“Okay, I can do this,” she took a deep breath and tried to relax. She wished she could be in a quiet room, but with the noise around, she had to get used to it.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZAUByGEM3
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCL04OSnCn
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZuFi4FKpZ
“Hello, am I interrupting anything?” came a voice, bringing her out of her thoughts.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBLVOMiv9b
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91ZpOPWNNT
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaefcblgasd
Angel quickly opened her eyes in fright and found a smartly dressed man standing in front of her. He wore a silver-grey suit that fit well on his body. His clear blue eyes looked at her anxiously, and Angel couldn’t help but stare at his kind, round face with his blonde hair cropped around his head leaving a reasonable amount of hair in the front and middle. A few strands of his hair fell in curls just above his left eye.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HMW6y0zMn
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IFle568ul
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1K7f9cWkC
“Uh-yes, I’m fine,” Angel quickly answered as she felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQCzTNBfdb
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JEYXuvh2D
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTb5eplHwR1
“You’re the new girl, right?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEjYVwJ32f
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8IG0OwOMe
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZXxtc8WFT
Angel didn’t know what to say as she felt she would drop the files in her hands. The man in front of her is gorgeous. And judging by the way his suit fit well on his body, he definitely does workouts at the gym or something. She told herself to pull herself together.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxxztEwXcv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIohXdezHcE
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKYzbaWn8d
“Yes, I am,” she quickly answered again. “Angel Barclay, nice to meet you. You’re…?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDwBpB5Ioq
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3RH4TYIF7
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4AGuNYvg5
“Derrick,” the man quickly drew out his hand to give her a handshake. Angel had to carry the files with her one arm to draw out the other. They shook hands. “I wasn’t in the architecture department when you passed by. I just heard we've a new girl in town.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiAxBNuWVG
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYd14fPgtSg
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjVdM484cK
“Oh,” Angel felt her cheeks heat up even more. “I didn’t know I would still be the talk of the department.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvTohL8jfV
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDGL65nOFB
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJ0V74wYoI
“With your looks, you’ll be the talk for a month. I can guarantee that.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8BlGiNCkR
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9R8OuYX31x
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxaDCPemgF
Angel nervously chuckled. “Don’t say that. I personally don't think so.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6FBrQbpGD
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUeGnzpEUP
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypfjUIVPEf
“Well, I do.” He looked at the files in her hands. “May I carry them for you? They look heavy.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY0XjmWt9Q
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0k8nid9JSO
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcdwsI0zfu
“Ah, no thanks,” Angel quickly refused. “They aren’t heavy at all.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQYF0R6rnI
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJqygpHZZ7
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6anhZNKJMl
“You sure? Here, let me help.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0YdhnEPVI
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJf3TDgG6c
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHUEJKWL1g
Derrick came closer and took the three huge files from her hands. Angel felt like a huge weight has been lifted. She hadn’t realised how heavy the files were until now.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwhsIeZj6o
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxvP8BOlQ4
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBd9aXKS9S
“Thanks,” Angel managed to say.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklPYiA2cuQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSShfm5BDB
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ632s2Oh71p
“Are you walking over to your desk?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bl8Tu24A1
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrx0BqoCB0
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7p7N17o6SD
“Ah, yes, I am.” Angel led the way to her cubicle in the main work area. She could feel a number of eyes on her and a few whispers here and there.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q717lopuQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nb9uVXaga
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlWcCZLHEm
Derrick put the files on her desk. “I see you’ve a lot to work on.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGjYFAMVeW
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAEQbvz2Sb
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡge72vIWKoo
“Not really,” Angel said, trying to shake off the feeling she's getting from people around her. She started to rub the back of her neck. “Just trying to familiarise myself with what I’ll be doing around here.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMV8fDgJQr
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAJvhwu02u
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDpgxNx3dD
“I hear you'll be working closely with Mrs. Lance. You better buckle up. The woman is hard to please.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZiBgvaFUr
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Jx9gKXRie
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzjoBSmO79
“Ya, I’ve been warned. But I’ll do all I can to work hard.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZRwjXkHEk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKttj5nOxZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg2f3ZkS5L
Derrick gave her a kind smile. “Well, I’ll leave you to it, Miss Barclay. Hey, if you’re up for it, you and I can go out for lunch with the others from my department.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlBIWxeJ6L
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLjCADwlQI
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqL1YQyKeD
“Thanks, but I’ll have to decline. I already made plans with someone today.” Angel stared at her phone on the desk. Eric sent a text a few minutes ago inviting her to lunch, so she couldn’t turn him down.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZPKwt795i
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJr3Jxz4c4
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi31QpshKcB
“Ah, I see. People are already asking you out?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUQHUCIHlH
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZxKxzKtsq
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOrAlEXlt9
Angel found herself blushing even more. “It’s not like that,” she managed to say. “It’s just between friends, nothing special.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8fEaqdfGm
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTz4gT86ur
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgymHP0fAeB
Derrick raised an eyebrow and a smile soon came across his face. “Maybe another time. How does that sound?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6uiZEgmgG
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunbkEq5mNV
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YQ5mciNjd
Angel quickly shook her head. “That will be great. Thanks for helping me carry these files.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwrstXKFH4
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIus3hO2ds
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghF6WmjCNL
“You’re welcome. It’s nice meeting you. I’ll see you around?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTgGVGyCwi
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlySr7oUDwf
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0K2nRsd85
“Ya, I’ll see you.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5q2Knkgy0
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjvRMOf5WS
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QiSiKzKqh
Derrick gave her a wave and started to walk out of the work area. Before Angel could take her seat, she could’ve swore that he had turned to look at her before disappearing out of sight. She didn’t want to think too much about it.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfTiDtGYlK
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSa2Fnqr5d
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBYZgkhvj7
She looked at the files in front of her and knew she had a lot to do. She better get to work now before work starts to pile up. She got one file and placed it in front of her when she heard:434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzmQir0EJT
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvjyHXurzi
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Cga5jUPsC
“Excuse me, it’s Angel, right?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafCHoRuaEv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfH1qgprAHS
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuUcui5HmF
Angel turned around and found a young lady, an African American like her, seated at her desk opposite Angel’s cubicle. Her skin colour is darker than Angel’s, like that of dark chocolate. She had black, kinky hair tied above her head and leaving a huge tuft of hair. She wore glasses with a blue frame and wore a black suit with a white blouse and matching black high-heels. Angel couldn’t help but feel intimidated by the lady’s beauty.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCefEpcOKFy
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fTGmJxabY
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxb92X7RN3h
“Yes, it is," said Angel as she fully turned around in her seat and drew her arm out. "Your name is-?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfJc9JTliC
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCSB0oKwwF
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdLHxQB3Gh
"Sabrina," said the lady as she leaned forward and shook hands with Angel. "I see a lot of people really want to know you."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyKxXpVIEl
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9PspZLCyX
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTJJQAPfZM
"Maybe it's because I'm new here," said Angel, trying her best to stress a point kindly.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJrYP6TeL4
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNP77NBj3VM
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuGsddU5FD
"Or maybe it's because you're just too pretty," Sabrina gave Angel a flashy smile.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxoOv6hh7B
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYzkSK4u3a
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKD3TABizi
Angel playfully shrugged her shoulders. "I can't be too sure about that."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiaatRn9s5
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOfznRPQJv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ukf2a3FVm
"It's because you don't see it. The person you were talking to just now, he's really hard to come by. A lot of ladies around here try to get his attention. For him to actually ask you out for lunch will probably leave a lot of people here speechless."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡan9kOUVja7
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiav5GHW9V
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9ry1xQZIy
Angel raised an eyebrow. "Really? Why do you say so? You make it sound like he's an introvert when he seems like a really outgoing person."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLXTmLQRgI
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxw1yg1Tpo
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcYy1jkJrP
"He is. It's just that he has his own circle of friends. When many ladies try to get close, he pulls away. He's acquainted with a lot of us, but none of us have ever gotten close to him."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyf6pXS6XQ9
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2vK1avoT5
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdv9IZy8IB
"Okay, but what does that have to do with me? I just met him."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBWiC4rZsM
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7l3ZG61Wv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4uxrFjWF9
"Him escorting you here and asking you out for lunch is actually the first time I've seen him try to engage a lady in a conversation. He rarely does, unless he is talking about work."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqYtRRUNyk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtlb6CY6nH
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyOQBZSbJk
"Oh, I see. But that doesn't mean he likes me or anything, right?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nBpRS2Xoy
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOFzyKtmGH
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnilnSDbrE
Sabrina shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows with men. One minute they're leading you on, the next they aren't. But with Derrick, he might really like you."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjvqIHYaHH
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxoLHMC45j
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqlWSboS3D
"He doesn't have a girlfriend, does he?" came another female with blonde hair and striking blue eyes. She stood in the aisle with papers in her hands. She seemed to have popped out out of nowhere.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhNk3cMRx1
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBBsHPfzzv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGVg8wpzGl
"Not that I know of," Sabrina answered her. "Angel, this is Beatrix."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRDka8I9NQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6rXsZpZoF
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ul9rUwtcm
"Oh, sorry for butting in in your conversation," said Beatrix, looking at Angel and raising her hand apologetically. "Where are my manners?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPceqeoH0q
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fOCugaR7T
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKniJS1Q8j
"It's okay," said Angel. "It's nice to meet you, Beatrix."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVpLKKM8T7
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDmgviQ00p
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqQPdphddu
"Nice meeting you too. Just like Sabrina said, I'm also shocked Derrick actually talked to you so casually and actually asked you out for lunch."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xcBxLgGcA
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQru2wz6RnN
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2ysBKSIuY
"You see," Sabrina said to Angel with a smile on her face.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBX4xsOuYq
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRalhIb6NqN
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9T9OvROX64
"I'm not going to say anything," said Angel. "You obviously know him better than I do."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMx1RrLn1C
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06yc4zUgzg
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7gDFmrBlV
"Just admit it. He has his eye on you."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSepUgmnqEY
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uKjBpej26
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsRa4SnBbD
Angel blushed. She looked to the floor, hoping that the other two wouldn’t notice.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2EKCRiXg1
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiEeDO0Dz1
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgUtaqxzAr
"If you managed to get his attention, what more of the other male folk around here who are single?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlw0dzZDpS4
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDoCFql6j8
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySsmtfwiRZ
"Let's not talk about that," said Angel as she quickly spun around in her chair. “The last thing I need right now is to worry about who likes me.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEKCEc7x5z
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEqbIvtFIA
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuey1xNAePF
“Was it like this at your previous workplace? I hear you worked for some editing company, right?” Beatrix asked.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5N7DnR7y8
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMui6vCO7A
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSbojbj6rj
Looks like they got their information from HR, Angel thought before she turned around to look at the two ladies. “As far as I can remember, no. Most men were married, so, I didn’t have any problems.” Except Mark, of course. She made sure not to say that out loud.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MuwyjTFZV
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Nr84TxfxP
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdoWzbTSNE
“Anyway, since you’re close with Eric and Leo, I bet you have their attention too,” said Sabrina.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWEvp8lPzN
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqM0BBQ7hs5
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bj7JqVaXp
“Oh, no, I don’t think so,” Angel was quick to deny.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMIXoJiIyH
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkoPZ3JjEW
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDggxW8QDaV
“They are very good-looking and all the ladies wouldn’t mind getting close to them. But just like Derrick, they also don’t like to get too close. Eric's better since he’s outgoing and all. But Leo keeps to himself. He seems like a no nonsense person and he was pretty serious with his relationship with Kim until they called off the wedding.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkbj0gT8P0
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iBpDGI2ij
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoM5dz2s3E9
Angel didn’t want to hear any more of this. If only they knew that the reason why that happened is because of Carly.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXyk15uaFs
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDedC1azdcw
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxamvdqb9Bk
“Do you know why that happened, Angel?” Beatrix asked. “You’re close to the family, so you should know the reason.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtvAjPuqaq
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwhkS6WveA
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeoKXNBPdU
“I can’t answer that.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rQMnkGwYz
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyUMd16n5q
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KXJuMDxFz
Sabrina drew herself closer, dragging the chair with her. “Why not?” she asked. “Is it that bad?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggPmd3PMKQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrlqbqJYmO
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaupeIbD0af
“No one actually knows why Leo broke things off with Kim, and so does she.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutCpDQe8QI
