The news about the 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyldhg09ysc
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCO3OlGmHJ
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhXeGccjCe
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUD2uqos3A
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rvbLX0cQK
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhebz7xp2Hi
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VgnRR6X9b
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ95es8ixv
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuhJrBvvb9
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ913xdwY354
There was more to it 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqe2j2i75F
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfwoFxvoaz
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ4kYuzHPI
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGFR0rt3xW
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6MIZ25j9P
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxlbE2hnad
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3bDraCjsd
except from a few individuals. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRp0H4eHfN
And apparently, one of 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaJFlJmrWa
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23xBDnRZD1
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SJD5Irbmu
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOkZizeDtT
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmhFUqWZUD
really going on, all hell would break loose.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbCMcsl96L
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcJUWCVpGN
Rhénee dropped the 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvBevrdZrX
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy76Rw0u70x
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqlE6QbeQP
ear, she took a sip of coffee.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEY2XePqIg
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46XMgRqwwg
"Ya, its crazy here," 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmdEMfRGNH
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96otesbenG
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2edpn15wyR
broken in."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi01q3hJ1DN
"If only they knew."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsh5Kz9LWS
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UrWzMusOb
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3QTLe2hVg
"She did. I had to make 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ufbsm47ii
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXG9MjunLsz
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3W9ijpZBw
"I doubt if she believed that."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHS5yaUpZsY
"Haha, looks like you 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO90JLY7hHp
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEhuD5Jdwt
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIk3hsyLq6P
"True. But we did. I 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFqGXQfDPn
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9WDL4KNF4
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhxbKlbVly
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk5qt6Ckx4
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2gYrpFuX1
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ka2DRJysg
"Okay, bye."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ypf1uWyb7
"Bye."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmtnjcLGM5
Rhénee cuts the call and775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbflHNwWhAs
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLc9WGvOW2k
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPhGLl3PDU
wink last night.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN99pg7L4IE
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PM7xe29Nl
"I wasn't going to 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM50aVg3mP
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgV0LzgShO
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQL4E6AncKq
"You don't have to 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gvj1CG7Do
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7890StJFM
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPWvoZcbYH
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchgLf9cvCc
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxuCfS3Yfe
"Why Malcom?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sILwhudFe
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicZdhwiA3C
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EjzFNSzUd
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDbbll4bll
"Alright, you go ahead."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFn3RQx741
Miss Griselda gave 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKu4Q0prHx
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlrdWpQg6M
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjTT4DbsJi
did when they talked about Malcom. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEZiUNlCog
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCz5g2NTJd
The sound of her phone 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxSrs420O1
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM61uWYAjgd
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGV61HPJn8
mother.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWddcIAJNqA
"Hello?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8X2dQN68U
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNqxnWCVcp
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsmnkQglWQ
That voice. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0w5YWbfeR
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiHAFEDC6N
"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?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkVpRq4lkC
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjROFsdBP2E
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlimYOe3PcJ
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIyzraZXiV
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNrAi85dNo
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLBTBRIipr
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWyObc2N6h
"You don't know me, 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLGFXZYLOU
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDreo46CFNQ
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNaIjijApT
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUscHxBTve
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDdOLNdvKR
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTleGwzWfna
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQnQVr234I
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVa2yA3p0B
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9WzLPqbmv
"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?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7yVxPCrnf
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99NDBShJ8q
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPJgHK9Tm0
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItdh7X13U6
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pEDJWBo1N
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLIGZW9U4q
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1dLxTf0Jv
"Oh, and by the way, 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9i4ssUiyGG
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouH7ukNdQF
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC9NFHsas1
this time around."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r1B4J6707
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHjBwTbM46
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobqZuoSV9W
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRIQSTIenB
Rhénee sat down on the 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjenONwRxBZ
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlh5jRjVF2
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pkPMA5Zzv
the others, who know what might happen. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wCbMyH7Xh
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjn3Wn6pIfn
***775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJst5FeFQJD
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkh1m50rRCG
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ToYga4GB8
"But she isn't hurt right?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhTHmU7MnW
