“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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAJTn9UulzbC
491Please respect copyright.PENANAwxc1bJjrjk
491Please respect copyright.PENANAp4pHNthVKx
“Hello, am I interrupting anything?” came a voice, bringing her out of her thoughts.491Please respect copyright.PENANAQlfMWfN4Uv
491Please respect copyright.PENANAehdGKmbIvO
491Please respect copyright.PENANAb0sdzPClnX
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAh4rOFyqGrW
491Please respect copyright.PENANA3yviOCQQh2
491Please respect copyright.PENANAIv6hU8FKK2
“Uh-yes, I’m fine,” Angel quickly answered as she felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment.491Please respect copyright.PENANAXiiWsmsPYK
491Please respect copyright.PENANAVChhYw5jmE
491Please respect copyright.PENANAHEk3Ov5Umo
“You’re the new girl, right?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAy8Sgj5BkHh
491Please respect copyright.PENANAOUa2JGzTnO
491Please respect copyright.PENANALRTDDj5BHT
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANABEHfVf8QCq
491Please respect copyright.PENANAqfRCiBm8Zd
491Please respect copyright.PENANAPXNMipCwMZ
“Yes, I am,” she quickly answered again. “Angel Barclay, nice to meet you. You’re…?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAgJD05Ir864
491Please respect copyright.PENANAYCQn1wb8ix
491Please respect copyright.PENANAxRwcsRFcBH
“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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANADQds27QOei
491Please respect copyright.PENANA8ltqtPAL3O
491Please respect copyright.PENANAhW1JgIEjUx
“Oh,” Angel felt her cheeks heat up even more. “I didn’t know I would still be the talk of the department.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAFo31Q9s6tS
491Please respect copyright.PENANANeLMTPyIFy
491Please respect copyright.PENANAJ9P42SwQCx
“With your looks, you’ll be the talk for a month. I can guarantee that.”491Please respect copyright.PENANALxQF92qBd8
491Please respect copyright.PENANA0nkZv4wTSB
491Please respect copyright.PENANAJWX1bSBje5
Angel nervously chuckled. “Don’t say that. I personally don't think so.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAA5wDA4Lq6y
491Please respect copyright.PENANAmZZpEL2VMQ
491Please respect copyright.PENANA5hdlHgHmbt
“Well, I do.” He looked at the files in her hands. “May I carry them for you? They look heavy.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAEnx21OK4jM
491Please respect copyright.PENANAmwRWy4lVUO
491Please respect copyright.PENANA56dJKxQoTI
“Ah, no thanks,” Angel quickly refused. “They aren’t heavy at all.”491Please respect copyright.PENANA73kOTGcNb4
491Please respect copyright.PENANAHMqEOP0IYG
491Please respect copyright.PENANA2efWrhdpuA
“You sure? Here, let me help.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAwDlcHCrkFH
491Please respect copyright.PENANA3tCDJucj0w
491Please respect copyright.PENANA9BU3XeRy9J
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAjY1VnnuWo9
491Please respect copyright.PENANAI2uF7CnaJZ
491Please respect copyright.PENANAznvyQuQVZx
“Thanks,” Angel managed to say.491Please respect copyright.PENANAWUSIwxapVz
491Please respect copyright.PENANAOVW6CYPIJe
491Please respect copyright.PENANA1eYUNqxq3K
“Are you walking over to your desk?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAntzk6p9EIB
491Please respect copyright.PENANAEx11m7MX2V
491Please respect copyright.PENANA6gf750Fy26
“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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAT619KLMBEG
491Please respect copyright.PENANAmg6itPL8AB
491Please respect copyright.PENANAHYoafZsgWv
Derrick put the files on her desk. “I see you’ve a lot to work on.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAwGSjPi4hns
491Please respect copyright.PENANA9iOUY7wABI
491Please respect copyright.PENANAQgLi4pAdyA
“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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANA8x5XU26lc1
491Please respect copyright.PENANA66hf4woUpC
491Please respect copyright.PENANAM3vfIhpzwg
“I hear you'll be working closely with Mrs. Lance. You better buckle up. The woman is hard to please.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAA6WJ0mqCWY
491Please respect copyright.PENANAVMfJPuNia8
491Please respect copyright.PENANA4s8srTgIOZ
“Ya, I’ve been warned. But I’ll do all I can to work hard.”491Please respect copyright.PENANA1uMqT0vW3R
491Please respect copyright.PENANAgptHmcVK3W
491Please respect copyright.PENANAiEG6Zaoxed
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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAzPv7v4fy2t
491Please respect copyright.PENANAaW24fHR2nW
491Please respect copyright.PENANAgKBKhDwyz5
“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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAyrMYIBMoQ9
491Please respect copyright.PENANAcyQbV5xaoP
491Please respect copyright.PENANA050GyXBJY4
“Ah, I see. People are already asking you out?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAlfz1LBxDrR
491Please respect copyright.PENANAs3TLcxfFw5
491Please respect copyright.PENANAmB1sumMqw8
Angel found herself blushing even more. “It’s not like that,” she managed to say. “It’s just between friends, nothing special.”491Please respect copyright.PENANA0u3wHAcawd
491Please respect copyright.PENANA1C0kwhwPBG
491Please respect copyright.PENANAWZ4QHsLN3S
Derrick raised an eyebrow and a smile soon came across his face. “Maybe another time. How does that sound?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAxovYuJvfTr
491Please respect copyright.PENANAd8mk6qv61u
491Please respect copyright.PENANALnHTOfyRcS
Angel quickly shook her head. “That will be great. Thanks for helping me carry these files.”491Please respect copyright.PENANALEKxH1N5TH
491Please respect copyright.PENANAy5klLQQIvF
491Please respect copyright.PENANAezwmwcahNH
“You’re welcome. It’s nice meeting you. I’ll see you around?”491Please respect copyright.PENANA1qQgp8s6g7
491Please respect copyright.PENANAu3JBHS090A
491Please respect copyright.PENANA7VoEJ3MIBF
“Ya, I’ll see you.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAfkLsybkWKa
491Please respect copyright.PENANAAvd7KP4dsl
491Please respect copyright.PENANA0x1q4stS2m
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAEiKmuLHL77
491Please respect copyright.PENANAsIZEHJr16j
491Please respect copyright.PENANAeydHvDCq8V
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:491Please respect copyright.PENANAl5QLETAlue
491Please respect copyright.PENANAULX1ucplPL
