Mrs. Chamberlin felt someone gently shake her. She moaned a little as she opened her eyes. The buzzing fluorescent light blinded her for a bit until she realized that there was someone standing next to her. Her eyes opened widely now. It was her son, Eugene.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5S5BgDahZe
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"Hey, mum, are you alright?" he asked. "Sorry for waking you."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xcdGbryxV
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Mrs. Chamberlin sat upright; the big, heavy coat she had used as a blanket fell to her waist. She rubbed her eyes, trying to remove the sleep in them. She looked over at her son, who stood there looking at her.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWmrfBrosR
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"I didn't expect to see you here," she said, as she put up a tired smile. "What time is it?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvglDQw4va
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"It's five in the morning," said Eugene as he went over to sit on the chair she had been sleeping on in the waiting room.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8K7RmqMla
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"And what about your brother? Aren't you going to see him off to school?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVJ6RYJH4b
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"I will. I came to check up on you first."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FtEB7xhHC
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"I thought you were going to ask how your father was doing."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3Q3TsDqkw
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Eugene didn't know how to respond to that as he looked up at the ceiling and then back at his mother in silence.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyZPWBIC0Y
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Mrs. Chamberlin sighed. She wasn't going to force her son to do so, even though she knew Eugene cared a lot more than he thought.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2E36Rmtv9
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"He's stable now," she said. "They managed to pull the bullet out. But he lost a lot of blood. The doctor said it would take time for him to recover." 288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCldQMGLaS
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"Did you go in to see him?" Eugene asked. 288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCf01C210K
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"I did. But he lay there unconscious. I'm hoping he wakes up soon."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmpcu2pGLU
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"When he wakes up, you know he'll have to face the police, right? In fact, what did they ask you when they came last night?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPUX4wniX9
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Mrs. Chamberlin muttered to herself as she put both her feet down from the chair, trying to make herself comfortable. Eugene wondered if she would stall so as not to answer his question.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYC6hHHnz1
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"They asked if I knew about his whereabouts before he got shot," she answered. "If he had told me who had shot him, I would have told them, but I didn't know anything. He just showed up on my doorstep, and I had no choice but to call the hospital."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTiADsSEJe
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"Do they think he was involved in some shady deal?" Eugene asked. 288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw83shseshA
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"They do." Mrs. Chamberlin sighed, shaking her head. "I wonder what he got himself into."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcT5C38q3Z
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"Something dangerous, that's for sure. Maybe this time when the police investigate, they'll find out the truth about whatever he's been keeping from us for so long."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIETjKRJ3xs
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"You already know that he is involved with dangerous people. Do you really want to dig deeper and find out who he is working for?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZskbxVFH29
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Eugene continued to look at his mother, and he had a feeling she wasn't going to like what he was going to say. He averted his eyes to the ceiling and stayed silent.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSdZ5gkyOZ
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Mrs. Chamberlin looked on at her son. After what seemed to be a long while, she slowly stood up from her seat. She needed to stretch her legs. Likewise, she also raised her hands in the air to stretch her entire body.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO8OABNZS9
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Eugene now looked at his mother and asked, "Won't you be going back home to freshen up?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UQj6aIE7y
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"I will," she answered after dropping her arms. "I'll do so when your father wakes up."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKF7hd8wK2y
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Her answer made Eugene scoff. "He was at your doorstep when he came asking for help," he said. "You don't have to show that you've been with him this whole time. A big part of me knows he will figure that out when he wakes up."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hXt6pcwGN
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"So, how is your brother doing?" Mrs. Chamberlin asked, ignoring Eugene's statement. "It must have been confusing for him when you told him he couldn't enter his own home."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXbivUIXuP
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"He won't take it lightly after he hears this news at school. I wanted to tell him, but when I got back to Mrs. York's, I found that he was already asleep."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKQdDzuYnn
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"The disadvantage of living in such a town is that news travels so fast. I strongly advise that you tell him when you go and get him ready for school."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZUHPSYN8f
