The news about the 902Please respect copyright.PENANAzL7pe55F2o
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 902Please respect copyright.PENANAxc2zBwqO37
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 902Please respect copyright.PENANATvLI9pU9bL
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 902Please respect copyright.PENANA91MOMoVJTT
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 902Please respect copyright.PENANACbXpBuMaj0
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 902Please respect copyright.PENANAadHtLOc6Sw
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 902Please respect copyright.PENANAb9JoloG460
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries902Please respect copyright.PENANAoRLl8KvNoF
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 902Please respect copyright.PENANAo99MwN9s5F
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.902Please respect copyright.PENANAK6MFiSyupg
There was more to it 902Please respect copyright.PENANAwmGIALvj33
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 902Please respect copyright.PENANAAb4lYE1yhQ
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 902Please respect copyright.PENANAt54s8ustKU
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 902Please respect copyright.PENANAWcUcRRH5X0
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 902Please respect copyright.PENANAxpZw13gP1q
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started902Please respect copyright.PENANAIkKVjTZYig
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 902Please respect copyright.PENANAYihTAELTL5
except from a few individuals. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAQRTCjpiVgJ
And apparently, one of 902Please respect copyright.PENANA0g2YdxOJFE
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 902Please respect copyright.PENANA1u9wUiIgv4
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In902Please respect copyright.PENANAwBYXxf7Bfb
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 902Please respect copyright.PENANAQlTTx5ZU7l
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 902Please respect copyright.PENANAZA7WarcQ5X
really going on, all hell would break loose.902Please respect copyright.PENANA06VZn7Z1RD
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."902Please respect copyright.PENANADRisNoXIJ2
Rhénee dropped the 902Please respect copyright.PENANAQmlWj4OQVX
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 902Please respect copyright.PENANApQm6bzfMV4
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 902Please respect copyright.PENANAwEDFK9SmSX
ear, she took a sip of coffee.902Please respect copyright.PENANA4NTcaKnSqK
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAgb6KiHgPE2
"Ya, its crazy here," 902Please respect copyright.PENANAJ4jqspA1dF
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 902Please respect copyright.PENANAnfDCzGw9Gs
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 902Please respect copyright.PENANALv5TKqFrMX
broken in."902Please respect copyright.PENANAxKkMfObEHD
"If only they knew."902Please respect copyright.PENANAagVCsRL94F
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."902Please respect copyright.PENANA8f7bIbjgLs
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAYBiidSU16I
"She did. I had to make 902Please respect copyright.PENANAghjvbdFmlG
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 902Please respect copyright.PENANA69FHWgoQU3
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."902Please respect copyright.PENANAqXOnoyde6m
"I doubt if she believed that."902Please respect copyright.PENANAVxObZbOxdg
"Haha, looks like you 902Please respect copyright.PENANARLmUwPfvBh
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAyBjjGiutFf
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."902Please respect copyright.PENANAmAGCcJYwUv
"True. But we did. I 902Please respect copyright.PENANArSEgylemf8
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and902Please respect copyright.PENANAeEBkcoatuO
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."902Please respect copyright.PENANAZnhTfCVLSS
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAhSNvEubjkV
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAvH0w64D4eL
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."902Please respect copyright.PENANAi1ror2I0Wt
"Okay, bye."902Please respect copyright.PENANAXPSCsnipL9
"Bye."902Please respect copyright.PENANAcpJJK1XjTf
Rhénee cuts the call and902Please respect copyright.PENANAo03G6dCCTd
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 902Please respect copyright.PENANArsnErUE2Zp
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 902Please respect copyright.PENANARVbIKKXbwI
wink last night.902Please respect copyright.PENANA0cjBIoD5fI
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."902Please respect copyright.PENANAgSFUdeUeww
"I wasn't going to 902Please respect copyright.PENANACQsclykjNv
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda902Please respect copyright.PENANAq8OaskySBB
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."902Please respect copyright.PENANARphpHQTxzZ
"You don't have to 902Please respect copyright.PENANA0Igj6Gl2TL
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 902Please respect copyright.PENANAlhhKu5x21g
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."902Please respect copyright.PENANA1bUeJJpjiX
