Leo sat down on a nearby wooden bench in the flower garden, with blooming white roses behind him. After taking in the news, he couldn’t believe it. With the world spinning under his feet, he was grateful for the small bench. Everything around him seemed non-existent, including the sound of the birds chirping in the trees and the faint sound of people laughing inside the mansion. His mind revolved around what Angel had told him. He seemed to be lost in that world for a while before he felt a hand on his shoulder that brought him back to reality.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpzvUnzpVb
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5J6Wpfu2n4
Eric looked down at Leo with a sad smile on his face. He could only imagine how Leo felt. Who could’ve thought a day like this would ever occur? No one did. What’s even worse was that Carly and Zac were together, getting along like they were just friends. The thought of them made Leo feel so confused and a little angry.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACBecYyteu
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YxBVwrLAI
“Hey, are you okay?” Eric asked.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJndBmjcCa
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAfJB2brMd
“Yeah, I’m fine,” said Leo. He brushed off Eric’s hand on his shoulder.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs7Z2uYHXs
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4XMibovdx
“This is surprising for me too, Leo.” Trying to find the right words to say proved to be difficult for Eric. “I’m not going to lie, I don’t know how you feel. But you've got to understand that all that was in the past.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7e9YUkZjwQ
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmpRkYXEID
Leo took a deep breath. “Honestly, I wish I didn’t know.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLweBAsCTg4
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkc3zY9E77
“You were going to find out in one way or another,” said Angel, who stood a few feet away from them.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ss2zlI1VB
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QNRwYWVNd
Leo looked at Angel, who stood with a serious look on her face. He couldn’t help but wonder why she had to tell him. He wished he had never followed her into the garden. Later on, he started to wish he had never known her at all.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIakWbLwNF0
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Tf25aGgET
“Well, if you ask me, I was better off in the dark,” said Leo.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCcOjP4MWY
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMABh7dkgap
“Why am I not surprised?” Angel asked as she folded her arms. “You don’t see the big picture, do you?”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuS7QjlEXCO
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMd8L0fKAv4
“No, I don’t.” Leo stood up from the bench to face her. “Please, enlighten me.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFnKjlLUJ2
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYE1i3GURmx
“Moving forward, we’re likely to encounter these incidences. Zac was reasonable enough to agree to keep Carly’s secret a secret. What if we happen to encounter someone who won’t feel the same way?”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XKn0PkP6M
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1S3O3fHWCN
“Nothing like this is ever going to happen again.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkAjT4uYN8
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nruB9jn6w
“Stop being so ignorant, Leo.” Angel looked at him in disbelief. “New York might be a big city, but sooner rather than later, she might meet another one of her clients or someone who might have been associated with her at that club. The big question is how to deal with it.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpfjpT1GqH
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LBWNXDbPA
Leo shook his head. “You’re being delusional, Angel. Even if a former client were to meet Carly out in the street, they would ignore her. Yeah, maybe they might approach her, but she could easily lie that they got the wrong person and move on.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzJM4pA7ZV
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BkKKiRVpY
“Easier said than done,” said Angel. “We can’t ignore the fact that it won’t happen.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEJgdgBwDi
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZG4mvfMeF
Leo shook his head. “So what if it does?”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhh3QYne5j
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYGocoi3QH
“You sound like you don’t care.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj39KeqCmE
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9u8g1N60XH
“I do care. For goodness’ sake, I do care, and I’ll do all I can to protect her.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMdHCAfjVb
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uHrpkL4sn
Angel and Leo looked at each other in silence, the tension in the air growing ever tighter. Angel broke contact first, as she looked the other way to catch a few deep breaths.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98Jp6RpUmZ
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AbTqIOZ8e
“I don’t want anyone ever finding out about Carly,” she said. “Not now, at least. But I’m afraid, in one way or another, it will come out.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw5dAzKklP
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRQ9XZST8w
Leo couldn’t believe his ears. “What are you saying?” he asked. He turned to look at Eric, looking shocked before turning back to look at her. “Are you trying to say that you would want the truth to come out? Is that it?”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a935rb09D
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aS4b29T72