491Please respect copyright.PENANAqJojf4LyLb
“Excuse me, it’s Angel, right?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAkTpCgDnax6
491Please respect copyright.PENANA5Fpa8DfmV9
491Please respect copyright.PENANAeYXyJ0UFp0
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANA97pHacE1fy
491Please respect copyright.PENANATsgK679gOE
491Please respect copyright.PENANAAK8aLvLKkV
“Yes, it is," said Angel as she fully turned around in her seat and drew her arm out. "Your name is-?"491Please respect copyright.PENANAdpQrgzLdoZ
491Please respect copyright.PENANAChmOjy5eiz
491Please respect copyright.PENANAczAogSG116
"Sabrina," said the lady as she leaned forward and shook hands with Angel. "I see a lot of people really want to know you."491Please respect copyright.PENANAGQQ3M6rOyM
491Please respect copyright.PENANAjSuRGt4Ref
491Please respect copyright.PENANApHOve55aje
"Maybe it's because I'm new here," said Angel, trying her best to stress a point kindly.491Please respect copyright.PENANAOEkrKbgk1D
491Please respect copyright.PENANAS0xXRLybcY
491Please respect copyright.PENANAf1hdckrN8m
"Or maybe it's because you're just too pretty," Sabrina gave Angel a flashy smile.491Please respect copyright.PENANAwxGXAKuLog
491Please respect copyright.PENANA4jboNWPZUP
491Please respect copyright.PENANAe5X5E5FMjJ
Angel playfully shrugged her shoulders. "I can't be too sure about that."491Please respect copyright.PENANA5NHB0itjms
491Please respect copyright.PENANAyRd2SpMPp1
491Please respect copyright.PENANA2Eo7Ih2hdB
"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."491Please respect copyright.PENANA3LvN198O4H
491Please respect copyright.PENANAt7T0m7coyQ
491Please respect copyright.PENANAObUecZmlHz
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."491Please respect copyright.PENANAZxLv2jzsBc
491Please respect copyright.PENANA37ZEPGS9hX
491Please respect copyright.PENANAvDk7yf18vj
"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."491Please respect copyright.PENANA5tCxTDaaMw
491Please respect copyright.PENANAcHYPZcyQUT
491Please respect copyright.PENANAhvqY5RWfgJ
"Okay, but what does that have to do with me? I just met him."491Please respect copyright.PENANAjkLDK2XJfw
491Please respect copyright.PENANA3OviTwH2Zx
491Please respect copyright.PENANAsXd3um6NtZ
"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."491Please respect copyright.PENANA5CSAmIj0W3
491Please respect copyright.PENANADuzhDVoveJ
491Please respect copyright.PENANA41HK2a9QZl
"Oh, I see. But that doesn't mean he likes me or anything, right?"491Please respect copyright.PENANA9524qaRAME
491Please respect copyright.PENANA1oRNJISY1s
491Please respect copyright.PENANAg2tXFYPat0
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."491Please respect copyright.PENANAC7HMOj9K09
491Please respect copyright.PENANAqfFNCI5jNM
491Please respect copyright.PENANA1VcmcwCEmU
"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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAaqGeBEwm1e
491Please respect copyright.PENANAWzadAnLEiZ
491Please respect copyright.PENANAgi8lwUUa5o
"Not that I know of," Sabrina answered her. "Angel, this is Beatrix."491Please respect copyright.PENANAtydiK8LB2c
491Please respect copyright.PENANAQDpUXq0pMx
491Please respect copyright.PENANAvcO9JHwb8W
"Oh, sorry for butting in in your conversation," said Beatrix, looking at Angel and raising her hand apologetically. "Where are my manners?"491Please respect copyright.PENANAbK9JSxCsBi
491Please respect copyright.PENANAK20ki1lnDY
491Please respect copyright.PENANAEHzuEfG4ok
"It's okay," said Angel. "It's nice to meet you, Beatrix."491Please respect copyright.PENANAsqw3SB2MOA
491Please respect copyright.PENANA4ILFLSiRMK
491Please respect copyright.PENANAcftgy5XQoT
"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."491Please respect copyright.PENANA3iWgw7018k
491Please respect copyright.PENANA2RZz0KJF0I
491Please respect copyright.PENANAp9AxrsAbd7
"You see," Sabrina said to Angel with a smile on her face.491Please respect copyright.PENANA4VDXfWdPrB
491Please respect copyright.PENANApn08P5UhlF
491Please respect copyright.PENANACSNTWjil0C
"I'm not going to say anything," said Angel. "You obviously know him better than I do."491Please respect copyright.PENANApF5g5O8QGw
491Please respect copyright.PENANAVM9K8Kv921
491Please respect copyright.PENANABBM06b7wXV
"Just admit it. He has his eye on you."491Please respect copyright.PENANAJwPI3B5pqn
491Please respect copyright.PENANAbyYkYkycXR
491Please respect copyright.PENANA8EL1qpXKsK
Angel blushed. She looked to the floor, hoping that the other two wouldn’t notice.491Please respect copyright.PENANA96ZZwsL4Lk
491Please respect copyright.PENANA2vv9fFPSQL
491Please respect copyright.PENANAy5i2vU3YFu
"If you managed to get his attention, what more of the other male folk around here who are single?"491Please respect copyright.PENANATi0vsufbCy
491Please respect copyright.PENANA578SAae3iB
491Please respect copyright.PENANAYyvtlBB92H
"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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAwy19bzciag
491Please respect copyright.PENANAWBlQtYhoAN
491Please respect copyright.PENANAe2LWgzkmQR
“Was it like this at your previous workplace? I hear you worked for some editing company, right?” Beatrix asked.491Please respect copyright.PENANAiQRjipvipf
491Please respect copyright.PENANAvPdw8HGnzI
491Please respect copyright.PENANAQTHtESivDt
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAbtOt8klD0b
491Please respect copyright.PENANAQgroVj2t5g
491Please respect copyright.PENANAtuu5dnDTen
“Anyway, since you’re close with Eric and Leo, I bet you have their attention too,” said Sabrina.491Please respect copyright.PENANAKWZ3FzN5es
491Please respect copyright.PENANAAp8cu9O0nR
491Please respect copyright.PENANAm5FgwbRii2
“Oh, no, I don’t think so,” Angel was quick to deny.491Please respect copyright.PENANAVn5D2k7QxI
491Please respect copyright.PENANAXWPDCmqwRk
491Please respect copyright.PENANAGiAq4MZCvT
“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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAfbBI6CkAnT
491Please respect copyright.PENANAmaacJHqdi6
491Please respect copyright.PENANAGZnzR5yzqz
Angel didn’t want to hear any more of this. If only they knew that the reason why that happened is because of Carly.491Please respect copyright.PENANAAkHAgg6snd
491Please respect copyright.PENANA6faHB5oYqM
491Please respect copyright.PENANAm7yvPkh02T
“Do you know why that happened, Angel?” Beatrix asked. “You’re close to the family, so you should know the reason.”491Please respect copyright.PENANA2MNTSYG6iE
