The tapping of his fingers onto the desk must have gone on for quiet a while. It was close to lunch time and Leo didn't seem to notice the time.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFxTBdFZzp
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9x3JSocek
A knock came at the door, and Leo didn't seem to hear it at first, til it became louder. He jerked in his seat and sat up like he had just woken up from a dream.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgzgdOeYu3
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfwoKs6JIW
"Hello, Mr. McDonell?" came a female voice behind the door. "Are you in there?"
"Damn it," Leo muttered quietly to himself. "You can come in, Grace."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VGTo9c7bV
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7N0Ls0SMv
The door flew open and a young short lady with blonde hair, tied in a bun and glasses over her blue eyes, came into the room. She wore a white blouse with a black skirt and matching black high heeled shoes that made her look a bit taller. She had a blue file in her hand.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSWLLkLWWx
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBMr9bvLGF
"Yes, Grace, how may I help you?" Leo asked as he rubbed his eyes.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzsI1Amrds
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTf08Z3wVhn
"Were you asleep, sir?" Grace asked as she slowly approached his desk.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICL9vZ7kCD
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Eeo26vaiQ
"No, not really." Leo looked around his desk as though he was looking for something, then he went on to look at Grace.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsX44pdfTR
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7k0nefIMBa
"I was just asking because you weren't answering the door and your secretary assured me that you were still in your office."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVrwi6am7p
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtfGr82nYe
"Is she still at her desk?"672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILaJuGmHF4
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjxOM4fXRT
"I saw her heading out for lunch." Grace looked carefully at Leo. "You do know what time it is, right?"672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmbzLFtjus
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz0VGxc6Pd
Leo tried not to look surprised as he stared at the silver round clock seated on his desk beside his computer. He completely lost track of time that he felt like muttering to himself of how much of an idiot he was.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdWj9I70Gs
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpOm8ZLUrU
"I simply lost track of time," he humbly admitted as he looked back at Grace, trying to keep his cool. He sometimes lost his temper in front of his colleagues. But today, he felt like it wasn't necessary.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKQ9zUhLOf
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZyapMwKes
"You look tired. Are you okay?"672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNvr5Kh8bs
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54XlbhVPMc
"I'm fine. Just had a few things on my mind, that's all."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolk3XO9X7F
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpSRf5oUJ5
"You should go out for fresh air. It looks like you need it."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0niisb26L
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBbDoItu9P
Leo wanted to smile at the kind suggestion, but the thought of Angel working with him made his mind go dark and gloomy again.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiJJxeqHIz
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiVELyqzcO
He soon stood up from his seat and Grace took a step back, thinking that she might have struck a nerve.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwL8jboiLDM
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NHB9b1PTz
"I'll try," Leo said as he picked up his phone on the table. "Though going out for fresh air really isn't my cup of tea."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAAx41rUQG
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJeCyttfaL
Grace smiled at him as she relaxed. "You will enjoy it, sir. Before you go, your father isn't back yet and I needed him to sign this document."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81UXAph6kE
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmVasaJ08o
"Huh?" Leo raised his eyebrow. "My father isn't back yet?"672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzUFoY5NrO
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiXLjuv4A0
"No." Grace shook her head. "So, I called him and he told me to give it to you to sign it."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwx0GpJAtb
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14eCrMOMsF
Leo stretched out his hand and Grace, likewise, gave him the file. He quickly opened the file and skimmed through the document. After familiarising himself with it, he put the file on the table, took the pen and signed it. He straightened up and gave the file back to Grace.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgRbzgzFig
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9IAdKWikN
"Thank you, sir," said Grace as she quickly walked out of the office, closing the door behind her.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNkHVySdZ6
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGam5qXMir
Leo couldn't help but wonder how he's father had not yet returned to the office. It was so unlike him.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTbGeiiPhd
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzEind35iT
With the phone in his other hand, Leo decided to call him. But before he could do so, the door flew open and Eric came into his office.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJckhiGGfq
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73V2CrOveu
"You should be knocking when you're coming here, Eric," said Leo as he looked up at his cousin.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp389Ly0cy2
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuACdsHolZz
"Sorry," said Eric apologetically. "I always knock on your door, it's just today is kind of-"672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kj1oTeXkW
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYzk7Feo3I
"-different?" Leo finished his sentence.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrXHnFnJEk
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIm7iD7hyi
"Yep. So are you coming with me for lunch?" Eric asked.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSBNcTyS71