Angel sighed and, at the same time, closed her eyes before turning to look at Leo. “No,” she replied. “If anything, I don’t want the truth to come out, for it might expose our other lies. When it does come out, what are we going to do about it?”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHUOOMVyJm
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmPcL5hGTx
“Nothing,” said Leo. “Because nothing will happen, and no one will find out.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLihjEPFrdT
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0lJIu8Pwq
“Well, we all never thought that Carly would one day meet Zac, who happened to be a client of hers,” said Eric. “I agree with Angel on this one. One day, Carly might be exposed, and it will compromise all of us.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarIS2rAHBQ
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kyuwsUV4p
“As usual, you agree with her,” said Leo, looking at Eric.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESdi4maQht
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡue0VK0I0Po
“It’s the way life is,” said Eric. “Maybe we’ll get lucky and all this mess goes with us to our graves. However, we don’t know what the future holds. We need to think of something, or else all of this—your relationship with Carly, especially—falls apart.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjM8SyfYL3
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mydHXImbw
Leo looked at his cousin. He rubbed the side of his face with his hand and groaned in frustration. “I really wish you never told us, Angel,” he said, his eyes looking to the ground.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Q7kx2SkMz
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrdfRZkvEt
“Trust me, I wish this day never happened,” said Angel.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrfWI7tjXe
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9D5vTB8OB
“It was inevitable from the start,” said Eric. “We’re friends with the McAlisters after all. At some point, Carly and Zac were bound to meet.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqhKaV9itB
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMU3YhiayZ
Leo slowly gave a nod of his head, agreeing with Eric. He started to wonder how things had gotten to this point so suddenly. Well, he knew from the start that being in a relationship with Carly was bound to have some dire consequences. However, it showed its ugly head at the worst possible time.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6ROFDEakY
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MbMrCBCfr
"Does Zac know that Carly and I are...?" Leo started to ask, but for a moment, he couldn't finish his sentence. It was almost as if he had choked on his words.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSK7CZxhXn
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGhyQneqTv
"No," Angel replied. "I would rather he knows about it when you bring it out in the open yourselves. The fewer people know about your relationship, the better."
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNy4tO11ze
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPpTSbfYcY
Leo scoffed. "You know, I'm still not happy that you told me about Zac and Carly."
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW8NsxbLCe
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt5c7iJdMa
"And if she started to act funny whenever Zac was around, wouldn't you be suspicious?" Angel raised an eyebrow at him. "At this point, we're all involved, and this is the time to look out for each other. You can think cruelly of me, since I'm already used to it, but I care about what happens to my sister. Besides, all that happened in the past. So, I expect that you and Eric don't give Zac the cold shoulder."
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOXAUl2qQK
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhCjcsgZYd
"Hey, you should be telling him, not me," said Eric.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGziPjAVrx
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2hYM9Dv2a
"I know," said Angel, giving Eric a smile. "But I'm warning you just the same."
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXhxHn6S2p
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUs4AM2GDT2
"I'm guessing that's why those two are pretending to get along?" Leo asked, giving Angel a quizzical look.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaUhrhuYaD
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTeE8EhFGB
"Carly never liked the idea of trusting Zac at first. I know you feel the same, but you don't have much of a choice."
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk9ZaeksuJ
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeZvMPS3IF
Leo hated that Angel was right, and he looked away angrily. Angel sighed, and that made Leo turn to look at her. This time around, the serious demeanor she had had fell away, and there remained a sad look on her face.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEX7P46XVb
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡob2yujxwzK
"Maybe you need some time alone to think things over," she said. "I'll be inside."
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplv8uMHmLA
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBYfCzV5KH
Angel started to make her way out of the flower garden and back to the mansion. Leo watched her go, and the picture of her facial expression, engraved in his mind. He didn't know why, but he felt a little remorseful and thought he shouldn't have been so hard on her.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7LP8Z9ldn
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLppA3eCHW
Eric came to stand beside him, also watching Angel. "Do you need me around?" he asked.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25Mpo0QCtb
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVr80Cg66Ql
"No," said Leo. He sighed as he turned his face upward, looking up at the clear blue sky. "I need to think."
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinvZaprhz4
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZkxt6fQw3
Eric understood as he took a step forward, but then he stopped to say, "I know you might think Angel is against you, but just know she's looking out for her sister. In a way, she's looking out for you too."
