“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.176Please respect copyright.PENANAkCMdvNpCXP
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“Hello, am I interrupting anything?” came a voice, bringing her out of her thoughts.176Please respect copyright.PENANASw4mtiSjVb
176Please respect copyright.PENANAoHvzZAHfj7
176Please respect copyright.PENANAUDv990OFI6
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.176Please respect copyright.PENANAWwoqkl83yN
176Please respect copyright.PENANAuUryx4RPBA
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“Uh-yes, I’m fine,” Angel quickly answered as she felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment.176Please respect copyright.PENANAib4tmkxvAF
176Please respect copyright.PENANAphnnBj50GI
176Please respect copyright.PENANArSTO3NrGIK
“You’re the new girl, right?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAUXO2gypUFm
176Please respect copyright.PENANAaSTX0MXyL6
176Please respect copyright.PENANAybuGDuke4f
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.176Please respect copyright.PENANAfaxPi7bDOv
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“Yes, I am,” she quickly answered again. “Angel Barclay, nice to meet you. You’re…?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAZSOxVfnQ17
176Please respect copyright.PENANAn8iPFh54RT
176Please respect copyright.PENANAuQ9xJI5cOO
“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.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAeKtUt9ZEyX
176Please respect copyright.PENANADaCwt7tWf0
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“Oh,” Angel felt her cheeks heat up even more. “I didn’t know I would still be the talk of the department.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAztUuLuzi0A
176Please respect copyright.PENANAyFXLLGkk8b
176Please respect copyright.PENANAILR0t4NLWJ
“With your looks, you’ll be the talk for a month. I can guarantee that.”176Please respect copyright.PENANA0cf7BkWmzL
176Please respect copyright.PENANAQ92k49T0kZ
176Please respect copyright.PENANAIa9KF2RGgn
Angel nervously chuckled. “Don’t say that. I personally don't think so.”176Please respect copyright.PENANA4OF1xZ1uH6
176Please respect copyright.PENANAUp0h4i8dzJ
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“Well, I do.” He looked at the files in her hands. “May I carry them for you? They look heavy.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAzOJQuLTqs5
176Please respect copyright.PENANAk3iT9luqNV
176Please respect copyright.PENANA5D7fxHgRXL
“Ah, no thanks,” Angel quickly refused. “They aren’t heavy at all.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAm8KeQUxFmg
176Please respect copyright.PENANAlTVpLf4f1b
176Please respect copyright.PENANAaCE0aEqUnL
“You sure? Here, let me help.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAfy5a9Zowso
176Please respect copyright.PENANAXibnQifZbk
176Please respect copyright.PENANASGXvFeaeFl
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.176Please respect copyright.PENANALoe2Q7hTTe
176Please respect copyright.PENANAqQXvxXGCha
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“Thanks,” Angel managed to say.176Please respect copyright.PENANAL7w6JWD5gN
176Please respect copyright.PENANALVeaLx0cYu
176Please respect copyright.PENANA0m2n0rj6mX
“Are you walking over to your desk?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAeFb6CC4b81
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“Ah, yes, I am.” Angel led the way to her cubicle in the main work area. She could feel a number of eyes on her and a few whispers here and there.176Please respect copyright.PENANAQLKUJyldig
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Derrick put the files on her desk. “I see you’ve a lot to work on.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAVVmRb0eVmW
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“Not really,” Angel said, trying to shake off the feeling she's getting from people around her. She started to rub the back of her neck. “Just trying to familiarise myself with what I’ll be doing around here.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAn3jv62c1y3
176Please respect copyright.PENANAa4Gvkeyr97
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“I hear you'll be working closely with Mrs. Lance. You better buckle up. The woman is hard to please.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAu8qd2eBu6s
176Please respect copyright.PENANAuPhQXiwvst
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“Ya, I’ve been warned. But I’ll do all I can to work hard.”176Please respect copyright.PENANA7XQgvcyWGc
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Derrick gave her a kind smile. “Well, I’ll leave you to it, Miss Barclay. Hey, if you’re up for it, you and I can go out for lunch with the others from my department.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAfzdTNGb7oe
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“Thanks, but I’ll have to decline. I already made plans with someone today.” Angel stared at her phone on the desk. Eric sent a text a few minutes ago inviting her to lunch, so she couldn’t turn him down.176Please respect copyright.PENANALgA90iiHas
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“Ah, I see. People are already asking you out?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAYy9UTpc5E8
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Angel found herself blushing even more. “It’s not like that,” she managed to say. “It’s just between friends, nothing special.”176Please respect copyright.PENANABdK2XzKl7P
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Derrick raised an eyebrow and a smile soon came across his face. “Maybe another time. How does that sound?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAePZvSSQuy7
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Angel quickly shook her head. “That will be great. Thanks for helping me carry these files.”176Please respect copyright.PENANASpeLDrgKNz
176Please respect copyright.PENANAnOAPRdd98U
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“You’re welcome. It’s nice meeting you. I’ll see you around?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAvxOnhAlG2n
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“Ya, I’ll see you.”176Please respect copyright.PENANATJCP3J6Ohk
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Derrick gave her a wave and started to walk out of the work area. Before Angel could take her seat, she could’ve swore that he had turned to look at her before disappearing out of sight. She didn’t want to think too much about it.176Please respect copyright.PENANAszxh5A5gdI
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She looked at the files in front of her and knew she had a lot to do. She better get to work now before work starts to pile up. She got one file and placed it in front of her when she heard:176Please respect copyright.PENANA77I4DOOEe3
176Please respect copyright.PENANAPF8KBXtvP3
176Please respect copyright.PENANAYivBFNiEmw
“Excuse me, it’s Angel, right?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAVyCmbVnvTu
176Please respect copyright.PENANAvwtyd9xDWu
176Please respect copyright.PENANAu8Ssxnkei9
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.176Please respect copyright.PENANAw0IKXyzxea
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“Yes, it is," said Angel as she fully turned around in her seat and drew her arm out. "Your name is-?"176Please respect copyright.PENANALPikF9WKBB