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."902Please respect copyright.PENANAYH7FvRjrXu
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAJGCR0tn5kS
"Why Malcom?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAo6jjuFUyKA
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."902Please respect copyright.PENANAdTb8vlahTi
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."902Please respect copyright.PENANApa4xp8kYCE
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "902Please respect copyright.PENANAiHdcQvUxHW
"Alright, you go ahead."902Please respect copyright.PENANAIQHDrjRMhn
Miss Griselda gave 902Please respect copyright.PENANAfpbgwSOuhf
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 902Please respect copyright.PENANA4sZW1mzNax
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she902Please respect copyright.PENANADc7HlSibwe
did when they talked about Malcom. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAtwimWgrwJh
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.902Please respect copyright.PENANA9MNw2CUHmI
The sound of her phone 902Please respect copyright.PENANASOrr1RKBuF
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the902Please respect copyright.PENANA7I0IgPyKBt
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 902Please respect copyright.PENANA6jRjMT5SGW
mother.902Please respect copyright.PENANA2UruUV2cNG
"Hello?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAodET5KFv07
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAv2PTi08oNj
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.902Please respect copyright.PENANA84PRaDIT5f
That voice. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAqA3s1N2rhn
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 902Please respect copyright.PENANA6o8sgSYGdS
"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?"902Please respect copyright.PENANArypZ26ZMbk
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.902Please respect copyright.PENANALNaZUDFi3k
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."902Please respect copyright.PENANAMY7rclK6rv
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAo4VWirdX3X
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."902Please respect copyright.PENANAg1rcKwWbsp
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.902Please respect copyright.PENANAZiXvuJLcMk
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."902Please respect copyright.PENANAosuidizDAE
"You don't know me, 902Please respect copyright.PENANAB9zECHdT5H
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 902Please respect copyright.PENANAfqJd3CDr9Q
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAWKQpkQ6CMe
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."902Please respect copyright.PENANAZxBiJyG51f
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAvl3EJ0ZAz7
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 902Please respect copyright.PENANADtgrNGwESC
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.902Please respect copyright.PENANAuFfx00I2aC
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."902Please respect copyright.PENANADqieiEApus
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.902Please respect copyright.PENANAoFVOhfN2Ny
"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?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAUs37DNN48m
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."902Please respect copyright.PENANAZnuLzkBJI8
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAXNYdgx14oZ
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."902Please respect copyright.PENANA9j2b4evZCk
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."902Please respect copyright.PENANApfybWVTcNW
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."902Please respect copyright.PENANARBzkLzyIZu
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAct7OIf6IfJ
"Oh, and by the way, 902Please respect copyright.PENANAFzo4WshcEx
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 902Please respect copyright.PENANAwD4zNfTCGT
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 902Please respect copyright.PENANAp2UafYwKSm
this time around."902Please respect copyright.PENANAvh3CZiXIaq
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAqim2k6MNAG
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."902Please respect copyright.PENANACPNMwcsqHB
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAs9FX348xl9
Rhénee sat down on the 902Please respect copyright.PENANAXBCGpTc0Lp
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 902Please respect copyright.PENANARl2Ti8FMNs
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 902Please respect copyright.PENANAO7PMIVrsIb
the others, who know what might happen. 902Please respect copyright.PENANANAb8mzHSjM
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.902Please respect copyright.PENANAJpF5VsOj7C
***902Please respect copyright.PENANAm76UMrSaiQ
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAwO8oAY7pgp
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAzSDXLSBRIw
"But she isn't hurt right?"902Please respect copyright.PENANABuNDmEBDY0
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."902Please respect copyright.PENANALwuuxHH9cp
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAMK2VLCKk6Y
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."902Please respect copyright.PENANAAFXE714xwf