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyLKipknye
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIk2bj9YBo
Leo brought his head back down to look at his cousin, but Eric had already started to walk away from him. He turned toward the bench he had sat on a little while ago, and he backed up a bit to sit back down. As he looked around the lovely flower garden, he couldn't help but wonder why Angel and Eric were right about everything.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyirfBp4RE
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPzcKz7mJL
When Angel stepped back into the mansion, she was making a beeline to the ballroom when she heard the sound of a familiar voice in the foyer. She stopped to look around, and that was when she saw Mrs. McAlister standing alongside Mrs. McDonell and Kim. They had stopped to greet some people in the foyer. Angel couldn't help but hear the people around them were complimenting on how beautiful Kim looked. For Angel, Kim being here spelled trouble. Not when Leo was upset with the whole Carly and Zac issue.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYGrvDErdV
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZkOTc1rIB
She started to turn around to make her way back outside when she saw Eric approaching her.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYgV3w42Bk
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnujQdtwdY9
"Is Leo still outside?" Angel asked.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡki5Rmdb2JS
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19csEc3JA6
"Yeah, he didn't need me," said Eric. "Why?"
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUAfV3EQyL
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8OhfP9eOP
"Kim's here."
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBz9dkXC7B
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTxUjxug21
Angel turned in the direction where she saw Kim, and Eric followed her eyes. He gulped immediately when he saw her.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfaIdJn4KE
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeeOSJetJM
"Should we warn Leo?" Eric asked.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2mgiTzKRm
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBGOTtgEX9
"For now, no one apart from us knows where he is," said Angel. "If any of us go out and warn him, they can easily spot us, and we would lead them straight to him."
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62kvUcfRDO
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkfTvL0jZN
“Good thinking. We better tell Zac and Carly, don’t you think?”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC9XVELnbZ
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFUKPvmj0g
Angel gave a nod of her head. She turned to see if either Kim or Mrs. McDonell had seen her and Eric. They were still talking with the guests. Angel motioned to Eric to follow her into the ballroom. The place was now lively with guests. Many of Mrs. Harris’ old friends had settled on the chairs, ready for the game, but catching up with each other nonetheless. Angel saw Amanda, June, and Mrs. Harris at one end of the room, talking and laughing. She turned to the bar and found many people there, getting their drinks. There seemed to be no sign of Zac or Carly anywhere.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8mQdBNl23
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qBZobySng
“They must have walked out to the patio outside,” said Eric, after noticing the look on Angel’s face.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicFfMWYuLN
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhy0DQpcnNC
The two of them stepped out of the ballroom, and luckily enough, they found Zac and Carly talking to a man who seemed to be in his mid-40s. Carly noticed Angel and Eric coming over to them, and she addressed the man in front of her.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqUvXykIej
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByfQrJXBBb
“Ah, the lady coming here is my older sister,” said Carly. “Angel, we were just talking to Mr. McAlister about you.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNZgqPi8xB
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qd4gcQQjc
Angel didn’t expect to be a subject of a conversation. What stunned her was the fact that the man Carly and Zac happened to be talking to was Mr. McAlister. She turned to look at him. Just like his son, he also wore casual clothing, a simple green t-shirt and cargo pants. No one would think that he was the owner of such a beautiful mansion.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlLUNQ8CZy
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSybKpQdNVM
“Nice to meet you, Mr. McAlister,” said Angel, smiling at him.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9csy4ksjgD
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjCcwdmWbV
“A pleasure,” said Mr. McAlister, bowing his head at Angel. His blue eyes were similarly deep as his son’s. “I’ve heard so much about you from my mother-in-law.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDQJtgd8di
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXa7XexLflI
“I don’t think she knows me very well,” said Angel, feeling rather embarrassed by his comment. “But it’s nice to know she’s been saying nice things about me.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLsDcCOX85
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuAMamtm69
Mr. McAlister went on to greet Eric, who greeted him back. Angel was about to excuse herself, when Mr. McAlister saw his friends seated around one of the garden tables and decided to join them. After he left them, Carly and Zac looked at both Angel and Eric with slightly worried looks on their faces.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJrKXtKG3v
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0QgKNDc33
“How did Leo take it?” Carly asked.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKS461tY9B
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3AAmthd9E
“Not well,” said Eric. “But he’ll get over it. We’ve got bigger problems to deal with.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgurmOw9n2R
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAtBHDGD0e
“What?” Zac asked.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoIXnuB6MM
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5UhcHXP6B
“Kim is here,” Angel answered, her eyes falling on Carly. Carly’s eyes widened with surprise.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomw7NtdGf5
