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“Okay, I can do this,” she took a deep breath and tried to relax. She wished she could be in a quiet room, but with the noise around, she had to get used to it.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIVSAF1zse
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“Hello, am I interrupting anything?” came a voice, bringing her out of her thoughts.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhAPm682OC
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Angel quickly opened her eyes in fright and found a smartly dressed man standing in front of her. He wore a silver-grey suit that fit well on his body. His clear blue eyes looked at her anxiously, and Angel couldn’t help but stare at his kind, round face with his blonde hair cropped around his head leaving a reasonable amount of hair in the front and middle. A few strands of his hair fell in curls just above his left eye.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUHJpYnNuO
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“Uh-yes, I’m fine,” Angel quickly answered as she felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtAE5pk59C
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“You’re the new girl, right?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrC8P8cstJ
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Angel didn’t know what to say as she felt she would drop the files in her hands. The man in front of her is gorgeous. And judging by the way his suit fit well on his body, he definitely does workouts at the gym or something. She told herself to pull herself together.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh87sGJxBk
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“Yes, I am,” she quickly answered again. “Angel Barclay, nice to meet you. You’re…?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYAyti8pkS
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“Derrick,” the man quickly drew out his hand to give her a handshake. Angel had to carry the files with her one arm to draw out the other. They shook hands. “I wasn’t in the architecture department when you passed by. I just heard we've a new girl in town.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrli90MVxh
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“Oh,” Angel felt her cheeks heat up even more. “I didn’t know I would still be the talk of the department.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYc4BYORgX
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“With your looks, you’ll be the talk for a month. I can guarantee that.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp99xfOHV9P
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Angel nervously chuckled. “Don’t say that. I personally don't think so.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ047wylOw8H
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“Well, I do.” He looked at the files in her hands. “May I carry them for you? They look heavy.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCXw49gh7Y
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“Ah, no thanks,” Angel quickly refused. “They aren’t heavy at all.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIMfWpzZiP
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“You sure? Here, let me help.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4gGXzPizE
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Derrick came closer and took the three huge files from her hands. Angel felt like a huge weight has been lifted. She hadn’t realised how heavy the files were until now.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAd6RBXawf
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“Thanks,” Angel managed to say.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbFLjqq7Rq
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“Are you walking over to your desk?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7WiuqJVxN
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“Ah, yes, I am.” Angel led the way to her cubicle in the main work area. She could feel a number of eyes on her and a few whispers here and there.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoopFe76fXu
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Derrick put the files on her desk. “I see you’ve a lot to work on.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUfJjL68JH
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“Not really,” Angel said, trying to shake off the feeling she's getting from people around her. She started to rub the back of her neck. “Just trying to familiarise myself with what I’ll be doing around here.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2BZUOFZyO
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“I hear you'll be working closely with Mrs. Lance. You better buckle up. The woman is hard to please.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjTcJNmMnv
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“Ya, I’ve been warned. But I’ll do all I can to work hard.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnikDndx4z3
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Derrick gave her a kind smile. “Well, I’ll leave you to it, Miss Barclay. Hey, if you’re up for it, you and I can go out for lunch with the others from my department.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa4GNUGfO7
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“Thanks, but I’ll have to decline. I already made plans with someone today.” Angel stared at her phone on the desk. Eric sent a text a few minutes ago inviting her to lunch, so she couldn’t turn him down.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcCGnyg64W
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“Ah, I see. People are already asking you out?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaN7Ju8b32
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Angel found herself blushing even more. “It’s not like that,” she managed to say. “It’s just between friends, nothing special.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdHBnmvtMm
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Derrick raised an eyebrow and a smile soon came across his face. “Maybe another time. How does that sound?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpK44Capud
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Angel quickly shook her head. “That will be great. Thanks for helping me carry these files.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8zy2pN6jk
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“You’re welcome. It’s nice meeting you. I’ll see you around?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehDXG21OO2
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“Ya, I’ll see you.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Px9oY58QJ
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Derrick gave her a wave and started to walk out of the work area. Before Angel could take her seat, she could’ve swore that he had turned to look at her before disappearing out of sight. She didn’t want to think too much about it.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBK8JMG8Q2p
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She looked at the files in front of her and knew she had a lot to do. She better get to work now before work starts to pile up. She got one file and placed it in front of her when she heard:473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtY6ylkQ7w
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“Excuse me, it’s Angel, right?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1DJ4NrQrY
