Carly was on her way downstairs when she saw Angel enter through the door and into the foyer. Angel was just about to make her way back to her room when she noticed her sister up the stairs.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwBt7PAY2s
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAqTf2DG00
"Did you really prepare Oliver in time for school?" Carly asked as she stopped going down the stairs.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Nmdvkcsbu
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1NpAQCFHS
"He was late and I wanted to help," said Angel. "I'm glad you also got out of bed and got yourself ready. I thought you weren't going to get out of bed when I came to wake you up."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWU6rY3Xm7j
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVTVS567OZ
"You always know how to get me out of bed, Angel," said Carly. "Thanks, by way."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3L9b2qlMJ7
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsOEccXR2t
"You're welcome. You better eat your breakfast. You don't want to make Mr. McDonell wait when he arrives to pick you up."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhOrperasx
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53NVHfCFLG
"Sure," said Carly as she made her way down the steps. "You look much better today."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSWdMtpVZY
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxEqwop6P2
Angel raised her eyebrow as her sister joined her at the bottom of the stairs. "Really?" she asked.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYz0pQmjud
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91S620LMK4
Carly smiled as she nodded. "Ya. You don't seem to be in pain everytime you walk. Looks like the meds are really doing wonders."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ceWYFzXx3
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5pCMPEwiP
"I guess so. You've to go eat."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jM6j2A2sf
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2a1nLWfd1
"Wait, umm, when will you start going to work for the McDonells?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Px7f8pfX4
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaHf6rIKyB
"As soon as I hand in my resignation letter at my old work place."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRtb4PcLRf
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7IRk4aOJL
"Will it be tomorrow?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UxY7nfc5c
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEGHO2Vcpu
Angel folded her arms and gave her sister a look. "Why do you seem so excited that I'll be working for them? It's not like you're the one working there."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VbzoLvd5N
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8TXVIQ4XK
"You're right. I just wanted to know, that's all."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2C1Tjp3cS8
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqz00agAiIP
"You don't have to worry. I'll be working soon. Don't stress with that kind of stuff when it's my business."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwR13QF2By9
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaOI9L2vWb
Carly mockingly raised her hands in the air as though in surrender. "Okay, I get it," she said. "I won't talk about it ever again. Hey, can you join me for breakfast? I don't want to eat all alone at that big table."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iduILE36r
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH13OCtMFcY
Angel looked at her sister and wondered if she wanted to join her. In the end, she nodded her head in agreement.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2De2fH6gT
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZJXjfRxyr
The two sisters went to the dining table in the dining room. It was just the two of them as they settled at the table and ate. When they were in the middle of their meal, Mrs. McDonell soon appeared in the dining room.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsh3Ns6VTtm
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpHbcUj9Xs
"Well, what do we have here?" Mrs. McDonell asked as she entered the room. "I didn't expect to see you two sisters here."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisR07G2tzR
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDf0bMV8L37
Carly rolled her eyes as she was irritated by Mrs. McDonell's statement. Angel on the other hand went on to look at the lady of the house with a smile as she was not shaken by her.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuhM5UFqN3
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5P3M68MMb
"Good morning to you too, Mrs. McDonell," said Angel as she raised her cup of coffee to her smiling lips.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sU4U1liKR
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqI6QqCIplL
Mrs. McDonell went over to the other end of the table where she usually sat. There was silence among the three with the cutlery they were using to eat their breakfast making little noises in the room.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYqFCJHv90
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLrjsYqFNw
"I need to take my medicine now," said Angel as she finished her coffee and placed the coffee mug on the table.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuBTOwPkc1
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gbimTSFnC
"Are you sure you really need them?" Mrs. McDonell asked as she looked at Angel. "You seem to be looking better than ever."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWbYL6HJJ4
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH3C1QaeaA
"I haven't finished my course yet," Angel answered. "I better listen to the doctor and take my meds, don't you think?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGZdDsuTh8
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmOnd0DRGr
Mrs. McDonell put up a smile on her face. "You're right. It's good to listen to the doctor. The sooner you get better, the faster you start going to work. You were working at some editing company, weren't you?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefS0zqwH0B
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDd9ONM3Hj
Angel and Carly looked at each other as they sat on either side of the table, facing each other. They couldn't help but wonder how Mrs. McDonell knew about Angel's job.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEhuuMoN1b
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRIAG9BzRt
"My husband told me about your work," Mrs. McDonell answered the two sisters. "But do they pay you enough? How are you going to raise enough to get your house back?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IHG9syfUi