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwmekRcoBu
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfcrWxIYeD
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFkcGlJfnN
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKo0w5gxa6
"Nah.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZAzomQZ1H
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3VuIfS8vx
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpc2uwJ7Y2f
"Thats775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1U92uNLYTQ
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRNFV6HrPA
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3cr68Rbiw
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAjhpC0Ffh
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe401d1VUmx
"Alright."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnCKe4d2zJ
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. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl06z4r5HOQ
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgS6UqohwOD
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4TYLBpRvf
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmETJL10Up
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SGLwZSDWT
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tyuGewEQA
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiMudox5vI
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hNHCQ2xyA
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOmYgrKn6u
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAT35WZ6kls
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDz2f7q2QVg
"Does it bother you?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyDqHsK9Xp
"Um... not really. But.... um."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNIfcAV0il
Eugene775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lUvq5yEhx
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bb33QPNHa
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJRJ8Ao4tx
"Mum, are you okay?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD3iJT7eG5
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0R1k4OF96n
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuQdn23IOW
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhR83awKVCe
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhFW0i1hhn
Mrs775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9txRC29fB
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5Zu3aJDMh
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQhyfr2uOu
had talked about Rhénee?775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04bj1Y0sbb
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcmRFwJ79k
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kFyg6jpUq
***775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFslBdrxXFN
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CV1SP67Kv
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm8R9c9HhR
"You better rest though. You still look tired."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Epl3h9kzW
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKb2Y860Lr
"No, I'll do it."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs50AM09AY
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1i8w6Xq55
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZJsPkQQ68
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwlTThB40o
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFflMljlBC
Rhénee775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX7MUCn6K3
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUgatfIyNq
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx9otSlpls
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zy3c3KTm0
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5w1mgOCu9S
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvstoZqcJk
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkc8Z0QMmT3
"Thank775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ilac8Vv5r
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCQkVA0uvO
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2EiuAiDF0
"Well, yes. I still think I would."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwNIsVF3Ou
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPK938x4uQ
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizXvfYHrTS
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0spNG9I7t
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj2Ku7qlVT
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlxnAuZZjm
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkaDyU0Sgf
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGWui9lUdu
"Coffee will be lovely."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7aMXHSrQA
Miss775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulvJM0p3F5
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFp6FH4OFD7
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASDL1CvoCm
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ksMrfeLLT
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkt7n5PQ3Ma
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8zknmCtB6
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEIqFiH5Cd
"What mysterious person?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0iksADQfm
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tLwEFbCkB
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrwTF3M052
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvKqgCQfIC
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6k7ym7XPyz
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWINv9qicW
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0wdUS6uQO
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpWLvkbmQZ
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVe3kyUoO4
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RzaGUCOVW
The775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5EVLxMQwa
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM2ltzrDUQ
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvj0DyyUA6
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8zr1tqMpn
of this.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡND5lNCbYXM
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvQFAhCCkl
"I...775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZx7oI019e
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdEmwvbemO
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6B3KUOl7E
frustration. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53bnsGAwFW
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr2CxNwlh4
Rhénee775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh67iPQkc5w
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFK3flxsRPU
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPSZ9NZFNL
cups on the tray and wondered. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnWoY2Yong
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrJCJiZIU1
775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaPhPVAwE1
As775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC13WpfEbh
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWt4nUDywV
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5R1Cmcpaw
reminder kept ringing in her head.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc67Zbl2VD3
"And tell your friends not to get involved."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdbM3deBCK
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhZK5ER3qV
"I775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVouyw5jhd
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJCRQjteId
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUB8cEEB6gW
talking about, Rhénee?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHHqLg606a
Rhénee775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNjn4uYK89
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdynorWiZL
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOkux2fkV0
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWlJlYvIz3
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGqGCnvMF4
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0fr8qj34p
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bYLx7387d
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT5t98OOpY
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmG41J4VzMA
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpt0LMKevV
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB37yTJ3mLb
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XOo2b9KJo
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0hNeKQ5UM
