“Okay, I can do this,” she took a deep breath and tried to relax. She wished she could be in a quiet room, but with the noise around, she had to get used to it.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBia1NMXHj
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“Hello, am I interrupting anything?” came a voice, bringing her out of her thoughts.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHceITGBmHB
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Angel quickly opened her eyes in fright and found a smartly dressed man standing in front of her. He wore a silver-grey suit that fit well on his body. His clear blue eyes looked at her anxiously, and Angel couldn’t help but stare at his kind, round face with his blonde hair cropped around his head leaving a reasonable amount of hair in the front and middle. A few strands of his hair fell in curls just above his left eye.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5eHmJ2tLC
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“Uh-yes, I’m fine,” Angel quickly answered as she felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PqPRp0MiK
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“You’re the new girl, right?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4VJ6y3M8M
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Angel didn’t know what to say as she felt she would drop the files in her hands. The man in front of her is gorgeous. And judging by the way his suit fit well on his body, he definitely does workouts at the gym or something. She told herself to pull herself together.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV69wxDvtK6
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“Yes, I am,” she quickly answered again. “Angel Barclay, nice to meet you. You’re…?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhtFMgpYsx
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“Derrick,” the man quickly drew out his hand to give her a handshake. Angel had to carry the files with her one arm to draw out the other. They shook hands. “I wasn’t in the architecture department when you passed by. I just heard we've a new girl in town.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DP5ydkvw0
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“Oh,” Angel felt her cheeks heat up even more. “I didn’t know I would still be the talk of the department.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfy9CJtjGKg
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“With your looks, you’ll be the talk for a month. I can guarantee that.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eLgiyOKRr
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Angel nervously chuckled. “Don’t say that. I personally don't think so.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5SRFX635G
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“Well, I do.” He looked at the files in her hands. “May I carry them for you? They look heavy.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRR5JixSslw
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“Ah, no thanks,” Angel quickly refused. “They aren’t heavy at all.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0N69c6VbQO
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“You sure? Here, let me help.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYEXvdX3TX
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Derrick came closer and took the three huge files from her hands. Angel felt like a huge weight has been lifted. She hadn’t realised how heavy the files were until now.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0bDgKFCEN
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“Thanks,” Angel managed to say.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TJopR58P7
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“Are you walking over to your desk?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Zbm6fpoMh
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“Ah, yes, I am.” Angel led the way to her cubicle in the main work area. She could feel a number of eyes on her and a few whispers here and there.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQcipw1Poz
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Derrick put the files on her desk. “I see you’ve a lot to work on.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHwop0bWzh
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“Not really,” Angel said, trying to shake off the feeling she's getting from people around her. She started to rub the back of her neck. “Just trying to familiarise myself with what I’ll be doing around here.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZRuuk1Vio
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“I hear you'll be working closely with Mrs. Lance. You better buckle up. The woman is hard to please.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGOW9NTFye
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“Ya, I’ve been warned. But I’ll do all I can to work hard.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RVhlFE7Po
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Derrick gave her a kind smile. “Well, I’ll leave you to it, Miss Barclay. Hey, if you’re up for it, you and I can go out for lunch with the others from my department.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpfaAhiXRP
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“Thanks, but I’ll have to decline. I already made plans with someone today.” Angel stared at her phone on the desk. Eric sent a text a few minutes ago inviting her to lunch, so she couldn’t turn him down.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72xPIDxPT6
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“Ah, I see. People are already asking you out?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOe2mVqe8l
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Angel found herself blushing even more. “It’s not like that,” she managed to say. “It’s just between friends, nothing special.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRuagUsMN0
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Derrick raised an eyebrow and a smile soon came across his face. “Maybe another time. How does that sound?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFDCJZnq1J
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Angel quickly shook her head. “That will be great. Thanks for helping me carry these files.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBdtIz8UsU
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“You’re welcome. It’s nice meeting you. I’ll see you around?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQIDQa7ftv
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“Ya, I’ll see you.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfyYvjNhPy
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Derrick gave her a wave and started to walk out of the work area. Before Angel could take her seat, she could’ve swore that he had turned to look at her before disappearing out of sight. She didn’t want to think too much about it.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Por6nbmAF
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She looked at the files in front of her and knew she had a lot to do. She better get to work now before work starts to pile up. She got one file and placed it in front of her when she heard:816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2srfOJg32Q
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“Excuse me, it’s Angel, right?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtevhSHo3jY
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Angel turned around and found a young lady, an African American like her, seated at her desk opposite Angel’s cubicle. Her skin colour is darker than Angel’s, like that of dark chocolate. She had black, kinky hair tied above her head and leaving a huge tuft of hair. She wore glasses with a blue frame and wore a black suit with a white blouse and matching black high-heels. Angel couldn’t help but feel intimidated by the lady’s beauty.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8n1rWxUziW
