The news about the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwZJBpFgUq
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpU8iJ7I2WO
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcdI6GH3hY
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PB1DrXzez
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0u834gHWd
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CdJzbj4Aa
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZGATVBgXL
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6QcyusIcS
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4UhPijNyk
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IJRy0KwAr
There was more to it 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl16EBaObnH
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9zk4Q5MT1
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WeHQfrDpS
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4CbZ129Cm
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnReGwFy2HM
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCltHIGcgi
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5sREd5Mea
except from a few individuals. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ULMGW7Pew
And apparently, one of 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeauafVzRg
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvXx6QSlsf
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoGHja2sFS
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xhkQPVBex
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnozrY9bhOr
really going on, all hell would break loose.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9tJfuQNjq
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexJAHez9Rv
Rhénee dropped the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Sy2j1LcwP
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhCNtnV2iC
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwSdNK1WFP
ear, she took a sip of coffee.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1f19CiiO1N
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlLVL5XnI5
"Ya, its crazy here," 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOH7Ysj3sb
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdk09Yp4RN
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IZ9jt0g2x
broken in."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7Z3DfuVyz
"If only they knew."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hW1zTdoKq
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKqAV99fax
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1ERcdaDUU
"She did. I had to make 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzBGLEztTr
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXC1GeDjPF
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWg5ZyWWYQ
"I doubt if she believed that."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjV2OJJ7uwh
"Haha, looks like you 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9sdV4gsjG
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgWne72njV
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tQuTDIezj
"True. But we did. I 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlaOKPi4Wf
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBqplEweOe
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCF1Rdyq2TR
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TygBrdFVR
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeN4HaAB3D
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gTHAxzMHP
"Okay, bye."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxv1vsCtrB
"Bye."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uB6JGdoLC
Rhénee cuts the call and824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWQhhkSprQ
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokjuGuFhrK
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGXJp6Jch8
wink last night.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtLV0bHbS3
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXiAKUeofS
"I wasn't going to 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwlEPo72Hi
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZQ5hhBbAj
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmUNNY2Jbl
"You don't have to 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMVTo3Is1I
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyBDnvXlCH
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5hyv6N7Q4
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB3zJwOtMm
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ia80P7gN4
"Why Malcom?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YFuGEGcXS
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4Z6oZ5f6P
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpvyLJBxeI
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkYR3C0eIU
"Alright, you go ahead."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWe6SGjXAeg
Miss Griselda gave 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PoIYZ3iEz
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvEb6zFsV1
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAh61CRRVZ4
did when they talked about Malcom. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6dNOIx2d6
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjYofHDXX5
The sound of her phone 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCc5ehENpzQ
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6xIBLsIkR
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpBeGuRfVc
mother.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60C8mAqBlv
"Hello?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdX9zMT5Z1
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBh42qJTUyE
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrhjogx8KG
That voice. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJACZA5SlX
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o0gXAQ8Ri
"What's wrong? The other day you had the guts to talk to me when I talked to you about the necklace. Why are you so quiet now?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeCLlqI1fi
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvu3051fTPe
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBcEIUADpR
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCZc47L9P4
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXyclfh00s
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFR2JbufuKW
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcPZSfkz5b
"You don't know me, 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQQtXUoB1w
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZyzpjo1rR
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQoL25b6Do
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmCgV606gt
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3O4fWkOSZw
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt8YMgveFM
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIXWekJcwr
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4joqRsfg4v
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwPtcavPWP
"Then why did you give me her necklace? And the picture of the house? What are you trying to achieve by scaring me like this?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44y5WED54e
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbZnEvXHue
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOC1PSrfQbJ
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmLhoXG4tQ
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG87xE3N0d
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYezqWnwM9Z
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39Kmwab3em
"Oh, and by the way, 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntx5ILQGxV
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaA3Smp62N
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcp4CAvSOMz
this time around."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpCLoCmgA5
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Id2rBH2n7
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhkqIxbLRg
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCEZswOcgt
Rhénee sat down on the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcCQHDEoRq
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYPk6FkZVg
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSbL1MbiVk
the others, who know what might happen. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiaCpflqge
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkDTlnlM7K
***824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiG7q0UIsr
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykFqWRtVR1
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjy6MYa2H0Z
