The news about the 511Please respect copyright.PENANAmYPlBJoctl
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 511Please respect copyright.PENANAJpwpMFj9my
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 511Please respect copyright.PENANAYsPfDBRkAU
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 511Please respect copyright.PENANATrRgpEnGY0
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 511Please respect copyright.PENANAi1SKTWpObX
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 511Please respect copyright.PENANAbcNhZBabFM
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 511Please respect copyright.PENANAGJfUd5wMQW
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries511Please respect copyright.PENANAvo86wTLE8d
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 511Please respect copyright.PENANAhV6l28eyHn
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.511Please respect copyright.PENANAMihNYtMdaQ
There was more to it 511Please respect copyright.PENANAEE96COaWc8
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 511Please respect copyright.PENANA8d6rVXvshc
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 511Please respect copyright.PENANAFEDISX63ix
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 511Please respect copyright.PENANApmt1iMaH6U
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 511Please respect copyright.PENANApnUCBxbmwu
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started511Please respect copyright.PENANAlYHv92p6bB
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 511Please respect copyright.PENANA12uk5GHZWF
except from a few individuals. 511Please respect copyright.PENANA9iMJNIkiyU
And apparently, one of 511Please respect copyright.PENANAMfJWeMNuoU
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 511Please respect copyright.PENANApw1FoF15Xu
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In511Please respect copyright.PENANA4RmqybHmDc
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 511Please respect copyright.PENANAdwmtG26SZZ
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 511Please respect copyright.PENANAoXwgO2qiwh
really going on, all hell would break loose.511Please respect copyright.PENANAlZIHT8SHJM
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."511Please respect copyright.PENANAUYCiKUAESj
Rhénee dropped the 511Please respect copyright.PENANAK4fBYAsF1X
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 511Please respect copyright.PENANA9J1gtuUGuc
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 511Please respect copyright.PENANA9jb6SAl9xN
ear, she took a sip of coffee.511Please respect copyright.PENANAWIHczqGCDX
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAxsd2Ba6XGG
"Ya, its crazy here," 511Please respect copyright.PENANAoWUa086lVI
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 511Please respect copyright.PENANAmAFdtfn631
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 511Please respect copyright.PENANAmwITwMkiPk
broken in."511Please respect copyright.PENANAaHLyHDrRdU
"If only they knew."511Please respect copyright.PENANAxQfjHMShee
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."511Please respect copyright.PENANA9jfqIqkPs6
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAAsvp0RXstP
"She did. I had to make 511Please respect copyright.PENANArBUZtmZyI5
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 511Please respect copyright.PENANA3Q44PhOS80
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."511Please respect copyright.PENANAW8sMg4VSqD
"I doubt if she believed that."511Please respect copyright.PENANAtkrT7hJ6cJ
"Haha, looks like you 511Please respect copyright.PENANALdSUBzy3Mj
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAE8HTQLbHNL
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."511Please respect copyright.PENANA6M4wXenS0n
"True. But we did. I 511Please respect copyright.PENANARDaTGELjye
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and511Please respect copyright.PENANA81L6uOBN2v
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."511Please respect copyright.PENANAMSdhrEgtH0
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAh1dMLeI7dz
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"511Please respect copyright.PENANASnBAns9OJ4
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."511Please respect copyright.PENANA2TJIEZ07Kx
"Okay, bye."511Please respect copyright.PENANARTQrnWRrb0
"Bye."511Please respect copyright.PENANAAhxax1nOjp
Rhénee cuts the call and511Please respect copyright.PENANAjvIwa9qjRl
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 511Please respect copyright.PENANA0hvtKx3hBn
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 511Please respect copyright.PENANA2VcYgFJLqQ
wink last night.511Please respect copyright.PENANAzxDxPA0vbl
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."511Please respect copyright.PENANA5KalNTjkQg
"I wasn't going to 511Please respect copyright.PENANAlokrYZa5gx
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda511Please respect copyright.PENANAZB5dGPeiV5
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."511Please respect copyright.PENANAHHzX5jqbb5
"You don't have to 511Please respect copyright.PENANAoMiJ561zh0
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 511Please respect copyright.PENANAM6dfVWUD69
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."511Please respect copyright.PENANAaCIkMdHhy8
