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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixjyGduGHV
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI44wiXmC8n
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nVgbOZJnB
"Hey, mum, are you alright?" he asked. "Sorry for waking you."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3hkeHzOmG
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o2n4YPYaE
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbp0WtVKAg
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UXc9nYcNx
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGMIfM6I89
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoT8bl5sTUA
"I didn't expect to see you here," she said, as she put up a tired smile. "What time is it?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRcAiYbmIV
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGeznYJ3C3
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQPOBiHiVq
"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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49NzYCPS7r
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9zGhW203W
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwjD4xMrUD
"And what about your brother? Aren't you going to see him off to school?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8y5BmsViJv
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqh3taHnAp
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8ucHXKe9m
"I will. I came to check up on you first."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN6OnXdH8n
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgCn6J0ihA
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTCYiqzJIk
"I thought you were going to ask how your father was doing."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEk41h3im1
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfR5CnHmkz
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjTsBluWRY
Eugene didn't know how to respond to that as he looked up at the ceiling and then back at his mother in silence.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J5X1Q62mZ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KVNV8JDK5
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUI9lcf1A8t
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61rVHInwSE
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJMhGjRH99
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEkbjguNPF
"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." 462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoH7C50IFm0
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOss5iQoUWZ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ5cg4TmaM
"Did you go in to see him?" Eugene asked. 462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLTrtgyRJD
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74SzeSgQ0g
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiGtO76OqP
"I did. But he lay there unconscious. I'm hoping he wakes up soon."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05RgDrmPn0
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnRNOBDEc5
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0x19uqGHM
"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?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSziMT2Bo8
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAZxs1ug2Q
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhuJz4a6aI
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUmQo5by6C
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwz2zCm6lx
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCapZUiOrr
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb1AHLrZUm
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jHvB89VVl
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidRtQuMhL4
"Do they think he was involved in some shady deal?" Eugene asked. 462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOG6UWAZ9Ez
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PFv97blQf
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ofx5l5xqE
"They do." Mrs. Chamberlin sighed, shaking her head. "I wonder what he got himself into."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrwAEkt4PJ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeaEfI9Dhl
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH1zONxdrn
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpshHKVfNMj
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHOwXC4T5Y
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDUDNzpT1J
"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?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5tppT5IfN
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIUWU8ViDO
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mv2rQFOTm
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJZFBATAF3
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEXXJwZGwU
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYf4VmSW55A
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDwdfKZly8
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡala2INt80S
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmrMW5vYDL
Eugene now looked at his mother and asked, "Won't you be going back home to freshen up?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtFG7Dmvvu
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxtVOzZ9Rl
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWtRXDpEx3
"I will," she answered after dropping her arms. "I'll do so when your father wakes up."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zxFPGSyT4
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVetIn55SAr
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0a2sFY3WY
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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eu5J9NPo7
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiLvTCApRd
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDYC4PZtC0
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOZqDxIilX
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FqiMHP66r
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeSFr3IUUu
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBjIyga3KU
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzDlZItxBI
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPH1b2OvIP
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6tDfBSLHe
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmN2b5CvjMS
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgau3rSSYb
"That will affect him, mum. He won't be able to go if it comes to it."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWsG0FdP62
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAp0vLzu5GJ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dk9cyFhly
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsI3e5MI6nm
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgp8tASz1I
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoVF13zdNB
Eugene gave a nod of the head. "Will do."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxVr0iSJwe
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL0qBGWCaP
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5GbRDNx6d
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOonNmoAVn
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8lfr7D8gr
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVCCHjpE9G
"Did you get any sleep?" she asked. "You look like you've been up all night."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrK9BAFsggP
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU781BH8uni
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPF5EG4qk9Z
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSS93KwsPR
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SJpTxs5eL
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp5Q1CgbI9
