“Okay, I can do this,” she took a deep breath and tried to relax. She wished she could be in a quiet room, but with the noise around, she had to get used to it.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJKXiGGg66
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtfZ3jzKC1
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKqphm8iai
“Hello, am I interrupting anything?” came a voice, bringing her out of her thoughts.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRCmHAUPjw
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzUiq080vl
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSvn4zeEZW
Angel quickly opened her eyes in fright and found a smartly dressed man standing in front of her. He wore a silver-grey suit that fit well on his body. His clear blue eyes looked at her anxiously, and Angel couldn’t help but stare at his kind, round face with his blonde hair cropped around his head leaving a reasonable amount of hair in the front and middle. A few strands of his hair fell in curls just above his left eye.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vUrAN9jlf
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DiMTExIYv
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJStKjsnQFE
“Uh-yes, I’m fine,” Angel quickly answered as she felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdV6S71taQz
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡch0Do6gB5O
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEKz0960Fn
“You’re the new girl, right?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisvuslBP3e
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhu07sAMlaX
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHvKo4zYQG
Angel didn’t know what to say as she felt she would drop the files in her hands. The man in front of her is gorgeous. And judging by the way his suit fit well on his body, he definitely does workouts at the gym or something. She told herself to pull herself together.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1KuzPb4pK
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM89BmOsyCF
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6Ci9hBp8E
“Yes, I am,” she quickly answered again. “Angel Barclay, nice to meet you. You’re…?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCeu7eleTI
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzR3fRTax7
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWKMqfWpWW
“Derrick,” the man quickly drew out his hand to give her a handshake. Angel had to carry the files with her one arm to draw out the other. They shook hands. “I wasn’t in the architecture department when you passed by. I just heard we've a new girl in town.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTUkcsmwVb
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYi7uwFjGcI
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLbluoM2S2
“Oh,” Angel felt her cheeks heat up even more. “I didn’t know I would still be the talk of the department.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUBQbw5u43
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjd3I09B59y
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmcflDmvDx
“With your looks, you’ll be the talk for a month. I can guarantee that.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmihsszGT0
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmMKbjjpVs
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFviN268QVY
Angel nervously chuckled. “Don’t say that. I personally don't think so.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVZDCHnDvA
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKun265DvbC
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrDKMLPhQo
“Well, I do.” He looked at the files in her hands. “May I carry them for you? They look heavy.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMUvWXo6OM
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulbJNAOOiY
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zp9nkl4UL
“Ah, no thanks,” Angel quickly refused. “They aren’t heavy at all.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K8ZLxWyt7
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB34OvG4On6
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E2QT0ZCef
“You sure? Here, let me help.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCzsSIUswa
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoO6Gkko3Ea
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUMYoYY6QO
Derrick came closer and took the three huge files from her hands. Angel felt like a huge weight has been lifted. She hadn’t realised how heavy the files were until now.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfoBhMgfXM
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUAQuvJbnw
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTEXtA8tOB
“Thanks,” Angel managed to say.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJR0RfgIAGQ
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkEOiYSvU0
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3utsPljlX
“Are you walking over to your desk?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYcmJBK3cE
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQw35RVHWLN
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpcsNb8b2E
“Ah, yes, I am.” Angel led the way to her cubicle in the main work area. She could feel a number of eyes on her and a few whispers here and there.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYlVo7pi9c
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTtYrpO6NO
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a2wmMr8AX
Derrick put the files on her desk. “I see you’ve a lot to work on.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69fPqI9Oln
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1nHy3hSfB
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjamu9YPrV2
“Not really,” Angel said, trying to shake off the feeling she's getting from people around her. She started to rub the back of her neck. “Just trying to familiarise myself with what I’ll be doing around here.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7aEPeEYud
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2wVd4ZE9f
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZEfbcCfqd
“I hear you'll be working closely with Mrs. Lance. You better buckle up. The woman is hard to please.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczR5aEkagH
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOvtBA0peT
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSgrstnhB9
“Ya, I’ve been warned. But I’ll do all I can to work hard.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDeMAGEn92
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlDL1mcDOB
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5FgJJ254T
Derrick gave her a kind smile. “Well, I’ll leave you to it, Miss Barclay. Hey, if you’re up for it, you and I can go out for lunch with the others from my department.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHKhryNh1m
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0h3cbsMtz9
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkPgsxFvjm
“Thanks, but I’ll have to decline. I already made plans with someone today.” Angel stared at her phone on the desk. Eric sent a text a few minutes ago inviting her to lunch, so she couldn’t turn him down.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1Xshu4QKH
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnR71XOdIG
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsyfEQIJOd
“Ah, I see. People are already asking you out?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjFeJ1RVLA
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mfzbgiyCL
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuqFtyJzBh
Angel found herself blushing even more. “It’s not like that,” she managed to say. “It’s just between friends, nothing special.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvc6POuIR2
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqk4dXQzMQh
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ISfVhWSzA
Derrick raised an eyebrow and a smile soon came across his face. “Maybe another time. How does that sound?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeEsXNrPR0
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodCUnOVj2G
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQETX0UYO4
Angel quickly shook her head. “That will be great. Thanks for helping me carry these files.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcumbV8yjad
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFt1BaPQVB
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQx7Yllvh2
“You’re welcome. It’s nice meeting you. I’ll see you around?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmBHzyl8UB
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34rmindzQs
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtj5GaOjlMC
“Ya, I’ll see you.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDjmpAiv83
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2u6GF5CeHt
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsuuNEtcJI
Derrick gave her a wave and started to walk out of the work area. Before Angel could take her seat, she could’ve swore that he had turned to look at her before disappearing out of sight. She didn’t want to think too much about it.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7YhQGrERq
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eZShNtKut
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZwFDHXIVw
She looked at the files in front of her and knew she had a lot to do. She better get to work now before work starts to pile up. She got one file and placed it in front of her when she heard:430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pxwnWGMIa
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJ2oM5YnPg
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9vxVdMtQX
“Excuse me, it’s Angel, right?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hdw2Rrauv
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw15f8YFVej
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRUgnnQHYe
Angel turned around and found a young lady, an African American like her, seated at her desk opposite Angel’s cubicle. Her skin colour is darker than Angel’s, like that of dark chocolate. She had black, kinky hair tied above her head and leaving a huge tuft of hair. She wore glasses with a blue frame and wore a black suit with a white blouse and matching black high-heels. Angel couldn’t help but feel intimidated by the lady’s beauty.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCaBMkuwEF
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5pPHnd41p
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMhps48ybJ
“Yes, it is," said Angel as she fully turned around in her seat and drew her arm out. "Your name is-?"430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2I2mOIZLAI
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xmWjuSzKt
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjfskiSMeJ
"Sabrina," said the lady as she leaned forward and shook hands with Angel. "I see a lot of people really want to know you."430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCN6ZGowRt2
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhiMsVwi8q
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBFGFNH32t
"Maybe it's because I'm new here," said Angel, trying her best to stress a point kindly.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr94ivb7gbV
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5G8AleSSv
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU5ouCIrJR
"Or maybe it's because you're just too pretty," Sabrina gave Angel a flashy smile.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0TpZ0Qnqk
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6pBAQYzb6
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLk3qBheDa
Angel playfully shrugged her shoulders. "I can't be too sure about that."430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMU9iD7Hd0
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpTuT27DdV
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QpTvJv5rX
"It's because you don't see it. The person you were talking to just now, he's really hard to come by. A lot of ladies around here try to get his attention. For him to actually ask you out for lunch will probably leave a lot of people here speechless."430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrACCTmKUY6
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1alrrFfysS
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3f4PIg0Wiw
Angel raised an eyebrow. "Really? Why do you say so? You make it sound like he's an introvert when he seems like a really outgoing person."430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6XOzkSB7V
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnqouxAA8T
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjm6HASjzes
"He is. It's just that he has his own circle of friends. When many ladies try to get close, he pulls away. He's acquainted with a lot of us, but none of us have ever gotten close to him."430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01XBwcQCxF
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNsoiaEBmr
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡat1la438iX
"Okay, but what does that have to do with me? I just met him."430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7i9ZUHM2d
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYXrMNasrv
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPGtWqf5Tk
"Him escorting you here and asking you out for lunch is actually the first time I've seen him try to engage a lady in a conversation. He rarely does, unless he is talking about work."430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcKN5Bx8KO
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4qnH45Osl
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjGHGAiH7X
"Oh, I see. But that doesn't mean he likes me or anything, right?"430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawshhxWCbJ
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbL0ivyhEI
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPZBMxqZHy
Sabrina shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows with men. One minute they're leading you on, the next they aren't. But with Derrick, he might really like you."430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJaUIMv0ki
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQda4tbNrC2
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk41MrYCD1
"He doesn't have a girlfriend, does he?" came another female with blonde hair and striking blue eyes. She stood in the aisle with papers in her hands. She seemed to have popped out out of nowhere.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJW8POzSp0H
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRRpLgEbrk
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyW5fgBsfR
"Not that I know of," Sabrina answered her. "Angel, this is Beatrix."430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EBpglUiOS
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJS3YJmL1E
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBBOHlCOFL
"Oh, sorry for butting in in your conversation," said Beatrix, looking at Angel and raising her hand apologetically. "Where are my manners?"430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hf9kg7Fsy
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxUsJt72Vg
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOT4aWd63VJ
"It's okay," said Angel. "It's nice to meet you, Beatrix."430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA7S3By0Zd
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4HbD0Q2mZ
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJfRuXQZeG
"Nice meeting you too. Just like Sabrina said, I'm also shocked Derrick actually talked to you so casually and actually asked you out for lunch."430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrbxPuozam
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MVmoR0p4B
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtsAjjIcAP
"You see," Sabrina said to Angel with a smile on her face.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI84NquETLV
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkezT674qn
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjC9TYrTPH5
"I'm not going to say anything," said Angel. "You obviously know him better than I do."430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaPMC6rtsL
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFtztH9I7H
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8V6HtaA17
"Just admit it. He has his eye on you."430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuXLvUFnqx
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvszGhuS6h
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2RBrHhE39
Angel blushed. She looked to the floor, hoping that the other two wouldn’t notice.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj9BIB9yUE
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaECvR7CGcs
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXIxXGWLrO
"If you managed to get his attention, what more of the other male folk around here who are single?"430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZEIZPVTZY
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbnuoRnY3s
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFv2kSIL8Ao
"Let's not talk about that," said Angel as she quickly spun around in her chair. “The last thing I need right now is to worry about who likes me.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgrR506Pwy
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve0eQ0BGv9
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG96pU4ptc
“Was it like this at your previous workplace? I hear you worked for some editing company, right?” Beatrix asked.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTpRiW5x8v
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOB8ORXJhnU
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnc1h2gcVwt
Looks like they got their information from HR, Angel thought before she turned around to look at the two ladies. “As far as I can remember, no. Most men were married, so, I didn’t have any problems.” Except Mark, of course. She made sure not to say that out loud.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5hAkltLtc
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYeoj0IMc1
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMDUCPxC6u
“Anyway, since you’re close with Eric and Leo, I bet you have their attention too,” said Sabrina.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybuxxRPNPP
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaPuebK9U0
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfbNxZT84r
“Oh, no, I don’t think so,” Angel was quick to deny.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSA2cMDNNS
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKXo5bCVXB
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ7orrNpJU
“They are very good-looking and all the ladies wouldn’t mind getting close to them. But just like Derrick, they also don’t like to get too close. Eric's better since he’s outgoing and all. But Leo keeps to himself. He seems like a no nonsense person and he was pretty serious with his relationship with Kim until they called off the wedding.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6qVeYTRaT
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyFpacHaRQ
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnkdoYsw6t
Angel didn’t want to hear any more of this. If only they knew that the reason why that happened is because of Carly.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9a1ltAANcj
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeax46QNcnW
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYSEQtDtTj
“Do you know why that happened, Angel?” Beatrix asked. “You’re close to the family, so you should know the reason.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCizFWvZp8
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIYs69J1Tr
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf75x5tfeUH
“I can’t answer that.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBY40jlc3g
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCaLt7Qj9l
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXtCMPtZv4
Sabrina drew herself closer, dragging the chair with her. “Why not?” she asked. “Is it that bad?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qotszgE1e
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVvrB7HcZo
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBPHDTHXpJ
“No one actually knows why Leo broke things off with Kim, and so does she.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxq0S94IlRx
