Leo took a deep breath and let it out after a second’s pause. You can do this, he told himself. No matter how uncomfortable he felt, he’s going to walk through the door in front of him and have lunch with Kim. He felt like leaving and telling Kim over the phone that he couldn’t make it. But it’s too late now. Kim must’ve seen him through the large glass windows and it would be embarrassing if he were to leave now.438Please respect copyright.PENANAzlzFWu9idF
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He gathered his composure as he straightened his collar. He started to make his way towards the restaurant. Before he could get to the door, it flew open and two ladies walked out. Leo made way for them and he thought he saw one of them give him an eye as they passed. He ignored them and held the door open before it slang itself shut.438Please respect copyright.PENANAU83SexR782
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He is greeted by a waiter. "Good afternoon, sir," the man said. "Would you like to make a reservation?"438Please respect copyright.PENANAsMyFA4p0oQ
438Please respect copyright.PENANAaOmtLKDpVt
438Please respect copyright.PENANAGvjhS9sXYd
"Actually I'm here to have lunch with someone," Leo answered. "Kimberly Gates?"438Please respect copyright.PENANAEXggvU1WB7
438Please respect copyright.PENANAGmrvyOoK2z
438Please respect copyright.PENANAFwVjUf9z1O
"Oh, yes, she told me you were coming," said the young man. "Right this way, please."438Please respect copyright.PENANABE3L1X8EyK
438Please respect copyright.PENANA3Sp1IH6YaK
438Please respect copyright.PENANAPaxvB38pCV
The man led the way with Leo following behind him to the centre of the room. Leo saw Kim looking just like she did when he saw her this morning in her white office dress and a cashmere pink jacket. He noticed that her long blonde hair fell in curls and she wore lovely gold studs with a matching gold neck chain. When she saw Leo, her eyes widened with excitement.438Please respect copyright.PENANAsHq2sylvcp
438Please respect copyright.PENANAlQ6cTQRRBG
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"Here you are, sir," said the young man with a bright smile on his face. "If you would like to order, please let us know."438Please respect copyright.PENANAiWu0eloXI4
438Please respect copyright.PENANAryXWOrSGJa
438Please respect copyright.PENANAlKXwQy0zhE
"We will, thank you," said Kim as she smiled at the young man. Leo took his seat opposite Kim immediately the waiter left.438Please respect copyright.PENANAXkowuOXnL1
438Please respect copyright.PENANAuRLBAjM1jD
438Please respect copyright.PENANAZSQENtGN2g
"Hi, again," she said as she put up a nervous smile. "I honestly didn’t think that you would come."438Please respect copyright.PENANAKIgw6Yvv26
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Leo had to pick his words carefully as he already felt irritated over the whole scenario. "It would seem rude if I didn’t," he said.438Please respect copyright.PENANAbT7p8Y9eJu
438Please respect copyright.PENANAVUNCUKBahu
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"Oh, not at all," said Kim as she shook her head and leaned back on her chair. "I would’ve understood if you were busy or something."438Please respect copyright.PENANAKrpnOMbUcV
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"I wasn’t so busy. And we’re meeting during lunch, so it’s not a big deal."438Please respect copyright.PENANA5d8KPTZ6z2
438Please respect copyright.PENANAzxj6nZtumC
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Kim continued to smile as she tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "So how is work going?"438Please respect copyright.PENANAy3P6u8Sko4
438Please respect copyright.PENANAVWZ0NJjVIe
438Please respect copyright.PENANAVtT8busbyn
"It’s going well. We have a pretty busy week."438Please respect copyright.PENANAIxUf5oI1vf
438Please respect copyright.PENANAE2x14QyrUd
438Please respect copyright.PENANAUUzWEzfgJt
Kim raised her hand to call out a waitress who was just behind Leo. "I would like a glass of water, please, before we order," she told the waitress.438Please respect copyright.PENANAhI3fyGFB9I
438Please respect copyright.PENANAoII77nuiG6
438Please respect copyright.PENANAU77mRzZr1D
"I would like one too," said Leo. He suddenly felt his throat run dry all of a sudden.438Please respect copyright.PENANAvkGVcGe3p4
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438Please respect copyright.PENANAHBKZcVZrnx
"How is your mum doing?" Kim asked as soon as the waitress left.438Please respect copyright.PENANAZRiDiDgO7Z
438Please respect copyright.PENANAP4stxXjhuq
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"She’s good. I thought you two are still in contact with each other."438Please respect copyright.PENANATTfJfn2oat
438Please respect copyright.PENANArU8YMN019x
438Please respect copyright.PENANA4UCUbMEeng
"We are. It’s been a while since we last talked."438Please respect copyright.PENANAxptOmG5kER
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438Please respect copyright.PENANADgOYipjr1n
Leo raised his eyebrows in acknowledgement then took a brief look towards the wide glass window to the side. He already wishes for this lunch to be over.438Please respect copyright.PENANAJu4VOsDEkF
438Please respect copyright.PENANASXNQNuzD8m
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"I saw you with Angel today," said Kim. "Were you two getting breakfast?"438Please respect copyright.PENANAe5pLfI8T6C
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438Please respect copyright.PENANASW1mBot1Jw
"We went to buy croissants for dad," said Leo. He expected her to ask such a question. He remembers when Kim would sometimes ask about the women she would find him with, especially when she came over to his work place or when they went out for a social gathering. She still has that jealous trait of hers, he thought.438Please respect copyright.PENANAdAOR6TLoix
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"Okay, so you two were going to the office together, then?" The waitress had finally come with the two glasses of water. Leo was grateful for it.438Please respect copyright.PENANATmCRMCeDcd
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"Yes, she’ll be working with us starting today," Leo answered and he soon drank from his glass.438Please respect copyright.PENANAAztZF4dNhU
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438Please respect copyright.PENANAZBuMNHiKKE
Kim raised an eyebrow as she tried to put up a smile. Leo knew better. She’s acting jealous again, even when we’re not together, he thought to himself.438Please respect copyright.PENANA7q9p1tUhQn
438Please respect copyright.PENANAARuBRrEaSs
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"Really?" she asked, trying to sound calm. "Did your father give her the job?"438Please respect copyright.PENANAmoElyZPu2b
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438Please respect copyright.PENANAPzwtEbmSnW
"It was my grandmother’s idea," said Leo as he put the glass down, feeling confident now. "If you ask me, I think she will work well with Mrs. Lance who was really in need of someone to keep the records straight in the Procurement department."438Please respect copyright.PENANAjotVAxjRke
438Please respect copyright.PENANAVf78z9MdKz
438Please respect copyright.PENANAVIVIYL8SWr
"I guess so," said Kim. She put the glass of water to her lips and drank.438Please respect copyright.PENANAyCMVkwzJSo
438Please respect copyright.PENANAeE9ITXVAGm
438Please respect copyright.PENANATZ3hkBwpKZ
"And how about you? How is your work going?"438Please respect copyright.PENANAlgs5m8uYTy
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438Please respect copyright.PENANAWcH9decrfV
"Oh, it’s busy," she answered after putting her glass down.438Please respect copyright.PENANAeymjGUOnXq
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Leo nodded. "I see. You models are always so busy."438Please respect copyright.PENANAJv5Cv4nXGH
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"Yep," she took the menu that lay on the table in front of her. "I think I’m going to order now. What are you going to get?"438Please respect copyright.PENANA9zYL5OWpH5
