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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD18jecTtzI
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj105Cfy1j9
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKw7azkxPR
"Hey, mum, are you alright?" he asked. "Sorry for waking you."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut0Ji3nZdp
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8eOrwbgc5
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ83bkmK8QQ
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZp9bRgvCk
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWQk75UG4l
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghpG1SbEyM
"I didn't expect to see you here," she said, as she put up a tired smile. "What time is it?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKBYsKsVtl
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2MkYZXXQK
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmVE361dXr
"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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5XveXWLjk
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe4NblWS84
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8ZdUUm7B0
"And what about your brother? Aren't you going to see him off to school?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUB4J4Wo2n
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0Lnb5BCw9
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrApgsCv5F2
"I will. I came to check up on you first."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1BXD5sUeK
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27FxV3mEKd
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGZdaEbtjD
"I thought you were going to ask how your father was doing."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENUTJexlmX
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZcn0Od2q1
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlbJJeqh1L
Eugene didn't know how to respond to that as he looked up at the ceiling and then back at his mother in silence.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSLTY49SNU
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyhR1ekmiw
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYv6AFxTRev
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYoD4fQTK8
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUDiAxCRQF
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodvXjH4uVH
"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." 413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCOJfB8asZ
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4trK9KBvPv
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhYJWIvDb5
"Did you go in to see him?" Eugene asked. 413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN8ZBE9Inb
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdE2pxIgqH
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NxjmqIfBZ
"I did. But he lay there unconscious. I'm hoping he wakes up soon."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgzvg03H2O
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKXCSCPywz
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7Hh6SqVPg
"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?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FkYpg0Kqc
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h0ilbJKMc
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zZjmtAzge
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JfWqePUhU
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3kDNIOsV0
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrO0MzWJ4v
"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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY37q6IZX9i
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0LU2ZTjKA
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWf0HHtwx4
"Do they think he was involved in some shady deal?" Eugene asked. 413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ8yl9My6d
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQL998UTSB
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY2mxjqXUE
"They do." Mrs. Chamberlin sighed, shaking her head. "I wonder what he got himself into."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2S5bwqXevm
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzx7f8Ni38Y
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZT6TWuoba
"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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXuTNrVA5Y
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbs3N4rSLu
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FlWYuWdMB
"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?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4A5K61116n
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmm120e1Al
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEk9MF91gU
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlZZnwwAJX
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCvaOCqT1C
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtbu8J4zjC
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTu4sHdCu7
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyclKSYZ59X
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uPqWDNj9m
Eugene now looked at his mother and asked, "Won't you be going back home to freshen up?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnFWkFzUN1
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7svYynkHbS
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRdwke2PsF
"I will," she answered after dropping her arms. "I'll do so when your father wakes up."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bKp1m6D5s
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCde6RJykXu
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXTQkC1xFV
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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2sF8V827c
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeXZixOL2A
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TY70hcbi5
"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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhkKBdzK0M
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrUqrRA5Op
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9529jq5rl
"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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvEXwCfor3
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM73AcKiLrm
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx10LA7e0sX
"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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYnWSeJMBt
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlM4lybEkjC
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxlM7nhHRj
"That will affect him, mum. He won't be able to go if it comes to it."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CIH7dHO2b
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmu6QLE52Fp
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdxrTI0vYB
"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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgKuy9KAMR
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUZGj4gNoh
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHLWW6Ubj8
Eugene gave a nod of the head. "Will do."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjKNCP1cAT
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwHN0BdkKB
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcM03Dw6EI
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hb6fyYl1Y
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkJFkDbXZQ
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ575tqt2stt
"Did you get any sleep?" she asked. "You look like you've been up all night."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrNIMQqbiB
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHPOAMYWGk
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBgg6GNnIl
"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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeTPcb7lCr
