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.180Please respect copyright.PENANALZWNuIRoSl
180Please respect copyright.PENANAfu7SrWb6gZ
180Please respect copyright.PENANAsH9a2a2Il8
"Hey, mum, are you alright?" he asked. "Sorry for waking you."180Please respect copyright.PENANAkWtJcWTpoV
180Please respect copyright.PENANAF6jicZegKF
180Please respect copyright.PENANAc29H4nKn2L
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANASdkrXRt9sK
180Please respect copyright.PENANAZhYMhauJaG
180Please respect copyright.PENANAuqwaUvgeT4
"I didn't expect to see you here," she said, as she put up a tired smile. "What time is it?"180Please respect copyright.PENANA5hDdgl95Jm
180Please respect copyright.PENANARfb9u1AEvH
180Please respect copyright.PENANARZGV7tekPv
"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.180Please respect copyright.PENANANA7fHjiwAz
180Please respect copyright.PENANANOlGfHOj0r
180Please respect copyright.PENANASeL4RDBogM
"And what about your brother? Aren't you going to see him off to school?"180Please respect copyright.PENANAtPUY3mhYrm
180Please respect copyright.PENANAHk1lAhpgbb
180Please respect copyright.PENANAFYVpION2cJ
"I will. I came to check up on you first."180Please respect copyright.PENANA6QAiJJI3nu
180Please respect copyright.PENANAuW1eJ7JvGp
180Please respect copyright.PENANAAcNJnoZmyn
"I thought you were going to ask how your father was doing."180Please respect copyright.PENANAQwQY5eKikQ
180Please respect copyright.PENANAWDbriAISg2
180Please respect copyright.PENANACQTPhDSGBX
Eugene didn't know how to respond to that as he looked up at the ceiling and then back at his mother in silence.180Please respect copyright.PENANAhFBtVZM41O
180Please respect copyright.PENANAmQU59ZjeQP
180Please respect copyright.PENANAuqQdubgTyM
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAXMjdGLTxHs
180Please respect copyright.PENANAA8hLNrSZ8W
180Please respect copyright.PENANAbPI7YIjCLF
"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." 180Please respect copyright.PENANAi5Lw6u94Mp
180Please respect copyright.PENANAI1Pb1DPjwv
180Please respect copyright.PENANAaXKOpZ9R1k
"Did you go in to see him?" Eugene asked. 180Please respect copyright.PENANANhmGYAIV5O
180Please respect copyright.PENANAqpxf5ttUXv
180Please respect copyright.PENANAeU7eer0xq6
"I did. But he lay there unconscious. I'm hoping he wakes up soon."180Please respect copyright.PENANAWEtm7addeG
180Please respect copyright.PENANAdVvrCZvP7S
180Please respect copyright.PENANApdoreyVgeJ
"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?"180Please respect copyright.PENANAwEz4Jlz3Ad
180Please respect copyright.PENANA72J0e4cJ77
180Please respect copyright.PENANAdKV1ENVFfE
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANApI8cmkkCsB
180Please respect copyright.PENANALuSy7Ii2cT
180Please respect copyright.PENANA5pBdBdP7q6
"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."180Please respect copyright.PENANA9okE1miUQk
180Please respect copyright.PENANAfHskdiSmZg
180Please respect copyright.PENANAHc1FTqNeyw
"Do they think he was involved in some shady deal?" Eugene asked. 180Please respect copyright.PENANAwfvBq01pR1
180Please respect copyright.PENANAVz8enC74VE
180Please respect copyright.PENANApEw5Iu1hj6
"They do." Mrs. Chamberlin sighed, shaking her head. "I wonder what he got himself into."180Please respect copyright.PENANAYVtOywQDVs
180Please respect copyright.PENANAWhvEcZvhzp
180Please respect copyright.PENANAVb2D23oLxz
"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."180Please respect copyright.PENANAwikYeP2dRS
180Please respect copyright.PENANAa7uguvRw6W
180Please respect copyright.PENANAmc29YiljLB
"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?"180Please respect copyright.PENANA9wRw31nYKg
180Please respect copyright.PENANAkyTPlefrTE
180Please respect copyright.PENANAQQLFWtnVLm
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAn1nM6Y2bPi
180Please respect copyright.PENANA5nSvsnimas
180Please respect copyright.PENANAY2pnoKx0jF
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAyRnw0vrg3P
180Please respect copyright.PENANAQErXzPbuPZ
180Please respect copyright.PENANA5NpeIv2Cof
Eugene now looked at his mother and asked, "Won't you be going back home to freshen up?"180Please respect copyright.PENANAHKRysguzZu
180Please respect copyright.PENANAHp67xJ5YSg
180Please respect copyright.PENANAI3VWTsTAXB
"I will," she answered after dropping her arms. "I'll do so when your father wakes up."180Please respect copyright.PENANAJrGgdGnGla
180Please respect copyright.PENANAU8vLH0yrn3
180Please respect copyright.PENANA5hGFPPU5Kc
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."180Please respect copyright.PENANAVdwZymyHTK
180Please respect copyright.PENANAVioB5TnuO9
180Please respect copyright.PENANAkBcgEMcfsM
