x

Mrs. Chamberlin felt someone gently shake her. She moaned a little as she opened her eyes. The buzzing fluorescent light blinded her for a bit until she realized that there was someone standing next to her. Her eyes opened widely now. It was her son, Eugene.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAX1LzASTL
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAm37UF4Yaw
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCw5nlbYvGj
"Hey, mum, are you alright?" he asked. "Sorry for waking you."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8X7BcMfqz
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkQdSJchLu
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtnnnkbJO0
Mrs. Chamberlin sat upright; the big, heavy coat she had used as a blanket fell to her waist. She rubbed her eyes, trying to remove the sleep in them. She looked over at her son, who stood there looking at her.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqYiv67ixW
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4IW1phREF
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsafvQuO1r
"I didn't expect to see you here," she said, as she put up a tired smile. "What time is it?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAFEeYGNid
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgrqoTAtqN
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDBQsAJrZd
"It's five in the morning," said Eugene as he went over to sit on the chair she had been sleeping on in the waiting room.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41DoAhe6ao
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC1WrOyCVG
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzoYSRBDlr
"And what about your brother? Aren't you going to see him off to school?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6qnsDo9tw
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQhTiCglca
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdgNsWVwRn
"I will. I came to check up on you first."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGgThkNvUW
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8pqKOYBfu
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguBnA50ZzC
"I thought you were going to ask how your father was doing."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwJvSIdDoD
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSor330JuG2
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0INUth4MfG
Eugene didn't know how to respond to that as he looked up at the ceiling and then back at his mother in silence.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe6g7otmk8
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH62tK5y7p5
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xAc299sVi
Mrs. Chamberlin sighed. She wasn't going to force her son to do so, even though she knew Eugene cared a lot more than he thought.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXbC3S11v2
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwvCJx6Mqq
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3VdEUzG6W
"He's stable now," she said. "They managed to pull the bullet out. But he lost a lot of blood. The doctor said it would take time for him to recover." 356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOimcifImO7
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPpqo3kDU9
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7qwkNsYii
"Did you go in to see him?" Eugene asked. 356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQTDt7yavf
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuoSsDQetX
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbWZ8fAfs3
"I did. But he lay there unconscious. I'm hoping he wakes up soon."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwx0yq8Nf4h
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeVvH71ELq
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3X5R6BBap
"When he wakes up, you know he'll have to face the police, right? In fact, what did they ask you when they came last night?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY9sitXEjV
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RKcywJdgt
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlaRz7Inka
Mrs. Chamberlin muttered to herself as she put both her feet down from the chair, trying to make herself comfortable. Eugene wondered if she would stall so as not to answer his question.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8w606oV0WH
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDK2C2mSwMJ
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpZqGnrVn8
"They asked if I knew about his whereabouts before he got shot," she answered. "If he had told me who had shot him, I would have told them, but I didn't know anything. He just showed up on my doorstep, and I had no choice but to call the hospital."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMAgl9TvpV
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnTEQYUP0K
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGYCs0Fsd7
"Do they think he was involved in some shady deal?" Eugene asked. 356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdtUtTMuv9
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FFCbOQaA4
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmAXE9puUi
"They do." Mrs. Chamberlin sighed, shaking her head. "I wonder what he got himself into."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpw5rAbPt4D
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2cFbg2vzC
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvREo57EEba
"Something dangerous, that's for sure. Maybe this time when the police investigate, they'll find out the truth about whatever he's been keeping from us for so long."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeB77sCZ9b
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3eqUWgPX8
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0XcE8RnRg
"You already know that he is involved with dangerous people. Do you really want to dig deeper and find out who he is working for?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfSFmVgKzY
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhC0JGohbNe
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAI7ToOcOW
Eugene continued to look at his mother, and he had a feeling she wasn't going to like what he was going to say. He averted his eyes to the ceiling and stayed silent.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h65N6db31
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSDqOlmwS7
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljn8e5p8hd
Mrs. Chamberlin looked on at her son. After what seemed to be a long while, she slowly stood up from her seat. She needed to stretch her legs. Likewise, she also raised her hands in the air to stretch her entire body.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5WYlHshzu
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwimTguVgv
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDX0vYtEta
Eugene now looked at his mother and asked, "Won't you be going back home to freshen up?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPfX430YO0
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8INrXKtkw
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYfhQSwxx3
"I will," she answered after dropping her arms. "I'll do so when your father wakes up."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDSjYimtMk
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbzWOrdUrc
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3anXcCRbB
Her answer made Eugene scoff. "He was at your doorstep when he came asking for help," he said. "You don't have to show that you've been with him this whole time. A big part of me knows he will figure that out when he wakes up."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvH5UZ4mFz
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBpMmaJGLb
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqW06RNekzD
"So, how is your brother doing?" Mrs. Chamberlin asked, ignoring Eugene's statement. "It must have been confusing for him when you told him he couldn't enter his own home."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9ul6MPWCz
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yTXbII1Mp
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeWB7iK5l1
"He won't take it lightly after he hears this news at school. I wanted to tell him, but when I got back to Mrs. York's, I found that he was already asleep."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPszpRhLID
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sEUhAjDSy
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSeTNR8m8E
"The disadvantage of living in such a town is that news travels so fast. I strongly advise that you tell him when you go and get him ready for school."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVwsJgUJou
