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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz9qexNaeT
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RmZN5wUY5
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRSavY1vzB
"Hey, mum, are you alright?" he asked. "Sorry for waking you."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsBCbtopzT
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNI0z5jNFg
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThqrmopsu0
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQrc2D0e5F
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2e0FiMdSdt
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TaxekPhES
"I didn't expect to see you here," she said, as she put up a tired smile. "What time is it?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCGYEPv710
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzr4MYemnUL
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeH26nTsLo
"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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXbDq7Sll6
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMtyg0DPwe
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nrL40jdbu
"And what about your brother? Aren't you going to see him off to school?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA9q861im1
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd18mN8zCr
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXo8CMHPfF6
"I will. I came to check up on you first."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNehJPtVKok
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVzf9FbR5V
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGn82rHWhxu
"I thought you were going to ask how your father was doing."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6ezR9b2U4
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrycQY6Mpd
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLjGJDb540
Eugene didn't know how to respond to that as he looked up at the ceiling and then back at his mother in silence.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UthQFbAsw
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUpb0R5t5i
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFSSfFxSXo
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgdh5X2vht
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZoqJQW56m
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vRO8DP5Vx
"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." 263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FYRabw4pK
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ACoiuTWH0
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLahVE3Cl1d
"Did you go in to see him?" Eugene asked. 263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbGMXLixN9
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFc9awhBcO
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT5FKaQkYw
"I did. But he lay there unconscious. I'm hoping he wakes up soon."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW5SgD2CQC
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriuWpZKPW6
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpAPGyMa5r
"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?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqYxXaS1Eg
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT76ObJRuLG
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJmNSOKxaP
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBt58KYef9r
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNogAN75p6o
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpV4BsKkGr
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVAjgnACp8
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIBsW35o5D
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPw3w7Di3V
"Do they think he was involved in some shady deal?" Eugene asked. 263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3UPfv5ydq
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8lGl76KQx
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDo43onils
"They do." Mrs. Chamberlin sighed, shaking her head. "I wonder what he got himself into."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2kubfeyrO
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjPNuzxmqw
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnDcTtIN4J
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡen9Az6YcjY
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJ9uB4Y7Ja
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGnOmi8WCj
"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?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26JcJruqYz
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44hzBp7LZ4
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK65TQAQ2d6
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGK0erZM7Q1
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOPmyfFzsE
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp58xC16R9
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XvPyEkcPD
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡch4fqzcj0k
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvN6e8qp3q
Eugene now looked at his mother and asked, "Won't you be going back home to freshen up?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbuyQcz9dV
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJ25TPakHw
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcq8Z6Vux1n
"I will," she answered after dropping her arms. "I'll do so when your father wakes up."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5zXRbqkbH
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDKApqABJS
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2sVxJhFZ5
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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO07xk6SRN
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0l9mKBRpCo
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXw5I6jy1Bz
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixIE99N0ot
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94S7UVkOrr
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5rGD6KXzJ
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryhBoD1WeO
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilrfzFxBFc
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYJX62Fiix
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYdUxqrVMb
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6lW9cBI95
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrgMEVCvrR
"That will affect him, mum. He won't be able to go if it comes to it."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh99aejaZl8
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrf1ksnNBy
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpVJOISnSQ
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLq79jryLCV
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuS2LwWEB7
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMf5Ei2UVv
Eugene gave a nod of the head. "Will do."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgX2kgiHtoA
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AFYOknMCO
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXguHqnaicx
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAmLFul4cn
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Yt7YF54za
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTw0AOjF0x
"Did you get any sleep?" she asked. "You look like you've been up all night."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkVZAOyJdR
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwCCMgmu9T
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyxQVtizPf
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSllCaqbxE
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAocgNvsAdb
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnt4tSfMgpM
"I'll be okay. Your father needs to recover first."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wtCWxD4Qj