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzr5twlTyCz
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFkVMg9D56
“Oh, darn!” Beatrix clicked her tongue. “Everyone around here also says the same thing.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5sJkZVrNO
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb3kxp5ji9
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5dbqa9vj6
Good, Angel thought. It’s best she went with this. No one in the McDonell mansion knows the truth except for her, Eric, Carly and Leo. The more people think of it as a mystery, the better.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtTSEVYD1q
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmxuUbSUx4
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvJhUZ0OLk
“You see, Leo keeps things to himself,” said Sabrina. “As much as he is good looking, I feel he has such an attitude. You feel it sometimes when he talks to you, though he isn’t always like that.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjxM4D4VUL
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xXoGyBAU5
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5dmRYsfNV
“Well, he does have an attitude, I can agree on that," said Angel.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrXaqJT0Gi
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgQfoEVwj4
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImSeEZKHwm
“How do you handle him? Doesn’t he get on your nerves?” Beatrix asked.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYW7ndVi9sh
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCaYWXBJTK
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo68t8Prsf
“Sometimes. But he isn’t that bad.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8llL0JCA7
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9dtJAzBWO
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBRFsnEyaX
“Ya, I see how he’s close with his family, especially Eric,” said Sabrina. “I just wish he was more outgoing, you know.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EJJlY0DAa
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JH7UBsPx0
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4P9m6NDML
You and me both, Angel thought. “I better start working on these files.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG44OvwMlQL
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIDL9wFJpq
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxMNU6MoUt
“Oh, ya, sure,” said Beatrix, “sorry for disturbing you.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsgCdDld4H
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEw5mbWfg5D
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMaZuICD62
“Not a problem.” Angel quickly swirled round in her chair to face the file in front of her. She really needed to get some work done. She didn’t expect to be in engaged in so much talk on her first day. She still felt uneasy as she heard a whisper across the room and thought she had heard someone mention her name. She had to agree with Derrick. She would be the talk of the office for a while.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIKQJOPnEd
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxfRllDhxP
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JAvwVCwAw
She closed her eyes shaking off the feeling so as to try and focus on work. She always did this, even at the editing company when she sometimes felt anxious or pressured. When she opened them, she went straight to work on the files.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6WsvhyMOq
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VVVBxQzmX
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6s8gBz2Z1M
***430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7EYrDndF1
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSoH1SnrKm
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfLUaUGHtT
Leo heard the phone on his desk vibrate. He wondered if it’s Eric sending him a text that he couldn’t find what he went to look for. Leo sighed. He now wished his father was handling this meeting with Eric and not him. With Eric out of the office for a while, now is the time he can try and catch up on work, especially with answering his emails on his iMac.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfuLr0yUBs
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFe5FeOmMH
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO48ksu3nT
His eyes left the computer screen and he went on to look at his phone. A sudden feeling came over, telling him that it might not be Eric who sent him a message. Could it be his father? If he wanted anything from Leo, he would've called. Maybe it’s his mother? No, he shook his head. It can’t be her. Just like his father, she would’ve called. Could it be Carly? It might, he thought positively. Maybe she thought of texting him.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrP5293XSS
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHE9UpYC1z
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hnO8ci6NL
He quickly took his phone and turned on the screen to find the message isn’t from Carly. It's from Kim. He felt like putting his phone aside and getting back to work. Instead, he unlocked the phone to read her message and it was nothing but a simple “Hello.” He rolled his eyes as he wished he had never bumped into her at the café this morning. Should he ignore the message? As much as he wanted to, he still had to say something. He didn’t want to seem rude like he does sometimes.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yBqro3PeG
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK67QG8yl9U
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhcfGzvtHz
He texted her back and quickly put his phone down on the desk, hoping that she wouldn’t text back, but she did. Leo couldn’t help but groan.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItuuiCd1nY
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLO37BcZT5
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNd0biYAzhg
A knock soon came at the door and before Leo could tell the person to come in, the door flew open and Eric walked in with papers in his hands. Leo groaned even more, throwing his head back onto his chair.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3bEIOORCr
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51fsTnidvl
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM21MiMzHB5
“What’s up with you, grumpy?” Eric asked as he came to sit on the chair, facing Leo.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcP6FsGniLD
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4Z4esfLMa
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYbJsCKaGZ
“Why don’t you ever knock when you come in?” Leo asked as he folded his arms.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BeJoxok2u
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLNoMwMDxj
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbgMevnuBP
“I’m sorry, but I already know you’re used to it. So what’s up?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK5F9qgDCS
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYNeAoi6HF
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBDSOXlDsU
Leo looked at Eric. His cousin knew him better than anyone. He took a deep breath and leaned his elbows on the table.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqidd4i9jh0
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWz8S9KeLge
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaJMFvcsU4
“Kim texted me,” he said.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCv2kyWIwt
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFbvunHqHj
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡko8PZ8ZuAi
“Whoa, Kim texted you?” Eric for some reason didn’t look at all surprised. “How come?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXDyk1QnAI
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMunAMf9Edf
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztXjQNboP4
“Angel and I met her at the café where we bought croissants.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtnKeIPWgd
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0BQMxFvUB
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAZWA48Hw7
“Why didn’t you tell me?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKyYjLD5A4
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNWer8PGCN
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtepRFKr70B
“It didn’t matter then, but it does now. She just texted me.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpwf0mXaCz
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKnFLHgb8s
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHgGbwAxsT
“What did she say?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJVJ1E1vUq
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLZnuZOJif
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObAalvfG0Q
“Just a simple hello.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjA7PQo5AkP
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8jFEADPgK
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4eXEVaBk1
“And did you reply?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwHdhIjDFG
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsKlB2eVlT
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8panwd2dQ
“Of course, I did.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNN84qHbr5l
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjHZs3Vrfx
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmIn0E6p0m
“And…?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepjln2XK4A
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BZQAbYhGK
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZDjKUaaLy
“She texted back and I haven’t read the message.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSHnHaKFxb
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnErilrG0E8
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjNPvZiaeT
“You better see what that message says.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ELYPq29y6
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvc5pjBH8MJ
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MluNBF71e
“And what if I don’t want to? It’s pretty obvious that she wants to hook up for lunch or something.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Sg0QK4z1P