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Leo raised an eyebrow. "I’ll order the usual."438Please respect copyright.PENANAWgx7r1dgnQ
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Kim’s eyes flew from the menu to Leo’s face. "Are you sure?" she asked.438Please respect copyright.PENANAy214e4BZfw
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He looked at her before saying, "Of course. If this was a different restaurant I wouldn’t mind getting something else. But you and I have been here several times. So you must know what I order."438Please respect copyright.PENANAyFZc32dOGA
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He noticed her cheeks start to heat up and she went on ahead to call one of the waiters. He almost rolled his eyes, but he did his best not to. After Kim gave the orders, the waiter soon left.438Please respect copyright.PENANAwf4ucjXfkB
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"May I ask why you chose this place to begin with?" Leo asked as he started to look around. The place is almost packed. "We could’ve gone to another restaurant."438Please respect copyright.PENANAtF52Ge1rA1
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Kim smiled. "That is because I thought we would feel comfortable here. Why?"438Please respect copyright.PENANAD8VNDpvTQ4
438Please respect copyright.PENANATvIWUziOKj
438Please respect copyright.PENANAAYlB9vFeMk
"I won’t lie, I wasn’t expecting this. We used to come here for our lunch dates."438Please respect copyright.PENANAuZuUdKFESr
438Please respect copyright.PENANAxpVYDblYOM
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"Of course. Don’t you still like the place? You said you did."438Please respect copyright.PENANA7V67LGqSy4
438Please respect copyright.PENANA1HfCpVOtIq
438Please respect copyright.PENANAiAX7ctltIN
"That was back then. Things are different now."438Please respect copyright.PENANAqCkvq5dPIE
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"I know, I’m sorry. Next time I’ll make sure to take us where we’ve never been."438Please respect copyright.PENANA50QPTvOJRs
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438Please respect copyright.PENANARuoJfXNnqH
There’s going to be a next time, Leo asked in his thoughts. He’s glad that he didn’t say it out loud. He didn’t like this, and the fact that he couldn’t speak out his mind is killing him.438Please respect copyright.PENANAR2tuQTVJhn
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"I thought bringing you here would remind you of all the good times we had," said Kim as she twirled a strand of her hair with her fingers.438Please respect copyright.PENANA7H4bN82G0N
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"I'm sorry, Kim," said Leo as he folded his arms. "But I didn't come here to try and get back with you."438Please respect copyright.PENANAdalBFOBPTW
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Kim now had an embarrassed look on her face. She should be glad that I didn't say that out loud, he thought. He'll try and keep his word to Eric to try and not pick a fight in a public place.438Please respect copyright.PENANA4BCgqxA1LA
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"Oh, don't get the wrong idea, Leo," Kim explained. "As much as I miss you, I know you wouldn't want to get back with me."438Please respect copyright.PENANAShJCeqDLnp
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Leo raised an eyebrow. Is she playing with me, he wondered.438Please respect copyright.PENANAoljgT1EPBI
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"Ah, the food is here," said Kim as she turned her eyes towards the waitress dragging a movable serving tray.438Please respect copyright.PENANAnDDtklPNIk
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438Please respect copyright.PENANAqKb6Zbjn2k
When the waitress arrived, she served them their food. Leo looked down at his plate. Kim had ordered for him tuna, his favourite. As he continued to look at his plate, he realised that his appetite had disappeared.438Please respect copyright.PENANArjTYobjn9o
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"Bon appetite," Kim said with so much glee. She ordered herself lobster. Leo knew that’s what she liked to order whenever they came here. He really isn’t liking this at all.438Please respect copyright.PENANAb9hzdj09c0
438Please respect copyright.PENANATdvIJeZvWq
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"You don’t look excited about your food, Leo," she said as she noticed the look on his face.438Please respect copyright.PENANAhHjQDcVycZ
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He soon picked up the knife and fork. "Why am I here, Kim?" he asked.438Please respect copyright.PENANARuRtlG2HWI
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"What sort of question is that?"438Please respect copyright.PENANAqw6ir24d8h
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Leo didn’t answer as he cut a piece from his tuna. And put it in his mouth. The food tasted different and he found it very difficult to chew. He looked up at Kim after he swallowed.438Please respect copyright.PENANAsBh69g5NGG
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"Why are you acting like this?" he asked.438Please respect copyright.PENANAM9gMgG6IZF
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Kim shrugged her shoulders as she happily giggled. "What are you talking about?" she put food in her mouth.438Please respect copyright.PENANAHFpl5uqkLw
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Leo felt like dropping his knife and fork so as to stand and walk out of the restaurant. But he restrained himself. He soon sat upright as he continued to look at Kim.438Please respect copyright.PENANA56lP7oDAim
438Please respect copyright.PENANAeU5sJBuDdN
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"Why did you invite me for lunch?" he asked.438Please respect copyright.PENANAqVdVAXhufT
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"I just wanted us to come here to eat and chat like friends do," said Kim.438Please respect copyright.PENANAlvpPkfivQn
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438Please respect copyright.PENANAjSq9tfRRqW
Oh, we’re friends now, Leo almost said out loud. He didn’t know how to tell her this properly, but just because his mother still considers Kim like a daughter, doesn’t mean he wants to be friends with her. Not like this.438Please respect copyright.PENANAz2gJBxiLrb
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"If you ask me, it doesn’t feel like a lunch between two friends," said Leo.438Please respect copyright.PENANAJtEG9PQihK
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438Please respect copyright.PENANAhnSy8UuMsq
"Don’t get me wrong, Leo. I know you don’t feel the same way about me anymore. The reason for this lunch is just for us to set aside our differences and just be friends. I know, it’s weird, but I think you and I can make it work."438Please respect copyright.PENANAQuwriuP82G
438Please respect copyright.PENANA1V7Miab778
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Leo really wanted to laugh, but he dug into his food instead. Kim watched him for a bit before she also went back to her meal.438Please respect copyright.PENANAXIBOOmzgON
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"I see you’re now enjoying it," said Kim as she smiled at him.438Please respect copyright.PENANAR0oaBlZe7p
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Leo isn’t enjoying it at all. The food in his mouth tasted like plastic and he didn’t know if he could keep up with eating when it’s pretty clear that he isn’t comfortable.438Please respect copyright.PENANA7HBHsdcNoS
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"It is my favourite meal, after all," Leo responded trying to sound as normal as possible.438Please respect copyright.PENANAZZEkAJ2sIE
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"I’m glad. I wish we could do this more often. You know, just as friends."438Please respect copyright.PENANAJTnqQTNMUJ
438Please respect copyright.PENANAykvdHJCcHg
438Please respect copyright.PENANAfPjtkzAGUB
"I doubt it," Leo muttered as he put his knife and fork down on the table. He managed to finish his meal as tasteless as it was.438Please respect copyright.PENANAZIlVZccSEt