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhadYr4r7Ue
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSJAIELj3I
"If he does, will you consider leaving him for good?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlhTydKKZz
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVv2lcoaeg
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RN21bJXP1
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQn3vpWLHBy
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgTLs2QQIE
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbVkcpMJBG
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡem8Spd8KvU
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdN5Zo8dAD
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iZQd93DHp
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?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpMxBJXNYj
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWfxTatGfS
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMG30QAK5Md
"He can never do that. He promised me that whatever he's involved in will never affect us."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6Hmw7QzCN
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6DOBwmCYk
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInj8rxielr
"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?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6e8bt6rvo
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LegiA0xyg
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QKc7LXlN1
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:263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12du2sZ6zu
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jfPgrP87K
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFluVjdFty
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYy5nJfhQ82
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVaAF4MyG3
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgRD4ORf6b
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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ScKea0QSU
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3Qfh7fsq4
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutTLEOEull
"Seriously, mum, I don't know if you care about yourself at all."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IyE9gYbeh
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0u8YPFYtf
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPaT9OW0FO
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv5pW55HD3
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPLag89RZX
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj6dC3dcPA
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZDPKqhgAN
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJHDfrBk2M
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEk8zQcd1R
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVBAm45eP9
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnReWG2F4E
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZ2AhdWoPB
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvkXIesbXA
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgC11HXiDgx
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaxqzLPKNX
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiuuMJMAFn
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQSDAEmRUZ
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdtewHS9hb
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsike9cPWa
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnZTdNLmob
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxA7d2y7Jp
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpKnn832wX
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwIMM6S9oH
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxWUaksZd2
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU6VUoDDh5
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfXye48uoo
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyFhy1ueT0
***263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIfu47qdkr
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ToOp0wFTg
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TE2DzqIKj
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcrJVqcM1h
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x4azaAjHm
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsWFKZKHIB
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCyZe07Af6
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2wYhhDXzp
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIW06cKw8r
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbhWbMuEj1
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AZHC3O8LQ
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgcYva8PES
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CJUYrm9oG
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwNKG7ZzOA
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrLsnrb2HA
She texted him back, saying that she would be there, and stood up from her bed, making sure to carry her phone with her.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLhpbiYg6M
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65Dednklps
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZ9VTT43st
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJ6CK52ieT
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63gJNL1nnQ
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxPYRUEl0x
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDzuJyI8Vn
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBW5o41d22F
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboCMyR7kYu
She scoffed and turned away, heading to the stairs and to the kitchen.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrrXiQ40f8
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RWbWhrVgm
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlwLEYPylw
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvn6nwFm67
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nBPIL3L7p
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6ArOPvX2T
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXTiAbYfmc
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6qa3Yu6bO
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZqsl2sQjU
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDETIkWowH
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEmDFGK7FH
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Sw2ijY0xA
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKhJMqQVOd
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiI946eM0J
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTL1UNr4pQ
"Rhénee?" There was a sleepy male voice on the other end. "Hey, it's been a long time. How are you?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTELN3R28aV
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8443qMdWo
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAmAAIrYIY
"I'm good, thanks; how are you, Alex?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MbtEXBJHo
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDh61dkIKsb
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83gLa5tpfS
"Never better, now that you've called. I thought you forgot about me."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoEr1oIKV5
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgpLdjESVR
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWr9EBPUnqO
Rhénee looked up at the ceiling. "Yeah, I think I must have."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP8bU7dTfU
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUgN5C3Toa
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVO7ssKmxOm
"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?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSlL8UbKAF
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjlGm77nLE
