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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROFoFNBPHT
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mDKzVpBSc
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLELolKbbXJ
"Hey, mum, are you alright?" he asked. "Sorry for waking you."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UW7lGSoeL
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxivXBEDA7
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWuLKm8Vo6
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4nbFYBgLY
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4b4UwmCYE7
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWt91bY0ba
"I didn't expect to see you here," she said, as she put up a tired smile. "What time is it?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWS5LYe2xy
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfu3nXpKIo
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwRpTRdmTo
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZEfGrJ9vC
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHKgsqfmsw
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuApI8wVEY0
"And what about your brother? Aren't you going to see him off to school?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsj3gHrN6e
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdgzBT4PWv
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXvTMC8CqO
"I will. I came to check up on you first."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIplfYzpTb
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoTc9PiZJb
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaG84Hx7mU
"I thought you were going to ask how your father was doing."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn8ZGRhQ4F
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7yt4WlKDD
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTX2cUiOeHO
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0I3a0I8QFC
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXHcRwB9qT
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBPRpvNyp6
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuv4PU9nzu
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegoWyJGl95
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4P92MRsQjS
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYQebC4A1b
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFlH66K4Rh
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LZBMwlD4R
"Did you go in to see him?" Eugene asked. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39HaVYxQqY
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjOBMhFcSm
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRLe0V44IY
"I did. But he lay there unconscious. I'm hoping he wakes up soon."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdL651I42kz
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxCPt5DGxb
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLl6Odm12MZ
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnnOGluBpR
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNBam5zQVH
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMBj5mRStU
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7ikUFrYQv
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKQNGcMIyS
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvW2d6ttTU
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGCBbH7oZ0
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU8H0ujTfS
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5qUimftbD
"Do they think he was involved in some shady deal?" Eugene asked. 395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgCR5cQiW5
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphq2hbGLar
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VeXu6mCBC
"They do." Mrs. Chamberlin sighed, shaking her head. "I wonder what he got himself into."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIQPVif8Xw
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49Z5hTC7vF
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXh4B4zqYE
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGMykHPLTf
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLelY7aExTR
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsR1FwTHZE
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUs51Nxj5B
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAQDtlrWCM
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMjsjZZQvc
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV1dniuq5B
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypNxUZva6j
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuEGMxR0Vd
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkEjr9lnIm
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8VtSWdcmO
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mB6ZgYdvz
Eugene now looked at his mother and asked, "Won't you be going back home to freshen up?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiXcFbgaHA
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojdPeylK5h
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr7mGO2N8A
"I will," she answered after dropping her arms. "I'll do so when your father wakes up."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxUgbUZknM
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2R8ifWuWBi
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTCUybDUyH
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w40FAsTCF
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PAkuXbc80
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTJl8YiDCw
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldGSp5vjKm
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbXxkoNzbu
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXuFXVN7o3
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjS78Ytnhn
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7C15vblUn
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVpawHaMzX
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDl4nXnSw7
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ370uXS5bEg
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2FxeZd9kD
"That will affect him, mum. He won't be able to go if it comes to it."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSDr9uz8WU
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9Ixy5XTI4
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrkZtMOs3S
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgTFLAeCKF
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcKWK51cpx
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvio6Bwcb7
Eugene gave a nod of the head. "Will do."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDzMU9vK1X
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcbvzE8N5L
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeVOZ21Rlh
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYW1gApQCgf
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuHJqahMBM
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteIZKBbO2C
"Did you get any sleep?" she asked. "You look like you've been up all night."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5tw1rRnRt
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6cLLkJRVR
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB0AT6eDd1
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qV5sxeNTo
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaRXEMU1Mf
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FysQsHKJp
"I'll be okay. Your father needs to recover first."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAcR5hXj8F
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXb8uqcrJCH
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEum4w0LOf4
"If he does, will you consider leaving him for good?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL5zJBMooX
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5Bgi2Qydh
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4Al2ENglz
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBl83E8Cxow
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdaRFzLtRc
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQxcjfNm1Z
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uDp2KgHhe
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgtekbrcsM
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJehXwV8F1t
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFRPBtRIwn
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WMzW9zWpz
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs85wxpwRZ
"He can never do that. He promised me that whatever he's involved in will never affect us."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUN8r93CGy
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKHVzCAjgM
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ810oe7XD7I
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffqcw6OmnV
