Leo was exhausted as he 822Please respect copyright.PENANAMb0ggx6haW
climbed down the stairs of the office building and went in to the car 822Please respect copyright.PENANAuTM8swaXqw
that the chauffeur had held the door open for him. He sat beside his 822Please respect copyright.PENANAsGrIpx2xf3
cousin, Eric, who was busy looking at his phone.822Please respect copyright.PENANAudCCTypOts
"I am so beat," said Leo as he unbuttoned the first button at his neck just to let the air in.822Please respect copyright.PENANAb0yGZ4ctmg
"Ya, today was exhausting," said Eric, who didn't seem to be paying much attention to his cousin.822Please respect copyright.PENANAWIbn0aAZXY
"I hope you aren't looking at women on that phone of yours," said Leo as he looked at Eric.822Please respect copyright.PENANADzz4RqzGAo
Eric turned to look at Leo. "And why would I be looking at other women?"822Please respect copyright.PENANAXmGBHMT7oJ
"Because that's what playboys like you do."822Please respect copyright.PENANALAbFEX6jGx
Eric rolled his eyes as the chauffeur was now in the driver's seat and started the car.822Please respect copyright.PENANA5qafj9TmpB
"I'm not looking at women on my phone, dear cousin," said Eric. "I'm simply trying to look for something."822Please respect copyright.PENANAAQGtlcmJll
"For what?"822Please respect copyright.PENANABYDjzzPcsw
"Why do you care? If I tell you, you will get angry."822Please respect copyright.PENANA94JpYbnje9
Leo shook his head. "Okay, don't tell me. I don't want to know anyway."822Please respect copyright.PENANAscwBJwvzsp
Eric smiled without looking at his cousin. He really liked to trouble Leo for no apparent reason.822Please respect copyright.PENANAELWTT3o41H
Leo looked out of the 822Please respect copyright.PENANAW1n5MVahwk
car window and into the dark evening sky. It was hard to notice the sky 822Please respect copyright.PENANA5z4iFEHisr
at night nowadays. Not when you're in a car and the streets you're 822Please respect copyright.PENANArMkc0XbC9Y
driving through are filled with magnificent tall buildings and 822Please respect copyright.PENANAcRqRI2nKe7
skyscrapers. The place wasn't lit up with lights from the stars but 822Please respect copyright.PENANAI7CpLZ5QY9
rather the lights from the street lamps and buildings. But this was New 822Please respect copyright.PENANAReucKavqHm
York after all. Why wouldn't the place be lit up by bright lights?822Please respect copyright.PENANAxbf5gzaOzN
Leo turned to look at 822Please respect copyright.PENANAOcw6cQ1Du1
Eric after realising that staring out in the street was boring. He 822Please respect copyright.PENANA6fc2Q6C4eJ
passed through the same street everyday and obviously saw the same 822Please respect copyright.PENANANCxFPaw6hl
people walking down the street, not like he knew everyone's faces. He 822Please respect copyright.PENANABSyQemBuKy
couldn't wait to get home and sit at the balcony where he could stare up822Please respect copyright.PENANAA3BD4tZ5lO
the stars to pass time.822Please respect copyright.PENANAyk7M03ydV9
"What are you looking at?" Leo asked. He had no choice but to ask.822Please respect copyright.PENANALa6IIeQ8Kp
Eric looked at him with an eyebrow raised. "Oh, now you're interested."822Please respect copyright.PENANATVeX8D9UZi
"I don't like it when you're quiet. You're usually the one who talks a lot."822Please respect copyright.PENANAVHQ3M3QQcb
"And you love it." Eric gave Leo a mocking smile. "You simply can't live without me."822Please respect copyright.PENANAmGwkichBm5
Leo rolled his eyes feeling irritated. "Do I have to repeat myself or what?"822Please respect copyright.PENANAHGT22LFVPR
"I know you don't like 822Please respect copyright.PENANADfgnMs3J2R
repeating yourself so I'll tell you to spare your head that looks like 822Please respect copyright.PENANAtPKIQujAh1
it's about to blow up. I'm looking for a gift."822Please respect copyright.PENANAb0E5tzUOmO
"For your mum? But her birthday isn't anytime soon, is it?"822Please respect copyright.PENANAdEpmLEb8cl
"Don't worry. I'm looking for a gift for someone special."822Please respect copyright.PENANACyRnS9gkGq
Leo rolled his eyes. "Don't tell me it's for the Lady Supreme."822Please respect copyright.PENANA3DtUYfPNrL
"Who else could I be referring to?" Eric gave Leo a smile.822Please respect copyright.PENANAimt1I7gxba
"I'm sorry I asked."822Please respect copyright.PENANAZ1HeMn4yFR
"Don't be. Maybe you can help me with picking out something for her."822Please respect copyright.PENANAbArHDYpF9P
"No freaking way. Why should I? I would rather get a gift for Carly instead."822Please respect copyright.PENANAbSpJtUp6Ps
"Ya, we all know why." Eric went back to looking at his phone.822Please respect copyright.PENANApXkVOyxfCJ
Leo went back to looking at the window. "She seems to be taking up much of your mind these days. That's not good."822Please respect copyright.PENANAmTFUYtj5QE
Eric turned to look at Leo with his eyebrow raised. "Why do you say that?"822Please respect copyright.PENANAcV4D1uw4iz
"I've noticed. You aren't yourself is all I'm saying."822Please respect copyright.PENANAjymUDMd66D
"It's called love, bro......well, I think. I'm not too sure."822Please respect copyright.PENANAQEE7q7B0U7
"I guess you are."822Please respect copyright.PENANA2xGUvbQU4D
"And don't you feel the 822Please respect copyright.PENANA7kIHWzdjLg
same way for Carly? Lovestruck, I mean. She's also supposed to be taking822Please respect copyright.PENANAIaVtsOhIdJ
up your mind each and every time too."822Please respect copyright.PENANABfIY9tOtje
Leo thought of what his 822Please respect copyright.PENANAALXWEIlBZY
cousin said and didn't know whether to answer him or not. He's been 822Please respect copyright.PENANAWzbLu1jdmU
pretty busy this past week, trying to settle on a deal with some 822Please respect copyright.PENANAqDIvtbOT6z
important clients. So his mind was pretty much busy. It's not that Carly822Please respect copyright.PENANA8KVSVNo6Ri
didn't occupy his mind. When he had free time, he would think about 822Please respect copyright.PENANANJye6HjR22
Carly all day long.822Please respect copyright.PENANATMvge3gXfb
But things weren't that 822Please respect copyright.PENANAlSBsKXgCoF
way now. Not when he knew that from now onwards he would be heading back822Please respect copyright.PENANADUwIWZtoX5
home everyday not only to find Carly, but Angel as well.822Please respect copyright.PENANApDOSloAJLF
He groaned at the 822Please respect copyright.PENANAxN5qUjV7md
thought of that. If he wasn't irritated of the thought of Angel, then he822Please respect copyright.PENANAp2TAcK2quw