438Please respect copyright.PENANAU2M4fxh5DC
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"Sorry?" Kim didn’t hear him at first.438Please respect copyright.PENANAnJ05GWihXK
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438Please respect copyright.PENANAqQrEIubHgy
Leo looked her dead straight in the eye. "I said, I doubt it."438Please respect copyright.PENANAUFr3fWiiyt
438Please respect copyright.PENANA0xtpj2cTW7
438Please respect copyright.PENANAUhjy2JI6wU
Kim looked a little perplexed but soon replaced her look with a smile. "I know what you mean. We tend to be pretty busy sometimes, and also because you might be seeing someone else, right?"438Please respect copyright.PENANAdPZn1CnzYJ
438Please respect copyright.PENANARKKCRZlqzL
438Please respect copyright.PENANAwZyltnn4AC
This is exactly what Leo wanted to hear. Eric was right. She wanted this lunch so that she could get him to open up to her and tell her the truth.438Please respect copyright.PENANA8EuJBYysMB
438Please respect copyright.PENANAQHyQvajvck
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"What makes you think that I’m seeing someone?" he asked as he folded his arms.438Please respect copyright.PENANAbASLqjeoD6
438Please respect copyright.PENANAyXWQ2H5rHz
438Please respect copyright.PENANAe2Qi1gHUP6
She looked up at the ceiling before looking at him. "It just feels that way," she answered.438Please respect copyright.PENANAsyA5LpK6oa
438Please respect copyright.PENANAzmXC3lIH6X
438Please respect copyright.PENANAsjVKO1nqgr
The two looked at each other in silence. Someone had to break the ice, and Leo knew he had to be the one to do it.438Please respect copyright.PENANAsoMk6JPp9h
438Please respect copyright.PENANASbSAB0Lcpj
438Please respect copyright.PENANAAklY2kO6xF
"Yes, I am seeing someone, Kim," he said.438Please respect copyright.PENANAkRmYbGblhR
438Please respect copyright.PENANAuh18KMATH4
438Please respect copyright.PENANAOoasdO0142
Kim didn’t say anything as she looked taken aback by his confession. She expected him to lie, but Leo thought better than to come out clean, just like Eric suggested. She bit her lower lip as she tried to figure out what to say next.438Please respect copyright.PENANAbJ0zF1mUZe
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"Is she the reason why you ran away from the wedding?" she finally asked.438Please respect copyright.PENANA91tDqqJaXO
438Please respect copyright.PENANA3Yvi7q4KBU
438Please respect copyright.PENANAqQyTLs43Mb
"Yes," Leo answered.438Please respect copyright.PENANAICTdytV87w
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438Please respect copyright.PENANArwhS7lkKNh
Kim gasped and she tried to pull herself together. She felt like she could start crying, but she didn’t want to do so in front of people. She held her chest and she felt it hurt like a stab wound. She also found it very hard to breathe. She tried to breathe in calmly, but it didn’t work. She had to get herself together or else she might lose it.438Please respect copyright.PENANAd3LWyXw09W
438Please respect copyright.PENANA1K51g41Eaw
438Please respect copyright.PENANAFDd4fTplYs
"Do I-," Kim tried to speak, but was finding it hard to do so. "Do I know who it is?"438Please respect copyright.PENANAZBIuZYJhlV
438Please respect copyright.PENANAHm1SOXdxe7
438Please respect copyright.PENANAUQw9cdyTVT
Leo raised an eyebrow. If he didn’t try to calm her down now, she might have a panic attack or something. "Does it matter?" he asked.438Please respect copyright.PENANAIxcAsJno9Y
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Kim didn’t answer right away as she tried to take a deep breath in and another one out. Her chest went up and down heavily. After taking in a few deep breaths, she managed to calm down a little.438Please respect copyright.PENANAnkb4Ef3cAT
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"It does," she answered as she strongly looked at him.438Please respect copyright.PENANAXVzEoodHpF
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"You don’t have to know who she is right now."438Please respect copyright.PENANAl25QGHYdne
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"Why?" she asked, this time sounding a little loud like she’s about to snap at any moment.438Please respect copyright.PENANAjGM0ibzXAu
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438Please respect copyright.PENANAL1CjWU01Qn
"I know you, Kim. You just want to meet her so that you can see what I saw in her that I didn’t see in you, like if she’s pretty or smart or something."438Please respect copyright.PENANAhd6vzVgFAO
438Please respect copyright.PENANA9OmPtMz6mQ
438Please respect copyright.PENANAJk80If03Qk
Kim looked the other way. Leo caught her as she couldn’t find the words to defend herself. She bit her lower lip and Leo could see she’s getting teary-eyed.438Please respect copyright.PENANAfQA1UzmIk2
438Please respect copyright.PENANAv5mlDdJGVO
438Please respect copyright.PENANA8tGtlQ8uXg
"I really love you, Leo," she said, gaining her composure. "I just don’t understand why that woman is in the way. She ruined my life when you ran from the wedding."438Please respect copyright.PENANAkimV8lYFJ7
438Please respect copyright.PENANACmZiGWTUlY
438Please respect copyright.PENANAuoqBUy1n1z
"Until your anger cools down and you get over me, you can’t know who she is," said Leo.438Please respect copyright.PENANATOCJto9Jc9
438Please respect copyright.PENANAZCpMpZ8hDZ
438Please respect copyright.PENANAk0xdrQkQ1v
"Why can’t you tell me now? Why are you protecting her?"438Please respect copyright.PENANAxRtGHBBtFs
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"I know you, Kim. You’re one who doesn’t get over things easily, and this issue between us still hasn’t settled well with you. I’m afraid you can go out of control and end up hurting people."438Please respect copyright.PENANA2eSwwHX8cf
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438Please respect copyright.PENANAhxArE79cG3
"Are you trying to say that I’m a psycho?" Kim asked, her voice a little higher now that a few heads close by turned to look at their table.438Please respect copyright.PENANAPuZ2vMTZtV
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438Please respect copyright.PENANA4ULQFd607n
"You’re about to make a scene, Kim," Leo told her calmly. "Calm yourself."438Please respect copyright.PENANA2vEbCeC1au
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438Please respect copyright.PENANAcoNTVIMDHD
She took in a deep breath and in so doing placed her index finger near her right eye to wipe away a tear that was just about to drop. This isn’t going to end well, Leo thought to himself. He had to find a way to do this peacefully without her completely falling apart.438Please respect copyright.PENANAGkao3jbk4P
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438Please respect copyright.PENANANOIIPl8ZnK
"I’m not calling you a psycho," he continued. "You’ve just admitted that you still love me, and I know I hurt you a lot. It’s why I think you shouldn’t know who it is. If anything, you and I aren’t supposed to be seeing each other. It’s just because your family and mine have had a close relationship for a very time."438Please respect copyright.PENANAQdENLmt0mJ
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438Please respect copyright.PENANAb8R49Q8N33
Kim sniffed quietly. "Were you meeting this same woman before we got engaged?"438Please respect copyright.PENANAUgNc9KbN9Y
438Please respect copyright.PENANAl2BQ3YHOds
438Please respect copyright.PENANAv6Bmo7D2u0
Leo shook his head and at the same time, he wondered if he should tell her that it was on the night of his bachelor party. That would be devastating. She didn’t have to know all about that. Not yet, at least.438Please respect copyright.PENANAsSlC3VzG4P
438Please respect copyright.PENANADb0YGeeA7J
438Please respect copyright.PENANAFKTlIIrS7v
"No," he answered. "It doesn’t matter when I met her."438Please respect copyright.PENANARmxCM8IC1f
438Please respect copyright.PENANARdfcNEAF7Z
438Please respect copyright.PENANAoqcoY327Sx
"It does to me," she sounded composed. "I want to know for how long you’ve been cheating on me instead of manning up to tell me we were through."438Please respect copyright.PENANAjIBHW73UWi
