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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCNGejLIgm
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvXIKO9eQ2
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07gy9bFpda
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tZxRwt4Ll
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ovqK6Uw63
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbjir4kE1Y
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"Yes, I did," said Red Lion, feeling rather proud of himself. "Slowly but surely, I’ll get what I want."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uylX8HUXy
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqQeXHJoP3
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"I’ve calculated the risks. And trust me, I plan not to fail."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCtMMSAdOM
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"What of Walters? What are you going to do with him?"323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOWQ6HzN7o
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNyqYupthD
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrd3eMoaWb
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"Yeah, I know. But I did tell Alex, though."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHyDk0D38w
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIUcdff9td
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"You told him? Why?" Hugo asked.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelJO5fy5JH
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9PH0N4IiM
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWac4dR1y4
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mis1zhAIF
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"Really? Aren’t you forgetting that there are always minor setbacks?"323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFRDh2dQCv
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jqtI9A8XC
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"If I were you, I would act fast on him."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4Sf062fBl
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQI5NN0ugm
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"I trust you to make the right decisions, then."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Nf2359fkG
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vJ3SyBE47
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj1T396qGJ
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***323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6iq8N31ec
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"Morning, how are you?"323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlJNFbzQTl
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZ7d0qViJZ
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLN8wZcPel
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"Yes?"323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHY5r8anJEI
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"Please come over to my office, Leo," said Mr. McDonell. And with that, the line cut.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYrzDHASSv
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8X0ileNk4J
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqvNgShHWc
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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?323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpY31hmgGYy
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAifGVjFmd
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"You’ve been summoned too?" Eric asked when Leo got close.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6JkKvZMHJ
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"Yeah," Leo answered. "And I have no idea why. Do you?"323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtArKXztEI
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The corner of Eric’s lips were lifted into a smile. "I might have a guess," he said.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEi2tmnRqD
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"Which is?" Leo folded his arms.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmhwz2j8VR
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"You’ll know soon enough. Let’s go in. We don’t want to keep him waiting."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOWvuDC1v8
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqYC334tFZ
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TD2Wbgm0L
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"Morning, Mrs. Lance," Eric greeted.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nOQEUG3ed
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"Morning to you too," Mrs. Lance replied. "Hey, Leo. Are you good?"323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlXZiNL3xl
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"I’m good, thanks," Leo replied.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hHuUe4doS
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXaXykGv2K
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHZAEjedeP
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"That will be great," said Eric.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZhttAVxwl
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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?323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRlsBfJyut
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"When will the meeting be?" Angel asked.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPiCvKMGcP
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"This week on a Friday," said Mr. McDonell. "Eric, Leo, how far with the preparations?"323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVTsHhD4i5
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozl2ZYVz4z
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1LfyhtJoc
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitnq3Ia7K5
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6Rs8NUajs
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmVosWeMBI
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7erOLHNpe
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"Alright, we will leave in the afternoon soon after lunch," said Eric.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivn4gmcj4m
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"Sounds good," said Mrs. Lance. "Will that be all?" she asked as she turned to Mr. McDonell.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4q42jjM6j
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"Yes," said Mr. McDonell. "Thank you all for coming."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2ltewYii0
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFOPtKz6gH
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoS6hJZ0t6J
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"I know you only mean Angel," said Leo, feeling irritated.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLULOHCakUV
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"Well, you know me so well." Eric beamed with a smile that Leo felt blinded his eyes.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgdvr2XA2V
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"Whatever, this is getting annoying. Why did my father pick Angel when anyone else would’ve helped out?"323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmpi1Ky25U
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"To gain experience I think. Besides, it’s great to take on assignments outside the office."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe946ICr8qS
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"Yeah, I guess. Hey, did you happen to know about this?"323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsU7NJRvSU
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Eric smiled as he answered, "no." Leo sucked his teeth.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3oo5fK919
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhkcnFyQfu
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"Morning," he greeted.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqysCBVkMno
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"Good morning, Derrick," Angel greeted.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzaujU72AB
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfBmmTCN8J
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc78xvaDuuc
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"Well, you are close to the McDonells, aren’t you? I thought you might have the privilege."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCeTLQD7R8
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6WmBh8UXn
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZcjxS47tS
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8okeWJhYNz
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI8r8ysYZS
