Leo sat down on a nearby wooden bench in the flower garden, with blooming white roses behind him. After taking in the news, he couldn’t believe it. With the world spinning under his feet, he was grateful for the small bench. Everything around him seemed non-existent, including the sound of the birds chirping in the trees and the faint sound of people laughing inside the mansion. His mind revolved around what Angel had told him. He seemed to be lost in that world for a while before he felt a hand on his shoulder that brought him back to reality.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBp9aLaTHV
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2g2rmMHTD
Eric looked down at Leo with a sad smile on his face. He could only imagine how Leo felt. Who could’ve thought a day like this would ever occur? No one did. What’s even worse was that Carly and Zac were together, getting along like they were just friends. The thought of them made Leo feel so confused and a little angry.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpX7mmfPbM
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrsMJgBLmy
“Hey, are you okay?” Eric asked.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QTfPDG3sb
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUI3ddwCP3
“Yeah, I’m fine,” said Leo. He brushed off Eric’s hand on his shoulder.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡot5cKSfCBG
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDtm9yiQS0
“This is surprising for me too, Leo.” Trying to find the right words to say proved to be difficult for Eric. “I’m not going to lie, I don’t know how you feel. But you've got to understand that all that was in the past.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyojknKpCw
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijV42adOs5
Leo took a deep breath. “Honestly, I wish I didn’t know.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNaVu1SJdF
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yWDjTBTBg
“You were going to find out in one way or another,” said Angel, who stood a few feet away from them.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaMpeNuX9L
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1fGwOuR8d
Leo looked at Angel, who stood with a serious look on her face. He couldn’t help but wonder why she had to tell him. He wished he had never followed her into the garden. Later on, he started to wish he had never known her at all.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKqiuVlP5K
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zqdVX1ctW
“Well, if you ask me, I was better off in the dark,” said Leo.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvasFkOmmX
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznCgHQX4Yh
“Why am I not surprised?” Angel asked as she folded her arms. “You don’t see the big picture, do you?”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYGtKn5g05
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbUKwDZh18
“No, I don’t.” Leo stood up from the bench to face her. “Please, enlighten me.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEc09a6av0G
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0zjrEiSFF
“Moving forward, we’re likely to encounter these incidences. Zac was reasonable enough to agree to keep Carly’s secret a secret. What if we happen to encounter someone who won’t feel the same way?”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWs0Zg1FHB3
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGMLBQqepo
“Nothing like this is ever going to happen again.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeTq1gAQ38
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ7w4g1qOx
“Stop being so ignorant, Leo.” Angel looked at him in disbelief. “New York might be a big city, but sooner rather than later, she might meet another one of her clients or someone who might have been associated with her at that club. The big question is how to deal with it.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2xo6qO5v3
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0nATaFuVC
Leo shook his head. “You’re being delusional, Angel. Even if a former client were to meet Carly out in the street, they would ignore her. Yeah, maybe they might approach her, but she could easily lie that they got the wrong person and move on.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzc6DjbOm6
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAAna5UwLN
“Easier said than done,” said Angel. “We can’t ignore the fact that it won’t happen.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebCVtLWHly
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0Mqkm8b2L
Leo shook his head. “So what if it does?”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeqn2vfz7a
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgIzTdZesX
“You sound like you don’t care.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvvo9JTsXV
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAupVAmWKEH
“I do care. For goodness’ sake, I do care, and I’ll do all I can to protect her.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q7e6aP5Dc
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWz5CLhcSo
Angel and Leo looked at each other in silence, the tension in the air growing ever tighter. Angel broke contact first, as she looked the other way to catch a few deep breaths.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIOHM9t9KI
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerBl2JKzkw
“I don’t want anyone ever finding out about Carly,” she said. “Not now, at least. But I’m afraid, in one way or another, it will come out.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkP1DkohCM
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcMJsPSLup
Leo couldn’t believe his ears. “What are you saying?” he asked. He turned to look at Eric, looking shocked before turning back to look at her. “Are you trying to say that you would want the truth to come out? Is that it?”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡullot1b3yT
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyXYAxtIDL
Angel sighed and, at the same time, closed her eyes before turning to look at Leo. “No,” she replied. “If anything, I don’t want the truth to come out, for it might expose our other lies. When it does come out, what are we going to do about it?”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCVcsq96gk
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MSikGnBDO
“Nothing,” said Leo. “Because nothing will happen, and no one will find out.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMUZEKPRPC
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNU0wlTaxvg
“Well, we all never thought that Carly would one day meet Zac, who happened to be a client of hers,” said Eric. “I agree with Angel on this one. One day, Carly might be exposed, and it will compromise all of us.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dNtW6ujgI
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fAulfopOb
“As usual, you agree with her,” said Leo, looking at Eric.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHVofXX2qp
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDD0AxmDUc
“It’s the way life is,” said Eric. “Maybe we’ll get lucky and all this mess goes with us to our graves. However, we don’t know what the future holds. We need to think of something, or else all of this—your relationship with Carly, especially—falls apart.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCsE1WP2Yw
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EnbJcBZU7
Leo looked at his cousin. He rubbed the side of his face with his hand and groaned in frustration. “I really wish you never told us, Angel,” he said, his eyes looking to the ground.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuocNA2MurW
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qoJUXnE8w
“Trust me, I wish this day never happened,” said Angel.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1phfd43OD
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfZq3hnzDN
“It was inevitable from the start,” said Eric. “We’re friends with the McAlisters after all. At some point, Carly and Zac were bound to meet.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7VSlrRi4F
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T806o4oF0
Leo slowly gave a nod of his head, agreeing with Eric. He started to wonder how things had gotten to this point so suddenly. Well, he knew from the start that being in a relationship with Carly was bound to have some dire consequences. However, it showed its ugly head at the worst possible time.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapjeT0OcJ6
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9NZ8sdK47
"Does Zac know that Carly and I are...?" Leo started to ask, but for a moment, he couldn't finish his sentence. It was almost as if he had choked on his words.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuAAEHmut8
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0kAGs7aYJ
"No," Angel replied. "I would rather he knows about it when you bring it out in the open yourselves. The fewer people know about your relationship, the better."
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvRoNSpLJ4
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcmtDJUoSG
Leo scoffed. "You know, I'm still not happy that you told me about Zac and Carly."
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPiEK1HlWf
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8lQndzats
"And if she started to act funny whenever Zac was around, wouldn't you be suspicious?" Angel raised an eyebrow at him. "At this point, we're all involved, and this is the time to look out for each other. You can think cruelly of me, since I'm already used to it, but I care about what happens to my sister. Besides, all that happened in the past. So, I expect that you and Eric don't give Zac the cold shoulder."
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJ6YEFGVy5
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifTujowxMm
"Hey, you should be telling him, not me," said Eric.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYBBHtJWIV
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1dbp8lOpA
"I know," said Angel, giving Eric a smile. "But I'm warning you just the same."
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8yoc7mWcU
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nuh2MVFbP
"I'm guessing that's why those two are pretending to get along?" Leo asked, giving Angel a quizzical look.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3zgtqPIs9
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrXRFAwzVo
"Carly never liked the idea of trusting Zac at first. I know you feel the same, but you don't have much of a choice."
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaZtLOPKcv
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJL2DoQe8Rj
Leo hated that Angel was right, and he looked away angrily. Angel sighed, and that made Leo turn to look at her. This time around, the serious demeanor she had had fell away, and there remained a sad look on her face.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fpIU4DdTj
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PCC63Umjd
"Maybe you need some time alone to think things over," she said. "I'll be inside."
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGCUrgyal0
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLz1X1qekU
Angel started to make her way out of the flower garden and back to the mansion. Leo watched her go, and the picture of her facial expression, engraved in his mind. He didn't know why, but he felt a little remorseful and thought he shouldn't have been so hard on her.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzanXS28gvf
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERuMdNShR6
Eric came to stand beside him, also watching Angel. "Do you need me around?" he asked.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAfy7UJYT8
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYmwUz2hqG
"No," said Leo. He sighed as he turned his face upward, looking up at the clear blue sky. "I need to think."
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhROm1sH3yl
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZzvkIPNJ8
Eric understood as he took a step forward, but then he stopped to say, "I know you might think Angel is against you, but just know she's looking out for her sister. In a way, she's looking out for you too."
