The rays of the sun crept its way through the large glass doors of the ship, lighting up the room. There was confetti and paper cups all around, not to mention empty beer and wine bottles that littered the floor. An unlikely object sat in the middle of the messy dance floor: a wooden chair. Someone sat on it as he bathed in the sun's rays. He leaned back lazily as he took in the view of the sun rising to the east above the waters of the New York harbour. He had been busy the whole night and felt like he needed sleep. But the exciting feeling of everything going according to plan rushed through his bloodstream like adrenaline, keeping him awake.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySk4nlFZMs
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He had his phone in hand, which lay flat on his outstretched left leg. He lifted the phone, but had still not received any reply from the person he had just texted. No bother; she must be tired like I am, Red Lion thought to himself.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMNOHsQOTg
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As he continued to look on at the glittering blue waters, he heard a set of footsteps coming behind him, and he could tell who was approaching.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMsWDmebzM
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Carlos began to sing in Spanish, a common Mexican song, snapping his fingers. Red Lion recognized the song. He would’ve told Carlos any other day to shut his mouth, but there’s something about it that soothed him a little. Carlos might not have a good singing voice, but his voice was like honey to Red Lion’s ears.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiNWs3fdRC
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When Carlos and Hugo came close, Carlos took hold of Red Lion’s shoulders and shook him in an excited way, forcing Red Lion to dance side to side on his chair. The gesture made Red Lion smile. Soon enough, he tapped Carlos’ hand on his shoulder informing him to stop. Carlos did as instructed and approached the glass doors leading to the deck, still singing. Hugo remained by Red Lion’s side, shaking his head at his jolly comrade.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRh2K79Sq5
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"You threw quite a party last night," said Hugo, who’s deep voice was a bit groggy after drinking too much. It’s still a wonder to many, especially Red Lion, how he didn’t get so drunk and have a hangover the next day.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gCvX9PlcD
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"Yes, I did," said Red Lion, feeling rather proud of himself. "Slowly but surely, I’ll get what I want."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnkyZJRHPn
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"No doubt about it. But you've got to be careful, though. If Andre catches a whiff of what’s going on, it will be dreadful."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3vOfHust5
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"I’ve calculated the risks. And trust me, I plan not to fail."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0WFkNU0v9
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"What of Walters? What are you going to do with him?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwy0mukyBW
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"I’ll forgive him for his little stunt last night. But when coming to other things, I’m starting to wonder whether to involve him or not."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4JPFOwPJA
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Hugo raised an eyebrow as he looked down at Red Lion. "You do know he’s already fishy about you since you didn’t tell him the full details of your plan."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXu09d4Zhn
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"Yeah, I know. But I did tell Alex, though."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZNm27MEgn
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With the continuous singing of Carlos on the deck, Hugo paid him less attention as his facial expression turned into a grave one.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCTU0MdatY
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"You told him? Why?" Hugo asked.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAfF0gWXoZ
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"Alex is useful," Red Lion answered as he looked up at Hugo with a smile. "And I happen to like him. He is a real hard worker, as he has proved in the last couple of days."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXEx1DgDuz
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"Don’t tell me you plan to involve him all the way? Walters isn’t going to like it. You know how he opposed you bringing Carly on board."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgp2y1Qo0E
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"I know. But look at what the two have done so far. With those two following along with my plans, I don’t see it going wrong."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4IDsUT2Qm
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"Really? Aren’t you forgetting that there are always minor setbacks?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZS8zZPM0sf
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"For example, Walters, yes. But I know how to handle him. Don’t worry," Red Lion noticed the look Hugo gave him. "He’s as stubborn as an ox, and he doesn’t trust me in some areas."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR75Q1YwXVf
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"If I were you, I would act fast on him."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzLc8aRSDg
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Red Lion gave a nod. "True. But he’s very vital to me, especially with dealings at the club. He won’t be easy to get rid of just yet."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKriDYgrVOU
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"I trust you to make the right decisions, then."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8b9vWTkTtS
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Red Lion laughed, his laugh echoing alongside Carlos' singing. "Have I ever made the wrong one that would put us all at risk?" He stood up from his seat and patted his hand on Hugo’s shoulder. "With me, Hugo, our organization will be an unstoppable force. I can promise you that."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsYnX1lkZZ
