Leo was exhausted as he 823Please respect copyright.PENANA4ERSIhyMD0
climbed down the stairs of the office building and went in to the car 823Please respect copyright.PENANAdWf0WzyMq2
that the chauffeur had held the door open for him. He sat beside his 823Please respect copyright.PENANAeTTkB8DgFG
cousin, Eric, who was busy looking at his phone.823Please respect copyright.PENANAXpYzSZaGzR
"I am so beat," said Leo as he unbuttoned the first button at his neck just to let the air in.823Please respect copyright.PENANAVvzxQvEWSs
"Ya, today was exhausting," said Eric, who didn't seem to be paying much attention to his cousin.823Please respect copyright.PENANApiYF5VDpgY
"I hope you aren't looking at women on that phone of yours," said Leo as he looked at Eric.823Please respect copyright.PENANATmKQWqwHwM
Eric turned to look at Leo. "And why would I be looking at other women?"823Please respect copyright.PENANAi158d82jBQ
"Because that's what playboys like you do."823Please respect copyright.PENANAf04TJg8tMp
Eric rolled his eyes as the chauffeur was now in the driver's seat and started the car.823Please respect copyright.PENANADzoUnc3CPG
"I'm not looking at women on my phone, dear cousin," said Eric. "I'm simply trying to look for something."823Please respect copyright.PENANA4t8xVPqgTj
"For what?"823Please respect copyright.PENANAoCbJSUCIhh
"Why do you care? If I tell you, you will get angry."823Please respect copyright.PENANAAoRBysJdqs
Leo shook his head. "Okay, don't tell me. I don't want to know anyway."823Please respect copyright.PENANAxChZrQR2ZX
Eric smiled without looking at his cousin. He really liked to trouble Leo for no apparent reason.823Please respect copyright.PENANAaKabaardCk
Leo looked out of the 823Please respect copyright.PENANAIFdkjdIjWD
car window and into the dark evening sky. It was hard to notice the sky 823Please respect copyright.PENANAZqSrtTjIG8
at night nowadays. Not when you're in a car and the streets you're 823Please respect copyright.PENANAAGWtEhd4VY
driving through are filled with magnificent tall buildings and 823Please respect copyright.PENANApSgGgyr44u
skyscrapers. The place wasn't lit up with lights from the stars but 823Please respect copyright.PENANAXStKVByc7n
rather the lights from the street lamps and buildings. But this was New 823Please respect copyright.PENANANvqZRvFP8m
York after all. Why wouldn't the place be lit up by bright lights?823Please respect copyright.PENANAbxzpfwpbLU
Leo turned to look at 823Please respect copyright.PENANACySGloqZn0
Eric after realising that staring out in the street was boring. He 823Please respect copyright.PENANAYnz4HDaVAQ
passed through the same street everyday and obviously saw the same 823Please respect copyright.PENANAB4sG2tBCEZ
people walking down the street, not like he knew everyone's faces. He 823Please respect copyright.PENANACcMvH1xPUs
couldn't wait to get home and sit at the balcony where he could stare up823Please respect copyright.PENANA2MYT759UJU
the stars to pass time.823Please respect copyright.PENANAxzk3DZIAAq
"What are you looking at?" Leo asked. He had no choice but to ask.823Please respect copyright.PENANAFSw2A3kXBs
Eric looked at him with an eyebrow raised. "Oh, now you're interested."823Please respect copyright.PENANALIkmkH9Udl
"I don't like it when you're quiet. You're usually the one who talks a lot."823Please respect copyright.PENANAutcAP3GoCr
"And you love it." Eric gave Leo a mocking smile. "You simply can't live without me."823Please respect copyright.PENANAHT7rT4thtU
Leo rolled his eyes feeling irritated. "Do I have to repeat myself or what?"823Please respect copyright.PENANAJaCDPuDHgl
"I know you don't like 823Please respect copyright.PENANAUL3Gc12ukO
repeating yourself so I'll tell you to spare your head that looks like 823Please respect copyright.PENANAYJRez86PTY
it's about to blow up. I'm looking for a gift."823Please respect copyright.PENANA6c6UGAMbuo
"For your mum? But her birthday isn't anytime soon, is it?"823Please respect copyright.PENANA7b6FCvvlgU
"Don't worry. I'm looking for a gift for someone special."823Please respect copyright.PENANAFarZe4UGQU
Leo rolled his eyes. "Don't tell me it's for the Lady Supreme."823Please respect copyright.PENANALauk6kzIFY
"Who else could I be referring to?" Eric gave Leo a smile.823Please respect copyright.PENANAxKqpb96itQ
"I'm sorry I asked."823Please respect copyright.PENANAuggUrDM5Ia
"Don't be. Maybe you can help me with picking out something for her."823Please respect copyright.PENANAMJ1Y2hu2eg
"No freaking way. Why should I? I would rather get a gift for Carly instead."823Please respect copyright.PENANANaoB1UPDVJ
"Ya, we all know why." Eric went back to looking at his phone.823Please respect copyright.PENANAOuu5e9WOUq
Leo went back to looking at the window. "She seems to be taking up much of your mind these days. That's not good."823Please respect copyright.PENANAUbwMKa8FSt
Eric turned to look at Leo with his eyebrow raised. "Why do you say that?"823Please respect copyright.PENANAfnONxxQKlx
"I've noticed. You aren't yourself is all I'm saying."823Please respect copyright.PENANAhcsR2Tsiba
"It's called love, bro......well, I think. I'm not too sure."823Please respect copyright.PENANAGetVhqPo57
"I guess you are."823Please respect copyright.PENANAgY2NmhDQXe
"And don't you feel the 823Please respect copyright.PENANATnuwzxF8NC
same way for Carly? Lovestruck, I mean. She's also supposed to be taking823Please respect copyright.PENANAZ2jkkI5N6o
up your mind each and every time too."823Please respect copyright.PENANA9xdSKcyvWK
Leo thought of what his 823Please respect copyright.PENANAIwzAJbAmch
cousin said and didn't know whether to answer him or not. He's been 823Please respect copyright.PENANA8oMDbvME48
pretty busy this past week, trying to settle on a deal with some 823Please respect copyright.PENANAYafp3uq3Hb
important clients. So his mind was pretty much busy. It's not that Carly823Please respect copyright.PENANAAn6F5Avvbd
didn't occupy his mind. When he had free time, he would think about 823Please respect copyright.PENANArWgrKm9g4X
Carly all day long.823Please respect copyright.PENANAZwIIAL7rdQ
But things weren't that 823Please respect copyright.PENANAPoLVBiffsd
way now. Not when he knew that from now onwards he would be heading back823Please respect copyright.PENANAcbtWHlu5U6
home everyday not only to find Carly, but Angel as well.823Please respect copyright.PENANAil9kDJ2yAL
He groaned at the 823Please respect copyright.PENANAGWrjs6E0KG
thought of that. If he wasn't irritated of the thought of Angel, then he823Please respect copyright.PENANAcFZgfxxmMX