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"That will affect him, mum. He won't be able to go if it comes to it."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOATyjZM0n
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"That decision will be up to him. If he doesn't go, the better. Make sure to call the school if it comes to it."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCSSyZP7Gx
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Eugene gave a nod of the head. "Will do."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfTnmXVf5i
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Mrs. Chamberlin looked down at her son and came up to him. She bent over a little and held his chin to lift his face and look straight into his eyes.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwoJFAAq8S
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"Did you get any sleep?" she asked. "You look like you've been up all night."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8Nb6DhbUZ
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"Yeah, I didn't," said Eugene as he put up a tired smile. "Not that I was worried about him. I'm more worried about you."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTTDd8XnNp
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"I'll be okay. Your father needs to recover first."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19qt3nsJp3
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"If he does, will you consider leaving him for good?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hh4QjvKde
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Mrs. Chamberlin let go of his chin as she stood upright. She didn't expect him to start talking about this subject at such a critical time.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0cLPnJ9nO
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"You should go and check up on your brother," she answered as she slowly turned away. "He will need you around when he wakes up."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh20wZI4Q11
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Eugene continued to look up at his mother and, likewise, stood up from his seat. "I know you don't like to talk about this, but for once, think about Albert and me. What if that man brings danger to our own doorstep one day?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT09N7lebeb
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"He can never do that. He promised me that whatever he's involved in will never affect us."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMRMFAxPqp
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"I'm sorry, mum. But him coming to our doorstep with a gunshot wound is proof that he already did. When are you going to wake up and realize that?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXH08IdAyz3
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His mother still didn't look at Eugene. And he took it as his cue to leave. Before he could turn around and head for the door behind him, he turned back to her to say:288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHapTpZhWJ
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"Mrs. York will be coming over to bring you breakfast. And she thinks it will be a good time for the two of you to switch so that you can go to the house to rest."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf0uDaM6mN
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Mrs. Chamberlin turned to Eugene. "And what if he wakes up and finds that I'm not here? I need to be here when he does."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LW6oUB7zt
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"Seriously, mum, I don't know if you care about yourself at all."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DtKICR9TQ
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Mrs. Chamberlin couldn't help but swallow. She noticed the look in his eyes. It might be him being tired from being up all night, but there is a sense of darkness in them that she has never seen before. She wondered where it came from. Could it be after having a talk about his father? She couldn't tell, but seeing him like he is now made her realize that there's something different about him.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAftLlpiZ19
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He said his goodbye, and without a second glance, turned and walked away, not realizing that he left a cold trail in his wake. Mrs. Chamberlin, at that point in time, didn't know if this was her son or some stranger.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88qPEDQl9C
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Eugene had every right to be in the mood he was currently in. His mother still stuck to her marriage like a lifeline. He wished she would one day realize how much of a baggage his father was. Secondly, so many things happened last night that he didn't know what to think of his best friend anymore.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wAN5c45Rw
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After surprising Miguel with his presence last night, Eugene asked him where he was. Miguel lied to his face, saying he went out for some fresh air and didn't expect it to take so long. Eugene went on to ask him why he looked in such a mess, like he had just been beaten up in a fight. As usual, Miguel laughed it off and lied that he tripped and fell somewhere down the street. Eugene expected to be lied to, and he couldn't tell Miguel that he knew where he had been, for that might expose Miss Marie. So he pretended to buy the lie and told Miguel that he only passed by to have a chat. He left the place, saying that it was already late and he needed to be by Albert's side.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMCMUGAS1R
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Eugene had already found himself outside the hospital's premises, heading for the bus stop. His body was in flight mode, moving on its own while he continued to get lost in his own mind.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuS0H8WMj0
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As soon as he reached the bus stop, he sent a message to Mr. Sinclair, telling him that he would be coming to work a little late. For any ordinary person, they would've accepted a day off with a loved one in the hospital. But in his case, he needed a distraction. And the idea of staying in the hospital didn't sit well with him. Not when his father is the reason why his mother and brother are suffering.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOvcpMRJ1r
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A bus was coming from a distance, and Eugene felt his heart beat so fast as he realized that he was going back to wake his brother up and tell him the awful news. It was best he heard the news from him. Albert is emotional, so he needed to be there just in case he had a breakdown.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIkdXY2B7b
