Mrs. Chamberlin felt someone gently shake her. She moaned a little as she opened her eyes. The buzzing fluorescent light blinded her for a bit until she realized that there was someone standing next to her. Her eyes opened widely now. It was her son, Eugene.376Please respect copyright.PENANA7LBwO740lz
376Please respect copyright.PENANAz1SnWddzvL
376Please respect copyright.PENANAczxMYMgl2Y
"Hey, mum, are you alright?" he asked. "Sorry for waking you."376Please respect copyright.PENANAduPzR2QmwE
376Please respect copyright.PENANA28bjOqGEjQ
376Please respect copyright.PENANAez11BELjsM
Mrs. Chamberlin sat upright; the big, heavy coat she had used as a blanket fell to her waist. She rubbed her eyes, trying to remove the sleep in them. She looked over at her son, who stood there looking at her.376Please respect copyright.PENANAZmrRGME23j
376Please respect copyright.PENANA2X9Mrn3tma
376Please respect copyright.PENANA5lEtAd1U0a
"I didn't expect to see you here," she said, as she put up a tired smile. "What time is it?"376Please respect copyright.PENANA8DdyBTLrP6
376Please respect copyright.PENANAHaXuvB6ZT8
376Please respect copyright.PENANAzddJAiSmcO
"It's five in the morning," said Eugene as he went over to sit on the chair she had been sleeping on in the waiting room.376Please respect copyright.PENANAmpJ8cjkE9v
376Please respect copyright.PENANAgPvm2kH0kH
376Please respect copyright.PENANAfd9xgOa9In
"And what about your brother? Aren't you going to see him off to school?"376Please respect copyright.PENANA1QNIoqX7bR
376Please respect copyright.PENANAxdIWCr1F7l
376Please respect copyright.PENANASe5aiD6aOG
"I will. I came to check up on you first."376Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2qjvgHdEo
376Please respect copyright.PENANAPxXhUva3IK
376Please respect copyright.PENANA1oqGvMsXct
"I thought you were going to ask how your father was doing."376Please respect copyright.PENANAMAoB2ctTqJ
376Please respect copyright.PENANA2YAmAxBLQB
376Please respect copyright.PENANA9wpbwtT2M0
Eugene didn't know how to respond to that as he looked up at the ceiling and then back at his mother in silence.376Please respect copyright.PENANAGTNXE603G6
376Please respect copyright.PENANABrUgPH6pWB
376Please respect copyright.PENANArKWuKuw0o6
Mrs. Chamberlin sighed. She wasn't going to force her son to do so, even though she knew Eugene cared a lot more than he thought.376Please respect copyright.PENANAm0eqDPZzuN
376Please respect copyright.PENANAXNOENszf4A
376Please respect copyright.PENANAEz0gSzP9sq
"He's stable now," she said. "They managed to pull the bullet out. But he lost a lot of blood. The doctor said it would take time for him to recover." 376Please respect copyright.PENANA03JxmctrRQ
376Please respect copyright.PENANA9oNGp5mxpB
376Please respect copyright.PENANATpDJFUHgUE
"Did you go in to see him?" Eugene asked. 376Please respect copyright.PENANAQpdSX80dvr
376Please respect copyright.PENANAjLFjn80yGk
376Please respect copyright.PENANA3TnmdzIVUF
"I did. But he lay there unconscious. I'm hoping he wakes up soon."376Please respect copyright.PENANAnxdU5HfsyO
376Please respect copyright.PENANABlHPu5LB4W
376Please respect copyright.PENANAcPInDNwBVi
"When he wakes up, you know he'll have to face the police, right? In fact, what did they ask you when they came last night?"376Please respect copyright.PENANAjbnPfjvAOa
376Please respect copyright.PENANA87me0NlimV
376Please respect copyright.PENANATkhShCdDzV
Mrs. Chamberlin muttered to herself as she put both her feet down from the chair, trying to make herself comfortable. Eugene wondered if she would stall so as not to answer his question.376Please respect copyright.PENANAMsppkq2LkR
376Please respect copyright.PENANAi5gu686ibj
376Please respect copyright.PENANA3b5rUnbWtV
"They asked if I knew about his whereabouts before he got shot," she answered. "If he had told me who had shot him, I would have told them, but I didn't know anything. He just showed up on my doorstep, and I had no choice but to call the hospital."376Please respect copyright.PENANAw62GksEdUw
376Please respect copyright.PENANAzXlT7AW2Er
376Please respect copyright.PENANAzNzrcUJumY
"Do they think he was involved in some shady deal?" Eugene asked. 376Please respect copyright.PENANAsBEZQfH3JJ
376Please respect copyright.PENANAA7fUb0cUHZ
376Please respect copyright.PENANAGHjuEvPdK9
"They do." Mrs. Chamberlin sighed, shaking her head. "I wonder what he got himself into."376Please respect copyright.PENANArCQFnh5xVU
376Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZfgixUIup
376Please respect copyright.PENANA54UCA5ktTQ
"Something dangerous, that's for sure. Maybe this time when the police investigate, they'll find out the truth about whatever he's been keeping from us for so long."376Please respect copyright.PENANAKcJPNztJiz
376Please respect copyright.PENANA65TGU5I5lE
376Please respect copyright.PENANAOahpF7Or41
"You already know that he is involved with dangerous people. Do you really want to dig deeper and find out who he is working for?"376Please respect copyright.PENANAT9tgIOIKHY
376Please respect copyright.PENANANMKhKd2n13
376Please respect copyright.PENANABL6DQKDFka
Eugene continued to look at his mother, and he had a feeling she wasn't going to like what he was going to say. He averted his eyes to the ceiling and stayed silent.376Please respect copyright.PENANAnqZ9fdawAu
376Please respect copyright.PENANARO6VVt3NyV
376Please respect copyright.PENANAp24EGRFIat
Mrs. Chamberlin looked on at her son. After what seemed to be a long while, she slowly stood up from her seat. She needed to stretch her legs. Likewise, she also raised her hands in the air to stretch her entire body.376Please respect copyright.PENANAKzm1JMyYDZ
376Please respect copyright.PENANAkk8gZdO1WW
376Please respect copyright.PENANAMCiMyCXSTO
Eugene now looked at his mother and asked, "Won't you be going back home to freshen up?"376Please respect copyright.PENANAgchAJXbRme
376Please respect copyright.PENANAPRo8bBdzJ8
376Please respect copyright.PENANALBHHsK4kuN
"I will," she answered after dropping her arms. "I'll do so when your father wakes up."376Please respect copyright.PENANAxmcl76YmDW
376Please respect copyright.PENANASuyr6TikcF
376Please respect copyright.PENANAlYq5mAWqph
Her answer made Eugene scoff. "He was at your doorstep when he came asking for help," he said. "You don't have to show that you've been with him this whole time. A big part of me knows he will figure that out when he wakes up."376Please respect copyright.PENANACbCiHi25Tg
376Please respect copyright.PENANARUoVmAddHV
376Please respect copyright.PENANAQucV8zzxVQ
"So, how is your brother doing?" Mrs. Chamberlin asked, ignoring Eugene's statement. "It must have been confusing for him when you told him he couldn't enter his own home."376Please respect copyright.PENANA0g5Trj4DzS
376Please respect copyright.PENANAne3wobLo8m
376Please respect copyright.PENANAYjyCqSEcSX
"He won't take it lightly after he hears this news at school. I wanted to tell him, but when I got back to Mrs. York's, I found that he was already asleep."376Please respect copyright.PENANAmItgMT8s96
376Please respect copyright.PENANA71WBMOJ2FI
376Please respect copyright.PENANAX5Z30LUXvN
"The disadvantage of living in such a town is that news travels so fast. I strongly advise that you tell him when you go and get him ready for school."376Please respect copyright.PENANAMoekWid0HW
376Please respect copyright.PENANA7XVBTQCn74
376Please respect copyright.PENANAo2rfKpyfdT
"That will affect him, mum. He won't be able to go if it comes to it."376Please respect copyright.PENANAPsAbdrB0fV
