Leo sat down on a nearby wooden bench in the flower garden, with blooming white roses behind him. After taking in the news, he couldn’t believe it. With the world spinning under his feet, he was grateful for the small bench. Everything around him seemed non-existent, including the sound of the birds chirping in the trees and the faint sound of people laughing inside the mansion. His mind revolved around what Angel had told him. He seemed to be lost in that world for a while before he felt a hand on his shoulder that brought him back to reality.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ376XtAkwfS
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a5qk2iLlD
Eric looked down at Leo with a sad smile on his face. He could only imagine how Leo felt. Who could’ve thought a day like this would ever occur? No one did. What’s even worse was that Carly and Zac were together, getting along like they were just friends. The thought of them made Leo feel so confused and a little angry.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe87QBYgHo
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1J0LQv9Hrf
“Hey, are you okay?” Eric asked.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj45UFDga56
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIEkSTkMbK
“Yeah, I’m fine,” said Leo. He brushed off Eric’s hand on his shoulder.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDVlOwTfXg
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbnB2vQKsW
“This is surprising for me too, Leo.” Trying to find the right words to say proved to be difficult for Eric. “I’m not going to lie, I don’t know how you feel. But you've got to understand that all that was in the past.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y9EZvMoCE
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsjVFgPmno
Leo took a deep breath. “Honestly, I wish I didn’t know.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfzp7QzTk6
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9f28ILUke
“You were going to find out in one way or another,” said Angel, who stood a few feet away from them.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsDuSPRj77
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4SjjpSK7H
Leo looked at Angel, who stood with a serious look on her face. He couldn’t help but wonder why she had to tell him. He wished he had never followed her into the garden. Later on, he started to wish he had never known her at all.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRohPZg4xRN
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKgGf9sPYA
“Well, if you ask me, I was better off in the dark,” said Leo.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeqOkOt9ev
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpG5bRvDIFa
“Why am I not surprised?” Angel asked as she folded her arms. “You don’t see the big picture, do you?”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv4rT32kBV
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGI0lroHef
“No, I don’t.” Leo stood up from the bench to face her. “Please, enlighten me.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevsTyiImM2
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvf9lh4d6t0
“Moving forward, we’re likely to encounter these incidences. Zac was reasonable enough to agree to keep Carly’s secret a secret. What if we happen to encounter someone who won’t feel the same way?”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5qvU9nUtb
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWlnN88gUf
“Nothing like this is ever going to happen again.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9IWFuTYRU
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcZvDB3eA2
“Stop being so ignorant, Leo.” Angel looked at him in disbelief. “New York might be a big city, but sooner rather than later, she might meet another one of her clients or someone who might have been associated with her at that club. The big question is how to deal with it.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhCcgLEXOK
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTJksV98TA
Leo shook his head. “You’re being delusional, Angel. Even if a former client were to meet Carly out in the street, they would ignore her. Yeah, maybe they might approach her, but she could easily lie that they got the wrong person and move on.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvJaIsVD39
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo3BFTjgvk
“Easier said than done,” said Angel. “We can’t ignore the fact that it won’t happen.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloSmFHdR5P
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3wueT7Voe
Leo shook his head. “So what if it does?”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPJyDhwSse
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzewTxGln4
“You sound like you don’t care.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtHlZxpUTC
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSLVafp2Ki
“I do care. For goodness’ sake, I do care, and I’ll do all I can to protect her.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1nFfevdk9
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeopWDaJkfz
Angel and Leo looked at each other in silence, the tension in the air growing ever tighter. Angel broke contact first, as she looked the other way to catch a few deep breaths.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23r6rFySum
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuWh0RqR8E
“I don’t want anyone ever finding out about Carly,” she said. “Not now, at least. But I’m afraid, in one way or another, it will come out.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kxDqMtlSW
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTgzkUDNVj
Leo couldn’t believe his ears. “What are you saying?” he asked. He turned to look at Eric, looking shocked before turning back to look at her. “Are you trying to say that you would want the truth to come out? Is that it?”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1EQSWhjsn
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRI6Oa8uzm
