He straightened his tie as he stepped out of his black Lamborgini, looking towards the house. The bright lights inside illuminated through the windows. After a long pause, he closed the car door behind him and walked to the porch. It immediately flew open and the housekeeper dressed in her black dress and white apron stood in the doorway.536Please respect copyright.PENANAE3WRVnkyWa
536Please respect copyright.PENANAMJ0MVcVxqn
536Please respect copyright.PENANAuEO6zAulm9
"Mr. Sinclair, good evening," she greeted. She looked down at his hand. "Did you leave your briefcase in the car?"536Please respect copyright.PENANA5maycltqVW
536Please respect copyright.PENANAZYXSDWWlO5
536Please respect copyright.PENANA2cyWvXk8XX
Mr. Sinclair chuckled. "Silly me. I had to rush somewhere today that I forgot it in the office. No matter, I don’t plan on staying up to work anyway."536Please respect copyright.PENANAtbSsK2bed0
536Please respect copyright.PENANAetGu0mfXgg
536Please respect copyright.PENANAX3Y532NEbF
"Of course, sir," she obliged with a smile, making room for him to step inside.536Please respect copyright.PENANAtEJRrUoobS
536Please respect copyright.PENANAGcpOyOrhtn
536Please respect copyright.PENANA1I297qElmJ
"How is the lady of the house doing?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he stepped into the foyer.536Please respect copyright.PENANAs7u5OXTQzC
536Please respect copyright.PENANApE1z1t6vFa
536Please respect copyright.PENANAbYBMkVBtdW
The housekeeper helped Mr. Sinclair remove his jacket as she answered, "same as always. She moved around quite a bit during the day, though."536Please respect copyright.PENANAzA3ELMgYXC
536Please respect copyright.PENANA2hCrQIidTF
536Please respect copyright.PENANAA9VAnTxSb0
"That's good. Is supper almost ready?"536Please respect copyright.PENANAGL1XwGrBL7
536Please respect copyright.PENANAJw2Lu7pyCF
536Please respect copyright.PENANAZyehUxTgQ3
"Yes, in a few minutes." The housekeeper held his jacket in her hands.536Please respect copyright.PENANAcuUJukvpc3
536Please respect copyright.PENANAHRqloDwPEA
536Please respect copyright.PENANArz0nvDtLMn
"Okay, let me go see how she's doing."536Please respect copyright.PENANAdWRt4ClHmY
536Please respect copyright.PENANAG6TlouXePF
536Please respect copyright.PENANAV7SDDpaGDp
"Of course, sir," she went down the hall with the jacket in hand.536Please respect copyright.PENANAC2p2ioOgbV
536Please respect copyright.PENANAXafVBxfQC9
536Please respect copyright.PENANAVVmfecvgKM
Mr. Sinclair walked out of the foyer and made his way up the flight of stairs. When he reached the landing, he took a turn down to his right.536Please respect copyright.PENANAweN2UrCsIx
536Please respect copyright.PENANAI2FfBVavPg
536Please respect copyright.PENANAyEo5Tq1AOm
His hands flew to the front of his shirt undoing the top button. He realised how hot he felt and should've unbuttoned earlier.536Please respect copyright.PENANAfOVwqQ5sqU
536Please respect copyright.PENANA8Y2dkCr4nl
536Please respect copyright.PENANAwHKhBlqtzm
He reached his room. But before he could even open the door, he thought he heard a loud thud like something had fallen to the floor.536Please respect copyright.PENANAdyaVcE5Lvh
536Please respect copyright.PENANAIoVvlI47Qx
536Please respect copyright.PENANALlYOkZuvdy
"Honey," he called out as he quickly entered the room.536Please respect copyright.PENANAO0asqBMMWZ
536Please respect copyright.PENANAF97h9Ewst2
536Please respect copyright.PENANAFT6MSSM7aU
He paused for a second upon entering and later blew out a sigh of relief.536Please respect copyright.PENANAlyqXv6yh7C
536Please respect copyright.PENANAhlyqZwY8b0
536Please respect copyright.PENANAzqOcL7bFIV
"Goodness, you scared me for a minute," he said as he walked in.536Please respect copyright.PENANAb4bwKOUm0O
536Please respect copyright.PENANAlleeiyQ13x
536Please respect copyright.PENANAR7WA3TMUtN
"Sorry to startle you, dear," said Mrs. Sinclair, who sat on her bed, her back leaning onto the white headboard. "I just dropped the book I was reading."536Please respect copyright.PENANAoYst2mDkW0
536Please respect copyright.PENANAvXkSQyq6aE
536Please respect copyright.PENANA5gkwxCaoHP
Mr. Sinclair approached the bed and bent to pick up the thick red book on the red Persian carpeted floor. He sat on the bed, close to the edge and placed the book onto the white covers on the bed atop his wife's laps.536Please respect copyright.PENANAd2a5GkfnPG
536Please respect copyright.PENANA3Drn9XDKgO
536Please respect copyright.PENANAFQUv2AYvOf
"How have you been today?" Mr. Sinclair asked, smiling at his wife.536Please respect copyright.PENANARV0NrjQUkB
536Please respect copyright.PENANAsvdrj3P4dD
536Please respect copyright.PENANAsiuyKwLkho
She ran her thin, bony fingers through her thin, dull blonde hair as she tried to put up a smile. Her tired blue eyes looked on at Mr. Sinclair. Her grey, pale face with hollowed cheeks showed clear signs of her illness.536Please respect copyright.PENANAB1eegzhlUE
536Please respect copyright.PENANAzhTmEqJWDI
536Please respect copyright.PENANA5XNUv3R6Qs
"I'm trying," she answered. "This illness isn't doing me any good."536Please respect copyright.PENANA44YzozeQ7K
536Please respect copyright.PENANAhC2JCf0Uro
536Please respect copyright.PENANAPuGMRu1xaq
"Don't say that," said Sinclair as he took hold of her hand. "You're still here, aren't you? There's a lot to be grateful for."536Please respect copyright.PENANAumDC57z8EE
536Please respect copyright.PENANA6lxUJ2hOq5
536Please respect copyright.PENANAiYRRyzHSwt
She pulled her hand away and Sinclair didn't bother holding on. They have been through this conversation many times. And things aren't getting any better.536Please respect copyright.PENANAWfYMWYyjzI
536Please respect copyright.PENANAePuHeqh4zZ
536Please respect copyright.PENANAmYBPBCEhrJ
"So, how was work?" Mrs. Sinclair asked, changing the subject.536Please respect copyright.PENANAR0udp8qCdY
536Please respect copyright.PENANA0ibvAPyjG5
536Please respect copyright.PENANAFQTs7dOIDT
"Work was okay," he answered. "Although something tragic happened to Eugene’s father."536Please respect copyright.PENANAOG5xWruyqE
536Please respect copyright.PENANA8aJDChBbPY
536Please respect copyright.PENANAiIoU59XR6O
Mrs. Sinclair now had a look of concern in her sad, hollow eyes. "Eugene's father? What happened to him?"536Please respect copyright.PENANAVLCv8ZpSAm
536Please respect copyright.PENANANGw2fKPa19
536Please respect copyright.PENANAEyZTIWZNNb
"I haven't gotten the full details, but he was brought to the hospital with a gunshot wound."536Please respect copyright.PENANAj34kk7AUg6
536Please respect copyright.PENANAhy2XpsVqo1
536Please respect copyright.PENANA9yBQCT8Gru
Mrs. Sinclair shook her head. "That's tragic. I hope his father is okay."536Please respect copyright.PENANA9XfSfWu9EI
536Please respect copyright.PENANA2Au6XyNgLL
536Please respect copyright.PENANA23QQrcogqo
"I just worry for the whole family."536Please respect copyright.PENANAC6wurmiofu
536Please respect copyright.PENANAwsmjM0mHan
536Please respect copyright.PENANA4TldjcDjW3
"Yes. Don't you think it's high time Mrs. Chamberlain finally divorced him? I mean, the man is nothing but trouble, if you ask me."536Please respect copyright.PENANAQsnIB4JDEJ