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2ueWH4K0F
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAoT8yZGSK
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5yhBsRa8H
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4r4E4mEdt
"You're just as funny as usual," said Rhénee with a smile on her face. "I've just been busy."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatlexfDNQV
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtN3cQjB61
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iwWcsKSpw
"Yeah, a new house and a new life must be a lot of work."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJDf9l33mf
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuPZxaFqhz
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPXHJXiW8q
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yrKHOTECd
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXXrbTQiSj
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBzE3vzads
"Please, it's impossible to forget a person like you. And you were adorable when you were younger, so there is that."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lX14wZBlG
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYgw4NdoK6
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡet4cYO3d0f
"I wasn't adorable when I was younger."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvII8Zg8b11
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9KxYwJvdJ
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCd5ov371A
"I've seen your baby pictures, Rhénee. You were just the cutest."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgv6ofyYls
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkX7uBPElAS
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4IbQ2K5GO
"Who showed you my baby photos?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpmWJ9kF4r
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRbP7ngNy5
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKc50j0in8
"Zoey, of course."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrFkePy0fO
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qc5Pbfxen
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFrrlA2tl0
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitBURUKOCT
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18AAX40DNV
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiof9cT94Xn
"Goodness, I wish you were still with us, Rhénee," he said. "Everyone misses you here."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpU3ziTn9GE
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauBjKimRcU
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6YVpauFSG
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTvx89lyw2
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNOz5XnzQr
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIfdBZGOIH
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMJxJOAUhx
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19szYKks5V
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkhs8FZZbv
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9bN4e1RKu
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGEQ3XsGA9
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX8mEwKxOR
"Sorry, Rhénee, but you should know that you're her baby girl. Of course she would worry."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlryxW5ItUb
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nP2cBNiTV
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OcCzXhe2H
"I wonder when she will ever get over me. I can look after myself, for goodness sake."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kQc6jAdBF
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsT4KflSj44
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mo5CUnJKe
"She'll get over it when she feels like it. Give her a break."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApQyEY2mwF
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEC5VxuXhH
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWmuFuPzj4
Rhénee thought she heard footsteps in the other room. Miss Griselda must be awake.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0n3gyS90KF
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDpf8Tc6Oe
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ve6vpHxE7
"Anyway, I better get myself ready for the day. It was nice talking to you, Alex."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62Bp0OlP65
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yi5zeg5sa
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhvQAl5A0n
"You should call every day. It will be nice to hear your voice every morning."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8k0ZmPN6r
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDpEHluDIG
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpsSDWUkvV
Rhénee chuckled. "Why don't you get out of bed and go flirt with other girls?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTa2TDELZA
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aj4qmDdaX
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQddr24gCVN
Alex, on the other end, laughed. "Oh, Rhénee, you're the only girl for me; don't you know that?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5XwjzYWn5
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61nJnq4rHJ
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaxBE4m0UX
"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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLVKenTkXa
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseyZzMur55
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXdStDjg6m
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicOjQQKYE8
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7gnghc5Nj
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnCgEld4iJ
"Morning, Rhénee," Miss Griselda greeted her. "Did you have a good night's sleep?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4Hmtdv0OK
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytkJMwwpJB
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpGg48n7Gh
"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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwMvNcdl9v
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjC7ZAk0iY
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIuXssnK0j
"No. I barely slept a wink."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDokvVOlFM6
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzl2kxDHeQ0
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKOk0X7ypf
"There's still some hot coffee if you need it." Rhénee pointed to the coffee maker.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHdt1yC3ie
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwBo6SLOtn
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2On7DGQov
"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?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFIbGyyVEL
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCqYq1uajX
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLvJOgI4w0
"A friend of mine. I hadn't talked to him in what felt like forever."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfWn0urliZ
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqc9Zfjoet
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9wCwkylJt
"That's nice. You sounded like you were having a nice chat." Miss Griselda took a cup and poured herself some coffee.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfxIIxscao
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEqKCtp9Lt
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWg85NK6IS
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxHyBVFpMP
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhXagpgoiF
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUFCbxQVGV
"A wise and sensible decision." Miss Griselda took a sip of the coffee, and her eyes brightened up a bit. "This coffee tastes great."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOtT0tdZvi
