Carly was on her way downstairs when she saw Angel enter through the door and into the foyer. Angel was just about to make her way back to her room when she noticed her sister up the stairs.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ4c37LWC2
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyY4J6nk5T
"Did you really prepare Oliver in time for school?" Carly asked as she stopped going down the stairs.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNHgthqjZN
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHcJiJnljq
"He was late and I wanted to help," said Angel. "I'm glad you also got out of bed and got yourself ready. I thought you weren't going to get out of bed when I came to wake you up."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8cwzrr3yu
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTglkGQhog5
"You always know how to get me out of bed, Angel," said Carly. "Thanks, by way."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTp5THkhXWs
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0df1RMpome
"You're welcome. You better eat your breakfast. You don't want to make Mr. McDonell wait when he arrives to pick you up."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UsurisjxB
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMizD5SGnDo
"Sure," said Carly as she made her way down the steps. "You look much better today."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewVUYGoi6w
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNwtUGQPco
Angel raised her eyebrow as her sister joined her at the bottom of the stairs. "Really?" she asked.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2jAY46W5D
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyF4kIVj6Fw
Carly smiled as she nodded. "Ya. You don't seem to be in pain everytime you walk. Looks like the meds are really doing wonders."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelNwdS4C1r
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30TjxHEIKc
"I guess so. You've to go eat."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHfbZJHBmY
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FsFp8qQ5W
"Wait, umm, when will you start going to work for the McDonells?"788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFdNb3DnZX
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEjXHwGtSn
"As soon as I hand in my resignation letter at my old work place."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6osKnLpnF
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqb1FBzTgN
"Will it be tomorrow?"788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwRaRxw0k4
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RaNfAzhaY
Angel folded her arms and gave her sister a look. "Why do you seem so excited that I'll be working for them? It's not like you're the one working there."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuOyVUxqA0
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ9anFcW8C
"You're right. I just wanted to know, that's all."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkAa64o80j
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2qtkXw53Y
"You don't have to worry. I'll be working soon. Don't stress with that kind of stuff when it's my business."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOW4tUohbu
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYFcJsoJmL
Carly mockingly raised her hands in the air as though in surrender. "Okay, I get it," she said. "I won't talk about it ever again. Hey, can you join me for breakfast? I don't want to eat all alone at that big table."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cyEz51R2O
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jvLI2bcBn
Angel looked at her sister and wondered if she wanted to join her. In the end, she nodded her head in agreement.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosSNdc8Ghu
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4OX9MGiUM
The two sisters went to the dining table in the dining room. It was just the two of them as they settled at the table and ate. When they were in the middle of their meal, Mrs. McDonell soon appeared in the dining room.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWpamyXfoU
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FP6hiuLaE
"Well, what do we have here?" Mrs. McDonell asked as she entered the room. "I didn't expect to see you two sisters here."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8QVQBwK5c
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9A4RTvybo7
Carly rolled her eyes as she was irritated by Mrs. McDonell's statement. Angel on the other hand went on to look at the lady of the house with a smile as she was not shaken by her.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2E8FvCrV3n
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2GBibJ7kZ
"Good morning to you too, Mrs. McDonell," said Angel as she raised her cup of coffee to her smiling lips.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSwPqQhPfJ
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWImNszT3k
Mrs. McDonell went over to the other end of the table where she usually sat. There was silence among the three with the cutlery they were using to eat their breakfast making little noises in the room.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8kKKCrP3K
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqhKhGJkA5
"I need to take my medicine now," said Angel as she finished her coffee and placed the coffee mug on the table.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLHQpW51Pq
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGJcbbOQRI
"Are you sure you really need them?" Mrs. McDonell asked as she looked at Angel. "You seem to be looking better than ever."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkbjkLifzr
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJEPDY3JoV
"I haven't finished my course yet," Angel answered. "I better listen to the doctor and take my meds, don't you think?"788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqugVgqJkMH
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE6tZ0Ysou
Mrs. McDonell put up a smile on her face. "You're right. It's good to listen to the doctor. The sooner you get better, the faster you start going to work. You were working at some editing company, weren't you?"788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtVuybrs96
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CFKWbKpdA
Angel and Carly looked at each other as they sat on either side of the table, facing each other. They couldn't help but wonder how Mrs. McDonell knew about Angel's job.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryerQlVYr8
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEv3RQrxwSD
"My husband told me about your work," Mrs. McDonell answered the two sisters. "But do they pay you enough? How are you going to raise enough to get your house back?"788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhevuMBDxL
