The rays of the sun crept its way through the large glass doors of the ship, lighting up the room. There was confetti and paper cups all around, not to mention empty beer and wine bottles that littered the floor. An unlikely object sat in the middle of the messy dance floor: a wooden chair. Someone sat on it as he bathed in the sun's rays. He leaned back lazily as he took in the view of the sun rising to the east above the waters of the New York harbour. He had been busy the whole night and felt like he needed sleep. But the exciting feeling of everything going according to plan rushed through his bloodstream like adrenaline, keeping him awake.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdWLcjGaZv
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLMFjMHsU8
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dYAFoQoF7
He had his phone in hand, which lay flat on his outstretched left leg. He lifted the phone, but had still not received any reply from the person he had just texted. No bother; she must be tired like I am, Red Lion thought to himself.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUjp2zNXY8
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XNdGNUNyw
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIcJuGHQxR
As he continued to look on at the glittering blue waters, he heard a set of footsteps coming behind him, and he could tell who was approaching.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWSgHfX03I
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrFjTv0tck
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8mSG7Evcv
Carlos began to sing in Spanish, a common Mexican song, snapping his fingers. Red Lion recognized the song. He would’ve told Carlos any other day to shut his mouth, but there’s something about it that soothed him a little. Carlos might not have a good singing voice, but his voice was like honey to Red Lion’s ears.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6EWTW8xyD
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84giUPWMLZ
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OYoKSobS8
When Carlos and Hugo came close, Carlos took hold of Red Lion’s shoulders and shook him in an excited way, forcing Red Lion to dance side to side on his chair. The gesture made Red Lion smile. Soon enough, he tapped Carlos’ hand on his shoulder informing him to stop. Carlos did as instructed and approached the glass doors leading to the deck, still singing. Hugo remained by Red Lion’s side, shaking his head at his jolly comrade.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVUXAsZZ6r
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQkYR2DT6x
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU6UUrcCEp
"You threw quite a party last night," said Hugo, who’s deep voice was a bit groggy after drinking too much. It’s still a wonder to many, especially Red Lion, how he didn’t get so drunk and have a hangover the next day.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQrF0xfMR7
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2gFuOhdf0
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTPEef7Ngs
"Yes, I did," said Red Lion, feeling rather proud of himself. "Slowly but surely, I’ll get what I want."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHReXjydDx
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZUedRePBq
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXQk3vyWOt
"No doubt about it. But you've got to be careful, though. If Andre catches a whiff of what’s going on, it will be dreadful."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicnVUcbehW
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnn03PZfxx
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkHerxoCT8
"I’ve calculated the risks. And trust me, I plan not to fail."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfvixJiZxT
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qpSM1D901
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnesGOyQEPv
"What of Walters? What are you going to do with him?"306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GtKbITkGT
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1YmDKw2At
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGgnG71EIM
"I’ll forgive him for his little stunt last night. But when coming to other things, I’m starting to wonder whether to involve him or not."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdlDewUoTe
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NcKry8lR0
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPajbPEjo1
Hugo raised an eyebrow as he looked down at Red Lion. "You do know he’s already fishy about you since you didn’t tell him the full details of your plan."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxifYExGUh
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhotz6LbyWk
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FxuJzhuOI
"Yeah, I know. But I did tell Alex, though."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MS6Rfuw0v
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmNLFhLIAh
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxhfHKsoDZ
With the continuous singing of Carlos on the deck, Hugo paid him less attention as his facial expression turned into a grave one.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8tWYMQ5RU
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMRluN5PHm
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZmHQnkIhb
"You told him? Why?" Hugo asked.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SUOpbILxK
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKw0dapTS8
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uL7GBgIox
"Alex is useful," Red Lion answered as he looked up at Hugo with a smile. "And I happen to like him. He is a real hard worker, as he has proved in the last couple of days."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Vlv3zcK2d
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkt53cBMz6
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9drV5Zc0P
"Don’t tell me you plan to involve him all the way? Walters isn’t going to like it. You know how he opposed you bringing Carly on board."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5ddpUdiCE
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yrDBgo2g5
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyHxMa7CoN
"I know. But look at what the two have done so far. With those two following along with my plans, I don’t see it going wrong."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9OgOeIda4
