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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5W76xsli3
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQh27R6t5mm
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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46tQsb4Xwb
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrFHn9gu1H
"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."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8a2Avri0N
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjRy8GCJp9
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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyI8bsjuNe
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlhiZnQJRC
"Yes, Grace, how may I help you?" Leo asked as he rubbed his eyes.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQl3s5qcWJi
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh65LO0oThx
"Were you asleep, sir?" Grace asked as she slowly approached his desk.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VAo88dy3E
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFqOAgfBW4
"No, not really." Leo looked around his desk as though he was looking for something, then he went on to look at Grace.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA3FNMU9ZR
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjJjhJBv2s
"I was just asking because you weren't answering the door and your secretary assured me that you were still in your office."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRampJC9ZT
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq47wFnhtf
"Is she still at her desk?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3duYQ530qz
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaBN7ATN5K
"I saw her heading out for lunch." Grace looked carefully at Leo. "You do know what time it is, right?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6koj4kAql
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRwrO8dKxL
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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D3HkPSqhg
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hLOenYFDO
"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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMxouokj1i
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZacrwIUxH
"You look tired. Are you okay?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUaIExEpVW
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02J8W1w9zC
"I'm fine. Just had a few things on my mind, that's all."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uFvwG2unR
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7zjTfxP8r
"You should go out for fresh air. It looks like you need it."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuvVXOf5Ug
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7kTtKPAum
Leo wanted to smile at the kind suggestion, but the thought of Angel working with him made his mind go dark and gloomy again.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GJd2s6HkT
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESTyG3jRvz
He soon stood up from his seat and Grace took a step back, thinking that she might have struck a nerve.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9lJs3rGa4
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9nP4vAPZu
"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."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5pZc1z4QU
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudA3w7vx7A
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."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWC2nQzy5l
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCbmfSV91b
"Huh?" Leo raised his eyebrow. "My father isn't back yet?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn9tpaTokG
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYvE63LWEo
"No." Grace shook her head. "So, I called him and he told me to give it to you to sign it."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4a8vLLsui
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTPweR5P0U
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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEvMti8frm
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpP9g9tyhV
"Thank you, sir," said Grace as she quickly walked out of the office, closing the door behind her.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnEPQnfFQu
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MaMGt6j0u
Leo couldn't help but wonder how he's father had not yet returned to the office. It was so unlike him.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIUmIcyrBP
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqEupn8wYD
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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQxcbEVndr
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNEg7xCcFs
"You should be knocking when you're coming here, Eric," said Leo as he looked up at his cousin.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6Lv2SfBw8
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxgors8pXy
"Sorry," said Eric apologetically. "I always knock on your door, it's just today is kind of-"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxN8u64ItIS
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrkVMepDET
"-different?" Leo finished his sentence.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHTA1OSXHO
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda5Wth5Ngo
"Yep. So are you coming with me for lunch?" Eric asked.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetcTenHMCM
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgQZtqrzJ9
"Nah, I think I'll skip lunch today."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VqkBdInou
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1VMa5KPKf
Eric raised an eyebrow at his cousin. "Are you sure?" he asked. "You seem to need it more than I do."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7YSN2d2ob
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8euUqjezp7
"Why do you say that?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXW2SeIBlQ
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHHDKPQhwL
"Because you look famished. I just passed Grace in the hall and she said you looked sick or something."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqj7gKEsprc
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXpJ4r0CIV
Leo rubbed his forehead with his free hand. "I've been thinking a lot, that's why."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKplAJ1c9l
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUyeY5gNOV
Eric's eyes lit up. "Wait..., is it because of Angel? You're still worried about her working here?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGdVSOwBhU
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxvEEFOJWu
Leo shrugged his shoulders. "Well, what do you expect when you came here talking about her in the first place?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAPgxjIdef
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeHl7WCDjQ
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."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lwyrE4NBB
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBW2A5maqwP
"What are you saying? Of course she has."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhVhKjdKxw
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNDkgXQyhG
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."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpP6ZYowFU
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EQC3oDztU
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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOW6Mtd0WF
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2qZcbFR0L
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."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFFBt0Xoc0
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Z1JHTxqEN
"You don't even have proof of that," said Eric as he started to chuckle. "You're just being paranoid."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQZp2SWIqg
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRQYLSWTwb
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."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUq8XaxAXzk
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUUvO3ZrVT
Leo started to walk out of his office with Eric right behind him. When the two stepped out, Leo locked the door.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCv4lqAmhQ
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW6SPo2tcb
"Since you really need to eat something," said Eric, "you can suggest where we can go for lunch."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkJWnXl5iy
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquGubKoCrv
"First let me make a call to my dad. Can you imagine that he hasn't shown up to the office?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyLIOx2vuh
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3H7XZ6PFS
