The rays of the sun crept its way through the large glass doors of the ship, lighting up the room. There was confetti and paper cups all around, not to mention empty beer and wine bottles that littered the floor. An unlikely object sat in the middle of the messy dance floor: a wooden chair. Someone sat on it as he bathed in the sun's rays. He leaned back lazily as he took in the view of the sun rising to the east above the waters of the New York harbour. He had been busy the whole night and felt like he needed sleep. But the exciting feeling of everything going according to plan rushed through his bloodstream like adrenaline, keeping him awake.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrkqs6qVjf
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He had his phone in hand, which lay flat on his outstretched left leg. He lifted the phone, but had still not received any reply from the person he had just texted. No bother; she must be tired like I am, Red Lion thought to himself.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKB31Xfiz7
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As he continued to look on at the glittering blue waters, he heard a set of footsteps coming behind him, and he could tell who was approaching.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsPKcTJl2K
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Carlos began to sing in Spanish, a common Mexican song, snapping his fingers. Red Lion recognized the song. He would’ve told Carlos any other day to shut his mouth, but there’s something about it that soothed him a little. Carlos might not have a good singing voice, but his voice was like honey to Red Lion’s ears.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgL3TTXVhSP
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When Carlos and Hugo came close, Carlos took hold of Red Lion’s shoulders and shook him in an excited way, forcing Red Lion to dance side to side on his chair. The gesture made Red Lion smile. Soon enough, he tapped Carlos’ hand on his shoulder informing him to stop. Carlos did as instructed and approached the glass doors leading to the deck, still singing. Hugo remained by Red Lion’s side, shaking his head at his jolly comrade.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGpeYUr9UQ
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"You threw quite a party last night," said Hugo, who’s deep voice was a bit groggy after drinking too much. It’s still a wonder to many, especially Red Lion, how he didn’t get so drunk and have a hangover the next day.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfT5YWsyZ7h
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"Yes, I did," said Red Lion, feeling rather proud of himself. "Slowly but surely, I’ll get what I want."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIwOe49i9M
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"No doubt about it. But you've got to be careful, though. If Andre catches a whiff of what’s going on, it will be dreadful."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdofrlnlOza
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"I’ve calculated the risks. And trust me, I plan not to fail."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrbtiTn9Yo
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"What of Walters? What are you going to do with him?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKqtKubqrs
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"I’ll forgive him for his little stunt last night. But when coming to other things, I’m starting to wonder whether to involve him or not."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPRG1lG3R2
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Hugo raised an eyebrow as he looked down at Red Lion. "You do know he’s already fishy about you since you didn’t tell him the full details of your plan."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIofAN6FaFO
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"Yeah, I know. But I did tell Alex, though."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGzWsPaSOC
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With the continuous singing of Carlos on the deck, Hugo paid him less attention as his facial expression turned into a grave one.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafa9TSbaoa
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"You told him? Why?" Hugo asked.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJ7dpXvfWc
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"Alex is useful," Red Lion answered as he looked up at Hugo with a smile. "And I happen to like him. He is a real hard worker, as he has proved in the last couple of days."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWV56eslEM
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"Don’t tell me you plan to involve him all the way? Walters isn’t going to like it. You know how he opposed you bringing Carly on board."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ40v81v8dD
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"I know. But look at what the two have done so far. With those two following along with my plans, I don’t see it going wrong."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzAKa0cHgP
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"Really? Aren’t you forgetting that there are always minor setbacks?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpoQvgv5Ee
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"For example, Walters, yes. But I know how to handle him. Don’t worry," Red Lion noticed the look Hugo gave him. "He’s as stubborn as an ox, and he doesn’t trust me in some areas."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNulMX96E9N
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"If I were you, I would act fast on him."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk5tkOvHEn
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Red Lion gave a nod. "True. But he’s very vital to me, especially with dealings at the club. He won’t be easy to get rid of just yet."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhISFKbPNy
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"I trust you to make the right decisions, then."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe28RJZCBV5
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Red Lion laughed, his laugh echoing alongside Carlos' singing. "Have I ever made the wrong one that would put us all at risk?" He stood up from his seat and patted his hand on Hugo’s shoulder. "With me, Hugo, our organization will be an unstoppable force. I can promise you that."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3QvAYZPoD