491Please respect copyright.PENANAH2Rvlt12M6
491Please respect copyright.PENANAiSJXJGQhIY
“I can’t answer that.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAwZ8ZW5zBbP
491Please respect copyright.PENANAMIZPexh6fd
491Please respect copyright.PENANAAChVtZmTGq
Sabrina drew herself closer, dragging the chair with her. “Why not?” she asked. “Is it that bad?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAQo53rG8xCt
491Please respect copyright.PENANABVMtdkscHH
491Please respect copyright.PENANA53IAKr4nmP
“No one actually knows why Leo broke things off with Kim, and so does she.”491Please respect copyright.PENANADQ5we9Ttl8
491Please respect copyright.PENANAHxiGbAf9S8
491Please respect copyright.PENANA0ylKYpMCes
“Oh, darn!” Beatrix clicked her tongue. “Everyone around here also says the same thing.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAKpnyUtDPi1
491Please respect copyright.PENANAupHA3oSamY
491Please respect copyright.PENANAWwPHRE3NYJ
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAaHA7jee53g
491Please respect copyright.PENANA32dUwLxnBf
491Please respect copyright.PENANAacaPS8qtJS
“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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAlkYkBNfuHe
491Please respect copyright.PENANABfa5svEqMu
491Please respect copyright.PENANAkHeJxm5MZE
“Well, he does have an attitude, I can agree on that," said Angel.491Please respect copyright.PENANAmaKZ4Oekxn
491Please respect copyright.PENANADtIeuzjwAi
491Please respect copyright.PENANAgCdug8mLrJ
“How do you handle him? Doesn’t he get on your nerves?” Beatrix asked.491Please respect copyright.PENANAa2S7ifjcPp
491Please respect copyright.PENANAB5JyI7cRpx
491Please respect copyright.PENANAXciAZbnAm3
“Sometimes. But he isn’t that bad.”491Please respect copyright.PENANARIAyBtXX2x
491Please respect copyright.PENANAM25kaAByiC
491Please respect copyright.PENANA8ChZTTLXj4
“Ya, I see how he’s close with his family, especially Eric,” said Sabrina. “I just wish he was more outgoing, you know.”491Please respect copyright.PENANA6yE4pRaaVm
491Please respect copyright.PENANA5iiSYw3zr5
491Please respect copyright.PENANA3XvNXydQQT
You and me both, Angel thought. “I better start working on these files.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAXxapuvsgxH
491Please respect copyright.PENANA57jl3b6za7
491Please respect copyright.PENANAOBYgGznhFm
“Oh, ya, sure,” said Beatrix, “sorry for disturbing you.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAZiw43l4aGq
491Please respect copyright.PENANAUckiTozFZh
491Please respect copyright.PENANAekTTvb9j3f
“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.491Please respect copyright.PENANARmCkHOFoYz
491Please respect copyright.PENANA6C7TnExU1q
491Please respect copyright.PENANA83w29PAiau
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAQqo378eTzD
491Please respect copyright.PENANAGjpzpRtvgu
491Please respect copyright.PENANAF3nMRdue9Z
***491Please respect copyright.PENANATZa03VoRjS
491Please respect copyright.PENANAzeznNRvLJw
491Please respect copyright.PENANAnRRreinhEC
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANA15FhmmbqNK
491Please respect copyright.PENANAT1uGtzcGrV
491Please respect copyright.PENANAFb7x0CxaQt
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAsVUdiRftTp
491Please respect copyright.PENANAoO1BZ2PBCr
491Please respect copyright.PENANA7RAA5a1o4u
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAqlwJn8lWxF
491Please respect copyright.PENANAKExxxmW7lY
491Please respect copyright.PENANAqmLVT2a4kg
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANArYvtM954cl
491Please respect copyright.PENANAomsCk9THkR
491Please respect copyright.PENANACxgqWiPrRn
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAGTFuBomUv4
491Please respect copyright.PENANAX8oa8jkXtv
491Please respect copyright.PENANAkUEEsbhIPJ
“What’s up with you, grumpy?” Eric asked as he came to sit on the chair, facing Leo.491Please respect copyright.PENANAppir3w1NxA
491Please respect copyright.PENANAQegvMlIgR8
491Please respect copyright.PENANAqgxujw7pP7
“Why don’t you ever knock when you come in?” Leo asked as he folded his arms.491Please respect copyright.PENANAxoM0MF62cI
491Please respect copyright.PENANAfVrf3O5kkE
491Please respect copyright.PENANAIiLXqSRZ7t
“I’m sorry, but I already know you’re used to it. So what’s up?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAX3OKcvHTje
491Please respect copyright.PENANAlOvzWDdPED
491Please respect copyright.PENANAH0fhHVsAAN
Leo looked at Eric. His cousin knew him better than anyone. He took a deep breath and leaned his elbows on the table.491Please respect copyright.PENANAjKLD3MltGF
491Please respect copyright.PENANA1ROukBjqmJ
491Please respect copyright.PENANADHXjFTXrYv
“Kim texted me,” he said.491Please respect copyright.PENANAI0JvJIqyxo
491Please respect copyright.PENANASBstINfgku
491Please respect copyright.PENANA9ta4xYzeKp
“Whoa, Kim texted you?” Eric for some reason didn’t look at all surprised. “How come?”491Please respect copyright.PENANA8gdDNm6Uim
491Please respect copyright.PENANArBBo6GFmas
491Please respect copyright.PENANAFArwD9xUbV
“Angel and I met her at the café where we bought croissants.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAoyu28GKByU
491Please respect copyright.PENANAoCWtpmDVly
491Please respect copyright.PENANAvIaGHqdS4S
“Why didn’t you tell me?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAwJUBMsItwe
491Please respect copyright.PENANAXLmTYM7hAC
491Please respect copyright.PENANAgZcMS8OW0o
“It didn’t matter then, but it does now. She just texted me.”491Please respect copyright.PENANA9V8SoTMHud
491Please respect copyright.PENANADK29HqXFNQ
491Please respect copyright.PENANAHDgj5OPPwc
“What did she say?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAJJiFvm7iY8
491Please respect copyright.PENANACzXGSz9DnN
491Please respect copyright.PENANADfYvqqgfry
“Just a simple hello.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAZMxdWFGU2y
491Please respect copyright.PENANAG3awYN1hze
491Please respect copyright.PENANApBR3o545D2
“And did you reply?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAPmb0ixrQeO
491Please respect copyright.PENANAXNz1qOqboj
491Please respect copyright.PENANAgI5xTJQVJg
“Of course, I did.”491Please respect copyright.PENANA2DlwkiE5SS
491Please respect copyright.PENANA0fIbkge8Ud
491Please respect copyright.PENANAOZel3pQ1r1
“And…?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAKDugCxDnEa
491Please respect copyright.PENANAtlF6HEQyoT
