x

Mrs. Chamberlin felt someone gently shake her. She moaned a little as she opened her eyes. The buzzing fluorescent light blinded her for a bit until she realized that there was someone standing next to her. Her eyes opened widely now. It was her son, Eugene.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinzgl5QJOI
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVxTJMXIHy
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jJylPzJ1k
"Hey, mum, are you alright?" he asked. "Sorry for waking you."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ymI9x4fp2
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOp91APKpX4
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2tDazQwx1
Mrs. Chamberlin sat upright; the big, heavy coat she had used as a blanket fell to her waist. She rubbed her eyes, trying to remove the sleep in them. She looked over at her son, who stood there looking at her.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbC1bO5JhBT
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjpjJgqzDj
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s8bpUvAb8
"I didn't expect to see you here," she said, as she put up a tired smile. "What time is it?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpzMlfKPFP
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnD1DLfEZd
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7jCzSsWMj
"It's five in the morning," said Eugene as he went over to sit on the chair she had been sleeping on in the waiting room.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13Aaa62TEz
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzugZea0ZjQ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxnOz60cNl
"And what about your brother? Aren't you going to see him off to school?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSwh7f8Fvy
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSItJqkYee0
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3KXFGVKwX
"I will. I came to check up on you first."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr4fYviojw
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnRRDgAGSZ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J9XI9Lws2
"I thought you were going to ask how your father was doing."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgj1CqsFMzh
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmgCGvUpAl
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ2D5yX1BT
Eugene didn't know how to respond to that as he looked up at the ceiling and then back at his mother in silence.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNAFPsX5TK
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2WzhNMk8B
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRpzniSInu
Mrs. Chamberlin sighed. She wasn't going to force her son to do so, even though she knew Eugene cared a lot more than he thought.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8GcT0azZP
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v8466SqXc
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjnF7D9Oir
"He's stable now," she said. "They managed to pull the bullet out. But he lost a lot of blood. The doctor said it would take time for him to recover." 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9fP8sedrr
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4RS43RHZV
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvFzsk6KXx
"Did you go in to see him?" Eugene asked. 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCqAezHewc
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcc696zthw
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5APendpDF
"I did. But he lay there unconscious. I'm hoping he wakes up soon."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEEMrgpZuv
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5NZhbJ4aR
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DAL5vAfCM
"When he wakes up, you know he'll have to face the police, right? In fact, what did they ask you when they came last night?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVClM4Xiag1
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATevYnEbP9
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yHs5ZnPNk
Mrs. Chamberlin muttered to herself as she put both her feet down from the chair, trying to make herself comfortable. Eugene wondered if she would stall so as not to answer his question.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnfHX42Ckl
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuavZrztks0
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmBlJ6hDeX
"They asked if I knew about his whereabouts before he got shot," she answered. "If he had told me who had shot him, I would have told them, but I didn't know anything. He just showed up on my doorstep, and I had no choice but to call the hospital."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qaHLC39VD
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNshVftAZzn
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Iyp17CkvM
"Do they think he was involved in some shady deal?" Eugene asked. 314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYsdb0hLqB
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KEq4wlCip
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7SLmCpgaW
"They do." Mrs. Chamberlin sighed, shaking her head. "I wonder what he got himself into."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFO5tPIliB
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxMRL9QZJg
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9XnxJyNvG
"Something dangerous, that's for sure. Maybe this time when the police investigate, they'll find out the truth about whatever he's been keeping from us for so long."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3mOulMtvo
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVyhd9SzeG
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTiOIc8i9M
"You already know that he is involved with dangerous people. Do you really want to dig deeper and find out who he is working for?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzF2vdyIcD
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HTT3gGlpy
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt37GhWYp3M
Eugene continued to look at his mother, and he had a feeling she wasn't going to like what he was going to say. He averted his eyes to the ceiling and stayed silent.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzIfl7jcd1
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQOrfeQIce
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARN2tycufc
Mrs. Chamberlin looked on at her son. After what seemed to be a long while, she slowly stood up from her seat. She needed to stretch her legs. Likewise, she also raised her hands in the air to stretch her entire body.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaHiTScBv4
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMmaqP1FwL
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvj2jbbYqr
Eugene now looked at his mother and asked, "Won't you be going back home to freshen up?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOGHmoQq1Z
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00Ekb7WUv3
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNe7KNtnt2
"I will," she answered after dropping her arms. "I'll do so when your father wakes up."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuOuPM23tW
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSLPwwC38L
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckKdJ95GXA
Her answer made Eugene scoff. "He was at your doorstep when he came asking for help," he said. "You don't have to show that you've been with him this whole time. A big part of me knows he will figure that out when he wakes up."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZflzNcuQ6y
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JHXDVENPT
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgu3JuX31na
"So, how is your brother doing?" Mrs. Chamberlin asked, ignoring Eugene's statement. "It must have been confusing for him when you told him he couldn't enter his own home."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4nSl6ehil
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkWOAq0pOI
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0a10ijc4dT
"He won't take it lightly after he hears this news at school. I wanted to tell him, but when I got back to Mrs. York's, I found that he was already asleep."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIQDBVnbOy
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor4NpMqE3L
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs63O4BShGc
"The disadvantage of living in such a town is that news travels so fast. I strongly advise that you tell him when you go and get him ready for school."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60tEM58e44
