Carly breathed a sigh of relief after her history period was over. She got her test results, and she did quite well. Luckily enough, she had studied with her newfound friend at college, Harriet, along with others. They had their group study online on their laptops and were able to help each other. Carly was grateful for it. Many of the topics they touched on just happened to be those that came up in the test.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8WnelzWd7
Harriet sat a few rows in front of her. When she stood to leave, like the rest of the class, she turned around and spotted Carly. After packing her bags, she made her way to where Carly sat.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdf4JwrI0dZ
"Hey, Carly," said Harriet. "How are the results?"
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6KZhQ2GP4
"They are great," said Carly. She had finished packing her books and stood to swing the bag over her shoulder. "Thanks for the group study. It really helped."
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUl4POlydHS
"Yeah, it did. It's a shame that we don't take our second courses together. You make a good study partner."
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazJH6RFV1W
"Thanks, you too. Are you going out to have lunch?"
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePKwSmACkw
"Yeah, I was about to meet my study buddies for math, but we can go out and have lunch together while I wait for them."
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYiAdMtU5g
Carly and Harriet started to make their way out of the lecture hall when Carly’s phone vibrated in her backpack. She slowed a bit to check her phone. Someone was calling her. When she pulled it out, her mouth dropped.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XpiKQZkum
Harriet noticed that Carly had fallen behind and turned to look at her. She noticed the look on Carly’s face.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejX4VHL3NX
"Hey? Is anything the matter?" Harriet asked.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpz0iK9FLq6
"I need to take this call," said Carly, looking up at Harriet. "Can you wait for me outside? This is a little personal."
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1CBNE6JG7
Harriet understood and agreed to wait outside. Carly looked around the lecture room, and there were only a few people inside, still seated. She went on to answer the call.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJv609tHAy
"Hello?" Carly said first.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFecuudztKf
"Hey, is this a bad time?" André asked.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODqcJVMtrt
"Uh..., no. You called at the right time, actually. My history lesson just ended, and I got my results from the test I had last week. I passed."
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8uCh2f8VR
"Good for you. I knew you would do well, considering that you had to study hard for it."
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuxtzUycDr
"Yeah, I'm so relieved. Our history lecturer is tough. I had a group study with some friends, and it helped."
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1xvwwEwO1
"That's good to hear. Then it's a good thing I called. I'm in New York, and I was wondering if you and I could meet up."
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKjxKAgQd3
“Oh, when do you plan to meet? This week, I bet.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdg7q7F1Jfy
“Today, actually. I can meet you in the evening.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9JyWuDGn8
Carly’s eyes widened with surprise. “You want to meet tonight?”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRHW1tXvuN
“Yeah, I hope you aren’t occupied with other plans.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaqjO4VNIC
Carly shook her head. “Uh, no. I’m actually done with my classes today. I was planning to get out of campus early after I visit the library and rest. We can actually meet tonight. Just tell me the time and place, and I’ll be there."
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQM9PWFCe3
“Great! I’ll text you. Mind you, it will be a dinner date at a very nice restaurant.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkfFlioTym
Carly found herself giggling. “It seems I'd have to wear my best dress, then. Okay, you will let me know where to meet.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzFPhAtrDt
“If you want, I can have a car come pick you up at your place, if you don’t mind.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFn8B1jjp9
“Huh…” Carly hesitated there. She can’t let André’s chauffeur know where she lives. It would probably raise many questions. Moreover, that wasn’t the only thing that troubled her. How was she going to get out of the house in a dinner dress without anyone asking where she was going? That’s if she had to carry her dress and dress up somewhere else.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4txZAGz3BZ
“I think it’s better if I come there on my own instead,” Carly quickly answered. She hoped she answered on time so as not to make André suspicious of her.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0WlIsW04t
“Okay.” André didn’t question her. “I’ll text you the place. I really can’t wait to see you.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnIMXB29h3
“Me too. I’ll see you then.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjERn0qSf6
The two of them said bye to each other, and as soon as Carly cut the call, she found herself breathing a sigh of relief. When she thought over the conversation, she couldn’t help but feel a certain thrill and excitement about seeing André again. Then, everything came down to tonight, and it was now that she realized that the important decision she had to make might as well happen today. What was she going to do?