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Red Lion turned to Carlos, singing with his arms wide on the deck. Red Lion joined in the singing and went over to his comrade on the deck. Hugo shook his head with a smile on his face and followed Red Lion. When Red Lion went onto the deck, Carlos turned to look at him and, with an outstretched arm, wrapped it around Red Lion's shoulders. The two continued to sing, while facing the sun, about the glorious days ahead.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqKRgv8YHO
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***441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2vecpJiS8
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"Morning, how are you?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxIJ4lRZ0C
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It’s been almost an hour since Leo sent Carly that text message, which she still hasn’t responded to. He had been staring down at the message for almost two minutes until he told himself to put the phone down and get to work. He did so with almost great difficulty, telling himself that Carly was probably tired and still fast asleep.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJdxdMMSHL
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When he put his phone aside, he went to look at his computer. There were a bunch of emails, some of them from his colleagues which contained reports on their latest construction projects in New York that he needed to go through. That almost made Leo’s brain want to burst into flames. He knew it was only early working hours, but he already felt like he had worked for too long. There was no need to put himself under unnecessary pressure, as he opened up to read one email that didn’t involve any of the construction reports. As soon as he settled his mind to read, his landline on his desk started to ring. He quickly grabbed the receiver, drawing it closer to his ear.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sHWUowtNX
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"Yes?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFhnGjVeAn
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"Please come over to my office, Leo," said Mr. McDonell. And with that, the line cut.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tcYuZcU81
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Leo wondered what his summoning could be all about. He sounded a little serious. Could something have happened? The only way to find out is if he goes there.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV52cqSA7V
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He left the office, telling his secretary where he would be in case anyone called. As he made his way to his father’s office, he couldn’t help but feel a little anxious. He had to tell himself not to think too much or else he might end up having a heart attack.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDHOz86It1
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Just as he had clear view of the door leading to his father’s office, he found Eric making his way there. Leo raised an eyebrow. Eric has also been summoned?441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELrzpt0bWT
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As though sensing that Leo was behind him, Eric turned to look in Leo’s direction and smiled. Leo wished he could have Eric’s optimism at this point in time. Because he had none.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCA6fpNTfJ
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"You’ve been summoned too?" Eric asked when Leo got close.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1ahteev2O
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"Yeah," Leo answered. "And I have no idea why. Do you?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZfzOtSDRb
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The corner of Eric’s lips were lifted into a smile. "I might have a guess," he said.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUXm84LUgs
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"Which is?" Leo folded his arms.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10WHGqnNNw
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"You’ll know soon enough. Let’s go in. We don’t want to keep him waiting."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaou7LQe3a5
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Leo watched Eric as he led the way to the door, greeting Mr. McDonell’s secretary. Leo gave her a nod and she smiled at him kindly. Eric knocked on the door and Mr. McDonell from inside told them to come in.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhO3iO96BV
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The first thing Leo’s eyes fell upon when Eric opened the door, were the two chairs that faced his father’s desk which were occupied. Mrs. Lance sat on one chair while Angel sat on the other. Upon seeing Angel, he couldn’t help but worry why she was there.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrRAWNspch
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"Morning, Mrs. Lance," Eric greeted.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIylaZBcyO
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"Morning to you too," Mrs. Lance replied. "Hey, Leo. Are you good?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmPZd5wC1Q
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"I’m good, thanks," Leo replied.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlko2caeo5
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"So, let’s cut to the chase," said Mr. McDonell who sat behind his desk. Leo and Eric sat down on the comfortable black sofas behind the two ladies. "As you all know we have an important meeting with the Chinese. We know that Leo and Eric have been making preparations, but I would like Mrs. Lance and Angel to be on board."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yxQ5gK1jr
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Leo felt his throat run dry so suddenly. Angel will help with the preparations? His father really didn’t mean to include more people. He and Eric have done this together several times. Including people now felt so foreign to Leo.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNc8F8abHG
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"That will be great," said Eric.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxA2DD4gksY
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Leo felt like giving Eric a poke with his elbow to tell him to keep quiet. But there was no hiding his enthusiasm and that irritated him the most, especially since he knew his cousin is only excited because Angel is in the fray. No wonder he was so excited before, Leo thought to himself. Did Eric know about this?441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdc9RYTD81J
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"When will the meeting be?" Angel asked.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNCUAL167S
