The news about the 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxktzAkiTq
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVC5YoKcZy
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrUxzxodaO
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYSjXSmDlJ
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmatAiJlA8b
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPdh6kI5uJ
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3iXvv09SS
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtifN0AkWlI
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11k9TnAAEE
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkNDlGBNHm
There was more to it 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtF2VMTMVAp
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRe3pjsiry
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkWmQtyC4M
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jJv6vQqjz
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnqpMWInGM
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61grXcN1aK
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25ZxNwTKvo
except from a few individuals. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGM3RDFffaM
And apparently, one of 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX9gV9406p
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMDyirbaQH
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPtHNvEN9C
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gt2JehpOb
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0flhPkIUl
really going on, all hell would break loose.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyi4UPc10X
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVKMfIQL7w
Rhénee dropped the 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYR0pAlAUwU
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmRQIiOy6p
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYtFEtstU7
ear, she took a sip of coffee.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScOGm8LooZ
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5EXLas7OP
"Ya, its crazy here," 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRwAqnLYKY
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjqFWZ5HtA
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVLAbSHFhn
broken in."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeJZKsv3I5
"If only they knew."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAxM07YRht
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljZikIju9l
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr98qrdXWbg
"She did. I had to make 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdkqm41r4D
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZtzyfgoXD
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgMeYcI1Iy
"I doubt if she believed that."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpd2LP8cIYM
"Haha, looks like you 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYj83M7973
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZgSvOrlz7
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xpXQTEPI1
"True. But we did. I 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX14bGksdsW
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1SrzekOzv
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8SdL06GEy
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfu5d7lvSY
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2qcQAJeW0
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRwwrkdOP5
"Okay, bye."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RxBJhhOVb
"Bye."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3g9SoCobmk
Rhénee cuts the call and742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRMEW4jepv
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG1h0L0bw3
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXLfzoJGn4
wink last night.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I1kA0bWFr
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSM6mXSyRC7
"I wasn't going to 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRE2MHKOP3
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy9FRndoRG
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkrncyATwX
"You don't have to 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVgACjbCV7
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGEk3RjAEQ
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGnzaqM4rn
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeObGApgMR
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJC6Q8D093S
"Why Malcom?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRao9cGeM6b
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWV9lDB9Ws
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡri4GL74HuG
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lzSIelA6V
"Alright, you go ahead."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm19LiiB1OT
Miss Griselda gave 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXgrW8JcHD
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOxh74sOxR
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOXIxB3qqW
did when they talked about Malcom. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesb0sYJyUO
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPf24PIgh7B
The sound of her phone 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8k1RdmdgI
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzT5TfGD4G
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSSfaZ5Asc
mother.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GO1ZChg4k
"Hello?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ149M85GYtO
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2zApwNucj
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqgucwmzM0
That voice. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU23alV3AH
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOhXkqcEEX
"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?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD6lf4a17T
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7ZAdzdHc2
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBUM4SvmUQ
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5G4JFwSyeJ
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVT5cU5EHQ
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwM9WE32C9
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlTQ6Fvu8H
"You don't know me, 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7NvoiNMk7
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxD8ee44I4u
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCA6thyouH
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMPnHdRVvr
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvIdaDhiWM
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvtoOOUuF6
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrqLg1Zkq6
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cfJL2Cweu
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIy2hCLKAne
"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?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38dtj6llz9
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkL8chy8mv
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2RGZLPEiD
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WGNKT2JNP
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKubDJ1VFQ
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqderfptQ3
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXCvyzvR6M
"Oh, and by the way, 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJXVZp0AtO
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2eJrFsSlD
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvpldL2IQv
this time around."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVvQ4q3a83
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMasgXDm36t
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvPscezVjy
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ719UQ3Q5ns
Rhénee sat down on the 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bCjnHQSDG
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7hMwp3G02
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3ExZ6tHjR
the others, who know what might happen. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgUWGf2yCq
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcxgnYo0Z2
***742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡip7Q3Ghu2u
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8ldyRzU2V
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hC7mNZU0J
"But she isn't hurt right?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZAbHdS12d
