x

Mrs. Chamberlin felt someone gently shake her. She moaned a little as she opened her eyes. The buzzing fluorescent light blinded her for a bit until she realized that there was someone standing next to her. Her eyes opened widely now. It was her son, Eugene.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHzTvyU6QA
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CkhFqywgG
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgxFTgra4c
"Hey, mum, are you alright?" he asked. "Sorry for waking you."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcBVholyQY
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRKi63Vawj
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2iyF43mv8
Mrs. Chamberlin sat upright; the big, heavy coat she had used as a blanket fell to her waist. She rubbed her eyes, trying to remove the sleep in them. She looked over at her son, who stood there looking at her.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hLWJk2vYl
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hjndyweOU
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCg8rl6rg7
"I didn't expect to see you here," she said, as she put up a tired smile. "What time is it?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKf60Ob2Ku
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPdHNLn8XC
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1usOG2kjv2
"It's five in the morning," said Eugene as he went over to sit on the chair she had been sleeping on in the waiting room.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaxk9xAEHK
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufnEv0GqW2
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO49G7fZV3
"And what about your brother? Aren't you going to see him off to school?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjQcqtQpWL
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRYROXIBEb
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rqhmC1uSG
"I will. I came to check up on you first."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA0nyX9Fpl
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9E7nXbQ6a
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGZQYHcFZ8
"I thought you were going to ask how your father was doing."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPYGyZG5gb
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYZecmmCVu
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRYGmSHuKw
Eugene didn't know how to respond to that as he looked up at the ceiling and then back at his mother in silence.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDZHNH91fg
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLdkx3VAU0
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqsiz6ARH5
Mrs. Chamberlin sighed. She wasn't going to force her son to do so, even though she knew Eugene cared a lot more than he thought.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DwFJ3NIvE
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCxiGYeSfk
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI61ftvyEiq
"He's stable now," she said. "They managed to pull the bullet out. But he lost a lot of blood. The doctor said it would take time for him to recover." 428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhpkAhSBhM
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9X8ZuxpB3
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVahZN2Ie18
"Did you go in to see him?" Eugene asked. 428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9sz52AIAa
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOEKxhlYC3
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurkxIf3rfs
"I did. But he lay there unconscious. I'm hoping he wakes up soon."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXQVGQYYa1
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANXpMzm4d8
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8tOfJBrdz
"When he wakes up, you know he'll have to face the police, right? In fact, what did they ask you when they came last night?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Wwnc6tgDq
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83SsOoagAr
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAp2dFMpYZZ
Mrs. Chamberlin muttered to herself as she put both her feet down from the chair, trying to make herself comfortable. Eugene wondered if she would stall so as not to answer his question.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSuC5J2Teu
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFDo8oUC8U
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUILz6cFdRl
"They asked if I knew about his whereabouts before he got shot," she answered. "If he had told me who had shot him, I would have told them, but I didn't know anything. He just showed up on my doorstep, and I had no choice but to call the hospital."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8dsNSgaRQ
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZiBgprYsK
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JGnr3d2z5
"Do they think he was involved in some shady deal?" Eugene asked. 428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUYWJ6C17i
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCoOg7EEMR
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTIAgOFN32
"They do." Mrs. Chamberlin sighed, shaking her head. "I wonder what he got himself into."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29e9daMZrn
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0OfhWG7eB
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡif7zRxfeAq
"Something dangerous, that's for sure. Maybe this time when the police investigate, they'll find out the truth about whatever he's been keeping from us for so long."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cUgH2oplT
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCIUHhBU4r
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCi6tOf3ki8
"You already know that he is involved with dangerous people. Do you really want to dig deeper and find out who he is working for?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XT0BzbEDz
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIah7Smp8dX
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD2BD5s6xM
Eugene continued to look at his mother, and he had a feeling she wasn't going to like what he was going to say. He averted his eyes to the ceiling and stayed silent.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72snW5JCvq
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3JGMTMl78
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLdrpHjCs5
Mrs. Chamberlin looked on at her son. After what seemed to be a long while, she slowly stood up from her seat. She needed to stretch her legs. Likewise, she also raised her hands in the air to stretch her entire body.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLL0KLw5cX6
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRmABM238A
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvmYeUcFVJ
Eugene now looked at his mother and asked, "Won't you be going back home to freshen up?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkKfcrcTUP
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWM5HFgzH4
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEhiqhKvIJ
"I will," she answered after dropping her arms. "I'll do so when your father wakes up."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPq5b2MiSSf
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBTdxA4AGG
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDeJv5f2Rb
Her answer made Eugene scoff. "He was at your doorstep when he came asking for help," he said. "You don't have to show that you've been with him this whole time. A big part of me knows he will figure that out when he wakes up."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzbOwsQqGj
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7rQidKGQJ
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFI9PiAZlEj
"So, how is your brother doing?" Mrs. Chamberlin asked, ignoring Eugene's statement. "It must have been confusing for him when you told him he couldn't enter his own home."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXrKzWl65U
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFosastTfGr
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4FdisiqTx
"He won't take it lightly after he hears this news at school. I wanted to tell him, but when I got back to Mrs. York's, I found that he was already asleep."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXnWTrQoB0
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UUMbpgyHR
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEHlkckNYP
"The disadvantage of living in such a town is that news travels so fast. I strongly advise that you tell him when you go and get him ready for school."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiXGinCLnC
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUu6yWBLz5
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKWt2ddGfM
"That will affect him, mum. He won't be able to go if it comes to it."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdN5wxdqF3
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22r0E8grBB
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0QiUwCHsz
"That decision will be up to him. If he doesn't go, the better. Make sure to call the school if it comes to it."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFr1VKSSHZh
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCFWyIwiVm
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQUQjHggAW
Eugene gave a nod of the head. "Will do."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBiPFv6B6O
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhd3fJV6ChW
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ISq0LBwbK
Mrs. Chamberlin looked down at her son and came up to him. She bent over a little and held his chin to lift his face and look straight into his eyes.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrv5LOTzUVG
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgnbfAOUaG
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrM6YaYQyt
"Did you get any sleep?" she asked. "You look like you've been up all night."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLV5mcc8eo
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6JOL24yzy
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9Z10tE84a
"Yeah, I didn't," said Eugene as he put up a tired smile. "Not that I was worried about him. I'm more worried about you."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZB2djtBq6m
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YryIINqYY
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IeVilHdKF
"I'll be okay. Your father needs to recover first."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEEf3aXJLx
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNEtD66294
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DJvDin9eL
"If he does, will you consider leaving him for good?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dhfPuZXaq
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFkXHpzUNO
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKew5aMLZU3
Mrs. Chamberlin let go of his chin as she stood upright. She didn't expect him to start talking about this subject at such a critical time.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZ5965SrrP
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrz8QL8xfn3
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0WhGKfbvL
"You should go and check up on your brother," she answered as she slowly turned away. "He will need you around when he wakes up."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HxUgFEPYe
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlR6cuAN2U
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBFT6vrCoc
Eugene continued to look up at his mother and, likewise, stood up from his seat. "I know you don't like to talk about this, but for once, think about Albert and me. What if that man brings danger to our own doorstep one day?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWApdf1iTK
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ribxXYZEm
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsepp8dOlj
"He can never do that. He promised me that whatever he's involved in will never affect us."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB123XNZyGG
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHoqBHYrKz
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4xoDeJxgr
"I'm sorry, mum. But him coming to our doorstep with a gunshot wound is proof that he already did. When are you going to wake up and realize that?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rHhePHHTc
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkc0H2S4k6
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPL2Cqq5zKz
His mother still didn't look at Eugene. And he took it as his cue to leave. Before he could turn around and head for the door behind him, he turned back to her to say:428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0vvPMsP5F
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWlbU7URex
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXW8eiiNOI
"Mrs. York will be coming over to bring you breakfast. And she thinks it will be a good time for the two of you to switch so that you can go to the house to rest."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8bLARjVBU
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8UPpih5eU
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE66N1Ru3Zd
Mrs. Chamberlin turned to Eugene. "And what if he wakes up and finds that I'm not here? I need to be here when he does."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O6da33u3H
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoVQxfiOvg
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs4tmsGXbc
"Seriously, mum, I don't know if you care about yourself at all."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4nMsS5PYn
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeYJh8Avwj
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VklPERITY
Mrs. Chamberlin couldn't help but swallow. She noticed the look in his eyes. It might be him being tired from being up all night, but there is a sense of darkness in them that she has never seen before. She wondered where it came from. Could it be after having a talk about his father? She couldn't tell, but seeing him like he is now made her realize that there's something different about him.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIaCADRIIw
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7n0k60Sxd
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEzBoFTKYo
He said his goodbye, and without a second glance, turned and walked away, not realizing that he left a cold trail in his wake. Mrs. Chamberlin, at that point in time, didn't know if this was her son or some stranger.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45mTvKy3bW
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20pM6YO6bP
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOT4aE79vZ
Eugene had every right to be in the mood he was currently in. His mother still stuck to her marriage like a lifeline. He wished she would one day realize how much of a baggage his father was. Secondly, so many things happened last night that he didn't know what to think of his best friend anymore.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKPZLtMYUa
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAPMhUKMMe
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtY8rlZ2SfR
After surprising Miguel with his presence last night, Eugene asked him where he was. Miguel lied to his face, saying he went out for some fresh air and didn't expect it to take so long. Eugene went on to ask him why he looked in such a mess, like he had just been beaten up in a fight. As usual, Miguel laughed it off and lied that he tripped and fell somewhere down the street. Eugene expected to be lied to, and he couldn't tell Miguel that he knew where he had been, for that might expose Miss Marie. So he pretended to buy the lie and told Miguel that he only passed by to have a chat. He left the place, saying that it was already late and he needed to be by Albert's side.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1LI3JGnAo
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBoTSGcfN1
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWwuMISPtU
Eugene had already found himself outside the hospital's premises, heading for the bus stop. His body was in flight mode, moving on its own while he continued to get lost in his own mind.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nvE4AWJjn
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRw45VZXmd
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTQrhZuNkS
As soon as he reached the bus stop, he sent a message to Mr. Sinclair, telling him that he would be coming to work a little late. For any ordinary person, they would've accepted a day off with a loved one in the hospital. But in his case, he needed a distraction. And the idea of staying in the hospital didn't sit well with him. Not when his father is the reason why his mother and brother are suffering.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ9GXepSHh
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktDw3E5dcO
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tiIx7dkOw
A bus was coming from a distance, and Eugene felt his heart beat so fast as he realized that he was going back to wake his brother up and tell him the awful news. It was best he heard the news from him. Albert is emotional, so he needed to be there just in case he had a breakdown.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmS048QeHzC