"I'll be okay. Your father needs to recover first."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrNw2GPwGl
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEzJ6ebljf
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNVptl3Fyl
"If he does, will you consider leaving him for good?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9SGfpXbgc
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvj1TIiWXi
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZjIoPOHJD
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aSgv6Sayp
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1t06g2kHa
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmxOI7Usuw
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIB8CwfKVgL
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8sAi8LSUT
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAKGA0kwvt
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?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50ag3MYLC5
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VVw9hvqb1
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHN0Eff96x
"He can never do that. He promised me that whatever he's involved in will never affect us."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4tlZ94CFY
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvJbgDUG3D
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrxJ1vRopF
"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?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FSmv4DaFJ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkDEPwgRYR
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8SBTcT6kk
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:462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfGtnKfLwD
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgH0830WXc
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MISn4YNTW
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxhbWCK2iE
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwKYynjNhT
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJiURmIn5Z
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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsY906Gl8rd
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUbbGiJ4tO
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBjAneOle6
"Seriously, mum, I don't know if you care about yourself at all."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrd6AXUadRe
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaYoUX3oXH
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYD9IjNWfU3
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UPU3uyuI4
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCSw715bZP
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0JFcCT3H8
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkN988mMnU
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuFZWlu14j
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZpLiTdnmQ
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1kZBIfJyr
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK803iLeX1k
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzHooNjbdL
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQF9lL6J11m
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyeVSu4gH9
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BVqex4tsR
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPARZTQrJK3
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I83V8E9M8
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp32fzBbnXl
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoajfZdmFmy
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFi6R15Lhjs
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6jIrUjLZz
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0MYBfCLal
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HoAaXEoRY
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMt1IViiZIb
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmguD2mT53
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDR6Sod4nx
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpOHP34ZWn
***462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ333ZcrWBLX
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGNdNKPh56
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQOwUilH4T
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKJ9PZLTmZ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfDMXlcxhh
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDvDTeIxPK
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqSG1lLiot
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOk5nU3mFWp
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHnEi2adbk
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9hhhXjuDT
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEl50cnhZf
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrloxqVgTHV
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYF9eeiDRtD
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv7WuNecpz
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmUtv6MhNd
She texted him back, saying that she would be there, and stood up from her bed, making sure to carry her phone with her.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVwpNfSZwo
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsz7AACu33q
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlKCy62I3y
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLYq7C2E25
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6mbOU3meP
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEDsn8tvtG
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnIyEgYgiM
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquEF03XyOF
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAu9c6YVCu
She scoffed and turned away, heading to the stairs and to the kitchen.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9wAuPAf98
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkuR7t6BW1
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAHrPYC9Qv
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VHxAsbMni
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiOqqFdtmb
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNdbexmiVi
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFREiULFT7
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtwjVlTPYD
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZ7n3PXMPM
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStT4sxeUma
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YctMWkuWT
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5E2UJb9xrl
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTuBhaXoBP
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2vDalOyk0
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJZW3rM7Uu
"Rhénee?" There was a sleepy male voice on the other end. "Hey, it's been a long time. How are you?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanUdl9vx5u
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1Dl4stKoM
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYP8h847iKi
"I'm good, thanks; how are you, Alex?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGeMPG6BeZ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjrooun4YK
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGsCg6XeRu
"Never better, now that you've called. I thought you forgot about me."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX74N62d3gi
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkT0IDd41H4
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsgjfvjtGR
Rhénee looked up at the ceiling. "Yeah, I think I must have."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLg4H33ucJU
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRw4NYaWDMo
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQQtnyjy7R
"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?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTJomdXOAQ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrlZ5miCix