491Please respect copyright.PENANAqNR6wzLJ8i
“She texted back and I haven’t read the message.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAnsa8H22Nfc
491Please respect copyright.PENANA2LiqGUgqaG
491Please respect copyright.PENANAto4wUdXLMz
“You better see what that message says.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAJH8qnWkPx3
491Please respect copyright.PENANAbMNtNk1cy7
491Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3FU6752vY
“And what if I don’t want to? It’s pretty obvious that she wants to hook up for lunch or something.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAc6uXFofKe3
491Please respect copyright.PENANAsqaopkmX61
491Please respect copyright.PENANA7o3sYIqTVd
“You’re right. I’m impressed with how much you know women, nowadays.” Eric gave him an encouraging smile.491Please respect copyright.PENANAjIMNyh1dO0
491Please respect copyright.PENANAGeTVSPnhQE
491Please respect copyright.PENANAJmLhlZzTAY
“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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAqeqMiUmVf4
491Please respect copyright.PENANAgawIqw2eCL
491Please respect copyright.PENANAQwshVEyWnd
“You’ll never know what you’ve to do if you don’t read the message.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAn2tc8aDdj5
491Please respect copyright.PENANAhaIXEEC8SV
491Please respect copyright.PENANAiJaV8Rf3Of
“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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAO0Lz57IKcu
491Please respect copyright.PENANAviEcVWt1xb
491Please respect copyright.PENANA274w3N2mfz
“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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAFlWzaM8wzw
491Please respect copyright.PENANAwcc5slYqx1
491Please respect copyright.PENANASIrhvQCI96
“You aren’t making me feel any better. Besides, I apologised. I don’t know what she wants me to do.”491Please respect copyright.PENANARmK2WMRdkA
491Please respect copyright.PENANAoDs7ZSEJid
491Please respect copyright.PENANAw7f4r3bBok
“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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAShnGkX5uvN
491Please respect copyright.PENANA4n0DVWZLX5
491Please respect copyright.PENANAAZsCIgeJKf
“The less who know, the better.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAvLf4jfqXJa
491Please respect copyright.PENANAFa0UthKZxN
491Please respect copyright.PENANAMX5hxB7MOj
“Sooner or later, you’ll have to tell Kim the truth. If anything, she deserves it more than anyone.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAFb4kareKyq
491Please respect copyright.PENANAo43fX7UFXH
491Please respect copyright.PENANAR8G0rz8Wnn
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAl5mEnSRvM2
491Please respect copyright.PENANAdepVebI4z2
491Please respect copyright.PENANA2uadY6bhvm
“What did you tell her?” Eric couldn’t help but look on curiously at Leo’s phone.491Please respect copyright.PENANAmBbm1fysSP
491Please respect copyright.PENANA4qwsgpmUus
491Please respect copyright.PENANA3cSBwggoeT
“I told her we can meet,” Leo answered,491Please respect copyright.PENANAxN9zsj9nuq
491Please respect copyright.PENANAlxdea9HPkI
491Please respect copyright.PENANAHWkCduIW2K
“WHAT!” Eric held his head, not believing what Leo said. “I don’t believe you. Let me see the message.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAjMDSOSeqEf
491Please respect copyright.PENANA6vqcJjWOEw
491Please respect copyright.PENANAW8TYUHNDh5
Leo groaned, but he got his phone, unlocked it and gave Eric. When Eric read it for himself, he stared at Leo.491Please respect copyright.PENANAxBUvLzFtAK
491Please respect copyright.PENANAlTspTjfAWc
491Please respect copyright.PENANA6WoVrKJswn
“You’re serious,” he said as he gave Leo back his phone. “Are you finally going to tell her the truth?”491Please respect copyright.PENANA16jnS901wI
491Please respect copyright.PENANAInN6WqwwRn
491Please respect copyright.PENANAkjBpI4PO4o
“On that part, I don’t know,” Leo answered as he leaned back on his chair, deep in thought.491Please respect copyright.PENANAEKtVYFWy6R
491Please respect copyright.PENANACs7MUhZrn0
491Please respect copyright.PENANAYmMP1IJHnq
“Well, if you tell her, it will finally give her the chance to move on, don’t you think?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAAISmwQl4Ww
491Please respect copyright.PENANA1iWh4jT77f
491Please respect copyright.PENANAi52AC03vw7
“If I do tell her, she’ll kill me.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAT5Hg7Map41
491Please respect copyright.PENANAwmZleGMZaq
491Please respect copyright.PENANAzVqcfskg6B
“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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANA6cMcsOsFTT
491Please respect copyright.PENANAYty76ESIbU
491Please respect copyright.PENANAShVyRFZlZP
Leo chuckled to himself as he stared at the ceiling. “I still remember that day. Gosh, all of that happened so suddenly.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAgx3fhTxRln
491Please respect copyright.PENANAe8jkqGv4sF
491Please respect copyright.PENANA0eOf2yBfoo
“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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANA7SkvBaQfnI
491Please respect copyright.PENANAeFBZOezFHA
491Please respect copyright.PENANAnP3gu41qsg
“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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAqyoMuDdobi
491Please respect copyright.PENANAK9YORsUTmn
491Please respect copyright.PENANA9JH4kkhIM8
Eric smiled. “Grandma will be glad if she heard those words coming out of that mouth of yours.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAMPNCrlwJVn
491Please respect copyright.PENANAWlAQThJCSk
491Please respect copyright.PENANAkgdGxSK3N3
“I know. Seems like she was right after all. Kim was never good for me.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAAWB9W7CR5B
491Please respect copyright.PENANAip2SQmuinf
491Please respect copyright.PENANAEhnGjxlQN3
“Wait until she finds out that you’re actually in love with Carly.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAUW9NZh10E0
491Please respect copyright.PENANAurcHDplcCO
491Please respect copyright.PENANAKKujyICtVX
The two cousins looked at each other, imagining the scenario. Eric reacted first.491Please respect copyright.PENANAJMvd5J0yXh
491Please respect copyright.PENANAZRdOQHAZF4
491Please respect copyright.PENANAL1Z9tVMrqZ
“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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANA98Aeam4zxy
491Please respect copyright.PENANAaxW3duxKCc
