The news about the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvi5Yz3igse
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsUQWEUo4j
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGUIzxKMTD
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYazIaBFAo
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaC0u4w19di
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMLsEb13Zi
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGpjx8a7ba
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1neJ8bEI9f
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCxKBGVFpn
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsndljAGx2k
There was more to it 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS14WzIeiBl
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡushKHBU7lp
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RblpToE8S
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEQ91xO6g0
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqs4sAuf6Z
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjTZITuFDt
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ycNa9uatl
except from a few individuals. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCCVIz6B0w
And apparently, one of 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9NDM8Z6Yb
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQp9xsXXN9
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LmEbdnDmt
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9c6ih8Znb3
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkCgc89J4u
really going on, all hell would break loose.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFGzbDPMys
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNCvw1TxM0
Rhénee dropped the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV43j7Q9Gle
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDKKIO4ahi
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUGD5jDcb5
ear, she took a sip of coffee.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVRMByolal
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsnyvzfYHM
"Ya, its crazy here," 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uBEUEuXUX
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG32o8xdhMF
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXN2a9gi2zU
broken in."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvnakV2H4f
"If only they knew."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcf3zHUl29
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKVd0igp2v
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBvMejkbxo
"She did. I had to make 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmTFN0mf0G
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctHvTPSmh1
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3Dl1FnHvm
"I doubt if she believed that."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndxz8tyEom
"Haha, looks like you 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvAjeXo5ZM
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRre8v8t4L
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOlcLoyxLo
"True. But we did. I 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfx9iEvK90J
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybkktm5P3E
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TdPx6mmHC
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIT5wrRL3AS
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuPfA51N7l
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBkL0FM3vq
"Okay, bye."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Qlvx5frgH
"Bye."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNmm4X9fYn
Rhénee cuts the call and846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZe3LIIOqM
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAvbsYtTI5
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q5SqqmN3J
wink last night.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSctzJYj94g
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAdEHUFYI9
"I wasn't going to 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppfXpK1yrX
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD7q7kI6pJ
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo8r4gDSeZ
"You don't have to 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquCJcNdaAq
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlq7PWprUg
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5th36YRxZC
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhm7Ymqyl7
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFDkffaz3N
"Why Malcom?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxNQRTvIip
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapcXIHSlRi
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZVXT08kxe
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6JGBn1fQ5
"Alright, you go ahead."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7MfTYAeOn
Miss Griselda gave 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDXXzkZ4d4
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGvrbAUp6r
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrclRtD4Czg
did when they talked about Malcom. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuchmj0EZE
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf6U4Jx806
The sound of her phone 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsmIKIR8BU
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKop2jkehhR
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMG1QHEINE
mother.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHbcSV7aUZ
"Hello?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelfDThwJYp
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxk90RHOjJm
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu3x2in0id
That voice. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX7ugAQdVC
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U3SnERtOv
"What's wrong? The other day you had the guts to talk to me when I talked to you about the necklace. Why are you so quiet now?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlDPpD3cG4
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNH5s9KECRb
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIC1ZbrhJ6N
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ghWwNWoIf
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehEAFvFJ0Y
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelhabNIoZm
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eXHI0d9s0
"You don't know me, 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4iyqq3eI1
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQndiA0myp
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcM257UCzW
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsgSwMQ2xS
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDfhTaYSau
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjmK11CpCy
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkLeoM13st
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGrNRL6A9v
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiH4HrJl5NE
"Then why did you give me her necklace? And the picture of the house? What are you trying to achieve by scaring me like this?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitgu0FQoBp
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSupE71Rsj
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHVzOxusJ5
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ872SfcnPJD
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSn8numNk1
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VTkSMFHuW
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLX5hv5mjPm
"Oh, and by the way, 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqzuCHF5cH
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5mUc8AWaL
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeqPM5lBfc
this time around."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlOVnibIVf
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ul4MNvHm8
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMU6dlZpLhi
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTjnd2vxWZ
Rhénee sat down on the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpqH3NeWG5
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGwFWe18nF
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuugBaONxiw
the others, who know what might happen. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUloWmyE270
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWb48PHwMeS
***846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0y97Ocsn7q
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gg90xYEPk
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZbqVzQQ4O
