“Okay, I can do this,” she took a deep breath and tried to relax. She wished she could be in a quiet room, but with the noise around, she had to get used to it.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1wBzfMxmt
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“Hello, am I interrupting anything?” came a voice, bringing her out of her thoughts.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96bacReaTc
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Angel quickly opened her eyes in fright and found a smartly dressed man standing in front of her. He wore a silver-grey suit that fit well on his body. His clear blue eyes looked at her anxiously, and Angel couldn’t help but stare at his kind, round face with his blonde hair cropped around his head leaving a reasonable amount of hair in the front and middle. A few strands of his hair fell in curls just above his left eye.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS9bCg2e14
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“Uh-yes, I’m fine,” Angel quickly answered as she felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrU7C1MuWw
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“You’re the new girl, right?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGu4Y5Pjiv
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Angel didn’t know what to say as she felt she would drop the files in her hands. The man in front of her is gorgeous. And judging by the way his suit fit well on his body, he definitely does workouts at the gym or something. She told herself to pull herself together.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjnuxnVrPv
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“Yes, I am,” she quickly answered again. “Angel Barclay, nice to meet you. You’re…?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdtSELvGOr
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“Derrick,” the man quickly drew out his hand to give her a handshake. Angel had to carry the files with her one arm to draw out the other. They shook hands. “I wasn’t in the architecture department when you passed by. I just heard we've a new girl in town.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5Edj1Nlqx
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“Oh,” Angel felt her cheeks heat up even more. “I didn’t know I would still be the talk of the department.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ko9NQ8EKu
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“With your looks, you’ll be the talk for a month. I can guarantee that.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFnmamuCJu
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Angel nervously chuckled. “Don’t say that. I personally don't think so.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKjj9AYsUu
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“Well, I do.” He looked at the files in her hands. “May I carry them for you? They look heavy.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYPZjD9AnZ
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“Ah, no thanks,” Angel quickly refused. “They aren’t heavy at all.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1z0mXhPdJ
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“You sure? Here, let me help.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vgZ3X6XdW
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Derrick came closer and took the three huge files from her hands. Angel felt like a huge weight has been lifted. She hadn’t realised how heavy the files were until now.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7G4rVC4TC
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“Thanks,” Angel managed to say.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1oXwIrUjz
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“Are you walking over to your desk?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytSi5v6Xy0
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“Ah, yes, I am.” Angel led the way to her cubicle in the main work area. She could feel a number of eyes on her and a few whispers here and there.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnxJ8BpTA8
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Derrick put the files on her desk. “I see you’ve a lot to work on.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLeFtBu1rO
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“Not really,” Angel said, trying to shake off the feeling she's getting from people around her. She started to rub the back of her neck. “Just trying to familiarise myself with what I’ll be doing around here.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwYtbgRlZu
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“I hear you'll be working closely with Mrs. Lance. You better buckle up. The woman is hard to please.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUesSjjeBf0
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“Ya, I’ve been warned. But I’ll do all I can to work hard.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoF148Ui0pY
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Derrick gave her a kind smile. “Well, I’ll leave you to it, Miss Barclay. Hey, if you’re up for it, you and I can go out for lunch with the others from my department.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4oqF0dyk1
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“Thanks, but I’ll have to decline. I already made plans with someone today.” Angel stared at her phone on the desk. Eric sent a text a few minutes ago inviting her to lunch, so she couldn’t turn him down.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYugMVGyPlE
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“Ah, I see. People are already asking you out?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrQdkFvwbF
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Angel found herself blushing even more. “It’s not like that,” she managed to say. “It’s just between friends, nothing special.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcVlJJ3053
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Derrick raised an eyebrow and a smile soon came across his face. “Maybe another time. How does that sound?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYkqRGrOhM
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Angel quickly shook her head. “That will be great. Thanks for helping me carry these files.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUXW8doq4g
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“You’re welcome. It’s nice meeting you. I’ll see you around?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaAXzHAjAr
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“Ya, I’ll see you.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd8vkQuXxc
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Derrick gave her a wave and started to walk out of the work area. Before Angel could take her seat, she could’ve swore that he had turned to look at her before disappearing out of sight. She didn’t want to think too much about it.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgDbgvzI88
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She looked at the files in front of her and knew she had a lot to do. She better get to work now before work starts to pile up. She got one file and placed it in front of her when she heard:518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffZk7gFYeS
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“Excuse me, it’s Angel, right?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFoETS4lno