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyAuxI37Jq
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTKPY58JlU
"Really? Aren’t you forgetting that there are always minor setbacks?"306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DviMEKPpr
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQFSOW9iBj
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvr5rVRAYc
"For example, Walters, yes. But I know how to handle him. Don’t worry," Red Lion noticed the look Hugo gave him. "He’s as stubborn as an ox, and he doesn’t trust me in some areas."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYwZjL0G7r
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrPDxQoqaO
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQIKHKvkRT
"If I were you, I would act fast on him."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DcESNIqg7
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtS2W7e3iHx
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXB1Z7Nfzkm
Red Lion gave a nod. "True. But he’s very vital to me, especially with dealings at the club. He won’t be easy to get rid of just yet."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3occg8N9Os
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV4PQcmfhy
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZifXC2938
"I trust you to make the right decisions, then."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvd4t2y5Ok
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdHSZSdYGO
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv24OD0MhEm
Red Lion laughed, his laugh echoing alongside Carlos' singing. "Have I ever made the wrong one that would put us all at risk?" He stood up from his seat and patted his hand on Hugo’s shoulder. "With me, Hugo, our organization will be an unstoppable force. I can promise you that."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAMI0TWnhe
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGNnOUHXyh
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbH4JAmPkVW
Red Lion turned to Carlos, singing with his arms wide on the deck. Red Lion joined in the singing and went over to his comrade on the deck. Hugo shook his head with a smile on his face and followed Red Lion. When Red Lion went onto the deck, Carlos turned to look at him and, with an outstretched arm, wrapped it around Red Lion's shoulders. The two continued to sing, while facing the sun, about the glorious days ahead.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KvSvFtvP6
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE06nfkJknQ
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOuP0GG8yg
***306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSolmK26dB
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOSEII95Po
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYyEfiM8gE
"Morning, how are you?"306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpr1VRSdmKr
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleYJYbEEeb
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0lWfvQGKs
It’s been almost an hour since Leo sent Carly that text message, which she still hasn’t responded to. He had been staring down at the message for almost two minutes until he told himself to put the phone down and get to work. He did so with almost great difficulty, telling himself that Carly was probably tired and still fast asleep.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqKVFrp0df
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgGe91n1NJ
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXywWabWrg
When he put his phone aside, he went to look at his computer. There were a bunch of emails, some of them from his colleagues which contained reports on their latest construction projects in New York that he needed to go through. That almost made Leo’s brain want to burst into flames. He knew it was only early working hours, but he already felt like he had worked for too long. There was no need to put himself under unnecessary pressure, as he opened up to read one email that didn’t involve any of the construction reports. As soon as he settled his mind to read, his landline on his desk started to ring. He quickly grabbed the receiver, drawing it closer to his ear.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZ4Kb5EjQT
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiWD1EHSmo
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp84XPdQa2A
"Yes?"306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkw2naT4OSn
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPek02QfXxy
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCCo9hKJC3
"Please come over to my office, Leo," said Mr. McDonell. And with that, the line cut.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kFFyhYsXB
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqDDwGzVtG
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49P1G5IWUI
Leo wondered what his summoning could be all about. He sounded a little serious. Could something have happened? The only way to find out is if he goes there.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLfMQpeQkt
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SMVfrZMSi
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlyncEDT0F
He left the office, telling his secretary where he would be in case anyone called. As he made his way to his father’s office, he couldn’t help but feel a little anxious. He had to tell himself not to think too much or else he might end up having a heart attack.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zISbuztzL
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1kLugNbnm
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfk2iuIxyJd
Just as he had clear view of the door leading to his father’s office, he found Eric making his way there. Leo raised an eyebrow. Eric has also been summoned?306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwV7ENStMO
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuDNQdooin
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHhGw1oJgN
As though sensing that Leo was behind him, Eric turned to look in Leo’s direction and smiled. Leo wished he could have Eric’s optimism at this point in time. Because he had none.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaynstXMj7w
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhBNofYgbC
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXC6gnBN0Hq
"You’ve been summoned too?" Eric asked when Leo got close.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdRyJVb4Hf
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs72jUEVSIU
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQiq6S6w6u
"Yeah," Leo answered. "And I have no idea why. Do you?"306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwB9tTjzfM
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklqEbPN33z
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvxXKgvRBv
The corner of Eric’s lips were lifted into a smile. "I might have a guess," he said.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGKPIzoizk
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZ8zjiY7im
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAXzM5fDiM
"Which is?" Leo folded his arms.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvofFkVuQG
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjiB1o9xvL
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl9YQbEwGz
"You’ll know soon enough. Let’s go in. We don’t want to keep him waiting."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LnGPG3NrQ
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh0TXFGRqa
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7fYdz9GTm
Leo watched Eric as he led the way to the door, greeting Mr. McDonell’s secretary. Leo gave her a nod and she smiled at him kindly. Eric knocked on the door and Mr. McDonell from inside told them to come in.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhi1OlvIGBI
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi0QgM7ztR
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRPiO7xoBp
The first thing Leo’s eyes fell upon when Eric opened the door, were the two chairs that faced his father’s desk which were occupied. Mrs. Lance sat on one chair while Angel sat on the other. Upon seeing Angel, he couldn’t help but worry why she was there.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFuQNxOn1C
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkpWmmm4Xg
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9eTU275gI
"Morning, Mrs. Lance," Eric greeted.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjgOoG3Ozr
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aD8KpKxOd
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkLvcfHMay
"Morning to you too," Mrs. Lance replied. "Hey, Leo. Are you good?"306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqX9FaaEVg
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiAI6lWEbA
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQY5fidvSxn
"I’m good, thanks," Leo replied.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfeYAe4JAP
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEllfDQrcuu
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtaBUY0jev
"So, let’s cut to the chase," said Mr. McDonell who sat behind his desk. Leo and Eric sat down on the comfortable black sofas behind the two ladies. "As you all know we have an important meeting with the Chinese. We know that Leo and Eric have been making preparations, but I would like Mrs. Lance and Angel to be on board."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXCvZjH6cS
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eVsORT5dl
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYH05FA42D
Leo felt his throat run dry so suddenly. Angel will help with the preparations? His father really didn’t mean to include more people. He and Eric have done this together several times. Including people now felt so foreign to Leo.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4kkDs3kC2
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkJC0nmFq1
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTotz2R80Fk
"That will be great," said Eric.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiRjrzh2wo
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF5rA6aSww
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZxCtQOxdD
Leo felt like giving Eric a poke with his elbow to tell him to keep quiet. But there was no hiding his enthusiasm and that irritated him the most, especially since he knew his cousin is only excited because Angel is in the fray. No wonder he was so excited before, Leo thought to himself. Did Eric know about this?306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGwfeGNbiS
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSSuoxiT8F
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2C8BqkY38
"When will the meeting be?" Angel asked.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40WVUEwodF
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LEO5gm3IZ
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezdxCdJ5kV
"This week on a Friday," said Mr. McDonell. "Eric, Leo, how far with the preparations?"306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI73az9ON05
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIy5wBLlYqy
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfbM9DbdYF
"There is a slight issue with the venue though," Eric answered. "We had many options, but we hadn’t decided on the place most suitable."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoM0y9U4ky8
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7Npmzm9K0
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGlGI0hE8M
"Well, then it’s a good thing I asked these women to join us," said Mr. McDonell. "They might help since we don’t have enough time on our hands."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjEiPc5SLj
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGM7RciUMwP
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv47g7MnKu
Leo raised an eyebrow. It’s true that Eric, and he had struggled a little on this last assignment, but there was a hotel that was ready to help host their meeting, and they were meant to visit the place this afternoon. Now he had a feeling he might be heading over there with Angel tagging along.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFRzTUNq2y
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvty61ljjhD
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLexrGyqQ4n
"We have a place in mind," Leo found himself saying. "So there is no need for the ladies to be bothered about this."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAovGY07pL
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzIkrlv9MN
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88xvGlpzrX
