The news about the 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaM81h69KT0
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4E0pfk9fx
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYPU029yXD
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvK7v0y1gZ
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZCIGZl1zh
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT2gxL1UzD
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItGr4HXH51
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZeUVjdcOZ
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEkm9iGbUb
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmve6gWNzJO
There was more to it 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJT8LNcVWY
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfILUSwdtA
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHvr1RCFK9
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXIFZ043P2
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9j1fLH13W
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XCItU5t2c
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKcnKLvFrd
except from a few individuals. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKSIKahtG2
And apparently, one of 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsQk0QeOu7
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3qlkWzXwU
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ2rP7HYwQ
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjGtN9AxdV
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs26hFHMzAy
really going on, all hell would break loose.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfC12CacEFL
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk58EFFgRB
Rhénee dropped the 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpMmzYEosw
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywskyFftBr
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNLqA5k3ir
ear, she took a sip of coffee.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8smt6Yu8C
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKSrXPaJPU
"Ya, its crazy here," 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCiZMj5Wyv
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJoq8JeCXj
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdipWnqKQJ
broken in."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjICfXfYeDd
"If only they knew."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2QKvjRaUa
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkArxDEvU3
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPB26BIs9G
"She did. I had to make 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83pPeA0dqG
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEviSoloqGO
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxXwMMygOf
"I doubt if she believed that."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CeDMQ2zsa
"Haha, looks like you 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqIPYqBQfL
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCQlzsYKoM
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCIPRYfI1U
"True. But we did. I 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp81Kv6tlb
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bWmZcNpZB
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxVPSGFZeJ
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3evN2DOvKH
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfPLJupfEK
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jakVVMgg3
"Okay, bye."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGMokxdnqC
"Bye."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknZL6Y9YtF
Rhénee cuts the call and736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB3KepZTwe
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1dXY3dTWC
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ363iv9duWs
wink last night.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIgU4MBCQk
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRV37hRjh0S
"I wasn't going to 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElt0fhL6vX
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSvZe2m697
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRC0ASry6L
"You don't have to 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm10XjLOaT
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKWaZGZm5G
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmwgViFaEq
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlPsWZ2I4x
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOqkCHB721
"Why Malcom?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikOTbr9GZ2
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaTu3GSnjB
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCSGeSv9qt
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoWJOVP8n0
"Alright, you go ahead."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9eDayq3On
Miss Griselda gave 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFIpLOqPfo
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7yaEWaYLk
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3517628bfB
did when they talked about Malcom. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3grdwjlioZ
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZP8L8cMaN
The sound of her phone 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BS9TBkVzJ
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4mZREnTu0
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOJulhBgCQ
mother.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgXyJt49H5
"Hello?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstww3GZFOC
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuGrBhkOAt
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6s0s0j6P5F
That voice. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN82e0UqZCK
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8aY2trhym
"What's wrong? The other day you had the guts to talk to me when I talked to you about the necklace. Why are you so quiet now?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShc0gPTJ5j
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWqE8kCSRS
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aAbFSVcxD
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibXvzhv7Ad
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8KK6qsoGV
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxtIr8sffw
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoB0p2WaTw
"You don't know me, 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrHKgz8fiT
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9cxhElc3c
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pWyoq1FJ6
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaPzuRXcXo
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7W5shWx1os
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevXjEgCYye
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaLdEy37j9
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkH5zd4Urss
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EcS7dbjf4
"Then why did you give me her necklace? And the picture of the house? What are you trying to achieve by scaring me like this?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiqjGLIXN8
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQFnO7wzRQ
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCNQ75auBT
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzZw7BZOrw
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iBtLZ3heZ
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkRWSsRWoz
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hfh5HKrHe
"Oh, and by the way, 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyYsZ4JomI
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4Ng6zrZFD
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoIZjcqpC1
this time around."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKn5YoU5Ll9
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHUK52ZNER
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmG79YZGvlW
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7JDBYf2PG
Rhénee sat down on the 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNefmIjIKf
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XEJ2OByIw
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjpI0LBRPY
the others, who know what might happen. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwaAHxF2O2
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxURCxZ5ERR
***736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwg38fkmykd
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAtf4Z61Yn
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm46jR4TRd