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As soon as the bus stopped right in front of him and the doors flew open, Eugene took deep breaths. He entered the bus feeling like he was going to a funeral. For whom, he wondered.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Fh9QldvhI
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***288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmAelMWvrO
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Rhénee turned in her bed, facing the window, this time around. She could tell the sun was now rising even when the curtain was drawn shut. She hadn't been able to sleep well the whole night as images of what happpened kept replaying in her mind, and she had just slept in intervals, only to be woken again by her dreams.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscyXKW94QL
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She suddenly sat up and decided to take a walk around the house. Her body ached with tiredness, and she decided that a cup of coffee would do her good.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRApajR3q4
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After getting out of bed and wearing her purple bed slippers, she started to make her way out of the room when she heard her phone on the bedside table vibrate. She wondered who could be texting her this early in the morning. Perhaps her mother? Rhénee could only wonder what her mother would say if she were ever to tell her about the events of yesterday. She would drive here with her brother, Rhénee thought, and force her to go back home.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXggF7gdM0
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She went back to her bed to get her phone, and she found herself sitting back down on the bed. As she checked her phone, she found she had a message from Mr. Sinclair telling her to meet him at his office at 11:30 AM so that they could go and have lunch together. Rhénee raised an eyebrow. He was taking her somewhere more public. It didn't seem convenient, but it must be because he knows I won't overreact in a public place, she thought.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPvpWXupq8
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She texted him back, saying that she would be there, and stood up from her bed, making sure to carry her phone with her.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05irLE2Zit
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After walking out of her room and closing the door behind her, the silence of the house greeted her. She stood in the hall for a while, taking it in. She thought if she moved or made a sound, it would disturb the calm of the place. But the sweet sounds of the birds singing outside her bedroom window did the trick, though not in a harmful way.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKf1LQCP0rM
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She walked down the hall, bypassing her late grandmother's room. Stopping to look at the door, she thought of going in. But the events of yesterday came to her mind in a flash, making her think twice. She realized that all that's been going on right now since she came here is because of her grandmother, which stirred up a lot of mixed feelings.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2228A96c3
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She scoffed and turned away, heading to the stairs and to the kitchen.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcr6pWIP5U
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Upon entering the kitchen, she was greeted by the warm sun's rays that penetrated through the white kitchen curtain. The feeling was comforting, and it made Rhénee smile a little. She went on ahead to the coffee maker and started to bring out the coffee beans and sugar from the cupboard straight above her. Likewise, she made sure to pour some water into the coffee maker as well as putting in the coffee in the filter and switching on the appliance. She sat down on the kitchen stool near the island, waiting for the coffee to brew.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWTbo0K99x
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Nevertheless, she decided to look through her phone, checking things out on social media. She found herself looking at a post by one of her friends, whom she hadn't talked to since she came here. Seeing this made her realize that she hadn't talked to any of her friends in what felt like forever, when she had only been here for a few days. With so much going on, time seems to have moved so fast when it barely has at all.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdAlQgx1ja
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Her coffee was still brewing, so she left the social media page and decided to call the one friend who wouldn't mind being bothered so early in the morning.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhv9uomqOGU
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After finding their number in her contacts, she called it and put the phone to her ear. She heard the dialling tone and waited. It didn't take long before the person on the other end picked up.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaUCDUeaeQ
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"Rhénee?" There was a sleepy male voice on the other end. "Hey, it's been a long time. How are you?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNImYxXjPL
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"I'm good, thanks; how are you, Alex?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM25ip6EuNW
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"Never better, now that you've called. I thought you forgot about me."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDihmEEkTC
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Rhénee looked up at the ceiling. "Yeah, I think I must have."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX9Udbov9L
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"Don't tell me you've made a tonne of friends over there and that you forgot about me. Or did your late grandmother's fortune get to your head?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1o2XJdvVH
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The last thing Rhénee needed was to talk about her grandmother, but she had to act like nothing was bothering her for the time being.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2KCc4DSdE
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"You're just as funny as usual," said Rhénee with a smile on her face. "I've just been busy."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFj4sYId6m