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhoEt34s7J
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYRNZcl0QQ
As soon as the bus stopped right in front of him and the doors flew open, Eugene took deep breaths. He entered the bus feeling like he was going to a funeral. For whom, he wondered.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnZuoxdfzw
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNJw5qC7P1
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9og0a15W3x
***428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGg7YC4jT5T
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGsIOxoOM2
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UdRAqTo6f
Rhénee turned in her bed, facing the window, this time around. She could tell the sun was now rising even when the curtain was drawn shut. She hadn't been able to sleep well the whole night as images of what happpened kept replaying in her mind, and she had just slept in intervals, only to be woken again by her dreams.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5t1LmBIBB
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN8PFvzHkE
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwatsNvFiE
She suddenly sat up and decided to take a walk around the house. Her body ached with tiredness, and she decided that a cup of coffee would do her good.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0R8OAzzbfD
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNrwP85xGA
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdQJOp9o6y
After getting out of bed and wearing her purple bed slippers, she started to make her way out of the room when she heard her phone on the bedside table vibrate. She wondered who could be texting her this early in the morning. Perhaps her mother? Rhénee could only wonder what her mother would say if she were ever to tell her about the events of yesterday. She would drive here with her brother, Rhénee thought, and force her to go back home.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBiaXQf2VN
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwAuKvD3JT
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJygU6cdly
She went back to her bed to get her phone, and she found herself sitting back down on the bed. As she checked her phone, she found she had a message from Mr. Sinclair telling her to meet him at his office at 11:30 AM so that they could go and have lunch together. Rhénee raised an eyebrow. He was taking her somewhere more public. It didn't seem convenient, but it must be because he knows I won't overreact in a public place, she thought.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfO18Cmk7Wt
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJNAg6gjpi
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡls1gDnufMs
She texted him back, saying that she would be there, and stood up from her bed, making sure to carry her phone with her.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhivEZtaGsy
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWCR8bG4Ax
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwefYOwILbL
After walking out of her room and closing the door behind her, the silence of the house greeted her. She stood in the hall for a while, taking it in. She thought if she moved or made a sound, it would disturb the calm of the place. But the sweet sounds of the birds singing outside her bedroom window did the trick, though not in a harmful way.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6YWABsW0M
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJt3Ht6l3kM
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7SvlmQ5GM
She walked down the hall, bypassing her late grandmother's room. Stopping to look at the door, she thought of going in. But the events of yesterday came to her mind in a flash, making her think twice. She realized that all that's been going on right now since she came here is because of her grandmother, which stirred up a lot of mixed feelings.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7P7ll2D1p5
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCazSPVsHwU
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JuopOgG4D
She scoffed and turned away, heading to the stairs and to the kitchen.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QE4zliH5o
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZ1SaYlfnu
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ex17isMMm
Upon entering the kitchen, she was greeted by the warm sun's rays that penetrated through the white kitchen curtain. The feeling was comforting, and it made Rhénee smile a little. She went on ahead to the coffee maker and started to bring out the coffee beans and sugar from the cupboard straight above her. Likewise, she made sure to pour some water into the coffee maker as well as putting in the coffee in the filter and switching on the appliance. She sat down on the kitchen stool near the island, waiting for the coffee to brew.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdB6I2KG72
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWiOxyDSHK
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oNn6qNxYu
Nevertheless, she decided to look through her phone, checking things out on social media. She found herself looking at a post by one of her friends, whom she hadn't talked to since she came here. Seeing this made her realize that she hadn't talked to any of her friends in what felt like forever, when she had only been here for a few days. With so much going on, time seems to have moved so fast when it barely has at all.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2G2Skswur
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclSZcjmvDp
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuXI1GRaGJ
Her coffee was still brewing, so she left the social media page and decided to call the one friend who wouldn't mind being bothered so early in the morning.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakXkGNufKk
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xu0tBBT5E
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bnLM4EwYG
After finding their number in her contacts, she called it and put the phone to her ear. She heard the dialling tone and waited. It didn't take long before the person on the other end picked up.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPgzU5h0Jz
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3aIIpouzw
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUizyHKKeu
"Rhénee?" There was a sleepy male voice on the other end. "Hey, it's been a long time. How are you?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxThbPplL8
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqY7kZH85RZ
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuleTYj5Zre
"I'm good, thanks; how are you, Alex?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QiMR0sZLu
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdqKyHnqMp
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfDHy5q4dk
"Never better, now that you've called. I thought you forgot about me."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeL7cARofL
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTqX294Kqb
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9f7swfbNnM
Rhénee looked up at the ceiling. "Yeah, I think I must have."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37UNZIlcQ4
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFzCv3pLsu
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I7jESVYlG
"Don't tell me you've made a tonne of friends over there and that you forgot about me. Or did your late grandmother's fortune get to your head?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EmIMMbeYL
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzst9iuyK1
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPgy99vnfx
The last thing Rhénee needed was to talk about her grandmother, but she had to act like nothing was bothering her for the time being.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwLKt3SBdY
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDZRuMqeRl
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dBEezRbs9
"You're just as funny as usual," said Rhénee with a smile on her face. "I've just been busy."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWr8hFXavT6
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ri0mqv5BW
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xuLXPUFBT
"Yeah, a new house and a new life must be a lot of work."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gDmOPXPNl
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl5O9lv9f3
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkp3k6Kpjlh