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfoWpHV2Pc
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ik82nCtXP
“You’re right. I’m impressed with how much you know women, nowadays.” Eric gave him an encouraging smile.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKggsgZjrS
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWvkghkoId
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6phMTrlP8
“Don’t flatter me. What am I going to do? I don’t want to meet her, that’s if she does ask that we should.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocLO9ZqFt4
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2ubtKtNj0
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9dFPJr35Y
“You’ll never know what you’ve to do if you don’t read the message.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpgziQtgf7
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj9qAb25FD
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBz9hCKzqh
“You’re right.” Leo took his phone and unlocked it. When he read the message, he suddenly had a gloomy look. “She wants us to meet.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscabbM45Qe
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPFHsrazyv
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO21B9KPE6
“She really must be desperate, huh?” Eric raised his eyebrows. “Who can blame her? Being dumped on your wedding day to such a handsome man like you wasn’t what she expected.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwNeG0R7sJ
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBI4iRrXc4
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFP54hzZDO
“You aren’t making me feel any better. Besides, I apologised. I don’t know what she wants me to do.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5r1IDNPz6
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtJmL6Zbfd
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAsWv5TGdn
“She needs an answer from you. That’s what.” Eric leaned back on the chair. "You never told her why you left on your wedding day. In fact, everyone keeps asking me that question and I always say that I don’t know.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6I6ag8jKV
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNy4udhiKC
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCGi26zVDc
“The less who know, the better.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYff1eACRkY
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMwY04zdyC
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgw0oDJT9I4
“Sooner or later, you’ll have to tell Kim the truth. If anything, she deserves it more than anyone.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGwFwZKbJT
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJwVYsDmmL
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KjeOY8kfD
Leo didn’t say anything as he looked down at his phone on the table. He took it and started to tap away, then he quickly put it down.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bVIy1CQCV
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zMSWAE9Ys
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6ENSX2MsQ
“What did you tell her?” Eric couldn’t help but look on curiously at Leo’s phone.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDl2RnrZUz
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77FcMtFpGK
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoryVrKUvC3
“I told her we can meet,” Leo answered,430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yid62W7Dd
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEif3Xii4g
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmFyjqvh1r
“WHAT!” Eric held his head, not believing what Leo said. “I don’t believe you. Let me see the message.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVspPz4fHnx
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85VrWQGxzP
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlceO8dy0c
Leo groaned, but he got his phone, unlocked it and gave Eric. When Eric read it for himself, he stared at Leo.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeABcnsrFtY
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHqMLrlKyP
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVekolu6kKu
“You’re serious,” he said as he gave Leo back his phone. “Are you finally going to tell her the truth?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwYgbNX5QF
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviGKMDyrCD
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRe1Awe750
“On that part, I don’t know,” Leo answered as he leaned back on his chair, deep in thought.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN68msUQQie
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy60jD4iqTq
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRyXTwFaau
“Well, if you tell her, it will finally give her the chance to move on, don’t you think?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbHf1vElCv
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJPcJ9wskR
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzYuPrw6BM
“If I do tell her, she’ll kill me.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR510c6hYmi
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsFaomCt1N
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlF2VarDnPb
“It’s typical of a woman. Even I would kill you. I wouldn’t like to know that the reason why my man left me was because he fell in love with someone else.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLbcxLSJBa
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd40lNYELhq
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x723cldpb
Leo chuckled to himself as he stared at the ceiling. “I still remember that day. Gosh, all of that happened so suddenly.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNun9I2wg8
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aFEfOcxXi
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylh54Ii56V
“I thought you had gone mad, but looking at you now, you seem to have made the right decision. You don’t look regretful for leaving Kim.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXZw2lB2AW
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHVZkLuoOX
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzk0E6A4pV
“I think it was the right thing to do.” Leo now had his eyes on Eric. “If anything, I feel like I really didn’t love her at all.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt09fWfxGi8
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8elmkdYT72
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhmXp7keqp
Eric smiled. “Grandma will be glad if she heard those words coming out of that mouth of yours.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbuR5BUyik
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2wH9RltL4
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6gW6wJsLa
“I know. Seems like she was right after all. Kim was never good for me.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiVfrQrk6V
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbf6nLVPh0
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQdZszN0Uc
“Wait until she finds out that you’re actually in love with Carly.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dqh0oSMll
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKHzsndIoh
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMReZKEMNY
The two cousins looked at each other, imagining the scenario. Eric reacted first.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlf8gbkbpMp
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeywTcrRj89
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFbkf99JEi
“No, I don’t want to imagine it,” he said as he shook his head. “Something tells me it won’t be a good one.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3l0U2BRgS9
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EKmdht8W5
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsya4fwhJec
“I agree,” said Leo as he rubbed the temple of his head. “I don’t want to imagine my mother, though.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCR0dhp2og
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPRxuM8rMo
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJ1VzRyB43
“That one is pretty obvious; I don’t have to imagine it, that’s if I want my head to explode.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJun5iMM3Qz
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFsofccIP6
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsZhsZFa20
The two laughed.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMsWg2Cw0z
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9KnvZOMc8
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLo71ov0mg
“Okay, okay, let’s get back to work,” said Eric, wiping away a tear in his eye. “Remember, we’ve to finish these arrangements before lunch.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1Hh2yoLI6
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXGMqvTBv6
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpje0AKENdq
“You’re right,” said Leo as he went on to look at his screen and switched windows from his email to an open document.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0mNASjhWb
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2FI4ERr4D
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RXu3dsvAx
A brief silence passed between them when they suddenly burst out laughing at the same time.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7wzughUtQ
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbngaTnZge0
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45he5zUQUm
***430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNIwtG5OxW
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBgPQfagg0
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mXmt3zW7I
"Hey, Miranda, are you okay?"430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Bv44zCEpK
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCn3rMEBPKO
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTRwkGZTg7
Miranda quickly turned to the person who spoke to her. It's Brad. She rolled her eyes. “Oh, it’s you,” she said, turning her head to look elsewhere.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFXLzRt2El