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJ8ByNgWit
"Nah, I think I'll skip lunch today."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsh1Z37Kax
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMQS6Vi25U
Eric raised an eyebrow at his cousin. "Are you sure?" he asked. "You seem to need it more than I do."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80qjvcgPDn
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo7lU8xQth
"Why do you say that?"672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6w7IPgWQgs
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uMWf7G7f2
"Because you look famished. I just passed Grace in the hall and she said you looked sick or something."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGXn8mQb1V
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmWUGIOonZ
Leo rubbed his forehead with his free hand. "I've been thinking a lot, that's why."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlub0FqR2TZ
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BtgdmaMJV
Eric's eyes lit up. "Wait..., is it because of Angel? You're still worried about her working here?"672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5peZOBzVA
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTEqNnSblT
Leo shrugged his shoulders. "Well, what do you expect when you came here talking about her in the first place?"672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡky4pPVilRG
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW3vfXF9gX
Eric shook his head as he pinched his eyes with his index finger and thumb. "This is why I said you should go to a therapist. You can't hate someone who hasn't offended you."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCV1IWmGD7C
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUNUzmuZbm
"What are you saying? Of course she has."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDcyXrQZ6D
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNXpKuOfWj
Eric folded his arms. "Okay, apart from the time when she attacked you at the club because you were making love to her sister, mention any other time when she did you wrong."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwysq053oef
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeUnT5uMW2
Leo looked at Eric with a murderous look. He didn't have to think of anything because he knew he had none. Eric always had a way of getting to him when he wanted to.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoGYZYMmI0
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE6PupWZMa
Leo ended up shaking his head admitting defeat and said, "fine. You win this time. But that doesn't mean she plots behind my back."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDbArQgOYk
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VdMemJbBT
"You don't even have proof of that," said Eric as he started to chuckle. "You're just being paranoid."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvGIptxxIf
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQuXAyVAPD
Leo shook his head as he walked round his table. "I'm so done with you. Let's go. Arguing with you makes me hungry."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMx2cN0evu
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CxFYYNtg9
Leo started to walk out of his office with Eric right behind him. When the two stepped out, Leo locked the door.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qiWW5jQMw
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TeMDYUVQW
"Since you really need to eat something," said Eric, "you can suggest where we can go for lunch."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xBmGKgBCN
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5A3DH0f6x4
"First let me make a call to my dad. Can you imagine that he hasn't shown up to the office?"672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAyBu55J5W
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQTV73k7fv
"Maybe he is still helping Carly out with her college transfer. You know how these things take time sometimes."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6ANgtoSUi
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjULDgPOP0a
"Ya, but it's lunch time and he should have called me first if he was going to arrive late."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpc9SkwDm0T
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0cDj9Qn1H
"He probably just forgot. You can give him a call as we head out of here. I'm starving."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFnOy25jiA
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgAMbeao9v
Leo would've said something over Eric's appetite, but he was too worried about his father to even care. The two made their way towards the elevator while Leo dialed his father's number on his phone and called. He put the phone to his ear as Eric reached the elevator first and pressed the button to summon it.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPfRHTbSZF
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8pMQ3Xi8m
Mr. McDonell answered the call upon the first ring and Leo was relieved.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzK0eKpkPEQ
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDyWnvquSr
"Leo, hey," came his father's voice. "Is anything wrong at the office?"672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpEKKJdrES
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQucF6oFznZ
"No, nothing's wrong," Leo replied. The elevator doors in front of him flew open and Eric stepped in first with Leo following slowly behind him. "Grace told me that you weren't around and I thought of checking up on you."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRRVYziMH3
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡec9fHQQQSS
"Oh, I'm fine, son. There is no need to worry."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRtLGqnJsC
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElUdC1qAr2
"Where are you anyway?" Eric pressed the button to the ground floor and the doors closed. They soon felt the elevator start to move.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZsyVqtC77
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwM3KGh05Et
"Oh..., me?" Mr. McDonell seemed surprised by the question. "I decided to go for a walk in Central park, that's all."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdbOo8PDk1
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqRxFulOjk
"I was worried when Grace told me you hadn't shown up to the office." Leo looked over at Eric who was staring at his own two feet.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBtUUwG7qq
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIj4jHvRs4
"You don't need to worry, son, I'm fine. Walking is good for me and I really need it today. I'll be back in the office as soon as lunch hour is over."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6U2EYxU5Tw