didn't know what he was feeling. She was going to cause problems. Not 822Please respect copyright.PENANAsTTsIHDOzK
only for him, but Carly too.822Please respect copyright.PENANAL1VBieslKM
"You know, you've to be careful about who you think about," said Eric, bringing Leo back down to earth.822Please respect copyright.PENANAYEuysJdWXk
"Why do you say that?" Leo asked.822Please respect copyright.PENANAeCRXKAOr0r
"I could tell you were thinking about Angel just now." Eric chuckled.822Please respect copyright.PENANACHVsOoD4hU
"No, I wasn't." Leo shook his head.822Please respect copyright.PENANASa0mgY6U8M
"Yes, you were. That 822Please respect copyright.PENANAsTimoWgjqJ
look on your face says it all. You look irritated. Still thinking about 822Please respect copyright.PENANAhKojNy0nb7
how Angel took the upper hand on you today?"822Please respect copyright.PENANA801xGYpYQF
"You're just saying things. Now I preferred you kept quiet while looking for a gift for her."822Please respect copyright.PENANA8NPeQ8RL5X
"You know I'm right. You822Please respect copyright.PENANAFvIOQBMFaS
should be lucky she and you aren't workmates. You could bring the whole822Please respect copyright.PENANAB9KvHLfbvZ
office down in flames in just a day."822Please respect copyright.PENANAAIJHv0AsXo
Leo gulped as he 822Please respect copyright.PENANAaoH6XoYvm6
remembered what his grandmother said about Angel coming to work for 822Please respect copyright.PENANAhr6CzmFWKo
them. He had to try and convince her much more than he had to.822Please respect copyright.PENANAFqXKeQVPqg
"It's good we aren't," said Leo.822Please respect copyright.PENANA2xmcf6gb7B
The car soon arrived at it's destination parking in front of the mansion. Leo and Eric walked out of the car.822Please respect copyright.PENANATEPBlqUJ0D
"I am so tired," said Leo.822Please respect copyright.PENANArnzHgMDzvp
"You're tired like you're a child coming back from school," said Eric.822Please respect copyright.PENANA9fLvN09JSp
"Don't mind me." The two822Please respect copyright.PENANA25uVgu0C3x
cousins walked down the stone footpath that led to the front door. 822Please respect copyright.PENANALKLdyI8wMU
"That shows I work way harder than you do."822Please respect copyright.PENANAG3B8uzjk4S
"Let's not compete. It's822Please respect copyright.PENANAavRQjygYHe
not like you're a construction worker or something though you happen to822Please respect copyright.PENANASrkT6hJjyg
run the business. You're just simply the man behind the chair who 822Please respect copyright.PENANAkpMzHKCMvn
controls what's going on."822Please respect copyright.PENANAbza70AT4tI
Leo rolled his eyes at Eric and almost burst out laughing. You can never be bored with him.822Please respect copyright.PENANAvd7wz7kFfI
As they arrived at the 822Please respect copyright.PENANA7HUhrnKJNH
doorstep, Leo was about to ring the doorbell when the door flew open and822Please respect copyright.PENANA9DPszaVwmk
there behind the door was his mother.822Please respect copyright.PENANADh02M51dNA
"Hello," said Mrs McDonell. "I'm glad you're here."822Please respect copyright.PENANA2WQ3cvdxIM
"Hi, aunt," said Eric when he realised that Leo wasn't going to greet her.822Please respect copyright.PENANAjBLb8WkzFv
"Why don't you two freshen up and we will have supper ready. We're having a guest over."822Please respect copyright.PENANAdjFNeYAhLL
"That's nice," said Eric as Leo passed his mother and entered the foyer.822Please respect copyright.PENANAYN4lV28F5e
"Yes, so you all better 822Please respect copyright.PENANA04JqcBIgvU
get ready." Mrs McDonell sounded excited as she closed the door behind 822Please respect copyright.PENANAJKf92WBFej
Eric and soon left for the kitchen.822Please respect copyright.PENANAUG4YAtT7PF
"She sounds so excited, have you noticed?" Leo asked.822Please respect copyright.PENANAOmxcZzo6Xz
"Isn't she always excited?" Eric asked.822Please respect copyright.PENANA9kZwcLKAkE
Leo chuckled. "You should rather be sarcastic than funny."822Please respect copyright.PENANAY6fz5JiCxx
"I know. Before I go up to my room, let me go say hi to grandma. And Angel."822Please respect copyright.PENANA5t7EEcqnY1
Eric ran off to the 822Please respect copyright.PENANAsqOXqYgiru
other side of the foyer leading to the hall where Angel and Amanda's 822Please respect copyright.PENANADFLKbz3NLK
room were. Leo couldn't help but think Eric was acting childish.822Please respect copyright.PENANA4R68M1sk0E
Just as he was about to 822Please respect copyright.PENANANFBOUsqIL2
walk up to his room, there was Carly, at the top of the stairs looking 822Please respect copyright.PENANAKUwvPj2a0t
down at him. He paused for a minute as he looked at her.822Please respect copyright.PENANA1X2grTcbal
"Wow," he said in awe.822Please respect copyright.PENANAWkHU3ryTQr
Carly smiled. "You like?" she asked.822Please respect copyright.PENANANlfj0QsDcu
Leo bit his lip. "Definitely. Why wouldn't I?"822Please respect copyright.PENANA6M2QFJzAJi
Carly wore a lovely black flared sleeveless dress that reached almost way above her knees. She also wore matching high heels.822Please respect copyright.PENANAc7FLJTKdpU
"Are you going somewhere?" Leo asked as she slowly made her way down the stairs. "I've to say, you look lovely."822Please respect copyright.PENANAgaKQTvj0WW
"Thank you," said Carly 822Please respect copyright.PENANAVMjkyCiYrz
with her lovely red painted lips raised up into a smile. "I'm not going 822Please respect copyright.PENANAzMNEkxFvA9
anywhere." She slowly continued her way down the stairs.822Please respect copyright.PENANAFSrHCZqTTI
"Then what's the occasion?" Leo couldn't take his eyes off of her.822Please respect copyright.PENANAifQgzXMXwL
Carly stood on the last step, close to Leo. The two looked at each other with so much intent.822Please respect copyright.PENANAYn2cnldkkC
"Hasn't your mother told you?" Carly asked. This time she gave him a questioning look.822Please respect copyright.PENANABV7HTCgpac
"Told me what?"822Please respect copyright.PENANAYNtY9T98XX
"Well, you two have no shame," said Angel who appeared in the foyer.822Please respect copyright.PENANAPeNxsUB7rZ
Carly almost jumped by 822Please respect copyright.PENANA2zebk5gqRr
her voice, thinking that it was Leo's mother. She relaxed when she 822Please respect copyright.PENANA14W5XP1DkR
realised that it was only Angel. Leo, however, didn't seem frightened at822Please respect copyright.PENANAasft96zllm
all.822Please respect copyright.PENANAwxooIEnVre