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"Yeah, a new house and a new life must be a lot of work."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu1BSh4AD8
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"You've no idea. But I'm getting by just fine. I know it's been forever since I last came here, but a number of people still recognize me. So I don't feel entirely alone."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfqoKKM0x9
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"Please, it's impossible to forget a person like you. And you were adorable when you were younger, so there is that."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwqh2B05KQ
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"I wasn't adorable when I was younger."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJTW57Ogr4
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"I've seen your baby pictures, Rhénee. You were just the cutest."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFHjH94oXa
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"Who showed you my baby photos?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwY9QeM4bd
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"Zoey, of course."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YYA5nRhPJ
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The two continued to chat, even about the old times. To Rhénee, it felt good to have her mind off of things, even when she knew it wasn't going to last long. As she poured herself a cup of coffee, she laughed at Alex's jokes and what he had to say about other people, especially their close friends.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdshvk8m5Ni
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"Goodness, I wish you were still with us, Rhénee," he said. "Everyone misses you here."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPfaJwwnrH
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"Yeah, I miss the place too," she said as she looked out of the window. "Don't worry though. When the holidays arrive, I'll make sure to be there. My mum will kill me if I don't."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGPzj47Vtb
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"Knowing your mother, I won't be surprised. How come she hasn't even thought of coming to get you back? I'll make sure to tag along if the thought ever crosses her mind."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJNC8PycjA
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"Because I told her not to. I know she cares about me, but she never treats Ryan that way, and they stay in the same city."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS4zu5uw78
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"Sorry, Rhénee, but you should know that you're her baby girl. Of course she would worry."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWgtwWCWgJ
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"I wonder when she will ever get over me. I can look after myself, for goodness sake."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUB52tXCFt
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"She'll get over it when she feels like it. Give her a break."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkxIecC12Z
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Rhénee thought she heard footsteps in the other room. Miss Griselda must be awake.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJW8it2F5r
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"Anyway, I better get myself ready for the day. It was nice talking to you, Alex."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFiaZ2uggy
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"You should call every day. It will be nice to hear your voice every morning."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUexOxBxt9d
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Rhénee chuckled. "Why don't you get out of bed and go flirt with other girls?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNCPHFaQux
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Alex, on the other end, laughed. "Oh, Rhénee, you're the only girl for me; don't you know that?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLGOV6kKcc
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"Bye, Alex," said Rhénee, not ready for Alex's proposals, which he always made. This time she wasn't going to hear it. Even when she misses him for doing it.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsuLMrYgpH
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After he said his goodbye, she cut the call and placed her phone on the table as she went to the sink to wash her cup. The door to the kitchen flew open, and Rhénee turned to see Miss Griselda walk in.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZHx9d3hyz
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"Morning, Rhénee," Miss Griselda greeted her. "Did you have a good night's sleep?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSgPWQT1Z6
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"Not really," Rhénee answered. "I'm guessing that you didn't sleep well, either." She had finished washing her cup and had put it to dry on the plate rack.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxyBvhxLhr
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"No. I barely slept a wink."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BKps70o2U
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"There's still some hot coffee if you need it." Rhénee pointed to the coffee maker.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtBFOFX96R
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"I heard you talking to someone just now over the phone." Miss Griselda went over to the cupboards to get herself a cup. "Who was it?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOWtpMTHVJ
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"A friend of mine. I hadn't talked to him in what felt like forever."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCBZDle2Ix
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"That's nice. You sounded like you were having a nice chat." Miss Griselda took a cup and poured herself some coffee.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrKlGz1hWH
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"I did. If only people like him knew what's really happening in my life right now. But the last thing I need is for him to get involved in something as dangerous as this."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tQ1al7YXR
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"A wise and sensible decision." Miss Griselda took a sip of the coffee, and her eyes brightened up a bit. "This coffee tastes great."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq5i5coCDW
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"I'm just fortunate. I didn't do anything to make it as nice as you make it." Rhénee chuckled.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡic80UyJeYV