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2m6EzhuMV
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGskGCvD7c
Leo brought his head back down to look at his cousin, but Eric had already started to walk away from him. He turned toward the bench he had sat on a little while ago, and he backed up a bit to sit back down. As he looked around the lovely flower garden, he couldn't help but wonder why Angel and Eric were right about everything.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOINsN5ySe
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtrCdhzH5w
When Angel stepped back into the mansion, she was making a beeline to the ballroom when she heard the sound of a familiar voice in the foyer. She stopped to look around, and that was when she saw Mrs. McAlister standing alongside Mrs. McDonell and Kim. They had stopped to greet some people in the foyer. Angel couldn't help but hear the people around them were complimenting on how beautiful Kim looked. For Angel, Kim being here spelled trouble. Not when Leo was upset with the whole Carly and Zac issue.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8106hvVlEI
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdOF8H5hwa
She started to turn around to make her way back outside when she saw Eric approaching her.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sIzGpCfIU
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxHINLVvJf
"Is Leo still outside?" Angel asked.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleM2FO7y33
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdqvic32O8
"Yeah, he didn't need me," said Eric. "Why?"
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIknn4raQM
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkpXJ5Ufy4
"Kim's here."
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgu7sjKb6dy
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEILZ9UMxmb
Angel turned in the direction where she saw Kim, and Eric followed her eyes. He gulped immediately when he saw her.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46WyBZlm9U
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp30vlml5c3
"Should we warn Leo?" Eric asked.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOMMekLcnT
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQBgSdO5XG
"For now, no one apart from us knows where he is," said Angel. "If any of us go out and warn him, they can easily spot us, and we would lead them straight to him."
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy6YvmBZSC
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJr6JHmuCw
“Good thinking. We better tell Zac and Carly, don’t you think?”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRclIU9s61
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYeK86ZLg8
Angel gave a nod of her head. She turned to see if either Kim or Mrs. McDonell had seen her and Eric. They were still talking with the guests. Angel motioned to Eric to follow her into the ballroom. The place was now lively with guests. Many of Mrs. Harris’ old friends had settled on the chairs, ready for the game, but catching up with each other nonetheless. Angel saw Amanda, June, and Mrs. Harris at one end of the room, talking and laughing. She turned to the bar and found many people there, getting their drinks. There seemed to be no sign of Zac or Carly anywhere.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpI3cV6sKRK
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vbdUa9pvF
“They must have walked out to the patio outside,” said Eric, after noticing the look on Angel’s face.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNARrRFhmsz
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4CPkGWlsj
The two of them stepped out of the ballroom, and luckily enough, they found Zac and Carly talking to a man who seemed to be in his mid-40s. Carly noticed Angel and Eric coming over to them, and she addressed the man in front of her.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eSRSKYFk7
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1mLHkplS1
“Ah, the lady coming here is my older sister,” said Carly. “Angel, we were just talking to Mr. McAlister about you.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7TzYqmSSE
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHg8J3Iyd0v
Angel didn’t expect to be a subject of a conversation. What stunned her was the fact that the man Carly and Zac happened to be talking to was Mr. McAlister. She turned to look at him. Just like his son, he also wore casual clothing, a simple green t-shirt and cargo pants. No one would think that he was the owner of such a beautiful mansion.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZXIMtmox2
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QmiDnXbmh
“Nice to meet you, Mr. McAlister,” said Angel, smiling at him.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OL2RtpkXK
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohrXtbXWCn
“A pleasure,” said Mr. McAlister, bowing his head at Angel. His blue eyes were similarly deep as his son’s. “I’ve heard so much about you from my mother-in-law.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuBYZXxPk3
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS4ejAbslk
“I don’t think she knows me very well,” said Angel, feeling rather embarrassed by his comment. “But it’s nice to know she’s been saying nice things about me.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixRqJcU4ny
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kihaP01TB
Mr. McAlister went on to greet Eric, who greeted him back. Angel was about to excuse herself, when Mr. McAlister saw his friends seated around one of the garden tables and decided to join them. After he left them, Carly and Zac looked at both Angel and Eric with slightly worried looks on their faces.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjT6jcq7EW
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhXFlxrnoq
“How did Leo take it?” Carly asked.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68PvBUDkjw
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7PGWQwSaE
“Not well,” said Eric. “But he’ll get over it. We’ve got bigger problems to deal with.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylzUd7IVkm
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUpnKNLYDd
“What?” Zac asked.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWiRXCkuke
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaOXITcfDh
“Kim is here,” Angel answered, her eyes falling on Carly. Carly’s eyes widened with surprise.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HQugm9d9u
