The rays of the sun crept its way through the large glass doors of the ship, lighting up the room. There was confetti and paper cups all around, not to mention empty beer and wine bottles that littered the floor. An unlikely object sat in the middle of the messy dance floor: a wooden chair. Someone sat on it as he bathed in the sun's rays. He leaned back lazily as he took in the view of the sun rising to the east above the waters of the New York harbour. He had been busy the whole night and felt like he needed sleep. But the exciting feeling of everything going according to plan rushed through his bloodstream like adrenaline, keeping him awake.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3MHkw7FzP
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bWgbQ2vkR
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqF9T3TI3c
He had his phone in hand, which lay flat on his outstretched left leg. He lifted the phone, but had still not received any reply from the person he had just texted. No bother; she must be tired like I am, Red Lion thought to himself.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRxupI4otd
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Dox7uuIXa
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cj6ivDVWs
As he continued to look on at the glittering blue waters, he heard a set of footsteps coming behind him, and he could tell who was approaching.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa15zs03kHw
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzoTzK4Z3P
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjHoLFPuub
Carlos began to sing in Spanish, a common Mexican song, snapping his fingers. Red Lion recognized the song. He would’ve told Carlos any other day to shut his mouth, but there’s something about it that soothed him a little. Carlos might not have a good singing voice, but his voice was like honey to Red Lion’s ears.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzMRcuQAqf
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7YVG7Xoby
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA21IKImDG
When Carlos and Hugo came close, Carlos took hold of Red Lion’s shoulders and shook him in an excited way, forcing Red Lion to dance side to side on his chair. The gesture made Red Lion smile. Soon enough, he tapped Carlos’ hand on his shoulder informing him to stop. Carlos did as instructed and approached the glass doors leading to the deck, still singing. Hugo remained by Red Lion’s side, shaking his head at his jolly comrade.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqqhW0usqW
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUEhgmHK2p
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVZFPXIBwD
"You threw quite a party last night," said Hugo, who’s deep voice was a bit groggy after drinking too much. It’s still a wonder to many, especially Red Lion, how he didn’t get so drunk and have a hangover the next day.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgsMuc0Lr8
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCmYSeBeqI
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBw9D5lgHY
"Yes, I did," said Red Lion, feeling rather proud of himself. "Slowly but surely, I’ll get what I want."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhwKgCKRq8
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGHfzGIpAB
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEUJsXbGfK
"No doubt about it. But you've got to be careful, though. If Andre catches a whiff of what’s going on, it will be dreadful."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj56e3oZgc
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDILCmMOdHh
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30dsLZ6P6H
"I’ve calculated the risks. And trust me, I plan not to fail."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLAgZp8o00
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowJkAVwt1v
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTtACSrSB1
"What of Walters? What are you going to do with him?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHlQufW5SV
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEsQsSE4wW
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGflaxCmZk
"I’ll forgive him for his little stunt last night. But when coming to other things, I’m starting to wonder whether to involve him or not."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstvehx9e0i
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLATPpAG6O
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOspSAk6BLg
Hugo raised an eyebrow as he looked down at Red Lion. "You do know he’s already fishy about you since you didn’t tell him the full details of your plan."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Bg9gzeCoR
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIK6ijCBLz
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFnIWOhoYf
"Yeah, I know. But I did tell Alex, though."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrVkowdHB0
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GqCBLGEwH
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9C6jeGbd6
With the continuous singing of Carlos on the deck, Hugo paid him less attention as his facial expression turned into a grave one.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghMwrm2ILi
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JnX2iTZ0l
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSbHV3iMNh
"You told him? Why?" Hugo asked.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgWTBXSzEh
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppz5xuSn3u
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UjxfAJ1l1
"Alex is useful," Red Lion answered as he looked up at Hugo with a smile. "And I happen to like him. He is a real hard worker, as he has proved in the last couple of days."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrwqIwtuL6
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUbhK1v9Ua
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGzuZSvKJc
"Don’t tell me you plan to involve him all the way? Walters isn’t going to like it. You know how he opposed you bringing Carly on board."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmMS4kLyks
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qGyr1QhWf
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNiANK1ViG