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuTgyXSlPM
Angel knew Mrs. McDonell was only saying this just to get on her nerves. It seems she had no knowledge of Angel's change in jobs and that she was going to work for them pretty soon. As for Carly, she had just enough of Mrs. McDonell and she was ready to give her a piece of her mind.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWUfzU5QIp
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOh3jY49vn
"How I'll handle that is my business, Mrs. McDonell," said Angel, beating her sister to it.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUA3Cq6FvQ
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxFJguGZUR
"I really hope it works out for you," said Mrs. McDonell as she backed her chair a bit and she stood up from her seat without finishing her breakfast. "If I were you, I be looking for a better job, don't you think?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScuHTJWDlw
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u8YwXLmR5
Carly was ready to answer her this time around. Angel turned to look at her sister giving her a signal with facial expressions not to say anything. Carly obeyed as she took in a deep breath and leaned back in her seat.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymdICpDpUN
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGCNDbiLO2
"I know," Angel answered as Mrs. McDonell made her way out of the dining room.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3QOk7kiGt
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoG9F5I6rWv
As soon as Mrs. McDonell had left the room, Carly leaned closer to the table so as to get a clear look at her older sister.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCTxCdExSq
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLl7DANtrO
"What's your problem, Angel?" she asked. "How can you let that woman walk over you like that? You should have told her that you will soon be working at their company. That would have shut her up."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnjaMKGkxq
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghTl6iqldF
"I know, Carly," said Angel as she leaned back in her seat and folded her arms.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3PIoX3mu2
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTad3wciSBA
"Then why didn't you say anything? Gosh, Angel, the meds must really be messing with your head right now."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pFW8oopnU
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLF4O2K15G
"I'm still the same old person, Carly. The only reason why I let her get away with it, is that it's best when she finds out from Mr. McDonell. In that way, she will drop dead in shock, you will see."
"Now that's a good plan," came Amanda as she made her way into the dining room. "I never thought you had such a diabolical mind, Angel."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMjBf89bAH
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyFkiOeADK
"It's being reasonable, not diabolical," said Angel as she stood up to help Amanda settle herself by the table.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XrdeU5QBm
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiadM6QCv2
"Sounds diabolical to me," said Amanda as she settled right next to Angel's chair.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjqkh2qb5C
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoQay2oTyK
"I also agree," said Carly.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP2wqk4id2
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApvObthn5M
Angel sat back down on her seat. "Look, sometimes, it's best to let people think they have the upper hand when they actually don't," said Angel. "They will realise sooner that they didn't."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwSrHH8qzX
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBX3CjWJJ2
"Still diabolical if you ask me," said Amanda. "May you pour me a cup of tea, dear?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCU14Nj2Yz
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9s9B6HWH7
"Sure," said Angel as she stood up from her seat again and poured some tea into a teacup for Amanda.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5GVBaYzcJ
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPPQp9jhYO
"So, Carly, happy about changing colleges?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDYmcBuuyZ
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaS3l7suayw
"Oh, yes, I am," said Carly as she smiled at Amanda. "It will take time settling in, but I know I'm going to be just fine."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpHvqSdb8H
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3sruYlnRE
"No doubt about that. Thank you for the tea, Angel."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDCYxuLT7N
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOEeMfU5rz
"You're welcome," said Angel. "I have to go and take my medicine. I'll be back soon."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOH4K9Nfxg
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvh5smVAWgu
"Okay, take your time, dear." Amanda took a sip of her tea.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4MjfWVqKW
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ0LV6EOCp
Angel soon left the dining room leaving Carly and Amanda alone.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCPBTVsrrQ
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCH3UHRCKKF
"She seems better, doesn't she?" Carly asked.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopglTJEBaL
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFr4kEbVg9D
"Who? Angel?" Amanda asked. "She does. She looks radiant too."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w6fqhJYI0
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPmaT0l0DC
"She will be working in no time."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fFvrmX8ih
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLp4sNceCJz
"There is something I've been willing to ask you, Carly."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEGuU0WPE3
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtHm4w8Cox
Carly raised an eyebrow at Amanda, but smiled nonetheless. "Yes, of course. What is it you want to ask me?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4d4Net6zb
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22724gf8oB
"I'm going to sound pretty delirious with what I'm about to ask, but I find it pretty serious." She paused before she could continue. "It's about Angel and Leo."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8C5itqatd
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSj64ZkhEJ
"What about them?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxVZB9DEXc