"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."180Please respect copyright.PENANAPgwIIBibsQ
180Please respect copyright.PENANAF1B5rL0wLI
180Please respect copyright.PENANA155KS4Gdcu
"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."180Please respect copyright.PENANA9Wv1V9v5HQ
180Please respect copyright.PENANA1kZdsk4f4l
180Please respect copyright.PENANAPvkwOKMU2K
"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."180Please respect copyright.PENANABbSGW3OuGh
180Please respect copyright.PENANAITSZfbyGQn
180Please respect copyright.PENANAtbpOyObRB5
"That will affect him, mum. He won't be able to go if it comes to it."180Please respect copyright.PENANAbHPbEWznlP
180Please respect copyright.PENANA0pjafOyAWx
180Please respect copyright.PENANA38ENuFWtiC
"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."180Please respect copyright.PENANAQg0yaA8qzt
180Please respect copyright.PENANAmWXblOs1dN
180Please respect copyright.PENANAl0sNeYOLZX
Eugene gave a nod of the head. "Will do."180Please respect copyright.PENANAxt8WH8f87X
180Please respect copyright.PENANAxQ0qabWUvw
180Please respect copyright.PENANARW29KILdHQ
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAOLCo59061G
180Please respect copyright.PENANAFa2LHgQVg9
180Please respect copyright.PENANARS4vimAwM6
"Did you get any sleep?" she asked. "You look like you've been up all night."180Please respect copyright.PENANAt634T0Olv7
180Please respect copyright.PENANARjhcweZdPz
180Please respect copyright.PENANAsIiFFmCljB
"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."180Please respect copyright.PENANAcob6SznuRn
180Please respect copyright.PENANAovQWCCCW3O
180Please respect copyright.PENANAtomzANg5sn
"I'll be okay. Your father needs to recover first."180Please respect copyright.PENANAOjE6EnwUyu
180Please respect copyright.PENANAcBtlK8wa9o
180Please respect copyright.PENANA8UsQaezGMK
"If he does, will you consider leaving him for good?"180Please respect copyright.PENANAywemDaS1K8
180Please respect copyright.PENANABO1cgbMGdE
180Please respect copyright.PENANAi2qxgU1362
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAYG1JcdS1rQ
180Please respect copyright.PENANAeQ94dLwxja
180Please respect copyright.PENANA0Ob2q54UZ1
"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."180Please respect copyright.PENANAP9hbExeIYo
180Please respect copyright.PENANAOADqjlVmoR
180Please respect copyright.PENANAHkXRG3r5Kt
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?"180Please respect copyright.PENANA7dlPrM3xxR
180Please respect copyright.PENANAUa0l63GTUh
180Please respect copyright.PENANAZowW5dVyJm
"He can never do that. He promised me that whatever he's involved in will never affect us."180Please respect copyright.PENANAd15NiClsco
180Please respect copyright.PENANAhJlS86EbVQ
180Please respect copyright.PENANADDUDwgtrRw
"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?"180Please respect copyright.PENANA9X2yUqav9s
180Please respect copyright.PENANAihV4EhBMfU
180Please respect copyright.PENANAQwkUPuUB5M
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:180Please respect copyright.PENANAyGhfNCYc6d
180Please respect copyright.PENANAenxXMAaQuA
180Please respect copyright.PENANAiSMGiXcttB
"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."180Please respect copyright.PENANAgTnmeJIPqW
180Please respect copyright.PENANA44RDvenw3A
180Please respect copyright.PENANAFQpOVD5SS3
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."180Please respect copyright.PENANAykrz1rRDLE
180Please respect copyright.PENANAf2p3Hz79ge
180Please respect copyright.PENANACPaU0BFdmZ
"Seriously, mum, I don't know if you care about yourself at all."180Please respect copyright.PENANA2lloSkFC02
180Please respect copyright.PENANA4Ral55fI84
180Please respect copyright.PENANAHbhRqOdFUE
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANA7qG7bSPoxC
180Please respect copyright.PENANAWdGgmo93Rd
180Please respect copyright.PENANAzBD0LNelNp
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAL56iZ3PXYC
180Please respect copyright.PENANAXPmNxoAcFu
180Please respect copyright.PENANAMrBqq7RT6m
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAETaBvNqtdv
180Please respect copyright.PENANA2ZPM5XiqMX
180Please respect copyright.PENANAjppbkWNFjX
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAtTQ61LXFbN
180Please respect copyright.PENANAIraVnq2v4K
180Please respect copyright.PENANAXPhwpPVkT5
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANATaKCFAWljL
180Please respect copyright.PENANARpCsvHWHEL
180Please respect copyright.PENANAMhUAhhKkpn
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANA8CesIWR3LD
180Please respect copyright.PENANAWAXHxS1jIz
180Please respect copyright.PENANAhcV8H4FTGP
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAU1HGwN9dRl
180Please respect copyright.PENANAboOgO5Rif1
180Please respect copyright.PENANAn2DVgmeQvx