376Please respect copyright.PENANAsmjOig2mYM
376Please respect copyright.PENANAa3jXOuXxP8
"That decision will be up to him. If he doesn't go, the better. Make sure to call the school if it comes to it."376Please respect copyright.PENANA3mVBrzdYNF
376Please respect copyright.PENANAuYDa2H8Ah9
376Please respect copyright.PENANASiyv3ESdfU
Eugene gave a nod of the head. "Will do."376Please respect copyright.PENANA4M9DniEJnI
376Please respect copyright.PENANADl6osrfDtR
376Please respect copyright.PENANAPCS9vwJ6jK
Mrs. Chamberlin looked down at her son and came up to him. She bent over a little and held his chin to lift his face and look straight into his eyes.376Please respect copyright.PENANAuB8Vwnk6BG
376Please respect copyright.PENANAAxrmsoSYBo
376Please respect copyright.PENANAK3Y6YKqFJb
"Did you get any sleep?" she asked. "You look like you've been up all night."376Please respect copyright.PENANAeauxnbOQlJ
376Please respect copyright.PENANAMuUNTLbbIr
376Please respect copyright.PENANAyilzgOBH08
"Yeah, I didn't," said Eugene as he put up a tired smile. "Not that I was worried about him. I'm more worried about you."376Please respect copyright.PENANAdeMiJGIvi5
376Please respect copyright.PENANAC392MvwfwF
376Please respect copyright.PENANAoGL4Exl6dS
"I'll be okay. Your father needs to recover first."376Please respect copyright.PENANA5eR4CpPK0x
376Please respect copyright.PENANATeBi4zTOCl
376Please respect copyright.PENANAfH6ttA6kXe
"If he does, will you consider leaving him for good?"376Please respect copyright.PENANACyEP7JK8QY
376Please respect copyright.PENANAcwwYpuIVPz
376Please respect copyright.PENANAchmNw4J71f
Mrs. Chamberlin let go of his chin as she stood upright. She didn't expect him to start talking about this subject at such a critical time.376Please respect copyright.PENANAlNcaLZwFSi
376Please respect copyright.PENANA8AesHh552j
376Please respect copyright.PENANAkBfTdPSJKH
"You should go and check up on your brother," she answered as she slowly turned away. "He will need you around when he wakes up."376Please respect copyright.PENANAs9A6IPK8eh
376Please respect copyright.PENANAYD4CiNv0Vj
376Please respect copyright.PENANAYPFghjaWFl
Eugene continued to look up at his mother and, likewise, stood up from his seat. "I know you don't like to talk about this, but for once, think about Albert and me. What if that man brings danger to our own doorstep one day?"376Please respect copyright.PENANAfzggBBTQyW
376Please respect copyright.PENANAAhjW1rpbTc
376Please respect copyright.PENANAHH7YZVgtyA
"He can never do that. He promised me that whatever he's involved in will never affect us."376Please respect copyright.PENANAewym5po6vr
376Please respect copyright.PENANAViI5nWGsyk
376Please respect copyright.PENANAUpW6x2qgZp
"I'm sorry, mum. But him coming to our doorstep with a gunshot wound is proof that he already did. When are you going to wake up and realize that?"376Please respect copyright.PENANATtZaNUD9vG
376Please respect copyright.PENANAphGVwte05d
376Please respect copyright.PENANAIyG2I6bczW
His mother still didn't look at Eugene. And he took it as his cue to leave. Before he could turn around and head for the door behind him, he turned back to her to say:376Please respect copyright.PENANAgNWvpZuGT3
376Please respect copyright.PENANA7uMQR9rE5n
376Please respect copyright.PENANAVBKzfvBiV7
"Mrs. York will be coming over to bring you breakfast. And she thinks it will be a good time for the two of you to switch so that you can go to the house to rest."376Please respect copyright.PENANAVVuUEnwTvX
376Please respect copyright.PENANAEBNQKcnWc6
376Please respect copyright.PENANAQDqfIYEwDv
Mrs. Chamberlin turned to Eugene. "And what if he wakes up and finds that I'm not here? I need to be here when he does."376Please respect copyright.PENANAoGAykvkrDV
376Please respect copyright.PENANAwytHfVH0Nv
376Please respect copyright.PENANAXOboqcmtmH
"Seriously, mum, I don't know if you care about yourself at all."376Please respect copyright.PENANADZ0l2WR1Fc
376Please respect copyright.PENANAjxWB46KE09
376Please respect copyright.PENANAQNTOMNwoUz
Mrs. Chamberlin couldn't help but swallow. She noticed the look in his eyes. It might be him being tired from being up all night, but there is a sense of darkness in them that she has never seen before. She wondered where it came from. Could it be after having a talk about his father? She couldn't tell, but seeing him like he is now made her realize that there's something different about him.376Please respect copyright.PENANAVK6d8jDsQe
376Please respect copyright.PENANAItMUeufLR1
376Please respect copyright.PENANAFjMkaVZoZ1
He said his goodbye, and without a second glance, turned and walked away, not realizing that he left a cold trail in his wake. Mrs. Chamberlin, at that point in time, didn't know if this was her son or some stranger.376Please respect copyright.PENANAZS7g4keRc9
376Please respect copyright.PENANAReIei7rYjs
376Please respect copyright.PENANAszazz9VmpN
Eugene had every right to be in the mood he was currently in. His mother still stuck to her marriage like a lifeline. He wished she would one day realize how much of a baggage his father was. Secondly, so many things happened last night that he didn't know what to think of his best friend anymore.376Please respect copyright.PENANAYGvltcUPTA
376Please respect copyright.PENANANIVW2vWqXs
376Please respect copyright.PENANA90ho6WTrBq
After surprising Miguel with his presence last night, Eugene asked him where he was. Miguel lied to his face, saying he went out for some fresh air and didn't expect it to take so long. Eugene went on to ask him why he looked in such a mess, like he had just been beaten up in a fight. As usual, Miguel laughed it off and lied that he tripped and fell somewhere down the street. Eugene expected to be lied to, and he couldn't tell Miguel that he knew where he had been, for that might expose Miss Marie. So he pretended to buy the lie and told Miguel that he only passed by to have a chat. He left the place, saying that it was already late and he needed to be by Albert's side.376Please respect copyright.PENANA5izF8fzQbe
376Please respect copyright.PENANAoiYHKhbQ3B
376Please respect copyright.PENANA8mmf1WVhAr
Eugene had already found himself outside the hospital's premises, heading for the bus stop. His body was in flight mode, moving on its own while he continued to get lost in his own mind.376Please respect copyright.PENANABJDXqWgiNm
376Please respect copyright.PENANAbEvzPyysB8
376Please respect copyright.PENANA7knJz2cBWm
As soon as he reached the bus stop, he sent a message to Mr. Sinclair, telling him that he would be coming to work a little late. For any ordinary person, they would've accepted a day off with a loved one in the hospital. But in his case, he needed a distraction. And the idea of staying in the hospital didn't sit well with him. Not when his father is the reason why his mother and brother are suffering.376Please respect copyright.PENANAKidLlzqDGM
376Please respect copyright.PENANAvbNwcVFlPA
376Please respect copyright.PENANANPaYlzsClY
A bus was coming from a distance, and Eugene felt his heart beat so fast as he realized that he was going back to wake his brother up and tell him the awful news. It was best he heard the news from him. Albert is emotional, so he needed to be there just in case he had a breakdown.376Please respect copyright.PENANAWY4Z5X9Enk
376Please respect copyright.PENANAf4itaslmcL
376Please respect copyright.PENANAK0jYn6J5rG
