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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIypbCrUbb2
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eTATYzMe7
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASliq55lNo
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcJm6aUZmv
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hEZcvF4cu
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbPPxQ4g04
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"Yes, I did," said Red Lion, feeling rather proud of himself. "Slowly but surely, I’ll get what I want."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDFnx60Z62
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vuUtfovmt
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"I’ve calculated the risks. And trust me, I plan not to fail."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbWecYucRh
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"What of Walters? What are you going to do with him?"779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnpYV8psXb
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRFTVlVtZ0
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zKcakAUph
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"Yeah, I know. But I did tell Alex, though."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLFYajqtJ5
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kGSgx3QHm
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"You told him? Why?" Hugo asked.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7eY5wc69O
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDf0lOVi8L
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCxskl5uXE
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5j5dYtKge9
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"Really? Aren’t you forgetting that there are always minor setbacks?"779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYxMaq7Fxi
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94hsk3Hjhc
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"If I were you, I would act fast on him."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTSz8d61kr
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRTaBB2UKV
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"I trust you to make the right decisions, then."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TKuQk48oO
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrARmxZUZY
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfe4eWXyHc
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"Morning, how are you?"779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzPglMFfdh
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4wlCS42Hp
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7GlPdKrii
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"Yes?"779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOuyCZeOu1
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"Please come over to my office, Leo," said Mr. McDonell. And with that, the line cut.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiV8uUnAze2
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SY39B18Mt
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUJ2juq0ff
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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?779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7UiHAhbOY
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNntpawuR3
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"You’ve been summoned too?" Eric asked when Leo got close.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8R3yljrvst
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"Yeah," Leo answered. "And I have no idea why. Do you?"779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgheOOQgW0
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The corner of Eric’s lips were lifted into a smile. "I might have a guess," he said.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQATs51xqO9
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"Which is?" Leo folded his arms.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7O150s5dxW
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"You’ll know soon enough. Let’s go in. We don’t want to keep him waiting."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rg9y5fWe1
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1ASRjvdqg
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnfLMXDzLl
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"Morning, Mrs. Lance," Eric greeted.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoqcWsqegs
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"Morning to you too," Mrs. Lance replied. "Hey, Leo. Are you good?"779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjT8w8fq8H
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"I’m good, thanks," Leo replied.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGHTKDKmvf
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1m7v1F9hi
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOu524owB2
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"That will be great," said Eric.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgjpUSy8h2
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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?779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFX8ng9caDt
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"When will the meeting be?" Angel asked.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpa3hbOeQoN
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"This week on a Friday," said Mr. McDonell. "Eric, Leo, how far with the preparations?"779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3HXkgxUli
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJW8INDLho
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6QFt3TOwR
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0dcZAF2P8
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw53n7BDxCc
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ5wxzryl1
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6RvrRNqrU
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"Alright, we will leave in the afternoon soon after lunch," said Eric.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPbZIGkDJs
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"Sounds good," said Mrs. Lance. "Will that be all?" she asked as she turned to Mr. McDonell.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7LdW64ru2
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"Yes," said Mr. McDonell. "Thank you all for coming."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfE4B6m8Dp
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8850HwV4hk
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiWYeXklwA
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"I know you only mean Angel," said Leo, feeling irritated.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrpj8UmNtl
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"Well, you know me so well." Eric beamed with a smile that Leo felt blinded his eyes.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOtdSdvARU
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"Whatever, this is getting annoying. Why did my father pick Angel when anyone else would’ve helped out?"779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFV81doJWG
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"To gain experience I think. Besides, it’s great to take on assignments outside the office."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3PNZsN6Df
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"Yeah, I guess. Hey, did you happen to know about this?"779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5swIizkwzX
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Eric smiled as he answered, "no." Leo sucked his teeth.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxo5vHwEje
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfDYHcYa0S
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"Morning," he greeted.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2cpnbQ4b2
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"Good morning, Derrick," Angel greeted.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WzdhebI5h
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneoN6CxGOF
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DTxJoiHLq
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"Well, you are close to the McDonells, aren’t you? I thought you might have the privilege."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNq1nXIkvW
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbZT8cCvHU
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUi5YfsIPNg
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVTeNUHcW2
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2EWCb4wt9
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"What could they be talking about?" Eric asked, his eyes never leaving the two.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4EeYYmOQj