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrZ8jD1AiY
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pRd2PKRrV
"That will affect him, mum. He won't be able to go if it comes to it."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQq3QcdVyw
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcDUBKmoBq
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGVl7h95xC
"That decision will be up to him. If he doesn't go, the better. Make sure to call the school if it comes to it."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5PfCNBCyb
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7lLHRyq6h
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ipns6YWkN
Eugene gave a nod of the head. "Will do."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdS5Gx3aMO8
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jUvrr7WOe
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIDNregv9i
Mrs. Chamberlin looked down at her son and came up to him. She bent over a little and held his chin to lift his face and look straight into his eyes.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEFL65aDbp
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh7o3Oqm17
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaZlQvqwjY
"Did you get any sleep?" she asked. "You look like you've been up all night."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScu4ZFw6Ay
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGR6JmgBcp
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXofH9y5rqC
"Yeah, I didn't," said Eugene as he put up a tired smile. "Not that I was worried about him. I'm more worried about you."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAL3izSAVc
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvP8xmchDf
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeomvjBfmdj
"I'll be okay. Your father needs to recover first."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxS2K0KsTN
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaafZTaGgrV
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiei1aCpTK
"If he does, will you consider leaving him for good?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddIvLDvPE3
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyYP8HAVpf
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vBArsWeB0
Mrs. Chamberlin let go of his chin as she stood upright. She didn't expect him to start talking about this subject at such a critical time.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8o91B1FiYk
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKw6YsxTfI
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWtq8pLb1y
"You should go and check up on your brother," she answered as she slowly turned away. "He will need you around when he wakes up."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QQGd5tbLB
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cTMnXP0L5
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NTfFvgMlw
Eugene continued to look up at his mother and, likewise, stood up from his seat. "I know you don't like to talk about this, but for once, think about Albert and me. What if that man brings danger to our own doorstep one day?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedubBcSuIA
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh1pklEXax
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYh80B8mYes
"He can never do that. He promised me that whatever he's involved in will never affect us."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRIBIoNCQE
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjSPxmNHC2
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsU4LRpCV37
"I'm sorry, mum. But him coming to our doorstep with a gunshot wound is proof that he already did. When are you going to wake up and realize that?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuPwBjdAN2
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSWZZ1X91X
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHJanJ4mHR
His mother still didn't look at Eugene. And he took it as his cue to leave. Before he could turn around and head for the door behind him, he turned back to her to say:314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGqLRJtUGj
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHroQ8vHz9i
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjuOjQuGoy
"Mrs. York will be coming over to bring you breakfast. And she thinks it will be a good time for the two of you to switch so that you can go to the house to rest."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVtJJoW6TB
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe1VGw4kjz
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVY3W7YLElK
Mrs. Chamberlin turned to Eugene. "And what if he wakes up and finds that I'm not here? I need to be here when he does."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhV77neTQvf
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2807bldItN
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXUiLcWtcK
"Seriously, mum, I don't know if you care about yourself at all."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgJc4l43sZ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvR1OqTc18
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lTcPclEMb
Mrs. Chamberlin couldn't help but swallow. She noticed the look in his eyes. It might be him being tired from being up all night, but there is a sense of darkness in them that she has never seen before. She wondered where it came from. Could it be after having a talk about his father? She couldn't tell, but seeing him like he is now made her realize that there's something different about him.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQPXBtz4Qz
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1OO5dUGLW
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9e4CHRzjJ
He said his goodbye, and without a second glance, turned and walked away, not realizing that he left a cold trail in his wake. Mrs. Chamberlin, at that point in time, didn't know if this was her son or some stranger.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx5hBF3MYJ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rPDEhY31k
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvnAA3QDEj
Eugene had every right to be in the mood he was currently in. His mother still stuck to her marriage like a lifeline. He wished she would one day realize how much of a baggage his father was. Secondly, so many things happened last night that he didn't know what to think of his best friend anymore.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQN5qJywZqV
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsd8dYxtpNL
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aFd2Onad7
After surprising Miguel with his presence last night, Eugene asked him where he was. Miguel lied to his face, saying he went out for some fresh air and didn't expect it to take so long. Eugene went on to ask him why he looked in such a mess, like he had just been beaten up in a fight. As usual, Miguel laughed it off and lied that he tripped and fell somewhere down the street. Eugene expected to be lied to, and he couldn't tell Miguel that he knew where he had been, for that might expose Miss Marie. So he pretended to buy the lie and told Miguel that he only passed by to have a chat. He left the place, saying that it was already late and he needed to be by Albert's side.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlBnGmi4kU
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtBOAmDOhR
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03L7MhrvWx
Eugene had already found himself outside the hospital's premises, heading for the bus stop. His body was in flight mode, moving on its own while he continued to get lost in his own mind.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFL2C8stBz
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7cDw4WNdP
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyLKeUPXib
As soon as he reached the bus stop, he sent a message to Mr. Sinclair, telling him that he would be coming to work a little late. For any ordinary person, they would've accepted a day off with a loved one in the hospital. But in his case, he needed a distraction. And the idea of staying in the hospital didn't sit well with him. Not when his father is the reason why his mother and brother are suffering.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NPD9sYDHQ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PKkp25T1n
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc38TD1iV08
A bus was coming from a distance, and Eugene felt his heart beat so fast as he realized that he was going back to wake his brother up and tell him the awful news. It was best he heard the news from him. Albert is emotional, so he needed to be there just in case he had a breakdown.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPgnQCcXU6