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“Yes, it is," said Angel as she fully turned around in her seat and drew her arm out. "Your name is-?"816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJaM7wdtHc
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"Sabrina," said the lady as she leaned forward and shook hands with Angel. "I see a lot of people really want to know you."816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7x37cowAZ2
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"Maybe it's because I'm new here," said Angel, trying her best to stress a point kindly.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdaGN4ID2N
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"Or maybe it's because you're just too pretty," Sabrina gave Angel a flashy smile.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK5P8pLO1O
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Angel playfully shrugged her shoulders. "I can't be too sure about that."816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFk4YqPLWOn
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"It's because you don't see it. The person you were talking to just now, he's really hard to come by. A lot of ladies around here try to get his attention. For him to actually ask you out for lunch will probably leave a lot of people here speechless."816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGQdqOs2ZG
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Angel raised an eyebrow. "Really? Why do you say so? You make it sound like he's an introvert when he seems like a really outgoing person."816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVd0QAF4I8m
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"He is. It's just that he has his own circle of friends. When many ladies try to get close, he pulls away. He's acquainted with a lot of us, but none of us have ever gotten close to him."816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdxTyWAdFt
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"Okay, but what does that have to do with me? I just met him."816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMCf25QZQB
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"Him escorting you here and asking you out for lunch is actually the first time I've seen him try to engage a lady in a conversation. He rarely does, unless he is talking about work."816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU52fDLa9u
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"Oh, I see. But that doesn't mean he likes me or anything, right?"816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSriQmP7lwZ
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Sabrina shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows with men. One minute they're leading you on, the next they aren't. But with Derrick, he might really like you."816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcnG3TVSad
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"He doesn't have a girlfriend, does he?" came another female with blonde hair and striking blue eyes. She stood in the aisle with papers in her hands. She seemed to have popped out out of nowhere.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySYmDJ4lCU
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"Not that I know of," Sabrina answered her. "Angel, this is Beatrix."816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYqXsHkT2G
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"Oh, sorry for butting in in your conversation," said Beatrix, looking at Angel and raising her hand apologetically. "Where are my manners?"816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1IFbml5it
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"It's okay," said Angel. "It's nice to meet you, Beatrix."816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDpBqC9pIW
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"Nice meeting you too. Just like Sabrina said, I'm also shocked Derrick actually talked to you so casually and actually asked you out for lunch."816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ryj75oBDN
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"You see," Sabrina said to Angel with a smile on her face.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vO7bPKkuB
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"I'm not going to say anything," said Angel. "You obviously know him better than I do."816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNj8AZpYKhS
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"Just admit it. He has his eye on you."816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGQ1QDYJug
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Angel blushed. She looked to the floor, hoping that the other two wouldn’t notice.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBg1uwV399
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"If you managed to get his attention, what more of the other male folk around here who are single?"816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwS3lLxiLy
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"Let's not talk about that," said Angel as she quickly spun around in her chair. “The last thing I need right now is to worry about who likes me.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAwnZRvS6W
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“Was it like this at your previous workplace? I hear you worked for some editing company, right?” Beatrix asked.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkWX2ClCO6
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Looks like they got their information from HR, Angel thought before she turned around to look at the two ladies. “As far as I can remember, no. Most men were married, so, I didn’t have any problems.” Except Mark, of course. She made sure not to say that out loud.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlf4SzSRrsU
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“Anyway, since you’re close with Eric and Leo, I bet you have their attention too,” said Sabrina.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9ldXWBf8E
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“Oh, no, I don’t think so,” Angel was quick to deny.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMOAl9sjcu
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“They are very good-looking and all the ladies wouldn’t mind getting close to them. But just like Derrick, they also don’t like to get too close. Eric's better since he’s outgoing and all. But Leo keeps to himself. He seems like a no nonsense person and he was pretty serious with his relationship with Kim until they called off the wedding.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZZ60wWzGm
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Angel didn’t want to hear any more of this. If only they knew that the reason why that happened is because of Carly.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwu5zouHRqh
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“Do you know why that happened, Angel?” Beatrix asked. “You’re close to the family, so you should know the reason.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7mpoey9p2
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“I can’t answer that.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWGBpxF8sV
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Sabrina drew herself closer, dragging the chair with her. “Why not?” she asked. “Is it that bad?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAyJMPdOuh
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“No one actually knows why Leo broke things off with Kim, and so does she.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWNiYTtp3J