didn't know what he was feeling. She was going to cause problems. Not 823Please respect copyright.PENANAjYUu6Kg0HM
only for him, but Carly too.823Please respect copyright.PENANA062xOulZmA
"You know, you've to be careful about who you think about," said Eric, bringing Leo back down to earth.823Please respect copyright.PENANAVIqVoxhGNL
"Why do you say that?" Leo asked.823Please respect copyright.PENANAojgoJvNJpV
"I could tell you were thinking about Angel just now." Eric chuckled.823Please respect copyright.PENANAJB1uUdm1iW
"No, I wasn't." Leo shook his head.823Please respect copyright.PENANAhY6dK1mZX2
"Yes, you were. That 823Please respect copyright.PENANA8Uc5Fbtp8t
look on your face says it all. You look irritated. Still thinking about 823Please respect copyright.PENANA3r12YYoCYN
how Angel took the upper hand on you today?"823Please respect copyright.PENANAdP16DaP39B
"You're just saying things. Now I preferred you kept quiet while looking for a gift for her."823Please respect copyright.PENANAkQH3OHXSdV
"You know I'm right. You823Please respect copyright.PENANAwnYIe2Xyfj
should be lucky she and you aren't workmates. You could bring the whole823Please respect copyright.PENANA3QG5Oaajjt
office down in flames in just a day."823Please respect copyright.PENANAWdyXUZx1QT
Leo gulped as he 823Please respect copyright.PENANAj9pS6JnaWu
remembered what his grandmother said about Angel coming to work for 823Please respect copyright.PENANAyu4IaI0y5z
them. He had to try and convince her much more than he had to.823Please respect copyright.PENANApRy28lscAW
"It's good we aren't," said Leo.823Please respect copyright.PENANAP2xDjwaOHj
The car soon arrived at it's destination parking in front of the mansion. Leo and Eric walked out of the car.823Please respect copyright.PENANAl7RAaavwge
"I am so tired," said Leo.823Please respect copyright.PENANAffxT28tKmv
"You're tired like you're a child coming back from school," said Eric.823Please respect copyright.PENANAaErjb6DUSB
"Don't mind me." The two823Please respect copyright.PENANABJw73f5XTm
cousins walked down the stone footpath that led to the front door. 823Please respect copyright.PENANAsRNocDBBM1
"That shows I work way harder than you do."823Please respect copyright.PENANAc9A2WGtFeo
"Let's not compete. It's823Please respect copyright.PENANAnls2m9dexZ
not like you're a construction worker or something though you happen to823Please respect copyright.PENANAJZL6DR3kbH
run the business. You're just simply the man behind the chair who 823Please respect copyright.PENANAdpivdVm5yu
controls what's going on."823Please respect copyright.PENANApRD41eZ3C1
Leo rolled his eyes at Eric and almost burst out laughing. You can never be bored with him.823Please respect copyright.PENANAfnNdXfEUbi
As they arrived at the 823Please respect copyright.PENANAO4KlW0gn2H
doorstep, Leo was about to ring the doorbell when the door flew open and823Please respect copyright.PENANASMwo7q9OOz
there behind the door was his mother.823Please respect copyright.PENANATZBrkd4hkc
"Hello," said Mrs McDonell. "I'm glad you're here."823Please respect copyright.PENANAdh0IDNQ64k
"Hi, aunt," said Eric when he realised that Leo wasn't going to greet her.823Please respect copyright.PENANAUtVSoNBy4H
"Why don't you two freshen up and we will have supper ready. We're having a guest over."823Please respect copyright.PENANANk0cCAM5VI
"That's nice," said Eric as Leo passed his mother and entered the foyer.823Please respect copyright.PENANAfCACQjG0q8
"Yes, so you all better 823Please respect copyright.PENANAoBUOcgHUeD
get ready." Mrs McDonell sounded excited as she closed the door behind 823Please respect copyright.PENANA6BrL1dVWeq
Eric and soon left for the kitchen.823Please respect copyright.PENANAUAiWW6Xrm6
"She sounds so excited, have you noticed?" Leo asked.823Please respect copyright.PENANAgZfOySJdyS
"Isn't she always excited?" Eric asked.823Please respect copyright.PENANAvfgQZFR6sF
Leo chuckled. "You should rather be sarcastic than funny."823Please respect copyright.PENANAl9Aj1YXKTQ
"I know. Before I go up to my room, let me go say hi to grandma. And Angel."823Please respect copyright.PENANApgZdWVTRsS
Eric ran off to the 823Please respect copyright.PENANAwlwMzDhOxv
other side of the foyer leading to the hall where Angel and Amanda's 823Please respect copyright.PENANA3ySTLNA0kn
room were. Leo couldn't help but think Eric was acting childish.823Please respect copyright.PENANAVp8dAeNIyP
Just as he was about to 823Please respect copyright.PENANAC9n0Zo3iTq
walk up to his room, there was Carly, at the top of the stairs looking 823Please respect copyright.PENANAtWhAcsISxB
down at him. He paused for a minute as he looked at her.823Please respect copyright.PENANA59tvSAr5zN
"Wow," he said in awe.823Please respect copyright.PENANAzKTAEAI9zH
Carly smiled. "You like?" she asked.823Please respect copyright.PENANAyeEHirdUNb
Leo bit his lip. "Definitely. Why wouldn't I?"823Please respect copyright.PENANAMSACkzyqp0
Carly wore a lovely black flared sleeveless dress that reached almost way above her knees. She also wore matching high heels.823Please respect copyright.PENANAUwXY45oifF
"Are you going somewhere?" Leo asked as she slowly made her way down the stairs. "I've to say, you look lovely."823Please respect copyright.PENANApliwMQ1fdo
"Thank you," said Carly 823Please respect copyright.PENANA4nsxhZgV2Z
with her lovely red painted lips raised up into a smile. "I'm not going 823Please respect copyright.PENANAe9m0ZGszOD
anywhere." She slowly continued her way down the stairs.823Please respect copyright.PENANAUTAsgnkg6l
"Then what's the occasion?" Leo couldn't take his eyes off of her.823Please respect copyright.PENANAHyneoUIwRW
Carly stood on the last step, close to Leo. The two looked at each other with so much intent.823Please respect copyright.PENANAf4p8HEIBM9
"Hasn't your mother told you?" Carly asked. This time she gave him a questioning look.823Please respect copyright.PENANA05jmzwyRwG
"Told me what?"823Please respect copyright.PENANAGIdqUMC3kd
"Well, you two have no shame," said Angel who appeared in the foyer.823Please respect copyright.PENANAgK7Fo5YxQP
Carly almost jumped by 823Please respect copyright.PENANAXti5AfCPjM
her voice, thinking that it was Leo's mother. She relaxed when she 823Please respect copyright.PENANAJFQo715gbW
realised that it was only Angel. Leo, however, didn't seem frightened at823Please respect copyright.PENANA0jkE6rwnja
all.823Please respect copyright.PENANA6L62XVbK6K
