The news about the 485Please respect copyright.PENANAIcjAf0rXb9
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 485Please respect copyright.PENANAzgB7cvDJir
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 485Please respect copyright.PENANAtO6gYolvhJ
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 485Please respect copyright.PENANAzPFSWhrZbH
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 485Please respect copyright.PENANAmXr0jkncjA
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 485Please respect copyright.PENANAIre0SZbMuP
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 485Please respect copyright.PENANAbWiGxpVVip
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries485Please respect copyright.PENANAjHdx7JQQck
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 485Please respect copyright.PENANAmvnloSh8ij
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.485Please respect copyright.PENANAQtQNHmBF5i
There was more to it 485Please respect copyright.PENANAkhl5nFqPZH
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 485Please respect copyright.PENANAXWzYkL4SS8
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 485Please respect copyright.PENANAYNY7wnmRBc
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 485Please respect copyright.PENANAJL0HUxNiwz
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 485Please respect copyright.PENANAFle41NecgO
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started485Please respect copyright.PENANARHG4w7FWFG
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 485Please respect copyright.PENANAjgimacwumB
except from a few individuals. 485Please respect copyright.PENANABiyGup8nkd
And apparently, one of 485Please respect copyright.PENANAr2jIWStUks
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 485Please respect copyright.PENANAi02xSjTcKz
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In485Please respect copyright.PENANAdenlwORjPc
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 485Please respect copyright.PENANAzYhPczcYAb
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 485Please respect copyright.PENANAYs6IPv1wFA
really going on, all hell would break loose.485Please respect copyright.PENANALz6zkNrmLE
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."485Please respect copyright.PENANApkOXkNbaS8
Rhénee dropped the 485Please respect copyright.PENANAH4ccS0Wjhe
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 485Please respect copyright.PENANAqSqIb1pJRD
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 485Please respect copyright.PENANA9g71zWsLak
ear, she took a sip of coffee.485Please respect copyright.PENANAdSPrUhYG9T
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAue2fQWqDbN
"Ya, its crazy here," 485Please respect copyright.PENANAN857nzDhCJ
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 485Please respect copyright.PENANAxoM7EmeRws
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 485Please respect copyright.PENANADxdfmTc0CF
broken in."485Please respect copyright.PENANAKmMWDD4iGO
"If only they knew."485Please respect copyright.PENANAjdEhIhLgvl
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."485Please respect copyright.PENANAZRUTbeoP69
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"485Please respect copyright.PENANA2xRfHOitg0
"She did. I had to make 485Please respect copyright.PENANAcvgkvxTiR7
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 485Please respect copyright.PENANAh0nKu8ccHW
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."485Please respect copyright.PENANAQwrSDIAzKG
"I doubt if she believed that."485Please respect copyright.PENANAxGMDZuo2GY
"Haha, looks like you 485Please respect copyright.PENANACJGrb0xCgu
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAf7wO0WqpHF
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."485Please respect copyright.PENANAEWX3npMivD
"True. But we did. I 485Please respect copyright.PENANAqhwGjBR78K
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and485Please respect copyright.PENANAAfeCyfgC2w
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."485Please respect copyright.PENANANmMz0R0UOu
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAQW2q9rro70
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAvrZPBBmfBD
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."485Please respect copyright.PENANAfrG0aSi4m2
"Okay, bye."485Please respect copyright.PENANAGzEfQQy0yZ
"Bye."485Please respect copyright.PENANAegQ5U0k4u7
Rhénee cuts the call and485Please respect copyright.PENANAPR2UTTZQoH
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 485Please respect copyright.PENANAFB68QxE2Zr
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 485Please respect copyright.PENANA4H9G19finL
wink last night.485Please respect copyright.PENANAJujHJpJiVs
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."485Please respect copyright.PENANA8lqsUpOdIO
"I wasn't going to 485Please respect copyright.PENANAyDtxwsdgT5
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda485Please respect copyright.PENANAWb3lIJ6qrE
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."485Please respect copyright.PENANAhLlcid0hUt
"You don't have to 485Please respect copyright.PENANAR7iQm7eyx4
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 485Please respect copyright.PENANAEH4Ibs4UFk
