The news about the 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF08kl9gT4D
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaapvVwzyF
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAM52EXAdZ
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mT5jOiXxE
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdxR0jxu8E
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQdJxgLZdW
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOKQXyAqAt
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpO5mL6v02
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tLbL0RK1r
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdjoIhrQbd
There was more to it 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6EzwfiSPu
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvRoh1UZoB
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsH7VM5JWR
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ihYTAvfjf
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSGfwyJ7c4
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzY6nX1iZOc
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtff8b2xNy
except from a few individuals. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjePuVdaoXs
And apparently, one of 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGXsPLaZOH
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTFlbRHjMm
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYmMWm54Le
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNbZjlt4hF
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3y4fwl4b3
really going on, all hell would break loose.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7RWvLRpLl
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2a57l3r16
Rhénee dropped the 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QLCt7NsbA
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0UE6MHANr
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCeEV3CudX
ear, she took a sip of coffee.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQXThdP06K
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9m8gPO1zX
"Ya, its crazy here," 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKuyc6zgr6
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO9rbPfqNy
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1r8GGEN2h
broken in."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgchKIl1BnK
"If only they knew."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmf5N3bteg
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZA4sFNSx7I
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9Zflb2PlZ
"She did. I had to make 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aH9z5kmES
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMO4flZYXa8
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYkC7L5j0y
"I doubt if she believed that."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXyKRiZQZV
"Haha, looks like you 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfGuzDTjxt
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2LlF6hGpC
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiz3DAYCr4w
"True. But we did. I 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoWFU9H5oG
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZtd7Cd5pY
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNefSEIQx8
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2iHy6yvER
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaN4tOpfKN
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsEeA0BGas
"Okay, bye."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEBEOTwfHM
"Bye."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVS4BfnuKH
Rhénee cuts the call and774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMod70V05m
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqc9C63MFL1
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6eLRqYoHs
wink last night.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSJYSjByID
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxp8YDule6
"I wasn't going to 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPd7MfYrssb
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPN7KQJoDc
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGkpIEs2Gm
"You don't have to 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWExUDxuME
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEDgNC0a2F
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxMmwBrLK9
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaJLVN76oE
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfhIZWRUDf
"Why Malcom?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkQhVfIJzy
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FVCaiK0zC
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubIhTJeaZJ
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlS4luNb7JS
"Alright, you go ahead."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjQYd3BUhv
Miss Griselda gave 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzaihVsMYX
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmlgdyYe6I
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoqYIVy9Xw
did when they talked about Malcom. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qRh9Wo2Ga
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3TthUhltU
The sound of her phone 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNX54TScqXy
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn51q8xeLa
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p02UqAbLv
mother.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dZ6ItZ7aS
"Hello?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIyJMiGzan
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhgrNn6dGU
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBVPPq8TSN
That voice. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNww2V9mHE
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf05p8NutW
"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?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxQeHmoygR
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbpIt045MC
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlgx3MUurB
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEW9iTnGtT
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9L5VcETnd2
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcf74eRKG4
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8KiseX8ui
"You don't know me, 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnEtAJOh8Y
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyL4Lcfd4j
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9qjhxuQya
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtitjUvCBCO
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy87QfiGX9h
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHIWMYADHP
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUHUE9o7Hv
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Qarx6W7gH
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSgnpw9sjo
"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?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWdDCL6S7C
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h2RpdGMiX
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuoijDmK51
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CKvjilVD0
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E5YhY04O6
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXvjfpsxNk
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAh8VAOSDDC
"Oh, and by the way, 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FxBdLp9UN
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXls1GpHRB
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6MeQM2S88
this time around."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WJIh0BV0J
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyB4UGmvRz
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNIscDtuGX
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8HSzQYEKi
Rhénee sat down on the 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUu9wh0s08G
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUVryNUIOs
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybxefTQlgE
the others, who know what might happen. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC5eIDSSv7
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95zGwXZu3P
***774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz1Gmpyk8N
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIKVqRJak7
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mc1VhBlyZ
"But she isn't hurt right?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSF3e4M7aV