536Please respect copyright.PENANAI9DaRccn6j
536Please respect copyright.PENANA8sTvAz3YUh
"I've spoken to her about it a thousand times, but she still won't do it. She was there at the hospital since he came to her house after being shot."536Please respect copyright.PENANA86hkQcS5za
536Please respect copyright.PENANAMQZ3RAbsfx
536Please respect copyright.PENANAOWcINzhsna
Mrs. Sinclair shook her head, already looking tired and frustrated. "I guess the woman still loves him. That's pretty much evident."536Please respect copyright.PENANAP0ZGa5xOkl
536Please respect copyright.PENANAuIYi2d5MLi
536Please respect copyright.PENANAT7ayKoR511
"As much as she is, her relationship with him still worries me." Mr. Sinclair stood up from the bedside and went over to his wardrobe at the far end of the room.536Please respect copyright.PENANAn83bNphFKa
536Please respect copyright.PENANA5IRX1N3RfK
536Please respect copyright.PENANAIw8lMWLD8a
"Why? Is it because he's involved with 'those' people?"536Please respect copyright.PENANAPcfg5evVkH
536Please respect copyright.PENANAt1osKAsHuj
536Please respect copyright.PENANAnwpLURuJIE
Mr. Sinclair now wished he never started this conversation. He didn't like to talk about it, especially with his wife. Before he could start to unbutton his shirt, he turned around to look at her.536Please respect copyright.PENANASWjVHjihYs
536Please respect copyright.PENANApZAUK6fbjc
536Please respect copyright.PENANAZjulbd8qgE
"Let's be careful when we start to talk about these things, okay?" he suggested.536Please respect copyright.PENANAjLnYomhUYU
536Please respect copyright.PENANAFO8YxaFcAt
536Please respect copyright.PENANA9hQkX1t8tH
He thought he heard his wife hiss, but he can't be sure. She said, "don't act like I don't know what's going on. The late Emelda might have been your client, but she got you involved in her personal life that you don't even know who you are anymore."536Please respect copyright.PENANAX0TjaRgCRx
536Please respect copyright.PENANAtcV478wPlg
536Please respect copyright.PENANAOt2lbDahCv
Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow, confused that his wife is talking like she is right now.536Please respect copyright.PENANAWhzI7dEDZ1
536Please respect copyright.PENANATCwTmW1n14
536Please respect copyright.PENANAqyHvbwzp8P
"Where's all this coming from?" he asked.536Please respect copyright.PENANAyj6N8h1k6S
536Please respect copyright.PENANAaNBfDiMwyG
536Please respect copyright.PENANAzkEi9kuCxz
Mrs. Sinclair pushed aside the bed covers. Even in her frail state, she pushed them with so much vigor like she had had the energy within her all this time. She placed her feet onto the floor and slowly stood up. Her long, loose white night gown almost reaching her feet. Mr. Sinclair so much as wanted as to go to his wife and drag her back to bed, but even when she was weak physically, she somehow had a strong hold over him when it came to her actions.536Please respect copyright.PENANAoaD9S3i7n9
536Please respect copyright.PENANAP7m7ydWSfR
536Please respect copyright.PENANAQA1WAHMUji
She slowly went towards him. "You know where all this is coming from," she answered Sinclair’s question. "Your involvement with the late Emelda."536Please respect copyright.PENANAAQmFcbZmHP
536Please respect copyright.PENANAWq3YsPfYsV
536Please respect copyright.PENANAcC2xwepNsz
"I was her lawyer. There’s nothing else to it."536Please respect copyright.PENANAibLsbxMeEs
536Please respect copyright.PENANATTxCzmYbDi
536Please respect copyright.PENANAyHcZrJBSJb
"A lawyer? Sure. But you and I both know that you were more than that busy handling her dirty affairs. She’s not as innocent and generous as people thought her to be. In fact, almost the whole town knows, but they don’t want to say anything because you’re there to always intervene and would do anything to clean up her mess."536Please respect copyright.PENANAMhtuaaaUpi
536Please respect copyright.PENANAIgPkgLzZE0
536Please respect copyright.PENANA4TYxlgndem
"You’re going way out of line, dear," said Sinclair, putting up a smile for his wife. "Why are you making me look like I’m the bad guy here?"536Please respect copyright.PENANAC4QGWeL6UY
536Please respect copyright.PENANAJQaxpx98t4
536Please respect copyright.PENANARjYwa9Cnwp
"It’s because you’re." She pointed her long bony index finger onto his chest. Mr. Sinclair didn’t much as flinch at the gesture. "You know what you’ve been up to for years. And even when she's dead, you now take on all of her affairs like it's normal."536Please respect copyright.PENANAvKYf77FCti
536Please respect copyright.PENANAgTU42BMQIl
536Please respect copyright.PENANAK7qsrqWxKP
"She left everything to her granddaughter and it’s my duty to make sure things are in order."536Please respect copyright.PENANALbIACm7cBz
536Please respect copyright.PENANAduvcY9Fe7t
536Please respect copyright.PENANAI9TTENmwlz
Mrs. Sinclair scoffed. "Tell me, dear husband," she said sarcastically, "does Rhénee even know what’s going on? Why she inherited everything from her grandmother? Why she never came back to this place and doing so now after such a long time? Don’t you think you’re putting that innocent girl in danger?"536Please respect copyright.PENANAuGU2bT7TqK
536Please respect copyright.PENANAwfFTVbqJDN
536Please respect copyright.PENANAi8cOUgfTvN
"In danger of what, exactly?" Sinclair still had his smile intact.536Please respect copyright.PENANAoeu3peauwE
536Please respect copyright.PENANANTobsugnOd
536Please respect copyright.PENANAKRUUOhCpWu
"Everything involving her grandmother! If you ask me, you just made the girl inherit Emelda’s problems."536Please respect copyright.PENANAQlqLx2XJ3N
536Please respect copyright.PENANAvqVLWijiho
536Please respect copyright.PENANAU28Ot5sAow
She soon let out a deep, shaky breath and Mr. Sinclair soon held her shoulder, comfortingly. "You need to sit." He said. "You can’t stand for too long."536Please respect copyright.PENANAvyQaPTZYmS
536Please respect copyright.PENANAE6nqE93w3M
536Please respect copyright.PENANAqOGU7xz7Oa
She slapped his hand away. "As if you care. You only care about the reputation you’ve gained after you got into that old woman’s world."536Please respect copyright.PENANAtlXIeaI7Dx
536Please respect copyright.PENANAXFdfpTNMAe
536Please respect copyright.PENANAkHAb38d2HJ
"Well, if I can recall," Sinclair raised an eyebrow at her, but still with a smile on his face, "you’re the one who introduced me to her when we first came here. You convinced me to take her as my client."536Please respect copyright.PENANAbiQgMYEk31
536Please respect copyright.PENANAf0ABdmwbQZ
536Please respect copyright.PENANAgZbt3QUD5k
"That was before we knew that she was nothing but a wolf in sheep’s clothing," Mrs. Sinclair turned away, making a slow walk towards her bed.536Please respect copyright.PENANAuC31FLu2sD
536Please respect copyright.PENANAUfWN6bL8wM
536Please respect copyright.PENANAGkDaFGwPdC
"Let’s not talk about this any further," Sinclair suggested. "We should learn to move on."536Please respect copyright.PENANA3coiyaauDx
536Please respect copyright.PENANA2kyEc6incV
536Please respect copyright.PENANASbYKDFJ0JQ
Mrs. Sinclair settled at the foot of the bed, facing her husband. "Sadly, she left scars upon this town that a lot of people will never forget."536Please respect copyright.PENANA869GMb7zvA
