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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSExmDsKhZ
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2j6QYVKSzK
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcm2k1F21hS
"Hey, mum, are you alright?" he asked. "Sorry for waking you."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xYhK99nBx
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAWRpqHoZ8
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqrjdY6Gkd
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLXgyOe0ND
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrglR72HGU2
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4ZBQaehJK
"I didn't expect to see you here," she said, as she put up a tired smile. "What time is it?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXNUFMfAgM
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBzfe29TE9
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7VPTdNSyr
"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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMYv6n58Q7
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscRSjjl2Xm
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkKdq6sRdb
"And what about your brother? Aren't you going to see him off to school?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtqBV1mdO0
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlGJXOJNra
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTY4C65g1b
"I will. I came to check up on you first."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7FRa2govh
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtomrZvINY
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznsuurYKGE
"I thought you were going to ask how your father was doing."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0ZCR2lgBN
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKslQjlTdiw
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbQGKQoH1M
Eugene didn't know how to respond to that as he looked up at the ceiling and then back at his mother in silence.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCP5Tvh1Ov
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpNH4fKDJp
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRRhf9rxpD
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrwSYDUsbV
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AaYkj4i6q
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MnwqwkyIo
"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." 317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYFLogoZFT
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPlZ6tlo6p
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wFeuu9ZpV
"Did you go in to see him?" Eugene asked. 317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklv1oiX0w8
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BgaQvZEMf
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSznYKswx1E
"I did. But he lay there unconscious. I'm hoping he wakes up soon."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDhnmxgOTb
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnuX3vUACx
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3faiHDfuKN
"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?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kApSjAaMq
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQIa8hW1tS
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pY9vx1vRS
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwQpgXD7cP
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQrkVvATfx
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviQ3bjcbfU
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzxCkqQCVQ
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hbCWaHLtd
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54ehuZWgtT
"Do they think he was involved in some shady deal?" Eugene asked. 317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTDqUrDuPV
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HU8bhKL2h
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKcPcBOanZ
"They do." Mrs. Chamberlin sighed, shaking her head. "I wonder what he got himself into."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QbIZAPCmt
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttRp2sS95N
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetJn10Y9uw
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgjCuvSNlY
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRsAGCS2n1
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO30Ph4ZLjZ
"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?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgw1xPfVM3
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau6Mo4DPXf
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eNIiHdaC3
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExwMyWluHj
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Xu5KFnvFz
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QU2c8eSVR
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZ0XnlbLdk
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmMvX7M0Is
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zhpX27lnQ
Eugene now looked at his mother and asked, "Won't you be going back home to freshen up?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZBtKZo8ua
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38LT9xWpVT
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM3ekx6dWL
"I will," she answered after dropping her arms. "I'll do so when your father wakes up."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2B6tRguY3
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9V8KnlW74k
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlywwC2iMgy
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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMET59Z2Vt
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIjXAlMldu
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXHEv5r1bP
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccDZ8zMLPZ
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPF54gw6Fxw
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhtwGA7dJ9
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQO1WPV0xY
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUabeqCn1HL
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0tBoHbohH
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQZgzmOPDm
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP9yWwTpXw
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡar8iieSH0o
"That will affect him, mum. He won't be able to go if it comes to it."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLUurEp1lm
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJj8QBoxFp
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpD8NjYWlY
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZaXez9FuX
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24XJ0Q4nA7
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHuVXJKxkP
Eugene gave a nod of the head. "Will do."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHK9wRfTJIY
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJD51bh73X
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3GfF2cQOV
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCfSR66oCy
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVKHhRN2VY
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXIJ4k8V2Q
"Did you get any sleep?" she asked. "You look like you've been up all night."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzWWnogJVM
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3ZNdM4xlr
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKwq9aF4kS
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlO9hJ8H49
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFR9h4KD3oc
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlV4Uvk31Eb
"I'll be okay. Your father needs to recover first."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvnmtWDBTD
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbz5l4FKhgO
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gE3rSohHB
"If he does, will you consider leaving him for good?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnDm5G7xjE
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQipgLyCDVX
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXRoyKYQ0e
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsTfGqrsTh
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTLjps9hfd
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLMB7UxoEb
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe8h3ANELb
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQDNJGvNUz
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSu5pY1row
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?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR4zMk7YPI
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGfVrhq7ai
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrul9AtqL9
"He can never do that. He promised me that whatever he's involved in will never affect us."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVzozkDJhT
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHZdJELqVD
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe46PCm7WTg
"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?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfDy38ISU7
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lpzB6g8bk
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmhpB3k4cB
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:317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvmYLA7e5b
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDaruvUSGS
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6V3jlMTne
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmRNDfXYFr
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmd5I4O68pE
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszTEZ7B2FN
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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGaoOir2lZ
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GI9jFiV7s
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaELexYjYyD
"Seriously, mum, I don't know if you care about yourself at all."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8yTIlUzg3
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMp3WnW5qt
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RYAubZghb
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnEUfbQ5Om
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVGsrgVcdF
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXAMvwlnqi
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEDejA1wDN
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3b8UPjR7fx
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5nyWxasKD
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2aRjxW2gT
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPErN5Y18l3
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgriQ0OEl6v
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFxmjhB2VA
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCXroKJ1dU
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3avsHyzAl
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JBlwo5sHq
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMNNdBwlSB
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppleO8skUU
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RE46gnefX
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oKAPW7kQY
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZK0zT11kC
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymgVV57Fbr
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLCdOYqcc4
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqefFHZOhn
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmcYtz0mPh
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVckV91nzEB
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMiJ1ShoMa
***317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCokTRk6L0
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jgPgNx39E
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BzzhsIBwU
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJu8dUWReY
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfj2Y66fI6Z
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk13ceay31
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡci0xlLANcz
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpHW9J2cxE
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkwZKqgzDE
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpXRD3Kwel
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91oF8yfhLd
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bDxi5OYz6
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWr3Ula4Bt
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZE7Y5QYaq
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVfkybEecB
She texted him back, saying that she would be there, and stood up from her bed, making sure to carry her phone with her.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbDIY31cvl
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHGR3i35L3
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFYe4kwzkY
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8xbwWST41
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fA9WRzNuc
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPKquyJ48y
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVcuasJ6Y0
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXutSgEOH3u
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyAynvpGYN
She scoffed and turned away, heading to the stairs and to the kitchen.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxRsxnXiAv
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxzItTM6vz
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkry3TkeyWe
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQvUIpQ1za
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKkJQT0pBD
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCNYlIegw7
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpqbrh1Bw1
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADmR4pksIC
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9ZuS7CLP0
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1VR8M5sTa
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRH3lyB5cyI
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecwiyouFbc
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYUXbqor5Z
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0Uzfg5AVY
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHUdCFgieb
"Rhénee?" There was a sleepy male voice on the other end. "Hey, it's been a long time. How are you?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKEPKKNw5v
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQDw6ZcLNf
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmuNs31P2C
"I'm good, thanks; how are you, Alex?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21FZE6jxfe
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlK9Uh9cr8m
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVklIo20BP
"Never better, now that you've called. I thought you forgot about me."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMInok6sCzR
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCZt4qpzHa
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU11Gsj3hW7
Rhénee looked up at the ceiling. "Yeah, I think I must have."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3pih5Lo2P
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQIKo7l4Fd
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnjwQPYEkt
"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?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcB5YyNHKa
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW65GznBm8P