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBn0LjWCAWK
"Okay, see you later, then." Leo cut the call.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKlFKPBr0T
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVC45RWj3v
The elevator came to a stop and the doors slid open. Eric turned to look at Leo.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ym53dqmvO
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ET9TqcDlQ
"So, where is he?" Eric asked Leo as they both walked out of the elevator.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GCq4LQS43
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImMjiUtdBW
"He's taking a walk in Central park," Leo asked as they passed a few people down in the lobby.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVc68j2oSzf
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2Mlbyp48R
"Ah, you see. There was nothing to worry about."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdqbiBMLod
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTv2CNlQpmV
"Ya, there wasn't."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2LAbkXWDn
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnb76fpSLMD
The two cousins stepped out through the large glass doors of the building, passing the doorman that stood guard.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwimswliSx
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAkXXIteud
"That reminds me," said Eric as they turned down the street on the sidewalk, "which restaurant are we going to?"672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqVN8YQYSY
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRWNI9tSBw
"Can't we have junk food for a change?" Leo asked as he put his phone in the pocket and left his hand in it.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ356QHziYgS
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJdylbcCo6
Eric looked at his cousin as they walked, careful enough not to bump into anyone coming in from the opposite direction and those in front of him who walked too slow. He looked surprised.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbHMYysDSq
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡad8kBT6PFY
"Did you just say you want to eat junk food?" Eric asked. "Minutes ago, you said you weren't hungry."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgEs7pqFUR
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQarpEihGh
"I've changed my mind. Am I on a diet so as not to eat junk?" Leo asked.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZSgrgG8mm
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQz33JLeLP
"Not that I know of." They were soon near the traffic lights with many other civilians at the zebra crossing, waiting for the walk traffic light to turn on.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1C4TA3TAI
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77QPwp3RQ2
"What's wrong with eating junk food, then?"672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExt3K9oTtF
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwv6lN5fZg
Eric thought about it for a second but he had to cross the road with Leo and the other pedestrians as soon as the traffic lights turned red for the cars to stop and the green walk sign turned on for the pedestrians. As soon as they reached the other side of the crossing and the cars that stopped were finally on the move behind them, Eric gave his reply:672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0YELYNQ0e
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsZ1lrgB52
"There's nothing wrong with it. I'm just worried that you might grow fat. Besides, the only reason why I'm concerned is because you like going to fancy restaurants and eating salads all the time."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxGLSJvwfR
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJVRiHOpoF
"I know," said Leo as they passed by a coffee shop and the strong smell of coffee flew onto the street when a lady, opened the door to enter the cafe. "I don't know how to explain it, but I'm really in a mood for it right now."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbIESMkHqr
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQQt5DiqSe
"Okay, if you say so. But if you gain a pound after this, don't blame me."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzPNIVj39A
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28Hqxk8KCy
Leo turned to look at Eric, walking beside him. "Admit it, you want to eat junk food way more than I do."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MkueFKhze
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGDC9jewTR
"Mind you, I love junk. I'm just surprised you want to join in on the fun. And I know exactly where to go. There's this amazing place where they sell the best burgers."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGYZGJNFC9
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JyGiVovC6
"Great, let's go."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhl3dKJNmZ
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaByTL77FLl
***672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjvpM1CPwy
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZddJctXuZt
"Comfortable?" Mark asked after Angel sat on the chair he had just pulled out for her.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoT1O0jRhjD
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwPIW1knyL
"Yes, thank you," Angel replied as she smiled up at him.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ln5kBzmHw
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2tlFiFcU8
"Good." Mark gave her a smile and he went to sit on the other side of the table.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhg5ZLMlcRf
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV57sSvop6e
Angel went on ahead to look at her surrounding a little more. They were at an outdoor restaurant. As much as it was outdoors, the place was luxurious with the open roof above them filled with green creepers and tiny bulbs above them to make the scene around them look beautiful and a little intimate. The wooden tables were covered with white table cloths and above them were little bulbs in shape of candles with little green creepers and white flowers. Angel liked the way the restaurant made her feel. She felt like she was in a fairytale.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIHjm43FCY
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLSH3bMpY1
"I see you like the place," Mark said, bringing her attention back to him.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLs2N1XhuhD
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MSY6qFLfV
"Yes, it's really lovely," said Angel.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7j7wEGxTP
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jAe1HQLm2