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Angel turned around and found a young lady, an African American like her, seated at her desk opposite Angel’s cubicle. Her skin colour is darker than Angel’s, like that of dark chocolate. She had black, kinky hair tied above her head and leaving a huge tuft of hair. She wore glasses with a blue frame and wore a black suit with a white blouse and matching black high-heels. Angel couldn’t help but feel intimidated by the lady’s beauty.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9IRbnmKaT
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“Yes, it is," said Angel as she fully turned around in her seat and drew her arm out. "Your name is-?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJObzEHeFz
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"Sabrina," said the lady as she leaned forward and shook hands with Angel. "I see a lot of people really want to know you."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMywrszpC4
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"Maybe it's because I'm new here," said Angel, trying her best to stress a point kindly.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHZkUNIyEr
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"Or maybe it's because you're just too pretty," Sabrina gave Angel a flashy smile.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTes7invba
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Angel playfully shrugged her shoulders. "I can't be too sure about that."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmc324u9Uj
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"It's because you don't see it. The person you were talking to just now, he's really hard to come by. A lot of ladies around here try to get his attention. For him to actually ask you out for lunch will probably leave a lot of people here speechless."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqapdylqKV
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Angel raised an eyebrow. "Really? Why do you say so? You make it sound like he's an introvert when he seems like a really outgoing person."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnOxoxETxw
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"He is. It's just that he has his own circle of friends. When many ladies try to get close, he pulls away. He's acquainted with a lot of us, but none of us have ever gotten close to him."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVezcHcEWh
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"Okay, but what does that have to do with me? I just met him."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQOjHWXeJ4
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"Him escorting you here and asking you out for lunch is actually the first time I've seen him try to engage a lady in a conversation. He rarely does, unless he is talking about work."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9u7lRUSfOf
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"Oh, I see. But that doesn't mean he likes me or anything, right?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4ezoWfuyD
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Sabrina shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows with men. One minute they're leading you on, the next they aren't. But with Derrick, he might really like you."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogrgc6246Q
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"He doesn't have a girlfriend, does he?" came another female with blonde hair and striking blue eyes. She stood in the aisle with papers in her hands. She seemed to have popped out out of nowhere.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZNfWy3ROU
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"Not that I know of," Sabrina answered her. "Angel, this is Beatrix."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CBGzF19Cf
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"Oh, sorry for butting in in your conversation," said Beatrix, looking at Angel and raising her hand apologetically. "Where are my manners?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeIgCbBTky
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"It's okay," said Angel. "It's nice to meet you, Beatrix."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzycSpr3qsL
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"Nice meeting you too. Just like Sabrina said, I'm also shocked Derrick actually talked to you so casually and actually asked you out for lunch."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdEC0xm4qt
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"You see," Sabrina said to Angel with a smile on her face.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxTOcsxZDZ
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"I'm not going to say anything," said Angel. "You obviously know him better than I do."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONpYCA1RPA
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"Just admit it. He has his eye on you."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbwD9KTQu6
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Angel blushed. She looked to the floor, hoping that the other two wouldn’t notice.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUXZb5TVmz
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"If you managed to get his attention, what more of the other male folk around here who are single?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqdFiUOdbi
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"Let's not talk about that," said Angel as she quickly spun around in her chair. “The last thing I need right now is to worry about who likes me.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDarKVc3GR
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“Was it like this at your previous workplace? I hear you worked for some editing company, right?” Beatrix asked.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uBcEa5Z4Q
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Looks like they got their information from HR, Angel thought before she turned around to look at the two ladies. “As far as I can remember, no. Most men were married, so, I didn’t have any problems.” Except Mark, of course. She made sure not to say that out loud.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ihG8y8Fqi
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“Anyway, since you’re close with Eric and Leo, I bet you have their attention too,” said Sabrina.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqb1D0dJub
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“Oh, no, I don’t think so,” Angel was quick to deny.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIiyJyZs0O
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“They are very good-looking and all the ladies wouldn’t mind getting close to them. But just like Derrick, they also don’t like to get too close. Eric's better since he’s outgoing and all. But Leo keeps to himself. He seems like a no nonsense person and he was pretty serious with his relationship with Kim until they called off the wedding.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGatx6JicN
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Angel didn’t want to hear any more of this. If only they knew that the reason why that happened is because of Carly.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpoQqcuA6w
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“Do you know why that happened, Angel?” Beatrix asked. “You’re close to the family, so you should know the reason.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRUJnQor05
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“I can’t answer that.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AYIbJyLwc
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Sabrina drew herself closer, dragging the chair with her. “Why not?” she asked. “Is it that bad?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9M0UMkFanO