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAdRT3acJPxR
180Please respect copyright.PENANAjRueFP6Vdh
180Please respect copyright.PENANAtqqOocWqze
***180Please respect copyright.PENANA4wUimnY6E6
180Please respect copyright.PENANAlEvSONljL3
180Please respect copyright.PENANA1LW9sFpZzn
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANABYXQdG9fev
180Please respect copyright.PENANAla36vueUYG
180Please respect copyright.PENANATWZbOkuKSR
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAA49O5cujFb
180Please respect copyright.PENANAzE7K8THSoZ
180Please respect copyright.PENANA8aETEWWPQJ
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANADd0eh0vOWG
180Please respect copyright.PENANAY24LiEFNRy
180Please respect copyright.PENANAzupIeZ54LQ
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANACXaWITXoso
180Please respect copyright.PENANAZAGt7zK3lY
180Please respect copyright.PENANAEewXVZBMSk
She texted him back, saying that she would be there, and stood up from her bed, making sure to carry her phone with her.180Please respect copyright.PENANAN4MaYlwStQ
180Please respect copyright.PENANAbmFCG5DenV
180Please respect copyright.PENANA5exwH5H7cF
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAos7Ebh155m
180Please respect copyright.PENANA5RC3tLLy5Q
180Please respect copyright.PENANAXxWjq0Y5SR
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAdb5qtpD9Ml
180Please respect copyright.PENANAvIXN0vIAEo
180Please respect copyright.PENANAr1anGyafu7
She scoffed and turned away, heading to the stairs and to the kitchen.180Please respect copyright.PENANAc8TkoJDeyV
180Please respect copyright.PENANARHVN5HECPT
180Please respect copyright.PENANAChJz52oolp
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAP48WdC8OJe
180Please respect copyright.PENANAEJEzk5spok
180Please respect copyright.PENANA6KkzCz49aF
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAUmvJDzoBhF
180Please respect copyright.PENANAjW55UgKRI3
180Please respect copyright.PENANAKa159AGKhD
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAbYXYERwxTD
180Please respect copyright.PENANAyDI13G4P6T
180Please respect copyright.PENANALq7ZsaJ8f4
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAFNURebfjf7
180Please respect copyright.PENANAclxLlT0SNF
180Please respect copyright.PENANA5cNyykYWoE
"Rhénee?" There was a sleepy male voice on the other end. "Hey, it's been a long time. How are you?"180Please respect copyright.PENANA0TynPatNrq
180Please respect copyright.PENANA9ZWlzBZkhF
180Please respect copyright.PENANAgXp5xlgixU
"I'm good, thanks; how are you, Alex?"180Please respect copyright.PENANApnoMvpX9h1
180Please respect copyright.PENANA3mHcrjJOac
180Please respect copyright.PENANAhc7GNptq7C
"Never better, now that you've called. I thought you forgot about me."180Please respect copyright.PENANAXluaDfhRpn
180Please respect copyright.PENANA1Xo8jitRpr
180Please respect copyright.PENANA5nrGMFqRlK
Rhénee looked up at the ceiling. "Yeah, I think I must have."180Please respect copyright.PENANAqLY3oCMbqr
180Please respect copyright.PENANA41ppp99bih
180Please respect copyright.PENANAOWawO8RI9u
"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?"180Please respect copyright.PENANAc56yt8g3BO
180Please respect copyright.PENANABzCfdaEBi7
180Please respect copyright.PENANAmX6zRbGmT0
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAuES5svo9lr
180Please respect copyright.PENANAG0hlVbXDs6
180Please respect copyright.PENANAnWlXugbrQi
"You're just as funny as usual," said Rhénee with a smile on her face. "I've just been busy."180Please respect copyright.PENANAw7z9kcaHI7
180Please respect copyright.PENANAUdkxulrfXr
180Please respect copyright.PENANA0dcGjPrZXo
"Yeah, a new house and a new life must be a lot of work."180Please respect copyright.PENANArNbPznHdUq
180Please respect copyright.PENANAVhax1dAxX7
180Please respect copyright.PENANA7Oq0mli5NR
"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."180Please respect copyright.PENANA7MLT3q5cyB
180Please respect copyright.PENANAjE3aVExduN
180Please respect copyright.PENANABjv1kkAKCC
"Please, it's impossible to forget a person like you. And you were adorable when you were younger, so there is that."180Please respect copyright.PENANAsjyKSmUhov
180Please respect copyright.PENANASQezgWIMit
180Please respect copyright.PENANAhqwvcbwFAe
"I wasn't adorable when I was younger."180Please respect copyright.PENANA4NArwZWQTp
180Please respect copyright.PENANAOtJR3qx1F1
180Please respect copyright.PENANAhSf9arNCuy
"I've seen your baby pictures, Rhénee. You were just the cutest."180Please respect copyright.PENANA0pPiWhxLK0
180Please respect copyright.PENANAOM5OarngxF
180Please respect copyright.PENANA8ejkBriHir
"Who showed you my baby photos?"180Please respect copyright.PENANAbs1GUQgiDW
180Please respect copyright.PENANAP7Vm0XSHXj
180Please respect copyright.PENANA3SXRh9oI2g