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnBKvmo34S
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKTgLJrV6N
"I'll be okay. Your father needs to recover first."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaL7ypskuRS
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvuIvMvCPA
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqCjijLQE7
"If he does, will you consider leaving him for good?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyEzXQeHfv
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nmmxqXwBr
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfufJQstsns
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zoonUTaSc
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv0KfZTope
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8l0PcDSw0O
"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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek1EmiXlrb
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO12VtTlTJg
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE65L4378Dw
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?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67ah705p6Y
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoQmbS96Pa
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpM7iSdbrt5
"He can never do that. He promised me that whatever he's involved in will never affect us."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRNkjTwjQ7
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINaWtn2WPv
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgKoSu7DVu
"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?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzty2TgxVR
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfM9T2XhyQ
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrHLeptxxm
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:413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZi4XBmwum
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPAkIDRVKL
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsXSSp1o4I
"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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJV3s1QRddk
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWNyS8fAXi
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J7YgPxGmB
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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqAa9esK3j
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2kvFgvwzz
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedHqYIWerK
"Seriously, mum, I don't know if you care about yourself at all."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeTYV6F1Dy
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfvlFb4bTh
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3B4UJBsP9J
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEzz9rjAwY
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1IvdwAzv2
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pN0B5oUcb
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZUBg8hD0P
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKyAGYDJbE
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MFT1oxjFb
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWWHV2ssc7
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpBTeTlo74
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ045wvaybeV
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9paVUFuPL1
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuuJ0CyzzX
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgCSbripaq
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5LhKLiimp
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpI3YbcSdEZ
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUvbWttEgE
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYWNDHJAtw
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAB52q7ykBB
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvDjS0Mxyp
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYckDC1Oxs4
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxlVc0h1Ba
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qiOiSqO5U
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69SH9KDDIy
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLKT5Z2WVW
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEMFkMTtJd
***413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6fsClvXq9
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEdCqw289s
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLePTw85olV
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh7MKZjItI
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6AGOI1XSK
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyk9aByztn
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3MuHFkVFu
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESCzxkXGEa
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7TyF7VzLt
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj0HVilIse
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjL5UTyBPBX
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrDcDZbjA7
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8y4oGFSFp6
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbgqNUaUMI
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTerTKXErt
She texted him back, saying that she would be there, and stood up from her bed, making sure to carry her phone with her.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxd5P0mmrg
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQY1x7vOYB
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDExjSo465F
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTt6DFG90E
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGPXUzRtNf
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1VXwqamqe
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwE3DAKMWgz
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kGFLl4OOe
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5Ib8cr9Zh
She scoffed and turned away, heading to the stairs and to the kitchen.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RvUzDJgLV
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHckruaFPT
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFmXFdO6nL
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpijICEvou
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEHDveSW42
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMjWKDrfDm
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRLmeeo55V
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RxX6SvyEj
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OTN8CVT9G
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjqLwbY9A1
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSxpALLhyC
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMy43i1nCLj
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxqxag1qeb
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JiRwj74sM
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXFMPbxFC5
"Rhénee?" There was a sleepy male voice on the other end. "Hey, it's been a long time. How are you?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1NQcPmDQK
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ841D4rxZYN
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTX1ffMQ3zp
"I'm good, thanks; how are you, Alex?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffwTvZPiPK
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJLoJ9AGPt
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfqLj4cfzI
"Never better, now that you've called. I thought you forgot about me."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGRHh0Fl9N
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfuycYxpXQ
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTPXW8K0sf
Rhénee looked up at the ceiling. "Yeah, I think I must have."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieNp8lZqae
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnW2W4P0Gg
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgsHDEqtbP
"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?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNASVADuIN
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouIYcoWmGn
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLf8Ua9JAa
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4H8jUWSnr
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJsGTyhj4c
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2O0lUgbcPe
"You're just as funny as usual," said Rhénee with a smile on her face. "I've just been busy."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sUTwqR9ot
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOduQCKkte
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmwLznLLmF
"Yeah, a new house and a new life must be a lot of work."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX55sKWGEjb
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtK6nmidEP3
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrjzUcuC9k
"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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSEx6nbFEz
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkK7HkRSQwW
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsdI8ty0GT
"Please, it's impossible to forget a person like you. And you were adorable when you were younger, so there is that."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNu9AzwBbnf
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Sws1gpriF
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjhGbuWJWz
"I wasn't adorable when I was younger."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aIj69Wkmc
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERqlhdaXqE
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeF5pr8AGFC
"I've seen your baby pictures, Rhénee. You were just the cutest."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6BcVtQtnl
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoinOekcVdt
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51Tv5luG5H
"Who showed you my baby photos?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUCGIVJCWB
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEq1sznHvq
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8zCbVPM3g
"Zoey, of course."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9sCR4kUHb
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1MoNQ8k5X
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZbVSU3SkU
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8hbRBdPfF
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmRF4LEPeY
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpELf1bJnpI
"Goodness, I wish you were still with us, Rhénee," he said. "Everyone misses you here."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbcSznUNFf
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagXdDCsfmz
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4upKZOLEfh
"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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwj7dP8aaGO
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUuTiM1F0N
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwb8yyQiYa
"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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX6WUoGNh8
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jmhVNjDSI
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cCFufkIIr
"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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2DD78f05x
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YrAZd93q3
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8ibSrRNSe
"Sorry, Rhénee, but you should know that you're her baby girl. Of course she would worry."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeox9aJ4PX
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLKuihJSS4
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNhmhWD1qL
"I wonder when she will ever get over me. I can look after myself, for goodness sake."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbfKQEdk8g
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrFZKLIyyU
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ643NXmTODk
"She'll get over it when she feels like it. Give her a break."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLG9fGNjMc
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaELziy24ff
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwg4Du44aQ3
Rhénee thought she heard footsteps in the other room. Miss Griselda must be awake.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk1Rn0QbKB
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sByS00BvJ
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHDSvmXfiD
"Anyway, I better get myself ready for the day. It was nice talking to you, Alex."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooeCu8Rti8
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sXn2aDG3a
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSBpOtxHUh
"You should call every day. It will be nice to hear your voice every morning."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaBAMhiwfp
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQbxZvai7f
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNFP4E8tvr
Rhénee chuckled. "Why don't you get out of bed and go flirt with other girls?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM9icuLnLO
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEK5pziKp8M
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlR34IyZ5YL
Alex, on the other end, laughed. "Oh, Rhénee, you're the only girl for me; don't you know that?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYeP9ui3fC
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SQloBGKgI
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAIOGyKf20
"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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZX5tRl5PlO
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrgF1nze73
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QE8YnbaGq
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWkbdzGPe8
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCbMrpLknI
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPti4TmoR7
"Morning, Rhénee," Miss Griselda greeted her. "Did you have a good night's sleep?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKZWTosfn3
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwzDHmsCMD
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXumTtXqbN
"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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiiabgOdY0
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHsee4rW1W
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9ZvBzh18b
"No. I barely slept a wink."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFF3xQUQXh
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxL6EZmxGq
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArHajSFAt6
"There's still some hot coffee if you need it." Rhénee pointed to the coffee maker.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYh75O2u2X
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2nTW54VxK
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8E4jQLPXL
"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?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG86Sc4tqs
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVnUPKeb2B
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGriZq8ZRoq
"A friend of mine. I hadn't talked to him in what felt like forever."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkq5ATZVJP
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5Xdi2fEZk
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1A8ILdoloy
"That's nice. You sounded like you were having a nice chat." Miss Griselda took a cup and poured herself some coffee.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRv8Dp9dhVS
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJc7geCDA0E
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauLcKwTbX0
"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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi38K8yZP0
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgzgt1bJzS