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdI9tIFNtl
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6T0nMDeYE
"I'm just fortunate. I didn't do anything to make it as nice as you make it." Rhénee chuckled.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWaGJXYPu0
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnf9Aq3ApNX
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTu8OwNzoE
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrmN15EPS6
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDMUM33AeF
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5q49lFVgO
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3z7FwKI4YC
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEFNa5CLVZ
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5x1qPUmes
"Wherever you will be, don't try and give him a hard time, dear. You're quite stubborn, you know."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfvGQvgldZ
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWEpeOzfFQ
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg70thLkYnD
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ1XwmqeZz
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PXVtYSJne
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SqE59GoCj
"Well, something tells me you'll still put him on edge with your questions."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFauqduOZmk
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAtSGF3zo9
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv7dNmNqgw
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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFYjA08f4b
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvzIG2ZzhN
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirjX3zl6D8
"I know. But just be careful of what you want to say to him, okay?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhp4YHBaeJ5
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEoDq4ASiz
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3LZQvFMwG
"As you wish." Rhénee didn't like the feeling of being defeated so easily, especially from Miss Griselda.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sI4BgwvAU
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHdnkE4lAc
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi3wERjjzH
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCrcQC1Fe5
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7WLpoyI5j
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaet1nxUfC5
That put up a smile on Rhénee's face. "That sounds great. Let me go freshen up first."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7e7ZM1XYq
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRqYGOykMw
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRicRBBPrU
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoJnYRy7Cs
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BxMJB97Nf
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFb7Aok79z3
***263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9dVZiPvNL
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEleq6Cdpi
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDm7wPEmG8
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuECLDxOAV
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3G9DSimP9
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ966Mt4oC4O
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHkJTbsH0y
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5av3iW6fL
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HTyKT9PcE
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzD0gxSrTQ
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbi9dQ1DOEy
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFyFmLxL3u
"Please, Eugene, sit," she told him.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xwFIQSqpm
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡel4BpefCxp
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvWEMEXTMo
Eugene did just that. "How is Mr. York this morning?" he asked.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtUm8kekNh
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVuEYVGFmM
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUDSlidThH
"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?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOJqNhDbyQ
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ303pT2dmSy
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacdjU8IdqE
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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ek7qhVGF8
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EqWG1rb7W
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ816j4udUDi
"Will he be going to school?" Mrs. York removed the pan on the stove and put the eggs on a plate.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJ2vzSncHX
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXu8tczXZg
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLersvHZUo
"No. He won't be able to concentrate. Plus, people might be talking about it a lot."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQo2vSPlzk
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5oYEIZNh3
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UK4o4OTqf
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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyX4ZXa7dwG
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFuZloZg3U
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnBPs679sU
She pulled a chair to take a seat. "And what about you?" she asked. "Are you going for work?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLPONn7k3h
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFpYKbp3MM
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSLh8kRmd2
Eugene gave a nod of his head. "I need to get my mind distracted from all this," he answered.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0bVMnmIx0
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPeVvG8RCs
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsxYBqVRH8
"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?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAPovYz35s
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab6BsjcY2Z
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYGWBC9ut7
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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RsB3ygvxA
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2w52a2YWxJ
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuavIFKr2XJ
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuuLfJgN3T
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJyV1u37mU
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULfquX3koA
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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGXPhlKGBD
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3GBLmAnQk
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXZdQ3Fy3U
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujp25lSLEz
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavHI6PyxNY
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0u3aTmA7C1
"I can't do that when she sticks to my father like it's all she knows how to do."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypbPMlyf8Y
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5ARRcsyFS
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XaM8ii0nP
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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf24XJbTpgv
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1u0K5wO5fD
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHgDTTjsuK
"You're right. Now that I think about it, I might as well just leave it be."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIdZ5sjqrF