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjK6G2H4SVO
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAl8CNyjca
“Oh, darn!” Beatrix clicked her tongue. “Everyone around here also says the same thing.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ626Rd39T7M
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Zmt95kjDO
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYhQPoMnfK
Good, Angel thought. It’s best she went with this. No one in the McDonell mansion knows the truth except for her, Eric, Carly and Leo. The more people think of it as a mystery, the better.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeN7dWm2Jr
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDsDqdij6j
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQt5pTHeBC
“You see, Leo keeps things to himself,” said Sabrina. “As much as he is good looking, I feel he has such an attitude. You feel it sometimes when he talks to you, though he isn’t always like that.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLFJ5iup6M
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0ISHgTQG9
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsl6wsuCs9
“Well, he does have an attitude, I can agree on that," said Angel.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx1la31tBm
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4Cp9yDsNF
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG53deVSBi
“How do you handle him? Doesn’t he get on your nerves?” Beatrix asked.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzq1sJZ0gu
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6LBBkPdVB
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrNMcoLKOd
“Sometimes. But he isn’t that bad.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWUy7kde4Z
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzcpppgOvS
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNcSrSSg5L
“Ya, I see how he’s close with his family, especially Eric,” said Sabrina. “I just wish he was more outgoing, you know.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL3UdSLU2B
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9rk2fp8Zu
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ledQHwhc7
You and me both, Angel thought. “I better start working on these files.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUaEHmv9Zy
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YBTTq4nbX
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eqccW55PL
“Oh, ya, sure,” said Beatrix, “sorry for disturbing you.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyj8CcDgHC
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6roaZ3tUpr
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4MDRoEsuU
“Not a problem.” Angel quickly swirled round in her chair to face the file in front of her. She really needed to get some work done. She didn’t expect to be in engaged in so much talk on her first day. She still felt uneasy as she heard a whisper across the room and thought she had heard someone mention her name. She had to agree with Derrick. She would be the talk of the office for a while.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsrVzHVcM6
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZ0HClavxz
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOP6xsMGF8
She closed her eyes shaking off the feeling so as to try and focus on work. She always did this, even at the editing company when she sometimes felt anxious or pressured. When she opened them, she went straight to work on the files.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5pMlD5b1B
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyNHsZwXnV
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68IKEmgLwU
***434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXHR96BhLg
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡik6xWxSAlH
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTuFycWZSk
Leo heard the phone on his desk vibrate. He wondered if it’s Eric sending him a text that he couldn’t find what he went to look for. Leo sighed. He now wished his father was handling this meeting with Eric and not him. With Eric out of the office for a while, now is the time he can try and catch up on work, especially with answering his emails on his iMac.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlUP7Gf5a0
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUAAXQXOou
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiP9lZfT6Y
His eyes left the computer screen and he went on to look at his phone. A sudden feeling came over, telling him that it might not be Eric who sent him a message. Could it be his father? If he wanted anything from Leo, he would've called. Maybe it’s his mother? No, he shook his head. It can’t be her. Just like his father, she would’ve called. Could it be Carly? It might, he thought positively. Maybe she thought of texting him.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZRSiJowy3
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EN9wjMgEY
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTh3fT3u6tx
He quickly took his phone and turned on the screen to find the message isn’t from Carly. It's from Kim. He felt like putting his phone aside and getting back to work. Instead, he unlocked the phone to read her message and it was nothing but a simple “Hello.” He rolled his eyes as he wished he had never bumped into her at the café this morning. Should he ignore the message? As much as he wanted to, he still had to say something. He didn’t want to seem rude like he does sometimes.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYCBwnDjFf
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4EJi5qPcC
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZr8yiUL6n0
He texted her back and quickly put his phone down on the desk, hoping that she wouldn’t text back, but she did. Leo couldn’t help but groan.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TnAJL3uCi
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnjGRJ3Prl
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOvtL3Mu7o
A knock soon came at the door and before Leo could tell the person to come in, the door flew open and Eric walked in with papers in his hands. Leo groaned even more, throwing his head back onto his chair.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpehRexMOPt
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04zv76iDOv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4sBSr2Cyd
“What’s up with you, grumpy?” Eric asked as he came to sit on the chair, facing Leo.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJNslLVlx2
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDifBYMYG50
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmDVEqPVjc
“Why don’t you ever knock when you come in?” Leo asked as he folded his arms.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnjUnwwvMV
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qwVT3mlo8
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDc5f6CS8K
“I’m sorry, but I already know you’re used to it. So what’s up?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4WxeN9vZv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lzWcw9tAj
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrATrE6jVN
Leo looked at Eric. His cousin knew him better than anyone. He took a deep breath and leaned his elbows on the table.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfDyktR0L3
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FOLbfRjhz
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9Tg8Q05ns
“Kim texted me,” he said.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HhO2leo9r
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmw9aFw8l9
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhZwZbijAg
“Whoa, Kim texted you?” Eric for some reason didn’t look at all surprised. “How come?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoc4zuRUUq
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44PVfrBOdx
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMLD9IWG5h
“Angel and I met her at the café where we bought croissants.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfhyKw2ywm
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hIfWiou8e
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKRqc6v0Q1
“Why didn’t you tell me?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzSQF76MTp
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eexy13FvL
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQdUEOW4m5
“It didn’t matter then, but it does now. She just texted me.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FlMbDEOXs
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx1JCcva3q
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdz9AGBxudh
“What did she say?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0AAsRmmFa
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSt8b8DQpr
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79tdKV2p3A
“Just a simple hello.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBw7d3xmhm
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJI3Xpdw3YW
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5SjPTXO7x
“And did you reply?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkYT8iLo3j
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1i1eXut7G
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP8CP0E5ra
“Of course, I did.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLBeQ4IEWm
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96cOSoHNNS
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJulaFxpMf1
“And…?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNqisbMSQ6
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlWijKoE0w
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdD3Is5sOUT
“She texted back and I haven’t read the message.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDFwgnGoEL
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZFZsa5k02
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqIz8JTKUn
“You better see what that message says.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2rHJ9sRIy
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnpG736s5N
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXkXrv668L
“And what if I don’t want to? It’s pretty obvious that she wants to hook up for lunch or something.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQw69tayc5