"We should order." Mark lifted the navy blue menu in front of him and opened it. "What would you like to have?"672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zJMFmaTNb
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJK2Cwsqs4
Angel also took hold of the menu and looked at it. It had been a long time since she had visited a fancy restaurant that she forgot about some delicate cuisines that most exquisite restaurants liked to serve. She smiled to herself when she noticed one of the meals she enjoyed on the menu.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWKGJpRyn5
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLDPoIGGV8
"What is it?" Mark asked as he looked up from his menu and noticed Angel smiling.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkliCdNAHD
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQ0g62uQHN
"Nothing," Angel replied, still smiling. "I realised I haven't had a ratatouille in like.., forever."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmArhNjNZFw
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsIQdUkzNf
"Looks like you know your french cuisines." Mark smiled charmingly at her.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo65Ngoo72S
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLX709cGpK
"There was a time when I was on a date and my boyfriend made me try it out. Goodness, it was magnificent."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV710w7WgU9
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfn8kTuf0uy
"You dated?" Mark looked surprised.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jdNN7MzOq
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1M6FPfYNO
"Ya, but he wasn't the best of boyfriends," said Angel as she went back to looking at the menu. "The ratatouille can be a good starter. Just saying."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jGsUU1G5Y
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhYAiLN995
Mark continued to look at Angel and she didn't seem to notice. It was only moments later when she looked at him and caught him staring.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33eFlkN8rh
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJEiLMgFFV
"What is it?" Angel asked.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXeUvKJTTj
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcg4UMjOAj
"Nothing," he said as he dropped his menu. "I wonder what the guy thought of letting you go."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2dc4BH3oS
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVOjxt2Way
Angel raised an eyebrow at him as she put the menu back down on the table. "That was three years ago. I caught him cheating on me and so..., just like everything that stays in the past..., it's history."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNHiWZ5wcM
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0L2WQxB31O
"Well, I think he's a fool letting you go."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZxceaUil7
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMfwUcJoSL
Angel looked up at the green creepers over her and the tiny bright lights. "He made a choice," she said. "Can't blame him. The girl he cheated on me with was very beautiful. I guess that's why."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZozFnyCD1z
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGjU7nROic
Mark drew out his hand and placed it above Angel's that was on the table. Angel looked at him.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hAb5981Na
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwhETR7mNb
"He was too blind to notice how beautiful you are," he said. "You look heavenly, like an angel."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZePtoYMqI
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Angel smiled. "Stop it," she said, her cheeks starting to heat up. "I know you're only saying that to try and make me feel better."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPQXY3C3vR
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"Maybe. But I'm speaking the truth and you know it. I bet am not the first man to ever tell you that."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTSl1ynsUh
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWfbZSiUCF
Angel shook her head. "No, you aren't."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjg2Z6INLs
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Mark withdrew his hand. "Let's not talk about him." He lifted his hand to catch the attention of a waiter nearby. A lean blonde young man came to the table all dressed in a black shirt, a black pair of trousers, with matching black shoes and a black half apron round his waist.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDK1T73svQZ
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"Ready to take your order, sir?" the man asked politely with a gentle smile on his face.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMpncGQ1WP
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWop5i8TwlT
"Yes, please," said Mark as he looked up at the waiter and then he went on to look at Angel. "For a starter, we would like the ratatouille, please."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk95HtCoA4g
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdtCOwS7d6
"Coming right up, and would you like a drink while you wait?"672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlM7vTtu3m
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"Yes, a bottle of your finest wine."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuQAzyT3IQ
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"Of course," said the waiter as he smiled at both Mark and Angel before leaving them.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LS6YlZdnu
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"We're having wine?" Angel asked with a questioning look on her face.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jXeRJjfJS
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"What is it?" Mark asked, this time his face grew a little worried. "Don't you take alcohol?"672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqC6ZmJAvLI
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"Well...," Angel playfully rolled her eyes up. "I can't say I take alcohol when I drink wine on special occasions." Her eyes flew back to Mark's face.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe98mtsSu2U
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"Oh," Mark let out a little laugh as he leaned back on his chair. "For a minute there, I thought you didn't take alcohol at all."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxZMccJyRJ
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"I like wine. I don't drink beer or whiskey.., those type of drinks."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4Tft9FlEw
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgo3WaQTPik
"Even scotch?"