"You almost scared me to death," said Carly.822Please respect copyright.PENANAAb7bTPhHPE
"I should be doing that more often," said Angel. She had come in from the living room in her wheelchair.822Please respect copyright.PENANACx1poEm46z
"You know this is also my house, right?" Leo asked as he looked at Angel. "So you better take back what you said."822Please respect copyright.PENANAFKD3rqLfkV
"Why should I?" Angel 822Please respect copyright.PENANATP7Yrc3rJe
shrugged her shoulders. "If you two don't want anyone else finding out 822Please respect copyright.PENANAEFRCRQaIYC
about your relationship, then you shouldn't be seen so close to each 822Please respect copyright.PENANA52ZVO0Y5Xf
other, don't you think?"822Please respect copyright.PENANAWz3npPmui6
The two lovebirds didn't know what to say, and they didn't have to because Eric soon appeared into the foyer.822Please respect copyright.PENANAQlYkWlq3N6
"Angel, I was looking for you," said Eric excitedly as he ran to hug her.822Please respect copyright.PENANAkUY2Lp0lZc
"Hi, Eric," said Angel giving him a smile.822Please respect copyright.PENANA5fKg0I7z1c
"Wow, Carly, you look really nice," said Eric as he looked at her. "Did you go shopping today?"822Please respect copyright.PENANAI1d3MOEB9i
"I went shopping with your mum," Carly replied as she blushed.822Please respect copyright.PENANAUpbwoJEbBS
"You look really pretty." Eric smiled at her.822Please respect copyright.PENANAkowjH0B2u1
"Thank you, Eric."822Please respect copyright.PENANAewaMQUZ9vk
"I was just asking her 822Please respect copyright.PENANAzufzjrkhKr
what the special occasion is for her to be dressed like this," said Leo.822Please respect copyright.PENANAdhwGTXwMo6
"And she told me that we will be having a guest over."822Please respect copyright.PENANAflpZOyqeoG
"Oh, really?" Eric asked. "Aunt wasn't joking then? Who is it?"822Please respect copyright.PENANACLGJQPT7yY
"Well, you won't believe this if we tell you but..." Carly was soon interrupted.822Please respect copyright.PENANARpc7sCCAS4
"Leo," said Amanda as 822Please respect copyright.PENANA5Sbi12Eo9o
she came into the foyer. "I was wondering why you didn't come to see me 822Please respect copyright.PENANAYJNVAVuTZL
like your cousin did. Well, now I see why."822Please respect copyright.PENANAi326bnl061
Leo turned to look at his grandma and went over to hug her.822Please respect copyright.PENANALSm8S2j2sS
"How are you, granny?" Leo asked after hugging her.822Please respect copyright.PENANAWNrtX5vBo5
"Never better," Amanda replied with a smile. "I see you four are all trying to get along. That's nice."822Please respect copyright.PENANAlGvJ1ivsFJ
"Yes, we are," said Eric.822Please respect copyright.PENANAGzvdXX069k
"Good. Well, you two men822Please respect copyright.PENANAwqp7CoChER
better get yourself ready for supper. Your mother will be furious if 822Please respect copyright.PENANAi7yoXautcC
you don't since she's having a guest over."822Please respect copyright.PENANA8HeEFrF7Se
"Who could it be, granny?" Eric asked. "Carly was just about to tell us when you came in."822Please respect copyright.PENANA2J3wnKUtEq
"Let's not ruin the surprise. Go, go now. You've to get ready."822Please respect copyright.PENANABXQzKvoaG4
Leo and Eric didn't say 822Please respect copyright.PENANAuB4PSzU8vN
anything as they quickly obliged to their grandmother's request and went822Please respect copyright.PENANA2hGUWGSzga
up the stairs. When the two were out of earshot, Amanda turned to look 822Please respect copyright.PENANAw7uqL5toDL
at Carly.822Please respect copyright.PENANAAsDZbPcMlB
"I know what you're thinking," said Carly as she looked at Amanda. "I wasn't going to say anything about Kim."822Please respect copyright.PENANA5WaJOEoD5d
Amanda gave her a smile.822Please respect copyright.PENANAc1zkyhz4qj
"I know. But you had to be careful. If you did tell Leo Kim was coming 822Please respect copyright.PENANAnYZAHWfxGb
over, he was going to walk straight out that door."822Please respect copyright.PENANAik3Clpny0F
"I know." Carly couldn't help but blush.822Please respect copyright.PENANACzIhm7uuBB
"I hope all goes well tonight," said Angel. "I've a feeling this isn't going to end pretty."822Please respect copyright.PENANAt4Xh65D9rS
"Me too," said Amanda.822Please respect copyright.PENANA4EhuJfphac
There was a knock at the door and Carly quickly dropped to the bottom of the stairs to open it. Mr McDonell soon stepped in.822Please respect copyright.PENANAZo89MOJlkl
"Evening, Carly," said Mr McDonell. "May I say, you look lovely tonight."822Please respect copyright.PENANA3JD5kEvQv6
"Thank you," said Carly as she closed the door behind him.822Please respect copyright.PENANAy13ONfhOc8
"Evening mother, evening Angel."822Please respect copyright.PENANAey0VuoqkMg
Both Amanda and Angel greeted him at the same time.822Please respect copyright.PENANAXMMIRVwKfK
"May I have a word with you in the study?" Amanda asked her son.822Please respect copyright.PENANARE9iwT1vml
"Right now? Is it really that urgent?" Mr McDonell asked.822Please respect copyright.PENANA1SrsbzTIhW
"Yes and it can't wait."822Please respect copyright.PENANA05c0ynRF1a
Amanda already started her way back down the hall she came from but 822Please respect copyright.PENANA7wTkDhE0Pd
this time heading to the study. Mr McDonell had no choice but to follow.822Please respect copyright.PENANAzVJ90xZoui
"Could it be that she wants to talk about his wife bringing Kim here?" Carly asked.822Please respect copyright.PENANAWkwndlvIIo
Angel looked at her 822Please respect copyright.PENANAX3W4E8lfyb
sister. "I wouldn't dwell on that thought if I were you," she replied. 822Please respect copyright.PENANAagTujd8l3K
Angel didn't have to think twice about what the two would be talking 822Please respect copyright.PENANAluN3i5Lo8b
about.822Please respect copyright.PENANA59F5BzkHPJ
In an hour's time, 822Please respect copyright.PENANAxlwWjl9Xu2
dinner was close to being set on the table. Carly and Angel were in the 822Please respect copyright.PENANAwpwI00yOX1
living room watching the 8 o'clock news. The house help soon started 822Please respect copyright.PENANAKphisAa3YD
bringing out dishes of different cuisines from the kitchen and into the 822Please respect copyright.PENANA2B0F62my5r
dining room.822Please respect copyright.PENANAkJXmxXMfVf
"To be honest, Angel, I feel really nervous," said Carly feeling uncomfortable on the couch.822Please respect copyright.PENANAWVIaEFp2C4
"If you're worried about Kim, please don't show it," said Angel.822Please respect copyright.PENANAVIidohNBEV