536Please respect copyright.PENANABTPAmDlJm4
536Please respect copyright.PENANAyeC9VbHSAj
"You exaggerate, dear."536Please respect copyright.PENANAxtCdj1WP0r
536Please respect copyright.PENANA10fws5sNXM
536Please respect copyright.PENANAsjWFg0mzo4
"Well, at least you’re not denying it."536Please respect copyright.PENANAoAqOoXeuHH
536Please respect copyright.PENANAI6EKG0G3fQ
536Please respect copyright.PENANAMohVX4vPnE
Before Mr. Sinclair could say anything, a knock came at the door. He could only guess that the housekeeper had come to announce that supper is ready. However, the knock was a little fainter than usual.536Please respect copyright.PENANARCbJwlk3Pd
536Please respect copyright.PENANA1jpGbsskKo
536Please respect copyright.PENANAGfJyatDYx5
"Who is it?" Mr. Sinclair asked.536Please respect copyright.PENANAWBpP1PiLfr
536Please respect copyright.PENANAKOnKzzOi8t
536Please respect copyright.PENANASkLiDtL1a1
"It’s me, dad," came a female voice, behind the door.536Please respect copyright.PENANAXiAjcMlSJI
536Please respect copyright.PENANAyfICLrjv34
536Please respect copyright.PENANAwRpY2N3u4n
What perfect timing, Mr. Sinclair thought to himself.536Please respect copyright.PENANAVJG4uDa2fP
536Please respect copyright.PENANAKb37cRLqAZ
536Please respect copyright.PENANAlax4mF6k2w
He went over to the door to open it and his seventeen-year old girl with bouncy blonde locks came slowly into the room, looking around at her father and mother.536Please respect copyright.PENANAcvu0HYniTL
536Please respect copyright.PENANAc50Bt3oRz8
536Please respect copyright.PENANAANOBcVOHc2
"I didn't interrupt anything, did I?"536Please respect copyright.PENANAqhJTkhEQxl
536Please respect copyright.PENANACpGFXDiNhP
536Please respect copyright.PENANASWrZLtv2ls
"No, sweetie," said Mrs. Sinclair. She held up her bony hand for her daughter to hold onto as she entered the room. Her daughter came closer and held her mother’s hand.536Please respect copyright.PENANA3rZzg4RmZe
536Please respect copyright.PENANANcoPzUcyCH
536Please respect copyright.PENANAmiFLf2MzZg
"I thought I heard you guys arguing."536Please respect copyright.PENANABGg83qGjnR
536Please respect copyright.PENANAL2hYfswiCw
536Please respect copyright.PENANAb8uXmv5q7b
"Just a silly argument," Mrs. Sinclair answered. "Your father once again forgot those biscuits I wanted."536Please respect copyright.PENANA76rY4EPvBq
536Please respect copyright.PENANAgaIVBgwAPj
536Please respect copyright.PENANAuURkOtADAx
"Wow, dad, you always forget to get them."536Please respect copyright.PENANAAa5gsjpKXu
536Please respect copyright.PENANAwvcTFkFbR9
536Please respect copyright.PENANAnICbxqRegr
"That’s why either you or the help have to remind me. You know I easily forget about these things."536Please respect copyright.PENANArECFDCAP3s
536Please respect copyright.PENANAtw88KRMXoq
536Please respect copyright.PENANAxTNqPYheTt
"Anyway, I’ll try and remind you tomorrow when I get back from school." The teenager went on to look at her mother. "So how have you been?"536Please respect copyright.PENANARB1dTPHPDi
536Please respect copyright.PENANA0aMOHzPWaP
536Please respect copyright.PENANAydlJEAzH1z
"I’m okay," Mrs. Sinclair said, putting up a smile. "How was school today?"536Please respect copyright.PENANAqNsTDsyBIM
536Please respect copyright.PENANAXpq2Gc1VXa
536Please respect copyright.PENANAdBWZYVtKfb
"Same as usual. Now that we’re approaching the end of the year, studies are getting more tiresome."536Please respect copyright.PENANAIxw7febe6n
536Please respect copyright.PENANAb32m7K4f6E
536Please respect copyright.PENANA89ZHZaccNk
"You just make sure to work hard. If you need our help, we are here for anything you need, Scarlet."536Please respect copyright.PENANAMlAvJmYzTF
536Please respect copyright.PENANAEnDJptTTdz
536Please respect copyright.PENANAiClddjyM7m
"I will, that’s if you two can stop arguing over more than just biscuits," Scarlet’s deep blue eyes flew between her parents.536Please respect copyright.PENANAEUy7tWXHQ2
536Please respect copyright.PENANA1VvQOIQGKC
536Please respect copyright.PENANAKzPqBRXEOo
Mr. Sinclair scoffed. He forgot just how smart their daughter can be sometimes.536Please respect copyright.PENANAq5cboViPaa
536Please respect copyright.PENANAxs6gvVFU4R
536Please respect copyright.PENANAEMMDNNZrbV
"How was work, dad?" Scarlet asked with so much excitement, looking at her father.536Please respect copyright.PENANARrLh5bdPrj
536Please respect copyright.PENANANgDKmYkVsi
536Please respect copyright.PENANAA3ug1fvWce
"It was okay." He turned around to head back to his closet, but Scarlet quickly asked:536Please respect copyright.PENANAbdDjOo5is6
536Please respect copyright.PENANAGJCq0ia6Ps
536Please respect copyright.PENANANUwLC6WloW
"Was he in today? How is he?"536Please respect copyright.PENANAdJpv13evh9
536Please respect copyright.PENANAoiU1PP6p2q
536Please respect copyright.PENANAbhLS5b5wpk
Mrs. Sinclair chuckled as she rubbed Scarlet’s shoulder. Mr. Sinclair winced as he turned back to look at the two on the bed. Somehow he just couldn’t dodge her questions.536Please respect copyright.PENANAHjBvyIzn31
536Please respect copyright.PENANAa9fb7uYSGx
536Please respect copyright.PENANAAqtJEkgkoI
"He’s good," Mr. Sinclair said as he folded his arms. "But not too good, I’m afraid."536Please respect copyright.PENANALEgFBNLW88
536Please respect copyright.PENANAVGO55Hs2Wk
536Please respect copyright.PENANANpUnSIR3Jm
"Why? What happened to Eugene?" Scarlet sounded anxious.536Please respect copyright.PENANAm4X4JEcRIR
536Please respect copyright.PENANA2dV9vCbglG
536Please respect copyright.PENANAdbDar34Gm8
"Well, you’ll probably hear about this at school since this is a small town." Mr. Sinclair paused before he could continue. "Eugene’s father is in the hospital. He was shot."536Please respect copyright.PENANAkRG1SELweS
536Please respect copyright.PENANAaR8pwZcFxJ
536Please respect copyright.PENANAxTo9OV9gNI
Scarlet gasped.536Please respect copyright.PENANA07DoT6m38L
536Please respect copyright.PENANASuvoDEhgio
536Please respect copyright.PENANAlG2AqcZ2gJ
"Oh, no, that’s awful. But will he be okay?"536Please respect copyright.PENANA4dHvtXNXNn
536Please respect copyright.PENANAMRF45PZzl4
536Please respect copyright.PENANA4wdHQE0Is6
"I’m not so sure," said Mr. Sinclair. "But according to Eugene’s mother, he’s in pretty bad shape."536Please respect copyright.PENANAW1I3gkIDn1
536Please respect copyright.PENANA2c8ekAvVy8
536Please respect copyright.PENANA85L0j9fQV3
"I hope Eugene, himself is okay," said Scarlet.536Please respect copyright.PENANAABptaI9GvZ
536Please respect copyright.PENANAZ6KI4pFzyd
536Please respect copyright.PENANAjMBD3uY4Ng
"It’s Mrs. Chamberlin I’m worried about the most," said Mrs. Sinclair. "This is just too much for her."536Please respect copyright.PENANAQj23EuqzRv
536Please respect copyright.PENANAyjlKVFU1ky
536Please respect copyright.PENANAqBP8CiiHrv
"True," said Mr. Sinclair. "She might be a strong woman, but that man has put her in terrible situations I can’t even imagine."536Please respect copyright.PENANAUoEU94jNiB
536Please respect copyright.PENANAdxGi0m1RHB
536Please respect copyright.PENANAJNQkRfb2hG