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndJvs9DPNg
“So what if Kim is here?” Zac asked, looking confused. He looked at Eric and Angel, and after reading their faces, he understood. “There’s still bad blood between those two?”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBxfYzGigv
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSs4vilBBe
“Not exactly,” said Eric. “You can say there’s a little tension. Trust me, with the way Leo is right now, seeing Kim might spark a fire. So if she asks where Leo is, tell her you have no idea.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUtbRCQUsG
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxL5jflaTx
“Where is he anyway?” Carly asked.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTm6QWp6Ss
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwd7T7jo2zU
“We left him in the garden alone,” Eric answered.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajUc2pyM04
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKZf2K4DBX
“Okay, we’ll keep that in mind,” said Zac. “But what if they do meet each other?”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsyJXIcDt0
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUymwDNaaj
“By then, Leo will have cooled down, hopefully. I just hope he’ll be able to keep it together, not after what happened last time.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ818NT8Q8zE
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFzAJT8VNS
Carly and Angel looked at Eric, and they both knew what he meant. The night they had dinner with the Chos. Leo and Angel had told both Eric and Carly that Kim had been there. Carly felt relieved that she and Leo didn’t get a chance to be alone together. That would’ve been the day Kim found out about the two of them, and who knows what would unfold afterwards? Zac, who noticed the look, knew he wasn’t meant to butt in and ask.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVtvckSwHp
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nh6jxqjgq
“Okay, if anyone asks, we don’t know where he is,” said Zac. He looked down at his left wrist to check the time. “The game is supposed to start in fifteen minutes. Angel, you better be ready.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupFtDmRjT6
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPngmVaR9F
Angel gave a nod, and Zac made his way back into the ballroom. Eric said he needed another drink and asked the two women if they would need any. Angel hadn’t had the luxury of getting anything to drink, considering that she was welcoming the guests. She told Eric that she would have fruit juice instead. Carly asked for a dry martini. They settled at a nearby table while Eric went to fetch their drinks.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dG3BztEEl
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHyldX8jH5
“How did he really take it?” Carly asked, looking at her sister.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTTBbkVbby
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7G17N2ggKt
“You know Leo,” said Angel as she watched the people in front of her and those visible inside the ballroom through the open door and windows. “He has a temper. Of course, he didn't take it lightly.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXwUcrmZlU
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5rvLdpQWP
Carly was silent as she played around with her fingers on her lap. “I bet that’s why he wanted to be alone in the garden.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAq4emtnMZ
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreTRqcYWrE
“He’s stubborn, but he knows what he has to do. It’s just going to be hard for him to accept it. What happened will most likely happen again. We just have to know what to do when it does.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPrLKOiZST
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyUc5heL4Q
“I’m not proud of what I’ve done.” Carly looked up at the sky. “I sometimes wish things could’ve been more different.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1PJgrEub1
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtLbdjOoM6
“Most people will criticize your past,” said Angel as she turned to look at her sister. “Only a few will understand that it’s the future and the present that matter. If you change now for the better, then well and good. If not, you’ll give them a platform to criticize you more.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xEHAXWdi5
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0ZMUKkhX5
Carly swallowed upon hearing those words. How she wished Angel had never told her that. Those words reminded Carly of her mother.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E3srMJPAD
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqd5EeYwgw
“And if it does happen again, what then?” Carly asked, looking at Angel.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFyVEltobn
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNqlLA8eQq
“Who knows? Maybe it won’t be as complicated as it was with Zac. However, there will always be difficult people. Those are the ones we should be careful around.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB20E10kqr
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmr6KF1W2p
Apparently, Carly was involved with such people, and she couldn’t help but feel guilty about it. She continued to watch the people enjoying themselves, trying to rub it off. When Eric came by with their drinks on a tray, she felt relieved.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIR5OwC7Ch
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDxoWnZ4sT
“Kim is in the ballroom right now,” he told the two sisters as he served them. “Just by the way she’s looking around, she must definitely be looking for any one of us or Leo.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBcvQQjTTR
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrKi4APo6j
“This is bad,” said Angel as she took her glass of mango juice. “I hope Leo doesn’t blow up in her face about that night. I wonder why Mrs. McDonell can’t accept that Leo doesn’t need Kim in his life. She’s trying to fix a relationship that will never mend.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9t4yFwFRk
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUybN7lB0Sv
“Oh, you know how she is,” said Eric as he sat beside Angel. “She’s stubborn.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCVVnUOIOH
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxi3sY8lFM