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Angel turned around and found a young lady, an African American like her, seated at her desk opposite Angel’s cubicle. Her skin colour is darker than Angel’s, like that of dark chocolate. She had black, kinky hair tied above her head and leaving a huge tuft of hair. She wore glasses with a blue frame and wore a black suit with a white blouse and matching black high-heels. Angel couldn’t help but feel intimidated by the lady’s beauty.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQr76nndYV
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“Yes, it is," said Angel as she fully turned around in her seat and drew her arm out. "Your name is-?"473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9Co5DsVxJ
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"Sabrina," said the lady as she leaned forward and shook hands with Angel. "I see a lot of people really want to know you."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF29hFi5rtJ
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"Maybe it's because I'm new here," said Angel, trying her best to stress a point kindly.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfIyomvQoj
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"Or maybe it's because you're just too pretty," Sabrina gave Angel a flashy smile.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJh2HcOHE9S
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Angel playfully shrugged her shoulders. "I can't be too sure about that."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHigujYW3O
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"It's because you don't see it. The person you were talking to just now, he's really hard to come by. A lot of ladies around here try to get his attention. For him to actually ask you out for lunch will probably leave a lot of people here speechless."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6r8Pg1NitU
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Angel raised an eyebrow. "Really? Why do you say so? You make it sound like he's an introvert when he seems like a really outgoing person."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK78lx4AiJE
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"He is. It's just that he has his own circle of friends. When many ladies try to get close, he pulls away. He's acquainted with a lot of us, but none of us have ever gotten close to him."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtBM4cNHIB
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"Okay, but what does that have to do with me? I just met him."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNekbqUy7s
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"Him escorting you here and asking you out for lunch is actually the first time I've seen him try to engage a lady in a conversation. He rarely does, unless he is talking about work."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnZWTCMdDQ
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"Oh, I see. But that doesn't mean he likes me or anything, right?"473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhN2Y6L7kUo
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Sabrina shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows with men. One minute they're leading you on, the next they aren't. But with Derrick, he might really like you."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3m9rgAMciJ
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"He doesn't have a girlfriend, does he?" came another female with blonde hair and striking blue eyes. She stood in the aisle with papers in her hands. She seemed to have popped out out of nowhere.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXNlNKm3A4
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"Not that I know of," Sabrina answered her. "Angel, this is Beatrix."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2eJmmLpwZ
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"Oh, sorry for butting in in your conversation," said Beatrix, looking at Angel and raising her hand apologetically. "Where are my manners?"473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG3ZzdGZjY
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"It's okay," said Angel. "It's nice to meet you, Beatrix."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7kU5dj5IE
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"Nice meeting you too. Just like Sabrina said, I'm also shocked Derrick actually talked to you so casually and actually asked you out for lunch."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibif3blceQ
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"You see," Sabrina said to Angel with a smile on her face.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5iN4LZtaY
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"I'm not going to say anything," said Angel. "You obviously know him better than I do."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnFBEV4ews
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"Just admit it. He has his eye on you."473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAlo2Abs64
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Angel blushed. She looked to the floor, hoping that the other two wouldn’t notice.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsq33Q0rqGR
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"If you managed to get his attention, what more of the other male folk around here who are single?"473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlalqvuys78
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"Let's not talk about that," said Angel as she quickly spun around in her chair. “The last thing I need right now is to worry about who likes me.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEuPZlrwy2
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“Was it like this at your previous workplace? I hear you worked for some editing company, right?” Beatrix asked.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFaOseYujX
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Looks like they got their information from HR, Angel thought before she turned around to look at the two ladies. “As far as I can remember, no. Most men were married, so, I didn’t have any problems.” Except Mark, of course. She made sure not to say that out loud.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8yADxh1rZ
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“Anyway, since you’re close with Eric and Leo, I bet you have their attention too,” said Sabrina.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xZkzArUKj
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“Oh, no, I don’t think so,” Angel was quick to deny.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkagyxlvGiL
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“They are very good-looking and all the ladies wouldn’t mind getting close to them. But just like Derrick, they also don’t like to get too close. Eric's better since he’s outgoing and all. But Leo keeps to himself. He seems like a no nonsense person and he was pretty serious with his relationship with Kim until they called off the wedding.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQ552Jp9Ix
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Angel didn’t want to hear any more of this. If only they knew that the reason why that happened is because of Carly.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjaKsSTdlh
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“Do you know why that happened, Angel?” Beatrix asked. “You’re close to the family, so you should know the reason.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZhmnZwEfH
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“I can’t answer that.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbA4ObXV7W
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Sabrina drew herself closer, dragging the chair with her. “Why not?” she asked. “Is it that bad?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcKNDzdfpM
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“No one actually knows why Leo broke things off with Kim, and so does she.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT1JAAiXLf