"I hope he gets out of this alive," said Scarlet.536Please respect copyright.PENANAUzUJqiCa47
536Please respect copyright.PENANAjMvjZIuCpY
536Please respect copyright.PENANAFhf6YQN2ph
"I would advise not to call Eugene right now," advised Mr. Sinclair. "Not until we know that everything's alright."536Please respect copyright.PENANA8tQKLao17W
536Please respect copyright.PENANArDLqU4u56B
536Please respect copyright.PENANAKDQT1opOZa
Scarlet sighed. "I wasn't planning to, dad."536Please respect copyright.PENANAmu4QC2ZLKN
536Please respect copyright.PENANA4xGbkuboHa
536Please respect copyright.PENANABQZNpEZlpG
"You like Eugene too much," said Mrs. Sinclair. "I hope your little crush over him vanishes over time."536Please respect copyright.PENANA5cGA7GOfxv
536Please respect copyright.PENANAUXlggZMZRr
536Please respect copyright.PENANAXL8Ax0dTuw
"I doubt it. Once I finish high school, I will be sure I can date him."536Please respect copyright.PENANAwOkYI3p3Pu
536Please respect copyright.PENANA4aShfccSw4
536Please respect copyright.PENANA4sMTESoo3N
Scarlet quickly prances up from the bed like a little deer and made her way for the door. Her parents watched her as she left.536Please respect copyright.PENANAtgwuMn9URc
536Please respect copyright.PENANAbhtc0KnGuH
536Please respect copyright.PENANA5wf6g6c0rh
"Sometimes I forget she likes him," said Mrs. Sinclair.536Please respect copyright.PENANAGhPyn4smVB
536Please respect copyright.PENANAITqPKNFIJN
536Please respect copyright.PENANAdqV1SHxRt1
"I'm not too worried," said Mr. Sinclair as he closed the door. "When she goes to college, she'll definitely get over him and like somebody else. If not, Eugene will make a good son-in-law."536Please respect copyright.PENANACZYpdo0Jpx
536Please respect copyright.PENANAUcrUQ9QoAk
536Please respect copyright.PENANAPAzHDUZd8m
Mrs. Sinclair shook her head. "I definitely don't approve of it. He's a good man. I just don't feel he's right for my little Scarlet. I pray when she does go to college, she will find someone."536Please respect copyright.PENANA7CXwyWovAW
536Please respect copyright.PENANAMp5PGoWXQs
536Please respect copyright.PENANAeXwHnuoBya
"Eugene isn’t that bad, if I’m being honest," Mr. Sinclair chuckled.536Please respect copyright.PENANAN7Qg0EdIKx
536Please respect copyright.PENANAVC7AlAZnvq
536Please respect copyright.PENANARaOQXDcaGT
"Well, I don’t want her to end up marrying a lawyer like I did." Mrs. Sinclair looked at her husband with a gloomy look and with her arms folded. "And to Eugene for that matter."536Please respect copyright.PENANA14YV7ZvMWb
536Please respect copyright.PENANAu46W91PQFd
536Please respect copyright.PENANA4Gk2mAEim8
"What’s wrong now? Are you scared that Eugene is like me?"536Please respect copyright.PENANATyZejMGYkV
536Please respect copyright.PENANAoXFnCcZRul
536Please respect copyright.PENANAdlNIy4NXEd
"I know he's a good person. I’m just scared that when push comes to shove, you might make him take up your role; working closely with Rhénee."536Please respect copyright.PENANAmHXVPms8vX
536Please respect copyright.PENANActg8xITiOr
536Please respect copyright.PENANAQyzLKS3lF2
Mr. Sinclair bit his lower lip as his right hand rubbed the bottom of his chin. "That seems like an interesting proposition, dear. Why didn’t I ever think of that before?"536Please respect copyright.PENANAGSzCIdy28E
536Please respect copyright.PENANApRCh3aIIsr
536Please respect copyright.PENANAHF4F03gRTp
His wife didn’t say anything as a horrific look started to appear on her hollow face.536Please respect copyright.PENANAuk6WwOh9IV
536Please respect copyright.PENANA5AeIKEooWl
536Please respect copyright.PENANAX0zxDerSJc
"I’m just joking," said Mr. Sinclair as he walked up to her. He then knelt down on the floor in front of her and cupped both of her hands in his. "Why you come up with such ideas is just absurd. You know I wouldn’t do anything that would upset you."536Please respect copyright.PENANAOnI01e1G3F
536Please respect copyright.PENANAZ5wdX5Yh5k
536Please respect copyright.PENANAK6Z540VTFx
"You’ve done several of those even when I told you to drop whatever you were doing for Emelda when she was still alive."536Please respect copyright.PENANAccLFuVwW1K
536Please respect copyright.PENANAI3vefBykwK
536Please respect copyright.PENANA98Z1PWGNHw
Mr. Sinclair shook his head and stood up, still holding his wife’s hands. "Let’s drop the subject. I hate when we talk about it." He squeezed his hands a little, making sure that he didn’t hurt her.536Please respect copyright.PENANAWstDzEgjb5
536Please respect copyright.PENANAHxgwiC6u26
536Please respect copyright.PENANAsiuRnbJWhc
His phone soon started to ring and he almost forgot that he had it in the pocket of his trousers. He took it out with one hand while the other held onto Mrs. Sinclair’s hands. He looked at the caller ID. He picked the call.536Please respect copyright.PENANAGKLspNNxn0
536Please respect copyright.PENANAsLOJLAW8r7
536Please respect copyright.PENANA3m1l0HICqo
"Evening," he said after placing the phone to his ear. "Yes, I’m home at the moment. What can I help you with?"536Please respect copyright.PENANAa0Vp2eTI39
536Please respect copyright.PENANASmWVk86HqK
536Please respect copyright.PENANA1tbhhxp1L2
Mr. Sinclair paused to hear what the person on the other end was saying. "Alright, I’ll see what I can do." He soon cut the call.536Please respect copyright.PENANAeUk0bTgbRQ
536Please respect copyright.PENANAy9jUY3YwMD
536Please respect copyright.PENANAEaKCrtnVub
His wife looked up at him. "Do I have to worry that you're going to walk out of this house because you've Emelda’s business to attend to? Or is it a call from work?"536Please respect copyright.PENANAQzGNfQxs8j
536Please respect copyright.PENANAYAejFc4JG0
536Please respect copyright.PENANApwhIi7cqfW
"It’s work, nothing serious," Mr. Sinclair replied. "I left my bag at the office, so I'll just have to tackle it tomorrow morning."536Please respect copyright.PENANAYC114QCScN
536Please respect copyright.PENANABVhhJMOi7n
536Please respect copyright.PENANAtME5mrTYxO
"If you say so."536Please respect copyright.PENANAXUElwFvGiZ
536Please respect copyright.PENANAfy3gkVQQGu
536Please respect copyright.PENANAcoktiVH4Yf
A knock soon came at the door and the voice of the house help came behind the door: "dinner is ready."536Please respect copyright.PENANAK6A3g70XTQ
536Please respect copyright.PENANA7jp1j1y1NY
536Please respect copyright.PENANAnkWy7spCJd
"Thank you, I'll be right there," said Mr. Sinclair. He turned to look at his wife. "Would you be joining us at the dinner table?"536Please respect copyright.PENANAmmh9gxKsrV
536Please respect copyright.PENANAFguc5mAVl7
536Please respect copyright.PENANAP5grNw5t9Q
"Not today," she replied.536Please respect copyright.PENANAYfhg8py3Pb
536Please respect copyright.PENANAbh0aBN5Mzz
536Please respect copyright.PENANAq63TLL3Y4L
"Alright, I'll tell the help to bring your food up to your room."536Please respect copyright.PENANAWYmqHfKA7Y
536Please respect copyright.PENANADgPcXohCd5
536Please respect copyright.PENANAGVjHldCIo5
"No, need, she already knows."536Please respect copyright.PENANAAtOvOubVft
536Please respect copyright.PENANA5M0yxHMjEm
536Please respect copyright.PENANAOG0gTgkghU