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWij0DLMDu
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9crfV0Iyxb
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuhDsJ9vZX
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduojSS7XlQ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSewgcT1kaI
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS292T82XT
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK69WXvgbLc
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D6Ado3g5p
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29NrKcJist
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8to9XS6S5
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqydbrmcNA2
"Seriously, mum, I don't know if you care about yourself at all."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Lik4mxnHs
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0pDlGAfa3
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh30OdnS3ry
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8u1KYSLJC
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ9o7UbSWM
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRigU52VOYc
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xG0iu8Wk1
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkO4mPtyNm2
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSilDaW3DA
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYLn0uZdbV
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61Snk1qtbT
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMsPJJMTyl
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWDCnHwMfs
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wEBvdjkHr
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNM8oyFiLrw
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQO6c3PVevd
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LS9URw6Fh
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqR6cOM1BA
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2RKlnzz4A
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3TZnJW5z4
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeG6pYifQe
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOyjUnMgh1
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs77KtBEuhC
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBtaAfVEKu
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQMKAnxv9N
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPWkuI2zd3
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybNgDlo3a6
***395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUHtvCAIkc
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64VX8eWNkR
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkoNgefxOo
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1b1x680AV
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzqhNbkQEM
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB90I82vfD
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVP2Jo5ScH
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqvy9bqerI
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAb7fDhSNMe
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBLjrtLrQg
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3mi5618p4
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGO6zjRz1dk
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RDxZmyrxa
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5OmShSNvI
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisWaeMtlRD
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7nKE7Vq8S
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrm9ToazMb
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1bGlaMjiE
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXeRB6XoDz
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5za6f0i5Vn
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb80GmlvTbi
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJDphzjzuW
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssAQCFFxgj
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvHb9gg0S5
She scoffed and turned away, heading to the stairs and to the kitchen.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwl2347R3PU
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0ElNpdVCK
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6CmnwErB3
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gLyY5fDpM
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV7HVEKMfF
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmUlpHJFjn
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJW7ED2NkFF
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVso9fBJMR
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBuPJT41H1
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPG2GRW01ma
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOP8bg2coe
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfT1r36gBU
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrUntY4zcx
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrh1u68ZXR3
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtntS3d2bym
"Rhénee?" There was a sleepy male voice on the other end. "Hey, it's been a long time. How are you?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWRJAUr3d4
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITL8vWRZTf
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaVCgkha27
"I'm good, thanks; how are you, Alex?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6NV6IdD4O
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFDowqoA1Q
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBJVJ2uv8G
"Never better, now that you've called. I thought you forgot about me."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2E5JXYF34
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡok5IrFWoex
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYbpbJFDQe
Rhénee looked up at the ceiling. "Yeah, I think I must have."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKawqOQTpb
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6G27XPD1K
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaJJrfpkVO
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E2yz1qmFK
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrWAml8qey
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81tuJK1AX8
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FdaQ0fPFo
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LlKx1hXs0
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbTWQRIgBz
"You're just as funny as usual," said Rhénee with a smile on her face. "I've just been busy."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2Q9TKhKVN
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk0zOnKL1n
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLmRFRTbHb
"Yeah, a new house and a new life must be a lot of work."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDyCYRXtEq
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvgweWcdhi
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxQfPGld0T
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmD8QfknElM
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZ5iIQQjne
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbEbCc8xFH
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwQwOCTu3J
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9rq6y6Rlg
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZMZ0Q9mCf
"I wasn't adorable when I was younger."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FwEjzvTAW
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmKkgpTSMR
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zzr8Oe6jb
"I've seen your baby pictures, Rhénee. You were just the cutest."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4xxtc4Xpr
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBXY65X7nZ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8Jl812UH4
"Who showed you my baby photos?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGUfVr65Z1
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4O5QoeV7G6
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cIXyfMP17
"Zoey, of course."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTd0ICkd2w
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7teByThbw
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6TZNkPo7F
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HQjYu6bH7
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIse8rioVgd
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdAzR0k7qt
"Goodness, I wish you were still with us, Rhénee," he said. "Everyone misses you here."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuHUCBPDU0
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3lOM16J1J
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpM4HAlIxX
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8G7UJBshhI
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDdcRiPc2O
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T2OuF5cQa
