The news about the 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQT6uzzVeF
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoJW6CzSry
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibqvNpOMtG
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ytdP4MPns
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxscX6f6nDv
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPexzFxEwz
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYgO3e56xO
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQJVUBfLXv
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3dpooeTMF
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWlIDjqRZi
There was more to it 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvSeMaULkS
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRu5o7BDgo
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3Izg3XBpf
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQ06V2G8Jx
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8V70ngeSfi
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQljv83mj94
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4SlcMom17
except from a few individuals. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPdV5jXgyQ
And apparently, one of 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8db4yPgPy
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiepRmOMm8
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9EYcWHH0j
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DeZekHrc6
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq37VZCl5Fl
really going on, all hell would break loose.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NuxoPIGiz
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEoIYfVsR1
Rhénee dropped the 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rMVhMfDrA
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1KUn1PNpe
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Eyopp7iqL
ear, she took a sip of coffee.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdlT3YUwQv
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFUahvcgMl
"Ya, its crazy here," 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgT2d657L5x
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMl9ZcdHB42
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsFs7h5cRz
broken in."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuquGTXyGHj
"If only they knew."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWGoyD4i2Y
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX079F8QUZv
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilwowtSbVw
"She did. I had to make 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BGwChDYg8
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUtm8nmh09
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoBveLQjkj
"I doubt if she believed that."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSq6uUyOGG
"Haha, looks like you 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJkzjF6B2u
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKvJKuRm6c
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqY9skQ90P
"True. But we did. I 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquj9Q4gOta
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47EthOdIw7
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdEscN67U5
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxwwefKCb1
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjJqERnaS5
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSZ3XPqSKK
"Okay, bye."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSUxSHzsmZ
"Bye."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzPe8jSIPu
Rhénee cuts the call and748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhA5nhntG8
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkwU2feYGv
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfnwPIs51W
wink last night.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaMWUDqS5m
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2ix95aRX1
"I wasn't going to 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLclZ4YUmM
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCvWYMT3xP
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgVjFDwrxc
"You don't have to 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcCgxbscFq
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLySRsINDy
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bmCGTDgbM
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIx84us5qw
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5QKa8Q9Au
"Why Malcom?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixq0MDB2a3
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEpYqwami0
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXvOzaJ4MR
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVtqsfayrg
"Alright, you go ahead."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsXqwuib0X
Miss Griselda gave 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqsYml6eeF
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uwyIf7rcA
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7NWzkJD3W
did when they talked about Malcom. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pegGUTGRm
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfUvI4GZR0
The sound of her phone 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuTsoCdeoX
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDf1s2sZZ4
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlju0pSuU8
mother.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNY0hnbYRu7
"Hello?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaKcqukpdE
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsFY57yPE5
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPk94oUhsr
That voice. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSP3yUINoZs
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLLthUjLpd
"What's wrong? The other day you had the guts to talk to me when I talked to you about the necklace. Why are you so quiet now?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4hQSurK7Z
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyHw6z57uN
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTniv95xJ0N
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eDPn09in1
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP9HRHdMjK
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMpVRNP5Z5
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCmBP0HdpC
"You don't know me, 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Bv0eEyEJo
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgPGF0EXWn
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfeTZxfjGq
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sxoWvZk8a
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEQYmn9YXf
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzOV4Fhy5r
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4x8oH17Gfn
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NvkrDS198
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xjT4bt72C
"Then why did you give me her necklace? And the picture of the house? What are you trying to achieve by scaring me like this?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSZCDpyhSK
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjS3X24eMSv
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpqJFntVTU
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2TqiyuCzw
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39XU6qNsUv
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIqvAfShwx
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSFdOpKHZV
"Oh, and by the way, 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZKa2T6rkX
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ373FflyU2g
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQLFHgL8OL
this time around."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGxQ013IAS
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstlIOxAYOc
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTp9GYd0AhM
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfjmeqAuGi
Rhénee sat down on the 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjoD6D5wN3
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6EbQ1TvLw
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKjDiTpVKt
the others, who know what might happen. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDJt5vzIEd
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZovekzzrb
***748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsiCg2DItw
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AHoxSHRuo
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HJj41ZL3X