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh5PphWJ1c
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsyDhdpuI4
“You’re right. I’m impressed with how much you know women, nowadays.” Eric gave him an encouraging smile.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsrhPHl0ed
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenJ0fJWWwl
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWco7c2WKS
“Don’t flatter me. What am I going to do? I don’t want to meet her, that’s if she does ask that we should.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjxK96dfxY
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAYJ1rgmJy
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzH1LGKStU
“You’ll never know what you’ve to do if you don’t read the message.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yVH2IxK5B
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQM8NWw0na2
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18Td35uAhH
“You’re right.” Leo took his phone and unlocked it. When he read the message, he suddenly had a gloomy look. “She wants us to meet.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqFIJw5IVx
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsDes7IIMi
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETPeMxenTt
“She really must be desperate, huh?” Eric raised his eyebrows. “Who can blame her? Being dumped on your wedding day to such a handsome man like you wasn’t what she expected.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PrcYHfdBy
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dabC584VM
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vpeh8Kj6v
“You aren’t making me feel any better. Besides, I apologised. I don’t know what she wants me to do.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3G22mSKeZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYz4s5Saofl
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UVyLHpNWx
“She needs an answer from you. That’s what.” Eric leaned back on the chair. "You never told her why you left on your wedding day. In fact, everyone keeps asking me that question and I always say that I don’t know.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrwnMLK15Z
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3c39dBoGBf
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwhina7iMm
“The less who know, the better.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1wCDBI8lQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9poA1fxiZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eA1faaoDp
“Sooner or later, you’ll have to tell Kim the truth. If anything, she deserves it more than anyone.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IuAo9bafZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQngxOfKYWG
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRNHWOcIKK
Leo didn’t say anything as he looked down at his phone on the table. He took it and started to tap away, then he quickly put it down.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBrs6MLfRI
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6xr3npfaC
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVHkvlwipz
“What did you tell her?” Eric couldn’t help but look on curiously at Leo’s phone.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCcCeJATI1
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPCZPOEu6C
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFi1zmHx0O
“I told her we can meet,” Leo answered,434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5Aem95kRD
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6exHCntCv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhh2pbpNnl
“WHAT!” Eric held his head, not believing what Leo said. “I don’t believe you. Let me see the message.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtJPaZQw1P
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xAgRqcgUJ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsKmPYCiAJ
Leo groaned, but he got his phone, unlocked it and gave Eric. When Eric read it for himself, he stared at Leo.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwd9ubQ7Bu
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0t9wT91Xl
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuJbiaJssG
“You’re serious,” he said as he gave Leo back his phone. “Are you finally going to tell her the truth?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFp2AcYqNI
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1Lv0No7bF
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUmvYiCGGl
“On that part, I don’t know,” Leo answered as he leaned back on his chair, deep in thought.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWE9PMQZlI
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpede0qyYl
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LX36JSq5f
“Well, if you tell her, it will finally give her the chance to move on, don’t you think?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ATiu8ypZz
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMQIi71LeO
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXmJ4LkS4T
“If I do tell her, she’ll kill me.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRACudjE54
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzx0vriu53
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBvlZTuURW
“It’s typical of a woman. Even I would kill you. I wouldn’t like to know that the reason why my man left me was because he fell in love with someone else.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMeawkny38
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XpGsOhoUn
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsKH024VJ8
Leo chuckled to himself as he stared at the ceiling. “I still remember that day. Gosh, all of that happened so suddenly.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQMfueWVzo
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVi7NnzAxh
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgl2HKHmbAv
“I thought you had gone mad, but looking at you now, you seem to have made the right decision. You don’t look regretful for leaving Kim.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJZOL4ZQhZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZOYqeNolZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E6DG0O5as
“I think it was the right thing to do.” Leo now had his eyes on Eric. “If anything, I feel like I really didn’t love her at all.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzV7Bf2jq4n
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENuZzV6iKB
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGK9eDl8Mer
Eric smiled. “Grandma will be glad if she heard those words coming out of that mouth of yours.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXl8yKaKuB
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxJ4c2a3G2
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSy1OWjm2BA
“I know. Seems like she was right after all. Kim was never good for me.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHFO0foHAe
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4QIaJNAqa
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8GmQxxZQw
“Wait until she finds out that you’re actually in love with Carly.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHmCt2D3be
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjesUn3j3BC
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYluZLZTrjI
The two cousins looked at each other, imagining the scenario. Eric reacted first.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtX97sD31eK
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYMZMk02hA
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd947HEQVDK
“No, I don’t want to imagine it,” he said as he shook his head. “Something tells me it won’t be a good one.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgrF3Vu2lD
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVNpE7iPdv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0qMQkCtiz
“I agree,” said Leo as he rubbed the temple of his head. “I don’t want to imagine my mother, though.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgVHMoCSex
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OnH6SpybE
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAC3NX5kzB
“That one is pretty obvious; I don’t have to imagine it, that’s if I want my head to explode.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTay5fcbuZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGLPhRcp0E
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8W3aCe6Hb
The two laughed.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtjhFf0QL6
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT4Cxt5BMI
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWWMzBVCBs
“Okay, okay, let’s get back to work,” said Eric, wiping away a tear in his eye. “Remember, we’ve to finish these arrangements before lunch.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh3m4P2TXU
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgmAfenxhW
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsk2gPqIhIZ
“You’re right,” said Leo as he went on to look at his screen and switched windows from his email to an open document.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2i8yy0D5T
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpu09pnZuA
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqePJlI2fB
A brief silence passed between them when they suddenly burst out laughing at the same time.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9triW42DL
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeMlEsriBn
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZbE5qvCAL
***434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fVcjuO3AT
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGEqSNlf25
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5hpnVVHSK
"Hey, Miranda, are you okay?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡem1PnEWHON
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyP399BN33
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFrLO9ifUL
Miranda quickly turned to the person who spoke to her. It's Brad. She rolled her eyes. “Oh, it’s you,” she said, turning her head to look elsewhere.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdT4uwXwgy
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0ACJh2Ejt
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixJauJZFus