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTIEKSYgC1
Angel knew Mrs. McDonell was only saying this just to get on her nerves. It seems she had no knowledge of Angel's change in jobs and that she was going to work for them pretty soon. As for Carly, she had just enough of Mrs. McDonell and she was ready to give her a piece of her mind.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1mu6R2hAy
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLIxfSVomJ
"How I'll handle that is my business, Mrs. McDonell," said Angel, beating her sister to it.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxqyCsWplz
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFLklYqDM2
"I really hope it works out for you," said Mrs. McDonell as she backed her chair a bit and she stood up from her seat without finishing her breakfast. "If I were you, I be looking for a better job, don't you think?"788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8vfsTPbVz
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVOwcZMQ9N
Carly was ready to answer her this time around. Angel turned to look at her sister giving her a signal with facial expressions not to say anything. Carly obeyed as she took in a deep breath and leaned back in her seat.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSvAXirt3P
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQajxt8xKh
"I know," Angel answered as Mrs. McDonell made her way out of the dining room.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxihGQ69kk
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkOW4s8vQC
As soon as Mrs. McDonell had left the room, Carly leaned closer to the table so as to get a clear look at her older sister.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfc2dzcwYcj
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tW6obLMbR
"What's your problem, Angel?" she asked. "How can you let that woman walk over you like that? You should have told her that you will soon be working at their company. That would have shut her up."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaM4bCrHoa
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGtuezSUi1
"I know, Carly," said Angel as she leaned back in her seat and folded her arms.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8XMmvH6R2
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAUREMAV5B
"Then why didn't you say anything? Gosh, Angel, the meds must really be messing with your head right now."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOASQ5gdKzQ
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn42p6prmDW
"I'm still the same old person, Carly. The only reason why I let her get away with it, is that it's best when she finds out from Mr. McDonell. In that way, she will drop dead in shock, you will see."
"Now that's a good plan," came Amanda as she made her way into the dining room. "I never thought you had such a diabolical mind, Angel."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeS97aAzYC
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZF4uSVqAD
"It's being reasonable, not diabolical," said Angel as she stood up to help Amanda settle herself by the table.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Z6BWcIkiN
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Z0X5f8JtB
"Sounds diabolical to me," said Amanda as she settled right next to Angel's chair.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQ5pWslPpe
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROS3eAQl8B
"I also agree," said Carly.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1g7fM3V76
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCQw0zovgv
Angel sat back down on her seat. "Look, sometimes, it's best to let people think they have the upper hand when they actually don't," said Angel. "They will realise sooner that they didn't."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUpzym6TPy
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeat3SLG5N
"Still diabolical if you ask me," said Amanda. "May you pour me a cup of tea, dear?"788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdv6nxIM7q
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7vOD1S3CU
"Sure," said Angel as she stood up from her seat again and poured some tea into a teacup for Amanda.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmY9ezUU5o
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmRvK8vFDg
"So, Carly, happy about changing colleges?"788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP6VLjfOWH
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5wo1pX1Hl
"Oh, yes, I am," said Carly as she smiled at Amanda. "It will take time settling in, but I know I'm going to be just fine."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqB0UBcIun
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KnluvJISY
"No doubt about that. Thank you for the tea, Angel."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsHkJ43PXs
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03C9AuF11m
"You're welcome," said Angel. "I have to go and take my medicine. I'll be back soon."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ1EH0RVxf
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelExomnJAl
"Okay, take your time, dear." Amanda took a sip of her tea.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAxmfGjicU
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaXwhTThxx
Angel soon left the dining room leaving Carly and Amanda alone.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkq65Zk2bl
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpqGOI7Jdy
"She seems better, doesn't she?" Carly asked.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJz3p2gvZ9
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsZpjjgXsr
"Who? Angel?" Amanda asked. "She does. She looks radiant too."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQarVeUCE4
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK38kIK286b
"She will be working in no time."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlibpl7lRX6
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhiSdTCp70
"There is something I've been willing to ask you, Carly."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEkv8WDc4k
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5h1sr6Co2
Carly raised an eyebrow at Amanda, but smiled nonetheless. "Yes, of course. What is it you want to ask me?"788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqLZe4ZNwI
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCJofkC7YC
"I'm going to sound pretty delirious with what I'm about to ask, but I find it pretty serious." She paused before she could continue. "It's about Angel and Leo."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBigGh2F8Bm
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqX3bAJlQbo
"What about them?"788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLuFxmKdSw
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffdXRR58gH
"Haven't you noticed a kind of tension, between them? Like, they don't like each other."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoP7SWtpCS
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8koapY1hSr
Carly's heart almost skipped a beat. Not only was Amanda old and wise, she was also observant. Carly couldn't help but wonder how the old lady knew there was tension between Angel and Leo.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpHPGvJ2We
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fBE6egfiK
"They... don't like each other?"788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAKYwMYOIZ
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1IQyKX1Qs
"Yes, haven't you noticed? Whenever they are near each other, it's like they can't stand each other."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6HTg0bKEG
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1aHvgZQhN
"Really?" Carly pretended to be surprised. "I had no idea that those two didn't like each other."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7zqlJ8BHO
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFsp6hantg
"Well, you should know better, right? Angel's your sister and you on the other hand, happen to be close to Leo."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFVZxZGg4f
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAaLJcqTke
"Leo and I just became good friends. That's all it is. He isn't very personal with me as of yet."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAYY5gTzQQ
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTIPNtdNhG
"Oh, I see. But has Angel ever talked to you about how she feels about Leo?"788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFdqNP9UGf
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeuurrkNQv
Carly got caught there. How was she going to answer the question?788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCe2r6YVAKY
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7w9VFW1BN
"Ah... not really," Carly answered as she scratched the back of her neck. "She did say at some point that she was a bit disappointed in him that he didn't apologise to her when she was in hospital. That's all I can tell you."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewgoHPW7Qe
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqTKQfbx6O
Amanda nodded her head as she went on to drink her tea. After she put the cup down, she said, "I just worry for them both. They will soon be working together and I don't want them causing a racket at the workplace despite their differences."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3SuX8THSv
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCn7SItrtN
"That's if they really don't like each other. Maybe you've got this all wrong and you're worrying for nothing. Besides, Angel and Leo are both mature and I bet they will work together peacefully."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBONoWIolEN
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziaNR8RGyW
"I guess you're right. But on the part where they don't like each other, my theory still stands."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Mv7nDf0xt
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnSDjFXYf4
Carly didn't want to argue further on that with Amanda because she would end up getting a lecture when she wasn't even ready for one yet at her new college. And soon enough, Angel came back in the dining room, still in her sleeping gown.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzYtcMLRsJ
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3zFeofQKx
"What did I miss?" Angel asked as she sat right back on her seat.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cpiYTNSyb
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83HyP5Ofd7
"Nothing," said Amanda. "Carly here was just talking about her old college life and how going to a new one would be exciting for her."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3BFQ00YbF
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxdgdDdmdB
"I see. Things are really turning around for her and I couldn't be happier."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LFAVcBlCv
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMH15cNtfE
"Things are turning around for you too. You have a new job which is much better than the other one."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2hmUlLbFu
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Wn7qZ9UUK
"I bet she's going to miss it," said Carly.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYieLMc9Xvz
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc0pfj8NtW
"I know I'll," Angel said with a sad smile.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9HzrO2tox
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZVDFuQKFT
Carly wanted so badly as to tell Angel what she had just talked about with Amanda. But that will have to wait. It was good Amanda thought that Angel and Leo might not like each other, which wasn't false. If she knew the whole story, Carly couldn't help but feel she would be blamed for it.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkxDvaE5Ua
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06SsoFoDNF
Carly looked on at her older sister sitting in front of her as she was engaged in a conversation with Amanda. The tension between her and Leo was great that it reminded Carly of how Angel reacted when she found her and Leo together at the club. What if they both lost control one day at the office? Carly gulped as she thought of it and she knew it wouldn't be pretty. All she hoped for was for the two of them to put their differences aside and be professional. Despite Angel telling her that she didn't mind about Carly and Leo's relationship, something in Carly told her that her sister's blazing fire inside her hadn't extinguished yet.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaEEpI8g0q
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tBT3523PJ
***788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROdhuT5DaN
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaFlUjyjRF
Thick clouds of smoke filled the air in one portion of the partially dark room, lit up dim fluorescent tubes. There were busy feet moving up and down, the people not minding about the smoke. The person smoking the cigar sat on a chair behind a wooden table. Papers lay in scruffy looking piles on the table and the person didn't seem to care with his feet on the table. He had his chair hanging back with two legs on the floor and the the other two in mid-air as he looked up at the dark ceiling with the smoke swirling all around. He couldn't help but be mesmerized by the lovely shapes the smoke was making that he couldn't help but smoke some more.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0vOVLIu97