As soon as the bus stopped right in front of him and the doors flew open, Eugene took deep breaths. He entered the bus feeling like he was going to a funeral. For whom, he wondered.376Please respect copyright.PENANAiD6PNr91KQ
376Please respect copyright.PENANA4rVM4wPrNS
376Please respect copyright.PENANAReJQ6v5pfM
***376Please respect copyright.PENANAcpERQ2daO5
376Please respect copyright.PENANA8FmKdb80oN
376Please respect copyright.PENANAUirgsPHtwZ
Rhénee turned in her bed, facing the window, this time around. She could tell the sun was now rising even when the curtain was drawn shut. She hadn't been able to sleep well the whole night as images of what happpened kept replaying in her mind, and she had just slept in intervals, only to be woken again by her dreams.376Please respect copyright.PENANAwL7hufEYkO
376Please respect copyright.PENANAfIcG3HVu2d
376Please respect copyright.PENANATLczlfjuV7
She suddenly sat up and decided to take a walk around the house. Her body ached with tiredness, and she decided that a cup of coffee would do her good.376Please respect copyright.PENANAJcBwqL5TrG
376Please respect copyright.PENANAUDUPDdzH9H
376Please respect copyright.PENANAodTpembbl0
After getting out of bed and wearing her purple bed slippers, she started to make her way out of the room when she heard her phone on the bedside table vibrate. She wondered who could be texting her this early in the morning. Perhaps her mother? Rhénee could only wonder what her mother would say if she were ever to tell her about the events of yesterday. She would drive here with her brother, Rhénee thought, and force her to go back home.376Please respect copyright.PENANAV6ikEnjg2U
376Please respect copyright.PENANAzNoucDRp65
376Please respect copyright.PENANAv6X4aZ5BsH
She went back to her bed to get her phone, and she found herself sitting back down on the bed. As she checked her phone, she found she had a message from Mr. Sinclair telling her to meet him at his office at 11:30 AM so that they could go and have lunch together. Rhénee raised an eyebrow. He was taking her somewhere more public. It didn't seem convenient, but it must be because he knows I won't overreact in a public place, she thought.376Please respect copyright.PENANA7YVhzJBLef
376Please respect copyright.PENANArVrwzCHXBa
376Please respect copyright.PENANAJAXiuyw4Xq
She texted him back, saying that she would be there, and stood up from her bed, making sure to carry her phone with her.376Please respect copyright.PENANAZjqHI7vOvU
376Please respect copyright.PENANA4hFv2ev5ry
376Please respect copyright.PENANA8KGuGUzGfy
After walking out of her room and closing the door behind her, the silence of the house greeted her. She stood in the hall for a while, taking it in. She thought if she moved or made a sound, it would disturb the calm of the place. But the sweet sounds of the birds singing outside her bedroom window did the trick, though not in a harmful way.376Please respect copyright.PENANAIy7zhXuIMG
376Please respect copyright.PENANAFJBnaJUAgy
376Please respect copyright.PENANADSutUcShiw
She walked down the hall, bypassing her late grandmother's room. Stopping to look at the door, she thought of going in. But the events of yesterday came to her mind in a flash, making her think twice. She realized that all that's been going on right now since she came here is because of her grandmother, which stirred up a lot of mixed feelings.376Please respect copyright.PENANAtwZul2zCzw
376Please respect copyright.PENANAeblIVzOc33
376Please respect copyright.PENANAhU7YNpDCOp
She scoffed and turned away, heading to the stairs and to the kitchen.376Please respect copyright.PENANAZi4E5oH4LU
376Please respect copyright.PENANAF6NAZhoRrB
376Please respect copyright.PENANAjQFohL2vPK
Upon entering the kitchen, she was greeted by the warm sun's rays that penetrated through the white kitchen curtain. The feeling was comforting, and it made Rhénee smile a little. She went on ahead to the coffee maker and started to bring out the coffee beans and sugar from the cupboard straight above her. Likewise, she made sure to pour some water into the coffee maker as well as putting in the coffee in the filter and switching on the appliance. She sat down on the kitchen stool near the island, waiting for the coffee to brew.376Please respect copyright.PENANAh5abwlOaRq
376Please respect copyright.PENANAVnzAwB5dpx
376Please respect copyright.PENANAuNn3RtcD19
Nevertheless, she decided to look through her phone, checking things out on social media. She found herself looking at a post by one of her friends, whom she hadn't talked to since she came here. Seeing this made her realize that she hadn't talked to any of her friends in what felt like forever, when she had only been here for a few days. With so much going on, time seems to have moved so fast when it barely has at all.376Please respect copyright.PENANAu10oprGeqV
376Please respect copyright.PENANAywy5epSDES
376Please respect copyright.PENANAE0mWNL8EYe
Her coffee was still brewing, so she left the social media page and decided to call the one friend who wouldn't mind being bothered so early in the morning.376Please respect copyright.PENANAcGe6piQaST
376Please respect copyright.PENANAjxKHtDsMpy
376Please respect copyright.PENANAugM6rZY71b
After finding their number in her contacts, she called it and put the phone to her ear. She heard the dialling tone and waited. It didn't take long before the person on the other end picked up.376Please respect copyright.PENANA29nEo5lgtx
376Please respect copyright.PENANAy5PMrvDxMB
376Please respect copyright.PENANAvIYW3lP3fT
"Rhénee?" There was a sleepy male voice on the other end. "Hey, it's been a long time. How are you?"376Please respect copyright.PENANA10u1WjAIVO
376Please respect copyright.PENANAMGAxUW7uj6
376Please respect copyright.PENANAxkOHfaG9Yl
"I'm good, thanks; how are you, Alex?"376Please respect copyright.PENANALZJeBT6lma
376Please respect copyright.PENANAe3qHFmlezy
376Please respect copyright.PENANAj4ZlNC1cvG
"Never better, now that you've called. I thought you forgot about me."376Please respect copyright.PENANAXevMqhdeuQ
376Please respect copyright.PENANAuEpfICKteC
376Please respect copyright.PENANAgKMAE81zUV
Rhénee looked up at the ceiling. "Yeah, I think I must have."376Please respect copyright.PENANAVV46iXhrCN
376Please respect copyright.PENANAwTbdlDBaWf
376Please respect copyright.PENANA5W8S2U47r3
"Don't tell me you've made a tonne of friends over there and that you forgot about me. Or did your late grandmother's fortune get to your head?"376Please respect copyright.PENANA8Gb01Dp896
376Please respect copyright.PENANAygeRUXPVqt
376Please respect copyright.PENANAHAwMUMYHLs
The last thing Rhénee needed was to talk about her grandmother, but she had to act like nothing was bothering her for the time being.376Please respect copyright.PENANAhgAB5pMTwl
376Please respect copyright.PENANAAa2pfmZXQc
376Please respect copyright.PENANAUtg2dOwcsi
"You're just as funny as usual," said Rhénee with a smile on her face. "I've just been busy."376Please respect copyright.PENANAyQlWSLRAmE
376Please respect copyright.PENANASqh6uKZMR8
376Please respect copyright.PENANAnvHqC6FSsh
"Yeah, a new house and a new life must be a lot of work."376Please respect copyright.PENANAOyor78Ik5u
376Please respect copyright.PENANAtgk8JCzl95
376Please respect copyright.PENANA2AW9LqdMPd
"You've no idea. But I'm getting by just fine. I know it's been forever since I last came here, but a number of people still recognize me. So I don't feel entirely alone."376Please respect copyright.PENANAAYXzJ411Iz