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RFMSrAc8Y
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDgH3knRfU
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQWHwM5Doq
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVl5ronlnP
"Nah.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRc017z0rin
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQpJCzLvBa
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjS31owHgND
"Thats742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XXyG4xeA8
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1wyVRt7sv
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfJrsxErgF
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJT80jgC9I1
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpVibmnA7w
"Alright."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCYHtoaWJ8
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. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpd15rNSKb9
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbl8SuhzE4
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfRvI5duv9
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgicSrEparG
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGirUfmFOP
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9NpJLDQ2Y
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAKRVZRxsS
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMidxbYeAx
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMjKImphty
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8R3tQwjimX
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx58uxteruk
"Does it bother you?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfV37YQb4E
"Um... not really. But.... um."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45eUPd4s8x
Eugene742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhENA2cm6kP
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIviGs5pLo
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcs3Z7h8ek
"Mum, are you okay?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffcYda4Vpk
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW1wPxVogS
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQYLNCNLCF
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkfqlkIMQy
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡci7B5m6C7h
Mrs742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fd7hKj5wc
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRlTyWoktG
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeDepa7Ah6
had talked about Rhénee?742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfPwfrFG9M
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmG3qYQJl84
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvM4ccl4Mvi
***742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOur75BY4XW
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqH0Eyh2oi
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6k8K0wdmbp
"You better rest though. You still look tired."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpxc0fmUK8
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWVk5kvHwt
"No, I'll do it."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmOXJaZV8L
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9iDZAVSmW
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMSBRoQMXO
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK9wyEwrQe
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2mVm1PxKv
Rhénee742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcExtOPEzRq
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JGfDbR6ue
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTuIRurr7Y
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnLrO8GRWz
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJeWMcm69s
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1n7k1zuUm
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYE3ETwBYrx
"Thank742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjrY6sqaS3
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPTKgFfxAo
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3CJK0cPDU
"Well, yes. I still think I would."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPXvFOjJPK
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGTaF7v0Oo
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7mxgZATRO
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxb2n3OTxT5
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXBHaQ5Fm8
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsh5ngiF7B
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV45HULGuiz
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY45vrLrsEc
"Coffee will be lovely."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZicNRbQZpM
Miss742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOZbVtZRU1
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6MupMcorD
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn11SnUQSQQ
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStcBAuavVJ
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oC1A7DoVf
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSfzeHvPpW
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wJPukAL0f
"What mysterious person?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuxc0XBByk
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuObsQ9thx
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYC1H140EBS
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZEyESATkm
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHUQlO2t79
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEh5qZd89a
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJh77Dgca5x
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbbYrmzcuA
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡox0L2v10r3
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhdj3Zmn32
The742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8uA7URJR6
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5vYBuwxlX
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYi8V0HsAWH
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mgTIatgXt
of this.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwL5RIGvIh
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0d1K4Ee2Yq
"I...742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6VevKtfPL
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3A0Fm6aWZ
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7zMCM8FVs
frustration. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJEDOddcVg
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZu2Pvho9r
Rhénee742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqUz0T6hJU
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1DjwTn39O
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraSFClyv4J
cups on the tray and wondered. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjysZEoCs6Q
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOMDJcKF3T
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7xta9gVtl
As742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZrdA0Jx0J
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvMifp69rN
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwoVDM4ihP
reminder kept ringing in her head.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywBo2zpJ9t
"And tell your friends not to get involved."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIFHgwMDUy
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna6ZND31Tl
"I742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QOV4X089Z
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QfDLr6t2Z
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTiW47SByZ
talking about, Rhénee?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrb0GM0DmlY
Rhénee742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmEslU0vzk
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO4N19ViFM
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWf0DHfuep
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqA7hrowZh
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtesXOY7PzV
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFSWIKPoLt
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6CC1WMTaf
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoM3jbk248
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1q48dZQeja
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijjArgxD8j
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOCwfs6HD9
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaucccaunR
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBcF2lEkqa