491Please respect copyright.PENANAiC90pPQebq
“I agree,” said Leo as he rubbed the temple of his head. “I don’t want to imagine my mother, though.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAkDTwDmdTY5
491Please respect copyright.PENANAMIHwjrMvcy
491Please respect copyright.PENANATVAJdvCTRC
“That one is pretty obvious; I don’t have to imagine it, that’s if I want my head to explode.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAS9wyx4ZA2s
491Please respect copyright.PENANAhXUS1mP5dK
491Please respect copyright.PENANAhKEzLZRn3q
The two laughed.491Please respect copyright.PENANAGu7MqSudKK
491Please respect copyright.PENANA7jgiZXDo0n
491Please respect copyright.PENANATBH0X7LwQg
“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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAA6Lz5U1r9X
491Please respect copyright.PENANAKZv2f06Qtd
491Please respect copyright.PENANAmMMcbjUMyY
“You’re right,” said Leo as he went on to look at his screen and switched windows from his email to an open document.491Please respect copyright.PENANATCebWy6fXq
491Please respect copyright.PENANAwMg8eEqy4w
491Please respect copyright.PENANANGR1LUyq7T
A brief silence passed between them when they suddenly burst out laughing at the same time.491Please respect copyright.PENANAG4LcNBsChI
491Please respect copyright.PENANA4TJjcwDwBX
491Please respect copyright.PENANARGldfeGTri
***491Please respect copyright.PENANAjyTkBMsyir
491Please respect copyright.PENANANcB7MTLqUq
491Please respect copyright.PENANAcEQnfCyGJC
"Hey, Miranda, are you okay?"491Please respect copyright.PENANAV57EXcTZNv
491Please respect copyright.PENANAML2THNDwmJ
491Please respect copyright.PENANAWmDaQ9X5He
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAZJCUtqpbW9
491Please respect copyright.PENANAiALHNBWJJh
491Please respect copyright.PENANAU08IeJQJuk
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAoIcVlCh9NA
491Please respect copyright.PENANABa3Are2uvD
491Please respect copyright.PENANAynUdg1oJkG
“Scoot over,” Brad insisted as he moved his body closer to hers, forcing her to move.491Please respect copyright.PENANAVVK0AeRYw5
491Please respect copyright.PENANAHC5C42p2FM
491Please respect copyright.PENANA41wdFwO7xK
Miranda moved over to the next chair which was empty and Brad finally managed to sit next to her.491Please respect copyright.PENANAx2yNyIAxGJ
491Please respect copyright.PENANA2fCS6jwHkB
491Please respect copyright.PENANANEDNY9IRSP
“What were you looking at?” he asked as he tried to see what's on Miranda’s phone.491Please respect copyright.PENANAJTPVWHbBgv
491Please respect copyright.PENANAUAmycNUglx
491Please respect copyright.PENANAYxkBzO3nZ5
“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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAmZLzNJt3IJ
491Please respect copyright.PENANAlNueHFWNOr
491Please respect copyright.PENANAs9CdLpIpu9
“You seem really fixed on it. I want to see what’s caught your interest.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAOHJ2PUL18E
491Please respect copyright.PENANAQ2qbRPdtrT
491Please respect copyright.PENANAFhBgQVi8Pg
“Like I told you, it’s nothing. So why don’t you just mind your business?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAEWtVFi0iVe
491Please respect copyright.PENANAUIpM4YBCJf
491Please respect copyright.PENANAVOgCFkWyDm
“I would, but I’m not going to this time.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAnlHKO0osZB
491Please respect copyright.PENANAO2rwsSBMAz
491Please respect copyright.PENANApfj2FOAo6x
“You never do.” Miranda gave him a gloomy look.491Please respect copyright.PENANAPlZDOKXwBu
491Please respect copyright.PENANAFZuvB0H77O
491Please respect copyright.PENANADBpwhStdOz
“I say that because something’s been different about you lately.”491Please respect copyright.PENANA2QLi2wt2BG
491Please respect copyright.PENANARMWKZrauZ5
491Please respect copyright.PENANAmfJ3l36ftU
She raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAism5pr9YGz
491Please respect copyright.PENANAEEeO3lKsaU
491Please respect copyright.PENANAf7XRBVUYJP
“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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAcyT1NlfoFC
491Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1yDvBvyvs
491Please respect copyright.PENANATWkjJuzLsU
“I had a slight problem with my laptop, that’s all.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAV9Tjk8JyCE
491Please respect copyright.PENANAMxAxvAxYmn
491Please respect copyright.PENANAxwhe3m5jD3
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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAeambnxuI0z
491Please respect copyright.PENANAwSKagyPCfE
491Please respect copyright.PENANAfPrHiSX650
“I’m just busy, that’s all.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAd4AbTlvXl4
491Please respect copyright.PENANAjk5WgRUhbd
491Please respect copyright.PENANAdHX0WyBSqL
“There’s a difference between being busy and getting distracted. And you, my friend, are distracted.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAuRLoI1yRja
491Please respect copyright.PENANADYRQtT9mcz
491Please respect copyright.PENANAu0jdfeJO1V
Miranda rolled her eyes at him and looked down at her phone before she went on to look in front of her.491Please respect copyright.PENANAD9yVNS23jP
491Please respect copyright.PENANAU1UsEd2lg2
491Please respect copyright.PENANAd149lagxUV
“So what were you looking at on that phone of yours?” Brad went on to ask.491Please respect copyright.PENANAepvXx9N2Uc
491Please respect copyright.PENANAXOTWFkp9sZ
491Please respect copyright.PENANA8zuU9OP1bf
Miranda looked at him through the corner of her eye. “You really don’t listen, do you?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAO3EztiI6rN
491Please respect copyright.PENANAcCkkbPsDUv
491Please respect copyright.PENANAFhxCxUDFyi
“I thought I saw you looking at a guy's photo on Instagram just now. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAQSIO7kg2pR
491Please respect copyright.PENANAjMuTvWiWc8
491Please respect copyright.PENANAzt53dGROIH
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAvUmcM1QpdV
491Please respect copyright.PENANA673h3jGLE4
491Please respect copyright.PENANAZfbOqYpxhU
“Let go of me, Brad,” she warned him.491Please respect copyright.PENANAL1fAxVdQQY
491Please respect copyright.PENANAqtJUjGzlbl
491Please respect copyright.PENANAMkHDXKskUy
“And what if I don’t want to?” he asked with a smirk on his face.491Please respect copyright.PENANAH5073wWNzC
491Please respect copyright.PENANAK9Gb5nxZhX
491Please respect copyright.PENANAdhogPm3BmD
