The news about the 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAaZKe0UvJ
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuA3xD4Av4T
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNhIBWWhHS
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDF63mXUVn
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5mdpoAzlK
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBYuVVZ91S
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGefW7AOGPz
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjR9HXul3L
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37DNwqeRK9
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZdxVsS8Wp
There was more to it 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtHuHQbLK2
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhCJ5A8zo3
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6x6zhI3NB
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUl5qtdzZ2u
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rMMcVQMnJ
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFzpPZaElL
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOx0Z15Z2g
except from a few individuals. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0hDRY0gEH
And apparently, one of 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSNEn7QMRF
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvLnf6wHpG
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhprwwWPVds
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyISjGvKFO6
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3VO1J2AfP
really going on, all hell would break loose.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sBwA9A1XT
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ut8yttsor
Rhénee dropped the 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUy3Q8olh6r
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEuYhOpgOS
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHWFFtBTgW
ear, she took a sip of coffee.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQF8azgc4nx
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUJuYtNolU
"Ya, its crazy here," 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdyP2EDYBc
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvtB6UUXQF
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0dCiYu93M
broken in."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtz2CUAuVv
"If only they knew."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12hlRGRWzl
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXR8uwJ5yk
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQszxLRgx8H
"She did. I had to make 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApd9ZdfflT
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPKm33nvoq
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrrnleXTn3
"I doubt if she believed that."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01Geoz0klB
"Haha, looks like you 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0yQ1yIceL
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqmdBsH5Gt
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlubjEhVILX
"True. But we did. I 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jRK24IxqV
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYJL3DrnzO
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHtGvNBgXp
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWQWFD57zf
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzq8oAOVyri
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTr1I9Ga0o
"Okay, bye."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s2iuLhUiV
"Bye."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Pv78lOUQm
Rhénee cuts the call and704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjV8vkxE6mG
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPF9WaanWq
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1CcQzYKUW
wink last night.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVHv0oVyTQ
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jkuFvpaCV
"I wasn't going to 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrleHoM89T
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5gbCTcQJH
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95ZGPppQai
"You don't have to 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FlnwSXAOX
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2srC7f4fK
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmisa3LFLBY
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPC4LiNDga
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjdamN2S97
"Why Malcom?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMb5Ks6jW2o
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡef2MBUsP0X
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFYEjPY64I
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjsfxmPCX1
"Alright, you go ahead."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa1p0eMo9l
Miss Griselda gave 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemBIVyjl0w
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsTAvEQfFW
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8e90TSviUL
did when they talked about Malcom. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBEbA0LlvM
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrJYTVCLsx
The sound of her phone 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizTb51bq3W
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAh4NswnmGV
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIY0m1ovUVd
mother.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhZN6wfjWZ
"Hello?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfmvRtinmg
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ609RaUih5V
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxlQfE2n0a
That voice. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfQVFCyDwz
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXGGLYnPQD
"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?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyAaSmGuZA
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXH9Hn8T2H
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuMn2UacJI
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpafcZ50Hx
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmUG3qyxpL
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgaJhqmTio
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE95Nq3Iqks
"You don't know me, 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtgTjVvZZF
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsnVfUYpoa
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Cudsn0CsH
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgUczmXoDj
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7NgH3EAgf
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lf2WPcEB2
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbKKndy8AB
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcMVaDeMzm
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87ac5YVHLN
"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?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7mpvitGgy
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kop9dcrxx
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4dh8V5Oso
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxLprgfPqW
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUfVszSJEP
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3RUJaDBcJ
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlO12zSlfFr
"Oh, and by the way, 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcgqp0AAQT
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU13GzdwJZS
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSrZf8UNqa
this time around."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gmfor43T3
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbW25DGO3lE
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSIPLcV1t4
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDM70tyRDHh
Rhénee sat down on the 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fV6TKM7z4
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxphvTx14HG
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIkIMSMO4D
the others, who know what might happen. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMFQYTw0bY
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHu11A61Jk
***704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRJve3iWsw
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bT5f2z3B8
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCVtCAko4A
"But she isn't hurt right?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrAa7yaj1S