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“Oh, darn!” Beatrix clicked her tongue. “Everyone around here also says the same thing.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvY1z3Ldkv
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Good, Angel thought. It’s best she went with this. No one in the McDonell mansion knows the truth except for her, Eric, Carly and Leo. The more people think of it as a mystery, the better.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQKfvPzXeA
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“You see, Leo keeps things to himself,” said Sabrina. “As much as he is good looking, I feel he has such an attitude. You feel it sometimes when he talks to you, though he isn’t always like that.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmI1K15gUe4
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“Well, he does have an attitude, I can agree on that," said Angel.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpY21Y9EFw
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“How do you handle him? Doesn’t he get on your nerves?” Beatrix asked.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJrt7QL5jV
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“Sometimes. But he isn’t that bad.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMkkqo3d7V
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“Ya, I see how he’s close with his family, especially Eric,” said Sabrina. “I just wish he was more outgoing, you know.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4e6fiHv1d4
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You and me both, Angel thought. “I better start working on these files.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡec48zqkWqv
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“Oh, ya, sure,” said Beatrix, “sorry for disturbing you.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnDxQ5mXKD
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“Not a problem.” Angel quickly swirled round in her chair to face the file in front of her. She really needed to get some work done. She didn’t expect to be in engaged in so much talk on her first day. She still felt uneasy as she heard a whisper across the room and thought she had heard someone mention her name. She had to agree with Derrick. She would be the talk of the office for a while.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfB6TAAY0E
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She closed her eyes shaking off the feeling so as to try and focus on work. She always did this, even at the editing company when she sometimes felt anxious or pressured. When she opened them, she went straight to work on the files.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh7vK9mhQZ
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***816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcf97ZHMl4i
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Leo heard the phone on his desk vibrate. He wondered if it’s Eric sending him a text that he couldn’t find what he went to look for. Leo sighed. He now wished his father was handling this meeting with Eric and not him. With Eric out of the office for a while, now is the time he can try and catch up on work, especially with answering his emails on his iMac.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn84KxlwYyV
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His eyes left the computer screen and he went on to look at his phone. A sudden feeling came over, telling him that it might not be Eric who sent him a message. Could it be his father? If he wanted anything from Leo, he would've called. Maybe it’s his mother? No, he shook his head. It can’t be her. Just like his father, she would’ve called. Could it be Carly? It might, he thought positively. Maybe she thought of texting him.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAVCGVryPH
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He quickly took his phone and turned on the screen to find the message isn’t from Carly. It's from Kim. He felt like putting his phone aside and getting back to work. Instead, he unlocked the phone to read her message and it was nothing but a simple “Hello.” He rolled his eyes as he wished he had never bumped into her at the café this morning. Should he ignore the message? As much as he wanted to, he still had to say something. He didn’t want to seem rude like he does sometimes.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3usZoirdS4
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He texted her back and quickly put his phone down on the desk, hoping that she wouldn’t text back, but she did. Leo couldn’t help but groan.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjzQ3r18d1
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A knock soon came at the door and before Leo could tell the person to come in, the door flew open and Eric walked in with papers in his hands. Leo groaned even more, throwing his head back onto his chair.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV0zgEAzth
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“What’s up with you, grumpy?” Eric asked as he came to sit on the chair, facing Leo.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkCLgJVDDN
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“Why don’t you ever knock when you come in?” Leo asked as he folded his arms.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVDI1m2oYL
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“I’m sorry, but I already know you’re used to it. So what’s up?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVIwvi5Z5d
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Leo looked at Eric. His cousin knew him better than anyone. He took a deep breath and leaned his elbows on the table.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdYnamRCMf
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“Kim texted me,” he said.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBmbUwl6yh
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“Whoa, Kim texted you?” Eric for some reason didn’t look at all surprised. “How come?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8stxPGO0e
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“Angel and I met her at the café where we bought croissants.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwUBEX3lrZ
816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoT1W15BPyE
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“Why didn’t you tell me?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8TqtJ9Hh1
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“It didn’t matter then, but it does now. She just texted me.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wjB7kjg1y
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“What did she say?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1TroE0O4G
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“Just a simple hello.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOkvNVlO68
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816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR39S0AmgrO
“And did you reply?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeMBRfnL5t
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“Of course, I did.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQSQr2e4SL
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“And…?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqpYAu4Iaq
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“She texted back and I haven’t read the message.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmM8393h5E
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“You better see what that message says.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMijSOXKqL
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“And what if I don’t want to? It’s pretty obvious that she wants to hook up for lunch or something.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhj8jxH203