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKasVGcePx2
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcaJhGu4fk
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KS4ljpgHp
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtmsw0Mjs1
"You're just as funny as usual," said Rhénee with a smile on her face. "I've just been busy."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ayZYaBu9e
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ULDKZeMLh
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhGAwHmxad
"Yeah, a new house and a new life must be a lot of work."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHgrSlY1Gf
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81BAQuI18r
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt4itH3Yyp
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrc3MUomUqQ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdeZGic1Iq
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1l0t4UHYx
"Please, it's impossible to forget a person like you. And you were adorable when you were younger, so there is that."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdmdl0ei79
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVMFvnEGsq
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNT53gNZhqU
"I wasn't adorable when I was younger."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclDq3tL2Q3
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Y2VsftkjF
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSzi5axUgO
"I've seen your baby pictures, Rhénee. You were just the cutest."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7nQRhn2K5
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsWxxT2v8T
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22dvnN9x76
"Who showed you my baby photos?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19qv2SPyyL
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTDTAwFHCs
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPsSoIuKbW
"Zoey, of course."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPep4G93RW5
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlODsBFQpkL
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibHrLMXPcr
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAkDrnsSxH
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡif15V47C3n
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbH0p4c7bf
"Goodness, I wish you were still with us, Rhénee," he said. "Everyone misses you here."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZejPgK51d
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQF4bFHnwnt
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZnBUm9vbN
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHG7TEEsTB
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdM8KDoqGs4
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijeHmevhxT
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFTDfCRmTt
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKQkk2gxPQ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XXUKDHaIo
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVg6nPbA2n5
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiceNLVYPY2
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwojpTenpW
"Sorry, Rhénee, but you should know that you're her baby girl. Of course she would worry."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YuKolOT4l
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHXoDWENhy
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ8W9T63uV
"I wonder when she will ever get over me. I can look after myself, for goodness sake."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0mqKavz0u
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqC9NhJ1lbq
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKEUfAjIAM
"She'll get over it when she feels like it. Give her a break."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpfxtXUYpT
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkc7EKEDw6
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAT1xo5UqpS
Rhénee thought she heard footsteps in the other room. Miss Griselda must be awake.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JtNpttulF
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZFo9eb315
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lG5JT7Iul
"Anyway, I better get myself ready for the day. It was nice talking to you, Alex."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYzGhafoFo
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRo30TsGOJR
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXq1sn7AS6
"You should call every day. It will be nice to hear your voice every morning."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6z7ZxRcZi
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FrYIDu2Vp
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDSUoy2rJt
Rhénee chuckled. "Why don't you get out of bed and go flirt with other girls?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cpp3FiY7O
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7qDROnLQj
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82ytPwHNoL
Alex, on the other end, laughed. "Oh, Rhénee, you're the only girl for me; don't you know that?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7FfdGd5Zu
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWv6vZGb7qE
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfn0nwM6BY
"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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DPcwOBkHC
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tA89HUltT
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TonHm54CX
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgfLNM1Azs
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh8LdPQcHv
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6HZQeDrWe
"Morning, Rhénee," Miss Griselda greeted her. "Did you have a good night's sleep?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBMFP3hDpW
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxTNcstpgK
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3gu4CwTIw
"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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIChmqgW2iL
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZaNfdbVaV
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIR8tDN1e4Y
"No. I barely slept a wink."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHDdwIucis
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNELIChWZzB
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMloCojajPy
"There's still some hot coffee if you need it." Rhénee pointed to the coffee maker.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwHxojzaLv
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCD2530afAm
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeLTHAzjlB
"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?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yUfzwG5ry
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8DQDJrKlZ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXGVgGHV9Z
"A friend of mine. I hadn't talked to him in what felt like forever."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKefZMNWLcP
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaN6WdeBBB
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xdvGdndiv
"That's nice. You sounded like you were having a nice chat." Miss Griselda took a cup and poured herself some coffee.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPb6TMJWvqw
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4U74yBFkd6
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLytlF0GljV
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fryvxD8zZ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJgKyROWaA
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJAvqmnDTU
"A wise and sensible decision." Miss Griselda took a sip of the coffee, and her eyes brightened up a bit. "This coffee tastes great."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo9iQNbONU
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX3Ei2zCeI
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSW2qx55x7d
"I'm just fortunate. I didn't do anything to make it as nice as you make it." Rhénee chuckled.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8FYQq1K1n
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJT0xJf3Bui
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEMcDJ4YD6
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTSg7Si5dA
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFUUjL3KxX
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjAPPzqPlJ
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4Vmt2UUER
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGwmaSqqui
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWIckCXyvx
"Wherever you will be, don't try and give him a hard time, dear. You're quite stubborn, you know."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRA01SLfEjt
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50GhKnzYEv
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3j6gED2LJ5
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPQzBvfmuI
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiNSWSGhYt
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwOnHsIsfa
"Well, something tells me you'll still put him on edge with your questions."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylaI4IbwDs
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cFEksTV5k
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fRJkEoyQk
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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoxZ1jM6oh
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiW12aCVQ0F
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8m9jDT28Np
"I know. But just be careful of what you want to say to him, okay?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDqQJDkodV
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdLUIxkMq4
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0BDb5ZPvD
"As you wish." Rhénee didn't like the feeling of being defeated so easily, especially from Miss Griselda.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMit6PmglQ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wTtKQQjWr
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriLyym4w1T
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Jn94gmcHk
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVh3EOKZMO8
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjd0ZkdRxP
That put up a smile on Rhénee's face. "That sounds great. Let me go freshen up first."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXYgYZ9WNx
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIW03Lexhrr
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskwF8DyPBe
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVUNH5pbyr
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBjLwBRGQZ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjansmLSfQw
***462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQQ7CVwrtv
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQCPUP0S6x
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0igoIxDdY
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoGkvUWouw
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJTNRrnln1
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaV0v3pIajJ
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOQNEQGM2j
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyK9TnfjJV
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yBOrWLs66
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6O4UKgSQ4p
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6FIM2q3eA
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeDcVmRCax
"Please, Eugene, sit," she told him.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6U9rFDtkmS
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkLiFA6DMj
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WbKMmw8jb
Eugene did just that. "How is Mr. York this morning?" he asked.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC2g3UafZR
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq34lmLEI4f
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMN0NazuiR
"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?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3ijxeBBt4
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuidRHihrm
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJfvgtUeX9
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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrjg0DuYYZ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfRsv2iIwL
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd9NAUh43U
"Will he be going to school?" Mrs. York removed the pan on the stove and put the eggs on a plate.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqQFaM15mq
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Cp2genyMd
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmvcCi6ic4
"No. He won't be able to concentrate. Plus, people might be talking about it a lot."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzS65P126t
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo42CyznRlg
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrhPPBVddT
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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvqyLsrYM7
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9iKDEytSc
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhScaIIGsmY
She pulled a chair to take a seat. "And what about you?" she asked. "Are you going for work?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGTjDUpDRF
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o7ZWiWbLM
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbuF4PBy36
Eugene gave a nod of his head. "I need to get my mind distracted from all this," he answered.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSa7goAGdzv
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eTOKyAG20
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVDPfhR8Id
"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?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6hkld32KF
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkn7kXmuSm
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4q2uXf9dS
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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26G62FIbWA
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsIDrJDzQr
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcscESrQX3Z
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKkmpOOjqO
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGeUfnz3Ki
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kOpwjDbYQ
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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdqJnVSOGV
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXGcgffa6b
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmpMPLpAPE
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4dUkyTBGL
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfr69P4EJn
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjs0ml5ErU
"I can't do that when she sticks to my father like it's all she knows how to do."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwQ2vNXWMk
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeFUiwcq6S
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6x1zFKgUwW
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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yO5tlbRqZ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2eM6Gh3ht
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknTaARkjBS
"You're right. Now that I think about it, I might as well just leave it be."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTIUpBzwOn
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBkCpXkont
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVws6gVrY70
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUHpKzlCCe
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEFnDMBZMq
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGiJ3Zw5F7
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwZGIjSREL
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVSp2NIYzA
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXLP7E4ACw
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAFZiblkVG
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3wsHeWTji
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJ9KhfBIBx
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzAeCNuKmC
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeikGKQTMCy
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiS8LtLDW21
***462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwv9Hiavx1
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpYGhGbqKF
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESQuM5bOlz
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIuEswVAoO
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQoSWQTBuf
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8w1Pir7eN
"I better get going now," Rhénee announced as she stood up from her seat. "I don't want to be late."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEuyr70cdO
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAvKJ3cEqC
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiJ63ZdPGp
"Alright," said Miss Griselda, sewing her red dress on the collar. "Remember what I told you about Mr. Sinclair and your questions."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfHwGzReFP
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKJTTRhUki
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XH4wJyIgT
Rhénee gave Miss Griselda a smirk. "I'll do my best. I'm not going to promise anything."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKybuEIviW
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII2yYwvDjS
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc5x94IDNO
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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqCovQrsUx
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr4iGNghYN
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmR0Jo0Qzv
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC94INHUil
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyowsXH9xWI
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtcgarYDtE
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfwnHk14E7
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWPxMgKZqD
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU2m7yKEHY
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqe8MbCmYP
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXJV3l9hVK
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWok410qze
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyD4pQOP2K
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYcO4kefjL
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJtEDEoR3Z
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolV7OidF71
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAXANP4Cqj
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7jD6ICvuY
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszZ4ebl5PO
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6e0Wz5N2PD
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyvwGe1lxC
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzM4hywetUn
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK0OBkWGzV
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmASYrydvg
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSIJmJTKDr
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTKgiXKdBx
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDaNXfPhMZ
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGD0NrnwCcq
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MnylH2p9l
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltHb2BdxKG
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uk1kHrQrL
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWxQXpV1Mm
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIalLDmhBH
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0p1RVAEc4
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPWdtG0zCt
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZHDlCRlHu
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0EOiNx1nA
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWDRl81I6I
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6uH7bBNvR
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAojbeIHKCn
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyk36l4N3P
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FugrWOE4M
"Oh, sorry, Preeta," he said, dropping his hands. "I didn't see you there."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoJ62Vx9qJ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerKQIwuRH2
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0McuUCiWe4
"Oh, no, it's fine," she said. "I stopped just in time."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRAJdWYhVK
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHpZokrXqW
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7m8lXfIxEJ
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qayuaTnGh
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qhxpM5e5V
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRnySOFaDD
"Eugene, are you okay?" she asked. "Maybe you shouldn't have come in today."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfCl9Nznk0
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHtgJIZNyh
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGEbMJky0i
"I'm fine, Preeta," he answered. "I just need to keep my mind busy to forget all that's happening."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWeBuvmXXd
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchRlvKR3n9
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNejzLdB5O
"But you can't, can you?" Preeta raised an eyebrow. "I can tell you're only stressing yourself out by being here."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCBaqw54re
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPfkEQADBc
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPXUXf4Wfs
"I know you're concerned, but I can take care of myself."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT5FOHw2Eh
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IptV3NPTs
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRItrSVqwuX
"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?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56KR2nSPSU
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡND1p54WGDm
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyZ8IHLftO
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?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DrWjyqxRI
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXvvcZjRqV
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uBkPD6LCM
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKEVg3atMG
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNYnGHB4wc
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZRIy8xmcA
"I wish I could answer that, Eugene," she found the voice to say. "Doesn't that have to be her decision?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGlclWJZqf
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzlj3KIZk5
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Fz77mK3jg
Eugene looked up at the ceiling. "Her decision, huh?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBzc8xCyOV
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61ZrSEMKW6