"You've no idea. But I'm getting by just fine. I know it's been forever since I last came here, but a number of people still recognize me. So I don't feel entirely alone."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BjpiIvAPZ
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tnPuTPcot
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhMNQY1s5J
"Please, it's impossible to forget a person like you. And you were adorable when you were younger, so there is that."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4NIZHIcrI
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8FvPBujjF
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KN1cwgsSU
"I wasn't adorable when I was younger."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVlUCrlgFb
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZZqSYcGN8
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMQSo1xqTj
"I've seen your baby pictures, Rhénee. You were just the cutest."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLofWcC9gag
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SP65mC9cp
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5i8lmkQbdj
"Who showed you my baby photos?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRCX8Ei40Z
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWneZgq4gBj
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn55Up9uFA
"Zoey, of course."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblHs8EQbMi
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ajiG9RM69
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfehIF8y9Ky
The two continued to chat, even about the old times. To Rhénee, it felt good to have her mind off of things, even when she knew it wasn't going to last long. As she poured herself a cup of coffee, she laughed at Alex's jokes and what he had to say about other people, especially their close friends.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVgI4rSyyQ
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmi9RgPULd
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlbvFC9gRD
"Goodness, I wish you were still with us, Rhénee," he said. "Everyone misses you here."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkw4FIOwzP
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CFs7DK24E
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ydTz0y4iD
"Yeah, I miss the place too," she said as she looked out of the window. "Don't worry though. When the holidays arrive, I'll make sure to be there. My mum will kill me if I don't."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGDtZzECH0
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIw5EqQrjw7
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1s6ObOGJgc
"Knowing your mother, I won't be surprised. How come she hasn't even thought of coming to get you back? I'll make sure to tag along if the thought ever crosses her mind."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IBYXWNvwg
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxSIEqKPz1
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyckKmXRh5Q
"Because I told her not to. I know she cares about me, but she never treats Ryan that way, and they stay in the same city."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fysne3oJA
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CS2IUgHe7
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezISpSQhX2
"Sorry, Rhénee, but you should know that you're her baby girl. Of course she would worry."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6wNeR24DD
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6ot2MkGKX
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCAJKDCsb6
"I wonder when she will ever get over me. I can look after myself, for goodness sake."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡij7BdIMzN7
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqrF58IQoW
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7AjIamPNR
"She'll get over it when she feels like it. Give her a break."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3tBRkLoOj
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXq4hQqoUD
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7ORtynee6
Rhénee thought she heard footsteps in the other room. Miss Griselda must be awake.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqO4MoxQPi
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmiJ7sAx10
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXNENYhmlc
"Anyway, I better get myself ready for the day. It was nice talking to you, Alex."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzspF8Xoeo
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTpvaHFUTH
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxrWbKUZXj
"You should call every day. It will be nice to hear your voice every morning."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6O91Zfr8P
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv93arpaI6g
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlf9DlI3KB4
Rhénee chuckled. "Why don't you get out of bed and go flirt with other girls?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZP7PtYasbj
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpXpVgmYQa
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaHssiyFGN
Alex, on the other end, laughed. "Oh, Rhénee, you're the only girl for me; don't you know that?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhN98CvZyn
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEF6aIL3l4
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYsgQm9bCg
"Bye, Alex," said Rhénee, not ready for Alex's proposals, which he always made. This time she wasn't going to hear it. Even when she misses him for doing it.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDc9jzHlOpb
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexcttFBreA
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvWdlpOdjt
After he said his goodbye, she cut the call and placed her phone on the table as she went to the sink to wash her cup. The door to the kitchen flew open, and Rhénee turned to see Miss Griselda walk in.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc1MLaJyzp
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBmlCg7he0
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Tn7B5bhmG
"Morning, Rhénee," Miss Griselda greeted her. "Did you have a good night's sleep?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBSS5XlrXB
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHhakREZQw
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQqnE5bGFa
"Not really," Rhénee answered. "I'm guessing that you didn't sleep well, either." She had finished washing her cup and had put it to dry on the plate rack.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslwj7alJo0
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDzERxfqOi
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBXNvilWJ9
"No. I barely slept a wink."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nRkXibt6l
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgC0F5QYKf
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhBfe9iqNd
"There's still some hot coffee if you need it." Rhénee pointed to the coffee maker.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtltpkxRDGx
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3k8CYG3IT
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhXi4Mx2Ox
"I heard you talking to someone just now over the phone." Miss Griselda went over to the cupboards to get herself a cup. "Who was it?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0WyHqmDC4
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGjZC0sIOh
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoCOyHZn11
"A friend of mine. I hadn't talked to him in what felt like forever."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhQAv1Qaay
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQX8PiiYaC
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUTd3MlXwi
"That's nice. You sounded like you were having a nice chat." Miss Griselda took a cup and poured herself some coffee.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt34dX0mZks
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeU73Sos5y
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenkLxmFFGP
"I did. If only people like him knew what's really happening in my life right now. But the last thing I need is for him to get involved in something as dangerous as this."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoCXF7lfLc
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgcq2KGbx2
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoT9z6yAvy
"A wise and sensible decision." Miss Griselda took a sip of the coffee, and her eyes brightened up a bit. "This coffee tastes great."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmobwEVdDJ
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUj1EJCfUi