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"Sabrina," said the lady as she leaned forward and shook hands with Angel. "I see a lot of people really want to know you."176Please respect copyright.PENANAgj7Jaj1M2y
176Please respect copyright.PENANAKrVHT9NgsA
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"Maybe it's because I'm new here," said Angel, trying her best to stress a point kindly.176Please respect copyright.PENANAHKKb6dS68w
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"Or maybe it's because you're just too pretty," Sabrina gave Angel a flashy smile.176Please respect copyright.PENANAC1cWOlSp4i
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Angel playfully shrugged her shoulders. "I can't be too sure about that."176Please respect copyright.PENANAJWzNJWhVwW
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"It's because you don't see it. The person you were talking to just now, he's really hard to come by. A lot of ladies around here try to get his attention. For him to actually ask you out for lunch will probably leave a lot of people here speechless."176Please respect copyright.PENANAxFSCjBPzIo
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Angel raised an eyebrow. "Really? Why do you say so? You make it sound like he's an introvert when he seems like a really outgoing person."176Please respect copyright.PENANAWWCcK9fjN6
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"He is. It's just that he has his own circle of friends. When many ladies try to get close, he pulls away. He's acquainted with a lot of us, but none of us have ever gotten close to him."176Please respect copyright.PENANAXmF0lgbc8B
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"Okay, but what does that have to do with me? I just met him."176Please respect copyright.PENANAhHovG0V6Ux
176Please respect copyright.PENANAVhKwWv8HPx
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"Him escorting you here and asking you out for lunch is actually the first time I've seen him try to engage a lady in a conversation. He rarely does, unless he is talking about work."176Please respect copyright.PENANAHpszzTFmqx
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"Oh, I see. But that doesn't mean he likes me or anything, right?"176Please respect copyright.PENANApjLdViVJ6v
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Sabrina shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows with men. One minute they're leading you on, the next they aren't. But with Derrick, he might really like you."176Please respect copyright.PENANAhJjVoDfh6f
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"He doesn't have a girlfriend, does he?" came another female with blonde hair and striking blue eyes. She stood in the aisle with papers in her hands. She seemed to have popped out out of nowhere.176Please respect copyright.PENANAZuE7G8ySJh
176Please respect copyright.PENANA72JxgxFlPH
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"Not that I know of," Sabrina answered her. "Angel, this is Beatrix."176Please respect copyright.PENANAWEyO4Td8lL
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"Oh, sorry for butting in in your conversation," said Beatrix, looking at Angel and raising her hand apologetically. "Where are my manners?"176Please respect copyright.PENANATloCmdQzBZ
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"It's okay," said Angel. "It's nice to meet you, Beatrix."176Please respect copyright.PENANAc2EC4nEA86
176Please respect copyright.PENANAdLZQd4rQFp
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"Nice meeting you too. Just like Sabrina said, I'm also shocked Derrick actually talked to you so casually and actually asked you out for lunch."176Please respect copyright.PENANApKOz29JjpS
176Please respect copyright.PENANAsUfRSK4cuD
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"You see," Sabrina said to Angel with a smile on her face.176Please respect copyright.PENANAd7AHBsr0oD
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"I'm not going to say anything," said Angel. "You obviously know him better than I do."176Please respect copyright.PENANAdtQSl2G5p7
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"Just admit it. He has his eye on you."176Please respect copyright.PENANATlhqlew8xR
176Please respect copyright.PENANAP8gfi5zH16
176Please respect copyright.PENANAdx7N2hGBCI
Angel blushed. She looked to the floor, hoping that the other two wouldn’t notice.176Please respect copyright.PENANAfoWUNO9O2S
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"If you managed to get his attention, what more of the other male folk around here who are single?"176Please respect copyright.PENANAOdvkYNYAOc
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"Let's not talk about that," said Angel as she quickly spun around in her chair. “The last thing I need right now is to worry about who likes me.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAjF1maT9OnX
176Please respect copyright.PENANAk7y5rBc3Ep
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“Was it like this at your previous workplace? I hear you worked for some editing company, right?” Beatrix asked.176Please respect copyright.PENANATBmcG863yG
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Looks like they got their information from HR, Angel thought before she turned around to look at the two ladies. “As far as I can remember, no. Most men were married, so, I didn’t have any problems.” Except Mark, of course. She made sure not to say that out loud.176Please respect copyright.PENANAQwqspbGyry
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“Anyway, since you’re close with Eric and Leo, I bet you have their attention too,” said Sabrina.176Please respect copyright.PENANA8fa8NfMqG6
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“Oh, no, I don’t think so,” Angel was quick to deny.176Please respect copyright.PENANA1fpkykA0GH
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“They are very good-looking and all the ladies wouldn’t mind getting close to them. But just like Derrick, they also don’t like to get too close. Eric's better since he’s outgoing and all. But Leo keeps to himself. He seems like a no nonsense person and he was pretty serious with his relationship with Kim until they called off the wedding.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAAd8LknCiiw
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Angel didn’t want to hear any more of this. If only they knew that the reason why that happened is because of Carly.176Please respect copyright.PENANAO4xsk9Ngbn
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“Do you know why that happened, Angel?” Beatrix asked. “You’re close to the family, so you should know the reason.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAehSYmD2AMn
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“I can’t answer that.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAfJfp4aFoDY
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Sabrina drew herself closer, dragging the chair with her. “Why not?” she asked. “Is it that bad?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAivkGxkLWyz
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“No one actually knows why Leo broke things off with Kim, and so does she.”176Please respect copyright.PENANA9v2ogBqone