***742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uT497G4sM
Sweat742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwFLi8HjkS
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTD7iem5OL
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTjisgluIW
the person waiting never likes to wait.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8r957dAJL
He742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNCRxwEnVY
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEOSXgLUse
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdRzo4mbMk
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKlZYYAgqt
second.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bhfkgPQ6W
He742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZgZGVT5xV
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI63uwJ8ctL
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZ8kNaZkrP
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrWW1mDeJk
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeitVFd3ji
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBvW0jRPky
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOO1eev0PS
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXJBgDyroL
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YpSen6HNH
"You're late, again."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuHRnd8DIB
His742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaliT6xUXf
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaN6P1qqhzD
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcoQxc8Rlv
lion door knob. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbx9U9sMJvt
He742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PCSb9MPOq
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEPd6SLxu1
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCN6fytQUQo
"What742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsiE1vALo0
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg2MPd70un
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4se80hARhE
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtT4GNMlie
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDgd8w1kQ3
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVkv8pYRYl
A742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqd7rj04Jr
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlXRUyFIxk
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IMbpX88TB
as they had their backs towards the window.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8nIcxmjJH
"You know we need him," said the tall man.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mAuUboFPo
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe19eZVbJqI
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pgeanaJq0
The742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQR1nt6Mmq
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkHOJ05GSo
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58Fi089O9w
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VPtjGLCPy
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxdYRGhdaF
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9G1L4Z7Fm
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTGUpFa1Ce
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FLTTWt31G
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh86N1btaLy
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaFwSMbka5
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxQaLYrfr2
"What if she reveals the truth?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVjdhU8wDw
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAWoew7NTM
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKNHqdVfO9
For a moment, silence hung over them.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2Shk6iTdY
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJgoZSV8Oj
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGM17N4XPa
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyq1t8sGdJF
"I742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZWdIw1iWP
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gc31KC0ES
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyRtAMg9V4
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05H2Iy2NgU
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3gnUQfEu0
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH0cJywnNl
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡht3XasRYkz
***742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IiyiAEmkM
The742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5tcmu7SVA
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLLpt5pQ0n
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLRo0gZ3j9
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXtl23S7aE
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfMXPOnbhW
they met, they seemed sky blue.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1DpUTxlW5
And742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnvFULJ64B
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEs7rKsT0kj
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxPjO0SoVv
Rhénee742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijvj5mG9pX
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZt8f17pSIv
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydnCBxLIIx
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKxPqTfSLN
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1rhKKAWiw
coffee table in the middle.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDRmbbB2ZE
When742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuV0EVakVm
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaWVCDdAbs
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyahBpR5pw8
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6t9gPs20sC
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqiwwnq4oi
"Are you sure?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvucD50vdZ7
"Yes, I'm positive."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOETzos3UpA
Miss742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZTOonDOcb
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6ywVXCAEQ
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa30fSAey68
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzZORVt4Gm
from their cups.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qptpsKg55
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloRq03SBBN
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUKS7CywiD
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7v8LjdBdI
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQoIOztZMU
"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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3XDpvYVQe
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZraazVXnH
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AfpmDqKDz
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguamQkCigI
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReSgjWMTAL
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUVoFgvKLu
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TVy5Sgtam
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsDYsCG6Q3
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDXgENgvN2
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3qaH88Dgn
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylUMYdXnzC
"Oh,742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnbvyffccR
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb31oB4g5C
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDZMV6m1Ml
who he is."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpu9fERvNn2
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4tJUgagbW
Rhénee742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBKiIvoglQ
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaoefEs4aQ
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1toNd8lzH
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZPMnVQJoZ
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3L3oVvY2y
Rhénee742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrhnuyYPty
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqPthvQmA7
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARnwqCm1GM
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzurUX4wB5
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADMNLuVtbx
"Fine,742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGWpcXf4Ek
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNKbDiNUfK
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXdEWi1FrO
or die if you stay by me."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScR90bbv5A