"Maybe he is still helping Carly out with her college transfer. You know how these things take time sometimes."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56GqcoG82p
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0H8B4yqAs
"Ya, but it's lunch time and he should have called me first if he was going to arrive late."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMeaEYsTej
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Lo5hUDap2
"He probably just forgot. You can give him a call as we head out of here. I'm starving."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmb9UqJZmh
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2LEl9NC6k
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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8NUZkBvjL
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAQmDnBvVG
Mr. McDonell answered the call upon the first ring and Leo was relieved.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPDl5ezqNS
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuL4LJMGEI
"Leo, hey," came his father's voice. "Is anything wrong at the office?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpI0gPVZdh
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMYHtgJuJB
"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."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGztCQ3Lf6W
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyPgxYgTib
"Oh, I'm fine, son. There is no need to worry."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1xF3bZh1o
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5A2b05g5JM
"Where are you anyway?" Eric pressed the button to the ground floor and the doors closed. They soon felt the elevator start to move.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHMdSKPAuz
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFCvwzrWca
"Oh..., me?" Mr. McDonell seemed surprised by the question. "I decided to go for a walk in Central park, that's all."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXy0twOHovU
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwXjqRj5tf
"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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAD8J8AAkG
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QkBfJ04Ze
"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."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCh2PrxLSs
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl31N20VW1B
"Okay, see you later, then." Leo cut the call.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoAt2TrNPD
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OyE4lqkhK
The elevator came to a stop and the doors slid open. Eric turned to look at Leo.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVQ4UxFbLD
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3eqymrijT
"So, where is he?" Eric asked Leo as they both walked out of the elevator.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdwpNMZSd4
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4nHQ7tbDY
"He's taking a walk in Central park," Leo asked as they passed a few people down in the lobby.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrdwelnL6Z
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxb3EE7Gfh
"Ah, you see. There was nothing to worry about."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcaswEJQhl
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAp03XF1x99
"Ya, there wasn't."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBAZlZczaq
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYcLuIgFqv
The two cousins stepped out through the large glass doors of the building, passing the doorman that stood guard.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzKLLZ5isz
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNP5vCkjM2s
"That reminds me," said Eric as they turned down the street on the sidewalk, "which restaurant are we going to?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvISDmMFKzM
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPWw8OVNwJ
"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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepAYt7T4o2
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXz5Jvrvdv
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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ862XX2DPWE
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaUjBkRGe3
"Did you just say you want to eat junk food?" Eric asked. "Minutes ago, you said you weren't hungry."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKCdvsCzuC
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74APe0lnLq
"I've changed my mind. Am I on a diet so as not to eat junk?" Leo asked.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcxuTSqW1w
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfJi37DOK4
"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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXmPqChqFt
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejcTUQG9Y9
"What's wrong with eating junk food, then?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ChrNmF0Yu
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyLc3auufd
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:471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyiy7Dlpgt
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQIPfKJLo4
"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."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0QYzpDutF
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr4N7KhZpi
"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."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUuAS2m11d
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VLuXSkXdZ
"Okay, if you say so. But if you gain a pound after this, don't blame me."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYSeoUbTxX
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EXcI0oPx8
Leo turned to look at Eric, walking beside him. "Admit it, you want to eat junk food way more than I do."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU3TyChcp4
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqAPn6q23n
"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."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67awItnfIw
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMY9BxG7CO
"Great, let's go."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvWbstXz1Z
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zvSYYrODS
***471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7RR6CuijE
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueBL5BwoB3
"Comfortable?" Mark asked after Angel sat on the chair he had just pulled out for her.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EjiTLzKD3
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkex5Qm9m1
"Yes, thank you," Angel replied as she smiled up at him.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3o8jIoYCH3
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC8U4pCKPd
"Good." Mark gave her a smile and he went to sit on the other side of the table.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2pMq1UQLd
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOPESPBpYn
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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6sFmIudTM
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdO5E1lLce
"I see you like the place," Mark said, bringing her attention back to him.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTA6Tsi0hy
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKKsJa2ykd
"Yes, it's really lovely," said Angel.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqhGfexoHk
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQItJ6VLmGe
"We should order." Mark lifted the navy blue menu in front of him and opened it. "What would you like to have?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixnNnjxVO8
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbGgnnrnjo
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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVbPa0x4D4
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqj15WOhQd
"What is it?" Mark asked as he looked up from his menu and noticed Angel smiling.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKdyZsCc16
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJz2Rrx8XM
"Nothing," Angel replied, still smiling. "I realised I haven't had a ratatouille in like.., forever."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzK7IPUUKkW
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUS7I0fDVm
"Looks like you know your french cuisines." Mark smiled charmingly at her.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZUGVnPy4q
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybH22X3zwP
"There was a time when I was on a date and my boyfriend made me try it out. Goodness, it was magnificent."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hfrLS2lh7
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBAhZFBAH0
"You dated?" Mark looked surprised.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugTwQo06os