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."511Please respect copyright.PENANA0S6Ulnfzib
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAoambPMnkRY
"Why Malcom?"511Please respect copyright.PENANACXVP2xleQm
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."511Please respect copyright.PENANAokM5XyJqkr
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."511Please respect copyright.PENANArAkzup3dUq
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "511Please respect copyright.PENANAb5aRclFOvE
"Alright, you go ahead."511Please respect copyright.PENANAXZnMiLjMu0
Miss Griselda gave 511Please respect copyright.PENANAY2ADN55bu2
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 511Please respect copyright.PENANAtqn40tLWoR
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she511Please respect copyright.PENANAGhDYfq66E3
did when they talked about Malcom. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAyZp24XkV6g
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.511Please respect copyright.PENANAdy3o2a7Ozj
The sound of her phone 511Please respect copyright.PENANA2kbXkmVJ4N
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the511Please respect copyright.PENANANpElVNBmPY
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 511Please respect copyright.PENANAsZw7g2qyyQ
mother.511Please respect copyright.PENANAT6comp76wv
"Hello?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAdEjJzN45QW
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAMN9riqhcjF
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.511Please respect copyright.PENANAtrsNIpNCGb
That voice. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAz2h4y5lcrD
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 511Please respect copyright.PENANARZYAHY2Lgt
"What's wrong? The other day you had the guts to talk to me when I talked to you about the necklace. Why are you so quiet now?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAf3JlZmWrf4
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.511Please respect copyright.PENANATqzDsHMKaZ
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."511Please respect copyright.PENANAAeSIwt2xrR
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAf6HUCruiUE
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."511Please respect copyright.PENANAWtY4amj6Yh
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.511Please respect copyright.PENANAKwZrRT8cKC
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."511Please respect copyright.PENANAcQl9zPyBdc
"You don't know me, 511Please respect copyright.PENANASgZSSgHtlZ
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 511Please respect copyright.PENANAxkr4iYIsJW
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAbQwhg1hWzm
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."511Please respect copyright.PENANAIVi8NNf8Q4
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"511Please respect copyright.PENANARucjtdNJA9
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAP0IaRlCKnH
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.511Please respect copyright.PENANAipoJoH4IDW
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."511Please respect copyright.PENANAS7U8yHjrng
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.511Please respect copyright.PENANAKF2rAeUxnf
"Then why did you give me her necklace? And the picture of the house? What are you trying to achieve by scaring me like this?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAml60s2ND7u
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."511Please respect copyright.PENANAIbZZKO7UXU
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"511Please respect copyright.PENANA7LkbZhqIpB
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."511Please respect copyright.PENANA75kA7ONA8y
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."511Please respect copyright.PENANArlUlLGkMav
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."511Please respect copyright.PENANAJpgkXYERGU
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAzxoMqwtKj9
"Oh, and by the way, 511Please respect copyright.PENANAJDVZx73T5L
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 511Please respect copyright.PENANAoGqXAcj01c
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 511Please respect copyright.PENANAjX8tAtbquO
this time around."511Please respect copyright.PENANAHkZoZJ97d9
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAKYudZcztHX
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."511Please respect copyright.PENANAiQebUzSWtH
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAROtSdJ93FL
Rhénee sat down on the 511Please respect copyright.PENANA9YxysOS8oc
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 511Please respect copyright.PENANAlg27wqUaYI
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 511Please respect copyright.PENANA1FLxtg2bmM
the others, who know what might happen. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAp9gdFAGplQ
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.511Please respect copyright.PENANA6WMHyYRsHb
***511Please respect copyright.PENANAdcyx7IDmNz
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 511Please respect copyright.PENANA09wGZCQ61d
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAVMeXkXMbgl
"But she isn't hurt right?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAhfQmV8YayQ
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."511Please respect copyright.PENANAZqcKzKA4Fp