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“Oh, darn!” Beatrix clicked her tongue. “Everyone around here also says the same thing.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD19OUHOBzP
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Good, Angel thought. It’s best she went with this. No one in the McDonell mansion knows the truth except for her, Eric, Carly and Leo. The more people think of it as a mystery, the better.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3LFfyRw3Y
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“You see, Leo keeps things to himself,” said Sabrina. “As much as he is good looking, I feel he has such an attitude. You feel it sometimes when he talks to you, though he isn’t always like that.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Y3CftSxqG
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“Well, he does have an attitude, I can agree on that," said Angel.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2VxfuMFIY
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“How do you handle him? Doesn’t he get on your nerves?” Beatrix asked.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNIXXREs7N
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“Sometimes. But he isn’t that bad.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6jWdBD4rp
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“Ya, I see how he’s close with his family, especially Eric,” said Sabrina. “I just wish he was more outgoing, you know.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CpX48RSGZ
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You and me both, Angel thought. “I better start working on these files.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V1dq2ZZ0C
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“Oh, ya, sure,” said Beatrix, “sorry for disturbing you.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJBW8cODLO
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“Not a problem.” Angel quickly swirled round in her chair to face the file in front of her. She really needed to get some work done. She didn’t expect to be in engaged in so much talk on her first day. She still felt uneasy as she heard a whisper across the room and thought she had heard someone mention her name. She had to agree with Derrick. She would be the talk of the office for a while.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKJQ9zAqjS
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She closed her eyes shaking off the feeling so as to try and focus on work. She always did this, even at the editing company when she sometimes felt anxious or pressured. When she opened them, she went straight to work on the files.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZxHMXPGmQ
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***473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumeQp7bWp3
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Leo heard the phone on his desk vibrate. He wondered if it’s Eric sending him a text that he couldn’t find what he went to look for. Leo sighed. He now wished his father was handling this meeting with Eric and not him. With Eric out of the office for a while, now is the time he can try and catch up on work, especially with answering his emails on his iMac.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklkNJgoiji
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His eyes left the computer screen and he went on to look at his phone. A sudden feeling came over, telling him that it might not be Eric who sent him a message. Could it be his father? If he wanted anything from Leo, he would've called. Maybe it’s his mother? No, he shook his head. It can’t be her. Just like his father, she would’ve called. Could it be Carly? It might, he thought positively. Maybe she thought of texting him.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdRc9oXUZ5
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He quickly took his phone and turned on the screen to find the message isn’t from Carly. It's from Kim. He felt like putting his phone aside and getting back to work. Instead, he unlocked the phone to read her message and it was nothing but a simple “Hello.” He rolled his eyes as he wished he had never bumped into her at the café this morning. Should he ignore the message? As much as he wanted to, he still had to say something. He didn’t want to seem rude like he does sometimes.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHE3IoaR0cZ
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He texted her back and quickly put his phone down on the desk, hoping that she wouldn’t text back, but she did. Leo couldn’t help but groan.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMXtw4U4sl
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A knock soon came at the door and before Leo could tell the person to come in, the door flew open and Eric walked in with papers in his hands. Leo groaned even more, throwing his head back onto his chair.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaGrVdJQ0D
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“What’s up with you, grumpy?” Eric asked as he came to sit on the chair, facing Leo.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwWuNgeggV
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“Why don’t you ever knock when you come in?” Leo asked as he folded his arms.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMM2jw128eK
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“I’m sorry, but I already know you’re used to it. So what’s up?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo23fUqwzo8
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Leo looked at Eric. His cousin knew him better than anyone. He took a deep breath and leaned his elbows on the table.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡra0iU3VmCp
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“Kim texted me,” he said.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLKOV5ZRSh
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“Whoa, Kim texted you?” Eric for some reason didn’t look at all surprised. “How come?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW6wUW8d5Y
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“Angel and I met her at the café where we bought croissants.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcffDkxr47
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“Why didn’t you tell me?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxekRcsXMJ
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“It didn’t matter then, but it does now. She just texted me.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6abPsooGRl
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“What did she say?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9h9qVyKLZ
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“Just a simple hello.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYIyHPOb2m
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“And did you reply?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtm5evAk4i
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“Of course, I did.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWyFKoUsWR
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“And…?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHK6IJxGXNN
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“She texted back and I haven’t read the message.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlzVnEwpsw
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“You better see what that message says.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5y5TFzYwm
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“And what if I don’t want to? It’s pretty obvious that she wants to hook up for lunch or something.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWJS3gWzjx