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgcnUvy84c
Fast approaching feet came closer towards the table and they stopped when they got closer.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlim2r9KCuG
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlctEVEaLEC
"What do you want?" the man who sat on his chair asked as he settled his chair with all four legs touching the floor. He dropped his feet from the table and looked at the two men in front of him. He removed the cigar from his mouth.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqWEDMueSP
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNsfC87YDG
"We have a problem," said one of the men who wore a black leather coat.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWRllb9LJd
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5LWsAyFUa
"What?"788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPOwuVQGrA
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBxckvKvnz
"The Spanish cartel have moved up the meeting date," answered the other who wore a black muscular shirt and had blonde hair.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKbVB1Wd8a
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4uuF8pklh
"What do you mean they moved up the meeting date?" the man seated in his chair asked.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodJ3cf0Ndy
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXxQ5P13Uo
"You know what that means, boss," the man in the leather jacket said.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzULeF2ttn6
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZQqAtUy1F
"Tell them that our meeting on Friday still stands."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRxps3C9iT
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2kaNIodjt
"They are serious about this, boss," said the blonde man.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hfdYzAevv
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyK7WHlqny
"This is just great!" the man fumed as he banged his fist against the table. Papers fell to the floor. "When do they want to meet?"788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyhNTlwDyp
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp3UjZt7HM
"Wednesday."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXq1rQnsDCp
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf5kXu8Af2
"Great." The boss leaned back in his seat and put his cigar back in his mouth. Then he made his fingers touch each other by their tips. "I met with Walters today about bringing Carly back to the club. I have to inform him that he has to speed things up."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHNqLxKA2B
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84Q04CB4DZ
"Not to be rude, boss, but, what's so special about this girl anyway?" the blonde man asked. "As far as I know, she's nothing but a prostitute."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMoXVMktbH
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyAq0ffmLY
The boss continued to look at his comrade. He blew his cigar and he slowly opened his mouth, letting the smoke run out of his mouth. He removed the cigar in his mouth again. His face was hidden behind the thick cloud of smoke for a moment until he suddenly leaned forward and with his arm outstretched, he took the blonde man's neck and pulled him towards his face so as to give him a good look.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRw9evWFFS
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDkPg4AnpI
The blonde was struggling to breath with the boss' hand around his neck. He was nose to nose with his boss that he could feel his hot smoky breath on his face.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqQfBlWRc5
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPWjF4cxhO
"Don't you ever call her that," the boss said, his spit hitting the blonde man's face. "If I hear you call her that again, you will be eating your guts, do you here me?"788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76H2uOJe5n
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2cHor4LLB
The blonde man's face was running out of colour and he so much as wanted as to breath so he quickly nodded his head, agreeing to his boss's demand.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspdEMcccWr
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNTHE6gUSu
The boss unclenched his hand around the man's neck and the blonde almost dropped to the floor but he held on to the table with one hand rubbing his aching neck. He coughed as he tried to take in deep breaths.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAavcO1dsn
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSssZZbeDH
"What do we do now?" the man in the leather jacket asked as his counterpart came to stand next to him still holding his neck.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5W3RuQPvx
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1kNIkXuVh
The man who claimed to be the boss, stood up from his chair and went to sit at the front of his table still with his cigar in hand.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxz8lsQHKs
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KVFnHcTPE
"Call Walters and tell him he won't be getting Carly," said the boss as he breathed out a puff of smoke. "I want you two to handle it and I want it done tomorrow."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShdYSUvjXs
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASHQCHTC5T
"You've got it, boss," said the blonde man, his face red and puffy with all the blood rushing to his face. "We won't let you down."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUPg85BHuf
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsltaJHV1p
"I know Carlos," said the boss as he grinned at his blonde comrade. "We have a business to run and all this cocaine isn't going to sell itself, is it?"788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLet59R3g8
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEeVNTr4XQ
His two men shook their heads and with the wave of the boss' hand, the two men in front of him went on their way to do as they were told. The man in charge looked all around the partially dark room as there were crates loaded with the illegal merchandise. A few people were up and down, stacking the packets in huge crates.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmsC0Gk2qF
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4Gdm3qOAq
For some, selling this was all they could do to make a living just like the people stacking the cocaine. But for the man in charge, this was more of his empire. He came from nothing. From a poor man begging in the streets to become one of the most dangerous men in New York. He wasn't going to let anyone get in the way of what he had done so far. Right now, his business wasn't doing so well as usual and he needed the one thing to make it alright again.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsGhC8nQZC