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"So what do you have planned for the day?" Miss Griselda asked as she sat on one of the stools. "I hope you haven't forgotten that you've to meet Mr. Sinclair."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5gQNvijQO
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"No, I haven't," Rhénee replied as she walked away from the sink towards Miss Girselda. "He texted me this morning what time to meet and where."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHURgzZfp6X
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"Wherever you will be, don't try and give him a hard time, dear. You're quite stubborn, you know."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64z1YcchxN
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"Oh, I think he already knows that. The message clearly states he'll be taking me out for lunch. So you don't have to worry."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u9GEJuoyx
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"Well, something tells me you'll still put him on edge with your questions."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6pT89ik2S
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Rhénee raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? The way I see it, the man seems as cool as a cucumber. You saw how he was yesterday when we came back from the forest."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ650jN0SeX3
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"I know. But just be careful of what you want to say to him, okay?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3S4Mk24H8
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"As you wish." Rhénee didn't like the feeling of being defeated so easily, especially from Miss Griselda.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡft8cQZKgpu
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"I plan on making pancakes today. Would you want some? I figured that we had a tough day yesterday it would brighten our day at least."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIRYpXAZ3f
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That put up a smile on Rhénee's face. "That sounds great. Let me go freshen up first."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUdIg35rE2
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Rhénee made her way to the door while Miss Griselda continued sipping on her coffee. Rhénee stopped for a bit as she wanted to turn around and ask Miss Griselda something concerning last night. But she stopped herself knowing fully well that Miss Griselda might not want to talk about it right now. She opened the kitchen door and walked out.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6yYtweed2
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***288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVcLT4eBak
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Eugene walked out of the room he and his brother had slept in. He had just told the news of his father's accident to Albert, and as Eugene expected. He didn't take it so lightly, but mention that their father was now out of danger.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpWAqaCfqr
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Albert had also asked if that's the reason why they couldn't go back to the house. Eugene replied accordingly, stating that their father had come home badly injured. Albert understood, but there was no denying that that he was disturbed. Eugene suggested that Albert should not go to school until he felt like it. Albert thought so too and he told Eugene that he wanted to be left alone. Respecting his brother's wishes, Eugene left the room and headed down stairs where the smell of food from the kitchen was calling to him. Eugene now realized just how hungry he was.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQdP3Ov8on
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As he entered the kitchen, he found Mrs. York by the stove making scrambled eggs. He also noticed that there was toasted bread, a jug of juice and a pot of hot coffee on the kitchen table. Mrs. York turned to look at him as she heard him enter the kitchen with a smile.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvefLc1qxD
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"Please, Eugene, sit," she told him.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31zTTuQ3bg
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Eugene did just that. "How is Mr. York this morning?" he asked.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqYEd2qVMO
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"Oh, he's still fast asleep," she answered as she turned back to the eggs on the stove. "With the meds he is on, he sleeps like a rock. How did Albert take the news?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKwTtmA73b
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Eugene clenched his hand into a fist. "Not too well, I'm afraid. He looked like he was about throw up or something. He wanted to be left alone for a bit."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyBKs1cMRl
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"Will he be going to school?" Mrs. York removed the pan on the stove and put the eggs on a plate.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZiugQfUrn
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"No. He won't be able to concentrate. Plus, people might be talking about it a lot."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8lNSn0SU7
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Mrs. York approached the table with the plate and laid it in the table. "People will always talk, and you know that better than him."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0asCgvy3Jd
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She pulled a chair to take a seat. "And what about you?" she asked. "Are you going for work?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPYFQ9BQZa
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Eugene gave a nod of his head. "I need to get my mind distracted from all this," he answered.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIauq6Tzyi
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"I see." Mrs. York took one of the cups on the table and poured herself a cup of coffee from the coffeemaker. "I'm guessing your meeting with your mother didn't go well?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFE1Fa8PFwF
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Eugene looked at Mrs. York and gave a nod of his head. "No matter, she didn't want to hear anything regarding her leaving him."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50sSbUFXxj
