc1peE
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LUpHZbuKw
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9SZix9vTJ
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"I better get going now," Rhénee announced as she stood up from her seat. "I don't want to be late."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVN2yONuXql
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"Alright," said Miss Griselda, sewing her red dress on the collar. "Remember what I told you about Mr. Sinclair and your questions."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxokE2cx9Js
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Rhénee gave Miss Griselda a smirk. "I'll do my best. I'm not going to promise anything."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcfwhXxCQq
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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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTa28znvJu3
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuER9Hd2q4
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xiZZFPZEv
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYBKYhs2XV
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoc0rut0p4
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqw6KuH4Kq
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGY7rpra7BD
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxIFZtAp8m
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmmBxMYOMK
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsT3kaqj2w
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpXJDME6xp
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUia1tkXIc
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF38yjlRDFt
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5Xu73GboI
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"Oh, sorry, Preeta," he said, dropping his hands. "I didn't see you there."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUhRSOkEZ2
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"Oh, no, it's fine," she said. "I stopped just in time."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSvaxSBGoL
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRm3zLZCjPr
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"Eugene, are you okay?" she asked. "Maybe you shouldn't have come in today."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pJR0oDF1f
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"I'm fine, Preeta," he answered. "I just need to keep my mind busy to forget all that's happening."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCfSFPxnSd
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"But you can't, can you?" Preeta raised an eyebrow. "I can tell you're only stressing yourself out by being here."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUfyKGA3Mf
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"I know you're concerned, but I can take care of myself."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto4I6ukgNk
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"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?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3ytBdhJ4q
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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?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbnZVxtkJM
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5m1uHpAxze
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"I wish I could answer that, Eugene," she found the voice to say. "Doesn't that have to be her decision?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjX8JJmkmh
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Eugene looked up at the ceiling. "Her decision, huh?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3PfwfhPV8
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqEIO49PzK
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSxS1IPfsP
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Before Preeta could even stretch her hand to reach the phone, Eugene quickly took it and put it to his ear. "Hello?" he answered.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSv4Ijbxqbc
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4tPoryppc
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"Was that Mr. Sinclair?" Preeta asked.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPITrXiZ3g
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"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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡya9SaWtc2z
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMParw1CjP
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"Hey, it will be lunch soon. Do you mind if we can go out?" Preeta asked. "We can get to talk if you want."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VvrSDgD98
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Eugene looked at her and the corner of his lip was raised to a smile. "Yes, that will be very nice, thanks," he said.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa80qjNBzjk
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"As soon as you're back, I'll meet you here at your station. Sounds good?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLg31cTFlsG
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Eugene gave a nod of his head and without any hesitation, made his way to Sinclair's office.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0B8dotBDR
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyrNeZA9c4
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWmq1bF18z
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"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?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7tvkvaiQd
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"He's out of danger at least," Eugene answered, not realizing that there was someone coming behind him.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp8eTyTrja
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"Good morning," said Rhénee as she came to stand beside Eugene.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wQQMWJLaI
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Her presence startled Eugene that he almost jumped in fright. He responded to her greeting bleakly.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvpOn7cow0
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"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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrNGJII6RL
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"He trusts me to be in his office?" Rhénee asked, sounding surprised. "Won't it be better to wait for him out here?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmgoIqGUXY
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"No, he wouldn't mind. Please, you can walk right in."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4FNBS091b
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Rhénee thought twice about it and quickly made up her mind and started to make her way to Sinclair's office.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIIvOLfpUk
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5pPYA6xMQ
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"How is your father doing?" Mrs. Clarks asked as she looked on worringly at Eugene.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KhVxTJXAi
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Eugene quickly shook his head, trying his best to gather his thoughts. "Well, he's out of danger for now," he answered.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36ytlFbN7W
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"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?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczUpHfLN73
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Eugene shook his head. "No clue. He didn’t tell my mum anything, either. He passed out when he got to the house."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YSKqk2ueG
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"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?"239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnC3CITcjci
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Eugene shook his head. "No, he didn’t say anything to mum before he passed out."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUfhs23CSe
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"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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEmqLmhFBE
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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."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Sl8ng1gsw
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"You take care of yourself, dear. And tell your mother that I’m praying for her."239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1N3bkYnJD
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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 protection235ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqxbcEiTci 維尼

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