The rays of the sun crept its way through the large glass doors of the ship, lighting up the room. There was confetti and paper cups all around, not to mention empty beer and wine bottles that littered the floor. An unlikely object sat in the middle of the messy dance floor: a wooden chair. Someone sat on it as he bathed in the sun's rays. He leaned back lazily as he took in the view of the sun rising to the east above the waters of the New York harbour. He had been busy the whole night and felt like he needed sleep. But the exciting feeling of everything going according to plan rushed through his bloodstream like adrenaline, keeping him awake.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYwZtwzcUh
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He had his phone in hand, which lay flat on his outstretched left leg. He lifted the phone, but had still not received any reply from the person he had just texted. No bother; she must be tired like I am, Red Lion thought to himself.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPqUNVU68w
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As he continued to look on at the glittering blue waters, he heard a set of footsteps coming behind him, and he could tell who was approaching.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLmrCqsSJ9
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Carlos began to sing in Spanish, a common Mexican song, snapping his fingers. Red Lion recognized the song. He would’ve told Carlos any other day to shut his mouth, but there’s something about it that soothed him a little. Carlos might not have a good singing voice, but his voice was like honey to Red Lion’s ears.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEmkjiBZ4N
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When Carlos and Hugo came close, Carlos took hold of Red Lion’s shoulders and shook him in an excited way, forcing Red Lion to dance side to side on his chair. The gesture made Red Lion smile. Soon enough, he tapped Carlos’ hand on his shoulder informing him to stop. Carlos did as instructed and approached the glass doors leading to the deck, still singing. Hugo remained by Red Lion’s side, shaking his head at his jolly comrade.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5w0lV9lJsD
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"You threw quite a party last night," said Hugo, who’s deep voice was a bit groggy after drinking too much. It’s still a wonder to many, especially Red Lion, how he didn’t get so drunk and have a hangover the next day.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtFSj1r87r
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"Yes, I did," said Red Lion, feeling rather proud of himself. "Slowly but surely, I’ll get what I want."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGdg4p8TCo
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"No doubt about it. But you've got to be careful, though. If Andre catches a whiff of what’s going on, it will be dreadful."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnB82Db4tgl
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"I’ve calculated the risks. And trust me, I plan not to fail."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j96OltV5F
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"What of Walters? What are you going to do with him?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNzmYuLoEs
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"I’ll forgive him for his little stunt last night. But when coming to other things, I’m starting to wonder whether to involve him or not."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96JWyYrPTG
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Hugo raised an eyebrow as he looked down at Red Lion. "You do know he’s already fishy about you since you didn’t tell him the full details of your plan."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqQdZ5sYqJ
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"Yeah, I know. But I did tell Alex, though."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV03t8uS84o
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With the continuous singing of Carlos on the deck, Hugo paid him less attention as his facial expression turned into a grave one.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFoLPOx12D
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"You told him? Why?" Hugo asked.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rI9Du76tN
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"Alex is useful," Red Lion answered as he looked up at Hugo with a smile. "And I happen to like him. He is a real hard worker, as he has proved in the last couple of days."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0jrHeFj3u
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"Don’t tell me you plan to involve him all the way? Walters isn’t going to like it. You know how he opposed you bringing Carly on board."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMdOV6c7e5
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"I know. But look at what the two have done so far. With those two following along with my plans, I don’t see it going wrong."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzybh46HpQ0
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"Really? Aren’t you forgetting that there are always minor setbacks?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwhIv8a7Qm
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"For example, Walters, yes. But I know how to handle him. Don’t worry," Red Lion noticed the look Hugo gave him. "He’s as stubborn as an ox, and he doesn’t trust me in some areas."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDbg4Zbq3C
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"If I were you, I would act fast on him."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54W05dFXyU
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Red Lion gave a nod. "True. But he’s very vital to me, especially with dealings at the club. He won’t be easy to get rid of just yet."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJjou67NnP
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"I trust you to make the right decisions, then."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzJnHSs4vx
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Red Lion laughed, his laugh echoing alongside Carlos' singing. "Have I ever made the wrong one that would put us all at risk?" He stood up from his seat and patted his hand on Hugo’s shoulder. "With me, Hugo, our organization will be an unstoppable force. I can promise you that."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuYnSuox6J