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfqrXlv7WM
The excitement left her as quickly as it came, and she found herself sighing in agony. She slowly started to make her way out of the lecture room, and as promised, Harriet was out in the hall waiting for her. The two of them went for lunch, with so much going on in Carly’s mind.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRfsieJjaE
After lunch, Harriet went off to study with her other study group. Carly made her way to the library. Studying proved to be difficult for her at first when she sat at the table for thirty minutes, staring blankly at her book. She was slowly starting to understand what she was studying, when her phone on the table started to beep. She looked at it and found that Alex was calling her. Goodness. What does Red Lion want now?
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfb2f612CQi
Carly quickly cut off the call. She didn’t have time to go out of the library to take it, so she texted him instead. Her text asked what he wanted, and he quickly replied that Red Lion wanted to see her. Why wasn’t she surprised?
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojcCR1Su3g
Whatever it was, it had better be important, she thought to herself. She agreed to meet Alex, and he told her that he was waiting for her outside. If Carly was in the mood to study, going to meet Red Lion during school hours wasn’t going to be an option.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW2maq4bqF
She quickly packed up her books and made her way out of the library and out of the school premises. She found Alex’s black car parked outside as usual. When she got into the car, she turned to look at him. He also did the same.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12xDBEhZ4q
“What is this about now?” Carly asked. “It better be for a good reason.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQK88M3748
“It’s always for a good reason,” Alex said with no hint of emotion in his voice. “He wants to meet.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbdzPHloMH
“Well, he’s lucky that I’m not in the mood for studying, or else I would’ve refused.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0V1EXGxDi
“I was going to get you by force immediately you stepped out. You know Red Lion doesn’t like to be disobeyed.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9wHiYclMe
Carly said nothing more as she put on her seat belt. Alex started the car, and they drove off, heading to the heart of the city. It was early in the afternoon, so there wasn’t much traffic, and they were able to reach their destination with fewer stoppages. Alex drove to a set of apartment buildings. By their designs, rich folks or simply those with a good salary obviously lived in this area. Alex parked right outside one of the buildings and killed the car engine. The two of them stepped out, and Alex led the way inside.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJo0jSNNh0
The immaculate white walls and tiles of the lobby area intrigued Carly when she first stepped in. The waiting area had white Persian chairs with expensive white cushions. The cushions had gold embroidery and golden tassels. On the other side of the lobby was a small fountain with a small angel statue. She started to wonder if Red Lion lived here. If the lobby was as exquisite as it looked, no doubt the apartments here were the same.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeD4G9NMYw4
Alex walked over to the desk as Carly continued to look around. He soon called to her to come with him. They went to the elevator, and it opened for them as the people inside were getting out. When they entered, Alex pressed the button they were going to, and the doors closed. The elevators smoothly started to go upwards.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTX2o5weVA
“So, does Red Lion live here?” Carly asked, looking at Alex beside her.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkpmyjoHNn
Alex turned to look at her. “No, he doesn’t,” he said. He looked back at the elevator doors.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKd8egs1uK
“Oh. Is it a friend of his then?”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoUaddOqOg
“You’re about to find out.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTchGWQLmJ
The elevator came to a halt, and the bell sounded to signal that they had reached their floor. Alex stepped out first, and Carly came out behind him. She slowly looked around the lovely apartment. A small chandelier twinkled above her. Similar to the lobby, there were white walls and shiny white floor tiles. As they went straight to the living room, there were lovely beige couches that matched the floor. A flat-screen TV stuck on the wall. A few feet away from the living room was the dining area, with a wooden table and chairs. Glass doors lay ahead, leading to the balcony. Beyond the dining area was a small kitchen area, with state-of-the-art kitchen devices and lovely white cupboards. Standing near the sink with a glass of red wine was Carlos.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0kLusMf6v
“Ah, Carly, you’re here,” said Carlos. He turned to put the glass on the black marble counter behind him. He went to open one of the cupboards above him to remove a wine glass. “Let me serve you a glass of wine. It’s too early, but it was Red Lion’s idea.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLHV2Kifdd
Carly approached the kitchen area, bypassing the dining table. She couldn’t help but look around with every step that she took. Alex remained standing in the living room. When she reached the kitchen island, Carlos had already poured her some wine and held the huge wine glass for her to take.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NkQbolKnE
“Where is Red Lion?” Carly asked as she took the glass.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45A5zxr4WU
“Oh, he went looking around the place with Hugo.” Carlos went back to get his glass. When he turned to look back at Carly, he noticed her gaze as she continued to look around. “Do you like the place?” he asked.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDBVvmkDro
“Yeah. Don’t you?” Carly asked him with an eyebrow raised. “It’s perfect for someone with many zeros in their bank account.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1GI9RK2sW
“You’re right about that.” Carlos turned to look at Alex and asked if he wanted a drink as well. Alex shook his head, denying him.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthoF8kjeW8
“Is Red Lion buying this place for himself?” Carly asked. She took a sip of the wine. She couldn’t help but notice how good it tasted.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNCZC8ATKT
“He plans to,” Carlos answered. He quickly gulped the rest of his wine. “I think it’s too expensive.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaZ58cLTnw
“Well, you better tell him before he does agree to rent the place.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypf7JdeE4N
The sound of footsteps came into the hall, and soon Red Lion and Hugo appeared in the living room. They each held a glass of wine in their hands. They noticed Alex standing in the living room, and when they turned to look in the kitchen, they found Carly and Carlos.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeuCuSjDf3
“Good of you to come, Carly,” said Red Lion. “There’s some business we need to discuss.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PdLBztJAp
“Like what, exactly?” Carly asked. She felt she knew what it could be.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lArlo5iEj
“André, of course,” said Red Lion. “Please, let’s go sit in the living room.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWZRQ9KxEh
Carly raised an eyebrow at Red Lion. It was strange that he called her when she had to meet André tonight. Did he call her to hear out her decision over whom she had chosen?