438Please respect copyright.PENANAKYNfTuoV1x
438Please respect copyright.PENANApMIO4GhD38
Leo is about to lose his patience. "What has happened has happened, Kim. We can’t turn back time. You’ve to try and let go."438Please respect copyright.PENANA4lCVTaO7w0
438Please respect copyright.PENANATgl5AfbUfQ
438Please respect copyright.PENANA818Zyg0lbO
"And how do you think I’m going to do that? You tell me because you moved on pretty well. I bet you don’t even think about me anymore. Not to mention that your grandmother is very happy that you’re with someone else."438Please respect copyright.PENANAkFfFuHZUQc
438Please respect copyright.PENANA4UAgrR04mw
438Please respect copyright.PENANAPlOA7LTUMT
"No one knows that I’m seeing her, mind you."438Please respect copyright.PENANA0AKKm80RL7
438Please respect copyright.PENANACPoIdWGajl
438Please respect copyright.PENANAOENIamL4pS
Kim now looked perplexed. "You didn’t tell anyone?"438Please respect copyright.PENANAbOuRB5CmYX
438Please respect copyright.PENANAY8ivOzCXoh
438Please respect copyright.PENANAPtKkV4D757
Leo shook his head. "I didn’t want anyone to know because they would start asking the same questions you’re asking me. And knowing my own mother, she’ll totally go psycho."438Please respect copyright.PENANAJmTlc4ikhH
438Please respect copyright.PENANACmjYdQT8qB
438Please respect copyright.PENANAP7GP6EnJpW
Kim voiced out a laugh. "You always managed to put a smile on my face when I least expected you to. It's one of the reason why I fell in love with you."438Please respect copyright.PENANARN4prdghTp
438Please respect copyright.PENANAlJ5Tkp9g6j
438Please respect copyright.PENANAeRdP1JntQ9
"I know what you're trying to do, Kim. It isn't going to work."438Please respect copyright.PENANAdhqt2fqsPP
438Please respect copyright.PENANAqPnofuusuT
438Please respect copyright.PENANAPgbHzRbzs5
"Why? Because you're more in love with her than you ever were with me?"438Please respect copyright.PENANAOiMdOHWicq
438Please respect copyright.PENANA3XiYkhdZRD
438Please respect copyright.PENANA2iMl0EDkZ3
Leo didn't want to answer when it's obvious. He continued to look at her, hoping that this conversation will end soon.438Please respect copyright.PENANAC18lyLFhiM
438Please respect copyright.PENANAZ32Hj09sVz
438Please respect copyright.PENANAuMc0IPFZqv
"I'm sorry for overreacting like I did just now," she said as she wiped her left eye. She's getting teary-eyed again. "I just-you know-I really wanted to know."438Please respect copyright.PENANAVtOGVVg6mq
438Please respect copyright.PENANACpKXMkSz8i
438Please respect copyright.PENANAcVl9hzi1C2
Leo gave a nod. "I'm sorry for all the pain I made you go through, Kim. It's unfair that all that happened as it did. In the end, I think it's best to tell you the truth. You deserve that and a lot better."438Please respect copyright.PENANAnBYDgYza6G
438Please respect copyright.PENANAwdGjU7SVi5
438Please respect copyright.PENANAWVNRWCDi6J
Kim continued to look at Leo and a genuine smile appeared on her face. "You rarely apologise, you know. But you do so when you really mean it."438Please respect copyright.PENANAplLVvAzFoD
438Please respect copyright.PENANAA3TmMSMTMp
438Please respect copyright.PENANAmZTHCL3LYy
"I really hope you can move past this, Kim. It's why I think you deserve someone better. Not someone like me who left you on that important day."438Please respect copyright.PENANAIosiWMvqVm
438Please respect copyright.PENANAk80GmgFiRd
438Please respect copyright.PENANA4qPwgVzmCq
"I'm still upset with you over it. But I can't promise that I'll manage to move on, Leo. You're the only man I've ever gotten so close to."438Please respect copyright.PENANAi3BhxPwyxm
438Please respect copyright.PENANAtaulLgHuyf
438Please respect copyright.PENANA5WPTrAOYU4
"Trust me, Kim, you've to. It might take some time, but you'll have to forget about me and live your life."438Please respect copyright.PENANAXdCnLLLrM1
438Please respect copyright.PENANAeZPKhMTJiS
438Please respect copyright.PENANAAGeAg4uMJL
Kim's eyes are starting to get teary again. "Easy for you to say since you’re already with someone else."438Please respect copyright.PENANAy7eW8GT1rY
438Please respect copyright.PENANAbpsuTpp704
438Please respect copyright.PENANA7BfQtcmcUG
Leo would’ve shrugged his shoulders but he didn’t. "The heart wants what it wants, Kim. Once again, I apologise for all the hurt I’ve caused you. I wouldn’t mind if you don’t want to forgive me."438Please respect copyright.PENANA05MEGR7HAo
438Please respect copyright.PENANAwvJGRKxJCC
438Please respect copyright.PENANAxluEopo5yt
"I don’t hate you, Leo. I just wish you and I were married now and living happily in that pent house you wanted."438Please respect copyright.PENANA7dfIu3jqmf
438Please respect copyright.PENANAtLeYLvOI6b
438Please respect copyright.PENANAv7jta6pKqa
"I’m sorry it didn’t happen. It’s just the way life is. You don’t always get what you want."438Please respect copyright.PENANAkECgKMocQh
438Please respect copyright.PENANAIQaRF5RuGp
438Please respect copyright.PENANAxiIbY4hdTz
Kim gave a nod of her head. "I guess you’re right. I also have to apologise. This has turned out to be an awful lunch."438Please respect copyright.PENANAgr9wqmi5KF
438Please respect copyright.PENANAH8sqvwOfu2
438Please respect copyright.PENANA9tSdt6RJOp
Leo chuckled. "Ya, you’re right. Yet it’s good we had it. I finally got to tell you the truth."438Please respect copyright.PENANAg15RQF9u9e
438Please respect copyright.PENANA4oc10gGbzm
438Please respect copyright.PENANANOlCP9iPl5
"I thought you would lie to me, but you were really honest. Thank you, Leo."438Please respect copyright.PENANAqb8NGe5ubN
438Please respect copyright.PENANAk7ocnCzlWC
438Please respect copyright.PENANAiaCrXJo0WZ
Leo managed to give her a smile. "I hope you really do move on, Kim. It will be better for you."438Please respect copyright.PENANAKYOzb62Q09
438Please respect copyright.PENANAihstRuBaH7
438Please respect copyright.PENANAZ9biHrKxRO
Kim managed to put up a smile but Leo could see how much she’s struggling to do so. She turns around to summon the waiter nearby. They were done here and Leo couldn’t help but feel a little relieved. He couldn’t wait to go to his office and hide in there for a while.438Please respect copyright.PENANAFJ9SEd9r5V
438Please respect copyright.PENANA0hMI6rCToe
438Please respect copyright.PENANAjYkayz780U
They sat in silence as they waited for the bill. Leo thought it best that they leave the restaurant together. He soon felt the phone in his pocket beep. He pulled it out and it's Carly calling him. How ironic, he thought to himself. Just when he’s about to leave. It is lunch time and sometimes they call or send each other text messages. Her calling is putting him in an awkward position of whether to answer or not.438Please respect copyright.PENANAEX5Bk1aJNu
438Please respect copyright.PENANAKwpmY0In2G
438Please respect copyright.PENANAMfDjwAKsKK
Kim looked at him as he continued to stare at his phone. "Is it her?" she asked. "You can answer it, if you want. I won’t mind."438Please respect copyright.PENANArB3xjvLuma
438Please respect copyright.PENANAxJSCtYnjjk
438Please respect copyright.PENANAibkMsaCkdr
Leo pretended he didn't hear Kim as he slid the call icon to the side and put the phone to hisj ear.438Please respect copyright.PENANAnZ6un1sCpc
438Please respect copyright.PENANATTD0IYQIaD
438Please respect copyright.PENANAuFXz9qvPiw
"Hi, Carly," he greeted her. "How is school going?" Kim looked on intently at him.438Please respect copyright.PENANAXhofdAy2sA
438Please respect copyright.PENANAZmMlSKxI34
438Please respect copyright.PENANASlApKaP6Ct
"Uh…, hi," came Carly’s voice. "I’m not calling at a bad time, am I?"438Please respect copyright.PENANAj9fa6jVeYX
438Please respect copyright.PENANAUirkWll2ji
438Please respect copyright.PENANAcAKboRcVv9
"No, I’m actually having lunch with Kim. What can I do for you?"438Please respect copyright.PENANA85zO3fTGA7
438Please respect copyright.PENANAHPgCK4Qm4F
438Please respect copyright.PENANAKxkHOFQtsJ
"Oh, I see," the change in Carly’s voice made him realise that she knew the situation he is in. "Do you mind telling Angel to call me? I’ve been trying to call her but she isn’t picking up."438Please respect copyright.PENANA39EHk9zLQG