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Red Lion turned to Carlos, singing with his arms wide on the deck. Red Lion joined in the singing and went over to his comrade on the deck. Hugo shook his head with a smile on his face and followed Red Lion. When Red Lion went onto the deck, Carlos turned to look at him and, with an outstretched arm, wrapped it around Red Lion's shoulders. The two continued to sing, while facing the sun, about the glorious days ahead.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzDqbX5ftj
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***452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIWwXqEe4d
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"Morning, how are you?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqyu2k54N4
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It’s been almost an hour since Leo sent Carly that text message, which she still hasn’t responded to. He had been staring down at the message for almost two minutes until he told himself to put the phone down and get to work. He did so with almost great difficulty, telling himself that Carly was probably tired and still fast asleep.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLtSuoUJhO
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When he put his phone aside, he went to look at his computer. There were a bunch of emails, some of them from his colleagues which contained reports on their latest construction projects in New York that he needed to go through. That almost made Leo’s brain want to burst into flames. He knew it was only early working hours, but he already felt like he had worked for too long. There was no need to put himself under unnecessary pressure, as he opened up to read one email that didn’t involve any of the construction reports. As soon as he settled his mind to read, his landline on his desk started to ring. He quickly grabbed the receiver, drawing it closer to his ear.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sDlcbvqYV
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"Yes?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKIE3L6kD1
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"Please come over to my office, Leo," said Mr. McDonell. And with that, the line cut.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpsXsM07np
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Leo wondered what his summoning could be all about. He sounded a little serious. Could something have happened? The only way to find out is if he goes there.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfsFN2lihW
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He left the office, telling his secretary where he would be in case anyone called. As he made his way to his father’s office, he couldn’t help but feel a little anxious. He had to tell himself not to think too much or else he might end up having a heart attack.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8W0kZZUkS
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Just as he had clear view of the door leading to his father’s office, he found Eric making his way there. Leo raised an eyebrow. Eric has also been summoned?452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUo4UD6SAC
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As though sensing that Leo was behind him, Eric turned to look in Leo’s direction and smiled. Leo wished he could have Eric’s optimism at this point in time. Because he had none.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfN6NQp0Nz
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"You’ve been summoned too?" Eric asked when Leo got close.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZb3HMv27h
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"Yeah," Leo answered. "And I have no idea why. Do you?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkxV7vjaY0
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The corner of Eric’s lips were lifted into a smile. "I might have a guess," he said.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXGi6ChKVV
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"Which is?" Leo folded his arms.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiEwKjeAH2
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"You’ll know soon enough. Let’s go in. We don’t want to keep him waiting."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZBvnVmtTS
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Leo watched Eric as he led the way to the door, greeting Mr. McDonell’s secretary. Leo gave her a nod and she smiled at him kindly. Eric knocked on the door and Mr. McDonell from inside told them to come in.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88Usc9m1K5
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The first thing Leo’s eyes fell upon when Eric opened the door, were the two chairs that faced his father’s desk which were occupied. Mrs. Lance sat on one chair while Angel sat on the other. Upon seeing Angel, he couldn’t help but worry why she was there.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOUlDFAce8
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"Morning, Mrs. Lance," Eric greeted.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuGv9YVtTz
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"Morning to you too," Mrs. Lance replied. "Hey, Leo. Are you good?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R1kz6P1Ka
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"I’m good, thanks," Leo replied.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnXv4wSRS1
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"So, let’s cut to the chase," said Mr. McDonell who sat behind his desk. Leo and Eric sat down on the comfortable black sofas behind the two ladies. "As you all know we have an important meeting with the Chinese. We know that Leo and Eric have been making preparations, but I would like Mrs. Lance and Angel to be on board."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiskL3z6OY
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Leo felt his throat run dry so suddenly. Angel will help with the preparations? His father really didn’t mean to include more people. He and Eric have done this together several times. Including people now felt so foreign to Leo.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvVkF47lzf
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"That will be great," said Eric.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXPN1cRREE
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Leo felt like giving Eric a poke with his elbow to tell him to keep quiet. But there was no hiding his enthusiasm and that irritated him the most, especially since he knew his cousin is only excited because Angel is in the fray. No wonder he was so excited before, Leo thought to himself. Did Eric know about this?452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4y9jidN3UI
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"When will the meeting be?" Angel asked.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBZ3JJVwuM
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"This week on a Friday," said Mr. McDonell. "Eric, Leo, how far with the preparations?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYl67JptKT