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“You’re right. I’m impressed with how much you know women, nowadays.” Eric gave him an encouraging smile.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyrZDc6Rvx
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“Don’t flatter me. What am I going to do? I don’t want to meet her, that’s if she does ask that we should.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwW1z4oqqU
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“You’ll never know what you’ve to do if you don’t read the message.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFgPM8tcRh
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“You’re right.” Leo took his phone and unlocked it. When he read the message, he suddenly had a gloomy look. “She wants us to meet.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LLLUhD5kH
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“She really must be desperate, huh?” Eric raised his eyebrows. “Who can blame her? Being dumped on your wedding day to such a handsome man like you wasn’t what she expected.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8K6tkCk6O
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“You aren’t making me feel any better. Besides, I apologised. I don’t know what she wants me to do.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSaSAjgjyb
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“She needs an answer from you. That’s what.” Eric leaned back on the chair. "You never told her why you left on your wedding day. In fact, everyone keeps asking me that question and I always say that I don’t know.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYM1p1i2Ik
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“The less who know, the better.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwxtQ9tRAz
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“Sooner or later, you’ll have to tell Kim the truth. If anything, she deserves it more than anyone.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ehQnshodi
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Leo didn’t say anything as he looked down at his phone on the table. He took it and started to tap away, then he quickly put it down.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3ngmyGUWb
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“What did you tell her?” Eric couldn’t help but look on curiously at Leo’s phone.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLhPfvnzvy
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“I told her we can meet,” Leo answered,473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JoXbypJXq
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“WHAT!” Eric held his head, not believing what Leo said. “I don’t believe you. Let me see the message.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmujPLLcoxW
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Leo groaned, but he got his phone, unlocked it and gave Eric. When Eric read it for himself, he stared at Leo.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSJRiNBbBj
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“You’re serious,” he said as he gave Leo back his phone. “Are you finally going to tell her the truth?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLVg4MTCSW
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“On that part, I don’t know,” Leo answered as he leaned back on his chair, deep in thought.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPnznvCdeM
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“Well, if you tell her, it will finally give her the chance to move on, don’t you think?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGsBHrIYBz
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“If I do tell her, she’ll kill me.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuGoeWWDd7
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“It’s typical of a woman. Even I would kill you. I wouldn’t like to know that the reason why my man left me was because he fell in love with someone else.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXdOnvInNz
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Leo chuckled to himself as he stared at the ceiling. “I still remember that day. Gosh, all of that happened so suddenly.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6zE4XtLrG
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“I thought you had gone mad, but looking at you now, you seem to have made the right decision. You don’t look regretful for leaving Kim.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKiL4L3hLU
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“I think it was the right thing to do.” Leo now had his eyes on Eric. “If anything, I feel like I really didn’t love her at all.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLFPpxtqsu
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Eric smiled. “Grandma will be glad if she heard those words coming out of that mouth of yours.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIm6Axwir4v
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“I know. Seems like she was right after all. Kim was never good for me.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeZf9IhvEG
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“Wait until she finds out that you’re actually in love with Carly.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uhjwH2FFb
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The two cousins looked at each other, imagining the scenario. Eric reacted first.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIxILbP8Lx
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“No, I don’t want to imagine it,” he said as he shook his head. “Something tells me it won’t be a good one.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGvjZIBTyQ
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“I agree,” said Leo as he rubbed the temple of his head. “I don’t want to imagine my mother, though.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FuoeK47Yv
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“That one is pretty obvious; I don’t have to imagine it, that’s if I want my head to explode.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaUgCDE25q
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The two laughed.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrL89Q4Yxuv
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“Okay, okay, let’s get back to work,” said Eric, wiping away a tear in his eye. “Remember, we’ve to finish these arrangements before lunch.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYg1zkPQQt
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“You’re right,” said Leo as he went on to look at his screen and switched windows from his email to an open document.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9gPAi3FFk
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A brief silence passed between them when they suddenly burst out laughing at the same time.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEkLKQDA0C
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***473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXmgAThZmt
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"Hey, Miranda, are you okay?"473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡik7GRRxMWj
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Miranda quickly turned to the person who spoke to her. It's Brad. She rolled her eyes. “Oh, it’s you,” she said, turning her head to look elsewhere.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg2fdBdcpb
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Miranda was seated on a chair in the lecture room. They were waiting for their next lecture as the previous one ended minutes ago. She had been going through her phone to pass time when she was supposed to be studying. God knows just how behind she is.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x6TcrZwod