"I'm not going to."822Please respect copyright.PENANAXGPZinD9kX
"Well, you better change that facial expression. Because it completely shows."822Please respect copyright.PENANAlo13WUTxA9
"Really?" Carly asked as she touched her face thinking that it would help change her expression.822Please respect copyright.PENANA0KnhnUxHgZ
Angel shook her head and smiled as she went on to stare at the TV. She hadn't messed around with Carly like that in a long time.822Please respect copyright.PENANA3wgVHw4G09
Oliver soon appeared in the living room and came to sit right next to Carly.822Please respect copyright.PENANAR9j7AXgrCl
"Hey, Oliver," said Angel. "Are you done with your homework?"822Please respect copyright.PENANAOMyZ40W0W6
"Homework, seriously, on a Friday?" Oliver looked at Angel with a surprised look on his face.822Please respect copyright.PENANAz75K0mpcvR
"What's wrong with doing822Please respect copyright.PENANAO2pU3o8BqH
your homework on a Friday? You might have the whole weekend, but you 822Please respect copyright.PENANAPXp0ceEHOd
won't do your homework because you will be out having fun. And then you 822Please respect copyright.PENANALHU8cic6yD
will end up doing your homework on a Sunday evening."822Please respect copyright.PENANAkaBcVHj0rZ
"I know what you mean. But it's so hard to do my homework on a Friday because everyone is so busy."822Please respect copyright.PENANAxZ4SOBmRxj
"That, little man, is so822Please respect copyright.PENANAPFkltRMU1c
not true," said Eric as he came into the living room. He had taken a 822Please respect copyright.PENANAOgDib1Dvxl
shower and changed his clothes for the evening. "I always have free time822Please respect copyright.PENANAwuP9lsnLPt
for you on a Friday."822Please respect copyright.PENANAF5yktDLeJn
"Come on, Eric," said Angel. "Let the little man, speak. He might be telling the truth."822Please respect copyright.PENANAFwrzAXlhID
"Please don't take his 822Please respect copyright.PENANAdnq4ooU3rC
side, Angel." Eric came to stand right behind Angel on her wheelchair. 822Please respect copyright.PENANAGT7u4SIQuB
"The guy isn't as innocent as you think."822Please respect copyright.PENANA15Nfcpb2sH
"Okay, let me finish talking to him about his homework first. Then you can air out all your views about him."822Please respect copyright.PENANAw5GDZ4G4VL
"Don't listen to a word he says about me," said Oliver, pointing at his brother.822Please respect copyright.PENANAKnWg1En9sm
"Okay, okay, you two," 822Please respect copyright.PENANAYzeo0lB04M
said Angel trying to calm the two brothers down. "Now, Oliver, I think 822Please respect copyright.PENANA0Ngb20Cm1E
it's best you work on your homework on a Friday so that you don't have 822Please respect copyright.PENANAJeDfCmRUcg
to struggle so much on Sunday."822Please respect copyright.PENANA91oit1m8QI
"Will you help me then?"822Please respect copyright.PENANA0aNKOSKjQ9
Angel gave him a smile. "After dinner."822Please respect copyright.PENANAsqOjJNKzjW
"Then we can watch a Friday night movie in the home movie theatre. How does that sound?" Eric asked.822Please respect copyright.PENANAWH96WfNaD2
"You guys have your own home movie theatre?" Carly asked looking at Eric.822Please respect copyright.PENANAmkFhqn98ZH
"Ya," Oliver answered 822Please respect copyright.PENANAg42rUYclAD
excitedly. "My brother, Leo and I usually have a movie night on Fridays.822Please respect copyright.PENANAv8MKqG5Ohb
Would you ladies like to join us?"822Please respect copyright.PENANAHpdxDsUCI3
"Oooh, charming," said Carly. "Of course we would, wouldn't we, Angel?"822Please respect copyright.PENANA0iasuNrv1X
"Definitely," Angel replied. "But after he does his homework."822Please respect copyright.PENANAN07kzuifRC
"Deal," said Oliver as he gave Angel a smile.822Please respect copyright.PENANATAoUc4zftm
"Is everyone here?" Mrs McDonell called out as she appeared into the living room, coming in from the foyer.822Please respect copyright.PENANATdjNetIV93
"What do you mean, aunt?" Eric asked. "Everyone is around."822Please respect copyright.PENANAFzAQAfSxgU
"And what about your uncle, has he arrived?"822Please respect copyright.PENANAGnMX8JDJjz
"Yes, he arrived some minutes ago," Angel replied.822Please respect copyright.PENANAwGzancHPgB
"And where is he?" Mrs McDonell asked giving Angel a glare.822Please respect copyright.PENANAJpKPgCXiNK
"He went to the study with Amanda. She insisted that they go and have a talk."822Please respect copyright.PENANAawduFIuNlg
Mrs McDonald raised an 822Please respect copyright.PENANAM0DMNieMRN
eyebrow thinking over what Angel had just said. Angel could tell that 822Please respect copyright.PENANARZobH7vKC3
Mrs McDonell was thinking twice , obviously wondering if Amanda was 822Please respect copyright.PENANANkN4a9CoPP
talking to her son about his wife.822Please respect copyright.PENANAeAG6kH05YB
"Are we going to have supper now?" came Eric's mother coming from behind Mrs McDonell. "I'm starving here."822Please respect copyright.PENANAI7CCYzmd5R
"Same here, mum," said Oliver. "And the food smells delicious from here."822Please respect copyright.PENANAA16cJ9OUhj
"Don't worry, our guest will be here soon and then we can have our supper," said Mrs McDonell.822Please respect copyright.PENANApdNjrnjlw7
"I wonder who it is," said Eric. "Because the way I see it, it must be someone important."822Please respect copyright.PENANAUJAtIW0aXP
Angel looked up at Eric 822Please respect copyright.PENANA1HtdyeFCir
and she was glad that he wasn't looking down at her. She had that 822Please respect copyright.PENANAgxgigijv5Y
worried look on her face because she knew that their guest was someone 822Please respect copyright.PENANAayfhPEvCvj
Eric and especially Leo weren't in good terms with at the moment.822Please respect copyright.PENANAW23Lak3gGP
They soon heard a sound of a vehicle and the sound of tires on the asphalt outside. Could that be their visitor?822Please respect copyright.PENANAGZQ8PBMEA6
"Ah, she's here," said Mrs McDonell excitedly as she went for the front door. Diana quickly went to join her.822Please respect copyright.PENANAcNBoBABpZ6
"It's a she?" Eric asked. "I hope it's not one of those old famous ladies."822Please respect copyright.PENANA1mzVMvb8Fb
Angel rolled her eyes. "You wouldn't like it if was anyone younger," she thought to herself.822Please respect copyright.PENANAgvqZuC8PUX
"I wonder why aunt is so excited," said Oliver. "This must be one very important person."822Please respect copyright.PENANAu5mokhkDwQ
"Maybe in her life, yes," said Carly.822Please respect copyright.PENANAssxZgMzN5H
