The news about the 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaPEKRt4Ay
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLzk0sPwCz
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhHnRhd73D
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLaJzjiRR0
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADF9EevfS4
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVO1apxZnLx
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghrMHSTivB
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwIYSmiaue
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWrDenbdGA
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2WGXV47DF
There was more to it 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05yUeYuqJq
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHcQ7W79FE
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSJFcIT4eZ
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUEM8aC8pv
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVP1rg20bX
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zCnRHQ9hA
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVy2iEAG6Zl
except from a few individuals. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYFnOswj0w
And apparently, one of 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMucaGgfE0C
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87UzFq7OZb
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRPx2tHawm
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdj6HUT0yu8
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACCUO4isYg
really going on, all hell would break loose.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbeVtMIwz7
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM63RzPwTBn
Rhénee dropped the 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI3PlDjJLB
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95nvR6QSRo
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkQyRb4ph9
ear, she took a sip of coffee.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe0gb7HzRH
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRXXq2CGyE
"Ya, its crazy here," 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnwCR14b1f
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeGU3GCMyH
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡth3urSWpYm
broken in."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Bx3D4T4hN
"If only they knew."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KEttCLJB2
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hBlwLjP37
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2e4DG6h6s
"She did. I had to make 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbG96gXjyi
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1Ok5BcvGB
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9yUfjS1u6
"I doubt if she believed that."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDGKotCLhX
"Haha, looks like you 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0b6nfeAxS
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5M5maKPIa
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdXDbzDaBq
"True. But we did. I 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2i6QtlAiH
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzNklMCUAJ
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrjRlurOTo
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Cl7nwpQ7z
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmz1PpcR79F
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdrC1Io1Qa
"Okay, bye."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBKDlIXjHc
"Bye."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SdRPn693f
Rhénee cuts the call and782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8qp3j2rjd
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZkIgdHRdH
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SJQMP5J0v
wink last night.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ153hEScGC1
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinAGX3TVZi
"I wasn't going to 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyGgX7EnER
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGSee2hj8i
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7T02hiaiVA
"You don't have to 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfbG9oecmc
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX5vWWu0xJ
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatcNruXOOB
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDICVK6Qup
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmazQDkM6W
"Why Malcom?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUJJMn3UJ7
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPNQmlilK7
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHC14p1Isd8
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVp3g5knQ2
"Alright, you go ahead."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4JZYvqwYY
Miss Griselda gave 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVMMoN7S96
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYEiNQPC9Q
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriRLhdhI5u
did when they talked about Malcom. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqudxXXLOX
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXP1kAw0p8
The sound of her phone 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQJvFxcCDD
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInzAAR0sVL
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgvAsNpicb
mother.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkUwJWBJng
"Hello?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYScPUE6wO
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9xGFuEfnM
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd8UJpyDKL
That voice. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYyoweScOi
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVEPllL4QN
"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?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9fbLrTrxp
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF12mtgrFzA
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPv2cy1juJO
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7P9VTivPxd
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaktsmyEwtE
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ccrDRDbaS
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwleVz3uigQ
"You don't know me, 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhz0NiFbJF
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdVfc5gQw0
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfg7rQwFD8
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscj34KWsEL
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqoKd4ksy8
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSyYZKOJSr
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUutCjeTaJW
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Qva7LbyBj
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YiKJVXLY7
"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?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsWcONI0dh
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjdVOZbELA
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcyWiD8FW9
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NxiZNiLzL
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvEcfzD2xX
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZhw3mCVqU
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezxhkufmp9
"Oh, and by the way, 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbS8eOW4EYG
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHi5rVNVCQF
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDPpYdIWFa
this time around."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRIdKFwhGC
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxWviLb2gm
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LjNSOR9LB
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT4VyPoKQ6
Rhénee sat down on the 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08nW9sRBYJ
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtPIX9Zp2V
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyb0ol4vu18
the others, who know what might happen. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBc2l02I1s2
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2xo4W7FjA
***782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhEAA120yX
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UOHRDoNvm
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYzl2VxLD5
"But she isn't hurt right?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtf7NOWF41