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQ1K2dcKqU
Red Lion reached the living room first, followed by Hugo. Carly came soon afterwards and sat opposite Red Lion and Hugo, who both sat on one couch. Carlos joined them last, along with his glass and the wine bottle. He set the bottle on the glass coffee table in the middle. Afterwards, he settled on the couch, where he could look at Carly and his two comrades on the other side. Alex stood behind Carly’s couch, ever silent.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJMU66EYLR
“What about André?” Carly asked.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBGw5S3eRq
“Have you decided to choose him? Or are you going for your boyfriend?” Red Lion asked, gently twirling his glass while looking at her.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKyn9l4xWu
Carly knew this day was coming. She looked at Red Lion, wondering what to say to him. The truth will suffice for now, though it wouldn’t do her any good.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPydOfHnwW
“No, I haven’t chosen yet,” Carly answered.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcReFjxNbQt
Red Lion sighed. He leaned back against the couch. “What a shame.” He raised the glass to his face to look at the red liquid in it. “Isn’t André planning to visit you soon? You would have to have made that decision by then.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kFVlFeWdL
“It will be impossible. He plans to meet tonight.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkhhOPx6oY
“Ah!” Red Lion’s eyes lit up in delight. “Then it’s a good thing we’re meeting like this. Because I want to hear your decision right here and right now about who you’ve chosen.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHcAsTezt6
“It hasn’t been easy, you know?” Carly snapped at him.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgVtPPPFjK
“Oh, I know.” Red Lion sat back upright and gulped down the remaining wine. “It must be hard to choose between André and that handsome boy you’re dating. Leo McDonell is his name, right?”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELEwjNjkvQ
Carly almost broke the glass in her hands. She shouldn’t be surprised that he knew, given the kind of man he was. She wondered how he could’ve guessed that Leo and her were together when the rest of the world didn’t, except for Angel and Eric.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFRdYLao7s
“I was expecting a surprised reaction, but I’ve just made you angrier,” said Red Lion as he chuckled.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxRURV6Vvz
“I was expecting the same too,” said Carlos, pouring himself another round of wine.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBOhdN4VjZ
“I guess she’s confused about how we know that she was dating Leo McDonell, when in fact, many people don’t know about it,” said Red Lion, smiling at Carly.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzMMlawic7
Carly continued to look at him, and she was still speechless. So he knew about that too. How much did he actually know about her and those around her?