Angel sighed and, at the same time, closed her eyes before turning to look at Leo. “No,” she replied. “If anything, I don’t want the truth to come out, for it might expose our other lies. When it does come out, what are we going to do about it?”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinGwfSMYSr
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeVo1sCa9N
“Nothing,” said Leo. “Because nothing will happen, and no one will find out.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyqwDYdNq3
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBA2s5Wz2Ln
“Well, we all never thought that Carly would one day meet Zac, who happened to be a client of hers,” said Eric. “I agree with Angel on this one. One day, Carly might be exposed, and it will compromise all of us.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK72KZsG03l
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApMTseYH9Q
“As usual, you agree with her,” said Leo, looking at Eric.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ6a8UANPe
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSB0hsS16w
“It’s the way life is,” said Eric. “Maybe we’ll get lucky and all this mess goes with us to our graves. However, we don’t know what the future holds. We need to think of something, or else all of this—your relationship with Carly, especially—falls apart.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVBlRnznW5
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKlFesiaxz
Leo looked at his cousin. He rubbed the side of his face with his hand and groaned in frustration. “I really wish you never told us, Angel,” he said, his eyes looking to the ground.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTGr6PZfGc
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVdOcMwIql
“Trust me, I wish this day never happened,” said Angel.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1H6MDjt82
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHb5dJFgI3
“It was inevitable from the start,” said Eric. “We’re friends with the McAlisters after all. At some point, Carly and Zac were bound to meet.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYmGxzXbBv
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OmY5SXEP2
Leo slowly gave a nod of his head, agreeing with Eric. He started to wonder how things had gotten to this point so suddenly. Well, he knew from the start that being in a relationship with Carly was bound to have some dire consequences. However, it showed its ugly head at the worst possible time.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdJwRyh8TZ
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4saOMYsOB0
"Does Zac know that Carly and I are...?" Leo started to ask, but for a moment, he couldn't finish his sentence. It was almost as if he had choked on his words.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cyO5Qo2ol
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ660eaZaoFn
"No," Angel replied. "I would rather he knows about it when you bring it out in the open yourselves. The fewer people know about your relationship, the better."
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71r5cWNW8D
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb80tWt6Got
Leo scoffed. "You know, I'm still not happy that you told me about Zac and Carly."
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQLos1A4FV
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXeJbUg81x
"And if she started to act funny whenever Zac was around, wouldn't you be suspicious?" Angel raised an eyebrow at him. "At this point, we're all involved, and this is the time to look out for each other. You can think cruelly of me, since I'm already used to it, but I care about what happens to my sister. Besides, all that happened in the past. So, I expect that you and Eric don't give Zac the cold shoulder."
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4sokG98t4
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DHao51uqH
"Hey, you should be telling him, not me," said Eric.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MBKE4YZea
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WYsU3YOqv
"I know," said Angel, giving Eric a smile. "But I'm warning you just the same."
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSBXB35iy1
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyW50w9gGiR
"I'm guessing that's why those two are pretending to get along?" Leo asked, giving Angel a quizzical look.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MWjwbaRw2
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52f0Jpk3eT
"Carly never liked the idea of trusting Zac at first. I know you feel the same, but you don't have much of a choice."
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7gOwmNKys
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrMdSs5ojg
Leo hated that Angel was right, and he looked away angrily. Angel sighed, and that made Leo turn to look at her. This time around, the serious demeanor she had had fell away, and there remained a sad look on her face.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6i9e7EVfR
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuUKQTENtk
"Maybe you need some time alone to think things over," she said. "I'll be inside."
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCdh8GZ4Di
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3zHxkgMz8
Angel started to make her way out of the flower garden and back to the mansion. Leo watched her go, and the picture of her facial expression, engraved in his mind. He didn't know why, but he felt a little remorseful and thought he shouldn't have been so hard on her.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr36Alsir6
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhGvS9GgVw
Eric came to stand beside him, also watching Angel. "Do you need me around?" he asked.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg39GIbOFut
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NlRQdtZfo
"No," said Leo. He sighed as he turned his face upward, looking up at the clear blue sky. "I need to think."
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpFZBtThMo
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡderXE7JnCY
Eric understood as he took a step forward, but then he stopped to say, "I know you might think Angel is against you, but just know she's looking out for her sister. In a way, she's looking out for you too."