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"There is a slight issue with the venue though," Eric answered. "We had many options, but we hadn’t decided on the place most suitable."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwayzSbL64
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"Well, then it’s a good thing I asked these women to join us," said Mr. McDonell. "They might help since we don’t have enough time on our hands."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcF3rfkJNM
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Leo raised an eyebrow. It’s true that Eric, and he had struggled a little on this last assignment, but there was a hotel that was ready to help host their meeting, and they were meant to visit the place this afternoon. Now he had a feeling he might be heading over there with Angel tagging along.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4miA1HWw9
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"We have a place in mind," Leo found himself saying. "So there is no need for the ladies to be bothered about this."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHmdhWdgAn
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"Look at you being so macho," said Mrs. Lance, turning to look at Leo. "You need a woman’s touch when it comes to such things. Your mother might have been helping you out sometimes, but she isn’t here to do so. So don’t be so egoistic and let us help."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vYYgqjZR0
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"I couldn’t have put it in any other way," said Mr. McDonell, looking satisfied. "Let’s get this done quickly. Eric, Leo, you will tag Mrs. Lance and Angel along with you today."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiXJfCwFST
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"Alright, we will leave in the afternoon soon after lunch," said Eric.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSV7M9BXNA
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"Sounds good," said Mrs. Lance. "Will that be all?" she asked as she turned to Mr. McDonell.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cYQ22R4PF
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"Yes," said Mr. McDonell. "Thank you all for coming."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UZ94tR6lG
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Everyone else all stood up from their seats. The two ladies made their way to the door first, but Eric was quick enough to reach it before them to open it. Mrs. Lance thanked Eric for being such a gentleman and Angel also thanked him. Eric and Leo were the last to leave.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwxzbo11eC
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"Isn’t this exciting?" Eric asked when they were out of earshot from Angel and Mrs. Lance. "Those two ladies get to help us out."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1df88BcQzE
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"I know you only mean Angel," said Leo, feeling irritated.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApT42hRHpV
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"Well, you know me so well." Eric beamed with a smile that Leo felt blinded his eyes.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp2LiOBrPy
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"Whatever, this is getting annoying. Why did my father pick Angel when anyone else would’ve helped out?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmG9OVHtRtC
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"To gain experience I think. Besides, it’s great to take on assignments outside the office."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0GrOXrItI
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"Yeah, I guess. Hey, did you happen to know about this?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfk2aqHzM3Z
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Eric smiled as he answered, "no." Leo sucked his teeth.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYQE4X3hnZ
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Ahead of them, Mrs. Lance took a detour to her office, while Angel was making her to the work area when she met Derrick coming in her direction.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLbXf8cKKj
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"Morning," he greeted.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUoPLmjg4W
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"Good morning, Derrick," Angel greeted.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZKCf7900K
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"I didn’t see you at your desk when I passed by. I thought you weren’t going to be in today."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVI3G9fEFs
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Angel chuckled. "It’s my second day here. I don’t think I have the right to be dodging work when I feel like it."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWHVqqiwos
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"Well, you are close to the McDonells, aren’t you? I thought you might have the privilege."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwpi43jZT8
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Angel raised her eyebrows. "I’m just here because I have the qualifications to take on the job. I’m not here for fun."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChYTDOx4Ts
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Derrick knew he almost struck a nerve there. But for some reason, Angel didn’t seem to lash out like he had expected, and she seemed calm.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXedFYLkqU1
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"Sorry about that," he apologized. "You’re right. I can tell that you’re only here for work and not to impress anyone."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5BsJD9ZKn
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Leo and Eric continued to stand from a distance. They had noticed Derrick from the beginning and had stood to watch the pair as they spoke. And for some reason, they both felt really uncomfortable.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFncfpJ3SaS
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"What could they be talking about?" Eric asked, his eyes never leaving the two.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGG5JJkfiyw
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"Who cares?" Leo replied as he tried his very best to look away, but couldn’t.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJepeRKpIT
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"I hope he isn’t asking her out or anything. He will not like me."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRxsSVPgtK
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"If you hadn’t noticed, Eric, Angel still has many eyes on her. I won’t be surprised if she has a long line of suitors."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDN5sUJtBB
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Eric sucked his teeth. "You’re probably right. But she doesn’t seem interested in the guy."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5MwkSf7sG
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"So, are you busy this afternoon?" Derrick asked.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJEycRVQlo
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"Yeah, I am," said Angel as she took a strand of her by her fingers and twirled them. "I’ve been given an assignment by the boss, and I need to be somewhere away from the office."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIm2vODdiSl
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"Oh, I see. I was thinking, since a lot of us aren’t so busy, maybe you would like to hang out?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQSCySm4FZ
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Angel smiled. "When there will be time, I’ll keep you informed. I still haven’t forgotten about our lunch."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoZPpIUK5F
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"Oh, really?" Derrick asked as he nervously blushed, scratching the back of his head. He found himself wanting to hit himself in the face. You should stop acting so weird, he told himself.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wtyJU0bUd
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"Oh, my goodness, is the guy blushing?" Eric asked as he noticed Derrick’s body language.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1Pg14LKG0
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"Hey, Eric, we better get going," Leo warned. "You don’t want to stir up trouble."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzL1JSc55s2
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It surprised Leo that he had suddenly said that. His cousin was obviously jealous, but who knows? Maybe the two were having a friendly chat, and Eric was thinking otherwise when he didn’t even know what they were talking about. Why did he think like that again? It’s not like Leo to think of other alternatives, especially to the situation at hand. But that’s not what worried him. Leo had never seen Eric so worked up. There are times when he might be joking around, but this time it was different. Angel was the problem.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjswb1mWptf
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"Yeah, I haven’t forgotten," said Angel. "Just make sure that we have that lunch."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyXzcEaCdw
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"Alright," said Derrick with a pleased look on his face. "I better not be holding you back from your work. I’ll be going now."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVsJ72Q13w
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"Okay, see you later." Angel smiled and went on her way.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡle3tQm0KVV
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"Look, she is leaving," Eric whispered to Leo. Derrick was coming in their direction. "Quick, act natural."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwTrbV4Coo
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"What? No, I won’t," said Leo.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqAcSeQBnH
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It was a little too late for that, as Derrick drew close, and the two quickly got into some conversation involving sports. Derrick paid them no attention as he quickly passed them to head down the hall which Mrs. Lance had taken as that was where the architecture department was. When he was out of sight, Leo and Eric drew out a sigh of relief.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVVwWyFtoj
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"This is ridiculous," said Leo, rolling his eyes. "We should never do this again."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugharPfmZ9
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Leo started his way down the hall, which Angel took, and Eric quickly followed him.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79a48okiLg
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"Oh, I’m sorry," said Eric sarcastically. "But it’s not my fault that he was talking to Angel."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMq2hsTwnI
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"Please, you never see me acting like that with Carly," said Leo, making sure to keep his voice down.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvEJTouJnp
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"That’s because you don’t visit her college. Trust me, she probably talks to many guys."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRfIoQJ6Z6
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"But she loves me, though. So I’m not worried."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUWEukRSYA
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"Well, your relationship with her is already set in stone. I have to fight to get what I want."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbPgVojSnr
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"Hard luck, pal. There are a lot of men, as you see, who want her hand."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVCizR9147
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"Tell me about it. I've got to stand above everyone else if it comes down to it."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1naPG8nGCz
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"You think too much. If Angel is smart, she’ll definitely go for you."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLR4hv5vZrd
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"Angel is smart. I just haven’t told her how I deeply feel yet."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ138MSjGpL5
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Leo stopped walking, and Eric did the same. "The sooner you tell her, the better. I don’t want to clean after you when you see her with someone else."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVQzlaqI6c
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"Oh, I will. And something tells me she knows."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUtcthP5R9
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"How? Did she say something to you?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpMqgmNMtI
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"No. I have a hunch," said Eric with a smile on his face.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqjHHw3p6P