"Zoey, of course."180Please respect copyright.PENANA9Fz1TjmNhQ
180Please respect copyright.PENANAEK68BsOPU6
180Please respect copyright.PENANAwZN1PixU4Q
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAoK7QR5nEAw
180Please respect copyright.PENANAmhkZsL4FSR
180Please respect copyright.PENANAoq3Oslqf47
"Goodness, I wish you were still with us, Rhénee," he said. "Everyone misses you here."180Please respect copyright.PENANA000AlZXIv6
180Please respect copyright.PENANAo53Et0rbtj
180Please respect copyright.PENANAHKrAX4UE22
"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."180Please respect copyright.PENANAYqVq0N2raB
180Please respect copyright.PENANA4Ig6fm3wTB
180Please respect copyright.PENANAxbbrqU04N0
"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."180Please respect copyright.PENANAcqAsHbQ8Tk
180Please respect copyright.PENANA6Whdf6Wnry
180Please respect copyright.PENANAJh8lp7lg68
"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."180Please respect copyright.PENANA6NTAL5u264
180Please respect copyright.PENANAD7q0xiOGFk
180Please respect copyright.PENANA9TM8Cz1WN2
"Sorry, Rhénee, but you should know that you're her baby girl. Of course she would worry."180Please respect copyright.PENANAUXYs8oTKLv
180Please respect copyright.PENANAxLbuVmL8rB
180Please respect copyright.PENANA1ZDiBXYQYa
"I wonder when she will ever get over me. I can look after myself, for goodness sake."180Please respect copyright.PENANAG0SFJFMrx4
180Please respect copyright.PENANAlbkDZWpnuA
180Please respect copyright.PENANAeQXaYXkcM3
"She'll get over it when she feels like it. Give her a break."180Please respect copyright.PENANAPZmjeKnusO
180Please respect copyright.PENANASZIFB6LrdX
180Please respect copyright.PENANAHEodUB9sM4
Rhénee thought she heard footsteps in the other room. Miss Griselda must be awake.180Please respect copyright.PENANAgrjZ8Dl6Nd
180Please respect copyright.PENANAnv5kHhgWoX
180Please respect copyright.PENANACCvizEqgDL
"Anyway, I better get myself ready for the day. It was nice talking to you, Alex."180Please respect copyright.PENANAUcyX5UHMee
180Please respect copyright.PENANAO4cE2PsglZ
180Please respect copyright.PENANAyiP5iTKyHf
"You should call every day. It will be nice to hear your voice every morning."180Please respect copyright.PENANA7JgL76sJDo
180Please respect copyright.PENANAfhdYRmdXPO
180Please respect copyright.PENANA6REIdtEOg5
Rhénee chuckled. "Why don't you get out of bed and go flirt with other girls?"180Please respect copyright.PENANAiR7E0h87HF
180Please respect copyright.PENANAAs4tN98x1D
180Please respect copyright.PENANAxkdCFHNsOz
Alex, on the other end, laughed. "Oh, Rhénee, you're the only girl for me; don't you know that?"180Please respect copyright.PENANAEmbOHDkDAY
180Please respect copyright.PENANAVUo1PgH6YR
180Please respect copyright.PENANAAR3h8koPjo
"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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAr132ZTMOsB
180Please respect copyright.PENANAf49VtskBUl
180Please respect copyright.PENANABx3pVvg1NN
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANARswv5btXsF
180Please respect copyright.PENANAcD0vPZ3uer
180Please respect copyright.PENANAJIbUlOSwuw
"Morning, Rhénee," Miss Griselda greeted her. "Did you have a good night's sleep?"180Please respect copyright.PENANAohNYU3ooxq
180Please respect copyright.PENANAeChXgevmHV
180Please respect copyright.PENANAQzor9jzIj7
"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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAWDnSBMUNKo
180Please respect copyright.PENANAFTBp1968oq
180Please respect copyright.PENANAkpkJj2NG1J
"No. I barely slept a wink."180Please respect copyright.PENANAWwKtyJ716r
180Please respect copyright.PENANAVBOJwsafxh
180Please respect copyright.PENANA55x40ynpPC
"There's still some hot coffee if you need it." Rhénee pointed to the coffee maker.180Please respect copyright.PENANAsDPQgpZnf0
180Please respect copyright.PENANAu9M0AR0KGY
180Please respect copyright.PENANAqCuHTwuNEV
"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?"180Please respect copyright.PENANAm9DWIu2gPN
180Please respect copyright.PENANAFuYg1YQZDu
180Please respect copyright.PENANA5RnsoQW9jX
"A friend of mine. I hadn't talked to him in what felt like forever."180Please respect copyright.PENANAZXBkxLQCkm
180Please respect copyright.PENANAPwuCEO9D8Y
180Please respect copyright.PENANAnsBCyO7P7v
"That's nice. You sounded like you were having a nice chat." Miss Griselda took a cup and poured herself some coffee.180Please respect copyright.PENANAO5u0jSIM87
180Please respect copyright.PENANA6F43RACXkX
180Please respect copyright.PENANAgnQmrrFTr2
"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."180Please respect copyright.PENANAiv7Sg9vB63
180Please respect copyright.PENANAsrNlTgC4yJ
180Please respect copyright.PENANASzFTbtytBz
