x

Mrs. Chamberlin felt someone gently shake her. She moaned a little as she opened her eyes. The buzzing fluorescent light blinded her for a bit until she realized that there was someone standing next to her. Her eyes opened widely now. It was her son, Eugene.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZmiFZSd18
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfDATJYxqr
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSk9I1hb7J
"Hey, mum, are you alright?" he asked. "Sorry for waking you."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTmJxUWlKT
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjlsZXpMB3
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy763gF8zpm
Mrs. Chamberlin sat upright; the big, heavy coat she had used as a blanket fell to her waist. She rubbed her eyes, trying to remove the sleep in them. She looked over at her son, who stood there looking at her.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvl8Yst2jS
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjDBpZfJnA
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gW6pSCFQV
"I didn't expect to see you here," she said, as she put up a tired smile. "What time is it?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GQNtWYBDB
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWtbvEoeML
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmocyS10mzz
"It's five in the morning," said Eugene as he went over to sit on the chair she had been sleeping on in the waiting room.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClz7DOWkJx
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3A90T7sHb
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEEqrbgGn6
"And what about your brother? Aren't you going to see him off to school?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtZ1RuzfXo
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuagZRAieK
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOmWQVUno6
"I will. I came to check up on you first."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkegDjGYF6x
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkt2W9y0pTR
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o6XHMuQHu
"I thought you were going to ask how your father was doing."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmWLaDEhTZ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BYkGPPmVr
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrfXnltFdU
Eugene didn't know how to respond to that as he looked up at the ceiling and then back at his mother in silence.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vQodLlDwI
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6wyi8cbMk
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWBXx88q0u
Mrs. Chamberlin sighed. She wasn't going to force her son to do so, even though she knew Eugene cared a lot more than he thought.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxYFSCJNtA
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKFskyYTpk
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLQGdh41mJ
"He's stable now," she said. "They managed to pull the bullet out. But he lost a lot of blood. The doctor said it would take time for him to recover." 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2128HuEqHC
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxdmzrj4KZ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjNqutsdJG
"Did you go in to see him?" Eugene asked. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV4cdLK5LZ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcgbeNvhvv
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN1x9AA8Dj
"I did. But he lay there unconscious. I'm hoping he wakes up soon."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd22wciWFg
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNxq3ibGyd
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIPHSWf5O3
"When he wakes up, you know he'll have to face the police, right? In fact, what did they ask you when they came last night?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN9Akb5iqq
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPFbuqxoyC
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDi9LfCrKm
Mrs. Chamberlin muttered to herself as she put both her feet down from the chair, trying to make herself comfortable. Eugene wondered if she would stall so as not to answer his question.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fUxx7lFWX
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaMqTHvQCv
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnEO3HRWeC
"They asked if I knew about his whereabouts before he got shot," she answered. "If he had told me who had shot him, I would have told them, but I didn't know anything. He just showed up on my doorstep, and I had no choice but to call the hospital."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR21W0DhO16
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgP6qeEiqgM
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvv2CS0TkP
"Do they think he was involved in some shady deal?" Eugene asked. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11drJJ7m0x
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ2Xh4ngb5
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhokMvZPWAN
"They do." Mrs. Chamberlin sighed, shaking her head. "I wonder what he got himself into."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpj9PAlu11O
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zvjkO6iqj
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DlaGlhH9e
"Something dangerous, that's for sure. Maybe this time when the police investigate, they'll find out the truth about whatever he's been keeping from us for so long."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iZa7WL9fC
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCFGSuFvaB
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcTRrx0F92
"You already know that he is involved with dangerous people. Do you really want to dig deeper and find out who he is working for?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshhr2IrVtl
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gCpDfXDXP
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCXp5gjzyQ
Eugene continued to look at his mother, and he had a feeling she wasn't going to like what he was going to say. He averted his eyes to the ceiling and stayed silent.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQpMjTXoju
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUpHcWQeAh
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdgA7sPwpB
Mrs. Chamberlin looked on at her son. After what seemed to be a long while, she slowly stood up from her seat. She needed to stretch her legs. Likewise, she also raised her hands in the air to stretch her entire body.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qel01Dli7
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixCCxv0ABn
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8WswSARyi
Eugene now looked at his mother and asked, "Won't you be going back home to freshen up?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8WtyqVahn
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDbcPacQWs
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrj9eqkQjAc
"I will," she answered after dropping her arms. "I'll do so when your father wakes up."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHHsqXh4B6
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYNDb3kZSP
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBPstHG4gN
Her answer made Eugene scoff. "He was at your doorstep when he came asking for help," he said. "You don't have to show that you've been with him this whole time. A big part of me knows he will figure that out when he wakes up."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l1FPf3sBs
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMI40O6MZ9
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunWzEUJhjv
"So, how is your brother doing?" Mrs. Chamberlin asked, ignoring Eugene's statement. "It must have been confusing for him when you told him he couldn't enter his own home."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHE4WAFwNX4
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgX6AiEeHH
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUNHFhRXVx
"He won't take it lightly after he hears this news at school. I wanted to tell him, but when I got back to Mrs. York's, I found that he was already asleep."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QzQPbyz3i
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwa3StJ7xI
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkv2WRI2Swy
"The disadvantage of living in such a town is that news travels so fast. I strongly advise that you tell him when you go and get him ready for school."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCquaHQKnvT
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSYv9UO44p
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5EW95KAMG
"That will affect him, mum. He won't be able to go if it comes to it."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKknIT6iV4h
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBmlH8IgT0
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZXXyhQcV3
"That decision will be up to him. If he doesn't go, the better. Make sure to call the school if it comes to it."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1ePU4sBBZ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDclDf3PyVR
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrGak4t43e
Eugene gave a nod of the head. "Will do."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPI3ATmDBO
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9j220fQhG
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWc5hXsY2X
Mrs. Chamberlin looked down at her son and came up to him. She bent over a little and held his chin to lift his face and look straight into his eyes.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkInuyFV2Wj
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DxDrVKrCB
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UlTlbOuDi
"Did you get any sleep?" she asked. "You look like you've been up all night."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXBebxbMzt
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHVdLNyfRt
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdexjKkLlNX
"Yeah, I didn't," said Eugene as he put up a tired smile. "Not that I was worried about him. I'm more worried about you."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRRyfIxica
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnlzS5wfbi
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsciBy5ppF
"I'll be okay. Your father needs to recover first."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB3YAGSSvI
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnqK79ev7l
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4y1h4sn5G
"If he does, will you consider leaving him for good?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZXd3EcTc8
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvjeodXUd9
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvm4yW4L4t
Mrs. Chamberlin let go of his chin as she stood upright. She didn't expect him to start talking about this subject at such a critical time.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YM6lIhll0
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZKjeKiWU5
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJOIYveArN
"You should go and check up on your brother," she answered as she slowly turned away. "He will need you around when he wakes up."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6asIyBmDV
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKdh7uclF5
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cbLiIqIPb
Eugene continued to look up at his mother and, likewise, stood up from his seat. "I know you don't like to talk about this, but for once, think about Albert and me. What if that man brings danger to our own doorstep one day?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJFe0QKoaX
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrn77nJC5d7
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOy3yhDZKSI
"He can never do that. He promised me that whatever he's involved in will never affect us."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XSRw3Jkol
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoaPAg5yZU
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLKRn5PoI5
"I'm sorry, mum. But him coming to our doorstep with a gunshot wound is proof that he already did. When are you going to wake up and realize that?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxb13odauPu
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUwtEor0AE
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSg4J9B5z9
His mother still didn't look at Eugene. And he took it as his cue to leave. Before he could turn around and head for the door behind him, he turned back to her to say:395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUffxle0Hsk
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdMJCRH7SM
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZdhNCzQGR
"Mrs. York will be coming over to bring you breakfast. And she thinks it will be a good time for the two of you to switch so that you can go to the house to rest."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnJQJP0dSs
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwczsbxCC3A
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxxsSBMe8b
Mrs. Chamberlin turned to Eugene. "And what if he wakes up and finds that I'm not here? I need to be here when he does."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMvsy1EISv
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWMfu1PxsG
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9DqQerpq6
"Seriously, mum, I don't know if you care about yourself at all."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAVt23v4el
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xAuFbntlO
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqN58qTyrC
Mrs. Chamberlin couldn't help but swallow. She noticed the look in his eyes. It might be him being tired from being up all night, but there is a sense of darkness in them that she has never seen before. She wondered where it came from. Could it be after having a talk about his father? She couldn't tell, but seeing him like he is now made her realize that there's something different about him.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CJwYinE52
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiDZfJQGFT
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69nbAzxCWN
He said his goodbye, and without a second glance, turned and walked away, not realizing that he left a cold trail in his wake. Mrs. Chamberlin, at that point in time, didn't know if this was her son or some stranger.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVNYsr8wOW
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQOjam0Hwp
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8fx0DgGtd
Eugene had every right to be in the mood he was currently in. His mother still stuck to her marriage like a lifeline. He wished she would one day realize how much of a baggage his father was. Secondly, so many things happened last night that he didn't know what to think of his best friend anymore.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYF4J5gYD9
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Q1gUo47Ys
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6qnwsA2oa
After surprising Miguel with his presence last night, Eugene asked him where he was. Miguel lied to his face, saying he went out for some fresh air and didn't expect it to take so long. Eugene went on to ask him why he looked in such a mess, like he had just been beaten up in a fight. As usual, Miguel laughed it off and lied that he tripped and fell somewhere down the street. Eugene expected to be lied to, and he couldn't tell Miguel that he knew where he had been, for that might expose Miss Marie. So he pretended to buy the lie and told Miguel that he only passed by to have a chat. He left the place, saying that it was already late and he needed to be by Albert's side.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAO2NkuQBpI
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VUcGGXGsG
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK5s6wU91a
Eugene had already found himself outside the hospital's premises, heading for the bus stop. His body was in flight mode, moving on its own while he continued to get lost in his own mind.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhqnYFOADy
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDIO3HOq5W
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTN12ITZMF
As soon as he reached the bus stop, he sent a message to Mr. Sinclair, telling him that he would be coming to work a little late. For any ordinary person, they would've accepted a day off with a loved one in the hospital. But in his case, he needed a distraction. And the idea of staying in the hospital didn't sit well with him. Not when his father is the reason why his mother and brother are suffering.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69eLpRIXrn
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYeOa9sCBG
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluxYT9YAIh
A bus was coming from a distance, and Eugene felt his heart beat so fast as he realized that he was going back to wake his brother up and tell him the awful news. It was best he heard the news from him. Albert is emotional, so he needed to be there just in case he had a breakdown.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa34LFYDUyY