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFui0waPtpT
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFRZlRRc9V
Miranda was seated on a chair in the lecture room. They were waiting for their next lecture as the previous one ended minutes ago. She had been going through her phone to pass time when she was supposed to be studying. God knows just how behind she is.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjE6bkAi1pO
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZcQfoCqLM
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoslKu2YpIx
“Scoot over,” Brad insisted as he moved his body closer to hers, forcing her to move.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1pUCwXras
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavFhutaVPn
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPNJkNq0nK
Miranda moved over to the next chair which was empty and Brad finally managed to sit next to her.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwLtO7sc55
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzpVtd4Tmr
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2pqRGn6Z1
“What were you looking at?” he asked as he tried to see what's on Miranda’s phone.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeeW49S2cJ
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboLKTSKojP
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eye5MqnZg
“Nothing, why do you want to know?” she asked, holding her phone tight and facing her body the other way to avoid him from looking.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxtdCoErFw
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP6hQMA1Jm
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpVriRaL2R
“You seem really fixed on it. I want to see what’s caught your interest.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngPrCkLuDF
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvJaJfNFus
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7Fn3qBOmT
“Like I told you, it’s nothing. So why don’t you just mind your business?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWfoAkaX7q
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5zOc7qObA
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm907dRZbLg
“I would, but I’m not going to this time.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9McNcDfBr
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVzaT9LpW2
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxRrFQstAg
“You never do.” Miranda gave him a gloomy look.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwCjCvBXTV
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0J0gJqqBl
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BcQqmiYa6
“I say that because something’s been different about you lately.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8m1wNvxmhZ
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEVqnuVoWN
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnowvAGqth
She raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oLwTcuCjn
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSstnayx1FX
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEADSG1e5FR
“Well…,” Brad placed his elbow on the table with his hand supporting the side of his face so as to get a good look at Miranda. “You’re barely concentrating in class these days. And last week when we were handing in our assignments, you were late. You were so lucky that the madam took pity on you and accepted it.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZMx2L9PvO
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ilhe2G9Jf
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡribuRaNw59
“I had a slight problem with my laptop, that’s all.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmJZPe2eKi
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQY677NuCc
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmeK5jS1LL
Brad scoffed. “Nah, that’s not it.” He wagged his index finger in front of her face. Miranda got irritated that she pushed his hand away. “Something is keeping you distracted.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8occZkUcZp
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJakZrgaCK
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEC2zV5Gw4
“I’m just busy, that’s all.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQ5WjcZrqf
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFBDffW0PN
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkexvVLMgPO
“There’s a difference between being busy and getting distracted. And you, my friend, are distracted.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldxxMppH1m
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LMLtN6EcR
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hNdKdNGkV
Miranda rolled her eyes at him and looked down at her phone before she went on to look in front of her.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpoIabIHl9
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XtGb7xXA7
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtC8npRfeKA
“So what were you looking at on that phone of yours?” Brad went on to ask.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5g0VMbjjVr
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk35OBTm40z
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsBvBwP8zZ
Miranda looked at him through the corner of her eye. “You really don’t listen, do you?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBfdDR4LGD
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TjK68I4Uk
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4Ssyzmq7s
“I thought I saw you looking at a guy's photo on Instagram just now. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTNNl5ayqc
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9EgsNfVY6
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9OKwekv41
Miranda felt like standing up from her seat to go elsewhere, but she soon felt Brad hold her free hand, pinning her in place. It’s like he knew what she was about to do and he did the only thing possible to pin her down.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7F3XAKfSW4
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceuolWiucQ
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9idGXxXdAn
“Let go of me, Brad,” she warned him.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSFrjWbPoL
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jy5x1K5Lb
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUiajpXlL9
“And what if I don’t want to?” he asked with a smirk on his face.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwc0tNneVo
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKONBDwNCu
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvWECQ6lzD
“You’re hurting me. Why are you being such a prick?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlU8NiGlqYN
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgl5DL2qaC
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLAJhmxspK
“It’s because I’m worried about you. Something is up and I need to know what it is. Is it that man you keep looking at on your phone? Mind you, I’ve seen you looking at him time and time again.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgxk5kO2qu
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzn9eYIXHZx
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwWjdhJB28
Miranda felt her cheeks heat up. She couldn’t tell Brad about her sudden interest in Leo McDonell. Brad just said he looked familiar. And if he kept looking at her phone, he might realise who he is. She had to think of something.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcULbYBiFv
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3ATm9MJYV
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEHmNH87dO
“You’re worried over nothing,” she said. “Just some celebrity that I follow on Instagram. I think he’s really cute and that’s why I look at his photos.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFGekZ54eI
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4IxthieIi
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwe6MNHjjm8
Brad stared at her for a second. Miranda knew she had told him part of the truth. But she couldn’t go into detail or else she might say something about Leo. If he knew, she didn’t know what he would do.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYXMrbt8fu
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOma4e3qvJ
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sBqKxcoYv
“Girls and your stupid crushes,” he said as he finally let go of her hand. “When will you ever let it go?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMQP4bxm62
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbH0v4AhPPA
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwonNH3NwAl
“When the time is right,” said Miranda, doing her best not to sound nervous.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgj93fwldCK
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGOZo7DZZ9
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8eu0PRdcP
“So who is this guy, anyway?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFAvbOaNHp
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw1Fi4PBty
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeyMgbKnPn
She was afraid he was going to ask that. So when their lecturer walked through the door of the theatre, she let out a silent sigh of relief. Everyone who was still up and about went to their seats, and the lecture begun.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JvXDOuPVY
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYTQhHTg2A
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6Kgz2XBBO
***430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6S1ja95bAn
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKGC6Ed2CY
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52Q7MB0DwQ
It’s finally lunch time, and Eric couldn’t wait to get out of the office with Angel and go somewhere nice. He had been in Leo’s office preparing for the meeting with the Chinese. Now that they're done, he couldn’t wait to leave.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCWXztyI9d
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1CMhvHQv8
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQE2qc32Po
“Whoa, where do you think you’re going?” Leo asked, still seated behind his desk.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZFx5uRD8r