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“No one actually knows why Leo broke things off with Kim, and so does she.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuL7kBshMGd
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“Oh, darn!” Beatrix clicked her tongue. “Everyone around here also says the same thing.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2ghnDCMqH
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Good, Angel thought. It’s best she went with this. No one in the McDonell mansion knows the truth except for her, Eric, Carly and Leo. The more people think of it as a mystery, the better.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zquswTE4k
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“You see, Leo keeps things to himself,” said Sabrina. “As much as he is good looking, I feel he has such an attitude. You feel it sometimes when he talks to you, though he isn’t always like that.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaptFWwsdl
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“Well, he does have an attitude, I can agree on that," said Angel.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKduVyALeze
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“How do you handle him? Doesn’t he get on your nerves?” Beatrix asked.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbX6AqbFqU
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“Sometimes. But he isn’t that bad.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9RxbiKqQE
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“Ya, I see how he’s close with his family, especially Eric,” said Sabrina. “I just wish he was more outgoing, you know.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbIrXEr5y9
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You and me both, Angel thought. “I better start working on these files.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGvWSFIqsV
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“Oh, ya, sure,” said Beatrix, “sorry for disturbing you.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUC4WFbdzLy
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“Not a problem.” Angel quickly swirled round in her chair to face the file in front of her. She really needed to get some work done. She didn’t expect to be in engaged in so much talk on her first day. She still felt uneasy as she heard a whisper across the room and thought she had heard someone mention her name. She had to agree with Derrick. She would be the talk of the office for a while.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fjsPh4NPw
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She closed her eyes shaking off the feeling so as to try and focus on work. She always did this, even at the editing company when she sometimes felt anxious or pressured. When she opened them, she went straight to work on the files.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZyOyZnVuH
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Leo heard the phone on his desk vibrate. He wondered if it’s Eric sending him a text that he couldn’t find what he went to look for. Leo sighed. He now wished his father was handling this meeting with Eric and not him. With Eric out of the office for a while, now is the time he can try and catch up on work, especially with answering his emails on his iMac.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhLRMa7TfG
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His eyes left the computer screen and he went on to look at his phone. A sudden feeling came over, telling him that it might not be Eric who sent him a message. Could it be his father? If he wanted anything from Leo, he would've called. Maybe it’s his mother? No, he shook his head. It can’t be her. Just like his father, she would’ve called. Could it be Carly? It might, he thought positively. Maybe she thought of texting him.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeERoP3gQYb
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He quickly took his phone and turned on the screen to find the message isn’t from Carly. It's from Kim. He felt like putting his phone aside and getting back to work. Instead, he unlocked the phone to read her message and it was nothing but a simple “Hello.” He rolled his eyes as he wished he had never bumped into her at the café this morning. Should he ignore the message? As much as he wanted to, he still had to say something. He didn’t want to seem rude like he does sometimes.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRKuTQqy18
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He texted her back and quickly put his phone down on the desk, hoping that she wouldn’t text back, but she did. Leo couldn’t help but groan.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0w9PNKXK4
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A knock soon came at the door and before Leo could tell the person to come in, the door flew open and Eric walked in with papers in his hands. Leo groaned even more, throwing his head back onto his chair.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nZgHXIv7n
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“What’s up with you, grumpy?” Eric asked as he came to sit on the chair, facing Leo.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBPcsaimj5
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“Why don’t you ever knock when you come in?” Leo asked as he folded his arms.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxggFvCv4d
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“I’m sorry, but I already know you’re used to it. So what’s up?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFWEXezKnD
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Leo looked at Eric. His cousin knew him better than anyone. He took a deep breath and leaned his elbows on the table.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSARKyU78as
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“Kim texted me,” he said.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCAZsbtgC8
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“Whoa, Kim texted you?” Eric for some reason didn’t look at all surprised. “How come?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjl5ijBJIfs
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“Angel and I met her at the café where we bought croissants.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0AH8bVcrW
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“Why didn’t you tell me?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYkHIPfvTp
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“It didn’t matter then, but it does now. She just texted me.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaPw9TqDWx
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“What did she say?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpyGOeMFWd
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“Just a simple hello.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobp4iqghvN
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“And did you reply?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOQpjuJ1hx
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“Of course, I did.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqV9SoaaJg
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“And…?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGreEIsYhd
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“She texted back and I haven’t read the message.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2xoEqBMxX
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“You better see what that message says.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGSbVFY6y6
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“And what if I don’t want to? It’s pretty obvious that she wants to hook up for lunch or something.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yRXqJpXa8