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT28TNXliZp
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHqM8SjdZG
As soon as the bus stopped right in front of him and the doors flew open, Eugene took deep breaths. He entered the bus feeling like he was going to a funeral. For whom, he wondered.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNBgE5WHY1
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ez4K3EkJC
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7pMhdRo5C
***395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZInTY5vfOB
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXzcY6OZzc
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4WvQSusAU
Rhénee turned in her bed, facing the window, this time around. She could tell the sun was now rising even when the curtain was drawn shut. She hadn't been able to sleep well the whole night as images of what happpened kept replaying in her mind, and she had just slept in intervals, only to be woken again by her dreams.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihsShcD22I
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jNv6u7td4
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0S1f0HaEj
She suddenly sat up and decided to take a walk around the house. Her body ached with tiredness, and she decided that a cup of coffee would do her good.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZokho6YgUV
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3kEy086aO
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqAmN7A8D8
After getting out of bed and wearing her purple bed slippers, she started to make her way out of the room when she heard her phone on the bedside table vibrate. She wondered who could be texting her this early in the morning. Perhaps her mother? Rhénee could only wonder what her mother would say if she were ever to tell her about the events of yesterday. She would drive here with her brother, Rhénee thought, and force her to go back home.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCSIjgUyT4
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCWGacvhll
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY1d4NRwHT
She went back to her bed to get her phone, and she found herself sitting back down on the bed. As she checked her phone, she found she had a message from Mr. Sinclair telling her to meet him at his office at 11:30 AM so that they could go and have lunch together. Rhénee raised an eyebrow. He was taking her somewhere more public. It didn't seem convenient, but it must be because he knows I won't overreact in a public place, she thought.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXh89acCYH
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9KyAh6hbG
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBgq09aQKe
She texted him back, saying that she would be there, and stood up from her bed, making sure to carry her phone with her.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8raBKfKfIO
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtepPsFxCJU
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuHKRStppT
After walking out of her room and closing the door behind her, the silence of the house greeted her. She stood in the hall for a while, taking it in. She thought if she moved or made a sound, it would disturb the calm of the place. But the sweet sounds of the birds singing outside her bedroom window did the trick, though not in a harmful way.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVJXr7ffGm
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIjirij0gG
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKDU0BcVaI
She walked down the hall, bypassing her late grandmother's room. Stopping to look at the door, she thought of going in. But the events of yesterday came to her mind in a flash, making her think twice. She realized that all that's been going on right now since she came here is because of her grandmother, which stirred up a lot of mixed feelings.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeDxl4LSPQ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjnow766xm
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfH15hFXVe
She scoffed and turned away, heading to the stairs and to the kitchen.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJAQDjciLc
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2ly60xKBh
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKW2XB2R5z
Upon entering the kitchen, she was greeted by the warm sun's rays that penetrated through the white kitchen curtain. The feeling was comforting, and it made Rhénee smile a little. She went on ahead to the coffee maker and started to bring out the coffee beans and sugar from the cupboard straight above her. Likewise, she made sure to pour some water into the coffee maker as well as putting in the coffee in the filter and switching on the appliance. She sat down on the kitchen stool near the island, waiting for the coffee to brew.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxc2WyR79l7
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITFusdaDBt
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXRUIXOTd9
Nevertheless, she decided to look through her phone, checking things out on social media. She found herself looking at a post by one of her friends, whom she hadn't talked to since she came here. Seeing this made her realize that she hadn't talked to any of her friends in what felt like forever, when she had only been here for a few days. With so much going on, time seems to have moved so fast when it barely has at all.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GtfNw0MjU
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzcr0c1qW5
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIkTvqdsCk
Her coffee was still brewing, so she left the social media page and decided to call the one friend who wouldn't mind being bothered so early in the morning.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTF3rUEDiR
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGYNi5xpCd
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwQGbm8OZ3
After finding their number in her contacts, she called it and put the phone to her ear. She heard the dialling tone and waited. It didn't take long before the person on the other end picked up.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK60E7TYOE
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtfETvtblj
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96gXSaFZV5
"Rhénee?" There was a sleepy male voice on the other end. "Hey, it's been a long time. How are you?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgqL5LXMxY
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD5MGwS5ST
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSnIfMClQS
"I'm good, thanks; how are you, Alex?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDLJsok98j
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjLb8RzSJg
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2EQNie41H
"Never better, now that you've called. I thought you forgot about me."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA36OliJG6j
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0460Hf46lI
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxOhZAEVHu
Rhénee looked up at the ceiling. "Yeah, I think I must have."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QNAjk6RAG
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87HB05DYO8
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjOhyhiwIK
"Don't tell me you've made a tonne of friends over there and that you forgot about me. Or did your late grandmother's fortune get to your head?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡih0vJhtWQQ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0CrRJKQIA
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Xy01Ai5gz
The last thing Rhénee needed was to talk about her grandmother, but she had to act like nothing was bothering her for the time being.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdtQhGjeX1
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByM1DloLXr
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fHf4MsSyc
"You're just as funny as usual," said Rhénee with a smile on her face. "I've just been busy."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjbQuaDXFw
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ466SsQOpXg
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGi2lXTTWf
"Yeah, a new house and a new life must be a lot of work."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QvTRJYjwl
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3Mwba4noC
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzI8UkYFew6