"But she isn't hurt right?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIqqJgF7VH
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvbODiKQkU
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbb6zWH4oR
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8oTHPzyiz
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QEKeSs2kF
"Nah.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3377SaBbr
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuM3SARmMwW
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyBTu7GjCb
"Thats736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhrQEyvvku
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfyukNKXtO
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyADkC9ABm
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BBx85X6zY
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGbGBBQgGA
"Alright."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH15OQ5u2SY
Eugene cut the call and noticed that his mother was standing by the kitchen door looking at him as he stood in the living room. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHl3Hvd31C
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02UsqvU1m9
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI64u1OYSrV
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcH9yPLNKWW
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUOe3Va1JT
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ov73zbUEo
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTVLEnERY7
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i4xbv0Mxj
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSVSjUAbCe
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSAsSbUSv5
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9ppDds6yy
"Does it bother you?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqzvzWsJyG
"Um... not really. But.... um."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4CskuKRW4
Eugene736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYDhVMkLqF
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNr92OKF8kO
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36ErEkZAWb
"Mum, are you okay?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7FaDQwjq2
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuf5lEAS08e
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEhTXXQdND
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PAqvigdlf
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOD0rvUEpr
Mrs736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFt86Ev9Jf
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdSe5C9G6n
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoT0MSD3SOw
had talked about Rhénee?736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7WVNOHVMJ
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTtJXa33tt
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtjxkn2HFp
***736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqnykegRgx
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiR7KPkorfx
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnzc7TNiz4
"You better rest though. You still look tired."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQDvd1sQjx
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTptb8THyb
"No, I'll do it."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VPPzNIwFp
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNp5RD2STs
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pmwo3x1MO
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXqDf0LA7A
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpfgeLcH7W
Rhénee736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NrZBrfjrR
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauwpJAnS3g
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdC7sAnL0q
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3EpIrQpu6
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrR1XzYBTZ
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOw6WvEgPo
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe86nicehGb
"Thank736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ218lh27618
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4hLu0UG5C
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9s2mDZ1RGz
"Well, yes. I still think I would."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt13qYMoSm
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHygWEeuv7o
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqhUiKkAIC
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFbNKMzUzy
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vjX0u2MpK
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJK8ryX5ZB
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01ECts8F29
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFE1KJis8q
"Coffee will be lovely."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Of6fYtMC1
Miss736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1mYFwN6bq
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyevFDk6P2
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwx4rAUjaG
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaYJwtQZXX
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOrnkEM29b
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJasRSGabb
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrAsl1Fmaj
"What mysterious person?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6j5FSStNTr
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0v1erJz1F
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eKvqmbOR9
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR10GRsewL
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZJYOWVvPi
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWep5IBdB0
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMU9o664KnY
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KXeTBBm1S
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zuJf3S9wk
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZePZia22Ys
The736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIy0XSR0s4D
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWrlhWVhiT
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bEheVgQ0U
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnQHuHdhCa
of this.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39PSZD4EzJ
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OO7Fg5S1z
"I...736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn097efycXo
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPHJQDmAGL
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3C1WTZKDzr
frustration. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6H8i4506a
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNT1BlMVjxJ
Rhénee736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ByJKjV1eu
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0Frgz8Pa0
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mIkPAEKBz
cups on the tray and wondered. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZEVuIZ9PR
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcB1LZbHMj
736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fldALq5ZE
As736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAGoc584SO
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhE0zWsSKIB
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWv2S97f3qI
reminder kept ringing in her head.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ek2HCuG3T
"And tell your friends not to get involved."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJrwfqytn6
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqPHpGIycN
"I736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfO38Zog8D
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkoeTzzvd8
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpSxj07r5r
talking about, Rhénee?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPMiz75uVt
Rhénee736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhEo3laQd9
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ079Q8zSRs3
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HkvwWsnP0
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdqpQi9QA2
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMeLt3UjTa
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbo8tdmHVs
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4M5P5GSpw
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC47SGO75Jf
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDtDIfgYNJ
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqq33UHRBM0
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPD4JWYCHiA
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghOrvz9IIr
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHYrhDw5Ne