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"Well, that wasn't the most appropriate time for that," said Mrs. York as she took a plate and placed two slices of toast from the main plate. "You know how your mother still loves your father. You better eat up while the eggs are still hot."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffLJsovRkw
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Eugene served himself a glass of juice and toast and eggs. "There's no denying that she still loves him," he said. "I'm afraid him  coming to our house to ask for help spells danger for all of us. I don't trust him."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTje3o2QAU
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"Same here. It's going to take a lot to convince that stubborn mother of yours. But lets not think about it right now. Focus on taking of her and your brother."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuP6Zu3ulu9
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"I can't do that when she sticks to my father like it's all she knows how to do."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd0XmLolOW
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Mrs. York sighed and she took a bite out of her toast. "It will take some sort of a miracle to tear those two apart."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYRQHq24bB
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"You're right. Now that I think about it, I might as well just leave it be."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNreT4UvX5u
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The two continued to eat their breakfast and as soon as they were done, Eugene went to prepare himself to go to work. Mrs. York had fortunately taken the liberty of taking some of his and Albert's clothes from the house when the police were around. Their house was still a crime scene, but knowing that his father had been injured else where, they might bring down the yellow tape sooner than expected.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP17RvMBGHd
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Before leaving for work, Eugene went to check up on Albert. Lucky enough, he found Mrs. York encouraging him to go to the kitchen and have something to eat. He also made sure to call Eugene's home room teacher to tell her that he wasn't going to be in today.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nimWe4emd
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After saying his goodbyes, he made his way out of the house, heading for the bus station. There was no need for him to call Miguel to pick him up for work like always. Eugene thought he wouldn't even go in his car, if Miguel was to appear at the moment.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZdaLVHNR0
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Knowing fully well, that he already told his boss that he won't be coming in early, Eugene took his time walking. While he did so, he wondered what he would tell his workmates at the office when he gets there.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVqvuw4yW4
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Rhénee looked at the time and figured it was now time to leave and head to Mr. Sinclair's office. She had been seated outside the patio, overlooking the garden with Miss Griselda and Sofie at her feet.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHP5qcuJiH
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"I better get going now," Rhénee announced as she stood up from her seat. "I don't want to be late."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltagN7PdSG
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"Alright," said Miss Griselda, sewing her red dress on the collar. "Remember what I told you about Mr. Sinclair and your questions."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOWcS55kRn
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Rhénee gave Miss Griselda a smirk. "I'll do my best. I'm not going to promise anything."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mETgz6Voe
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Miss Grisleda looked up at Rhénee, regardless. "Take care," she said. "Make sure you don't wander off on your own like you did yesterday."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aBllh7u6h
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Rhénee gave a nod of her head and started to make her way to the back of the house to the garage. She had left the door open leading to it an hour ago as she had come into the garage to check on the car for oil and gas. She also took the extra precaution of looking around the car for anything suspicious. You can never know with what's been going on around her lately. She had to be extra careful from now on, and that meant checking her car once in a while.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IhIWuwQzF
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She unlocked the car, opened the door and we went in. She started the engine and soon enough, she drove the car out of the garage and onto the front drive way. As she passed the front lawns of the house, she noticed Kevin at a distance mowing the lawn. He didn't have to come in for work today and Rhénee told him that this morning when he came to her door. But he insisted that he stick around just in case trouble came by. Besides, he also had to keep up appearances for people to see, or else they would figure out that something is wrong.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCx09FYkfVt
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Kevin stopped mowing as he saw her drive by and waved. Rhénee slowed the car and waved back. She reached the open front gates and drove off towards the town.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lHiT0IeRg
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It took Rhénee less than ten minutes to find herself at the town centre. It's good she arrived on time. Even if Madison was a small town, slight traffic was starting to build up. The place isn't like New York where traffic could sometimes get you late, but Rhénee always liked to be where she had to be on time.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AI50cIM8E
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She reached the law firm and packed right outside in the car park. She checked the time. It's only ten minutes till 11:30. Better early than late, she told herslef as she took her small white handbag and got out of the car.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDu5kGDF7jS
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After locking the door, she started to make her way to the building. She bypassed a guard making his rounds through the car park and she acknowledged her with a greeting by touching the brim of his cap. Rhénee in response smiled at him.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNxyhMdhzC
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Before entering the building, two women in grey suits who she pointed out as lawyers, walked out through the front door. A chill ran down her spine all of a sudden as she had a strange feeling that she was being watched.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppprCuO9rg
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She looked behind her at the car park. Nothing seemed suspicious or was she just thinking too much? If there was one thing her father taught her over the years, is not to ignore your instincts, especially in such a situation she now found herself in.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqgn5zamYH
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With one last look around the car park, Rhénee turned around and started to make her way into the building. It wasn't her first time there so she made her way to the front desk and told the receptionist that she had an appointment with Mr. Sinclair. The receptionist told her to go right ahead. Rhénee thanked her and made her way to the elevator.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazBwd1Vgo3
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Eugene continued to stare blankly at his computer in his work station. He hadn't managed to get much work done as his mind wandered off every now and then, thinking of his mother and brother. Maybe he shouldn't have come to work after all. When his workmates first saw him, they were actually surprised. They didn't bother to ask him why he had come, but they did ask how his father was doing. Eugene knew they were only trying to be sympathetic, but he could tell that they found him pretty weird to be coming in for work, especially with what happened.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qiYNS199t
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He could feel people's eyes on him every now and then. That bothered him. At a time when he had to go get a piece of paper by the printer, he thought he heard two of his colleagues whispering. He thought he heard his name and when he turned to look at them, they stopped talking and went about their business. It's either they were talking about him or now he's mind was just playing tricks on him. With his mind so preoccupied, he couldn't tell which was which.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzUCWbdTLG
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He groaned and finally stood up from his desk. Looking at the screen wasn't going to do him any good, not when he couldn't concentrate. Even when Theodore and Mr. Sinclair had given him less work to do to, he still couldn't get anything done.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRu4vVwBYY
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Eugene gave a good stretch with his arms wide, that he almost hit someone who was walking round his cubicle. He stopped himself just in time and when he turned to see who it was, he found Preeta with a stack of files standing there.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDwsQMjKAP
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"Oh, sorry, Preeta," he said, dropping his hands. "I didn't see you there."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRV9LV33mm
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"Oh, no, it's fine," she said. "I stopped just in time."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGujq380FUB
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Eugene tried to smile at Preeta, but his facial muscles seemed too tired to do so. He noticed the worried look on Preeta's face, and knew she what she was going to ask.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8jJYDZcAf
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"Eugene, are you okay?" she asked. "Maybe you shouldn't have come in today."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRnC49ZwT2
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"I'm fine, Preeta," he answered. "I just need to keep my mind busy to forget all that's happening."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyqUXOssuY
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"But you can't, can you?" Preeta raised an eyebrow. "I can tell you're only stressing yourself out by being here."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrI7txDcu0h
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"I know you're concerned, but I can take care of myself."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzIl94JWyK
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"I know you can, but if you ask me, you need to be with your brother and your mother right now. Isn't that's what most important?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1tyEpwrLd
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Eugene sat back down on his chair, with a sigh. His hand fell upon the side of his face as he asked, "how can I ever go to my mother's side when she doesn't even listen to me at all?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkMuejXSzj
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Preeta stood there silently, wondering whether to ask the question. She knew why he had asked this. His parents' affairs were well known to everyone in the town of Madison. And Preeta now found herself in some sort of bear trap.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xzkpvztur
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"I wish I could answer that, Eugene," she found the voice to say. "Doesn't that have to be her decision?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJ4dVGERmV
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Eugene looked up at the ceiling. "Her decision, huh?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocDCzKY2sW
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Preeta looked at him, and she wished she could try and get Eugene out of the hole he was in. But he seems so lost in his own world. There was a sort of brokeness in his eyes and Preeta wondered if it's only his father's accident that might have caused it.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE945RJeODS
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The land-line on Eugene's desk rang and before he could pick it, he continued to look up at the ceiling. Preeta looked at his landline that kept ringing, and then back at him. Should she pick the line instead, she thought. It could be important.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMb03W2fLr
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Before Preeta could even stretch her hand to reach the phone, Eugene quickly took it and put it to his ear. "Hello?" he answered.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB9SV2PEBo
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He listened to whoever was talking on the other end, and afterwards, he replied with a low grunt and put the receiver back in it's place.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18bGRgoBBF
