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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKSLuxdoAl
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdXesPePIp
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuc7CwqGtr
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcLoy1EmSj
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4zXFCetQc
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72nZK0uOsX
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"Yes, I did," said Red Lion, feeling rather proud of himself. "Slowly but surely, I’ll get what I want."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSlmP65xUw
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbP7hfabena
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"I’ve calculated the risks. And trust me, I plan not to fail."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvHR5aLnI5
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"What of Walters? What are you going to do with him?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjd7ThKnas
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0AhgTWRq8
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnKNndMznw
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"Yeah, I know. But I did tell Alex, though."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyY9PjWvPXK
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZH6LeFWZU
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"You told him? Why?" Hugo asked.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmQExEjEsa
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iX6WfVcFx
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmRgY3grLS
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLH2xsgvY1
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"Really? Aren’t you forgetting that there are always minor setbacks?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvMEJc8Zex
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm40n4KNsn
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"If I were you, I would act fast on him."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoEVAiAIJp
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ET2rZmHLp
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"I trust you to make the right decisions, then."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTe4ePmDnp
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7RK52A9yD
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTutHnIrO8
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***412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImW2gaH7Y2
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"Morning, how are you?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZySES2lF0Q
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XUBrTfauM
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3B8grgP2zy
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"Yes?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SS6KSkv7r
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"Please come over to my office, Leo," said Mr. McDonell. And with that, the line cut.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmn0gDVWBv
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQLtP6LaQB
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsizAxMHqp
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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?412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7L1OZHAil9
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli8iklzpUe
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"You’ve been summoned too?" Eric asked when Leo got close.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yP9sgPaYQ
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"Yeah," Leo answered. "And I have no idea why. Do you?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBLLG7UESt
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The corner of Eric’s lips were lifted into a smile. "I might have a guess," he said.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFPm2GXeBc
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"Which is?" Leo folded his arms.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMc5pBPlme
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"You’ll know soon enough. Let’s go in. We don’t want to keep him waiting."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0uBInxDTm
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMe08Nxcau
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLosCkzj7j
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"Morning, Mrs. Lance," Eric greeted.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkOpiH7c7B
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"Morning to you too," Mrs. Lance replied. "Hey, Leo. Are you good?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12qA35zaYp
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"I’m good, thanks," Leo replied.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Bt90l3RZV
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXj7ogcktkD
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jrDif93LU
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"That will be great," said Eric.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWbaVW98tG
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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?412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwMx7r1Hlj
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"When will the meeting be?" Angel asked.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLWWKFPwlc
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"This week on a Friday," said Mr. McDonell. "Eric, Leo, how far with the preparations?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4dZtuqdSc
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9QKYDnnfe
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFrpbmVAIJ
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGgQGrJkRZ
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHaO7VQR3G
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXTjTTcQQ1
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6h9F7YZHNP
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"Alright, we will leave in the afternoon soon after lunch," said Eric.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSYkzh9f7k
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"Sounds good," said Mrs. Lance. "Will that be all?" she asked as she turned to Mr. McDonell.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpH0RdSdocg
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"Yes," said Mr. McDonell. "Thank you all for coming."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN95FbDvESv
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGoqS0ZKxY
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiUl1G7zDx
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"I know you only mean Angel," said Leo, feeling irritated.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXyEbf3f5v
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"Well, you know me so well." Eric beamed with a smile that Leo felt blinded his eyes.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BVKhaBP11
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"Whatever, this is getting annoying. Why did my father pick Angel when anyone else would’ve helped out?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PRjPKHiEt
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"To gain experience I think. Besides, it’s great to take on assignments outside the office."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstJ2lv6wjw
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"Yeah, I guess. Hey, did you happen to know about this?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhxdzATvHI
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Eric smiled as he answered, "no." Leo sucked his teeth.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPsIczshGr
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHRG8bb8Xm
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"Morning," he greeted.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAozaNi2Jy
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"Good morning, Derrick," Angel greeted.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKniIybrIlI
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7UqrXevtg
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxq4JFmdGJg
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"Well, you are close to the McDonells, aren’t you? I thought you might have the privilege."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3qfbchnKR
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDZQ8yj8hm
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vyIl8Rew1
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TfF90WZ67
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZylkYilym
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"What could they be talking about?" Eric asked, his eyes never leaving the two.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVznogOwHm
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"Who cares?" Leo replied as he tried his very best to look away, but couldn’t.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8L5CBkX1P
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"I hope he isn’t asking her out or anything. He will not like me."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEfh3vejZt
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1gkyZicoF
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Eric sucked his teeth. "You’re probably right. But she doesn’t seem interested in the guy."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqzgh2ylBV
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"So, are you busy this afternoon?" Derrick asked.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDyGxgzgoN
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1IIa80ICK
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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?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9qazc7ag1
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Angel smiled. "When there will be time, I’ll keep you informed. I still haven’t forgotten about our lunch."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui2vgwjs2X
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD80How0pve
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"Oh, my goodness, is the guy blushing?" Eric asked as he noticed Derrick’s body language.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz1kCYNo7R
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"Hey, Eric, we better get going," Leo warned. "You don’t want to stir up trouble."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYwTveABwu
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOdFVVXSwn
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"Yeah, I haven’t forgotten," said Angel. "Just make sure that we have that lunch."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JtBwH6mAu
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUg2wgBIbLD
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"Okay, see you later." Angel smiled and went on her way.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4PS3240Fa
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"Look, she is leaving," Eric whispered to Leo. Derrick was coming in their direction. "Quick, act natural."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaPtZ0edKu
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"What? No, I won’t," said Leo.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHbLhwtckI
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2PgdRpLOE
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"This is ridiculous," said Leo, rolling his eyes. "We should never do this again."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9vcOgH2Af
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Leo started his way down the hall, which Angel took, and Eric quickly followed him.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaDtaEl6kF
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"Oh, I’m sorry," said Eric sarcastically. "But it’s not my fault that he was talking to Angel."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrvxqkBfRw
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"Please, you never see me acting like that with Carly," said Leo, making sure to keep his voice down.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6leHRUPhG
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"That’s because you don’t visit her college. Trust me, she probably talks to many guys."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDmT5d3B5B
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"But she loves me, though. So I’m not worried."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsgSsrCtoP
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"Well, your relationship with her is already set in stone. I have to fight to get what I want."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKehTBnYaM
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"Hard luck, pal. There are a lot of men, as you see, who want her hand."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNII7JsWdf
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"Tell me about it. I've got to stand above everyone else if it comes down to it."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzKPsXd1dc
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"You think too much. If Angel is smart, she’ll definitely go for you."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyHG1ZXY4r
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"Angel is smart. I just haven’t told her how I deeply feel yet."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1hDLMPM6e
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ20fJQgrUT
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"Oh, I will. And something tells me she knows."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2m30Tu5Mo
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"How? Did she say something to you?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGHkCwEn5x
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"No. I have a hunch," said Eric with a smile on his face.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbHHqZZCpH
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCQDfhJ6H5
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ961vpPloIL
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***412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbkVMp6oHO
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"Well, you’re up early, boss. Did you get any sleep at all?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Pi89L5ieh
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7A447bhXp
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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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJL4726kPR
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"No, I couldn’t sleep," answered Andre. "That party last night was a blast."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFN4myVyus
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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?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7YE6AHpfG
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgehLZkRV8
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"Is it because of that woman you met last night?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKpvMthcNu
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Andre chuckled as he took a sip of his whisky. "Maybe."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9xu6XLZvI
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxUGlKQ2bB
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"And what are you going to do about it?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEPvzbUuQ1
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidcihF0E7o
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKCfjdF3i8
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"Which led to some committing suicide." Diego, in return, raised an eyebrow.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkKLQIOxFz
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"Whatever." Andre went over to sit at the foot of his bed. "This girl feels different, though."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTLGsYzBqN
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"Isn’t that what you say about every other girl?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnAcIEU965
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"No, I don’t. Don’t try and confuse me, Diego."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9muvF4iK3Z
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIJbsqVfEh
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"That’s the whole idea," said Andre with a wicked smile as he took a sip of his whisky.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGFq9IW8kD
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"Ha, ha, very funny," said Diego, not looking impressed. "When do you plan on going back?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQwBrLyson
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcnzidQQ9c
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"But you do have her number, right?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxxRGSvqgf
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgLJPCSmU7
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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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xAaip207p
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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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