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpkU7JvL5g
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJX79thy0x
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27H5ZyADXO
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVcvCCRpgZ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2obj8582hP
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6PTNGXEdy
"Sorry, Rhénee, but you should know that you're her baby girl. Of course she would worry."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYvTAGZ5lR
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgRoB68YaN
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ828fccpYJA
"I wonder when she will ever get over me. I can look after myself, for goodness sake."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqxOlh4oP3
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3lZyEUhYp
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLzYJyXQIY
"She'll get over it when she feels like it. Give her a break."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAonqUwbgjw
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQNbWDa2k7
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ504SrE01Io
Rhénee thought she heard footsteps in the other room. Miss Griselda must be awake.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNBEU7Vmlt
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kxccCHU4R
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNcIZ6deWS
"Anyway, I better get myself ready for the day. It was nice talking to you, Alex."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXAPyzHu4I
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncrvj7ecwv
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbTdFjOUfh
"You should call every day. It will be nice to hear your voice every morning."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBZTwpMNsT
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVq9Z4nk5VM
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW3BrD88u9
Rhénee chuckled. "Why don't you get out of bed and go flirt with other girls?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0itCBxyaf1
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFV3PMhb2N
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCo3nB05U8
Alex, on the other end, laughed. "Oh, Rhénee, you're the only girl for me; don't you know that?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMAFasIwvL
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbGRtnN5p5
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42eY0fd70i
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qcQlFzfsF
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTQ3os9OT1
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5nLjvGEPg
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqIA5oXiOh
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCxaU1L0D8
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHE1n11DQ5
"Morning, Rhénee," Miss Griselda greeted her. "Did you have a good night's sleep?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGq4GkTugI
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpS2UieqBu
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSW1vRNLFS
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4PUGDfgRY
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOLsRdeWf8
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQWG0abV1q
"No. I barely slept a wink."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtcxtKHt7c
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7BkBpg84v
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBp3Ua5uuI7
"There's still some hot coffee if you need it." Rhénee pointed to the coffee maker.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfzeBE2h6Z
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lkKWlww3a
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYk3xTGI0uM
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK84LxjjmqU
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ut64aI2FB
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAynb8nZvw
"A friend of mine. I hadn't talked to him in what felt like forever."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwd7xhRulhT
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKQ1i8dhrC
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbqTpG8I9w
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs5157uYnR
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAYpAHQJZF
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2HPzJG5al
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHnz85Reev
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4ifr6BvoZ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSbj0cBP8k
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLVXOaWe4J
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQwf3UJJWw
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RY1exVaEV
"I'm just fortunate. I didn't do anything to make it as nice as you make it." Rhénee chuckled.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuXtlPKoBM
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡod6coNf69r
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtk8oByFTjT
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsNTy5Ciyl
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdhqb74HpX
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Uc49JSYWF
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgmpwUtbja
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46zmJSjYWe
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwnB0oShaQ
"Wherever you will be, don't try and give him a hard time, dear. You're quite stubborn, you know."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxxckjNmqP
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYkuxvakq7
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ApsGRRmt3
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWKArlsHao
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8B765yFjb
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3kh58AU9t
"Well, something tells me you'll still put him on edge with your questions."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFEl5dAcNn
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKi4kiE1KT
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs09SioG7AQ
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBmkDBaulG
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpMZbIAvDJ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfjyNelVYf
"I know. But just be careful of what you want to say to him, okay?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Xb4PF9eRY
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv099yVJvLh
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kFKdGb6rP
"As you wish." Rhénee didn't like the feeling of being defeated so easily, especially from Miss Griselda.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiytnTWFoaw
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOagBsxhZnD
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Z7jaNVOlB
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp8uOFCLG0
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMa7FYjOaN
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUG1Wj6IvD
That put up a smile on Rhénee's face. "That sounds great. Let me go freshen up first."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAA0Yep78FP
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWvfyTJEIm
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmwvrQ3PrC
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP5yzSeYgT
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8LnBirNVf
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41veeU1QCx
***395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD00pup5yc
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjKSzvk4Lj
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7pyWm6bkk
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPNVmNWFSI
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslnycHgzP3
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiYI6X7n7t
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19GTi4x7UK
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOAZTcTWRE
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaCtINfLXP
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0cSFt0rPD
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBlsuRM1mY
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfPDfdS5qv
"Please, Eugene, sit," she told him.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmv76tUhiS
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZaMd8VN9b
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMXYjdAguH
Eugene did just that. "How is Mr. York this morning?" he asked.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u8J2vpfpE
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnyPmdZHgI
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzgRPz312B
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXQdtOHnc3
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQND6wd1KE
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurjmwKjRDv
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7rGFlUFuQ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3wDThzGRV
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJueCnUfDn
"Will he be going to school?" Mrs. York removed the pan on the stove and put the eggs on a plate.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SjXxGJ5cC
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wZ6mkCg20
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52QIDOukkc
"No. He won't be able to concentrate. Plus, people might be talking about it a lot."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XpcMasRy2
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTL8dh0dNX3
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloTFSrucWV
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKB6JJA205
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNDWxBH2NQ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf32Y4SvnTv
She pulled a chair to take a seat. "And what about you?" she asked. "Are you going for work?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytvwcPi6BH
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfC052gZmw
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4J190lsV4w
Eugene gave a nod of his head. "I need to get my mind distracted from all this," he answered.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8jSu70fca
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQfKV6jnZp
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ060j7gQm3i
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdrRaFPAYc
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbcC1zbkRi
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3ooIJ7fHy
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCOBQaqJcd
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGNURVq6Jh
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMmIg1SPD8
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGEoIeSp42
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcNiI4eBwa
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdmBIjgG8I
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RDnY7fCLH
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltD5bhqJsY
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyY9UW6Lqy9
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlX7eXZhUr
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeTeidJm3o
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSt9bBNkuqb
"I can't do that when she sticks to my father like it's all she knows how to do."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApKZ5eFWvW
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfIcHpSVh4
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDevaBcQOZ6
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx35i6enQKA
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbarFVEWfq
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMj0mznvVv
"You're right. Now that I think about it, I might as well just leave it be."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBM37KSnGiz
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrimtwG7l53
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAs782jKdAt
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhtNa0JBn6
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHs51V6IOC
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLvisv9UpB
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2oHqF1jkV
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtuYADSqZh
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYtuI1SEDq
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCOGMIJsg9
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvjuGBRz0m
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyPrnRaFgB
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWprStFwnxC
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwmWXdeble
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTQUgVAwyu
***395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajcYULYam7
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePbbOq9BwL
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15AHzLpxsx
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4QfjxiT9s
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU5D1ZNze6
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJQZkFYOoU
"I better get going now," Rhénee announced as she stood up from her seat. "I don't want to be late."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkbp1RbSNW
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlpE2EsUb3
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69ex7Skeoh
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCswMVyVqov
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlSS0hnpob
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxkhEVPouw
Rhénee gave Miss Griselda a smirk. "I'll do my best. I'm not going to promise anything."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pmEG0SG7S
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRGhDouyNW
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6o7VRJ4D8
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnjh2gkbzU
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECIVbNee5X
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxJoQJ4unc
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03gXTWy0ri
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvvvNttydZ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f13o8i6V7
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzsSuPzCzT
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15e447kryL
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOugBX6WafB
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaZJiOuq7t
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxo1LwQxaP
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94KiI1hwCh
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKrEtX6ew5
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKU04dx6D1
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXfXaMBOun
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFd9LdK871b
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiPq2LlbqS
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvhYNDYyy3
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4olsIMaCZV
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNtKuun48v
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj6f5oFO8g
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0wkBcePPK
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmsccDnu11
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpfdmu2fC9
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8W5Y7sK5s
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2SZIeP1tU
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhcHAeGQSO
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3AnjtLymK
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xgjxvkOvD
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsakWhxGg8W
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyWQWkcGSA
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRK1aJVGX1
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBOlehytbd
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFPta35Qoj
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2SWSFf6w7
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBD5ZFfHwY
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ima1QgEq8
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GgfsHU6Qq
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLelxXU3I7V
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyE68uzXzfy
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88kjx0MwSs
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8EajQDVU3
"Oh, sorry, Preeta," he said, dropping his hands. "I didn't see you there."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOU2QqYhd5p
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARRxlMsarG
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tCmNDkCG2
"Oh, no, it's fine," she said. "I stopped just in time."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHP7AUNumy
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOCc8xAMtH
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeI57Kgu6X1
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIBI2vzmXv
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNBpiD0VyW
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp0SVChOgp
"Eugene, are you okay?" she asked. "Maybe you shouldn't have come in today."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbf9rVUgpML