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“You’re right. I’m impressed with how much you know women, nowadays.” Eric gave him an encouraging smile.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MGazmHlN6
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“Don’t flatter me. What am I going to do? I don’t want to meet her, that’s if she does ask that we should.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ut5al4d2p
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“You’ll never know what you’ve to do if you don’t read the message.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjKSGFdNv2
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“You’re right.” Leo took his phone and unlocked it. When he read the message, he suddenly had a gloomy look. “She wants us to meet.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTshmhyUBGr
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“She really must be desperate, huh?” Eric raised his eyebrows. “Who can blame her? Being dumped on your wedding day to such a handsome man like you wasn’t what she expected.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehRhMFAocD
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“You aren’t making me feel any better. Besides, I apologised. I don’t know what she wants me to do.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbh6JkRgcb
816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ15LuLibXS
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“She needs an answer from you. That’s what.” Eric leaned back on the chair. "You never told her why you left on your wedding day. In fact, everyone keeps asking me that question and I always say that I don’t know.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x8K4F507F
816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkdJF7FsdW
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“The less who know, the better.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWL9MzVHWzu
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“Sooner or later, you’ll have to tell Kim the truth. If anything, she deserves it more than anyone.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoq29fCSYE
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Leo didn’t say anything as he looked down at his phone on the table. He took it and started to tap away, then he quickly put it down.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOL1DPvYVP
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“What did you tell her?” Eric couldn’t help but look on curiously at Leo’s phone.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyy4QR2xaXf
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“I told her we can meet,” Leo answered,816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMJyoULpAe
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“WHAT!” Eric held his head, not believing what Leo said. “I don’t believe you. Let me see the message.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0OWP8MPm8
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Leo groaned, but he got his phone, unlocked it and gave Eric. When Eric read it for himself, he stared at Leo.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA5MwFOVMh
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“You’re serious,” he said as he gave Leo back his phone. “Are you finally going to tell her the truth?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNehrGECVQx
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“On that part, I don’t know,” Leo answered as he leaned back on his chair, deep in thought.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnmZkRUj5A
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“Well, if you tell her, it will finally give her the chance to move on, don’t you think?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV2q5XrJMg
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“If I do tell her, she’ll kill me.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAifVtf9zMw
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“It’s typical of a woman. Even I would kill you. I wouldn’t like to know that the reason why my man left me was because he fell in love with someone else.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVhBK0qawt
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Leo chuckled to himself as he stared at the ceiling. “I still remember that day. Gosh, all of that happened so suddenly.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGa8hbXWxB
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“I thought you had gone mad, but looking at you now, you seem to have made the right decision. You don’t look regretful for leaving Kim.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrMyHHBfwm
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“I think it was the right thing to do.” Leo now had his eyes on Eric. “If anything, I feel like I really didn’t love her at all.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMd0kFDbI1
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Eric smiled. “Grandma will be glad if she heard those words coming out of that mouth of yours.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2niuiSdbDJ
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“I know. Seems like she was right after all. Kim was never good for me.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cTxPMt26y
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“Wait until she finds out that you’re actually in love with Carly.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7mGzg2ZMh
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The two cousins looked at each other, imagining the scenario. Eric reacted first.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYypkGK2PL
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“No, I don’t want to imagine it,” he said as he shook his head. “Something tells me it won’t be a good one.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXVkBcMh6R
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“I agree,” said Leo as he rubbed the temple of his head. “I don’t want to imagine my mother, though.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgro89Nd2tJ
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“That one is pretty obvious; I don’t have to imagine it, that’s if I want my head to explode.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbq9Lmq6n4
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The two laughed.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNxO98wVoZ
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“Okay, okay, let’s get back to work,” said Eric, wiping away a tear in his eye. “Remember, we’ve to finish these arrangements before lunch.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYISQCeSGIg
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“You’re right,” said Leo as he went on to look at his screen and switched windows from his email to an open document.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7s5K5h3gUL
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A brief silence passed between them when they suddenly burst out laughing at the same time.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1VkVSrfTI
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***816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvoODKqMZO
816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGyQaZUUke
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"Hey, Miranda, are you okay?"816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8qDthcbE7
816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEasqo97glJ
816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvlRdCJveH
Miranda quickly turned to the person who spoke to her. It's Brad. She rolled her eyes. “Oh, it’s you,” she said, turning her head to look elsewhere.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sSVl7V3ss