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“Scoot over,” Brad insisted as he moved his body closer to hers, forcing her to move.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsxqNqmRIQ
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Miranda moved over to the next chair which was empty and Brad finally managed to sit next to her.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmajFMdW7YP
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“What were you looking at?” he asked as he tried to see what's on Miranda’s phone.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCavNaKsIlI
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“Nothing, why do you want to know?” she asked, holding her phone tight and facing her body the other way to avoid him from looking.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DlkEOFphQ
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“You seem really fixed on it. I want to see what’s caught your interest.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡum8wshVAYN
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“Like I told you, it’s nothing. So why don’t you just mind your business?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWy39Jy8Ld6
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“I would, but I’m not going to this time.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzt2CdiIYKC
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“You never do.” Miranda gave him a gloomy look.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40VM21mqXv
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“I say that because something’s been different about you lately.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8k9weAvuqS
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She raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIOcZJB5qZ
473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Kvyqu7xmn
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“Well…,” Brad placed his elbow on the table with his hand supporting the side of his face so as to get a good look at Miranda. “You’re barely concentrating in class these days. And last week when we were handing in our assignments, you were late. You were so lucky that the madam took pity on you and accepted it.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkOpJ9ipUZ
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“I had a slight problem with my laptop, that’s all.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwalNpn5qs
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Brad scoffed. “Nah, that’s not it.” He wagged his index finger in front of her face. Miranda got irritated that she pushed his hand away. “Something is keeping you distracted.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcK0H3Wej1I
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“I’m just busy, that’s all.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡparx91D7D1
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“There’s a difference between being busy and getting distracted. And you, my friend, are distracted.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q1XE9TP5x
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Miranda rolled her eyes at him and looked down at her phone before she went on to look in front of her.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8WtJ8ZiGu
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“So what were you looking at on that phone of yours?” Brad went on to ask.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡac1uZlAyrP
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Miranda looked at him through the corner of her eye. “You really don’t listen, do you?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrcEH4GmEw
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“I thought I saw you looking at a guy's photo on Instagram just now. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGaz1KMbtR
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Miranda felt like standing up from her seat to go elsewhere, but she soon felt Brad hold her free hand, pinning her in place. It’s like he knew what she was about to do and he did the only thing possible to pin her down.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvyYi7nQmh
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“Let go of me, Brad,” she warned him.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IECXCe3Uq
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“And what if I don’t want to?” he asked with a smirk on his face.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfPeKkDFQa
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“You’re hurting me. Why are you being such a prick?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6f5s496d5D
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“It’s because I’m worried about you. Something is up and I need to know what it is. Is it that man you keep looking at on your phone? Mind you, I’ve seen you looking at him time and time again.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneeqLaKyFq
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Miranda felt her cheeks heat up. She couldn’t tell Brad about her sudden interest in Leo McDonell. Brad just said he looked familiar. And if he kept looking at her phone, he might realise who he is. She had to think of something.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcJzZLZakx
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“You’re worried over nothing,” she said. “Just some celebrity that I follow on Instagram. I think he’s really cute and that’s why I look at his photos.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtS6ZzVM7jU
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Brad stared at her for a second. Miranda knew she had told him part of the truth. But she couldn’t go into detail or else she might say something about Leo. If he knew, she didn’t know what he would do.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySN495vI4w
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“Girls and your stupid crushes,” he said as he finally let go of her hand. “When will you ever let it go?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW9IshBahI
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“When the time is right,” said Miranda, doing her best not to sound nervous.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfT4LoCvtOg
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“So who is this guy, anyway?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZlesBha4w
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She was afraid he was going to ask that. So when their lecturer walked through the door of the theatre, she let out a silent sigh of relief. Everyone who was still up and about went to their seats, and the lecture begun.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BHKoJAHwM
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***473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdIs2vxZih
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It’s finally lunch time, and Eric couldn’t wait to get out of the office with Angel and go somewhere nice. He had been in Leo’s office preparing for the meeting with the Chinese. Now that they're done, he couldn’t wait to leave.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uLaXIdeSq
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“Whoa, where do you think you’re going?” Leo asked, still seated behind his desk.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbG9izyp4eC
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“I’m going out for lunch,” Eric answered, heading for the door.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMz5KM8ozm