Carly chuckled. “I see where Leo gets that from,” she said.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6mhwWcN8V
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaBuvPlLfq
“Still. The more she tries to fix things, the more she makes them worse,” said Angel. She took a sip of her juice and later added, “Kim is the worst one of them all. She really can’t let Leo go.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CPraXYMex
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ve2bRjxzK
Angel remembered the conversation she had with Kim not too long ago. She could only hope Kim was looking for Leo to apologize for what she did at the hotel. If not, then there’s nothing much Angel could do.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0PFliAr8A
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFna4U7ohFQ
The three continued to have their drinks in silence when Zac appeared by the doorway of the ballroom. He beckoned Angel. The game was about to start. She quickly finished her juice and started to make her way inside. Carly and Eric remained at the table after telling Angel that they would come inside to help with the elderly if there was any need for it.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl87uIBHsGV
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9vrq19QGW
When Angel got to the door, she asked Zac if he had seen Leo anywhere nearby.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKqHGUTVkl
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh8yJ605lN
“No,” he replied. “I bet he’s still in the garden. But I did meet Kim, though. She had asked for him.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHT1cWxeCU
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdCRmXXF70
Angel looked around, hoping not to bump into Kim as well. She would eventually. Zac mentioned that they should go to their designated seats at the other end of the room. They made their way to the table, facing the people already settled to play the game. Apparently, even children who were old enough to play also settled among the old folk.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcyB9aoNzC
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x09siUCd5
Mrs. McAlister stood beside the table with the microphone in hand. She obviously wanted to say a few words before the game began. Looking elegant in white, Mrs. McAlister smiled at the guests before her. She began talking in the microphone to get people’s attention. After the room settled, she began first by greeting everyone and thanking them for appearing for the event. She introduced her son and Angel as the people in charge of the game. She wished everyone all the best and for the best person to win. Also adding that there were prizes for the winners. She handed the mic back to her son, who was to call out the letters and numbers on the bingo balls Angel picked.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0u32AXlXp
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpt9HUWUDMZ
While the bingo game was underway, Leo, who was still in the flower garden, realized that he had stayed there for too long. It was best for him to go back inside the mansion. He had already made up his mind. As much as he didn’t want to go through with it, he saw no other option.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CIVKN1h2D
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YzUXNDI5H
He stood up from the bench and made his way out of the flower garden. As soon as he got back inside, he noticed there weren’t many people in the hallway. The sound of Zac speaking through the mic echoed in the hall outside the ballroom. The game must have started, he thought to himself.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeNJAb1EWs
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnO6SaQgtTT
When he entered the ballroom, he found many of the elderly and a few children already settled for the game and holding up their bingo markers. He spotted Eric across the room, slowly walking around those who were playing the game in case anyone needed anything. His eyes turned to the far end of the ballroom, where Angel and Zac sat. A few people stood around the walls of the room, silently watching the game. A good number of guests had gone outside to socialize more loudly and merrily.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQl1MyR1aBV
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzJKe23WnE
When he looked to his left, he saw Carly, who, just like Eric, slowly walked around the room. She looked up and saw Leo. That made her stop in her tracks as she studied his face. For a moment, she gave a grim look, and it only took Leo’s smile to change it. She sighed in relief and smiled back at him. That was a sign that all is forgiven, and he was willing to move on.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgO0n8IKH5
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhEcfAwT6e
The lovebirds’ moment disappeared abruptly when someone appeared beside Leo. The smell of the person’s perfume made Leo aware of their presence. He turned to look. Standing there, looking gorgeous in her pink dress was Kim.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqCS3I0KPH
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvZ2lfukIe
“Hi, Leo, I was looking for you,” said Kim.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnCXQDSD5S
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6tyTD3VhT
A few elderly women seated nearby turned their heads to hush at Kim, telling her to be quiet. That drew everyone’s attention to Kim and Leo. Angel, who was rolling the bingo ball container, saw Kim standing beside Leo, and a grim look fell on her face. Eric, on the other side, could only watch and hope that Leo wouldn’t explode. Carly stood there helplessly. The last thing she needed was to come in between them. That would only make things worse. So, she quickly looked away, turning her attention to the children playing the game.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC7oqjkJ7T
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UwNjyfN2v
“Can we talk outside?” Kim whispered to Leo.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xxYRFrJ3d
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOHYgcZsx4
