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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVzBWEsJpZ
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“Hello, am I interrupting anything?” came a voice, bringing her out of her thoughts.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGC7c1iNzY
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxfJGeHuBL
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“Uh-yes, I’m fine,” Angel quickly answered as she felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovk4i8GG16
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“You’re the new girl, right?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyNc89bHzM
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKe5gJZxm2
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“Yes, I am,” she quickly answered again. “Angel Barclay, nice to meet you. You’re…?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdFxJv16dU
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK0lUDBzxd
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVjg4D828n
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“With your looks, you’ll be the talk for a month. I can guarantee that.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz8bR55IVW
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Angel nervously chuckled. “Don’t say that. I personally don't think so.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMCYKsOyfX
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“Well, I do.” He looked at the files in her hands. “May I carry them for you? They look heavy.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJmfDUmtTp
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“Ah, no thanks,” Angel quickly refused. “They aren’t heavy at all.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdO8byFdeHe
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“You sure? Here, let me help.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUE8t8JaAtD
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6cMq4F43P
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“Thanks,” Angel managed to say.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2aq8hp9q6
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“Are you walking over to your desk?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kdJjiA6G2
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zu00JmJ7e
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Derrick put the files on her desk. “I see you’ve a lot to work on.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTcZjFUbaW
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAyv4KIbr8
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“I hear you'll be working closely with Mrs. Lance. You better buckle up. The woman is hard to please.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMFRduu8qU
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“Ya, I’ve been warned. But I’ll do all I can to work hard.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92qjiqLaAM
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFLLwgt9hF
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWxQhDfHEJ
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“Ah, I see. People are already asking you out?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4QZeW8PKc
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡastndCdb9L
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Derrick raised an eyebrow and a smile soon came across his face. “Maybe another time. How does that sound?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6jOjsSXJG
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Angel quickly shook her head. “That will be great. Thanks for helping me carry these files.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVQVQrfZTX
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“You’re welcome. It’s nice meeting you. I’ll see you around?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidnL1h4nMR
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“Ya, I’ll see you.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfGuav8Vj0
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EskjW5KYR
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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:474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkeODyyjwM
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“Excuse me, it’s Angel, right?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vzQntBlnK
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCV6Xq7d1Yk
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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-?"474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJI4LrCtWz
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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."474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARe8VNaD35
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"Maybe it's because I'm new here," said Angel, trying her best to stress a point kindly.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrfeKFeKEC
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"Or maybe it's because you're just too pretty," Sabrina gave Angel a flashy smile.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx93xZZeXVH
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Angel playfully shrugged her shoulders. "I can't be too sure about that."474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkFtIqxZIH
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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."474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7D43APMOBX
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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."474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX7QTklYkb
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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."474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEruuiJnAq
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"Okay, but what does that have to do with me? I just met him."474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq51wnCWS88
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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."474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaHbvnAWoP
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"Oh, I see. But that doesn't mean he likes me or anything, right?"474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRcvweCbjv
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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."474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH91O5OMuV
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWSuUW5oQi
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"Not that I know of," Sabrina answered her. "Angel, this is Beatrix."474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkowJ4DC4I
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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?"474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUBQe0gjqD
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"It's okay," said Angel. "It's nice to meet you, Beatrix."474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkNRKXEfq5
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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."474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69NQv96OB4
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"You see," Sabrina said to Angel with a smile on her face.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbbJp6mLq9
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"I'm not going to say anything," said Angel. "You obviously know him better than I do."474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNvHvBrtIW
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"Just admit it. He has his eye on you."474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjILLdkrXIx
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Angel blushed. She looked to the floor, hoping that the other two wouldn’t notice.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qj3s4AfuD
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"If you managed to get his attention, what more of the other male folk around here who are single?"474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2PFx6W9fl
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUYy1i7tn9
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“Was it like this at your previous workplace? I hear you worked for some editing company, right?” Beatrix asked.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rKt8pj5qZ
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUY84H8ng6
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“Anyway, since you’re close with Eric and Leo, I bet you have their attention too,” said Sabrina.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyEjl9nc6h
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“Oh, no, I don’t think so,” Angel was quick to deny.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbd8a4TKDS
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMS9NRVQyM
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZsZZV3mn1
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEWRQnZNHq
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“I can’t answer that.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB23dJUOf4D
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Sabrina drew herself closer, dragging the chair with her. “Why not?” she asked. “Is it that bad?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRnnjK3bKn
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“No one actually knows why Leo broke things off with Kim, and so does she.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7HKEYD8VH