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“Oh, darn!” Beatrix clicked her tongue. “Everyone around here also says the same thing.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAHaztcdDYkH
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Good, Angel thought. It’s best she went with this. No one in the McDonell mansion knows the truth except for her, Eric, Carly and Leo. The more people think of it as a mystery, the better.176Please respect copyright.PENANAuorQXX8162
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“You see, Leo keeps things to himself,” said Sabrina. “As much as he is good looking, I feel he has such an attitude. You feel it sometimes when he talks to you, though he isn’t always like that.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAd1sR9UEebC
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“Well, he does have an attitude, I can agree on that," said Angel.176Please respect copyright.PENANAh4BpvvtQdc
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“How do you handle him? Doesn’t he get on your nerves?” Beatrix asked.176Please respect copyright.PENANA5ducxAkpiQ
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“Sometimes. But he isn’t that bad.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAkvxIRY1UK6
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“Ya, I see how he’s close with his family, especially Eric,” said Sabrina. “I just wish he was more outgoing, you know.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAAdQLX6oGiH
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You and me both, Angel thought. “I better start working on these files.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAUSwATt0nPh
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“Oh, ya, sure,” said Beatrix, “sorry for disturbing you.”176Please respect copyright.PENANASZj7eKYHEP
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“Not a problem.” Angel quickly swirled round in her chair to face the file in front of her. She really needed to get some work done. She didn’t expect to be in engaged in so much talk on her first day. She still felt uneasy as she heard a whisper across the room and thought she had heard someone mention her name. She had to agree with Derrick. She would be the talk of the office for a while.176Please respect copyright.PENANA6r21XCIbbk
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She closed her eyes shaking off the feeling so as to try and focus on work. She always did this, even at the editing company when she sometimes felt anxious or pressured. When she opened them, she went straight to work on the files.176Please respect copyright.PENANAvxwZfA0egK
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***176Please respect copyright.PENANANPRuer7lxu
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Leo heard the phone on his desk vibrate. He wondered if it’s Eric sending him a text that he couldn’t find what he went to look for. Leo sighed. He now wished his father was handling this meeting with Eric and not him. With Eric out of the office for a while, now is the time he can try and catch up on work, especially with answering his emails on his iMac.176Please respect copyright.PENANAhg79EhDam8
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His eyes left the computer screen and he went on to look at his phone. A sudden feeling came over, telling him that it might not be Eric who sent him a message. Could it be his father? If he wanted anything from Leo, he would've called. Maybe it’s his mother? No, he shook his head. It can’t be her. Just like his father, she would’ve called. Could it be Carly? It might, he thought positively. Maybe she thought of texting him.176Please respect copyright.PENANAh8dRJHCkI0
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He quickly took his phone and turned on the screen to find the message isn’t from Carly. It's from Kim. He felt like putting his phone aside and getting back to work. Instead, he unlocked the phone to read her message and it was nothing but a simple “Hello.” He rolled his eyes as he wished he had never bumped into her at the café this morning. Should he ignore the message? As much as he wanted to, he still had to say something. He didn’t want to seem rude like he does sometimes.176Please respect copyright.PENANAz41XuoJVSj
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He texted her back and quickly put his phone down on the desk, hoping that she wouldn’t text back, but she did. Leo couldn’t help but groan.176Please respect copyright.PENANAOGQG6mEgIM
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A knock soon came at the door and before Leo could tell the person to come in, the door flew open and Eric walked in with papers in his hands. Leo groaned even more, throwing his head back onto his chair.176Please respect copyright.PENANANWIJaVg3U3
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“What’s up with you, grumpy?” Eric asked as he came to sit on the chair, facing Leo.176Please respect copyright.PENANAtOSt32TGsm
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“Why don’t you ever knock when you come in?” Leo asked as he folded his arms.176Please respect copyright.PENANAJqNwzOCkUj
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“I’m sorry, but I already know you’re used to it. So what’s up?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAyMH8LrLUvw
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Leo looked at Eric. His cousin knew him better than anyone. He took a deep breath and leaned his elbows on the table.176Please respect copyright.PENANA5J2AuhZOJH
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“Kim texted me,” he said.176Please respect copyright.PENANAUgF6m8VDI4
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“Whoa, Kim texted you?” Eric for some reason didn’t look at all surprised. “How come?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAbH3Wxwf5sw
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“Angel and I met her at the café where we bought croissants.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAuQvf0kOO3k
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“Why didn’t you tell me?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAlogZ7Jwjan
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“It didn’t matter then, but it does now. She just texted me.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAPKfz1BHrIO
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“What did she say?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAfoJzC8MMnN
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“Just a simple hello.”176Please respect copyright.PENANACT46F8WXKV
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“And did you reply?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAm7Fh0fQOqg
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“Of course, I did.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAX75rBqxsnj
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“And…?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAcyHGjYtcc0
176Please respect copyright.PENANA60Z0dgJJmu
176Please respect copyright.PENANAbY68qZE28j
“She texted back and I haven’t read the message.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAGXHfr9dTkw
176Please respect copyright.PENANAlWbYQr8WwW
176Please respect copyright.PENANAgXBtf4DiTe
“You better see what that message says.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAN0nAYSJvDc