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJaWx1KORm
"Haven't you noticed a kind of tension, between them? Like, they don't like each other."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxtAMg21Dq
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwpYWHR3MX
Carly's heart almost skipped a beat. Not only was Amanda old and wise, she was also observant. Carly couldn't help but wonder how the old lady knew there was tension between Angel and Leo.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvRA3ktKey
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOoB8YgFkZ
"They... don't like each other?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGK0w3dcf5
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSDrGPGb5G
"Yes, haven't you noticed? Whenever they are near each other, it's like they can't stand each other."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9tWHvexjf
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4Su58WjZu
"Really?" Carly pretended to be surprised. "I had no idea that those two didn't like each other."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsyMUEeQlN
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimhgghZzUZ
"Well, you should know better, right? Angel's your sister and you on the other hand, happen to be close to Leo."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXy13E99Ki
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiDjQvv1ps
"Leo and I just became good friends. That's all it is. He isn't very personal with me as of yet."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYeRkJQeOk
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXlK6JE52N
"Oh, I see. But has Angel ever talked to you about how she feels about Leo?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiBLjHPtil
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwMBeAeeql
Carly got caught there. How was she going to answer the question?774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2DvI0KDCD
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUKQ23zpwB
"Ah... not really," Carly answered as she scratched the back of her neck. "She did say at some point that she was a bit disappointed in him that he didn't apologise to her when she was in hospital. That's all I can tell you."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMelr830oDP
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTHo3FjAV3
Amanda nodded her head as she went on to drink her tea. After she put the cup down, she said, "I just worry for them both. They will soon be working together and I don't want them causing a racket at the workplace despite their differences."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpW1IiqxhF
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt10GZk1iw5
"That's if they really don't like each other. Maybe you've got this all wrong and you're worrying for nothing. Besides, Angel and Leo are both mature and I bet they will work together peacefully."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkN8TDqGAvG
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV5AHSj20A
"I guess you're right. But on the part where they don't like each other, my theory still stands."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlLf6mgJyc
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGz0Isc8Np
Carly didn't want to argue further on that with Amanda because she would end up getting a lecture when she wasn't even ready for one yet at her new college. And soon enough, Angel came back in the dining room, still in her sleeping gown.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3c3Zz31P5Z
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cPva5RRIV
"What did I miss?" Angel asked as she sat right back on her seat.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7whUta0eEb
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhXUtXbqNS
"Nothing," said Amanda. "Carly here was just talking about her old college life and how going to a new one would be exciting for her."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQOfWI6AJa
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaq9HW17TR
"I see. Things are really turning around for her and I couldn't be happier."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNaEmg8II5
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDf9QLgAB7S
"Things are turning around for you too. You have a new job which is much better than the other one."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7B558kvhJF
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV7J851rL7
"I bet she's going to miss it," said Carly.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sEUBc4LIk
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGN5dYayjyE
"I know I'll," Angel said with a sad smile.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHGxqQoxcM
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK90nrHSZ61
Carly wanted so badly as to tell Angel what she had just talked about with Amanda. But that will have to wait. It was good Amanda thought that Angel and Leo might not like each other, which wasn't false. If she knew the whole story, Carly couldn't help but feel she would be blamed for it.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWcFBbFVb5
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmforJ9XGw
Carly looked on at her older sister sitting in front of her as she was engaged in a conversation with Amanda. The tension between her and Leo was great that it reminded Carly of how Angel reacted when she found her and Leo together at the club. What if they both lost control one day at the office? Carly gulped as she thought of it and she knew it wouldn't be pretty. All she hoped for was for the two of them to put their differences aside and be professional. Despite Angel telling her that she didn't mind about Carly and Leo's relationship, something in Carly told her that her sister's blazing fire inside her hadn't extinguished yet.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHs3pjcGElU
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmArUDSbEA
***774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXHLiEhS2E
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYpsl8y1Sl
Thick clouds of smoke filled the air in one portion of the partially dark room, lit up dim fluorescent tubes. There were busy feet moving up and down, the people not minding about the smoke. The person smoking the cigar sat on a chair behind a wooden table. Papers lay in scruffy looking piles on the table and the person didn't seem to care with his feet on the table. He had his chair hanging back with two legs on the floor and the the other two in mid-air as he looked up at the dark ceiling with the smoke swirling all around. He couldn't help but be mesmerized by the lovely shapes the smoke was making that he couldn't help but smoke some more.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAlo2lTLqv