"I know. But look at what the two have done so far. With those two following along with my plans, I don’t see it going wrong."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3IgKCeRsy
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlcNYfoM44
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChyj8jVAVq
"Really? Aren’t you forgetting that there are always minor setbacks?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyT4tZKbNG
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi5jnuGRw0
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjG0b27oeY
"For example, Walters, yes. But I know how to handle him. Don’t worry," Red Lion noticed the look Hugo gave him. "He’s as stubborn as an ox, and he doesn’t trust me in some areas."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8gcdrE7po
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEehJb0mUJ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNI4LBf2B9
"If I were you, I would act fast on him."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreuy22ERLL
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidjg7pjqzw
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0CRSYMuFA
Red Lion gave a nod. "True. But he’s very vital to me, especially with dealings at the club. He won’t be easy to get rid of just yet."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK90ETfyg1V
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCZOW42hXx
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ShbfjraI4
"I trust you to make the right decisions, then."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CZOJykJHQ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsOdXlaWpx
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhh6mS4TGi
Red Lion laughed, his laugh echoing alongside Carlos' singing. "Have I ever made the wrong one that would put us all at risk?" He stood up from his seat and patted his hand on Hugo’s shoulder. "With me, Hugo, our organization will be an unstoppable force. I can promise you that."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9zhWrW5eB
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQQfdu7Dli
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe3FNMfd8g
Red Lion turned to Carlos, singing with his arms wide on the deck. Red Lion joined in the singing and went over to his comrade on the deck. Hugo shook his head with a smile on his face and followed Red Lion. When Red Lion went onto the deck, Carlos turned to look at him and, with an outstretched arm, wrapped it around Red Lion's shoulders. The two continued to sing, while facing the sun, about the glorious days ahead.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBr9GzY97Y
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIy0WMBa7b
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXwD2MgfcI
***499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBp8WTVIBQi
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrK0GwIeFX3
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhPIrwIetu
"Morning, how are you?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr20AGfvRru
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6hFFvYwod
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeEuBZxs1i
It’s been almost an hour since Leo sent Carly that text message, which she still hasn’t responded to. He had been staring down at the message for almost two minutes until he told himself to put the phone down and get to work. He did so with almost great difficulty, telling himself that Carly was probably tired and still fast asleep.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0YjQObZBt
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJ373tvqk3
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR4Z6uiejP
When he put his phone aside, he went to look at his computer. There were a bunch of emails, some of them from his colleagues which contained reports on their latest construction projects in New York that he needed to go through. That almost made Leo’s brain want to burst into flames. He knew it was only early working hours, but he already felt like he had worked for too long. There was no need to put himself under unnecessary pressure, as he opened up to read one email that didn’t involve any of the construction reports. As soon as he settled his mind to read, his landline on his desk started to ring. He quickly grabbed the receiver, drawing it closer to his ear.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cgrLPnz0j
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIcKr2k7XZ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnygjMFZPk
"Yes?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZrdGTcaA1
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAdxWDqmrz
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvmAAL2Keo
"Please come over to my office, Leo," said Mr. McDonell. And with that, the line cut.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFcty5R8PP
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6gyWmLhiI
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpOvWmtrcc
Leo wondered what his summoning could be all about. He sounded a little serious. Could something have happened? The only way to find out is if he goes there.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEACGtfIH5
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Tv1GC6UrR
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPoab1KaG0
He left the office, telling his secretary where he would be in case anyone called. As he made his way to his father’s office, he couldn’t help but feel a little anxious. He had to tell himself not to think too much or else he might end up having a heart attack.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjGZDDCbAJ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbWXihTCKH
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKCKDGYRlz
Just as he had clear view of the door leading to his father’s office, he found Eric making his way there. Leo raised an eyebrow. Eric has also been summoned?499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4Fo6I3t6i
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kWz0ysgnt
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivb3XKoq4t
As though sensing that Leo was behind him, Eric turned to look in Leo’s direction and smiled. Leo wished he could have Eric’s optimism at this point in time. Because he had none.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqJk0mV5VY
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1O3F29qCb