176Please respect copyright.PENANAJvgWIHU7aQ
176Please respect copyright.PENANA5Z6K05Hz2p
“And what if I don’t want to? It’s pretty obvious that she wants to hook up for lunch or something.”176Please respect copyright.PENANALKoWSYO40r
176Please respect copyright.PENANA2GgGlkEydK
176Please respect copyright.PENANAAtno3Qag19
“You’re right. I’m impressed with how much you know women, nowadays.” Eric gave him an encouraging smile.176Please respect copyright.PENANAFkyaAR9nZH
176Please respect copyright.PENANAryLlN1foJf
176Please respect copyright.PENANAqil5iZUBjS
“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.”176Please respect copyright.PENANA4dNCQO9gdV
176Please respect copyright.PENANAp2gFDzMXB5
176Please respect copyright.PENANAHsagDIZ1RO
“You’ll never know what you’ve to do if you don’t read the message.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAEGxK25kFet
176Please respect copyright.PENANA0kO5LKw7lU
176Please respect copyright.PENANA2DByMyEr1O
“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.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAXTzckvnGAG
176Please respect copyright.PENANAE9EA3bBbfr
176Please respect copyright.PENANAJiQqDUPyWI
“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.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAkqOqKdidB2
176Please respect copyright.PENANA0YPDNlsMF0
176Please respect copyright.PENANAJouSyNjUcN
“You aren’t making me feel any better. Besides, I apologised. I don’t know what she wants me to do.”176Please respect copyright.PENANA9rEAgtDGch
176Please respect copyright.PENANAfF3kE6iPQD
176Please respect copyright.PENANAfKSocIrPn0
“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.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAvUUzw8XkAu
176Please respect copyright.PENANALwzligpsJ1
176Please respect copyright.PENANAQaEZOwpR3S
“The less who know, the better.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAPqsihYklCd
176Please respect copyright.PENANALxa99tBthV
176Please respect copyright.PENANAH70pyReUxO
“Sooner or later, you’ll have to tell Kim the truth. If anything, she deserves it more than anyone.”176Please respect copyright.PENANALaDVaKLfCI
176Please respect copyright.PENANAHGgTJ0psAX
176Please respect copyright.PENANA3aoIFNIhFU
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.176Please respect copyright.PENANAhAUoPbH4Bi
176Please respect copyright.PENANAWKwIbgPvkc
176Please respect copyright.PENANAL7St9Jgt6J
“What did you tell her?” Eric couldn’t help but look on curiously at Leo’s phone.176Please respect copyright.PENANAXKDr1T35O3
176Please respect copyright.PENANAhphPkbOGxU
176Please respect copyright.PENANAZEjLwgo4vA
“I told her we can meet,” Leo answered,176Please respect copyright.PENANA7mjgCyZVhy
176Please respect copyright.PENANAxZQXjpjSPS
176Please respect copyright.PENANAiN197ZMwMd
“WHAT!” Eric held his head, not believing what Leo said. “I don’t believe you. Let me see the message.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAjI7VjskIWJ
176Please respect copyright.PENANAmh9pUA4kxu
176Please respect copyright.PENANATxUg9qOSQI
Leo groaned, but he got his phone, unlocked it and gave Eric. When Eric read it for himself, he stared at Leo.176Please respect copyright.PENANAOEZ98DrZV7
176Please respect copyright.PENANAQhCH8Vmvvb
176Please respect copyright.PENANAXKjoDwXcmV
“You’re serious,” he said as he gave Leo back his phone. “Are you finally going to tell her the truth?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAwXxoShbaxW
176Please respect copyright.PENANA2hCvIre3pc
176Please respect copyright.PENANA7yNfQJbbbX
“On that part, I don’t know,” Leo answered as he leaned back on his chair, deep in thought.176Please respect copyright.PENANAG1D8317gar
176Please respect copyright.PENANAeTDfMFVM2p
176Please respect copyright.PENANAIZJAVGk8Gv
“Well, if you tell her, it will finally give her the chance to move on, don’t you think?”176Please respect copyright.PENANA2OeVVz1iS3
176Please respect copyright.PENANAVRRNOCl33x
176Please respect copyright.PENANAQnqjtOM76L
“If I do tell her, she’ll kill me.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAh2Pp9sXM4j
176Please respect copyright.PENANAjFNfOfYVy5
176Please respect copyright.PENANAti9Ltcx4UQ
“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.”176Please respect copyright.PENANApcOIXT7IK1
176Please respect copyright.PENANA13gqVGXSu9
176Please respect copyright.PENANAcnnle4KeO1
Leo chuckled to himself as he stared at the ceiling. “I still remember that day. Gosh, all of that happened so suddenly.”176Please respect copyright.PENANADHOzzjWfrB
176Please respect copyright.PENANAyv1zljsLQv
176Please respect copyright.PENANA6jCec3Vdf1
“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.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAaSmDWVpCbw
176Please respect copyright.PENANA1AXI5Wj1Cf
176Please respect copyright.PENANAcYrITCFdEz
“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.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAUTLbwqGpLP
176Please respect copyright.PENANANwAyriSPFP
176Please respect copyright.PENANAnfh5bdnJKb
Eric smiled. “Grandma will be glad if she heard those words coming out of that mouth of yours.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAq8KftKb4xK
176Please respect copyright.PENANA89UgrPTiAI
176Please respect copyright.PENANAkkKScRFgte
“I know. Seems like she was right after all. Kim was never good for me.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4HivydQBC
176Please respect copyright.PENANA2eCvrzcFjM
176Please respect copyright.PENANA1MLS5mM3az
“Wait until she finds out that you’re actually in love with Carly.”176Please respect copyright.PENANA5JOAwsvOdK
176Please respect copyright.PENANAQXJIXhZL5E
176Please respect copyright.PENANAmBPj9oAgM7
The two cousins looked at each other, imagining the scenario. Eric reacted first.176Please respect copyright.PENANAGjwQM7f58E
176Please respect copyright.PENANACVnYRI2juX
176Please respect copyright.PENANAAiiAa0VCYP
“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.”176Please respect copyright.PENANASoxyLvwl9B
176Please respect copyright.PENANAvZ7ni6hLF9
176Please respect copyright.PENANAjG7NhVkHqp
“I agree,” said Leo as he rubbed the temple of his head. “I don’t want to imagine my mother, though.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAv3659V5RVX
176Please respect copyright.PENANAAAzUtEmnNP
176Please respect copyright.PENANAbdfkCOaEia
“That one is pretty obvious; I don’t have to imagine it, that’s if I want my head to explode.”176Please respect copyright.PENANA8nHxuQnwD1
176Please respect copyright.PENANAR2tUx14x17
176Please respect copyright.PENANAPwrf0Aa1bp
The two laughed.176Please respect copyright.PENANAurf9Qn3Tp4
176Please respect copyright.PENANAzU8XSwN0YV
176Please respect copyright.PENANAzKEF7Jf5r9
“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.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAbcNiuAW8Nd
176Please respect copyright.PENANA2qFbutxpFv
176Please respect copyright.PENANA3AeshmRLyd
“You’re right,” said Leo as he went on to look at his screen and switched windows from his email to an open document.176Please respect copyright.PENANAGeyTnbiKOK
176Please respect copyright.PENANAXGB9M6sq7u
176Please respect copyright.PENANAMrcTAvajCo
A brief silence passed between them when they suddenly burst out laughing at the same time.176Please respect copyright.PENANAyTfs9C6W83
176Please respect copyright.PENANAmDQP3wUsOo