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vD5SGiGsi
"I'm just fortunate. I didn't do anything to make it as nice as you make it." Rhénee chuckled.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YwUt4HMEY
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvvVXFvgsp
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAcCK318eX
"So what do you have planned for the day?" Miss Griselda asked as she sat on one of the stools. "I hope you haven't forgotten that you've to meet Mr. Sinclair."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43cAC1bJcJ
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVzMEafX2y
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRewi1sy50
"No, I haven't," Rhénee replied as she walked away from the sink towards Miss Girselda. "He texted me this morning what time to meet and where."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OOtqmyEwX
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlcRbD4HWH
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRGuIM9JdB
"Wherever you will be, don't try and give him a hard time, dear. You're quite stubborn, you know."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqK7NLClWn
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6xb1m9kQV
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7soZFU9ii7
"Oh, I think he already knows that. The message clearly states he'll be taking me out for lunch. So you don't have to worry."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uaHXKIPy9
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw66NFnf4eq
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Cc203CYaj
"Well, something tells me you'll still put him on edge with your questions."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4PExYdKOd
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLfflevSr6
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDHDarqSGu
Rhénee raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? The way I see it, the man seems as cool as a cucumber. You saw how he was yesterday when we came back from the forest."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFP8SinZRw
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87l1nTfcBV
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Hjq3hB7Ks
"I know. But just be careful of what you want to say to him, okay?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSe0H9DGGV
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEMgEWPiDS
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuGsCNt8yj
"As you wish." Rhénee didn't like the feeling of being defeated so easily, especially from Miss Griselda.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mHPFgMaKO
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPaYedY52D
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIItLtfYwaV
"I plan on making pancakes today. Would you want some? I figured that we had a tough day yesterday it would brighten our day at least."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCej8ZLuiLV
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Jen3Lrxe6
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIl8g42H0N7
That put up a smile on Rhénee's face. "That sounds great. Let me go freshen up first."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8l6GXu8KJ
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbe56lPArO
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuayFHfh5L9
Rhénee made her way to the door while Miss Griselda continued sipping on her coffee. Rhénee stopped for a bit as she wanted to turn around and ask Miss Griselda something concerning last night. But she stopped herself knowing fully well that Miss Griselda might not want to talk about it right now. She opened the kitchen door and walked out.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokKE8tqoBZ
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Dj4p7rmDu
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQ3JIn05Kx
***428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKb5EBRmKaF
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLj9iYed7ys
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ELZ8Xs4M8
Eugene walked out of the room he and his brother had slept in. He had just told the news of his father's accident to Albert, and as Eugene expected. He didn't take it so lightly, but mention that their father was now out of danger.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QKjKEEaTt
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhe0091vaC
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEGrhYRCgw
Albert had also asked if that's the reason why they couldn't go back to the house. Eugene replied accordingly, stating that their father had come home badly injured. Albert understood, but there was no denying that that he was disturbed. Eugene suggested that Albert should not go to school until he felt like it. Albert thought so too and he told Eugene that he wanted to be left alone. Respecting his brother's wishes, Eugene left the room and headed down stairs where the smell of food from the kitchen was calling to him. Eugene now realized just how hungry he was.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0CYVlWG2O
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipiH7SgnAJ
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKqoDe0mhW
As he entered the kitchen, he found Mrs. York by the stove making scrambled eggs. He also noticed that there was toasted bread, a jug of juice and a pot of hot coffee on the kitchen table. Mrs. York turned to look at him as she heard him enter the kitchen with a smile.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeX1oMNXhL
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKjH8rUhqt
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB67ijgEMH2
"Please, Eugene, sit," she told him.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Of0MELmw4
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBc6qfREKH
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpp675UdMJl
Eugene did just that. "How is Mr. York this morning?" he asked.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFk5reh5Wxh
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zgkBnT5hB
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp51JCtjhaV
"Oh, he's still fast asleep," she answered as she turned back to the eggs on the stove. "With the meds he is on, he sleeps like a rock. How did Albert take the news?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87r4Ond5x0
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr90uAcy1Ba
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGxq5wTLsl
Eugene clenched his hand into a fist. "Not too well, I'm afraid. He looked like he was about throw up or something. He wanted to be left alone for a bit."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsqayXYWvU
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBNFVdLQhe
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YvHhGYLqx
"Will he be going to school?" Mrs. York removed the pan on the stove and put the eggs on a plate.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9tThGJOau
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJb2ylJIeU
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvuC0GjYZm
"No. He won't be able to concentrate. Plus, people might be talking about it a lot."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsEvzto2s6
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIxXyEqW9a
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3aBYtbbdL
Mrs. York approached the table with the plate and laid it in the table. "People will always talk, and you know that better than him."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbaZlEV1Xj
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOjxLrGL5L
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZwPPLej5G
She pulled a chair to take a seat. "And what about you?" she asked. "Are you going for work?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWJSENQpSO
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9sUxP6kHs
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SV9741BgB
Eugene gave a nod of his head. "I need to get my mind distracted from all this," he answered.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGw9YV1Byt
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HWrnopsRy
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFak1iYkzjl
"I see." Mrs. York took one of the cups on the table and poured herself a cup of coffee from the coffeemaker. "I'm guessing your meeting with your mother didn't go well?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SzsAqOL20
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPEMWFBdxj
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzmkcpfhMQ
Eugene looked at Mrs. York and gave a nod of his head. "No matter, she didn't want to hear anything regarding her leaving him."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHr7CufYXAj
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5uFKay0bK
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVImWlTpnvf
"Well, that wasn't the most appropriate time for that," said Mrs. York as she took a plate and placed two slices of toast from the main plate. "You know how your mother still loves your father. You better eat up while the eggs are still hot."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9v96KN0vZ
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5XCRCOp9P
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibZUOyBmyK
Eugene served himself a glass of juice and toast and eggs. "There's no denying that she still loves him," he said. "I'm afraid him  coming to our house to ask for help spells danger for all of us. I don't trust him."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBihQ22vHN
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMJcEubDLg
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvKYYkmnCp
"Same here. It's going to take a lot to convince that stubborn mother of yours. But lets not think about it right now. Focus on taking of her and your brother."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlI9RvsOp79
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedNCIZppKh
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R3crCjkBW
"I can't do that when she sticks to my father like it's all she knows how to do."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkA6uciCEl
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPItfYbqGiE
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaKwkmKMdY
Mrs. York sighed and she took a bite out of her toast. "It will take some sort of a miracle to tear those two apart."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJ82M4mF9A
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1B00qpZFZ
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGamfW5K7b
"You're right. Now that I think about it, I might as well just leave it be."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkytNrZRD72
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpa86UfbWR
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xqIpzaV5C
The two continued to eat their breakfast and as soon as they were done, Eugene went to prepare himself to go to work. Mrs. York had fortunately taken the liberty of taking some of his and Albert's clothes from the house when the police were around. Their house was still a crime scene, but knowing that his father had been injured else where, they might bring down the yellow tape sooner than expected.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilI3jEzb8K
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06AyhYJt5x
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz1549yVsF
Before leaving for work, Eugene went to check up on Albert. Lucky enough, he found Mrs. York encouraging him to go to the kitchen and have something to eat. He also made sure to call Eugene's home room teacher to tell her that he wasn't going to be in today.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpy5nIQGYx1
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXvB4jyfGN
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD48u4yTpSD
After saying his goodbyes, he made his way out of the house, heading for the bus station. There was no need for him to call Miguel to pick him up for work like always. Eugene thought he wouldn't even go in his car, if Miguel was to appear at the moment.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrU1sdZI05
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD7huT2ZYf
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxAsQujuIh
Knowing fully well, that he already told his boss that he won't be coming in early, Eugene took his time walking. While he did so, he wondered what he would tell his workmates at the office when he gets there.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFym0U2pSu
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5crc8j9A7
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtmDkkWeaN
***428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4G8GJKoc5
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQJKMm9cWT
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFb6YCpLFt
Rhénee looked at the time and figured it was now time to leave and head to Mr. Sinclair's office. She had been seated outside the patio, overlooking the garden with Miss Griselda and Sofie at her feet.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa6rxthMRg
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhpG54bDHH
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZJUiP7ciC
"I better get going now," Rhénee announced as she stood up from her seat. "I don't want to be late."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtBokakYWV
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEFKL3rdWn
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJL9Z9yXwhV
"Alright," said Miss Griselda, sewing her red dress on the collar. "Remember what I told you about Mr. Sinclair and your questions."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsO3Sztdjg6
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJtzHBw0n4
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCaHi7xHpz
Rhénee gave Miss Griselda a smirk. "I'll do my best. I'm not going to promise anything."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXueJJx5aF
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7pr78d8Lj
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GeLBkzI5u
Miss Grisleda looked up at Rhénee, regardless. "Take care," she said. "Make sure you don't wander off on your own like you did yesterday."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUtPFbyyLV
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡughfruavgP
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVW6TD5Bm5
Rhénee gave a nod of her head and started to make her way to the back of the house to the garage. She had left the door open leading to it an hour ago as she had come into the garage to check on the car for oil and gas. She also took the extra precaution of looking around the car for anything suspicious. You can never know with what's been going on around her lately. She had to be extra careful from now on, and that meant checking her car once in a while.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrs3ATCnTN
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ29XRFxUAY
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqX6jn7fHTP
She unlocked the car, opened the door and we went in. She started the engine and soon enough, she drove the car out of the garage and onto the front drive way. As she passed the front lawns of the house, she noticed Kevin at a distance mowing the lawn. He didn't have to come in for work today and Rhénee told him that this morning when he came to her door. But he insisted that he stick around just in case trouble came by. Besides, he also had to keep up appearances for people to see, or else they would figure out that something is wrong.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEVfDg0MG0
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWllRXxtBfi
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpw81ULoaCP
Kevin stopped mowing as he saw her drive by and waved. Rhénee slowed the car and waved back. She reached the open front gates and drove off towards the town.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1r7MHMuvH
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmbBneKDym
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7b4lltnwJ3
It took Rhénee less than ten minutes to find herself at the town centre. It's good she arrived on time. Even if Madison was a small town, slight traffic was starting to build up. The place isn't like New York where traffic could sometimes get you late, but Rhénee always liked to be where she had to be on time.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMZLM9Tf5f
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlKaITutxZ
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3i26hEP14
She reached the law firm and packed right outside in the car park. She checked the time. It's only ten minutes till 11:30. Better early than late, she told herslef as she took her small white handbag and got out of the car.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnN7wdGLQS3
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuX8n4FVIf8
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcLr8RL6Nt
After locking the door, she started to make her way to the building. She bypassed a guard making his rounds through the car park and she acknowledged her with a greeting by touching the brim of his cap. Rhénee in response smiled at him.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PeVWuosyn