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XBma0VATB
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPEFPwEL3x
Leo brought his head back down to look at his cousin, but Eric had already started to walk away from him. He turned toward the bench he had sat on a little while ago, and he backed up a bit to sit back down. As he looked around the lovely flower garden, he couldn't help but wonder why Angel and Eric were right about everything.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKl1nCzzF4
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihJOiiv9wN
When Angel stepped back into the mansion, she was making a beeline to the ballroom when she heard the sound of a familiar voice in the foyer. She stopped to look around, and that was when she saw Mrs. McAlister standing alongside Mrs. McDonell and Kim. They had stopped to greet some people in the foyer. Angel couldn't help but hear the people around them were complimenting on how beautiful Kim looked. For Angel, Kim being here spelled trouble. Not when Leo was upset with the whole Carly and Zac issue.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡap87lL1L6W
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtYedJbPNp
She started to turn around to make her way back outside when she saw Eric approaching her.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug925azf4P
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTczpyhcQUe
"Is Leo still outside?" Angel asked.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUvu4sLgNj
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH13RwuuYpa
"Yeah, he didn't need me," said Eric. "Why?"
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPHyaCVaCQ
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeITp6MUXhj
"Kim's here."
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0N3h8E3gu
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUIZ4uAWWr
Angel turned in the direction where she saw Kim, and Eric followed her eyes. He gulped immediately when he saw her.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG6YBKEeXi
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08q5Rznxgn
"Should we warn Leo?" Eric asked.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRCfuLY2yi
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmCA1Hu4xh
"For now, no one apart from us knows where he is," said Angel. "If any of us go out and warn him, they can easily spot us, and we would lead them straight to him."
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKRAlUYHPU
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjeT86VahK
“Good thinking. We better tell Zac and Carly, don’t you think?”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqda9hFOTv
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiqBKbulYN
Angel gave a nod of her head. She turned to see if either Kim or Mrs. McDonell had seen her and Eric. They were still talking with the guests. Angel motioned to Eric to follow her into the ballroom. The place was now lively with guests. Many of Mrs. Harris’ old friends had settled on the chairs, ready for the game, but catching up with each other nonetheless. Angel saw Amanda, June, and Mrs. Harris at one end of the room, talking and laughing. She turned to the bar and found many people there, getting their drinks. There seemed to be no sign of Zac or Carly anywhere.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlIlU0e6Jy
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3bkPjN9ey
“They must have walked out to the patio outside,” said Eric, after noticing the look on Angel’s face.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtNhHi0N3x
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZRNrxeknk
The two of them stepped out of the ballroom, and luckily enough, they found Zac and Carly talking to a man who seemed to be in his mid-40s. Carly noticed Angel and Eric coming over to them, and she addressed the man in front of her.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVUQUQwSDN
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNjXBEm5bW
“Ah, the lady coming here is my older sister,” said Carly. “Angel, we were just talking to Mr. McAlister about you.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqm6EJYZGSd
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJjp6lH0xk
Angel didn’t expect to be a subject of a conversation. What stunned her was the fact that the man Carly and Zac happened to be talking to was Mr. McAlister. She turned to look at him. Just like his son, he also wore casual clothing, a simple green t-shirt and cargo pants. No one would think that he was the owner of such a beautiful mansion.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMB6u4cTswU
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6en7wRC86
“Nice to meet you, Mr. McAlister,” said Angel, smiling at him.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLZlr5XGqA
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0oON7eTwC
“A pleasure,” said Mr. McAlister, bowing his head at Angel. His blue eyes were similarly deep as his son’s. “I’ve heard so much about you from my mother-in-law.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZDfjmQmH1
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuOVX39hLn
“I don’t think she knows me very well,” said Angel, feeling rather embarrassed by his comment. “But it’s nice to know she’s been saying nice things about me.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiFi1J0pKw
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulPmZCG8CC
Mr. McAlister went on to greet Eric, who greeted him back. Angel was about to excuse herself, when Mr. McAlister saw his friends seated around one of the garden tables and decided to join them. After he left them, Carly and Zac looked at both Angel and Eric with slightly worried looks on their faces.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9vhTDMMqb
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWy5dNgEwoZ
“How did Leo take it?” Carly asked.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HlZGyP1J3
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDexCKWgufO
“Not well,” said Eric. “But he’ll get over it. We’ve got bigger problems to deal with.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnhvZjeP26
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPQZmVxpcF
“What?” Zac asked.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCo6Fd3Ch0
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh59v2DDCc8
“Kim is here,” Angel answered, her eyes falling on Carly. Carly’s eyes widened with surprise.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXN0jGV4zyg