"Look at you being so macho," said Mrs. Lance, turning to look at Leo. "You need a woman’s touch when it comes to such things. Your mother might have been helping you out sometimes, but she isn’t here to do so. So don’t be so egoistic and let us help."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMhvzygfXV
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNjvoyxXbK
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7hMUpROje
"I couldn’t have put it in any other way," said Mr. McDonell, looking satisfied. "Let’s get this done quickly. Eric, Leo, you will tag Mrs. Lance and Angel along with you today."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6bvnZwUth
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0jz0EF5bR
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrgNxOdjWg
"Alright, we will leave in the afternoon soon after lunch," said Eric.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO63VPtbCVH
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0W2nrz5mu
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwnmFOEtdq
"Sounds good," said Mrs. Lance. "Will that be all?" she asked as she turned to Mr. McDonell.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl094IITDBX
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GTEy617f4
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOiZRWKESq
"Yes," said Mr. McDonell. "Thank you all for coming."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWrVnSySUf
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPfmhW9R7t
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlN7P47s0d
Everyone else all stood up from their seats. The two ladies made their way to the door first, but Eric was quick enough to reach it before them to open it. Mrs. Lance thanked Eric for being such a gentleman and Angel also thanked him. Eric and Leo were the last to leave.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFTNJQ7tSJ
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlzkcqhfAj
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM46z0sVhJg
"Isn’t this exciting?" Eric asked when they were out of earshot from Angel and Mrs. Lance. "Those two ladies get to help us out."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VTba22RNh
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91lVPWAJZv
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgNxr8Scse
"I know you only mean Angel," said Leo, feeling irritated.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsWo7QNavz
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2KPOakwzB
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1ZazzuH4L
"Well, you know me so well." Eric beamed with a smile that Leo felt blinded his eyes.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3fvBvkBP4
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7XA0haxbp
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cxiaQDpg8
"Whatever, this is getting annoying. Why did my father pick Angel when anyone else would’ve helped out?"306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLLiE6x63Y
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguW2ia4CHb
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIUWhVT3rj
"To gain experience I think. Besides, it’s great to take on assignments outside the office."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jfYbZnbIe
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds0yYa1YKv
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCQ20fVepD
"Yeah, I guess. Hey, did you happen to know about this?"306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAZrGpzfox
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNNvkH7bQE
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv9tisHJd6
Eric smiled as he answered, "no." Leo sucked his teeth.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRyItYWLeg
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwFsaOvPEf
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJV5eFSaNg
Ahead of them, Mrs. Lance took a detour to her office, while Angel was making her to the work area when she met Derrick coming in her direction.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWQlzLkba9
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLuH0d66rv
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8O7DGKLl2
"Morning," he greeted.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHDaTaEOdu
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWH5vnVEnv
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NMDMitwVs
"Good morning, Derrick," Angel greeted.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPS5aH81i0x
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymRynodaSZ
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2KUjryS83
"I didn’t see you at your desk when I passed by. I thought you weren’t going to be in today."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjnNQpXoMF
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2APqng5m6
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7mE3wcy8M
Angel chuckled. "It’s my second day here. I don’t think I have the right to be dodging work when I feel like it."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYb29p6dSHM
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nZAwMpz7u
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAq5hY31Ba
"Well, you are close to the McDonells, aren’t you? I thought you might have the privilege."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWs2fGJE9m
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxNBWVjFDB
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqE75oxy6Ze
Angel raised her eyebrows. "I’m just here because I have the qualifications to take on the job. I’m not here for fun."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmz9S7XMQxW
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWMFPFichq
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHFDD5CZPS
Derrick knew he almost struck a nerve there. But for some reason, Angel didn’t seem to lash out like he had expected, and she seemed calm.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyM56CujDob
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5COrd1S5LZ
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCH81WJU1Oy
"Sorry about that," he apologized. "You’re right. I can tell that you’re only here for work and not to impress anyone."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmBY1bzoBw