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqRFgyTArs
"A wise and sensible decision." Miss Griselda took a sip of the coffee, and her eyes brightened up a bit. "This coffee tastes great."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgdsMFch1q
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HXYpQBVOm
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUr62KkHPWZ
"I'm just fortunate. I didn't do anything to make it as nice as you make it." Rhénee chuckled.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRttWQVpwl3
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x7J36Bwcz
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXw3Qi4fElt
"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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlMR7WJYBn
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT0Y1M3jUa
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxJjDAGXCH
"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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAFxIQlDPp
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkPMgAlqfM
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65sMJeoJUM
"Wherever you will be, don't try and give him a hard time, dear. You're quite stubborn, you know."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs6UtPFztO
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefAl1a1bNd
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbh5w5Zfb9
"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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5JYfCeSUp
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlM63y0tQpA
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXVrg4TbuN
"Well, something tells me you'll still put him on edge with your questions."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0Lfsk0yyj
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uCtH88dGa
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglHL1gF174
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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZGmBP1vis
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwHb5ipIvi
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQF0Ys4FDL
"I know. But just be careful of what you want to say to him, okay?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kjpCIw7G0
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm01rANYZIE
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvb8nannaA0
"As you wish." Rhénee didn't like the feeling of being defeated so easily, especially from Miss Griselda.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9pDnLiusZ
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FZBedxvhZ
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmKRtMYPVc
"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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYDZZyT9fa
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxY6m8BvNA
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ010zHd6ToG
That put up a smile on Rhénee's face. "That sounds great. Let me go freshen up first."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nDOI1Gl4D
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡel3yIEGIZk
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWPBLNCM9X
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWf2099YnC
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq95D5SFdhU
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuj3YvQv9X
***413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLm3rnZNEd
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTYNQ2x6w2
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefOpLDQ3IL
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeJCtiCBsx
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoKIbFyNKm
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBu9tSJXBdL
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KigbSG1L4
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsENIQQNnC
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFXPr5L1wW
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55EhiQ0phS
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0tfqkb3Y7
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYpgdIK7nL
"Please, Eugene, sit," she told him.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79FRCJCdBV
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxYmlI105A
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtk2SEyIsC7
Eugene did just that. "How is Mr. York this morning?" he asked.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcyeQ30c8y
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNVM1PBfR4
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3X3gEFvPc
"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?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EVpEBYp8P
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlcyGPikRP
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux8IiQPt3z
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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkvDWAdgMx
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBBncZnmXC
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKaBNSRVMC
"Will he be going to school?" Mrs. York removed the pan on the stove and put the eggs on a plate.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNxgftuqQu
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjhv9pc0SU
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PpuZE1EJZ
"No. He won't be able to concentrate. Plus, people might be talking about it a lot."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNnuz0YWKk
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcDFbXMfcS
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN5XqA1txV
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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1PWGAJdSD
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmqWPPYZOu
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwgotdYdDY
She pulled a chair to take a seat. "And what about you?" she asked. "Are you going for work?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKktVNsmOlS
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnW5fFjtSvu
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkmgY9iIQH
Eugene gave a nod of his head. "I need to get my mind distracted from all this," he answered.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOQDixCEjI
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6Unu31Zck
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmYeCy0Ma9
"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?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXAY009cZa
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbdMGfUaW5
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDSMZ5Qx8K
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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcj1VHcKs4e
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOoGfSLuxM
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDx1YmtoVfS
"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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6m8WTbwwk
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJcW1uLGUm
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KwLXRanvb
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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnM4SZOxHt
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdI632xDupa
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgRAbwSu52
"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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIbadZMmxL
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF54Hw5alPv
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rlJjkC0VU
"I can't do that when she sticks to my father like it's all she knows how to do."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgFB0u54q5
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVALyKWlPh
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKYdJM9leL
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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM2p9cImgU