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."485Please respect copyright.PENANA5fd3NzI3kX
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."485Please respect copyright.PENANAkuZbxM1ded
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAzfMcHgItFe
"Why Malcom?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAxwmuDZqqNf
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."485Please respect copyright.PENANAn3YAPewJnL
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."485Please respect copyright.PENANAmoAKYPATeR
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "485Please respect copyright.PENANAK3IlhEEcwt
"Alright, you go ahead."485Please respect copyright.PENANAIYUoENAUKu
Miss Griselda gave 485Please respect copyright.PENANAdNCmPqXinN
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 485Please respect copyright.PENANAl7JCvDI7C4
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she485Please respect copyright.PENANApSc4yXMsCa
did when they talked about Malcom. 485Please respect copyright.PENANA3vSdOPgVFZ
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.485Please respect copyright.PENANAHfS7RP4szb
The sound of her phone 485Please respect copyright.PENANAhbUzFaKhIB
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the485Please respect copyright.PENANArikUaWZZPm
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 485Please respect copyright.PENANAfvjiTvXg2w
mother.485Please respect copyright.PENANA8UPyAEEnCQ
"Hello?"485Please respect copyright.PENANA3hwM5fh2Oq
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAhIJHHtl2X5
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.485Please respect copyright.PENANADqKv3VAKQH
That voice. 485Please respect copyright.PENANA8ROOLAFgfx
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAPPz34vL8Jd
"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?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAA78SCEvUNi
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.485Please respect copyright.PENANASmDdX2z9H7
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."485Please respect copyright.PENANAGFYe3vZanb
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"485Please respect copyright.PENANA4JlDgnI4qc
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."485Please respect copyright.PENANAX9UxZk6N5K
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.485Please respect copyright.PENANAwLdhLM6oJL
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."485Please respect copyright.PENANAMgaRz6sfnB
"You don't know me, 485Please respect copyright.PENANAdItqrMLXPM
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 485Please respect copyright.PENANAb3bK8DMh1n
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAoH20fJ8Y0M
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."485Please respect copyright.PENANAABed6dtq1Z
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAjYNOKfVukV
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 485Please respect copyright.PENANA0OUbf8Jv6b
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.485Please respect copyright.PENANASggOs0tt3h
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."485Please respect copyright.PENANA0XGzpfKu7K
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.485Please respect copyright.PENANAKXMMOfi8Sl
"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?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAtv7YQubdIV
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."485Please respect copyright.PENANAIkE1y95kmL
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAMZ7gzSAgM5
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."485Please respect copyright.PENANAsGl2ASfGft
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."485Please respect copyright.PENANAimMuDYNu8x
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."485Please respect copyright.PENANAompblTLJNq
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAldakRX9Zdk
"Oh, and by the way, 485Please respect copyright.PENANA7miAeQ8mAp
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 485Please respect copyright.PENANAw2S1bJJwoq
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 485Please respect copyright.PENANA4AYyuKLStj
this time around."485Please respect copyright.PENANAF7lcRIJS8v
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAkPl2hRkT6k
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."485Please respect copyright.PENANAlPTvS31RiY
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 485Please respect copyright.PENANASRJ3eP5HrO
Rhénee sat down on the 485Please respect copyright.PENANArgdYzWbpcx
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 485Please respect copyright.PENANAPFyY21vIWQ
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 485Please respect copyright.PENANAK3YnkgHNE9
the others, who know what might happen. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAfeDshljTxR
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.485Please respect copyright.PENANAHgZ74a9t7m
***485Please respect copyright.PENANAm5EQ8XdVyy
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAkqKQ6vwo4B
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAGqSnb2z6s1
"But she isn't hurt right?"485Please respect copyright.PENANABXT001pAvA
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."485Please respect copyright.PENANACKaAfjhmvW
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAtwqIkzuiSr
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."485Please respect copyright.PENANAcEqku19Ahn
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAc4tFSYHFKg
"Nah.485Please respect copyright.PENANA161qlj2aZ9
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 485Please respect copyright.PENANANvHhTbQxON
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."485Please respect copyright.PENANACdCKrw6MFy
"Thats485Please respect copyright.PENANAI8SqbHuOSJ
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 485Please respect copyright.PENANA5iaOkMauy6
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."485Please respect copyright.PENANA92czGw6ZoD
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAtohmtjDH3r
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."485Please respect copyright.PENANAU5xBA4L2TA
"Alright."485Please respect copyright.PENANAzBqyFPSXRP
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. 485Please respect copyright.PENANA2pYV6Swnt4
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.485Please respect copyright.PENANAvZHXWI6PF2
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.485Please respect copyright.PENANAFxnzJWo3AX
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."485Please respect copyright.PENANAyRkoZpd3LW
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."485Please respect copyright.PENANAhoBJy0gLjS
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."485Please respect copyright.PENANAlmhenzfBuV
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAGuVccj8dDw
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.485Please respect copyright.PENANAHOmI0fyFMR
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.485Please respect copyright.PENANA5VXcWD1Lxo
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAKeg6YnSCmj
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."485Please respect copyright.PENANAVY83RCp9yG
"Does it bother you?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAOuFzK5GTrv
"Um... not really. But.... um."485Please respect copyright.PENANAo0JIcg2bet
Eugene485Please respect copyright.PENANAbEN8behMLn
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 485Please respect copyright.PENANAIVSJ6NJMsl
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.485Please respect copyright.PENANAT5nGCMm00q
"Mum, are you okay?"485Please respect copyright.PENANA9RJPsNE5ww
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAqGrMYV6gB5
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAZLFG5FjvOc
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAAKXJFQUPQa
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."485Please respect copyright.PENANA6NDZUwm66w
Mrs485Please respect copyright.PENANAhJPImvFj3T
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene485Please respect copyright.PENANAk5hAje4gbt
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 485Please respect copyright.PENANACs6i3a7s00
had talked about Rhénee?485Please respect copyright.PENANAbwyh9Vtmb8
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 485Please respect copyright.PENANAx4cMq5oXxL
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.485Please respect copyright.PENANA8cdfxOymfC
***485Please respect copyright.PENANAcRknKyQ65w
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.485Please respect copyright.PENANAmoUXDQnNu4
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 485Please respect copyright.PENANA9sjcpgSLNr
"You better rest though. You still look tired."485Please respect copyright.PENANAERAms7tmLN
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"485Please respect copyright.PENANACgCwAwItsc
"No, I'll do it."485Please respect copyright.PENANAFNMCOGdnUD
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAxqaFPHqHIC
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.485Please respect copyright.PENANANduOWnfcaO
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.485Please respect copyright.PENANAgsGe42Xf5C
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.485Please respect copyright.PENANAPCxek7CX5d
Rhénee485Please respect copyright.PENANA5pPNKq9FOj
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 485Please respect copyright.PENANA2ja32ExLLT
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.485Please respect copyright.PENANAMmRreSiCpE
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.485Please respect copyright.PENANAWJc6a8tePu
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.485Please respect copyright.PENANANSFzJ4Tdpm
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAJcY3rj9kge
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.485Please respect copyright.PENANAkr4XVIUMi1
"Thank485Please respect copyright.PENANAHYSvKq2kgV
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 485Please respect copyright.PENANAyWBqLyZV2z
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAKotZEWeCik
"Well, yes. I still think I would."485Please respect copyright.PENANApk3Bpy4Gu4
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."485Please respect copyright.PENANAWFHOLSPkYn
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.485Please respect copyright.PENANA60x3biybS3
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."485Please respect copyright.PENANAXd4P77tzjK
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.485Please respect copyright.PENANA4WcjcEubcT