"I have to see this for myself," said Eric.822Please respect copyright.PENANA5v7smw84Y7
Before he could even head out of the living room, he stopped as he looked into the foyer. He was shocked for words.822Please respect copyright.PENANAWGa1lH4lsv
"Eric, are you okay?" 822Please respect copyright.PENANAVMJ2cirq6h
Oliver asked as he noticed his brother stand still like a statue. He 822Please respect copyright.PENANAVrw0n67zex
soon turned towards what his brother was looking at and he too remained 822Please respect copyright.PENANAbI24BvxIbB
shocked.822Please respect copyright.PENANAHRaFRbM5Ja
The two sisters knew the822Please respect copyright.PENANAALUlNKgSLo
worst had finally come. They both turned to the foyer and there in 822Please respect copyright.PENANA8IolesCoEe
lovely short purple dress was the most beautiful looking lady they had 822Please respect copyright.PENANAUJsqBWERjK
ever seen.822Please respect copyright.PENANAmAKRLfGrai
Kim stepped in to the 822Please respect copyright.PENANAck3shZ04iO
living room with Mrs McDonell who had a huge grin on her face. It was 822Please respect copyright.PENANALjFPxdixX9
obvious that her plan of getting Kim into the house with Leo still 822Please respect copyright.PENANAE67Yo6avm4
around, worked. Diana remained behind in the foyer with a scared and yet822Please respect copyright.PENANARVb7A1h9cy
surprised look on her face. She soon left the foyer, heading upstairs.822Please respect copyright.PENANA7oa4r97QeW
"Look who is here to see us after such a long time," said Mrs McDonell. She couldn't be any more happier.822Please respect copyright.PENANAi27wnyUHuB
"Hi, Eric," said Kim as she gave him a dreamy look and a charming smile. "How have you been?"822Please respect copyright.PENANAU5VBdfvspi
Eric cleared his throat then said, "I'm great. It's been a long time, Kim."822Please respect copyright.PENANAYMfcFFKJ52
"It really has. It's good to be back here. Hey, Oliver, how are you?"822Please respect copyright.PENANAgOhEDGwP1F
"I'm fine, thanks," said822Please respect copyright.PENANAOaKndoPmzZ
Oliver and he quickly went to looking at the TV screen as though 822Please respect copyright.PENANA5CctW3lp4F
something had captured his eye when it was only just the eight o'clock 822Please respect copyright.PENANArAub5miL3r
news.822Please respect copyright.PENANATUhVrqjZFS
"Before I forget my manners, let me introduce to the Barclay sisters, Angel and Carly," said Mrs McDonell.822Please respect copyright.PENANAB1etvPRkXL
Carly stood up from her seat and walked over to Kim with a smile on her face.822Please respect copyright.PENANATXnrwxODVR
"I'm Carly," she said as she stuck out her hand. "Nice to meet you."822Please respect copyright.PENANAF2OicZ1nOO
"The pleasure is mine," said Kim as she shook Carly's hand.822Please respect copyright.PENANAzrpPsdIARB
Angel and Eric couldn't help but look at each other when the two shook hands. Kim had no idea what she was in for.822Please respect copyright.PENANA34XaaCPBIg
"And this is my older sister, Angel," said Carly introducing her sister to Kim.822Please respect copyright.PENANAvO8v83IDyb
"Nice to meet you, Angel," said Kim giving Angel a smile.822Please respect copyright.PENANAGOSpHmXkQI
"Nice to meet you too," Angel replied.822Please respect copyright.PENANAtzjlX6meLS
"Where is Leo?" Kim asked as she turned to look at Mrs McDonell.822Please respect copyright.PENANADoNx27RPZC
"He's just freshening 822Please respect copyright.PENANAur1Y9FJIkV
up," said Mrs McDonell. "He will be down here shortly. Why don't you 822Please respect copyright.PENANAlIBxfVfLnt
take a seat while I go and tell the rest that you're here."822Please respect copyright.PENANATZedgWaoBX
"There's simply no need 822Please respect copyright.PENANAxDBgHMj3Z4
for that, Bertha," said Mr McDonell as he came into the foyer with 822Please respect copyright.PENANAYMYBL4uZDk
Amanda, pushing her wheelchair. "We are already here."822Please respect copyright.PENANAY0UdtfYCd1
"Aren't you excited that Kim is here?" Mrs McDonell smiled at her husband.822Please respect copyright.PENANAIomhnLB56p
Mr McDonell looked caught in between answering her or not. He quickly turned to look at Kim to greet her.822Please respect copyright.PENANAIdFF2eaBdz
"How are you, Kim?" he asked.822Please respect copyright.PENANAhiFqjLfW5A
"I'm good. It's really nice to see you again. Hi, Amanda, how are you?"822Please respect copyright.PENANAO4p8tBUbZV
Amanda put up the kindest smile. "I'm great and how are you?"822Please respect copyright.PENANA8Z3S6quLfz
"Never better."822Please respect copyright.PENANAUcRR9KP1LJ
"You take a seat. I'll go and call Leo," said Mrs McDonell.822Please respect copyright.PENANAszs8DGIjyy
"Let me freshen up real quick," said Mr McDonell and he quickly turned around to leave.822Please respect copyright.PENANAETUJzpdwRx
Kim went over to the couch and took a seat. She sat on the couch close to where Angel sat on her wheelchair.822Please respect copyright.PENANAkKcfkRSDcA
Mrs and Mr McDonell left822Please respect copyright.PENANAMs7B17T4fQ
the living room. For a moment, everything felt a little awkward, now 822Please respect copyright.PENANAhInu7JSqEU
that Kim was here. Eric scratched the back of his head as he came to 822Please respect copyright.PENANA8ol9ScncS0
settle down on the couch with his little brother. Carly came to join the822Please respect copyright.PENANAVpVyye0X8j
two and Amanda rolled herself over and settled right next to Angel.822Please respect copyright.PENANArJIGtdAHSb
For a moment, there was 822Please respect copyright.PENANAyrEyL8y07c
silence as most people in the living room fixed their eyes on the TV 822Please respect copyright.PENANALK9FseviIq
screen, except for Kim who kept looking at each and everyone of them 822Please respect copyright.PENANAwChvWefFzJ
present, trying to see who she could start a conversation with.822Please respect copyright.PENANAdq1hHwObaT
"I haven't seen you in a while, Eric," said Kim. Eric looked at her.822Please respect copyright.PENANANpbFbOmygR
"Ya, we kind of fell out after all that had happened," said Eric.822Please respect copyright.PENANABWYdgwdwYt
"I know. It's pretty much normal on your part. I was a little surprised with Leo though."822Please respect copyright.PENANAoGB70TN6Be
Everyone all turned their heads at Kim, including little Oliver. They all waited for her to continue with what she had to say.822Please respect copyright.PENANAGsqqeguWfy
"I know about the 822Please respect copyright.PENANAheICBSryUL