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Miranda was seated on a chair in the lecture room. They were waiting for their next lecture as the previous one ended minutes ago. She had been going through her phone to pass time when she was supposed to be studying. God knows just how behind she is.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡak4w2S0N3s
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“Scoot over,” Brad insisted as he moved his body closer to hers, forcing her to move.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfuUnfNihO
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Miranda moved over to the next chair which was empty and Brad finally managed to sit next to her.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCMS3walDa
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“What were you looking at?” he asked as he tried to see what's on Miranda’s phone.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2L1j4Fnvt
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“Nothing, why do you want to know?” she asked, holding her phone tight and facing her body the other way to avoid him from looking.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWTjPhId4H
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“You seem really fixed on it. I want to see what’s caught your interest.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4kZPm1x7A
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“Like I told you, it’s nothing. So why don’t you just mind your business?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjB3ucZDOw
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“I would, but I’m not going to this time.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYHK3Vgy8s
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“You never do.” Miranda gave him a gloomy look.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNSozWdYCE
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“I say that because something’s been different about you lately.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zgtHTidIs
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She raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1BJPtiRyd
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816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngvAJft7UI
“Well…,” Brad placed his elbow on the table with his hand supporting the side of his face so as to get a good look at Miranda. “You’re barely concentrating in class these days. And last week when we were handing in our assignments, you were late. You were so lucky that the madam took pity on you and accepted it.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz85rqIb6Xc
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“I had a slight problem with my laptop, that’s all.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotTfYAUHti
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Brad scoffed. “Nah, that’s not it.” He wagged his index finger in front of her face. Miranda got irritated that she pushed his hand away. “Something is keeping you distracted.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGxkxFN1cF
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“I’m just busy, that’s all.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIsWRFT40b
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“There’s a difference between being busy and getting distracted. And you, my friend, are distracted.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLSppaN32C
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Miranda rolled her eyes at him and looked down at her phone before she went on to look in front of her.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1t9MS2nKKO
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“So what were you looking at on that phone of yours?” Brad went on to ask.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xFi0mPifH
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Miranda looked at him through the corner of her eye. “You really don’t listen, do you?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtu7QNTEyh
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“I thought I saw you looking at a guy's photo on Instagram just now. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTUVGDJw1I
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Miranda felt like standing up from her seat to go elsewhere, but she soon felt Brad hold her free hand, pinning her in place. It’s like he knew what she was about to do and he did the only thing possible to pin her down.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs7AYqGc46
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“Let go of me, Brad,” she warned him.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW0WaZf8Jh
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“And what if I don’t want to?” he asked with a smirk on his face.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBYYCS3IyV
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“You’re hurting me. Why are you being such a prick?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI8KhRaVlX
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“It’s because I’m worried about you. Something is up and I need to know what it is. Is it that man you keep looking at on your phone? Mind you, I’ve seen you looking at him time and time again.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x0ANwNhTW
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Miranda felt her cheeks heat up. She couldn’t tell Brad about her sudden interest in Leo McDonell. Brad just said he looked familiar. And if he kept looking at her phone, he might realise who he is. She had to think of something.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhW2ruVx9O2
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“You’re worried over nothing,” she said. “Just some celebrity that I follow on Instagram. I think he’s really cute and that’s why I look at his photos.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUESZKTDyz
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Brad stared at her for a second. Miranda knew she had told him part of the truth. But she couldn’t go into detail or else she might say something about Leo. If he knew, she didn’t know what he would do.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡma0YRfWRbG
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“Girls and your stupid crushes,” he said as he finally let go of her hand. “When will you ever let it go?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JPqq8Z0ST
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“When the time is right,” said Miranda, doing her best not to sound nervous.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8y0thuQ37L
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“So who is this guy, anyway?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMDJ5f7YFS
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She was afraid he was going to ask that. So when their lecturer walked through the door of the theatre, she let out a silent sigh of relief. Everyone who was still up and about went to their seats, and the lecture begun.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKv7kCvnxw
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It’s finally lunch time, and Eric couldn’t wait to get out of the office with Angel and go somewhere nice. He had been in Leo’s office preparing for the meeting with the Chinese. Now that they're done, he couldn’t wait to leave.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRGsgWGLop
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“Whoa, where do you think you’re going?” Leo asked, still seated behind his desk.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4mippCSTX
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“I’m going out for lunch,” Eric answered, heading for the door.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1OYUzS74C