438Please respect copyright.PENANAgDZAhU5625
438Please respect copyright.PENANANqME6J6mBP
"She’s out having lunch with Eric, but once she’s back in the office, I’ll let her know."438Please respect copyright.PENANASpFHBZJy9y
438Please respect copyright.PENANAFuBDsYdZdE
438Please respect copyright.PENANA3gKEzuZIyx
"Okay, thanks. Bye."438Please respect copyright.PENANAA2Ftu7Qh8l
438Please respect copyright.PENANAQkqNkUFHzM
438Please respect copyright.PENANArmUQstKCJs
"Bye." Leo cut the call and turned to look at Kim who still had his eyes on him. But he noticed that she looked relieved.438Please respect copyright.PENANAOVdfIZtUkD
438Please respect copyright.PENANAc6C5ampdC3
438Please respect copyright.PENANAkzfWYsMrsP
"That’s Angel’s sister, right?" she asked.438Please respect copyright.PENANAQHvU85rvLV
438Please respect copyright.PENANA6JvhUflKR5
438Please respect copyright.PENANAfGjAQW5fej
"Yes, she was asking about her."438Please respect copyright.PENANAPCN6hMzetG
438Please respect copyright.PENANAhpYFUD0dnC
438Please respect copyright.PENANAQUz3l6eZx1
The waiter came at the right time with the bill before Kim could ask him any more questions. She looked at it and told the waiter that she would pay with her card. The waiter advised that she go to the counter. She stood up and Leo also did the same. They both went to the counter together and Kim paid for the meal.438Please respect copyright.PENANAlO1nV118BL
438Please respect copyright.PENANAI6Sj26wCJV
438Please respect copyright.PENANA3069C9qGvv
"Thanks for the meal," said Leo as they started to make their way to the door.438Please respect copyright.PENANAUATZ6StUwk
438Please respect copyright.PENANAkdKqovuK3P
438Please respect copyright.PENANAuyaE0m1UNG
"Too bad we couldn’t stay for dessert," said Kim as she walked slowly beside him.438Please respect copyright.PENANAcCaF5GQDdh
438Please respect copyright.PENANAuUYGWmVLop
438Please respect copyright.PENANA4REomfQvSu
Dessert would’ve been a disaster, Leo thought. He’s glad that the worst has happened: he finally told her the truth without compromising Carly. He reached for the door handle and held it open for Kim to pass through first. She walked out, saying thank you. Leo followed her and when they were out on the pavement, he escorted her to her white Lamborghini packed a few feet away from the restaurant's door.438Please respect copyright.PENANAMGYEjBOAqD
438Please respect copyright.PENANAFtVedDh2gl
438Please respect copyright.PENANAQlWJUNRiw2
"Next time we’ve lunch I’ll make sure we go somewhere else," said Kim as she stood in front of her car. "And maybe then, you can invite your girlfriend along."438Please respect copyright.PENANAzQv1jFF8d0
438Please respect copyright.PENANArrWAwOwqA2
438Please respect copyright.PENANA6iNSCKMuOJ
Not going to happen, Leo wanted to voice out, but he smiled instead. "You take care, Kim," he said.438Please respect copyright.PENANA3Ap603nj27
438Please respect copyright.PENANAxtbosHxyBK
438Please respect copyright.PENANAyNEAVkYBcv
"Thanks, you too." She turned around quickly, and Leo couldn’t help but notice her blush.438Please respect copyright.PENANAT3h7sTGU2w
438Please respect copyright.PENANATk0TxMfmS6
438Please respect copyright.PENANAwVgBNHwQNF
He watched her as she got in the car and drove away. He drew out a deep breath, feeling relieved. He pulled out his phone as he walked back to his car. He hoped Eric is done with his lunch. Boy, did he have a story to tell.438Please respect copyright.PENANA6nRGYUsx8A
438Please respect copyright.PENANAzJDvPq1lW4
438Please respect copyright.PENANAhTUQnP0tVh
***438Please respect copyright.PENANAIYHftfhdjv
438Please respect copyright.PENANAltRq1hrbL7
438Please respect copyright.PENANAtE2qfJhULY
"Don’t put up that face with me," said Diana as she sat at her desk.438Please respect copyright.PENANAW4wYTbVJjL
438Please respect copyright.PENANAbgjqjDeHzW
438Please respect copyright.PENANA7lgxWTQcYN
"What do you want me to do?" Mrs. McDonell asked as she slumped further in her seat. "The fact that those two girls are at my house is a problem."438Please respect copyright.PENANAkEQn9nVgh0
438Please respect copyright.PENANAbvbefkLKWk
438Please respect copyright.PENANAa3aYMj3KJM
Diana shook her head at her sister-in-law. "Sometimes I wonder what my brother ever saw in you," she muttered as she picked up a sheet of paper on her desk.438Please respect copyright.PENANA8luAhnRvh3
438Please respect copyright.PENANAfbEMfOI3AJ
438Please respect copyright.PENANA0fMIybZNjW
"What did you say?" Bertha asked as she sat upright.438Please respect copyright.PENANA8nqs3EXHSq
438Please respect copyright.PENANAGtac65bRYj
438Please respect copyright.PENANAK93pbaGoKT
"You’re exaggerating is what I said," said Diana as she looked at Bertha, pretending to be busy looking at the paper.438Please respect copyright.PENANA9VepNUCzu3
438Please respect copyright.PENANAd7fJawUSsb
438Please respect copyright.PENANAjRJPIdJEy4
"I’m not exaggerating. I just don’t know why my husband would want Angel to work at the company."438Please respect copyright.PENANA4cMYL4PkD7
438Please respect copyright.PENANADDD9tQoNFp
438Please respect copyright.PENANA6JhicdtCUp
"Let’s not forget that it was my mother’s idea."438Please respect copyright.PENANAnxeqJaNpex
438Please respect copyright.PENANAiYLDWwPgYW
438Please respect copyright.PENANASEFHVcRKVz
"Well, I wish they could’ve found her a job somewhere else. This is stressful. You’ll see. One of these days those two girls might be the ones running the company and maybe even taking over your massage parlours."438Please respect copyright.PENANAYfH2Di4qOB
438Please respect copyright.PENANAibj67kU5pK
438Please respect copyright.PENANAmOYhhAw9QZ
Diana shook her head. "You watch too many soap operas, Bertha."438Please respect copyright.PENANAprWNGUFcTz
438Please respect copyright.PENANAXjTTCi2I7H
438Please respect copyright.PENANA8qKMs7lma3
"At least I don't watch them alone," Bertha gave Diana a look.438Please respect copyright.PENANALd6KSwBgdi
438Please respect copyright.PENANA5yHMNz2b03
438Please respect copyright.PENANAyGbdGwb15r
"I'm the one who doesn't take it like it's real life. Besides, what have those poor girls ever done to you? Fred is only helping them get back on their feet."438Please respect copyright.PENANAuLgTmx4M90
438Please respect copyright.PENANAMu9GBWpl87
438Please respect copyright.PENANAnUZwb3LB4c
"By using our resources? Wasn't Angel already working when we met her?"438Please respect copyright.PENANAu6rRReDESA
438Please respect copyright.PENANAV4nzLb2UrY
438Please respect copyright.PENANAIJhSLO2vGF
Diana rolled her eyes. "I see you're still as self-centered as ever. He's just helping her so that she could get their house back. The salary at her previous job wasn't going to cut it."438Please respect copyright.PENANAOZiKLUS5Fs
438Please respect copyright.PENANAIsj9vJcOHA
438Please respect copyright.PENANAaWf33Nj6Ks
Bertha rolled her eyes. "Fine, I don't want to talk about it anymore."438Please respect copyright.PENANAunztYb4kME
438Please respect copyright.PENANAuOLI2NYX8N
438Please respect copyright.PENANAkXEHtKkv7q
Diana shook her head. "You're the one who brought it up in the first place," she muttered.438Please respect copyright.PENANAqTWAiW5vHS
438Please respect copyright.PENANAnGzb1q2zsM
438Please respect copyright.PENANAYNc1uoH7qR
"Are you almost done?" Bertha asked, she looked down at her diamond wrist watch. "We're supposed to go out for lunch."438Please respect copyright.PENANA9MckW3aEMs
438Please respect copyright.PENANAtzDGRpyIT7
438Please respect copyright.PENANAEbIS4dAGfc
"And I told you, I still have a thing or two before coming with you," said Diana as she looked at her computer.438Please respect copyright.PENANAU1eB5Xl2QR
438Please respect copyright.PENANANXU8c4nef0
438Please respect copyright.PENANAmkWcnDxCn9
"Well, hurry up, will you? I’m supposed to meet my doctor at 2 PM."438Please respect copyright.PENANA9I3I9UltH4
438Please respect copyright.PENANAPIm6egnzBt
438Please respect copyright.PENANAB3Hp33KTKw
"Whatever you say," Diana tried her best not to sound irritated, but even if she did, Bertha couldn’t care less.438Please respect copyright.PENANAxSWqaul1HU