"You've no idea. But I'm getting by just fine. I know it's been forever since I last came here, but a number of people still recognize me. So I don't feel entirely alone."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNzIFoYKRV
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KeaMG51Bs
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzgQAUUese
"Please, it's impossible to forget a person like you. And you were adorable when you were younger, so there is that."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5czmJBWqUm
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy51aMuy8dk
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEU8t2uunL
"I wasn't adorable when I was younger."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHSaIsbouN
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCJAG5etyl
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnfgrWYG6x
"I've seen your baby pictures, Rhénee. You were just the cutest."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpQ1TamPEB
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBdmyNkGhZ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF26XeTw95y
"Who showed you my baby photos?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVIWJkYQXP
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iwnDI9PAj
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhxsd0mM8s
"Zoey, of course."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzyiuDTGku
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVHlLIColX
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iF8OAMyHc
The two continued to chat, even about the old times. To Rhénee, it felt good to have her mind off of things, even when she knew it wasn't going to last long. As she poured herself a cup of coffee, she laughed at Alex's jokes and what he had to say about other people, especially their close friends.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3z2xZagsJ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR41fV7ulr1
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCgU7EnZOC
"Goodness, I wish you were still with us, Rhénee," he said. "Everyone misses you here."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEf6wEi4We
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TVlZWWIb1
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6xObVj1Mo
"Yeah, I miss the place too," she said as she looked out of the window. "Don't worry though. When the holidays arrive, I'll make sure to be there. My mum will kill me if I don't."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJdhqRYrw6
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3Wp3Go3ap
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57vLvsOHZI
"Knowing your mother, I won't be surprised. How come she hasn't even thought of coming to get you back? I'll make sure to tag along if the thought ever crosses her mind."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkOx37goJA
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxKseOgrvR
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASgwiEfLO4
"Because I told her not to. I know she cares about me, but she never treats Ryan that way, and they stay in the same city."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5oJgAVBGG
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1uEp0I0b5
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb66h7drzRm
"Sorry, Rhénee, but you should know that you're her baby girl. Of course she would worry."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGqebRHhfS
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRgDUPJh3x
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QGs92IDqS
"I wonder when she will ever get over me. I can look after myself, for goodness sake."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfFJQnOF9X
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixwnsl1cmY
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyyPgtJpRJ
"She'll get over it when she feels like it. Give her a break."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ipbvtrj0y
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXgwiC9nTy
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKNGkHOvYy
Rhénee thought she heard footsteps in the other room. Miss Griselda must be awake.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnSwApwAYZ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRea9y5tVQI
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9yB7niEYg
"Anyway, I better get myself ready for the day. It was nice talking to you, Alex."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2PS6bZS5C
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxNlDDg2qA
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUpQK1lQDs
"You should call every day. It will be nice to hear your voice every morning."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKeTSbYwUS
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCkATZEioH
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIT7uKIBrB
Rhénee chuckled. "Why don't you get out of bed and go flirt with other girls?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgZlXGmq3S
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdKRAznbZp
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWk1qo1NAt
Alex, on the other end, laughed. "Oh, Rhénee, you're the only girl for me; don't you know that?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmrbBQtNDr
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8El7M5bXb
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoDqMQ7Np5
"Bye, Alex," said Rhénee, not ready for Alex's proposals, which he always made. This time she wasn't going to hear it. Even when she misses him for doing it.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28OFRU0sgi
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoY9yen0eO
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hmswFQmYm
After he said his goodbye, she cut the call and placed her phone on the table as she went to the sink to wash her cup. The door to the kitchen flew open, and Rhénee turned to see Miss Griselda walk in.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lJBVittRp
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjhCv1SnTH
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGwg1cz6oX
"Morning, Rhénee," Miss Griselda greeted her. "Did you have a good night's sleep?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ry01AfuGE
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzwIXnuOwr
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi76FT2ZKIC
"Not really," Rhénee answered. "I'm guessing that you didn't sleep well, either." She had finished washing her cup and had put it to dry on the plate rack.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIeO3GGb6n
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFqrL1EwVG
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDoELC6hks
"No. I barely slept a wink."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjs4X1Rjij
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdCpyWOb7k
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvyQTqOkK2
"There's still some hot coffee if you need it." Rhénee pointed to the coffee maker.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRB9aK2Ka6b
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGTC83EKG2
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUve5bgI4j
"I heard you talking to someone just now over the phone." Miss Griselda went over to the cupboards to get herself a cup. "Who was it?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzi0KP2jp3B
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJG4OSRVjfS
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrwt8WF7sI
"A friend of mine. I hadn't talked to him in what felt like forever."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8y9aEpxZ7
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnnIA3HnoS
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrafY6PIBcF
"That's nice. You sounded like you were having a nice chat." Miss Griselda took a cup and poured herself some coffee.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdKhl1biDv
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZT1cb5hYr
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiCMLn00wE
"I did. If only people like him knew what's really happening in my life right now. But the last thing I need is for him to get involved in something as dangerous as this."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmya2mGGMN4
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ14zhfd7qD
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIbJhEpSwg
"A wise and sensible decision." Miss Griselda took a sip of the coffee, and her eyes brightened up a bit. "This coffee tastes great."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCRPLivzPt
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHFnsA30Le