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMU6l69f3X
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKXnfAHQTt
As soon as the bus stopped right in front of him and the doors flew open, Eugene took deep breaths. He entered the bus feeling like he was going to a funeral. For whom, he wondered.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEEp7mzwuG
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6J3o7oZrr
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhK7Z7VGgP
***314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYQybjdLOr
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoODHoSURy
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuixftlDsBa
Rhénee turned in her bed, facing the window, this time around. She could tell the sun was now rising even when the curtain was drawn shut. She hadn't been able to sleep well the whole night as images of what happpened kept replaying in her mind, and she had just slept in intervals, only to be woken again by her dreams.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVP0ky6NRF
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u9qJNCIks
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUsRcy1Cda
She suddenly sat up and decided to take a walk around the house. Her body ached with tiredness, and she decided that a cup of coffee would do her good.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvhNOs2Age
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc9zqonl4E
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPoewA1dQw
After getting out of bed and wearing her purple bed slippers, she started to make her way out of the room when she heard her phone on the bedside table vibrate. She wondered who could be texting her this early in the morning. Perhaps her mother? Rhénee could only wonder what her mother would say if she were ever to tell her about the events of yesterday. She would drive here with her brother, Rhénee thought, and force her to go back home.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgX9z8HkPn
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3njDuy2Fmp
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd9BiBXIPB
She went back to her bed to get her phone, and she found herself sitting back down on the bed. As she checked her phone, she found she had a message from Mr. Sinclair telling her to meet him at his office at 11:30 AM so that they could go and have lunch together. Rhénee raised an eyebrow. He was taking her somewhere more public. It didn't seem convenient, but it must be because he knows I won't overreact in a public place, she thought.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvhXT2IpRA
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnz3MDGqelK
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgIaXf5ubk
She texted him back, saying that she would be there, and stood up from her bed, making sure to carry her phone with her.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5bvn5mqcF
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FrsJTB1Pk
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIl6drQyI1
After walking out of her room and closing the door behind her, the silence of the house greeted her. She stood in the hall for a while, taking it in. She thought if she moved or made a sound, it would disturb the calm of the place. But the sweet sounds of the birds singing outside her bedroom window did the trick, though not in a harmful way.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9u4eSbsAm
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjTCKropw5
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWg8pxnaJRf
She walked down the hall, bypassing her late grandmother's room. Stopping to look at the door, she thought of going in. But the events of yesterday came to her mind in a flash, making her think twice. She realized that all that's been going on right now since she came here is because of her grandmother, which stirred up a lot of mixed feelings.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZP2mo24F9q
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvMhmqzLnk
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlYP8imZsr
She scoffed and turned away, heading to the stairs and to the kitchen.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2E2FZlUyv4
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxlM52crrK
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBYS4EM7Di
Upon entering the kitchen, she was greeted by the warm sun's rays that penetrated through the white kitchen curtain. The feeling was comforting, and it made Rhénee smile a little. She went on ahead to the coffee maker and started to bring out the coffee beans and sugar from the cupboard straight above her. Likewise, she made sure to pour some water into the coffee maker as well as putting in the coffee in the filter and switching on the appliance. She sat down on the kitchen stool near the island, waiting for the coffee to brew.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIOHVxVI9Z
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNKaKP4AvJ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb523CUQGk2
Nevertheless, she decided to look through her phone, checking things out on social media. She found herself looking at a post by one of her friends, whom she hadn't talked to since she came here. Seeing this made her realize that she hadn't talked to any of her friends in what felt like forever, when she had only been here for a few days. With so much going on, time seems to have moved so fast when it barely has at all.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaNov61Pn1
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCJ7NsUBfc
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWOTGDGngf
Her coffee was still brewing, so she left the social media page and decided to call the one friend who wouldn't mind being bothered so early in the morning.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjP3M9FGX6
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItn2JXs9K0
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGPah6FDMG
After finding their number in her contacts, she called it and put the phone to her ear. She heard the dialling tone and waited. It didn't take long before the person on the other end picked up.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnL39J2hMsf
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgQpwwQ7lh
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg45rC2lqa7
"Rhénee?" There was a sleepy male voice on the other end. "Hey, it's been a long time. How are you?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqk45cxf3m9
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7ak5DvW7D
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvICrBF6ZP
"I'm good, thanks; how are you, Alex?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYqX1J9jSS
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvIkJluIi3
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHa7J12f2z
"Never better, now that you've called. I thought you forgot about me."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JW20uNQjc
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5X9CSdolu
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yuzBSvOS2
Rhénee looked up at the ceiling. "Yeah, I think I must have."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5fGIDAIpN
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjExK59DHy
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6e294r7rB8
"Don't tell me you've made a tonne of friends over there and that you forgot about me. Or did your late grandmother's fortune get to your head?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UkkOB1QHt
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1aJoz73mB
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qrPRnhy5F
The last thing Rhénee needed was to talk about her grandmother, but she had to act like nothing was bothering her for the time being.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LI7s7gimA
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVE4i6NWnS
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQI78Z9zaB2
"You're just as funny as usual," said Rhénee with a smile on her face. "I've just been busy."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3E0fzyQoa
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77C3DXYWeR
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaTurux6uW
"Yeah, a new house and a new life must be a lot of work."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXusIgL8tfn
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLwbcp7gnq
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGXN2rfD1s