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOzrJ9VA9F
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyddQubqst
Leo and Eric continued to stand from a distance. They had noticed Derrick from the beginning and had stood to watch the pair as they spoke. And for some reason, they both felt really uncomfortable.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BzgkYs9fB
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFKbsMIgm0
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SBMNb7aw7
"What could they be talking about?" Eric asked, his eyes never leaving the two.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnPvq7PB4i
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2FtzySYcx
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuI5pCSqQu
"Who cares?" Leo replied as he tried his very best to look away, but couldn’t.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuhKDyTXAF
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtzCxj620R
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN57YVV8kxo
"I hope he isn’t asking her out or anything. He will not like me."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClUM6vNKyI
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBY3GcaCxq
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcuwup3UEf
"If you hadn’t noticed, Eric, Angel still has many eyes on her. I won’t be surprised if she has a long line of suitors."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNokaRRTsja
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3b3vhY8cqD
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKk8qIhMsI
Eric sucked his teeth. "You’re probably right. But she doesn’t seem interested in the guy."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdG81FJnv8w
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuXUQU1Ul1
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpeVLAer2Q
"So, are you busy this afternoon?" Derrick asked.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nw0QaOYtJ
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gPUOIVQep
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYj0JRhyT3
"Yeah, I am," said Angel as she took a strand of her by her fingers and twirled them. "I’ve been given an assignment by the boss, and I need to be somewhere away from the office."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EHB5shxbB
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkg4RTqViQO
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lBDlddItS
"Oh, I see. I was thinking, since a lot of us aren’t so busy, maybe you would like to hang out?"306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMhXNZuFgy
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dtCSDDKJU
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0agq2gmA2
Angel smiled. "When there will be time, I’ll keep you informed. I still haven’t forgotten about our lunch."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyQ3YKjy3t
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo8TNgDwKR
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHo4AlW9bQ
"Oh, really?" Derrick asked as he nervously blushed, scratching the back of his head. He found himself wanting to hit himself in the face. You should stop acting so weird, he told himself.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobPDkp3LjC
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqxPc7ho61
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPghT3JDnF
"Oh, my goodness, is the guy blushing?" Eric asked as he noticed Derrick’s body language.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBQEtU5Fbn
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTua8WUKe0S
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDmLI0ykWC
"Hey, Eric, we better get going," Leo warned. "You don’t want to stir up trouble."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkuzrrpMBA
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uGasZyDmU
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pnQBumBij
It surprised Leo that he had suddenly said that. His cousin was obviously jealous, but who knows? Maybe the two were having a friendly chat, and Eric was thinking otherwise when he didn’t even know what they were talking about. Why did he think like that again? It’s not like Leo to think of other alternatives, especially to the situation at hand. But that’s not what worried him. Leo had never seen Eric so worked up. There are times when he might be joking around, but this time it was different. Angel was the problem.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVTPBnB75f
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCVNgXatin
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdycUBR3aIz
"Yeah, I haven’t forgotten," said Angel. "Just make sure that we have that lunch."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnciZ2ZDJyH
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7WVw3gN6A
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQDdxv845W
"Alright," said Derrick with a pleased look on his face. "I better not be holding you back from your work. I’ll be going now."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNs0xbHefQ6
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtqJQ7i4lW
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtmSsoHvx5
"Okay, see you later." Angel smiled and went on her way.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWyoZVuso2
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBomqBbC7r
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OJdKKspf3
"Look, she is leaving," Eric whispered to Leo. Derrick was coming in their direction. "Quick, act natural."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pGCbYuIxX
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GeZ28Aa0T
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5meev5XuP0
"What? No, I won’t," said Leo.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ819N1VVaWn
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhS9f9knfq
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UBPyfA5Jf
It was a little too late for that, as Derrick drew close, and the two quickly got into some conversation involving sports. Derrick paid them no attention as he quickly passed them to head down the hall which Mrs. Lance had taken as that was where the architecture department was. When he was out of sight, Leo and Eric drew out a sigh of relief.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMOIWtmaK5