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHL87sahw3
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzKc0HTGxo
“I’m going out for lunch,” Eric answered, heading for the door.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwq8WwfbOak
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkns45sPdNq
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v4YrpHhAp
“You look like you’re going to the bathroom.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBl1fPRii9k
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzcxb3d43s
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3fS73596m
“I’m taking Angel out,” Eric said with a proud look on his face.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffnaPUv9h4
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjdJE9Kk5d
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlV7woppV7
Leo couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Oh, you’re going out with Angel, then?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4C0pSMLYU
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJWbTgdVuD
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8MW7Na4yP
“Yep. Wipe that sour look on your face. Or are you upset that you have to go out with Kim?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZiEMMk61k
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxLDbmmL1B
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsnPxp2hNa
“I couldn’t care less about that. Besides, having lunch with Angel doesn’t appeal to me.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTOmtVTcqN
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKSIYAK1cf
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSrLjTRvDR
“That’s because you don’t like her. Mind you, having lunch with Angel is way better than having it with Kim.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAUMsimTTd
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjkWHs8R5z
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hUR2Viaos
The look on Leo’s face became grim. Even when he didn’t want to admit it, he knew Eric is right. He cleared his throat. “If you ask me there isn’t much of a difference.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T328A257g
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZvi31eSzo
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VvnwJcRFi
It's Eric’s turn to roll his eyes. “You know, if you gave yourself time to actually know Angel instead of fighting with her all the time, you’ll find that she’s okay to be with than Kim.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcRahqiLNW
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLRzIyXQu1
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGx0fZpHvHW
“I beg to differ.” Leo’s face became even more serious.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWlnt6PBq4
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc17HAyrf3j
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JQZ72bMlb
“I’ve to go now,” said Eric as he reached the door and held the knob. “Tell me how things go with Kim, okay? And try not to start an argument with her, wherever you will be.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvRemHcS1O
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWNcFqKAyY
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIzwoayQgh
“I won’t.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPtvVDtrSQ
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1BVFQ1fYJ
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZq0KLPXXp
Eric gave his cousin a concerned look. “I sure hope so. I’m off. See you later.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn8gZfRkTy
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuJYFUHxAJ
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4rIxQAwc8
Leo gave him a nod and Eric quickly rushed out of the door like an excited young boy who had been told he could go outside and play with his friends. Even when Leo felt irritated by Eric’s enthusiasm, he couldn’t help but envy him a little. The man is in love, Leo thought to himself. Even when he knew he loved Carly, he didn’t experience the kind of lovey-dovey nonsense Eric is in right now. Is that what he admired? The crazy feeling of liking someone that you couldn’t wait to see them?430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TcoAlGtzK
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbryPtAI9f
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjecItj7Lq
Leo shook his head. People are different and express love in different ways, he concluded. There’s no doubt in his mind that he loved Carly. Besides, he thought to himself, I don’t think Eric likes Angel to that extent. Maybe what he feels for her might pass in due time. Leo thought again, and concluded that Eric’s feelings towards Angel aren’t going to pass any time soon.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63zEoU7iXj
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpYtxNEir0
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1C8wRvOcj
He soon got up from his seat as he also had to prepare himself to go and meet Kim. He didn’t know how his lunch with her is going to go. Before that, he thought he could lie to her that something came up to avoid any drama. But he couldn’t do that now. He would look like a coward. Something he doesn’t want to be.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaw9TcPrrn
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2SiYl7wkQ
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLRfYs17sl
He walked up to the door and got his jacket on the coat hanger. And with a deep breath, he opened the door and walked out.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5190ZqjiRX
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90CqbcRR9r
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjTRnSnCbb
***430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtDzMmS0wV
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY4wWMBoJ6
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IscQ3iIzv
“I bet you’re hungry, huh?” Eric asked as he and Angel finally got out of the complex building.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwj4s7NZSb
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXk745UxY5
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57GN7S3yhI
"You can say that again,” she said turning to look at Eric. "I’m so famished for my first day.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5hT5OFe9N
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkraYrWnfu
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKIzM0m6UN
"I get what you mean. So many people keep asking me about you.” Eric had his hands in his pockets as he stared up at the sky. "You’ve made quite a reputation for someone on their first day.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhUEuSIa3C
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH27tFgShmv
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRdVtUeERU
"All that will pass.” Angel smiled at Eric. "It’s just the first day. By the end of the week, everyone would’ve forgotten that I even existed.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPxz80xKey
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dyWZRobbF
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5626uIPYQq
"I doubt that. People will forget, but it’s no question that you’ll still be the talk of the office. I mean, you’ll obviously be classified as the most beautiful female member of staff.” Eric now had his eyes on her as he chuckled.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyFVAIFztR
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmo6VLMkwt1
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwP3AXhMUbY
Angel playfully punched him on the arm. "What are you saying? There are many beautiful women at the company. If you ask me, their beauty is intimidating.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hMDeLnONa
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8boFPbEgS
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkEmC5Usv3
"That’s because you miss the big picture,” Eric stopped walking as he now held her arm to stop her as well. "You really are very beautiful, you do know that, right?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3nRugGHt9
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48bZtPEOA7
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqTpgWCsq2
Angel couldn’t say anything as she continued to look at Eric. Her heart started to flutter and felt her cheeks heat up. She found all of this awkward as she started to look around. She looked back at Eric, wondering how to tell him that they were standing in the middle of the street and might be in the way. But the look he continued to give her left her speechless.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVbFeGMRTz
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfvdi5gAbY
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfME69iLXi
"I wish you could see what I see,” he said in a whisper. Even with all the bustling of people about and the hooting of the car horns, Angel got what he said. That made her cheeks heat up even more. She cleared her throat.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhoBs58r8h
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFO5bcoOWP6
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dSayPGA0z
"Ummm, Eric, we’re standing in the way,” she said. "This isn’t the time or the place for this, don’t you think?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4O0EzRCkH
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ09SqUNNDW
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvq13hlPOiV
"Oh,” Eric forgot they were in the middle of the sidewalk, with people moving around. "I totally forgot that we were here in the first place. I must have spaced out a bit.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeG5pC8LvC4
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbPUIlGLUk
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2U3k8Fsbq
Angel cleared her throat again as she looked down at her feet for a brief moment. "That must be it. Come on, weren’t you taking me out for lunch? I’m starving.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6o9mP9SlTo
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6zvyBlKpF