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Eric had reached his office, and he made sure to give Leo a playful wave of his hand before disappearing behind his door. Leo rolled his eyes. His cousin was very much in love. And for some reason, he didn’t approve that it had to be Angel he fell for.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhGHdgVp9S
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Leo continued his way to his office when he noticed Angel, who had finally approached her work station, talking to a colleague who was holding a stack of folders. They were talking and laughing too. She seems to have settled into the company already, he thought to himself. He rolled his eyes. Before he could continue on his way, memories of last night came flooding into his mind. That made him rush to his office so that he wouldn’t get a chance to look at her.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9opWu0CUWi
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***452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYErw36rI6E
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"Well, you’re up early, boss. Did you get any sleep at all?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvt9HZohzYy
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Andre was looking out of the balcony wearing a red silk bathrobe with a cigar in one hand and a glass of whisky in the other. He turned around to see his trusted comrade stand in the middle of his suite. In stature, he was much bigger than Andre, and he wore a black jacket and trousers. Not to mention that he had a bald head.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx4CNQ9Tz0
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Andre walked back into the room in white hotel bed slippers. He drew in the smoke of his cigar and later exhaled.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe72sDDYtAr
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"No, I couldn’t sleep," answered Andre. "That party last night was a blast."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj0DPCAp2k
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His comrade looked at Andre with a smile before turning to look at the bed. "Didn't you sleep with anyone last night?" he asked. "What happened to the Rosales sisters?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFPnLKXrrP
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"It wasn’t necessary," said Andre. "I told them that I wouldn’t be needing them for a while. I needed to be alone."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9471owxyL
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"Is it because of that woman you met last night?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFIFtQUYDV
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Andre chuckled as he took a sip of his whisky. "Maybe."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynP1J02xgC
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"You can’t hide from me, Andre. That look on your face says that you’ve been thinking about her since we left the party."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5tQGeAXie
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"And what are you going to do about it?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJCBD5MK8N
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His comrade sighs. "Nothing. You somehow always manage to get what you want. But take it slow if you ever decide to meet her again. Your past relationships haven’t been so rosy, and some of your exes always find themselves buried six feet under."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaZawJEKVK
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"Wow, Diego." Andre raised an eyebrow. "I’m not that cruel, am I? All I did was make their lives miserable because some of them either betrayed me or something."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4upOKI99C9
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"Which led to some committing suicide." Diego, in return, raised an eyebrow.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3Qn5Ng3B2
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"Whatever." Andre went over to sit at the foot of his bed. "This girl feels different, though."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWRrPbqjy8
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"Isn’t that what you say about every other girl?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9QoffKnae
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"No, I don’t. Don’t try and confuse me, Diego."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ6PYFg30t
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Diego smiled. "Just testing your sharpness. You should really stop drinking whisky and smoking so early before having breakfast. If your mother saw you, she would kill me."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmZvDsEjHm
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"That’s the whole idea," said Andre with a wicked smile as he took a sip of his whisky.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4X3SAEyoY
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"Ha, ha, very funny," said Diego, not looking impressed. "When do you plan on going back?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0AE6ZGjcX
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"Today," Andre answered. "I would’ve liked to see Loren again, but I have a feeling Red Lion will be a little protective of her. Like you said, it’s best to keep things slow for now."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMa8BozYby
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"But you do have her number, right?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvuX5QHeYp
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"Yes, I do. But in a few days after the business in Mexico is done, I will be back here in New York, just for her."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgC3ozKzAbb
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"Acting like a true romantic, I can only imagine how you’re going to spoil her. I’m going to make a call to the others about our departure. We’ll leave whenever you’re ready."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjqKThJTuB
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Diego made his way out of the room, and as he closed the door behind him, Andre quickly gulped down the whisky and tossed the empty glass on the bed. He leaned back and fell onto the bed. He put the cigar in his mouth and puffed up the smoke through his nose and mouth. As he stared at the cloud of smoke above him, he thought he saw an image of Loren’s face smiling down at him.8964 copyright protection448ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJI2tuOjt8 維尼

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