He let go of his wife's hands and made his way out of the door. As soon as he closed it, he made his way towards the stairs. He was about to descend, when he heard the sound of a door opening and closing at the other end of the hall. He saw Scarlet coming towards him.536Please respect copyright.PENANAzVjyCO7KLI
536Please respect copyright.PENANAEGMH6MFv5F
536Please respect copyright.PENANAGkiWHXzHmI
"Isn't mum coming to join us?" she asked.536Please respect copyright.PENANAp2AZlXGElB
536Please respect copyright.PENANA06sPGGmEEq
536Please respect copyright.PENANAA7kIScadwQ
"She'll eat from her room," he answered.536Please respect copyright.PENANA11Tp7iacyj
536Please respect copyright.PENANAnPG2f0CzR7
536Please respect copyright.PENANA1B6wiiFF73
"You upset her again, didn't you?" Scarlet folded her arms, looking at father with a stern look similar to her mother's.536Please respect copyright.PENANAWyWOA1iiCZ
536Please respect copyright.PENANAeNwpfSSfcD
536Please respect copyright.PENANAY8lS7AwcQk
Sinclair scoffed. "I wish I had, but you already know how your mother likes to pick a fight with me. Come on, let's go. The food will get cold."536Please respect copyright.PENANAEHWN7msgQU
536Please respect copyright.PENANA8jPauyAkAY
536Please respect copyright.PENANABeFzxKQAST
Scarlet is quicker than her father as she walked past him to go down the stairs. Mr. Sinclair followed at a slower pace. She reached the bottom and went straight to the living room that led to the dining room.536Please respect copyright.PENANAnsg9yhmCsG
536Please respect copyright.PENANAlPgJai7Oug
536Please respect copyright.PENANAazBrlgvUgu
As soon as Sinclair reached the bottom, he felt the phone vibrate in his pocket. He stopped before he could continue his way into the living room. He found a message. He unlocked his phone to read it. He cursed under his breath and pocketed the phone back, making his way to the dining room where he found his daughter already waiting for him.536Please respect copyright.PENANAstGH4iG4oA
536Please respect copyright.PENANAeIuYbx0BFe
536Please respect copyright.PENANAKhyiT58XfN
"You’re getting slower reaching the table these days," Scarlet said as she looked at him.536Please respect copyright.PENANAMGSTQgNMKi
536Please respect copyright.PENANAG4xh3MGRRy
536Please respect copyright.PENANAuu9iOSbYxH
"Maybe it’s because you’re so young and energetic," he said as he took his seat at the head of the table. Scarlet sat on the other end and said a prayer, asking the Holy Father to bless it. And as soon as the word "Amen" was uttered, they started to dig in. A few minutes hadn’t passed before Scarlet asked her father a question.536Please respect copyright.PENANAkHW7v57820
536Please respect copyright.PENANAVx2eWcIX8B
536Please respect copyright.PENANAJ09cOMHWzT
"Have you heard anything about Eugene’s father yet?"536Please respect copyright.PENANA6O9N3T2Ef5
536Please respect copyright.PENANAwI6ufEO4Ee
536Please respect copyright.PENANAcO1qoK3poO
"No, not yet," he answered.536Please respect copyright.PENANADAEqbGOj4W
536Please respect copyright.PENANApVcac1qG1a
536Please respect copyright.PENANA4FHaASasDx
There came a brief silence before she asked, "is it really true that his father got shot?"536Please respect copyright.PENANA7dvOrc6uRB
536Please respect copyright.PENANAMt278PxZao
536Please respect copyright.PENANAqiEu65s80L
"Yes," he answered. "It was pretty fatal."536Please respect copyright.PENANAeTkVKA9WXR
536Please respect copyright.PENANAytqPD8CZco
536Please respect copyright.PENANAjAgSqHyK0O
"I really hope he gets out okay. Did he mess with the wrong people?"536Please respect copyright.PENANAoehbdOg60N
536Please respect copyright.PENANA9aOtKfPrSS
536Please respect copyright.PENANAE0czn1fol1
Sinclair swallowed before he replied, "I can’t answer that. Maybe he did or he didn’t. I think it’s best to let the police handle it."536Please respect copyright.PENANAZ1vKzl9NLL
536Please respect copyright.PENANAhov2PIz1mJ
536Please respect copyright.PENANACdqcxeEYIS
"Okay." Scarlet paused for a bit. "I hope Eugene is doing okay."536Please respect copyright.PENANADNRBbD4sBI
536Please respect copyright.PENANAbEypC2AiHx
536Please respect copyright.PENANAXJkn7GEUHP
"He was devastated when he heard the news. But he’ll be fine. If there’s a good chance that his father is out of danger, I’ll give you a heads up to call him tomorrow."536Please respect copyright.PENANAsKPwszvfFN
536Please respect copyright.PENANAcHdFU9EaWU
536Please respect copyright.PENANAGHgMv3nfSu
Scarlet smiled at him. "Okay. I really want to know how he’s doing.”536Please respect copyright.PENANAOFdaVNF7Wx
536Please respect copyright.PENANAUmGUe5e2nU
536Please respect copyright.PENANAG8f9wbI2zU
They continued to eat their supper and Sinclair in return fired Scarlet some questions concerning school and her friends. As soon as they were done, Sinclair stood up and told Scarlet that he’ll have to go to the study and do a bit of work. Scarlet didn’t mind as she quickly went up to her room.536Please respect copyright.PENANAB0aLwFlDSI
536Please respect copyright.PENANAUMLOJXIJ7e
536Please respect copyright.PENANApvdehiNDCl
He slowly walked out of the dining room and into the living room while he watched his daughter go up the stairs. It will only be a few minutes till the help comes to take away the dishes in the dining room, so he pulled out his phone to make a call.536Please respect copyright.PENANAnLxYh4bDQw
536Please respect copyright.PENANATSmwwIiGf2
536Please respect copyright.PENANA7AztRH29Ur
After pressing the call button, he placed the phone to his ear, making his way to the study.536Please respect copyright.PENANAqHDSrVQ7SU
536Please respect copyright.PENANAFX3XbM2VkV
536Please respect copyright.PENANA3XvVMUx1i4
As the phone continued to ring, Sinclair got a little impatient. But just as he walked out of the living room, the person on the other end soon picked up.536Please respect copyright.PENANAMQcmZUAFvz
536Please respect copyright.PENANAPF9H9ezIQ2
536Please respect copyright.PENANA0sF3wlMb0F
"What took you so long to answer?" Sinclair asked, calmly, trying not to speak so loud.536Please respect copyright.PENANAUlgIDrdDeW
536Please respect copyright.PENANAM27yhUQkzw
536Please respect copyright.PENANAPtqB6PyynP
"I am in a dire situation right now that I can’t answer you immediately," came a hoarse breathy voice on the phone.536Please respect copyright.PENANAEewT6fbwCm
536Please respect copyright.PENANApH4BR7vXhH
536Please respect copyright.PENANA94fJ8CKdIY
Sinclair reached his study and went in, closing the door. "What is it? I couldn’t text you since I was having dinner."536Please respect copyright.PENANAG4TWjxz8W9
536Please respect copyright.PENANATDCaixwBLB
536Please respect copyright.PENANAZNfaMTJzI4
"Well, while you were playing house over there, we’ve trouble. Apparently Rhénee and her friends aren’t home where they should be. A situation arose and they decided to take matters into their own hands."536Please respect copyright.PENANAGKYk3xknPP
536Please respect copyright.PENANAMErBk6KHk3
536Please respect copyright.PENANAbzrck2nb7g
"What situation?" Sinclair asked as he stood in the middle of the room.536Please respect copyright.PENANASuEZRXlykp
536Please respect copyright.PENANAtL1DXCsp6x