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 485Please respect copyright.PENANA6k3NybJnpt
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.485Please respect copyright.PENANAhSq1qLDDGS
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAquDNz693dk
"Coffee will be lovely."485Please respect copyright.PENANAn8mtLlTB3h
Miss485Please respect copyright.PENANAIkC3qyREdJ
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 485Please respect copyright.PENANASF1XVwAqEU
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.485Please respect copyright.PENANA8pVa8mjLC5
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.485Please respect copyright.PENANAq5z6vpj263
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.485Please respect copyright.PENANADihGGoFcwo
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."485Please respect copyright.PENANAZQA5DcCxY8
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."485Please respect copyright.PENANAW7VJsYCnr5
"What mysterious person?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAN5Q61IYdnf
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."485Please respect copyright.PENANAZVv5NF6X20
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAN62MuMo9Dx
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.485Please respect copyright.PENANAQMTGDOuxUY
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.485Please respect copyright.PENANAzFk80xkRvw
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAUM9kpirvY4
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAy4sVTm3YOf
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."485Please respect copyright.PENANAiWmsyQPgKu
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"485Please respect copyright.PENANAOjaPpW8onz
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."485Please respect copyright.PENANAa1eM7vLRex
The485Please respect copyright.PENANAF6XDJn85VH
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?485Please respect copyright.PENANAramzngeABv
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 485Please respect copyright.PENANAXVvtplBe50
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all485Please respect copyright.PENANAin4aW1bh0T
of this.485Please respect copyright.PENANAwePxEAIPSm
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.485Please respect copyright.PENANAESILAeMzc2
"I...485Please respect copyright.PENANALisy36hTLX
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 485Please respect copyright.PENANAfO50rT8Pqq
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 485Please respect copyright.PENANASFsjYpHE5u
frustration. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAbmh598E4bm
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.485Please respect copyright.PENANA9P7hbhHH2w
Rhénee485Please respect copyright.PENANAqdYLE9eoMC
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 485Please respect copyright.PENANAPAkZNaDt2T
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 485Please respect copyright.PENANAksc8AWRCr6
cups on the tray and wondered. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAZbQPm5QvYC
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAiI9RU80sid
485Please respect copyright.PENANA2vTUE0RguB
As485Please respect copyright.PENANAZ6A80zdB0g
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 485Please respect copyright.PENANAY4Cps1zJQW
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 485Please respect copyright.PENANAdtGA4a1KZf
reminder kept ringing in her head.485Please respect copyright.PENANAcm93pFMTMG
"And tell your friends not to get involved."485Please respect copyright.PENANAfnzUDZlfZW
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAX9MOYzkqax
"I485Please respect copyright.PENANAkOVLClt8lF
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 485Please respect copyright.PENANAyoMiOARHVO
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 485Please respect copyright.PENANABjnbAyhFV2
talking about, Rhénee?"485Please respect copyright.PENANA3wT0UWZY4Z
Rhénee485Please respect copyright.PENANAyn1NpsTs7y
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 485Please respect copyright.PENANA6TCKjfgEVS
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 485Please respect copyright.PENANAko4GqRAh6K
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 485Please respect copyright.PENANAx8zgUQlYwK
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.485Please respect copyright.PENANA0uNgkgGgKY
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.485Please respect copyright.PENANAJJXyXSzdIw
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAqS9C1BJ6Zl
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."485Please respect copyright.PENANAUpoFG7kUXU
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAednEr6HH6n
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAWMxPaBt8Dt
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.485Please respect copyright.PENANAwx4RrOJHRS
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"485Please respect copyright.PENANA83wXNMDlbD
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.485Please respect copyright.PENANAYF22vAfIUr
***485Please respect copyright.PENANALtarwraXLC
Sweat485Please respect copyright.PENANAGWCkWwr4RN
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 485Please respect copyright.PENANAM1IlRAkDxu