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAfst7qus5
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9WchcGHym
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSYLZv1LkN
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDunuDlx2Ss
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ029KAdNTkO
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw0xQcrauI
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9FfG50uQq
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AhPMCleX7
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5jHndeiLj
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0JohWKuxy
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpE09T5R7C
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4V9ss3dIeS
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC77kmTR9Kb
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz9rvhshZb
***263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvuBuAIaCj
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFHSFt1Qu5
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXU6o0e07s
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hubkHQ5VM
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilgQUI9Bce
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAKm1Pu3Dz
"I better get going now," Rhénee announced as she stood up from her seat. "I don't want to be late."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVz6hAG4l1
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6EgY62h4L
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu9HwS0llE
"Alright," said Miss Griselda, sewing her red dress on the collar. "Remember what I told you about Mr. Sinclair and your questions."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2NNK9WIkD
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBn0hFcib4B
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQyD9D9OZ5
Rhénee gave Miss Griselda a smirk. "I'll do my best. I'm not going to promise anything."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68huMkbWOB
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54sQ5F49YH
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMdOdDmFv1
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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxpVy8m1UG
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaBnADrjM8
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4LKNgxwCk
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlK1Tb24uL
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoESWPKwLV
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRX2bTlhHUy
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGdiwP7Ggc
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7zbEVnmd1
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRKQsmLlgm
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZmZmCXEOE
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVAdWStEkQ
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdoFczzQIV
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4flNofMVa6
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvrQEA7xvq
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrlN1Hcmss
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLYG4TNYfb
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRYP8eZ7gO
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtr3FHCdNTA
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxoazpVqmG
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0vne75aTc
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSkbEQWoly
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkfqSBrEWs
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJnV4y9j8s
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLv20Lfmip4
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJnryQKxS8
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnOyDbboYv
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡea8OcaeIZZ
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRKShOLYn6
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6l0HfYEfO
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04Y6QvGnKv
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmur2ddvFb
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4mbwlCR9h
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddPzF7w65t
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0UAW3kXvG
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAv4ciq2cH
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nAzHzExTT
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWwJIkgqBp
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8o8Dptu0Pj
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFO6LrvauTZ
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGIEsYiVrt
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKanB9XFqb
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKfuWS257n
"Oh, sorry, Preeta," he said, dropping his hands. "I didn't see you there."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWX8JKukkd4
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBKcObxRew
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xdqos7acH
"Oh, no, it's fine," she said. "I stopped just in time."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwUSb7Q9kO
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUllDGQ2T5
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYa077uQw2
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPixwtTwcpT
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdOKkkyIqV
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb0KVoCe5z
"Eugene, are you okay?" she asked. "Maybe you shouldn't have come in today."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqwRhQ0eKa
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyhfVNgozR
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4rcVAP2zV
"I'm fine, Preeta," he answered. "I just need to keep my mind busy to forget all that's happening."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOhREF3rJK
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGKiV9XzNF
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqWuuPJYez
"But you can't, can you?" Preeta raised an eyebrow. "I can tell you're only stressing yourself out by being here."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvum5LgHOJ
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdh2FeeRTn6
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7sg98cNKi
"I know you're concerned, but I can take care of myself."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli6PXJaS4b
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uT4hMLxVD
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKsMkTnWjP
"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?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXJj2iUH7L
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDp7EHzFii
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYzVyn68t1
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?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiwq0HEYgB
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGScr2Za1o
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbTXZIMsWV
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Hri1lzWOu
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIboB99T6mY
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm2DoGci7O
"I wish I could answer that, Eugene," she found the voice to say. "Doesn't that have to be her decision?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVYFaAtTtv
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbR0s8tYmP
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpQL2LCOCm
Eugene looked up at the ceiling. "Her decision, huh?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvhnhk5p0b
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEVDcJsSUu
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiSKaMm3W8