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2cVYG1qfi
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5uVaYeTpL
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQEOO3VOKN
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxH09hWamT
"You're just as funny as usual," said Rhénee with a smile on her face. "I've just been busy."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6WMVyRXjd
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHuGqHZBPd
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZp6R4caOS
"Yeah, a new house and a new life must be a lot of work."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcudB0pBOy
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6vgj6Vau2
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD56UzLiHr
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuK0hsY5VD
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwveHKPETCp
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJiF7UOBRm
"Please, it's impossible to forget a person like you. And you were adorable when you were younger, so there is that."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9nNEoBaJ4
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kL5qujUEo
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vggr8QpQj
"I wasn't adorable when I was younger."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGy25J0aKwU
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdqeXrXh71
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4cKv7NgvG
"I've seen your baby pictures, Rhénee. You were just the cutest."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxq8qqwkzLb
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ncsal6XOO
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEWid0WLsp
"Who showed you my baby photos?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZpBPJcfTg
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL62dGmsfot
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5xge6JqYu
"Zoey, of course."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9AJXbJt3f
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoKF82Znaq
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKaQNqAO14
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMbeqvP3ig
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDm3JWSnzs
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeT5hhO3NyJ
"Goodness, I wish you were still with us, Rhénee," he said. "Everyone misses you here."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7McnlIxznF
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwTDuhKkT0
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0xal8Ynut
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAUFnX5UiX
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhVsGnDDgF
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoR55EyyYE3
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSNeziqmuo
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtqkR8XrjY
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpNOZFVSxZ
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeloLaY7jx
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDo7ycJopY
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOYYsATQ18
"Sorry, Rhénee, but you should know that you're her baby girl. Of course she would worry."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwixXIoSFf
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvtnbtl5j3
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinNQEbPcdX
"I wonder when she will ever get over me. I can look after myself, for goodness sake."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vFq8u3e6O
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFy3AQMPwTs
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXWtM0lct7
"She'll get over it when she feels like it. Give her a break."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjY8Wgt9uP
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWX7ldgoI8
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7U6WkcXZn5
Rhénee thought she heard footsteps in the other room. Miss Griselda must be awake.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxw8V2D3a72
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWR82yRKrb
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfaIpZLAqr
"Anyway, I better get myself ready for the day. It was nice talking to you, Alex."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7RUV5Jxm2
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2HzRssZYB
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAvSJuDwJ7
"You should call every day. It will be nice to hear your voice every morning."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4JErHlCmW
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jZQFWKJSe
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHwuUkqYJu
Rhénee chuckled. "Why don't you get out of bed and go flirt with other girls?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Zx8mSiRLA
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4YUyzcK4C
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNPcFqwBhH
Alex, on the other end, laughed. "Oh, Rhénee, you're the only girl for me; don't you know that?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7Ioamtb3q
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWKSyx7miB
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FVzPkPitm
"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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65eULnKZEy
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdepDPkXzKW
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSzG78Yspn
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQ8MAVxL2W
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmG6w4YYlP
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WsDAMoOcX
"Morning, Rhénee," Miss Griselda greeted her. "Did you have a good night's sleep?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQmSVimCCw
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qgOYLe5Tk
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XFEx41CgF
"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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSQ0AlRU8w
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wbXZZwCj2
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IKGmU4Vyd
"No. I barely slept a wink."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCVa1DsuUn
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4584iCpvL
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdbxSdKYm2
"There's still some hot coffee if you need it." Rhénee pointed to the coffee maker.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwKiQqLZTV
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYpfvPRybu
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRFY4Kq5sy
"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?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9mhUauq2x
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZjj8LyZQj
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQXTqgRPAQ
"A friend of mine. I hadn't talked to him in what felt like forever."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyfPTjvvqk
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Lx0TqMmRp
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOJ9HzYmSp
"That's nice. You sounded like you were having a nice chat." Miss Griselda took a cup and poured herself some coffee.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpEj2RImAZ
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1X12Ryxz7
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXo0MGNW0j
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2C1GLUANf9
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYEHm3Nvnq
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSQUsqxWdB
"A wise and sensible decision." Miss Griselda took a sip of the coffee, and her eyes brightened up a bit. "This coffee tastes great."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycZmIdWbU7