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypsB9zbhL8
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWqKpDryUi
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAPyzVEGjI
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIcmC0CcVT
"Nah.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrIYcfT6sG
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRr1OtzHEN
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1sotx9CdE
"Thats704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHELDWLV7K
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JxPHKzKyO
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViXyRTYisH
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsobUUE9ot
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHunQdlCqN
"Alright."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAgXObSrYp
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. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLavLXqtYc0
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXc6KLniI4E
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaxmNo6kxV
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYynLduiAt
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyvnKjXWKe
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7XsNy2Srn
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHllg6TqEca
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8RbCyCIow
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSQWE50vuG
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vCTRdNykQ
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5i4dRJr9HP
"Does it bother you?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVuHALBcFR
"Um... not really. But.... um."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYx9dv5kAaf
Eugene704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5h6cFKVNTG
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPipR9DyML
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMTzNrTpNX
"Mum, are you okay?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3vilnQpQM
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpSNZ8jazl
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeggacQKg6
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcivL0zwIj
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1mv0WPDEg
Mrs704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22wbpqFzPg
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmczoNpJFtx
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDDHBSOaBo
had talked about Rhénee?704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjJgwxg8MZ
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1Aly7aZL4
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPx4nm4hddN
***704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DtJ5q1pIA
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAdRExuHbA
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABSrTqPRr2
"You better rest though. You still look tired."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r2K7DXTig
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdDR0lq0Wn
"No, I'll do it."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTAgaIE1Cs
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLy5mC1rS8
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghiZ1W7sLy
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq6J7cd5zg
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJupFOwKVuZ
Rhénee704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6sUSze6Ft
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iyWtSfhjr
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJtc7oGdM7
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfITa5WJHyX
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpW0IdDmTfV
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8PQEIgwMe
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0CkIXcujH
"Thank704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtkPN9grKM
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD16LA6lBdq
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2BIV7Vcl9
"Well, yes. I still think I would."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguw9hhG5TQ
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoDfmdUgDE
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQFbGiYS9T
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vHba46UUU
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYSVeVUhv3
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qpILvptKU
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N8oUqAL9z
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47QyU3G9Hx
"Coffee will be lovely."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2RnI3vkkd
Miss704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NKBGqFjiS
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LLZJ6xsYP
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfsLdXwUxa
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJSRw0XFMS
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsIMeXI5rB
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPXkswZ84K
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi207oa5yBu
"What mysterious person?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpwLPBCDKA
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE50S4geXuD
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmOcCTii8E
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3W5V5kRBoG
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVigX5HeQu1
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1m8GJGO34
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtDstr3CmW
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdW7yqK30jk
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUE3Cb60es
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTnN58rutw
The704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhRqw72Ps2
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf58jeQTqE
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStLIR19516
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzELWpjD4O
of this.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72Eu5KIQ5m
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzruwWmqVlM
"I...704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoZW3Mc1Jv
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedDmaq4VmC
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDdnRxoG9h
frustration. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmaDWqC8d0
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmotKuHvBRe
Rhénee704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlKHtmJVbq
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnte5u9yzPt
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgjpczWJ9k
cups on the tray and wondered. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ776aT8RN4Z
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgq5h1MlWC
704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlTzgJH9ZN
As704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4w1QVG8wc
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bNcuTIZIC
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGO5CYbPdGN
reminder kept ringing in her head.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwmgM7cjth
"And tell your friends not to get involved."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlccvhtNUkp
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrywuZIRXkh
"I704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTamWYy3CX
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUibX9dgRL
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAf6oerf5I
talking about, Rhénee?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lbyA0WwT2
Rhénee704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfiDlBYpfU
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB72g9zIPn
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hEKmmwzAE
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXJS940yI7
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5le3oq99uQ
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnq5emYMvEQ
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zxwDxiVYJ
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8iM7dAzPB
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxviFsNVX4
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZbZEAFmH3
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34n4UrmbyF
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWesrXjmfvD
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf9ZG3inxP
