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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2Gtj6YdlS
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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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbceIwZHzFU
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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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdx7XnY8x2q
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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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs97MWXU0li
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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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNS7y0hyjx6
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"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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUoAURbhjc
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"Yes, I did," said Red Lion, feeling rather proud of himself. "Slowly but surely, I’ll get what I want."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohc7IvtLmg
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"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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrObsZWL8Q
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"I’ve calculated the risks. And trust me, I plan not to fail."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqlmt2UMX0
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"What of Walters? What are you going to do with him?"500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJkShJJmfh
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"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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq09iKTSZW
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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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55ij7CMUlo
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"Yeah, I know. But I did tell Alex, though."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3mSQlJe2t
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With the continuous singing of Carlos on the deck, Hugo paid him less attention as his facial expression turned into a grave one.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0xoAJs72I
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"You told him? Why?" Hugo asked.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3cD7fCrTF
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"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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gO1BsV5hP
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"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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2vKrYLmUS
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"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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSFjgAcc6W
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"Really? Aren’t you forgetting that there are always minor setbacks?"500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7l9uy4SHLJ
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"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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQFiD9J6Xq
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"If I were you, I would act fast on him."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi16laSBMQH
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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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrL6jXRvb1U
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"I trust you to make the right decisions, then."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42fr6YOzwt
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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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxWNPmsz7T
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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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHF9zOvWZIn
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***500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELpZwHyhwu
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"Morning, how are you?"500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7fhkkxg0A
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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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Dn3KCb92r
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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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDRKuqrw2y
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"Yes?"500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmxYtuFhWn
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"Please come over to my office, Leo," said Mr. McDonell. And with that, the line cut.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBEHTd6CwI
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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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIMRXdZUMs
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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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNTvRzC2nX
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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?500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXmcdHbzqd
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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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28mDfX3BFx
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"You’ve been summoned too?" Eric asked when Leo got close.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpz3VeaiqW9
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"Yeah," Leo answered. "And I have no idea why. Do you?"500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ419pYxKzWJ
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The corner of Eric’s lips were lifted into a smile. "I might have a guess," he said.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRquWGLYBWk
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"Which is?" Leo folded his arms.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhuRs9KtAc
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"You’ll know soon enough. Let’s go in. We don’t want to keep him waiting."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdzbd5wje2
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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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mhgQN1PQZ
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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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4EuYAY6pj
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"Morning, Mrs. Lance," Eric greeted.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQMTXWw6if
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"Morning to you too," Mrs. Lance replied. "Hey, Leo. Are you good?"500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfU6MoUIsR
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"I’m good, thanks," Leo replied.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlHM2UMrDg
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"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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8OjDR4iam
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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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4jU6lP3EJ
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"That will be great," said Eric.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljot7fQT2x
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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?500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9WxHzDSvD
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"When will the meeting be?" Angel asked.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN5HBLv3Sa
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"This week on a Friday," said Mr. McDonell. "Eric, Leo, how far with the preparations?"500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxrjhMMLbh
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"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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlf1zQaMrO
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"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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3XOqmDKGh
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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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlduV8IhOz
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"We have a place in mind," Leo found himself saying. "So there is no need for the ladies to be bothered about this."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCErEAx3Mv
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"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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6gXfUiOMZ
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"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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYivgrWxhWi
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"Alright, we will leave in the afternoon soon after lunch," said Eric.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5aP4acXk8
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"Sounds good," said Mrs. Lance. "Will that be all?" she asked as she turned to Mr. McDonell.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQkascdMTL
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"Yes," said Mr. McDonell. "Thank you all for coming."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91LqIvOhMT
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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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfZScHEmth
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"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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeBMjM1bip
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"I know you only mean Angel," said Leo, feeling irritated.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFP9HjrmoLK
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"Well, you know me so well." Eric beamed with a smile that Leo felt blinded his eyes.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjzdOkpuXW
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"Whatever, this is getting annoying. Why did my father pick Angel when anyone else would’ve helped out?"500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMWbLWjiLy
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"To gain experience I think. Besides, it’s great to take on assignments outside the office."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZwbDUGQNP
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"Yeah, I guess. Hey, did you happen to know about this?"500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnBtXl0hx5
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Eric smiled as he answered, "no." Leo sucked his teeth.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcLTmyhauC
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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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GwOpAxXcW
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"Morning," he greeted.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyYcakwBso
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"Good morning, Derrick," Angel greeted.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcsPjR4bNN
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"I didn’t see you at your desk when I passed by. I thought you weren’t going to be in today."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQdwoHRYbY
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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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXwNUcrEI9
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"Well, you are close to the McDonells, aren’t you? I thought you might have the privilege."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYMUaotwgj
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Angel raised her eyebrows. "I’m just here because I have the qualifications to take on the job. I’m not here for fun."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8YwQT9SQ2
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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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Z5Zc5T7s0
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"Sorry about that," he apologized. "You’re right. I can tell that you’re only here for work and not to impress anyone."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoI8fXWT2a
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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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmM5mqiTYQd
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"What could they be talking about?" Eric asked, his eyes never leaving the two.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFsnBV4Qkf
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"Who cares?" Leo replied as he tried his very best to look away, but couldn’t.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96kLsa3HWX
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"I hope he isn’t asking her out or anything. He will not like me."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLJ6XG0uwj
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"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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZJJxrFFKo
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Eric sucked his teeth. "You’re probably right. But she doesn’t seem interested in the guy."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9JKhI37ni
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"So, are you busy this afternoon?" Derrick asked.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMtpKpxXl0
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"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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnUEQPVxXB
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"Oh, I see. I was thinking, since a lot of us aren’t so busy, maybe you would like to hang out?"500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHQOKuZ1ji
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Angel smiled. "When there will be time, I’ll keep you informed. I still haven’t forgotten about our lunch."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfd0weTYvx
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"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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRsmuDe7dW
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"Oh, my goodness, is the guy blushing?" Eric asked as he noticed Derrick’s body language.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiJ8lfOLlK
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"Hey, Eric, we better get going," Leo warned. "You don’t want to stir up trouble."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2A49xHCvWa
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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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26hJ0b3l9k
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"Yeah, I haven’t forgotten," said Angel. "Just make sure that we have that lunch."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jMTsqFVAW
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"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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6BC4byOvJ
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"Okay, see you later." Angel smiled and went on her way.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡia7rZXn6p3
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"Look, she is leaving," Eric whispered to Leo. Derrick was coming in their direction. "Quick, act natural."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQRCek1kfn
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"What? No, I won’t," said Leo.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGtnr7L6bX
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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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLI7fahVal
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"This is ridiculous," said Leo, rolling his eyes. "We should never do this again."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9A6Y2VDwS
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Leo started his way down the hall, which Angel took, and Eric quickly followed him.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdaVgIO0ak
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"Oh, I’m sorry," said Eric sarcastically. "But it’s not my fault that he was talking to Angel."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFi8OxTZRb
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"Please, you never see me acting like that with Carly," said Leo, making sure to keep his voice down.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM5jUfIbGk
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"That’s because you don’t visit her college. Trust me, she probably talks to many guys."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOkadbhcFL
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"But she loves me, though. So I’m not worried."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsmFiEqq2W
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"Well, your relationship with her is already set in stone. I have to fight to get what I want."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKngGlWkn5R
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"Hard luck, pal. There are a lot of men, as you see, who want her hand."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQG4nYiRMmg
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"Tell me about it. I've got to stand above everyone else if it comes down to it."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVm4XHZHEJ
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"You think too much. If Angel is smart, she’ll definitely go for you."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmabzwgSe3
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"Angel is smart. I just haven’t told her how I deeply feel yet."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Wu0JwhXoD
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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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8unpcTXuOw
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"Oh, I will. And something tells me she knows."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcoTcSc6rk
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"How? Did she say something to you?"500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AeUfMKIhs
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"No. I have a hunch," said Eric with a smile on his face.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4pToQnA5e
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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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd3fd3QGGN
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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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXZe5mqOgQ
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***500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMIJxuWmpz
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"Well, you’re up early, boss. Did you get any sleep at all?"500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP81qtgIlqK
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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.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqLOc77mhb
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Andre walked back into the room in white hotel bed slippers. He drew in the smoke of his cigar and later exhaled.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy6Q0ZO79l
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"No, I couldn’t sleep," answered Andre. "That party last night was a blast."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVsCs0k76z
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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?"500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2h7n89OQzi
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"It wasn’t necessary," said Andre. "I told them that I wouldn’t be needing them for a while. I needed to be alone."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkXAeV0Y3Q
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"Is it because of that woman you met last night?"500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VhXNm65u1
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Andre chuckled as he took a sip of his whisky. "Maybe."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC10yaeboQm
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"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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaVhRIbPjn
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"And what are you going to do about it?"500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRu5nSXt2R0
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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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRmgSrGngl
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"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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6WL0wXzcL
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"Which led to some committing suicide." Diego, in return, raised an eyebrow.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe2uguRkFA
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"Whatever." Andre went over to sit at the foot of his bed. "This girl feels different, though."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSydmQphlx
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"Isn’t that what you say about every other girl?"500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUctBuWbRK2
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"No, I don’t. Don’t try and confuse me, Diego."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ijE7Dg8Ll
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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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtF8xSGkpRl
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"That’s the whole idea," said Andre with a wicked smile as he took a sip of his whisky.500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixOJ8FBXxr
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"Ha, ha, very funny," said Diego, not looking impressed. "When do you plan on going back?"500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5bYhlbH5H
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"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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZo00rDnQI
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"But you do have her number, right?"500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYUpxIQriS
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"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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IIkbER4ZV
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"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."500Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR1Y2pILfk
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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
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