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“Oh, darn!” Beatrix clicked her tongue. “Everyone around here also says the same thing.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ6nQ46JRk
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaUh2cLmm9
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVrgEXAzBZ
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“Well, he does have an attitude, I can agree on that," said Angel.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8q4e4bz9Bq
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“How do you handle him? Doesn’t he get on your nerves?” Beatrix asked.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCL7nvKolY
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“Sometimes. But he isn’t that bad.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5hYCTgN1b
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4crVGwCgUY
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You and me both, Angel thought. “I better start working on these files.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugDztytJVO
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“Oh, ya, sure,” said Beatrix, “sorry for disturbing you.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUj2btjYkx
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwRXJXTg9O
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rTyfTosmY
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Cf81G32GH
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***474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuhjmQ3rez
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuneX4tU6yn
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkiIpUFJv1
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilPgNFK49q
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8q6DlL5ZZB
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULjnwjnUF5
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“What’s up with you, grumpy?” Eric asked as he came to sit on the chair, facing Leo.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAvrRBOPsh
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“Why don’t you ever knock when you come in?” Leo asked as he folded his arms.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8RuzErKH0
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“I’m sorry, but I already know you’re used to it. So what’s up?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dCgGscHWZ
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJIciz1mC0
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dtD162rOH
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“Kim texted me,” he said.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kLsAJZTqt
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“Whoa, Kim texted you?” Eric for some reason didn’t look at all surprised. “How come?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseZexZsfdL
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DfJifSf9M
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“Angel and I met her at the café where we bought croissants.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyJphJiDR6
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pgiwTX6DX
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“Why didn’t you tell me?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBmuDCalka
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“It didn’t matter then, but it does now. She just texted me.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfXMGsSgpF
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq6IPQ3VHK
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“What did she say?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BpiKzPY64
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“Just a simple hello.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9HMNjJTPG
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jP1tbWmED
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“And did you reply?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwTTqnSBdz
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“Of course, I did.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM3qbeyuLq
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mFzdEZDDX
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“And…?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jsOkd36tC
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474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjhb610Cra
“She texted back and I haven’t read the message.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡst3Zn7sSMs
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdU7M6VhRM
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“You better see what that message says.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nSsPFDFgS
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgqYwgroH5
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“You’re right. I’m impressed with how much you know women, nowadays.” Eric gave him an encouraging smile.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoRFZRvjjd
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIOWTZQ717
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“You’ll never know what you’ve to do if you don’t read the message.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbX3Pc4LXa
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1SHp8kldg
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnHpMv3bht
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHtWSHWwZe
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uivNCMGIp
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUClr9sKlxM
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaCs8HjCRg
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTfITcu5DJ
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PygP0gSVx
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“The less who know, the better.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQkUFzWED6
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcp8iDUPr0j
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“Sooner or later, you’ll have to tell Kim the truth. If anything, she deserves it more than anyone.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlSmWUoHGx
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApgj3egRpK
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqkkRvmC9z
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“What did you tell her?” Eric couldn’t help but look on curiously at Leo’s phone.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5MslBoBGk
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“I told her we can meet,” Leo answered,474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32HgtUIc07
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“WHAT!” Eric held his head, not believing what Leo said. “I don’t believe you. Let me see the message.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtQ7PgJcT7
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeyjSdsyB8
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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?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjWQF7HqCO
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAr8VWZqYCb
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“On that part, I don’t know,” Leo answered as he leaned back on his chair, deep in thought.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlG53mqtHK
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“Well, if you tell her, it will finally give her the chance to move on, don’t you think?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KCw0mgeQC
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“If I do tell her, she’ll kill me.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5U9EjrvtI
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoX4BFomYv
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqriiKav5U
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKT6ip5jvn
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdZmSaROZH
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Eric smiled. “Grandma will be glad if she heard those words coming out of that mouth of yours.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCXMJ4gY1w
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYzSBPOMJy
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“I know. Seems like she was right after all. Kim was never good for me.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PU5RREWu0
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5NtMZCzMb
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“Wait until she finds out that you’re actually in love with Carly.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEb97wQOho
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The two cousins looked at each other, imagining the scenario. Eric reacted first.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo38HjnVmTV
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfn59rw2cWw
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxKaVROlPf
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6c9JaHNIn
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmhe2myyRq
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The two laughed.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlzetsvp2U
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoUindUFYt
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SXWEHD1M1
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmn6HWLi6bT
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A brief silence passed between them when they suddenly burst out laughing at the same time.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6oE6eB24L