"A wise and sensible decision." Miss Griselda took a sip of the coffee, and her eyes brightened up a bit. "This coffee tastes great."180Please respect copyright.PENANADwCCAimQQy
180Please respect copyright.PENANA8VWQvMVGfg
180Please respect copyright.PENANAMezt5yP1N9
"I'm just fortunate. I didn't do anything to make it as nice as you make it." Rhénee chuckled.180Please respect copyright.PENANAPkIc55c7k9
180Please respect copyright.PENANAenjrD8g0AG
180Please respect copyright.PENANAH9aXSyalQ4
"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."180Please respect copyright.PENANAf0menfTXr4
180Please respect copyright.PENANA1PsHg5SuJw
180Please respect copyright.PENANA71nW3IFKcS
"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."180Please respect copyright.PENANA17KspF8YJ7
180Please respect copyright.PENANA3igNl4UKpJ
180Please respect copyright.PENANAPoQZqAmj0X
"Wherever you will be, don't try and give him a hard time, dear. You're quite stubborn, you know."180Please respect copyright.PENANALYkJvHjfhF
180Please respect copyright.PENANApv9sQ1PF2A
180Please respect copyright.PENANApKFAWaqo0V
"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."180Please respect copyright.PENANArsjeTHqHUB
180Please respect copyright.PENANAIonyw2DSyr
180Please respect copyright.PENANA6mJ23mlOsX
"Well, something tells me you'll still put him on edge with your questions."180Please respect copyright.PENANAVBoTyAfcUX
180Please respect copyright.PENANAd4bBIpyHq6
180Please respect copyright.PENANAoAY2CqwPZA
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."180Please respect copyright.PENANA4VFQtV1IWD
180Please respect copyright.PENANANHyuhExa4l
180Please respect copyright.PENANAiHlPoaXQxM
"I know. But just be careful of what you want to say to him, okay?"180Please respect copyright.PENANApPMB8uMdvm
180Please respect copyright.PENANAWEEglAigNV
180Please respect copyright.PENANANx6oRVcVzH
"As you wish." Rhénee didn't like the feeling of being defeated so easily, especially from Miss Griselda.180Please respect copyright.PENANAS3a0J0NtTi
180Please respect copyright.PENANAcW4HsPjgEw
180Please respect copyright.PENANA130Ybp2BBa
"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."180Please respect copyright.PENANAOQGxWNFRAT
180Please respect copyright.PENANALCOOYJ1eXn
180Please respect copyright.PENANAjlh1yZzTZ4
That put up a smile on Rhénee's face. "That sounds great. Let me go freshen up first."180Please respect copyright.PENANATKILDUnX03
180Please respect copyright.PENANAwY31KhfzmQ
180Please respect copyright.PENANAyNGS9pnUpy
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAlWKrQXbP1M
180Please respect copyright.PENANAsVO7K4pHsT
180Please respect copyright.PENANAJlNgLPhedW
***180Please respect copyright.PENANASydjRj325t
180Please respect copyright.PENANAqLDhh5CNZg
180Please respect copyright.PENANAGmsLKknO73
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAZn5tDfkvfG
180Please respect copyright.PENANATBvAiwO4Tm
180Please respect copyright.PENANAMNkYVOrjdO
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAfQZfFtgImH
180Please respect copyright.PENANA6MFvw4yGdi
180Please respect copyright.PENANAeHxrLJNw7l
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANA0yVoCVlifj
180Please respect copyright.PENANA7UU0wd9eQf
180Please respect copyright.PENANAa1TFTzMDCL
"Please, Eugene, sit," she told him.180Please respect copyright.PENANAp23PupdnWp
180Please respect copyright.PENANAmJm7o2ac8N
180Please respect copyright.PENANAa76n2fbFU3
Eugene did just that. "How is Mr. York this morning?" he asked.180Please respect copyright.PENANAHL0VubihhJ
180Please respect copyright.PENANApu7Og53yRU
180Please respect copyright.PENANAf2I79UeH2B
"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?"180Please respect copyright.PENANA3BC0Uoj7aZ
180Please respect copyright.PENANAsyHC7XsZ3U
180Please respect copyright.PENANAGAQ0eFGH1u
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."180Please respect copyright.PENANAe9UmRdR6TM
180Please respect copyright.PENANAS5GutxMSaU
180Please respect copyright.PENANAjwjtSunPfE
"Will he be going to school?" Mrs. York removed the pan on the stove and put the eggs on a plate.180Please respect copyright.PENANAqtqn80UdpP
180Please respect copyright.PENANAnBkXGvivxK
180Please respect copyright.PENANAi1n987BdSe
"No. He won't be able to concentrate. Plus, people might be talking about it a lot."180Please respect copyright.PENANAWExC33iGnR
180Please respect copyright.PENANAao9y7oHe3A
180Please respect copyright.PENANAYNJPeV97Mf
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."180Please respect copyright.PENANAeNCnzcmUKP
180Please respect copyright.PENANAHHZxF1qaTy
180Please respect copyright.PENANA8YtdRilnKh
She pulled a chair to take a seat. "And what about you?" she asked. "Are you going for work?"180Please respect copyright.PENANAoE1WXV1ud9