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡia1ghrmS7I
"I'm just fortunate. I didn't do anything to make it as nice as you make it." Rhénee chuckled.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDAlKMhzzU
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iMvjHJlfu
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmrbiwi4M0
"So what do you have planned for the day?" Miss Griselda asked as she sat on one of the stools. "I hope you haven't forgotten that you've to meet Mr. Sinclair."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTnf56crAL
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3DJhtNdFw
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsygoHBVugg
"No, I haven't," Rhénee replied as she walked away from the sink towards Miss Girselda. "He texted me this morning what time to meet and where."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0lb6ITGmf
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvXfTQT5w5
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgU3VsHSnsF
"Wherever you will be, don't try and give him a hard time, dear. You're quite stubborn, you know."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM2l77rVJ7
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGnFz6Cv4s
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7LQrcmeKm
"Oh, I think he already knows that. The message clearly states he'll be taking me out for lunch. So you don't have to worry."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6YJ6afXAf
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxXaNueWkV
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8nnIvEWFm
"Well, something tells me you'll still put him on edge with your questions."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek3oprJVmh
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡge3UZse68i
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYRxOQb3Uc
Rhénee raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? The way I see it, the man seems as cool as a cucumber. You saw how he was yesterday when we came back from the forest."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MCLPDoa5y
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKwITbVyV3
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MMC2ooDio
"I know. But just be careful of what you want to say to him, okay?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXverUOF60S
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZjVQN3W7X
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWD4MZF74jE
"As you wish." Rhénee didn't like the feeling of being defeated so easily, especially from Miss Griselda.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6ZAdRRsFg
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ebBKNjj6C
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06kBZ7hlpa
"I plan on making pancakes today. Would you want some? I figured that we had a tough day yesterday it would brighten our day at least."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0IWYDkCHn
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCY3xpGrpv
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh7ksOQiL0
That put up a smile on Rhénee's face. "That sounds great. Let me go freshen up first."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnVb1OO3rI
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLv5Vs8bH8
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeVJsJg0JG
Rhénee made her way to the door while Miss Griselda continued sipping on her coffee. Rhénee stopped for a bit as she wanted to turn around and ask Miss Griselda something concerning last night. But she stopped herself knowing fully well that Miss Griselda might not want to talk about it right now. She opened the kitchen door and walked out.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6qj684xte
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnGfrlsrFl
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUndSIxgGa
***395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8okya7x93E
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbE07zqjRgI
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IonjQ2cCi
Eugene walked out of the room he and his brother had slept in. He had just told the news of his father's accident to Albert, and as Eugene expected. He didn't take it so lightly, but mention that their father was now out of danger.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRmwEEdcvF
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYw1tzh3h4
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7tosdpRoz
Albert had also asked if that's the reason why they couldn't go back to the house. Eugene replied accordingly, stating that their father had come home badly injured. Albert understood, but there was no denying that that he was disturbed. Eugene suggested that Albert should not go to school until he felt like it. Albert thought so too and he told Eugene that he wanted to be left alone. Respecting his brother's wishes, Eugene left the room and headed down stairs where the smell of food from the kitchen was calling to him. Eugene now realized just how hungry he was.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YAhUPcPuH
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNZNIwwDG0
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzPwqKVyHQ
As he entered the kitchen, he found Mrs. York by the stove making scrambled eggs. He also noticed that there was toasted bread, a jug of juice and a pot of hot coffee on the kitchen table. Mrs. York turned to look at him as she heard him enter the kitchen with a smile.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡal5BPiPaeS
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrj8qHPqgq
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT59CVyFIFF
"Please, Eugene, sit," she told him.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAqfG4HNqS
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUOtyLlpCR
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqK1hgKyEz
Eugene did just that. "How is Mr. York this morning?" he asked.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcumN7Qrqwa
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQQPArGyOR
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzaU5vgiUt
"Oh, he's still fast asleep," she answered as she turned back to the eggs on the stove. "With the meds he is on, he sleeps like a rock. How did Albert take the news?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisDBHbIo90
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EUawIKom3
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dk2pn4xae
Eugene clenched his hand into a fist. "Not too well, I'm afraid. He looked like he was about throw up or something. He wanted to be left alone for a bit."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgjrJHJ7ES
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm7vDnfdOG
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnySr6PpSMu
"Will he be going to school?" Mrs. York removed the pan on the stove and put the eggs on a plate.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMo7hk39gq
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vTfU7RITD
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94odLU9gMW
"No. He won't be able to concentrate. Plus, people might be talking about it a lot."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFek8OPLwZ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BvIV1Qe7l
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiAAGHWnlr
Mrs. York approached the table with the plate and laid it in the table. "People will always talk, and you know that better than him."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cLW37WhV9
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPaAATh20l
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSVf0q6htA
She pulled a chair to take a seat. "And what about you?" she asked. "Are you going for work?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiB8kywWyjJ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYBwLt8uLR
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlteUT7YpWT
Eugene gave a nod of his head. "I need to get my mind distracted from all this," he answered.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmX7VTs9QsT
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfX5n2wnSb
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkmCVBAy17
"I see." Mrs. York took one of the cups on the table and poured herself a cup of coffee from the coffeemaker. "I'm guessing your meeting with your mother didn't go well?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMViELrhFI
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjGW29U9YL
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJgzfXgG8x