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“You’re right. I’m impressed with how much you know women, nowadays.” Eric gave him an encouraging smile.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4CJlWSnUB
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“Don’t flatter me. What am I going to do? I don’t want to meet her, that’s if she does ask that we should.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtG2gw026q
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“You’ll never know what you’ve to do if you don’t read the message.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASopKipenG
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“You’re right.” Leo took his phone and unlocked it. When he read the message, he suddenly had a gloomy look. “She wants us to meet.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDBDvfXc9z
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“She really must be desperate, huh?” Eric raised his eyebrows. “Who can blame her? Being dumped on your wedding day to such a handsome man like you wasn’t what she expected.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39HXQs2EGo
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“You aren’t making me feel any better. Besides, I apologised. I don’t know what she wants me to do.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONxiuCCV3M
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“She needs an answer from you. That’s what.” Eric leaned back on the chair. "You never told her why you left on your wedding day. In fact, everyone keeps asking me that question and I always say that I don’t know.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JqX5OrXly
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“The less who know, the better.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyS5GTJjpR
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“Sooner or later, you’ll have to tell Kim the truth. If anything, she deserves it more than anyone.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgj7fQkdV8
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Leo didn’t say anything as he looked down at his phone on the table. He took it and started to tap away, then he quickly put it down.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7D3aMrdhd
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“What did you tell her?” Eric couldn’t help but look on curiously at Leo’s phone.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSc1Ly87Eya
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“I told her we can meet,” Leo answered,518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cu8UqEt8o
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“WHAT!” Eric held his head, not believing what Leo said. “I don’t believe you. Let me see the message.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8CwsBGqoA
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Leo groaned, but he got his phone, unlocked it and gave Eric. When Eric read it for himself, he stared at Leo.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFW92qM7RF
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“You’re serious,” he said as he gave Leo back his phone. “Are you finally going to tell her the truth?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx6liurp24
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“On that part, I don’t know,” Leo answered as he leaned back on his chair, deep in thought.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZzYvKsHQ5
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“Well, if you tell her, it will finally give her the chance to move on, don’t you think?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0y0CMuhnY
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“If I do tell her, she’ll kill me.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6GyaKclLQ
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“It’s typical of a woman. Even I would kill you. I wouldn’t like to know that the reason why my man left me was because he fell in love with someone else.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqoSrHpWqs
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Leo chuckled to himself as he stared at the ceiling. “I still remember that day. Gosh, all of that happened so suddenly.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCkOWaV3xr
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“I thought you had gone mad, but looking at you now, you seem to have made the right decision. You don’t look regretful for leaving Kim.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69se2heOqM
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“I think it was the right thing to do.” Leo now had his eyes on Eric. “If anything, I feel like I really didn’t love her at all.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdSCnfJRaD
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Eric smiled. “Grandma will be glad if she heard those words coming out of that mouth of yours.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv7chz3EHW
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“I know. Seems like she was right after all. Kim was never good for me.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfsxsoAxTR
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“Wait until she finds out that you’re actually in love with Carly.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44tzh0OkNc
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The two cousins looked at each other, imagining the scenario. Eric reacted first.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWljb1m2qFo
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“No, I don’t want to imagine it,” he said as he shook his head. “Something tells me it won’t be a good one.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k2JKlHSZP
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“I agree,” said Leo as he rubbed the temple of his head. “I don’t want to imagine my mother, though.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqom1HPu0Tv
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“That one is pretty obvious; I don’t have to imagine it, that’s if I want my head to explode.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYk9bj960d
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The two laughed.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYJaag34NR
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“Okay, okay, let’s get back to work,” said Eric, wiping away a tear in his eye. “Remember, we’ve to finish these arrangements before lunch.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvh0YtYvAI
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“You’re right,” said Leo as he went on to look at his screen and switched windows from his email to an open document.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6S9m4fDRyx
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A brief silence passed between them when they suddenly burst out laughing at the same time.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QlR3UbASh
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***518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydsfK692D3
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"Hey, Miranda, are you okay?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJKl3Pfcuc
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Miranda quickly turned to the person who spoke to her. It's Brad. She rolled her eyes. “Oh, it’s you,” she said, turning her head to look elsewhere.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSEoxfRjxK
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Miranda was seated on a chair in the lecture room. They were waiting for their next lecture as the previous one ended minutes ago. She had been going through her phone to pass time when she was supposed to be studying. God knows just how behind she is.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU4ViAkY7C
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“Scoot over,” Brad insisted as he moved his body closer to hers, forcing her to move.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGtlkDlpMn
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Miranda moved over to the next chair which was empty and Brad finally managed to sit next to her.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCViSWtuRVB
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“What were you looking at?” he asked as he tried to see what's on Miranda’s phone.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X390lTQaJ
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“Nothing, why do you want to know?” she asked, holding her phone tight and facing her body the other way to avoid him from looking.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyg4oEmPKY
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“You seem really fixed on it. I want to see what’s caught your interest.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0PxsKKRsp
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“Like I told you, it’s nothing. So why don’t you just mind your business?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcic0XGeTM
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“I would, but I’m not going to this time.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWj2pTUcuKD
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“You never do.” Miranda gave him a gloomy look.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBLBc3MTfP
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“I say that because something’s been different about you lately.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnES8bZdVqe
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She raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT4ZR678ds
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“Well…,” Brad placed his elbow on the table with his hand supporting the side of his face so as to get a good look at Miranda. “You’re barely concentrating in class these days. And last week when we were handing in our assignments, you were late. You were so lucky that the madam took pity on you and accepted it.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZNRecgOgu
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“I had a slight problem with my laptop, that’s all.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nJoetCcge
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Brad scoffed. “Nah, that’s not it.” He wagged his index finger in front of her face. Miranda got irritated that she pushed his hand away. “Something is keeping you distracted.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMeru06gas
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“I’m just busy, that’s all.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5hjjxwfZT
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“There’s a difference between being busy and getting distracted. And you, my friend, are distracted.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTogfke35E
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Miranda rolled her eyes at him and looked down at her phone before she went on to look in front of her.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOLXU6515j
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“So what were you looking at on that phone of yours?” Brad went on to ask.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRnitPO2pE
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Miranda looked at him through the corner of her eye. “You really don’t listen, do you?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJM5mjaqE1
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“I thought I saw you looking at a guy's photo on Instagram just now. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdg1AxNxpe
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Miranda felt like standing up from her seat to go elsewhere, but she soon felt Brad hold her free hand, pinning her in place. It’s like he knew what she was about to do and he did the only thing possible to pin her down.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKl3cxmp3Rx
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“Let go of me, Brad,” she warned him.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqHjYfUDuH
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“And what if I don’t want to?” he asked with a smirk on his face.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigVn3S0Cu6
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“You’re hurting me. Why are you being such a prick?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDosRs6XmZ
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“It’s because I’m worried about you. Something is up and I need to know what it is. Is it that man you keep looking at on your phone? Mind you, I’ve seen you looking at him time and time again.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGQReG57vJ
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Miranda felt her cheeks heat up. She couldn’t tell Brad about her sudden interest in Leo McDonell. Brad just said he looked familiar. And if he kept looking at her phone, he might realise who he is. She had to think of something.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfujgSbJwW
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“You’re worried over nothing,” she said. “Just some celebrity that I follow on Instagram. I think he’s really cute and that’s why I look at his photos.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5hZHj5xFQ
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Brad stared at her for a second. Miranda knew she had told him part of the truth. But she couldn’t go into detail or else she might say something about Leo. If he knew, she didn’t know what he would do.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvd03LxpAt
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“Girls and your stupid crushes,” he said as he finally let go of her hand. “When will you ever let it go?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzbmLjdco2
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“When the time is right,” said Miranda, doing her best not to sound nervous.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPfDYgd4Bd
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“So who is this guy, anyway?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXcAJGjLRZ
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She was afraid he was going to ask that. So when their lecturer walked through the door of the theatre, she let out a silent sigh of relief. Everyone who was still up and about went to their seats, and the lecture begun.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVtBny9NY0
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It’s finally lunch time, and Eric couldn’t wait to get out of the office with Angel and go somewhere nice. He had been in Leo’s office preparing for the meeting with the Chinese. Now that they're done, he couldn’t wait to leave.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9x2ppwFUF
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“Whoa, where do you think you’re going?” Leo asked, still seated behind his desk.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZQFqfLuPG
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“I’m going out for lunch,” Eric answered, heading for the door.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDP6SOK9bd
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“You look like you’re going to the bathroom.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA6V510gGW