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwc3b9MOXUE
Fast approaching feet came closer towards the table and they stopped when they got closer.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgBm83PVBM
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVHB6V6k5w
"What do you want?" the man who sat on his chair asked as he settled his chair with all four legs touching the floor. He dropped his feet from the table and looked at the two men in front of him. He removed the cigar from his mouth.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfLMKDjPSb
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUltEkA0ak
"We have a problem," said one of the men who wore a black leather coat.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNwug257kF
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5CZKqLnr0
"What?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbTtM1a8WQ
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqwsppfAYb
"The Spanish cartel have moved up the meeting date," answered the other who wore a black muscular shirt and had blonde hair.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTPo4E4CeV
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTJVPNc2UK
"What do you mean they moved up the meeting date?" the man seated in his chair asked.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHC1NRdokY
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHhgFSTfey
"You know what that means, boss," the man in the leather jacket said.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1r8nJ1rRR
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlj9TvrPloN
"Tell them that our meeting on Friday still stands."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxiHhsZ7UX
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cDYuu8ynv
"They are serious about this, boss," said the blonde man.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45Iheypij0
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYiLXlOzdQ
"This is just great!" the man fumed as he banged his fist against the table. Papers fell to the floor. "When do they want to meet?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFemghUjnOX
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Q7NxlxGxf
"Wednesday."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp2Ru6SL6z
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ikoP7C9qV
"Great." The boss leaned back in his seat and put his cigar back in his mouth. Then he made his fingers touch each other by their tips. "I met with Walters today about bringing Carly back to the club. I have to inform him that he has to speed things up."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6WvPoYGRE
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgkWwKUkZf
"Not to be rude, boss, but, what's so special about this girl anyway?" the blonde man asked. "As far as I know, she's nothing but a prostitute."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdmDI7zaZ1
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli9wTMJKnF
The boss continued to look at his comrade. He blew his cigar and he slowly opened his mouth, letting the smoke run out of his mouth. He removed the cigar in his mouth again. His face was hidden behind the thick cloud of smoke for a moment until he suddenly leaned forward and with his arm outstretched, he took the blonde man's neck and pulled him towards his face so as to give him a good look.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uC2i75z31
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkP5IOqrJw3
The blonde was struggling to breath with the boss' hand around his neck. He was nose to nose with his boss that he could feel his hot smoky breath on his face.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGl2CmG3WP0
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsWnq1LiTH
"Don't you ever call her that," the boss said, his spit hitting the blonde man's face. "If I hear you call her that again, you will be eating your guts, do you here me?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIgo9HlnmE
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcehUn0CbSj
The blonde man's face was running out of colour and he so much as wanted as to breath so he quickly nodded his head, agreeing to his boss's demand.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskIfe6F1uM
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeOIzSt04Y
The boss unclenched his hand around the man's neck and the blonde almost dropped to the floor but he held on to the table with one hand rubbing his aching neck. He coughed as he tried to take in deep breaths.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV59UCJXZUN
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nLqzJ2Ocp
"What do we do now?" the man in the leather jacket asked as his counterpart came to stand next to him still holding his neck.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHimubxB6X
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WQFrcSqr8
The man who claimed to be the boss, stood up from his chair and went to sit at the front of his table still with his cigar in hand.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyyGBG1nR3
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMmeCjgvF6
"Call Walters and tell him he won't be getting Carly," said the boss as he breathed out a puff of smoke. "I want you two to handle it and I want it done tomorrow."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1S29Gg1rW
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZdAkpwwRP
"You've got it, boss," said the blonde man, his face red and puffy with all the blood rushing to his face. "We won't let you down."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjZsIBIEn8
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgwEQz4p2a
"I know Carlos," said the boss as he grinned at his blonde comrade. "We have a business to run and all this cocaine isn't going to sell itself, is it?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9TO03MiIi
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwp917lQOP
His two men shook their heads and with the wave of the boss' hand, the two men in front of him went on their way to do as they were told. The man in charge looked all around the partially dark room as there were crates loaded with the illegal merchandise. A few people were up and down, stacking the packets in huge crates.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayS6R0OtOV
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQAmRXGoPg
For some, selling this was all they could do to make a living just like the people stacking the cocaine. But for the man in charge, this was more of his empire. He came from nothing. From a poor man begging in the streets to become one of the most dangerous men in New York. He wasn't going to let anyone get in the way of what he had done so far. Right now, his business wasn't doing so well as usual and he needed the one thing to make it alright again.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeQ8ff33E6