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgkjEoQtit
“Don’t worry,” said Hugo. “That wasn’t supposed to be mentioned. But if you ask me, you've got the opportunity to take things to your advantage.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloCTTfUhyX
Carly turned to look at Hugo. Unlike Red Lion and Carlos, she knew he wasn’t making fun of her.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVA2BX1K2x
“What do you mean?” she asked him.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLr0C14wOZ
“Well, it’s obvious that you love Leo so much,” said Hugo. “Why not date both?”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsKMAVzou1
“Seriously? Do you want to get me killed?”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69zw9nqs8c
“No, no, no,” Red Lion butted in. “André isn’t going to kill you if he doesn’t know about you and Leo.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDT7jXTLjK
“And how sure are you that he isn’t going to find out the same way you did?” Carly asked, looking at Red Lion. “He might do some digging, and he’ll definitely find out about who I really am and about Leo.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSAt84bOkD
“And you think it was easy for us to know about you and Leo?” Red Lion asked with an eyebrow raised. “Trust me, the same way you’ve hidden from the whole world about your affair, André won’t find out about it either. That’s if you get careless, of course.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAuAGMT7S2
Carly looked at Red Lion and thought of what he had just said. She had been careful not to let anyone know about her relationship with Leo. Nevertheless, how did Red Lion find out? She thought long and hard about this until she gasped.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HrkdeEQnF
“You hacked into my phone, didn’t you?” she asked.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNatX1H3Qcr
Red Lion and Hugo shared a look. Carlos laughed loudly and said, “Oh, she’s smart, alright.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zKWFZ6cnk
“How dare you hack into my phone?” Carly asked with an angry scorn. Still with the glass in hand, she stood up from her seat. “I’m not a pet you have to keep tabs on every now and then.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadnv5hWtJY
“Of course you are,” said Red Lion. “It took you a good long time to realize it.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZlAn4I2qE
“I’m not doing this. This whole André thing comes to an end right now.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tBgXRAi5x
“If you don’t want me to ruin you in a single flash, you won’t leave this place.” Red Lion sounded calm, but the look on his face spoke otherwise.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmF5NENoBY0
Carly growled as she sat back down. Red Lion smiled at her and motioned for Carlos to put some more wine in her glass. As Carlos poured in some wine, Carly looked at Red Lion, taking heavy, deep breaths. She had a burning rage inside her, and if she could breathe out fire, she would.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGg3urGcu3e
“I have so much on you, my dear, that I could ruin you in a blink of an eye,” said Red Lion, smiling at her. “Your dirty past, your secret relationship with Leo, which, if it ever gets out, will receive some disappointing snares. Not to mention you are working for some criminal drug lord and dating the soon-to-be heir of a famous Mexican mafia. Juicy stuff, isn’t it? Imagine if the whole world knew. What would your sister think? Much less, Leo?”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tdiBuCpu3
“I hate you,” said Carly with every haggard breath.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYR9TOsS1CX
“I like it that way.” Red Lion leaned forward to put his empty glass on the coffee table. “Now, we all know that you aren’t going to go against me. We do need you to be André’s lover, so you’re precious, Carly. It will be a shame to put your talents to waste.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcWQdVhc9K
Carly threw daggers at Red Lion with her eyes, making him smile even more. She waited for him to continue what he had to say. Now she knew why Red Lion had called her.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifPAiRmjxU
“Back to what Hugo was saying—he thinks you can pull this off. Date Leo and André at the same time, so you don’t have to make the big decision of choosing either one.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4Y1wuRyQS
"For as long as I don’t mess up, I heard you mention it,” said Carly, sounding rather dull.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilwaX2P6LC
“Yes,” said Red Lion. “For the most part, you two shouldn’t be seen together like a couple, especially on social media. That will attract unwanted attention, especially when you start to hang out with André.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWVP97c3OA
Carly looked at her glass of wine for a minute, then she went back to looking at Red Lion. “Is that all?” she asked. “Your instructions seem pretty clear. I need to prepare for my dinner date, which you were well aware of at the time André told me.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZ4Chs6aVg
“Not just yet,” said Carlos, after quickly finishing his round of wine. “After tonight, it’s guaranteed you’ll be labeled as André’s girl, so we need to make sure you remain Loren for as long as possible.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp6dU3m3PG
Carly looked confused as she turned to Carlos. “What do you mean?”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddsgvJnpGo
“Well, everyone who knows André will eventually know about you,” said Red Lion. “And we wouldn’t want any trouble if any of his henchmen started digging around about your past. It’s the reason why we’re here.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LEDMhrgSv
Carly looked around the place. “Are you trying to say that you want me to live some double life?”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHcERQ9JuU