“You’re hurting me. Why are you being such a prick?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAfr3gy10IB3
491Please respect copyright.PENANAmDZMZonaSZ
491Please respect copyright.PENANARw3GFZD8ah
“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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAdD0Ogsmc7M
491Please respect copyright.PENANAddvAt5dmkc
491Please respect copyright.PENANAh1GREwCQ2s
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAcrKAJioAwd
491Please respect copyright.PENANAX82XpYiwwb
491Please respect copyright.PENANAykmPrjnqOB
“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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAzzEZmCUQfX
491Please respect copyright.PENANARld8d66Nw5
491Please respect copyright.PENANAJWgBTlV9gD
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAzuDFEG9CF5
491Please respect copyright.PENANAFc1a4Hykw1
491Please respect copyright.PENANA5jgfPXwfce
“Girls and your stupid crushes,” he said as he finally let go of her hand. “When will you ever let it go?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAUcWUOfKQ81
491Please respect copyright.PENANAbamc7O6SBT
491Please respect copyright.PENANAjQ23VnRAfL
“When the time is right,” said Miranda, doing her best not to sound nervous.491Please respect copyright.PENANAel5hXwoVRB
491Please respect copyright.PENANAo4N9hxXaYd
491Please respect copyright.PENANAux8PGUneu9
“So who is this guy, anyway?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAqvVrmy9kXs
491Please respect copyright.PENANAHaPEtXhE4q
491Please respect copyright.PENANAuxH6HBjtpw
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAQakoxV8uyU
491Please respect copyright.PENANASuVpcnJLhX
491Please respect copyright.PENANA7r5uKspLel
***491Please respect copyright.PENANAAmc56dP3VR
491Please respect copyright.PENANARAAGP7arbs
491Please respect copyright.PENANAAJPzVqxPID
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANA3cd9JAbFzP
491Please respect copyright.PENANArUMpLcu7tO
491Please respect copyright.PENANAC34mhohWXf
“Whoa, where do you think you’re going?” Leo asked, still seated behind his desk.491Please respect copyright.PENANAlgYz47V2bR
491Please respect copyright.PENANA8G23HPwI65
491Please respect copyright.PENANASvWpVTtowl
“I’m going out for lunch,” Eric answered, heading for the door.491Please respect copyright.PENANAzwHeEdPf0w
491Please respect copyright.PENANA67P4REkddK
491Please respect copyright.PENANAjF9APq4OWQ
“You look like you’re going to the bathroom.”491Please respect copyright.PENANA6MRNt8VI9z
491Please respect copyright.PENANAdPBFVLECdZ
491Please respect copyright.PENANAM1Z7671bsm
“I’m taking Angel out,” Eric said with a proud look on his face.491Please respect copyright.PENANAgp00Kaz3eH
491Please respect copyright.PENANAQErTA4kReS
491Please respect copyright.PENANAiu1ImgLNfi
Leo couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Oh, you’re going out with Angel, then?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAAKWjT0ZI3T
491Please respect copyright.PENANAaJqQZTSdsi
491Please respect copyright.PENANA1yRdenxXfM
“Yep. Wipe that sour look on your face. Or are you upset that you have to go out with Kim?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAI4MYRmifLl
491Please respect copyright.PENANAZ41FYd2Wu5
491Please respect copyright.PENANAwoGAoX9IUe
“I couldn’t care less about that. Besides, having lunch with Angel doesn’t appeal to me.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAxtP0RS5WFo
491Please respect copyright.PENANAfPRFgapmV7
491Please respect copyright.PENANAoCUvQ9fFre
“That’s because you don’t like her. Mind you, having lunch with Angel is way better than having it with Kim.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAsgPp9N12Qk
491Please respect copyright.PENANA64yhXyDXHf
491Please respect copyright.PENANA09b6qsFTbR
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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAAdDSfj7bKk
491Please respect copyright.PENANAuVVTedmuEL
491Please respect copyright.PENANAfPxjASfdIr
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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAf2riz1QsO2
491Please respect copyright.PENANAVQops4ZVb9
491Please respect copyright.PENANAHQsNSRFbr1
“I beg to differ.” Leo’s face became even more serious.491Please respect copyright.PENANADZ7C7qGPCp
491Please respect copyright.PENANAY6cmmda0rp
491Please respect copyright.PENANAvIglIHoEJo
“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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANABko6TsWUCg
491Please respect copyright.PENANAD4r9M2Ytlb
491Please respect copyright.PENANAJ3mqfoDNlf
“I won’t.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAjdjMijspur
491Please respect copyright.PENANANh8bZmPoK6
491Please respect copyright.PENANAluLvG4Kr6J
Eric gave his cousin a concerned look. “I sure hope so. I’m off. See you later.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAjJ0ujNBkzv
491Please respect copyright.PENANAhY4ICv9AtA
491Please respect copyright.PENANAyIGLpC9NNg
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?491Please respect copyright.PENANAvoh5nTpzKk
491Please respect copyright.PENANAOcwlCrzxUu
491Please respect copyright.PENANAr7GZC13QyI
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANA8JKNx5wJ6Z
491Please respect copyright.PENANAvKzyUXhSNC
491Please respect copyright.PENANAZyt0071uE1
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAi3rt9vOrtD
491Please respect copyright.PENANAa0TvgzHvZa
491Please respect copyright.PENANAkIOwicPmdy
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAWeAMtGZqwl
491Please respect copyright.PENANAbRUpX94cfH
491Please respect copyright.PENANAXWsXiDEAMD
***491Please respect copyright.PENANAv3QXwW2DDj
491Please respect copyright.PENANABBQTZTEvbx
491Please respect copyright.PENANAxZkAqKYRph
“I bet you’re hungry, huh?” Eric asked as he and Angel finally got out of the complex building.491Please respect copyright.PENANAKNjVzwhCcC
491Please respect copyright.PENANAf6RSEVjwdU
491Please respect copyright.PENANAcF5aChWfGx
"You can say that again,” she said turning to look at Eric. "I’m so famished for my first day.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAyIhXRLzf0o
491Please respect copyright.PENANALMQ3i700lf
491Please respect copyright.PENANAsaBysKGAcQ
"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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAxxs91hko6c
491Please respect copyright.PENANAbwpPS8hw3E
491Please respect copyright.PENANAB9f4MrGLr5