Miranda was seated on a chair in the lecture room. They were waiting for their next lecture as the previous one ended minutes ago. She had been going through her phone to pass time when she was supposed to be studying. God knows just how behind she is.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfN2Ke1o4p
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvWX3clKQ3
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnAvDjFULI
“Scoot over,” Brad insisted as he moved his body closer to hers, forcing her to move.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfxIGcTdyB
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2K7MaIP2a
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyDqsmU4DZ
Miranda moved over to the next chair which was empty and Brad finally managed to sit next to her.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmafy1TONnR
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEKTLrbxML
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSu3cmWP1MU
“What were you looking at?” he asked as he tried to see what's on Miranda’s phone.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFlnoMhivG
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPkhOAje9G
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2BvNsfIUt
“Nothing, why do you want to know?” she asked, holding her phone tight and facing her body the other way to avoid him from looking.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wjqHNjgUw
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkHMY3DH14
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUqnSESyxD
“You seem really fixed on it. I want to see what’s caught your interest.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqCYJ5usV7
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvrbvoVE2C
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGPUjrQQAy
“Like I told you, it’s nothing. So why don’t you just mind your business?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbZUpqrjba
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kglAD44K0
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2610cq5iC9
“I would, but I’m not going to this time.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSrouyJGpU
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Cy2hlNOTP
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDNsYbFPTR
“You never do.” Miranda gave him a gloomy look.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzR1YagRbdM
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lN6ESvIHj
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Cim44FyC1
“I say that because something’s been different about you lately.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpPKSlbEHI
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LcB6NCyK0
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImXNfbFZni
She raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRMGsl0E61
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1haW56XrMt
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYh3kDJWPP2
“Well…,” Brad placed his elbow on the table with his hand supporting the side of his face so as to get a good look at Miranda. “You’re barely concentrating in class these days. And last week when we were handing in our assignments, you were late. You were so lucky that the madam took pity on you and accepted it.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6rJLNTF1q
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAPbMIMwW0
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFswTIdadbJ
“I had a slight problem with my laptop, that’s all.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXQmA5gsCk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ6itKtUXh
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAiQzVfWjm
Brad scoffed. “Nah, that’s not it.” He wagged his index finger in front of her face. Miranda got irritated that she pushed his hand away. “Something is keeping you distracted.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWjEjZhDFr
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jWADVivUx
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEuXnxweob
“I’m just busy, that’s all.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdywq9JBAqb
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn3VCoea2t
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQPQtrx4WT
“There’s a difference between being busy and getting distracted. And you, my friend, are distracted.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9X0lqpn28U
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDRj0379dh
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLNVBKAeBx
Miranda rolled her eyes at him and looked down at her phone before she went on to look in front of her.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuC2PRKnDA
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhicKFSMTsZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezGTEEgSGA
“So what were you looking at on that phone of yours?” Brad went on to ask.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdL8kVWtHwX
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgUf66WuAk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjincJXE27
Miranda looked at him through the corner of her eye. “You really don’t listen, do you?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ClMO1MYpG
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77QqX1Kx4k
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bitNe5AVP
“I thought I saw you looking at a guy's photo on Instagram just now. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYKA0MqO7N
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFwWmwAlwZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7X2xhnh1Rv
Miranda felt like standing up from her seat to go elsewhere, but she soon felt Brad hold her free hand, pinning her in place. It’s like he knew what she was about to do and he did the only thing possible to pin her down.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0BavGDv1y
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQf3eorTz9
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGJ0daIgdS
“Let go of me, Brad,” she warned him.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG17wbspfIU
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwrFVF8S8u
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOxcS9icl4
“And what if I don’t want to?” he asked with a smirk on his face.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAhg1UCvzy
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD77wIZRFE
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDR0K5433iK
“You’re hurting me. Why are you being such a prick?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxJmRJxSf8
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aB0GL6d8V
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRkpiTcZpT
“It’s because I’m worried about you. Something is up and I need to know what it is. Is it that man you keep looking at on your phone? Mind you, I’ve seen you looking at him time and time again.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPo30Whazb6
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfbHMaEgNl
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWRtUHpWuK
Miranda felt her cheeks heat up. She couldn’t tell Brad about her sudden interest in Leo McDonell. Brad just said he looked familiar. And if he kept looking at her phone, he might realise who he is. She had to think of something.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreixqbQL4w
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBEKXpJu4E
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3PzWAWSN0
“You’re worried over nothing,” she said. “Just some celebrity that I follow on Instagram. I think he’s really cute and that’s why I look at his photos.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL28IMv6dYR
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7uxBPsWTH
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCPdONQeNl
Brad stared at her for a second. Miranda knew she had told him part of the truth. But she couldn’t go into detail or else she might say something about Leo. If he knew, she didn’t know what he would do.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0oxwi6W6A
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3RNJsJvqC
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwn0g53cwf
“Girls and your stupid crushes,” he said as he finally let go of her hand. “When will you ever let it go?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVXj5uccTu
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFsMGnEPYX
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUaha6YUiN
“When the time is right,” said Miranda, doing her best not to sound nervous.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EnCzOm57B
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ay8ZuQkLA
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBu52YmBdf
“So who is this guy, anyway?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53dTRgla6b
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbeu2sK9RK
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBucPa7X41V
She was afraid he was going to ask that. So when their lecturer walked through the door of the theatre, she let out a silent sigh of relief. Everyone who was still up and about went to their seats, and the lecture begun.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6fbDXPN6p
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHABqGESjUf
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn91UOAKoLc
***434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TQ3LFWToe
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91u9UeCTYi
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLwx7lQr04
It’s finally lunch time, and Eric couldn’t wait to get out of the office with Angel and go somewhere nice. He had been in Leo’s office preparing for the meeting with the Chinese. Now that they're done, he couldn’t wait to leave.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHnsf8gUzZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KT1bjt1Ab
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CzK6Rw5R4
“Whoa, where do you think you’re going?” Leo asked, still seated behind his desk.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvs4iGw4K0A
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ygTfkrumN