"You almost scared me to death," said Carly.823Please respect copyright.PENANAsBu3LBu7OA
"I should be doing that more often," said Angel. She had come in from the living room in her wheelchair.823Please respect copyright.PENANA91eAVidFMh
"You know this is also my house, right?" Leo asked as he looked at Angel. "So you better take back what you said."823Please respect copyright.PENANA7TolUeqdux
"Why should I?" Angel 823Please respect copyright.PENANAS1mEzh1gjb
shrugged her shoulders. "If you two don't want anyone else finding out 823Please respect copyright.PENANAvd3XTwhni6
about your relationship, then you shouldn't be seen so close to each 823Please respect copyright.PENANAvRLS8BbiLA
other, don't you think?"823Please respect copyright.PENANAps06LCsill
The two lovebirds didn't know what to say, and they didn't have to because Eric soon appeared into the foyer.823Please respect copyright.PENANAzaQzwInM3w
"Angel, I was looking for you," said Eric excitedly as he ran to hug her.823Please respect copyright.PENANAHQ9sBWYeWG
"Hi, Eric," said Angel giving him a smile.823Please respect copyright.PENANASoVv0pNRvh
"Wow, Carly, you look really nice," said Eric as he looked at her. "Did you go shopping today?"823Please respect copyright.PENANAlpG0qPqFVz
"I went shopping with your mum," Carly replied as she blushed.823Please respect copyright.PENANATRe4wsiYym
"You look really pretty." Eric smiled at her.823Please respect copyright.PENANAgJSYVpP4LO
"Thank you, Eric."823Please respect copyright.PENANADdnANG0Fie
"I was just asking her 823Please respect copyright.PENANAi7E2uEGfBO
what the special occasion is for her to be dressed like this," said Leo.823Please respect copyright.PENANAHvlPs45OoY
"And she told me that we will be having a guest over."823Please respect copyright.PENANAvqzNozk06F
"Oh, really?" Eric asked. "Aunt wasn't joking then? Who is it?"823Please respect copyright.PENANAnMuou4OpfL
"Well, you won't believe this if we tell you but..." Carly was soon interrupted.823Please respect copyright.PENANAbkCv9EGA8Z
"Leo," said Amanda as 823Please respect copyright.PENANAaKZChzV2ka
she came into the foyer. "I was wondering why you didn't come to see me 823Please respect copyright.PENANAYaK7ch6IrM
like your cousin did. Well, now I see why."823Please respect copyright.PENANAB4z11l5Iru
Leo turned to look at his grandma and went over to hug her.823Please respect copyright.PENANA5DBQQmUYwh
"How are you, granny?" Leo asked after hugging her.823Please respect copyright.PENANAHTqEusVqd2
"Never better," Amanda replied with a smile. "I see you four are all trying to get along. That's nice."823Please respect copyright.PENANAM1E7A8lnta
"Yes, we are," said Eric.823Please respect copyright.PENANAPPUxt8Uu5U
"Good. Well, you two men823Please respect copyright.PENANAHWzKOzPctB
better get yourself ready for supper. Your mother will be furious if 823Please respect copyright.PENANAZy3woQf9C2
you don't since she's having a guest over."823Please respect copyright.PENANANgij1l7MAS
"Who could it be, granny?" Eric asked. "Carly was just about to tell us when you came in."823Please respect copyright.PENANAkVPUsqegdm
"Let's not ruin the surprise. Go, go now. You've to get ready."823Please respect copyright.PENANA8B9uhXUdrw
Leo and Eric didn't say 823Please respect copyright.PENANARKiQRg1aN2
anything as they quickly obliged to their grandmother's request and went823Please respect copyright.PENANApTTm7cTttO
up the stairs. When the two were out of earshot, Amanda turned to look 823Please respect copyright.PENANAeszX9e0V96
at Carly.823Please respect copyright.PENANAa1oR63IumY
"I know what you're thinking," said Carly as she looked at Amanda. "I wasn't going to say anything about Kim."823Please respect copyright.PENANADoPwoiAKmH
Amanda gave her a smile.823Please respect copyright.PENANAI7PT2JBDQR
"I know. But you had to be careful. If you did tell Leo Kim was coming 823Please respect copyright.PENANAnqz0w4g5dm
over, he was going to walk straight out that door."823Please respect copyright.PENANAfTOltyqg8o
"I know." Carly couldn't help but blush.823Please respect copyright.PENANAe5vVfnATh9
"I hope all goes well tonight," said Angel. "I've a feeling this isn't going to end pretty."823Please respect copyright.PENANAOogBMTPQTn
"Me too," said Amanda.823Please respect copyright.PENANA0a0404ura3
There was a knock at the door and Carly quickly dropped to the bottom of the stairs to open it. Mr McDonell soon stepped in.823Please respect copyright.PENANAR8mu9d0WUE
"Evening, Carly," said Mr McDonell. "May I say, you look lovely tonight."823Please respect copyright.PENANAC2lWTlAdBP
"Thank you," said Carly as she closed the door behind him.823Please respect copyright.PENANA6net13cDrH
"Evening mother, evening Angel."823Please respect copyright.PENANAbfM363L0Bw
Both Amanda and Angel greeted him at the same time.823Please respect copyright.PENANAgV4A4E2hVA
"May I have a word with you in the study?" Amanda asked her son.823Please respect copyright.PENANAzQzk4oZhvn
"Right now? Is it really that urgent?" Mr McDonell asked.823Please respect copyright.PENANAapBKJeiZg4
"Yes and it can't wait."823Please respect copyright.PENANApDQhxUZdPO
Amanda already started her way back down the hall she came from but 823Please respect copyright.PENANA4G1Y5r5laU
this time heading to the study. Mr McDonell had no choice but to follow.823Please respect copyright.PENANA85l6ixWTnR
"Could it be that she wants to talk about his wife bringing Kim here?" Carly asked.823Please respect copyright.PENANAUIlDfdkzPF
Angel looked at her 823Please respect copyright.PENANAivAwth3b4M
sister. "I wouldn't dwell on that thought if I were you," she replied. 823Please respect copyright.PENANAfZsJVUFieq
Angel didn't have to think twice about what the two would be talking 823Please respect copyright.PENANAelGPTkKJr2
about.823Please respect copyright.PENANAGXEHxVPGSs
In an hour's time, 823Please respect copyright.PENANAcNT5ixg25H
dinner was close to being set on the table. Carly and Angel were in the 823Please respect copyright.PENANAJ1R46STge5
living room watching the 8 o'clock news. The house help soon started 823Please respect copyright.PENANAffpUcwAign
bringing out dishes of different cuisines from the kitchen and into the 823Please respect copyright.PENANAnBUq7J1Ezo
dining room.823Please respect copyright.PENANAZA4J24mLBV
"To be honest, Angel, I feel really nervous," said Carly feeling uncomfortable on the couch.823Please respect copyright.PENANA0qDJrPPV80
"If you're worried about Kim, please don't show it," said Angel.823Please respect copyright.PENANAQhEoYYJ5ch