176Please respect copyright.PENANAPLLbPa5FUT
***176Please respect copyright.PENANA3la2g0kJY9
176Please respect copyright.PENANA8DCHL2ugR7
176Please respect copyright.PENANAMYEpZX4eZg
"Hey, Miranda, are you okay?"176Please respect copyright.PENANADqnUKJ905H
176Please respect copyright.PENANA84NQ4E7Rgl
176Please respect copyright.PENANA5xl8gGWYwQ
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.176Please respect copyright.PENANAXwKl9I7Zz4
176Please respect copyright.PENANAeM5ok8OGHT
176Please respect copyright.PENANAEeiPHS2spz
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.176Please respect copyright.PENANA5AwS3jw4DK
176Please respect copyright.PENANAosw6ycIMP2
176Please respect copyright.PENANAbkOF26zEmh
“Scoot over,” Brad insisted as he moved his body closer to hers, forcing her to move.176Please respect copyright.PENANAguZTftwCrs
176Please respect copyright.PENANAWcUQH8wYH7
176Please respect copyright.PENANA5aj53IcQmq
Miranda moved over to the next chair which was empty and Brad finally managed to sit next to her.176Please respect copyright.PENANA9cDE2VlsIj
176Please respect copyright.PENANAIHKVpTjeok
176Please respect copyright.PENANAeQEVszCbl6
“What were you looking at?” he asked as he tried to see what's on Miranda’s phone.176Please respect copyright.PENANAbzAn8mXOPf
176Please respect copyright.PENANAEdGI34crnX
176Please respect copyright.PENANAfAnF6hl4Li
“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.176Please respect copyright.PENANAU3ZfIYzqzo
176Please respect copyright.PENANAQDydvsnzPN
176Please respect copyright.PENANALCTj7t0PL6
“You seem really fixed on it. I want to see what’s caught your interest.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAUMeu6IkG9V
176Please respect copyright.PENANAXk6zayl4rl
176Please respect copyright.PENANATONNgZ8DLE
“Like I told you, it’s nothing. So why don’t you just mind your business?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAnHFUgFdyQQ
176Please respect copyright.PENANAY6jfYWOKy3
176Please respect copyright.PENANABJHXsJ0g7W
“I would, but I’m not going to this time.”176Please respect copyright.PENANA1f1gXlQlQs
176Please respect copyright.PENANAWZjTotx2BG
176Please respect copyright.PENANAiWOQb7dWJT
“You never do.” Miranda gave him a gloomy look.176Please respect copyright.PENANALDbx46nFk8
176Please respect copyright.PENANAVH40JOilyS
176Please respect copyright.PENANAM8t6t4jWF0
“I say that because something’s been different about you lately.”176Please respect copyright.PENANA4Vo8wMo4KN
176Please respect copyright.PENANAZL4E2GFwpE
176Please respect copyright.PENANAVYqrIxkizK
She raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”176Please respect copyright.PENANADXFnDlGR2O
176Please respect copyright.PENANAhsn3ZHzSWM
176Please respect copyright.PENANAZdT5Q6yX3E
“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.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAIj1vcmjovB
176Please respect copyright.PENANAVGeiGmBqHV
176Please respect copyright.PENANAhoaBP96Uo9
“I had a slight problem with my laptop, that’s all.”176Please respect copyright.PENANANFim8IjYZY
176Please respect copyright.PENANA0m2xZuqukd
176Please respect copyright.PENANAd2rjIXiXH6
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.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAOr4NDn0O9p
176Please respect copyright.PENANAigREHPkHYx
176Please respect copyright.PENANA2vmrvJMgUN
“I’m just busy, that’s all.”176Please respect copyright.PENANA1iQhqK0V9k
176Please respect copyright.PENANAs6tYp8vyeU
176Please respect copyright.PENANAuSxcUPuULn
“There’s a difference between being busy and getting distracted. And you, my friend, are distracted.”176Please respect copyright.PENANANQG3CqK286
176Please respect copyright.PENANAtAdKQ4ITvp
176Please respect copyright.PENANARZwdV0OQFW
Miranda rolled her eyes at him and looked down at her phone before she went on to look in front of her.176Please respect copyright.PENANAsPYpbVoQoe
176Please respect copyright.PENANA9cKy6FiUcB
176Please respect copyright.PENANA29uWrMNIf9
“So what were you looking at on that phone of yours?” Brad went on to ask.176Please respect copyright.PENANAseIXeYixoC
176Please respect copyright.PENANA0hyoB0wpHe
176Please respect copyright.PENANAtyhrgGFPI2
Miranda looked at him through the corner of her eye. “You really don’t listen, do you?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAqhWB5qgpLY
176Please respect copyright.PENANANHsMdIOl5M
176Please respect copyright.PENANAr5ZgQy3ZGN
“I thought I saw you looking at a guy's photo on Instagram just now. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere.”176Please respect copyright.PENANA207LdVEOKe
176Please respect copyright.PENANAcePhycgvOk
176Please respect copyright.PENANAqDaU2cucFb
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.176Please respect copyright.PENANAlYo82B87gJ
176Please respect copyright.PENANAlX1GiT2o5h
176Please respect copyright.PENANAPFJSa2HdQA
“Let go of me, Brad,” she warned him.176Please respect copyright.PENANAu9DHoJqhOH
176Please respect copyright.PENANAgpJUYtLQ9D
176Please respect copyright.PENANAwLAzwR4KFq
“And what if I don’t want to?” he asked with a smirk on his face.176Please respect copyright.PENANAtpN1Eeu4Nv
176Please respect copyright.PENANAOl3OeugtWO
176Please respect copyright.PENANAnhGDUNGe2Z
“You’re hurting me. Why are you being such a prick?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAamIbogy1jC
176Please respect copyright.PENANAdy7KTkJuWQ
176Please respect copyright.PENANAGH3skXM8BZ
“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.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAZoaVk6KgLS
176Please respect copyright.PENANAB9YUvu8omE
176Please respect copyright.PENANACw8DBZsaUG
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.176Please respect copyright.PENANA4rC81J8GQj
176Please respect copyright.PENANA4MyqFWSNzz
176Please respect copyright.PENANAsOvn9nMY2J
“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.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAuabR47uh2K
176Please respect copyright.PENANAnvgczLz6I0
176Please respect copyright.PENANACDqKlXtjzY
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.176Please respect copyright.PENANAkW6gUhPzKw
176Please respect copyright.PENANAfxmUfHXnHQ
176Please respect copyright.PENANAuK9IPZX9bs
“Girls and your stupid crushes,” he said as he finally let go of her hand. “When will you ever let it go?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAE6MGSWAmiT
176Please respect copyright.PENANAce4Nz0RJcC
176Please respect copyright.PENANAQNfL99omHV
“When the time is right,” said Miranda, doing her best not to sound nervous.176Please respect copyright.PENANAGdHKoJ4SWt
176Please respect copyright.PENANA5nz0Dox2dx
176Please respect copyright.PENANABdMEBFLSmH
“So who is this guy, anyway?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAoP7VyXzTCm
176Please respect copyright.PENANAkYktWgZXTN
176Please respect copyright.PENANALsJv13I57N
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.176Please respect copyright.PENANACYcHNhn2xw
176Please respect copyright.PENANAGVPhHGCCW0
176Please respect copyright.PENANABuCglkyFuP
***176Please respect copyright.PENANAYbsFTImR5D
176Please respect copyright.PENANAdXwyu3NLn5
176Please respect copyright.PENANAb60OKAFIet
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.176Please respect copyright.PENANARKlxg38sOA
176Please respect copyright.PENANA3wP0GwIJn2