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACXqPZ3WLW
“So what if Kim is here?” Zac asked, looking confused. He looked at Eric and Angel, and after reading their faces, he understood. “There’s still bad blood between those two?”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDd0E1zIZm
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HayB9hODO
“Not exactly,” said Eric. “You can say there’s a little tension. Trust me, with the way Leo is right now, seeing Kim might spark a fire. So if she asks where Leo is, tell her you have no idea.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFt36MYNsDd
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9aKQxEN8i
“Where is he anyway?” Carly asked.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6g4NviBNZN
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwCuCLlmUg
“We left him in the garden alone,” Eric answered.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsSYxUze8a
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtzgFaxXrg
“Okay, we’ll keep that in mind,” said Zac. “But what if they do meet each other?”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgSGWNeuUu
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxFVFiWsjL
“By then, Leo will have cooled down, hopefully. I just hope he’ll be able to keep it together, not after what happened last time.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGQwE1m3X3
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcA0EJsJ9Cy
Carly and Angel looked at Eric, and they both knew what he meant. The night they had dinner with the Chos. Leo and Angel had told both Eric and Carly that Kim had been there. Carly felt relieved that she and Leo didn’t get a chance to be alone together. That would’ve been the day Kim found out about the two of them, and who knows what would unfold afterwards? Zac, who noticed the look, knew he wasn’t meant to butt in and ask.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HyqhvYm3d
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg04VPv8kQq
“Okay, if anyone asks, we don’t know where he is,” said Zac. He looked down at his left wrist to check the time. “The game is supposed to start in fifteen minutes. Angel, you better be ready.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8F95Fqfvf
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNNv3PGCTD
Angel gave a nod, and Zac made his way back into the ballroom. Eric said he needed another drink and asked the two women if they would need any. Angel hadn’t had the luxury of getting anything to drink, considering that she was welcoming the guests. She told Eric that she would have fruit juice instead. Carly asked for a dry martini. They settled at a nearby table while Eric went to fetch their drinks.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQXhD2LqC5
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dpAqF2INX
“How did he really take it?” Carly asked, looking at her sister.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHJTpubR23
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7DdS2C828
“You know Leo,” said Angel as she watched the people in front of her and those visible inside the ballroom through the open door and windows. “He has a temper. Of course, he didn't take it lightly.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RqzOl4wG8
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUbtrJWCtv
Carly was silent as she played around with her fingers on her lap. “I bet that’s why he wanted to be alone in the garden.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvgFkuUxMD
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QipzEN59g
“He’s stubborn, but he knows what he has to do. It’s just going to be hard for him to accept it. What happened will most likely happen again. We just have to know what to do when it does.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnAbS6OZvk
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmxjLYDZpq
“I’m not proud of what I’ve done.” Carly looked up at the sky. “I sometimes wish things could’ve been more different.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82xKKx1O9A
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHUyjBCr9F
“Most people will criticize your past,” said Angel as she turned to look at her sister. “Only a few will understand that it’s the future and the present that matter. If you change now for the better, then well and good. If not, you’ll give them a platform to criticize you more.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCW4u1Pb2P
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiUkqVX8fY
Carly swallowed upon hearing those words. How she wished Angel had never told her that. Those words reminded Carly of her mother.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbEeEiIrxR
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ74fGCaIAA
“And if it does happen again, what then?” Carly asked, looking at Angel.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJD7u3XiHl8
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvtCEyMLjl
“Who knows? Maybe it won’t be as complicated as it was with Zac. However, there will always be difficult people. Those are the ones we should be careful around.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJL9lNbIq0
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqoccyrIeD
Apparently, Carly was involved with such people, and she couldn’t help but feel guilty about it. She continued to watch the people enjoying themselves, trying to rub it off. When Eric came by with their drinks on a tray, she felt relieved.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5H8Ao4NXH
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobW34lj4ky
“Kim is in the ballroom right now,” he told the two sisters as he served them. “Just by the way she’s looking around, she must definitely be looking for any one of us or Leo.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7knf3NdEC
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G7uRGptsj
“This is bad,” said Angel as she took her glass of mango juice. “I hope Leo doesn’t blow up in her face about that night. I wonder why Mrs. McDonell can’t accept that Leo doesn’t need Kim in his life. She’s trying to fix a relationship that will never mend.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEtRLRS6rc
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75cPoKChgQ
“Oh, you know how she is,” said Eric as he sat beside Angel. “She’s stubborn.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdGtN8PltJ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy146d3ePXg