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"What could they be talking about?" Eric asked, his eyes never leaving the two.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZS2RBMS1ty
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"Who cares?" Leo replied as he tried his very best to look away, but couldn’t.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMeVrMcEF1
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"I hope he isn’t asking her out or anything. He will not like me."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwc28oRQ53N
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyJajb8TbU
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Eric sucked his teeth. "You’re probably right. But she doesn’t seem interested in the guy."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8diM8dz0h
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"So, are you busy this afternoon?" Derrick asked.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBCqcox2LT
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aFe42wJsO
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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?"323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3orkcPllp
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Angel smiled. "When there will be time, I’ll keep you informed. I still haven’t forgotten about our lunch."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwTwWJnxJJ
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPHp2PHf4y
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"Oh, my goodness, is the guy blushing?" Eric asked as he noticed Derrick’s body language.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HUyBqpwnV
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"Hey, Eric, we better get going," Leo warned. "You don’t want to stir up trouble."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡou86eEKFRG
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVe3EMS4hI
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"Yeah, I haven’t forgotten," said Angel. "Just make sure that we have that lunch."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVrbWZLGyK
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1YPb0lkHD
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"Okay, see you later." Angel smiled and went on her way.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZBpley7r4
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"Look, she is leaving," Eric whispered to Leo. Derrick was coming in their direction. "Quick, act natural."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfFABAbpiO
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"What? No, I won’t," said Leo.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAjT1sYVlD
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpier33VnSS
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"This is ridiculous," said Leo, rolling his eyes. "We should never do this again."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A1To1XME9
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Leo started his way down the hall, which Angel took, and Eric quickly followed him.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoP7BJNHCR
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"Oh, I’m sorry," said Eric sarcastically. "But it’s not my fault that he was talking to Angel."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3oNaJ5Sc8
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"Please, you never see me acting like that with Carly," said Leo, making sure to keep his voice down.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZHPIapbOl
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"That’s because you don’t visit her college. Trust me, she probably talks to many guys."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcpyC2eu16
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"But she loves me, though. So I’m not worried."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IUfvcICpw
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"Well, your relationship with her is already set in stone. I have to fight to get what I want."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPnYaXG3jc
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"Hard luck, pal. There are a lot of men, as you see, who want her hand."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYcNTVLIeB
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"Tell me about it. I've got to stand above everyone else if it comes down to it."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxQqPP6qxL
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"You think too much. If Angel is smart, she’ll definitely go for you."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbah9gqcdPd
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"Angel is smart. I just haven’t told her how I deeply feel yet."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCHUaDK62G
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV9FMclHae
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"Oh, I will. And something tells me she knows."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReya3ZTowQ
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"How? Did she say something to you?"323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtsVgVxhaE
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"No. I have a hunch," said Eric with a smile on his face.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwQ9wRaDMP
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JzsHDJLIx
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM1AT3056J
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***323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fc3sqSdHu
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"Well, you’re up early, boss. Did you get any sleep at all?"323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BQegfnzfl
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZSPkuJgav
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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.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG89nmLuwIb
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"No, I couldn’t sleep," answered Andre. "That party last night was a blast."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5jSDQX3Fu
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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?"323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2wjk9wHEp
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDtNJw2zKE
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"Is it because of that woman you met last night?"323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIP9dFuTpd
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Andre chuckled as he took a sip of his whisky. "Maybe."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5HDFXdjFa
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcZupDec67
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"And what are you going to do about it?"323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5wWb5otnw
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZhdeZv3wg
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbSxQ6qJeA
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"Which led to some committing suicide." Diego, in return, raised an eyebrow.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBEuv3k7Pi
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"Whatever." Andre went over to sit at the foot of his bed. "This girl feels different, though."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHAQXjmX46
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"Isn’t that what you say about every other girl?"323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadcZQrjsU8
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"No, I don’t. Don’t try and confuse me, Diego."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfX49aC1a52
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedMPnuqLUB
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"That’s the whole idea," said Andre with a wicked smile as he took a sip of his whisky.323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGPIJiTuYG
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"Ha, ha, very funny," said Diego, not looking impressed. "When do you plan on going back?"323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2RQyjx8AV
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ALVvm90DE
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"But you do have her number, right?"323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegfGW15Q0s
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JxKrm7zI7
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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."323Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oDGQr7bl9
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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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