The news about the 733Please respect copyright.PENANAeeI6vXSeDN
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 733Please respect copyright.PENANAvl0Xvl2Fal
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 733Please respect copyright.PENANAo3FOUL7dUw
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 733Please respect copyright.PENANAtL4mIjsNAM
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 733Please respect copyright.PENANAJDbwlBvT0c
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 733Please respect copyright.PENANAQCuLI3QGqO
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 733Please respect copyright.PENANA4SfyEvSjhy
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries733Please respect copyright.PENANA7fUxh70NPo
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 733Please respect copyright.PENANA9RfcMXp5RW
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.733Please respect copyright.PENANAoj7fcbuNdA
There was more to it 733Please respect copyright.PENANAhzdwO4tZtj
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 733Please respect copyright.PENANAIyGKLjf3I2
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 733Please respect copyright.PENANAeJuHCu6yCD
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 733Please respect copyright.PENANArgrFEwbBYs
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 733Please respect copyright.PENANAPf98IBwbz3
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started733Please respect copyright.PENANA2wv13PXH9I
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 733Please respect copyright.PENANAZIu5osx7qM
except from a few individuals. 733Please respect copyright.PENANALmOv94ZOY6
And apparently, one of 733Please respect copyright.PENANA5yG6rd0kTn
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 733Please respect copyright.PENANACaOQXO58sW
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In733Please respect copyright.PENANAAdFTAiNyzW
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 733Please respect copyright.PENANAlZ5kYvuE7Y
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 733Please respect copyright.PENANAge53ZpPlHD
really going on, all hell would break loose.733Please respect copyright.PENANARwz2zE0mmy
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."733Please respect copyright.PENANALnexKkwMm6
Rhénee dropped the 733Please respect copyright.PENANAG3P4g8VL6l
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 733Please respect copyright.PENANARbLcOGJxjK
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 733Please respect copyright.PENANAAPTLRQBC2O
ear, she took a sip of coffee.733Please respect copyright.PENANAuJZKxzlBvB
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAnlSpZ5gxSb
"Ya, its crazy here," 733Please respect copyright.PENANAaTvICHNLSQ
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 733Please respect copyright.PENANAkLKQ5eCb2N
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 733Please respect copyright.PENANAabWpHDABHb
broken in."733Please respect copyright.PENANACidcM5W7uU
"If only they knew."733Please respect copyright.PENANAXaBKtL4JyO
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."733Please respect copyright.PENANA7YXhFf4dhu
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAM6emV30bwM
"She did. I had to make 733Please respect copyright.PENANA7tof7d8aCz
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 733Please respect copyright.PENANARVMIvm8wCX
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."733Please respect copyright.PENANAFGc1yz6VQi
"I doubt if she believed that."733Please respect copyright.PENANAVpF7XP9Qap
"Haha, looks like you 733Please respect copyright.PENANAcFnHvQgAdX
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAtQzJz0xGbu
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."733Please respect copyright.PENANACaUJN4nL41
"True. But we did. I 733Please respect copyright.PENANA4krWwzSdOV
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and733Please respect copyright.PENANA8ATEhju8Mn
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."733Please respect copyright.PENANAkRYlGfjE0g
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"733Please respect copyright.PENANA2iKB2vEuGw
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"733Please respect copyright.PENANACsrEzVmoOs
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."733Please respect copyright.PENANAjTJBFgMCS2
"Okay, bye."733Please respect copyright.PENANA5cFvCm7aEV
"Bye."733Please respect copyright.PENANALpLL3Aj2Rp
Rhénee cuts the call and733Please respect copyright.PENANAMi8bRbnBnN
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 733Please respect copyright.PENANA7RyY23Vae4
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 733Please respect copyright.PENANAMYMTL5jIca
wink last night.733Please respect copyright.PENANAMg43XP9xli
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."733Please respect copyright.PENANAyDTNyEV4hS
"I wasn't going to 733Please respect copyright.PENANAHpUTDTaBQw
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda733Please respect copyright.PENANAm2vbY5fQCX
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."733Please respect copyright.PENANAYVobDZDweK
"You don't have to 733Please respect copyright.PENANAXAfiuNzvXQ
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 733Please respect copyright.PENANAMjHZP85WKz
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."733Please respect copyright.PENANAuKNgZB0weo