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 511Please respect copyright.PENANABC2uOAoS9s
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."511Please respect copyright.PENANAVkN1zMetFe
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 511Please respect copyright.PENANACYAH30QSDh
"Nah.511Please respect copyright.PENANAcTIPhsQiZM
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 511Please respect copyright.PENANATaHMcTRDZ6
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."511Please respect copyright.PENANAyo6kneHgKk
"Thats511Please respect copyright.PENANAutM9tOKO89
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 511Please respect copyright.PENANAJUPn0T4uNp
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."511Please respect copyright.PENANAMYOdrdqzNC
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"511Please respect copyright.PENANA6ZTVFn7Wjw
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."511Please respect copyright.PENANAyIWCeiyM9D
"Alright."511Please respect copyright.PENANAahPyJAUqra
Eugene cut the call and noticed that his mother was standing by the kitchen door looking at him as he stood in the living room. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAKkNWug8LQ0
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.511Please respect copyright.PENANASZQLFkcD4B
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.511Please respect copyright.PENANAnkOXF0W8O5
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."511Please respect copyright.PENANAtitGvjIZFx
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."511Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5RLiH6xs9
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."511Please respect copyright.PENANAHZpygcq8Sc
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAjJIbSQPSEn
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.511Please respect copyright.PENANA9jCiui4VLF
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.511Please respect copyright.PENANABmXbPbTAFj
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAiSsfsN4tPH
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."511Please respect copyright.PENANAUJDT8oAGJA
"Does it bother you?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAcuUsty7yAD
"Um... not really. But.... um."511Please respect copyright.PENANAtlVzApTGyL
Eugene511Please respect copyright.PENANAcHjMb3b5C8
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 511Please respect copyright.PENANAa4IFuCMNpl
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.511Please respect copyright.PENANAxKmumMchRp
"Mum, are you okay?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAszBp91oo08
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 511Please respect copyright.PENANADk05VQpd8N
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAsyQbIBiXwY
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 511Please respect copyright.PENANA45tpqYkIl1
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."511Please respect copyright.PENANAYHrn7SFLeq
Mrs511Please respect copyright.PENANAixACFoXuCQ
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene511Please respect copyright.PENANATKoFVLsofD
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 511Please respect copyright.PENANA790HBUnpbP
had talked about Rhénee?511Please respect copyright.PENANAb9O0dN9RdJ
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 511Please respect copyright.PENANAQs6wOvaHRV
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.511Please respect copyright.PENANAzJN7aU8fmO
***511Please respect copyright.PENANA1j3igPs2zJ
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.511Please respect copyright.PENANA1vHusN89te
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAPS21bWrl7k
"You better rest though. You still look tired."511Please respect copyright.PENANAk2Irh5kIWG
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAL28fW3YIyp
"No, I'll do it."511Please respect copyright.PENANAXmhI8ipOxR
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAVXxubdK7ro
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.511Please respect copyright.PENANAWAbG0cWeRP
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.511Please respect copyright.PENANAeIHYTR6NfL
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.511Please respect copyright.PENANAEoqBsvF6PL
Rhénee511Please respect copyright.PENANAtk2CaYVAUw
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 511Please respect copyright.PENANAPPb0EO0l7H
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.511Please respect copyright.PENANAXIvO9Rx3Fp
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.511Please respect copyright.PENANAxvTkbF6tat
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.511Please respect copyright.PENANAauips51Gmc
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAytlag9B7l7
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.511Please respect copyright.PENANAJdwb26oJ0P
"Thank511Please respect copyright.PENANAafHnbrwqgc
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 511Please respect copyright.PENANAzpYZrpIbxB
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAiwNxqSu8mn
"Well, yes. I still think I would."511Please respect copyright.PENANAhu3VPylB45
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."511Please respect copyright.PENANAiqn3c7F9Fx
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.511Please respect copyright.PENANAKKwZlToMpl
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."511Please respect copyright.PENANALsynBV3QLm