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV34rB3OXUX
“So what if Kim is here?” Zac asked, looking confused. He looked at Eric and Angel, and after reading their faces, he understood. “There’s still bad blood between those two?”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlTlXGcX0B
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPTfP6GZ5i
“Not exactly,” said Eric. “You can say there’s a little tension. Trust me, with the way Leo is right now, seeing Kim might spark a fire. So if she asks where Leo is, tell her you have no idea.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IbVd9Gtu2
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1YYMv8LUR
“Where is he anyway?” Carly asked.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzQNCrp2qr
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfE4cCc4jk
“We left him in the garden alone,” Eric answered.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4ScmPaidN
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadJzrseDCy
“Okay, we’ll keep that in mind,” said Zac. “But what if they do meet each other?”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU71aipm0bM
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQX12S6MVO
“By then, Leo will have cooled down, hopefully. I just hope he’ll be able to keep it together, not after what happened last time.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxifXCNaVus
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDO73RUiGVB
Carly and Angel looked at Eric, and they both knew what he meant. The night they had dinner with the Chos. Leo and Angel had told both Eric and Carly that Kim had been there. Carly felt relieved that she and Leo didn’t get a chance to be alone together. That would’ve been the day Kim found out about the two of them, and who knows what would unfold afterwards? Zac, who noticed the look, knew he wasn’t meant to butt in and ask.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JnPFNkLgI
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ujIZT1ZTa
“Okay, if anyone asks, we don’t know where he is,” said Zac. He looked down at his left wrist to check the time. “The game is supposed to start in fifteen minutes. Angel, you better be ready.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvB5fHZ5LE
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXffYivrWN
Angel gave a nod, and Zac made his way back into the ballroom. Eric said he needed another drink and asked the two women if they would need any. Angel hadn’t had the luxury of getting anything to drink, considering that she was welcoming the guests. She told Eric that she would have fruit juice instead. Carly asked for a dry martini. They settled at a nearby table while Eric went to fetch their drinks.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjMuazCkmU
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckYLXbfsbS
“How did he really take it?” Carly asked, looking at her sister.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1DKjlp405
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gFwtR3Xdc
“You know Leo,” said Angel as she watched the people in front of her and those visible inside the ballroom through the open door and windows. “He has a temper. Of course, he didn't take it lightly.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KoG64ZBd8
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7j9hLlT1U
Carly was silent as she played around with her fingers on her lap. “I bet that’s why he wanted to be alone in the garden.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlfDE3rNuo
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfUUqis25u
“He’s stubborn, but he knows what he has to do. It’s just going to be hard for him to accept it. What happened will most likely happen again. We just have to know what to do when it does.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfXpwcVOlw
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwN5UhXgLDc
“I’m not proud of what I’ve done.” Carly looked up at the sky. “I sometimes wish things could’ve been more different.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKw7dXMx6t
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr2TldVSzG
“Most people will criticize your past,” said Angel as she turned to look at her sister. “Only a few will understand that it’s the future and the present that matter. If you change now for the better, then well and good. If not, you’ll give them a platform to criticize you more.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMGPC4nrRX
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBHWj8QZ30
Carly swallowed upon hearing those words. How she wished Angel had never told her that. Those words reminded Carly of her mother.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTkvlfp6Bt
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4sjmTwk9X
“And if it does happen again, what then?” Carly asked, looking at Angel.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh52xsQonub
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnHQe0rNU5
“Who knows? Maybe it won’t be as complicated as it was with Zac. However, there will always be difficult people. Those are the ones we should be careful around.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQpjyPkyZv
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzE4VcjCFk
Apparently, Carly was involved with such people, and she couldn’t help but feel guilty about it. She continued to watch the people enjoying themselves, trying to rub it off. When Eric came by with their drinks on a tray, she felt relieved.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xVStLOalS
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXyQOxNm1s
“Kim is in the ballroom right now,” he told the two sisters as he served them. “Just by the way she’s looking around, she must definitely be looking for any one of us or Leo.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanljF7IbXY
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8Fv4lBYv6
“This is bad,” said Angel as she took her glass of mango juice. “I hope Leo doesn’t blow up in her face about that night. I wonder why Mrs. McDonell can’t accept that Leo doesn’t need Kim in his life. She’s trying to fix a relationship that will never mend.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJxeXKBfRh
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLceN4KqAQ
“Oh, you know how she is,” said Eric as he sat beside Angel. “She’s stubborn.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn1Q1MX4zo