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpb0mNaTf6
No one was going to stop him from what he was going to do. For those who try, he would simply rip their hearts out and feed it to them. He was a bloodthirsty man and he was feared among a lot of those who knew him and what he does. They don't call him the Red Lion for nothing.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9whMRwqCSe
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21JLlpGLBU
***788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmdpPhx0z2
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzO6wrsx66
It was close to eleven in the morning and Miranda had just gotten out of her lecture looking just as frustrated as her other colleagues around her. They had just been given a 25 paged assignment that was due this Friday. Everyone was frustrated about it because they had other assessments to be worried about and now they had an assignment that was going to take much of their time.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTpy1vN1mw
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOusylhKok2
She had another lecture coming up and she had to rush for it. Her lecturer didn't like her students arriving late.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwso8Uk0AnY
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjK6vLsjii
She was rushing down the busy hall, careful enough not to bump into anyone. She was just about to reach the lecture room when finally, she accidentally bumped into someone. Books, papers, pens and highlighters all fell to the floor. The person she had bumped into had been carrying them, now, they were all on the floor.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CTU9jR33d
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBj0sCXh8R
"I'm so sorry," said Miranda as she quickly knelt and started to pick up all that had fallen.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHiRnvsoL3
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTORP5yFqn7
The blonde lady she had bumped into also knelt and started to pick up what she could.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVK30qNjDU
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpLlDlwSxm
"I am so sorry," said Miranda as she gave the owner her books. "I was rushing for a lecture."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCpYNgsjRu
The blonde lady politely smiled at Miranda. "Aren't we all?" she joked as she took her books. "Thanks."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT8ulUOQuU
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfuA2PoZ2x
"You're welcome," said Miranda as she stood up from the floor. "I've to rush."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFP1qZ7Gtm
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlF74LQCLZh
"No problem," said the lady as she also stood up from the floor and the two went on their own way.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhxVJGE6vs
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOIBEvV2kt
Just as Miranda entered the lecture theatre, she was making her way to the seats when she heard her lecturer's voice.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1GysTCZSN
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiWzozbRQL
"You know I always hate it when people come in before me, Miss Whittle."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWp0E1hnMQ
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FcGgmswxh
Miranda groaned in frustration as she slumped her shoulders and closed eyes. This was just great. She was always late for Mrs Grey's lectures. Lately, she had been trying not to, but things always had to happen to her whenever she made her way down the hall. That's how come it was easy for Miranda to be known by her lecturer.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6XesGphBU
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctqf3FkOeM
"Sorry, Mrs Grey," said Miranda as she turned to look at her lecturer who was already standing at the podium with a black board behind her. Her eyes behind her glasses pierced through Miranda like needles.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0iRBPetWB
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94w5wI61in
"You can take your seat. I would be advising you not to come late again, but it's pretty obvious that you still will."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvEvfAXROn
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Nur3iX9eC
There were a few snickers coming from the other students. Miranda made a face when she realised that one of them happened to be her friend, Brad.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dGqLA3PJh
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaX7TlgiE7m
Miranda made her way to sit next to him almost at the back. He was trying his best not to laugh. Francine a pretty brunette sat on his other side and she coolly smiled at her. Miranda dropped her bag to the floor and made herself comfortable next to Brad who she felt she should punch in the face.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qXDmtfZQ7
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqzd5GVXLZ
"Sorry, you had to bump into that girl in the hall," Brad whispered as Miranda took her notebook and placed it on the board desk in front of her.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4xGGaNRPA
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaDsBkMBSn
"Oh, so you saw me and you didn't even try to help?" Miranda asked as she also whispered. "That's so Brad of you."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8rHYd8HIC
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UV7kTBwYj
Brad just smiled at Miranda who opened her book and got her pen. She went on to look at Mrs. Grey at the front as the History lecture commenced.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZqKu9CrNs
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKhME1D6MR
Ten minutes into the lecture, Miranda felt Brad bump his foot against her leg. Miranda just ignored him as she took down a few notes. Brad hit her again and this time, it hurt a lot that Miranda's leg jumped due to the painful reaction. In the end, she ended up hitting the top surface where she laid her book with her knee. The impact rang throughout the lecture theatre, that those closet drew their eyes on them. Luckily, it didn't attract the attention of Mrs. Grey as she continued to lecture.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwxaxWS9Mh
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVBtpy0917
Miranda turned to look at Brad with an annoyed look on her face. Brad just raised his eyebrow at her as though he didn't know what was going on.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJtdfJaQgI
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwscum4uUnq
"May I ask what your problem is?" Miranda whispered to him.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ516ASV7ZPU
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgDfwl6C90
"Nothing," said Brad as he went back to looking at the front. "You know I just like troubling you."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOg7utZQDAq
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTEy2lh6jy
"Can you two get a room, please?" Francine asked quietly as she looked at the two.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4012OyzlX
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzDhEoGDbO
"Your boyfriend can't stop jerking me off," Miranda said.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6V7RXhfMx
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZDZu1a7AH
"I thought he was your boyfriend."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQqqnNIbVA
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpoSlM3H3h
"I can be a boyfriend to both of you, if you like," said Brad as he raised his eyebrows at them.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5R8AqsIIcx
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZ09aISsFz
"That would be gross," Miranda whispered.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i1C8s5A6f
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KakVsp0g7
"And you don't think going out with other men isn't gross?"788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxifXbkGbm
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fySRTihQk
Miranda gave Brad a deadly look and he just quietly smiled at her. Brad and Francine knew about her other life and she didn't like talking about it especially in public places like college.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZQBnCa6mm
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fn8xfoAR0
Miranda turned back to the podium, still very upset. Brad knew he had struck a nerve. He bit his lip and Francine just laughed quietly.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJe5uE33IH
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07DuKPUUkQ
"I didn't mean to upset you," said Brad as he leaned in closer towards Miranda.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgTVE6RCOZ
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsXrfmMvwC
Miranda didn't answer him as her eyes were still fixed on Mrs. Grey. She was finding it hard to get back into the lecture. Brad was always so annoying. She wondered why she always found herself sitting next to him during lectures.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFyofGquJo
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX6VxK6M1y
"I was wondering if you had heard from Carly," he continued.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPJxEtoTek
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDVgK2q9V6
"What? You want to find her and finally make her your girlfriend?"788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNlVVpSqFa
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zq6vEaIu9
"No. Someone I know said he had seen her today."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIJENzGMEx
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40JDwea0n2
Miranda almost dropped her pen as she looked at Brad.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqF9s0aiw8
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe1O2TqKRu
"What? She's back?"788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wk7XZfeKh
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cyE9jNy6y
Miranda got a few angry stares because her voice was a bit louder than usual. She gave out apologetic looks and went back to looking at Brad.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJLVrEj8Eo
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXrSiBxn3d
"She's back? Where is she? Why isn't she here?"788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnJpRT4xnU
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJAHPmoEoj
Brad didn't answer as he looked at his lecturer. He went back to looking at Miranda. Though Francine looked like she was concentrating on the lecture, her ears were alert as she also wanted to hear the news of Carly's whereabouts.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKuWxxUNM4
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVxw4gc29M
"Okay, well, as I was coming here, I know this guy, Indian," said Brad. "He told me he had seen Carly coming out of the administration's office."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMiF8mZVvG
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAkywzInZP
"What could she be doing there?" Miranda asked.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MgVK1fznT
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSrFYgsz22
"He couldn't find out because at the time, he was heading for his Chemistry lecture. But Carly wasn't alone. She was with some older man. My friend described him as one of the rich kind." Miranda couldn't believe it as she knew the man he was talking about. "They both left the offices and went out of the premises."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgKRd6wEBv
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtWNCU2XDQ
"Wait, they left? That's not right. Carly isn't supposed to leave."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mTyP9a2NM
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXF7xXTwH8
"Well, judging by the way my friend saw it, it looks like Carly just got transferred to another college."788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoil2z44N1q
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SF4WgbOVQ
"Oh, that's a bummer," whispered Francine.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GGiG9u7Vs
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0eUF9i8kF
Miranda felt the world under her feet spin out of control. She had never imagined Carly leaving this college to go somewhere else. And she got all the help from the same man who had helped her and her sister move out of the house. It couldn't be Leo, that she knew for sure. That's if the two of them were still together.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ONsm7jIqf
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUtpJju1kI
"Hey, Miranda, are you okay?" Brad asked bringing her back from her thoughts.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz04NIoz7wz
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUIBjgDjf9
"Ya, I'm fine," she said as she went back to looking at Mrs. Grey. Her thoughts still spinning.788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrZ19uuZzT
788Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenUMt9xf5E
Should she tell Mr. Walters about Carly? As much as she wanted to, she knew Mr. Walters will get to her first when Miranda wanted to deal with Carly alone. She had to do something and fast.