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlwSv7iXCH
No one was going to stop him from what he was going to do. For those who try, he would simply rip their hearts out and feed it to them. He was a bloodthirsty man and he was feared among a lot of those who knew him and what he does. They don't call him the Red Lion for nothing.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZFQAAq4gp
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9k4QKR3vp
***774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5v0zwumPjN
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kQJ5EXq1z
It was close to eleven in the morning and Miranda had just gotten out of her lecture looking just as frustrated as her other colleagues around her. They had just been given a 25 paged assignment that was due this Friday. Everyone was frustrated about it because they had other assessments to be worried about and now they had an assignment that was going to take much of their time.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSHZAMCyPw
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUPMoBzeKv
She had another lecture coming up and she had to rush for it. Her lecturer didn't like her students arriving late.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTLFNuZ2vD
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGo0F4emzd4
She was rushing down the busy hall, careful enough not to bump into anyone. She was just about to reach the lecture room when finally, she accidentally bumped into someone. Books, papers, pens and highlighters all fell to the floor. The person she had bumped into had been carrying them, now, they were all on the floor.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnlbBeB5a2
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZWRGbJuRg
"I'm so sorry," said Miranda as she quickly knelt and started to pick up all that had fallen.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAROyTjPNBy
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dVc7Ci4QA
The blonde lady she had bumped into also knelt and started to pick up what she could.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6h0162QeHi
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0rDPmUGC7
"I am so sorry," said Miranda as she gave the owner her books. "I was rushing for a lecture."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4fjZGy2Oa
The blonde lady politely smiled at Miranda. "Aren't we all?" she joked as she took her books. "Thanks."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmQrp8tYYW
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOgYy6DG9X
"You're welcome," said Miranda as she stood up from the floor. "I've to rush."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsVfYYsl4F
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMvcpF0EyG
"No problem," said the lady as she also stood up from the floor and the two went on their own way.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRhJ8JOSzF
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaRYYqbUuo
Just as Miranda entered the lecture theatre, she was making her way to the seats when she heard her lecturer's voice.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QvUDS5maA
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIN6SIvNf1
"You know I always hate it when people come in before me, Miss Whittle."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM89EENFBKH
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVRl8CDbuY
Miranda groaned in frustration as she slumped her shoulders and closed eyes. This was just great. She was always late for Mrs Grey's lectures. Lately, she had been trying not to, but things always had to happen to her whenever she made her way down the hall. That's how come it was easy for Miranda to be known by her lecturer.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pDyQwgpAr
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSi1mLfscB
"Sorry, Mrs Grey," said Miranda as she turned to look at her lecturer who was already standing at the podium with a black board behind her. Her eyes behind her glasses pierced through Miranda like needles.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj2UMnUCI9
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyHfm51dZd
"You can take your seat. I would be advising you not to come late again, but it's pretty obvious that you still will."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1SjCkEc20
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98jisgVKd7
There were a few snickers coming from the other students. Miranda made a face when she realised that one of them happened to be her friend, Brad.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YKEg29qoZ
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjicwqnRcEj
Miranda made her way to sit next to him almost at the back. He was trying his best not to laugh. Francine a pretty brunette sat on his other side and she coolly smiled at her. Miranda dropped her bag to the floor and made herself comfortable next to Brad who she felt she should punch in the face.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sUwP84dho
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUx7fZIY1g4
"Sorry, you had to bump into that girl in the hall," Brad whispered as Miranda took her notebook and placed it on the board desk in front of her.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVcnmAaXld
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNekNfhsttb
"Oh, so you saw me and you didn't even try to help?" Miranda asked as she also whispered. "That's so Brad of you."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHK6xj1Kpw
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9V55NIqwN
Brad just smiled at Miranda who opened her book and got her pen. She went on to look at Mrs. Grey at the front as the History lecture commenced.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRrnuDEpsU
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rTErASMtZ
Ten minutes into the lecture, Miranda felt Brad bump his foot against her leg. Miranda just ignored him as she took down a few notes. Brad hit her again and this time, it hurt a lot that Miranda's leg jumped due to the painful reaction. In the end, she ended up hitting the top surface where she laid her book with her knee. The impact rang throughout the lecture theatre, that those closet drew their eyes on them. Luckily, it didn't attract the attention of Mrs. Grey as she continued to lecture.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dJCkeSP07
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovezO4Tz0a
Miranda turned to look at Brad with an annoyed look on her face. Brad just raised his eyebrow at her as though he didn't know what was going on.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a8gSnZunw