"You've no idea. But I'm getting by just fine. I know it's been forever since I last came here, but a number of people still recognize me. So I don't feel entirely alone."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvvl8HAJ12
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRKFeoUQIm
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzXvTIARLg
"Please, it's impossible to forget a person like you. And you were adorable when you were younger, so there is that."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGUzqO0jip
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqprXBkvrXw
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLfMWDqUMH
"I wasn't adorable when I was younger."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1MyvGSu5Y
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0Potuxka9
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8fre9r8oK
"I've seen your baby pictures, Rhénee. You were just the cutest."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q2jMnRa5U
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoh8I7LkL8
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwg9wwyI83x
"Who showed you my baby photos?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoO3kWGDga9
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1RjaEeJsV
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmOpkO6B9U
"Zoey, of course."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhB8sy95n9
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCZiQlmupi
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5HpHghQEH
The two continued to chat, even about the old times. To Rhénee, it felt good to have her mind off of things, even when she knew it wasn't going to last long. As she poured herself a cup of coffee, she laughed at Alex's jokes and what he had to say about other people, especially their close friends.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAQkxUavGz
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6hMVdwFqy
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaGqSBi3Sk
"Goodness, I wish you were still with us, Rhénee," he said. "Everyone misses you here."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqKfqJYy9o
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7W4g0elJl
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH8Al10AUa
"Yeah, I miss the place too," she said as she looked out of the window. "Don't worry though. When the holidays arrive, I'll make sure to be there. My mum will kill me if I don't."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKK8T5G586
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQtm4Blred
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjYfeHSUw8
"Knowing your mother, I won't be surprised. How come she hasn't even thought of coming to get you back? I'll make sure to tag along if the thought ever crosses her mind."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJErv1O1kym
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnxpe1HQuz
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1iyL3pAoW
"Because I told her not to. I know she cares about me, but she never treats Ryan that way, and they stay in the same city."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMORddtZs8
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0epkDetXKo
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAM7gpiP38
"Sorry, Rhénee, but you should know that you're her baby girl. Of course she would worry."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn4FEptZyK
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQqvcrS6fM
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAB43mhin6
"I wonder when she will ever get over me. I can look after myself, for goodness sake."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1SOOwczJx
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrhzDosd76
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uw7sKpPWB
"She'll get over it when she feels like it. Give her a break."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy29gl1BrkK
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCZGsK6Y8o
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfdhaSTyGS
Rhénee thought she heard footsteps in the other room. Miss Griselda must be awake.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YS4F11JdR
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3GEj4sJfU
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9EcHh9iCY
"Anyway, I better get myself ready for the day. It was nice talking to you, Alex."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjy0JZ03ZX
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciPvIMpErX
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6S26iONr0
"You should call every day. It will be nice to hear your voice every morning."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDxyOxjPVB
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsbelEIiUR
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukFKaPFccp
Rhénee chuckled. "Why don't you get out of bed and go flirt with other girls?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnjc0gfv3a
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kQFlwfKy3
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZYAUVgYye
Alex, on the other end, laughed. "Oh, Rhénee, you're the only girl for me; don't you know that?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59nNAxTk3X
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoxVBntxo5
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwmsoiBlap
"Bye, Alex," said Rhénee, not ready for Alex's proposals, which he always made. This time she wasn't going to hear it. Even when she misses him for doing it.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEDmIVYdUX
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1d8HsSOmX
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡij9DoUqQup
After he said his goodbye, she cut the call and placed her phone on the table as she went to the sink to wash her cup. The door to the kitchen flew open, and Rhénee turned to see Miss Griselda walk in.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0pEQHgKzn
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjqsXo3dx3
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgWaFsDd2t
"Morning, Rhénee," Miss Griselda greeted her. "Did you have a good night's sleep?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6CkNTjhqs
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZD2smIZDX
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXwPIhT9Ql
"Not really," Rhénee answered. "I'm guessing that you didn't sleep well, either." She had finished washing her cup and had put it to dry on the plate rack.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H1lfqj2M4
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZvdfDpXRG
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaVl94RmtG
"No. I barely slept a wink."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTh3CWjSR8
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8S78PEyqAg
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVo1KKOxkvw
"There's still some hot coffee if you need it." Rhénee pointed to the coffee maker.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoB5caN1ml
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUROoomJNp
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsy1wiNbagV
"I heard you talking to someone just now over the phone." Miss Griselda went over to the cupboards to get herself a cup. "Who was it?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHutcLqMq6R
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSCnQah5x5
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQsW1pd4IW
"A friend of mine. I hadn't talked to him in what felt like forever."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGoPkJIH6k
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkivy8EGOKI
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHtJ21V4Nu
"That's nice. You sounded like you were having a nice chat." Miss Griselda took a cup and poured herself some coffee.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx0WOLUgoi
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59Y6dkkjaa
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZJnTMi6fl
"I did. If only people like him knew what's really happening in my life right now. But the last thing I need is for him to get involved in something as dangerous as this."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVEkS80aSt
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKnA4qLaR2
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCs0tNNzFlm
"A wise and sensible decision." Miss Griselda took a sip of the coffee, and her eyes brightened up a bit. "This coffee tastes great."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9HT60RJmC