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiZjlt4LfD
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuFtQJK1qw
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ILLr39Cnn
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzLcXB2AkO
"Nah.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mqJPZYABq
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8MSwTitTS
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwjgMktQpE
"Thats774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zxpLDiD3Q
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIvgJHxn5D
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYADtHTvfoq
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjrct8nB6V
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEu89auYdkb
"Alright."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUPjj3DGKw
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. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhcz9Jkfi4
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOAWjZx0sF
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSyUDmqvUl
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcZRCocFVB
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWtESTv0KC
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBPxhnbYbR
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZj73bldIGA
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMrdtHJGyQ
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pzNgJ52oo
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpntCejroy
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYXFfL7pJT
"Does it bother you?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkeH7qRuzp
"Um... not really. But.... um."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyZ2716q26
Eugene774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2D59CFNN8
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOv4DfH160
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnrY95dNU3
"Mum, are you okay?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WNrGqnSkT
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVfsgatFHk
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLXm0cJO1r
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItEuo5Ylct
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmp4mfXpSY
Mrs774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gomJQwQy4
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZxPuHDku0
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyfmo1RRzI
had talked about Rhénee?774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcJhS10jXL
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmI1532FOjS
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qecqKhXfj
***774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeKLGkJbd3
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZead5TwfE
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3ILyxgKYd
"You better rest though. You still look tired."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7y1QohLL77
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKee6UkfC3A
"No, I'll do it."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRInNeAWSO
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhs9lJt3yT
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcmYM5Btkk
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilCyFrV2uj
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNn78I2OM4
Rhénee774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI2KFo0Caf
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37PXgqL0Pt
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLnQSrDNxD
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoWzflpLGu
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yb92UtLf0
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTZMRZWulY
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ735VpIWVy6
"Thank774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfugEwzpKn5
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbFsTsSTAT
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TvR1oJWAn
"Well, yes. I still think I would."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7F7POqFah
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9D0fkeTzk
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndH5CONGX4
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sCCB9ZmTj
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHEum8aaPW
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7SOOmuOsG
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT1de4kd2H
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBk3dbJGRo8
"Coffee will be lovely."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RkbSmia1i
Miss774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PHlD232ER
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUa1YLTbjZ
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0FsIJOS0t
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNkmdpYW2d
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeETRSZyvl
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTO3ZoX9VRt
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8XXy2NSbg
"What mysterious person?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVo2MIE4EsW
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjw6KRos8Q
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxaAKGKVMr
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThUtqcw4CG
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh7WBgxzW9
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8riBBi8g2x
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5B2ym3S3X
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFakGnqj48
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaj5rDBLX0
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aijOoQFGf
The774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4LQ6D74WP
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡON86Nfr17G
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodwDUJCkZR
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rryrqPTDY
of this.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVixbvaHTd
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kiVb7rgUP
"I...774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n0rpuai9B
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2V5u1go54
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfOFULwOv2
frustration. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSV54MfpP86
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu287v8SONe
Rhénee774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJaXojhDsT
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVMcrp4NCn
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96vKpDCwHP
cups on the tray and wondered. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvqwAMhuCA
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpIFFCpBEt
774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstd9XPGFIS
As774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YKg1I9sph
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9cc46mxf6
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8XpOImsgY
reminder kept ringing in her head.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMen9lBTb0
"And tell your friends not to get involved."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWygk49Zhj
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDfBz8O0QF
"I774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1ieiPpHjx
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEP8Z14HBL
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIIPgfqIiz
talking about, Rhénee?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYTi2HhINA
Rhénee774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJTEXvqpf4
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHXhjgLad3
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6R9yHByRum
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSBnyL9B3U
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebaltif0oC
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2jUVECTs7
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZSPnBIRpA
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMTx03dIuA
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKRvJOOoDB
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKzauZT7UW
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizNU3iMrhO
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9OgF5EXoZ
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡim4wylZq5J