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnd2vayXe0E
Carly chuckled. “I see where Leo gets that from,” she said.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P528vbbAo
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfhdg7Yfar
“Still. The more she tries to fix things, the more she makes them worse,” said Angel. She took a sip of her juice and later added, “Kim is the worst one of them all. She really can’t let Leo go.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsTlHioBLc
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXdJQ5anE3
Angel remembered the conversation she had with Kim not too long ago. She could only hope Kim was looking for Leo to apologize for what she did at the hotel. If not, then there’s nothing much Angel could do.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEg5LUYsik
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKoGxTcuNk
The three continued to have their drinks in silence when Zac appeared by the doorway of the ballroom. He beckoned Angel. The game was about to start. She quickly finished her juice and started to make her way inside. Carly and Eric remained at the table after telling Angel that they would come inside to help with the elderly if there was any need for it.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvy0LHkVj0
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBdyrg7zgG
When Angel got to the door, she asked Zac if he had seen Leo anywhere nearby.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZR4HCgj89S
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgP7BTcYyV2
“No,” he replied. “I bet he’s still in the garden. But I did meet Kim, though. She had asked for him.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNY8JaZd1a
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAlBjdQz41
Angel looked around, hoping not to bump into Kim as well. She would eventually. Zac mentioned that they should go to their designated seats at the other end of the room. They made their way to the table, facing the people already settled to play the game. Apparently, even children who were old enough to play also settled among the old folk.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR20YJuBz4C
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3suzYMTDTT
Mrs. McAlister stood beside the table with the microphone in hand. She obviously wanted to say a few words before the game began. Looking elegant in white, Mrs. McAlister smiled at the guests before her. She began talking in the microphone to get people’s attention. After the room settled, she began first by greeting everyone and thanking them for appearing for the event. She introduced her son and Angel as the people in charge of the game. She wished everyone all the best and for the best person to win. Also adding that there were prizes for the winners. She handed the mic back to her son, who was to call out the letters and numbers on the bingo balls Angel picked.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMekI6YqUCC
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMwQTZp1Yd
While the bingo game was underway, Leo, who was still in the flower garden, realized that he had stayed there for too long. It was best for him to go back inside the mansion. He had already made up his mind. As much as he didn’t want to go through with it, he saw no other option.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZJvzSGgro
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYLwGEOor8
He stood up from the bench and made his way out of the flower garden. As soon as he got back inside, he noticed there weren’t many people in the hallway. The sound of Zac speaking through the mic echoed in the hall outside the ballroom. The game must have started, he thought to himself.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdBFPXZ5sS
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIxBqxreTU
When he entered the ballroom, he found many of the elderly and a few children already settled for the game and holding up their bingo markers. He spotted Eric across the room, slowly walking around those who were playing the game in case anyone needed anything. His eyes turned to the far end of the ballroom, where Angel and Zac sat. A few people stood around the walls of the room, silently watching the game. A good number of guests had gone outside to socialize more loudly and merrily.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡso4Gma8d24
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaD42Q3mjGg
When he looked to his left, he saw Carly, who, just like Eric, slowly walked around the room. She looked up and saw Leo. That made her stop in her tracks as she studied his face. For a moment, she gave a grim look, and it only took Leo’s smile to change it. She sighed in relief and smiled back at him. That was a sign that all is forgiven, and he was willing to move on.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwFOKNhbGC
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oPpxPenkc
The lovebirds’ moment disappeared abruptly when someone appeared beside Leo. The smell of the person’s perfume made Leo aware of their presence. He turned to look. Standing there, looking gorgeous in her pink dress was Kim.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LYxHUKAWu
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8F9OpmgdZr
“Hi, Leo, I was looking for you,” said Kim.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb9gu0jGl6
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAryK7yPVj
A few elderly women seated nearby turned their heads to hush at Kim, telling her to be quiet. That drew everyone’s attention to Kim and Leo. Angel, who was rolling the bingo ball container, saw Kim standing beside Leo, and a grim look fell on her face. Eric, on the other side, could only watch and hope that Leo wouldn’t explode. Carly stood there helplessly. The last thing she needed was to come in between them. That would only make things worse. So, she quickly looked away, turning her attention to the children playing the game.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1I3gAqVrrE
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOIjRTVcWK
“Can we talk outside?” Kim whispered to Leo.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6SUnpSUgH
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECNw9n5zmX