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFgSvN1ucw
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0lRQmUOBL
Before entering the building, two women in grey suits who she pointed out as lawyers, walked out through the front door. A chill ran down her spine all of a sudden as she had a strange feeling that she was being watched.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwgM2xWvWO
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5OodS1d9E
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUBlox9E0Q
She looked behind her at the car park. Nothing seemed suspicious or was she just thinking too much? If there was one thing her father taught her over the years, is not to ignore your instincts, especially in such a situation she now found herself in.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRpqvf6gVi
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyeCNmVJAb
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0upjTWns3
With one last look around the car park, Rhénee turned around and started to make her way into the building. It wasn't her first time there so she made her way to the front desk and told the receptionist that she had an appointment with Mr. Sinclair. The receptionist told her to go right ahead. Rhénee thanked her and made her way to the elevator.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡft72QEiw7u
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkUK6eG7Hw
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5sOkDl5VH
Eugene continued to stare blankly at his computer in his work station. He hadn't managed to get much work done as his mind wandered off every now and then, thinking of his mother and brother. Maybe he shouldn't have come to work after all. When his workmates first saw him, they were actually surprised. They didn't bother to ask him why he had come, but they did ask how his father was doing. Eugene knew they were only trying to be sympathetic, but he could tell that they found him pretty weird to be coming in for work, especially with what happened.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PpiRLkwkM
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67XwCWLNJP
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6e6RYtb2Y
He could feel people's eyes on him every now and then. That bothered him. At a time when he had to go get a piece of paper by the printer, he thought he heard two of his colleagues whispering. He thought he heard his name and when he turned to look at them, they stopped talking and went about their business. It's either they were talking about him or now he's mind was just playing tricks on him. With his mind so preoccupied, he couldn't tell which was which.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRIzyAw9mz
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaoqWwHENZ
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvw0KCnHqkF
He groaned and finally stood up from his desk. Looking at the screen wasn't going to do him any good, not when he couldn't concentrate. Even when Theodore and Mr. Sinclair had given him less work to do to, he still couldn't get anything done.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrRTdZyRNa
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0mlvz3OJH
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJVSjh2sHt
Eugene gave a good stretch with his arms wide, that he almost hit someone who was walking round his cubicle. He stopped himself just in time and when he turned to see who it was, he found Preeta with a stack of files standing there.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPDH1WkIKw
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3mF6U2h5I
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAk2L1qk05
"Oh, sorry, Preeta," he said, dropping his hands. "I didn't see you there."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QTZGg7860
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMEKfkYGuQ
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKzs04rqPH
"Oh, no, it's fine," she said. "I stopped just in time."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDhnZqKeBj
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVedDyFOcc
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI7MRuWWRx
Eugene tried to smile at Preeta, but his facial muscles seemed too tired to do so. He noticed the worried look on Preeta's face, and knew she what she was going to ask.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ016bxfuU2z
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2Asqwxio1
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCHKF6Kzvs
"Eugene, are you okay?" she asked. "Maybe you shouldn't have come in today."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF2jWw1BrG
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKyeP3joLh
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYnUOzj04e
"I'm fine, Preeta," he answered. "I just need to keep my mind busy to forget all that's happening."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNDV5SYF4N
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8UpDxs76Z
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYyj5Dsr4t
"But you can't, can you?" Preeta raised an eyebrow. "I can tell you're only stressing yourself out by being here."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdXZyIS2Ia
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUR6zWeOpb
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Nd8UiXxfd
"I know you're concerned, but I can take care of myself."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12FfoBrgAv
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrhldsvoA6
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0xK4VTP0k
"I know you can, but if you ask me, you need to be with your brother and your mother right now. Isn't that's what most important?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7FFhuBzYf
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIsvScImCg
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPc9bo7naJt
Eugene sat back down on his chair, with a sigh. His hand fell upon the side of his face as he asked, "how can I ever go to my mother's side when she doesn't even listen to me at all?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTws1ybgM1
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5q7NZk0ro
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiUluSGH2l
Preeta stood there silently, wondering whether to ask the question. She knew why he had asked this. His parents' affairs were well known to everyone in the town of Madison. And Preeta now found herself in some sort of bear trap.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32OJ36t3xf
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpdZpveOL3
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1FuMjmWbd
"I wish I could answer that, Eugene," she found the voice to say. "Doesn't that have to be her decision?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyzRvW1gqL
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBBvXLCyAy
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RUCJM6Vud
Eugene looked up at the ceiling. "Her decision, huh?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKRUA0zvwm
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QWFKbGGyM
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimxxND2MO7
Preeta looked at him, and she wished she could try and get Eugene out of the hole he was in. But he seems so lost in his own world. There was a sort of brokeness in his eyes and Preeta wondered if it's only his father's accident that might have caused it.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybVP4qzfLb
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6TVERWnIg
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j8RuVvPjt
The land-line on Eugene's desk rang and before he could pick it, he continued to look up at the ceiling. Preeta looked at his landline that kept ringing, and then back at him. Should she pick the line instead, she thought. It could be important.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabIetT4ITE
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IpjlgvrFi
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbIkZBmtr2
Before Preeta could even stretch her hand to reach the phone, Eugene quickly took it and put it to his ear. "Hello?" he answered.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nPyC3lDGQ
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vojaCHO34
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpBfBlOMdg
He listened to whoever was talking on the other end, and afterwards, he replied with a low grunt and put the receiver back in it's place.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZ8tCf0L9J