376Please respect copyright.PENANARJXLXpMlkC
376Please respect copyright.PENANA5Frd97sBk3
"Please, it's impossible to forget a person like you. And you were adorable when you were younger, so there is that."376Please respect copyright.PENANAN0YbZPR55O
376Please respect copyright.PENANA2OvkramHiZ
376Please respect copyright.PENANA55sxSjn3ql
"I wasn't adorable when I was younger."376Please respect copyright.PENANASoMrBXuN6O
376Please respect copyright.PENANA8LZzqlUCuU
376Please respect copyright.PENANAxQsdcnbgb8
"I've seen your baby pictures, Rhénee. You were just the cutest."376Please respect copyright.PENANAFOq8XeaMYH
376Please respect copyright.PENANAqrexVmbRQu
376Please respect copyright.PENANABp2RFiGpAi
"Who showed you my baby photos?"376Please respect copyright.PENANAdK93D73set
376Please respect copyright.PENANAtO4VmBiCMZ
376Please respect copyright.PENANA5YBdNSj2dB
"Zoey, of course."376Please respect copyright.PENANALwImqRLqR9
376Please respect copyright.PENANAoDXvjpgRs2
376Please respect copyright.PENANAvTMbopywZ7
The two continued to chat, even about the old times. To Rhénee, it felt good to have her mind off of things, even when she knew it wasn't going to last long. As she poured herself a cup of coffee, she laughed at Alex's jokes and what he had to say about other people, especially their close friends.376Please respect copyright.PENANA8IbjmhyTV7
376Please respect copyright.PENANAd6jjZfaxxr
376Please respect copyright.PENANAkTIHhLyejK
"Goodness, I wish you were still with us, Rhénee," he said. "Everyone misses you here."376Please respect copyright.PENANAM4xOPqP28M
376Please respect copyright.PENANA4wZ1Br1sDD
376Please respect copyright.PENANA8hhLWWeQFg
"Yeah, I miss the place too," she said as she looked out of the window. "Don't worry though. When the holidays arrive, I'll make sure to be there. My mum will kill me if I don't."376Please respect copyright.PENANAOyovtAudOB
376Please respect copyright.PENANA0V3WPCCo4t
376Please respect copyright.PENANAaRoT59ZFD5
"Knowing your mother, I won't be surprised. How come she hasn't even thought of coming to get you back? I'll make sure to tag along if the thought ever crosses her mind."376Please respect copyright.PENANAvqRwGtG3mp
376Please respect copyright.PENANAtweZKmdQbd
376Please respect copyright.PENANAsrAeVCZx9M
"Because I told her not to. I know she cares about me, but she never treats Ryan that way, and they stay in the same city."376Please respect copyright.PENANAHKEZJoSKnP
376Please respect copyright.PENANAoX1rMZMBeY
376Please respect copyright.PENANAERmyech7rf
"Sorry, Rhénee, but you should know that you're her baby girl. Of course she would worry."376Please respect copyright.PENANAcOePVJwhRp
376Please respect copyright.PENANAY9acXL4GM2
376Please respect copyright.PENANAdxsGgxjB6t
"I wonder when she will ever get over me. I can look after myself, for goodness sake."376Please respect copyright.PENANABxbR4S592q
376Please respect copyright.PENANAQww5f56g4X
376Please respect copyright.PENANA9yd9owjRAF
"She'll get over it when she feels like it. Give her a break."376Please respect copyright.PENANA6yFKeEUYM4
376Please respect copyright.PENANA4LCcS8UOSE
376Please respect copyright.PENANAXiXrvC9kFj
Rhénee thought she heard footsteps in the other room. Miss Griselda must be awake.376Please respect copyright.PENANAsxScWOBFTf
376Please respect copyright.PENANA0I53nlm3YZ
376Please respect copyright.PENANA6KDOmfZQv3
"Anyway, I better get myself ready for the day. It was nice talking to you, Alex."376Please respect copyright.PENANAGl1wBhslAu
376Please respect copyright.PENANAB0v8SJ2IRm
376Please respect copyright.PENANAKKgrawZltO
"You should call every day. It will be nice to hear your voice every morning."376Please respect copyright.PENANAG4Hgh8JEtC
376Please respect copyright.PENANAmkDREtzTeA
376Please respect copyright.PENANAsO8HXIjwpp
Rhénee chuckled. "Why don't you get out of bed and go flirt with other girls?"376Please respect copyright.PENANAUEGpB3Ywwv
376Please respect copyright.PENANAxZmd2kwp4R
376Please respect copyright.PENANACvI1ZnxV7k
Alex, on the other end, laughed. "Oh, Rhénee, you're the only girl for me; don't you know that?"376Please respect copyright.PENANAAX0LTWOFDu
376Please respect copyright.PENANAeTmvqhu13K
376Please respect copyright.PENANAou6PEEcpMu
"Bye, Alex," said Rhénee, not ready for Alex's proposals, which he always made. This time she wasn't going to hear it. Even when she misses him for doing it.376Please respect copyright.PENANAsjWNnsUE6y
376Please respect copyright.PENANAV2VsQkzUFX
376Please respect copyright.PENANAFAsJPVMtO0
After he said his goodbye, she cut the call and placed her phone on the table as she went to the sink to wash her cup. The door to the kitchen flew open, and Rhénee turned to see Miss Griselda walk in.376Please respect copyright.PENANA5xRlG9YhAL
376Please respect copyright.PENANArQswmjRECY
376Please respect copyright.PENANAm8AjwwdYRX
"Morning, Rhénee," Miss Griselda greeted her. "Did you have a good night's sleep?"376Please respect copyright.PENANAGODdzyDMmj
376Please respect copyright.PENANAHjaipoXvt0
376Please respect copyright.PENANAOQ2aNdpYJx
"Not really," Rhénee answered. "I'm guessing that you didn't sleep well, either." She had finished washing her cup and had put it to dry on the plate rack.376Please respect copyright.PENANA8FcsMw6siI
376Please respect copyright.PENANAc3EAB4wNEG
376Please respect copyright.PENANAHIW1Kuh7Hb
"No. I barely slept a wink."376Please respect copyright.PENANAhyyGHSIm2f
376Please respect copyright.PENANAK3YwQq1Htu
376Please respect copyright.PENANAp6e7ureY2v
"There's still some hot coffee if you need it." Rhénee pointed to the coffee maker.376Please respect copyright.PENANAw0iUhF5op6
376Please respect copyright.PENANAABRwfU484E
376Please respect copyright.PENANAVVoPM34txU
"I heard you talking to someone just now over the phone." Miss Griselda went over to the cupboards to get herself a cup. "Who was it?"376Please respect copyright.PENANA2tKUqSMWUG
376Please respect copyright.PENANAlFWjg4P15F
376Please respect copyright.PENANAl2hMaaUQwT
"A friend of mine. I hadn't talked to him in what felt like forever."376Please respect copyright.PENANA2DD7M005C1
376Please respect copyright.PENANA0cErF5H6ep
376Please respect copyright.PENANA7SJNgZ4OUI
"That's nice. You sounded like you were having a nice chat." Miss Griselda took a cup and poured herself some coffee.376Please respect copyright.PENANAsH44dxOG2N
376Please respect copyright.PENANAiTNb4M8mLf
376Please respect copyright.PENANAV9CjQXtikX
"I did. If only people like him knew what's really happening in my life right now. But the last thing I need is for him to get involved in something as dangerous as this."376Please respect copyright.PENANAuff6TEJOSL
376Please respect copyright.PENANADenIeW83SK
376Please respect copyright.PENANA7JM0lnmij4
"A wise and sensible decision." Miss Griselda took a sip of the coffee, and her eyes brightened up a bit. "This coffee tastes great."376Please respect copyright.PENANAPYmesaAiQd
376Please respect copyright.PENANAicNKeCCBLQ
376Please respect copyright.PENANA0M7B3UnzQq
"I'm just fortunate. I didn't do anything to make it as nice as you make it." Rhénee chuckled.376Please respect copyright.PENANA0Mw6jAyLu7
376Please respect copyright.PENANAfvvbjV1cuL
376Please respect copyright.PENANAtM6BTfBfqa
"So what do you have planned for the day?" Miss Griselda asked as she sat on one of the stools. "I hope you haven't forgotten that you've to meet Mr. Sinclair."376Please respect copyright.PENANAQCm5pebPRT
376Please respect copyright.PENANA66iechgLvK