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyO7oL0nsH
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo51DqyqKj1
"This is ridiculous," said Leo, rolling his eyes. "We should never do this again."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yX2Al8QgH
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbJm4aBr5M
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQvtRnPO3P
Leo started his way down the hall, which Angel took, and Eric quickly followed him.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOQ9G1zfhb
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9RIYQXPOe
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq5EdeAD9c
"Oh, I’m sorry," said Eric sarcastically. "But it’s not my fault that he was talking to Angel."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXCmt99kXa
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywGtqufq3h
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l4boS8qmQ
"Please, you never see me acting like that with Carly," said Leo, making sure to keep his voice down.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDXFeWLOoF
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKY5YHUa7vo
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsq1b9ebPU
"That’s because you don’t visit her college. Trust me, she probably talks to many guys."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRc73NjafkQ
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPaYO4WNvS
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HorglZc6C
"But she loves me, though. So I’m not worried."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4WDV40ec1
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzugZlDc9xj
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUcwMdi6Ly
"Well, your relationship with her is already set in stone. I have to fight to get what I want."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRfOGJ6uRj
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbx8YizjjD1
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvvenugK2I
"Hard luck, pal. There are a lot of men, as you see, who want her hand."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQYexLiE5p
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWk2aykrVs
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVSU0OYJt2
"Tell me about it. I've got to stand above everyone else if it comes down to it."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36Gh0n8nqT
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfUMNGuxvU
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2j9lDuek0X
"You think too much. If Angel is smart, she’ll definitely go for you."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3i7Ee5Ejly
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbIydU9ZVC
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqf392sgNLI
"Angel is smart. I just haven’t told her how I deeply feel yet."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0CQxnRZxP
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89xvcyY5CO
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9go288pO8M
Leo stopped walking, and Eric did the same. "The sooner you tell her, the better. I don’t want to clean after you when you see her with someone else."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MDFiBk7GU
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDlHGF74Mn
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFHqvJiDBh
"Oh, I will. And something tells me she knows."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWENXa7jJf
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZyl2O6WMp
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILvG5dAM1P
"How? Did she say something to you?"306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3axUq7zUCl
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7e3NvEI0G
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qDyQ68H2L
"No. I have a hunch," said Eric with a smile on his face.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWt3PINaruw
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tWUDqfXD0
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZpYpmk6lt
Eric had reached his office, and he made sure to give Leo a playful wave of his hand before disappearing behind his door. Leo rolled his eyes. His cousin was very much in love. And for some reason, he didn’t approve that it had to be Angel he fell for.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPKzaYObN2
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4r0nipH3m
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlgHW8rR2R
Leo continued his way to his office when he noticed Angel, who had finally approached her work station, talking to a colleague who was holding a stack of folders. They were talking and laughing too. She seems to have settled into the company already, he thought to himself. He rolled his eyes. Before he could continue on his way, memories of last night came flooding into his mind. That made him rush to his office so that he wouldn’t get a chance to look at her.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquJJoRiP6h
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8ZfP9PX4x
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ197e4iPvxp
***306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlGQzO8xEm
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLz3pWqdrwO
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgu5pdhQM3f
"Well, you’re up early, boss. Did you get any sleep at all?"306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIWyeWGSGd
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4OLzQZhMD
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iKosMYq72
Andre was looking out of the balcony wearing a red silk bathrobe with a cigar in one hand and a glass of whisky in the other. He turned around to see his trusted comrade stand in the middle of his suite. In stature, he was much bigger than Andre, and he wore a black jacket and trousers. Not to mention that he had a bald head.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsKlgDXNmB
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q07oU8Ege
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYmXMCpWBE
Andre walked back into the room in white hotel bed slippers. He drew in the smoke of his cigar and later exhaled.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiwrIlvUwX
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGLPdntv4v