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“You look like you’re going to the bathroom.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXhzavAi76
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“I’m taking Angel out,” Eric said with a proud look on his face.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskl5Jt9oSx
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Leo couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Oh, you’re going out with Angel, then?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeY41639xkv
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“Yep. Wipe that sour look on your face. Or are you upset that you have to go out with Kim?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsIOO5ztzg
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“I couldn’t care less about that. Besides, having lunch with Angel doesn’t appeal to me.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mz2XikSsX
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“That’s because you don’t like her. Mind you, having lunch with Angel is way better than having it with Kim.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQ0qYwOAgl
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The look on Leo’s face became grim. Even when he didn’t want to admit it, he knew Eric is right. He cleared his throat. “If you ask me there isn’t much of a difference.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7jaAH4o7x
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It's Eric’s turn to roll his eyes. “You know, if you gave yourself time to actually know Angel instead of fighting with her all the time, you’ll find that she’s okay to be with than Kim.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyKqffK0w1
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“I beg to differ.” Leo’s face became even more serious.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWLuBHt1aK
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“I’ve to go now,” said Eric as he reached the door and held the knob. “Tell me how things go with Kim, okay? And try not to start an argument with her, wherever you will be.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvCkUFLOPV
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“I won’t.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLQSrVhvtp
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Eric gave his cousin a concerned look. “I sure hope so. I’m off. See you later.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtc7HZbgfih
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Leo gave him a nod and Eric quickly rushed out of the door like an excited young boy who had been told he could go outside and play with his friends. Even when Leo felt irritated by Eric’s enthusiasm, he couldn’t help but envy him a little. The man is in love, Leo thought to himself. Even when he knew he loved Carly, he didn’t experience the kind of lovey-dovey nonsense Eric is in right now. Is that what he admired? The crazy feeling of liking someone that you couldn’t wait to see them?473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjO364VTmZ2
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Leo shook his head. People are different and express love in different ways, he concluded. There’s no doubt in his mind that he loved Carly. Besides, he thought to himself, I don’t think Eric likes Angel to that extent. Maybe what he feels for her might pass in due time. Leo thought again, and concluded that Eric’s feelings towards Angel aren’t going to pass any time soon.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViyAiHv7ge
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He soon got up from his seat as he also had to prepare himself to go and meet Kim. He didn’t know how his lunch with her is going to go. Before that, he thought he could lie to her that something came up to avoid any drama. But he couldn’t do that now. He would look like a coward. Something he doesn’t want to be.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8Cawqv7IL
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He walked up to the door and got his jacket on the coat hanger. And with a deep breath, he opened the door and walked out.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQG45LNAMZ
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***473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCyiMdla9w
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“I bet you’re hungry, huh?” Eric asked as he and Angel finally got out of the complex building.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthNQZkGQyc
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"You can say that again,” she said turning to look at Eric. "I’m so famished for my first day.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBWuxnaz6K
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"I get what you mean. So many people keep asking me about you.” Eric had his hands in his pockets as he stared up at the sky. "You’ve made quite a reputation for someone on their first day.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHNymiX0qa
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"All that will pass.” Angel smiled at Eric. "It’s just the first day. By the end of the week, everyone would’ve forgotten that I even existed.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfUPFYnkfw
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"I doubt that. People will forget, but it’s no question that you’ll still be the talk of the office. I mean, you’ll obviously be classified as the most beautiful female member of staff.” Eric now had his eyes on her as he chuckled.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDl46WrtFag
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Angel playfully punched him on the arm. "What are you saying? There are many beautiful women at the company. If you ask me, their beauty is intimidating.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UOy3Dv6BQ
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"That’s because you miss the big picture,” Eric stopped walking as he now held her arm to stop her as well. "You really are very beautiful, you do know that, right?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudGF624pPL
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Angel couldn’t say anything as she continued to look at Eric. Her heart started to flutter and felt her cheeks heat up. She found all of this awkward as she started to look around. She looked back at Eric, wondering how to tell him that they were standing in the middle of the street and might be in the way. But the look he continued to give her left her speechless.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHCizP6nyR
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"I wish you could see what I see,” he said in a whisper. Even with all the bustling of people about and the hooting of the car horns, Angel got what he said. That made her cheeks heat up even more. She cleared her throat.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ320g7HpDyW
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"Ummm, Eric, we’re standing in the way,” she said. "This isn’t the time or the place for this, don’t you think?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTDp3fG3Yu
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"Oh,” Eric forgot they were in the middle of the sidewalk, with people moving around. "I totally forgot that we were here in the first place. I must have spaced out a bit.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQWwlgkQFE
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Angel cleared her throat again as she looked down at her feet for a brief moment. "That must be it. Come on, weren’t you taking me out for lunch? I’m starving.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3IYXfY0lk