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"Who cares?" Leo replied as he tried his very best to look away, but couldn’t.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUeRSaMhxE
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"I hope he isn’t asking her out or anything. He will not like me."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtWJztYUOA
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaULfYSY21i
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Eric sucked his teeth. "You’re probably right. But she doesn’t seem interested in the guy."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOVu6f5vhE
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"So, are you busy this afternoon?" Derrick asked.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJUjkKADov
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD9NvPLboF
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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?"779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVU7D6YxLL
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Angel smiled. "When there will be time, I’ll keep you informed. I still haven’t forgotten about our lunch."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBrSDmcVtp
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqQpj1HHnD
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"Oh, my goodness, is the guy blushing?" Eric asked as he noticed Derrick’s body language.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvE6zRkuJpf
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"Hey, Eric, we better get going," Leo warned. "You don’t want to stir up trouble."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpH603CaDn
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTKYw2YrIh
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"Yeah, I haven’t forgotten," said Angel. "Just make sure that we have that lunch."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtZeJVatGc
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKj1jDJVmSy
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"Okay, see you later." Angel smiled and went on her way.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpt7gdi16Vz
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"Look, she is leaving," Eric whispered to Leo. Derrick was coming in their direction. "Quick, act natural."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1EmY0Higm
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"What? No, I won’t," said Leo.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BY617JqaK
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XZEymQVF8
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"This is ridiculous," said Leo, rolling his eyes. "We should never do this again."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi66DtizlvU
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Leo started his way down the hall, which Angel took, and Eric quickly followed him.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsD035qFfVu
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"Oh, I’m sorry," said Eric sarcastically. "But it’s not my fault that he was talking to Angel."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7O0lWQDVX
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"Please, you never see me acting like that with Carly," said Leo, making sure to keep his voice down.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dQRaBnRBV
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"That’s because you don’t visit her college. Trust me, she probably talks to many guys."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAgnvcq0TI
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"But she loves me, though. So I’m not worried."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB4Zjl9f4r
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"Well, your relationship with her is already set in stone. I have to fight to get what I want."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhMpBANb8Y
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"Hard luck, pal. There are a lot of men, as you see, who want her hand."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXjR9FBFwM
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"Tell me about it. I've got to stand above everyone else if it comes down to it."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrBeehdiLW
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"You think too much. If Angel is smart, she’ll definitely go for you."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbSSYpa7zR
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"Angel is smart. I just haven’t told her how I deeply feel yet."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lNWzFR60U
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqo4At1JaZ
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"Oh, I will. And something tells me she knows."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg82i4nfB4
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"How? Did she say something to you?"779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxbQhftaSw
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"No. I have a hunch," said Eric with a smile on his face.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAq6ZAEVSOC
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZGoye76GD
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk30iD4xvZU
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***779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvhzrJJQXs
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"Well, you’re up early, boss. Did you get any sleep at all?"779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQj0ddLWobX
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3EMWAs0oY
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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.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIdxojoUeB
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"No, I couldn’t sleep," answered Andre. "That party last night was a blast."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfRtfEVfyT
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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?"779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKD2ZTPWJh8
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GT1kzWrL3
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"Is it because of that woman you met last night?"779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwBJkj5bSf
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Andre chuckled as he took a sip of his whisky. "Maybe."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuOrFlq38B
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0hwQkBi8r
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"And what are you going to do about it?"779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22948v9CTY
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnm62wzlxH3
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rf7QM6KD0
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"Which led to some committing suicide." Diego, in return, raised an eyebrow.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hM77UNK1M
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"Whatever." Andre went over to sit at the foot of his bed. "This girl feels different, though."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzQpLHCwHZ
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"Isn’t that what you say about every other girl?"779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW1V7f05iO
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"No, I don’t. Don’t try and confuse me, Diego."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT1ipLe2oi
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjnOuu4S01
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"That’s the whole idea," said Andre with a wicked smile as he took a sip of his whisky.779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB63gbzm2Jb
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"Ha, ha, very funny," said Diego, not looking impressed. "When do you plan on going back?"779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSIYmF4N80
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4VGFm5IYv
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"But you do have her number, right?"779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhP2N0EJf0l
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUAqxEdOzw
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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."779Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjRF2lw6Rr
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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.1234 copyright protection775ＰＥＮＡＮＡlF2TjrJ1tB 尼

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