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"Was that Mr. Sinclair?" Preeta asked.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1BtvORk67
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"No, his secretary called to go get some work files at her desk," he replied. "I better go. Those files won't fly here themselves."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeeuYmAivt
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Eugene stood up from his seat and before he could make his way to Mr. Sinclair's office, Preeta took hold of his shoulder to stop him.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9btf3b3ifA
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"Hey, it will be lunch soon. Do you mind if we can go out?" Preeta asked. "We can get to talk if you want."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3EiDg8N57
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Eugene looked at her and the corner of his lip was raised to a smile. "Yes, that will be very nice, thanks," he said.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1p1Tm4cCEm
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"As soon as you're back, I'll meet you here at your station. Sounds good?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPgPc5zbr0
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Eugene gave a nod of his head and without any hesitation, made his way to Sinclair's office.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQnCQzhrNa
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Rhénee stepped out of the elevator and started to make her way to Sinclair's office just down the hall. She had a clear view of the secretary's desk. The secretary looked away from her computer to see Rhénee approaching.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1JdxP8rhY
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Before Rhénee could reach the secretary, there came the sound of footsteps coming from the other end of the hall, and a young man appeared in front of Rhénee entering the hall she was in and also approaching the secretary's desk.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QGMkTcdcW
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"Ah, Eugene," said the secretary looking at him as he reached the desk first. "I thought I wasn't going to get the chance to see you. How is your father doing?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6o636uzC4x
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"He's out of danger at least," Eugene answered, not realizing that there was someone coming behind him.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcpjd7Qnlb
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"Good morning," said Rhénee as she came to stand beside Eugene.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGU58dsEFN
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Her presence startled Eugene that he almost jumped in fright. He responded to her greeting bleakly.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJH04ZGuoo
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"Good morning, Rhénee," said Mrs. Clarks with so much enthusiasm, like she hadn't sounded sympathetic with Eugene minutes ago. "Mr. Sinclair just stepped out, but you can go in his office and wait for him there."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJceEyrKnx
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"He trusts me to be in his office?" Rhénee asked, sounding surprised. "Won't it be better to wait for him out here?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoejB6cm17
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"No, he wouldn't mind. Please, you can walk right in."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIAWtDSm1F
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Rhénee thought twice about it and quickly made up her mind and started to make her way to Sinclair's office.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop6Qyw7q42
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Eugene had been staring at Rhénee the whole time and it was only Mrs. Clarks placing the files so loudly on her desk, that brought him back to earth.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamN38NP1U9
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"How is your father doing?" Mrs. Clarks asked as she looked on worringly at Eugene.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhcQowmGl9
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Eugene quickly shook his head, trying his best to gather his thoughts. "Well, he's out of danger for now," he answered.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZr646edyEN
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"Just know that I have you and your family in my prayers. As soon as I heard the news, I got terrified. I still am. Do you know how he ended up like that?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ513G0I1qkx
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Eugene shook his head. "No clue. He didn’t tell my mum anything, either. He passed out when he got to the house."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr26rTTOGrk
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"It’s good that he’s okay. But isn’t it bad for him, though? I hear it was a gunshot wound, and the police are now investigating the matter. Did he say who shot him or what had happened?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsfS72i82K
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Eugene shook his head. "No, he didn’t say anything to mum before he passed out."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl1CtzPTF2
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"Well, I hope it isn’t serious. No one reported any shootings, though, so hopefully it was just an explainable accident. It would be pretty bad if it turns out that he was involved in something shady."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEi4IUuzvmr
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Eugene had had enough of Mrs. Clarks' talk as he picks up the files on the desk. "I better be going now. I’ll see you later."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdh1LoIuD6W
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"You take care of yourself, dear. And tell your mother that I’m praying for her."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT00XX5uXaS
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Eugene gave a nod of his head and turned around to make his way back to his workstation. He completely forgot about Rhénee, who stood in Sinclair’s office and had heard the entire conversation.8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeVXnd3kge 維尼

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