The news about the 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzhdraJRfz
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTG8kjiAgQH
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OawUm6Zn4
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZQaOMAny7
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYDaHKv6Yl
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFkkBfVmrg
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzR4DzoLOi
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZq5NgNupI
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT2sRRyGBB
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8ddgTytL4
There was more to it 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURmJGhs82U
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OYqWPI0qg
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLv7bQtZwIT
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EaKS3TvNI
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyPsjvc5W7
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAB9S2mkJo0
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkQUgqr1Qd
except from a few individuals. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAzvKIl6Pv
And apparently, one of 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9z2OpgF9wr
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGHGIvJ1ht
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpRDT3AZbH
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13CvYnbnTn
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLP7BzNYGj
really going on, all hell would break loose.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDS4YrzJ2N
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWXBHbQfrL
Rhénee dropped the 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8q7j8mnuU1
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIkhCTxm92
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqXv4sOVXf
ear, she took a sip of coffee.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2bBaKbWid
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2Kq8Fx0dZ
"Ya, its crazy here," 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64hCIfaS69
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcJT70sd95
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuGgX0fzkk
broken in."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XOaIcHiQz
"If only they knew."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNP3vBqpYA7
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cZresUw9e
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjQNcDotS1
"She did. I had to make 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLtvZxQB22
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCvW17wY9H
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CmCvcY7qo
"I doubt if she believed that."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7jcnjmxVA
"Haha, looks like you 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1eqH5R0M5
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAwhcRLs1J
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh828H7CtWf
"True. But we did. I 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPl9BYIYYF
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Y0brXgbnb
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO3TuA3OD6
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ2crQIF2k
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjHTcg3HfU
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF52GPoirHD
"Okay, bye."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1hDsrGbay
"Bye."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5fuvbhGG6
Rhénee cuts the call and900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMY1Afty6v
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIBfcQFeFL
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ErYU0AkrT
wink last night.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWnLq9rI3H
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnaJi1Cjit
"I wasn't going to 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKNII6EwGY
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxf3duFPrT
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5Pqyc72Qe
"You don't have to 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBPKZVnCF5
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJisxeNX70
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKITvhFTJsW
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl3wvUoP4Q
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4yBjqMVyK
"Why Malcom?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeiDrYHHf0
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs694EFfPGs
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sttVmYNye
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RNdMdkhBi
"Alright, you go ahead."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUSoDHOi6u
Miss Griselda gave 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFv9Le1jfz3
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XGDQgKGTG
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4y9O5f1hQ
did when they talked about Malcom. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6f0NSEnS2B
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoreRrct5sz
The sound of her phone 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfR6gk6fIL
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1tBu4bh0S
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwutLNfEqw
mother.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAXuNlCctZ
"Hello?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBq8Rx1xad
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiXpMj2uIL
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxAIq3JUJK
That voice. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7JGCRmlgI
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtARCbXaiT
"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?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7NP6nJzcm
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ1ssTdfj0
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzp8wEDzV8S
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Wl2H22rdi
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoX3X7Iz5e
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrI1XoTxoE6
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrT8Eal4Tz
"You don't know me, 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGOaWCXR8x
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1LKxZtYpf
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nFrp6gWjv
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ223mBlW8Xf
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvlwQpOmPH
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIM3X1dq1ET
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3Ec2Nf0Lt
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQB78Si9JQ
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRQNYk3ZK3
"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?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzmzOKFhmT
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pp9jWb3Li
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MJL8ZzCUH
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLN9IwTpBH
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1c3hFWhbo2
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicgo6Oc51o
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjDPPORPWL
"Oh, and by the way, 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmN3u8KIKT
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMb0FuwoeJq
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5zwxYxSfs
this time around."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jx9e201qt
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9nyTY1uDz
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQk8fKCNUQ8
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYisPyu7CD8
Rhénee sat down on the 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt10hQ35GaB
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IUts0UvM5
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RigoXZOMu
the others, who know what might happen. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm5t4FdgZY
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ED3rKZhBV
***900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ448YSciPNj
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3wC6cIG5C
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIVDSmVX8O
"But she isn't hurt right?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXcoJheswp
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf6WBpUV9F
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdgzw5tRJK
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcz6SYXAlj
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqf85MayGg
"Nah.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWsXkJ0qfn
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEG5uCbSuS
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyW8LvUaNW
"Thats900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEYUBmc81f
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgnlfmBup0
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EkZ7NbnbO
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sIuW57V09
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aNr4CXl8I
"Alright."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FnRLIVcGU
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. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45UTzEkyTw
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3THChx1X8
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgRxHjvMFl
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aFnQDNSgo
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dZIbr49Tu
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl6ay5HFIU
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNuclh4k1B
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKileG9uYv7
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmmZbQvmu3
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VNyQyE1BY
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjECTL9I3dD
"Does it bother you?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsT15Dq49M5
"Um... not really. But.... um."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HoZhDLgC5
Eugene900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnW0gxkVhl
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuJPXU6RvH
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDcvDUuoIO
"Mum, are you okay?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32N0CJWr1I
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW6rYDvedo
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WTHGOfptm
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZl0NsPXdK
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSTWK4LXbK
Mrs900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWbDRDbneh
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzJS1s7jQ0
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv88uCFbV9t
had talked about Rhénee?900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyvpqJAqAL
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlC3dct5fj
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4yxvWVYu5
***900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zifZYcd5s
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykNTpxKI40
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOD9aOEHpv
"You better rest though. You still look tired."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJV5O80gctH
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NviJRWxdC
"No, I'll do it."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NIHFoKATs
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksS6JonBUZ
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGR8uAHU46
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdaLO6H9c3
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzZlapyFLZ
Rhénee900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrLHmqYrEU
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvKi0CiZi7
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNG6guz447y
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PvCUhtlDp
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuL2JER0e6z
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Xy90QvN0R
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD76rDPhNnT
"Thank900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2k0zHYOvN8
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90fiOuJHgc
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQddgitIksJ
"Well, yes. I still think I would."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewicjbDTu8
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4NUfHrcnx
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ262UG2jaIZ
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR43ia1zqaY
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXtAEbBxXh
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcB4jHXmJgk
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiL2eqwgAK
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZf6EYoRs0
"Coffee will be lovely."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLLw5OyHJx
Miss900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBRuyrat3K
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMnOOlgdke
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfK2xOmWOf4
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0HtJyF3y7
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspv49o9BtA
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMV1834ira8
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77VOHw8ZY3
"What mysterious person?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yOiJcS2K8
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSluCdrsrn
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PTJHJN3Ms
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SIb0jhCO8
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKOsOUUuor
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJ9qwZpPTR
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Gg0vQYKCa
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4c3ZRmg3WT
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbo6dnz0qD
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JhGTe9VAK
The900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngWkGWVP0A
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65SfmW1l2T
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVe5zVYj9EA
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5CFc3JsM2
of this.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhv2z9UIGv
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5d41grqVVg
"I...900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzAuOnl1JJ
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF55y1PHKOi
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQbKrbETGC
frustration. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIdvNHU6E3
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkdLKqeI5s
Rhénee900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQUaNatPbO
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh65JCRHd6Z
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbp5bUw6A3
cups on the tray and wondered. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiqhHxKXut
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTilixAVom
900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5T0vMHpUN
As900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxegEZPE30j
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahwzHLsTSV
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztU9aVp7gv
reminder kept ringing in her head.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMhhmSf9T4
"And tell your friends not to get involved."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV9RFIKWx2
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMLgivgW3q
"I900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEf1lvnWO6
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6E87fFyLdr
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2rDP0lSIX
talking about, Rhénee?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXzQVKK1uo
Rhénee900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRixkyZJ2SK
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ECQ1DHV6d
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6LEcK4diK
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEnOC5ULwy
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJes0WfY2F
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa9n4we5Q9
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrsTNsyIRg
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9e9flHWbO
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfylS6S9tF
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFi6jJ19K8i
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG03f7NZUDd
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuVllbG8CN
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkVga7RipG