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“I’m taking Angel out,” Eric said with a proud look on his face.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6xhNiSiP6
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Leo couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Oh, you’re going out with Angel, then?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4Lozsb36W
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“Yep. Wipe that sour look on your face. Or are you upset that you have to go out with Kim?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4wS69zvvy
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“I couldn’t care less about that. Besides, having lunch with Angel doesn’t appeal to me.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzMZopLJNe
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“That’s because you don’t like her. Mind you, having lunch with Angel is way better than having it with Kim.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOfceGtXWn
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The look on Leo’s face became grim. Even when he didn’t want to admit it, he knew Eric is right. He cleared his throat. “If you ask me there isn’t much of a difference.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f9bzr0Nvy
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It's Eric’s turn to roll his eyes. “You know, if you gave yourself time to actually know Angel instead of fighting with her all the time, you’ll find that she’s okay to be with than Kim.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKvnskBiYx
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“I beg to differ.” Leo’s face became even more serious.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDu0S9T5nOz
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“I’ve to go now,” said Eric as he reached the door and held the knob. “Tell me how things go with Kim, okay? And try not to start an argument with her, wherever you will be.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eFoUIO6Y3
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“I won’t.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EUGie13k7
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Eric gave his cousin a concerned look. “I sure hope so. I’m off. See you later.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJV1vN5OcR0
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Leo gave him a nod and Eric quickly rushed out of the door like an excited young boy who had been told he could go outside and play with his friends. Even when Leo felt irritated by Eric’s enthusiasm, he couldn’t help but envy him a little. The man is in love, Leo thought to himself. Even when he knew he loved Carly, he didn’t experience the kind of lovey-dovey nonsense Eric is in right now. Is that what he admired? The crazy feeling of liking someone that you couldn’t wait to see them?518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7w5UzoNGA
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Leo shook his head. People are different and express love in different ways, he concluded. There’s no doubt in his mind that he loved Carly. Besides, he thought to himself, I don’t think Eric likes Angel to that extent. Maybe what he feels for her might pass in due time. Leo thought again, and concluded that Eric’s feelings towards Angel aren’t going to pass any time soon.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY32AXiCVew
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He soon got up from his seat as he also had to prepare himself to go and meet Kim. He didn’t know how his lunch with her is going to go. Before that, he thought he could lie to her that something came up to avoid any drama. But he couldn’t do that now. He would look like a coward. Something he doesn’t want to be.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVqxzep4YZ
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He walked up to the door and got his jacket on the coat hanger. And with a deep breath, he opened the door and walked out.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7xMGLXgnc
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“I bet you’re hungry, huh?” Eric asked as he and Angel finally got out of the complex building.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpLmRXc6em
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"You can say that again,” she said turning to look at Eric. "I’m so famished for my first day.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMRgJ5xbDB
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"I get what you mean. So many people keep asking me about you.” Eric had his hands in his pockets as he stared up at the sky. "You’ve made quite a reputation for someone on their first day.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDtpsYY4qI
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"All that will pass.” Angel smiled at Eric. "It’s just the first day. By the end of the week, everyone would’ve forgotten that I even existed.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFqB5lpgko
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"I doubt that. People will forget, but it’s no question that you’ll still be the talk of the office. I mean, you’ll obviously be classified as the most beautiful female member of staff.” Eric now had his eyes on her as he chuckled.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uBlnw7VNH
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Angel playfully punched him on the arm. "What are you saying? There are many beautiful women at the company. If you ask me, their beauty is intimidating.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qE1YbkVM3
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"That’s because you miss the big picture,” Eric stopped walking as he now held her arm to stop her as well. "You really are very beautiful, you do know that, right?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Wo1ZfZFVA
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Angel couldn’t say anything as she continued to look at Eric. Her heart started to flutter and felt her cheeks heat up. She found all of this awkward as she started to look around. She looked back at Eric, wondering how to tell him that they were standing in the middle of the street and might be in the way. But the look he continued to give her left her speechless.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6B7YX10pgG
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"I wish you could see what I see,” he said in a whisper. Even with all the bustling of people about and the hooting of the car horns, Angel got what he said. That made her cheeks heat up even more. She cleared her throat.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMwhKBxsdU
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"Ummm, Eric, we’re standing in the way,” she said. "This isn’t the time or the place for this, don’t you think?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJWOmtwlTU
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"Oh,” Eric forgot they were in the middle of the sidewalk, with people moving around. "I totally forgot that we were here in the first place. I must have spaced out a bit.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MCZiTeUhS
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Angel cleared her throat again as she looked down at her feet for a brief moment. "That must be it. Come on, weren’t you taking me out for lunch? I’m starving.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhkca4jFzV
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Eric nervously chuckled and at the same time scratched the back of his head. "I shouldn’t keep a lady waiting. Sorry about that.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9TOUACnY4