"But she isn't hurt right?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMmKZ2Hh2p
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡax1uQO6Ur1
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qvic2rCJp
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODjLQ6n1Iw
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEAKklBBbv
"Nah.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsNLg4n9la
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizwiNc7u6u
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfQ8AsiG0E
"Thats846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzf1hUrXiP
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWpQZkQiSP
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdruISTlF97
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGEGAvXKxT
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxxlK9DVgC
"Alright."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiU4YxIenTd
Eugene cut the call and noticed that his mother was standing by the kitchen door looking at him as he stood in the living room. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3csTBjWI3y
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6ZCxsMIzT
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cO5VryvcN
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wnp5YAplY
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjt8QxnXMk
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLavPBX5z8
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MJVPgsRZQ
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5KCuZgK4Z
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEEV7nJfsW
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfjZ2VrHQR
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGWMyu3NXK
"Does it bother you?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHGX0pZUna
"Um... not really. But.... um."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLuQ6hoRD5
Eugene846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC5iNpCVE1
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4R6hOuD32f
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatLePZfzIh
"Mum, are you okay?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz9st2ZyXb
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKT3KDU4UjM
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsC0F6JlS0
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4pfuzMpNs
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5JE9jBULK
Mrs846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnPoTPvW4i
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycFzpk4mjm
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡertmaEufIA
had talked about Rhénee?846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuxrWA4Gu7
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr39hmfBCx
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2Sk7SOS2j
***846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabLHPpMgS4
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2X7x3PdIu
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FhervmCY5
"You better rest though. You still look tired."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLCVEEowFT
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyHQ67FGka
"No, I'll do it."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiLNXsAlRE
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfGlGqyAnA
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCMwWWQRu4
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZbweSZEiF
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR4vP16wq6
Rhénee846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0QON1rblV
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsj7DDL1qM5
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsZPiFhKPc
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJQVgTYjxw
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FSP1Wrf65
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpbRpN48lQ
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBd6hv4Giv
"Thank846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZVgudiZqf
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEN2l5nAj1
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVHGAAcwJy
"Well, yes. I still think I would."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUoNW8eElS
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtM0rUs6jMz
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGBUeY82hn
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXiYyrvf2X
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OEItS9LRS
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupGsJ0hMUD
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYST44mX9N
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlBvB7wFOp
"Coffee will be lovely."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Z5eVBgZdi
Miss846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kOeHdjx6H
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sgQiCAw8A
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTTAIcc117
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsArFzd2O1
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ToqvNALzX
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKCpBRPGSw
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPVEhZnrEv
"What mysterious person?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZUIlhRsqJ
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfwrnVc3oS
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51NzPDSjll
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsQmdTMMay
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuVMqE4e5I
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7P3JYkd24
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLhUlCI7i1
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J69rF6Ket
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Mn8hkLQbQ
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFMdvWNYMQ
The846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDc1kKuufro
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztD3v1s9EW
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4mVyHfyzW
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lXCZTZG9V
of this.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJxW0hOZN6
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyhmgTEfDu
"I...846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1qBr5CX52
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDX1zVYwNJ
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMZyNoZOOL
frustration. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyKUnixcUn
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrGYNY5jRT
Rhénee846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZualGeHUw
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeR0ZA4DRY9
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYMc64KBDB
cups on the tray and wondered. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuO05oJDBV
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaer2bCKTH
846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfni7GhofaV
As846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYMd6UiASS
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvHKySimYs
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFBF8fGzWs
reminder kept ringing in her head.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlswPIb0vf
"And tell your friends not to get involved."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcas3tCc4o
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MIYZDbdDY
"I846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Jk84UCXDn
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5Ve0UknB4
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIk7ne1o1t
talking about, Rhénee?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YFirL6yxT
Rhénee846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42bgZpkm7q
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQzLvjBnJ3
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBc6CuCIFN3
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9ndVdWmH4
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt2Zf3tWgt
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGjazqBKuz
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqD5QQGzroa
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3yruIEHSK
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pbLUUyfJN
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOoM4QN9T3
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTm0D3ZEePx
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vxzdtooRk
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvnZcF6vgZ