***900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZEpTssouk
Sweat900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBy0wCsAZTN
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlkjMAXxDr
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXM8nzPlOeM
the person waiting never likes to wait.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe36p1sfflf
He900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU9JtLaoEl
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzVsD8IE9I
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aL2OGxrQZ
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5myS3arrNc
second.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VC1U7AMGz
He900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTapR4xov07
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HViMOwYGF
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQj7Igvehs
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzm2TF0HfHO
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsveyUejupN
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDWOkKYvGa
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDQDejCP5e
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJgy8vZOuk
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3lFcQZPY5
"You're late, again."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89chwvKagG
His900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡif8j2BBDdY
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMNZbXDpko
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzylT0Ybo1R
lion door knob. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqGRrK8Wi6
He900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncu72NOgNA
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRLltDoHBs
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4x4teSDvU5
"What900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00K06k8X0o
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI151DSjIeA
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTRPFkbipT
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3lagsyBGA
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡia0I5ugJFg
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRTiI3G3Qu
A900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJ8xve9pdx
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlK1DJWpYv
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwgaj1K2jo
as they had their backs towards the window.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbTL5kItUr
"You know we need him," said the tall man.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalZHYdsYAv
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DnGVgRhEN
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSsmcZw72e
The900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqTP2LkvVv
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpepqtOJc5p
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPQSO0d9Hn
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Sloykqpe0
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfmVn5OQFp
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfvuPkabDY
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0ye7gSSSm
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsAacxMBhr
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HwC6FDIQK
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK2xsmYy5M
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTso1X6qWXb
"What if she reveals the truth?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGQJtuJ2yg
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QI6Wriuim
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNEZVezrhP
For a moment, silence hung over them.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡha4S2kql4s
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshCZ498Kxk
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM5oHbTWbi
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDIezWlGJm
"I900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUagpzUgyNI
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPB1WLrlmq
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6KqPsXkdK
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cQ5mZZgio
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiIU02OCkY
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bC3wfaT4z
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIY2C5XiRQ
***900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyJBJlfOcs
The900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPkWOoIGiZ
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMngNDNkrzq
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15AOvnowi5
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdKOqf9MGR
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FpVQZcIyM
they met, they seemed sky blue.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfnoGL5DF5
And900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wdU7Yu7J4
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGy1dezDps
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtg8tJwOJ4
Rhénee900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4XlM3D03L
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnItJWA6Vx9
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI0Mvm4nAJ
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFRZMqFQ2O
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaZwumU0rH
coffee table in the middle.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLdekrRQ5y
When900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOkE9zcs4D
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVc0lbmxjNV
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZ9Hc78Wsp
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5S8dKX67P
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtC4WwxMnN9
"Are you sure?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7HGvhW9mJ
"Yes, I'm positive."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFV9UhtQRO
Miss900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBIBosesI4
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKBb9CAimd
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwwNMXzk8O
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThkL7rjNSU
from their cups.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8aMfDLqlr
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wpRZ2RJbC
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYvvkw9sny
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy6GSJxDYq
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn4u33MplP
"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.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcNFNkL8Sw
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQe9ANsdfCM
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1va7pGUVM
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuqZMfjUQK
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsblBDOXpk
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rdVjALVpx
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIyHsnOBXz
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwtq3jBnwH
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuRHrDRiLb
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBb71w4Qqo
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQs8n8qFio
"Oh,900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSz4cbNiJN1
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmnfl1PGLQ
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffFuEcgTCb
who he is."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbmhPhsLwC
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IwcQAvRjL
Rhénee900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4r39xZT71
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt51E20HIQJ
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ3CQiGcpl
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpW0G9XkvBo
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMsYfD5WeP
Rhénee900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzieipYFPy
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5H6Dp9JS4
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSPR3z88Pm
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlafkevticn
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlkQRgkd3X
"Fine,900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJhOYJVMug
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIiLdLHab0
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCJCxPc1sX
or die if you stay by me."900Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFv8lt3f2Q
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