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8MDA0fPFG
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDM4yCOpgg5
"That will affect him, mum. He won't be able to go if it comes to it."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5WQ0JSQSc
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapZA2MhUKF
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV7iAbKnRP
"That decision will be up to him. If he doesn't go, the better. Make sure to call the school if it comes to it."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGGlPp9uzo
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfhZEwFZBK
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5IBvei0v4
Eugene gave a nod of the head. "Will do."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaafwp3D7D
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaNPbvLeX5
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDJAIiCnDO
Mrs. Chamberlin looked down at her son and came up to him. She bent over a little and held his chin to lift his face and look straight into his eyes.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUESuw0DXp
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbihpmNUBJG
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAFbVZIHov
"Did you get any sleep?" she asked. "You look like you've been up all night."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScIWFebuLR
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5v3RCMRmQZ
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjo7wKa1Vl2
"Yeah, I didn't," said Eugene as he put up a tired smile. "Not that I was worried about him. I'm more worried about you."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtPLsfNfZG
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewI75t81Lp
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYzcE78nxj
"I'll be okay. Your father needs to recover first."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWphDQUfdsn
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezRKuYhyqE
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHbpqnkCCW
"If he does, will you consider leaving him for good?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wCCa8Q2ya
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlp7M6gjDDj
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jaLf8UzYn
Mrs. Chamberlin let go of his chin as she stood upright. She didn't expect him to start talking about this subject at such a critical time.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYujWQWcJd
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3qQPgQ3Cu
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNJyt63g1b
"You should go and check up on your brother," she answered as she slowly turned away. "He will need you around when he wakes up."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NhWkvCezb
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKdIKCokvQ
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGW8yd7TFH
Eugene continued to look up at his mother and, likewise, stood up from his seat. "I know you don't like to talk about this, but for once, think about Albert and me. What if that man brings danger to our own doorstep one day?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRfwxtFqbT
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzBLKiw6kN
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmjjkRNkLF
"He can never do that. He promised me that whatever he's involved in will never affect us."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMnX7feXc3
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcEaC7etn1
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcpHHUabRI
"I'm sorry, mum. But him coming to our doorstep with a gunshot wound is proof that he already did. When are you going to wake up and realize that?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQE2AcF8DX6
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfyf57laz9
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxfAj1sFla
His mother still didn't look at Eugene. And he took it as his cue to leave. Before he could turn around and head for the door behind him, he turned back to her to say:356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB78Uc5Dxs
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fMegYAoBl
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQs0TaDorx
"Mrs. York will be coming over to bring you breakfast. And she thinks it will be a good time for the two of you to switch so that you can go to the house to rest."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5iVrDcTpq
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVYX265gL3
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuetk5NeNG
Mrs. Chamberlin turned to Eugene. "And what if he wakes up and finds that I'm not here? I need to be here when he does."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2U8Doh8dh
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOv4slKpoK
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpVV2NTH8X
"Seriously, mum, I don't know if you care about yourself at all."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KfyewAFhz
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3q1OgE4jW
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HcH7M96Ie
Mrs. Chamberlin couldn't help but swallow. She noticed the look in his eyes. It might be him being tired from being up all night, but there is a sense of darkness in them that she has never seen before. She wondered where it came from. Could it be after having a talk about his father? She couldn't tell, but seeing him like he is now made her realize that there's something different about him.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8No7T7x97V
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwuDhqsDIg
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYxjFWb01x
He said his goodbye, and without a second glance, turned and walked away, not realizing that he left a cold trail in his wake. Mrs. Chamberlin, at that point in time, didn't know if this was her son or some stranger.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiesyYGBLYL
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EVIj6HRNC
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1yW4B5bRJ
Eugene had every right to be in the mood he was currently in. His mother still stuck to her marriage like a lifeline. He wished she would one day realize how much of a baggage his father was. Secondly, so many things happened last night that he didn't know what to think of his best friend anymore.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyVn8ktqqq
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7vkj0SUEr
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSw8FU6BNCI
After surprising Miguel with his presence last night, Eugene asked him where he was. Miguel lied to his face, saying he went out for some fresh air and didn't expect it to take so long. Eugene went on to ask him why he looked in such a mess, like he had just been beaten up in a fight. As usual, Miguel laughed it off and lied that he tripped and fell somewhere down the street. Eugene expected to be lied to, and he couldn't tell Miguel that he knew where he had been, for that might expose Miss Marie. So he pretended to buy the lie and told Miguel that he only passed by to have a chat. He left the place, saying that it was already late and he needed to be by Albert's side.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pVRp0IogM
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TxqqQMCCq
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCARCalZl0d
Eugene had already found himself outside the hospital's premises, heading for the bus stop. His body was in flight mode, moving on its own while he continued to get lost in his own mind.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvW7xE3rABd
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcH4oQQC2ni
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9Nm4tUiDg
As soon as he reached the bus stop, he sent a message to Mr. Sinclair, telling him that he would be coming to work a little late. For any ordinary person, they would've accepted a day off with a loved one in the hospital. But in his case, he needed a distraction. And the idea of staying in the hospital didn't sit well with him. Not when his father is the reason why his mother and brother are suffering.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93joN47hcF
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRc807ZKN7
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiRUuIhZnm
A bus was coming from a distance, and Eugene felt his heart beat so fast as he realized that he was going back to wake his brother up and tell him the awful news. It was best he heard the news from him. Albert is emotional, so he needed to be there just in case he had a breakdown.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZiCywTyoh
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNuqoGMqbG
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNq7Vi0Hsph
As soon as the bus stopped right in front of him and the doors flew open, Eugene took deep breaths. He entered the bus feeling like he was going to a funeral. For whom, he wondered.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZZun1o9tr
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQpX1FkkiY
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSbrjbMk9o
***356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgmxHnZ4zn
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkLyVIcdmc
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMiYoqH8V5
Rhénee turned in her bed, facing the window, this time around. She could tell the sun was now rising even when the curtain was drawn shut. She hadn't been able to sleep well the whole night as images of what happpened kept replaying in her mind, and she had just slept in intervals, only to be woken again by her dreams.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGOnsWLMIz
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsy1B04Tbgs
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQyx6tuAih
She suddenly sat up and decided to take a walk around the house. Her body ached with tiredness, and she decided that a cup of coffee would do her good.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSWXOHTFHf
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNvTeh8TGD
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJohmi2c0m
After getting out of bed and wearing her purple bed slippers, she started to make her way out of the room when she heard her phone on the bedside table vibrate. She wondered who could be texting her this early in the morning. Perhaps her mother? Rhénee could only wonder what her mother would say if she were ever to tell her about the events of yesterday. She would drive here with her brother, Rhénee thought, and force her to go back home.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV00bReIl4a
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoV00ws2TSm
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IHlM12nRA
She went back to her bed to get her phone, and she found herself sitting back down on the bed. As she checked her phone, she found she had a message from Mr. Sinclair telling her to meet him at his office at 11:30 AM so that they could go and have lunch together. Rhénee raised an eyebrow. He was taking her somewhere more public. It didn't seem convenient, but it must be because he knows I won't overreact in a public place, she thought.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDJFrgRZ4s
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4XyZClgQ3
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44HsjnhYet
She texted him back, saying that she would be there, and stood up from her bed, making sure to carry her phone with her.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrzQfjzqWa
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMXWbvuxGL
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OEHcWSHAV
After walking out of her room and closing the door behind her, the silence of the house greeted her. She stood in the hall for a while, taking it in. She thought if she moved or made a sound, it would disturb the calm of the place. But the sweet sounds of the birds singing outside her bedroom window did the trick, though not in a harmful way.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkqdNLguhw
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBJ9tuHKxh
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKJSB7yOce
She walked down the hall, bypassing her late grandmother's room. Stopping to look at the door, she thought of going in. But the events of yesterday came to her mind in a flash, making her think twice. She realized that all that's been going on right now since she came here is because of her grandmother, which stirred up a lot of mixed feelings.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIahabLVg9
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgeeHMGeH8
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu7037zUBc
She scoffed and turned away, heading to the stairs and to the kitchen.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXpFeVsNoS
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1c7C3yPrhx
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4E2pT3ytmC
Upon entering the kitchen, she was greeted by the warm sun's rays that penetrated through the white kitchen curtain. The feeling was comforting, and it made Rhénee smile a little. She went on ahead to the coffee maker and started to bring out the coffee beans and sugar from the cupboard straight above her. Likewise, she made sure to pour some water into the coffee maker as well as putting in the coffee in the filter and switching on the appliance. She sat down on the kitchen stool near the island, waiting for the coffee to brew.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRq8dlX65z
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJOfWU4EyG
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzefaggd3Ho
Nevertheless, she decided to look through her phone, checking things out on social media. She found herself looking at a post by one of her friends, whom she hadn't talked to since she came here. Seeing this made her realize that she hadn't talked to any of her friends in what felt like forever, when she had only been here for a few days. With so much going on, time seems to have moved so fast when it barely has at all.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsy1zNY3JPy
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrA3xqQPFZ
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2OsJyNRPe
Her coffee was still brewing, so she left the social media page and decided to call the one friend who wouldn't mind being bothered so early in the morning.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8E3SOp9Zo
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWr7b7PVovb
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpPpZ1DKoj
After finding their number in her contacts, she called it and put the phone to her ear. She heard the dialling tone and waited. It didn't take long before the person on the other end picked up.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsT1g5l2KLc
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dU2uODdII
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiFFgl38y1
"Rhénee?" There was a sleepy male voice on the other end. "Hey, it's been a long time. How are you?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3q1R90X9B
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZxAscVEb8
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQplZtKK0Qx
"I'm good, thanks; how are you, Alex?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSZCx7WUYN
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAiCa83uMy
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPS7RwqRGV
"Never better, now that you've called. I thought you forgot about me."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8diKFdIk6E
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vvd9pDy5v
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUgzJNqU0X
Rhénee looked up at the ceiling. "Yeah, I think I must have."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNxeoUW3xe
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0BV9RxhYA
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdNBR2OAk3
"Don't tell me you've made a tonne of friends over there and that you forgot about me. Or did your late grandmother's fortune get to your head?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhTF9hVKHI
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5sCp29Lju
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYUzTo2hMq
The last thing Rhénee needed was to talk about her grandmother, but she had to act like nothing was bothering her for the time being.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXwsubN93x
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipDZEjSarZ
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQCWaAjyib
"You're just as funny as usual," said Rhénee with a smile on her face. "I've just been busy."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiquBkmAlEi
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkDzyAVsp7
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylw8KVlRfA
"Yeah, a new house and a new life must be a lot of work."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaWxOXMqSi
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLWi22zXr7
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXAZBgfGvx
"You've no idea. But I'm getting by just fine. I know it's been forever since I last came here, but a number of people still recognize me. So I don't feel entirely alone."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblzNpzj8SE
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnJXhSetqP
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZL2PxP1821
"Please, it's impossible to forget a person like you. And you were adorable when you were younger, so there is that."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSg99U9LVK
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyMgG13nOz
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADpMsYUJkw
"I wasn't adorable when I was younger."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxd8tWWD7B
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkpAIGw6L4
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0IaORNS09
"I've seen your baby pictures, Rhénee. You were just the cutest."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LOhI5Sziq
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRSxI9y2U4
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pErhxGQt8
"Who showed you my baby photos?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5SU3ldhsc
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCzcHkTnQC
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDs5gKgpUux
"Zoey, of course."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPx6IBPEq4J
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQz35xjYYg
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy0eirDwih
The two continued to chat, even about the old times. To Rhénee, it felt good to have her mind off of things, even when she knew it wasn't going to last long. As she poured herself a cup of coffee, she laughed at Alex's jokes and what he had to say about other people, especially their close friends.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaVmLF1K16
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUMiNjds4O
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpECzgRghb
"Goodness, I wish you were still with us, Rhénee," he said. "Everyone misses you here."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6e655tXFMo
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1XEnSqBF1
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14stFvYw8U
"Yeah, I miss the place too," she said as she looked out of the window. "Don't worry though. When the holidays arrive, I'll make sure to be there. My mum will kill me if I don't."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oDO6QNl66
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWyMz59C8f
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZidkvTZec
"Knowing your mother, I won't be surprised. How come she hasn't even thought of coming to get you back? I'll make sure to tag along if the thought ever crosses her mind."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEImQnBg4u0
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5WmLEKDjd
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvguKTFWgx
"Because I told her not to. I know she cares about me, but she never treats Ryan that way, and they stay in the same city."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsXKkownTz
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ8YBEiQ9v
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydABRPBJeB
"Sorry, Rhénee, but you should know that you're her baby girl. Of course she would worry."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIck1SMN3k
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpO1CtXRSnc
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOICYTYpK1j
"I wonder when she will ever get over me. I can look after myself, for goodness sake."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP4yoZuQkn
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjKC6eU5fW
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHucLo5qw8C
"She'll get over it when she feels like it. Give her a break."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuGHgLlkc5
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6s9MKnY9YC
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRG5tFJGZ7
Rhénee thought she heard footsteps in the other room. Miss Griselda must be awake.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkiTkY00SD
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIbgWv8ynP
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhozkhwWcxe
"Anyway, I better get myself ready for the day. It was nice talking to you, Alex."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVPWcRJGGw
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERfaWOwTG0
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWcyworKCi
"You should call every day. It will be nice to hear your voice every morning."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAec08sYccE
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJL3bwXll6
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfqq98igow
Rhénee chuckled. "Why don't you get out of bed and go flirt with other girls?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsavo0GA6x
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHS4knPuNqq
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9czRd4N9zp
Alex, on the other end, laughed. "Oh, Rhénee, you're the only girl for me; don't you know that?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWSxvPDXhy
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENQU2rB403
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp975FmeTxs
"Bye, Alex," said Rhénee, not ready for Alex's proposals, which he always made. This time she wasn't going to hear it. Even when she misses him for doing it.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6189rlqo9Q
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rUoFAjiHh
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqSFMHaHyi
After he said his goodbye, she cut the call and placed her phone on the table as she went to the sink to wash her cup. The door to the kitchen flew open, and Rhénee turned to see Miss Griselda walk in.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQi5mNQ5Phy
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakYIMfJXoj
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaGsihW58y
"Morning, Rhénee," Miss Griselda greeted her. "Did you have a good night's sleep?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIRZngQ4YO
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsN1Kg3Q56m
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgC2AyrEtu
"Not really," Rhénee answered. "I'm guessing that you didn't sleep well, either." She had finished washing her cup and had put it to dry on the plate rack.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHGlItashu
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqtP8tvrQr
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQS2zepL5M
"No. I barely slept a wink."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R2BEffu4l
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9z455EYJvO
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYEV9MKbrN
"There's still some hot coffee if you need it." Rhénee pointed to the coffee maker.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiJbBn5hyk
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcunsHHNN88
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKiEgaKQ1P
"I heard you talking to someone just now over the phone." Miss Griselda went over to the cupboards to get herself a cup. "Who was it?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡun7gi6zOpq
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioKoZH8sxb
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6UjgGlqsG
"A friend of mine. I hadn't talked to him in what felt like forever."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyANofPHLM
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvymf7DEssM
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPjOe9JKHv
"That's nice. You sounded like you were having a nice chat." Miss Griselda took a cup and poured herself some coffee.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDV9V0e3bZ
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1M4p2bR0c
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgOBNQxiVV
"I did. If only people like him knew what's really happening in my life right now. But the last thing I need is for him to get involved in something as dangerous as this."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvTwDOBDgU
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQhABmmUwI
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUu7WmBnUTh
"A wise and sensible decision." Miss Griselda took a sip of the coffee, and her eyes brightened up a bit. "This coffee tastes great."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUNSn5omCp
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXdoA8Qw45