***774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDzLuHc2wq
Sweat774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvKf8qrQOc
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0pLPlxKBe
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCqW73Ungj
the person waiting never likes to wait.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa5wZImmab
He774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdrenw9bTi
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQ26UuuvCw
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRC5zLu8GO
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBxetZQpoc
second.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX8BeMT3J7
He774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hvT7Dy3Kk
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsN0fgvC51o
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi7MliSJaY
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7q3LTWGtNr
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yNmzJHUG7
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLjTT6KkrX
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8X9XKSKCyg
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSO5UrNZcfu
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw89YCxH5Ku
"You're late, again."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpIdEyMToU
His774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm77JuWbmtu
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUzB1VCIIT
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmNbsXZ2RP
lion door knob. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xKo3bcmiM
He774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0velDrski
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubsz53Wl8W
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEsAtuqF35
"What774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFzp3JkuNo
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLk8i3tPvYH
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwijsQJXm3
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGSTARukKw
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdF0nnZBE6
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy19JjPvQWg
A774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFChRTEWRUJ
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ029vnBxxpz
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNm4CNFgeDT
as they had their backs towards the window.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWyhQ7AYoC
"You know we need him," said the tall man.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uVV5GcF7k
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfTh30mkPW
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGMEcPC25h
The774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9B1aIF07s
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RGXcpZrpW
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz4H9xO5za
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkSnJRTPFN
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiuVmgpRqM
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk0lwCxtOo
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWyVD4D3dK
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVWPp2aifY
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDMzgEHhHX
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uKKo6ZO2W
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZT19z3fru7
"What if she reveals the truth?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8E7o5xla0
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0963mWlU1
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcigsZDMcFA
For a moment, silence hung over them.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zmWOl7rDq
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85uD3AotZG
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGdfq1PQl5
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBzilIPf4b
"I774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlgN9Pfo02
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzVpgBewHP
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWtVhffNB3
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSnjDMVDgu
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbZFZl25Lo
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU5unUfXce
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn8iUhzrMF
***774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxSMMsgK12
The774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYwCQN2KuM
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbh1QocPDW
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2SLpVV8sM
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbsZcjzQUX
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLQbs9ELFZ
they met, they seemed sky blue.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRIIclWZCR
And774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P4TujgV2S
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsDBBeRw1X
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugnoopbebO
Rhénee774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvd8wiC0Bn
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM29aKapJt8
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfxSumiuw3
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JJKAi6jmT
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkr5K7eadE
coffee table in the middle.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoEeVE1Bng
When774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB0KwD2TwU
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnZv1XQ3k9
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNPlcGj5c6
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcUrlxLcA8
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sdwTcU6Dj
"Are you sure?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZMcfOceKR
"Yes, I'm positive."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluIzu4vc02
Miss774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pnAvAb9C4
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUltseuOK7
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGS4OTKAcM
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUq79vZBJt
from their cups.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQRM4945Pg
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzh7JFkYbst
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MRoQOv2WQ
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyogIpSD0T
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHq1oLhpaM
"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.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1C6OPqUezv
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMXgJy9oWs
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1x57gyYi61
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GT9GRL1f9
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3awxznP9J
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3xeSAzOIE
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4TAe1RScQ
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pyYpTee3S
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xI2h8R6Ha
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nSTu9gG6u
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlGedsIPUk
"Oh,774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLaZTiYooL
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4k6wQlfRnu
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N36O03PuQ
who he is."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTR5H5USkXY
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsszRCYKnqs
Rhénee774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLOoehrr16
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXFKAjHUVV
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTOp8OgfJG
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvt1SBMhP0
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdJvVHwmpC
Rhénee774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Fanxl9WBg
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSelNdV7IS
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvF0XCtbqb0
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjmPwB11EC
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvmLvRv7Bh
"Fine,774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUMvDQWbDm
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRmrlqdMKO
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxTTJ0STKM
or die if you stay by me."774Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsJnuEMruF
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