“You hit the nail right on the head,” said Hugo.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2F2WKgfsz
“While you’re here, you’re Loren,” said Red Lion, leaning back on the couch and crossing his legs. “Or anytime André plans to visit you. He did want to pick you up, didn’t he? So, you don’t have to worry about anything. Anytime he comes to New York to visit you, he’ll think of this as his safe haven. As long as it’s with you, of course.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEPWFx4OYU
Carly shook her head in disbelief. “How the hell do you think I’ll pull this off?” she asked. "I've got a life to live elsewhere, and you want me to be here playing Loren?”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj95DNRZX6
“You’ll do just fine,” said Carlos. “If you can be the Loren he met at the party, doing this will be a piece of cake.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGJ4tmI8vL
“I agree with Carlos,” said Red Lion. “This is why you’re perfect for this. I did tell André that you come from money, so you've got to live the part.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmv53C07be
Carly thought about it. Still, leaving a double life wasn’t going to be easy. One minute she is Carly Barclay, leaving a not-so-normal life as anyone would put it, going to college, has a sister, and a boyfriend who loves her. The next minute, she has to be Loren, also a college student but living in an expensive apartment in one of New York's finest residential areas. And going out with the soon-to-be heir of a Mexican mafia group. If anyone were to write about her life story, no doubt it would be a best-seller.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybWsVNXhOB
She was so lost in thought that she didn’t see Red Lion stand up from his seat to stand in front of her. It’s only when she heard a thud beside her that she noticed his presence.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3Fu3hEUwN
“Get that,” he said, pointing to something beside her.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrVxh3ro42
Carly looked to see a blue-paper file. When she opened it, she couldn’t believe what she saw. She looked up from her file at Red Lion.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrqwoXxUfE
“Is this a joke?” she asked. “Do you really have to profile my life as Loren…?” She looked down at the file to read the surname. “As Loren Jenkins?”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvbSXQiiIN
“Yeah. So study that file today; you’ll need the information,” said Red Lion with a smile. He turned around to walk back to his seat.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fzF7fHPbA
“I don’t have time to start reading through this. I have a dinner to prepare for.” Carly quickly stood.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGcXmxQ8uw
“Not to worry.” Red Lion turned to face her. He sat back down. “You remember Jane, don’t you? I’ve called her here to fix you up. And for the dresses, there will be someone coming too.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqLBhIfHWK
Carly chuckled and shook her head in disbelief. “You’re willing to do all this just for me to win a man’s heart and put him under your control?”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotZGr9Kjyi
Red Lion smiled. “Oh, my dear, when you work for me, you’ll realize that I am more ambitious than you think. When I see something I like, I take it.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXizLJm3MF
Carly could see the look in his eyes. He wasn’t joking around. For him to be where he is meant many sacrifices were made, even if it meant staining his hands with blood. No one was to get in the way of what he wanted. If Carly were to mess things up with André, no doubt he wouldn’t hesitate to put her down with his own bare hands.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6OTzqeW1T
She sat back down slowly, her eyes never leaving Red Lion’s. She was tired of talking, and if she wanted to pass time quickly, she had to keep herself busy. And what better way to pass the time than to read the file in her hands? Immediately after she opened the file, Red Lion smiled.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5ky3bGxOF
“Good,” said Red Lion. “You know, once you get used to all this, you will one day realize that you and I are a lot more alike than you think.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHmd2BFVZm
Carly looked at him and scorned. “There’s no way in hell I am like you,” she said.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPPx5IDfqI
Red Lion opened his mouth to say something but thought better of it as he stood. “I’ll leave you to it,” he said. “Hugo and Carlos will stick around until Jane gets here. Please show her around the place, Hugo. Make sure you help her memorize whatever is on that file. Alex, you’ll stick around, won’t you?”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4j9SYvyK5
Carly almost forgot that Alex was around, and she turned around to look at him, standing behind her. He nodded. She could at least tolerate him, unlike Hugo and, worse off, Carlos. Leaving her with Carlos would be the worst possible thing.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzu8kjLTAw
Red Lion started to make his way out of the apartment. He told the others to call him if they needed anything. He also warned Carly not to get rid of her phone just because she knew she was hacked. To Carly, that never even came to mind.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0bAbv3R2I
After Red Lion had left, she spent almost thirty minutes going through the file. Afterwards, Hugo got the file and started to ask her questions. She answered most of them correctly. The role she played as Loren Jenkins didn’t look complicated on paper, but Carly was well aware that doing it for real might not be easy. She had certain habits that Carly would need to work on. Since she had no family, she grew up with an uncle who happened to be a good friend of Red Lion. Loren also looked up to Red Lion like family. Carly raised an eyebrow when she read that part. It’s sad that she had to still deal with him even as Loren Jenkins.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4s09oCrBV