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡman5Mpx4uu
"I'm just fortunate. I didn't do anything to make it as nice as you make it." Rhénee chuckled.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu64uIc1U9P
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfXiHTnSDL
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCtf6pcTGl
"So what do you have planned for the day?" Miss Griselda asked as she sat on one of the stools. "I hope you haven't forgotten that you've to meet Mr. Sinclair."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvDt6o9h30
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXojZchMQu
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJaqzkEPL4
"No, I haven't," Rhénee replied as she walked away from the sink towards Miss Girselda. "He texted me this morning what time to meet and where."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlmxQC9TH0
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhd6PhwPvNg
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRtA1muOZ1
"Wherever you will be, don't try and give him a hard time, dear. You're quite stubborn, you know."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgpYp8juJL
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AsMrV0kiT
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHYqysT9oP
"Oh, I think he already knows that. The message clearly states he'll be taking me out for lunch. So you don't have to worry."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4cWPisO9h
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMm2YaS1aY
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtujcqNAD5h
"Well, something tells me you'll still put him on edge with your questions."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Gi4bH2BJN
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVuh0kdqPc
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxuQ6EluxL
Rhénee raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? The way I see it, the man seems as cool as a cucumber. You saw how he was yesterday when we came back from the forest."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Sb1RmL7pg
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYGYWLbYxo
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElG3kfE7RR
"I know. But just be careful of what you want to say to him, okay?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdY2Hj8LF86
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6gqeKI2Qn
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8jIoCeSha
"As you wish." Rhénee didn't like the feeling of being defeated so easily, especially from Miss Griselda.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HKhacnZXx
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3Qo4hdapK
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsCsWjSrfo
"I plan on making pancakes today. Would you want some? I figured that we had a tough day yesterday it would brighten our day at least."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdcDSXDQNO
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6gtW8603H
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTMlis8g2j
That put up a smile on Rhénee's face. "That sounds great. Let me go freshen up first."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9iEkxOPUC
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcg3cyyHQaf
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEDlsY1VyV
Rhénee made her way to the door while Miss Griselda continued sipping on her coffee. Rhénee stopped for a bit as she wanted to turn around and ask Miss Griselda something concerning last night. But she stopped herself knowing fully well that Miss Griselda might not want to talk about it right now. She opened the kitchen door and walked out.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2VEUZNWVC
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGb312Ihsz
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoBj1m7Ev1
***356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWSoqeLh5s
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlligj82FQt
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZU8cqLSEe
Eugene walked out of the room he and his brother had slept in. He had just told the news of his father's accident to Albert, and as Eugene expected. He didn't take it so lightly, but mention that their father was now out of danger.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzh0PAs52Xk
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRA60eEAUXf
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnLas8Qjif
Albert had also asked if that's the reason why they couldn't go back to the house. Eugene replied accordingly, stating that their father had come home badly injured. Albert understood, but there was no denying that that he was disturbed. Eugene suggested that Albert should not go to school until he felt like it. Albert thought so too and he told Eugene that he wanted to be left alone. Respecting his brother's wishes, Eugene left the room and headed down stairs where the smell of food from the kitchen was calling to him. Eugene now realized just how hungry he was.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHl7OU9PkM
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtqt3WRYuf
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMoZ0EQbHK
As he entered the kitchen, he found Mrs. York by the stove making scrambled eggs. He also noticed that there was toasted bread, a jug of juice and a pot of hot coffee on the kitchen table. Mrs. York turned to look at him as she heard him enter the kitchen with a smile.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU6sWoPaUj
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMl90QVXOpc
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6AYTBxPCC
"Please, Eugene, sit," she told him.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU9Nr7aDGF
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeHQXEfm1h
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYOCShiioc
Eugene did just that. "How is Mr. York this morning?" he asked.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40r2GNOEfR
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0p5coXZHK
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnozswLd5c
"Oh, he's still fast asleep," she answered as she turned back to the eggs on the stove. "With the meds he is on, he sleeps like a rock. How did Albert take the news?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JaAHca5es
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZA19xiqkk
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyW7hsst7n
Eugene clenched his hand into a fist. "Not too well, I'm afraid. He looked like he was about throw up or something. He wanted to be left alone for a bit."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HHwVRfQ4b
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeL25W9REz
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcYQxUDKzF
"Will he be going to school?" Mrs. York removed the pan on the stove and put the eggs on a plate.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQVXHC5C86
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXm7XnbzUJ
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XNcLwHXQP
"No. He won't be able to concentrate. Plus, people might be talking about it a lot."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBsgqiKOpi
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdCj4WAlFA
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKooFYbFLiT
Mrs. York approached the table with the plate and laid it in the table. "People will always talk, and you know that better than him."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8osJtUqxz
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ndrZykVIh
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcQ89AYCDZ
She pulled a chair to take a seat. "And what about you?" she asked. "Are you going for work?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwOK2R8XJE
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZTazrRT6J
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpCons817e
Eugene gave a nod of his head. "I need to get my mind distracted from all this," he answered.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldwUdzoN36
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1530E3yP3
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbSNOKCcdI
"I see." Mrs. York took one of the cups on the table and poured herself a cup of coffee from the coffeemaker. "I'm guessing your meeting with your mother didn't go well?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoUwwTqt2G
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxnyO1xwCX
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwGWg0ZNwP