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."733Please respect copyright.PENANAMDHFZhA0MM
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAOUDbBGlAps
"Why Malcom?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAxFBHKbQ2IW
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."733Please respect copyright.PENANAbqS9JeTdfb
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."733Please respect copyright.PENANAp7NiAE9V05
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "733Please respect copyright.PENANA7mCfrfMRF8
"Alright, you go ahead."733Please respect copyright.PENANAdZehonX5w0
Miss Griselda gave 733Please respect copyright.PENANADIljHeSV3x
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 733Please respect copyright.PENANABKuDjgvVdK
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she733Please respect copyright.PENANAIV0c7WYm0L
did when they talked about Malcom. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAySSRxmXvjd
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.733Please respect copyright.PENANAxXJ5hd1hfs
The sound of her phone 733Please respect copyright.PENANAhlqgFjkjFm
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the733Please respect copyright.PENANADzK8MN7DLy
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 733Please respect copyright.PENANAm8GGPPBDTv
mother.733Please respect copyright.PENANAUepfvnOiQx
"Hello?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAWoFQXdYNzj
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAlcBAanVm8x
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.733Please respect copyright.PENANAsTVofoyne1
That voice. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAKFFuqTF202
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 733Please respect copyright.PENANA1oLcC7iSVr
"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?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAXLLINKFIGV
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.733Please respect copyright.PENANARqQyXMqMSS
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."733Please respect copyright.PENANAaFXkQAqAYN
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"733Please respect copyright.PENANABoukR57nOr
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."733Please respect copyright.PENANAwhFxROhOJZ
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.733Please respect copyright.PENANAWNFBiR8lqw
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."733Please respect copyright.PENANABkpFVPK1wK
"You don't know me, 733Please respect copyright.PENANACtyLvWpni8
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 733Please respect copyright.PENANArNgBRfr7SW
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAmm0PuLDiOe
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."733Please respect copyright.PENANAk6MdfSn40g
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAZMEEV1F7Pr
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 733Please respect copyright.PENANA3ldr1MwQDA
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.733Please respect copyright.PENANASlwnx6LTmh
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."733Please respect copyright.PENANAM0k9mxSJjz
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.733Please respect copyright.PENANArOavuu3Tp2
"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?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAeEGqbAshnj
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."733Please respect copyright.PENANAH4ZBXeJnTL
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAWpGdp8Usu2
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."733Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7OvlrGmj6
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."733Please respect copyright.PENANAVSK66rwx99
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."733Please respect copyright.PENANAhzlQXDa6Nh
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 733Please respect copyright.PENANA0vVqgRqtld
"Oh, and by the way, 733Please respect copyright.PENANAGygZ4q8f72
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 733Please respect copyright.PENANAOEZP48y4hm
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 733Please respect copyright.PENANAOCOz2dqDyn
this time around."733Please respect copyright.PENANANRqQVXqnfY
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"733Please respect copyright.PENANACV8Rx0tfxS
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."733Please respect copyright.PENANAK8hB2KmxLd
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAvfCl2Cbs8i
Rhénee sat down on the 733Please respect copyright.PENANAZzvW6yK65B
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 733Please respect copyright.PENANA4DniBO66rm
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 733Please respect copyright.PENANA3tqAiu4PWq
the others, who know what might happen. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAx5Y14psxZ0
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.733Please respect copyright.PENANAD5qIXwbsfH
***733Please respect copyright.PENANAqXcVb1za2X
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAZd9Bh9r0qY
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAZdXF86etP0
"But she isn't hurt right?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAZRNvpNujDl
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."733Please respect copyright.PENANAbt9l5hoX6f