"I'm not going to."823Please respect copyright.PENANAIPDVafNkQd
"Well, you better change that facial expression. Because it completely shows."823Please respect copyright.PENANAIrdUXMYScn
"Really?" Carly asked as she touched her face thinking that it would help change her expression.823Please respect copyright.PENANAP3mAnBpgRr
Angel shook her head and smiled as she went on to stare at the TV. She hadn't messed around with Carly like that in a long time.823Please respect copyright.PENANAdukv7ysmOz
Oliver soon appeared in the living room and came to sit right next to Carly.823Please respect copyright.PENANAFvC74D5cNO
"Hey, Oliver," said Angel. "Are you done with your homework?"823Please respect copyright.PENANAJx3cgHVyof
"Homework, seriously, on a Friday?" Oliver looked at Angel with a surprised look on his face.823Please respect copyright.PENANAL72nwOHygt
"What's wrong with doing823Please respect copyright.PENANAyD5QpSvJ9v
your homework on a Friday? You might have the whole weekend, but you 823Please respect copyright.PENANAScFmjBt1s0
won't do your homework because you will be out having fun. And then you 823Please respect copyright.PENANAuAe1aUU2Mt
will end up doing your homework on a Sunday evening."823Please respect copyright.PENANAQBzwvbZjVy
"I know what you mean. But it's so hard to do my homework on a Friday because everyone is so busy."823Please respect copyright.PENANAJG6g0BwbD0
"That, little man, is so823Please respect copyright.PENANAnwUFBrlWso
not true," said Eric as he came into the living room. He had taken a 823Please respect copyright.PENANAmwV8cvU5mo
shower and changed his clothes for the evening. "I always have free time823Please respect copyright.PENANAKCJBAJZP1D
for you on a Friday."823Please respect copyright.PENANArGfuMPrX6U
"Come on, Eric," said Angel. "Let the little man, speak. He might be telling the truth."823Please respect copyright.PENANAbixSFXOiyu
"Please don't take his 823Please respect copyright.PENANABgIHt4mLZ7
side, Angel." Eric came to stand right behind Angel on her wheelchair. 823Please respect copyright.PENANAeP4lA6KTdR
"The guy isn't as innocent as you think."823Please respect copyright.PENANAvT6FiC3hGA
"Okay, let me finish talking to him about his homework first. Then you can air out all your views about him."823Please respect copyright.PENANA6KQMQTiszE
"Don't listen to a word he says about me," said Oliver, pointing at his brother.823Please respect copyright.PENANA0rEsFezXFz
"Okay, okay, you two," 823Please respect copyright.PENANAn48vgVs7OX
said Angel trying to calm the two brothers down. "Now, Oliver, I think 823Please respect copyright.PENANApSEGeiT534
it's best you work on your homework on a Friday so that you don't have 823Please respect copyright.PENANAGhT8OIAicL
to struggle so much on Sunday."823Please respect copyright.PENANAPbAlcPJ2mt
"Will you help me then?"823Please respect copyright.PENANA4xjgY2oSNi
Angel gave him a smile. "After dinner."823Please respect copyright.PENANAqlcgCmPmxH
"Then we can watch a Friday night movie in the home movie theatre. How does that sound?" Eric asked.823Please respect copyright.PENANAZSkhYJMgNZ
"You guys have your own home movie theatre?" Carly asked looking at Eric.823Please respect copyright.PENANAD1eR4tukVL
"Ya," Oliver answered 823Please respect copyright.PENANARH2rqnvvhs
excitedly. "My brother, Leo and I usually have a movie night on Fridays.823Please respect copyright.PENANAeGWhyAiUDT
Would you ladies like to join us?"823Please respect copyright.PENANALfJbpJRiZr
"Oooh, charming," said Carly. "Of course we would, wouldn't we, Angel?"823Please respect copyright.PENANA0ktWHzoFXs
"Definitely," Angel replied. "But after he does his homework."823Please respect copyright.PENANAdqYSnHvXOn
"Deal," said Oliver as he gave Angel a smile.823Please respect copyright.PENANATU15g4RCJi
"Is everyone here?" Mrs McDonell called out as she appeared into the living room, coming in from the foyer.823Please respect copyright.PENANAjCb5Ag1LDA
"What do you mean, aunt?" Eric asked. "Everyone is around."823Please respect copyright.PENANAXgqMjBBPDv
"And what about your uncle, has he arrived?"823Please respect copyright.PENANA65BGu9jxK8
"Yes, he arrived some minutes ago," Angel replied.823Please respect copyright.PENANAcWhljbMhO6
"And where is he?" Mrs McDonell asked giving Angel a glare.823Please respect copyright.PENANAm47aePmjO9
"He went to the study with Amanda. She insisted that they go and have a talk."823Please respect copyright.PENANAuBiHW5PPcZ
Mrs McDonald raised an 823Please respect copyright.PENANAlnvsCNwNwN
eyebrow thinking over what Angel had just said. Angel could tell that 823Please respect copyright.PENANA0fQwPIwuQn
Mrs McDonell was thinking twice , obviously wondering if Amanda was 823Please respect copyright.PENANAXecMMr5nMh
talking to her son about his wife.823Please respect copyright.PENANA05QQlJQuAW
"Are we going to have supper now?" came Eric's mother coming from behind Mrs McDonell. "I'm starving here."823Please respect copyright.PENANATxNeUdoPnk
"Same here, mum," said Oliver. "And the food smells delicious from here."823Please respect copyright.PENANAlBIBOw44iT
"Don't worry, our guest will be here soon and then we can have our supper," said Mrs McDonell.823Please respect copyright.PENANAV2C4i0Yqor
"I wonder who it is," said Eric. "Because the way I see it, it must be someone important."823Please respect copyright.PENANAKeCF2S48Ox
Angel looked up at Eric 823Please respect copyright.PENANA9sGKMo9C0O
and she was glad that he wasn't looking down at her. She had that 823Please respect copyright.PENANAXs983CPVwV
worried look on her face because she knew that their guest was someone 823Please respect copyright.PENANAXuLTI1OPYX
Eric and especially Leo weren't in good terms with at the moment.823Please respect copyright.PENANAYcooyPLd1J
They soon heard a sound of a vehicle and the sound of tires on the asphalt outside. Could that be their visitor?823Please respect copyright.PENANAFEWajiDp1I
"Ah, she's here," said Mrs McDonell excitedly as she went for the front door. Diana quickly went to join her.823Please respect copyright.PENANAbhFRc0QrE8
"It's a she?" Eric asked. "I hope it's not one of those old famous ladies."823Please respect copyright.PENANAqnijrfhJKL
Angel rolled her eyes. "You wouldn't like it if was anyone younger," she thought to herself.823Please respect copyright.PENANAw3q06fVDm5
"I wonder why aunt is so excited," said Oliver. "This must be one very important person."823Please respect copyright.PENANAoL8A6DLpfp
"Maybe in her life, yes," said Carly.823Please respect copyright.PENANAPpJsVNWPIs