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 485Please respect copyright.PENANAPo2ktmte33
the person waiting never likes to wait.485Please respect copyright.PENANAIp2NyuW7yi
He485Please respect copyright.PENANALU1Ous1bBP
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 485Please respect copyright.PENANALApoxd2X1e
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the485Please respect copyright.PENANAlgEDPxg5KE
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 485Please respect copyright.PENANAKRjEKS9qpb
second.485Please respect copyright.PENANAhEpDkinzXC
He485Please respect copyright.PENANA20iy49drBc
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 485Please respect copyright.PENANAiMw0XvrSb5
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 485Please respect copyright.PENANA99C8YIrREr
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 485Please respect copyright.PENANAdAcAXSnPsq
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 485Please respect copyright.PENANAEpGN0RZb3k
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.485Please respect copyright.PENANAE1aZfAkRGp
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 485Please respect copyright.PENANAhlEzt2tGcg
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 485Please respect copyright.PENANAEFWiCwCwW8
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAyHKfmy8Idi
"You're late, again."485Please respect copyright.PENANAccFdnE6OOo
His485Please respect copyright.PENANAFJzVOKyUsZ
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 485Please respect copyright.PENANAQgV9sF4ueG
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 485Please respect copyright.PENANAtcDLR3sQBn
lion door knob. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAcPWS91aJZr
He485Please respect copyright.PENANAOMxOQW5bWH
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 485Please respect copyright.PENANAIj1qF3KRAW
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAxIsjljas1j
"What485Please respect copyright.PENANAqla5ecJofR
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 485Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5NqkIzwYq
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAS4KXndxuMt
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."485Please respect copyright.PENANAhvZ3F7CJ6g
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.485Please respect copyright.PENANArjmBql8hkp
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."485Please respect copyright.PENANArv9hB2dPr7
A485Please respect copyright.PENANA5bbLV9wBM3
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 485Please respect copyright.PENANAy28gbDGXUd
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 485Please respect copyright.PENANAabnDM05tyr
as they had their backs towards the window.485Please respect copyright.PENANARLKU825xzV
"You know we need him," said the tall man.485Please respect copyright.PENANAB1irRirwnc
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."485Please respect copyright.PENANA4qzTokiqYf
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."485Please respect copyright.PENANALHv3jeTJPw
The485Please respect copyright.PENANAExTVHkRCEt
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 485Please respect copyright.PENANAktEOJbg0k5
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 485Please respect copyright.PENANA3gjoI552Dy
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.485Please respect copyright.PENANA5OhfBHVqZ0
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.485Please respect copyright.PENANAzDsdLQrzjk
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.485Please respect copyright.PENANA6KpByYVNbT
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."485Please respect copyright.PENANAbSsqKTvOiy
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAACVjHRS8k9
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.485Please respect copyright.PENANADTiSz4Lauq
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."485Please respect copyright.PENANAvEAAJuKQ2m
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."485Please respect copyright.PENANAlUhwwmTxaY
"What if she reveals the truth?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAWhtXsYBxNj
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."485Please respect copyright.PENANA041stgVuYo
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.485Please respect copyright.PENANAIkUuzzJSTa
For a moment, silence hung over them.485Please respect copyright.PENANAcS8Gtxso7S
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."485Please respect copyright.PENANAGcrKJiVFwi
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."485Please respect copyright.PENANAn3pCfMtrX1
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."485Please respect copyright.PENANACyyIf5VvQW
"I485Please respect copyright.PENANABBcRocj4uq
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAshFKSvc3it
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 485Please respect copyright.PENANAZjTFIzFqgB
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."485Please respect copyright.PENANA44T7G08rum
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.485Please respect copyright.PENANAV4ToaolCM2
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.485Please respect copyright.PENANAmKvhoCmRo0
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."485Please respect copyright.PENANA7BpZslZEEf
