The tapping of his fingers onto the desk must have gone on for quiet a while. It was close to lunch time and Leo didn't seem to notice the time.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sogWyNoHP
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡax6HiznKfB
A knock came at the door, and Leo didn't seem to hear it at first, til it became louder. He jerked in his seat and sat up like he had just woken up from a dream.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxSMEJ651D
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaaoCo4ttv
"Hello, Mr. McDonell?" came a female voice behind the door. "Are you in there?"
"Damn it," Leo muttered quietly to himself. "You can come in, Grace."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaQCCAA8QK
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2eCKpo4IT
The door flew open and a young short lady with blonde hair, tied in a bun and glasses over her blue eyes, came into the room. She wore a white blouse with a black skirt and matching black high heeled shoes that made her look a bit taller. She had a blue file in her hand.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlUXyjy9E9
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpxApZxwZZ
"Yes, Grace, how may I help you?" Leo asked as he rubbed his eyes.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48M7lq1JTi
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclmqjlJskk
"Were you asleep, sir?" Grace asked as she slowly approached his desk.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTFo1DkcW9
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v9nLeDC4q
"No, not really." Leo looked around his desk as though he was looking for something, then he went on to look at Grace.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGIKbxaW8O
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6nqEzipkl
"I was just asking because you weren't answering the door and your secretary assured me that you were still in your office."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblC9SPkzWY
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sAfR4v9XA
"Is she still at her desk?"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1S7AHSa6l
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdHU5XEA6j
"I saw her heading out for lunch." Grace looked carefully at Leo. "You do know what time it is, right?"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU6hXhJyKs
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSkKsBkQRP
Leo tried not to look surprised as he stared at the silver round clock seated on his desk beside his computer. He completely lost track of time that he felt like muttering to himself of how much of an idiot he was.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBMTlgiZda
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzgZscwZ2S
"I simply lost track of time," he humbly admitted as he looked back at Grace, trying to keep his cool. He sometimes lost his temper in front of his colleagues. But today, he felt like it wasn't necessary.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgMPzL7F90
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsDCPo8hXb
"You look tired. Are you okay?"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZCmP5tbc6
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRvGDEuxtY
"I'm fine. Just had a few things on my mind, that's all."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NqrXHYVUt
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRAumnwQMe
"You should go out for fresh air. It looks like you need it."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq33PYL55JL
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5A6xoIRxax
Leo wanted to smile at the kind suggestion, but the thought of Angel working with him made his mind go dark and gloomy again.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgGuIUbBsZ
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDq8TDnkkzK
He soon stood up from his seat and Grace took a step back, thinking that she might have struck a nerve.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TbULvOcAg
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3ONdwzro2
"I'll try," Leo said as he picked up his phone on the table. "Though going out for fresh air really isn't my cup of tea."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLdLbq039X
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT59x6xZW69
Grace smiled at him as she relaxed. "You will enjoy it, sir. Before you go, your father isn't back yet and I needed him to sign this document."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzTMCa0Ob9
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZM2x6VgCZ
"Huh?" Leo raised his eyebrow. "My father isn't back yet?"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBllD00QIkD
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqKiH3zc8v
"No." Grace shook her head. "So, I called him and he told me to give it to you to sign it."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWc8ppGbNa3
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5ENmdXV8y
Leo stretched out his hand and Grace, likewise, gave him the file. He quickly opened the file and skimmed through the document. After familiarising himself with it, he put the file on the table, took the pen and signed it. He straightened up and gave the file back to Grace.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPapYVqVJK
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAZwh1NNR5
"Thank you, sir," said Grace as she quickly walked out of the office, closing the door behind her.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADlaZ8yZEh
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7FbK9JBYE
Leo couldn't help but wonder how he's father had not yet returned to the office. It was so unlike him.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJoAVZHV3z
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyRTWhRR85
With the phone in his other hand, Leo decided to call him. But before he could do so, the door flew open and Eric came into his office.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREJZLpy9VZ
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdBZTSt2Ed
"You should be knocking when you're coming here, Eric," said Leo as he looked up at his cousin.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q0K2OwGrx
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDAZYU0LV1
"Sorry," said Eric apologetically. "I always knock on your door, it's just today is kind of-"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Zwi2VTiLR
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKLEqwzpZg
"-different?" Leo finished his sentence.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdjPCRJ6kn
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh04hrTqDp
"Yep. So are you coming with me for lunch?" Eric asked.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerNacwOTy4