"But she isn't hurt right?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9w0N96Rv5d
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPbUmSJQdU
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhiaMvKsvE
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbfk7rpMvd
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGkAz8w4Iy
"Nah.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxazNKxDDrp
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJdDkfUheK
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSy3O6fzXZ
"Thats824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4rBd37bdC
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB42PKeG5x7
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZjtWSkuiH
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmig46Goh1T
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpRtXCyHiQ
"Alright."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCHIjRv317
Eugene cut the call and noticed that his mother was standing by the kitchen door looking at him as he stood in the living room. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyipOCwSUA
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEG2x0DGxtB
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBoSplTSKO
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQCVacAEfE
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yYWlN7YRr
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJ0Hhk5Nd2
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmuM3jXdsm
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAr3n6w3x8
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zqBsZFBBe
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcOjPu1vcS
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJQjTnntzF
"Does it bother you?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0FhumVq2U
"Um... not really. But.... um."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqUnHxDJly
Eugene824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabzJKbyHOb
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA723r91XQE
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwQP9FuFb7
"Mum, are you okay?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uiO4xhjfG
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQG2YqQniK
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzcDHVl73X
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHG5nzFX5u
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3haK2NnGx
Mrs824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkBQReUvR3
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXKy94vry4
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6ubBYTzsd
had talked about Rhénee?824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8utyxxiPa
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqrZo889nn
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSemca2S5rH
***824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eV8DM8MdD
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTetExHyt3M
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJnO04ql4w
"You better rest though. You still look tired."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2vh4Ssn8K
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGbYr9CFXQ
"No, I'll do it."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12vu7jkfgd
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mrlbUNz9p
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtKzv3fN9v
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxpvQ19Lwo
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivLAP1QAa3
Rhénee824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AedMgn2x2
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNdHkCR7A5
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMITOHglyh1
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Egeed6BeH
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD6lo2hnRC
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdFR2QfEyt
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNcuE6KjSX
"Thank824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk6mLBy54G
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5XeNiR6PR
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3A8Gk2X6Xr
"Well, yes. I still think I would."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbUaKYh2jB
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4MIvWCkbq
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxhSFikvg5
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2lh51vffT
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuGBEmqOmO
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDR0rmCZEyc
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxz4YGnhkz
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUubaniGjhF
"Coffee will be lovely."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3ioiPUwo0
Miss824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dAEuetlKz
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpFgCDvyjU
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBxNjFftex
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBwYLrp2rS
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuKDX4YljS
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vbEmpxCNx
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP1S2WRhMV
"What mysterious person?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD1Utwv17P
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXa9hbY589
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfP3ZJhOXX
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRCktWSLbD
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1I91h4B6m
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIk08HFxTm2
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkNigy2cfv
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlUiI9gVJ7
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XBxLmvJ5P
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHllIn6bjem
The824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtoVjRgCUB
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUejTJ8TQP
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBtJsrnnTk
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNVK8uDoxx
of this.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHNF0ySrbG
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYw3Lq5CEkT
"I...824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh5vxGfW6j
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsbjgZrE8X
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPziGvl3bRO
frustration. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxIjWfo8aG
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1XDPX6E3l
Rhénee824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBENYZrsAHx
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJWu554oSo
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ194DDDv5K0
cups on the tray and wondered. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc02Vt2dJ31
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGlEzfIbQq
824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLwvGG73Sw
As824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcD9jr6E8O5
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10dGRTWG6v
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbRRi1a4BA
reminder kept ringing in her head.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxcTi3hh74
"And tell your friends not to get involved."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEZAc61Yyv
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMCfGhi94K
"I824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zux9Hc1XZ
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlnbUIBTC7
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttMJ3VYVy9
talking about, Rhénee?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav7jQ0BanP
Rhénee824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrJLunbYa2
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPiMabR0zv
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0luXalbhZy
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkENnEGojr
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVob2gWNWX
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8KFYN8n4Q
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWS42jw9paY
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQKsHiOet4
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LHoiuzT0c
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlHM9ktORQ
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MN4S7a0in
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9InI0ghAAM
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPZxLFnn7N