Carly chuckled. “I see where Leo gets that from,” she said.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidhXt7JtYE
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEw4rKV1GF
“Still. The more she tries to fix things, the more she makes them worse,” said Angel. She took a sip of her juice and later added, “Kim is the worst one of them all. She really can’t let Leo go.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKvCwQD2tC
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4B3WcYje1P
Angel remembered the conversation she had with Kim not too long ago. She could only hope Kim was looking for Leo to apologize for what she did at the hotel. If not, then there’s nothing much Angel could do.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQrrHkzrVW
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WlHZ59WLJ
The three continued to have their drinks in silence when Zac appeared by the doorway of the ballroom. He beckoned Angel. The game was about to start. She quickly finished her juice and started to make her way inside. Carly and Eric remained at the table after telling Angel that they would come inside to help with the elderly if there was any need for it.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzv8FAkDcZ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjkQmM1kC6
When Angel got to the door, she asked Zac if he had seen Leo anywhere nearby.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQRseEVBuD
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwP5WgZRSr
“No,” he replied. “I bet he’s still in the garden. But I did meet Kim, though. She had asked for him.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBHKkbl41s
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRv9xZZ1IN
Angel looked around, hoping not to bump into Kim as well. She would eventually. Zac mentioned that they should go to their designated seats at the other end of the room. They made their way to the table, facing the people already settled to play the game. Apparently, even children who were old enough to play also settled among the old folk.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZXQ0GeLGZ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AL3gipS5T
Mrs. McAlister stood beside the table with the microphone in hand. She obviously wanted to say a few words before the game began. Looking elegant in white, Mrs. McAlister smiled at the guests before her. She began talking in the microphone to get people’s attention. After the room settled, she began first by greeting everyone and thanking them for appearing for the event. She introduced her son and Angel as the people in charge of the game. She wished everyone all the best and for the best person to win. Also adding that there were prizes for the winners. She handed the mic back to her son, who was to call out the letters and numbers on the bingo balls Angel picked.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkBUoAwu0n
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7wTGVr7j0
While the bingo game was underway, Leo, who was still in the flower garden, realized that he had stayed there for too long. It was best for him to go back inside the mansion. He had already made up his mind. As much as he didn’t want to go through with it, he saw no other option.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7UtnFJy2d
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyOm374rqG
He stood up from the bench and made his way out of the flower garden. As soon as he got back inside, he noticed there weren’t many people in the hallway. The sound of Zac speaking through the mic echoed in the hall outside the ballroom. The game must have started, he thought to himself.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENh7K09Kcs
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAr2Xgv7Lb
When he entered the ballroom, he found many of the elderly and a few children already settled for the game and holding up their bingo markers. He spotted Eric across the room, slowly walking around those who were playing the game in case anyone needed anything. His eyes turned to the far end of the ballroom, where Angel and Zac sat. A few people stood around the walls of the room, silently watching the game. A good number of guests had gone outside to socialize more loudly and merrily.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOP9ImRigC
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wA8e3fAJm
When he looked to his left, he saw Carly, who, just like Eric, slowly walked around the room. She looked up and saw Leo. That made her stop in her tracks as she studied his face. For a moment, she gave a grim look, and it only took Leo’s smile to change it. She sighed in relief and smiled back at him. That was a sign that all is forgiven, and he was willing to move on.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIA6b9Rj9T
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvmqfKE0q1
The lovebirds’ moment disappeared abruptly when someone appeared beside Leo. The smell of the person’s perfume made Leo aware of their presence. He turned to look. Standing there, looking gorgeous in her pink dress was Kim.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhod8f938S
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfutxXuGs3
“Hi, Leo, I was looking for you,” said Kim.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa4PTdMzLf
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wLq9Zyhbr
A few elderly women seated nearby turned their heads to hush at Kim, telling her to be quiet. That drew everyone’s attention to Kim and Leo. Angel, who was rolling the bingo ball container, saw Kim standing beside Leo, and a grim look fell on her face. Eric, on the other side, could only watch and hope that Leo wouldn’t explode. Carly stood there helplessly. The last thing she needed was to come in between them. That would only make things worse. So, she quickly looked away, turning her attention to the children playing the game.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoYGVDJTpk
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGr5JJn2B6
“Can we talk outside?” Kim whispered to Leo.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOWGzW2Idr
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneDZnDBOi4