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRcrdByMPs
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQnnFjHcrs
"I'm just fortunate. I didn't do anything to make it as nice as you make it." Rhénee chuckled.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZKHnyc5Es
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3acWRLsKmU
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqCU3k0H1I
"So what do you have planned for the day?" Miss Griselda asked as she sat on one of the stools. "I hope you haven't forgotten that you've to meet Mr. Sinclair."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8jVfiCFVJ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMU92BNAui
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz3xBBn0a5
"No, I haven't," Rhénee replied as she walked away from the sink towards Miss Girselda. "He texted me this morning what time to meet and where."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7A7Bl3Rib
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedpA2bYt21
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5VwrPL3lN
"Wherever you will be, don't try and give him a hard time, dear. You're quite stubborn, you know."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9ODFZhYxa
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg5oD45ZY0
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJV4sJaxhz
"Oh, I think he already knows that. The message clearly states he'll be taking me out for lunch. So you don't have to worry."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tDO5peXNK
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGxwWsg5OF
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbwlcNf5Q3
"Well, something tells me you'll still put him on edge with your questions."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVY0ZbxZ3D3
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ44gmhxaVr
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkn0Y3Yjy5c
Rhénee raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? The way I see it, the man seems as cool as a cucumber. You saw how he was yesterday when we came back from the forest."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyZLfhtzmI
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yyOPeayxz
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGP8mV2yjYN
"I know. But just be careful of what you want to say to him, okay?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbP3dop5ifk
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxQ7qMMbtl
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFdD1aooay
"As you wish." Rhénee didn't like the feeling of being defeated so easily, especially from Miss Griselda.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtBKqFizie
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVef7kp0moB
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoKOKNJ1eY
"I plan on making pancakes today. Would you want some? I figured that we had a tough day yesterday it would brighten our day at least."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuqZ2ooYdK
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsXdE0jjqI
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhccUEzAMP
That put up a smile on Rhénee's face. "That sounds great. Let me go freshen up first."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMacszW33v
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhiciVaZ8T
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrLefjEqs8
Rhénee made her way to the door while Miss Griselda continued sipping on her coffee. Rhénee stopped for a bit as she wanted to turn around and ask Miss Griselda something concerning last night. But she stopped herself knowing fully well that Miss Griselda might not want to talk about it right now. She opened the kitchen door and walked out.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1PnFF6Ol1
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGw3AUilL1r
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf77TAEZiWe
***314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMsH2soiVv
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjQg5BoZex
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnImLNLHs5
Eugene walked out of the room he and his brother had slept in. He had just told the news of his father's accident to Albert, and as Eugene expected. He didn't take it so lightly, but mention that their father was now out of danger.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSWBMAHOrP
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVK0vcr8MB
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9aMgOGoxa
Albert had also asked if that's the reason why they couldn't go back to the house. Eugene replied accordingly, stating that their father had come home badly injured. Albert understood, but there was no denying that that he was disturbed. Eugene suggested that Albert should not go to school until he felt like it. Albert thought so too and he told Eugene that he wanted to be left alone. Respecting his brother's wishes, Eugene left the room and headed down stairs where the smell of food from the kitchen was calling to him. Eugene now realized just how hungry he was.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxacEwiFHfm
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLIHc2Q8BA
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5QNoO9AdS
As he entered the kitchen, he found Mrs. York by the stove making scrambled eggs. He also noticed that there was toasted bread, a jug of juice and a pot of hot coffee on the kitchen table. Mrs. York turned to look at him as she heard him enter the kitchen with a smile.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoO3wBLg9O
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwghxv697J9
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOX73tJP6CW
"Please, Eugene, sit," she told him.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQw0Ythl75
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkekdiigE7
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7prmgPTcgh
Eugene did just that. "How is Mr. York this morning?" he asked.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ90TnTqC8d
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCNtCKtZk0
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkI9tXGdkK2
"Oh, he's still fast asleep," she answered as she turned back to the eggs on the stove. "With the meds he is on, he sleeps like a rock. How did Albert take the news?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZH7XeeTg9Y
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeEYAdM1Ub
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1E7hl5Z5nx
Eugene clenched his hand into a fist. "Not too well, I'm afraid. He looked like he was about throw up or something. He wanted to be left alone for a bit."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRdIAQAxFI
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XkuXK1iMv
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVESperFfXQ
"Will he be going to school?" Mrs. York removed the pan on the stove and put the eggs on a plate.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6merKQGuI7
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsYz3cv0uX
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzIFzJmrdi
"No. He won't be able to concentrate. Plus, people might be talking about it a lot."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKBJ8FKWrD
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFEYORJBmD
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz46DDLzRJ
Mrs. York approached the table with the plate and laid it in the table. "People will always talk, and you know that better than him."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWgtnB864k
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoEFivVa8o
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoahPX7pOIZ
She pulled a chair to take a seat. "And what about you?" she asked. "Are you going for work?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwYCMXfnmk
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAKeQYatJe
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGSpOrdyoK
Eugene gave a nod of his head. "I need to get my mind distracted from all this," he answered.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cIhZymPu3
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbbMA3rStt
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqioueKjem
"I see." Mrs. York took one of the cups on the table and poured herself a cup of coffee from the coffeemaker. "I'm guessing your meeting with your mother didn't go well?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIMDVnIyJW
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgPZBM02J3
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBZwknd8qH
