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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bmefu5TS2
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaskoAJMZvp
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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8DEMsxggV
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE7iqfQIK4
"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."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbKFM5sCXk
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65vnwLgg8c
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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYt5g2xkBs
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTL8w7Ptxy
"Yes, Grace, how may I help you?" Leo asked as he rubbed his eyes.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUd7ZYRmzh
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PBnkO6iY7
"Were you asleep, sir?" Grace asked as she slowly approached his desk.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOj6ouJoMU
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzzmih9BST
"No, not really." Leo looked around his desk as though he was looking for something, then he went on to look at Grace.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51pUmkgdCj
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUB5ELpY0a
"I was just asking because you weren't answering the door and your secretary assured me that you were still in your office."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKehzGByAR
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRQYg5hiwd
"Is she still at her desk?"427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvninXtUd8
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6L2CtM8sS
"I saw her heading out for lunch." Grace looked carefully at Leo. "You do know what time it is, right?"427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhRCm2PPEh
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwTaovHqLH
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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg175npokUA
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlH2lFFKbr3
"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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtnVblK5fb
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxrH5mvIue
"You look tired. Are you okay?"427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZZwy5ikTh
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCyUCfqafx
"I'm fine. Just had a few things on my mind, that's all."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MHMKSE8QK
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMh4FUfoc6
"You should go out for fresh air. It looks like you need it."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77YhzeNhDn
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW17QzfgPqp
Leo wanted to smile at the kind suggestion, but the thought of Angel working with him made his mind go dark and gloomy again.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJF6LmXDUWj
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8v3zM9BFO
He soon stood up from his seat and Grace took a step back, thinking that she might have struck a nerve.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE0XVLZJEe
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIS77lniIfn
"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."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIkt0yS0FY
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NdOhILnP4
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."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlhvKqvPMS
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00uiEjKZhO
"Huh?" Leo raised his eyebrow. "My father isn't back yet?"427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kSt77EQmL
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTrQbHa227
"No." Grace shook her head. "So, I called him and he told me to give it to you to sign it."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnO9KEjCzd
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOEoFMpDMb
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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdjeLQDYHx
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnn5zak8Dy
"Thank you, sir," said Grace as she quickly walked out of the office, closing the door behind her.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1CobWQFlY
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUYDTUFwXS
Leo couldn't help but wonder how he's father had not yet returned to the office. It was so unlike him.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4d9pWjHCpG
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eQvxkVh1b
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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLMcKyx7eM
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvViFJNtNu
"You should be knocking when you're coming here, Eric," said Leo as he looked up at his cousin.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rCvV2DISF
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyMxhFuqqJ
"Sorry," said Eric apologetically. "I always knock on your door, it's just today is kind of-"427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HFAacHod8
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZT9DjoCd1a
"-different?" Leo finished his sentence.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8oeHTD9fd
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsNfSZXaOo
"Yep. So are you coming with me for lunch?" Eric asked.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuv5sWr2IYl
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKtTLutnhz
"Nah, I think I'll skip lunch today."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsjeyBjuXe
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BGxqrw2Xu
Eric raised an eyebrow at his cousin. "Are you sure?" he asked. "You seem to need it more than I do."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYNaFqusOn
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyr7ICv192
"Why do you say that?"427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLOmVLxgf6
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHlw1w8erN
"Because you look famished. I just passed Grace in the hall and she said you looked sick or something."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJK74Rc1XBP
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaThAoOPD4
Leo rubbed his forehead with his free hand. "I've been thinking a lot, that's why."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrxDLAjVsT
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmHfO7XplK
Eric's eyes lit up. "Wait..., is it because of Angel? You're still worried about her working here?"427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHtcDHk68h
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEvYpDnDER
Leo shrugged his shoulders. "Well, what do you expect when you came here talking about her in the first place?"427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixcybG1fYr
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HzbkWtySP
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."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7xttdgC5s
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3FhHwRj4X
"What are you saying? Of course she has."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrKKg9TuPj
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J7Bcmbhrk
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."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrmgJftmJe
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAnUx9EjPx
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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1OQi3zpMX
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDS9fgCxBW
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."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJNDuj9YMz
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XeFdioact
"You don't even have proof of that," said Eric as he started to chuckle. "You're just being paranoid."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlPqYgvaei
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTIuEWpnaU
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."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgk7zsEP7wT
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7V43bw0Fdb
Leo started to walk out of his office with Eric right behind him. When the two stepped out, Leo locked the door.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVmzjO5yIE
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYMgfV7alI
"Since you really need to eat something," said Eric, "you can suggest where we can go for lunch."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKvTbJGrJg
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJx2kEZGs1R
"First let me make a call to my dad. Can you imagine that he hasn't shown up to the office?"427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2osaSQ6cJ
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNRIOHJkI0
"Maybe he is still helping Carly out with her college transfer. You know how these things take time sometimes."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeC9iS0VXn