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyLPnn2jZ5
“I’m going out for lunch,” Eric answered, heading for the door.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4E8e8zuq5
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4J1GR2JCl4
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34id1UV5J6
“You look like you’re going to the bathroom.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMY3MM6c6MH
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpu9n9I4EK
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7vOALhhko
“I’m taking Angel out,” Eric said with a proud look on his face.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3z7O9UGt7f
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2vLHRS0Hn
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFIONVdnHj
Leo couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Oh, you’re going out with Angel, then?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMDTWBWGK2
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROFEM9nAJx
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49TpPEKp5f
“Yep. Wipe that sour look on your face. Or are you upset that you have to go out with Kim?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1M45Wbnz9
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpN9aWZF6k
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlL8sAt4Ipa
“I couldn’t care less about that. Besides, having lunch with Angel doesn’t appeal to me.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzH3hgWVad
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GNPJmIWfp
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3C5oy4Q4wT
“That’s because you don’t like her. Mind you, having lunch with Angel is way better than having it with Kim.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡophvOeH3Ug
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWx8V7G6BWy
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHFc07ELeN
The look on Leo’s face became grim. Even when he didn’t want to admit it, he knew Eric is right. He cleared his throat. “If you ask me there isn’t much of a difference.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDqvVfFTQs
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpw2w8LWmF
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCRNcLnUKN
It's Eric’s turn to roll his eyes. “You know, if you gave yourself time to actually know Angel instead of fighting with her all the time, you’ll find that she’s okay to be with than Kim.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyPaCQ39IA
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTjXcbcgdo
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguqL4mYxR2
“I beg to differ.” Leo’s face became even more serious.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4Pv9gqmrJ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmY85q9HS0T
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ht2J5PF8m
“I’ve to go now,” said Eric as he reached the door and held the knob. “Tell me how things go with Kim, okay? And try not to start an argument with her, wherever you will be.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPzBVgTkhk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIANeWKhPWc
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyJigY5W7p
“I won’t.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEzsuZtFtq
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNo0ygGNEU
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuosarDuSly
Eric gave his cousin a concerned look. “I sure hope so. I’m off. See you later.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnEI96sKhb
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lSDAglVfg
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aiDWj1IZo
Leo gave him a nod and Eric quickly rushed out of the door like an excited young boy who had been told he could go outside and play with his friends. Even when Leo felt irritated by Eric’s enthusiasm, he couldn’t help but envy him a little. The man is in love, Leo thought to himself. Even when he knew he loved Carly, he didn’t experience the kind of lovey-dovey nonsense Eric is in right now. Is that what he admired? The crazy feeling of liking someone that you couldn’t wait to see them?434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebAvDW2JRS
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FcXKC79tO
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfsyxXYoRd
Leo shook his head. People are different and express love in different ways, he concluded. There’s no doubt in his mind that he loved Carly. Besides, he thought to himself, I don’t think Eric likes Angel to that extent. Maybe what he feels for her might pass in due time. Leo thought again, and concluded that Eric’s feelings towards Angel aren’t going to pass any time soon.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLBuTexxS4
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbzXMrJ08y
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tGCftvJk8
He soon got up from his seat as he also had to prepare himself to go and meet Kim. He didn’t know how his lunch with her is going to go. Before that, he thought he could lie to her that something came up to avoid any drama. But he couldn’t do that now. He would look like a coward. Something he doesn’t want to be.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHLpScwVBY
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sVvAkDDJv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7OmpblAAu
He walked up to the door and got his jacket on the coat hanger. And with a deep breath, he opened the door and walked out.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG0DB37sHN
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbj07uzfvS
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97QB3nmuXa
***434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFLk8vqEZg
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAo7qkPkaIS
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjF98Xc7qgu
“I bet you’re hungry, huh?” Eric asked as he and Angel finally got out of the complex building.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFzWuCaUzO
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdd3uAG8vQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUXUk8uEoE
"You can say that again,” she said turning to look at Eric. "I’m so famished for my first day.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYZN0tW0he
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApHtfb3McF
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbHmtPhOoR
"I get what you mean. So many people keep asking me about you.” Eric had his hands in his pockets as he stared up at the sky. "You’ve made quite a reputation for someone on their first day.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfF9DIGIlJZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVLXfbvz4b
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRRoMycBry
"All that will pass.” Angel smiled at Eric. "It’s just the first day. By the end of the week, everyone would’ve forgotten that I even existed.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfSXoEN3OP
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYvHBPL34C
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Dqq5d7bXe
"I doubt that. People will forget, but it’s no question that you’ll still be the talk of the office. I mean, you’ll obviously be classified as the most beautiful female member of staff.” Eric now had his eyes on her as he chuckled.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuKWChfyyb
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqUARpUjh6
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LAwSqz0SI
Angel playfully punched him on the arm. "What are you saying? There are many beautiful women at the company. If you ask me, their beauty is intimidating.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QsfAz52cm
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JRcMCw6ql
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIriFXP9iK8
"That’s because you miss the big picture,” Eric stopped walking as he now held her arm to stop her as well. "You really are very beautiful, you do know that, right?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0giiLZHF1t
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rlU78Q8nB
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsyXofvFPm
Angel couldn’t say anything as she continued to look at Eric. Her heart started to flutter and felt her cheeks heat up. She found all of this awkward as she started to look around. She looked back at Eric, wondering how to tell him that they were standing in the middle of the street and might be in the way. But the look he continued to give her left her speechless.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WYEd1vfFi
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mrLjBorR9
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna9ghBsKwA
"I wish you could see what I see,” he said in a whisper. Even with all the bustling of people about and the hooting of the car horns, Angel got what he said. That made her cheeks heat up even more. She cleared her throat.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46KdtFf7eQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5OWbrmdtW
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4J3euHtVN
"Ummm, Eric, we’re standing in the way,” she said. "This isn’t the time or the place for this, don’t you think?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNJm2rqZwb
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAn6tsM1O2M
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoPK3U2xd4
"Oh,” Eric forgot they were in the middle of the sidewalk, with people moving around. "I totally forgot that we were here in the first place. I must have spaced out a bit.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1tDVscji1
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwIwkQM1lJ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aIEQlglV8
Angel cleared her throat again as she looked down at her feet for a brief moment. "That must be it. Come on, weren’t you taking me out for lunch? I’m starving.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgIouagaSa
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14v4Q3p7DR
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp0hfY7Dsg