Eugene looked at Mrs. York and gave a nod of his head. "No matter, she didn't want to hear anything regarding her leaving him."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdtiwjgwcV
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2yM5HGBaO
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYR3KWfy9X
"Well, that wasn't the most appropriate time for that," said Mrs. York as she took a plate and placed two slices of toast from the main plate. "You know how your mother still loves your father. You better eat up while the eggs are still hot."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrGCY8ic1n
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz66MGSv9J9
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdF9qPBonAR
Eugene served himself a glass of juice and toast and eggs. "There's no denying that she still loves him," he said. "I'm afraid him  coming to our house to ask for help spells danger for all of us. I don't trust him."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lhzpmDIyJ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kL7m4Qmjy
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSxFNpVZHl
"Same here. It's going to take a lot to convince that stubborn mother of yours. But lets not think about it right now. Focus on taking of her and your brother."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3N3IsA4iPW
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLWcZhIG3M
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNQl32YnDF
"I can't do that when she sticks to my father like it's all she knows how to do."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFWkP4ZkEt
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxMuP2QhMb
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiNfmSfm1S
Mrs. York sighed and she took a bite out of her toast. "It will take some sort of a miracle to tear those two apart."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQ3plbqcaM
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDVTYjMa9p
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77jw85x0Pp
"You're right. Now that I think about it, I might as well just leave it be."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GeTx4VKiC
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5rbG9JbaK
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRBtjIcsX0
The two continued to eat their breakfast and as soon as they were done, Eugene went to prepare himself to go to work. Mrs. York had fortunately taken the liberty of taking some of his and Albert's clothes from the house when the police were around. Their house was still a crime scene, but knowing that his father had been injured else where, they might bring down the yellow tape sooner than expected.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzIF1O9pQr
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvUwuZSw4E
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21qIIl9CW1
Before leaving for work, Eugene went to check up on Albert. Lucky enough, he found Mrs. York encouraging him to go to the kitchen and have something to eat. He also made sure to call Eugene's home room teacher to tell her that he wasn't going to be in today.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezrm9A9jGf
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7K0gzQ3Zny
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzXTjYusdl
After saying his goodbyes, he made his way out of the house, heading for the bus station. There was no need for him to call Miguel to pick him up for work like always. Eugene thought he wouldn't even go in his car, if Miguel was to appear at the moment.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmN9QPuVnGm
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzMxpiIalN
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kyPHjiICM
Knowing fully well, that he already told his boss that he won't be coming in early, Eugene took his time walking. While he did so, he wondered what he would tell his workmates at the office when he gets there.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpAU30eiVM
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqUGEEw3rC
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJwWruZ54S
***314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHWqGOUjFY
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3ESyyWnOI
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rVvgPnNYc
Rhénee looked at the time and figured it was now time to leave and head to Mr. Sinclair's office. She had been seated outside the patio, overlooking the garden with Miss Griselda and Sofie at her feet.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQifNKAN2s
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0OxcugUcy
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBvyluxx75
"I better get going now," Rhénee announced as she stood up from her seat. "I don't want to be late."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OnzzKKcYq
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCB8Vsvl9B
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrN0u5nBeF
"Alright," said Miss Griselda, sewing her red dress on the collar. "Remember what I told you about Mr. Sinclair and your questions."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXdb7EjHod
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LngKE6WrA
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39xRIQ0SlT
Rhénee gave Miss Griselda a smirk. "I'll do my best. I'm not going to promise anything."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7tFxmnxq1
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAzz8cuJao
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlQ2MmhdD8
Miss Grisleda looked up at Rhénee, regardless. "Take care," she said. "Make sure you don't wander off on your own like you did yesterday."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gRzFTrBcX
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoC1zkUB1Q
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZRnOr7qWw
Rhénee gave a nod of her head and started to make her way to the back of the house to the garage. She had left the door open leading to it an hour ago as she had come into the garage to check on the car for oil and gas. She also took the extra precaution of looking around the car for anything suspicious. You can never know with what's been going on around her lately. She had to be extra careful from now on, and that meant checking her car once in a while.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XdAa4qczi
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiisCQfse5N
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69cBijaouI
She unlocked the car, opened the door and we went in. She started the engine and soon enough, she drove the car out of the garage and onto the front drive way. As she passed the front lawns of the house, she noticed Kevin at a distance mowing the lawn. He didn't have to come in for work today and Rhénee told him that this morning when he came to her door. But he insisted that he stick around just in case trouble came by. Besides, he also had to keep up appearances for people to see, or else they would figure out that something is wrong.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZniwfiLjtR
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vXjv4BNg3
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftrZX3m0rv
Kevin stopped mowing as he saw her drive by and waved. Rhénee slowed the car and waved back. She reached the open front gates and drove off towards the town.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZYKBRBnly
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX5yGQ3ptO
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflHNAH9RGO
It took Rhénee less than ten minutes to find herself at the town centre. It's good she arrived on time. Even if Madison was a small town, slight traffic was starting to build up. The place isn't like New York where traffic could sometimes get you late, but Rhénee always liked to be where she had to be on time.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o2W96AyKS
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVcvS61o68
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaK3ysPXxR
She reached the law firm and packed right outside in the car park. She checked the time. It's only ten minutes till 11:30. Better early than late, she told herslef as she took her small white handbag and got out of the car.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVl0Gc9SCKx
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GzSTfjXos
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9wS1EurGP