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdxTtc0Lcg
"Nah, I think I'll skip lunch today."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaabSAv5BKG
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrdnYxkIQY
Eric raised an eyebrow at his cousin. "Are you sure?" he asked. "You seem to need it more than I do."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fYAr6qGbb
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91uFKT5oNA
"Why do you say that?"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBtTN6FrPd
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaVzxb78hD
"Because you look famished. I just passed Grace in the hall and she said you looked sick or something."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6nt2LEXF8
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZHJxWcCA7
Leo rubbed his forehead with his free hand. "I've been thinking a lot, that's why."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6E0NnXXasE
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8Yyp0z2mw
Eric's eyes lit up. "Wait..., is it because of Angel? You're still worried about her working here?"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLA5tPX8vvp
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyG3WXZEfF
Leo shrugged his shoulders. "Well, what do you expect when you came here talking about her in the first place?"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKf7YTOXodw
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52INX7kwCN
Eric shook his head as he pinched his eyes with his index finger and thumb. "This is why I said you should go to a therapist. You can't hate someone who hasn't offended you."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlUQVO99c5
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVXg4mUL3l
"What are you saying? Of course she has."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfj97IIIrf
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4j0bxLcgH
Eric folded his arms. "Okay, apart from the time when she attacked you at the club because you were making love to her sister, mention any other time when she did you wrong."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8jFAJYsiu
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0e0ma12k9
Leo looked at Eric with a murderous look. He didn't have to think of anything because he knew he had none. Eric always had a way of getting to him when he wanted to.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3YponkK5v
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEQsHT8hrL
Leo ended up shaking his head admitting defeat and said, "fine. You win this time. But that doesn't mean she plots behind my back."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQI5gr7MqtA
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ949OE7mS5b
"You don't even have proof of that," said Eric as he started to chuckle. "You're just being paranoid."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtC3yblBJ7l
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueIWmHfXyg
Leo shook his head as he walked round his table. "I'm so done with you. Let's go. Arguing with you makes me hungry."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGxMDVxqaU
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssoGpnsUvE
Leo started to walk out of his office with Eric right behind him. When the two stepped out, Leo locked the door.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiOu78dIy6
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3bwjtOKQo
"Since you really need to eat something," said Eric, "you can suggest where we can go for lunch."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHRUxvVZtn
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOUmVn6op8
"First let me make a call to my dad. Can you imagine that he hasn't shown up to the office?"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtgXoNhVcL
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAip6qyL9yP
"Maybe he is still helping Carly out with her college transfer. You know how these things take time sometimes."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbkFkw9LFw
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrXiX9BtRn
"Ya, but it's lunch time and he should have called me first if he was going to arrive late."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuuyzNwHFO
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghO22e6791
"He probably just forgot. You can give him a call as we head out of here. I'm starving."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnz0jgY3pM
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGkhRD4Vgc
Leo would've said something over Eric's appetite, but he was too worried about his father to even care. The two made their way towards the elevator while Leo dialed his father's number on his phone and called. He put the phone to his ear as Eric reached the elevator first and pressed the button to summon it.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9dbVQRu7S
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwbVlwrNwW
Mr. McDonell answered the call upon the first ring and Leo was relieved.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9DWQ0WVVR
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z8F7gJhW1
"Leo, hey," came his father's voice. "Is anything wrong at the office?"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0pReCu0yM
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA8fDlEmkv
"No, nothing's wrong," Leo replied. The elevator doors in front of him flew open and Eric stepped in first with Leo following slowly behind him. "Grace told me that you weren't around and I thought of checking up on you."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyc7Bzh6hQb
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiFovPxRKK
"Oh, I'm fine, son. There is no need to worry."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZ0hVCug4j
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78Xi51Y7WL
"Where are you anyway?" Eric pressed the button to the ground floor and the doors closed. They soon felt the elevator start to move.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsw1VhxadY
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZw51CVpm9
"Oh..., me?" Mr. McDonell seemed surprised by the question. "I decided to go for a walk in Central park, that's all."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lIqnoeaUv
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFKvmZB75v
"I was worried when Grace told me you hadn't shown up to the office." Leo looked over at Eric who was staring at his own two feet.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeKziDERfx
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYOZUKgcNm
"You don't need to worry, son, I'm fine. Walking is good for me and I really need it today. I'll be back in the office as soon as lunch hour is over."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ227qjgyLj