Before 4 p.m., Carly had mastered the file like a nursery rhyme. Hugo and Carlos were impressed that she do so at such short notice. Hugo took her around the apartment and showed her the room she would be sleeping in. The place looked a little empty for the time being, as did the rest of the house. He promised that Red Lion would bring in some furniture and other necessities needed to make this place look like there was indeed a Loren Jenkins living in the apartment.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hVBgqJMuc
Jane arrived shortly after Carly had finished touring the place. She was rather happy to see Carly again. Jane came along with another woman named Elizabeth, a fashion designer. She had with her beautiful dresses on moving hangers. Carly realized that picking something for tonight was going to be difficult after looking at the wardrobe presented to her.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx23L4xcRV
André had texted her the time and place to meet up. She had plenty of time to get ready. Hugo and Carlos were meant to leave after Jane and Elizabeth arrived, but they changed their minds, deciding that they would stick around. Carly wondered if the two had nothing better to do, because Carlos had ordered pizza to cater for everyone, and drinks.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvsA46kXVl
Jane told Carly to get a shower before doing her make-up. As she went to hit the showers, Carly wondered what to tell her sister and Leo about her not coming home. She wondered how many more lies she would’ve to tell, just to cover her tracks. As she stood in the shower, she couldn’t help but feel ashamed of what she was doing that tears came to her eyes without realizing it.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLIfa331xJ
***
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rOQ4dy7WG
“Strange,” said Angel as she looked at her phone. She was seated at the back of the car, with Leo behind the wheel and Eric in the front passenger seat. They were driving back home after a long day of work.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCibNWJVuDA
“What is it?” Eric asked.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcclPDFyqKL
“Carly texted me,” Angel answered, still looking at her phone. “She said she wasn’t coming home tonight. She wants to stay on campus with her friend Harriet for some study group.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMDTF9mtJI
“She said that?” Leo asked, looking at Angel through the rearview mirror.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OnqIFGiWS
“Yeah. I bet you’ll receive her text too. She’ll be back tomorrow.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDMcGobYjL
“Is she studying for a test or something?”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZIl6865Mm
“Not that I am aware of,” said Angel as she looked out of the window. “I bet if she’ll be on campus, we need not worry.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5P2cflj2T
“Yeah, Carly can take care of herself,” said Eric. “And the grounds within campus are perfectly secure.” He turned to look at Leo. “So no need to worry, lover-boy.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpjtDtallW
“If I wasn’t the one driving right now, I would punch you in the face,” said Leo, giving Eric a sideways glance.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiMKauz8Mv
“Oh, you get worked up over so many things. Angel.” Eric turned in his seat to look at Angel in the back seat. “What do you think of Mrs. Lance's blueberry muffins today?”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRW0CSqWD5
“They were yummy,” said Angel. “It reminded me of the ones my mother used to make.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoL0CwdGm6U
"Wait, can you bake as well?” Eric asked.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhm7vNPCCOm
"Yes, I do. My mom taught me. Why?”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJXRylf4JW
"Let’s bake something when we get home. I really want to taste your delicious delights.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFALgCIcsEE
"Are you serious right now?” Leo asked, raising an eyebrow.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOTfojq7SS
"Forget him,” said Eric, waving his hand off at Leo. “He won’t get to taste any. I bet your baking is just as good as Mrs. Lance’s.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmF9ypq0z9
Angel doubtfully looked out the window. “I don’t know,” she said. “I haven’t baked in a while, and I might have lost my touch.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9CpJM5xHG
"Cooking is just like riding a bike," said Eric. “Even when you haven’t done it in a long time, you get to remember once you start.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGwMFuLJ6t
Angel looked away from the window to look at Eric. He had a giddy look on his face like that of a child. There was simply no way Angel was saying no. She sighed and smiled at him.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwFqcbX9Sd
“Fine,” she said. “You win. But we better stop by a supermarket to get some ingredients.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPcrIHnAfV
“Yes!” Eric exclaimed. “There’s one on the way home. At least we left the office early to beat the traffic.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoMTUltX9R
“Your baking better be good, Angel,” said Leo. His eyes were fixed on the road. “I can’t be driving you to the supermarket just so you can poison us tonight.”
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoA4ic71tH
Angel chuckled as she looked out of the window again. The sun had set behind the tall buildings, and only the dull orange glow stained the sky, slowly being overcome by the darkness of night. “Then don’t eat them,” she said.
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKQh9ZeTQc
Eric laughed at Leo. His laughter caused Angel to start laughing too. In times like these, Leo would've frowned, but he didn't. The two who were laughing didn't notice it, but the corner of Leo’s lips was raised to a smile.
ns 15.158.61.6da2