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJs0DAUM9x
"You’ve been summoned too?" Eric asked when Leo got close.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLvLoMni0c
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2SvDbgYYn
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2Kdwt4Jhy
"Yeah," Leo answered. "And I have no idea why. Do you?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsioswkwgBS
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaTSLz7uVR
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZNnGDPfZE
The corner of Eric’s lips were lifted into a smile. "I might have a guess," he said.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXzAqsaZcJ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGcPJNg85I
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O0uDKXGPM
"Which is?" Leo folded his arms.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVVZRrZdPO
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3w1csJdF8S
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DE1pjc1q5
"You’ll know soon enough. Let’s go in. We don’t want to keep him waiting."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ijrqiXcLE
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPD92dPG2BN
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrRfX0HOqh
Leo watched Eric as he led the way to the door, greeting Mr. McDonell’s secretary. Leo gave her a nod and she smiled at him kindly. Eric knocked on the door and Mr. McDonell from inside told them to come in.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnHpzAgbzA
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbmpi7fTPq
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqGeAi5VLp
The first thing Leo’s eyes fell upon when Eric opened the door, were the two chairs that faced his father’s desk which were occupied. Mrs. Lance sat on one chair while Angel sat on the other. Upon seeing Angel, he couldn’t help but worry why she was there.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQ5oIL8yUm
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAdJMSuTRS
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiYMzk1DAa
"Morning, Mrs. Lance," Eric greeted.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2c9hMznqC
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ5XkPrwca
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekHV5HmkgR
"Morning to you too," Mrs. Lance replied. "Hey, Leo. Are you good?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q4C7eaU4r
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFQ7LB2lVN
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxvNNWVBuA
"I’m good, thanks," Leo replied.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA81kXlLhEr
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFfpjXjeVR
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1wrH2WlFV
"So, let’s cut to the chase," said Mr. McDonell who sat behind his desk. Leo and Eric sat down on the comfortable black sofas behind the two ladies. "As you all know we have an important meeting with the Chinese. We know that Leo and Eric have been making preparations, but I would like Mrs. Lance and Angel to be on board."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBxaFxIRjI
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30k0Z2eiGZ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYX0YWA6a6o
Leo felt his throat run dry so suddenly. Angel will help with the preparations? His father really didn’t mean to include more people. He and Eric have done this together several times. Including people now felt so foreign to Leo.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSox6GwaTZJ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dqppeGSxk
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSO5ASIJIRg
"That will be great," said Eric.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC9ZYikoWE
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPFPQPXUZs
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5i3S8HJtkS
Leo felt like giving Eric a poke with his elbow to tell him to keep quiet. But there was no hiding his enthusiasm and that irritated him the most, especially since he knew his cousin is only excited because Angel is in the fray. No wonder he was so excited before, Leo thought to himself. Did Eric know about this?499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjDUwrc7An
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOywaUwdCEO
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmXGwcdE5r
"When will the meeting be?" Angel asked.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2IDkhY2vq
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo103cY3FbY
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9OlHE3KCQ
"This week on a Friday," said Mr. McDonell. "Eric, Leo, how far with the preparations?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNvcx3jLwA
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwy2pb0IU7
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphTV3fA2tq
"There is a slight issue with the venue though," Eric answered. "We had many options, but we hadn’t decided on the place most suitable."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sbzLVoEUq
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT0iOf1Jyz
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA71woHCZdN
"Well, then it’s a good thing I asked these women to join us," said Mr. McDonell. "They might help since we don’t have enough time on our hands."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEteX0a4QK
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA45pL6p2ER
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcb32D2Quws
Leo raised an eyebrow. It’s true that Eric, and he had struggled a little on this last assignment, but there was a hotel that was ready to help host their meeting, and they were meant to visit the place this afternoon. Now he had a feeling he might be heading over there with Angel tagging along.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPF13h4f9s
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsjSShigIX
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtrltDmdY8
"We have a place in mind," Leo found himself saying. "So there is no need for the ladies to be bothered about this."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpvUU3t36Q
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3pUMVZgsY
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyAXBaIcSj
"Look at you being so macho," said Mrs. Lance, turning to look at Leo. "You need a woman’s touch when it comes to such things. Your mother might have been helping you out sometimes, but she isn’t here to do so. So don’t be so egoistic and let us help."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3nUuVeEVt
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgRIPRjprv
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxohhPuxZkm
"I couldn’t have put it in any other way," said Mr. McDonell, looking satisfied. "Let’s get this done quickly. Eric, Leo, you will tag Mrs. Lance and Angel along with you today."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0q1tYp84q
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXZ28JD1nS
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eTfXkiGNx
"Alright, we will leave in the afternoon soon after lunch," said Eric.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXmYD3zMbD
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MyGzd9bJW
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRovobdSOl
"Sounds good," said Mrs. Lance. "Will that be all?" she asked as she turned to Mr. McDonell.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEWMoFeQYV
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VR30hGwfk
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DxIwvp4fg
"Yes," said Mr. McDonell. "Thank you all for coming."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocN5Ifab5i
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSXPQy6dE5
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPULKgGAWt8
Everyone else all stood up from their seats. The two ladies made their way to the door first, but Eric was quick enough to reach it before them to open it. Mrs. Lance thanked Eric for being such a gentleman and Angel also thanked him. Eric and Leo were the last to leave.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mbCRZ3YtT
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZydKju23C
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFSNOZkVIU
"Isn’t this exciting?" Eric asked when they were out of earshot from Angel and Mrs. Lance. "Those two ladies get to help us out."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOUL4ftpw3
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXuynj3rUh
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboVdSi57oe
"I know you only mean Angel," said Leo, feeling irritated.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkPmKem98J
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpJgLQGiwh
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5x0ZYcaMI
"Well, you know me so well." Eric beamed with a smile that Leo felt blinded his eyes.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtbTBjKiWi
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9V0LDoZhrB
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpt2ddZc2vq
"Whatever, this is getting annoying. Why did my father pick Angel when anyone else would’ve helped out?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJx2bIqrOB
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTK44mSS7D2
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjCOia7t0V
"To gain experience I think. Besides, it’s great to take on assignments outside the office."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ69DQ0BsUO
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpniA1QfP1
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRePp7gjRzy
"Yeah, I guess. Hey, did you happen to know about this?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwn50VVuDrv
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVNvuzbsyG
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpuC91hlV1
Eric smiled as he answered, "no." Leo sucked his teeth.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwhRSyJGAO
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEjf7hdEzQ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq9si6H5Rl
Ahead of them, Mrs. Lance took a detour to her office, while Angel was making her to the work area when she met Derrick coming in her direction.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0BCxdTW5z
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxNKV7zyqB
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPft0rGa3A2
"Morning," he greeted.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHU3LBWUQi
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6XZTzjyES
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDQqmytmp5
"Good morning, Derrick," Angel greeted.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6O6haDrAGm
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTGqE6ccvH
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjep5LweGF
"I didn’t see you at your desk when I passed by. I thought you weren’t going to be in today."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZS5WJUBdbI
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKM3d1sf8e
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7GZilPGWZ
Angel chuckled. "It’s my second day here. I don’t think I have the right to be dodging work when I feel like it."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOy9UB8sXr
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkDoUhJTdZ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYzlUNPovI
"Well, you are close to the McDonells, aren’t you? I thought you might have the privilege."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RYy7HgsEB
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWRFGxIpFu
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEaTxQos8j
Angel raised her eyebrows. "I’m just here because I have the qualifications to take on the job. I’m not here for fun."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnpivZbsNI
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6n6wctEzW
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbTewS2cqh
Derrick knew he almost struck a nerve there. But for some reason, Angel didn’t seem to lash out like he had expected, and she seemed calm.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96kTF0uOfF
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiEE7nTeWc
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcX8zdwDzi
"Sorry about that," he apologized. "You’re right. I can tell that you’re only here for work and not to impress anyone."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvVsErAX0g