After locking the door, she started to make her way to the building. She bypassed a guard making his rounds through the car park and she acknowledged her with a greeting by touching the brim of his cap. Rhénee in response smiled at him.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTythqqqynu
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZC18IpynM
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpunM6SetU
Before entering the building, two women in grey suits who she pointed out as lawyers, walked out through the front door. A chill ran down her spine all of a sudden as she had a strange feeling that she was being watched.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMUMiIUNxS
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiyzZPyjGU
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvfSg227jW
She looked behind her at the car park. Nothing seemed suspicious or was she just thinking too much? If there was one thing her father taught her over the years, is not to ignore your instincts, especially in such a situation she now found herself in.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuF4fAWYuY
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0LVmSLYmc
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtdWPqrPtg
With one last look around the car park, Rhénee turned around and started to make her way into the building. It wasn't her first time there so she made her way to the front desk and told the receptionist that she had an appointment with Mr. Sinclair. The receptionist told her to go right ahead. Rhénee thanked her and made her way to the elevator.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5NgpU4FFU
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLn34UM9qv
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz8oe9dRCk
Eugene continued to stare blankly at his computer in his work station. He hadn't managed to get much work done as his mind wandered off every now and then, thinking of his mother and brother. Maybe he shouldn't have come to work after all. When his workmates first saw him, they were actually surprised. They didn't bother to ask him why he had come, but they did ask how his father was doing. Eugene knew they were only trying to be sympathetic, but he could tell that they found him pretty weird to be coming in for work, especially with what happened.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf66iANVSpl
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7PF9siatl
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6BNsnFHqM
He could feel people's eyes on him every now and then. That bothered him. At a time when he had to go get a piece of paper by the printer, he thought he heard two of his colleagues whispering. He thought he heard his name and when he turned to look at them, they stopped talking and went about their business. It's either they were talking about him or now he's mind was just playing tricks on him. With his mind so preoccupied, he couldn't tell which was which.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02gmYHZoEj
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xkNyBZAxU
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12ZX0ALe2B
He groaned and finally stood up from his desk. Looking at the screen wasn't going to do him any good, not when he couldn't concentrate. Even when Theodore and Mr. Sinclair had given him less work to do to, he still couldn't get anything done.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpkoQ3X7Gu
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSrhwvlJ80
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmSdtN5rES
Eugene gave a good stretch with his arms wide, that he almost hit someone who was walking round his cubicle. He stopped himself just in time and when he turned to see who it was, he found Preeta with a stack of files standing there.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmZ22SUkZJ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrVClW7Kcy
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidl5Ba76ef
"Oh, sorry, Preeta," he said, dropping his hands. "I didn't see you there."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9HlOHvnjk
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy03YxAPqE
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRKW4MEkFi
"Oh, no, it's fine," she said. "I stopped just in time."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFJCwuiR6v
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVJ3zs8Hxz
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvCmaOjC0Y
Eugene tried to smile at Preeta, but his facial muscles seemed too tired to do so. He noticed the worried look on Preeta's face, and knew she what she was going to ask.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJTvS7LwKS
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF5KJywklJ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5HicpeV21
"Eugene, are you okay?" she asked. "Maybe you shouldn't have come in today."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3brkKbcBoG
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLD9aeua6W
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiDKNwrveD
"I'm fine, Preeta," he answered. "I just need to keep my mind busy to forget all that's happening."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59Y3d7AaRT
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqFVPlutJc
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUTcUqTq9v
"But you can't, can you?" Preeta raised an eyebrow. "I can tell you're only stressing yourself out by being here."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSu2AsuF7vM
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg462ZCuMrT
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinDuTyZMeT
"I know you're concerned, but I can take care of myself."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTB5ntwZCc
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHG3ZB1hwK
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOFz1H2Cgv
"I know you can, but if you ask me, you need to be with your brother and your mother right now. Isn't that's what most important?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSwPlJGXg2
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvnI6oJYZ4
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWk7GcYFvsD
Eugene sat back down on his chair, with a sigh. His hand fell upon the side of his face as he asked, "how can I ever go to my mother's side when she doesn't even listen to me at all?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cIo4Dv1q6
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxSiZtkhgc
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdllgkrO8r
Preeta stood there silently, wondering whether to ask the question. She knew why he had asked this. His parents' affairs were well known to everyone in the town of Madison. And Preeta now found herself in some sort of bear trap.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3YvUYqiBe
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYd5rbPwz2q
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTm3xSyteny
"I wish I could answer that, Eugene," she found the voice to say. "Doesn't that have to be her decision?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVbW9TIUYy
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSosPW9lWtx
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIOYeV8SfU
Eugene looked up at the ceiling. "Her decision, huh?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxnpXy5Htc
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡio4b7QilsU
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLUs5Z8fZQ
Preeta looked at him, and she wished she could try and get Eugene out of the hole he was in. But he seems so lost in his own world. There was a sort of brokeness in his eyes and Preeta wondered if it's only his father's accident that might have caused it.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHN7oMQR4o
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6MXDczTip
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPVWjv7qEE
The land-line on Eugene's desk rang and before he could pick it, he continued to look up at the ceiling. Preeta looked at his landline that kept ringing, and then back at him. Should she pick the line instead, she thought. It could be important.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhSFzDVJQY
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTzkOLctpD
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09ULtVWAeQ
Before Preeta could even stretch her hand to reach the phone, Eugene quickly took it and put it to his ear. "Hello?" he answered.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp2Bi5dkUn
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRl28j7SGaM
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2Kj8ZPay2
He listened to whoever was talking on the other end, and afterwards, he replied with a low grunt and put the receiver back in it's place.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttJB73bcbF