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.511Please respect copyright.PENANAJlinbGCzL1
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAED98yxvxkQ
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.511Please respect copyright.PENANAzRlXSKzTmS
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"511Please respect copyright.PENANApNaKAho5I6
"Coffee will be lovely."511Please respect copyright.PENANAvegb7PxFeR
Miss511Please respect copyright.PENANAWOb5ine8AM
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 511Please respect copyright.PENANAoHOxuKzD7f
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.511Please respect copyright.PENANA8Fr9FkD20S
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.511Please respect copyright.PENANAsgcWgPS0Y1
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.511Please respect copyright.PENANAGace1kIql3
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."511Please respect copyright.PENANAo4cdLz1pFi
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."511Please respect copyright.PENANAujLJBcoiUh
"What mysterious person?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAG3uNrHCzX3
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."511Please respect copyright.PENANA5ywNhDS46t
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAQApTTLkmWv
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.511Please respect copyright.PENANAhngN2HGMkE
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.511Please respect copyright.PENANA7XCQfP0pzC
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAstIUp1at6a
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"511Please respect copyright.PENANA6kb0nLx2On
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."511Please respect copyright.PENANAbvwmr2gX2S
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"511Please respect copyright.PENANAm7uWBxwgkq
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."511Please respect copyright.PENANAx94Db3XsON
The511Please respect copyright.PENANAPtXPhvEL4l
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?511Please respect copyright.PENANAqcTyxd8AcJ
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 511Please respect copyright.PENANAWDoPALKFY0
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all511Please respect copyright.PENANARdsKbLHHs5
of this.511Please respect copyright.PENANAJSuSn3Vwqy
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.511Please respect copyright.PENANAuDvSKv6xeY
"I...511Please respect copyright.PENANAc31wbnQzul
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 511Please respect copyright.PENANAHyeQAfcKjD
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 511Please respect copyright.PENANAVWH1WoOlwu
frustration. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAn661jGX8US
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.511Please respect copyright.PENANAxWyBeme9cz
Rhénee511Please respect copyright.PENANAdfbnZlyWKL
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 511Please respect copyright.PENANAhKYJNzJJH8
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 511Please respect copyright.PENANA5QNy8DWcpT
cups on the tray and wondered. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAoOiraO8S2I
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 511Please respect copyright.PENANA4LsGNhgRD1
511Please respect copyright.PENANAbXTdrVf5K7
As511Please respect copyright.PENANAdMI3vhvnvs
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 511Please respect copyright.PENANA1zFiA2KVmZ
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 511Please respect copyright.PENANACQFQPtWP4C
reminder kept ringing in her head.511Please respect copyright.PENANAxrVa6vD1Cy
"And tell your friends not to get involved."511Please respect copyright.PENANAb87S4JWi2C
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAIhbladb46R
"I511Please respect copyright.PENANAdMu6rOVPc4
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 511Please respect copyright.PENANAoply6xM95W
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 511Please respect copyright.PENANAHXJEG6SafH
talking about, Rhénee?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAphmoZt61LA
Rhénee511Please respect copyright.PENANAUMA1BhkGT4
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 511Please respect copyright.PENANAzJYkYo4W0D
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 511Please respect copyright.PENANAjBB8a13u4r
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 511Please respect copyright.PENANAlVWoBXpXxL
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.511Please respect copyright.PENANAtxHkl2UBDW
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.511Please respect copyright.PENANARnYEgETU5f
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAYDrjuApP3S
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."511Please respect copyright.PENANA0QnHwBSW8A
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAEoO2eHCI6v
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 511Please respect copyright.PENANA30wSUNaE1L
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.511Please respect copyright.PENANA5XCRCMcvJk
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"511Please respect copyright.PENANABwJtzqBG8p
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.511Please respect copyright.PENANARrRt382YY4
***511Please respect copyright.PENANA7az9VuhjNS
Sweat511Please respect copyright.PENANAdW97Lg5Bm8