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“Whoa, where do you think you’re going?” Leo asked, still seated behind his desk.176Please respect copyright.PENANADU254PKWCT
176Please respect copyright.PENANA0Y0Asq0Lkv
176Please respect copyright.PENANACwy5OXubYB
“I’m going out for lunch,” Eric answered, heading for the door.176Please respect copyright.PENANAjMgwBxhp7f
176Please respect copyright.PENANAFj6noJ196P
176Please respect copyright.PENANAv1o4gUBLYE
“You look like you’re going to the bathroom.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8v9LiRnod
176Please respect copyright.PENANAvc6ylSpsJD
176Please respect copyright.PENANABYPkGRiuMT
“I’m taking Angel out,” Eric said with a proud look on his face.176Please respect copyright.PENANA3hPtMuKxST
176Please respect copyright.PENANAYd5PURTz6m
176Please respect copyright.PENANAZQttdflzoQ
Leo couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Oh, you’re going out with Angel, then?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAo0ZMSvutLp
176Please respect copyright.PENANAvcvD5rlWci
176Please respect copyright.PENANAnQnJS9GX2d
“Yep. Wipe that sour look on your face. Or are you upset that you have to go out with Kim?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAIGgOR6q7WI
176Please respect copyright.PENANAQf0TyOYN6h
176Please respect copyright.PENANArrfthZhyXM
“I couldn’t care less about that. Besides, having lunch with Angel doesn’t appeal to me.”176Please respect copyright.PENANATs2WHBLRnp
176Please respect copyright.PENANAtPvb2uMd1h
176Please respect copyright.PENANAry6b5evtYG
“That’s because you don’t like her. Mind you, having lunch with Angel is way better than having it with Kim.”176Please respect copyright.PENANATWPrcGJXnw
176Please respect copyright.PENANAo4kIm3M7OJ
176Please respect copyright.PENANAX2PSmFoQJN
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.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAqDN8qct3Yi
176Please respect copyright.PENANAfEuBkQHT6F
176Please respect copyright.PENANACuGapRXD24
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.”176Please respect copyright.PENANACox7QP0EJf
176Please respect copyright.PENANAZ78I3SXL0s
176Please respect copyright.PENANA29VcssjTZr
“I beg to differ.” Leo’s face became even more serious.176Please respect copyright.PENANABHYKaB4EAg
176Please respect copyright.PENANAZZ6JzvKCnb
176Please respect copyright.PENANA6mf3GPY2HB
“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.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAZoK4PKhWMg
176Please respect copyright.PENANAxPnweZJsTS
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“I won’t.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAzvo9t3AJL0
176Please respect copyright.PENANAbNvcfAjBi8
176Please respect copyright.PENANALU0jxJyoBb
Eric gave his cousin a concerned look. “I sure hope so. I’m off. See you later.”176Please respect copyright.PENANActLw7CiaxY
176Please respect copyright.PENANAPyb8VGbUZc
176Please respect copyright.PENANAH3aMveZNGh
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?176Please respect copyright.PENANAsJBe4RIVQH
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176Please respect copyright.PENANA9wytNiFQYp
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.176Please respect copyright.PENANAU8WMZHQAG7
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176Please respect copyright.PENANAx2RTUgi59q
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.176Please respect copyright.PENANAY5bjHDiy1J
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176Please respect copyright.PENANATdFbtnSiz2
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.176Please respect copyright.PENANAv4BL7U3N65
176Please respect copyright.PENANAqtWWbEuql5
176Please respect copyright.PENANAKBbGwD0lV0
***176Please respect copyright.PENANAVItQOgs9pN
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176Please respect copyright.PENANAyuheQxvzOt
“I bet you’re hungry, huh?” Eric asked as he and Angel finally got out of the complex building.176Please respect copyright.PENANA5FWIZmCTnQ
176Please respect copyright.PENANA8dlnKX70Kd
176Please respect copyright.PENANASRjIWAxo5K
"You can say that again,” she said turning to look at Eric. "I’m so famished for my first day.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAFcabIKu2cb
176Please respect copyright.PENANAkZDKcbuH0n
176Please respect copyright.PENANAeLaReTtnJQ
"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.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAfgl5tecIoM
176Please respect copyright.PENANAXPtdQNtNZp
176Please respect copyright.PENANA2C8ametL3o
"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.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAvgbYK7TyI7
176Please respect copyright.PENANAQUUOEm5gMR
176Please respect copyright.PENANA8dfSm2coP9
"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.176Please respect copyright.PENANAzOM7UK3Ekg
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Angel playfully punched him on the arm. "What are you saying? There are many beautiful women at the company. If you ask me, their beauty is intimidating.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAgVBCjCl0oc
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176Please respect copyright.PENANALPtoHzKvOD
"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?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAYAtLhLyRc6
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Angel couldn’t say anything as she continued to look at Eric. Her heart started to flutter and felt her cheeks heat up. She found all of this awkward as she started to look around. She looked back at Eric, wondering how to tell him that they were standing in the middle of the street and might be in the way. But the look he continued to give her left her speechless.176Please respect copyright.PENANADy839VV4aO
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"I wish you could see what I see,” he said in a whisper. Even with all the bustling of people about and the hooting of the car horns, Angel got what he said. That made her cheeks heat up even more. She cleared her throat.176Please respect copyright.PENANAnKgCyFzNJo
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"Ummm, Eric, we’re standing in the way,” she said. "This isn’t the time or the place for this, don’t you think?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAzxPPBFpRLz
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"Oh,” Eric forgot they were in the middle of the sidewalk, with people moving around. "I totally forgot that we were here in the first place. I must have spaced out a bit.”176Please respect copyright.PENANArKfrDwJ2Qk
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Angel cleared her throat again as she looked down at her feet for a brief moment. "That must be it. Come on, weren’t you taking me out for lunch? I’m starving.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAFRV6kwo4De
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Eric nervously chuckled and at the same time scratched the back of his head. "I shouldn’t keep a lady waiting. Sorry about that.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAXCAve2Tk2j
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"Not at all.” She tried her best not to look like she had been flattered, but her cheeks continued to blush, making her even more nervous.176Please respect copyright.PENANAjWXhkV1iyk