180Please respect copyright.PENANAxKQU7TIImt
180Please respect copyright.PENANAJoMZ9BjZmp
Eugene gave a nod of his head. "I need to get my mind distracted from all this," he answered.180Please respect copyright.PENANAd1IPnePjZ5
180Please respect copyright.PENANAfvJWZVFnYK
180Please respect copyright.PENANA9N58k4yyde
"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?"180Please respect copyright.PENANAo5XsITlNC5
180Please respect copyright.PENANA20YhOPkrYx
180Please respect copyright.PENANAZ6C6jJ1Qky
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."180Please respect copyright.PENANAJAEivZ0yRg
180Please respect copyright.PENANA2fyzwP1OLv
180Please respect copyright.PENANAUYP0C8DqUp
"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."180Please respect copyright.PENANAAqfkYseW00
180Please respect copyright.PENANAlGZhp15QIz
180Please respect copyright.PENANA6DcEQZ5eur
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."180Please respect copyright.PENANATBMCopzLxB
180Please respect copyright.PENANAEL0JQibCNV
180Please respect copyright.PENANAK7bpWWmidP
"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."180Please respect copyright.PENANArNpLgIGwCt
180Please respect copyright.PENANAMl3BeG9uWV
180Please respect copyright.PENANAiUZdheKzpx
"I can't do that when she sticks to my father like it's all she knows how to do."180Please respect copyright.PENANAK4YNgzHgtG
180Please respect copyright.PENANAQAWtTgSeXK
180Please respect copyright.PENANASVrBx9G92Z
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."180Please respect copyright.PENANAthHuXKVv1N
180Please respect copyright.PENANA7ZobwE2g8j
180Please respect copyright.PENANA7WRPn98I8l
"You're right. Now that I think about it, I might as well just leave it be."180Please respect copyright.PENANAeZKkR97out
180Please respect copyright.PENANApKZ5GkjFAF
180Please respect copyright.PENANAVd0PdKNF2t
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANARwjGfkVEPl
180Please respect copyright.PENANA9bIF3H7xIG
180Please respect copyright.PENANAEDultdBXQX
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANALW6NLpLy2T
180Please respect copyright.PENANAkTkCGKcIKQ
180Please respect copyright.PENANA7qbwr1E8hm
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANApM9FZSNvUO
180Please respect copyright.PENANAu1uaataOpn
180Please respect copyright.PENANA3aCEY0DqBS
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAKPTvRI9NEx
180Please respect copyright.PENANAM0s8FSxsHW
180Please respect copyright.PENANAITwaPOknu6
***180Please respect copyright.PENANAM4yiyD53Uk
180Please respect copyright.PENANA6jtDvcSvm4
180Please respect copyright.PENANApj5aorm0LU
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAtKWygaVuhG
180Please respect copyright.PENANAyEU5yNQl08
180Please respect copyright.PENANAHiScetWNta
"I better get going now," Rhénee announced as she stood up from her seat. "I don't want to be late."180Please respect copyright.PENANAmzssX21b6w
180Please respect copyright.PENANAnxZTMbWz7G
180Please respect copyright.PENANANJRW97GYDg
"Alright," said Miss Griselda, sewing her red dress on the collar. "Remember what I told you about Mr. Sinclair and your questions."180Please respect copyright.PENANApJUVstW8Gf
180Please respect copyright.PENANAKXcGGKxoM5
180Please respect copyright.PENANAZrlhAgRPfo
Rhénee gave Miss Griselda a smirk. "I'll do my best. I'm not going to promise anything."180Please respect copyright.PENANAFNiIqzJ0v7
180Please respect copyright.PENANAwmQlPqrYQt
180Please respect copyright.PENANAY9P6jPg3DH
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."180Please respect copyright.PENANAwAcaLInbZz
180Please respect copyright.PENANAcfMHSU7jDx
180Please respect copyright.PENANAMxxRoBEyUE
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAWT1qfO2tQO
180Please respect copyright.PENANAe23xp1hg5B
180Please respect copyright.PENANAbC5QzYEFWY
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAI16mNZ9C5Y
180Please respect copyright.PENANAycT8baP1LB
180Please respect copyright.PENANApVoCli3uTd
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAJC7waOvkdf
180Please respect copyright.PENANAm0VYbxFohh
180Please respect copyright.PENANARxvIQKmcO3
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAqMAkxHmeJD
180Please respect copyright.PENANANXzKYCpqTn
180Please respect copyright.PENANAbc3JFycNd5
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANA9ROhwYCSJy
180Please respect copyright.PENANAy4zcx7FxxD
180Please respect copyright.PENANACxqWXPAkW0
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAMXxiMbkk45
180Please respect copyright.PENANAR2B0BrLTbT
180Please respect copyright.PENANA0tgTIYcG6l
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAg64TZvRl76
180Please respect copyright.PENANA8uXedxFa5N
180Please respect copyright.PENANAgdPm6AY3ZR