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeKeJJWaZq
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpz1uH8Ptfg
"I'm fine, Preeta," he answered. "I just need to keep my mind busy to forget all that's happening."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwVGIyF3v0
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZY06TGtdO
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXye00xnCfF
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmAoTKXnXa
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoShPajFYE2
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuoPUuii5v
"I know you're concerned, but I can take care of myself."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmiHFnw5lF
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSVo0xOWIb
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxVgCxq5eY
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8IHOABlMU
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmG3oZy5uW
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKyb0Nl2NK
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBrOy1G8lC
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZFsqKB0fv
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxLJLcu8gj
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMI20GU81a
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxkzIEqFEA
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAfqTJI6N7
"I wish I could answer that, Eugene," she found the voice to say. "Doesn't that have to be her decision?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaY2UGTR34d
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEM9SSDTleR
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWpnOLbDkL
Eugene looked up at the ceiling. "Her decision, huh?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCdWPhDQMS
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOahwXUyoSa
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBoGyPkDwO
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZ55rmTY61
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdcFWgx8qb
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITwozSqvYU
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNmDnjloHF
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrtjD2IoED
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh7TSEYvxX
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajUE4NcU10
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCP9Yc6882
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx23nVXExtJ
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlekbR1zyhb
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CihHMB8JQ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkqZDQsnMh
"Was that Mr. Sinclair?" Preeta asked.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmMZkLMUhm
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0UsaQV3BX
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnMH3HZ01j
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnAuBEsJYH
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxejKljRCE
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaEtskaZQ8
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijTYUeljWO
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgSwWrvZNR
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LlR3JbkoT
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtaNuePu0J
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhL6CvqRAyx
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLBiaNY0NO
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd99P27T6Kb
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDP1imWRvB
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFj4oAGgmU2
"As soon as you're back, I'll meet you here at your station. Sounds good?"395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5aa4wFiRc
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrW3ZMISnR
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzGqB2YUjV
Eugene gave a nod of his head and without any hesitation, made his way to Sinclair's office.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmxY69YbT4
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TWPpwNzzo
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1FF8vOSpK
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEpwV9S6dA
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyBRY5Q1OR
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbQRjYIyA0
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuI1wAfOv4
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0dvvaH3rD
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGxOOlK2oK
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKBScGq7es
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvO69kp1Mu
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zNNAHXy1u
"He's out of danger at least," Eugene answered, not realizing that there was someone coming behind him.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJ5rEscpli
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEvHbcpogK
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnYKLZFlZJ
"Good morning," said Rhénee as she came to stand beside Eugene.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZYfDBz8xa
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1qbBjQQ2j
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡka2JO1svC0
Her presence startled Eugene that he almost jumped in fright. He responded to her greeting bleakly.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf6HDv9QmK
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJfO4KNtl9
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3f4RqhXE1O
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtM9fHTbju
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKUatt1hPO
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5zte3HqEu
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tYKF4uniB
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUxG1w9eTh
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpkzn0zzhH
"No, he wouldn't mind. Please, you can walk right in."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFY4s48cOlT
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8EbjAGUxm
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaHwZOG35e
Rhénee thought twice about it and quickly made up her mind and started to make her way to Sinclair's office.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Wp3nRYs4k
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImwjhj7N8g
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IngI7DlEa
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72LiB6xsKl
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpNNIJzfBo
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdNvbDS6P6
"How is your father doing?" Mrs. Clarks asked as she looked on worringly at Eugene.395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhyDtAfRuS
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOEsLv9NFK
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw68uzWQCX0
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5D37xB1nX
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqAdJW6Now
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeDNcMcp5Z
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6de4YDMVj
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxiYTXv1ed
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgTDZJGWXo
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoqlTbGjEX
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k7bLVTQJG
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAtAqCgtpm
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ErZIGgYQJ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6KFHdDDYE
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20jM7D0F0I
Eugene shook his head. "No, he didn’t say anything to mum before he passed out."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPEkLsmeHl
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3qhIVzCmz
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPQobBaQtd
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXVdH4fsNO
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mdahXf67e
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQg4w0fNSWC
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9mVvqYQh1
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVdJoMzFvH
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ6ahKzgnZ
"You take care of yourself, dear. And tell your mother that I’m praying for her."395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ569gFTULbw
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7B5wKF7vZ
395Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkj8ZLqmPe
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 protection391ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Jv5yyoQb8 維尼

216.73.216.197