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakDSYV3r8p
"Okay, see you later, then." Leo cut the call.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN10jhpuY3y
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1AxLpy38p
The elevator came to a stop and the doors slid open. Eric turned to look at Leo.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXM36Nnvx1b
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGs47DEgJx
"So, where is he?" Eric asked Leo as they both walked out of the elevator.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qxEDW1Pbh
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUkmsWAJkf
"He's taking a walk in Central park," Leo asked as they passed a few people down in the lobby.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJ3UzyieQo
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsTGvnY2Rn
"Ah, you see. There was nothing to worry about."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIt0WMQ8ly
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGIVYFzn3t
"Ya, there wasn't."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsQaLg8fca
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmB62BLdmqL
The two cousins stepped out through the large glass doors of the building, passing the doorman that stood guard.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Cw071109F
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiPsodvZ0I
"That reminds me," said Eric as they turned down the street on the sidewalk, "which restaurant are we going to?"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExZRDC2YDb
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi4jvm1ZBu
"Can't we have junk food for a change?" Leo asked as he put his phone in the pocket and left his hand in it.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpHKl08JZj
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnhjhMWBnp
Eric looked at his cousin as they walked, careful enough not to bump into anyone coming in from the opposite direction and those in front of him who walked too slow. He looked surprised.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHd7mGUEAJ
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18dcoQSrJm
"Did you just say you want to eat junk food?" Eric asked. "Minutes ago, you said you weren't hungry."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCNwRgVJtV
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZaafNCNDt
"I've changed my mind. Am I on a diet so as not to eat junk?" Leo asked.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSIBQCnb32
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtDdFkr9BG
"Not that I know of." They were soon near the traffic lights with many other civilians at the zebra crossing, waiting for the walk traffic light to turn on.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NS90t0CUn
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiSHSdwhB2
"What's wrong with eating junk food, then?"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoSpg5jAwm
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsy5adlTuUI
Eric thought about it for a second but he had to cross the road with Leo and the other pedestrians as soon as the traffic lights turned red for the cars to stop and the green walk sign turned on for the pedestrians. As soon as they reached the other side of the crossing and the cars that stopped were finally on the move behind them, Eric gave his reply:572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfxyZCxEcc
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHdSuWE84H
"There's nothing wrong with it. I'm just worried that you might grow fat. Besides, the only reason why I'm concerned is because you like going to fancy restaurants and eating salads all the time."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUI70bEMFi
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaneC2x7Vv
"I know," said Leo as they passed by a coffee shop and the strong smell of coffee flew onto the street when a lady, opened the door to enter the cafe. "I don't know how to explain it, but I'm really in a mood for it right now."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12iNrVsjO5
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYb8Fxfwrbn
"Okay, if you say so. But if you gain a pound after this, don't blame me."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW0LJ63fNj
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTWX4sarOL
Leo turned to look at Eric, walking beside him. "Admit it, you want to eat junk food way more than I do."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjK6gC943r
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NlVLHSMxT
"Mind you, I love junk. I'm just surprised you want to join in on the fun. And I know exactly where to go. There's this amazing place where they sell the best burgers."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7lHKjQYjL
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKW4WzU3R2
"Great, let's go."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7mvuYa5eH
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDvZxgy1lM
***572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwSNmWumji
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3iWEWh3tt
"Comfortable?" Mark asked after Angel sat on the chair he had just pulled out for her.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEYL0paH7r
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgxLbKJUOD
"Yes, thank you," Angel replied as she smiled up at him.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOSheK58fZ
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaixaPS29xX
"Good." Mark gave her a smile and he went to sit on the other side of the table.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtyzdDHZKP
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJV00Wnuht
Angel went on ahead to look at her surrounding a little more. They were at an outdoor restaurant. As much as it was outdoors, the place was luxurious with the open roof above them filled with green creepers and tiny bulbs above them to make the scene around them look beautiful and a little intimate. The wooden tables were covered with white table cloths and above them were little bulbs in shape of candles with little green creepers and white flowers. Angel liked the way the restaurant made her feel. She felt like she was in a fairytale.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgRxnnZmjy
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsfkeLbnrW
"I see you like the place," Mark said, bringing her attention back to him.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTnd0GtrKb
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pX9mGCr0f
"Yes, it's really lovely," said Angel.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9VYpFJE8W
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwam5DYyol