accident, Angel," Kim continued. "And on behalf of Leo, I apologise 822Please respect copyright.PENANAbYsdB1BX59
since I didn't get the chance to when it all happened. I didn't even 822Please respect copyright.PENANA7fUeq27Co5
know you were staying with the McDonells until I was told by Leo's mum."822Please respect copyright.PENANALqMcVupLls
Angel said, "all that 822Please respect copyright.PENANAj0ufCnKGlX
was nothing but an accident. I've moved on. If I really wanted to, I 822Please respect copyright.PENANA6OKEGAh0JK
would have sued Leo, but I know how pointless all that would have been."822Please respect copyright.PENANAZYlowWQwpN
Carly looked at her 822Please respect copyright.PENANAO95tEU9efL
sister, wondering why she said that last bit of suing Leo. All this 822Please respect copyright.PENANAFKHjxSoEyF
looked really confusing to her. It felt like someone was trying to play 822Please respect copyright.PENANAvoQ4NTNUHa
the other here, or was Carly simply imagining things?822Please respect copyright.PENANANIsUSR75p1
"But I still can't seem to put one thing together though," said Kim as she looked up at the ceiling.822Please respect copyright.PENANAyT3d9oQ59J
Eric, Angel and Carly 822Please respect copyright.PENANAAWU737vTVc
all held their breaths. What was she going to say now? Was she going to 822Please respect copyright.PENANAFTmqOnEkRP
link the Barclay sisters to Leo's decision of calling off their 822Please respect copyright.PENANAWPHbDpL7ea
engagement?822Please respect copyright.PENANAjGupowgUdV
"I wonder why you and 822Please respect copyright.PENANAj9wcvgunsD
Leo went out that day, Eric," said Kim as she went back to looking at 822Please respect copyright.PENANABjDo91XUxY
him. "What were you possibly doing anyway?"822Please respect copyright.PENANAIf4GLbkKH9
Oliver gave his brother a funny look.822Please respect copyright.PENANA7bWXem5pHZ
"He wanted to go out for fresh air and we did," Eric replied. "We didn't know the accident would happen."822Please respect copyright.PENANAOCuJzyB4W0
"All that was 822Please respect copyright.PENANAxyugyTVEsI
unpredictable, dear," said Amanda. "I don't know why you're bringing all822Please respect copyright.PENANABHLkc4el5s
this up again when it has gone and passed. If you're trying to figure 822Please respect copyright.PENANAyxwHDn2Ffe
out why Leo left you, it's best you ask him yourself."822Please respect copyright.PENANArUMJ6Uazya
"You know I tried that, Amanda," said Kim. "And just like always, he never gave me a straight up answer."822Please respect copyright.PENANA6OrXiTEXRs
Amanda gave Kim a mocking smile. "Well, that's definitely like Leo, alright."822Please respect copyright.PENANAbU2tY3iyfF
Kim could tell that Amanda was just making fun of her. So she went back to looking at Eric.822Please respect copyright.PENANAN28qqIxwuV
"So, how is work?" Kim asked.822Please respect copyright.PENANADvcDknk8ey
"Work is fine and tiring as usual," Eric answered.822Please respect copyright.PENANA7iQKthpG8S
"That's good to hear." Kim went on to look at the stairs. "I wonder what's keeping the others so long."822Please respect copyright.PENANAJZrCLXYR4P
As soon as she said 822Please respect copyright.PENANAGfIEtYLw3F
those words, footsteps were heard coming down the stairs. And just by 822Please respect copyright.PENANAHzAwZph5xF
the sound, you could tell that they weren't happy steps.822Please respect copyright.PENANAbaWgdTMSaT
"Leo, wait a minute," Diana called out to him by the stairs.822Please respect copyright.PENANAedQWKgEXTb
Leo had already reached the bottom stair and went straight to the living room.822Please respect copyright.PENANAm4FwokjitN
"What's going on here?" Leo asked as soon as he appeared in the living room.822Please respect copyright.PENANAugPPzejssa
Amanda winced. Eric 822Please respect copyright.PENANA3SKPQU1HAq
couldn't help but scratch his head. Carly looked the other way as she 822Please respect copyright.PENANAe185I7rs5t
played with her hair. Oliver didn't face Leo's direction, as though he 822Please respect copyright.PENANAm7OrBWxvWq
was avoiding watching a bad scene of a horror movie. Angel however, 822Please respect copyright.PENANAndMOvC0aKe
looked on waiting to see how all this would play out.822Please respect copyright.PENANA3oVdvP8xwL
Kim slowly stood up from the couch. "Leo, how are you?" she greeted.822Please respect copyright.PENANABhWMdXiohR
There was silence in the room except from Diana's footsteps as she came down the stairs and in to the living room.822Please respect copyright.PENANAO9a7PoaXqc
"I was fine the time I came home," he answered. "And now I'm not."822Please respect copyright.PENANAMKzit9iN9S
"Leo, calm down, 822Please respect copyright.PENANA6vkTsWrYw4
please," Diana strongly insisted as she held his shoulder. "Your mum 822Please respect copyright.PENANAg8RWPVAO4f
isn't going to like the way you're talking to her."822Please respect copyright.PENANA9dYn3Jv33M
"She invited her here, did she?" Leo turned to look at his aunt.822Please respect copyright.PENANAFZFUWqWJoO
Diana shrugged her shoulders. "She never told me anything. But I'm guessing by her happy mood, she obviously did."822Please respect copyright.PENANAxRBlFaBpBl
Leo turned to look at Kim. "Did mum ask you to come here?" he asked her.822Please respect copyright.PENANAiyoVyHiFd5
"She did," Kim answered. "But all this was only so that I could see the family after such a long time."822Please respect copyright.PENANANKHYThN1mp
Everyone had a puzzled 822Please respect copyright.PENANA9UzvfmnCu1
look on their face as they turned to look at Kim, except Leo. It was 822Please respect copyright.PENANAHOHdIfrJz5
clear with the way she spoke to them before Leo came in that she was 822Please respect copyright.PENANAR11mfdJqRN
here just to get a chance to see and talk to Leo. No one objected to 822Please respect copyright.PENANAGmcRUGXVtB
what she said. She and Leo were having a conversation and no one felt 822Please respect copyright.PENANA9RLSUz7Dhv
like butting in because you were only going to get burnt.822Please respect copyright.PENANAa1mv5H1E1s
"I don't believe you," said Leo. "Grandma, did you know she was coming here?"822Please respect copyright.PENANAUj4iKYgHwR
Amanda looked up at Leo.822Please respect copyright.PENANA2S8eA8Vmc1
"I knew, she answered. "But your mum told me not to tell you because 822Please respect copyright.PENANAhzW0aCr7EN
you would freak out the way you're doing right now."822Please respect copyright.PENANA97yiWvEKpg
"She knew you would run, that's why," said Diana. "That's definitely what your mother would do."822Please respect copyright.PENANA1CDJRLDUvz