Before Leo could refuse, Kim wrapped her hand around his arm and slowly started to drag her with him, leading him back the way he came. Eric, who saw the whole thing, looked over at Carly, hoping that she didn’t see that. Sadly, he found her turning her head with her lips set in a straight line and her eyes staring blankly elsewhere. Angel had also seen what had happened, but she had already picked out a ball that she showed to Zac. She didn’t want to look out of focus. When she turned to Carly, she couldn’t help but feel a little worried.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsY4WbdyDzW
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OjTNLCusm
When Leo and Kim stepped out of the ballroom and into the hall, Leo brushed aside Kim’s hand around his arm and took a few steps before turning to look at her. Kim looked at Leo with a smile on her face.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqjN9K3qp0
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBqcXuVBhB
“You’re a hard man to find,” said Kim. “I was looking for you, and I thought I would find Eric and ask him where to find you. But it wasn’t easy to find him either.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCrBv47Zdy
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFNRwVvIcT
“What is it you want, Kim?” Leo asked.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgY8hDD9vR1
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDihTBExX8
Kim opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. It took her a few seconds to gather herself. “I want to apologize,” she said. “About what happened the last time we saw each other.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cRyMHqrJc
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjY0ecgDCv
Leo raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t like what you did,” he said. He was upset, but he sounded calm. “What were you expecting to see by following me like that?”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGmj1bUbr2
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQw6WwQNBV
“I’ll be honest with you,” said Kim. “I wanted to see your new lover.” Her eyes fell to the floor, feeling a little ashamed for saying it.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dF1djaNdH
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0SwHVU4K5
“I bet you were disappointed when I caught you.” Leo put his hands in the pocket of his trousers. “You didn’t look surprised like we met by accident. You and Trina looked guilty, and I knew you had been following me. Angel, in the end, told me you had been in the area for quite some time.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MAUwi7JEY
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwccJ5uS3L
“Yeah, I know, and I feel so stupid for doing that.” Kim looked up at Leo. “That’s why I’m asking you to forgive me.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7I78UFUIyf
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoN1P1LvtLR
Leo looked at Kim, wondering how to answer that. He was still upset with her after her little stunt, but if he didn’t want to ever bring up this issue again, he had to do one of the things he despised to do.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UbIjeTupH
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoECzqg5FP
He sighed. “I forgive you,” he said. Kim’s eyes brightened up with delight when she heard those words. A smile even appeared across her face. “But don’t take it the wrong way here. Just because I forgive you doesn’t mean this brings us closer.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ue42SaYlk
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnLVpRogMg
“I know,” she said, her cheeks starting to blush. “By forgiving me, this is a sign that you still have a caring heart.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BJvGBFgXl
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsskumDnnq
“I’m just doing this because I don’t want to ever bring up this matter again. If I may ask, what were you going to do if my lover happened to be around that day?”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCggTts9VUj
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMD1xeFvw5
Kim looked taken aback by that question. The smile on her face slowly started to disappear. This was the last thing she needed right now.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKeuzNggxI
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05YZ8aPAUV
“Why are you asking me that question?” Kim asked.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31UVY6E71V
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6mlwRHFki
Leo took some time to answer. “Because I know you,” he said. “You’re impulsive, and I know you’ve been dying to know who my lover is. Who knows what you would’ve done if you did? I bet it would be something unpleasant.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBv7k5fDI0B
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKZGGxPlfc
Kim shook her head. “That’s not true,” she said. “I would never do that.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFChI7q9Qz
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTUxEaugMY
Leo scoffed. “Anyway, I’m not going to argue with you there when you know I’m right. You shouldn’t come after me, begging for my attention. I have a life to live, and so do you.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfSTaPo2GF
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9lNRkndxI
A voice of a woman shouting “bingo, bingo” rang loudly into the hall. What Leo was grateful about these games was that it didn't take too much time. They were obviously going to go for another round of bingo.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDksOJk8Pen
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2TT2ijkzw
Leo turned to look at Kim, who was looking back at him. There was a look of hurt in her eyes, and sadly, there was nothing that Leo could do about it.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIAz4V4Lap
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVXNyq3rbO
“I better be going back in there,” said Leo. “I’ll see you around.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP87foO3gZB
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9BkwkvNAW
Just as Leo was about to take a step towards the door leading to the ballroom, Kim blocked his way, standing in front of him. She looked set on not moving aside.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2OpZ20p5t
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfVTM4vFj2
“Kim, please move,” said Leo.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPaapC5yzF
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4HKiYla8x
“I’m not going to end this conversation like this,” she said.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1QwdHawZ1