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKe6a6EnqC
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tit2h7ubW
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc73VJfPfFy
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBExfZEh82C
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhSW9SrH3H
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxMwswlgl7
Before Preeta could even stretch her hand to reach the phone, Eugene quickly took it and put it to his ear. "Hello?" he answered.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaeWSvJvD7
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSiDw04Bxs
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR0AapAaqW
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CG7Tj5LR2
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjMY3afXKP
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZxekb7hEF
"Was that Mr. Sinclair?" Preeta asked.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gxftsKrsy
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYsWzwmMGU
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqfngpfQTv
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNw6FLXHHjo
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFViP9CEQw
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqr7BXGgtn
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyWOPOM1yf
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa2akJUksA
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cRAftRrFw
"Hey, it will be lunch soon. Do you mind if we can go out?" Preeta asked. "We can get to talk if you want."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBxXCSlhN9
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BMIKWvFj6
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyQEgsRYPr
Eugene looked at her and the corner of his lip was raised to a smile. "Yes, that will be very nice, thanks," he said.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKtk33QgVX
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRyvPSMMA5
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVCsImF1NM
"As soon as you're back, I'll meet you here at your station. Sounds good?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRRY7lFJLD
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpt5w2tvzU
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wRt6IPFFY
Eugene gave a nod of his head and without any hesitation, made his way to Sinclair's office.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKamx2Kj6su
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgI09mPIoFp
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenPwvt1mAu
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe56acZoQ65
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMmIYTLF6l
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NsGEw0qTl
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7LmH8nWEx
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIWIUfmw50
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXA6QXtbTO
"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?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3DKh3gjti
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50XMGA90Qn
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4WAzQ8QuJ
"He's out of danger at least," Eugene answered, not realizing that there was someone coming behind him.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEANyqEsF3
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vPjArSOyt
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBJu7Hkidf
"Good morning," said Rhénee as she came to stand beside Eugene.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PHpeSiq2N
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgdIlFVjxb
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUc1X6Sofd
Her presence startled Eugene that he almost jumped in fright. He responded to her greeting bleakly.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRLKVCD8B9
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0GhAms46j
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEd7TM8mS2
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBHJdh1bvB
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hT29hf8LO
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cvxCG7lLq
"He trusts me to be in his office?" Rhénee asked, sounding surprised. "Won't it be better to wait for him out here?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFDWMpikEW
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlungOQ889
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONWALJcv0q
"No, he wouldn't mind. Please, you can walk right in."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcdB0irupY
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUWVIOQfvi
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURelW6bpt3
Rhénee thought twice about it and quickly made up her mind and started to make her way to Sinclair's office.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSmruoeG5s
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJujRYuxuz
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw47NEZfqpI
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.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDExOMWuBuL
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ybD5lhy9v
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPn835Ppd3
"How is your father doing?" Mrs. Clarks asked as she looked on worringly at Eugene.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqscaDPgW5D
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbQPEYan8O
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2q05QOOAnR
Eugene quickly shook his head, trying his best to gather his thoughts. "Well, he's out of danger for now," he answered.263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiMR1Vg0aO
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXCsZSkB4Y
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmwMG5iwAl
"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?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvnIkvMzkr
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvzpyXI1WS
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQnwlEDfS3
Eugene shook his head. "No clue. He didn’t tell my mum anything, either. He passed out when he got to the house."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOmIFHOlTC
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgRMUtQLQp
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjob8g6HjSD
"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?"263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsn5gkRF3XT
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTeEbwJs6T
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL71WevgWgB
Eugene shook his head. "No, he didn’t say anything to mum before he passed out."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQ6FRZA2iN
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH9J0idoBF
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpEoTj4TYa
"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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBPr1ZbCVD
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNWNjXmCaK
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D7KG8qnet
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."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKUaUbZzlL
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaO0Gg6pcY7
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFuorwdrHU
"You take care of yourself, dear. And tell your mother that I’m praying for her."263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5Y79oiyRx
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwmBNFWGH8
263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKRDyvllc1
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 protection259ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVazr34U02 維尼

15.158.61.16