"I have to see this for myself," said Eric.823Please respect copyright.PENANArHVMPQJQ6d
Before he could even head out of the living room, he stopped as he looked into the foyer. He was shocked for words.823Please respect copyright.PENANA4ste2ZiVJV
"Eric, are you okay?" 823Please respect copyright.PENANAnPb2MjahbY
Oliver asked as he noticed his brother stand still like a statue. He 823Please respect copyright.PENANAJf3ijAk7kA
soon turned towards what his brother was looking at and he too remained 823Please respect copyright.PENANA45P9jw4ts3
shocked.823Please respect copyright.PENANAhZbd0aBVbS
The two sisters knew the823Please respect copyright.PENANATydyzCCbZr
worst had finally come. They both turned to the foyer and there in 823Please respect copyright.PENANAUhxlRF64M8
lovely short purple dress was the most beautiful looking lady they had 823Please respect copyright.PENANAO4YKxJHnxG
ever seen.823Please respect copyright.PENANABacalomdbE
Kim stepped in to the 823Please respect copyright.PENANAWyTeWD1qdN
living room with Mrs McDonell who had a huge grin on her face. It was 823Please respect copyright.PENANAaPcvj9rP8y
obvious that her plan of getting Kim into the house with Leo still 823Please respect copyright.PENANA2gB5dLBSxV
around, worked. Diana remained behind in the foyer with a scared and yet823Please respect copyright.PENANASIgBy3uLl6
surprised look on her face. She soon left the foyer, heading upstairs.823Please respect copyright.PENANAU9xVDgOhqD
"Look who is here to see us after such a long time," said Mrs McDonell. She couldn't be any more happier.823Please respect copyright.PENANAYolHYGQbPV
"Hi, Eric," said Kim as she gave him a dreamy look and a charming smile. "How have you been?"823Please respect copyright.PENANAsDYALsYX0S
Eric cleared his throat then said, "I'm great. It's been a long time, Kim."823Please respect copyright.PENANAUcEWUdzBfT
"It really has. It's good to be back here. Hey, Oliver, how are you?"823Please respect copyright.PENANAOi1Rz1Ih2N
"I'm fine, thanks," said823Please respect copyright.PENANA5rUsw3wHyv
Oliver and he quickly went to looking at the TV screen as though 823Please respect copyright.PENANAKkZhzYMwuh
something had captured his eye when it was only just the eight o'clock 823Please respect copyright.PENANAD2iLbZLujr
news.823Please respect copyright.PENANAXyumsTJNVz
"Before I forget my manners, let me introduce to the Barclay sisters, Angel and Carly," said Mrs McDonell.823Please respect copyright.PENANAUCgQCjpsmh
Carly stood up from her seat and walked over to Kim with a smile on her face.823Please respect copyright.PENANAfw608FdhEk
"I'm Carly," she said as she stuck out her hand. "Nice to meet you."823Please respect copyright.PENANA8dGxZbCN1B
"The pleasure is mine," said Kim as she shook Carly's hand.823Please respect copyright.PENANAhllLGPZI6Z
Angel and Eric couldn't help but look at each other when the two shook hands. Kim had no idea what she was in for.823Please respect copyright.PENANAtuQ0WteL0t
"And this is my older sister, Angel," said Carly introducing her sister to Kim.823Please respect copyright.PENANAJO8wgHN4nT
"Nice to meet you, Angel," said Kim giving Angel a smile.823Please respect copyright.PENANAsMn6cjwxl4
"Nice to meet you too," Angel replied.823Please respect copyright.PENANAVPnOgyHsru
"Where is Leo?" Kim asked as she turned to look at Mrs McDonell.823Please respect copyright.PENANAXFy6547fBn
"He's just freshening 823Please respect copyright.PENANAaNkZTYjrsF
up," said Mrs McDonell. "He will be down here shortly. Why don't you 823Please respect copyright.PENANA85KuRdP165
take a seat while I go and tell the rest that you're here."823Please respect copyright.PENANAa1SeKk29wi
"There's simply no need 823Please respect copyright.PENANA5h2N5cRTZ3
for that, Bertha," said Mr McDonell as he came into the foyer with 823Please respect copyright.PENANAZKh7sT6hI4
Amanda, pushing her wheelchair. "We are already here."823Please respect copyright.PENANAVsZSjiDXjc
"Aren't you excited that Kim is here?" Mrs McDonell smiled at her husband.823Please respect copyright.PENANAIbMQ8jpyqE
Mr McDonell looked caught in between answering her or not. He quickly turned to look at Kim to greet her.823Please respect copyright.PENANAzRFuBIvoJr
"How are you, Kim?" he asked.823Please respect copyright.PENANAATevuLkatU
"I'm good. It's really nice to see you again. Hi, Amanda, how are you?"823Please respect copyright.PENANAUnznEIWfXB
Amanda put up the kindest smile. "I'm great and how are you?"823Please respect copyright.PENANAnP0zIZaHs9
"Never better."823Please respect copyright.PENANAMo8c9T0uGE
"You take a seat. I'll go and call Leo," said Mrs McDonell.823Please respect copyright.PENANASrezRjydK0
"Let me freshen up real quick," said Mr McDonell and he quickly turned around to leave.823Please respect copyright.PENANApoLGxZ4WMW
Kim went over to the couch and took a seat. She sat on the couch close to where Angel sat on her wheelchair.823Please respect copyright.PENANAaiSHWI7L86
Mrs and Mr McDonell left823Please respect copyright.PENANAnKkL3Tr2qK
the living room. For a moment, everything felt a little awkward, now 823Please respect copyright.PENANAfdLjuVAGey
that Kim was here. Eric scratched the back of his head as he came to 823Please respect copyright.PENANAdotYwV3EeI
settle down on the couch with his little brother. Carly came to join the823Please respect copyright.PENANAj5rHdeFLQ7
two and Amanda rolled herself over and settled right next to Angel.823Please respect copyright.PENANAssxuEchTqd
For a moment, there was 823Please respect copyright.PENANAnZvBoJ9ni7
silence as most people in the living room fixed their eyes on the TV 823Please respect copyright.PENANA6jUNelFNRA
screen, except for Kim who kept looking at each and everyone of them 823Please respect copyright.PENANAY1yq6pVAqx
present, trying to see who she could start a conversation with.823Please respect copyright.PENANAWM8fuZdcrV
"I haven't seen you in a while, Eric," said Kim. Eric looked at her.823Please respect copyright.PENANAuVdaTIPyTe
"Ya, we kind of fell out after all that had happened," said Eric.823Please respect copyright.PENANATWaw5DFsn5
"I know. It's pretty much normal on your part. I was a little surprised with Leo though."823Please respect copyright.PENANAh5uDzrcEmS
Everyone all turned their heads at Kim, including little Oliver. They all waited for her to continue with what she had to say.823Please respect copyright.PENANAwHesld0Wjn
"I know about the 823Please respect copyright.PENANA8y1f5pZi4M