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiTJc2FBRi
"Ya, but it's lunch time and he should have called me first if he was going to arrive late."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9ox5eYq47
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2sRMsNhMX
"He probably just forgot. You can give him a call as we head out of here. I'm starving."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaL2YGjylz
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hFn7j1ljB
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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAGGZb1DD3
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB92iaKLPWI
Mr. McDonell answered the call upon the first ring and Leo was relieved.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EUOW8LmzV
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXan27gEckW
"Leo, hey," came his father's voice. "Is anything wrong at the office?"427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5riD9if9i
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fYaBA3Io0
"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."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRarQJgnXCC
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkGNkqaiCI
"Oh, I'm fine, son. There is no need to worry."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzR46h9iTgg
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7N7DQ1B7ew
"Where are you anyway?" Eric pressed the button to the ground floor and the doors closed. They soon felt the elevator start to move.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7YV1BO7Q5
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuA1O9g14p
"Oh..., me?" Mr. McDonell seemed surprised by the question. "I decided to go for a walk in Central park, that's all."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5KNdvIDU3
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BCPdgZ9jH
"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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstiCkv0Zit
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvhRDO1kmZ
"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."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZAagA7KzI
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3rWH9agqm
"Okay, see you later, then." Leo cut the call.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSeLzv3GSI
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ165RbDjiQ
The elevator came to a stop and the doors slid open. Eric turned to look at Leo.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNTzemOzPd
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEM6ut8m0H
"So, where is he?" Eric asked Leo as they both walked out of the elevator.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuo3mjiiug2
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER3UT1aeKp
"He's taking a walk in Central park," Leo asked as they passed a few people down in the lobby.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBCcc02bGf
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrnj5VpIQZ
"Ah, you see. There was nothing to worry about."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyY7zm61GpI
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfeHYftcio
"Ya, there wasn't."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfK8QuO6JWx
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZg1YuCKme
The two cousins stepped out through the large glass doors of the building, passing the doorman that stood guard.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TkaTJcukQ
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlJvDZDgCw
"That reminds me," said Eric as they turned down the street on the sidewalk, "which restaurant are we going to?"427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQ0SULywxb
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYBESvMdkr
"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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tzTlY1MGX
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NOn9p1Xb8
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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNfWknWdIi
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB4xkJmhLp
"Did you just say you want to eat junk food?" Eric asked. "Minutes ago, you said you weren't hungry."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KGADAkLKf
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGQlmFD0dq
"I've changed my mind. Am I on a diet so as not to eat junk?" Leo asked.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2vflK4OPF
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFLp6ByWpZ
"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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3y7tDNM8w
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zFGfBB7YT
"What's wrong with eating junk food, then?"427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsT5OmWzNep
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRprI1ttkEN
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:427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXf20jM1DB
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdODMCjOXS
"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."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJj4mr2Idg
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1M1sIL2Ob9
"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."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICwRVcWty2
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMFNMnNPf4
"Okay, if you say so. But if you gain a pound after this, don't blame me."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxWfw0w0Oh
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF8NLfdpnJ
Leo turned to look at Eric, walking beside him. "Admit it, you want to eat junk food way more than I do."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90REihAqW1
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhu94NOVplp
"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."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1J2UQeXuSx
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1EiDWKm1l
"Great, let's go."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4rj5VpRm6
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgvCcD3mpr
***427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlICwi3HXuv
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOwL3WrXWS
"Comfortable?" Mark asked after Angel sat on the chair he had just pulled out for her.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhBilYsPtw
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4SAAPi6a6
"Yes, thank you," Angel replied as she smiled up at him.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHmQKSLVSO
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykEYf4nDsv
"Good." Mark gave her a smile and he went to sit on the other side of the table.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIyr6WbUsx
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83r9WPLw6D
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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1f3eUQlTt
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBOdVImuWw
"I see you like the place," Mark said, bringing her attention back to him.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRI6g3KXQVJ
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriAk0kzRTS
"Yes, it's really lovely," said Angel.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSN1sUVMmc
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIevVRsShv
"We should order." Mark lifted the navy blue menu in front of him and opened it. "What would you like to have?"427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1rgaisePe
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpPuRt6HaQ
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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAREFXDbxX
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0Na2IJK05
"What is it?" Mark asked as he looked up from his menu and noticed Angel smiling.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxRnMpuY53
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5e68UPXoD
"Nothing," Angel replied, still smiling. "I realised I haven't had a ratatouille in like.., forever."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6fMWAC3eK
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBB9yJTkAz
"Looks like you know your french cuisines." Mark smiled charmingly at her.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxZ0HasEGS
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2yKIdUqLk
"There was a time when I was on a date and my boyfriend made me try it out. Goodness, it was magnificent."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7S0Gc3OOO
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09Lgwmwgig
"You dated?" Mark looked surprised.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfsRF9NXw4
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikMBZR4tZB
"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."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UcSvcqGJb
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUNaiwg7kj
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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWJ4gAF4CW