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Red Lion turned to Carlos, singing with his arms wide on the deck. Red Lion joined in the singing and went over to his comrade on the deck. Hugo shook his head with a smile on his face and followed Red Lion. When Red Lion went onto the deck, Carlos turned to look at him and, with an outstretched arm, wrapped it around Red Lion's shoulders. The two continued to sing, while facing the sun, about the glorious days ahead.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXXg9UHaBm
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***371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtcR3Zgdn8
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"Morning, how are you?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUjiO0uZUA
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It’s been almost an hour since Leo sent Carly that text message, which she still hasn’t responded to. He had been staring down at the message for almost two minutes until he told himself to put the phone down and get to work. He did so with almost great difficulty, telling himself that Carly was probably tired and still fast asleep.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvekcvBrW1
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When he put his phone aside, he went to look at his computer. There were a bunch of emails, some of them from his colleagues which contained reports on their latest construction projects in New York that he needed to go through. That almost made Leo’s brain want to burst into flames. He knew it was only early working hours, but he already felt like he had worked for too long. There was no need to put himself under unnecessary pressure, as he opened up to read one email that didn’t involve any of the construction reports. As soon as he settled his mind to read, his landline on his desk started to ring. He quickly grabbed the receiver, drawing it closer to his ear.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEjKlwRj1M
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"Yes?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YHCaE5fLz
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"Please come over to my office, Leo," said Mr. McDonell. And with that, the line cut.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBcJYweAVh
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Leo wondered what his summoning could be all about. He sounded a little serious. Could something have happened? The only way to find out is if he goes there.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHi3vSn5rmm
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He left the office, telling his secretary where he would be in case anyone called. As he made his way to his father’s office, he couldn’t help but feel a little anxious. He had to tell himself not to think too much or else he might end up having a heart attack.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLGg7V45py
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Just as he had clear view of the door leading to his father’s office, he found Eric making his way there. Leo raised an eyebrow. Eric has also been summoned?371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sV1uMhX1n
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As though sensing that Leo was behind him, Eric turned to look in Leo’s direction and smiled. Leo wished he could have Eric’s optimism at this point in time. Because he had none.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlM1xxbOlD
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"You’ve been summoned too?" Eric asked when Leo got close.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZEn1e24Nq
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"Yeah," Leo answered. "And I have no idea why. Do you?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCx82L4s6F
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The corner of Eric’s lips were lifted into a smile. "I might have a guess," he said.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfvONeEcNb
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"Which is?" Leo folded his arms.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzy9V05tcm6
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"You’ll know soon enough. Let’s go in. We don’t want to keep him waiting."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGYLRfS356
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Leo watched Eric as he led the way to the door, greeting Mr. McDonell’s secretary. Leo gave her a nod and she smiled at him kindly. Eric knocked on the door and Mr. McDonell from inside told them to come in.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPLLcH2Be7
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The first thing Leo’s eyes fell upon when Eric opened the door, were the two chairs that faced his father’s desk which were occupied. Mrs. Lance sat on one chair while Angel sat on the other. Upon seeing Angel, he couldn’t help but worry why she was there.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rFlVznxC8
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"Morning, Mrs. Lance," Eric greeted.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzYxwVUJQw
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"Morning to you too," Mrs. Lance replied. "Hey, Leo. Are you good?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkz2gyhxILJ
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"I’m good, thanks," Leo replied.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtwOI7nkrN
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"So, let’s cut to the chase," said Mr. McDonell who sat behind his desk. Leo and Eric sat down on the comfortable black sofas behind the two ladies. "As you all know we have an important meeting with the Chinese. We know that Leo and Eric have been making preparations, but I would like Mrs. Lance and Angel to be on board."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajKrXsA556
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Leo felt his throat run dry so suddenly. Angel will help with the preparations? His father really didn’t mean to include more people. He and Eric have done this together several times. Including people now felt so foreign to Leo.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1C6cNCAKuB
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"That will be great," said Eric.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uUwLeFf6b
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Leo felt like giving Eric a poke with his elbow to tell him to keep quiet. But there was no hiding his enthusiasm and that irritated him the most, especially since he knew his cousin is only excited because Angel is in the fray. No wonder he was so excited before, Leo thought to himself. Did Eric know about this?371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6uWc55w9D
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"When will the meeting be?" Angel asked.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4wucLoxo1