Before Leo could refuse, Kim wrapped her hand around his arm and slowly started to drag her with him, leading him back the way he came. Eric, who saw the whole thing, looked over at Carly, hoping that she didn’t see that. Sadly, he found her turning her head with her lips set in a straight line and her eyes staring blankly elsewhere. Angel had also seen what had happened, but she had already picked out a ball that she showed to Zac. She didn’t want to look out of focus. When she turned to Carly, she couldn’t help but feel a little worried.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81aJ3sOUfp
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZbsXJGKS7
When Leo and Kim stepped out of the ballroom and into the hall, Leo brushed aside Kim’s hand around his arm and took a few steps before turning to look at her. Kim looked at Leo with a smile on her face.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9aHnibkIf
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKmHIOYzGQ
“You’re a hard man to find,” said Kim. “I was looking for you, and I thought I would find Eric and ask him where to find you. But it wasn’t easy to find him either.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU1l67dS0j
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o9Gzy5Spk
“What is it you want, Kim?” Leo asked.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyKO1o4QeS
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11LFQ2f91Z
Kim opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. It took her a few seconds to gather herself. “I want to apologize,” she said. “About what happened the last time we saw each other.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNwiOHPDlk
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4f4fBXvhi
Leo raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t like what you did,” he said. He was upset, but he sounded calm. “What were you expecting to see by following me like that?”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOusRqC8zA
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCd5es9zjx
“I’ll be honest with you,” said Kim. “I wanted to see your new lover.” Her eyes fell to the floor, feeling a little ashamed for saying it.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1JscF5vmV
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqw3kpDzwS
“I bet you were disappointed when I caught you.” Leo put his hands in the pocket of his trousers. “You didn’t look surprised like we met by accident. You and Trina looked guilty, and I knew you had been following me. Angel, in the end, told me you had been in the area for quite some time.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKCCW6c42e
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOjfd3V4xw
“Yeah, I know, and I feel so stupid for doing that.” Kim looked up at Leo. “That’s why I’m asking you to forgive me.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CSmA4vmHJ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPviYUrjEJ
Leo looked at Kim, wondering how to answer that. He was still upset with her after her little stunt, but if he didn’t want to ever bring up this issue again, he had to do one of the things he despised to do.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSHUFJxpLK
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDA3x1C9Zj
He sighed. “I forgive you,” he said. Kim’s eyes brightened up with delight when she heard those words. A smile even appeared across her face. “But don’t take it the wrong way here. Just because I forgive you doesn’t mean this brings us closer.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kd9w1sniy
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRoWyl3Rgx
“I know,” she said, her cheeks starting to blush. “By forgiving me, this is a sign that you still have a caring heart.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0E4vGM8Q9
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTuJXh36WH
“I’m just doing this because I don’t want to ever bring up this matter again. If I may ask, what were you going to do if my lover happened to be around that day?”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XK46V3Jcw
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbGhIOL86p
Kim looked taken aback by that question. The smile on her face slowly started to disappear. This was the last thing she needed right now.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0TdU9M0p7
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpqRWrBfEx
“Why are you asking me that question?” Kim asked.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfJ2jJdLn9
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3BgUSW45r
Leo took some time to answer. “Because I know you,” he said. “You’re impulsive, and I know you’ve been dying to know who my lover is. Who knows what you would’ve done if you did? I bet it would be something unpleasant.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6LnV9y9VW
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgAYuHHkCP
Kim shook her head. “That’s not true,” she said. “I would never do that.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKF41kh5MHf
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaRgA1NBZg
Leo scoffed. “Anyway, I’m not going to argue with you there when you know I’m right. You shouldn’t come after me, begging for my attention. I have a life to live, and so do you.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL7jhxQRFw
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEexPsEwO8y
A voice of a woman shouting “bingo, bingo” rang loudly into the hall. What Leo was grateful about these games was that it didn't take too much time. They were obviously going to go for another round of bingo.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fja6cBnsA
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSa4oFgGWT
Leo turned to look at Kim, who was looking back at him. There was a look of hurt in her eyes, and sadly, there was nothing that Leo could do about it.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXHgdNIe6z
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaeoWjuQYT
“I better be going back in there,” said Leo. “I’ll see you around.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xWkANP6TH
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8k8h6zywT
Just as Leo was about to take a step towards the door leading to the ballroom, Kim blocked his way, standing in front of him. She looked set on not moving aside.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvnskaaVM7
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUQYCtGNKJ
“Kim, please move,” said Leo.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QU0S883HZ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNCgd3VNTw
“I’m not going to end this conversation like this,” she said.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtj79hUEwY