536Please respect copyright.PENANAllJq1JqfzS
***536Please respect copyright.PENANAZ8B3lYhezy
536Please respect copyright.PENANAL8tpGRgN3w
536Please respect copyright.PENANAqTBW0hy4iy
As much as Eugene wanted to turn to look at Miss Marie, he had to focus his eyes on the road. He's driving her old, red convertible with the top covering their heads, heading towards the forest. He didn't like the idea of going there at this late hour.536Please respect copyright.PENANATZocgAAz52
536Please respect copyright.PENANAY7oEwUNxHS
536Please respect copyright.PENANADWgvMSuKwy
Silence stood between them. Eugene wanted so much as to ask where he's taking her, but he knew the answer he's going to get. They were out here to look for Miguel, which is pretty absurd, Eugene thought. He might be walking back to the house and they were here taking a drive.536Please respect copyright.PENANAuzbOhNMdfW
536Please respect copyright.PENANAtIfso5YNav
536Please respect copyright.PENANASReBrrPtQG
Miss Marie soon started to hum as she looked out her side of the window. Eugene wondered how she could be so calm. For once, he wanted that she would go insane, making it easy for him to turn the car around and take her back home. That's if she wouldn't go mad to the point where she might distract him as he is driving.536Please respect copyright.PENANA44QcdZjd5y
536Please respect copyright.PENANAYTXW0Zt2yG
536Please respect copyright.PENANAV4y1lP8uvM
On the point of insanity, Eugene wondered whether Miss Marie is sane or not. Why take him out here to find Miguel? Eugene couldn’t help but feel stupid after thinking about it a little. His gut feeling told him that Miss Marie wasn't insane when she told him where to find Miguel nor is she insane right now. A sudden thought soon crossed his mind. What if she's been pretending to everyone this whole time?536Please respect copyright.PENANAxOhq1x7I7C
536Please respect copyright.PENANAGCl4MT6rsC
536Please respect copyright.PENANABZMExoFrQH
Miss Marie stopped humming. "Make a stop here."536Please respect copyright.PENANAbETmrCliTH
536Please respect copyright.PENANAYBKX2UMfXM
536Please respect copyright.PENANAgnuhtgXLNK
Eugene did as he was told and he got a little puzzled. There’s a bridge just up ahead and he thought they were going to reach it. He turned to look at Miss Griselda.536Please respect copyright.PENANAs0EWnogGyI
536Please respect copyright.PENANAkSdBDhjB4l
536Please respect copyright.PENANALSLQCYnj7v
"I thought we would stop by the bridge," he said.536Please respect copyright.PENANAQLFZvX6P5W
536Please respect copyright.PENANAeLM6caLhAr
536Please respect copyright.PENANA46OQ5mck0E
"I don’t want us to draw attention," she answered. "Park by the side of the road. It’s dangerous to leave a car out here."536Please respect copyright.PENANAbxvkmQxxyR
536Please respect copyright.PENANANcq3vpAEYN
536Please respect copyright.PENANAjD7CL4zz6F
Eugene did just that, killed the engine and the headlights. He looked at Miss Marie, whom he could see was smiling at him in the dark.536Please respect copyright.PENANARGMnhTtqgD
536Please respect copyright.PENANAImGxWv82mC
536Please respect copyright.PENANAbcRO4L7BQQ
"Let’s go," she said as she opened the car door on her side. "We don’t want to miss out on all the fun."536Please respect copyright.PENANAbrEy3cAyNt
536Please respect copyright.PENANAcyeOQwoOU6
536Please respect copyright.PENANASubHLIFBoa
"Fun?" he wondered what she meant. There’s nothing fun about being out in the forest so late at night.536Please respect copyright.PENANANMvrNEXtc6
536Please respect copyright.PENANA2P2PLf26lW
536Please respect copyright.PENANAKKWop4Modl
He also stepped out of the car and made sure to lock behind him. He found Miss Marie going ahead and he had to quickly catch up to her.536Please respect copyright.PENANArqzpTCRFFL
536Please respect copyright.PENANAXZwSuDf8f2
536Please respect copyright.PENANANcKSeOpc8s
"Are you sure Miguel is at the bridge?" he asked.536Please respect copyright.PENANAIINTTWgBE4
536Please respect copyright.PENANAoRsCdFJNta
536Please respect copyright.PENANAbmxRRUPzaP
"If you keep asking the same question, you’ll run mad," she said. She had her hands in the pocket of a brown, fluffy coat that she managed to grab before leaving, wearing it over her sleeping gown. Eugene felt he should’ve gotten something warm himself. The night air around the forest is a lot chillier than he had thought.536Please respect copyright.PENANAaTR0uhWJIT
536Please respect copyright.PENANAIN4JLz8IJp
536Please respect copyright.PENANAcbpQvDhphW
They continued to walk and it's then that Eugene realised that they still had quite a way to go before they reach the bridge. As the leaves gently rustled above them in the trees, he realised just how dark it is, despite the full moon shining brightly above them.536Please respect copyright.PENANAFKiKAG2G3H
536Please respect copyright.PENANAMi28MSO7jD
536Please respect copyright.PENANAVjOSwZKdlw
He was just about to pull out his phone from his pocket when all of a sudden, Miss Marie held his hand, stopping him from doing so. He turned to look at her, surprised at her quick reflexes.536Please respect copyright.PENANAEd1Rx12m9g
536Please respect copyright.PENANA1bSwrHkZ6w
536Please respect copyright.PENANAfWLUdKuadX
"If you want to pull out your phone to turn on your torch, I advise not to," she said, without looking at him. "The last thing you want to do is draw attention when all we’ve come to do is watch a spectacle."536Please respect copyright.PENANAlFoPtcvnpA
536Please respect copyright.PENANAZxgGpEy2Bw
536Please respect copyright.PENANAac2jEL5E4X
Eugene is confused. Now he can’t use his phone and they were just here to spectate? He had a funny feeling that Miss Marie might be dragging him into something he never even imagined.536Please respect copyright.PENANAHwyDouLZZm
536Please respect copyright.PENANAnAN7hYEpma
536Please respect copyright.PENANA0f7TaZBYq5
"Before we go," he said, "you don’t want us to get caught. Why is that? Is Miguel involved in something? Like a gang, perhaps?"536Please respect copyright.PENANA1asPi93xJD
536Please respect copyright.PENANAQtAAw6EhJZ
536Please respect copyright.PENANAUnUzHGM3r3
Miss Marie turned to smile at him. "You’re quite right," she said.536Please respect copyright.PENANAlAjrKRkp9y
536Please respect copyright.PENANAg4AFN7UOzW
536Please respect copyright.PENANA2FGxJvQh9n
She started to go on ahead, leaving Eugene standing there. Miguel, his childhood best friend, is in some kind of gang? Is Miss Marie telling the truth? Somehow, he knew that she is, but then he didn’t want to accept it at all.536Please respect copyright.PENANA8w6QyDyzsn
536Please respect copyright.PENANAT14aK8t2sV
536Please respect copyright.PENANAoNaacVqryr
"We better hurry up," Miss Marie called out to him. "We don’t want to miss anything."536Please respect copyright.PENANAJHmIT74UMM
536Please respect copyright.PENANApYXnpDcZjS
536Please respect copyright.PENANAblnwYdQb8X
Eugene took a deep breath, trying to bring himself back to reality. He quickly caught up to her, and for a while, the two of them walked in silence.536Please respect copyright.PENANACES1o8uUn9
536Please respect copyright.PENANAFRloO9ia9S
536Please respect copyright.PENANAJ5X2dyI8Z2