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjGPROONyK
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6f3LbNzDY5
"I'm just fortunate. I didn't do anything to make it as nice as you make it." Rhénee chuckled.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zYQ1zGI0v
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIzAAa7IBc
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLqFe3bYzr
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4VwL4YBeT
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7M0iTt2Eon
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2wN1c0yYG
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBstNZYqV8O
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhxYdsGIJD
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpKXh0nmiR
"Wherever you will be, don't try and give him a hard time, dear. You're quite stubborn, you know."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tsPK5K8EU
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gvotCX0w4
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA6wsrgiUu
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXepGyHZlwm
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYiUtLoNHf
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXw6kgSZ5n
"Well, something tells me you'll still put him on edge with your questions."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9VHfgs5wO
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXqibQ1raF
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8mQjBSb2j
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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0hs1Dw4SM
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6dqj8qCxW
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXebeTC9MIH
"I know. But just be careful of what you want to say to him, okay?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLpykxVt16
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFc4mDL1sx
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GhPz7ZyG5
"As you wish." Rhénee didn't like the feeling of being defeated so easily, especially from Miss Griselda.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtpFO5Uhkz
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIyF7VySBT
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8oZfAtQUo
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqHXgw0oiL
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xPTi7DVyq
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AyzX7hRqf
That put up a smile on Rhénee's face. "That sounds great. Let me go freshen up first."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPt4aEwOZG9
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsInPC3SMCB
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1c3FgFz4t6
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKikRWfH796
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElLybYR1B8
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmS8t0LJif
***317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WX32KcudX
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLw3TMX6eE0
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhKPboT6Z2
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiYRF221KG
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Sp6301bnq
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkiKjRdfJr
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zVO7sG7oN
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWlonJ3KZK
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmjz8Sg2pr
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM58wSVYYLy
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7lhch1URd
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡintugFZ09p
"Please, Eugene, sit," she told him.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDpTKzMie4
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQcZYpKr22
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJitYhJzgKB
Eugene did just that. "How is Mr. York this morning?" he asked.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AeXm9XTLS
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDoGlAS2Fc
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡua98Kf9Th6
"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?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhG8xnmm9nY
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDeTH0J5AV
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvK6RmrmBY
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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhTGnjMygR
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRJw3Kh8Tg
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyz7DdDuLK
"Will he be going to school?" Mrs. York removed the pan on the stove and put the eggs on a plate.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCBO9TnxV0
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJ4gZ6BU8U
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeHztRlbpf
"No. He won't be able to concentrate. Plus, people might be talking about it a lot."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm5xi7HdtN
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4JKLWTYeT
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnAMKTVqcb
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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuN564M62dm
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnbhdzJ8jm
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHyLVxCxcD
She pulled a chair to take a seat. "And what about you?" she asked. "Are you going for work?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuUAAEhO6G
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA89LAr60q
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpG77LzXHK
Eugene gave a nod of his head. "I need to get my mind distracted from all this," he answered.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6qPbFGmTv
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxr5pdtldH4
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3kmOgjiiB
"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?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhtX6YFkQF
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYE2kkXVal
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWTKGFL95H
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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhq6S2Iibu
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVzhtj6TUp
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eddeFproi
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YlJNJ1Fcd
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYWxn9TRPx
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvMmmg08UF
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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlNw6Hjb06
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXCvK97edC
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoLOxwzRdi
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbjOdIMRoh
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZZ7eP9oGt
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lpTQz6iHp
"I can't do that when she sticks to my father like it's all she knows how to do."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5XQ0zMQXt
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9h98zhejI
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIIlVpImjU
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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExINtgYS8l
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLq6oaTpgHC
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyVne3Y14w
"You're right. Now that I think about it, I might as well just leave it be."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobDWfqM0Gd