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn44cFj5SA
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsW430nUwac
"Was that Mr. Sinclair?" Preeta asked.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98pN514jdL
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YIw1tu3Ov
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufx5pLYlH3
"No, his secretary called to go get some work files at her desk," he replied. "I better go. Those files won't fly here themselves."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfGzvS9Kkm
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoaaSUxsNj
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNRrnbb487
Eugene stood up from his seat and before he could make his way to Mr. Sinclair's office, Preeta took hold of his shoulder to stop him.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7O2vn0avDr
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW87xEK7rem
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8VASKd6fC
"Hey, it will be lunch soon. Do you mind if we can go out?" Preeta asked. "We can get to talk if you want."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlUNe3DpMb
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMKzxkHcTr
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTeKdhnxd9
Eugene looked at her and the corner of his lip was raised to a smile. "Yes, that will be very nice, thanks," he said.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0u0PRccJ5
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXXu8P3ukW
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSSXNH7PG1
"As soon as you're back, I'll meet you here at your station. Sounds good?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2IGDj4WPz
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzbBmQJ4q9
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡso32X0xr8S
Eugene gave a nod of his head and without any hesitation, made his way to Sinclair's office.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v6jDAVAA9
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeg7YqqKWy
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRnnA8944r
Rhénee stepped out of the elevator and started to make her way to Sinclair's office just down the hall. She had a clear view of the secretary's desk. The secretary looked away from her computer to see Rhénee approaching.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRItlgxyE4N
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlRML3Avt2
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYoo3ASV3w
Before Rhénee could reach the secretary, there came the sound of footsteps coming from the other end of the hall, and a young man appeared in front of Rhénee entering the hall she was in and also approaching the secretary's desk.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0meVWTdTnZ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk1CjIFHW6
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjiQmRnVWZ
"Ah, Eugene," said the secretary looking at him as he reached the desk first. "I thought I wasn't going to get the chance to see you. How is your father doing?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRK9sDB9N3j
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPYFC9ssta
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0lC86KrD3
"He's out of danger at least," Eugene answered, not realizing that there was someone coming behind him.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ajyXgxBZW
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluR3QTH17i
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYdyAGkhyg
"Good morning," said Rhénee as she came to stand beside Eugene.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wkCeUzzbg
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEl4jDf8Nk
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmnWw3adyL
Her presence startled Eugene that he almost jumped in fright. He responded to her greeting bleakly.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz5fzWeZqR
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ9xsf9gM4
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDT9lSThdb
"Good morning, Rhénee," said Mrs. Clarks with so much enthusiasm, like she hadn't sounded sympathetic with Eugene minutes ago. "Mr. Sinclair just stepped out, but you can go in his office and wait for him there."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxuo1tmbh2
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRhoBGmykl
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3sxhwalRw
"He trusts me to be in his office?" Rhénee asked, sounding surprised. "Won't it be better to wait for him out here?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmMvd01guK
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdDNDFGlJi
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmCDcXUjiA
"No, he wouldn't mind. Please, you can walk right in."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoAJexkkVR
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SIDWeMOTl
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lgUQNioME
Rhénee thought twice about it and quickly made up her mind and started to make her way to Sinclair's office.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgrkeEaa6g
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ba8dZcgbw
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINcBQbaZxg
Eugene had been staring at Rhénee the whole time and it was only Mrs. Clarks placing the files so loudly on her desk, that brought him back to earth.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtQhabl8jr
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpVLOvhxxn
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Gixzx9HBu
"How is your father doing?" Mrs. Clarks asked as she looked on worringly at Eugene.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZl2Lnsxf3o
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLzt0LQ1Za
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJC9NWZsp5G
Eugene quickly shook his head, trying his best to gather his thoughts. "Well, he's out of danger for now," he answered.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡno4ymxZbbG
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmj47oJsq7d
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu3l7FB8dI
"Just know that I have you and your family in my prayers. As soon as I heard the news, I got terrified. I still am. Do you know how he ended up like that?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUozdPnxotX
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27ujdfISTZ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaOxSoRpp4
Eugene shook his head. "No clue. He didn’t tell my mum anything, either. He passed out when he got to the house."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5nSLZi5cn
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7t5S7FAzS
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDAFCEukob
"It’s good that he’s okay. But isn’t it bad for him, though? I hear it was a gunshot wound, and the police are now investigating the matter. Did he say who shot him or what had happened?"314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnMEywYgPY
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwLkt1LUKv
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQBJrWWx6B
Eugene shook his head. "No, he didn’t say anything to mum before he passed out."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZhB4g7aW7
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55y1LWHXfw
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKQBqxtRt1
"Well, I hope it isn’t serious. No one reported any shootings, though, so hopefully it was just an explainable accident. It would be pretty bad if it turns out that he was involved in something shady."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2ppek4csM
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CRUW5qCFJ
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOKfW579Ux
Eugene had had enough of Mrs. Clarks' talk as he picks up the files on the desk. "I better be going now. I’ll see you later."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvSXkmBPl2
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQ59S2QOKn
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZjDuHJfPQ
"You take care of yourself, dear. And tell your mother that I’m praying for her."314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gKxxhMKKd
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFggySAEnII
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1KH5S6Vz3
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 protection310ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43hfZFJlo1 維尼

3.144.39.0