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiD0uSq6gw
"May I ask what your problem is?" Miranda whispered to him.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAvZoyEzDn
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUeyg0OXuv
"Nothing," said Brad as he went back to looking at the front. "You know I just like troubling you."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCUC0R0YUs
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qY3ms8F5g
"Can you two get a room, please?" Francine asked quietly as she looked at the two.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BI7xL8hN8
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WNbHCpOkW
"Your boyfriend can't stop jerking me off," Miranda said.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYW5ygvcdRS
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2H3vDwV9f
"I thought he was your boyfriend."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VkXIw4NLN
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUZjdhdXtU
"I can be a boyfriend to both of you, if you like," said Brad as he raised his eyebrows at them.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQta4TUGJn
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWWj5xYJMP
"That would be gross," Miranda whispered.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFxDZGudya
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSa3azA5x3
"And you don't think going out with other men isn't gross?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVfrhSIQxP
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSxIYxbKg5
Miranda gave Brad a deadly look and he just quietly smiled at her. Brad and Francine knew about her other life and she didn't like talking about it especially in public places like college.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenQdRkPRmR
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKml0RvEltl
Miranda turned back to the podium, still very upset. Brad knew he had struck a nerve. He bit his lip and Francine just laughed quietly.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuQW6FQJQU
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJvQsu2H1c
"I didn't mean to upset you," said Brad as he leaned in closer towards Miranda.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUOB3VEUj5
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bETRS8yuV
Miranda didn't answer him as her eyes were still fixed on Mrs. Grey. She was finding it hard to get back into the lecture. Brad was always so annoying. She wondered why she always found herself sitting next to him during lectures.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pEOxOPx8Q
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYZg8hL8Ie
"I was wondering if you had heard from Carly," he continued.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TO1ZRzToH
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4pKhunvw0
"What? You want to find her and finally make her your girlfriend?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqN6fmVjHTc
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84uEo9iiC9
"No. Someone I know said he had seen her today."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbUQCHW3B3
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCRSO19Ko2
Miranda almost dropped her pen as she looked at Brad.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaQNnPaas0
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6DDaZ38l0
"What? She's back?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkllJN0PfF
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbC0SCQlrkf
Miranda got a few angry stares because her voice was a bit louder than usual. She gave out apologetic looks and went back to looking at Brad.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVhv1xIfz7
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"She's back? Where is she? Why isn't she here?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3JtWlxCqR
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhEHhdQJwS
Brad didn't answer as he looked at his lecturer. He went back to looking at Miranda. Though Francine looked like she was concentrating on the lecture, her ears were alert as she also wanted to hear the news of Carly's whereabouts.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vLbCIAtW4
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn3ldapX4f
"Okay, well, as I was coming here, I know this guy, Indian," said Brad. "He told me he had seen Carly coming out of the administration's office."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ292TDKd0Wb
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNifoFtICUw
"What could she be doing there?" Miranda asked.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZtYC6E7Hp
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUI7UjY64h1
"He couldn't find out because at the time, he was heading for his Chemistry lecture. But Carly wasn't alone. She was with some older man. My friend described him as one of the rich kind." Miranda couldn't believe it as she knew the man he was talking about. "They both left the offices and went out of the premises."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRUiyXAOQK
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMWMeZOMSp
"Wait, they left? That's not right. Carly isn't supposed to leave."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxTfUt3Eb3
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKOiOeM8UH
"Well, judging by the way my friend saw it, it looks like Carly just got transferred to another college."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBaffLXpyv
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkTLRtxR9H
"Oh, that's a bummer," whispered Francine.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFclSCStPD
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ag3a4Yv2w
Miranda felt the world under her feet spin out of control. She had never imagined Carly leaving this college to go somewhere else. And she got all the help from the same man who had helped her and her sister move out of the house. It couldn't be Leo, that she knew for sure. That's if the two of them were still together.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlHuzcdEEu
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKjklul9o4
"Hey, Miranda, are you okay?" Brad asked bringing her back from her thoughts.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGC0YSq8Q5
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8HzklbQMB
"Ya, I'm fine," she said as she went back to looking at Mrs. Grey. Her thoughts still spinning.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVKhs8nS08
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR7q76eqS7
Should she tell Mr. Walters about Carly? As much as she wanted to, she knew Mr. Walters will get to her first when Miranda wanted to deal with Carly alone. She had to do something and fast.