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsQp1l9FCO
Eric nervously chuckled and at the same time scratched the back of his head. "I shouldn’t keep a lady waiting. Sorry about that.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3G1aC956X
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuiErsaOQc
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6YCIimrai
"Not at all.” She tried her best not to look like she had been flattered, but her cheeks continued to blush, making her even more nervous.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9f8eIpAtXo
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXOZFrs32y
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LB3wz2e2c
They continued their walk down the sidewalk when Eric said, "I mean what I said, though. I hope you aren’t offended or anything.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzc6DZCZg1
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRdIoN2OA6
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWAqQSqYEL
They stopped at the traffic lights and they waited for the walk sign to light up when Angel turned to look at Eric. "No, don’t worry,” she said.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1SJaO3uky
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgyyFpShal
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFfSE1RENv
The light soon went green and the pedestrians who stood at the edge of the sidewalk crossed the road to the other side.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OIdxQaEkm
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktCRUp5UiH
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTXPtzg8K0
"I’m glad,” said Eric. "I thought you would be upset or something.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3cHJ8VDYE
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDbWxStoOG
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3BdF2Ooc5
"I’ve received such comments before, so I’m not.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aGMaskpBx
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf7YWtnNjq
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4m6xvchgT
Eric clicked his tongue as he shrugged. "You would, obviously. I also shouldn’t be surprised.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Lece3zAGB
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LCmPgfyY5
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcHQBaQzSm
Angel tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. She couldn’t tell Eric that his approach was different from the ones she had encountered before. Even from Mark. She felt her cheeks heat up even more by the thought of it. It's best, she thought, that I don’t say anything.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aOOREpWUV
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5wyYBaf4m
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtgDjdoS5m
"Let me take you to my favourite restaurant nearby,” Eric continued as he smiled at her. "You’ll love it. And you can order whatever you like.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJ9hxrtXry
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzoA9YkGmR
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7Tsxdp5OA
Angel couldn’t help but chuckle. "Don’t be so silly,” she said. "As much as that offer sounds tempting, it’s pretty obvious that I won’t be that careless.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjoQ2iZNjg
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WoN2XZHpE
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZwfx4ZQvM
"Well, the food is on me, so I won’t mind if you order countless dishes.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBpzwQBPWK
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RsAEqdNIr
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnSJ5kiSMA
"Thanks,” this time she laughed. "But even if I’m so hungry, I don’t eat that much.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSlCpqa48n
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PV5Nzi4o1
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAvCwLlKXX
"Just letting you know that the offer is on the table. Ah! Here we are.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dIGIOMGRg
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ642uGSRgNI
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi4cMxXQ5U
They stopped in front of a small restaurant. From outside, it might not look like a five-star restaurant, but for some reason, Angel found it almost elegant as she looked through the huge glass window. The décor is simple but had a touch of elegance. White chairs and tables covered with white cloths with beautiful gold embroidery on them. Elegant flowers of different colours and types sat on different tables, making the place look more romantic. This scene reminded her of the place she went for lunch with Mark last week.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpizBlwY7j
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkMXWwsu8Y
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBNVtCMtjR
"Shall we?” Eric held the door to the restaurant open as he waited for her.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlrn868Tn0
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrSQ6NYGCZ
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxwL2p3KeQ
Angel shook herself from her daydream and went through the open door.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUE4VJpzgiW
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8CisjgFUQ
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VrV3pbeBD
She started to look around the place when a smartly dressed male waiter, approached her. Eric stood behind her after closing the door. Immediately, the male waiter smiled at Eric like they know each other. Angel shouldn’t be surprised. Eric did say he liked coming here.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFebuUBRkz
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZGvArmvCy
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNRQduC9iD
‘"Hello, sir,” said the young waiter with a wide smile. "I see you came with company. Will you be taking the usual table?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhJAYxY1wQ
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFZCOJ5gHu
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5bGuPlFVS
"That’s if it’s free,” Eric answered.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ciFPhh3j7
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYxBu0sXCK
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM4IzZdenN
"Well, you’re just in luck. Please, follow me.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh20S1IO09D
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukr3sxW1zk
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0plmQf0fRq
Angel couldn’t ignore the way the waiter addressed them with so much courtesy. He led them to one of the tables by the corner, close to the window. When they neared the table, Eric drew out a chair for her to sit and Angel did likewise. Eric sat on the other side of the table, facing her. He told the waiter to serve them a glass of water as they looked through the menu before ordering.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDM7x6BSJ0
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT1IDPPLu8
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgIBiP29uF
"The waiter seems to know you very well,” said Angel as she picked up the menu card on the table.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKq63jvoVv
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgmiWAxNae
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdeNB9wbzS
"I come here a lot,” said Eric as he also picked up the other menu on his side.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpoyXCG3n8
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLJ7iQ0b1c
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kVsTRhsbz
Angel said nothing as she smiled and looked at the menu.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCrTP3g7G3
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5DWSj5Bp6
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHjBQW9Tfg
"It’s sad that Leo couldn’t join us,” said Eric.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52KPEYfxFL
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LgJehNZaB
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJIjKflTEM
Angel looked at Eric. "Why do you say so? Were you scared that the two of us would start a fight in the restaurant?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnp3Nps99Y
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRkiFdPuOT
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpBU2KLNgY
Eric laughed. "No, I didn’t think that way in the least. If there is one thing I know for sure, you two can behave yourselves in a public place like this one. I wasn’t going to worry at all.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GbGXAfDOG
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkilYj0E4H
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RLuzgmObR
Angel made a face because she knew Eric is right. She looked back at the menu when Eric put up a funny face. "So then, why did you say that?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq20H0Bad0P
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwIlufAb0W
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDhVr5wOt4
"Because he’s having lunch with Kim. He must be heading to her as we speak.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4KHO9VDns
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKbW64bQW9
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLW4GoOqWcH
Angel raised her eyes from the menu. "Kim? We met her when we went to buy croissants this morning.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShI3EhaAHS
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65yePHJtsK
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPWo2CXTbv
"He told me. She actually texted him that she wanted to meet. And he agreed to do so.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7OVXiOX65
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGI9NERU4Y
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBawHxCdgF
"That’s so unlike him,” she looked towards the waiter who had brought them glasses of water. He asked if they were ready to order, and they both said they weren’t.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZXRqkRUae