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztXYX5E59I
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlPK3a1x9O
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOCsterkfv
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsiIEzDZ1c
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucH9o9DzRT
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBB3HAevEN8
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEorIDns01
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTi8QLZh80Z
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VfB1HCodD
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsOjLCOyU7
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkygGQJC5Y
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHS81f05HeJ
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViZylGFaXS
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SiY8EMsDy
***317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYw1dsVyU70
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GEkwELJUZ
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATULnVNx8T
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7t6PLkCHpC
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKMPuS0waa
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eRYcbsPsY
"I better get going now," Rhénee announced as she stood up from her seat. "I don't want to be late."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUixfVxQKa6
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0vDmmctHt
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfDsyKfDKc
"Alright," said Miss Griselda, sewing her red dress on the collar. "Remember what I told you about Mr. Sinclair and your questions."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInfF2vmwMl
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpWIsL7afD
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NoszzenXp
Rhénee gave Miss Griselda a smirk. "I'll do my best. I'm not going to promise anything."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBKYRMOHpR
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4Tj8prNjs
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pkiLpkelb
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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGfSIM9zB2
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92yqU115Y6
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx83UV7l8OK
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrMUMaa8Te
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHzn2aFJpD
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtafxbNSOBN
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWT4SjoOpm
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkVVI9Ge3z
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH910rMJpH
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdCGIqUjlP
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwzHvgO7kD
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPZWdIY4yE
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a4oSyNnVB
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZNmxGujxo
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrz4spGGDff
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5K5gnCYdS
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Yrc0RZfTc
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mN6wnqd1O
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpb21BMVem
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVQZVrwqTF
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefAWXaFEhv
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH75WIEjZC
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsLQ5nhTCN
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G11C63NL1
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fzIPvWQ0M
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpMQGfRfou
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVokzNbsGta
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgXBz3j0CT
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdNrRecYkx
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtEcDg8SRO
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sJL92lOCQ
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMjsMkhmVA
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡln5PgYcHSa
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYvgoLvbj7
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6KDncHJrm
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXukyoTINJO
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuvLUMibJd
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf2MyBmpfS
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIATzaeAzR
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuq8Ew7F1T
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvG1UwnbW8d
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7irh3LeZr
"Oh, sorry, Preeta," he said, dropping his hands. "I didn't see you there."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0iccRm24f
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr50D6xIqu6
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiXG57GiCR
"Oh, no, it's fine," she said. "I stopped just in time."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPY3fGOnZZS
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBulWlsgywy
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsFrmyOzxd
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNZBWVbTwu
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL3Uy1mJz8
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OBFMW3iDd
"Eugene, are you okay?" she asked. "Maybe you shouldn't have come in today."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmfWdw1zR6
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMACumm5im
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzQFmSM7Vo
"I'm fine, Preeta," he answered. "I just need to keep my mind busy to forget all that's happening."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡem1varLzsv
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKnxnzXSC9
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9Tu02qzSD
"But you can't, can you?" Preeta raised an eyebrow. "I can tell you're only stressing yourself out by being here."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvCL8TwTBp
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbEeGTwwVQ
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKMPBswnJ2
"I know you're concerned, but I can take care of myself."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Qkpmasbai
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFsFs2KNmL
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH5xdVytgU
"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?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKUScP0nkN
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkbTe9Du8g
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCkAiiyarD
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?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUeHsDCg0V
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ykfRlKB0F
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRtML1F2e1
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjG9cSWwcb
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kyMJndS7i
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRislUVbfLB
"I wish I could answer that, Eugene," she found the voice to say. "Doesn't that have to be her decision?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGAqCo8s2u
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VzeZeyVTW
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI9h5s49E1
Eugene looked up at the ceiling. "Her decision, huh?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgA3PTjlOOv
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsLE8pGodi
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ddlXxaMLA