Eugene looked at Mrs. York and gave a nod of his head. "No matter, she didn't want to hear anything regarding her leaving him."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgjstJ1XrI
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OchfNIy5d
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo68D26ieM
"Well, that wasn't the most appropriate time for that," said Mrs. York as she took a plate and placed two slices of toast from the main plate. "You know how your mother still loves your father. You better eat up while the eggs are still hot."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wa5tU4bRA
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSKHpG6Wjv
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1nOJoeLC6
Eugene served himself a glass of juice and toast and eggs. "There's no denying that she still loves him," he said. "I'm afraid him  coming to our house to ask for help spells danger for all of us. I don't trust him."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8yqAyHALY
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRG47UzGJA
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQOLhkYsgg
"Same here. It's going to take a lot to convince that stubborn mother of yours. But lets not think about it right now. Focus on taking of her and your brother."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrorT9TwqX
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQmuLXF0Tk
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZU8UPfLzDC
"I can't do that when she sticks to my father like it's all she knows how to do."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmSnpk3CoY
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh74mJdoO9f
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVKyDijFkL
Mrs. York sighed and she took a bite out of her toast. "It will take some sort of a miracle to tear those two apart."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGFUed53iy
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85SoHYa1Ze
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdGvgq6ZXG
"You're right. Now that I think about it, I might as well just leave it be."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgJreFmRmt
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPRZKS2Vnd
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyNqYdYJqN
The two continued to eat their breakfast and as soon as they were done, Eugene went to prepare himself to go to work. Mrs. York had fortunately taken the liberty of taking some of his and Albert's clothes from the house when the police were around. Their house was still a crime scene, but knowing that his father had been injured else where, they might bring down the yellow tape sooner than expected.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZSg3IFIEO
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8GmhzX3tG
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDWsGUUs9j
Before leaving for work, Eugene went to check up on Albert. Lucky enough, he found Mrs. York encouraging him to go to the kitchen and have something to eat. He also made sure to call Eugene's home room teacher to tell her that he wasn't going to be in today.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEENjXTdTLi
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡct9dbhSV4J
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnZuI2DFkq
After saying his goodbyes, he made his way out of the house, heading for the bus station. There was no need for him to call Miguel to pick him up for work like always. Eugene thought he wouldn't even go in his car, if Miguel was to appear at the moment.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaJOcxptUN
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOX0BUPAWUF
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3HD21RIvL
Knowing fully well, that he already told his boss that he won't be coming in early, Eugene took his time walking. While he did so, he wondered what he would tell his workmates at the office when he gets there.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94CtCIHuMw
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2w7Lpnx4gY
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBh4svGZAFO
***356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFZggaVdbf
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBuNMvSClo
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGOYFFwbTg
Rhénee looked at the time and figured it was now time to leave and head to Mr. Sinclair's office. She had been seated outside the patio, overlooking the garden with Miss Griselda and Sofie at her feet.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jyT9pGlN6
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaKkuyGBO3
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsj5fP9Cgb
"I better get going now," Rhénee announced as she stood up from her seat. "I don't want to be late."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOu9nlCYAN
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mEWPNAbOQ
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcImkyOYi7U
"Alright," said Miss Griselda, sewing her red dress on the collar. "Remember what I told you about Mr. Sinclair and your questions."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgttSejfcyh
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVZOPVbaoq
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEn5dQIAkE
Rhénee gave Miss Griselda a smirk. "I'll do my best. I'm not going to promise anything."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwBPw0kJK0
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bwGn3bDqe
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8glLLpkxW
Miss Grisleda looked up at Rhénee, regardless. "Take care," she said. "Make sure you don't wander off on your own like you did yesterday."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQtl9rMRIC
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwNzOMWLzy
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv2CsziiLX
Rhénee gave a nod of her head and started to make her way to the back of the house to the garage. She had left the door open leading to it an hour ago as she had come into the garage to check on the car for oil and gas. She also took the extra precaution of looking around the car for anything suspicious. You can never know with what's been going on around her lately. She had to be extra careful from now on, and that meant checking her car once in a while.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdC8Gmxv0D
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYCOhG6fPy
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GlsjaWVi5
She unlocked the car, opened the door and we went in. She started the engine and soon enough, she drove the car out of the garage and onto the front drive way. As she passed the front lawns of the house, she noticed Kevin at a distance mowing the lawn. He didn't have to come in for work today and Rhénee told him that this morning when he came to her door. But he insisted that he stick around just in case trouble came by. Besides, he also had to keep up appearances for people to see, or else they would figure out that something is wrong.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXelNBR5vq
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdRlgVGm32
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcSiGjR7Dw
Kevin stopped mowing as he saw her drive by and waved. Rhénee slowed the car and waved back. She reached the open front gates and drove off towards the town.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hPQ8oMI87
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrd25GdcZp
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNGtC2ur7J
It took Rhénee less than ten minutes to find herself at the town centre. It's good she arrived on time. Even if Madison was a small town, slight traffic was starting to build up. The place isn't like New York where traffic could sometimes get you late, but Rhénee always liked to be where she had to be on time.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcQDYx9blA
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pueDPizEC
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1YzuW0fqz
She reached the law firm and packed right outside in the car park. She checked the time. It's only ten minutes till 11:30. Better early than late, she told herslef as she took her small white handbag and got out of the car.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WPD22ZFMu
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVg9iIHxu9
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfwCQgnygF
After locking the door, she started to make her way to the building. She bypassed a guard making his rounds through the car park and she acknowledged her with a greeting by touching the brim of his cap. Rhénee in response smiled at him.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtLmomlK77