"But she isn't hurt right?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAQU8IO37z
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniwqyYZb2y
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2snwnz0fS1
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23vWVXBgP1
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwF7lN1E2y
"Nah.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CihirorNg
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8q5fYUERjB
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKLgtWIkxK
"Thats748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68WsZz4ZZP
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFb1SEIwKh
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP69eT0KjDf
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMDQ7xHkT5
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJUxFHbG24
"Alright."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubq0wW83UK
Eugene cut the call and noticed that his mother was standing by the kitchen door looking at him as he stood in the living room. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIrVKdEmiq
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCRUBbzndM
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWJ6dyl0ql
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkabYJ1Ulo
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhszMpl0yiV
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9KiCdo4ya
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTe8jPUb04
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyf1YfOa91
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCXxeSgbwe
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyozYHRZSxG
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMY5eTxyZVm
"Does it bother you?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7OHFiJSp7
"Um... not really. But.... um."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vljuOd4Zr
Eugene748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeKECSHAOj
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6bqud3L74
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4E2siU5SYK
"Mum, are you okay?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNx1FLzgbF
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDVqfa5Kun
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIUIte45av
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrfkmTV7Jm
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgLgycPNpp
Mrs748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6AzlVsn8a
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQe6BpOux4h
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGHOXxNprT
had talked about Rhénee?748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxez3TwawO
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzx23sOQMLI
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfwA7YEcyQ
***748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgVoMPCC83
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uGZRO1NAL
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAByAi1oyG
"You better rest though. You still look tired."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6iIwixP18
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODIMv8MV0t
"No, I'll do it."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Qy6bPUjRe
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3BqmuT5F2
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfyTSysmkA
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYgSlt0ekC
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzHlAPGPFX
Rhénee748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAXO5RRSZx
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSukBPXLLw
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ15AxKQhG6
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOb1u4Onc4
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZxOJlO5A1
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9wmrzYT2x
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7K45SnxOh
"Thank748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd55UTTvvhW
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8U4qdFffK7
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspoIzJLY8s
"Well, yes. I still think I would."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYgKj3NjPU
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpzx5s92ok
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMTdr9ovYN
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdFBxB4qE8
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5SYOdgaH6
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAcHHmImym
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yaQ192JG1
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowWxWuefGb
"Coffee will be lovely."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D2qOxE6QP
Miss748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uwjuz3ZUl
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgaaeppW7e
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvWLnBccmC
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS1bkWZraR
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90ysYM30aY
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbezOA91hx3
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbPdMdVFNR
"What mysterious person?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bJQ9diW9q
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcXE4NsAqX
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQLx9y6GrL
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhP62gDLjg
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnj348CCR8
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdroQmo042
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30It9HqnQv
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcNOo4HqVt
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qQZItYMfM
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjqzBSGTkC
The748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nat8JU22P
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML04u9YK5c
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKa9wEhecD
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMvpbKdPja
of this.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZULgcVhPI
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQacFju6vz
"I...748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNulI8eeVS
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PST6f5GTc
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdHqm2Rfot
frustration. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cpLYQAeEL
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFj8I19cME5
Rhénee748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvum66L5em
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6YqEgiycY
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGuHFt6Km8
cups on the tray and wondered. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wOuTXcXVT
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6ZYrATBeG
748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46zKLpxQB2
As748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtr2za63lf
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8TPXykWMe
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQfZ20bRMB
reminder kept ringing in her head.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQW0mVwR3d
"And tell your friends not to get involved."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVk2rrJ8wH
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVtIJOJSYq
"I748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntSvGn0vxP
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYus8EZ8OuM
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOyrvL3NR5
talking about, Rhénee?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrkfLDdJIs
Rhénee748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMWNQOjAzR
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDCsSaEdbD
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJG3OlhRDoV
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0ebBlJEfe
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySa9vVt79L
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCqJhHDuK0
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCzduPirz6
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnialaJ65Um
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykIpz9b0iv
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVygHNXy5eF
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81WXhYLAeD
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLblMvDTW7
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktDhzimmsQ
***748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhkJDumUPK
Sweat748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzJpcdBdq9
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XNmbZbM5i
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vy3GCpCLT
the person waiting never likes to wait.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxHjGom9vt
He748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnzhA7JdDb
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1zUTol7KL
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDarHi4Bkb
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5nZsOzPck
second.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVz0Ac0npDr
He748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59EpxAWLX5
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAsgLF1cLx
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NKP0NIZBa
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZWb1T0Nl4
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEMWk6lc3O
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotE7TwbF5q
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvnoAjILUm
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxT8MP6cAR
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE0xH384rl
"You're late, again."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV3xMLTclU
His748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74bw1t4qHl
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDnoSuFHMH
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeCCi5iBLl
lion door knob. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCjbFVgH64
He748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8asqt8rxz0
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VXGh24GN5
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7c6AdwCqWt
"What748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYdKdmW7Zi
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53HDORD62Z
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukN8NaavNL
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLB9O1SzUYj
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtvLCfyDrt
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWvwFANWWr
A748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uZKuBUxTf
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8SK2fSIJj
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz3n5NVcR7
as they had their backs towards the window.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRa4Ctq3hqO
"You know we need him," said the tall man.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoS83f95qnC
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVlprdfNG7
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCw9jlsE7an
The748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjE4RiBDAuz
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJr66ivDSk
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrVcYR8ioY
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaDdPKM55w
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71lIvA2ikI
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxIKS2dVBT
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuxD4sYRvL
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasKfg8u4fo
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVv4hjEpQ5
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqmTWsVcWY
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmf12uvTzSJ
"What if she reveals the truth?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMiWqsrrd8
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKkSJLYpTA
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTVg8WZKT2
For a moment, silence hung over them.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElVxzRP6FV
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QOLsHKnOg
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzBXjXqQpY
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw1FUDRfQG
"I748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLO1POAC7BJ
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESLeapqEUq
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPM1gEPu4H
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YTchjAG2U
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenBzYMpnrZ
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZf9BGrL6H
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiEJJiEvoO
***748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji6dpaa0YS
The748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThoOBylEzP
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYyEfm1BsY
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkrUZ0a4sP
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLefHw2Z0Y
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZrzxwKGTZ
they met, they seemed sky blue.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U28l19cUw
And748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwVzNhFyEV
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlMghsWPxn
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfGEZN5adA
Rhénee748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGMTdYvXnj
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqUxJX0nDe
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnRHg3w6MM
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmNjSPEK7q
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVhCzjfvax
coffee table in the middle.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwzDWv7kvJ
When748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiaGepSiDN
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTi4x7QHbWd
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgdu5UjU6B
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyYNvwNYHk
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEm7Os2GLO
"Are you sure?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQv0cADdvIe
"Yes, I'm positive."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFD1YQkamW
Miss748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKgE564o33
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcZ8RE6Fvj
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwh1Xp0IF4
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRqFsphpuG
from their cups.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcewdJcCOs
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiCyyiKI6f
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKpDCdqJcS
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFnLCtN1d1
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsc21RvYbl4
"And how about the fact that you and Greta were imposing as other people the time I was coming here?" Rhénee spat out at Malcom.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wmnQhdTRF
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbYDLG3HxG
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IMTGI1ENY
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YT1VlZTb4
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOWDdh3ilh
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPci9pfTlPv
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLR4pc4vGO
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuyF5xWBLp
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYJRpCIitU
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Lbrm4IqY5
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIXBQcoXCs
"Oh,748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCXoczOgID
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHAhzuAr5D
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFucQOfXCH
who he is."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtH0faHIOm
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6ZPAk4BL2
Rhénee748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpRjT22BiH
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MqFEhv794
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkMSsAvMgl
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzquSkjKUPb
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9Q3KpLzdd
Rhénee748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwoxr0N698
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqRM5e7Oa4
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr7feUqsRJ
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiMZEdeu6A
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHkelqUxRU
"Fine,748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ7silpd9j
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDPzIP6WJu
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLxsOMnx8j
or die if you stay by me."748Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzAPIWObhL
and then Add to home screen.