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 902Please respect copyright.PENANA04o4YIT8MM
"Nah.902Please respect copyright.PENANAYdRtIySp56
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 902Please respect copyright.PENANAxNN11WXIw0
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."902Please respect copyright.PENANAHu0OxjcGTm
"Thats902Please respect copyright.PENANAvcc4qGPz80
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 902Please respect copyright.PENANAL1ONuEFkTv
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."902Please respect copyright.PENANA3tQEsmXjWP
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAMHVU539voP
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."902Please respect copyright.PENANAViHFAxOaj3
"Alright."902Please respect copyright.PENANAiMm2iUhu64
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. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAFgUoyqM7HQ
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.902Please respect copyright.PENANAjODeeffmxB
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.902Please respect copyright.PENANAYfJuUetgC8
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."902Please respect copyright.PENANAhHegoBkC6V
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."902Please respect copyright.PENANAW4jRC628Xu
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."902Please respect copyright.PENANA0MGnQFkn0l
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAPjVBIBOqDJ
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.902Please respect copyright.PENANAFnW4wSR7xp
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.902Please respect copyright.PENANAGlURyZtl6i
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 902Please respect copyright.PENANACUa30SsdZJ
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."902Please respect copyright.PENANAQg8HmlsqZP
"Does it bother you?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAGv8nY7eMSd
"Um... not really. But.... um."902Please respect copyright.PENANAnW7hIUIAEk
Eugene902Please respect copyright.PENANA6FHfXUu86f
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 902Please respect copyright.PENANA07Nh076F7T
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.902Please respect copyright.PENANAcmTTZibxQp
"Mum, are you okay?"902Please respect copyright.PENANA6VwiuomLVC
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAh1zZbhVLMP
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"902Please respect copyright.PENANA8dOseMuCJN
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 902Please respect copyright.PENANA1uVK4XzHhK
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."902Please respect copyright.PENANA2f62KdcqLO
Mrs902Please respect copyright.PENANAGDeoqaRKRy
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene902Please respect copyright.PENANAYSnhh165ga
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 902Please respect copyright.PENANA37CZs3HUzQ
had talked about Rhénee?902Please respect copyright.PENANAlTQCHM7rXu
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 902Please respect copyright.PENANAbEFK0P15R9
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.902Please respect copyright.PENANAOe2xJsBR6M
***902Please respect copyright.PENANAEZKMbIbsDc
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.902Please respect copyright.PENANArzg1nopevd
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAwrw7fIeySp
"You better rest though. You still look tired."902Please respect copyright.PENANApcskjWvmDh
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAajxuTpWBnp
"No, I'll do it."902Please respect copyright.PENANAWq3jmvshS2
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAydan3iC8mj
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.902Please respect copyright.PENANAI91O6tpdAI
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.902Please respect copyright.PENANAioeSvAaXPQ
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.902Please respect copyright.PENANAwpsioDvmK7
Rhénee902Please respect copyright.PENANA1lS32dCmRk
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 902Please respect copyright.PENANANZg34LAqa9
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.902Please respect copyright.PENANA5pGtAayfMA
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.902Please respect copyright.PENANA2QlXckFiMy
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.902Please respect copyright.PENANAbjZVui6XJV
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAcfLnd8yYrj
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.902Please respect copyright.PENANArFMGKWWWU1
"Thank902Please respect copyright.PENANAuAZ0zDDSWl
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 902Please respect copyright.PENANA44lAJFA74b
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAi9xV8hVOVK
"Well, yes. I still think I would."902Please respect copyright.PENANAdWpYn75A4i
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."902Please respect copyright.PENANAIcDLwerQUW
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.902Please respect copyright.PENANAtR49R8bQtX
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."902Please respect copyright.PENANAVPNnJKw8Vs
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.902Please respect copyright.PENANAy201AErL0t
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAGUkJ8UWyK8