Eugene looked at Mrs. York and gave a nod of his head. "No matter, she didn't want to hear anything regarding her leaving him."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWTjMyaGbm
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30viLYWH7W
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6m73bJ0do
"Well, that wasn't the most appropriate time for that," said Mrs. York as she took a plate and placed two slices of toast from the main plate. "You know how your mother still loves your father. You better eat up while the eggs are still hot."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvLpsWmcmS
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOsI0Gbd5J
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJPrDdjuJH
Eugene served himself a glass of juice and toast and eggs. "There's no denying that she still loves him," he said. "I'm afraid him  coming to our house to ask for help spells danger for all of us. I don't trust him."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zY4tdYgLN
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBPdfUic4E
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayu4DsmQ0A
"Same here. It's going to take a lot to convince that stubborn mother of yours. But lets not think about it right now. Focus on taking of her and your brother."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNpePLTss0
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrzvYrdo3K
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tONKzSUDU
"I can't do that when she sticks to my father like it's all she knows how to do."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTGbvXbJMM
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfNuqEreCz
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOFRp7sKog
Mrs. York sighed and she took a bite out of her toast. "It will take some sort of a miracle to tear those two apart."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjx4zgU9z1
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTe07jfxcBi
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofy70QH6Yp
"You're right. Now that I think about it, I might as well just leave it be."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHCYGM6aeD
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD60Jq6vipn
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ4Qb81vzv
The two continued to eat their breakfast and as soon as they were done, Eugene went to prepare himself to go to work. Mrs. York had fortunately taken the liberty of taking some of his and Albert's clothes from the house when the police were around. Their house was still a crime scene, but knowing that his father had been injured else where, they might bring down the yellow tape sooner than expected.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJlwdpzFii
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzgGm0igUl
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULF9Mrz7Kv
Before leaving for work, Eugene went to check up on Albert. Lucky enough, he found Mrs. York encouraging him to go to the kitchen and have something to eat. He also made sure to call Eugene's home room teacher to tell her that he wasn't going to be in today.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr9Wf2yqiX
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sQIhtIdz7
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rOC69O5Cy
After saying his goodbyes, he made his way out of the house, heading for the bus station. There was no need for him to call Miguel to pick him up for work like always. Eugene thought he wouldn't even go in his car, if Miguel was to appear at the moment.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuns13S4sg
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpbBg3zeRt
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6f5I2y50sm
Knowing fully well, that he already told his boss that he won't be coming in early, Eugene took his time walking. While he did so, he wondered what he would tell his workmates at the office when he gets there.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nfkU2Rpvb
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaO0qRwNQdW
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8zAyASA3K
***395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOhwtphxoO
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpFqc4vkLt
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU95Z9XExhj
Rhénee looked at the time and figured it was now time to leave and head to Mr. Sinclair's office. She had been seated outside the patio, overlooking the garden with Miss Griselda and Sofie at her feet.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHWNULX5Qr
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkYriPuziq
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXFPoHxKWh
"I better get going now," Rhénee announced as she stood up from her seat. "I don't want to be late."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh2iJeGAq2
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8O4vtCrai
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqvpSyQlC1
"Alright," said Miss Griselda, sewing her red dress on the collar. "Remember what I told you about Mr. Sinclair and your questions."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHck1QNXfkZ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNmKz7pRD7
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JY84jH1Hk
Rhénee gave Miss Griselda a smirk. "I'll do my best. I'm not going to promise anything."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFLavfJiPV
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqphjZjIDL
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMeOovjCYF
Miss Grisleda looked up at Rhénee, regardless. "Take care," she said. "Make sure you don't wander off on your own like you did yesterday."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTtDa2gYvF
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuVmR8YJyu
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitUw7vCm87
Rhénee gave a nod of her head and started to make her way to the back of the house to the garage. She had left the door open leading to it an hour ago as she had come into the garage to check on the car for oil and gas. She also took the extra precaution of looking around the car for anything suspicious. You can never know with what's been going on around her lately. She had to be extra careful from now on, and that meant checking her car once in a while.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXlO5JbAQX
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRFD42UxrK
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfitaUXD6ph
She unlocked the car, opened the door and we went in. She started the engine and soon enough, she drove the car out of the garage and onto the front drive way. As she passed the front lawns of the house, she noticed Kevin at a distance mowing the lawn. He didn't have to come in for work today and Rhénee told him that this morning when he came to her door. But he insisted that he stick around just in case trouble came by. Besides, he also had to keep up appearances for people to see, or else they would figure out that something is wrong.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAnSoUXyqA
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYdMogPtDf
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRrpNajOhH
Kevin stopped mowing as he saw her drive by and waved. Rhénee slowed the car and waved back. She reached the open front gates and drove off towards the town.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn0NhofXdP
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1Zooj05Pm
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatEEdl46IY
It took Rhénee less than ten minutes to find herself at the town centre. It's good she arrived on time. Even if Madison was a small town, slight traffic was starting to build up. The place isn't like New York where traffic could sometimes get you late, but Rhénee always liked to be where she had to be on time.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fHFDNmVpC
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4873XRQfDK
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVU8fQNyRyt
She reached the law firm and packed right outside in the car park. She checked the time. It's only ten minutes till 11:30. Better early than late, she told herslef as she took her small white handbag and got out of the car.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6i9japJpAY
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiR6twIsK7
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP9BuKlN9W
After locking the door, she started to make her way to the building. She bypassed a guard making his rounds through the car park and she acknowledged her with a greeting by touching the brim of his cap. Rhénee in response smiled at him.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7xGGPFLBt