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA319ulv4U6
“What else is there to say?” Leo asked as he shrugged his shoulders.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX8WlMgSFA
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2Uo0bjMAS
“Don’t you care about me at all? Don’t you think I've got the right to know who she is that stole your heart from me?”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPyZYqqOTC
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDuEsUnVxk
“Kim, your voice is getting a little too loud. And no. I don’t think you’re ready to know who it is. Not with that attitude.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt0r7s4IDZ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FhuC88iu4
“Why are you protecting her? It’s not like I’m going to do anything.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMwchpLzV9
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyddoeyVkm
“Says the person who isn’t over our breakup. I can’t tell you who she is until I’m sure you can handle moving on. Right now, I clearly see that you can’t.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKvueejUd3
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFxFc7Vf2C
The door to the ballroom that stood ajar opened up a little, and a young man stepped out. He walked past Leo and Kim. They remained silent until he was out of sight.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCtmhJKweB
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpwoAKEitD
“I promise, Leo, I won’t do anything rash,” said Kim.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gknMbWrCz
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSdwR0zFfr
“No,” said Leo. He was firm with his response, and Kim could clearly see that her whimpers weren’t going to work on him. “Not now, Kim. Not like this.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnX9b04AJVo
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmu0shYv01v
Before Kim could think of another way to persuade him, Eric appeared at the door. Leo could never have felt too relieved to see anyone.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iSUNufSy3
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp35ms8W9SI
“Leo, I need some assistance over here,” said Eric. Kim turned around to look at him. “We need to clear out some chips on the papers for the next round, and there are a few people who have trouble getting them off since they are old. You could come help too, Kim, if you want.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZV5p4iIUW
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqgX7bhUvf
“I’ll be right there,” said Leo. He turned to look at Kim, hoping to say a few words to her, but nothing came to mind. She looked at Eric with an angry frown, upset that he had to interrupt them. He walked past her and joined Eric inside the ballroom.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGfGQuM31q
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mjSRp6F9Y
“Thanks for that,” said Leo when he and Eric approached the tables.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTD32Rwo8Rj
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRptU5A9Ck
“I figured you needed the help,” said Eric. “And we really do need your help with those chips.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7s3KkiXA0
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveilTBBZ4n
“Never have I felt relieved to help out with anything.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6YGnJP1yJ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oyqKwtDP3
Leo heard footsteps behind him, and he saw Kim enter the ballroom. She was making her way to the patio, where the lively people were. As she passed, she gave Leo a side-ways glance. Judging by the look, Leo could tell that she was upset.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ORcZOn3Vp
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNYBdI2Apn
Three rounds of bingo were played, with three different winners. Amanda happened to be one of them, for she won the last round. Her grandsons, Angel and Carly, went to congratulate her. Amanda couldn’t help but express how excited she was over winning the game and that it was her first time.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwpAWZkafT
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0IGiUVl7n
Mrs. McAlister and Mrs. Harris presented prizes to those who won. Afterwards, the place became more of a social event, with those who were outside coming in. The helpers had to arrange the tables and chairs for the elderly as if in a dinner-like manner, in case anyone wanted to help themselves with some food and needed a place to sit.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGx5DL5crfP
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9YRsJnll2
Leo has stepped out for a bit with a glass of wine, out to the patio and to the lawn. The sun was slowly starting to set, and he had a clear view of it. He had a feeling they might have dinner at the McAlisters, considering the amount of food that had been brought in. With so many people around, all he wanted was to be alone.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67akkbxaNi
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8AayvuIp3
He took a sip of his wine, so lost in the beauty of the setting sun that he didn’t hear soft footsteps coming from behind. It only took him a minute to realize that Carly was standing beside him.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvtgqdNVaM
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78uJXNhFNz
“Hey,” she said to him.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4jWSSt5gt
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tiQ8pCMHN
“Hey,” he answered back.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrxsMK2fpZ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUy63wsED09
There was a brief moment of silence before Carly spoke. “You’re not mad, are you?” she asked.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrw4VGkY8z
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsBz9zzYwm
“Mad about what?” He asked with an eyebrow raised and looking confused.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PjlKiALn4
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpAli8gLV9
“This thing with Zac and me?”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fiaKe3eMu
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv26CVNdMIG
