The news about the 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPadP3sCZWC
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcPWPI0ju8
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslJWZC42IB
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5HTv9MDsF
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLX2GsBGzxj
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vjYFDHwQJ
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvYvJscJBU
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKL6VryWI0J
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT7R4DR1Xl
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CSdenCEBq
There was more to it 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPoDzZeEWV
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gV8t5WMXg
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWv47wrGmxX
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SoqYvkFTx
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzK4SHyRkK
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gTu6urBQh
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2OazN9yvt
except from a few individuals. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfohDyCqkZs
And apparently, one of 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg3Mmz8zzX
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMraMWPhdL
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6FtpdaaR6
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YeYU5r5im
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUvffZwgk5
really going on, all hell would break loose.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAN6EgzQikd
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1wlQ0wVw8
Rhénee dropped the 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qpuHAMZyM
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzghm8E6zeK
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjkdiLPeXY
ear, she took a sip of coffee.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiD31ybMrk
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacVL8MXY5T
"Ya, its crazy here," 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84xCJ1OW9K
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT9emG4Iap
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVn9IofDaH
broken in."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7eYCUTFpS
"If only they knew."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUW07ABe500
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VClUUffU4
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR6XHZvTs1
"She did. I had to make 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGhdv1gwmg
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SkTzYvlPz
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVpUz3LTrP
"I doubt if she believed that."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNo8OINmleu
"Haha, looks like you 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRiYCPVATY
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lquLsENYk
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXlc5vjB2D
"True. But we did. I 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovd0JUonXk
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWUN3h3sRF
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2A717gTpR
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGBKn8an6j
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlQKrWoKQf
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYxExkW8tP
"Okay, bye."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JWNUZ5ZwH
"Bye."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FeXMORxh1
Rhénee cuts the call and737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGUyYKQTSI
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7LT9O43QC
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OpdN4FAvi
wink last night.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMhmGzvQ1c
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXto5GCWx0
"I wasn't going to 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV31redSzDb
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeNjRARYEz
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVsYV5ImMS
"You don't have to 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8599zkIoYk
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2m6ObOavV8
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lcoqY5LG2
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtIWIHTCyf
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkSRfTB47O
"Why Malcom?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5F3liVwEH
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGpYm88oC1
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9zdJGzZuh
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIZZICfsxJ
"Alright, you go ahead."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQowXwuXYOr
Miss Griselda gave 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡya9AhMElJ4
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTVvQWQUNK
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09QCwypPPP
did when they talked about Malcom. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25pUOVldeR
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmDaDqsgxq
The sound of her phone 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxrDQSo4Be
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQzG6bBvGq
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuPA8jnYix
mother.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdj6RLgSCB
"Hello?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzykGqMnaay
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgZvW6oxfD
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuGZA2ei7b
That voice. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnkpnyTyJj
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4J5CgnNogt
"What's wrong? The other day you had the guts to talk to me when I talked to you about the necklace. Why are you so quiet now?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH57xNTFE78
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdyxC3Sgm0
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyGW7e8tRM
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4RiH9tKOD
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBgksyzvFY
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIf97Grh5BY
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq0uftDRsy
"You don't know me, 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeGZOjqPxw
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfj2IdkJqTF
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFaNZTJpZO
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPbEfU7Wa8
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP7HDf7vRF
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQoWxR6Tj2
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje6lWyzUTp
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHHNepaq4r
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRYOiUrks5
"Then why did you give me her necklace? And the picture of the house? What are you trying to achieve by scaring me like this?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5nRxFKK6n
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKFRdbKXnH
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKYn0pwYaw
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9o2P988JN
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDwg7TVFC6
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKKMS26ahG
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUlrohKQ4c
"Oh, and by the way, 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnOx7FRbZv
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpikrA28N35
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PLO84YpMW
this time around."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3jKB5cbFh
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQcA4Y2Ynd
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGi0KNZEM2
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOd2mvAOkm
Rhénee sat down on the 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdh8SAZHVr
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42MQttWLXf
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEsQycLmnq
the others, who know what might happen. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KTQXTUFC6
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGPIMHiMcp
***737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEoR2qTAnM
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1HhmUNOVA
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1vH7HAmW6