***736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXERoe5xI1
Sweat736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJjAlS0OFt
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8W2Dmo5ub
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuRfjvyPEQ
the person waiting never likes to wait.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xW2CSafDe
He736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsI8q2UcPr
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtvcUdy3XY
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71nOX2SbMA
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY19Rcv9vAj
second.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB2IvYjV6V
He736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0FhiDH8Cy
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJvFm6jMDF
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYpbyDNxtR
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTpYN4c7cy
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkshQxTaxmr
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJD3fWOEfg
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaRI2ZSBZ4
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvw6AmQ1ux
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ506dSUMuZ9
"You're late, again."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1soH6fT6I
His736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJ8HhNhUx8
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWHRZOYGMr
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXKLNWpeQz
lion door knob. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGdIXlcxfa
He736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMQvFbglI2
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTd94eNwXA
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjH5MRG8QD
"What736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaWENuprpg
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbls8bTfQD
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uwkot1inN
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTqUKPFn90
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HFxUzZt7k
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB3yHxCSGx
A736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSJdXplQeg
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hUQA8nxiX
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukFrIAkLzZ
as they had their backs towards the window.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqdOIau6pR
"You know we need him," said the tall man.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedmeaweWCs
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPMB85VwYe
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCTwu47G1n
The736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwfBeBHWLh
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoozU1lw7V
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHx4sMkz4H
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCZjaSAwAZ
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm5cpb8IGt
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbHfX4HLXY
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXD5EnAJcPI
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeesWPd1auL
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMwNhMOmvC
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGms1yRRfJE
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2joSpVDVW
"What if she reveals the truth?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM5sTvN23Q
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlu0fK2BYcC
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzJeMEBAZj
For a moment, silence hung over them.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLt0lZCP8TV
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nABywG8Wo
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaT95MLnr9y
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKb41bD42dV
"I736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktWh3lk9Pp
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Z6u3afQnd
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViXAiSGmrF
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77p0yOS5Ka
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvnSjxwNq8
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13BmFJiLwr
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bHWRCKknz
***736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIungjqEirj
The736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbyWAcF0mB
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlwmjGEkgZ
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVBwE7srd9
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm09TUaeto6
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRuJzHCtib
they met, they seemed sky blue.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCclV2M825
And736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDn61vsQjq
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cD1CeJDCw
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDYDQzaHhc
Rhénee736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFa6HwdDxT
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNumfAxfH4N
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAbYyU43CD
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WimrFRMdx
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoEDg7jjx5
coffee table in the middle.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbid6CFu68h
When736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZuuv2hfc7
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUD2JuvQ9S8
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l0eu2UUHR
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajgLmbk0Nh
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqX490XAu4q
"Are you sure?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdqKt8G5S4
"Yes, I'm positive."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Lmb6uN4mC
Miss736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VlIe5hKwy
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOyBAvmVa0
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaCQ5GWKUN
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSE3BwlZF81
from their cups.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZQhNvhHiI
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrLlFDeg3I
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcHbn2sAAQ
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Yd9rgu3Df
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Kms74eMj2
"And how about the fact that you and Greta were imposing as other people the time I was coming here?" Rhénee spat out at Malcom.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG9zi84kLu
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3bNEwmuLf
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1Bb2cTrvY
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSarJnb2FNH
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOuwxNPpSZ
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDKI9XCHsL
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34xICn7Qbs
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUlajLQiYN
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6TNoDuuKs
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVbitAP110
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxudWjDEfPi
"Oh,736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPk0cb1JgT
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ06QMSl0Ly
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEUcuM1iuA
who he is."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXbe7vkDnQ
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4tr6he6RF
Rhénee736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrH0gjmgAf
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPTD4IoYif
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOdO48Cxp2
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XNNbm1JHL
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthpD4VgJ1L
Rhénee736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOaC9wwMon
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoyrOhInYr
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwaEn6tgVP
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV33mbZZEM
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUCW2Za46M
"Fine,736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgNeXB9o8g
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7PoeA0Ckc
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcUYoPQLrY
or die if you stay by me."736Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVeqMXAI11