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 733Please respect copyright.PENANA8aDPhQEM62
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."733Please respect copyright.PENANA8vPM5SDZUx
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAOOkeo01zJx
"Nah.733Please respect copyright.PENANA8Z3iHs1CPv
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 733Please respect copyright.PENANAD9ry79UuM9
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."733Please respect copyright.PENANA94XnvbFNKK
"Thats733Please respect copyright.PENANAN56WL4YjQv
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 733Please respect copyright.PENANAhDFwHpk6vg
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."733Please respect copyright.PENANAMI070qsrBV
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAUktHURC0Gx
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."733Please respect copyright.PENANAMvXvotQO44
"Alright."733Please respect copyright.PENANASZ1Nl468L2
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. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAH942uA8RV2
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.733Please respect copyright.PENANAFEzlC3kScZ
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.733Please respect copyright.PENANAzDxZQ54HDO
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."733Please respect copyright.PENANAu0NwiDq517
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."733Please respect copyright.PENANAfcgnpyCLux
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."733Please respect copyright.PENANAAECLdamTcg
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAuKw3V2ecFO
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.733Please respect copyright.PENANA0uKSJkSkhB
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.733Please respect copyright.PENANAqKM7svQL19
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 733Please respect copyright.PENANA4lkdaRose8
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."733Please respect copyright.PENANAUEg4xCBLhj
"Does it bother you?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAB2E3CBqr0P
"Um... not really. But.... um."733Please respect copyright.PENANAVNTxfXeAik
Eugene733Please respect copyright.PENANAEKP1eFFn8p
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 733Please respect copyright.PENANABgpOxH5jB6
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.733Please respect copyright.PENANAEB7Duuce0b
"Mum, are you okay?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAsrPpYBv4iN
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAX28JtPL9LW
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAyyKydKOPZp
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAO3GMnMtIU1
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."733Please respect copyright.PENANA5bZFJIF4iY
Mrs733Please respect copyright.PENANAyOGbRnQuiF
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene733Please respect copyright.PENANAscHahbgYp6
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 733Please respect copyright.PENANAPl4uMdfsjX
had talked about Rhénee?733Please respect copyright.PENANAldlNC0ewjR
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 733Please respect copyright.PENANAejz7xH7yTf
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.733Please respect copyright.PENANA2113cJAmWi
***733Please respect copyright.PENANALP1UT9IITg
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.733Please respect copyright.PENANAGprBvmfxq7
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAc4tfAIp6Ci
"You better rest though. You still look tired."733Please respect copyright.PENANA4cIFipCS5P
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAI7O5VDkKF1
"No, I'll do it."733Please respect copyright.PENANAGayEtxcKtb
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 733Please respect copyright.PENANA9H4c2uZccu
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.733Please respect copyright.PENANA3URsmrMHiK
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.733Please respect copyright.PENANAafxG0EpcsI
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.733Please respect copyright.PENANABIv1O4jDqG
Rhénee733Please respect copyright.PENANAJfWzgFUsZR
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 733Please respect copyright.PENANAMRuOiSENKq
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.733Please respect copyright.PENANAsHNEnLnpJv
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.733Please respect copyright.PENANAO3eZsMuj7l
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.733Please respect copyright.PENANAXqPktbSBdd
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAi7miXVOQGI
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.733Please respect copyright.PENANAKcaCCX5Ji6
"Thank733Please respect copyright.PENANA7TeHi5ALVQ
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 733Please respect copyright.PENANAIUXroYZXJl
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAIXl4s2uL2Z
"Well, yes. I still think I would."733Please respect copyright.PENANArVBcQg240R
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."733Please respect copyright.PENANAMPBEP9pUi2
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.733Please respect copyright.PENANA8YZggdzmUM
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."733Please respect copyright.PENANAN8Zk0Fr404