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3CmgGVEWz
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgELSbupXK
Before entering the building, two women in grey suits who she pointed out as lawyers, walked out through the front door. A chill ran down her spine all of a sudden as she had a strange feeling that she was being watched.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWAA1kRqBo
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooZlh2bse7
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3hnb1Z4tu
She looked behind her at the car park. Nothing seemed suspicious or was she just thinking too much? If there was one thing her father taught her over the years, is not to ignore your instincts, especially in such a situation she now found herself in.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzC97qO1N43
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3wPrkjsX3
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAI7PwUcfzd
With one last look around the car park, Rhénee turned around and started to make her way into the building. It wasn't her first time there so she made her way to the front desk and told the receptionist that she had an appointment with Mr. Sinclair. The receptionist told her to go right ahead. Rhénee thanked her and made her way to the elevator.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzfYGnkITZ
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQxoqQGcbr
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO7Y0ZPlK9
Eugene continued to stare blankly at his computer in his work station. He hadn't managed to get much work done as his mind wandered off every now and then, thinking of his mother and brother. Maybe he shouldn't have come to work after all. When his workmates first saw him, they were actually surprised. They didn't bother to ask him why he had come, but they did ask how his father was doing. Eugene knew they were only trying to be sympathetic, but he could tell that they found him pretty weird to be coming in for work, especially with what happened.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXoiQWGXLO
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcjUibII56
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuSvTXccFh
He could feel people's eyes on him every now and then. That bothered him. At a time when he had to go get a piece of paper by the printer, he thought he heard two of his colleagues whispering. He thought he heard his name and when he turned to look at them, they stopped talking and went about their business. It's either they were talking about him or now he's mind was just playing tricks on him. With his mind so preoccupied, he couldn't tell which was which.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ODE29foZv
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgXakujmGR
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDODwlhnwY
He groaned and finally stood up from his desk. Looking at the screen wasn't going to do him any good, not when he couldn't concentrate. Even when Theodore and Mr. Sinclair had given him less work to do to, he still couldn't get anything done.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDMvpWNYAy
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7l2JG7Df8l
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31mh5igpRc
Eugene gave a good stretch with his arms wide, that he almost hit someone who was walking round his cubicle. He stopped himself just in time and when he turned to see who it was, he found Preeta with a stack of files standing there.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGu2ew1oiY
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpRbsGsXNs
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ78ZMIW9aG
"Oh, sorry, Preeta," he said, dropping his hands. "I didn't see you there."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRUf9Oq5Se
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUFZE4qBcF
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYJZmJhP9Z
"Oh, no, it's fine," she said. "I stopped just in time."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9BqvNa44r
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpDs1wD7SW
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCwjhfd4eH
Eugene tried to smile at Preeta, but his facial muscles seemed too tired to do so. He noticed the worried look on Preeta's face, and knew she what she was going to ask.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMYVNL0VZ4
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGGerkVuay
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiq5eY6ukts
"Eugene, are you okay?" she asked. "Maybe you shouldn't have come in today."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMko5wc1JG
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcashFX5CYT
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MNJajOrgU
"I'm fine, Preeta," he answered. "I just need to keep my mind busy to forget all that's happening."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HTMlJ5xsx
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRvDGG7UoO
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5XD78Ah32
"But you can't, can you?" Preeta raised an eyebrow. "I can tell you're only stressing yourself out by being here."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkz3aEaUMO
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVPTjIC0TT
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yIUAR1qZu
"I know you're concerned, but I can take care of myself."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxb695VvCmg
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TAodpNgTL
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVcxmlV8Zh
"I know you can, but if you ask me, you need to be with your brother and your mother right now. Isn't that's what most important?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaot1jVs5v
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuum4JWWcp
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7SSygfZfz
Eugene sat back down on his chair, with a sigh. His hand fell upon the side of his face as he asked, "how can I ever go to my mother's side when she doesn't even listen to me at all?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vxbKMVCEc
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pNbxTkLdt
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqFzoIxgsS
Preeta stood there silently, wondering whether to ask the question. She knew why he had asked this. His parents' affairs were well known to everyone in the town of Madison. And Preeta now found herself in some sort of bear trap.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRt29oOHQ7S
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgpBTWtSdL
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz72juLoIae
"I wish I could answer that, Eugene," she found the voice to say. "Doesn't that have to be her decision?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoxl0EvTuL
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMF7tQI2NG
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiufhzexA6
Eugene looked up at the ceiling. "Her decision, huh?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHw0sl6iQf9
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi6GIChqHI
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyf07QIAwz5
Preeta looked at him, and she wished she could try and get Eugene out of the hole he was in. But he seems so lost in his own world. There was a sort of brokeness in his eyes and Preeta wondered if it's only his father's accident that might have caused it.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YZfIh6UzG
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZomKPUqvE
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEbydo0EWl
The land-line on Eugene's desk rang and before he could pick it, he continued to look up at the ceiling. Preeta looked at his landline that kept ringing, and then back at him. Should she pick the line instead, she thought. It could be important.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vuIP9rogb
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHgcQebIeR
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P7LGZYycz
Before Preeta could even stretch her hand to reach the phone, Eugene quickly took it and put it to his ear. "Hello?" he answered.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhEhtNMPQt
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMinxiLYxW
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLWdDWQ8t5
He listened to whoever was talking on the other end, and afterwards, he replied with a low grunt and put the receiver back in it's place.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fNFWGNsWO
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdr6JrLlWq