"Why did you decide to bring me here, Miss Marie?" he asked. "If I never came over to your house tonight, were you going to come here alone?"536Please respect copyright.PENANArWLQHQXOlp
536Please respect copyright.PENANAbq9HjApvnu
536Please respect copyright.PENANAUokl3Vk5IH
"Yes," she answered without looking at him. "The only reason why I carried you along is because for once, I can finally show you who Miguel really is."536Please respect copyright.PENANAclaILdVpC7
536Please respect copyright.PENANAzb15enaa9p
536Please respect copyright.PENANAohICdCC4Oh
He scoffed. "What kind of group is he in? Do they deal with drugs or guns?"536Please respect copyright.PENANA3P3MgYlq9r
536Please respect copyright.PENANAA0UP8TczZf
536Please respect copyright.PENANA4NvyOw5mpU
"If I told you that they deal with both and even more than you can ever imagine, would you believe me?" Miss Marie now turned to look at him even when he can’t see her face clearly in the dark.536Please respect copyright.PENANAEfpNXmnQqk
536Please respect copyright.PENANAS7Fhot6Pbn
536Please respect copyright.PENANAzfiJgKXyZg
Eugene swallowed. Deep down, he didn’t want it to be true. Maybe she’s acting delusional and what he’ll see will probably be nothing. Yes, he thought to himself. She must have gone bonkers and isn’t thinking straight. But he has to know whether she is or not.536Please respect copyright.PENANAar6pczRVuz
536Please respect copyright.PENANA6fzkzuDMoQ
536Please respect copyright.PENANAlwJPoOVQJl
"Wait," he said, holding her by the shoulders. "Are you serious of such an accusation? He’s your grandson."536Please respect copyright.PENANAjUFvbb7UrR
536Please respect copyright.PENANAlvQucCreMN
536Please respect copyright.PENANA5U10mb8saD
"Grandson or not, I can’t hide from you what he truly is," Miss Marie answered as she looked at him. "You’re a good man, Eugene. Associating with such people isn’t right for you who is trying to build a reputation as a lawyer. Then there’s your father too. God knows just how many sins he has committed for him to be dying in his hospital bed right now."536Please respect copyright.PENANAuRc6QsvX2D
536Please respect copyright.PENANAiHXHaUXqNk
536Please respect copyright.PENANADfthUSX5de
Eugene is shocked to know Miss Marie knew about his father's condition, but he brushed that aside. "I know my father does some shady things, but why do you’ve to tell me this about Miguel? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?"536Please respect copyright.PENANAj7i7GbWRYI
536Please respect copyright.PENANAlRiHPbmS8q
536Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1DXefvHiH
"I’ll answer that question with one of my own." Miss Marie sounded serious. "Have you and I ever stayed in the same room whenever you came to visit and had a serious conversation?"536Please respect copyright.PENANA7yJEcvHzPp
536Please respect copyright.PENANAKT7eF5giZP
536Please respect copyright.PENANAZhuI8nJaNC
Eugene's eyes widened. "You’ve been pretending to be delusional this whole time?"536Please respect copyright.PENANAw2j77Zod3B
536Please respect copyright.PENANAwQMMam52ou
536Please respect copyright.PENANAIsSILb4qKm
"A woman like me has to play her cards right in order to survive in this wretched town. If I hadn’t Miguel would’ve put a bullet in my head a long time ago."536Please respect copyright.PENANAQsExgRH5W6
536Please respect copyright.PENANA8LnIcH1FVD
536Please respect copyright.PENANAmDxpAgttIx
"He can never do that. He cares about you a lot, yet you go ahead and just lie to him?"536Please respect copyright.PENANAczYbsFpB14
536Please respect copyright.PENANAUxbQRF7JMN
536Please respect copyright.PENANA4wapSXY5xQ
"For a lawyer, you clearly didn’t listen to what I said just now. I would be dead by now if I didn’t keep up with the farce. And as for Miguel, he might look like he cares, but he really doesn’t. I’m telling you this now because if he ever knew that I brought you here, I'll be dead and no one will find my corpse for a long time. You will probably be dead too."536Please respect copyright.PENANALhlLIxblD6
536Please respect copyright.PENANAP1UJs2WJOG
536Please respect copyright.PENANAKuogB18gaL
Eugene slumped his shoulders and looked upwards at the dark, night sky. He went back to look at her. "I’ll believe you if I see him myself."536Please respect copyright.PENANADpYjpGDrIF
536Please respect copyright.PENANASK9ntE5jUQ
536Please respect copyright.PENANAFaTTyiAAqe
"It will be dark. But I know you’ll see him."536Please respect copyright.PENANAxkiA3WieSS
536Please respect copyright.PENANAKEpqLqlVts
536Please respect copyright.PENANAEtJTesUD7c
Miss Marie went back to leading the way and Eugene had the option of running back to the car and leaving her. But he felt his mind wander off, and it’s like he had no control over his body as he followed her.536Please respect copyright.PENANAahzFsMOlLZ
536Please respect copyright.PENANACmD1lhbDRM
536Please respect copyright.PENANArEK7Z5WysD
The road went up a small hill and Eugene knew they were almost there. As they reached the summit, they had a clear view of the bridge below. Eugene hoped they would find nothing there, yet the sight of a few cars parked on the side of the road near the bridge and a few dark figures that he made to be people, made his heart ache.536Please respect copyright.PENANAasWuUqucYR
536Please respect copyright.PENANA1ecl1lgXaW
536Please respect copyright.PENANAWMdqUXarDS
"See, I told you something's about to go down," said Miss Marie.536Please respect copyright.PENANAc7OJssULAG
536Please respect copyright.PENANAtqSxYy3Fm6
536Please respect copyright.PENANA6nZIW6v50H
"I can’t see the people very well," said Eugene. "Maybe you’re wrong and Miguel isn’t down there."536Please respect copyright.PENANAsZdinfqV7b
536Please respect copyright.PENANAp1hpw0I4hn
536Please respect copyright.PENANAOT9ptxNjvY
"Let’s hide behind those trees. They might not see us from afar, but it’s best to not leave anything to chance."536Please respect copyright.PENANAI3cuQAeLjE
536Please respect copyright.PENANAk6LZ3Xegws
536Please respect copyright.PENANA7pBzFri60M
Eugene followed Miss Marie and partly entered into the forest where they still had a clear view of the bridge. As they waited, Eugene couldn’t help but pray that what Miss Marie said isn’t true about Miguel being one of the people down there. Even if he tried to, he realised that it’s already too late.536Please respect copyright.PENANACLAYLWfjuE
536Please respect copyright.PENANAfamfs5FQHq
536Please respect copyright.PENANAboiIQfRVXr
***536Please respect copyright.PENANAHmI7hZc2H7
536Please respect copyright.PENANARbu5kAc02S
536Please respect copyright.PENANA7anVVCUJUZ
Rhénee leaned against the tall tree and bent her neck to peek at what's in front of her. She and the others were now within reach of the people near the bridge, but still using the forest as cover. She looked to her left. Greta hid behind a tree, also peeking. To Rhenee’s right was Malcom also keeping a lookout. Kevin, knowing the area very well, had left to scout it a few minutes ago.536Please respect copyright.PENANA7piPpErtrj
536Please respect copyright.PENANAT8CD4Kri5F
536Please respect copyright.PENANAGqKhP9WRi4
He soon came back in the direction Malcom was standing. Rhénee and Greta quietly went to join them.536Please respect copyright.PENANA5svMom9iu5