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***474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdZr51Zepe
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYo7JxebzKd
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCcbg19KEZ
"Hey, Miranda, are you okay?"474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvjo9M8fBX
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOaLv8MgRI
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmMSNb3Jxn
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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXeg3VjOEV
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRX3T0ap8NI
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡff6oqEdHIN
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“Scoot over,” Brad insisted as he moved his body closer to hers, forcing her to move.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYaBdpQsXw
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Miranda moved over to the next chair which was empty and Brad finally managed to sit next to her.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdk5c5d68z
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“What were you looking at?” he asked as he tried to see what's on Miranda’s phone.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9ZPhkrE6B
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaL4bQY1Qiw
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“You seem really fixed on it. I want to see what’s caught your interest.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTwc4du8ab
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsya6rDj96A
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“Like I told you, it’s nothing. So why don’t you just mind your business?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakirXsR73w
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPk6KiAO5zN
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“I would, but I’m not going to this time.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcx5ysooZrn
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“You never do.” Miranda gave him a gloomy look.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVSQE7JCs5
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“I say that because something’s been different about you lately.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFapcEii2j
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7erjitq3Zb
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She raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79i5kwPFRB
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCm2L9USLL
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1G4EfoJDZ
“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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRXz8AjtaX
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCgP5DwDMx
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uxgJSr29t
“I had a slight problem with my laptop, that’s all.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPRLyrhktY
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9yKPcw3h8
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“I’m just busy, that’s all.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyQp5DDsWz
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKu40wXjBBh
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“There’s a difference between being busy and getting distracted. And you, my friend, are distracted.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUp8WKZNlu
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUJB16NIQF
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6eAnyKkk5
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“So what were you looking at on that phone of yours?” Brad went on to ask.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9DnPs1Xxg
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Miranda looked at him through the corner of her eye. “You really don’t listen, do you?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSv9MFihoYE
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeHf34HNin
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474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54jfModAnL
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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUJc9TTqf5
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“Let go of me, Brad,” she warned him.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMhUweyjSz
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“And what if I don’t want to?” he asked with a smirk on his face.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUfG0yKMoJ
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“You’re hurting me. Why are you being such a prick?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBA0sH3158V
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lT7wIofBn
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGaTHgnx1E
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOI6tNiRLB
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0efcunCZl
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrdo9SBtEm
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpVKmIZoNa
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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?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nJu2CGglG
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“When the time is right,” said Miranda, doing her best not to sound nervous.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaWsKvJoUN
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“So who is this guy, anyway?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKe0jriQK22
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNRoSjPVzg
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***474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufT17NlLKl
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuC3N8dQ9M0
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“Whoa, where do you think you’re going?” Leo asked, still seated behind his desk.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9fCv40bAV
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“I’m going out for lunch,” Eric answered, heading for the door.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetW5RAgHkh
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“You look like you’re going to the bathroom.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yHFUyFn2c
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“I’m taking Angel out,” Eric said with a proud look on his face.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmv3CDFhRRr
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Leo couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Oh, you’re going out with Angel, then?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqek3TOGUk
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsPlK9DF3X
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“Yep. Wipe that sour look on your face. Or are you upset that you have to go out with Kim?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUDQdAVRRe
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“I couldn’t care less about that. Besides, having lunch with Angel doesn’t appeal to me.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsbfR53ybO
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGxK2pFwc2
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9A2gHJsQU
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLhD1aXWRB
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“I beg to differ.” Leo’s face became even more serious.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRasNK9rUUv
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWnNSPuxRV
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“I won’t.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQ0Q2XKf5N
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Eric gave his cousin a concerned look. “I sure hope so. I’m off. See you later.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQZnZcwsXV
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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?474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6Cf85vSM6
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhzi9oIYHm
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCNXNhMhOS
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAd6h7t3lQC
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***474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvQomZctkW
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“I bet you’re hungry, huh?” Eric asked as he and Angel finally got out of the complex building.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQ7xEB50kh
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"You can say that again,” she said turning to look at Eric. "I’m so famished for my first day.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXqd05WfSm
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wAyWkOQaG
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmXaxXFuVD
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAecdzQKOT
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbh7jVFy6qL
"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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNIl9JyPKK
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQlBSEQIlc
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPmpH9bSM7
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KJn6Qcr1j
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hkczKjRkh
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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1cAUOl6A7
474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyjbDbiuQu
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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?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19osfR9O9j