"But she isn't hurt right?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJG4TwErmGB
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoBbTnST51
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyt64Lw0ZK
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0H9HX1AeGV
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJZCttyzJC
"Nah.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2zEAcllVP
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhii8KWHsFR
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqUOnDAqZZ
"Thats737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UsHYQYF9i
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyAJHuq0MB
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDV3hbcimx
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMijL31hik
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZgVZ2uDz7
"Alright."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluNK8rwIXF
Eugene cut the call and noticed that his mother was standing by the kitchen door looking at him as he stood in the living room. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVN5e62X39
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNWrQcmxN3
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXT5FEiayGH
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg5gDZJQ4I
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkycuxLiNCg
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RScE5b9X3
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnOe1Twpem
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7cl4c4NLQ
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaDG9xgIon
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRZOFDZzpP
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiokcFsqkHQ
"Does it bother you?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIWrMZZ9Gh
"Um... not really. But.... um."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ohcUbqitO
Eugene737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWaLLbrwd6
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniEOenRPYI
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvsHU5HSCL
"Mum, are you okay?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMWKPfB9h1
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2I3IsaCEK
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKu0m1DQnZ
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEf47dQ5bO
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABtfbdVrGG
Mrs737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxupUweJZez
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ls6Wj8suH
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjCeCvEx8r
had talked about Rhénee?737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1WWrtafie
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwg2ACfCXT
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0ZWRe91nl
***737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLWIxOtkTe
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3IfuKWqIm
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMmnIOT7YA
"You better rest though. You still look tired."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMowBc4f8Ho
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwNXLiybNZ
"No, I'll do it."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Pa7TJJE8u
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NRXZZV9Yy
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0sru1ojMR
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxbc3Il1BF
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3OAR2QqjY
Rhénee737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANWykYrAFj
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjUt3PjVLG
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13sCyFVnXU
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7v6UmIIp1a
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMGWxdOm8q
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxKQLqgqzd
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuewRI5bhv
"Thank737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1Z1RdCdV5
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPEk5OU3Ee
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZTMuPhtug
"Well, yes. I still think I would."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpnQU3m3pJ
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHdQFZiKNr
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2NtTOGfC6
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0bIWoeqnt
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcfnVAVCSa
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNW9Nwd9J6y
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIES794Ov2
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogFKopGTtq
"Coffee will be lovely."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaatGuHSMbj
Miss737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDJXIzvDns
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2gl5HFkEG
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17aShmvlum
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHagcepKmg
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eeZNysmMB
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRNotnewo7
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LP2Q8e71v
"What mysterious person?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSxhLIf2II
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0rSJ02Mci
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7Px5eGfgI
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgrZg1s5rF
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SryJQVige
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4kOmbkVfl
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQLTFxO6oq
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQSIV2XXMQ
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WXrjTcJpp
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyicRS52aXD
The737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKUe9d9wc6
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcQwiQ1p0G
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQ0wj5qlJH
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGedl8anod
of this.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDJHXFn134
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eeRHub3Ws
"I...737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG3rTp9Thm
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRohAe3XIXG
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq8J2ktsx0
frustration. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLKqmPC04v
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxR51Wan92k
Rhénee737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgNsrGeEAD
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DBQCtMClx
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGn8EDHlGWB
cups on the tray and wondered. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4cNzbdCLs
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgusSbTGEH
737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCM9CQ8ojL6
As737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzuhfsBovQ
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwND7aIGIfj
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkwZEk9yp1
reminder kept ringing in her head.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZmXplxAT9
"And tell your friends not to get involved."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK05X1FtPFg
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYCFCViJfi
"I737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciNADfWfAr
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzwOjQhIno
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1U05G9fd8X
talking about, Rhénee?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JfFfDjflH
Rhénee737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zgC0m9Fdj
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ef0eECa0Z
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbSRskEleW
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1TjoEp0bY
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfq1k2UyUI
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4JGsojrtW
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9UyaV0vi6
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv1qDnIyXt
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHVOsbtY5y
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXR9guypLNd
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI86nZOnrxW
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGDT2RsPpQ
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VHqFuuRCR