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 511Please respect copyright.PENANA6AwvrCoVTC
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 511Please respect copyright.PENANAGB2NTvBPxc
the person waiting never likes to wait.511Please respect copyright.PENANAs2amdANN2T
He511Please respect copyright.PENANABLr9F2VHGk
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 511Please respect copyright.PENANAj5gTLUXrP5
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the511Please respect copyright.PENANAYectBqFc4h
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 511Please respect copyright.PENANAn4fFC4qA5B
second.511Please respect copyright.PENANAdUySWjq8G4
He511Please respect copyright.PENANAPVcV6QnDHn
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 511Please respect copyright.PENANA0Uod5IzIS9
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 511Please respect copyright.PENANA1211DANkEe
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 511Please respect copyright.PENANAazGyjc9FQd
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 511Please respect copyright.PENANAMhWsd7hPIq
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.511Please respect copyright.PENANALOi7RPFngm
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 511Please respect copyright.PENANANFYtLbAFUb
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 511Please respect copyright.PENANAE6CAxtNTL9
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAbpcDFpLrwT
"You're late, again."511Please respect copyright.PENANA5gIxF6Pr1K
His511Please respect copyright.PENANARiuEud4J5U
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 511Please respect copyright.PENANASgfArgO8Hk
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 511Please respect copyright.PENANAoI1sCxNZM0
lion door knob. 511Please respect copyright.PENANADLChV5WxiE
He511Please respect copyright.PENANAhxGX96iBkY
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 511Please respect copyright.PENANA9djrfia8M2
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAOqY9OweCq0
"What511Please respect copyright.PENANAuK6t4LrB8T
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 511Please respect copyright.PENANAZpQ7yGPtOh
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAUAU9T3TMxh
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."511Please respect copyright.PENANAjiMGLCsgJ2
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.511Please respect copyright.PENANAY7HUbmLFea
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."511Please respect copyright.PENANANdMsY0cHFI
A511Please respect copyright.PENANA4GCK5LFqFL
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 511Please respect copyright.PENANAcgdUcE1FN4
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 511Please respect copyright.PENANA7EII6FdX2A
as they had their backs towards the window.511Please respect copyright.PENANAKbO5dXIvok
"You know we need him," said the tall man.511Please respect copyright.PENANASpS68AzLMA
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."511Please respect copyright.PENANA1XETDfYyw1
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."511Please respect copyright.PENANA7Jdtn9QP5v
The511Please respect copyright.PENANAwgotFgZtoh
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 511Please respect copyright.PENANAsjfF8LHnQS
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 511Please respect copyright.PENANAEQrh9jazc0
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.511Please respect copyright.PENANAhlDj1Y4bLV
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.511Please respect copyright.PENANAmwD1G2DYWT
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.511Please respect copyright.PENANAnXv1wQurfr
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."511Please respect copyright.PENANAmMytSA7rUd
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAmGHtKJzGCF
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.511Please respect copyright.PENANAb381gl2qOM
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."511Please respect copyright.PENANAghV1RQgUn5
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."511Please respect copyright.PENANANMh3ogeeUo
"What if she reveals the truth?"511Please respect copyright.PENANA3otzbRZOLO
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."511Please respect copyright.PENANAsA8KED8Xej
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.511Please respect copyright.PENANA0wrriJqfMg
For a moment, silence hung over them.511Please respect copyright.PENANAKxxDEwVHzj
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."511Please respect copyright.PENANAF5MyGBYZAN
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."511Please respect copyright.PENANAplOWxqDmlu
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."511Please respect copyright.PENANAjbxaIdNQtb
"I511Please respect copyright.PENANA4awQ95ExzF
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 511Please respect copyright.PENANADmWbO8wV1X
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 511Please respect copyright.PENANAExN8DAIlWE
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."511Please respect copyright.PENANAmZAGHuU9yo
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.511Please respect copyright.PENANA51yDb3QQsT
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.511Please respect copyright.PENANAQMTzXPuZgi
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."511Please respect copyright.PENANAUomZvqcYGm