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01xort9e5i
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDL7x4nfOkk
Before entering the building, two women in grey suits who she pointed out as lawyers, walked out through the front door. A chill ran down her spine all of a sudden as she had a strange feeling that she was being watched.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMc24xhVbcm
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZjvAkuzNL
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvm7jmw06Yy
She looked behind her at the car park. Nothing seemed suspicious or was she just thinking too much? If there was one thing her father taught her over the years, is not to ignore your instincts, especially in such a situation she now found herself in.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAZl09nNNG
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtFEKMedcq
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hucJzNuzj
With one last look around the car park, Rhénee turned around and started to make her way into the building. It wasn't her first time there so she made her way to the front desk and told the receptionist that she had an appointment with Mr. Sinclair. The receptionist told her to go right ahead. Rhénee thanked her and made her way to the elevator.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRl6onchhv
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryISSGJ2fv
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eyEq0gwau
Eugene continued to stare blankly at his computer in his work station. He hadn't managed to get much work done as his mind wandered off every now and then, thinking of his mother and brother. Maybe he shouldn't have come to work after all. When his workmates first saw him, they were actually surprised. They didn't bother to ask him why he had come, but they did ask how his father was doing. Eugene knew they were only trying to be sympathetic, but he could tell that they found him pretty weird to be coming in for work, especially with what happened.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOO5k5OinbV
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8hMwpyJ6f
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJsLI4DC8J
He could feel people's eyes on him every now and then. That bothered him. At a time when he had to go get a piece of paper by the printer, he thought he heard two of his colleagues whispering. He thought he heard his name and when he turned to look at them, they stopped talking and went about their business. It's either they were talking about him or now he's mind was just playing tricks on him. With his mind so preoccupied, he couldn't tell which was which.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OwuBibocT
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4nWT0i1Lx
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nXuzQQqoR
He groaned and finally stood up from his desk. Looking at the screen wasn't going to do him any good, not when he couldn't concentrate. Even when Theodore and Mr. Sinclair had given him less work to do to, he still couldn't get anything done.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcGXLfADRQ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfzBuZENB7
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLAEgK0Nsn
Eugene gave a good stretch with his arms wide, that he almost hit someone who was walking round his cubicle. He stopped himself just in time and when he turned to see who it was, he found Preeta with a stack of files standing there.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsmjqlA0GH
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajz3U2FBug
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgzTQOuojO
"Oh, sorry, Preeta," he said, dropping his hands. "I didn't see you there."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSt1NBV1Mt
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlO3QEvOw21
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ07H8xuyHp
"Oh, no, it's fine," she said. "I stopped just in time."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUXVPKiwYS
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkVpWBn5i7
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6SkcjkSkw
Eugene tried to smile at Preeta, but his facial muscles seemed too tired to do so. He noticed the worried look on Preeta's face, and knew she what she was going to ask.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uWBicjpmB
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdosXHBhyGA
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Y46Hn0vSl
"Eugene, are you okay?" she asked. "Maybe you shouldn't have come in today."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2tKxYUorh
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dKaGsWxM9
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45cG5FOpJs
"I'm fine, Preeta," he answered. "I just need to keep my mind busy to forget all that's happening."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxm9K1VD0I6
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzzX8iBkWL
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Br7ksRc9F
"But you can't, can you?" Preeta raised an eyebrow. "I can tell you're only stressing yourself out by being here."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3t7xCN4g0
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1LB0xXZi9
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbMvS9ebMy
"I know you're concerned, but I can take care of myself."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89WM5kucmV
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUCP8KuJhi
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZci48OI9ap
"I know you can, but if you ask me, you need to be with your brother and your mother right now. Isn't that's what most important?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVS5fkOAjJ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOEQPaPT7l
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXePVJlGPA
Eugene sat back down on his chair, with a sigh. His hand fell upon the side of his face as he asked, "how can I ever go to my mother's side when she doesn't even listen to me at all?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhJPpyZGWc
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UgvDpmh5F
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEBu4Z8XUl
Preeta stood there silently, wondering whether to ask the question. She knew why he had asked this. His parents' affairs were well known to everyone in the town of Madison. And Preeta now found herself in some sort of bear trap.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlWrpmOlQq
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPoVk6yzeG
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIV5Upnbtl
"I wish I could answer that, Eugene," she found the voice to say. "Doesn't that have to be her decision?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBMITzXv9z
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6jpW1jrgW
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBsH7foX2E
Eugene looked up at the ceiling. "Her decision, huh?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXYo50Vui6
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbwbfPisHN
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmpROlieyv
Preeta looked at him, and she wished she could try and get Eugene out of the hole he was in. But he seems so lost in his own world. There was a sort of brokeness in his eyes and Preeta wondered if it's only his father's accident that might have caused it.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3HYSZ7rL9
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoi5mAyAuA
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zdPNyuZN8
The land-line on Eugene's desk rang and before he could pick it, he continued to look up at the ceiling. Preeta looked at his landline that kept ringing, and then back at him. Should she pick the line instead, she thought. It could be important.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJAzQkCkAZ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ55CQy9oR
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UJmVlxUhR
Before Preeta could even stretch her hand to reach the phone, Eugene quickly took it and put it to his ear. "Hello?" he answered.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFer2Lb9fG
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77HqfusjtN
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BitUyqctV
He listened to whoever was talking on the other end, and afterwards, he replied with a low grunt and put the receiver back in it's place.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyl8UZtmNX
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAIEE3rwPc