accident, Angel," Kim continued. "And on behalf of Leo, I apologise 823Please respect copyright.PENANAblv0EoiPHb
since I didn't get the chance to when it all happened. I didn't even 823Please respect copyright.PENANAKRDZmFrh0E
know you were staying with the McDonells until I was told by Leo's mum."823Please respect copyright.PENANA1ee5lhLQC3
Angel said, "all that 823Please respect copyright.PENANAooy4zZJqdv
was nothing but an accident. I've moved on. If I really wanted to, I 823Please respect copyright.PENANAQRBhLcRmE7
would have sued Leo, but I know how pointless all that would have been."823Please respect copyright.PENANAfeZh0GC8WP
Carly looked at her 823Please respect copyright.PENANAHDfcE4mf5O
sister, wondering why she said that last bit of suing Leo. All this 823Please respect copyright.PENANAM0f1c4qq8c
looked really confusing to her. It felt like someone was trying to play 823Please respect copyright.PENANA8jFeiYSYk8
the other here, or was Carly simply imagining things?823Please respect copyright.PENANAJKBmk4ydlH
"But I still can't seem to put one thing together though," said Kim as she looked up at the ceiling.823Please respect copyright.PENANAmakZhTSPkH
Eric, Angel and Carly 823Please respect copyright.PENANAHjm5WLALrV
all held their breaths. What was she going to say now? Was she going to 823Please respect copyright.PENANAXk8xICp3dz
link the Barclay sisters to Leo's decision of calling off their 823Please respect copyright.PENANAojIAhGoP7s
engagement?823Please respect copyright.PENANAlypu9BD0bq
"I wonder why you and 823Please respect copyright.PENANAw9z0HA7jvu
Leo went out that day, Eric," said Kim as she went back to looking at 823Please respect copyright.PENANAEsMggULvB6
him. "What were you possibly doing anyway?"823Please respect copyright.PENANAyzDVhBfsnO
Oliver gave his brother a funny look.823Please respect copyright.PENANAi6zTmMrtVz
"He wanted to go out for fresh air and we did," Eric replied. "We didn't know the accident would happen."823Please respect copyright.PENANA5MkCPDNx8E
"All that was 823Please respect copyright.PENANAOLQTEsHA89
unpredictable, dear," said Amanda. "I don't know why you're bringing all823Please respect copyright.PENANAJDYDuFTarl
this up again when it has gone and passed. If you're trying to figure 823Please respect copyright.PENANA2MCh6EEuou
out why Leo left you, it's best you ask him yourself."823Please respect copyright.PENANAiCjFbUCeFl
"You know I tried that, Amanda," said Kim. "And just like always, he never gave me a straight up answer."823Please respect copyright.PENANAm8ekAOxDBQ
Amanda gave Kim a mocking smile. "Well, that's definitely like Leo, alright."823Please respect copyright.PENANA62cMyRHRdH
Kim could tell that Amanda was just making fun of her. So she went back to looking at Eric.823Please respect copyright.PENANAQZ9dAPZvYU
"So, how is work?" Kim asked.823Please respect copyright.PENANAltL5H7UdzC
"Work is fine and tiring as usual," Eric answered.823Please respect copyright.PENANAnf4wGdIT2X
"That's good to hear." Kim went on to look at the stairs. "I wonder what's keeping the others so long."823Please respect copyright.PENANAtRuNTOcIr2
As soon as she said 823Please respect copyright.PENANAvqMalQrXju
those words, footsteps were heard coming down the stairs. And just by 823Please respect copyright.PENANA1tcpe0Mgz6
the sound, you could tell that they weren't happy steps.823Please respect copyright.PENANAByl2cgne7s
"Leo, wait a minute," Diana called out to him by the stairs.823Please respect copyright.PENANAOlhtbKuMZX
Leo had already reached the bottom stair and went straight to the living room.823Please respect copyright.PENANAdynDbDeTO0
"What's going on here?" Leo asked as soon as he appeared in the living room.823Please respect copyright.PENANAo6dHVXJAqI
Amanda winced. Eric 823Please respect copyright.PENANAn2uUMpKb3h
couldn't help but scratch his head. Carly looked the other way as she 823Please respect copyright.PENANARJsjvG1psX
played with her hair. Oliver didn't face Leo's direction, as though he 823Please respect copyright.PENANA3H3I5GR9ci
was avoiding watching a bad scene of a horror movie. Angel however, 823Please respect copyright.PENANAytmNUO0bpr
looked on waiting to see how all this would play out.823Please respect copyright.PENANAHHfUEZ2pNt
Kim slowly stood up from the couch. "Leo, how are you?" she greeted.823Please respect copyright.PENANASMiBczWOQn
There was silence in the room except from Diana's footsteps as she came down the stairs and in to the living room.823Please respect copyright.PENANAnBywhMrRpA
"I was fine the time I came home," he answered. "And now I'm not."823Please respect copyright.PENANAgsmjAFAPGR
"Leo, calm down, 823Please respect copyright.PENANAHQe3I2okRA
please," Diana strongly insisted as she held his shoulder. "Your mum 823Please respect copyright.PENANAkICDbYscY4
isn't going to like the way you're talking to her."823Please respect copyright.PENANAeb0JMMPtXL
"She invited her here, did she?" Leo turned to look at his aunt.823Please respect copyright.PENANAcxYY9B3p03
Diana shrugged her shoulders. "She never told me anything. But I'm guessing by her happy mood, she obviously did."823Please respect copyright.PENANAwfvI0m90fR
Leo turned to look at Kim. "Did mum ask you to come here?" he asked her.823Please respect copyright.PENANAZvCuUsyVoG
"She did," Kim answered. "But all this was only so that I could see the family after such a long time."823Please respect copyright.PENANAwSNmhoNLXP
Everyone had a puzzled 823Please respect copyright.PENANAQQQIZBzpla
look on their face as they turned to look at Kim, except Leo. It was 823Please respect copyright.PENANAVIxdv2Hfjl
clear with the way she spoke to them before Leo came in that she was 823Please respect copyright.PENANAUpyyt97cop
here just to get a chance to see and talk to Leo. No one objected to 823Please respect copyright.PENANApI3z5xwMzb
what she said. She and Leo were having a conversation and no one felt 823Please respect copyright.PENANAWLCdVCjZ5V
like butting in because you were only going to get burnt.823Please respect copyright.PENANAKsWz2Tt9AD
"I don't believe you," said Leo. "Grandma, did you know she was coming here?"823Please respect copyright.PENANAmzZQF927RV
Amanda looked up at Leo.823Please respect copyright.PENANAUIlydEPNxS
"I knew, she answered. "But your mum told me not to tell you because 823Please respect copyright.PENANAs9z9xbfRbD
you would freak out the way you're doing right now."823Please respect copyright.PENANAkFvAj0bfeP
"She knew you would run, that's why," said Diana. "That's definitely what your mother would do."823Please respect copyright.PENANAmreI43TqoQ