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"Not at all.” She tried her best not to look like she had been flattered, but her cheeks continued to blush, making her even more nervous.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ayYMva8Ra
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They continued their walk down the sidewalk when Eric said, "I mean what I said, though. I hope you aren’t offended or anything.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajhSu2w1MQ
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They stopped at the traffic lights and they waited for the walk sign to light up when Angel turned to look at Eric. "No, don’t worry,” she said.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlU2C4TOAts
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The light soon went green and the pedestrians who stood at the edge of the sidewalk crossed the road to the other side.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCVPFGneqJ
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"I’m glad,” said Eric. "I thought you would be upset or something.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVO6iAKC3Z
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"I’ve received such comments before, so I’m not.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMHoieGt78
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Eric clicked his tongue as he shrugged. "You would, obviously. I also shouldn’t be surprised.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdvJ7AQMVH
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Angel tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. She couldn’t tell Eric that his approach was different from the ones she had encountered before. Even from Mark. She felt her cheeks heat up even more by the thought of it. It's best, she thought, that I don’t say anything.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3ImSxYQeG
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"Let me take you to my favourite restaurant nearby,” Eric continued as he smiled at her. "You’ll love it. And you can order whatever you like.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHy686kwHx
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Angel couldn’t help but chuckle. "Don’t be so silly,” she said. "As much as that offer sounds tempting, it’s pretty obvious that I won’t be that careless.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmSRzUVbYk
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"Well, the food is on me, so I won’t mind if you order countless dishes.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7c3d3E2SfD
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"Thanks,” this time she laughed. "But even if I’m so hungry, I don’t eat that much.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKyJY67vkB
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"Just letting you know that the offer is on the table. Ah! Here we are.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlzoNUSFuW
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They stopped in front of a small restaurant. From outside, it might not look like a five-star restaurant, but for some reason, Angel found it almost elegant as she looked through the huge glass window. The décor is simple but had a touch of elegance. White chairs and tables covered with white cloths with beautiful gold embroidery on them. Elegant flowers of different colours and types sat on different tables, making the place look more romantic. This scene reminded her of the place she went for lunch with Mark last week.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4clNjoxpj
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"Shall we?” Eric held the door to the restaurant open as he waited for her.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolAdMsq2LE
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Angel shook herself from her daydream and went through the open door.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuhoSY65vV
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She started to look around the place when a smartly dressed male waiter, approached her. Eric stood behind her after closing the door. Immediately, the male waiter smiled at Eric like they know each other. Angel shouldn’t be surprised. Eric did say he liked coming here.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8flq3VX3K
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‘"Hello, sir,” said the young waiter with a wide smile. "I see you came with company. Will you be taking the usual table?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0wz9Z2mmu
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"That’s if it’s free,” Eric answered.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2p52CHzJc
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"Well, you’re just in luck. Please, follow me.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENRlDT7DvP
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Angel couldn’t ignore the way the waiter addressed them with so much courtesy. He led them to one of the tables by the corner, close to the window. When they neared the table, Eric drew out a chair for her to sit and Angel did likewise. Eric sat on the other side of the table, facing her. He told the waiter to serve them a glass of water as they looked through the menu before ordering.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdQaIyVYdv
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"The waiter seems to know you very well,” said Angel as she picked up the menu card on the table.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybo8JdzdGN
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"I come here a lot,” said Eric as he also picked up the other menu on his side.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphS1BG20vI
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Angel said nothing as she smiled and looked at the menu.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASTELvCNx0
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"It’s sad that Leo couldn’t join us,” said Eric.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpsA1wQYe4
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Angel looked at Eric. "Why do you say so? Were you scared that the two of us would start a fight in the restaurant?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR59vO8A1oI
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Eric laughed. "No, I didn’t think that way in the least. If there is one thing I know for sure, you two can behave yourselves in a public place like this one. I wasn’t going to worry at all.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaonNx4ElY
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Angel made a face because she knew Eric is right. She looked back at the menu when Eric put up a funny face. "So then, why did you say that?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUYYaJHggd
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"Because he’s having lunch with Kim. He must be heading to her as we speak.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FXlopwoaL
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Angel raised her eyes from the menu. "Kim? We met her when we went to buy croissants this morning.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvt0UqzXYib
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"He told me. She actually texted him that she wanted to meet. And he agreed to do so.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tNISPvK5P
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"That’s so unlike him,” she looked towards the waiter who had brought them glasses of water. He asked if they were ready to order, and they both said they weren’t.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzEgCZwoiT
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"I know, right?” Eric agreed with Angel after the waiter left. "I think he’s doing the right thing. Maybe he'll finally get to tell her the truth.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1JeP6PENc
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Angel didn’t say anything as she thought about it. "Do you think he will? I mean, him going to see her is already unbelievable as it is.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAyu8tJ5tf
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Eric shrugged. "Who knows. If he does tell her, I think she’ll be at peace, right? But she’ll probably freak out and would want to know who it is.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jU19zo6cz
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"Now that you mention it, I fear it will turn out to be a disaster.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDipAXUzZCA
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"You’re probably right,” Eric looked up at the ceiling, deep in thought. "That’s if Leo does tell her the truth and mentions that it's actually Carly he’s now in love with.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZpyy1YvEd
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The two looked at each other in silence as they thought of the scenario. Eric groaned in frustration as he quickly pulled his phone out from the pocket.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYqEtUYMHW
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"What are you doing?” Angel asked.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7qgri1tZQ
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"Calling Leo so that he won’t tell Kim the truth,” Eric answered as he looked through his phone.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAHBYgMcb4
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"I think we’re just overthinking things. What if he doesn’t say anything? Or what if he does but doesn’t mention Carly’s name? If Leo is in line with what we just thought, the best is not to mention Carly.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNrIwM21ck
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"You’re probably right,” Eric put his phone aside on the table and looked at Angel.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4gXDkVpVv
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Angel continued to stare at him, but then, she put the menu on the table and started to play with her fingers. She bit her lower lip. "On second thought, I think you better give him a call. Just in case.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfW9jhPxLP
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"I agree.” Eric quickly took his phone and went on to call Leo.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeWFLQgM14
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He had his phone to the ear when the ringing tone of Leo’s phone came up. He started to get worried in the moments that passed as the phone kept ringing. Could Leo already be with Kim at this very minute? He looked at Angel who looked back anxiously. She also started to worry. And just when Eric thought Leo wasn’t going to pick the call, he heard the cracking sound at the other end of the line.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6AGeUVNEM
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"Hello?” came Leo’s voice.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMiM1IFIQB
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"Thank goodness, you picked the call,” said Eric. "We were starting to get worried.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwByryx8jp
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"By ‘we’ you mean, you and Angel?” Leo sounded unconvinced.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmXtys2ccl
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"It might seem unbelievable, but it’s true.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNckToqCZt
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Leo sighed. "Get to the point. Why are you calling me?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSh1WhSV1G
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"Are you heading to lunch with Kim right now?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZyIZkYl4S
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"I was about to enter the car and head there. What’s up?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkGj4J6BK8
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"Quick question. Are you going to tell Kim the truth?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83kQcesuZb
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"The truth about what? Why I didn’t marry her?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipyeQRINDv
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"Yes.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcYi2hhqql
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"Weren’t you the one saying I should? What’s wrong? Are you getting second thoughts or you think I might screw this up?”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAp7etvSdC
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"Uh…,” Eric hesitated as his eyes found Angel who had been looking at him the entire time. Judging by Leo’s statement, he felt like he didn’t have to worry at all.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vWFq8D6ZC
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"Nah, you got this all under control,” Eric quickly pointed out. "I trust that you’ll do the right thing.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM7u76ca98
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Leo murmured and Eric knew he had just got on his nerves. "I don’t know why you’re scared, but I already know what I'm going to do. And if I'm going to tell her the truth, then you shouldn’t be bothered about it.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2vuAh6miJ
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"I believe you. You’ve a nice lunch.” Eric cut the call.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQ3zMNAFTu
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"What did he say?” Angel quickly asked.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdVpxsymZo
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"That he’s got everything under control,” he answered. "I believe him. If he really is going to tell her the truth, I don’t think he’ll tell her he’s actually in love with Carly. If he does, then Kim will tell aunt, and she’ll be furious.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsyjWEEwnm
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Angel cleared her throat before she said, "not only that. Once she finds out, she’ll realise that before Carly and I moved in, we had all known each other and have been pretending this whole time. And they might end up finding the truth about how Leo and Carly met.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5KRSplEIM
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The two looked at each other in silence, again. They both shook their heads as they picked up their menus.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GnLWjGTLv
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"Leo has this under control,” Eric assured her. "We’ve nothing to worry about.”518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7GiCubFgr
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"Ya, you’re right,” said Angel as she looked at the menu, holding it tight. She really hoped that Eric is right.
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