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.733Please respect copyright.PENANAfUOuCocWba
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 733Please respect copyright.PENANA9QobjWitLF
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.733Please respect copyright.PENANAy3SYNKbjGP
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAgR0YMhEZE5
"Coffee will be lovely."733Please respect copyright.PENANAVgz1UdztD6
Miss733Please respect copyright.PENANA8iJGWThQHd
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 733Please respect copyright.PENANA6GBgsrPUaW
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.733Please respect copyright.PENANA1b9XDNa1d3
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.733Please respect copyright.PENANAhGit2HNI3b
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.733Please respect copyright.PENANAPRC5Rbp5zO
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."733Please respect copyright.PENANAvprkmAwtGi
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."733Please respect copyright.PENANAfjIA6qty2U
"What mysterious person?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAXqiQJ9ckHk
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."733Please respect copyright.PENANAjbeh0IUOYl
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAGxKlNw1mxj
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.733Please respect copyright.PENANAhSFrleQtC9
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.733Please respect copyright.PENANAAS5ujE9kqZ
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAwdPoXImaet
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"733Please respect copyright.PENANATWfitkGEVa
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."733Please respect copyright.PENANACB44k0IotF
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"733Please respect copyright.PENANAbGXnWqz7Uy
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."733Please respect copyright.PENANAvWVJYeKnUq
The733Please respect copyright.PENANAr4IybCrCqy
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?733Please respect copyright.PENANAoXkcPKlwut
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 733Please respect copyright.PENANArzlSHUJJnl
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all733Please respect copyright.PENANAZEubWzO4rF
of this.733Please respect copyright.PENANALcrJQt6Kbx
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.733Please respect copyright.PENANAR3tOvBi01y
"I...733Please respect copyright.PENANAdYfHZcFQaf
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 733Please respect copyright.PENANALElia8oxiW
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 733Please respect copyright.PENANACKOsTNuWZ1
frustration. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAJu0GXO1rjm
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.733Please respect copyright.PENANAZGRSkgQSek
Rhénee733Please respect copyright.PENANA2K929gu1cV
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 733Please respect copyright.PENANA7bv5zwTzuK
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 733Please respect copyright.PENANARPaQAdqUJm
cups on the tray and wondered. 733Please respect copyright.PENANA6Sr5QNB8V8
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAPoFuaZ5M7w
733Please respect copyright.PENANAh7I8i4B8e0
As733Please respect copyright.PENANArp3vh0HbDu
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 733Please respect copyright.PENANAAkwOcPDTYk
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 733Please respect copyright.PENANAK0MvCLZmOw
reminder kept ringing in her head.733Please respect copyright.PENANA1VnsDnwoDp
"And tell your friends not to get involved."733Please respect copyright.PENANAfOKvj0HfB1
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 733Please respect copyright.PENANASfy9aiejFm
"I733Please respect copyright.PENANAMJeSoZeUyA
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 733Please respect copyright.PENANA2JPx3YJEAg
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 733Please respect copyright.PENANABFwHP4Zd3N
talking about, Rhénee?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAEDljHW46v8
Rhénee733Please respect copyright.PENANArMb72VaZD2
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 733Please respect copyright.PENANAVm1P4K385I
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 733Please respect copyright.PENANAgiifWyOm7u
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 733Please respect copyright.PENANAXP2EP4UGIQ
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.733Please respect copyright.PENANAS21yc10UeZ
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.733Please respect copyright.PENANAKB1PPlrOem
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAEtigThrvTr
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."733Please respect copyright.PENANAdjvRlMEgaX
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 733Please respect copyright.PENANARMEsYJc7Le
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAKz2sCW6mF5
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.733Please respect copyright.PENANAbJPb3DTRxT
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAwzwRao2OlS
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.733Please respect copyright.PENANAx8oMxEbnIv
***733Please respect copyright.PENANAt1c92TOZUb
Sweat733Please respect copyright.PENANAvpQ9QzRjz0
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 733Please respect copyright.PENANA8v4CgGBAJ7
