The news about the 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0gk62Nv5s
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XIen1TF3I
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHheVk2yfCl
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLbXSiwNFc
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTO3grLvuqh
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI1SAntVyT
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcuaQhevDm
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGaCcANLTz
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQkHoO42lU
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDydN2KoddD
There was more to it 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAYrJHC7WU
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsvxWWM8UX
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoZcnkPbXJ
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwb7arU9Bty
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7HfJInM2J
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1ShS1holk
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunpfIfTIA7
except from a few individuals. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHHJaCsAWp
And apparently, one of 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFuNuuUkqD
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQHGuNdghj
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkPvC4ySEb
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv7ez5IOns
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbncJGMo2v
really going on, all hell would break loose.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAMOQmBAtm
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWuX8SgIng
Rhénee dropped the 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtoSKj4jG6
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJEtvAzDhH
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifQzmMUIwH
ear, she took a sip of coffee.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFg07Ec4nrW
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Dr3OObJjF
"Ya, its crazy here," 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUNwqjenJJ
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8DPx7BbEC
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzXASvQX7l
broken in."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIl2H2et2Wu
"If only they knew."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVKnI071ln
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpJ1tNtwqL
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6wR3dLCd7
"She did. I had to make 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fD50QmdIQ
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOM0BhTRx59
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9orH6Kaao4
"I doubt if she believed that."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ857QbE1Nv7
"Haha, looks like you 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OnWZ0aMb4
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAphVglcH4
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKGQ1AFwXl
"True. But we did. I 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCyFM10DLd
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡob3eW06wre
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuel6ABNpR0
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBh1XE1Feos
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWWukyIzL4
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOh7RawVHe
"Okay, bye."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuu15FGkP7i
"Bye."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78sTlkNJcz
Rhénee cuts the call and749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwOHNGMohh
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUavjAPmdkO
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUagvwE1BUQ
wink last night.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDcCbtaEnR
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZIlSSTian
"I wasn't going to 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKGThaMSFS
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8AkPmXpBk
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNeFxpZGX5
"You don't have to 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEvJkYcbST
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF88vMrOrQK
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9LzIssWO9
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61HWW8UVBl
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuTxRscM5H
"Why Malcom?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtO6ZiKY8z
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj60icJ3RVl
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLBXeO3Dan
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjVXkvUuYg
"Alright, you go ahead."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5nNrXH9uX
Miss Griselda gave 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCo6uDyaJw
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdKINOSEia
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLKbA0yVF4
did when they talked about Malcom. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9tb94xnxx
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSELuPeowX
The sound of her phone 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5SBJp3FV6
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFWrlXRcwy
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNzGF2yVYK
mother.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOe23THpmX
"Hello?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuXYXzfU8o
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKLKVbCccb
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5ha8Xuxid
That voice. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolwKKGUH28
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQwx6kybfc
"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?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGQrCi4ntE
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOvyj9g0ZI
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTYBWhAwgM
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkL0TIBaj9
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8jw3eq5cO
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMDDPZQilY
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpo8XudRJR3
"You don't know me, 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqH8E02DWX
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQewtQhADo
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡty9Vxc9V8h
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFL5xeYZVk
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecEwHGdMEQ
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDt6sNalZx
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQ40irDbS8
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd27kWPEW2M
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH7gFxak1l
"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?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkUgVV6Mar
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgUxBDIIa2
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPu1luLvflc
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUYRqf1xOp
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQ4VTZjIR0
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5gfe2d4gG
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7NM2ZKOBn
"Oh, and by the way, 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuWnDKSj45
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4sH2v41qY
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy56bDxcjBL
this time around."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhNVEfeSRl
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9Iv8x5rjA
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcEpTCfZGr
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ1BWPf17Z
Rhénee sat down on the 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOf5UXtPyT
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajDkaj1vps
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxfRHHrtwS
the others, who know what might happen. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXWb7zs0Oa
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpluMlf7RJd
***749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6tX3UCV2j
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kk4p5r7OY
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUzGLIkTeI
"But she isn't hurt right?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtLD4MPQip