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hcd0DygsX
"No, I couldn’t sleep," answered Andre. "That party last night was a blast."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8PBgHLIpR
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4mpRA97gP
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArYWa45OQR
His comrade looked at Andre with a smile before turning to look at the bed. "Didn't you sleep with anyone last night?" he asked. "What happened to the Rosales sisters?"306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZG4uvDiah
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclD5zO9UiI
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRsPPIBddD
"It wasn’t necessary," said Andre. "I told them that I wouldn’t be needing them for a while. I needed to be alone."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjzOOiNEwe
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8KBrYpsCP
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJEHycvLHY
"Is it because of that woman you met last night?"306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8OEoMRNXo
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqYPYf2vpy
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmjfF6yzhg
Andre chuckled as he took a sip of his whisky. "Maybe."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NaRlX4zPf
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ7lAusIro
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0HcGz0pGw
"You can’t hide from me, Andre. That look on your face says that you’ve been thinking about her since we left the party."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIdcGdzh6C
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpI4ZZhAm3
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pyDFDPN6l
"And what are you going to do about it?"306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OwqtJ1bap
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmwoZR08rR
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqmqeZ4a3z
His comrade sighs. "Nothing. You somehow always manage to get what you want. But take it slow if you ever decide to meet her again. Your past relationships haven’t been so rosy, and some of your exes always find themselves buried six feet under."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsnymDCgdT
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMc8DonxSK2
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3q4nBfAIjp
"Wow, Diego." Andre raised an eyebrow. "I’m not that cruel, am I? All I did was make their lives miserable because some of them either betrayed me or something."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYi268ITuqc
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iUScfe73l
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIjdNyEYFC
"Which led to some committing suicide." Diego, in return, raised an eyebrow.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2EuoPtdNq
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYC6fBxdvP
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMkbIKrLJm
"Whatever." Andre went over to sit at the foot of his bed. "This girl feels different, though."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshDKOI12tn
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMr3cpGea2
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNuTRI5j8d
"Isn’t that what you say about every other girl?"306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFUQs6hb1e
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrovDauD5nT
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ4tnUSQYb
"No, I don’t. Don’t try and confuse me, Diego."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oTnmdvpRO
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtlxWoZdr0
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozQBn8RwzH
Diego smiled. "Just testing your sharpness. You should really stop drinking whisky and smoking so early before having breakfast. If your mother saw you, she would kill me."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKpbiocvjz
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkpmtawSo8
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzS02XvtXB1
"That’s the whole idea," said Andre with a wicked smile as he took a sip of his whisky.306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjYUx6y5Oj
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5JAD30GiA
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cF3mGIjsi
"Ha, ha, very funny," said Diego, not looking impressed. "When do you plan on going back?"306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r65LJ10Mw
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMiubG0w2F
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSwMMpwFuW
"Today," Andre answered. "I would’ve liked to see Loren again, but I have a feeling Red Lion will be a little protective of her. Like you said, it’s best to keep things slow for now."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY2rlfaXpn
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kpWtn8NYs
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoCCfUOlyr
"But you do have her number, right?"306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtbepOWUUO
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabTo31iaqA
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HX5W5ybvW
"Yes, I do. But in a few days after the business in Mexico is done, I will be back here in New York, just for her."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzASQ1Mds5Z
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeONABvAVBO
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WoCtWGJkK
"Acting like a true romantic, I can only imagine how you’re going to spoil her. I’m going to make a call to the others about our departure. We’ll leave whenever you’re ready."306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGhRZdwknf
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uUpDRyWGi
306Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU1ziGitf9
Diego made his way out of the room, and as he closed the door behind him, Andre quickly gulped down the whisky and tossed the empty glass on the bed. He leaned back and fell onto the bed. He put the cigar in his mouth and puffed up the smoke through his nose and mouth. As he stared at the cloud of smoke above him, he thought he saw an image of Loren’s face smiling down at him.
Penana
search
Loginarrow_drop_down
Registerarrow_drop_down