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAlovDJu9YM9
180Please respect copyright.PENANAijjbnrPUlZ
180Please respect copyright.PENANAYNQL9fu6Jw
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAoiCfBVxB0d
180Please respect copyright.PENANAITz6PYff92
180Please respect copyright.PENANAz6l8I6fDio
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAcQKum1XV2d
180Please respect copyright.PENANAVuotMnypph
180Please respect copyright.PENANAudBWV14oW0
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANA49UzCuRsZP
180Please respect copyright.PENANAJkmq3SZvRt
180Please respect copyright.PENANA7Jkt5RwpSR
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAVGH4giT6iS
180Please respect copyright.PENANAitoplZuq3g
180Please respect copyright.PENANABycxrE49oG
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAqOyYfDJbSN
180Please respect copyright.PENANAwga4UWVqBx
180Please respect copyright.PENANAL98t83DlTa
"Oh, sorry, Preeta," he said, dropping his hands. "I didn't see you there."180Please respect copyright.PENANAMRyKYheNBk
180Please respect copyright.PENANAfPjXzg9WiD
180Please respect copyright.PENANAwl4dL8T94z
"Oh, no, it's fine," she said. "I stopped just in time."180Please respect copyright.PENANAUDTucZAcbe
180Please respect copyright.PENANAYQBCx2yiwg
180Please respect copyright.PENANAa1r34z14Fn
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAKnwTX2QiaJ
180Please respect copyright.PENANAxlOzXpZJPG
180Please respect copyright.PENANAPchiiwcgHW
"Eugene, are you okay?" she asked. "Maybe you shouldn't have come in today."180Please respect copyright.PENANAi8GJX9t5cu
180Please respect copyright.PENANANZo0f30mEr
180Please respect copyright.PENANAUUHLvrt1kJ
"I'm fine, Preeta," he answered. "I just need to keep my mind busy to forget all that's happening."180Please respect copyright.PENANAtNXiHBe9HD
180Please respect copyright.PENANATfhqupxchI
180Please respect copyright.PENANANSijA3Ceoe
"But you can't, can you?" Preeta raised an eyebrow. "I can tell you're only stressing yourself out by being here."180Please respect copyright.PENANA1ZzIVcc5iV
180Please respect copyright.PENANAcPS1NDLsWX
180Please respect copyright.PENANA5PX3QXm6cc
"I know you're concerned, but I can take care of myself."180Please respect copyright.PENANAWXN9PYVrCY
180Please respect copyright.PENANAuC5me617UL
180Please respect copyright.PENANAunes511b4X
"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?"180Please respect copyright.PENANAiDaNcjfaHZ
180Please respect copyright.PENANAJvY8EruJYV
180Please respect copyright.PENANACxRVfYPXhW
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?"180Please respect copyright.PENANAyiR9NDvHTf
180Please respect copyright.PENANAlJ7GTFnGIt
180Please respect copyright.PENANAvj5hTlo4UO
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANA5Ora9rw5CE
180Please respect copyright.PENANAL8zdi4y6jy
180Please respect copyright.PENANAb5muDaKXEl
"I wish I could answer that, Eugene," she found the voice to say. "Doesn't that have to be her decision?"180Please respect copyright.PENANAJ66RLUnHgw
180Please respect copyright.PENANAiwlyS22n6I
180Please respect copyright.PENANAL5W1YlnAL3
Eugene looked up at the ceiling. "Her decision, huh?"180Please respect copyright.PENANAVSli099QNW
180Please respect copyright.PENANA6G7TzsQbgB
180Please respect copyright.PENANAucOyQBhy2C
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANASPNPDSy1yv
180Please respect copyright.PENANA1tZXcLOct2
180Please respect copyright.PENANA7vkn3bKMkW
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAFxZvX4ToGz
180Please respect copyright.PENANA8q85njPI07
180Please respect copyright.PENANAPOSlIzMBfP
Before Preeta could even stretch her hand to reach the phone, Eugene quickly took it and put it to his ear. "Hello?" he answered.180Please respect copyright.PENANAsrqEpVxl8G
180Please respect copyright.PENANA28KKSNpSzp
180Please respect copyright.PENANAxi2sSS5X3x
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAgwkESqOTkV
180Please respect copyright.PENANAi7KTTzRg5c
180Please respect copyright.PENANAADwoVTwpZy
"Was that Mr. Sinclair?" Preeta asked.180Please respect copyright.PENANAMU4OJOtw9C
180Please respect copyright.PENANAZeTQjO2Sjm
180Please respect copyright.PENANA2rlz7SJvq8
"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."180Please respect copyright.PENANAIIZctscjcd
180Please respect copyright.PENANA44akO8vTX0
180Please respect copyright.PENANANbBEgqsqlQ
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAorKAhHqU9E
180Please respect copyright.PENANASKnbEuWJHi
180Please respect copyright.PENANAz90FjJt8Qc
"Hey, it will be lunch soon. Do you mind if we can go out?" Preeta asked. "We can get to talk if you want."180Please respect copyright.PENANAvTU3vrefoB
180Please respect copyright.PENANAKyHX69G6LR
180Please respect copyright.PENANAvK0pFRy3hQ