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPF0DBfFlhR
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3JvwiVrhX
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nbjctzIOh
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIjeSz6a29
"Nah.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC88FG25Mjb
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsDGSj3Kt5
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgRk5LFJ5x
"Thats782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh2W8X9pQp
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYvjaQDrOL
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0WtkRPjBW
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbYoRE0WTM
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMbADYz6lL
"Alright."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ287Klx26Sv
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. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWGQTbzXqp
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmomVECDX0Z
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbboESX9zq
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWSvnW5CXt
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjN82Z4Ipel
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcH7jXqckQi
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkn92KTFi9k
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9t8HFT3uV
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeCrQ7OXGB
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkuyOhfHe4
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiiXBOfpxX
"Does it bother you?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGZCURRhZN
"Um... not really. But.... um."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡob7V0jiDoQ
Eugene782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2mKTF9lEY
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZC8y36o3z
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0CXE7xDZG
"Mum, are you okay?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapzg2Vvvoy
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBYE32VC1i
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmxB5Iv4tZ
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Yb7zbvFZJ
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3xH2VQb9s
Mrs782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK0YEZPqeH
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLicDNfYp8
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHWxLyiDj0
had talked about Rhénee?782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEb8iv8Fxr
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptLHyOk7jj
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA52TRKPVUh
***782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8liQVc2AXf
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOahmjIfeDu
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFroqrmRF9d
"You better rest though. You still look tired."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8UN64Jafz
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo5vIbABE8
"No, I'll do it."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtilZRVGzTX
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2atT68Odxa
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvMORYcUy5
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBX0wn5QuE
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiFDxZFx4F
Rhénee782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rKYUXqdPf
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAJPNdII8d
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs0Xkkl7EX
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpfGNcIIep
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6JmY6POMK
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHtbITEO27
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHYrcODZ5K
"Thank782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDUa6N6cJ5
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkW2ORCXi9P
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaSdWVUeUM
"Well, yes. I still think I would."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cumnCDPZ0
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPAHdkXjgk
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dHosGBqMY
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBY2LysqOcu
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDkHr6jbnK
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBnt18S3jJ
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpEzvuzlEZ
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuZIG3E1vM
"Coffee will be lovely."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiALKrC6QY
Miss782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dK5g51uH1
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHfZePXMDL
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2I8wRuQIm2
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6AkyLayuG
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGohvE4qDE
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKaCW78ikL
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgebf8yPhDw
"What mysterious person?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45gBEMzBre
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcCFcbs3sY
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfBouVDYmV
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ0WV4a4m0
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrgUyqkxtk
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMYdD4pyv8
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXmanGWbrD
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggbLQLNrEs
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3FGFY8IVm
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2d6EZPlcq
The782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aBU2k16pT
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9SlPkN1Nw
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrFDrzyzyl
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMX6JxVsEkv
of this.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnjf6J2gsH
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxYgRStu2D
"I...782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdY0wgF86Qn
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aGnOky6Ii
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh2FiD6l6s
frustration. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31ur1KVa43
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlN6ynk4cQ
Rhénee782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAMdG5TpkD
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjliXeUfyT
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMn6erI7EuF
cups on the tray and wondered. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFcmDwgMmW
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14bg0rah39
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbn36QYjs6
As782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdITtOJGyJ
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpcoTTZwk7
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBbaSt2QQN
reminder kept ringing in her head.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDKtlJ5s4a
"And tell your friends not to get involved."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPNgx0UW7K
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPi3saXeKj
"I782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaKUcnUyMv
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5fpzNmghg
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdjzp7wgct
talking about, Rhénee?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKz4EnPm80
Rhénee782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NYscWfVZn
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHNGo3Hb1Y
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOo8ndE9FtV
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqvyiXcoSh
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIrn7mpZW6
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJOTktgbB8
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOM6fecJbQ7
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVHmVeQRmx
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpmFLYRUCE
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgdcTsgEFF
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyOYDYTbSA
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0x4JFiY8Jv
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gn8Mif88a