376Please respect copyright.PENANAEzdpEwG9f7
"No, I haven't," Rhénee replied as she walked away from the sink towards Miss Girselda. "He texted me this morning what time to meet and where."376Please respect copyright.PENANAgjqEswM4I4
376Please respect copyright.PENANA4vLNELUuGX
376Please respect copyright.PENANA91tqikGdJY
"Wherever you will be, don't try and give him a hard time, dear. You're quite stubborn, you know."376Please respect copyright.PENANAhA6FtZgzoV
376Please respect copyright.PENANAyMp5eadUf3
376Please respect copyright.PENANAlKLdXNfB22
"Oh, I think he already knows that. The message clearly states he'll be taking me out for lunch. So you don't have to worry."376Please respect copyright.PENANAFNfSc5BfN1
376Please respect copyright.PENANAl7wwtDmUhy
376Please respect copyright.PENANAzplml7V68U
"Well, something tells me you'll still put him on edge with your questions."376Please respect copyright.PENANAXSN4ktWHZG
376Please respect copyright.PENANADizuVnsQyH
376Please respect copyright.PENANAjPkPwX2TGs
Rhénee raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? The way I see it, the man seems as cool as a cucumber. You saw how he was yesterday when we came back from the forest."376Please respect copyright.PENANAiWSv1peUCG
376Please respect copyright.PENANA1Ff5vk5RTW
376Please respect copyright.PENANAbaYDRSWwWu
"I know. But just be careful of what you want to say to him, okay?"376Please respect copyright.PENANAypptGTg2vr
376Please respect copyright.PENANAoNUCYibDsW
376Please respect copyright.PENANAkrXV0iiCYe
"As you wish." Rhénee didn't like the feeling of being defeated so easily, especially from Miss Griselda.376Please respect copyright.PENANAXtxXfLjx95
376Please respect copyright.PENANAJ6ClFJsxYs
376Please respect copyright.PENANAgEv6hNDh2q
"I plan on making pancakes today. Would you want some? I figured that we had a tough day yesterday it would brighten our day at least."376Please respect copyright.PENANALWGOM7NQRg
376Please respect copyright.PENANAjKsTNiHHPj
376Please respect copyright.PENANA3EbeV9TDzm
That put up a smile on Rhénee's face. "That sounds great. Let me go freshen up first."376Please respect copyright.PENANAwFKnhvVqJl
376Please respect copyright.PENANAJZJe4EZ1UI
376Please respect copyright.PENANARo0VYmGtyC
Rhénee made her way to the door while Miss Griselda continued sipping on her coffee. Rhénee stopped for a bit as she wanted to turn around and ask Miss Griselda something concerning last night. But she stopped herself knowing fully well that Miss Griselda might not want to talk about it right now. She opened the kitchen door and walked out.376Please respect copyright.PENANAIoHd8QAj8Q
376Please respect copyright.PENANAZ48XCoj5gm
376Please respect copyright.PENANAHMNBV6hlNd
***376Please respect copyright.PENANAaNO3tCqUlA
376Please respect copyright.PENANARy5Krill4d
376Please respect copyright.PENANAzyrSI9qf0g
Eugene walked out of the room he and his brother had slept in. He had just told the news of his father's accident to Albert, and as Eugene expected. He didn't take it so lightly, but mention that their father was now out of danger.376Please respect copyright.PENANAsLkGDC5bGW
376Please respect copyright.PENANAdJ4KMrc2eh
376Please respect copyright.PENANA6Z1TJjLVEY
Albert had also asked if that's the reason why they couldn't go back to the house. Eugene replied accordingly, stating that their father had come home badly injured. Albert understood, but there was no denying that that he was disturbed. Eugene suggested that Albert should not go to school until he felt like it. Albert thought so too and he told Eugene that he wanted to be left alone. Respecting his brother's wishes, Eugene left the room and headed down stairs where the smell of food from the kitchen was calling to him. Eugene now realized just how hungry he was.376Please respect copyright.PENANA8LZtC8SsC2
376Please respect copyright.PENANAqm6SawvlbB
376Please respect copyright.PENANAeGlur0ihAz
As he entered the kitchen, he found Mrs. York by the stove making scrambled eggs. He also noticed that there was toasted bread, a jug of juice and a pot of hot coffee on the kitchen table. Mrs. York turned to look at him as she heard him enter the kitchen with a smile.376Please respect copyright.PENANAGveB5SCw3B
376Please respect copyright.PENANANWQH0kl7Us
376Please respect copyright.PENANAXP8gHArLXi
"Please, Eugene, sit," she told him.376Please respect copyright.PENANAc7PSJrsEFl
376Please respect copyright.PENANA7KLdgYI4yS
376Please respect copyright.PENANAgBol5nUjye
Eugene did just that. "How is Mr. York this morning?" he asked.376Please respect copyright.PENANAkHGxv4cRdW
376Please respect copyright.PENANAlrVnFlppRl
376Please respect copyright.PENANAItHtDAyBNu
"Oh, he's still fast asleep," she answered as she turned back to the eggs on the stove. "With the meds he is on, he sleeps like a rock. How did Albert take the news?"376Please respect copyright.PENANAeQVYPoKI4t
376Please respect copyright.PENANAMtLu32tFt1
376Please respect copyright.PENANAdflSyFfUpr
Eugene clenched his hand into a fist. "Not too well, I'm afraid. He looked like he was about throw up or something. He wanted to be left alone for a bit."376Please respect copyright.PENANA1hXVQdWrNB
376Please respect copyright.PENANA8rtYtVC30v
376Please respect copyright.PENANATxIkklfaeU
"Will he be going to school?" Mrs. York removed the pan on the stove and put the eggs on a plate.376Please respect copyright.PENANAeqbrFacRaf
376Please respect copyright.PENANAnojZ1R9vfF
376Please respect copyright.PENANApo9xICliYP
"No. He won't be able to concentrate. Plus, people might be talking about it a lot."376Please respect copyright.PENANAvQ27S7PSRI
376Please respect copyright.PENANApccg0sEYwy
376Please respect copyright.PENANAfyMz0TF0Jb
Mrs. York approached the table with the plate and laid it in the table. "People will always talk, and you know that better than him."376Please respect copyright.PENANAtgw7GqXiVr
376Please respect copyright.PENANA4182i5MAMy
376Please respect copyright.PENANA9datUBFKXm
She pulled a chair to take a seat. "And what about you?" she asked. "Are you going for work?"376Please respect copyright.PENANA1xWFHb7mX1
376Please respect copyright.PENANAi2wyDWxKPR
376Please respect copyright.PENANAOjQkg5J8zW
Eugene gave a nod of his head. "I need to get my mind distracted from all this," he answered.376Please respect copyright.PENANACRnE2MJHiK
376Please respect copyright.PENANA4wNZaBgeXv
376Please respect copyright.PENANAGTCQcwCGGj
"I see." Mrs. York took one of the cups on the table and poured herself a cup of coffee from the coffeemaker. "I'm guessing your meeting with your mother didn't go well?"376Please respect copyright.PENANA2Nl0pqrCy8
376Please respect copyright.PENANAE203FNL44R
376Please respect copyright.PENANA3gA9cSs97Q
Eugene looked at Mrs. York and gave a nod of his head. "No matter, she didn't want to hear anything regarding her leaving him."376Please respect copyright.PENANAF0wsWCJ2h4
376Please respect copyright.PENANAVlQWaevuos
376Please respect copyright.PENANASqzzjVy7Be
"Well, that wasn't the most appropriate time for that," said Mrs. York as she took a plate and placed two slices of toast from the main plate. "You know how your mother still loves your father. You better eat up while the eggs are still hot."376Please respect copyright.PENANA4qNww2mjL9
376Please respect copyright.PENANAx3vtlCzAAv
376Please respect copyright.PENANAGzexuEpLSp
Eugene served himself a glass of juice and toast and eggs. "There's no denying that she still loves him," he said. "I'm afraid him coming to our house to ask for help spells danger for all of us. I don't trust him."376Please respect copyright.PENANAzx9KuufmJX