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWX4BSlbAc
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC11yWxl254
Leo and Eric continued to stand from a distance. They had noticed Derrick from the beginning and had stood to watch the pair as they spoke. And for some reason, they both felt really uncomfortable.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2VMaboJoo
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUbHt6zbjW
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJjLp3D92C
"What could they be talking about?" Eric asked, his eyes never leaving the two.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cFInhJlxw
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK34aiharO3
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMra2C6D7BN
"Who cares?" Leo replied as he tried his very best to look away, but couldn’t.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Sn5LaIh7Q
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDHNMleCZN
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQrn3XRQHW
"I hope he isn’t asking her out or anything. He will not like me."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdTMw4BLU6
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxjvM7eRyg
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92kuGBQqxq
"If you hadn’t noticed, Eric, Angel still has many eyes on her. I won’t be surprised if she has a long line of suitors."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoGnFhpz43
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe1gXePZql
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJYmMRf86N
Eric sucked his teeth. "You’re probably right. But she doesn’t seem interested in the guy."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbywiphpTET
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVYH72ZBXp
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iqtMP7UaO
"So, are you busy this afternoon?" Derrick asked.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6dX8swSSJ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiXij4GufA
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8vHzOjKEK
"Yeah, I am," said Angel as she took a strand of her by her fingers and twirled them. "I’ve been given an assignment by the boss, and I need to be somewhere away from the office."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfj5liGpAbc
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRyYiCHiax
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfey8RZtR02
"Oh, I see. I was thinking, since a lot of us aren’t so busy, maybe you would like to hang out?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8pJMItNFY
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3ZafVdHlV
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLm2caFl8v
Angel smiled. "When there will be time, I’ll keep you informed. I still haven’t forgotten about our lunch."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRhIjbonFu
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuK3x3BK4M
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SzFlKaUD5
"Oh, really?" Derrick asked as he nervously blushed, scratching the back of his head. He found himself wanting to hit himself in the face. You should stop acting so weird, he told himself.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kaBcSSemN
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHKsMKj4Uc
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4Tl5efZBT
"Oh, my goodness, is the guy blushing?" Eric asked as he noticed Derrick’s body language.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwWCWzbjmw
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KMrqiCvXd
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMTuuuHiHN
"Hey, Eric, we better get going," Leo warned. "You don’t want to stir up trouble."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZH2pPicids
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlC7APTMGil
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ElNpi2bEZ
It surprised Leo that he had suddenly said that. His cousin was obviously jealous, but who knows? Maybe the two were having a friendly chat, and Eric was thinking otherwise when he didn’t even know what they were talking about. Why did he think like that again? It’s not like Leo to think of other alternatives, especially to the situation at hand. But that’s not what worried him. Leo had never seen Eric so worked up. There are times when he might be joking around, but this time it was different. Angel was the problem.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrDsdRWE0q
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy4ajIfUZi
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCQMaOY7yj
"Yeah, I haven’t forgotten," said Angel. "Just make sure that we have that lunch."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPXG1w3KN6
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6Lhcj5Lco
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaH0SMOsSNJ
"Alright," said Derrick with a pleased look on his face. "I better not be holding you back from your work. I’ll be going now."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtbiKSbKPy
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx4hEkMROZ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwKit6RCea
"Okay, see you later." Angel smiled and went on her way.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVpmNIFF0j
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCQLPmd8Wa
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSzrL75IZn
"Look, she is leaving," Eric whispered to Leo. Derrick was coming in their direction. "Quick, act natural."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6RwbMdXiY
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OvmBvpnyD
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jnGX2PQPN
"What? No, I won’t," said Leo.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ryQlF94wT
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6xwtRy2UC
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyT98dgFNa
It was a little too late for that, as Derrick drew close, and the two quickly got into some conversation involving sports. Derrick paid them no attention as he quickly passed them to head down the hall which Mrs. Lance had taken as that was where the architecture department was. When he was out of sight, Leo and Eric drew out a sigh of relief.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNvISVxwph
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxYGh4yU7z
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68uLz3zy1X
"This is ridiculous," said Leo, rolling his eyes. "We should never do this again."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6944cutPl
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvJ3VWbr0G
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTS6oyvU6N0
Leo started his way down the hall, which Angel took, and Eric quickly followed him.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdh4p8zlc97
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Wa5azhHWa
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPiGOrdqgf
"Oh, I’m sorry," said Eric sarcastically. "But it’s not my fault that he was talking to Angel."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHoB0J6hYh
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgL5A6PMERI
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2k1fqxlNk4
"Please, you never see me acting like that with Carly," said Leo, making sure to keep his voice down.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSGmHTdNfF
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4uxqWrves
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXezvbW4mm
"That’s because you don’t visit her college. Trust me, she probably talks to many guys."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PsfV46vKd
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhI4yFskEBQ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchAon3WxoE
"But she loves me, though. So I’m not worried."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3p2Wrc0D9
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7qLlBH4Rp
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp69gW7EIS3
"Well, your relationship with her is already set in stone. I have to fight to get what I want."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhO2j7swdi3
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLO7mt99KH
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGaemDetZ3
"Hard luck, pal. There are a lot of men, as you see, who want her hand."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLGsJSR1ck
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzT2r8u3iT
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzL1Fzi6z8T
"Tell me about it. I've got to stand above everyone else if it comes down to it."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfiui2wPYd
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkOIm6Jz6a
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sCu2udB8r
"You think too much. If Angel is smart, she’ll definitely go for you."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6byNypSGbH
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHq7ROEg2jz
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rlH6Vj6pn
"Angel is smart. I just haven’t told her how I deeply feel yet."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQS1lkMAWU6
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaelwlUokaX
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOxl006hyQ
Leo stopped walking, and Eric did the same. "The sooner you tell her, the better. I don’t want to clean after you when you see her with someone else."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqojvzoCpZ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ljChm6OIy
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKhqkIa9Wg
"Oh, I will. And something tells me she knows."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWBucK5scn
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxCABoynWM
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpesQEmtDVJ
"How? Did she say something to you?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8StsLaK3o
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPF39Dwhsp
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpYog3m2Xu
"No. I have a hunch," said Eric with a smile on his face.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdd7zFPmKY
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcZyyxqL8u
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9hfDtJS2s
Eric had reached his office, and he made sure to give Leo a playful wave of his hand before disappearing behind his door. Leo rolled his eyes. His cousin was very much in love. And for some reason, he didn’t approve that it had to be Angel he fell for.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMRYVbWoEJ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm6cXyTWro
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU05lkS1K1
Leo continued his way to his office when he noticed Angel, who had finally approached her work station, talking to a colleague who was holding a stack of folders. They were talking and laughing too. She seems to have settled into the company already, he thought to himself. He rolled his eyes. Before he could continue on his way, memories of last night came flooding into his mind. That made him rush to his office so that he wouldn’t get a chance to look at her.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtIjgqBIuA
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHdFmlOa8i
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTUOk46KFv
***499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSVuul8xuo
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFjPXle8ik
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FtszaWimV
"Well, you’re up early, boss. Did you get any sleep at all?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡly1rp9Wuub
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyh16Vg2VI
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeaWQQAZQz
Andre was looking out of the balcony wearing a red silk bathrobe with a cigar in one hand and a glass of whisky in the other. He turned around to see his trusted comrade stand in the middle of his suite. In stature, he was much bigger than Andre, and he wore a black jacket and trousers. Not to mention that he had a bald head.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsOz0BiOOC
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrXxP0x79Z
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiZUY2xBgF
Andre walked back into the room in white hotel bed slippers. He drew in the smoke of his cigar and later exhaled.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswbAr7uJZG
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCjSLQ1Uhq