"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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAnfPidVOkx9
491Please respect copyright.PENANA1MBgDbr3dy
491Please respect copyright.PENANAFwK7Mg557r
"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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAqGJFR0NLYU
491Please respect copyright.PENANA5IbGhE8aha
491Please respect copyright.PENANAl0nGzWSPOJ
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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAIn3xVbJh5D
491Please respect copyright.PENANAYIM4t1hJiK
491Please respect copyright.PENANAmQhCWFNnbU
"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?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAm4XmPCBG8l
491Please respect copyright.PENANAKq9ZBDTwB5
491Please respect copyright.PENANAf2JOkqZ8t7
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.491Please respect copyright.PENANA5C4cTys7ei
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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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAarMF0wLYag
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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?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAE9bf1E4GdD
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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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANA3ANLJ59fQ1
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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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANATpHszgBhyX
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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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAlaBLAuwkQI
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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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAlXtXubtwSY
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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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANA8N2j9k7zVx
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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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAVGXJnN64gw
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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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAPtiHPUPmW5
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"I’m glad,” said Eric. "I thought you would be upset or something.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAQRgnahifZJ
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"I’ve received such comments before, so I’m not.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAZCvPjsA9R7
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Eric clicked his tongue as he shrugged. "You would, obviously. I also shouldn’t be surprised.”491Please respect copyright.PENANA4sP7e4JXma
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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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAkVIUpj7Xwf
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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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAhwKTlu4SIB
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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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANASBiC4bup5x
491Please respect copyright.PENANABnq9x8wwZF
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"Well, the food is on me, so I won’t mind if you order countless dishes.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAFXi6ZQEq6V
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"Thanks,” this time she laughed. "But even if I’m so hungry, I don’t eat that much.”491Please respect copyright.PENANA0eYCwtWQxQ
491Please respect copyright.PENANApcXAvSXxxK
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"Just letting you know that the offer is on the table. Ah! Here we are.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAqScLYZ886x
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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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAGGsry1U402
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"Shall we?” Eric held the door to the restaurant open as he waited for her.491Please respect copyright.PENANAxFXxnCQ4Uk
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Angel shook herself from her daydream and went through the open door.491Please respect copyright.PENANAMfCikCVNl0
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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.491Please respect copyright.PENANA6PGoJTz8YN
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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?”491Please respect copyright.PENANA6xzTlYaw1r
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"That’s if it’s free,” Eric answered.491Please respect copyright.PENANAkwXh5eumGy
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"Well, you’re just in luck. Please, follow me.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAOMq0oUeDDl
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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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAvECXqKKcQ5
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"The waiter seems to know you very well,” said Angel as she picked up the menu card on the table.491Please respect copyright.PENANAEyXJZ84Ep4
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"I come here a lot,” said Eric as he also picked up the other menu on his side.491Please respect copyright.PENANABPgt5i98AF
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Angel said nothing as she smiled and looked at the menu.491Please respect copyright.PENANA65OE90b0Gi
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"It’s sad that Leo couldn’t join us,” said Eric.491Please respect copyright.PENANABrKVCkJhSl
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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?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAYS1zp4KQ6x
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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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAkv9bTyIaR5
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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?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAvjOvMUUSgw
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"Because he’s having lunch with Kim. He must be heading to her as we speak.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAvtZ5odOu2n
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Angel raised her eyes from the menu. "Kim? We met her when we went to buy croissants this morning.”491Please respect copyright.PENANA7HYozfR7lE
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"He told me. She actually texted him that she wanted to meet. And he agreed to do so.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAf2jRTPNu3K
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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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAhiCyvdZL2x
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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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANA7UqsNXKwtZ
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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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAFf936tUOZ0
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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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAhclB0NcCad
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"Now that you mention it, I fear it will turn out to be a disaster.”491Please respect copyright.PENANA7W5RVFp0nP
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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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAcVbBdwwlYv
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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.491Please respect copyright.PENANAHUlHd9AUX2
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"What are you doing?” Angel asked.491Please respect copyright.PENANACnk4kE0cD5
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"Calling Leo so that he won’t tell Kim the truth,” Eric answered as he looked through his phone.491Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4BEcG2RQx
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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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAtGTiW5wWwS
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"You’re probably right,” Eric put his phone aside on the table and looked at Angel.491Please respect copyright.PENANAG4GXpSQ0V2
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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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAHoYTBITXiS
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"I agree.” Eric quickly took his phone and went on to call Leo.491Please respect copyright.PENANAUE9M96OECn
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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.491Please respect copyright.PENANABKZPWNNvbO
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"Hello?” came Leo’s voice.491Please respect copyright.PENANAlNiBYuGiJN
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"Thank goodness, you picked the call,” said Eric. "We were starting to get worried.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAOOkJKy3MWS
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"By ‘we’ you mean, you and Angel?” Leo sounded unconvinced.491Please respect copyright.PENANA0u6jcrfEcc
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"It might seem unbelievable, but it’s true.”491Please respect copyright.PENANA6R2JTDf5G1
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Leo sighed. "Get to the point. Why are you calling me?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAeZH1QvjrU3
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"Are you heading to lunch with Kim right now?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAhIXsWtQH6g
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"I was about to enter the car and head there. What’s up?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAaE26aGMm8C
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"Quick question. Are you going to tell Kim the truth?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAma1r0tU0Xq
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"The truth about what? Why I didn’t marry her?”491Please respect copyright.PENANA0EgkKx6bRh
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"Yes.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAnN5E8l9LIs
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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?”491Please respect copyright.PENANAiLyvHTk3a5
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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.491Please respect copyright.PENANARiyDEmcahW
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"Nah, you got this all under control,” Eric quickly pointed out. "I trust that you’ll do the right thing.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAsXt4z0Ot5t
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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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAxTrl6F4ges
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"I believe you. You’ve a nice lunch.” Eric cut the call.491Please respect copyright.PENANAEXB7KrmoJs
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"What did he say?” Angel quickly asked.491Please respect copyright.PENANAdd96xySLnL
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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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAtsSDBcWcm5
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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.”491Please respect copyright.PENANAOPdrukZZe9
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The two looked at each other in silence, again. They both shook their heads as they picked up their menus.491Please respect copyright.PENANAV144Sz6Kds
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"Leo has this under control,” Eric assured her. "We’ve nothing to worry about.”491Please respect copyright.PENANA2bz2JkRAok
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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.
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I'm In Love With Your Sister
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I'm In Love With Your Sister
Author:
Namwezi

ISSUE #38
Chapter 36
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