Eugene looked at her and the corner of his lip was raised to a smile. "Yes, that will be very nice, thanks," he said.180Please respect copyright.PENANAaQuSPzFe3K
180Please respect copyright.PENANA9R78bt15p5
180Please respect copyright.PENANAmBdw79dSCz
"As soon as you're back, I'll meet you here at your station. Sounds good?"180Please respect copyright.PENANApCbB22hxTT
180Please respect copyright.PENANAZfFxppswYf
180Please respect copyright.PENANAgSS0DHWXlP
Eugene gave a nod of his head and without any hesitation, made his way to Sinclair's office.180Please respect copyright.PENANAf7MuHKOTZR
180Please respect copyright.PENANAG1PX8vmMo4
180Please respect copyright.PENANAh6NcsXcMtw
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAL8oDa1Gtcq
180Please respect copyright.PENANAAavE6Jyb5O
180Please respect copyright.PENANAF8I5BUXPnQ
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANAyv3WZmIqCI
180Please respect copyright.PENANAertYBn40f1
180Please respect copyright.PENANA7chwPwZ8YJ
"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?"180Please respect copyright.PENANA7tQ7fONsvI
180Please respect copyright.PENANAXGJGK0KZyV
180Please respect copyright.PENANA1DkbG1xa4D
"He's out of danger at least," Eugene answered, not realizing that there was someone coming behind him.180Please respect copyright.PENANAOLjtjXoBxx
180Please respect copyright.PENANAImUFFQK6mU
180Please respect copyright.PENANAVoyiijdW3M
"Good morning," said Rhénee as she came to stand beside Eugene.180Please respect copyright.PENANAsgPcPovO5d
180Please respect copyright.PENANAUoyVT7HPqg
180Please respect copyright.PENANA91ubrZmG25
Her presence startled Eugene that he almost jumped in fright. He responded to her greeting bleakly.180Please respect copyright.PENANAO6xSWE9Zvv
180Please respect copyright.PENANA5zMhLKp2Ne
180Please respect copyright.PENANATDSC3xH66h
"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."180Please respect copyright.PENANAjkqDCxIIaM
180Please respect copyright.PENANAkRBfrf2MFi
180Please respect copyright.PENANAuCFuRrWrc0
"He trusts me to be in his office?" Rhénee asked, sounding surprised. "Won't it be better to wait for him out here?"180Please respect copyright.PENANAgPQfKRvgaj
180Please respect copyright.PENANAGDQsl6toou
180Please respect copyright.PENANAcGKdjz74pu
"No, he wouldn't mind. Please, you can walk right in."180Please respect copyright.PENANA4ix590zWz8
180Please respect copyright.PENANAJfpC6oYH1n
180Please respect copyright.PENANAHOtdf4ez1S
Rhénee thought twice about it and quickly made up her mind and started to make her way to Sinclair's office.180Please respect copyright.PENANA05i2kSw98J
180Please respect copyright.PENANAXor6lG5UiO
180Please respect copyright.PENANAX4XWtBwt7X
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.180Please respect copyright.PENANADtPPcLizud
180Please respect copyright.PENANAMcuUX8NSbK
180Please respect copyright.PENANApGNAz3JPoD
"How is your father doing?" Mrs. Clarks asked as she looked on worringly at Eugene.180Please respect copyright.PENANAYf7BcVnRsw
180Please respect copyright.PENANA3k01HQWWlb
180Please respect copyright.PENANALeX4D0dOcF
Eugene quickly shook his head, trying his best to gather his thoughts. "Well, he's out of danger for now," he answered.180Please respect copyright.PENANAoNtXuy3shI
180Please respect copyright.PENANAR4RMhDMMU2
180Please respect copyright.PENANAV4zy2igYlf
"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?"180Please respect copyright.PENANA96U8u7lZS9
180Please respect copyright.PENANA8DTMftXOOB
180Please respect copyright.PENANAQLozTkN7qA
Eugene shook his head. "No clue. He didn’t tell my mum anything, either. He passed out when he got to the house."180Please respect copyright.PENANAgRVLe33Pzi
180Please respect copyright.PENANA0W18HzRkEb
180Please respect copyright.PENANAbD2hMaGalt
"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?"180Please respect copyright.PENANA8tyIGywDR1
180Please respect copyright.PENANAxbBdYOZp5i
180Please respect copyright.PENANANofUcNxc2X
Eugene shook his head. "No, he didn’t say anything to mum before he passed out."180Please respect copyright.PENANAcG7U9SVAbb
180Please respect copyright.PENANANo7WmlfKcE
180Please respect copyright.PENANAXNa4xxDzUp
"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."180Please respect copyright.PENANAvwUGqbk6Xj
180Please respect copyright.PENANAJ1WjnfooMJ
180Please respect copyright.PENANARmCkpoJ3Qe
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."180Please respect copyright.PENANAsIqlvQi3OP
180Please respect copyright.PENANAaU8Usb7KXe
180Please respect copyright.PENANAzzN4ty8pGW
"You take care of yourself, dear. And tell your mother that I’m praying for her."180Please respect copyright.PENANAyV72aeRIRz
180Please respect copyright.PENANA3XJlsQtp0M
180Please respect copyright.PENANAqOk8xP4jbc
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.