"We should order." Mark lifted the navy blue menu in front of him and opened it. "What would you like to have?"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UpYhCKpcJ
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsv6K0xYlwT
Angel also took hold of the menu and looked at it. It had been a long time since she had visited a fancy restaurant that she forgot about some delicate cuisines that most exquisite restaurants liked to serve. She smiled to herself when she noticed one of the meals she enjoyed on the menu.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLe0gkEk9e
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffRIndw4YI
"What is it?" Mark asked as he looked up from his menu and noticed Angel smiling.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJWU2XLZlD
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolkLs8L7Lz
"Nothing," Angel replied, still smiling. "I realised I haven't had a ratatouille in like.., forever."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeICXEJG1Oe
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SGCYHH3zz
"Looks like you know your french cuisines." Mark smiled charmingly at her.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjz0w9CuA51
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SLY8uQoUX
"There was a time when I was on a date and my boyfriend made me try it out. Goodness, it was magnificent."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyUEgHVweH
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSeUoK9THB
"You dated?" Mark looked surprised.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iUboC6dup
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjl6jwuH8e
"Ya, but he wasn't the best of boyfriends," said Angel as she went back to looking at the menu. "The ratatouille can be a good starter. Just saying."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqhgdTVAoU
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPQvFqNERn
Mark continued to look at Angel and she didn't seem to notice. It was only moments later when she looked at him and caught him staring.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzWSZW01Eg
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡequ0eheHTM
"What is it?" Angel asked.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQ6cSOL5lY
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRovD3Qcjn
"Nothing," he said as he dropped his menu. "I wonder what the guy thought of letting you go."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEAx46py0S
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOjHPLzeYv
Angel raised an eyebrow at him as she put the menu back down on the table. "That was three years ago. I caught him cheating on me and so..., just like everything that stays in the past..., it's history."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4inGRLuboq
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLmt1E2W6I
"Well, I think he's a fool letting you go."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUhpG108jI
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HsLc49Kng
Angel looked up at the green creepers over her and the tiny bright lights. "He made a choice," she said. "Can't blame him. The girl he cheated on me with was very beautiful. I guess that's why."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8anZg887dY
572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdotDwWCL0
Mark drew out his hand and placed it above Angel's that was on the table. Angel looked at him.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0vR7i9c9d
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"He was too blind to notice how beautiful you are," he said. "You look heavenly, like an angel."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4nSA2u2dR
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Angel smiled. "Stop it," she said, her cheeks starting to heat up. "I know you're only saying that to try and make me feel better."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKTN7rtNaD
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"Maybe. But I'm speaking the truth and you know it. I bet am not the first man to ever tell you that."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSpJUkcvaB
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Angel shook her head. "No, you aren't."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn7XuWu403
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Mark withdrew his hand. "Let's not talk about him." He lifted his hand to catch the attention of a waiter nearby. A lean blonde young man came to the table all dressed in a black shirt, a black pair of trousers, with matching black shoes and a black half apron round his waist.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6zZYtkNDd
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"Ready to take your order, sir?" the man asked politely with a gentle smile on his face.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pWWAJz3UU
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"Yes, please," said Mark as he looked up at the waiter and then he went on to look at Angel. "For a starter, we would like the ratatouille, please."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZE5Ush9eD
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"Coming right up, and would you like a drink while you wait?"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWmO11tRvJ
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"Yes, a bottle of your finest wine."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzavVKgUivk
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"Of course," said the waiter as he smiled at both Mark and Angel before leaving them.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGb1SK92Pb0
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"We're having wine?" Angel asked with a questioning look on her face.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjGpW69lXW
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"What is it?" Mark asked, this time his face grew a little worried. "Don't you take alcohol?"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZzYdojyh4
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"Well...," Angel playfully rolled her eyes up. "I can't say I take alcohol when I drink wine on special occasions." Her eyes flew back to Mark's face.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsaWoN7Yuv
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"Oh," Mark let out a little laugh as he leaned back on his chair. "For a minute there, I thought you didn't take alcohol at all."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYI978sipr
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"I like wine. I don't drink beer or whiskey.., those type of drinks."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwH5MQEsL3
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"Even scotch?"