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They continued their walk down the sidewalk when Eric said, "I mean what I said, though. I hope you aren’t offended or anything.”176Please respect copyright.PENANA3vJuBenujR
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They stopped at the traffic lights and they waited for the walk sign to light up when Angel turned to look at Eric. "No, don’t worry,” she said.176Please respect copyright.PENANAQWFdCvMC1d
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The light soon went green and the pedestrians who stood at the edge of the sidewalk crossed the road to the other side.176Please respect copyright.PENANAc24m8vP5AH
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"I’m glad,” said Eric. "I thought you would be upset or something.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAUP75A0KYmW
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"I’ve received such comments before, so I’m not.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAQFYP3MevVO
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Eric clicked his tongue as he shrugged. "You would, obviously. I also shouldn’t be surprised.”176Please respect copyright.PENANA7sHZM7AQW4
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Angel tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. She couldn’t tell Eric that his approach was different from the ones she had encountered before. Even from Mark. She felt her cheeks heat up even more by the thought of it. It's best, she thought, that I don’t say anything.176Please respect copyright.PENANAjLXFZAmlmy
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"Let me take you to my favourite restaurant nearby,” Eric continued as he smiled at her. "You’ll love it. And you can order whatever you like.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAWCYSasfbxM
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Angel couldn’t help but chuckle. "Don’t be so silly,” she said. "As much as that offer sounds tempting, it’s pretty obvious that I won’t be that careless.”176Please respect copyright.PENANA7TdKYlALnX
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"Well, the food is on me, so I won’t mind if you order countless dishes.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAYQAvIkOgnY
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"Thanks,” this time she laughed. "But even if I’m so hungry, I don’t eat that much.”176Please respect copyright.PENANASjKlF888Sq
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"Just letting you know that the offer is on the table. Ah! Here we are.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAnPIlt6g1AJ
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They stopped in front of a small restaurant. From outside, it might not look like a five-star restaurant, but for some reason, Angel found it almost elegant as she looked through the huge glass window. The décor is simple but had a touch of elegance. White chairs and tables covered with white cloths with beautiful gold embroidery on them. Elegant flowers of different colours and types sat on different tables, making the place look more romantic. This scene reminded her of the place she went for lunch with Mark last week.176Please respect copyright.PENANAyhdl4yJOWU
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"Shall we?” Eric held the door to the restaurant open as he waited for her.176Please respect copyright.PENANASJ98uaVXTZ
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Angel shook herself from her daydream and went through the open door.176Please respect copyright.PENANAXtjBZ0MrKU
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She started to look around the place when a smartly dressed male waiter, approached her. Eric stood behind her after closing the door. Immediately, the male waiter smiled at Eric like they know each other. Angel shouldn’t be surprised. Eric did say he liked coming here.176Please respect copyright.PENANAOTPX1uXp2j
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‘"Hello, sir,” said the young waiter with a wide smile. "I see you came with company. Will you be taking the usual table?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAyBuUKX6nJz
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"That’s if it’s free,” Eric answered.176Please respect copyright.PENANAUFS8gfTbMu
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"Well, you’re just in luck. Please, follow me.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAMRpnCTio4m
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Angel couldn’t ignore the way the waiter addressed them with so much courtesy. He led them to one of the tables by the corner, close to the window. When they neared the table, Eric drew out a chair for her to sit and Angel did likewise. Eric sat on the other side of the table, facing her. He told the waiter to serve them a glass of water as they looked through the menu before ordering.176Please respect copyright.PENANAXhxgBktJx0
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"The waiter seems to know you very well,” said Angel as she picked up the menu card on the table.176Please respect copyright.PENANAxmJ0fvj8td
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"I come here a lot,” said Eric as he also picked up the other menu on his side.176Please respect copyright.PENANAomF9apFYEL
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Angel said nothing as she smiled and looked at the menu.176Please respect copyright.PENANAbtZbzIKqb1
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"It’s sad that Leo couldn’t join us,” said Eric.176Please respect copyright.PENANAwvnjwYUiA2
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Angel looked at Eric. "Why do you say so? Were you scared that the two of us would start a fight in the restaurant?”176Please respect copyright.PENANADapGPUPtui
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Eric laughed. "No, I didn’t think that way in the least. If there is one thing I know for sure, you two can behave yourselves in a public place like this one. I wasn’t going to worry at all.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAbD2IgmRNEP
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Angel made a face because she knew Eric is right. She looked back at the menu when Eric put up a funny face. "So then, why did you say that?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAbHKuZ6k3CZ
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"Because he’s having lunch with Kim. He must be heading to her as we speak.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAui0Wxk1spt
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Angel raised her eyes from the menu. "Kim? We met her when we went to buy croissants this morning.”176Please respect copyright.PENANARVHkQRd4di
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"He told me. She actually texted him that she wanted to meet. And he agreed to do so.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAspX29GjQSn
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"That’s so unlike him,” she looked towards the waiter who had brought them glasses of water. He asked if they were ready to order, and they both said they weren’t.176Please respect copyright.PENANAQrfnJ9W8OP
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"I know, right?” Eric agreed with Angel after the waiter left. "I think he’s doing the right thing. Maybe he'll finally get to tell her the truth.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAsWkFl84aGv