438Please respect copyright.PENANAIrW91ERalj
438Please respect copyright.PENANAnMCOcgMpNk
Bertha soon went for her bag right next to her and retrieved her phone. When she turned it on, she found she had a message from Kim.438Please respect copyright.PENANAazIYbXmk2t
438Please respect copyright.PENANAuzmbOClPoI
438Please respect copyright.PENANAy1efWmXXrs
"I have a message from Kim," she said with excitement.438Please respect copyright.PENANAk9KQxCSVJ1
438Please respect copyright.PENANAhqWEzcwekF
438Please respect copyright.PENANABfxYedeLJh
Diana frowned. "So…?"438Please respect copyright.PENANA2DKFpcn567
438Please respect copyright.PENANAmGh4axD2P1
438Please respect copyright.PENANAn61RvghIV0
"She told me earlier that she is going to have lunch with Leo today."438Please respect copyright.PENANAUfhtyy1VOV
438Please respect copyright.PENANArbHhTHj230
438Please respect copyright.PENANATKjuO6B8vX
Diana now had her eye on Bertha. "What? Don’t tell me you talked her into it."438Please respect copyright.PENANAgwmNVj4wdJ
438Please respect copyright.PENANAJZawOo6h8r
438Please respect copyright.PENANATv61TsHxzU
Bertha shrugged her shoulders trying to look innocent. "What did you want me to do? She told me that she had seen Leo today at the café and I thought it be best that the two of them meet."438Please respect copyright.PENANAzrpxLc4O8g
438Please respect copyright.PENANAMuHDS7EW5R
438Please respect copyright.PENANABRF4sLuVc6
Diana shook her head. "I hope he didn’t agree to it."438Please respect copyright.PENANAly2MRskiLX
438Please respect copyright.PENANA9oLGRCASZZ
438Please respect copyright.PENANAzG5YNCIWTW
"Apparently, he did," Bertha looking confident. "It still shows that he has some love for her, don’t you think?"438Please respect copyright.PENANAsIHKgeYuY0
438Please respect copyright.PENANAsQALGxbedn
438Please respect copyright.PENANAxfc8v6w0P6
"I bet he agreed so that he wouldn’t seem rude."438Please respect copyright.PENANABaTUPbW1a5
438Please respect copyright.PENANAxBB5quMTH9
438Please respect copyright.PENANAB9tLhtGNNH
"I really hope those two have patched things up," said Bertha as she clutched her phone tightly with both hands.438Please respect copyright.PENANA50omxgzqLF
438Please respect copyright.PENANAU5F9LSEvHG
438Please respect copyright.PENANApLPGM1VBGw
"It’s not that simple, Bertha. They didn’t go through with their wedding and you expect them to act like nothing happened and get back together? Love doesn’t work that way. If you ask me, I think you wanted her to make Leo open up about what happened."438Please respect copyright.PENANAQVpCMdC53G
438Please respect copyright.PENANAcDuCzjar7n
438Please respect copyright.PENANAJv0udjNg7M
Bertha scoffed. "You know me so well, don’t you?"438Please respect copyright.PENANAs7KanC5zye
438Please respect copyright.PENANAEVFaWGn9bq
438Please respect copyright.PENANAGsjuMog9iT
"Of course, I live with you after all."438Please respect copyright.PENANAI8PbPTJs7w
438Please respect copyright.PENANA2F1Fz3yKJe
438Please respect copyright.PENANAxr9u5QR9mW
"Something happened to him that day for him to leave his wedding. I bet it’s another woman."438Please respect copyright.PENANANBKeYbkjS0
438Please respect copyright.PENANAJQFJWvXEDA
438Please respect copyright.PENANAMUKscTGFqT
"We all think that way. But the best thing to do is not probe the answer out of him. You know how those first days were after the wedding and the accident. He wasn’t willing to tell us anything. And if you ask me, it’s best he opens up about it himself. So I guess that’s why you wanted Kim to have lunch with him because he might tell her since out of everyone around him, she deserves to know the most."438Please respect copyright.PENANANCQR3pOa1A
438Please respect copyright.PENANA0XiSZK6PMR
438Please respect copyright.PENANALPbZh7oQPD
"You’re so smart, Diana," said Bertha as she laughed. "I should’ve let you in on my plan earlier."438Please respect copyright.PENANAtprQxvAb25
438Please respect copyright.PENANA5yRrNMV0s3
438Please respect copyright.PENANAmp8Uj8Pvz0
"You know I wouldn’t have allowed it."438Please respect copyright.PENANABJaUMYwEtx
438Please respect copyright.PENANAEA5pU10JrM
438Please respect copyright.PENANAFXMjjCvByW
"And that’s why I didn’t want to tell you. Anyway, let me see what Kim has to say."438Please respect copyright.PENANAnZYMrbAIgd
438Please respect copyright.PENANAAzIZbXk914
438Please respect copyright.PENANAtR8zPyr7kg
A moment of silence passed as Bertha looked at her phone. Diana, though she had her eyes fixed on the computer screen, knew that she has to be prepared for what Bertha might end up reading. And she’s glad she did as soon as Bertha shrieked.438Please respect copyright.PENANAxIbSubz3iF
438Please respect copyright.PENANAiPpPnqQmDh
438Please respect copyright.PENANAyUAyZw5v9E
"I knew it! I knew it!" Bertha stood up from her seat and went straight for Diana, who had to draw back a bit in her seat as she thought of Bertha as a car that might run her over.438Please respect copyright.PENANAeDLmc0u3Ek
438Please respect copyright.PENANAkejwsGUn1i
438Please respect copyright.PENANATaWTohu6X2
"Look! Leo is seeing someone." Bertha shoved her phone in Diana’s face, and Diana again, backed up a bit so as to get away from the phone’s screen. She took the phone and read the message.438Please respect copyright.PENANAB3w5MG3nQf
438Please respect copyright.PENANA4tTA7QUk8h
438Please respect copyright.PENANAlJilZQSuvm
"Like I said, we’ve been expecting this. No one just runs away from their own wedding. Unless they have some undying health condition or they just discovered they’re homosexual," said Diana.438Please respect copyright.PENANAKLhqYmvkXW
438Please respect copyright.PENANAfgRAHfBoiH
438Please respect copyright.PENANAUpo624BMQa
"What I don’t understand is who it could be." Bertha went back to her seat. "She says he didn’t reveal who it is."438Please respect copyright.PENANArWchE2md63
438Please respect copyright.PENANAhRBTb7wcIY
438Please respect copyright.PENANAXpa7fCC51Y
"I think it’s good he didn’t," Diana puts Bertha’s phone down on her desk. "Kim’s wound is still very fresh and if she were to know who the woman is, she’ll track her down like a hound and God knows what she’ll do. And you might even help her do it."438Please respect copyright.PENANAejXlXbnGta
438Please respect copyright.PENANA84MkMx1HYh
438Please respect copyright.PENANAjdhyYB9sIK
"What? No, I wouldn’t."438Please respect copyright.PENANAUbdYuc49Hy
438Please respect copyright.PENANALL6QLTmXgB
438Please respect copyright.PENANAhJjPDBw9gS
"I know you too well. You’re just as hurt as she is, and you’ve been dying for Leo to tell you the truth. Not to mention that you’re still supporting Kim to try and get back with Leo. You two are very unstable."438Please respect copyright.PENANABY6Zafq7G4
438Please respect copyright.PENANANltkqvAcvE
438Please respect copyright.PENANAE4EUVAMTOs
"Are you calling us crazy?"438Please respect copyright.PENANARyEtwo0b58
438Please respect copyright.PENANAmxCi15760c
438Please respect copyright.PENANAyPQGEo71gd
Diana knew better than to answer honestly. "All I’m saying is that you need to cool down for a bit. You lose your temper a lot, and you’ve to consider your son’s feelings this time around. He has his reasons for doing what he did."438Please respect copyright.PENANAUGfmOabjnE
438Please respect copyright.PENANAPHg7rxyyEg
438Please respect copyright.PENANASTMoI7Jhcn
"But I’m just looking out for him. Kim is and has always been good for him."438Please respect copyright.PENANAGGRHjXgNFO
438Please respect copyright.PENANAtQnxKZZRzM
438Please respect copyright.PENANAwxSeMckH46
"That’s just an overprotective mother talking. Haven’t you ever considered that Leo went on to date Kim and got engaged to her because of your influence?"438Please respect copyright.PENANAht52r6UPL3
438Please respect copyright.PENANAjxdb9ASu7K
438Please respect copyright.PENANAh9cgJtj06p
"Are you trying to say I’m a bad influence? Leo is the one who wanted to get married to Kim in the first place."438Please respect copyright.PENANAe9J3I3tQdQ
438Please respect copyright.PENANAs201vFUXlz
438Please respect copyright.PENANA3JGDsGOsC0