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"This week on a Friday," said Mr. McDonell. "Eric, Leo, how far with the preparations?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgz55OrLug
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"There is a slight issue with the venue though," Eric answered. "We had many options, but we hadn’t decided on the place most suitable."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrx4IBEGR6
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"Well, then it’s a good thing I asked these women to join us," said Mr. McDonell. "They might help since we don’t have enough time on our hands."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ThENxp6Db
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Leo raised an eyebrow. It’s true that Eric, and he had struggled a little on this last assignment, but there was a hotel that was ready to help host their meeting, and they were meant to visit the place this afternoon. Now he had a feeling he might be heading over there with Angel tagging along.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7vBMNBvkC
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"We have a place in mind," Leo found himself saying. "So there is no need for the ladies to be bothered about this."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHuIPtOFXA
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"Look at you being so macho," said Mrs. Lance, turning to look at Leo. "You need a woman’s touch when it comes to such things. Your mother might have been helping you out sometimes, but she isn’t here to do so. So don’t be so egoistic and let us help."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTnWzdXu11
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"I couldn’t have put it in any other way," said Mr. McDonell, looking satisfied. "Let’s get this done quickly. Eric, Leo, you will tag Mrs. Lance and Angel along with you today."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoG3HbQ7uPJ
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"Alright, we will leave in the afternoon soon after lunch," said Eric.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDPoRFMDmW
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"Sounds good," said Mrs. Lance. "Will that be all?" she asked as she turned to Mr. McDonell.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTr8kv8VKj
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"Yes," said Mr. McDonell. "Thank you all for coming."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fhPeEPxQX
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Everyone else all stood up from their seats. The two ladies made their way to the door first, but Eric was quick enough to reach it before them to open it. Mrs. Lance thanked Eric for being such a gentleman and Angel also thanked him. Eric and Leo were the last to leave.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXibNvenk3
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"Isn’t this exciting?" Eric asked when they were out of earshot from Angel and Mrs. Lance. "Those two ladies get to help us out."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMbGBlWIC2
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"I know you only mean Angel," said Leo, feeling irritated.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mlUq1K7m4
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"Well, you know me so well." Eric beamed with a smile that Leo felt blinded his eyes.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0Tg3S3xlq
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"Whatever, this is getting annoying. Why did my father pick Angel when anyone else would’ve helped out?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡif3cg0nEqB
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"To gain experience I think. Besides, it’s great to take on assignments outside the office."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAompm2u6jS
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"Yeah, I guess. Hey, did you happen to know about this?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuI521B9A14
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Eric smiled as he answered, "no." Leo sucked his teeth.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLh2GeoR7L
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Ahead of them, Mrs. Lance took a detour to her office, while Angel was making her to the work area when she met Derrick coming in her direction.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMn6bCH5I0
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"Morning," he greeted.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIfs2X5njS
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"Good morning, Derrick," Angel greeted.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblegSuDKrO
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"I didn’t see you at your desk when I passed by. I thought you weren’t going to be in today."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUNrojweLu
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Angel chuckled. "It’s my second day here. I don’t think I have the right to be dodging work when I feel like it."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CP2Znkl5o
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"Well, you are close to the McDonells, aren’t you? I thought you might have the privilege."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rxhtkJGav
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Angel raised her eyebrows. "I’m just here because I have the qualifications to take on the job. I’m not here for fun."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FKgfp5m8W
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Derrick knew he almost struck a nerve there. But for some reason, Angel didn’t seem to lash out like he had expected, and she seemed calm.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynEqin0IyC
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"Sorry about that," he apologized. "You’re right. I can tell that you’re only here for work and not to impress anyone."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEnAyuxeNt
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Leo and Eric continued to stand from a distance. They had noticed Derrick from the beginning and had stood to watch the pair as they spoke. And for some reason, they both felt really uncomfortable.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8WYG96WdG
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"What could they be talking about?" Eric asked, his eyes never leaving the two.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn50bihlqg
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"Who cares?" Leo replied as he tried his very best to look away, but couldn’t.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2klQG3LeC6
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"I hope he isn’t asking her out or anything. He will not like me."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7TSRfLSxK