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROikIeClIP
"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."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHfytsm1dF
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPA9wtgXG9
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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH62vBAXcq8
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zMCi3gUTS
"What is it?" Angel asked.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4bHJTSGb1
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0EAH8rtDi
"Nothing," he said as he dropped his menu. "I wonder what the guy thought of letting you go."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvyihHvWsJ
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3SlCcnHkq
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."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrb5rGcR98v
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3QPkXwBZk
"Well, I think he's a fool letting you go."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cFP6eD8sB
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9woQJpyRVe
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."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUVUtFGzlk
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdUipShVy4
Mark drew out his hand and placed it above Angel's that was on the table. Angel looked at him.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nQclViXSO
471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7mucBLbSA
"He was too blind to notice how beautiful you are," he said. "You look heavenly, like an angel."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLkhBaBgxw
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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."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvELAsaqiEh
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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."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTbverZqP8
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Angel shook her head. "No, you aren't."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKv8LZgKO7u
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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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA15T5XWTY
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"Ready to take your order, sir?" the man asked politely with a gentle smile on his face.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJPJ6krzVW
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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."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eUQIHfXXg
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"Coming right up, and would you like a drink while you wait?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa6m62H7Zk
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"Yes, a bottle of your finest wine."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUNqQL0R5c
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"Of course," said the waiter as he smiled at both Mark and Angel before leaving them.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rv7ReESj8
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"We're having wine?" Angel asked with a questioning look on her face.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlteMNb3aY
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"What is it?" Mark asked, this time his face grew a little worried. "Don't you take alcohol?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMW1P0jAo9
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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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWf2GPaNF4
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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."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCgAVtCNhZ
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"I like wine. I don't drink beer or whiskey.., those type of drinks."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhy6EZMXCFL
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"Even scotch?"
"Even scotch." Angel said as she smiled.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3BBYt4uYW
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"Women like you love wine."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1Hsr4vfWc
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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."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaGzBcsd6D
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"Ha. Just now you thought I didn't even take wine."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Dm0KgQvlF
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"Because you caught me off guard with that question."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv3FXIu9rT
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Angel let out a laugh but one that didn't attract people's attention in the restaurant.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSesqs2Ufc
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"Ya, I'm sorry about that," said Angel after she gathered her composure. "I just wanted to see your reaction."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDc72E4m03b
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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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1sWn90CSc
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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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YC17F0os8
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"Shall we have a toast?" Mark suggested as he held his glass.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWN5wUScRBx
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"A toast to what?" Angel asked, her fingers around the stem of her glass.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdj9A70Zm4B
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"A toast for your health, that's one. And also, for you just being you."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMa4ApkZP8
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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."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVo2gcvbcy
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Their glasses clinked when they touched and they both drank.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneqcWa3tFU
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"This is really good," said Angel after she withdrew the brim of the glass from her lips.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUI0Fdpzb1
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"That's why I ordered the best of the best," said Mark as he put his glass on the table.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJMwh3z0Wk
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"I might end up drinking the whole bottle. But that won't be so ladylike of me."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4DWhV1A9I
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"I should be worried." Mark raised his eyebrow at her. "Do you easily get drunk, Angel Barclay?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeiswE9zcX
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Angel took another sip of her wine. "If I have too much, then yes. I can get a little tipsy."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHo81rEGvn
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"Then we can take it a little slow, shall we?"
"Slow is good."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSauPl22ss
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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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxLtcGoJ3A
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***471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYHNEfrBmG
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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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPdg6pvbKE
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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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIjo4q30ta
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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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiplg4K3w66
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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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLECUUrCoT
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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.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39p0g4iSiF
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"God, how I've missed you," he muttered to the wind.