***704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4yAObkgVZ
Sweat704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6JnotuBAO
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprtYw9PQ59
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAOCnd95Tq
the person waiting never likes to wait.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQblhEj3wFV
He704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz1UcbKYfO
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TMF4askqG
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWYe6fuKLZ
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLER1rJjxp
second.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3k3qhfYPe
He704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPModJLEkS
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7mP70brGh
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYaqkQTRN9
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWk4Jqmefj
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7SekC4oIg
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWFAc9B6wC
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aTWX18cHE
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4G16ZcMBi
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGbCI8H0BF
"You're late, again."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUweTpBJdQM
His704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSMvie96Nw
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEVisW3h95
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFH3QXVZY1X
lion door knob. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRzR4zs0cY
He704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQ6Vz4AbdG
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wcpgJOyKf
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrZvpLTwZs
"What704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rREfDNEoF
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcQNauO4fA
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYutDg6bWhI
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCpk7seRpu
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpYrmstYRT
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGD4geYfpby
A704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4kGPFY9xG
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP5bP89320
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1kqTkxfDC
as they had their backs towards the window.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pidPq3Nhy
"You know we need him," said the tall man.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyl8cgToFo
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWOMQ6N2gU
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGTEaBliev
The704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGSWHjQ1on
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbZOPVMyrs
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbaOWo85L9
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7Ojw8KlBk
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTWzsC7kwG
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b2mucIKIZ
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdOj8PX8Ml
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sJdVhdB0C
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ577s8zgYYm
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2P1uQXM1n
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Gu9DkeHDv
"What if she reveals the truth?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfokUqHQKP
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2hM8FQb9s
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlN9kgq00vq
For a moment, silence hung over them.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUuHpB2m10
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2ZAJytpQF
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyyGfVRbuC
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaVR4GgjtZ
"I704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkq6pYHdG6
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTddukNsNi7
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVX65EO8YSc
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYli4SpdnJ
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AG0QaJtGe
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YPOuPDR2R
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpOczX6tau
***704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDbxu3I10D
The704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ656H4GPj1g
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNSAMRK9kY
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRg9E5LVbzv
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aeCwH0EuR
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJyMfHtnuN
they met, they seemed sky blue.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡME7PHkaYQ7
And704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7yO1Hgcl4
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFN3H2eCkQ
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LM8ntwUqE
Rhénee704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWMSxMi0ez
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVOhyh9eW5
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBohuVE6hx
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghzY6MxXqY
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCripGHcSQ
coffee table in the middle.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrDynLhpMp
When704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjltoun9MYI
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvOy1EZvRb
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NES8tDejz
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ977tkyVVGR
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xFajXVJLQ
"Are you sure?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0Wp4XnxLw
"Yes, I'm positive."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVZ9CBU4yR
Miss704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaF49gygRU
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFDzawQeAa
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CpG5xXiJo
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpY3BnYT1m
from their cups.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwNvapkuJC
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg39lKpkKCh
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVdPHQBfbY
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJYP5nSQI5
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0i4CjLVLs
"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.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqORZueHik
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqNJr0ITTb
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSb2YFHUIM
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0mxEOrCyj
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuO8QyfUw5t
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFi66HoBXS
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnS0Rhg275
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aL4eqtO6L
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMeG1wsPtT
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOROfFurFS2
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjyOgGpbYc
"Oh,704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZsF04ZgGb
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAPJ1zvsXN
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApPBXmB4hx
who he is."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1kHrHivfr
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWsEmZOjDo
Rhénee704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4AkABoU3z
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWRmqkQM9v
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAmoG8baxz
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VRwFXDct0
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmwMw5KLoK
Rhénee704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOkWhoOpGH
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCil8rd5nla
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7PQDEGiS5
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvoMhM1GYI
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWr0RWfK3SZ
"Fine,704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88HZp500Tr
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ViHktyujr
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvK8bo1CvGy
or die if you stay by me."704Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dmLPruMBU
and then Add to home screen.