Eric nervously chuckled and at the same time scratched the back of his head. "I shouldn’t keep a lady waiting. Sorry about that.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uPtHt8C0D
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqZXbbwZ8q
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkDIoqCPUe
"Not at all.” She tried her best not to look like she had been flattered, but her cheeks continued to blush, making her even more nervous.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFTrY5SF6Q
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6USvRBYcns
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPMy1U6q2E
They continued their walk down the sidewalk when Eric said, "I mean what I said, though. I hope you aren’t offended or anything.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwvlz0YRuV
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfPcXI1c6D
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80Zc19ZJaj
They stopped at the traffic lights and they waited for the walk sign to light up when Angel turned to look at Eric. "No, don’t worry,” she said.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64PEKQpa4Z
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wJIOkIUWd
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmq6zpv61A1
The light soon went green and the pedestrians who stood at the edge of the sidewalk crossed the road to the other side.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4Xkz0RFFN
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBrm2qYzRf
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrmneeQa8o
"I’m glad,” said Eric. "I thought you would be upset or something.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhWKoQ34KM
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBy17edoks
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQqEqXygxd
"I’ve received such comments before, so I’m not.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgeEqssI5a
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcl0hRhjZ3
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYipsAYw1R
Eric clicked his tongue as he shrugged. "You would, obviously. I also shouldn’t be surprised.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbKxUw1A48
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1MMQ7KgmN
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kS7LRu8sX
Angel tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. She couldn’t tell Eric that his approach was different from the ones she had encountered before. Even from Mark. She felt her cheeks heat up even more by the thought of it. It's best, she thought, that I don’t say anything.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3Lp0a9lcH
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORdd0wlNbl
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtWBRpuIti
"Let me take you to my favourite restaurant nearby,” Eric continued as he smiled at her. "You’ll love it. And you can order whatever you like.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz1WDS6pVh
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqeF1V2Osc
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPbBAJFxSp
Angel couldn’t help but chuckle. "Don’t be so silly,” she said. "As much as that offer sounds tempting, it’s pretty obvious that I won’t be that careless.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInZHqt5Wh4
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZboOwPFpK
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPIY8hW56D
"Well, the food is on me, so I won’t mind if you order countless dishes.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsVdKrivl7
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLjPnqAxKh
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SsDL1dd2w
"Thanks,” this time she laughed. "But even if I’m so hungry, I don’t eat that much.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9I5QTR2Tf
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aSB8l3z4e
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gVrG6Y0PV
"Just letting you know that the offer is on the table. Ah! Here we are.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYV2GVN2Np
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6HkfwmHqb
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGmRmj6CJW
They stopped in front of a small restaurant. From outside, it might not look like a five-star restaurant, but for some reason, Angel found it almost elegant as she looked through the huge glass window. The décor is simple but had a touch of elegance. White chairs and tables covered with white cloths with beautiful gold embroidery on them. Elegant flowers of different colours and types sat on different tables, making the place look more romantic. This scene reminded her of the place she went for lunch with Mark last week.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvXshYowKl
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GwBeiYjEV
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizRjNBAIsU
"Shall we?” Eric held the door to the restaurant open as he waited for her.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOASZIsL1A6
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatVMsHlhjR
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XDbo3smO7
Angel shook herself from her daydream and went through the open door.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQhHFZcH9f
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfDPqhvC1B
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbdf3B3kzf
She started to look around the place when a smartly dressed male waiter, approached her. Eric stood behind her after closing the door. Immediately, the male waiter smiled at Eric like they know each other. Angel shouldn’t be surprised. Eric did say he liked coming here.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0XXtu6CQZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGRBgA3I27
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9q3ykAQdM
‘"Hello, sir,” said the young waiter with a wide smile. "I see you came with company. Will you be taking the usual table?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hiEOVFA5g
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JXohmobes
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXBNb7B0oO
"That’s if it’s free,” Eric answered.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kPMmDET28
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGp3NFagnd
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpP6nJwLlj
"Well, you’re just in luck. Please, follow me.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGuVr52oM5
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUIeJn8opL
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFszEOzIQ2H
Angel couldn’t ignore the way the waiter addressed them with so much courtesy. He led them to one of the tables by the corner, close to the window. When they neared the table, Eric drew out a chair for her to sit and Angel did likewise. Eric sat on the other side of the table, facing her. He told the waiter to serve them a glass of water as they looked through the menu before ordering.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvwD2Ujxyr
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVLpSgXzDv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3vgP2Sptv
"The waiter seems to know you very well,” said Angel as she picked up the menu card on the table.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVzodUEKzm
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6TdFE5nmn
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFV4c4RSkrV
"I come here a lot,” said Eric as he also picked up the other menu on his side.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxPRLzkFUJ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgZs9CDrIu
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKRBreeEjL
Angel said nothing as she smiled and looked at the menu.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbL05l8ZxK
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqWajTTOpX
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCL3s77hoz9
"It’s sad that Leo couldn’t join us,” said Eric.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtiShxoPlV
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODgkgqu7CO
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2ztYGKkXe
Angel looked at Eric. "Why do you say so? Were you scared that the two of us would start a fight in the restaurant?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvMx4M0LNN
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7w6SVA31g
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0S05taHH4X
Eric laughed. "No, I didn’t think that way in the least. If there is one thing I know for sure, you two can behave yourselves in a public place like this one. I wasn’t going to worry at all.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICqqjodOVd
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6P3mtQknI
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKiInA7TwM
Angel made a face because she knew Eric is right. She looked back at the menu when Eric put up a funny face. "So then, why did you say that?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKyGoG5NfD
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZftJmadSt
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClDC8gtyjy
"Because he’s having lunch with Kim. He must be heading to her as we speak.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ938x1fV3v8
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6P8FfMFhmO
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw8qlnWB1S
Angel raised her eyes from the menu. "Kim? We met her when we went to buy croissants this morning.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GHm0meGCZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuhSISmW9m
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOM4nkVvFl
"He told me. She actually texted him that she wanted to meet. And he agreed to do so.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMWGlomn37
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRbEKUtaD0
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7AH5T0mg3
"That’s so unlike him,” she looked towards the waiter who had brought them glasses of water. He asked if they were ready to order, and they both said they weren’t.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIskK8TpdJ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcJg7Wuihp