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“You look like you’re going to the bathroom.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYLceQ82CE
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“I’m taking Angel out,” Eric said with a proud look on his face.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAA4iknPAi
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Leo couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Oh, you’re going out with Angel, then?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgvrEloxWN
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“Yep. Wipe that sour look on your face. Or are you upset that you have to go out with Kim?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62VnUxjqj2
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“I couldn’t care less about that. Besides, having lunch with Angel doesn’t appeal to me.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRZnGZykRz
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“That’s because you don’t like her. Mind you, having lunch with Angel is way better than having it with Kim.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XJ15DAdiT
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The look on Leo’s face became grim. Even when he didn’t want to admit it, he knew Eric is right. He cleared his throat. “If you ask me there isn’t much of a difference.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvPWniGSry
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It's Eric’s turn to roll his eyes. “You know, if you gave yourself time to actually know Angel instead of fighting with her all the time, you’ll find that she’s okay to be with than Kim.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkUrwaDT1n
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“I beg to differ.” Leo’s face became even more serious.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpctzQIVD1
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“I’ve to go now,” said Eric as he reached the door and held the knob. “Tell me how things go with Kim, okay? And try not to start an argument with her, wherever you will be.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUY2UNpxRd
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“I won’t.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtu5TcBtepE
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Eric gave his cousin a concerned look. “I sure hope so. I’m off. See you later.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcsNzguCwP
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Leo gave him a nod and Eric quickly rushed out of the door like an excited young boy who had been told he could go outside and play with his friends. Even when Leo felt irritated by Eric’s enthusiasm, he couldn’t help but envy him a little. The man is in love, Leo thought to himself. Even when he knew he loved Carly, he didn’t experience the kind of lovey-dovey nonsense Eric is in right now. Is that what he admired? The crazy feeling of liking someone that you couldn’t wait to see them?816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5U9d3SuoC
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Leo shook his head. People are different and express love in different ways, he concluded. There’s no doubt in his mind that he loved Carly. Besides, he thought to himself, I don’t think Eric likes Angel to that extent. Maybe what he feels for her might pass in due time. Leo thought again, and concluded that Eric’s feelings towards Angel aren’t going to pass any time soon.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB32cGjQtam
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He soon got up from his seat as he also had to prepare himself to go and meet Kim. He didn’t know how his lunch with her is going to go. Before that, he thought he could lie to her that something came up to avoid any drama. But he couldn’t do that now. He would look like a coward. Something he doesn’t want to be.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjZxO9yOJt
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He walked up to the door and got his jacket on the coat hanger. And with a deep breath, he opened the door and walked out.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbz4GVVcZf
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***816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPIKT1HDHV
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“I bet you’re hungry, huh?” Eric asked as he and Angel finally got out of the complex building.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxx43ZXk4tF
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"You can say that again,” she said turning to look at Eric. "I’m so famished for my first day.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBmF57oKog
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"I get what you mean. So many people keep asking me about you.” Eric had his hands in his pockets as he stared up at the sky. "You’ve made quite a reputation for someone on their first day.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYreIbB9ne
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"All that will pass.” Angel smiled at Eric. "It’s just the first day. By the end of the week, everyone would’ve forgotten that I even existed.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXlsym6tfD
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"I doubt that. People will forget, but it’s no question that you’ll still be the talk of the office. I mean, you’ll obviously be classified as the most beautiful female member of staff.” Eric now had his eyes on her as he chuckled.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRO4VpMywD
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Angel playfully punched him on the arm. "What are you saying? There are many beautiful women at the company. If you ask me, their beauty is intimidating.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBF3VFqcwi2
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"That’s because you miss the big picture,” Eric stopped walking as he now held her arm to stop her as well. "You really are very beautiful, you do know that, right?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCptE080yTx
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Angel couldn’t say anything as she continued to look at Eric. Her heart started to flutter and felt her cheeks heat up. She found all of this awkward as she started to look around. She looked back at Eric, wondering how to tell him that they were standing in the middle of the street and might be in the way. But the look he continued to give her left her speechless.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTi5EMzWDbg
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"I wish you could see what I see,” he said in a whisper. Even with all the bustling of people about and the hooting of the car horns, Angel got what he said. That made her cheeks heat up even more. She cleared her throat.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRj7q9801LK
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"Ummm, Eric, we’re standing in the way,” she said. "This isn’t the time or the place for this, don’t you think?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsBdy1rCXO
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"Oh,” Eric forgot they were in the middle of the sidewalk, with people moving around. "I totally forgot that we were here in the first place. I must have spaced out a bit.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3GccFbrrA
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Angel cleared her throat again as she looked down at her feet for a brief moment. "That must be it. Come on, weren’t you taking me out for lunch? I’m starving.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7CfDnTLdK