536Please respect copyright.PENANA2unaG7qpSy
536Please respect copyright.PENANAxDZQChecd7
"Okay," he whispered. "There are four cars. Three SUVs and the other is Mr Cowell’s. The car closest to the bridge to the right has two people sitting inside and two people guarding it. I’m guessing that’s where they’re holding Miss Griselda."536Please respect copyright.PENANAez5d3G3Vkk
536Please respect copyright.PENANA5KfHB8pQLT
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"How many people are there?" Rhénee asked.536Please respect copyright.PENANA9mpPBui2vY
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"I counted fifteen people, including those in the car. Though I can't be too sure."536Please respect copyright.PENANAEhsF6dsnXS
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"That’s still a lot of people," Greta complained.536Please respect copyright.PENANAHt0L0sxteW
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"Meaning we’ve to be strategic in how we’re going to do this," Malcom whispered. "I think I know how we might capture their attention."536Please respect copyright.PENANAdZNr0TGutP
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"Always the strategist," Greta smiled at her brother. "Tell us, how will we do it?"536Please respect copyright.PENANAJJ7SqfRk5H
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Rhénee could feel Malcom’s eyes fall on her. "I figured we could use Rhénee."536Please respect copyright.PENANAR59kuCkRhR
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"Me? Why?" Rhénee asked.536Please respect copyright.PENANACtsHwJ6Y24
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"You’re their target and if you bring yourself forward, they’ll be caught off-guard. Besides, they won’t kill you. I’ve a feeling they want you alive for some reason. Moreover, we might be able to pull this off."536Please respect copyright.PENANAzJSfVngRVh
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Rhénee sighed. As much as she wanted to oppose, she knew Malcom made a good point. He continued to lay down the plan for them and when he was done, he asked if all was in order.536Please respect copyright.PENANAVusMKAN50o
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"Seems fine to me," said Kevin. "But this will be difficult, so we all need to be careful."536Please respect copyright.PENANADJDSGswmLk
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"We’ll try," Greta and Rhénee answered at the same.536Please respect copyright.PENANALmlRk5Oxja
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The four of them all broke away from each other going into position.536Please respect copyright.PENANA2p5OE4RVqP
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***536Please respect copyright.PENANAt0eH3rIFO8
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Miguel looked at the car beside him and for a minute, he felt drowsy. He now regretted smoking before coming to guard the car. He wanted so much as to trade places with someone, but they would know that something is wrong. It won’t be the first time he ever smoked before coming in to work.536Please respect copyright.PENANAK1xF4WYXir
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He shook his head, trying to get himself together. He cannot slack off now. The boss will get angry with him and who knows what he will do. His boss may have given Miguel a few chances in the past, but this time, he might not be so lucky.536Please respect copyright.PENANAjgtGuofyPJ
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He turned to see his comrade guarding the other side of the car through the passenger side window. He hasn’t noticed that Miguel isn’t himself just yet. Miguel has to hang on a little while longer. However, things are moving quite slow. Their other comrade hasn’t arrived with Rhénee yet. What could be holding him up, Miguel wondered.536Please respect copyright.PENANAIHE5VeopE8
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He felt the mood around him become hectic. And he thought he had seen the boss ahead of him, leaning against one of the cars with the phone in his hand trying to call. At some point, Miguel had heard Mr. Cowell suggest to the boss that he should go back to his house and see what’s holding the other guy up. The boss shouted at him, telling him to shut up and go away. Something’s wrong, and everybody knew it.536Please respect copyright.PENANACD62LTP4nD
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A good twenty minutes had passed and a loud shout rang across the forest. The source? The boss man. Everyone stood silent, looking at him under the partial darkness. Miguel gulped. When his boss is mad or frustrated, he does like to give a loud roar like a mad lion. Someone has to calm him down. The funny thing is, nobody is willing to go and do so.536Please respect copyright.PENANAKL4l90OBs6
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The car door Miguel is guarding flew open on the other side and their female comrade came out. She quickly approached the boss, holding his shoulder so that she could turn and look at him.536Please respect copyright.PENANANFYCv60PZa
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"Now isn’t the time to start losing control," she told him. "Pull yourself together or else you might just ruin the whole plan."536Please respect copyright.PENANANQTLAYXkto
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"I take it that I’m late for the party?" came another female voice as loud as a blow horn.536Please respect copyright.PENANAc22uPwf8DT
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Everyone turned to where the voice came from and there stood a figure of a female at a distance that someone had to turn one of the car's lights on. There stood Rhénee Johnson. Miguel is among the few that murmured in surprise. How is she here alone? And where is their comrade?536Please respect copyright.PENANApU0lhAB768
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His boss scoffed and slowly made his approach towards her, stopping at a reasonable distance.536Please respect copyright.PENANAWahrR2oHPS
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"How are you here alone?" he asked her.536Please respect copyright.PENANAEL2UqVzQjg
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"That doesn’t matter," Rhénee told him. "I want Miss Griselda back."536Please respect copyright.PENANAUbVDNZCUQ6
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Miguel’s boss scoffed. "It will not be easy and you know it."536Please respect copyright.PENANAKH3fOvEgtl
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"Good, because I don't intend to negotiate."536Please respect copyright.PENANAPGu9mNyIRZ
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Before anyone knew it, an explosion occurred near the centre of the ring of cars, sending the men into a frenzy. The man, considered as the boss, turned to see the confusion. Before he could do anything, Rhénee quickly hit the back of his head hard with the handle of the gun and he fell to the ground out-cold. Rhénee passed his unconscious body, cocking her gun as she raised it to aim and fire.