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.902Please respect copyright.PENANAki0so2GwoN
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAfz4jmR9w7R
"Coffee will be lovely."902Please respect copyright.PENANAiVO7fP3yKL
Miss902Please respect copyright.PENANA7uK1PJFZDV
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 902Please respect copyright.PENANAQBoXqljqlI
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.902Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5KhKQ8CKk
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.902Please respect copyright.PENANA5h2kzOrM0t
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.902Please respect copyright.PENANAGprcGus7Xx
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."902Please respect copyright.PENANAMbIXkMi1wC
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."902Please respect copyright.PENANABTpngwCgNJ
"What mysterious person?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAixjctTpW4T
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."902Please respect copyright.PENANAQSm00DClTX
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"902Please respect copyright.PENANA2ehKgHWm9J
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.902Please respect copyright.PENANAbxEvL7EG1h
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.902Please respect copyright.PENANA7CLGPdAFsN
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAK5BqqUg6lT
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAPI761LCSVQ
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."902Please respect copyright.PENANAsbERE2k23Z
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"902Please respect copyright.PENANABLQjrfeHYj
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."902Please respect copyright.PENANAqJKkTxAhFv
The902Please respect copyright.PENANA3Fx9IZUE8M
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?902Please respect copyright.PENANAoapwWbqLe2
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 902Please respect copyright.PENANAgsnDaSPJPo
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all902Please respect copyright.PENANAqLa0pcrMZD
of this.902Please respect copyright.PENANAYBU4kLPGy4
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.902Please respect copyright.PENANAUhS9aHBavx
"I...902Please respect copyright.PENANA7zhphajFKN
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 902Please respect copyright.PENANAiY3izmI6zi
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 902Please respect copyright.PENANAayd639plVb
frustration. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAuD4esdTY4B
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.902Please respect copyright.PENANAtA2117WyNl
Rhénee902Please respect copyright.PENANAjnkspCWo49
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 902Please respect copyright.PENANACUUQ8XT99t
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 902Please respect copyright.PENANAadyasBUbXA
cups on the tray and wondered. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAs6AZiNJrSS
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 902Please respect copyright.PENANA2m9lDCMgL5
902Please respect copyright.PENANA5MXNzaaqgp
As902Please respect copyright.PENANAfIFFOBq5n9
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 902Please respect copyright.PENANA5ONvFGDO8G
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 902Please respect copyright.PENANAWJdE8nn3Ea
reminder kept ringing in her head.902Please respect copyright.PENANA0iJRFkCOdD
"And tell your friends not to get involved."902Please respect copyright.PENANAAV1NUE4LOf
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAX1yptqeIu9
"I902Please respect copyright.PENANAFaJCydBcNq
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 902Please respect copyright.PENANAkL4FxSMMCk
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 902Please respect copyright.PENANAAPgwn4ivfV
talking about, Rhénee?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAilXvpkfty8
Rhénee902Please respect copyright.PENANAc27IENBDq5
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 902Please respect copyright.PENANAw1cMGhZaE2
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 902Please respect copyright.PENANAjHC687fRYl
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 902Please respect copyright.PENANAwYADfDOVqS
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.902Please respect copyright.PENANAzYh6G9AGyg
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.902Please respect copyright.PENANAlN4y5tqMWp
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAqH5z3X1ydY
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."902Please respect copyright.PENANAXvhOWaJMwb
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAm2aNXsGTWv
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAT9ayPGTslM
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.902Please respect copyright.PENANAr8gCTGfTUv
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"902Please respect copyright.PENANARUETt6U6iu
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.902Please respect copyright.PENANAwIt5JoLh4k
***902Please respect copyright.PENANAX9aWQSLSa7
Sweat902Please respect copyright.PENANATp7FAHlrDq
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 902Please respect copyright.PENANAhHHOPmyekA