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfXtk2cdAa
"No, I couldn’t sleep," answered Andre. "That party last night was a blast."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnFBoPIFuZ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLFf2h0XMb
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNC9KXFh29r
His comrade looked at Andre with a smile before turning to look at the bed. "Didn't you sleep with anyone last night?" he asked. "What happened to the Rosales sisters?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ey2ihsyyH
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6wc73Q580
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEEPN5aUvz
"It wasn’t necessary," said Andre. "I told them that I wouldn’t be needing them for a while. I needed to be alone."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6kD0eSGP5
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvGHvxotBu
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAUCiwOXXC
"Is it because of that woman you met last night?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKQfFjfHy1
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfT9t63O0Bm
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLO87lpQpf
Andre chuckled as he took a sip of his whisky. "Maybe."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A3HZUkoHU
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bnRSXYuCL
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRrbeqoP8M
"You can’t hide from me, Andre. That look on your face says that you’ve been thinking about her since we left the party."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKwL1QSHKi
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aMwSmUwkZ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM2lqdLpdn
"And what are you going to do about it?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKoDOdyia5
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1aSaDTROg
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRd0gmpDLh
His comrade sighs. "Nothing. You somehow always manage to get what you want. But take it slow if you ever decide to meet her again. Your past relationships haven’t been so rosy, and some of your exes always find themselves buried six feet under."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTcLjFZin8
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfhWsCWrED
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHCJlxT9RX
"Wow, Diego." Andre raised an eyebrow. "I’m not that cruel, am I? All I did was make their lives miserable because some of them either betrayed me or something."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTO1SyZZpuF
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBKuzWFf8U
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIysDYv427
"Which led to some committing suicide." Diego, in return, raised an eyebrow.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKRqMeVssQ
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X9jERtEXE
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF616nJNDAm
"Whatever." Andre went over to sit at the foot of his bed. "This girl feels different, though."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcp1OROXRmj
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZuX2GUCeD
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDz0x5vpdtW
"Isn’t that what you say about every other girl?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRVcRMoeUx
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8I3A2NKqY
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4GTa1OrOe
"No, I don’t. Don’t try and confuse me, Diego."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBtVxdiVOV
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6WeAKWHb3
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyQKQiV4yI
Diego smiled. "Just testing your sharpness. You should really stop drinking whisky and smoking so early before having breakfast. If your mother saw you, she would kill me."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcIbz6gz1P
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVU1l34RG0
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiflAEwr4m
"That’s the whole idea," said Andre with a wicked smile as he took a sip of his whisky.499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6zj6qv9ST
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkVH6EdQVS
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyX7ImjW9Gc
"Ha, ha, very funny," said Diego, not looking impressed. "When do you plan on going back?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9orVUczmh
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8eKy1bCHG
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDDx4V6EMa
"Today," Andre answered. "I would’ve liked to see Loren again, but I have a feeling Red Lion will be a little protective of her. Like you said, it’s best to keep things slow for now."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkERAwjGVcY
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGftLnA91A
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDLNARBZqy
"But you do have her number, right?"499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8obYX7xNcT
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFRjLzwJ4P
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrg3BWhltyx
"Yes, I do. But in a few days after the business in Mexico is done, I will be back here in New York, just for her."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQZa7r1sAp
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzHfUQ7Q7T
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4OvOZPtM7
"Acting like a true romantic, I can only imagine how you’re going to spoil her. I’m going to make a call to the others about our departure. We’ll leave whenever you’re ready."499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8cSEtS8by
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn2UmNnUB7
499Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtg9E44Glv
Diego made his way out of the room, and as he closed the door behind him, Andre quickly gulped down the whisky and tossed the empty glass on the bed. He leaned back and fell onto the bed. He put the cigar in his mouth and puffed up the smoke through his nose and mouth. As he stared at the cloud of smoke above him, he thought he saw an image of Loren’s face smiling down at him.
Penana
search
Loginarrow_drop_down
Registerarrow_drop_down