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWM5Ij4Qer
"I know, right?” Eric agreed with Angel after the waiter left. "I think he’s doing the right thing. Maybe he'll finally get to tell her the truth.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yeeUrcy45
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGFbT2siqh
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZym0t85xxT
Angel didn’t say anything as she thought about it. "Do you think he will? I mean, him going to see her is already unbelievable as it is.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GfZO0EF6Z
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAg5twaeCC
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgimX4Xc6V
Eric shrugged. "Who knows. If he does tell her, I think she’ll be at peace, right? But she’ll probably freak out and would want to know who it is.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwcZ1cZeD2
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBXqJ4cOn2
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡru5dzfAkUu
"Now that you mention it, I fear it will turn out to be a disaster.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ABdbMYhN3
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnMdtryxFp
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyrDaH4YBw
"You’re probably right,” Eric looked up at the ceiling, deep in thought. "That’s if Leo does tell her the truth and mentions that it's actually Carly he’s now in love with.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkWe35lfKS
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvqREV4T1j
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMiFdSkHfl
The two looked at each other in silence as they thought of the scenario. Eric groaned in frustration as he quickly pulled his phone out from the pocket.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcx1ifxI25
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyibzS9EJ4Y
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxx7rWje9vF
"What are you doing?” Angel asked.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMheqA2jmsB
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltwuEEa2Do
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hHBF0wfRR
"Calling Leo so that he won’t tell Kim the truth,” Eric answered as he looked through his phone.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXLHDzdV7n
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSilJ7a94d2
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2HRmBztoF
"I think we’re just overthinking things. What if he doesn’t say anything? Or what if he does but doesn’t mention Carly’s name? If Leo is in line with what we just thought, the best is not to mention Carly.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2g3vhPy2Z
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzt6ySKNZDX
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrx04D1APC
"You’re probably right,” Eric put his phone aside on the table and looked at Angel.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4vQYWK7kb
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppdKlxuZnx
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Su2sJEocE
Angel continued to stare at him, but then, she put the menu on the table and started to play with her fingers. She bit her lower lip. "On second thought, I think you better give him a call. Just in case.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQPi8r4bkZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpVWstgqGg
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyf2df2aQP3
"I agree.” Eric quickly took his phone and went on to call Leo.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy67T7zhOCp
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnLPtQDKkD
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznZXUtxeIB
He had his phone to the ear when the ringing tone of Leo’s phone came up. He started to get worried in the moments that passed as the phone kept ringing. Could Leo already be with Kim at this very minute? He looked at Angel who looked back anxiously. She also started to worry. And just when Eric thought Leo wasn’t going to pick the call, he heard the cracking sound at the other end of the line.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHH3yJT57p
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUN0f3lVPxP
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQa4JdRqXIt
"Hello?” came Leo’s voice.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pXg8MhnUD
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJF1qP7IIZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nPhIHkOCy
"Thank goodness, you picked the call,” said Eric. "We were starting to get worried.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaHtCa5y67
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEg8JB4KVi
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrSjwVQeHW
"By ‘we’ you mean, you and Angel?” Leo sounded unconvinced.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISEyz7IblP
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RDhGq76rL
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP144OOrD1n
"It might seem unbelievable, but it’s true.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyepVpMsOo
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7k9URHNHq
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lvA78Xmz4
Leo sighed. "Get to the point. Why are you calling me?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDalftKdfH8
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eIsxOSEVM
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9R8B0J8IJM
"Are you heading to lunch with Kim right now?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWG1xY6vG3
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngsXkmiyK9
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATdflPG5JO
"I was about to enter the car and head there. What’s up?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoucNHOfrz
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4hQLCvqxc
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZShCdlanm
"Quick question. Are you going to tell Kim the truth?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftwV3LLDfl
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZa5bvyFSD
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcem3038nq9
"The truth about what? Why I didn’t marry her?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7NGVb3WzZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRl09zcVuy
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPq4dDT0Ipa
"Yes.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJw0OjpvGhz
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aZYGjObFR
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn05WVL0YwV
"Weren’t you the one saying I should? What’s wrong? Are you getting second thoughts or you think I might screw this up?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfmYtS26Dk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvbLWDSGUP
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuaL6OISEA
"Uh…,” Eric hesitated as his eyes found Angel who had been looking at him the entire time. Judging by Leo’s statement, he felt like he didn’t have to worry at all.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafs5cWhH0o
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4KIygUcBk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenSJMOYoYS
"Nah, you got this all under control,” Eric quickly pointed out. "I trust that you’ll do the right thing.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETEBWPunmn
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvdWVx795h
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ895LNE9nC6
Leo murmured and Eric knew he had just got on his nerves. "I don’t know why you’re scared, but I already know what I'm going to do. And if I'm going to tell her the truth, then you shouldn’t be bothered about it.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBANrqzwYBq
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrIaxBYjio
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5i26LYcx2D
"I believe you. You’ve a nice lunch.” Eric cut the call.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IHZKefMqT
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI6t0TifCW
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTr0chhkGv
"What did he say?” Angel quickly asked.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2rnYrRu3v
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmaSp5xqIF
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HKPpjxQGE
"That he’s got everything under control,” he answered. "I believe him. If he really is going to tell her the truth, I don’t think he’ll tell her he’s actually in love with Carly. If he does, then Kim will tell aunt, and she’ll be furious.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknadir4OIJ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8s0NmoZyS8
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHELLr82IJ
Angel cleared her throat before she said, "not only that. Once she finds out, she’ll realise that before Carly and I moved in, we had all known each other and have been pretending this whole time. And they might end up finding the truth about how Leo and Carly met.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88ecYFXpEr
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsRnRyEQRR
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlENjrroEf0
The two looked at each other in silence, again. They both shook their heads as they picked up their menus.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Bx0nD1mkg
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LxkTb00nH
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSXqwZARJu
"Leo has this under control,” Eric assured her. "We’ve nothing to worry about.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl2fMuFkbc
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHQRWfZSFE
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5njkSPiPUw
"Ya, you’re right,” said Angel as she looked at the menu, holding it tight. She really hoped that Eric is right.8964 copyright protection430ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMhvHjTBIu 維尼

18.118.212.28