"Even scotch." Angel said as she smiled.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwnvgGfL5V
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"Women like you love wine."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3QcFCYqv3
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"Well, there are other women who love beers, scotch and whiskey...., champagne, maybe a little," Angel shrugged her shoulders.
"True. I'm glad I guessed that you're a wine drinker."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOi3fctklo
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"Ha. Just now you thought I didn't even take wine."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEEYGL0Hv2
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"Because you caught me off guard with that question."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW72qv9DRHq
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Angel let out a laugh but one that didn't attract people's attention in the restaurant.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Y7VPcI1jJ
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"Ya, I'm sorry about that," said Angel after she gathered her composure. "I just wanted to see your reaction."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BQyrEsk8h
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Mark had an amused look on his face and he didn't notice how charmingly he smiled at Angel until the waiter came back pushing a serving tray. On it was a black champagne bucket with a bottle of wine in it with ice all around. Alongside the bucket were two wine glasses.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRwTDXcAv0
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The waiter placed the two glasses in front of Mark and Angel, opened the bottle of wine and poured into the glasses. Afterwards, he placed the bottle back in the bucket, kindly excused himself and walked away.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHp782399D
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"Shall we have a toast?" Mark suggested as he held his glass.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBReG9PtFFI
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"A toast to what?" Angel asked, her fingers around the stem of her glass.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDV0IEsfY4
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"A toast for your health, that's one. And also, for you just being you."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJzLyJoBdz
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Angel smiled. "I will toast to the first one most of all, and the other reason is quite reasonable...., so cheers."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZT1flQPuAg
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Their glasses clinked when they touched and they both drank.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fYEjtwjT8
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"This is really good," said Angel after she withdrew the brim of the glass from her lips.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8foLUVVsS
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"That's why I ordered the best of the best," said Mark as he put his glass on the table.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUbEG5rd9s
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"I might end up drinking the whole bottle. But that won't be so ladylike of me."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdn8OJIRCb
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"I should be worried." Mark raised his eyebrow at her. "Do you easily get drunk, Angel Barclay?"572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06pV0yqzlb
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Angel took another sip of her wine. "If I have too much, then yes. I can get a little tipsy."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUz3bMEHbmY
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"Then we can take it a little slow, shall we?"
"Slow is good."572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLFhR81puj
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It didn't take long for their to starter arrive. And as they had their meal, they continued to chat unaware of how much they enjoyed each other's company. But they had more matters to discuss, and they both knew it.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57QMH09Rc2
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***572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0wXMcNuWL
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The white tulips in his hands smelled fresh and divine as he walked, his eyes focused ahead. The place around him was quiet except for a few words he heard aloud at a distance. As he walked, he turned to the voice and saw a group of people, almost all of them dressed in black, gathered together surrounding a white casket. The person speaking before them was a priest, all dressed in white and purple robes with the Holy Bible in his hands. Those closer to the casket, crying silently and holding tissues to their noses were obviously the family to the deceased.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuR8CgI7sbI
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Death was a sad thing, especially if it happens to take a loved one away from you. But such was life. Death itself was inevitable and it was up to those alive and in the present to move on. Though it's hard for many others to do so.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPTGb9HnAO
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As he continued to walk away from the funeral procession and through the neatly arranged tombstones in the graveyard, he approached her grave. There stood a white marble tombstone that he had set up just a day after her burial. He was glad that his wife hadn't visited the graveyard with him. She would have been pissed to see such a magnificent tombstone and would have blamed him for wasting so much money on a dead person.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZZT7jy74N
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As he got closer, he stood there for a minute as he read her name in big black capital letters. He bended over to put the white tulips on the ground, next to the tombstone. After straightening up, he took a few steps back.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdBTkWGqtP
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He sighed as he smiled at the white tulips. If she were here, she would have smiled back at him, taken a sniff out of them and said thank you.572Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRP1ZQmXyJe
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"God, how I've missed you," he muttered to the wind.