***511Please respect copyright.PENANAIlZfgS434w
The511Please respect copyright.PENANAS8lxj7b724
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 511Please respect copyright.PENANAhc9qBSB49H
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 511Please respect copyright.PENANAItq4S8ANGT
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 511Please respect copyright.PENANAm8NXgLlAAE
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time511Please respect copyright.PENANAuvveIrqCYs
they met, they seemed sky blue.511Please respect copyright.PENANAL5EUzLyhTW
And511Please respect copyright.PENANALx7LcFBl5d
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No511Please respect copyright.PENANASel7Z3lR2S
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.511Please respect copyright.PENANAXC6wR2PNxy
Rhénee511Please respect copyright.PENANAmvrrjuV6ca
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 511Please respect copyright.PENANAwdYE8MAMsk
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied511Please respect copyright.PENANApItlel8Xa9
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 511Please respect copyright.PENANAGR0JwidokN
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 511Please respect copyright.PENANAteFRf72Wcl
coffee table in the middle.511Please respect copyright.PENANA7m07vwLvwT
When511Please respect copyright.PENANA9qh3iZ73oT
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 511Please respect copyright.PENANAu9P9RqjM2V
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.511Please respect copyright.PENANAwqraJqwyob
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.511Please respect copyright.PENANARDtyMdHgNL
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.511Please respect copyright.PENANALeOxEB6oOM
"Are you sure?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAkRdHyUbqjT
"Yes, I'm positive."511Please respect copyright.PENANAh2SeMCs8WI
Miss511Please respect copyright.PENANAccdP6GOtR9
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 511Please respect copyright.PENANAM7nW01mgTL
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 511Please respect copyright.PENANAOphnIRfQAZ
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips511Please respect copyright.PENANA2P1QwfSQXI
from their cups.511Please respect copyright.PENANA7fA2QBrdMK
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.511Please respect copyright.PENANA0rMo2GAbJ5
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.511Please respect copyright.PENANAigAFXrMymR
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAflBALMEZPp
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.511Please respect copyright.PENANAWhQXgL2lzT
"And how about the fact that you and Greta were imposing as other people the time I was coming here?" Rhénee spat out at Malcom.511Please respect copyright.PENANAZaiwNLquPy
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."511Please respect copyright.PENANAzAXIUEzDT8
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."511Please respect copyright.PENANAtylym2jtzA
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."511Please respect copyright.PENANA1auLzTxoOQ
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.511Please respect copyright.PENANAY56PFVubTS
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."511Please respect copyright.PENANASvlCXww7DW
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.511Please respect copyright.PENANAjV33PuFdYS
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.511Please respect copyright.PENANA3HU4UubDHB
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."511Please respect copyright.PENANAsok3I9kr3S
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"511Please respect copyright.PENANAo9xE8VfQdg
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.511Please respect copyright.PENANAG9xYZJkbx4
"Oh,511Please respect copyright.PENANAd1ybAcUlJY
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted511Please respect copyright.PENANAxuFWCgq3wZ
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 511Please respect copyright.PENANApCPF54eO7Q
who he is."511Please respect copyright.PENANAlnZcijRlCO
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."511Please respect copyright.PENANAeI1uB2A6r4
Rhénee511Please respect copyright.PENANAJERPXDLKyt
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 511Please respect copyright.PENANApPErPobWoD
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want511Please respect copyright.PENANAqjEiHiSfsb
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 511Please respect copyright.PENANA1iY1U6kN8O
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.511Please respect copyright.PENANAXS7bR4bB44
Rhénee511Please respect copyright.PENANA9wUBmtHZOd
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 511Please respect copyright.PENANAuw71VYmd2b
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.511Please respect copyright.PENANA8qAnMsufU7
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 511Please respect copyright.PENANAqzw0mwrac4
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.511Please respect copyright.PENANAazu6BokeHz
"Fine,511Please respect copyright.PENANA0qAl7gseFu
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.511Please respect copyright.PENANAhtehfTsdES
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 511Please respect copyright.PENANAEcj0KaHiYe
or die if you stay by me."511Please respect copyright.PENANAwJyUrColmg