Leo chuckled. “I had just forgotten about it. To be honest, I was so busy that it never once crossed my mind. Until now.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Hj3FjYca6
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmErtxi396P
“I know it’s weird…”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggqvrwztrJ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxZcI4yy86
“Carly,” Leo interrupted her. “That’s all in the past. As much as I would like to keep a grudge, you knew Zac before you knew me. I shouldn’t be jealous at all. He’s an annoying prick, yeah, but I can’t blame him for that either. The last thing I want is to be mad at you.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoLWWvRsg6
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ebYF8LkQh
Carly smiled. “That’s a relief. If there weren’t many people around, I would’ve hugged you.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dn7D3ppLU
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjN3IOLfIl
“Tell me about it,” said Leo as he turned around to look at the guests that remained outside. “Let’s not draw any unnecessary attention.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8EXr7xGtr
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUf2f8gfU7
“And what about Kim? What did the two of you talk about?”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktDqbOqti4
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3h2JEfsbU
“The incident at the hotel when we had dinner there. And also, she wants to know you. Or let me say it in her words: The woman who stole my heart from her.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHpgmLeC8N
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklrecxJIiY
Carly rubbed the back of her neck. “She must be really mad, huh?”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV89D1VrFvz
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVZeGrgMiI
“Yeah, but I’m not going to tell her until she settles down. Better yet, she’ll know when everyone else does.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgubbBrrIi
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UGICC4OuQ
“We still have time. And what are you going to do about your mum? It’s clear to see that she brought her here to try and bring you two together.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkzTSkj7Qx
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQidYy5y65s
“It’s annoying, but I’ll have to have a talk with her one of these days.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XD8Uw3wTf
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWoxwjYGzr
“Leo! Carly!” came Angel’s voice behind them. The two turned around to see her approaching them. She wore her white jacket over her shoulders, as it was getting chilly now.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiu31CqAwCY
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeMWsJfGs0
“What is it?” Carly asked when Angel came closer.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU24VRSRoob
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4twQHDPwBk
“Zac’s girlfriend is here, and Zac wants to introduce you to her,” Angel answered. “He made a show of how you and I are like goddesses, and she wants to see you for herself. So that’s why I came to find you. They’re in the hall outside the ballroom.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBwPs61DDQ
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPFTUusxSl
“Fine,” said Carly. She turned to look at Leo. “Aren’t you coming?”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28sWa9Lnx2
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhUHeAzO6i
“Yeah, I’ll follow behind you,” he said.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pz1SAOKM1
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nl1fIlZN6
“Before I get there, I need to stop by the bar to get a drink. Let’s go, Angel.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpMZHtFXny
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzMHggnDwM
Carly took off quickly before Angel. In trying to catch up with her sister, Angel also hurried. In doing so, her white jacket slipped off her shoulders and fell on the green grass. She stopped in her tracks and turned to pick it up. However, Leo already got to her jacket and picked it up for her. He placed the empty glass he was holding on a nearby table.
Leo closed the distance between them. Before Angel could reach out her hand to grab it, he swung the jacket over her head and made it rest over her shoulders. Angel looked stunned at the gesture that she was almost lost for words. For some reason, her cheeks started to tingle.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RmrGj0I0N
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsPXEOli4P
“Thanks,” she managed to say. “You didn’t have to do that.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCPy8eEM5N
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV42CNuAcZA
“It’s nothing,” he said.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWEX3JXpKw
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnmvYgsPOc
Leo still held on to the collars of her jacket, and Angel realized why she was blushing. The feel of his fingers tucked under the collars slightly touched her neck. His hands soon fell away, and he placed them in the pocket of his trousers. He gave her a cool look with his eyes, and that made Angel blush even more.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2pzh9lHxG
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrACcx2KxmH
“Are you okay?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “You look shocked or something.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKm16LexLc
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqu94YnxEc6
“I’m fine,” said Angel, quickly drawing her head downward. “Let’s go.”
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqK88tkoop
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhKLDjzpW3
She quickly turned around and started to make her way back into the ballroom, with Leo following behind her. She shook off the feeling and told herself it was nothing. Leo, on the other hand, didn’t seem bothered by her reaction or what had taken place.
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0f3q59DpX0
237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBuMhqYJaC
Standing by the window inside the ballroom was Kim, holding a glass of champagne. She had seen the little incident between Angel and Leo. That sent her mind buzzing with thoughts. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one who had seen them
.
ns18.222.21.218da2