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"This week on a Friday," said Mr. McDonell. "Eric, Leo, how far with the preparations?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRzQA1vfqp
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"There is a slight issue with the venue though," Eric answered. "We had many options, but we hadn’t decided on the place most suitable."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SKg6AL7Vo
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"Well, then it’s a good thing I asked these women to join us," said Mr. McDonell. "They might help since we don’t have enough time on our hands."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIAmBojqFD
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Leo raised an eyebrow. It’s true that Eric, and he had struggled a little on this last assignment, but there was a hotel that was ready to help host their meeting, and they were meant to visit the place this afternoon. Now he had a feeling he might be heading over there with Angel tagging along.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7qRZFQdci
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"We have a place in mind," Leo found himself saying. "So there is no need for the ladies to be bothered about this."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUhMexTgzy
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"Look at you being so macho," said Mrs. Lance, turning to look at Leo. "You need a woman’s touch when it comes to such things. Your mother might have been helping you out sometimes, but she isn’t here to do so. So don’t be so egoistic and let us help."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAEX2o73Ue
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"I couldn’t have put it in any other way," said Mr. McDonell, looking satisfied. "Let’s get this done quickly. Eric, Leo, you will tag Mrs. Lance and Angel along with you today."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQMbbgQEHf
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"Alright, we will leave in the afternoon soon after lunch," said Eric.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxZ2rxDTSi
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"Sounds good," said Mrs. Lance. "Will that be all?" she asked as she turned to Mr. McDonell.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33DC9J9kSj
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"Yes," said Mr. McDonell. "Thank you all for coming."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVRX03kZgk
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Everyone else all stood up from their seats. The two ladies made their way to the door first, but Eric was quick enough to reach it before them to open it. Mrs. Lance thanked Eric for being such a gentleman and Angel also thanked him. Eric and Leo were the last to leave.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwq4VbSGMjp
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"Isn’t this exciting?" Eric asked when they were out of earshot from Angel and Mrs. Lance. "Those two ladies get to help us out."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW9bvpYM42
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"I know you only mean Angel," said Leo, feeling irritated.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB0eRmbcJX
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"Well, you know me so well." Eric beamed with a smile that Leo felt blinded his eyes.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91EHbGNl6u
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"Whatever, this is getting annoying. Why did my father pick Angel when anyone else would’ve helped out?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsxsSpAvLP
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"To gain experience I think. Besides, it’s great to take on assignments outside the office."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0E4WrArHUM
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"Yeah, I guess. Hey, did you happen to know about this?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjac6ItuE3N
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Eric smiled as he answered, "no." Leo sucked his teeth.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9qfLOkUdN
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Ahead of them, Mrs. Lance took a detour to her office, while Angel was making her to the work area when she met Derrick coming in her direction.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0yfEd8aD0
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"Morning," he greeted.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TbOm2VzgW
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"Good morning, Derrick," Angel greeted.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkR1MwjR6ap
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"I didn’t see you at your desk when I passed by. I thought you weren’t going to be in today."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqotrcHlSC
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Angel chuckled. "It’s my second day here. I don’t think I have the right to be dodging work when I feel like it."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlnLrDQwbO
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"Well, you are close to the McDonells, aren’t you? I thought you might have the privilege."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQAT8IyST2
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Angel raised her eyebrows. "I’m just here because I have the qualifications to take on the job. I’m not here for fun."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkqm67KF3V
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Derrick knew he almost struck a nerve there. But for some reason, Angel didn’t seem to lash out like he had expected, and she seemed calm.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQvphWxrMD
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"Sorry about that," he apologized. "You’re right. I can tell that you’re only here for work and not to impress anyone."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aA7hO3PP3
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Leo and Eric continued to stand from a distance. They had noticed Derrick from the beginning and had stood to watch the pair as they spoke. And for some reason, they both felt really uncomfortable.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNP3ZyYWiAt
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"What could they be talking about?" Eric asked, his eyes never leaving the two.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB31isUnBEB
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"Who cares?" Leo replied as he tried his very best to look away, but couldn’t.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5UwrfE3dw
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"I hope he isn’t asking her out or anything. He will not like me."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA49xMOy7NM