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAQwsrXant
"Was that Mr. Sinclair?" Preeta asked.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKXcatQqpf
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAe1PMJsaH
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHogBNeAgyp
"No, his secretary called to go get some work files at her desk," he replied. "I better go. Those files won't fly here themselves."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtq5KLRSyl
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XJKhJ195F
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfrHpQMoHc
Eugene stood up from his seat and before he could make his way to Mr. Sinclair's office, Preeta took hold of his shoulder to stop him.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DIcuowRRq
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dp34KsS3d
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIr0SWKLx0
"Hey, it will be lunch soon. Do you mind if we can go out?" Preeta asked. "We can get to talk if you want."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzUw7FzHmd
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdMLJvsBrK
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluWbXvWQCt
Eugene looked at her and the corner of his lip was raised to a smile. "Yes, that will be very nice, thanks," he said.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbidIPeQKRV
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUF2fh835aO
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuaeipagBk
"As soon as you're back, I'll meet you here at your station. Sounds good?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo3qVc7q9g
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAnQIX5f0j
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczvJMn42Qu
Eugene gave a nod of his head and without any hesitation, made his way to Sinclair's office.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe34dpkRjYR
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdkuF0neRE
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdz6IjRvCFM
Rhénee stepped out of the elevator and started to make her way to Sinclair's office just down the hall. She had a clear view of the secretary's desk. The secretary looked away from her computer to see Rhénee approaching.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jMVRAlSoa
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUdJusLO4o
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8m6Yl0dso
Before Rhénee could reach the secretary, there came the sound of footsteps coming from the other end of the hall, and a young man appeared in front of Rhénee entering the hall she was in and also approaching the secretary's desk.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTbCsp3nlI
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWugLXULRNn
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPFLcFcXK6
"Ah, Eugene," said the secretary looking at him as he reached the desk first. "I thought I wasn't going to get the chance to see you. How is your father doing?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOa9D0mg01
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5tf1nJyFi
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedyqzOwVvK
"He's out of danger at least," Eugene answered, not realizing that there was someone coming behind him.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yHQPjz6z2
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJMoqXFcay
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HY53IVgvO
"Good morning," said Rhénee as she came to stand beside Eugene.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ5dVsSclm
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4P39TE6iZ4
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIS1Yf9YNCT
Her presence startled Eugene that he almost jumped in fright. He responded to her greeting bleakly.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡff1tdgvMKM
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMls4pRlIh
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxgoKqp1k8
"Good morning, Rhénee," said Mrs. Clarks with so much enthusiasm, like she hadn't sounded sympathetic with Eugene minutes ago. "Mr. Sinclair just stepped out, but you can go in his office and wait for him there."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsig7aySp2
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqorzXQirf
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOgW6xau4z
"He trusts me to be in his office?" Rhénee asked, sounding surprised. "Won't it be better to wait for him out here?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMiq5haAAV
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1VCXlEFok
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsc35ubsky
"No, he wouldn't mind. Please, you can walk right in."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6IcbhquoK
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡargWXzSeej
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanGE6XlOQP
Rhénee thought twice about it and quickly made up her mind and started to make her way to Sinclair's office.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiezZBzoUpo
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvFMGMfLWb
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSWOimny3v
Eugene had been staring at Rhénee the whole time and it was only Mrs. Clarks placing the files so loudly on her desk, that brought him back to earth.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsI2n8hXVS
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38e9N1ZBdd
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtsia3cuyb
"How is your father doing?" Mrs. Clarks asked as she looked on worringly at Eugene.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR6VoL7dcd
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvg87IRoBom
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATBYgGOTGO
Eugene quickly shook his head, trying his best to gather his thoughts. "Well, he's out of danger for now," he answered.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqDEoQaOaO
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTL4HWmLp0
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZ7fuIYfLD
"Just know that I have you and your family in my prayers. As soon as I heard the news, I got terrified. I still am. Do you know how he ended up like that?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bTbfggCJu
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3mYyPnIiJ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFdm3Xl4kR
Eugene shook his head. "No clue. He didn’t tell my mum anything, either. He passed out when he got to the house."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6U2q7CSpI
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIg6vl3gOT2
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWBXZtFP0F
"It’s good that he’s okay. But isn’t it bad for him, though? I hear it was a gunshot wound, and the police are now investigating the matter. Did he say who shot him or what had happened?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuJliJ2UDm
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQbcndB4lb
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfN3eCTLG0D
Eugene shook his head. "No, he didn’t say anything to mum before he passed out."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryVxPE7uxG
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0Ihjxjo2f
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43XM4TAaQO
"Well, I hope it isn’t serious. No one reported any shootings, though, so hopefully it was just an explainable accident. It would be pretty bad if it turns out that he was involved in something shady."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6qMW7bzyb
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnxYhk1KKC
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KVYras0Qz
Eugene had had enough of Mrs. Clarks' talk as he picks up the files on the desk. "I better be going now. I’ll see you later."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡep5KPtZ6TX
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBbwjcgqge
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Zoom0V3fq
"You take care of yourself, dear. And tell your mother that I’m praying for her."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EuS5l5GtQ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH03A0bBt3C
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9sLIWly7R
Eugene gave a nod of his head and turned around to make his way back to his workstation. He completely forgot about Rhénee, who stood in Sinclair’s office and had heard the entire conversation.8964 copyright protection391ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbb0q5hRqQ 維尼

216.73.216.197