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCFUMALnvU
“What else is there to say?” Leo asked as he shrugged his shoulders.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHCa75v1gF
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorj4wtDksA
“Don’t you care about me at all? Don’t you think I've got the right to know who she is that stole your heart from me?”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xTZrFKEe2
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR95upbR7k6
“Kim, your voice is getting a little too loud. And no. I don’t think you’re ready to know who it is. Not with that attitude.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuexBEdF43e
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mqfJjIypx
“Why are you protecting her? It’s not like I’m going to do anything.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcFhsO7xHe
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQl4AEStD52
“Says the person who isn’t over our breakup. I can’t tell you who she is until I’m sure you can handle moving on. Right now, I clearly see that you can’t.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO17uxjDrc
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD51EwOl9TX
The door to the ballroom that stood ajar opened up a little, and a young man stepped out. He walked past Leo and Kim. They remained silent until he was out of sight.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOg6fpfrxth
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafmtBweoae
“I promise, Leo, I won’t do anything rash,” said Kim.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2zefmVWlj
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZl7ier1hzF
“No,” said Leo. He was firm with his response, and Kim could clearly see that her whimpers weren’t going to work on him. “Not now, Kim. Not like this.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zel2qDB6t
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2cb475hXD
Before Kim could think of another way to persuade him, Eric appeared at the door. Leo could never have felt too relieved to see anyone.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRg4jqQwyQq
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZOuFUHqYE
“Leo, I need some assistance over here,” said Eric. Kim turned around to look at him. “We need to clear out some chips on the papers for the next round, and there are a few people who have trouble getting them off since they are old. You could come help too, Kim, if you want.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFf06Riwas
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBf7pyq3X7M
“I’ll be right there,” said Leo. He turned to look at Kim, hoping to say a few words to her, but nothing came to mind. She looked at Eric with an angry frown, upset that he had to interrupt them. He walked past her and joined Eric inside the ballroom.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvEBknKubn
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcdWdnwGP5
“Thanks for that,” said Leo when he and Eric approached the tables.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90v6I8xo96
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSsbKH09G1
“I figured you needed the help,” said Eric. “And we really do need your help with those chips.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg74koGn09l
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlalDAB0IbL
“Never have I felt relieved to help out with anything.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7oYMF0lMV
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Q5mfx9dA2
Leo heard footsteps behind him, and he saw Kim enter the ballroom. She was making her way to the patio, where the lively people were. As she passed, she gave Leo a side-ways glance. Judging by the look, Leo could tell that she was upset.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfjiLhwIoW
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ4RlyOwa7
Three rounds of bingo were played, with three different winners. Amanda happened to be one of them, for she won the last round. Her grandsons, Angel and Carly, went to congratulate her. Amanda couldn’t help but express how excited she was over winning the game and that it was her first time.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJPYQUKZuW
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwL4Jx2KjH
Mrs. McAlister and Mrs. Harris presented prizes to those who won. Afterwards, the place became more of a social event, with those who were outside coming in. The helpers had to arrange the tables and chairs for the elderly as if in a dinner-like manner, in case anyone wanted to help themselves with some food and needed a place to sit.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweAQbSYPOM
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFwmGf0p1g
Leo has stepped out for a bit with a glass of wine, out to the patio and to the lawn. The sun was slowly starting to set, and he had a clear view of it. He had a feeling they might have dinner at the McAlisters, considering the amount of food that had been brought in. With so many people around, all he wanted was to be alone.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcrtcJAxfx
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5ivCLJhDR
He took a sip of his wine, so lost in the beauty of the setting sun that he didn’t hear soft footsteps coming from behind. It only took him a minute to realize that Carly was standing beside him.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRjnnYb79e
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rvbBS2uZE
“Hey,” she said to him.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZmxmjFZXO
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobbavd1Fwi
“Hey,” he answered back.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbCUWwauxU
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoJtk1JjBz
There was a brief moment of silence before Carly spoke. “You’re not mad, are you?” she asked.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1OrBTOC6R
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuO9Pb7DlX4
“Mad about what?” He asked with an eyebrow raised and looking confused.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrHzQwInZp
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2X0o8HK4v
“This thing with Zac and me?”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVYiVpANZc
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOEfF8qW0Q