***775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwJHz9ZSZk
Sweat775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3O2LTPjTgr
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHnawBpCZ2
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8go3XyihF
the person waiting never likes to wait.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAWVORubcf
He775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0yjA469AE
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvsxBaqTCO
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjvPu9bGnL
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqDtWVLQ0e
second.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx8IgZ7VsB
He775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpJhIbZHbu
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtaRhwSGE7
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhvO2SZAMk
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQtCj9Rsw6
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHtrlT6IQr
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaN5NN14Fr
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8IK009mEx
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1VIaNKQLY
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHScb9Lxby
"You're late, again."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfvBggQ65z
His775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsLAslvl6Z
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VP0ADuELx
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkNvMoaL2r
lion door knob. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlNLoaqCtc
He775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwa1jbdcMi
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYT5jWUrG0
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NFukDgaQs
"What775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAkMKfzntc
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRCuz4zP6J
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzMj30wbbk
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKQEVdh5VG
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oWcEztqd8
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNk8yRxEw0
A775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzJSrI5Z4P
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKXx7seJhI
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwRWKffcpF
as they had their backs towards the window.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBAQUuT5IW
"You know we need him," said the tall man.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsowvzRR4xs
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjReNJCK87C
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1M5axP4TO
The775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIwcanJ85z
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrlpF1Fav5
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmDwAhtqKv
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1cGx6iBjJ
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDe5vd8gvsE
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm57Vug669
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dWfQW40Oe
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVZ020zajM
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRS5L6Q0ia7
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndDWlmMVRy
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo21Xd02tKS
"What if she reveals the truth?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdd7PkmLqGp
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhLFCu8NdA
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR6X2sdKR9
For a moment, silence hung over them.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3u8DgDu4d
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjR53ZQd0O
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsj1RkeBni
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexYxfY6ZTG
"I775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyb5ZHDASA
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRtU2fG7PP
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauDtb7CaYk
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6h2YImCiz
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLBVALFrVg
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhs4FLQ5Ti
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkf8d4Lz9gm
***775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdTxwpixJM
The775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3QKwgpEyA
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml6ybPpq23
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYFrG4lE5Z
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡca9Ak0fPHX
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiqPnY33wn
they met, they seemed sky blue.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSL3dfKU9E
And775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70yC1VJ2ko
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwviW3QtB6N
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LnVLT5uRZ
Rhénee775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIDfpzqHRa
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfzFPQ30GK
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYFsbLo4bO
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG1IpSFoyr
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRXUOAYdWq
coffee table in the middle.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaq3GLWtN7u
When775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwuf6CcMgC
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LA5H592Xl
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZFrLD2p5L
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcL7kX62j6
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xr6nWpe36
"Are you sure?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlgh1Pn7KC
"Yes, I'm positive."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiYKvpvPlb
Miss775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7tHKMtENX
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1q8dk5r0R
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvfdxOYlAH
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PGYScargm
from their cups.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsrQi098vA
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzasV8xPXq
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIGPhGlATu
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gzBMMvzQv
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLZ3fLg0RZ
"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.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3lahrhLIa
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZ5CBucSbw
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7FIeyHcXM
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMYzOIruRq
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp97i7FPq2s
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPGp0dWdrX
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aaUNRkbYu
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQyT1CGKQx
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dQhN4ssHD
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCQqjhqNzd
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMQNEqKH1H
"Oh,775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoq7h5pKj1
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYHAuooRci
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXebaHEzvi8
who he is."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8TBvZLCb3
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZMGDhV20Z
Rhénee775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGds19tc0dg
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJooASJZtS
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3fGkftVSr
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpWFZgvzAz
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwF8De8Pvk
Rhénee775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PNcoVXO6U
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11tiqLx5UV
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohtGUT4mEL
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrUlFFroKR
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYssIKWTHqC
"Fine,775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeA8QSlhpI
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxl9iqLsXtC
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWi55XTAZZ
or die if you stay by me."775Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92zaAvHHbp
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