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SjOzGVptB
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZHlJOOtwq
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxReCaIjVEa
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKxoHnDiZC
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pwDk242oa
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZP56pj6dw
Before Preeta could even stretch her hand to reach the phone, Eugene quickly took it and put it to his ear. "Hello?" he answered.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPdOfQQQqm
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUDL1OjqPA
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhNx8KMXH8
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh90prxymOv
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKsBuSvfGu
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEiqTj9bQB
"Was that Mr. Sinclair?" Preeta asked.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xbxyfRctB
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiv5bP5zKm4
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzLcp91fuK
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQn1U6GJKr
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQs8Fbdzmp
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00zjoXPf4u
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBu0Stjjwi
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBARtGneGX
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWjKfVDVwd
"Hey, it will be lunch soon. Do you mind if we can go out?" Preeta asked. "We can get to talk if you want."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMFPdIBpU5
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oldZqPNtW
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtR9bgr8F13
Eugene looked at her and the corner of his lip was raised to a smile. "Yes, that will be very nice, thanks," he said.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ0wRkDph4
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeGs9Osii5
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKW88QsIrA
"As soon as you're back, I'll meet you here at your station. Sounds good?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWoUgZBk49
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSwYRttTOC
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjWqc0CmlU
Eugene gave a nod of his head and without any hesitation, made his way to Sinclair's office.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxwS8wvdTg
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUugaOXoNc
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBSHjxA2HC
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeF90ZwSAi
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6FuIV9zty
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KKOp0ZWrD
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd86eb0UYFo
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYG9scrIFh8
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuc9jMckf6
"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?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVOf6bU2qN
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUlKVfeCoK
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2nZz2e4PS
"He's out of danger at least," Eugene answered, not realizing that there was someone coming behind him.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCITBeew8P5
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi18B54ER5X
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9alc3eakT
"Good morning," said Rhénee as she came to stand beside Eugene.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqWPuGHmZl
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8UsveVajW
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDylApP3qm
Her presence startled Eugene that he almost jumped in fright. He responded to her greeting bleakly.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECoN78byUG
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgDn3Kc5IR
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU6tlVNtoT
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbz63uLlN3
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQVcBf4Hck
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNrLieM0m9
"He trusts me to be in his office?" Rhénee asked, sounding surprised. "Won't it be better to wait for him out here?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHadacGmle
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4al4R6wBU9
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2WCt8WWED
"No, he wouldn't mind. Please, you can walk right in."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGT3C1b50DV
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoiwBi1Cvg
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPd43fTZbk
Rhénee thought twice about it and quickly made up her mind and started to make her way to Sinclair's office.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrRZG9QFfd
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl4FZuk58R
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuO3bXpDkb
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.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L08mriPZw
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83qGPukKUT
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze7eQHojRQ
"How is your father doing?" Mrs. Clarks asked as she looked on worringly at Eugene.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBRSsebI7N
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg14EEyzr2
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7RSg6KzvW
Eugene quickly shook his head, trying his best to gather his thoughts. "Well, he's out of danger for now," he answered.317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQA9u0mvhqO
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWbFPIJnNh
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMkZWMVSbD
"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?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrc3IA7ujK
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlNxh36ZnR
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSVxslHFPV
Eugene shook his head. "No clue. He didn’t tell my mum anything, either. He passed out when he got to the house."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja0KjOaaH0
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFmJWczTAX
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinaD84er4z
"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?"317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAafVQaV2d
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFdbVwoUih
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaHp6ZfZGO
Eugene shook his head. "No, he didn’t say anything to mum before he passed out."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4y1Nkvl6D
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR3HCmHK5H
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6wnoR7bS7
"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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Qne4eBMs4
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7UZKx4D5g
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmChnCyVMe
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."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEg4zT3nkHZ
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLa0cyELvrP
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8p8oMFPb6
"You take care of yourself, dear. And tell your mother that I’m praying for her."317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIxXyWvCOH
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEecc0fHL5
317Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XOsmanwgd
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 protection313ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvzIC9p7DM 維尼

3.137.174.183