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Eric nervously chuckled and at the same time scratched the back of his head. "I shouldn’t keep a lady waiting. Sorry about that.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHVfCs3NYD
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"Not at all.” She tried her best not to look like she had been flattered, but her cheeks continued to blush, making her even more nervous.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Zw7zLTDS1
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They continued their walk down the sidewalk when Eric said, "I mean what I said, though. I hope you aren’t offended or anything.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeouQzDv3F
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They stopped at the traffic lights and they waited for the walk sign to light up when Angel turned to look at Eric. "No, don’t worry,” she said.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2Nw1srUdj
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The light soon went green and the pedestrians who stood at the edge of the sidewalk crossed the road to the other side.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXv3wwyQDj
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"I’m glad,” said Eric. "I thought you would be upset or something.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKY4SJkLwb
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"I’ve received such comments before, so I’m not.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCRQ2L0IoK
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Eric clicked his tongue as he shrugged. "You would, obviously. I also shouldn’t be surprised.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj31Mxl7Jl4
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Angel tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. She couldn’t tell Eric that his approach was different from the ones she had encountered before. Even from Mark. She felt her cheeks heat up even more by the thought of it. It's best, she thought, that I don’t say anything.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEokwTfY0q
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"Let me take you to my favourite restaurant nearby,” Eric continued as he smiled at her. "You’ll love it. And you can order whatever you like.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rhYZTax2U
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Angel couldn’t help but chuckle. "Don’t be so silly,” she said. "As much as that offer sounds tempting, it’s pretty obvious that I won’t be that careless.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXBgTdO23Q
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"Well, the food is on me, so I won’t mind if you order countless dishes.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIkIj9HCRt
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"Thanks,” this time she laughed. "But even if I’m so hungry, I don’t eat that much.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRLIrJi0lh
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"Just letting you know that the offer is on the table. Ah! Here we are.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmHhk8CmGq
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They stopped in front of a small restaurant. From outside, it might not look like a five-star restaurant, but for some reason, Angel found it almost elegant as she looked through the huge glass window. The décor is simple but had a touch of elegance. White chairs and tables covered with white cloths with beautiful gold embroidery on them. Elegant flowers of different colours and types sat on different tables, making the place look more romantic. This scene reminded her of the place she went for lunch with Mark last week.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBab1uf2vb
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"Shall we?” Eric held the door to the restaurant open as he waited for her.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMbqwsddeK
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Angel shook herself from her daydream and went through the open door.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3bGsFDqem
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She started to look around the place when a smartly dressed male waiter, approached her. Eric stood behind her after closing the door. Immediately, the male waiter smiled at Eric like they know each other. Angel shouldn’t be surprised. Eric did say he liked coming here.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lOapnfZR9
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‘"Hello, sir,” said the young waiter with a wide smile. "I see you came with company. Will you be taking the usual table?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzarmeHUZC
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"That’s if it’s free,” Eric answered.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7kkYabttB
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"Well, you’re just in luck. Please, follow me.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBG2M1NZy7
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Angel couldn’t ignore the way the waiter addressed them with so much courtesy. He led them to one of the tables by the corner, close to the window. When they neared the table, Eric drew out a chair for her to sit and Angel did likewise. Eric sat on the other side of the table, facing her. He told the waiter to serve them a glass of water as they looked through the menu before ordering.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAxU1gXWBA
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"The waiter seems to know you very well,” said Angel as she picked up the menu card on the table.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgjIVw1dfV
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"I come here a lot,” said Eric as he also picked up the other menu on his side.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOT7ziGHtq
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Angel said nothing as she smiled and looked at the menu.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTZSvWzCeA
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"It’s sad that Leo couldn’t join us,” said Eric.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulIPb9ufaN
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Angel looked at Eric. "Why do you say so? Were you scared that the two of us would start a fight in the restaurant?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt82CY4SMB
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Eric laughed. "No, I didn’t think that way in the least. If there is one thing I know for sure, you two can behave yourselves in a public place like this one. I wasn’t going to worry at all.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROL4GblBox
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Angel made a face because she knew Eric is right. She looked back at the menu when Eric put up a funny face. "So then, why did you say that?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJbedX2hXt
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"Because he’s having lunch with Kim. He must be heading to her as we speak.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlsssaW5Jt
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Angel raised her eyes from the menu. "Kim? We met her when we went to buy croissants this morning.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsSMb6UanZ
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"He told me. She actually texted him that she wanted to meet. And he agreed to do so.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIP9UNYYviH
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"That’s so unlike him,” she looked towards the waiter who had brought them glasses of water. He asked if they were ready to order, and they both said they weren’t.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz86LZavO9