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Eric nervously chuckled and at the same time scratched the back of his head. "I shouldn’t keep a lady waiting. Sorry about that.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZorANWF5Zp
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"Not at all.” She tried her best not to look like she had been flattered, but her cheeks continued to blush, making her even more nervous.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sU0gxWWht
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They continued their walk down the sidewalk when Eric said, "I mean what I said, though. I hope you aren’t offended or anything.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhlR6v1efo
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They stopped at the traffic lights and they waited for the walk sign to light up when Angel turned to look at Eric. "No, don’t worry,” she said.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiehxAyYqR
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The light soon went green and the pedestrians who stood at the edge of the sidewalk crossed the road to the other side.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF44j5cJp8f
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"I’m glad,” said Eric. "I thought you would be upset or something.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pJDThH33q
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"I’ve received such comments before, so I’m not.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5i0Ha5hGg
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Eric clicked his tongue as he shrugged. "You would, obviously. I also shouldn’t be surprised.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc8E1n3Orc
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Angel tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. She couldn’t tell Eric that his approach was different from the ones she had encountered before. Even from Mark. She felt her cheeks heat up even more by the thought of it. It's best, she thought, that I don’t say anything.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrj6zDIOpqc
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"Let me take you to my favourite restaurant nearby,” Eric continued as he smiled at her. "You’ll love it. And you can order whatever you like.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYH09uMQjVn
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Angel couldn’t help but chuckle. "Don’t be so silly,” she said. "As much as that offer sounds tempting, it’s pretty obvious that I won’t be that careless.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8QWw58bnM
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"Well, the food is on me, so I won’t mind if you order countless dishes.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTesZHIXb4z
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"Thanks,” this time she laughed. "But even if I’m so hungry, I don’t eat that much.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TcYSjBYlc
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"Just letting you know that the offer is on the table. Ah! Here we are.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAaQcYFHiW
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They stopped in front of a small restaurant. From outside, it might not look like a five-star restaurant, but for some reason, Angel found it almost elegant as she looked through the huge glass window. The décor is simple but had a touch of elegance. White chairs and tables covered with white cloths with beautiful gold embroidery on them. Elegant flowers of different colours and types sat on different tables, making the place look more romantic. This scene reminded her of the place she went for lunch with Mark last week.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCG4Wyvlac
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"Shall we?” Eric held the door to the restaurant open as he waited for her.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFhmXRv3Aw
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Angel shook herself from her daydream and went through the open door.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AcYs7NtpJ
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She started to look around the place when a smartly dressed male waiter, approached her. Eric stood behind her after closing the door. Immediately, the male waiter smiled at Eric like they know each other. Angel shouldn’t be surprised. Eric did say he liked coming here.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvNoMYaKV3
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‘"Hello, sir,” said the young waiter with a wide smile. "I see you came with company. Will you be taking the usual table?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvVbjJfG3C
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"That’s if it’s free,” Eric answered.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz4GYCrtzP
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"Well, you’re just in luck. Please, follow me.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IUMz1YDBK
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Angel couldn’t ignore the way the waiter addressed them with so much courtesy. He led them to one of the tables by the corner, close to the window. When they neared the table, Eric drew out a chair for her to sit and Angel did likewise. Eric sat on the other side of the table, facing her. He told the waiter to serve them a glass of water as they looked through the menu before ordering.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ602Qh6PPUR
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"The waiter seems to know you very well,” said Angel as she picked up the menu card on the table.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPQlkB9G6d
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"I come here a lot,” said Eric as he also picked up the other menu on his side.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvr4WijRjKn
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Angel said nothing as she smiled and looked at the menu.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JbAHIsqjD
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"It’s sad that Leo couldn’t join us,” said Eric.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o6bdHqYpF
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Angel looked at Eric. "Why do you say so? Were you scared that the two of us would start a fight in the restaurant?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGqSId5hGl
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Eric laughed. "No, I didn’t think that way in the least. If there is one thing I know for sure, you two can behave yourselves in a public place like this one. I wasn’t going to worry at all.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgyuGu0SPy
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Angel made a face because she knew Eric is right. She looked back at the menu when Eric put up a funny face. "So then, why did you say that?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPFyYtbQMF
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"Because he’s having lunch with Kim. He must be heading to her as we speak.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJOKEYU0Jc
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Angel raised her eyes from the menu. "Kim? We met her when we went to buy croissants this morning.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WCLVQCEGG
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"He told me. She actually texted him that she wanted to meet. And he agreed to do so.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdPCdTOsWB
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"That’s so unlike him,” she looked towards the waiter who had brought them glasses of water. He asked if they were ready to order, and they both said they weren’t.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeId3mh811