Diana shook her head. "I feel you’ve had a very big part in this, Bertha. And if it wasn’t for his stubborn behaviour, he might have gotten married to Kim and who knows? Maybe in the end, he wouldn’t have been happy."438Please respect copyright.PENANAo3dbzXIjMx
438Please respect copyright.PENANAlGFZT5buaH
438Please respect copyright.PENANAk8STabzq5F
"Don’t make me look like a bad guy here. If it’s anyone who should be blamed for what happened should be that woman Leo thinks he’s in love with."438Please respect copyright.PENANAUNETr7EpEW
438Please respect copyright.PENANAs2Od2uwOa7
438Please respect copyright.PENANAOtuW3xW8YR
Diana raised her eyebrows. "You talk like you know what’s best for Leo when you clearly don’t. He’s a grownup now. He can’t always rely on you to make decisions that affect his life."438Please respect copyright.PENANAIlo37USfJ0
438Please respect copyright.PENANA9W5C3m2Bel
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Bertha rolled her eyes. "That’s why you’re no fun to hang around with these days."438Please respect copyright.PENANAJdAO2vEJVE
438Please respect copyright.PENANAEWlfLoVDhA
438Please respect copyright.PENANAbMLazw3cH6
"That’s because I speak the truth and you hate it."438Please respect copyright.PENANAasfA9m111k
438Please respect copyright.PENANAXixlJEm1Gs
438Please respect copyright.PENANACHkiyZXxIr
Bertha folded her arms and looked the other way. "Aren’t you done yet?" she asked.438Please respect copyright.PENANAwBqRfVZLdn
438Please respect copyright.PENANAtizjzDzhbF
438Please respect copyright.PENANACGPV2RM571
"Almost," said Diana as she moved her mouse around on the table. "Now that you know that Leo is in love with someone else, don’t confront him about it at home. He’ll obviously know that you know, so don’t pressure him to the point where you might drive him out of the house."438Please respect copyright.PENANAsM5GmcJKOX
438Please respect copyright.PENANACd8v0S8EmM
438Please respect copyright.PENANAxlHdSvI3My
"Stop talking nonsense, Diana," said Bertha. "Why would I chase him away from his own home? I'm his mother."438Please respect copyright.PENANAUHbsEfSSJT
438Please respect copyright.PENANAuEzRFIKgA3
438Please respect copyright.PENANAgzPRFvTwBH
"If you continue pressuring him like you do, you just might."438Please respect copyright.PENANARlbrMmOKXR
438Please respect copyright.PENANAxmawPC1c3L
438Please respect copyright.PENANAezMKmF0Kde
Bertha pouted her lower lip, upset that Diana had said that. "I'm just looking out for my son."438Please respect copyright.PENANAmmUEtm3oke
438Please respect copyright.PENANAObHkFR3LkI
438Please respect copyright.PENANA78dufBcc5w
"If you ask me, you’re not doing it right. And you of all people are supposed to understand. But instead, you want him to follow on your every whim."438Please respect copyright.PENANAekF4mugFCR
438Please respect copyright.PENANAvo80bT7xK8
438Please respect copyright.PENANAPq0Yhkn7T9
"No, I don’t."438Please respect copyright.PENANAYZB1zEx1uF
438Please respect copyright.PENANAZvOZMPj9aq
438Please respect copyright.PENANASDJNzSDqtW
Diana gave her a look. "Then why do you think he has that temper he inherited from you that he only got to show a lot more after he cancelled his wedding? He’s tired of you controlling him. So if you really don’t want him to retaliate and leave you, then don’t be so nosy, please."438Please respect copyright.PENANAnNrDKxFTwA
438Please respect copyright.PENANAYyqaKB0fzx
438Please respect copyright.PENANA8dirDcVWgf
"I’ll see what I can do. But I still feel Kim is good for him."438Please respect copyright.PENANA5AVymbrVxY
438Please respect copyright.PENANANRoiF6vEf7
438Please respect copyright.PENANAYjPN54OmWT
Diana sighed, shaking her head. "It’s pointless talking to you sometimes." She turned back to look at the computer screen. "When will you ever understand that only he knows what’s good for him. Not you."438Please respect copyright.PENANAM5g5UasERs
438Please respect copyright.PENANAkRnBZrX4Tx
438Please respect copyright.PENANAQ07QSF1Ced
There came a brief silence between them and Diana made sure to keep an eye on Bertha. Bertha had her arms folded, looking into a distance. Diana noticed the sullen look on her face. It’s not the first time they’ve had it. All she hoped for is this time, Bertha might take things to heart and realise that Leo’s life is more important than what she truly desires.438Please respect copyright.PENANA4gn2GDEk9A
438Please respect copyright.PENANAZy2aY7JmAM
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"I’m done," said Diana as she stood up from her seat. "We can go for lunch now."438Please respect copyright.PENANA50phDpeVkE
438Please respect copyright.PENANAWYHJJwT9XK
438Please respect copyright.PENANAMwOkH1as6e
Bertha didn’t speak, nor did she move. She just sat there. Diana started to worry.438Please respect copyright.PENANAyrvNVwxwl7
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"Bertha?" she called out to her as she went round her table. "Bertha, are you okay?"438Please respect copyright.PENANAmJyajyVeJ4
438Please respect copyright.PENANABO66XpoAxC
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Bertha still didn’t speak. The last time Diana saw that look on her face, Bertha did something beyond what others thought she would do. And it wasn’t pretty.438Please respect copyright.PENANAp60VcDB6le
438Please respect copyright.PENANAUiVNg3SNHD
438Please respect copyright.PENANAOcBIdTQHqd
"Bertha!" Diana shook her as she placed her hand on Bertha’s shoulder. Whatever cloud Bertha was on had suddenly dissipated as she now looked surprised, finding Diana in front of her.438Please respect copyright.PENANAhTD0hHHZaw
438Please respect copyright.PENANAvOfHVFVqKg
438Please respect copyright.PENANAKbBQ06VL9q
"Are you okay?" Diana asked. "You looked a little lost just now."438Please respect copyright.PENANAJQayh2pJhy
438Please respect copyright.PENANAG8X9qYu6vR
438Please respect copyright.PENANAkttIS2HUsF
"Yes, I’m fine," said Bertha, sounding a little shaky. She slowly stood up from her seat.438Please respect copyright.PENANA7u7enwyoBt
438Please respect copyright.PENANA0KRihys9EE
438Please respect copyright.PENANAqeyo9MFTjX
"Are you sure? I’ve seen that look before. Remember what happened last time? You literally went on a rampage."438Please respect copyright.PENANASBIhQzgtb0
438Please respect copyright.PENANAXArA1Uuk17
438Please respect copyright.PENANA62OGKzuAWI
"That was last time," she said. "Don’t worry about me, I’m not going to go on a rampage."438Please respect copyright.PENANAHdcuBGsmXl
438Please respect copyright.PENANAJS0HizXlov
438Please respect copyright.PENANAg4OGjCvEkq
"Well. I sure hope so," said Diana as she went over to the table to get her purse. "I really hope you’re not going to confront Leo about his new girlfriend."438Please respect copyright.PENANAeqT5Fp51Yk
438Please respect copyright.PENANANL5lJzfTgH
438Please respect copyright.PENANAsR5ejZv9YD
"Of course, not. I’ll make sure not to even mention it to him."438Please respect copyright.PENANAxUtDtNkEr8
438Please respect copyright.PENANAlre3OttyZC
438Please respect copyright.PENANAahZBJhynvw
Diana looked at Bertha. She seemed normal. And as they walked out of her office, Diana couldn’t help but tell herself to keep an eye on Bertha.438Please respect copyright.PENANAKuUBkxAp3G
438Please respect copyright.PENANAGlE7KYaZBH
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***438Please respect copyright.PENANA1IvzMBlWFO
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"Wow, you seriously told her the truth?" Eric can’t believe what he’s hearing.438Please respect copyright.PENANABaUuI2bRLe
438Please respect copyright.PENANA5KLcBWvfil
438Please respect copyright.PENANAtp50VEs5em
"Believe it, Eric," said Leo seated behind his desk. "I told her what she needed to know."438Please respect copyright.PENANAYpmGwloS0P
438Please respect copyright.PENANAszpcfwKtwP
438Please respect copyright.PENANALqRXqMB7zY
"But you didn’t reveal who it is, right?" Angel asked.438Please respect copyright.PENANAAwysoDU6UC
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438Please respect copyright.PENANAo8oWMx7F38
"No, I didn’t," said Leo, looking at her and feeling irritated that she’s standing in his office. But he couldn’t do anything about it since Eric came in with her. Chasing her out isn’t an option.438Please respect copyright.PENANAtJ9kylISDj