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"If you hadn’t noticed, Eric, Angel still has many eyes on her. I won’t be surprised if she has a long line of suitors."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKcnAhoIpx
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Eric sucked his teeth. "You’re probably right. But she doesn’t seem interested in the guy."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ544bQ3fK0i
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"So, are you busy this afternoon?" Derrick asked.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fh6OlM4N6
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"Yeah, I am," said Angel as she took a strand of her by her fingers and twirled them. "I’ve been given an assignment by the boss, and I need to be somewhere away from the office."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeOxP3Pugr
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"Oh, I see. I was thinking, since a lot of us aren’t so busy, maybe you would like to hang out?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqRGB2AIe3
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Angel smiled. "When there will be time, I’ll keep you informed. I still haven’t forgotten about our lunch."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJfKV48aym
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"Oh, really?" Derrick asked as he nervously blushed, scratching the back of his head. He found himself wanting to hit himself in the face. You should stop acting so weird, he told himself.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQ3HSe7ULz
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"Oh, my goodness, is the guy blushing?" Eric asked as he noticed Derrick’s body language.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFerSr4Wph
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"Hey, Eric, we better get going," Leo warned. "You don’t want to stir up trouble."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RfAWdO3wv
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It surprised Leo that he had suddenly said that. His cousin was obviously jealous, but who knows? Maybe the two were having a friendly chat, and Eric was thinking otherwise when he didn’t even know what they were talking about. Why did he think like that again? It’s not like Leo to think of other alternatives, especially to the situation at hand. But that’s not what worried him. Leo had never seen Eric so worked up. There are times when he might be joking around, but this time it was different. Angel was the problem.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDaFFFDtO4
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"Yeah, I haven’t forgotten," said Angel. "Just make sure that we have that lunch."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeyPdu9M0u
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"Alright," said Derrick with a pleased look on his face. "I better not be holding you back from your work. I’ll be going now."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYnV0bOPn0
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"Okay, see you later." Angel smiled and went on her way.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGtWFQ8aKc
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"Look, she is leaving," Eric whispered to Leo. Derrick was coming in their direction. "Quick, act natural."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3grzRhRvj
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"What? No, I won’t," said Leo.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IA0dRnG2S
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It was a little too late for that, as Derrick drew close, and the two quickly got into some conversation involving sports. Derrick paid them no attention as he quickly passed them to head down the hall which Mrs. Lance had taken as that was where the architecture department was. When he was out of sight, Leo and Eric drew out a sigh of relief.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvH7wGTcAHl
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"This is ridiculous," said Leo, rolling his eyes. "We should never do this again."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4CfNG1v6F
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Leo started his way down the hall, which Angel took, and Eric quickly followed him.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8r2R9x9EsN
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"Oh, I’m sorry," said Eric sarcastically. "But it’s not my fault that he was talking to Angel."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmywQgeWatb
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"Please, you never see me acting like that with Carly," said Leo, making sure to keep his voice down.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCQhq47nBW
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"That’s because you don’t visit her college. Trust me, she probably talks to many guys."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5RzMkjW19
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"But she loves me, though. So I’m not worried."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdiv2W8FxI
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"Well, your relationship with her is already set in stone. I have to fight to get what I want."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9idUIocuu
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"Hard luck, pal. There are a lot of men, as you see, who want her hand."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCnK3sajrf
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"Tell me about it. I've got to stand above everyone else if it comes down to it."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBg2XmjleU8
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"You think too much. If Angel is smart, she’ll definitely go for you."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65avZNQs4Q
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"Angel is smart. I just haven’t told her how I deeply feel yet."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88SmuqrafX
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Leo stopped walking, and Eric did the same. "The sooner you tell her, the better. I don’t want to clean after you when you see her with someone else."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILz0hYeknd
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"Oh, I will. And something tells me she knows."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3Mh7vfOPu
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"How? Did she say something to you?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNHaYwWg5l