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXB0ldofjx
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh97S7DBNLl
"You're right. Now that I think about it, I might as well just leave it be."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRaAqAb6B5
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhE25min6n
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu0VLZOADC
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSO5gdIzB4f
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxEP29sU91
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡir7qnEttEt
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xHKRpgqHh
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdT5oUSXOv
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGZuk3sh54
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqroVMgU3KX
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUuVBWVZxn
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kaaLnitNB
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpssvdpcduY
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczk768GVgc
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNYW9YHibf
***413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKzgwEeT8p
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjzeWEA7Nl
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FpylD8u1P
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tbelBpsMY
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvP37HlO3Z
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbOrKzVNoq
"I better get going now," Rhénee announced as she stood up from her seat. "I don't want to be late."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqb0La32Su
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZt9a4KnHsu
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3vdaUOf0Y
"Alright," said Miss Griselda, sewing her red dress on the collar. "Remember what I told you about Mr. Sinclair and your questions."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyzYdj9V3t
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NRYkvWgDA
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSNI14wReP
Rhénee gave Miss Griselda a smirk. "I'll do my best. I'm not going to promise anything."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoItQPskgxS
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxaqFYEsG2
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXy12Hgej0
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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZa3Pvx3fm
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmG46i4Q23
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppB1jesDJN
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkJVSj9pZ1
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxEB7KLK6E
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDo66trhS7Y
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3TDGf9gVR
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MBBGy4bu7
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIuQOpJRck
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QjyJ6A0fR
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G9LsOHXZ6
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUi4gLkzN82
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuw2rQZnk1
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJzliC1Nm4
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDIKD8pOof
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbtgLbpgWQ
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs7DXbJXwo
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94XG06rkM3
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y7BK651bZ
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KN8tZdxtp
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7AdZpZaDK
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyer4sLtdK
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEWeoeJWhl
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybSNS8mgu0
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPWmOhsQkK
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XDH8rlca6
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82ihtIFTnG
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aYiMS8rOx
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZi73gb0hm2
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YMleEEH0o
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNmUJ5w2dy
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDcNbK4gVr
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp6TrSUVRV
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubDN7ohvHz
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKUxvyRFat
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe05aoI5v9
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEMueUpAF2
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDYbdYI25l
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQSuit22NR
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24bzuXNGjW
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUZ36BZ4OJ
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtdbQ5kL9y
"Oh, sorry, Preeta," he said, dropping his hands. "I didn't see you there."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfwWm4HaCW
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r6tFEevvJ
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqdseMQWlD
"Oh, no, it's fine," she said. "I stopped just in time."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrctoHL8zEk
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbfcpwCd6H
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdgApmkOsl
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm69ZTXUNk
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZYoVAbKyh
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtOj5xdyFA
"Eugene, are you okay?" she asked. "Maybe you shouldn't have come in today."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnMq1yeZFF
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquA7M2nr2T
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbsBiva38r
"I'm fine, Preeta," he answered. "I just need to keep my mind busy to forget all that's happening."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrOTM7lDIm
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnGiCtXijQ
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgujtYCLL6
"But you can't, can you?" Preeta raised an eyebrow. "I can tell you're only stressing yourself out by being here."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcIaDEZeB8
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML8qEv1Anl
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKwhGb265k
"I know you're concerned, but I can take care of myself."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFpBgoGj30
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLXX4yDsj5
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuFfozTskX
"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?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksmJijAzAR
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQbQHS7ZWL
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSKrlPAQmP
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?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKAXK14iLL
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1A2U4jqzi5
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYab6IzSmsJ
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUZq9z7sgU
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7Uzk7g6Sm
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFX85ZEUpJw
"I wish I could answer that, Eugene," she found the voice to say. "Doesn't that have to be her decision?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DjATmGJ09
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzrcT1YuY8
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIym7oyLVW2
Eugene looked up at the ceiling. "Her decision, huh?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSj3nBSVx2
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jzPMUYl70