***782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8odWiltatp
Sweat782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9xN2piWNF
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrKpE0WmvJ
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SBRc3nBeX
the person waiting never likes to wait.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6YTgjCCby
He782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEguLZwoQ5B
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvckcu7582
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkSm5EsoX2
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSJUUKTjts
second.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJac5ptwmQ
He782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64ayO5dFji
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4quFAVNhB
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcN9rc04zw
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1X5p9da6c
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIImbwnuexA
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZFe1ZCRiM
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXrzlIN9Ab
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEdxquqtYW
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjyYvzijFW
"You're late, again."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cXJK5vnZk
His782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8adVdWEKlJ
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQHtInMkzP
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTzsnThAKL
lion door knob. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBXodHapop
He782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjw9E2qCuh
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7xRkcqWa2
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzl9bMtSV6H
"What782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKmlIIc7bn
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTpehNCOtY
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAUO53kvMP
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7WJQIIHhg
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWyXHSWHBC
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfD2xj8lMCU
A782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ed1DACwJr
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6UnVbehCj
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ998SHjDszC
as they had their backs towards the window.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzr7yKfMdj6
"You know we need him," said the tall man.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjnrK6ZdAc
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgApRqT3N4
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dUaFWD5OD
The782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwuafUPVKA
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPkbaWTnz5
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1SxC96IEK
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhhCWAvI75
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYtfBzxKXc
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJV071lw0aY
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviyjlCjxvd
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcdS6pBGBL
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbx16u8Y1Gv
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNqTnMu24k
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5keZRkg5f9
"What if she reveals the truth?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09c9qNOhcE
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SG3Yy9md8
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxS1G6ri4O
For a moment, silence hung over them.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsWvDJIbMt
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbKKLLtvJS
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqSVCRkjV2
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AmfcLziA8
"I782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUe4BrBYUOK
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb3bhCAsTa
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2zzasa1Bv
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqwfJPExrh
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8mSvLzbpI
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Eajcwkc4d
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUE5lpOezS
***782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNI9rVKhXb
The782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TBDALMZ33
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gMs7f2XZM
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnr5aua4C1
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG77FDmNuC7
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbH6ZKp3wx
they met, they seemed sky blue.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyeBbiOSV2
And782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRJAz4QQSu
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5fPKsc6x0
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKjJwd4N4T
Rhénee782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dJ8KcNs9f
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggactf5e6W
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPinTffZmt7
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFjoXMZljc
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX52iWNxNPU
coffee table in the middle.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4od1MG3vr
When782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURc1kCqa9p
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZhEYry3rI
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPttkhPvgq
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnw4q1aNAQx
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67ZoYGiPu5
"Are you sure?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgEa7jPL43
"Yes, I'm positive."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sF60uxKOv
Miss782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc39Rtj7YZu
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOgsdPGwjs
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJPVg33WJ8
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzNgW317HX
from their cups.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qsWOfrGaz
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpChEMkKHbK
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vOxDKk0JZ
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHGpYwEELo
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJglnxg3PFH
"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.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncCXBnBNh6
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0zUaU06Cs
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJsKiwJsSm
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGPviwwKnG
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBt9zGYIyMD
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91Z6kiFmaU
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJjgc6hXEw
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpL2RPK5po
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS7JRYWEfj
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzT1PXzi6w
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAwKuuUQWB
"Oh,782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUM1wOg1u2I
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ww9eWQGzU
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Vsp23beCL
who he is."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8FEMPjyut
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQPJ3rBejc
Rhénee782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8rKQxKzVi
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC37lrmRYy
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4yYm8WKgx
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7g2SCaHkD
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqc0fZLTcY6
Rhénee782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGgllHe2WI
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0GE0fn1UX
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rKAnAJUVR
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9e34ixGPcH
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaNeAkABlm
"Fine,782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ec01m9Qgb
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVMWLU0Xxa
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpjgEcgGF6
or die if you stay by me."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3t7EwtfVkM
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