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3gBjYrVdy
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAXOOdNvwL
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2JeFzR9PC
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjXouL5wzb
"Nah.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3SaqzKTzY
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkerUO2ag5
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba7s2jY2GG
"Thats749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5sJ2wb9aU
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDx6UJjHGA
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRr2dLgwKou
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bZY50cR95
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoC7toAkf4
"Alright."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2fRYRo2dB
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. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjjEdE5qVH
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFmDGrjltV
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrELnRJDY2
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEwsRM212p
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGR2t5yzfPq
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6P0ekTle3
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bjY5IaqbV
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZeYrD2mTw
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98GaTQcsOk
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04jc7xk1SD
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUAzlQW44Y
"Does it bother you?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTPp9Kikwh
"Um... not really. But.... um."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTyco3eI9s
Eugene749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAgkYoWAPh
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cUMQ68JGW
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZ0VRHxNjv
"Mum, are you okay?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIebhZydxB4
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqfN66XGy3
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5U28hdLyni
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG0GMfuC5v
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCVfwg3M6o
Mrs749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtzm030N6N
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFpQvkrsGS
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCANE0MpvR3
had talked about Rhénee?749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRzPmzbFui
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tIDco8Bqt
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyovKbIehYC
***749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkjHeq1fk9
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmTWJNEXA1
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBi2lZ5dNJQ
"You better rest though. You still look tired."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlINLl0NLn3
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUPfI5nXDy
"No, I'll do it."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZXfonqycB
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUpNmA934k
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXK5KKmu9sR
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLOC3RV6C1
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIOz4tIUG1
Rhénee749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9uy5H2Fqy
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qUoIvDB9l
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLizDghZUB
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYOLKzxzKc
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0YjDzgC3f
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3snr6OKiO
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZSuRrYsIQ
"Thank749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxc17sQ2zn
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9IgrAruCe
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzken3ROtw
"Well, yes. I still think I would."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xVWd0sgeJ
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhU7tmVFt3
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZkWcMRj4M
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGZG80FZEF
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMzkUITraB
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmNCf5JVi8
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSONL7L2z4d
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhwArS0rgb
"Coffee will be lovely."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DjWvf3rYA
Miss749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0ic15TlJA
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWkOTC3dSj
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvzvHp4720
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGEQXwR6pL
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlO9za54Xl
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsFezy8nib
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8QBjWEkCY
"What mysterious person?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wwvgMjdNJ
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIU5DRB4V1
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvNyrQhL0l
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AtgMmeQzO
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMAQyZJcf4
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIj7BHXfa1
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8O3RXWYcXS
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMkDzRTKcK
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7ZCIoHeab
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc28ikkkabJ
The749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLHmn1GBcD
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0n0nb0IMyE
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFPLDHCzCV
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceG2PZTPvD
of this.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd0LGv5ay1
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBaNwUAt4d
"I...749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD81bQQm3ew
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGa88QSWjB6
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzMe2kVF4y
frustration. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAbUTLyTl4
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0lghc69hB
Rhénee749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5TCbVfqsd
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajsEjnYbVT
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzryJV9ws8
cups on the tray and wondered. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfM1CV3kFL
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmPyGpy3rw
749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcFKWqtQDk
As749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysqLW1k76c
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcI0W3hnCy
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhO4cnQkoI
reminder kept ringing in her head.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaOkKeqPlQ
"And tell your friends not to get involved."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6yRN9AyJV
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyH9Lg3uBV
"I749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNZIDfysap
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08hPBfyH6N
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbtR6wAsuT
talking about, Rhénee?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxfG22DYOX
Rhénee749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3KJINS8NS
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9DtQyB5zQ
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAD6vG1Ety
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Msnfh31zi
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAvSbLQzAC
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyqqOtrHAZ
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecXGq5NgLm
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0L2skDC0P
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddYxmq7mAi
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D9vaHIEvO
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKhpW4RQV6
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTWHY0D1K5
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdPUBPsBMp
***749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Tz7ClbLFo
Sweat749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuSiIV3Mkc
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UTLpZu0GS
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7fSYQ9aAp
the person waiting never likes to wait.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHIiImG0aT
He749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQ0ljKc80S
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2ErBHm8o6
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4WM66DfvF
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fYuTKspta
second.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWIIsM4Nv2
He749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEkHOBaL3U
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HudVDUceF
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWRuRQhMNq
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsd5hDOMwqD
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR95NzJRlO3
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiHrKZ1GvI
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovh0p6YZm1
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqccBiZmnN
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYABN0eGpa
"You're late, again."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTmnymvH1X
His749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoDdICMgty
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZKeRyodDY
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSSUmwc7Ib
lion door knob. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA97yY1jxM
He749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcS3oXYhckd
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFPJ9UD3ko
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXhxbNLxHF
"What749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetixW7lGrE
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDDgkkpbRp
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHMfl6VTz8
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkP8AzaSMX
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATO2dtBsAo
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAQfanbk05
A749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3o3LSZWSR6
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucsO0oeZB4
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiubbGwaXg
as they had their backs towards the window.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYe47nUn75
"You know we need him," said the tall man.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eAF3DDLOH
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gnOhELxRa
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvuS5SjeGk
The749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVw171YmI5
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yaSacgJrm
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeMWMqhgol
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNpud79FcC
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgMXfeBETH
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTpEMedK01
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSTwRwTqv6
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsbrzclSn9
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7NfWIMwqn
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCziaB1o3W
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66U6d8XzAz
"What if she reveals the truth?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbnwjNCH3Q
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMSw9kXmS8
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQm7pQLP9J
For a moment, silence hung over them.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsJJBsypLS
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcTKWG1MCF
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRTJf9t8gZ
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYqSHxOHy9
"I749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IpwmunsDz
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTLJjRpxr6
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvmo2Vqqyg
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FWejfSyuz
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgRvFXr1rk
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SxFp3NV0v
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzfyIpyTqN
***749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36IpdaKVtK
The749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNyd6EC2Qf
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFr3xcCGspW
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ0HmPbh4a
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6gRT4F7r0
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbr11dPSfv
they met, they seemed sky blue.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeLNvNuu2r
And749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBIBSzkSTg
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc12u74LH1g
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimiPz3yK1h
Rhénee749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU0GhOqZ1O
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUGfGTwKRN
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3RglWHlnJ
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ePUkjYW9Z
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPIng4fHXV
coffee table in the middle.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0aBT3ww4O
When749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPbZ876V2q
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblL2yqVv81
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9mpxbqw8m
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosgG6iTPFV
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YJI3VwQeH
"Are you sure?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWKgD2fxLE
"Yes, I'm positive."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OzBnpvDuU
Miss749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzsmgobxb3
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VNgcGX3es
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7boARyJKC
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnDZb4gETT
from their cups.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiu41681b0r
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZApKil3pMA
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUcT5yINO7
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4YJ48svez
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡer4NUuofos
"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.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfLoZnRMzk
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6N7E6UeIFz
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQVwpWhq5W
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs74X6FG3zR
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVLZ7gTRo1
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hAGl5cIQ6
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2JV7Hl1lk
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExknfAft0e
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTvS95GY5a
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2yxOEWTv7
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYuXXYXuLP
"Oh,749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2W369T31FE
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmUVyChsUw
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZcM9toYTW
who he is."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4O35wKaG8
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgEeTzFgQL
Rhénee749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WUQYdxihz
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99V5azJSkX
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHuqG8EhJB
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6h8IHK4KeO
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjLdIr5FIM
Rhénee749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqzO5mwRYU
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxDrvgCB8u
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBfFWwe1bo
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WcqUozf7G
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPKXPBnuNV
"Fine,749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJcctxGl6B
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEoMI9DJbp
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRWEufnUoz
or die if you stay by me."749Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcgVhpxhEb
and then Add to home screen.