***485Please respect copyright.PENANADZeuPEJXpi
The485Please respect copyright.PENANANW1TuTVx1i
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 485Please respect copyright.PENANAN2vdvFJNZt
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 485Please respect copyright.PENANAEbRjU2Q8ZQ
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 485Please respect copyright.PENANAScnhNsjMSJ
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time485Please respect copyright.PENANAdjDGUBTAMw
they met, they seemed sky blue.485Please respect copyright.PENANAxZClHZbsMf
And485Please respect copyright.PENANAm43VJv9CiZ
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No485Please respect copyright.PENANA3kWib0VyVr
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.485Please respect copyright.PENANA9BS5asjfEj
Rhénee485Please respect copyright.PENANAm7gftO34lu
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 485Please respect copyright.PENANAREsvneMzwV
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied485Please respect copyright.PENANAERx1UgxciX
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 485Please respect copyright.PENANAJbt0Zui8p2
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 485Please respect copyright.PENANAnyVKPKoEPw
coffee table in the middle.485Please respect copyright.PENANAIODjOCwOkV
When485Please respect copyright.PENANA2QroPs8scz
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 485Please respect copyright.PENANAA1rOfZTUxz
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.485Please respect copyright.PENANA7nptZmNrq1
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.485Please respect copyright.PENANAnN8ptI4oFD
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.485Please respect copyright.PENANAn4kKFVDRmm
"Are you sure?"485Please respect copyright.PENANANcoISCHVbj
"Yes, I'm positive."485Please respect copyright.PENANAniYXZF8dtu
Miss485Please respect copyright.PENANAhwBbOkzd9S
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 485Please respect copyright.PENANArNnypVnuJl
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 485Please respect copyright.PENANAmVMFjdTqJm
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips485Please respect copyright.PENANAPNpruJOzOH
from their cups.485Please respect copyright.PENANAz1pb0ifbny
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.485Please respect copyright.PENANAnyEMwphJLe
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.485Please respect copyright.PENANAq7bIrv488o
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAL210oFb0Kh
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.485Please respect copyright.PENANAkwArGIpzj2
"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.485Please respect copyright.PENANAgwqsYY50pk
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."485Please respect copyright.PENANA7DMc3Q54aj
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."485Please respect copyright.PENANAsFBjeN19Zw
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."485Please respect copyright.PENANAUNpG41vbVi
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.485Please respect copyright.PENANArHPV5By7ag
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."485Please respect copyright.PENANAWeCQcLuRSD
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.485Please respect copyright.PENANA7kJ2TPCzSY
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.485Please respect copyright.PENANAMUAxkaNU7Q
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."485Please respect copyright.PENANALqy1EjC8YK
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"485Please respect copyright.PENANAAOooT1Xcl5
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.485Please respect copyright.PENANA0Sg9rwnEQT
"Oh,485Please respect copyright.PENANAYj9KEZ04Sn
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted485Please respect copyright.PENANAN4l91gNRHf
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 485Please respect copyright.PENANAWGUKBTSuAq
who he is."485Please respect copyright.PENANA0539IHPals
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."485Please respect copyright.PENANA8x3UnxYXNS
Rhénee485Please respect copyright.PENANAxVagXC99l4
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 485Please respect copyright.PENANAdBHE7LVjyH
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want485Please respect copyright.PENANAyx5dIBfcZn
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 485Please respect copyright.PENANAPjzJIhzcvU
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.485Please respect copyright.PENANAM31hAjC1iB
Rhénee485Please respect copyright.PENANAhoV62leILt
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 485Please respect copyright.PENANAzQ2fqIjhBe
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.485Please respect copyright.PENANAPd7RwCuLvR
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 485Please respect copyright.PENANAZv0iH3lc6m
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.485Please respect copyright.PENANAL39nfxeOoe
"Fine,485Please respect copyright.PENANAYJU7WTXPSb
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.485Please respect copyright.PENANA8UjjTbef4t
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 485Please respect copyright.PENANAa7xGCUkccM
or die if you stay by me."485Please respect copyright.PENANAx0kogZGNbT