376Please respect copyright.PENANAiRQUzafUiD
376Please respect copyright.PENANAuaH4SsCHyh
"Same here. It's going to take a lot to convince that stubborn mother of yours. But lets not think about it right now. Focus on taking of her and your brother."376Please respect copyright.PENANANQ4T3rtw4Q
376Please respect copyright.PENANAYx8F7DSFHN
376Please respect copyright.PENANA40G4lfdRgZ
"I can't do that when she sticks to my father like it's all she knows how to do."376Please respect copyright.PENANAIaDSfxjQ9c
376Please respect copyright.PENANAFm37dA3vJX
376Please respect copyright.PENANAOuIa6skX5x
Mrs. York sighed and she took a bite out of her toast. "It will take some sort of a miracle to tear those two apart."376Please respect copyright.PENANAtzm38vXu2P
376Please respect copyright.PENANAVyqRAz8Nuw
376Please respect copyright.PENANAT4lXMlJyu3
"You're right. Now that I think about it, I might as well just leave it be."376Please respect copyright.PENANAwVVyjK6a08
376Please respect copyright.PENANAV52l6uoDEN
376Please respect copyright.PENANAsL2yhNWLwN
The two continued to eat their breakfast and as soon as they were done, Eugene went to prepare himself to go to work. Mrs. York had fortunately taken the liberty of taking some of his and Albert's clothes from the house when the police were around. Their house was still a crime scene, but knowing that his father had been injured else where, they might bring down the yellow tape sooner than expected.376Please respect copyright.PENANApBiipiHSDX
376Please respect copyright.PENANAdEiiYFEA9u
376Please respect copyright.PENANA6alhvRpMuG
Before leaving for work, Eugene went to check up on Albert. Lucky enough, he found Mrs. York encouraging him to go to the kitchen and have something to eat. He also made sure to call Eugene's home room teacher to tell her that he wasn't going to be in today.376Please respect copyright.PENANAk169AwF2Y2
376Please respect copyright.PENANAVXRFDzHyM4
376Please respect copyright.PENANAsw5pcreuvK
After saying his goodbyes, he made his way out of the house, heading for the bus station. There was no need for him to call Miguel to pick him up for work like always. Eugene thought he wouldn't even go in his car, if Miguel was to appear at the moment.376Please respect copyright.PENANAhgAwMYRiA0
376Please respect copyright.PENANAiZTI7uZWWV
376Please respect copyright.PENANAJlidGwUlzQ
Knowing fully well, that he already told his boss that he won't be coming in early, Eugene took his time walking. While he did so, he wondered what he would tell his workmates at the office when he gets there.376Please respect copyright.PENANAYY3jH8mcaL
376Please respect copyright.PENANAGmvBg2T0u2
376Please respect copyright.PENANAE8I9oiubFI
***376Please respect copyright.PENANA02NSjJuzXy
376Please respect copyright.PENANAzLVIlknDDi
376Please respect copyright.PENANAgijDXmVWGD
Rhénee looked at the time and figured it was now time to leave and head to Mr. Sinclair's office. She had been seated outside the patio, overlooking the garden with Miss Griselda and Sofie at her feet.376Please respect copyright.PENANALOKjHgeayY
376Please respect copyright.PENANAzf3AN7aNvF
376Please respect copyright.PENANA4mrL9TMgmQ
"I better get going now," Rhénee announced as she stood up from her seat. "I don't want to be late."376Please respect copyright.PENANAjMQEPlT6IQ
376Please respect copyright.PENANA7RYmyJOgeI
376Please respect copyright.PENANASWZblYRchi
"Alright," said Miss Griselda, sewing her red dress on the collar. "Remember what I told you about Mr. Sinclair and your questions."376Please respect copyright.PENANAyWjgjb8ucF
376Please respect copyright.PENANAobnqNI0zoa
376Please respect copyright.PENANAilpLtFApfn
Rhénee gave Miss Griselda a smirk. "I'll do my best. I'm not going to promise anything."376Please respect copyright.PENANAOhDoeSntoK
376Please respect copyright.PENANAwFiqA2el1b
376Please respect copyright.PENANAIFihe1gheI
Miss Grisleda looked up at Rhénee, regardless. "Take care," she said. "Make sure you don't wander off on your own like you did yesterday."376Please respect copyright.PENANAcD6xoMrksG
376Please respect copyright.PENANAwLFv7gVSfy
376Please respect copyright.PENANATloiivurNZ
Rhénee gave a nod of her head and started to make her way to the back of the house to the garage. She had left the door open leading to it an hour ago as she had come into the garage to check on the car for oil and gas. She also took the extra precaution of looking around the car for anything suspicious. You can never know with what's been going on around her lately. She had to be extra careful from now on, and that meant checking her car once in a while.376Please respect copyright.PENANADWvemJyNNL
376Please respect copyright.PENANAVsqMNX1Iz8
376Please respect copyright.PENANASul25Ae6yl
She unlocked the car, opened the door and we went in. She started the engine and soon enough, she drove the car out of the garage and onto the front drive way. As she passed the front lawns of the house, she noticed Kevin at a distance mowing the lawn. He didn't have to come in for work today and Rhénee told him that this morning when he came to her door. But he insisted that he stick around just in case trouble came by. Besides, he also had to keep up appearances for people to see, or else they would figure out that something is wrong.376Please respect copyright.PENANA9dhVbzKmVQ
376Please respect copyright.PENANADEHiNBJkDC
376Please respect copyright.PENANA3uBLZhUVhF
Kevin stopped mowing as he saw her drive by and waved. Rhénee slowed the car and waved back. She reached the open front gates and drove off towards the town.376Please respect copyright.PENANASVzggHFXYG
376Please respect copyright.PENANAS2BaO4nZ3S
376Please respect copyright.PENANAJOVFUH9ajo
It took Rhénee less than ten minutes to find herself at the town centre. It's good she arrived on time. Even if Madison was a small town, slight traffic was starting to build up. The place isn't like New York where traffic could sometimes get you late, but Rhénee always liked to be where she had to be on time.376Please respect copyright.PENANAHQxkO92UVd
376Please respect copyright.PENANA1RAzkxgWXm
376Please respect copyright.PENANA8uIE9chnOz
She reached the law firm and packed right outside in the car park. She checked the time. It's only ten minutes till 11:30. Better early than late, she told herslef as she took her small white handbag and got out of the car.376Please respect copyright.PENANAgRptZJTCJQ
376Please respect copyright.PENANAqiWZL42q8L
376Please respect copyright.PENANAWsGgGkXzas
After locking the door, she started to make her way to the building. She bypassed a guard making his rounds through the car park and she acknowledged her with a greeting by touching the brim of his cap. Rhénee in response smiled at him.376Please respect copyright.PENANACGu6LtYf4I
376Please respect copyright.PENANA8ZTtdMj6E0
376Please respect copyright.PENANAF1a5HKeFwx
Before entering the building, two women in grey suits who she pointed out as lawyers, walked out through the front door. A chill ran down her spine all of a sudden as she had a strange feeling that she was being watched.376Please respect copyright.PENANAplGWF7SDG5
376Please respect copyright.PENANAtfKhVRLvfY
376Please respect copyright.PENANArl9CSRgs8Z
She looked behind her at the car park. Nothing seemed suspicious or was she just thinking too much? If there was one thing her father taught her over the years, is not to ignore your instincts, especially in such a situation she now found herself in.376Please respect copyright.PENANAKGWOSs3J7j