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 902Please respect copyright.PENANAEEfS7zio0B
the person waiting never likes to wait.902Please respect copyright.PENANAVnUh9ZJDnT
He902Please respect copyright.PENANArJZtoiryDZ
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 902Please respect copyright.PENANA75UlgO8qAM
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the902Please respect copyright.PENANA9RADmvqkHe
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 902Please respect copyright.PENANAZ07YAwFLIR
second.902Please respect copyright.PENANAlDZ0irQVS8
He902Please respect copyright.PENANAvQp5Wx23Zo
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 902Please respect copyright.PENANAtWOS7qMbeF
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 902Please respect copyright.PENANAQlzW3ed98x
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 902Please respect copyright.PENANAd5gPYZ4UIl
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 902Please respect copyright.PENANAevOAzixnxH
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.902Please respect copyright.PENANAfzH8iTzPc8
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 902Please respect copyright.PENANAvqB02FM8mq
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 902Please respect copyright.PENANAHgTArt85eV
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 902Please respect copyright.PENANA2FevmUZxrq
"You're late, again."902Please respect copyright.PENANALIud7rQjaN
His902Please respect copyright.PENANAbc2rARngPS
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 902Please respect copyright.PENANA208kHKgLyn
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 902Please respect copyright.PENANAY0KnqH7vnG
lion door knob. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAkhjJ5UmegI
He902Please respect copyright.PENANARsrH9NtTmZ
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 902Please respect copyright.PENANANmKApZZ9dI
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAL1BQN3WdtU
"What902Please respect copyright.PENANAwRHqD9SUGY
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 902Please respect copyright.PENANAJtyV1iGGqP
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAT8074dMgfl
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."902Please respect copyright.PENANA6Xp3j7ZrOe
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.902Please respect copyright.PENANAr5JvkAtjHc
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."902Please respect copyright.PENANAI37QxmZlYJ
A902Please respect copyright.PENANAp40MvBV1rc
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 902Please respect copyright.PENANA5oekHvG9nv
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 902Please respect copyright.PENANADStxvj5QH6
as they had their backs towards the window.902Please respect copyright.PENANA2ouZwTFMZr
"You know we need him," said the tall man.902Please respect copyright.PENANAGGLWwsdWZr
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."902Please respect copyright.PENANA2rH6kYWiKg
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."902Please respect copyright.PENANAWUI0PSEtOx
The902Please respect copyright.PENANABYOBV9W56q
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 902Please respect copyright.PENANAJwsqLNxnU4
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 902Please respect copyright.PENANAHqKnyoKVy6
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.902Please respect copyright.PENANA9FW8GVznOe
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.902Please respect copyright.PENANANjVmssO6uA
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.902Please respect copyright.PENANABPDejjAIyw
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."902Please respect copyright.PENANAbe708MsApH
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAuJW1fQsJZ1
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.902Please respect copyright.PENANAg2KIOb2l3h
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."902Please respect copyright.PENANArMF4qT8vVh
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."902Please respect copyright.PENANAuc3oHc95nF
"What if she reveals the truth?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAUuq2ZZgVMS
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."902Please respect copyright.PENANAXIqP51qMXE
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.902Please respect copyright.PENANAB9ShOImLsR
For a moment, silence hung over them.902Please respect copyright.PENANAIUKEp2S7jj
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."902Please respect copyright.PENANAdsdif0Z59U
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."902Please respect copyright.PENANAf5vNkn7xSG
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."902Please respect copyright.PENANASmzWztuIo2
"I902Please respect copyright.PENANA8L0zo85lRZ
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAx5r5FevxvV
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 902Please respect copyright.PENANAtyWyY5YIUU
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."902Please respect copyright.PENANAn23aWQDSBl
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.902Please respect copyright.PENANAoiALAxLSP9
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.902Please respect copyright.PENANA3mAQHeVvAr
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."902Please respect copyright.PENANA9SMMne6INV