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8n2yA9HrUx
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrHYZFPsJ4
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32z21znCOV
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XBjK8bIFz
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcKvsW7T3v
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvttnLSNKGw
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ltw8uE5hu
Before Preeta could even stretch her hand to reach the phone, Eugene quickly took it and put it to his ear. "Hello?" he answered.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqdRcpg9nn
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXV9iBdH2C
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd78vKxrxWb
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICi6uBO4KE
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY0BxYNdQ9
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63TWTZqF6s
"Was that Mr. Sinclair?" Preeta asked.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzQaPX5khl
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelUbUVPNgV
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml3wKMUTF9
"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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtLyP0bOlo
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULXJo3w4Ag
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNwzqbRFkC
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI3xUIlZhv
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TWqErNLPi
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74vaheSz3N
"Hey, it will be lunch soon. Do you mind if we can go out?" Preeta asked. "We can get to talk if you want."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1RxljQ3sL
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOhwXqTEjn
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCvO8J64e2
Eugene looked at her and the corner of his lip was raised to a smile. "Yes, that will be very nice, thanks," he said.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggvcmxm3aN
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMGTlycwi5
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyQfnbqu0r
"As soon as you're back, I'll meet you here at your station. Sounds good?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaCofU312f
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZeqvqu6Po
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGTCRNTQkO
Eugene gave a nod of his head and without any hesitation, made his way to Sinclair's office.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbrcPPnFh4
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbXvnHHFER
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqNPh31njG
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrxfsaiDnp
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykHzy0G6vk
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDC6DmYlgPb
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQi7XWh4bFn
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPh5Ghzdcb7
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0Ywam0xO1
"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?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gZIWYXcbp
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTry6vfAQIh
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPfHGr2eDK
"He's out of danger at least," Eugene answered, not realizing that there was someone coming behind him.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lb3AgdjBN
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSswNvSDdU
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEv3d6MRHj3
"Good morning," said Rhénee as she came to stand beside Eugene.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCp2kkskpqX
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJXokNB9og
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa5gYPq7lp
Her presence startled Eugene that he almost jumped in fright. He responded to her greeting bleakly.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPnyd4StDX
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6gTS9FUvX
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRFeu4YG6Z
"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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAamtwvkTZ
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzMoUG5k35
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97XKFNCOZB
"He trusts me to be in his office?" Rhénee asked, sounding surprised. "Won't it be better to wait for him out here?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0snViddKNr
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPITq41TU3
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm84CY9epix
"No, he wouldn't mind. Please, you can walk right in."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDZQpH9PsT
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWhZCM1jl3
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Mln2gTgte
Rhénee thought twice about it and quickly made up her mind and started to make her way to Sinclair's office.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19Pu2gMj2o
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTSa0PTOLm
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtVOs5fEjD
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.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFR2UvfDEkT
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMAFDw9qPt
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43G5Ravysc
"How is your father doing?" Mrs. Clarks asked as she looked on worringly at Eugene.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMP9RWruXw
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuORtBB5Ma
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6w9qdFeTMw
Eugene quickly shook his head, trying his best to gather his thoughts. "Well, he's out of danger for now," he answered.413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB1xGYkmPA
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SQWDCNzce
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYgh9EAhXw
"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?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jWqgNJ3My
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3p6kPdldU
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ98fRqnvL2
Eugene shook his head. "No clue. He didn’t tell my mum anything, either. He passed out when he got to the house."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rKE1XKpYC
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0GFzgSdr8
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC6RjjOiJJ
"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?"413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc7vYeM3iI
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLhybs4FXO
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoiBpv7PVm
Eugene shook his head. "No, he didn’t say anything to mum before he passed out."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qnE6dVzMP
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR925JLElJ
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5JcIG7fW6
"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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2JPdaKXP9
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLfQsTuiMM
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4WHoRa2LB
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."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtt0Jw8NXR
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3v9QTbxKSN
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldFxNi8OKW
"You take care of yourself, dear. And tell your mother that I’m praying for her."413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAuYCyb9KK
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanIgOFCHpp
413Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrn4hjP2NpK
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 protection409ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNNrI4ILYr 維尼

216.73.216.25