***824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRccSVilA3
Sweat824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IPNkCyIo9
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡospdMZbZm1
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLIjkMFYt3
the person waiting never likes to wait.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx2Iv0ULbL
He824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhV1AjwClZ4
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pqTHVsRGh
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW0FW7ySfP
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hVLUKjNZX
second.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0n0Fa0uzj4
He824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nb3WFEeFR
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0wOtT0Wc6
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSn2CV0pgug
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cy4VWSbim
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsuhOfUX7G
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQ23jxYqhc
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bhj76LmFx
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqymmhvUJtS
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRdCgdFEMq
"You're late, again."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoXXDXGO8y
His824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUyXQ8akIP
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjrwo8ZWNt
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtubjjEsK4V
lion door knob. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVF68wbIuq
He824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GJNVUnGBb
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlphpGN3ccZ
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71Jf5K9cd8
"What824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KF7toApoD
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKAasgYckQ
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFoG2D8PZD
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIc6gMvo07I
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42pQROH2ez
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94dTZIufju
A824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzeW3lymE5
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxYajHJIgs
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8xera8HRZ
as they had their backs towards the window.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMiwlx0JOl
"You know we need him," said the tall man.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZAT6FAzHf
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRntM1D2pc
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYvjHBYJWv
The824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEWp2uUfoI
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGpTZeczFs
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCcLrihZLd
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mj3RKY9P0
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gQA14jz8i
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52Frrqp5tM
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTwseezSNK
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EegpRERb0
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWM4ASlkvX
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMKmy5JKio
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh8hONw0lF
"What if she reveals the truth?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysXYub7en3
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELH28pR3UN
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAwyY1mdHP
For a moment, silence hung over them.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFNfdIGkYZ
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Cp7NBsEJl
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5z9GhGr1ld
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzBA3vhDfk
"I824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklVIzhJj6G
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkvY0XLJQQ
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ou4iOp5ZA
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwAhWZ6P0C
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM3uQjNtFG
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpz5Et81bl
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgL0t6AAze
***824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZcgD57P4f
The824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YWvFF3J4c
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ263JZ1x7jg
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyB6PJW8rP
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfQtgFMurc
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTTOToVYgW
they met, they seemed sky blue.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iK9dOGfwR
And824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxDfMPCPk0
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eZRIbPtl3
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtex6op3cU
Rhénee824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RkWV7WuZB
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL455KH6slK
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xPRATWQBA
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqYAo1CjRm
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1nRhMQQAg
coffee table in the middle.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7lazg7u7c
When824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNP1rVURtD
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUp8DNwD0Y
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uWVvGskMM
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZiE8dvixU
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ8JMk5CxM
"Are you sure?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk130IBNiJ
"Yes, I'm positive."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJB8PxQch0
Miss824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCzJViPYgs
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVS7P1N9c7b
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aXFn3Syfn
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGwSUa476R
from their cups.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoszpOco7yq
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVPQqbovxD
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdyb7bqGZm
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaVBg9oaKF
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlifNNmBef
"And how about the fact that you and Greta were imposing as other people the time I was coming here?" Rhénee spat out at Malcom.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZy04li2vA
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjE7Ei6rNP
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXQCP5ivCI
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRT68grmjU
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjV9uNg7MYG
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgGEWDvyES
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0r5AfN6VK
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkQNwgRIzK
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4El83g316
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIBWmdLIln
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU96rWGanWJ
"Oh,824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHPcfwDRQq
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZd29IiVIOT
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSZPa5DqCH
who he is."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDebwrthqTS
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgz4GfmOkT1
Rhénee824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSTQi5impe
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQuYwiQmfe
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO08pWUgvjy
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIG95m6Qd3
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5RKOP3i5k
Rhénee824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNcZRdJupH
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv77oNeaku2
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYnUtla1J3
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvx98TgNsZ
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIZCCsL7ts
"Fine,824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmy0lVHitQe
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpeOL0JX4Y
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCioar9Gjbb
or die if you stay by me."824Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONjP0lHHqc