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLl23pZFcN
"What is it?" Angel asked.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZ9jiSCgMb
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKd6o0GXxkQ
"Nothing," he said as he dropped his menu. "I wonder what the guy thought of letting you go."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NLo3X10YX
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGSGnj8VPQ
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."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNjlQce0rp
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59nhnV1OTy
"Well, I think he's a fool letting you go."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UyRYfGhjf
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3c3ehyrpZO
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."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy29E1IEGRQ
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o9gagUbQc
Mark drew out his hand and placed it above Angel's that was on the table. Angel looked at him.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvqOkiGnZK
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzMMEctlXb
"He was too blind to notice how beautiful you are," he said. "You look heavenly, like an angel."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAdCqaPvcf
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6N7WgkMDi
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."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqJj0j4xuP
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQI96KDGp8
"Maybe. But I'm speaking the truth and you know it. I bet am not the first man to ever tell you that."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPRHvOLfao
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuH6yboXZ2
Angel shook her head. "No, you aren't."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDxorJ3lOQ
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEyCvNim3v
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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImNWRscKUC
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuzw7RxbyA
"Ready to take your order, sir?" the man asked politely with a gentle smile on his face.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfpUjoAJNQ
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotaSPgOb79
"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."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsytWu1ulEA
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8N3auLnzd
"Coming right up, and would you like a drink while you wait?"427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8z6S2Ws4n
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZLeN2j8mQ
"Yes, a bottle of your finest wine."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTM8Ob2SYB
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai1rN7y69L
"Of course," said the waiter as he smiled at both Mark and Angel before leaving them.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjBcDIZ6MQ
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUvEUSPgpD
"We're having wine?" Angel asked with a questioning look on her face.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lgtCqK3Q6
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiU0LYTnNa
"What is it?" Mark asked, this time his face grew a little worried. "Don't you take alcohol?"427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nsv2h3zLk
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OsZuafgfn
"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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmo7F3jYyV
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX91yrS97c6
"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."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3sY1B3o1H
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqL5MH4SLe
"I like wine. I don't drink beer or whiskey.., those type of drinks."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzzDnFftZs
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrY9r3yhGD
"Even scotch?"
"Even scotch." Angel said as she smiled.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQChnMv560
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTE5MGHwEa8
"Women like you love wine."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2axSLX3jxU
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd2XlgPqY2
"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."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAW2T1IdWE
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGvgxiaC6C
"Ha. Just now you thought I didn't even take wine."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjamVjn6yXo
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YihNX7a8I
"Because you caught me off guard with that question."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHVTN6TSJg
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchhyvqhJrY
Angel let out a laugh but one that didn't attract people's attention in the restaurant.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoCnwPRg4m
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYa4wSV6Z2g
"Ya, I'm sorry about that," said Angel after she gathered her composure. "I just wanted to see your reaction."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwHvmC4zNv
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3BhbyqH1L
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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb84lFkIR2K
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTarj6vygV
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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCOKiVWukY
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2v6AtpwuF
"Shall we have a toast?" Mark suggested as he held his glass.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpzNcbTS27
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vmMDGYUuD
"A toast to what?" Angel asked, her fingers around the stem of her glass.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2eoI3nUwj
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdJFHIZAlg
"A toast for your health, that's one. And also, for you just being you."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IO8UV0lg0
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSexkyJQgYb
Angel smiled. "I will toast to the first one most of all, and the other reason is quite reasonable...., so cheers."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqn7SaVguvX
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMif7sopdck
Their glasses clinked when they touched and they both drank.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjdg3PYMH3
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgrNaFTp5A
"This is really good," said Angel after she withdrew the brim of the glass from her lips.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4M5HyhcKyC
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSlIKeYaUx
"That's why I ordered the best of the best," said Mark as he put his glass on the table.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1thyf0ywfB
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmiafAsq3q
"I might end up drinking the whole bottle. But that won't be so ladylike of me."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3J7hMs2Ge
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5g8wZ3T0g5
"I should be worried." Mark raised his eyebrow at her. "Do you easily get drunk, Angel Barclay?"427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LUSdQ2b8b
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFZR5cripG
Angel took another sip of her wine. "If I have too much, then yes. I can get a little tipsy."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zfGZpmlAB
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNttXYJCpVO
"Then we can take it a little slow, shall we?"
"Slow is good."427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ279A4z5CE7
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbo3qBtNdm
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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZecWzk35g
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQVQ6h3jRt
***427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJnpRw3I23
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwydttvVaLa
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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2UYtPYWdK
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5APiGgYoJA
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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmWiWLIWqJ
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRQHWbny19
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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSP6WhjwkHO
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9gkXkEwUJ
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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwKqG8Rzli
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbVSGG0DQw
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.427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBmdOwFXF5
427Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcshe97rPHB
"God, how I've missed you," he muttered to the wind.