"Even scotch." Angel said as she smiled.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUUmqlKQ9C
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"Women like you love wine."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4Ayz7XBRu
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"Well, there are other women who love beers, scotch and whiskey...., champagne, maybe a little," Angel shrugged her shoulders.
"True. I'm glad I guessed that you're a wine drinker."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3Zjw6rb6I
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zYgm5loBh
"Ha. Just now you thought I didn't even take wine."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPeuHmJib1
672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSc09mWaudf
"Because you caught me off guard with that question."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsI1Rnhg05m
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Angel let out a laugh but one that didn't attract people's attention in the restaurant.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUW7ii6MGnR
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"Ya, I'm sorry about that," said Angel after she gathered her composure. "I just wanted to see your reaction."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3ZJ21xhva
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Mark had an amused look on his face and he didn't notice how charmingly he smiled at Angel until the waiter came back pushing a serving tray. On it was a black champagne bucket with a bottle of wine in it with ice all around. Alongside the bucket were two wine glasses.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5csrjI6YC
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The waiter placed the two glasses in front of Mark and Angel, opened the bottle of wine and poured into the glasses. Afterwards, he placed the bottle back in the bucket, kindly excused himself and walked away.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4z8twwy3z5
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"Shall we have a toast?" Mark suggested as he held his glass.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZO1USs8XV
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"A toast to what?" Angel asked, her fingers around the stem of her glass.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4QfE1IEug
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"A toast for your health, that's one. And also, for you just being you."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsHSJ0ZgqU
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Angel smiled. "I will toast to the first one most of all, and the other reason is quite reasonable...., so cheers."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30rLAXq9P8
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Their glasses clinked when they touched and they both drank.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbp9NcQ8E8
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"This is really good," said Angel after she withdrew the brim of the glass from her lips.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhaMOphfAy
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"That's why I ordered the best of the best," said Mark as he put his glass on the table.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ83Ilm3cbN
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"I might end up drinking the whole bottle. But that won't be so ladylike of me."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡff7fLnV4W7
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"I should be worried." Mark raised his eyebrow at her. "Do you easily get drunk, Angel Barclay?"672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaSVw9P48t
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Angel took another sip of her wine. "If I have too much, then yes. I can get a little tipsy."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOMCIn1A3k
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"Then we can take it a little slow, shall we?"
"Slow is good."672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZF64SqLyYF
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It didn't take long for their to starter arrive. And as they had their meal, they continued to chat unaware of how much they enjoyed each other's company. But they had more matters to discuss, and they both knew it.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcMZ3zjJIk
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***672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbPvrIY5z0
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The white tulips in his hands smelled fresh and divine as he walked, his eyes focused ahead. The place around him was quiet except for a few words he heard aloud at a distance. As he walked, he turned to the voice and saw a group of people, almost all of them dressed in black, gathered together surrounding a white casket. The person speaking before them was a priest, all dressed in white and purple robes with the Holy Bible in his hands. Those closer to the casket, crying silently and holding tissues to their noses were obviously the family to the deceased.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6BdDCiUmc
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Death was a sad thing, especially if it happens to take a loved one away from you. But such was life. Death itself was inevitable and it was up to those alive and in the present to move on. Though it's hard for many others to do so.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcsUFAwPBy
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As he continued to walk away from the funeral procession and through the neatly arranged tombstones in the graveyard, he approached her grave. There stood a white marble tombstone that he had set up just a day after her burial. He was glad that his wife hadn't visited the graveyard with him. She would have been pissed to see such a magnificent tombstone and would have blamed him for wasting so much money on a dead person.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQDDkJFcHT
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As he got closer, he stood there for a minute as he read her name in big black capital letters. He bended over to put the white tulips on the ground, next to the tombstone. After straightening up, he took a few steps back.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0MQgiyeRA
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He sighed as he smiled at the white tulips. If she were here, she would have smiled back at him, taken a sniff out of them and said thank you.672Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoG5f21hYRj
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"God, how I've missed you," he muttered to the wind.