Leo chuckled. “I had just forgotten about it. To be honest, I was so busy that it never once crossed my mind. Until now.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mg03TmlXy
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUxCtayvyQ
“I know it’s weird…”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJGTgUTinG
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TasnBB5Ok
“Carly,” Leo interrupted her. “That’s all in the past. As much as I would like to keep a grudge, you knew Zac before you knew me. I shouldn’t be jealous at all. He’s an annoying prick, yeah, but I can’t blame him for that either. The last thing I want is to be mad at you.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7LspRUK5M
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NnS50NnyO
Carly smiled. “That’s a relief. If there weren’t many people around, I would’ve hugged you.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgMhhzuKsa
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8Cr9CF8nI
“Tell me about it,” said Leo as he turned around to look at the guests that remained outside. “Let’s not draw any unnecessary attention.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sX6W7OrL8
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YNRkVnvXQ
“And what about Kim? What did the two of you talk about?”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4D0hTH7Sc
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYJTHinN4D
“The incident at the hotel when we had dinner there. And also, she wants to know you. Or let me say it in her words: The woman who stole my heart from her.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIPftxppB4
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrrEs3qBle
Carly rubbed the back of her neck. “She must be really mad, huh?”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFn8tbIooe
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ920DsxasUl
“Yeah, but I’m not going to tell her until she settles down. Better yet, she’ll know when everyone else does.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5E63FubjN0
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsKzHvYsOt
“We still have time. And what are you going to do about your mum? It’s clear to see that she brought her here to try and bring you two together.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LWqC8xa7r
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YKN7ybYIw
“It’s annoying, but I’ll have to have a talk with her one of these days.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaZWPOTY5A
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB7CZsFZWQ
“Leo! Carly!” came Angel’s voice behind them. The two turned around to see her approaching them. She wore her white jacket over her shoulders, as it was getting chilly now.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1UjcZlO1S
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqu0zDkH5Z
“What is it?” Carly asked when Angel came closer.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3Go9Vdgm1
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrIpqek8Uj
“Zac’s girlfriend is here, and Zac wants to introduce you to her,” Angel answered. “He made a show of how you and I are like goddesses, and she wants to see you for herself. So that’s why I came to find you. They’re in the hall outside the ballroom.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6jaGFld85
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidwNyjJkVS
“Fine,” said Carly. She turned to look at Leo. “Aren’t you coming?”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiJfC9touP
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsTT38CKe7
“Yeah, I’ll follow behind you,” he said.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4sGzyrlxz
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVRTVFIYw4
“Before I get there, I need to stop by the bar to get a drink. Let’s go, Angel.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbn8WsGcUD
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMqSgFkJUN
Carly took off quickly before Angel. In trying to catch up with her sister, Angel also hurried. In doing so, her white jacket slipped off her shoulders and fell on the green grass. She stopped in her tracks and turned to pick it up. However, Leo already got to her jacket and picked it up for her. He placed the empty glass he was holding on a nearby table.
Leo closed the distance between them. Before Angel could reach out her hand to grab it, he swung the jacket over her head and made it rest over her shoulders. Angel looked stunned at the gesture that she was almost lost for words. For some reason, her cheeks started to tingle.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXJ2GFBies
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIPSWjQuLX
“Thanks,” she managed to say. “You didn’t have to do that.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IClZ5Ealc
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7xdVPs8Aq
“It’s nothing,” he said.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQAAsDDBG9
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyAKOUY1Cc
Leo still held on to the collars of her jacket, and Angel realized why she was blushing. The feel of his fingers tucked under the collars slightly touched her neck. His hands soon fell away, and he placed them in the pocket of his trousers. He gave her a cool look with his eyes, and that made Angel blush even more.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStfF48AfQG
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wAIvCjy6N
“Are you okay?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “You look shocked or something.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRzlKdMLhq
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy63TG8QJhg
“I’m fine,” said Angel, quickly drawing her head downward. “Let’s go.”
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcNikAV2KP
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFHCSzQLrs
She quickly turned around and started to make her way back into the ballroom, with Leo following behind her. She shook off the feeling and told herself it was nothing. Leo, on the other hand, didn’t seem bothered by her reaction or what had taken place.
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFdc5TmZXV
285Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELKY8g6PDh
Standing by the window inside the ballroom was Kim, holding a glass of champagne. She had seen the little incident between Angel and Leo. That sent her mind buzzing with thoughts. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one who had seen them
.
ns216.73.216.156da2
and then Add to home screen.