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Angel didn’t say anything as she thought about it. "Do you think he will? I mean, him going to see her is already unbelievable as it is.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAinYdQmALbq
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Eric shrugged. "Who knows. If he does tell her, I think she’ll be at peace, right? But she’ll probably freak out and would want to know who it is.”176Please respect copyright.PENANA9TIRF3RDcR
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"Now that you mention it, I fear it will turn out to be a disaster.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAhEIw0tjjlY
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"You’re probably right,” Eric looked up at the ceiling, deep in thought. "That’s if Leo does tell her the truth and mentions that it's actually Carly he’s now in love with.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAC8aJQ5sMeK
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The two looked at each other in silence as they thought of the scenario. Eric groaned in frustration as he quickly pulled his phone out from the pocket.176Please respect copyright.PENANAWUmVzyVbdc
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"What are you doing?” Angel asked.176Please respect copyright.PENANAaJl4pbZaD5
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"Calling Leo so that he won’t tell Kim the truth,” Eric answered as he looked through his phone.176Please respect copyright.PENANAxiqM52YqOn
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"I think we’re just overthinking things. What if he doesn’t say anything? Or what if he does but doesn’t mention Carly’s name? If Leo is in line with what we just thought, the best is not to mention Carly.”176Please respect copyright.PENANARFP86sQSkQ
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"You’re probably right,” Eric put his phone aside on the table and looked at Angel.176Please respect copyright.PENANAq2dINNPRk9
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Angel continued to stare at him, but then, she put the menu on the table and started to play with her fingers. She bit her lower lip. "On second thought, I think you better give him a call. Just in case.”176Please respect copyright.PENANADaB3VHEm8F
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"I agree.” Eric quickly took his phone and went on to call Leo.176Please respect copyright.PENANAHzl42YeNgk
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He had his phone to the ear when the ringing tone of Leo’s phone came up. He started to get worried in the moments that passed as the phone kept ringing. Could Leo already be with Kim at this very minute? He looked at Angel who looked back anxiously. She also started to worry. And just when Eric thought Leo wasn’t going to pick the call, he heard the cracking sound at the other end of the line.176Please respect copyright.PENANAXpbEwc9hoB
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"Hello?” came Leo’s voice.176Please respect copyright.PENANAJIvOs1Vgq7
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"Thank goodness, you picked the call,” said Eric. "We were starting to get worried.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAiGKNQcPH3b
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"By ‘we’ you mean, you and Angel?” Leo sounded unconvinced.176Please respect copyright.PENANAwWl2g7QPXm
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"It might seem unbelievable, but it’s true.”176Please respect copyright.PENANATqq3LqORr7
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Leo sighed. "Get to the point. Why are you calling me?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAkBINMixbeR
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"Are you heading to lunch with Kim right now?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAuFs2waL4II
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"I was about to enter the car and head there. What’s up?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAHZ8t9UsGDL
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"Quick question. Are you going to tell Kim the truth?”176Please respect copyright.PENANAluQcbJ6TDX
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"The truth about what? Why I didn’t marry her?”176Please respect copyright.PENANA64zTigWg1q
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"Yes.”176Please respect copyright.PENANA0kliydKlaL
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"Weren’t you the one saying I should? What’s wrong? Are you getting second thoughts or you think I might screw this up?”176Please respect copyright.PENANA4VPhEWQPdd
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"Uh…,” Eric hesitated as his eyes found Angel who had been looking at him the entire time. Judging by Leo’s statement, he felt like he didn’t have to worry at all.176Please respect copyright.PENANAhtGCAMjBlx
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"Nah, you got this all under control,” Eric quickly pointed out. "I trust that you’ll do the right thing.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAaDi8EsmNZV
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Leo murmured and Eric knew he had just got on his nerves. "I don’t know why you’re scared, but I already know what I'm going to do. And if I'm going to tell her the truth, then you shouldn’t be bothered about it.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAtNbRBqzLwp
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"I believe you. You’ve a nice lunch.” Eric cut the call.176Please respect copyright.PENANAH9cBl631y1
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"What did he say?” Angel quickly asked.176Please respect copyright.PENANA5yhZnYe6Fx
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"That he’s got everything under control,” he answered. "I believe him. If he really is going to tell her the truth, I don’t think he’ll tell her he’s actually in love with Carly. If he does, then Kim will tell aunt, and she’ll be furious.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAKY2xrHm9Ig
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Angel cleared her throat before she said, "not only that. Once she finds out, she’ll realise that before Carly and I moved in, we had all known each other and have been pretending this whole time. And they might end up finding the truth about how Leo and Carly met.”176Please respect copyright.PENANApxQHG8ilID
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The two looked at each other in silence, again. They both shook their heads as they picked up their menus.176Please respect copyright.PENANAhg3W5GqO4w
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"Leo has this under control,” Eric assured her. "We’ve nothing to worry about.”176Please respect copyright.PENANAwTNZJkPTRP
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"Ya, you’re right,” said Angel as she looked at the menu, holding it tight. She really hoped that Eric is right.
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I'm In Love With Your Sister
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I'm In Love With Your Sister
Author:
Namwezi
ISSUE #38
Chapter 36
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