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fitNnPdzK
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpCy065xcx
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMKa6Z9gTp
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYclC7mvKK
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXV8l4tRVk
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuF96t22sL1
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnY6EvFZWy
Before Preeta could even stretch her hand to reach the phone, Eugene quickly took it and put it to his ear. "Hello?" he answered.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlw3VeI8fdH
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQc6OmB33x5
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rJfR9tugL
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLDtoAKCwk
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jZGk9eQwJ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRCT8Fhtch
"Was that Mr. Sinclair?" Preeta asked.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1u7i6oxiZ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fKiC6sZpZ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4w2yubbAO
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXaiZlF5Xe
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r9Fq1VRmJ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJA1hMiPsa
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixhk1edGOw
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XFnHtJ1BD
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXcKGmvVG1
"Hey, it will be lunch soon. Do you mind if we can go out?" Preeta asked. "We can get to talk if you want."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsmgaq7UK5
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikXbm9QF3E
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnC4SLKkPQK
Eugene looked at her and the corner of his lip was raised to a smile. "Yes, that will be very nice, thanks," he said.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhjsI8Bkh3
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWfQGhXons
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3F9Zu9PlY6
"As soon as you're back, I'll meet you here at your station. Sounds good?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39crlbGQPC
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwYLFYzeOq
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeR8UaICC8
Eugene gave a nod of his head and without any hesitation, made his way to Sinclair's office.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuW5eTQLMDM
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxUUDUOBbT
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EW8cC1jLJ
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSzo75dbhI
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzSTLA73SU
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4JfTQrmvX
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHqQKRmKXQ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbOZciktlt
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmpTUrlhVJ
"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?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7AqhjvEKR
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEZUblpk2o
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcmCDR6doc
"He's out of danger at least," Eugene answered, not realizing that there was someone coming behind him.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQ1uZj92mG
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8QqrOzRcI
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfA1LhwIse5
"Good morning," said Rhénee as she came to stand beside Eugene.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt7m47NckM
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBSBIy49c5
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoNzRfkq0c
Her presence startled Eugene that he almost jumped in fright. He responded to her greeting bleakly.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9noNTamU4
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0HdzfYreF
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYS644JcTRR
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99LMVmvorS
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3uAG8ozYL
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEs0YSr0uM
"He trusts me to be in his office?" Rhénee asked, sounding surprised. "Won't it be better to wait for him out here?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBlOErklZE
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0TTvkPXXI
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJcgmKCzNI
"No, he wouldn't mind. Please, you can walk right in."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGkyxnU5yG
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmnyYO4XPm
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOx4YAV84AH
Rhénee thought twice about it and quickly made up her mind and started to make her way to Sinclair's office.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmf26C694W
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPUi6ix9Ob
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOKmoJRVhl
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXV4VGlnpWW
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeWHYoKuFm
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXqpwb70i2
"How is your father doing?" Mrs. Clarks asked as she looked on worringly at Eugene.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumTucoJdll
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDK53SAUd7
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ikez2C3gE
Eugene quickly shook his head, trying his best to gather his thoughts. "Well, he's out of danger for now," he answered.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTSaxWMalk
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgJYB5zhjf
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xgTvkNezk
"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?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQea5yDCBX6
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnqU66Dr6O
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCPiolMVME
Eugene shook his head. "No clue. He didn’t tell my mum anything, either. He passed out when he got to the house."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nSO1fyEIh
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YzPd29Zba
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tpMmVEp0F
"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?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPetROpw6nI
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkRZZfbrmq
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiKaoV65j9
Eugene shook his head. "No, he didn’t say anything to mum before he passed out."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvfZO2H8iP
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpzUx667En
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonzhaVxzJl
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQRQgXhHHJ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9toJEv85R
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGvv9ytY9p
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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzEMZLoUAX
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8E0UyJMSC1
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUBmeC9wOY
"You take care of yourself, dear. And tell your mother that I’m praying for her."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyhWHtbfQN
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUg7hBqL2qL
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuVVffAl1s
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 protection458ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyg8N4ZAsN 維尼

216.73.216.206