***902Please respect copyright.PENANACVH2LAW8b4
The902Please respect copyright.PENANAZvqQL2tRJz
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 902Please respect copyright.PENANA7fPbwtAPd2
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 902Please respect copyright.PENANAfZkXsPsfVJ
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 902Please respect copyright.PENANAxd0xs1pv7d
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time902Please respect copyright.PENANAdKPDBhZSCl
they met, they seemed sky blue.902Please respect copyright.PENANAjauW358yBj
And902Please respect copyright.PENANAxh0DBoCmrD
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No902Please respect copyright.PENANANdquEY5rDI
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.902Please respect copyright.PENANAJ4eE36tlg4
Rhénee902Please respect copyright.PENANA6eGTOU7KL0
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 902Please respect copyright.PENANAZrnd2i4M4C
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied902Please respect copyright.PENANA2RMzylIWQ2
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 902Please respect copyright.PENANAQHKCxu1Gyj
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 902Please respect copyright.PENANApQk3lfwLmF
coffee table in the middle.902Please respect copyright.PENANAPg4YGkZk6y
When902Please respect copyright.PENANA7UKTnfKx44
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 902Please respect copyright.PENANAV2fyYnDnTr
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.902Please respect copyright.PENANAuauy2EBO5G
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.902Please respect copyright.PENANAZf2cMhyVi5
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.902Please respect copyright.PENANAd1xpVl1sew
"Are you sure?"902Please respect copyright.PENANA63XdQkRA5A
"Yes, I'm positive."902Please respect copyright.PENANAk4tja3MBBs
Miss902Please respect copyright.PENANAqqZCogobDq
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 902Please respect copyright.PENANAV5K9urYZsj
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 902Please respect copyright.PENANAxIa8JHdFBS
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips902Please respect copyright.PENANAWMT2PGxy2i
from their cups.902Please respect copyright.PENANApwFbJlzALU
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.902Please respect copyright.PENANANYYs3kAXcT
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.902Please respect copyright.PENANAyEjDVuPCAh
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"902Please respect copyright.PENANAlLT8C4fkNI
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.902Please respect copyright.PENANAQKd99hT3gO
"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.902Please respect copyright.PENANAdWaCPnQR3w
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."902Please respect copyright.PENANAxsBHzHpk9U
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."902Please respect copyright.PENANA2baSEXr0YK
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."902Please respect copyright.PENANA1wyYT8Tnms
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.902Please respect copyright.PENANAhWk5cNMVbY
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."902Please respect copyright.PENANAot3avFtE5r
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.902Please respect copyright.PENANAmtgiqtCL2G
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.902Please respect copyright.PENANAUVwbvNOIdE
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."902Please respect copyright.PENANAhO1WIyEAdu
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"902Please respect copyright.PENANABHQUmyWok0
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.902Please respect copyright.PENANABwpdsm6RsA
"Oh,902Please respect copyright.PENANAmyLZ0JJJBD
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted902Please respect copyright.PENANAkwEy9IkdRV
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 902Please respect copyright.PENANAzMLJOXFdki
who he is."902Please respect copyright.PENANAf0GWawfiop
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."902Please respect copyright.PENANASDk4c6jPIY
Rhénee902Please respect copyright.PENANApXKRkTxCFb
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 902Please respect copyright.PENANAU87lOuzv1z
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want902Please respect copyright.PENANA6XJvUHW5sa
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 902Please respect copyright.PENANAJy140FPIIU
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.902Please respect copyright.PENANAY22vFFZcT6
Rhénee902Please respect copyright.PENANAmT4GqV5ZRs
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 902Please respect copyright.PENANAbr6fm98seh
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.902Please respect copyright.PENANA74miT9EbM9
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 902Please respect copyright.PENANAtw5dQPe4Sh
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.902Please respect copyright.PENANAHIN1iT7xtE
"Fine,902Please respect copyright.PENANAbut56Pnv2t
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.902Please respect copyright.PENANAXoaJwAsCU9
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 902Please respect copyright.PENANAkB6NUj7uiH
or die if you stay by me."902Please respect copyright.PENANAJoDC8N5rrw