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"No. I have a hunch," said Eric with a smile on his face.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmc3iA9aqqb
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Eric had reached his office, and he made sure to give Leo a playful wave of his hand before disappearing behind his door. Leo rolled his eyes. His cousin was very much in love. And for some reason, he didn’t approve that it had to be Angel he fell for.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikpRigUn8v
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Leo continued his way to his office when he noticed Angel, who had finally approached her work station, talking to a colleague who was holding a stack of folders. They were talking and laughing too. She seems to have settled into the company already, he thought to himself. He rolled his eyes. Before he could continue on his way, memories of last night came flooding into his mind. That made him rush to his office so that he wouldn’t get a chance to look at her.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT18rL7ONR
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***371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVhu0kulOx
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"Well, you’re up early, boss. Did you get any sleep at all?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKKoUQMyHH
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Andre was looking out of the balcony wearing a red silk bathrobe with a cigar in one hand and a glass of whisky in the other. He turned around to see his trusted comrade stand in the middle of his suite. In stature, he was much bigger than Andre, and he wore a black jacket and trousers. Not to mention that he had a bald head.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xANHEKpV0
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Andre walked back into the room in white hotel bed slippers. He drew in the smoke of his cigar and later exhaled.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuP1NC4G4p
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"No, I couldn’t sleep," answered Andre. "That party last night was a blast."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDW2ifnvqi3
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His comrade looked at Andre with a smile before turning to look at the bed. "Didn't you sleep with anyone last night?" he asked. "What happened to the Rosales sisters?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9ibtgC3Up
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"It wasn’t necessary," said Andre. "I told them that I wouldn’t be needing them for a while. I needed to be alone."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5JxK4DHYc
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"Is it because of that woman you met last night?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkEdH1tBRe
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Andre chuckled as he took a sip of his whisky. "Maybe."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElG4fXGNaV
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"You can’t hide from me, Andre. That look on your face says that you’ve been thinking about her since we left the party."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2D2bziAih
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"And what are you going to do about it?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjinzChRlr
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His comrade sighs. "Nothing. You somehow always manage to get what you want. But take it slow if you ever decide to meet her again. Your past relationships haven’t been so rosy, and some of your exes always find themselves buried six feet under."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFG4ri8sJx
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"Wow, Diego." Andre raised an eyebrow. "I’m not that cruel, am I? All I did was make their lives miserable because some of them either betrayed me or something."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfb18CywBK
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"Which led to some committing suicide." Diego, in return, raised an eyebrow.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWf7dbrW999
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"Whatever." Andre went over to sit at the foot of his bed. "This girl feels different, though."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLBIPw7JWU
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"Isn’t that what you say about every other girl?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKC0LS3wBk
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"No, I don’t. Don’t try and confuse me, Diego."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8x6YmGTCo
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Diego smiled. "Just testing your sharpness. You should really stop drinking whisky and smoking so early before having breakfast. If your mother saw you, she would kill me."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kMVmJxIVq
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"That’s the whole idea," said Andre with a wicked smile as he took a sip of his whisky.371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hXlvnNcGq
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"Ha, ha, very funny," said Diego, not looking impressed. "When do you plan on going back?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDTn9EK3Ob
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"Today," Andre answered. "I would’ve liked to see Loren again, but I have a feeling Red Lion will be a little protective of her. Like you said, it’s best to keep things slow for now."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2iCADtSaS
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"But you do have her number, right?"371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVgSKU7sr3
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"Yes, I do. But in a few days after the business in Mexico is done, I will be back here in New York, just for her."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSpdaaKwbt
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"Acting like a true romantic, I can only imagine how you’re going to spoil her. I’m going to make a call to the others about our departure. We’ll leave whenever you’re ready."371Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQre4666QLP
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Diego made his way out of the room, and as he closed the door behind him, Andre quickly gulped down the whisky and tossed the empty glass on the bed. He leaned back and fell onto the bed. He put the cigar in his mouth and puffed up the smoke through his nose and mouth. As he stared at the cloud of smoke above him, he thought he saw an image of Loren’s face smiling down at him.
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