Leo rolled his eyes and looked irritated. "Where is she?" he asked.823Please respect copyright.PENANAYPkhH8CSgt
"She will be down shortly," said Amanda, who had a worried look on his face.823Please respect copyright.PENANA9YHVi3gFFY
"I need her here right now."823Please respect copyright.PENANAPUFDQuIY0y
"Leo, I think you need to sit down," said Eric as he stood up from the chair and came to stand right next to his cousin.823Please respect copyright.PENANAbQ8aI8hq7F
"There's no need." Leo looked calm and cool, but you could tell from his voice that he was really on edge.823Please respect copyright.PENANAyLR80G3DVf
Mr McDonell soon came down the stairs and when he came in the living room, he felt the tension in the air.823Please respect copyright.PENANA0qlhYzjc47
"Did I miss something here?" Mr McDonell asked.823Please respect copyright.PENANAFlJJKI6p5O
"You came just in time," said Amanda. "Leo is not happy."823Please respect copyright.PENANAOXh6iGX3HQ
Mr McDonell only shook his head and approached his son from behind.823Please respect copyright.PENANAWrINt1TgAr
"Leo, can we talk?" Mr McDonell asked.823Please respect copyright.PENANAQJ0WOExUnf
"Why should we?" Leo asked as he looked at his father.823Please respect copyright.PENANAXrUL4NjhYD
"Let's go," Mr McDonell insisted. "It will do you some good. Before your mother comes here."823Please respect copyright.PENANAhPfiL4R7kp
Leo nodded his head and 823Please respect copyright.PENANAkLhPZxuZpL
followed his father out of the living room heading to the study. Just as823Please respect copyright.PENANAAMmm0WZULb
they disappeared down the other end of the hall, Mrs McDonell came down823Please respect copyright.PENANA6eTTHKduBv
the stairs and went in the living room.823Please respect copyright.PENANACsiZAX6mQQ
"No sign of Leo yet?" Mrs McDonell asked.823Please respect copyright.PENANAYLUIGGwp8S
"If you looked around the room more carefully, you would see the burning imprint of where he stood on the carpet," said Amanda.823Please respect copyright.PENANAdEy4uwTO3O
Mrs McDonell sighed. "Amanda, please stop talking in riddles," she said. "Was he here or not?"823Please respect copyright.PENANACJ7kjnH5Bw
"He was and he wasn't happy," said Eric.823Please respect copyright.PENANAE5fSw2BebY
"Did he leave?" Mrs McDonell looked worried.823Please respect copyright.PENANAT6EgYDybZn
"If you mean the house, no," said Diana. "He followed his father to the study."823Please respect copyright.PENANA3vFiYlDilt
Mrs McDonell turned around heading for the study.823Please respect copyright.PENANAoI2nO0YyMs
"I think I should leave," said Kim. "It really shows that Leo isn't happy to see me."823Please respect copyright.PENANAJXB2uiMR3V
"Oh, no, please, stay," 823Please respect copyright.PENANAkAmRRaL31S
said Amanda, yet she didn't sound sympathetic about it. It almost 823Please respect copyright.PENANAGXRiwfJrXk
sounded like she was making fun of her.823Please respect copyright.PENANAUXikgCfSae
"Oh, no, I'm good. I shouldn't have agreed to come here in the first place."823Please respect copyright.PENANARqmPiqpzZi
"No, don't leave yet," 823Please respect copyright.PENANAUEn5Dpcgak
said Diana. "You're Bertha's guest and she isn't going to be happy if 823Please respect copyright.PENANAnZaplrezqG
you leave. Come with me to the patio, you need a little bit of air."823Please respect copyright.PENANAHCcfug3K24
"Yes, I guess so."823Please respect copyright.PENANA5NDQMjmOmb
Kim joined Diana and the two left for the patio.823Please respect copyright.PENANAVga2FyAYHr
"I knew this was going to happen," said Amanda.823Please respect copyright.PENANAaU5xhObA4Z
"I would blame Leo for this," said Angel. "He's supposed to act mature. Not like a child."823Please respect copyright.PENANAuXp93BkMtE
"I behave more maturely than he does," said Oliver.823Please respect copyright.PENANAkwtitCp4kK
"I know you do." Angel smiled at the young boy.823Please respect copyright.PENANA2ikM9o6zv9
"I agree with you, 823Please respect copyright.PENANALAcnGqSC8z
Angel," said Eric. "I know he broke up their engagement, but it doesn't 823Please respect copyright.PENANAWtXVRM0dNl
mean he has to treat her that way as though she has done something 823Please respect copyright.PENANArOSy9ZJImn
wrong."823Please respect copyright.PENANAIFsW2LdIPS
"I kind of feel bad for her," said Carly.823Please respect copyright.PENANAGcr8qCCUov
"Leo has always been 823Please respect copyright.PENANAv15xqC6YGn
like a child," said Amanda. "And I hate to admit, though I don't like 823Please respect copyright.PENANAjm4tamo1FQ
Kim very much, what Leo is doing to her is awful."823Please respect copyright.PENANAl9OXA4cepW
"It's not anything new that you don't like her, granny," said Eric.823Please respect copyright.PENANAo1L3dCQBG0
"I know. But Bertha also823Please respect copyright.PENANAJWLh9YbeJj
did the wrong thing here. She knows Leo's actions towards Kim would be 823Please respect copyright.PENANAoQOPAz1Lsg
brutal but she still wanted Kim to come here. She obviously wants them 823Please respect copyright.PENANAeYAw3UqBLW
to get back together."823Please respect copyright.PENANAWwNfZO33f5
"There's no doubt about 823Please respect copyright.PENANAVAewAcBN3n
that," said Angel. "But Leo should be more of a gentleman. He shouldn't 823Please respect copyright.PENANA8An27zJpwC
treat her that way. Now I wonder how he broke up with her. Must have 823Please respect copyright.PENANAqrwRgCafBr
been terrible."823Please respect copyright.PENANAbcBUaYu31M
"You should tell him that," said Eric as he smiled at Angel. "Maybe he will listen to you."823Please respect copyright.PENANAoHnptQG1KA
"He's a gentleman when 823Please respect copyright.PENANAkDTBjsCquP
he wants to be. But towards Kim, I don't know why he acts like that. He 823Please respect copyright.PENANAHnwWyxzc61
loved her once, you know," said Amanda.823Please respect copyright.PENANAbSoH75vBxh
"Like madly in love with her?" Carly asked.823Please respect copyright.PENANADuE66fUb91
"Maybe during their 823Please respect copyright.PENANASzoi1FMkIR
first years of their relationship. But I never approved of her then, and823Please respect copyright.PENANAkITZ5peWsZ
if they were ever to get back, I still wouldn't."823Please respect copyright.PENANA3050I6YaHz
"Are they going to get back soon?" Oliver asked as he looked down the hall. "I'm hungry."823Please respect copyright.PENANAlBxz08o5r9
"Why don't you get a 823Please respect copyright.PENANAyPeZU4JXnu