Leo rolled his eyes and looked irritated. "Where is she?" he asked.822Please respect copyright.PENANArRrZkHd8Bb
"She will be down shortly," said Amanda, who had a worried look on his face.822Please respect copyright.PENANABJlshKY6d3
"I need her here right now."822Please respect copyright.PENANAXY1W8EqNG7
"Leo, I think you need to sit down," said Eric as he stood up from the chair and came to stand right next to his cousin.822Please respect copyright.PENANANwDRpXNF0k
"There's no need." Leo looked calm and cool, but you could tell from his voice that he was really on edge.822Please respect copyright.PENANAglcHYHnqX0
Mr McDonell soon came down the stairs and when he came in the living room, he felt the tension in the air.822Please respect copyright.PENANAm2DZs7EnKg
"Did I miss something here?" Mr McDonell asked.822Please respect copyright.PENANAYJFzzJOYAD
"You came just in time," said Amanda. "Leo is not happy."822Please respect copyright.PENANAuOsD2WqYbt
Mr McDonell only shook his head and approached his son from behind.822Please respect copyright.PENANAqlnlUGlfE7
"Leo, can we talk?" Mr McDonell asked.822Please respect copyright.PENANAeYr17yDIJP
"Why should we?" Leo asked as he looked at his father.822Please respect copyright.PENANAuezvbEOGbp
"Let's go," Mr McDonell insisted. "It will do you some good. Before your mother comes here."822Please respect copyright.PENANAaL8mwIYOan
Leo nodded his head and 822Please respect copyright.PENANAnLxn64U3ww
followed his father out of the living room heading to the study. Just as822Please respect copyright.PENANAuSQPchdQmW
they disappeared down the other end of the hall, Mrs McDonell came down822Please respect copyright.PENANAYPwCyWwyj9
the stairs and went in the living room.822Please respect copyright.PENANAeLXrhm6qcO
"No sign of Leo yet?" Mrs McDonell asked.822Please respect copyright.PENANAiZ5ejRPKlN
"If you looked around the room more carefully, you would see the burning imprint of where he stood on the carpet," said Amanda.822Please respect copyright.PENANAmDbrfvnUjh
Mrs McDonell sighed. "Amanda, please stop talking in riddles," she said. "Was he here or not?"822Please respect copyright.PENANASHuA6PDZ63
"He was and he wasn't happy," said Eric.822Please respect copyright.PENANAHhabsCJPUM
"Did he leave?" Mrs McDonell looked worried.822Please respect copyright.PENANAqt1Dhx5hc0
"If you mean the house, no," said Diana. "He followed his father to the study."822Please respect copyright.PENANAm9PMEHnWdj
Mrs McDonell turned around heading for the study.822Please respect copyright.PENANAAf2athWzjT
"I think I should leave," said Kim. "It really shows that Leo isn't happy to see me."822Please respect copyright.PENANAwhU5A7kNCc
"Oh, no, please, stay," 822Please respect copyright.PENANAUiVEkOKLC3
said Amanda, yet she didn't sound sympathetic about it. It almost 822Please respect copyright.PENANAovg9AMPYbq
sounded like she was making fun of her.822Please respect copyright.PENANAh8RDMQEZ3i
"Oh, no, I'm good. I shouldn't have agreed to come here in the first place."822Please respect copyright.PENANAxkl1gGI6IZ
"No, don't leave yet," 822Please respect copyright.PENANAUsCRoVf4Rp
said Diana. "You're Bertha's guest and she isn't going to be happy if 822Please respect copyright.PENANAMXA3YbSMnM
you leave. Come with me to the patio, you need a little bit of air."822Please respect copyright.PENANAjMid5DzTn7
"Yes, I guess so."822Please respect copyright.PENANAQH2I40KH7l
Kim joined Diana and the two left for the patio.822Please respect copyright.PENANAO7rDbDfq21
"I knew this was going to happen," said Amanda.822Please respect copyright.PENANAGv5NhWtVPT
"I would blame Leo for this," said Angel. "He's supposed to act mature. Not like a child."822Please respect copyright.PENANACOdZrQRL65
"I behave more maturely than he does," said Oliver.822Please respect copyright.PENANABFRBZnUm7P
"I know you do." Angel smiled at the young boy.822Please respect copyright.PENANAtXHby1M4sL
"I agree with you, 822Please respect copyright.PENANAjCQwsFhz5L
Angel," said Eric. "I know he broke up their engagement, but it doesn't 822Please respect copyright.PENANAyHwuXh3Gwu
mean he has to treat her that way as though she has done something 822Please respect copyright.PENANAE6NQPYSVeX
wrong."822Please respect copyright.PENANA3cS6z7vqJR
"I kind of feel bad for her," said Carly.822Please respect copyright.PENANAnPgMSFMsW5
"Leo has always been 822Please respect copyright.PENANAnBo0Vd4m7k
like a child," said Amanda. "And I hate to admit, though I don't like 822Please respect copyright.PENANA3o31Glpjv4
Kim very much, what Leo is doing to her is awful."822Please respect copyright.PENANAsmQG247kQd
"It's not anything new that you don't like her, granny," said Eric.822Please respect copyright.PENANA9zEniBmrYn
"I know. But Bertha also822Please respect copyright.PENANA8PoCmsuO0x
did the wrong thing here. She knows Leo's actions towards Kim would be 822Please respect copyright.PENANAIr16r9MSvK
brutal but she still wanted Kim to come here. She obviously wants them 822Please respect copyright.PENANACKvtq2wCGL
to get back together."822Please respect copyright.PENANATQA0JJdzZZ
"There's no doubt about 822Please respect copyright.PENANA9m8Pt4JbIw
that," said Angel. "But Leo should be more of a gentleman. He shouldn't 822Please respect copyright.PENANAfaOCpT8X6i
treat her that way. Now I wonder how he broke up with her. Must have 822Please respect copyright.PENANAsCcGyzrtKL
been terrible."822Please respect copyright.PENANAqms844gCKq
"You should tell him that," said Eric as he smiled at Angel. "Maybe he will listen to you."822Please respect copyright.PENANAKDJwpB8Xzq
"He's a gentleman when 822Please respect copyright.PENANAeAF7rCGCUq
he wants to be. But towards Kim, I don't know why he acts like that. He 822Please respect copyright.PENANALoTJl4yGUQ
loved her once, you know," said Amanda.822Please respect copyright.PENANAg0MGw3xZmD
"Like madly in love with her?" Carly asked.822Please respect copyright.PENANAYpCC80jppy
"Maybe during their 822Please respect copyright.PENANAYo6tNNvLyn
first years of their relationship. But I never approved of her then, and822Please respect copyright.PENANAS3Xog0FXvy
if they were ever to get back, I still wouldn't."822Please respect copyright.PENANA6c5NUugcW1
"Are they going to get back soon?" Oliver asked as he looked down the hall. "I'm hungry."822Please respect copyright.PENANAFGfiYqFT5X
"Why don't you get a 822Please respect copyright.PENANAbu7PWDR7pu