Before Leo could refuse, Kim wrapped her hand around his arm and slowly started to drag her with him, leading him back the way he came. Eric, who saw the whole thing, looked over at Carly, hoping that she didn’t see that. Sadly, he found her turning her head with her lips set in a straight line and her eyes staring blankly elsewhere. Angel had also seen what had happened, but she had already picked out a ball that she showed to Zac. She didn’t want to look out of focus. When she turned to Carly, she couldn’t help but feel a little worried.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmO58fLTPk
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqClhiKEhNK
When Leo and Kim stepped out of the ballroom and into the hall, Leo brushed aside Kim’s hand around his arm and took a few steps before turning to look at her. Kim looked at Leo with a smile on her face.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytmaU9MkYz
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4KUopUhuE
“You’re a hard man to find,” said Kim. “I was looking for you, and I thought I would find Eric and ask him where to find you. But it wasn’t easy to find him either.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYPztqDToi
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tKbKhZnZu
“What is it you want, Kim?” Leo asked.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjGhfMI8Ja
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NuQ23Hmu9
Kim opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. It took her a few seconds to gather herself. “I want to apologize,” she said. “About what happened the last time we saw each other.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDjDlwpBAv
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk9e7Xcp80
Leo raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t like what you did,” he said. He was upset, but he sounded calm. “What were you expecting to see by following me like that?”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVz8AbJE5l
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKkOIHutFO
“I’ll be honest with you,” said Kim. “I wanted to see your new lover.” Her eyes fell to the floor, feeling a little ashamed for saying it.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtx1jJ8S4Ew
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMVhf3iooI
“I bet you were disappointed when I caught you.” Leo put his hands in the pocket of his trousers. “You didn’t look surprised like we met by accident. You and Trina looked guilty, and I knew you had been following me. Angel, in the end, told me you had been in the area for quite some time.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAhsoRBmCl
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxspGDcL3F
“Yeah, I know, and I feel so stupid for doing that.” Kim looked up at Leo. “That’s why I’m asking you to forgive me.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKKhLM4KPp
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXk2pIN15b
Leo looked at Kim, wondering how to answer that. He was still upset with her after her little stunt, but if he didn’t want to ever bring up this issue again, he had to do one of the things he despised to do.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHVdBfJSB9
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7m9G36cW0
He sighed. “I forgive you,” he said. Kim’s eyes brightened up with delight when she heard those words. A smile even appeared across her face. “But don’t take it the wrong way here. Just because I forgive you doesn’t mean this brings us closer.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAO3JYIGLR
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6YhUVubvg
“I know,” she said, her cheeks starting to blush. “By forgiving me, this is a sign that you still have a caring heart.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyX8xCII5YR
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xzihhyrnF
“I’m just doing this because I don’t want to ever bring up this matter again. If I may ask, what were you going to do if my lover happened to be around that day?”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnRDNO1Lwp
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcZqraa33C
Kim looked taken aback by that question. The smile on her face slowly started to disappear. This was the last thing she needed right now.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LJouoYLns
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ9SGjq28j
“Why are you asking me that question?” Kim asked.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRvOuP0k1E
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20kMbX6wOz
Leo took some time to answer. “Because I know you,” he said. “You’re impulsive, and I know you’ve been dying to know who my lover is. Who knows what you would’ve done if you did? I bet it would be something unpleasant.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8MMDMJ1Ij
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJ9WmqlJ4b
Kim shook her head. “That’s not true,” she said. “I would never do that.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhC6h60ikZ
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡld7NDe11fv
Leo scoffed. “Anyway, I’m not going to argue with you there when you know I’m right. You shouldn’t come after me, begging for my attention. I have a life to live, and so do you.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEtiTURM74
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83aNQvLESX
A voice of a woman shouting “bingo, bingo” rang loudly into the hall. What Leo was grateful about these games was that it didn't take too much time. They were obviously going to go for another round of bingo.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzP24pB36l
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQv3uC5iWy5
Leo turned to look at Kim, who was looking back at him. There was a look of hurt in her eyes, and sadly, there was nothing that Leo could do about it.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwDBrWJYqn
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevzwkB3MPY
“I better be going back in there,” said Leo. “I’ll see you around.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe3S3S2555
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYHt81TH8T
Just as Leo was about to take a step towards the door leading to the ballroom, Kim blocked his way, standing in front of him. She looked set on not moving aside.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteUYfj2wTN
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5vaesEoay
“Kim, please move,” said Leo.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXU1XrStrH0
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1uQyXckMT
“I’m not going to end this conversation like this,” she said.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYkhLIEcmq
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0r1jdO7NqR
“What else is there to say?” Leo asked as he shrugged his shoulders.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYZ1Y49j9Q
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKiMuCQeGs
“Don’t you care about me at all? Don’t you think I've got the right to know who she is that stole your heart from me?”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70KOkMLXnl
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFEY1bx5BB
“Kim, your voice is getting a little too loud. And no. I don’t think you’re ready to know who it is. Not with that attitude.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DXmbsCa0G
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrpexZLhXv
“Why are you protecting her? It’s not like I’m going to do anything.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhDbd4ozWE
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfM5xovXq4m
“Says the person who isn’t over our breakup. I can’t tell you who she is until I’m sure you can handle moving on. Right now, I clearly see that you can’t.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hJUu1TWDC
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyHnBctSiq
The door to the ballroom that stood ajar opened up a little, and a young man stepped out. He walked past Leo and Kim. They remained silent until he was out of sight.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHdcu3mNjS
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWKHriteFS
“I promise, Leo, I won’t do anything rash,” said Kim.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBql9JC3tXf
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnYgiUG1IH
“No,” said Leo. He was firm with his response, and Kim could clearly see that her whimpers weren’t going to work on him. “Not now, Kim. Not like this.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM6Zl5iIKv
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnyTsHn2OJ
Before Kim could think of another way to persuade him, Eric appeared at the door. Leo could never have felt too relieved to see anyone.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuTJqQzgbb
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUNd2NO1pV
“Leo, I need some assistance over here,” said Eric. Kim turned around to look at him. “We need to clear out some chips on the papers for the next round, and there are a few people who have trouble getting them off since they are old. You could come help too, Kim, if you want.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnEfr8x0Ro
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4rF2YaMYF
“I’ll be right there,” said Leo. He turned to look at Kim, hoping to say a few words to her, but nothing came to mind. She looked at Eric with an angry frown, upset that he had to interrupt them. He walked past her and joined Eric inside the ballroom.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCX3uZJgAh
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTZEztV501
“Thanks for that,” said Leo when he and Eric approached the tables.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3eUMzU6xB
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyq4EDjQhpJ
“I figured you needed the help,” said Eric. “And we really do need your help with those chips.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwx30dCR4uu
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYmZ6xNvbY
“Never have I felt relieved to help out with anything.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxl0kouDF6C
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyoeuqwdHU
Leo heard footsteps behind him, and he saw Kim enter the ballroom. She was making her way to the patio, where the lively people were. As she passed, she gave Leo a side-ways glance. Judging by the look, Leo could tell that she was upset.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89OJxdYpB1
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAU2tmk8iY
Three rounds of bingo were played, with three different winners. Amanda happened to be one of them, for she won the last round. Her grandsons, Angel and Carly, went to congratulate her. Amanda couldn’t help but express how excited she was over winning the game and that it was her first time.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01Kc7zXQsV
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbB8HMN4dB
Mrs. McAlister and Mrs. Harris presented prizes to those who won. Afterwards, the place became more of a social event, with those who were outside coming in. The helpers had to arrange the tables and chairs for the elderly as if in a dinner-like manner, in case anyone wanted to help themselves with some food and needed a place to sit.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvSUBIy3aE
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OSfReN3GE
Leo has stepped out for a bit with a glass of wine, out to the patio and to the lawn. The sun was slowly starting to set, and he had a clear view of it. He had a feeling they might have dinner at the McAlisters, considering the amount of food that had been brought in. With so many people around, all he wanted was to be alone.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSb2R69V3wN
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoMCfFQtwp
He took a sip of his wine, so lost in the beauty of the setting sun that he didn’t hear soft footsteps coming from behind. It only took him a minute to realize that Carly was standing beside him.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYTdtUOR3t
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERDnjzpAFt
“Hey,” she said to him.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddyJDYCgSg
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGfgMRCNJ0
“Hey,” he answered back.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3oQvzTfmb
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOik11mt9Ih
There was a brief moment of silence before Carly spoke. “You’re not mad, are you?” she asked.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXy6BJUfax
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxSeeIDgj6
“Mad about what?” He asked with an eyebrow raised and looking confused.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNu9udgZpJ
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDef2vjhdm
“This thing with Zac and me?”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8PryTM580
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrkHTkQqUY