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 733Please respect copyright.PENANAezxmKpLgaP
the person waiting never likes to wait.733Please respect copyright.PENANAl9Iw9JQQ8i
He733Please respect copyright.PENANAzooac69F7G
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 733Please respect copyright.PENANAoJcTjL3kHz
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the733Please respect copyright.PENANAVHosskPl1r
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 733Please respect copyright.PENANAYsZaDW8Ot4
second.733Please respect copyright.PENANAQBPEiv9CyP
He733Please respect copyright.PENANAzZCc5qcICt
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 733Please respect copyright.PENANAT56SVqyoT5
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 733Please respect copyright.PENANATGxQA7D91w
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 733Please respect copyright.PENANAaV2lvnInRm
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 733Please respect copyright.PENANAHcR1kcxw8Y
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.733Please respect copyright.PENANA65zJKF9xNs
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 733Please respect copyright.PENANAY3LoBT0dZ5
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 733Please respect copyright.PENANAerLH7u5CRC
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAmHaQPZ4DBJ
"You're late, again."733Please respect copyright.PENANAApfykxYbXM
His733Please respect copyright.PENANAVZVnTMQua6
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 733Please respect copyright.PENANA4S8AgOvBr3
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 733Please respect copyright.PENANAfnzKVkStJl
lion door knob. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAlKUQUKI2Fg
He733Please respect copyright.PENANAcxLYgwScCw
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 733Please respect copyright.PENANA3r13keXooD
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAuZTM8R3UsM
"What733Please respect copyright.PENANAMREQxBAnJd
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 733Please respect copyright.PENANACDxDvY1atT
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAtE5zIG9paC
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."733Please respect copyright.PENANAccnQid7AYK
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.733Please respect copyright.PENANA3T5weNkCWh
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."733Please respect copyright.PENANATGuE9U2RqX
A733Please respect copyright.PENANAy7Xq9Ff6zx
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 733Please respect copyright.PENANAxYnH9eypzc
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 733Please respect copyright.PENANADFqGCB3GjY
as they had their backs towards the window.733Please respect copyright.PENANAz79zHaiPu3
"You know we need him," said the tall man.733Please respect copyright.PENANAknLzgQPk28
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."733Please respect copyright.PENANAlRp4o8mOxP
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."733Please respect copyright.PENANAqVLQk4OB1O
The733Please respect copyright.PENANA7qgEzUazOD
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 733Please respect copyright.PENANAuM0xd5vPzB
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 733Please respect copyright.PENANAitrBQMpXhh
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.733Please respect copyright.PENANAvP5A0QnvO2
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.733Please respect copyright.PENANAO0il9jNhSq
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.733Please respect copyright.PENANAScSIbyT74m
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."733Please respect copyright.PENANAlh2sUIF46n
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAITtNwyYRza
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.733Please respect copyright.PENANAXq8kq5h2LV
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."733Please respect copyright.PENANAgeXIwdtTeD
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."733Please respect copyright.PENANAhaFYmNZS9D
"What if she reveals the truth?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAtRRW9MeQFH
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."733Please respect copyright.PENANAxqjz8stkDF
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.733Please respect copyright.PENANAyAwAR4fQlP
For a moment, silence hung over them.733Please respect copyright.PENANAivfbWSSwNU
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."733Please respect copyright.PENANAReRJxQumk6
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."733Please respect copyright.PENANAB9qKoUSWCQ
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."733Please respect copyright.PENANAYlWl8QzLHY
"I733Please respect copyright.PENANA1FbsylTy36
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 733Please respect copyright.PENANANoa568AW3p
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 733Please respect copyright.PENANASiCj6gt47n
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."733Please respect copyright.PENANAKaOAtnDz0x
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.733Please respect copyright.PENANAhN6hWSpqGq
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.733Please respect copyright.PENANAGccXbcNLTy
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."733Please respect copyright.PENANAreSmbQ9O9d