little snack from the kitchen?" Amanda suggested. "You wouldn't want to 822Please respect copyright.PENANA0cF9pNNIY2
die in this ugly war full of big people problems." 822Please respect copyright.PENANA0b9TyIUkYU
While the others waited in the living room, there was a serious talk in the study room.822Please respect copyright.PENANAvScIigocV0
"I'm begging you, Leo, can you at least act mature for once?" Mr McDonell asked Leo.822Please respect copyright.PENANAbSH2MUA7nC
"Why should I?" Leo asked as he folded his arms.822Please respect copyright.PENANAOXsisIuvy8
"Because she is my guest," Mrs McDonell answered. "That's why."822Please respect copyright.PENANA1tOpVS1vrE
"I wonder why you even bought her here when you know she and I aren't on good terms with each other."822Please respect copyright.PENANABAbcoT587A
"Why do you treat her like she did something wrong to you? This isn't the Leo I know."822Please respect copyright.PENANAavASXVXd3o
"Sorry, mum. She irritates me and I want nothing to do with her. She tends to be clinging and that's not what I want."822Please respect copyright.PENANAzny1q0ZIzv
"But you don't have to treat a lady like that, son," said Mr McDonell. "You need to talk things down with her like an adult."822Please respect copyright.PENANAboFWZIxpvV
"I did talk to her face 822Please respect copyright.PENANAeCYWN6xs4K
to face to break off our engagement, but she still kept on calling and 822Please respect copyright.PENANAPPcgOuUtni
calling afterwards," said Leo. "You see, that's being too clinging."822Please respect copyright.PENANAQXtd3UTnVf
"And did you ever give a reasonable explanation as to why you wanted to break up?" Mr McDonell gave Leo a look. "Did you?"822Please respect copyright.PENANAQBjKMw78VH
"I told her that it didn't feel right anymore to be together and that we had to break off our engagement."822Please respect copyright.PENANAnAqJQWcyml
"Well, that's not a 822Please respect copyright.PENANAXNZp0Cmii5
clearcut answer to me," said Mrs McDonell. "There has to be a simple 822Please respect copyright.PENANAkY7PdgFyN3
reason or else she wouldn't be calling you all the time."822Please respect copyright.PENANALiL4fvpKxD
"Mum, I have my reasons," said Leo sternly.822Please respect copyright.PENANAWIeUtRkUMs
"But it still doesn't 822Please respect copyright.PENANA5yunzzReLB
add up and your mother is right," said Mr McDonell. "I never wanted to 822Please respect copyright.PENANAoo8V9qvmdn
ask you why you broke up with Kim because I know you don't like to talk 822Please respect copyright.PENANA2DRGVjkpl7
about such things. But now I'm starting to wonder what's really going 822Please respect copyright.PENANAS3hD2unJ9G
on."822Please respect copyright.PENANA7wmWNCiJFm
Leo felt cornered. His 822Please respect copyright.PENANADoiAJBMsRc
parents were good at making him spit out the truth whenever they wanted 822Please respect copyright.PENANAuNH32AAvdt
it. And he didn't feel ready to tell them that he fell in love with 822Please respect copyright.PENANAbWL0jpzAC5
someone else.822Please respect copyright.PENANAbJJFdcXYtS
"It's nothing," said Leo. "I just fell out and it didn't feel right any more."822Please respect copyright.PENANAgzFzIuxOue
"Well, you fell out of it too quickly," said Mrs McDonell.822Please respect copyright.PENANAZvtdB70vr2
"Is that why you brought her here? To change my mind?"822Please respect copyright.PENANAFjjxNF81wx
"Leo, calm down," said Mr McDonell. "And you, Bertha, why didn't you tell me that you were inviting Kim over?"822Please respect copyright.PENANAEQ1aO4Thk5
"Don't tell me that you don't like her too," said Mrs McDonell almost looking disappointed.822Please respect copyright.PENANAIOr6rmxJQ0
"I have always liked 822Please respect copyright.PENANAA28RYlUr6Z
Kim. But why you didn't tell me about this is what I want to know. You 822Please respect copyright.PENANAjpfEAcu8oN
knew that your son broke up with her and it hasn't even passed a good 822Please respect copyright.PENANAAr2DSYYfdC
period of time for them to try and ease off the pain. And now, you just 822Please respect copyright.PENANAv0QuTzLwhU
opened up old wounds."822Please respect copyright.PENANApdsNJ3fROs
"I'm sorry, I should have told you but I wanted it to be a surprise."822Please respect copyright.PENANAPa6tkyJ5cd
"A surprise or a way of getting her and I back together?" Leo asked.822Please respect copyright.PENANATFZAFmtKHp
"Bertha, stop," Mr 822Please respect copyright.PENANAYa0ghQvmgT
McDonell raised his hand beside his wife could even speak. "You two are 822Please respect copyright.PENANAmR4YeSqwej
just going to argue like you always do and I'm not going to allow that. 822Please respect copyright.PENANAofmIuLfWkh
Not when we have a guest in the house."822Please respect copyright.PENANAm4W2fh0JrA
"I'm glad you consider Kim our guest, hon," said Mrs McDonell sweetly.822Please respect copyright.PENANAHl5j3dG0Ta
"That's because you 822Please respect copyright.PENANAQGg4zLJ5Pc
bought her here and you left me no choice. Leo, I'm begging you, just 822Please respect copyright.PENANA5vk1P1CFdf
for this one night, let go of your anger or whatever it is you have 822Please respect copyright.PENANAYLit4gXiWK
against Kim and have our dinner in peace. Can you do that for me?"822Please respect copyright.PENANA6aVWUteDMs
Leo looked at his 822Please respect copyright.PENANApiRMEIkqMT
father, then at his mother who gave him a look to go ahead with his 822Please respect copyright.PENANADNrRxpCInH
father's suggestion. He furrowed his eyebrows at her showing how angry 822Please respect copyright.PENANAnAfnNJiOdT
he was. When he went back to looking at his father, he brought up his 822Please respect copyright.PENANAdjaiidoAcM
calm demeanour.822Please respect copyright.PENANAYPCo0ENtks
"For you, dad, I will," said Leo.822Please respect copyright.PENANAoqhLA9tkT1
Mr McDonell blew out a 822Please respect copyright.PENANAH5UELQ3CLQ
sigh of relief. "Thank you, Leo. Though I do suggest you stop acting 822Please respect copyright.PENANAJc4HtfA0bs
like a child around her from now on."822Please respect copyright.PENANA6vWz27zUOe
"I'll. In fact, I'll apologise to her right away."822Please respect copyright.PENANAXFnrIpqNkq
"That's so sweet of you, dear," said Mrs McDonell but Leo ignored her as he quickly left the room.822Please respect copyright.PENANAv8R95IYq1D
"You know, you've never 822Please respect copyright.PENANAExvaoq7Ic4
been so good with surprises, Bertha," said Mr McDonell as he looked at 822Please respect copyright.PENANAZj20TK50t5
his wife and slowly made his way out of the study.