***737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyh9z47Nop
Sweat737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfFA0L3htv
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLynT7E3gsm
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sBOTumuNI
the person waiting never likes to wait.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y8fCpsAxc
He737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1dszu7wCX
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOa8YmuBCK
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8O2Y2SFDYh
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDupGW0mNCh
second.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOJB2HzY9U
He737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsyo6T1KsP
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrh0oiJefMg
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV1mdWXPLT
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aCmTYcpog
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslIWKLVQuC
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DL1lhfMY6
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnUBMCiGbR
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JeuHbAUiV
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtK77HbqEW
"You're late, again."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUguodO2fOn
His737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsx8pfnGmL3
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcHDH5Mdaz
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVhk6MW3YQ
lion door knob. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EhZX5mbk9
He737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0hGgeOW6M
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxYEnwdiRb
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvxVGjS3ik
"What737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyZEKmkB0X
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJSQpKa823
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jQ6NQq6o3
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIY3a0xQVuZ
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroJ2za4Y6B
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YSqpc5lHN
A737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SuUpQQjY7
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKD0pg7hYGw
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMB95q9CGE
as they had their backs towards the window.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVacSTpT7UQ
"You know we need him," said the tall man.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOR5li7zii
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwOCdaKSwS
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoda3rjHJro
The737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIazkOognj
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53rRYMuEXd
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2VsK8KCCh
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvyOjPnPfl
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBjwpyPK0r
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hkgESb6Ad
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTHw68PJoG
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DP2SwUBtH
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIMqN3KtkG
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBATECa41ia
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36EIIWv6it
"What if she reveals the truth?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9soM1RK1v
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59t6gskOw1
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau5SAfeqjJ
For a moment, silence hung over them.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1phUFd8vEH
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtBZpw3zaS
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnjM3s5Lda
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndvntilG9t
"I737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJQ8O24NJO
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23xRUwSbQq
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbbn8VP4cy
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxhGQ15oLf
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmM5uTSa3Pi
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZO4uEQcnqt
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvsEJX7A0y
***737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡec4JDco3zf
The737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGw0jP6Qho
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3epD47sWM
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWV6w4XEljR
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteu6VQtD8L
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXCTFc06Qh
they met, they seemed sky blue.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaHuvNprt3
And737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiJzAewvuM
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0T6UYjZILE
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7IvgXa3aD
Rhénee737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCekc0B0bLi
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyual3HyyLj
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzH7gHEO2JD
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRR4UPb6Du
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tAh3LfseE
coffee table in the middle.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3eYuDnJ2m
When737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddD9JACJUq
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpr8h4mqWBj
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5HNotVdAT
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1LABm4fvW
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmVgoziotl
"Are you sure?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpinEigR7A
"Yes, I'm positive."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YXYqHct6n
Miss737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnIrZIV0zW
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcioWlVjrJR
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ub2kYGFph
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i2KhEySuE
from their cups.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6XYxwJoeQ
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsM12izpJBo
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOSUS2Dqcc
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWZifSsa4z
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqPtTy0Ayu
"And how about the fact that you and Greta were imposing as other people the time I was coming here?" Rhénee spat out at Malcom.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9kseIYTah
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWVYkSBpQs
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVA67K9NlQ2
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1ZNulVJb8
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnIxxzy1Tn
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoe3RrBunmP
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSeFnyb5gj
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2BYJt6d62
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnIevP4ovn
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2lOxzVZ1T
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeHvzCbhZ7
"Oh,737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLy6oHmjbZ
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAlj95BUaN
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdU7AxP0xq
who he is."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6CrXWNRhb
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02U0wY9JvQ
Rhénee737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IFIll1DpJ
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyTnCmVEgL
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1l0JXWnHo
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpLCGFfbtA
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KY6WXGzKL
Rhénee737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewv8y62eNK
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IzaOfobFl
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoD0NrCOFk5
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa96HqpY3Ag
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuxq1Ikovr
"Fine,737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeYPnEmkkR
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelbrSGktQD
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaWypUGRrn
or die if you stay by me."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cbTMtl9b5