438Please respect copyright.PENANATCslqat5XG
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"Well, I want to be happy and relieved, but we all know this is far from over," said Eric.438Please respect copyright.PENANA67F5x6jmbH
438Please respect copyright.PENANAqK63l7TAXF
438Please respect copyright.PENANAuRvyXZiRPU
"My mother. Kim must have told her already."438Please respect copyright.PENANANqkqXP0ZWI
438Please respect copyright.PENANApEiOKynzpX
438Please respect copyright.PENANA4bRah0x86U
"Don’t you think your mother might be involved with the two of you meeting for lunch?" Angel asked.438Please respect copyright.PENANAIEYu4LvhrR
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Eric and Leo looked at her. "Why do you say so?" Leo asked.438Please respect copyright.PENANAdxUFwiDyo0
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"I don’t know. It just seemed kind of strange when Eric told me. Maybe Kim told her that she met you at the café and your mother thought maybe you two having lunch together would make you open up to Kim and finally tell her the truth."438Please respect copyright.PENANAsauVPTRyC4
438Please respect copyright.PENANA4ArKX3NfNs
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Eric rubbed his chin with his fingers as he thought. "Yep, I agree," he said, nodding his head afterwards.438Please respect copyright.PENANAtoL3JiP6mw
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"I hate to admit, but it does have my mother’s scent all over it," said Leo as he leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed. He looked tired and frustrated. "I feel like I’m going to be sick. I didn’t enjoy my lunch, at all."438Please respect copyright.PENANAgnNYEItdnJ
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"Who would when your ex is seated facing you? If you ask me, I would puke," said Eric.438Please respect copyright.PENANAZyplwXn4Dm
438Please respect copyright.PENANASdCcVbaAgr
438Please respect copyright.PENANArAd97gpsEg
"No doubt you would," Leo raised an eyebrow, still with his eyes closed.438Please respect copyright.PENANAz4TsqhwnUp
438Please respect copyright.PENANAc2qdiUJu8P
438Please respect copyright.PENANAO6cFmNO3Lr
"Would you like something? You look like you didn’t eat at all."438Please respect copyright.PENANAwOXnkdoKVP
438Please respect copyright.PENANALJyd5jxkA2
438Please respect copyright.PENANAoQ4DQYDCre
"No, thanks. I think I’ll get something in the kitchen."438Please respect copyright.PENANAhNGw1V9FBM
438Please respect copyright.PENANALrk7jQx821
438Please respect copyright.PENANAJU440IFwRL
"I’ve been told that Mrs. Lance brought in some homemade sandwiches for everyone in the staff kitchen," said Angel. "And I hear they’re really good."438Please respect copyright.PENANAeVwn8TAq1y
438Please respect copyright.PENANAIYLQ7Pekry
438Please respect copyright.PENANA0iQAam8LZo
"I think I should go and get some," said Eric. "I really love that woman’s homemade food."438Please respect copyright.PENANAgUYyk5t1tL
438Please respect copyright.PENANAG8MkvwB8P9
438Please respect copyright.PENANAKJmejGPnyT
"Isn’t your tummy full?" Leo raised an eyebrow, this time with his eyes open.438Please respect copyright.PENANAJGdEpUbIY9
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438Please respect copyright.PENANAQu14mS54jE
"It is, but just like I said, I love her home-made food. Don’t you want to get something yourself? For someone who didn’t enjoy their meal, you really need it."438Please respect copyright.PENANAEerc5zFN6Y
438Please respect copyright.PENANAmVYRtml4WC
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"Alright," Leo gave in as he stood up from his seat. "Aren’t you going to try it out, Angel?"438Please respect copyright.PENANApRlYSF5KdU
438Please respect copyright.PENANAFMGpH7J3NO
438Please respect copyright.PENANABMi3uMuqu3
Shoot, Leo almost winced. Why did he have to ask? She probably wouldn’t. He noticed Eric give him a funny look and he knew why. Leo now regretted it.438Please respect copyright.PENANA06qqR9YiiD
438Please respect copyright.PENANAMeQeG2PIze
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"I would love to, but there’s something I need to do at my desk right now," she answered. "Won’t you mind getting it for me?"438Please respect copyright.PENANAc39ExcsiXQ
438Please respect copyright.PENANADk8FWQS1pF
438Please respect copyright.PENANALrjvs13eon
Leo didn’t know if she’s asking him or Eric and whether to answer or not. Eric came to his rescue by accepting her request and that he will swing by her desk to give it to her. Leo soon remembered something:438Please respect copyright.PENANA4Y4HR0z2Ts
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"Oh, Angel, Carly called and was trying to reach you during lunch. She asks if you could call her back."438Please respect copyright.PENANAyuqmJsyTIW
438Please respect copyright.PENANAsGSEM0lt39
438Please respect copyright.PENANA7FnQOArlnK
"Okay, I’ll do just that. I’ll see you guys later," she said giving them a little smile before turning around to head out of the office. Leo couldn’t help but blush after seeing her smile like that. As soon as she walked out of his office, he heard Eric clear his throat.438Please respect copyright.PENANANalajUZIa2
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"The look on your face says things, you know," said Eric as he leaned in close so that Leo could face him.438Please respect copyright.PENANAAHGcIej4FB
438Please respect copyright.PENANA1xRd63S9O2
438Please respect copyright.PENANASIEsuVqoqE
"What are you talking about?" Leo asked looking at his cousin.438Please respect copyright.PENANAVP6vox2mHG
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438Please respect copyright.PENANAJIVXQGVXWz
"Well, for starters, you asked Angel if she wanted to try out Mrs. Lance's food. Then you had this funny look on your face when she was leaving." Eric now looked at him suspiciously. "I hope you aren’t falling for my girl."438Please respect copyright.PENANAAXQG1wkyyb
438Please respect copyright.PENANA1xCfBv2XiP
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Leo felt his face heat up for a bit, but he isn’t going to let Eric make a fool of him as he quickly said, "you must be joking, Eric. Why would I ever fall for her when I’m in love with someone else?"438Please respect copyright.PENANA2H7lH1Lmyu
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The two looked at each other. There's a serious dead silence between them until Eric suddenly burst out laughing. Leo rolled his eyes and shook his head.438Please respect copyright.PENANAx6DNJEgqZ2
438Please respect copyright.PENANAOVJ22Qw2lw
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"You should see your face," said Eric trying to catch his breath. "You really shouldn’t be so serious, man. I was just joking. But I can see there’s some improvement."438Please respect copyright.PENANAKZsGOlS9Bt
438Please respect copyright.PENANApVOzxbEQ5w
438Please respect copyright.PENANAMZtKNPCNSr
"What improvement?"438Please respect copyright.PENANA6ePVHSJtL0
438Please respect copyright.PENANAdpBkmbJKBF
438Please respect copyright.PENANAyAajJVsyhB
"I can see you're slowly opening up to Angel. But let me warn you. You can only like her, but not to those extremes."438Please respect copyright.PENANA59MaKwrN0c
438Please respect copyright.PENANAfoGIuo20Bp
438Please respect copyright.PENANAJAA3GAkemO
"Okay, you’ve made it clear that Angel is a no-go area. But I’m not the one you should be worried about."438Please respect copyright.PENANAYZFRXRmQpj
438Please respect copyright.PENANARoColJwHAH
438Please respect copyright.PENANAdqTv02aH13
"Ya, I know. Every guy around here has their eyes on her. Come on, let’s go to the kitchen before the food runs out."438Please respect copyright.PENANAN1m5cfrz7u
438Please respect copyright.PENANAv7VOVr4F4o
438Please respect copyright.PENANAXo1sG1duUU
"Ya, we should. I’m starving."438Please respect copyright.PENANAb5qoojD1oL
438Please respect copyright.PENANARH6sN9Gzrz
438Please respect copyright.PENANAPhKmLkjPQM
The two of them made their way out of Leo’s office and went straight for the kitchen with Eric making fun of Leo over his bad lunch. Leo took it all in in silence trying to get Angel’s smile out of his head.