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"If you hadn’t noticed, Eric, Angel still has many eyes on her. I won’t be surprised if she has a long line of suitors."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Op2N6me7C
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Eric sucked his teeth. "You’re probably right. But she doesn’t seem interested in the guy."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9n7Ywsh8KN
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"So, are you busy this afternoon?" Derrick asked.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHGzR1uERW
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"Yeah, I am," said Angel as she took a strand of her by her fingers and twirled them. "I’ve been given an assignment by the boss, and I need to be somewhere away from the office."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDA7Tgcn3P
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"Oh, I see. I was thinking, since a lot of us aren’t so busy, maybe you would like to hang out?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmb591bVa1
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Angel smiled. "When there will be time, I’ll keep you informed. I still haven’t forgotten about our lunch."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzTfmeJSEa
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"Oh, really?" Derrick asked as he nervously blushed, scratching the back of his head. He found himself wanting to hit himself in the face. You should stop acting so weird, he told himself.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iH1qqJrWB
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"Oh, my goodness, is the guy blushing?" Eric asked as he noticed Derrick’s body language.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhY2uAhq9rC
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"Hey, Eric, we better get going," Leo warned. "You don’t want to stir up trouble."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMfX4zvJY2
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It surprised Leo that he had suddenly said that. His cousin was obviously jealous, but who knows? Maybe the two were having a friendly chat, and Eric was thinking otherwise when he didn’t even know what they were talking about. Why did he think like that again? It’s not like Leo to think of other alternatives, especially to the situation at hand. But that’s not what worried him. Leo had never seen Eric so worked up. There are times when he might be joking around, but this time it was different. Angel was the problem.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlaw4EE7Q4
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"Yeah, I haven’t forgotten," said Angel. "Just make sure that we have that lunch."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPLOQX4fFU
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"Alright," said Derrick with a pleased look on his face. "I better not be holding you back from your work. I’ll be going now."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WweESSARZ
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"Okay, see you later." Angel smiled and went on her way.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdWsfJdz5H
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"Look, she is leaving," Eric whispered to Leo. Derrick was coming in their direction. "Quick, act natural."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDucGeVWRR2
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"What? No, I won’t," said Leo.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVxTAIX41Z
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It was a little too late for that, as Derrick drew close, and the two quickly got into some conversation involving sports. Derrick paid them no attention as he quickly passed them to head down the hall which Mrs. Lance had taken as that was where the architecture department was. When he was out of sight, Leo and Eric drew out a sigh of relief.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhe6fXeJ3Zq
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"This is ridiculous," said Leo, rolling his eyes. "We should never do this again."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYaacBkMWJ
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Leo started his way down the hall, which Angel took, and Eric quickly followed him.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5JfwDTYHZ
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"Oh, I’m sorry," said Eric sarcastically. "But it’s not my fault that he was talking to Angel."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSeB60uxOX
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"Please, you never see me acting like that with Carly," said Leo, making sure to keep his voice down.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANEHT2ui3W
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"That’s because you don’t visit her college. Trust me, she probably talks to many guys."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmqqsYX27z
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"But she loves me, though. So I’m not worried."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlKq4aZQxf
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"Well, your relationship with her is already set in stone. I have to fight to get what I want."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTy4eJyw9tm
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"Hard luck, pal. There are a lot of men, as you see, who want her hand."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuTTSxmrtQ
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"Tell me about it. I've got to stand above everyone else if it comes down to it."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO486etnFqu
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"You think too much. If Angel is smart, she’ll definitely go for you."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyABTYdgvVz
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"Angel is smart. I just haven’t told her how I deeply feel yet."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShVYACUU1j
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Leo stopped walking, and Eric did the same. "The sooner you tell her, the better. I don’t want to clean after you when you see her with someone else."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPX1LTZ3bR
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"Oh, I will. And something tells me she knows."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65ViH6rvB6
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"How? Did she say something to you?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61HxzB6EdE