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"I know, right?” Eric agreed with Angel after the waiter left. "I think he’s doing the right thing. Maybe he'll finally get to tell her the truth.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCGrXtEqSc
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Angel didn’t say anything as she thought about it. "Do you think he will? I mean, him going to see her is already unbelievable as it is.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgYMTXSgPl
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Eric shrugged. "Who knows. If he does tell her, I think she’ll be at peace, right? But she’ll probably freak out and would want to know who it is.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh4m6sF43c
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"Now that you mention it, I fear it will turn out to be a disaster.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJsdBJ0bUq
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"You’re probably right,” Eric looked up at the ceiling, deep in thought. "That’s if Leo does tell her the truth and mentions that it's actually Carly he’s now in love with.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8s6AnAUKI
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The two looked at each other in silence as they thought of the scenario. Eric groaned in frustration as he quickly pulled his phone out from the pocket.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjjItqrk5D
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"What are you doing?” Angel asked.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQpFTPuc0k
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"Calling Leo so that he won’t tell Kim the truth,” Eric answered as he looked through his phone.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGt8pLiLixX
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"I think we’re just overthinking things. What if he doesn’t say anything? Or what if he does but doesn’t mention Carly’s name? If Leo is in line with what we just thought, the best is not to mention Carly.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwOwPNO3lG
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"You’re probably right,” Eric put his phone aside on the table and looked at Angel.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaADuBj1PLW
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Angel continued to stare at him, but then, she put the menu on the table and started to play with her fingers. She bit her lower lip. "On second thought, I think you better give him a call. Just in case.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBxrdcZ970
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"I agree.” Eric quickly took his phone and went on to call Leo.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MNQDRuSa0
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He had his phone to the ear when the ringing tone of Leo’s phone came up. He started to get worried in the moments that passed as the phone kept ringing. Could Leo already be with Kim at this very minute? He looked at Angel who looked back anxiously. She also started to worry. And just when Eric thought Leo wasn’t going to pick the call, he heard the cracking sound at the other end of the line.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbgRsuQQ9Z
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"Hello?” came Leo’s voice.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9foiA79Dc
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"Thank goodness, you picked the call,” said Eric. "We were starting to get worried.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcNQWselFu
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"By ‘we’ you mean, you and Angel?” Leo sounded unconvinced.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmeav7Jrcp
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"It might seem unbelievable, but it’s true.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn5JSMM1UF
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Leo sighed. "Get to the point. Why are you calling me?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6cswhWU2O
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"Are you heading to lunch with Kim right now?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvkAXDAGQH
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"I was about to enter the car and head there. What’s up?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96e49kXXQP
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"Quick question. Are you going to tell Kim the truth?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3q0rA2yqa
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"The truth about what? Why I didn’t marry her?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfW4yUnVb8
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"Yes.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsb9gSMaie
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"Weren’t you the one saying I should? What’s wrong? Are you getting second thoughts or you think I might screw this up?”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsn0hCXEVc5
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"Uh…,” Eric hesitated as his eyes found Angel who had been looking at him the entire time. Judging by Leo’s statement, he felt like he didn’t have to worry at all.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQI0NjwMuzP
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"Nah, you got this all under control,” Eric quickly pointed out. "I trust that you’ll do the right thing.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHYhX7Vjj3
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Leo murmured and Eric knew he had just got on his nerves. "I don’t know why you’re scared, but I already know what I'm going to do. And if I'm going to tell her the truth, then you shouldn’t be bothered about it.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXPoZ39rct
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"I believe you. You’ve a nice lunch.” Eric cut the call.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCmERfslN7
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"What did he say?” Angel quickly asked.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduTSFbomag
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"That he’s got everything under control,” he answered. "I believe him. If he really is going to tell her the truth, I don’t think he’ll tell her he’s actually in love with Carly. If he does, then Kim will tell aunt, and she’ll be furious.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFXUivQwVG
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Angel cleared her throat before she said, "not only that. Once she finds out, she’ll realise that before Carly and I moved in, we had all known each other and have been pretending this whole time. And they might end up finding the truth about how Leo and Carly met.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhm02L4Pvhc
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The two looked at each other in silence, again. They both shook their heads as they picked up their menus.816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODgjXKeZYY
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"Leo has this under control,” Eric assured her. "We’ve nothing to worry about.”816Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5Y15OSQUn
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"Ya, you’re right,” said Angel as she looked at the menu, holding it tight. She really hoped that Eric is right.1234 copyright protection812ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUcawdpUE4 尼

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