***733Please respect copyright.PENANAvsGJDo12KX
The733Please respect copyright.PENANAiUvIxbAAuU
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 733Please respect copyright.PENANAxf6ZzzBcbT
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 733Please respect copyright.PENANAjkfznXTwza
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 733Please respect copyright.PENANAglKlSfeHyS
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time733Please respect copyright.PENANAuzDo2riByN
they met, they seemed sky blue.733Please respect copyright.PENANAR5FF3wzW1u
And733Please respect copyright.PENANA4I7TA0ICmT
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No733Please respect copyright.PENANAoyMdCKMIwI
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.733Please respect copyright.PENANAWpCcNAcUKa
Rhénee733Please respect copyright.PENANAhmZuQhPB8m
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 733Please respect copyright.PENANAAjhM6WZCoJ
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied733Please respect copyright.PENANAhqYLRy0huA
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 733Please respect copyright.PENANAEYk6Z0Pa6X
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 733Please respect copyright.PENANAFpG3Nuw90f
coffee table in the middle.733Please respect copyright.PENANAMAEJoB8sJr
When733Please respect copyright.PENANAu9PIDgFAXd
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 733Please respect copyright.PENANA2DML0MHctU
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.733Please respect copyright.PENANAxIYBQuzUL7
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.733Please respect copyright.PENANAoMLnOP8fxc
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.733Please respect copyright.PENANAJn4vZJN5PX
"Are you sure?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAG7tjVXvR7R
"Yes, I'm positive."733Please respect copyright.PENANAmrEsCAcZu9
Miss733Please respect copyright.PENANAhXUKwSOovC
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 733Please respect copyright.PENANAAc7Hy6vtQO
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 733Please respect copyright.PENANAUFR2EXh8iu
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips733Please respect copyright.PENANAFJN1a6BLGw
from their cups.733Please respect copyright.PENANAw4yTHmgREt
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.733Please respect copyright.PENANAx42ULxnqrG
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.733Please respect copyright.PENANAwS8NHH7ZuW
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"733Please respect copyright.PENANAC8MMoZZ3JN
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.733Please respect copyright.PENANAmu1UrqGjkm
"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.733Please respect copyright.PENANAFvgIY2gCmn
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."733Please respect copyright.PENANA2Hks6faz5C
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."733Please respect copyright.PENANAbJYwj7P2dN
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."733Please respect copyright.PENANAe3NefuZ25E
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.733Please respect copyright.PENANA1nArIqysC1
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."733Please respect copyright.PENANAiLFlXwhvf3
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.733Please respect copyright.PENANASIxtAVFTp4
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.733Please respect copyright.PENANA2JM741vLK0
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."733Please respect copyright.PENANAIkPSI3fTbW
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"733Please respect copyright.PENANACAEljjViwZ
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.733Please respect copyright.PENANAq5tpi3pgfz
"Oh,733Please respect copyright.PENANA1Eca91peVO
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted733Please respect copyright.PENANAz2ec7TNk4w
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 733Please respect copyright.PENANAPzx1Nfo2xN
who he is."733Please respect copyright.PENANAGUx8JOfOlQ
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."733Please respect copyright.PENANAPf3larsZhV
Rhénee733Please respect copyright.PENANAmRfPAnGXZY
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 733Please respect copyright.PENANAIUe5LbO8Gr
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want733Please respect copyright.PENANAcybmJQhng2
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 733Please respect copyright.PENANAyglEHLrO6p
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.733Please respect copyright.PENANAB9wEaNKgOu
Rhénee733Please respect copyright.PENANAz2NnIsSgNu
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 733Please respect copyright.PENANAV2iYxZtmX1
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.733Please respect copyright.PENANA1rAPojSJTG
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 733Please respect copyright.PENANAOkm0DkrLI9
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.733Please respect copyright.PENANAVZkHpelF6d
"Fine,733Please respect copyright.PENANA4urws2nvqP
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.733Please respect copyright.PENANAAkruX1gwHz
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 733Please respect copyright.PENANA7F6HjkxzCZ
or die if you stay by me."733Please respect copyright.PENANAbHxJ6SKfUr