376Please respect copyright.PENANAZYG1GP12GL
376Please respect copyright.PENANAGd6M0V66Cr
With one last look around the car park, Rhénee turned around and started to make her way into the building. It wasn't her first time there so she made her way to the front desk and told the receptionist that she had an appointment with Mr. Sinclair. The receptionist told her to go right ahead. Rhénee thanked her and made her way to the elevator.376Please respect copyright.PENANAnQWR6DJf0q
376Please respect copyright.PENANAFV0CEhVsB7
376Please respect copyright.PENANALn49KXVeKm
Eugene continued to stare blankly at his computer in his work station. He hadn't managed to get much work done as his mind wandered off every now and then, thinking of his mother and brother. Maybe he shouldn't have come to work after all. When his workmates first saw him, they were actually surprised. They didn't bother to ask him why he had come, but they did ask how his father was doing. Eugene knew they were only trying to be sympathetic, but he could tell that they found him pretty weird to be coming in for work, especially with what happened.376Please respect copyright.PENANAaz76kVjk06
376Please respect copyright.PENANAs8hIOx9Lx0
376Please respect copyright.PENANAoPJZJ6afLi
He could feel people's eyes on him every now and then. That bothered him. At a time when he had to go get a piece of paper by the printer, he thought he heard two of his colleagues whispering. He thought he heard his name and when he turned to look at them, they stopped talking and went about their business. It's either they were talking about him or now he's mind was just playing tricks on him. With his mind so preoccupied, he couldn't tell which was which.376Please respect copyright.PENANACFKmj9KzEz
376Please respect copyright.PENANAEDgl6X86i9
376Please respect copyright.PENANA9qZXRJrRzU
He groaned and finally stood up from his desk. Looking at the screen wasn't going to do him any good, not when he couldn't concentrate. Even when Theodore and Mr. Sinclair had given him less work to do to, he still couldn't get anything done.376Please respect copyright.PENANAaIHIZ6B6mV
376Please respect copyright.PENANA4C54AZYGcx
376Please respect copyright.PENANAwu2LiVsiHG
Eugene gave a good stretch with his arms wide, that he almost hit someone who was walking round his cubicle. He stopped himself just in time and when he turned to see who it was, he found Preeta with a stack of files standing there.376Please respect copyright.PENANAWKxmMeVck8
376Please respect copyright.PENANAS3uWzekZEI
376Please respect copyright.PENANANSuLLBaYld
"Oh, sorry, Preeta," he said, dropping his hands. "I didn't see you there."376Please respect copyright.PENANAFDWMExSW1p
376Please respect copyright.PENANAeIGzvkR0MU
376Please respect copyright.PENANAur8kVGxsiR
"Oh, no, it's fine," she said. "I stopped just in time."376Please respect copyright.PENANA4UjXsE8XSB
376Please respect copyright.PENANAiGzAy55WnS
376Please respect copyright.PENANAofVCyqe2h8
Eugene tried to smile at Preeta, but his facial muscles seemed too tired to do so. He noticed the worried look on Preeta's face, and knew she what she was going to ask.376Please respect copyright.PENANAyDutFyOHlu
376Please respect copyright.PENANAXsJu2WpzGq
376Please respect copyright.PENANA59IKXNt0AV
"Eugene, are you okay?" she asked. "Maybe you shouldn't have come in today."376Please respect copyright.PENANAHAMxfu1usq
376Please respect copyright.PENANAxita7TVxbe
376Please respect copyright.PENANAUg0USoX2aT
"I'm fine, Preeta," he answered. "I just need to keep my mind busy to forget all that's happening."376Please respect copyright.PENANAeG46gOVmxu
376Please respect copyright.PENANACVoxJySU6Y
376Please respect copyright.PENANAMV3CPm0VZ3
"But you can't, can you?" Preeta raised an eyebrow. "I can tell you're only stressing yourself out by being here."376Please respect copyright.PENANAk05iCry0pH
376Please respect copyright.PENANAxMQYXCh5Uy
376Please respect copyright.PENANAWrGYOASQni
"I know you're concerned, but I can take care of myself."376Please respect copyright.PENANAhSr49HZTmi
376Please respect copyright.PENANAcbzQMz6GWa
376Please respect copyright.PENANAattfwSnfG7
"I know you can, but if you ask me, you need to be with your brother and your mother right now. Isn't that's what most important?"376Please respect copyright.PENANAWE56R0aw0v
376Please respect copyright.PENANAAt2ST3wyJX
376Please respect copyright.PENANASfnPlIqLtY
Eugene sat back down on his chair, with a sigh. His hand fell upon the side of his face as he asked, "how can I ever go to my mother's side when she doesn't even listen to me at all?"376Please respect copyright.PENANASyljAClqlB
376Please respect copyright.PENANApJCWhswSiT
376Please respect copyright.PENANAEcASyT6Yo2
Preeta stood there silently, wondering whether to ask the question. She knew why he had asked this. His parents' affairs were well known to everyone in the town of Madison. And Preeta now found herself in some sort of bear trap.376Please respect copyright.PENANA5MmSQtLl0D
376Please respect copyright.PENANAmTday9wPr9
376Please respect copyright.PENANARBx4ukrVR0
"I wish I could answer that, Eugene," she found the voice to say. "Doesn't that have to be her decision?"376Please respect copyright.PENANAoikcvsq6Lx
376Please respect copyright.PENANAkaneDQkmd4
376Please respect copyright.PENANAfPZI6CCl1J
Eugene looked up at the ceiling. "Her decision, huh?"376Please respect copyright.PENANAgad6u0KqdB
376Please respect copyright.PENANAOfFuOTTMnh
376Please respect copyright.PENANApyIQw1S49C
Preeta looked at him, and she wished she could try and get Eugene out of the hole he was in. But he seems so lost in his own world. There was a sort of brokeness in his eyes and Preeta wondered if it's only his father's accident that might have caused it.376Please respect copyright.PENANAKFU4BCp5fx
376Please respect copyright.PENANACKKON0yoHJ
376Please respect copyright.PENANAY0nC5YYpEe
The land-line on Eugene's desk rang and before he could pick it, he continued to look up at the ceiling. Preeta looked at his landline that kept ringing, and then back at him. Should she pick the line instead, she thought. It could be important.376Please respect copyright.PENANAnOpDM6g6a1
376Please respect copyright.PENANAOo2k0H9JuB
376Please respect copyright.PENANAHOSM5M3OTQ
Before Preeta could even stretch her hand to reach the phone, Eugene quickly took it and put it to his ear. "Hello?" he answered.376Please respect copyright.PENANA5jK3KTe1n6
376Please respect copyright.PENANAqoPFueDJYe
376Please respect copyright.PENANAhndk5ClsXF
He listened to whoever was talking on the other end, and afterwards, he replied with a low grunt and put the receiver back in it's place.376Please respect copyright.PENANAaRLvuSqfGj
376Please respect copyright.PENANAChmcc9tD2A
376Please respect copyright.PENANAfPkLH49NoK
"Was that Mr. Sinclair?" Preeta asked.376Please respect copyright.PENANAzzOaFGiv0p
376Please respect copyright.PENANAIM1CFowZ7G
376Please respect copyright.PENANAS0WrxzYWbm
"No, his secretary called to go get some work files at her desk," he replied. "I better go. Those files won't fly here themselves."376Please respect copyright.PENANAplFv8qNYcM
376Please respect copyright.PENANAlU0Vcxvaun
376Please respect copyright.PENANAwA4m7IOhpx
Eugene stood up from his seat and before he could make his way to Mr. Sinclair's office, Preeta took hold of his shoulder to stop him.376Please respect copyright.PENANAK1MqCNI2IQ