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwiVKLjddz
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAoy9Luvwb
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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?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rpQz2XFjL
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJeGHxUeEs
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCioYdQLliZ
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuWYhfXEio
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEy80Rl4LQ
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZonxOg1bm
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lkEq7kvJT
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWrr1vErmK
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"I’m glad,” said Eric. "I thought you would be upset or something.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhXTa9orwL
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"I’ve received such comments before, so I’m not.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagEKSoG3Jz
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Eric clicked his tongue as he shrugged. "You would, obviously. I also shouldn’t be surprised.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uruGlio6Z
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pnDhzzotc
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsw4gcDF5C5
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAUpOS3BVG
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"Well, the food is on me, so I won’t mind if you order countless dishes.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJPAVtk0lV
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"Thanks,” this time she laughed. "But even if I’m so hungry, I don’t eat that much.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazE4FmV2Xp
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"Just letting you know that the offer is on the table. Ah! Here we are.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWmuzYSuuK
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMVLnTkXKl
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"Shall we?” Eric held the door to the restaurant open as he waited for her.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mErYJSnNZ
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Angel shook herself from her daydream and went through the open door.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HzrbkuUmx
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡso9rd6wmVH
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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?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbmaGzzNYZ
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"That’s if it’s free,” Eric answered.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztmTD2Lugo
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"Well, you’re just in luck. Please, follow me.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGCyNoLUKD
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq77QTMruuu
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"The waiter seems to know you very well,” said Angel as she picked up the menu card on the table.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOzht3OABf
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"I come here a lot,” said Eric as he also picked up the other menu on his side.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cKmsoQZEN
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Angel said nothing as she smiled and looked at the menu.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYUsScdhGR
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"It’s sad that Leo couldn’t join us,” said Eric.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpprErVMnxl
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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?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPJqGHZEJf
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0wWRUAFwv
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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?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3suWIbVvxJ
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"Because he’s having lunch with Kim. He must be heading to her as we speak.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3t0aWex8pZ
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Angel raised her eyes from the menu. "Kim? We met her when we went to buy croissants this morning.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyinUUQ7wg
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"He told me. She actually texted him that she wanted to meet. And he agreed to do so.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaE8VQc8NP0
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ld9Sj26kj
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ39GE3QQp
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dylEuhamN
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYmjgQUxuq
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"Now that you mention it, I fear it will turn out to be a disaster.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusc9LqVobY
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnwDHhJKOj
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLXbvxtdyf
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"What are you doing?” Angel asked.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3mjVmSgEd
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"Calling Leo so that he won’t tell Kim the truth,” Eric answered as he looked through his phone.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87tVnAlI91
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzylegFStX
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"You’re probably right,” Eric put his phone aside on the table and looked at Angel.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq95YcsmCQH
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvdCjl0jGf
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"I agree.” Eric quickly took his phone and went on to call Leo.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxBCqdaQOR
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeVm9ZDN7Y
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"Hello?” came Leo’s voice.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPEFHv0VvQ
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"Thank goodness, you picked the call,” said Eric. "We were starting to get worried.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9aY77btcC
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"By ‘we’ you mean, you and Angel?” Leo sounded unconvinced.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDTuDMo35N
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"It might seem unbelievable, but it’s true.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyvbFrnfAY
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Leo sighed. "Get to the point. Why are you calling me?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rWtaD0wKb
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"Are you heading to lunch with Kim right now?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vLdQnWgDg
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"I was about to enter the car and head there. What’s up?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8QzuGco3l
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"Quick question. Are you going to tell Kim the truth?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwizugkjLF
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"The truth about what? Why I didn’t marry her?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShI5akJFgt
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"Yes.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKEWFWv87X
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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?”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhNmAedRez
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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.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzenXglW46J
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"Nah, you got this all under control,” Eric quickly pointed out. "I trust that you’ll do the right thing.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTb07c8dPx
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXEoo6Z06e
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"I believe you. You’ve a nice lunch.” Eric cut the call.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpklJ1zkwp
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"What did he say?” Angel quickly asked.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqDYOly5vR
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNwW8EJeVE
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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.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtzTOAhjAR
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The two looked at each other in silence, again. They both shook their heads as they picked up their menus.474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAVpD9X1eF
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"Leo has this under control,” Eric assured her. "We’ve nothing to worry about.”474Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBTp8YaRV5
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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 protection470ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMQnMqjz1t 維尼

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