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCblByD3nH
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdxN8juemL
"Was that Mr. Sinclair?" Preeta asked.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKs7LKYXYz
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjRlg1BU5o
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMQ0OHAEAK
"No, his secretary called to go get some work files at her desk," he replied. "I better go. Those files won't fly here themselves."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fMJfRD6HW
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt31JANU1I1
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFXUgfqUU9
Eugene stood up from his seat and before he could make his way to Mr. Sinclair's office, Preeta took hold of his shoulder to stop him.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pyjnjb7SQ
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UnhooYbDW
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAgLdgAhwC
"Hey, it will be lunch soon. Do you mind if we can go out?" Preeta asked. "We can get to talk if you want."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5u9sqdbx8
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FXDushim1
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVmny1x8wM
Eugene looked at her and the corner of his lip was raised to a smile. "Yes, that will be very nice, thanks," he said.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhRJO6EB5f
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNT67kGTz0f
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfkhsDhodr
"As soon as you're back, I'll meet you here at your station. Sounds good?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDr0mMp9BH
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Vq09DUrfL
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhCJCXN6Hz
Eugene gave a nod of his head and without any hesitation, made his way to Sinclair's office.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMpx4iVoWF
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx6D9diUQs
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4CaUxiZHG
Rhénee stepped out of the elevator and started to make her way to Sinclair's office just down the hall. She had a clear view of the secretary's desk. The secretary looked away from her computer to see Rhénee approaching.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrOapd4yC2
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXC8fMX1Wh
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUgFx3bRdN
Before Rhénee could reach the secretary, there came the sound of footsteps coming from the other end of the hall, and a young man appeared in front of Rhénee entering the hall she was in and also approaching the secretary's desk.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCItIYN9cD
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpA3A1c3TOo
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfU9YSqych
"Ah, Eugene," said the secretary looking at him as he reached the desk first. "I thought I wasn't going to get the chance to see you. How is your father doing?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBEssEDNMh
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOymXhYI48
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReEK2ILJuU
"He's out of danger at least," Eugene answered, not realizing that there was someone coming behind him.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH4sIgTiu0
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafy97llENy
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsmaKFHLzD
"Good morning," said Rhénee as she came to stand beside Eugene.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboxV9yIxyf
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxlpy2tiNs
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k9ns5wWqo
Her presence startled Eugene that he almost jumped in fright. He responded to her greeting bleakly.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51K1eQsjvu
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomBOUUVh4Y
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVh6QlCdLan
"Good morning, Rhénee," said Mrs. Clarks with so much enthusiasm, like she hadn't sounded sympathetic with Eugene minutes ago. "Mr. Sinclair just stepped out, but you can go in his office and wait for him there."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZuueXNtgU
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Bq2fUfI1e
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9c1o31svBJ
"He trusts me to be in his office?" Rhénee asked, sounding surprised. "Won't it be better to wait for him out here?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhb3IqVweFz
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSSABxZJ1h
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgGpa9bRMX
"No, he wouldn't mind. Please, you can walk right in."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTp3eHSgGdH
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIKQjFiDwC
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeTG9Ej4zj
Rhénee thought twice about it and quickly made up her mind and started to make her way to Sinclair's office.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIyk9C6RE2
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZMW2980om
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupGvqfTo0l
Eugene had been staring at Rhénee the whole time and it was only Mrs. Clarks placing the files so loudly on her desk, that brought him back to earth.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeEluGepFm
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2ffDKqpdF
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWG1bhzGRb
"How is your father doing?" Mrs. Clarks asked as she looked on worringly at Eugene.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHTH6hbWSJ
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtaKm8cVk2
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHtzyseCQ2
Eugene quickly shook his head, trying his best to gather his thoughts. "Well, he's out of danger for now," he answered.428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52wCVqB7JR
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1QqykX4ui
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhElFyLrEUb
"Just know that I have you and your family in my prayers. As soon as I heard the news, I got terrified. I still am. Do you know how he ended up like that?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfVVFcVUuS
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgHT1Fd9dd
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQSVLGP62A
Eugene shook his head. "No clue. He didn’t tell my mum anything, either. He passed out when he got to the house."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2bbofNwfp
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgppOEkOpN
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtym4wBCS8d
"It’s good that he’s okay. But isn’t it bad for him, though? I hear it was a gunshot wound, and the police are now investigating the matter. Did he say who shot him or what had happened?"428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaHTmv6XrB
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2l6P9iVBN
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWxMpbzVFI
Eugene shook his head. "No, he didn’t say anything to mum before he passed out."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1DylWDTTJ
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmVXj90aQq
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwJLDJLNbP
"Well, I hope it isn’t serious. No one reported any shootings, though, so hopefully it was just an explainable accident. It would be pretty bad if it turns out that he was involved in something shady."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B6hIxPnQx
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8DWRVvNIY
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8PBp8Cm23
Eugene had had enough of Mrs. Clarks' talk as he picks up the files on the desk. "I better be going now. I’ll see you later."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeg79dsRkF
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfx1B6XaFU
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1Wd4alpeS
"You take care of yourself, dear. And tell your mother that I’m praying for her."428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZr8eVIJ0i
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOp0wSdCqEG
428Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRubmRLd1GF
Eugene gave a nod of his head and turned around to make his way back to his workstation. He completely forgot about Rhénee, who stood in Sinclair’s office and had heard the entire conversation.8964 copyright protection424ＰＥＮＡＮＡVphUH2JZzD 維尼

216.73.216.85