376Please respect copyright.PENANA7JY3K4UnN0
376Please respect copyright.PENANA5GQgCjv4hc
"Hey, it will be lunch soon. Do you mind if we can go out?" Preeta asked. "We can get to talk if you want."376Please respect copyright.PENANAuBwHPz5Idz
376Please respect copyright.PENANA2toqhX1ftU
376Please respect copyright.PENANAkqBOf0P64E
Eugene looked at her and the corner of his lip was raised to a smile. "Yes, that will be very nice, thanks," he said.376Please respect copyright.PENANAJZJ9KFfkPs
376Please respect copyright.PENANA0vSZiSFSRD
376Please respect copyright.PENANAEZhmzJSKB2
"As soon as you're back, I'll meet you here at your station. Sounds good?"376Please respect copyright.PENANAfgEWJsX2HU
376Please respect copyright.PENANA0w4XfAFZ6Q
376Please respect copyright.PENANAw1YwiBUS4b
Eugene gave a nod of his head and without any hesitation, made his way to Sinclair's office.376Please respect copyright.PENANAvOUoN76gvF
376Please respect copyright.PENANAimbylINi8A
376Please respect copyright.PENANAEUZvtOWmtm
Rhénee stepped out of the elevator and started to make her way to Sinclair's office just down the hall. She had a clear view of the secretary's desk. The secretary looked away from her computer to see Rhénee approaching.376Please respect copyright.PENANAGGpxKfzs2p
376Please respect copyright.PENANA5SOLRvihwx
376Please respect copyright.PENANADctZxYCa2E
Before Rhénee could reach the secretary, there came the sound of footsteps coming from the other end of the hall, and a young man appeared in front of Rhénee entering the hall she was in and also approaching the secretary's desk.376Please respect copyright.PENANAN6rCEDg3Yp
376Please respect copyright.PENANArgEdrYuEGJ
376Please respect copyright.PENANAt3ClTcnuqE
"Ah, Eugene," said the secretary looking at him as he reached the desk first. "I thought I wasn't going to get the chance to see you. How is your father doing?"376Please respect copyright.PENANADrkVeNzT8q
376Please respect copyright.PENANAUj9InB1hvY
376Please respect copyright.PENANADULUQDZKH1
"He's out of danger at least," Eugene answered, not realizing that there was someone coming behind him.376Please respect copyright.PENANAhNv1Jsb68u
376Please respect copyright.PENANAqUusjRMzA5
376Please respect copyright.PENANALQBXZ75yRW
"Good morning," said Rhénee as she came to stand beside Eugene.376Please respect copyright.PENANAiEcQ353snX
376Please respect copyright.PENANAE5w6weqeyJ
376Please respect copyright.PENANAmztMlLUSDt
Her presence startled Eugene that he almost jumped in fright. He responded to her greeting bleakly.376Please respect copyright.PENANA9Oghn0kVVw
376Please respect copyright.PENANAh3U1liH8dT
376Please respect copyright.PENANARbR0EUyWsg
"Good morning, Rhénee," said Mrs. Clarks with so much enthusiasm, like she hadn't sounded sympathetic with Eugene minutes ago. "Mr. Sinclair just stepped out, but you can go in his office and wait for him there."376Please respect copyright.PENANAvMO2SxqfJW
376Please respect copyright.PENANAptcD630S50
376Please respect copyright.PENANAmM2iQuKLvG
"He trusts me to be in his office?" Rhénee asked, sounding surprised. "Won't it be better to wait for him out here?"376Please respect copyright.PENANAfKKqDbACgi
376Please respect copyright.PENANAlgMB939AUa
376Please respect copyright.PENANAEWCzOT7B0G
"No, he wouldn't mind. Please, you can walk right in."376Please respect copyright.PENANAiyXmWuowva
376Please respect copyright.PENANA3bCyfk6Rzv
376Please respect copyright.PENANA4JPY746bn9
Rhénee thought twice about it and quickly made up her mind and started to make her way to Sinclair's office.376Please respect copyright.PENANAKhAESvGB3V
376Please respect copyright.PENANAdnJrJPVTiX
376Please respect copyright.PENANAlQvAwJtWva
Eugene had been staring at Rhénee the whole time and it was only Mrs. Clarks placing the files so loudly on her desk, that brought him back to earth.376Please respect copyright.PENANA55ploZQgmd
376Please respect copyright.PENANA1Xg8ND8T61
376Please respect copyright.PENANANTXBSvwQos
"How is your father doing?" Mrs. Clarks asked as she looked on worringly at Eugene.376Please respect copyright.PENANAPwWTQQOGzo
376Please respect copyright.PENANAHpo5GLKsfd
376Please respect copyright.PENANAYDFg0zRgLz
Eugene quickly shook his head, trying his best to gather his thoughts. "Well, he's out of danger for now," he answered.376Please respect copyright.PENANAa7wi0L0CBN
376Please respect copyright.PENANAhbvVvJHhnn
376Please respect copyright.PENANAnwSuqMUjHz
"Just know that I have you and your family in my prayers. As soon as I heard the news, I got terrified. I still am. Do you know how he ended up like that?"376Please respect copyright.PENANAvgPMSKptOP
376Please respect copyright.PENANArRisU4PrKF
376Please respect copyright.PENANA1NVhiOKbFy
Eugene shook his head. "No clue. He didn’t tell my mum anything, either. He passed out when he got to the house."376Please respect copyright.PENANA6GbE1Td0iW
376Please respect copyright.PENANAuh3tGxmutr
376Please respect copyright.PENANAW2CQBMAQPd
"It’s good that he’s okay. But isn’t it bad for him, though? I hear it was a gunshot wound, and the police are now investigating the matter. Did he say who shot him or what had happened?"376Please respect copyright.PENANASuPKyjhquL
376Please respect copyright.PENANAnTTFkG74CQ
376Please respect copyright.PENANA2JJI5F6fwc
Eugene shook his head. "No, he didn’t say anything to mum before he passed out."376Please respect copyright.PENANA3jbvD4tEI2
376Please respect copyright.PENANA5YjhsdUK1T
376Please respect copyright.PENANAcUw1Fkq8YE
"Well, I hope it isn’t serious. No one reported any shootings, though, so hopefully it was just an explainable accident. It would be pretty bad if it turns out that he was involved in something shady."376Please respect copyright.PENANAVTr9ekUM61
376Please respect copyright.PENANA79BZMxgdyg
376Please respect copyright.PENANANPUKsI3hww
Eugene had had enough of Mrs. Clarks' talk as he picks up the files on the desk. "I better be going now. I’ll see you later."376Please respect copyright.PENANAKIEJlCIlLl
376Please respect copyright.PENANAdIBxeYzYpy
376Please respect copyright.PENANAAHU6volEGt
"You take care of yourself, dear. And tell your mother that I’m praying for her."376Please respect copyright.PENANANu6ubgqttF
376Please respect copyright.PENANAKEnUZQr7aV
376Please respect copyright.PENANABHJBcHfjW6
Eugene gave a nod of his head and turned around to make his way back to his workstation. He completely forgot about Rhénee, who stood in Sinclair’s office and had heard the entire conversation.
arrow_back
Rhénee Johnson: Emelda's Sapphire (Book One)
more_vert
-
info_outline Info
-
toc Table of Contents
-
share Share
-
format_color_text Display Settings
-
exposure_plus_1 Recommend
-
Sponsor
-
report_problem Report
-
account_circle Login
Search stories, writers or societies
Continue ReadingClear All
What Others Are ReadingRefresh
X
Never miss what's happening on Penana!
Rhénee Johnson: Emelda's Sapphire (Book One)
Author:
Namwezi

ISSUE #26
Chapter 25
LIKES 0
READS 372
BOOKMARKS 0
campaign
Request update 0
Sponsor
Suggest Edits

Click to load the next chapter
X
After each update request, the author will receive a notification!
smartphone100 → Request update
X
Sponsor again
Click to login
Login first to show your name as a sponsor.
Thank you for supporting the story! :)
Please Login first.
×
Write down what you like about the story
×
Reading Theme:
Font Size:
Line Spacing:
Paragraph Spacing:
Load the next issue automatically
Reset to default
×
People Who Like This