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7henVaWUe
"Was that Mr. Sinclair?" Preeta asked.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseS1wLHAZW
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfrUjof9Iw
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5Nlt2Gdyh
"No, his secretary called to go get some work files at her desk," he replied. "I better go. Those files won't fly here themselves."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3YOxlJd18
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2wylNxnzs
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4bIxJBach
Eugene stood up from his seat and before he could make his way to Mr. Sinclair's office, Preeta took hold of his shoulder to stop him.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7CVnnvABE
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4bbqviM2d
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgsTxV4Thx
"Hey, it will be lunch soon. Do you mind if we can go out?" Preeta asked. "We can get to talk if you want."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1ANwCIKbd
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0x6Zg0ZoXJ
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhYEldmjW2
Eugene looked at her and the corner of his lip was raised to a smile. "Yes, that will be very nice, thanks," he said.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXaYhoMBzo
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtocz1QP9dp
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlVyLlYJDt
"As soon as you're back, I'll meet you here at your station. Sounds good?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjZeG13B9w
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmCqoAP64D
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYDPvKIDzf
Eugene gave a nod of his head and without any hesitation, made his way to Sinclair's office.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMRGVVB1sp
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTPKc1P1u5
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyiHcvuNBV
Rhénee stepped out of the elevator and started to make her way to Sinclair's office just down the hall. She had a clear view of the secretary's desk. The secretary looked away from her computer to see Rhénee approaching.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXNIWuOOFJ
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQoLxFUDjO
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj1CAG8KtE
Before Rhénee could reach the secretary, there came the sound of footsteps coming from the other end of the hall, and a young man appeared in front of Rhénee entering the hall she was in and also approaching the secretary's desk.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDma4Q9EPw
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkkBLJoLZf
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7278WWdhL
"Ah, Eugene," said the secretary looking at him as he reached the desk first. "I thought I wasn't going to get the chance to see you. How is your father doing?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwbqGRFUnD
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zZ7GWPBui
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DHPfyn4Az
"He's out of danger at least," Eugene answered, not realizing that there was someone coming behind him.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Mmqs3buf4
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlzUxYQspk
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6QRWIn4nR
"Good morning," said Rhénee as she came to stand beside Eugene.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBq7GMiCKT
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpKwu1XS8q
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscT73tKTWj
Her presence startled Eugene that he almost jumped in fright. He responded to her greeting bleakly.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8gCI7tqAd
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdj4Sv1t8Ib
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0x3zCxOqCb
"Good morning, Rhénee," said Mrs. Clarks with so much enthusiasm, like she hadn't sounded sympathetic with Eugene minutes ago. "Mr. Sinclair just stepped out, but you can go in his office and wait for him there."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPA6piNA6N
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CEZHHhm4a
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8RYAQo0Q3
"He trusts me to be in his office?" Rhénee asked, sounding surprised. "Won't it be better to wait for him out here?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaDQX9NKI2
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4Ret2aAbq
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALvsTlXste
"No, he wouldn't mind. Please, you can walk right in."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SiBL2t1Mw
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1nYO8B258
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrE973YDmO
Rhénee thought twice about it and quickly made up her mind and started to make her way to Sinclair's office.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMv4WpQvDry
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVn0izuMJE
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsmcdQp27y
Eugene had been staring at Rhénee the whole time and it was only Mrs. Clarks placing the files so loudly on her desk, that brought him back to earth.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMO2jjPKST
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKJJrLBPtx
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xrXHJT3Rg
"How is your father doing?" Mrs. Clarks asked as she looked on worringly at Eugene.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhGJH0dXlj
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUU1rszRt3
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfE9PYaD7Z
Eugene quickly shook his head, trying his best to gather his thoughts. "Well, he's out of danger for now," he answered.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUS5yJBnGKC
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyFKKO04pG
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIVpnht076
"Just know that I have you and your family in my prayers. As soon as I heard the news, I got terrified. I still am. Do you know how he ended up like that?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7Yyc5Dbji
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDSSo3klgx
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVdlPk1E07
Eugene shook his head. "No clue. He didn’t tell my mum anything, either. He passed out when he got to the house."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYm0RxxrTzr
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtnqNKRZKO
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchuQUwK2FI
"It’s good that he’s okay. But isn’t it bad for him, though? I hear it was a gunshot wound, and the police are now investigating the matter. Did he say who shot him or what had happened?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguOHattQGo
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwY40lylD9
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ623WYBTsRL
Eugene shook his head. "No, he didn’t say anything to mum before he passed out."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezCoyxcggu
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVfVBIFf2a
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGD2WGRntwE
"Well, I hope it isn’t serious. No one reported any shootings, though, so hopefully it was just an explainable accident. It would be pretty bad if it turns out that he was involved in something shady."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtk93lyHbX
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9lzUmhEqw
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5uGcmbnze
Eugene had had enough of Mrs. Clarks' talk as he picks up the files on the desk. "I better be going now. I’ll see you later."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPiFNo102v
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiD0UbovW5Y
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm9DgZDu6i
"You take care of yourself, dear. And tell your mother that I’m praying for her."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXc96KkE2G
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLY3xMFRcd
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT14r1UnXD
Eugene gave a nod of his head and turned around to make his way back to his workstation. He completely forgot about Rhénee, who stood in Sinclair’s office and had heard the entire conversation.8964 copyright protection352ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17ZPorZ1eK 維尼

18.226.159.13