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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqccuIAd3Hv
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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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzH4YHwpSF
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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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqG9E8D0Cy
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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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE4DMIPBHp
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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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrP95rpdc7
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"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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnK2iKWnGY
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"Yes, I did," said Red Lion, feeling rather proud of himself. "Slowly but surely, I’ll get what I want."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFj7eSxDKfL
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"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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMTHFCYfDA
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"I’ve calculated the risks. And trust me, I plan not to fail."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjz0l3y8Jx0
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"What of Walters? What are you going to do with him?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhbmWmxee1
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"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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC39u2t7DOr
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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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOddF0HjRyL
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"Yeah, I know. But I did tell Alex, though."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6abQjuOfh5
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With the continuous singing of Carlos on the deck, Hugo paid him less attention as his facial expression turned into a grave one.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS3BmoUBG8
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"You told him? Why?" Hugo asked.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1O936B0ZXO
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"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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZNS7VkRig
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"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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6e7Delkkt
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"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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6m0VbsVnW
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"Really? Aren’t you forgetting that there are always minor setbacks?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixU9d3Vphw
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"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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1R8qThSNT
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"If I were you, I would act fast on him."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGV50WSsvA
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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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisK89oR4jy
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"I trust you to make the right decisions, then."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFUBW4Wpba
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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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduiwpHqeRI
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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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUkAkkqQD3
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***369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPefmKhtbCx
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"Morning, how are you?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4S2OBuQx2A
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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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDIgmDi0jp
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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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzZrCjG7oi
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"Yes?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDGvUliioq
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"Please come over to my office, Leo," said Mr. McDonell. And with that, the line cut.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9g4NoPQlrh
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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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfJrlUuVjl
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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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8eMrXP6bg
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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?369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrJ6xG8vLR
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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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSCpUnpGeT
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"You’ve been summoned too?" Eric asked when Leo got close.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtirVNirJvq
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"Yeah," Leo answered. "And I have no idea why. Do you?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrInX9oMqZ
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The corner of Eric’s lips were lifted into a smile. "I might have a guess," he said.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ519mAFvdzQ
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"Which is?" Leo folded his arms.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAYTFv1YrT
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"You’ll know soon enough. Let’s go in. We don’t want to keep him waiting."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrGhq5jG27
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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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwciW96Ze5
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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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVDyihEdhQ
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"Morning, Mrs. Lance," Eric greeted.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTBRuHG6z3
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"Morning to you too," Mrs. Lance replied. "Hey, Leo. Are you good?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbRpoXfBw3
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"I’m good, thanks," Leo replied.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I2xlUA8hQ
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"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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTC8HflsOEC
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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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxIhg4K8uD
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"That will be great," said Eric.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39muJh4xpP
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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?369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMtCTWObj7
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"When will the meeting be?" Angel asked.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5w2BrdBbl
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"This week on a Friday," said Mr. McDonell. "Eric, Leo, how far with the preparations?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi02RjRKH8F
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"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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzQQN0dfHV
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"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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMpzPxKl1P
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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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkr22EQ7i1
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"We have a place in mind," Leo found himself saying. "So there is no need for the ladies to be bothered about this."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRQcnBJ2XE
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"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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TUkPlx4hQ
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"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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbE4Sk5WDf
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"Alright, we will leave in the afternoon soon after lunch," said Eric.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlmDfz0Nx0
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"Sounds good," said Mrs. Lance. "Will that be all?" she asked as she turned to Mr. McDonell.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTSldJeZhM
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"Yes," said Mr. McDonell. "Thank you all for coming."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4oyvJh9TW
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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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gbZb9QelZ
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"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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0bRXRNJoP
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"I know you only mean Angel," said Leo, feeling irritated.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LHUuqDiHc
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"Well, you know me so well." Eric beamed with a smile that Leo felt blinded his eyes.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTe8xcv3iEt
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"Whatever, this is getting annoying. Why did my father pick Angel when anyone else would’ve helped out?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3S7JTpY6V
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"To gain experience I think. Besides, it’s great to take on assignments outside the office."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mfrFysucW
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"Yeah, I guess. Hey, did you happen to know about this?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZq2uL3Ryx
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Eric smiled as he answered, "no." Leo sucked his teeth.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6n7bVrW0Y
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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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAuEwVaSn4
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"Morning," he greeted.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdko7twFaWt
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"Good morning, Derrick," Angel greeted.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ837vtzyGJU
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"I didn’t see you at your desk when I passed by. I thought you weren’t going to be in today."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfnVBCouIF
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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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKii4IvbUbf
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"Well, you are close to the McDonells, aren’t you? I thought you might have the privilege."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWKCC5isLA
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Angel raised her eyebrows. "I’m just here because I have the qualifications to take on the job. I’m not here for fun."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nCHQNU0kz
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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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Qxz9KwaQP
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"Sorry about that," he apologized. "You’re right. I can tell that you’re only here for work and not to impress anyone."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkImwPEVyH1
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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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zvPsobdG3
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"What could they be talking about?" Eric asked, his eyes never leaving the two.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1Zwca4lmJ
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"Who cares?" Leo replied as he tried his very best to look away, but couldn’t.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYv6ZaPPCDA
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"I hope he isn’t asking her out or anything. He will not like me."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b5Bqnahz0
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"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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKLl4eQCSA
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Eric sucked his teeth. "You’re probably right. But she doesn’t seem interested in the guy."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVlsahp4IF
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"So, are you busy this afternoon?" Derrick asked.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNWr3pbg6F
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"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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSTspkOud3
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"Oh, I see. I was thinking, since a lot of us aren’t so busy, maybe you would like to hang out?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEsIs0SHLA
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Angel smiled. "When there will be time, I’ll keep you informed. I still haven’t forgotten about our lunch."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cOYBEheKE
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"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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL3a4JmMH4
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"Oh, my goodness, is the guy blushing?" Eric asked as he noticed Derrick’s body language.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaVJX9Cocg
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"Hey, Eric, we better get going," Leo warned. "You don’t want to stir up trouble."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPRa2adZdE
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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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uur1AL2MN
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"Yeah, I haven’t forgotten," said Angel. "Just make sure that we have that lunch."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAoPbDj5B2
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"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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HpDx1Xsfp
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"Okay, see you later." Angel smiled and went on her way.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8kjXznqiu
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"Look, she is leaving," Eric whispered to Leo. Derrick was coming in their direction. "Quick, act natural."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oiyLkud0y
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"What? No, I won’t," said Leo.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomQMC3kekQ
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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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmILmNNYx4Y
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"This is ridiculous," said Leo, rolling his eyes. "We should never do this again."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMTX5HTbon
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Leo started his way down the hall, which Angel took, and Eric quickly followed him.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZC6d4y7Z0
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"Oh, I’m sorry," said Eric sarcastically. "But it’s not my fault that he was talking to Angel."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipbgPSBBNb
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"Please, you never see me acting like that with Carly," said Leo, making sure to keep his voice down.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJiOUAaf5O
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"That’s because you don’t visit her college. Trust me, she probably talks to many guys."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmQui6DrHC
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"But she loves me, though. So I’m not worried."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSbyG4SHdd
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"Well, your relationship with her is already set in stone. I have to fight to get what I want."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3MQ9gzglS
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"Hard luck, pal. There are a lot of men, as you see, who want her hand."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HVxcg8ie0
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"Tell me about it. I've got to stand above everyone else if it comes down to it."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8gWQwzoes
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"You think too much. If Angel is smart, she’ll definitely go for you."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JLvtKX5qj
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"Angel is smart. I just haven’t told her how I deeply feel yet."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeoNW70n4I
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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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNOakFYtaI
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"Oh, I will. And something tells me she knows."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgymPio39z
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"How? Did she say something to you?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkSOMnA8sc
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"No. I have a hunch," said Eric with a smile on his face.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxN5GoDXXU
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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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJMdUXkFRJ
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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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Tp6BPOAo0
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***369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgX0zgDC0LB
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"Well, you’re up early, boss. Did you get any sleep at all?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftZDBBLWMy
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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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYU2lMQk79
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Andre walked back into the room in white hotel bed slippers. He drew in the smoke of his cigar and later exhaled.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcmfe17h0A
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"No, I couldn’t sleep," answered Andre. "That party last night was a blast."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fBFDs7sXt
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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?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYx9pKRfRw2
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"It wasn’t necessary," said Andre. "I told them that I wouldn’t be needing them for a while. I needed to be alone."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5ZR5BRNjc
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"Is it because of that woman you met last night?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEXRD3D2xo
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Andre chuckled as he took a sip of his whisky. "Maybe."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBolk7kJBSo
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"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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosZVyBp7Ku
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"And what are you going to do about it?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikmJfmelM9
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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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsImXfFCLY
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"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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCcwG8CJI3
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"Which led to some committing suicide." Diego, in return, raised an eyebrow.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuDajC7YS3
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"Whatever." Andre went over to sit at the foot of his bed. "This girl feels different, though."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlM7ko2uaM
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"Isn’t that what you say about every other girl?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpntIMgkgsO
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"No, I don’t. Don’t try and confuse me, Diego."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xKv3ZAaO8
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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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JLrkeGLhQ
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"That’s the whole idea," said Andre with a wicked smile as he took a sip of his whisky.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexay9ucEGR
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"Ha, ha, very funny," said Diego, not looking impressed. "When do you plan on going back?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaUEATeVqa
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"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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ4XSjBjm5
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"But you do have her number, right?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoZsyw7JB3
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"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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6r6954i5z
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"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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzFcIFhtLT
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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.
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