***846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoRa0amgNv
Sweat846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwpr3Zh84x
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0kz7Sqt7h
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbnwe3Wnnq
the person waiting never likes to wait.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSk6zo41YY
He846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngvzHkojBf
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWmyokbrsH
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3afkazl24c
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIFVIcaBn7
second.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMUFoSrkCM
He846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2TpUO9yxE
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1B86kjArsV
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA142vTAqpc
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwx4u96axY
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4Z8MPAryl
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJm1uDEBpk7
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTYn6sNjXy
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeI0QFmklTy
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WTVsgURlg
"You're late, again."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclenu2xUDA
His846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMngzJpsOf
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilk4uilhqz
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxEcaWKiNa
lion door knob. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qMqi1xZCI
He846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdciGFMifT
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFcu3ixClc
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJufoOoVCsh
"What846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhQspVgxWK
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlCf48mmEV
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYoCnxuf7v
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdLGTYQow5
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYtElZIKwX
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByFthUaYQR
A846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNkpYPYDKX
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0xGmQsuhe
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbHNAkNNIz
as they had their backs towards the window.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68i88aVnEf
"You know we need him," said the tall man.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKSqdkN24M
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONMc95hIQI
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfw8hIviZ0
The846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcBEEidvsR
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLW5oTr1Wh
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfxhiDxZlw
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXhmK9PVDp
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MdSiyaJrl
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcn0N8IlGb
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZd6pewfmF
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIy6cd2ZYm
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITJ6q1mCjp
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nMIy8mBrS
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXy87YFtCM
"What if she reveals the truth?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYySML7hy2f
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4HJodDi49
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xx1V0ZRWB
For a moment, silence hung over them.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF0t3pmOVn
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR4kHaQiUq
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PZ6P1TdLH
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyJ03xePfE
"I846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK18KDkr9rX
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJmFya4hg5
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMwy8cpUml
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKuu4VTsw1
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaE8ymYlyX
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhdTBiXZmI
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpt3w8QcZ8x
***846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspAtOyPD52
The846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXxhsEGqhk
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZtWE8K7j4
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdva8ISheBO
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLMIQOLZfR
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVIPtethX8
they met, they seemed sky blue.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPRgc2Inta
And846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfSWlnbfnO
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESJskyTUQm
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3my2KTdOsd
Rhénee846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtstbuqkBx
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYSY3NiuaD
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKUtUQYv9Z
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDOdQ721VR
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5FVC4NU4x
coffee table in the middle.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JepuIXxUr
When846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCAQUIaL3a
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqhJGPumk5
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHX6tKilVpB
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eh2J4uo7c
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IOEeF0Sik
"Are you sure?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pKEkEgJEc
"Yes, I'm positive."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fqBIl5XZL
Miss846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD7VJx0AY6
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFOWZ5KsFi
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1PCiUelHO
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt9NyUBkkr
from their cups.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o755w5oqe
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM19dsfjxSU
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwh8s58bvw
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICLZyrJ1v6
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tuxjjaZJ3
"And how about the fact that you and Greta were imposing as other people the time I was coming here?" Rhénee spat out at Malcom.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZG1MtZHkX
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtEQBufJVK
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO47pC7oveI
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1xggJ2Kdq
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlHpD6wgZC
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvLtqgmEQ8
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzxFmPGz42
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvO2KejmUaB
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtD8n7hSTa
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLjk1lgUID
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUC17dwv8b
"Oh,846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZlVpVsqIg
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7Jhw3IBUf
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2IJjSMoDF
who he is."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmFPvQP3fW
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcl2fLaRzkO
Rhénee846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcmP6wsrtD
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1yZIpVIUS
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85j8JsGBxM
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzdVso3M80
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEAe2wMNLk
Rhénee846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZmesADqnz
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNh8s15jJY7
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDW0QIoQ3PL
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRB1tkDd6wK
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtUrQUqzqk
"Fine,846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9AEi0Lu2B
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhhZZuaC7Q
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ935jx3oLAm
or die if you stay by me."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAIQqw3i7K