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"I know, right?” Eric agreed with Angel after the waiter left. "I think he’s doing the right thing. Maybe he'll finally get to tell her the truth.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXmDVKjYh1
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Angel didn’t say anything as she thought about it. "Do you think he will? I mean, him going to see her is already unbelievable as it is.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwz6LszRml
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Eric shrugged. "Who knows. If he does tell her, I think she’ll be at peace, right? But she’ll probably freak out and would want to know who it is.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEkH5d1mXp
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"Now that you mention it, I fear it will turn out to be a disaster.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcG8gB9xGt
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"You’re probably right,” Eric looked up at the ceiling, deep in thought. "That’s if Leo does tell her the truth and mentions that it's actually Carly he’s now in love with.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VxEs8SccH
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The two looked at each other in silence as they thought of the scenario. Eric groaned in frustration as he quickly pulled his phone out from the pocket.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcw4Mq3VYd0
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"What are you doing?” Angel asked.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgINWu4kDUF
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"Calling Leo so that he won’t tell Kim the truth,” Eric answered as he looked through his phone.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5gQQM00RN
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"I think we’re just overthinking things. What if he doesn’t say anything? Or what if he does but doesn’t mention Carly’s name? If Leo is in line with what we just thought, the best is not to mention Carly.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajtgkNsxKP
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"You’re probably right,” Eric put his phone aside on the table and looked at Angel.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8P8EDhWCpa
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Angel continued to stare at him, but then, she put the menu on the table and started to play with her fingers. She bit her lower lip. "On second thought, I think you better give him a call. Just in case.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OktiTMyBm
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"I agree.” Eric quickly took his phone and went on to call Leo.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwz84cR8WIo
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He had his phone to the ear when the ringing tone of Leo’s phone came up. He started to get worried in the moments that passed as the phone kept ringing. Could Leo already be with Kim at this very minute? He looked at Angel who looked back anxiously. She also started to worry. And just when Eric thought Leo wasn’t going to pick the call, he heard the cracking sound at the other end of the line.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2OIIIulSS
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"Hello?” came Leo’s voice.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4evXIror17
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"Thank goodness, you picked the call,” said Eric. "We were starting to get worried.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBr7X6vjsr6
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"By ‘we’ you mean, you and Angel?” Leo sounded unconvinced.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODqbMeLKVg
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"It might seem unbelievable, but it’s true.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajEeK5EnGl
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Leo sighed. "Get to the point. Why are you calling me?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJCM8jJxkG
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"Are you heading to lunch with Kim right now?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWXDnTIPUN
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"I was about to enter the car and head there. What’s up?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnS5UytJMHG
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"Quick question. Are you going to tell Kim the truth?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ikCljvvDV
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"The truth about what? Why I didn’t marry her?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQs7UATnvv
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"Yes.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxq4OJZHQq
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"Weren’t you the one saying I should? What’s wrong? Are you getting second thoughts or you think I might screw this up?”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHTEMOjq1w
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"Uh…,” Eric hesitated as his eyes found Angel who had been looking at him the entire time. Judging by Leo’s statement, he felt like he didn’t have to worry at all.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1wK8KdRVN
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"Nah, you got this all under control,” Eric quickly pointed out. "I trust that you’ll do the right thing.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lgkgnqa3a
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Leo murmured and Eric knew he had just got on his nerves. "I don’t know why you’re scared, but I already know what I'm going to do. And if I'm going to tell her the truth, then you shouldn’t be bothered about it.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmAizBapnR
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"I believe you. You’ve a nice lunch.” Eric cut the call.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTVaLh9BIk
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"What did he say?” Angel quickly asked.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPOYMoT1vs
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"That he’s got everything under control,” he answered. "I believe him. If he really is going to tell her the truth, I don’t think he’ll tell her he’s actually in love with Carly. If he does, then Kim will tell aunt, and she’ll be furious.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWJjkf7BDy
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Angel cleared her throat before she said, "not only that. Once she finds out, she’ll realise that before Carly and I moved in, we had all known each other and have been pretending this whole time. And they might end up finding the truth about how Leo and Carly met.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84aLrW29Nu
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The two looked at each other in silence, again. They both shook their heads as they picked up their menus.473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRTbL8vllN
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"Leo has this under control,” Eric assured her. "We’ve nothing to worry about.”473Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmZ48ORWda
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"Ya, you’re right,” said Angel as she looked at the menu, holding it tight. She really hoped that Eric is right.8964 copyright protection469ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wVat3uh6F 維尼

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