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"No. I have a hunch," said Eric with a smile on his face.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpuPjYR5tk
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Eric had reached his office, and he made sure to give Leo a playful wave of his hand before disappearing behind his door. Leo rolled his eyes. His cousin was very much in love. And for some reason, he didn’t approve that it had to be Angel he fell for.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUurowa7mB
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Leo continued his way to his office when he noticed Angel, who had finally approached her work station, talking to a colleague who was holding a stack of folders. They were talking and laughing too. She seems to have settled into the company already, he thought to himself. He rolled his eyes. Before he could continue on his way, memories of last night came flooding into his mind. That made him rush to his office so that he wouldn’t get a chance to look at her.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6trujbEJuZ
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***441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxh8r8tE55
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"Well, you’re up early, boss. Did you get any sleep at all?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDj9UghKyDQ
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Andre was looking out of the balcony wearing a red silk bathrobe with a cigar in one hand and a glass of whisky in the other. He turned around to see his trusted comrade stand in the middle of his suite. In stature, he was much bigger than Andre, and he wore a black jacket and trousers. Not to mention that he had a bald head.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrzwpSa6DU
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Andre walked back into the room in white hotel bed slippers. He drew in the smoke of his cigar and later exhaled.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt187PedfDQ
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"No, I couldn’t sleep," answered Andre. "That party last night was a blast."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRbmIVUkXA
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His comrade looked at Andre with a smile before turning to look at the bed. "Didn't you sleep with anyone last night?" he asked. "What happened to the Rosales sisters?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WECTbu0Kg
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"It wasn’t necessary," said Andre. "I told them that I wouldn’t be needing them for a while. I needed to be alone."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERSnzjasCf
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"Is it because of that woman you met last night?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0yOuywc2Y
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Andre chuckled as he took a sip of his whisky. "Maybe."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0J9zRd6RK
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"You can’t hide from me, Andre. That look on your face says that you’ve been thinking about her since we left the party."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fyHlxHfsB
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"And what are you going to do about it?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFR7hCYTXz
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His comrade sighs. "Nothing. You somehow always manage to get what you want. But take it slow if you ever decide to meet her again. Your past relationships haven’t been so rosy, and some of your exes always find themselves buried six feet under."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4n6o1nEp4
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"Wow, Diego." Andre raised an eyebrow. "I’m not that cruel, am I? All I did was make their lives miserable because some of them either betrayed me or something."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bc79VOzRz
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"Which led to some committing suicide." Diego, in return, raised an eyebrow.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62auLbSZgo
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"Whatever." Andre went over to sit at the foot of his bed. "This girl feels different, though."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17NHNjzcRZ
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"Isn’t that what you say about every other girl?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrkWpbJ2rg
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"No, I don’t. Don’t try and confuse me, Diego."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CS0kAeEXT
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Diego smiled. "Just testing your sharpness. You should really stop drinking whisky and smoking so early before having breakfast. If your mother saw you, she would kill me."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVwVg6vERQ
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"That’s the whole idea," said Andre with a wicked smile as he took a sip of his whisky.441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeX8HI67nNa
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"Ha, ha, very funny," said Diego, not looking impressed. "When do you plan on going back?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYQ3nYywd5
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"Today," Andre answered. "I would’ve liked to see Loren again, but I have a feeling Red Lion will be a little protective of her. Like you said, it’s best to keep things slow for now."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0TJH5rbKS
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"But you do have her number, right?"441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡic9lv0QnZF
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"Yes, I do. But in a few days after the business in Mexico is done, I will be back here in New York, just for her."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwNAbk1RwW
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"Acting like a true romantic, I can only imagine how you’re going to spoil her. I’m going to make a call to the others about our departure. We’ll leave whenever you’re ready."441Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAliCvCQhz6
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Diego made his way out of the room, and as he closed the door behind him, Andre quickly gulped down the whisky and tossed the empty glass on the bed. He leaned back and fell onto the bed. He put the cigar in his mouth and puffed up the smoke through his nose and mouth. As he stared at the cloud of smoke above him, he thought he saw an image of Loren’s face smiling down at him.
Penana
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