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmFJ1eLepQ
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Cr90iCcwl
"I know, right?” Eric agreed with Angel after the waiter left. "I think he’s doing the right thing. Maybe he'll finally get to tell her the truth.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTqPrUdII5
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27eE386auZ
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVmOI3j0bF
Angel didn’t say anything as she thought about it. "Do you think he will? I mean, him going to see her is already unbelievable as it is.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tsAbUZkP9
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDrKv0HRG2
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgH3Yk6x36
Eric shrugged. "Who knows. If he does tell her, I think she’ll be at peace, right? But she’ll probably freak out and would want to know who it is.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLfzzcAuqa
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28ZaI0omzO
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXD4zmYdAo
"Now that you mention it, I fear it will turn out to be a disaster.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QbASbSXUT
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5g6Dzsanh9
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ660E8b8ji2
"You’re probably right,” Eric looked up at the ceiling, deep in thought. "That’s if Leo does tell her the truth and mentions that it's actually Carly he’s now in love with.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYti7kpcQnG
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWxe5KUQNy
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuS51Hz2TY
The two looked at each other in silence as they thought of the scenario. Eric groaned in frustration as he quickly pulled his phone out from the pocket.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDy7e9vKEP
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DB6iubfrR
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByWEBeI8Bx
"What are you doing?” Angel asked.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSA8TPXqKar
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvXeeAQVva
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAMAwesPRA
"Calling Leo so that he won’t tell Kim the truth,” Eric answered as he looked through his phone.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6deAdgnmH
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkENTPzHID
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaHaK4mHa2
"I think we’re just overthinking things. What if he doesn’t say anything? Or what if he does but doesn’t mention Carly’s name? If Leo is in line with what we just thought, the best is not to mention Carly.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgFOvM4x8Y
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBm7GL4RIL
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVID6601PYt
"You’re probably right,” Eric put his phone aside on the table and looked at Angel.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8667wQMNXl
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamNNxoRBC1
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTvyP99vj9
Angel continued to stare at him, but then, she put the menu on the table and started to play with her fingers. She bit her lower lip. "On second thought, I think you better give him a call. Just in case.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPjMrpNKKt
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqMDVAkE0E
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG01BT9YEZj
"I agree.” Eric quickly took his phone and went on to call Leo.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2E8HcBTPU
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEkSYBhNrB
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfYM9jOOqL
He had his phone to the ear when the ringing tone of Leo’s phone came up. He started to get worried in the moments that passed as the phone kept ringing. Could Leo already be with Kim at this very minute? He looked at Angel who looked back anxiously. She also started to worry. And just when Eric thought Leo wasn’t going to pick the call, he heard the cracking sound at the other end of the line.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJIjiBtE0v
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFMcXp7drr
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxLtXKCt8e
"Hello?” came Leo’s voice.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAxlBHTZ51
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE1nOHNEzp
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISFVvcWimi
"Thank goodness, you picked the call,” said Eric. "We were starting to get worried.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIePkkY10G
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOHVszNUIG
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8IDj7nOAn
"By ‘we’ you mean, you and Angel?” Leo sounded unconvinced.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdblfOcD0z
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzjKFJSPL6
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSEtY5qp7F
"It might seem unbelievable, but it’s true.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieQBVruspS
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7K2SIulA5d
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQVZddA9On
Leo sighed. "Get to the point. Why are you calling me?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzS0V7f8Ad
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxfKjJkGx0
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAe8oet4mh
"Are you heading to lunch with Kim right now?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKYoNOqqL5
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bTfB9ZXen
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvyiKVZDYm
"I was about to enter the car and head there. What’s up?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYu49DY6mEO
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPPgXq1oZ2
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTdzunToZ3
"Quick question. Are you going to tell Kim the truth?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv12ralrlrl
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYcvO6FZfA
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3ZsO00noa
"The truth about what? Why I didn’t marry her?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZy0pkbEQUL
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHk85KA9gDm
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1imuLf8bwE
"Yes.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY9voa3nqC
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoW2VDfS6i
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADS7ntM2Yk
"Weren’t you the one saying I should? What’s wrong? Are you getting second thoughts or you think I might screw this up?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBwr1jPYvZ
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8eoDQGlrM
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeTAqsGgNj
"Uh…,” Eric hesitated as his eyes found Angel who had been looking at him the entire time. Judging by Leo’s statement, he felt like he didn’t have to worry at all.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF33N1QoUAu
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFI8H0oOXg
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6CTOOwnkC
"Nah, you got this all under control,” Eric quickly pointed out. "I trust that you’ll do the right thing.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqNpe7tJq5
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AMQztnHFr
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v6xUE5xp4
Leo murmured and Eric knew he had just got on his nerves. "I don’t know why you’re scared, but I already know what I'm going to do. And if I'm going to tell her the truth, then you shouldn’t be bothered about it.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzY4JoJWk9G
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62nOzoZQWM
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheRq9vibqV
"I believe you. You’ve a nice lunch.” Eric cut the call.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYXbwxHez8
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3610Fb35UE
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCXK5yPuRw
"What did he say?” Angel quickly asked.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrweVm31Id
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LCV246FTM
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVODHoqkZvp
"That he’s got everything under control,” he answered. "I believe him. If he really is going to tell her the truth, I don’t think he’ll tell her he’s actually in love with Carly. If he does, then Kim will tell aunt, and she’ll be furious.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdQDAmkueG
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oKMNh3qRu
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvSaGHGraB
Angel cleared her throat before she said, "not only that. Once she finds out, she’ll realise that before Carly and I moved in, we had all known each other and have been pretending this whole time. And they might end up finding the truth about how Leo and Carly met.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoDW5TFf5q
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yUZwFILUh
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJr0OUaUpZ
The two looked at each other in silence, again. They both shook their heads as they picked up their menus.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFxmIVDbv4
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeFS7KOvYO
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFht5BnqAV
"Leo has this under control,” Eric assured her. "We’ve nothing to worry about.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKi8ABAbVo7
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylViHAqmAx
430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2Chbx4YCH
"Ya, you’re right,” said Angel as she looked at the menu, holding it tight. She really hoped that Eric is right.
Penana
search
Loginarrow_drop_down
Registerarrow_drop_down