Leo chuckled. “I had just forgotten about it. To be honest, I was so busy that it never once crossed my mind. Until now.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9N9z6f0f4V
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOH0YcC4WM
“I know it’s weird…”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6o22WghhT
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmm33lrlRg
“Carly,” Leo interrupted her. “That’s all in the past. As much as I would like to keep a grudge, you knew Zac before you knew me. I shouldn’t be jealous at all. He’s an annoying prick, yeah, but I can’t blame him for that either. The last thing I want is to be mad at you.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAv2XT2hvnW
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpe5JAEjXj2
Carly smiled. “That’s a relief. If there weren’t many people around, I would’ve hugged you.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0pZEQhBoL
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JconBKJMC
“Tell me about it,” said Leo as he turned around to look at the guests that remained outside. “Let’s not draw any unnecessary attention.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIarcqv4WU
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVA8blKNKWc
“And what about Kim? What did the two of you talk about?”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ480Ij7M3Uw
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROO0crzMk6
“The incident at the hotel when we had dinner there. And also, she wants to know you. Or let me say it in her words: The woman who stole my heart from her.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXU70EDP9U
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBP1Zw9PHa
Carly rubbed the back of her neck. “She must be really mad, huh?”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9mRdboO0I
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPutplNvnP
“Yeah, but I’m not going to tell her until she settles down. Better yet, she’ll know when everyone else does.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyVKjh8m1n
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoOzQ3R5IK
“We still have time. And what are you going to do about your mum? It’s clear to see that she brought her here to try and bring you two together.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfDgfroyA2
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9QeWlJajA
“It’s annoying, but I’ll have to have a talk with her one of these days.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7WGzYvIhc
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu8uxWvfxj
“Leo! Carly!” came Angel’s voice behind them. The two turned around to see her approaching them. She wore her white jacket over her shoulders, as it was getting chilly now.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwOkDPkI40
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGCbZyMO1x
“What is it?” Carly asked when Angel came closer.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdT1jmdh8E
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64jykPPDPV
“Zac’s girlfriend is here, and Zac wants to introduce you to her,” Angel answered. “He made a show of how you and I are like goddesses, and she wants to see you for herself. So that’s why I came to find you. They’re in the hall outside the ballroom.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh08srGuWT8
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlmrBLy9vj
“Fine,” said Carly. She turned to look at Leo. “Aren’t you coming?”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNsiyhxXvQ
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlXiO30qQo
“Yeah, I’ll follow behind you,” he said.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGV1giuyBn
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTGltQV4tl
“Before I get there, I need to stop by the bar to get a drink. Let’s go, Angel.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVp1LpL5Ek
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAvJ6FOuxr
Carly took off quickly before Angel. In trying to catch up with her sister, Angel also hurried. In doing so, her white jacket slipped off her shoulders and fell on the green grass. She stopped in her tracks and turned to pick it up. However, Leo already got to her jacket and picked it up for her. He placed the empty glass he was holding on a nearby table.
Leo closed the distance between them. Before Angel could reach out her hand to grab it, he swung the jacket over her head and made it rest over her shoulders. Angel looked stunned at the gesture that she was almost lost for words. For some reason, her cheeks started to tingle.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuxSdv5nLS
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT3Ar3hrig
“Thanks,” she managed to say. “You didn’t have to do that.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2eGHApO5t
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMwfEpPo7V
“It’s nothing,” he said.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6S2tQ5KxW
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybUTiR3U6a
Leo still held on to the collars of her jacket, and Angel realized why she was blushing. The feel of his fingers tucked under the collars slightly touched her neck. His hands soon fell away, and he placed them in the pocket of his trousers. He gave her a cool look with his eyes, and that made Angel blush even more.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqz41xOX4N
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PoKSJ3BRJ
“Are you okay?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “You look shocked or something.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjVgOfHvjQ
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgX2GxMr7lY
“I’m fine,” said Angel, quickly drawing her head downward. “Let’s go.”
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPsu2ql9jX
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZd3PBwygx
She quickly turned around and started to make her way back into the ballroom, with Leo following behind her. She shook off the feeling and told herself it was nothing. Leo, on the other hand, didn’t seem bothered by her reaction or what had taken place.
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptKFje3MsW
300Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcYbhqJFkC
Standing by the window inside the ballroom was Kim, holding a glass of champagne. She had seen the little incident between Angel and Leo. That sent her mind buzzing with thoughts. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one who had seen them
.
ns216.73.216.166da2