little snack from the kitchen?" Amanda suggested. "You wouldn't want to 823Please respect copyright.PENANAKk3tmrN6aT
die in this ugly war full of big people problems." 823Please respect copyright.PENANA0SgmYdvq7E
While the others waited in the living room, there was a serious talk in the study room.823Please respect copyright.PENANAAst3V24iL0
"I'm begging you, Leo, can you at least act mature for once?" Mr McDonell asked Leo.823Please respect copyright.PENANAEO2mx5JW8Q
"Why should I?" Leo asked as he folded his arms.823Please respect copyright.PENANApsQrtReE77
"Because she is my guest," Mrs McDonell answered. "That's why."823Please respect copyright.PENANA6TIwdoFYHx
"I wonder why you even bought her here when you know she and I aren't on good terms with each other."823Please respect copyright.PENANAHOrwluhsQq
"Why do you treat her like she did something wrong to you? This isn't the Leo I know."823Please respect copyright.PENANAFK70jlINGs
"Sorry, mum. She irritates me and I want nothing to do with her. She tends to be clinging and that's not what I want."823Please respect copyright.PENANAHU7xxar1ZZ
"But you don't have to treat a lady like that, son," said Mr McDonell. "You need to talk things down with her like an adult."823Please respect copyright.PENANAhUmHEQgiYY
"I did talk to her face 823Please respect copyright.PENANAQWce1TMDx7
to face to break off our engagement, but she still kept on calling and 823Please respect copyright.PENANARaDJbBb83k
calling afterwards," said Leo. "You see, that's being too clinging."823Please respect copyright.PENANAmvntd5Zj9g
"And did you ever give a reasonable explanation as to why you wanted to break up?" Mr McDonell gave Leo a look. "Did you?"823Please respect copyright.PENANAA9hFPVbVf1
"I told her that it didn't feel right anymore to be together and that we had to break off our engagement."823Please respect copyright.PENANAK22OXIeRzu
"Well, that's not a 823Please respect copyright.PENANAxzLhS04psD
clearcut answer to me," said Mrs McDonell. "There has to be a simple 823Please respect copyright.PENANAAMFE37xO46
reason or else she wouldn't be calling you all the time."823Please respect copyright.PENANAZshmT0o4O8
"Mum, I have my reasons," said Leo sternly.823Please respect copyright.PENANAhO4shhkhid
"But it still doesn't 823Please respect copyright.PENANAVTetlQDkG4
add up and your mother is right," said Mr McDonell. "I never wanted to 823Please respect copyright.PENANAATzBR5kz6H
ask you why you broke up with Kim because I know you don't like to talk 823Please respect copyright.PENANAGL5Bg4c6at
about such things. But now I'm starting to wonder what's really going 823Please respect copyright.PENANAtNGxhxSfjv
on."823Please respect copyright.PENANAIMnKIAxtPF
Leo felt cornered. His 823Please respect copyright.PENANAqYaNw2Xheg
parents were good at making him spit out the truth whenever they wanted 823Please respect copyright.PENANAxDwIy4LMHy
it. And he didn't feel ready to tell them that he fell in love with 823Please respect copyright.PENANAdBRVZvKRK7
someone else.823Please respect copyright.PENANAnBlkTBtfT6
"It's nothing," said Leo. "I just fell out and it didn't feel right any more."823Please respect copyright.PENANAiUNorMn4FE
"Well, you fell out of it too quickly," said Mrs McDonell.823Please respect copyright.PENANACDiNrazoQN
"Is that why you brought her here? To change my mind?"823Please respect copyright.PENANAhxkfFugtc1
"Leo, calm down," said Mr McDonell. "And you, Bertha, why didn't you tell me that you were inviting Kim over?"823Please respect copyright.PENANA2qsZN6MTEY
"Don't tell me that you don't like her too," said Mrs McDonell almost looking disappointed.823Please respect copyright.PENANAhqsFDuQqod
"I have always liked 823Please respect copyright.PENANAb9QTrC04aK
Kim. But why you didn't tell me about this is what I want to know. You 823Please respect copyright.PENANAMDL2OgSlfB
knew that your son broke up with her and it hasn't even passed a good 823Please respect copyright.PENANACGCHz90QqT
period of time for them to try and ease off the pain. And now, you just 823Please respect copyright.PENANABYKyNgskpn
opened up old wounds."823Please respect copyright.PENANA7TrNADtd1z
"I'm sorry, I should have told you but I wanted it to be a surprise."823Please respect copyright.PENANAGZY9qqpZYK
"A surprise or a way of getting her and I back together?" Leo asked.823Please respect copyright.PENANAYIxHTj61ro
"Bertha, stop," Mr 823Please respect copyright.PENANApKjxPTHpLJ
McDonell raised his hand beside his wife could even speak. "You two are 823Please respect copyright.PENANAEEAR6nWtqW
just going to argue like you always do and I'm not going to allow that. 823Please respect copyright.PENANA57ZiqGY8Qp
Not when we have a guest in the house."823Please respect copyright.PENANA0tDLHogLc9
"I'm glad you consider Kim our guest, hon," said Mrs McDonell sweetly.823Please respect copyright.PENANAIG5z6Mdc5u
"That's because you 823Please respect copyright.PENANA2bXA96Uc9t
bought her here and you left me no choice. Leo, I'm begging you, just 823Please respect copyright.PENANAFUE0vFc5On
for this one night, let go of your anger or whatever it is you have 823Please respect copyright.PENANAGUNq0crJg6
against Kim and have our dinner in peace. Can you do that for me?"823Please respect copyright.PENANABUFC8ORoXC
Leo looked at his 823Please respect copyright.PENANAcVIziawswM
father, then at his mother who gave him a look to go ahead with his 823Please respect copyright.PENANAEXLPQj1qm8
father's suggestion. He furrowed his eyebrows at her showing how angry 823Please respect copyright.PENANATbuejuJ8fV
he was. When he went back to looking at his father, he brought up his 823Please respect copyright.PENANAgsPvZgaH4J
calm demeanour.823Please respect copyright.PENANA7cnPyWrngo
"For you, dad, I will," said Leo.823Please respect copyright.PENANAOaqbLPmiiE
Mr McDonell blew out a 823Please respect copyright.PENANANzbyFc6a1w
sigh of relief. "Thank you, Leo. Though I do suggest you stop acting 823Please respect copyright.PENANA9SYkyMW4lS
like a child around her from now on."823Please respect copyright.PENANAMJgCE1HcqM
"I'll. In fact, I'll apologise to her right away."823Please respect copyright.PENANARlu3rWZv12
"That's so sweet of you, dear," said Mrs McDonell but Leo ignored her as he quickly left the room.823Please respect copyright.PENANAVQffowasbV
"You know, you've never 823Please respect copyright.PENANADAKh7kzKwG
been so good with surprises, Bertha," said Mr McDonell as he looked at 823Please respect copyright.PENANAdCmfBngv6F
his wife and slowly made his way out of the study.