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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXgO1gezOM
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BpEzPxLGL
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqU4VBa3lJ
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalvakJilYb
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUdPvOrELo
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDIRLEyIBk
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"Yes, I did," said Red Lion, feeling rather proud of himself. "Slowly but surely, I’ll get what I want."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkui7bE7auE
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7ltVRTZc7
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"I’ve calculated the risks. And trust me, I plan not to fail."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0bLOOGOhX
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"What of Walters? What are you going to do with him?"464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR009nwGuPl
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfGYTmOHCJ
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuOdF5DtGe
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"Yeah, I know. But I did tell Alex, though."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcr7W8BaVb
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n3sAcK2a4
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"You told him? Why?" Hugo asked.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PbSPD6ZoF
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WvJoQS69D
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj7lx0GIOm
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDrdfGSipe
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"Really? Aren’t you forgetting that there are always minor setbacks?"464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqalZUy7oGX
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCqJpAf3lO
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"If I were you, I would act fast on him."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0LWhxJyDA
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOYB4gJkWo
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"I trust you to make the right decisions, then."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOrC4gaGnD
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLcmC8plxG
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cN7DrfIJn
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***464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhtWA7X9YZ
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"Morning, how are you?"464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcHkPlZqwZ
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKsFTbtV1U
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CAuJkY7jm
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"Yes?"464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0c6ustOMoT
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"Please come over to my office, Leo," said Mr. McDonell. And with that, the line cut.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91I9vYuBy5
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABeVcAsGk3
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCyzApwth0
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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?464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhEUF7Hpun
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYLOepAwSi
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"You’ve been summoned too?" Eric asked when Leo got close.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSkuqfxjGy
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"Yeah," Leo answered. "And I have no idea why. Do you?"464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF45za164Lc
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The corner of Eric’s lips were lifted into a smile. "I might have a guess," he said.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡif6BCT5MGy
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"Which is?" Leo folded his arms.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVChOn3UM7z
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"You’ll know soon enough. Let’s go in. We don’t want to keep him waiting."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LF1hVTqic
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJJuXDZVfu
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzPjfBpDPp
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"Morning, Mrs. Lance," Eric greeted.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDNHXr9Dvs
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"Morning to you too," Mrs. Lance replied. "Hey, Leo. Are you good?"464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6QTmqN463
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"I’m good, thanks," Leo replied.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vdTBPxecB
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz9Z3PNS0e
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN127xu9uIb
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"That will be great," said Eric.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcDKviJREB
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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?464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpAbUeOkFo
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"When will the meeting be?" Angel asked.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFl2Z7V4Rn
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"This week on a Friday," said Mr. McDonell. "Eric, Leo, how far with the preparations?"464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfnAHISZrv
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmOWBI3rkx
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh9RSCYt9e
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dJTbMaFTX
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fq4boem4o
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh35q2WDeC7
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbV2sRzL7Ob
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"Alright, we will leave in the afternoon soon after lunch," said Eric.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZapIwx5mL
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"Sounds good," said Mrs. Lance. "Will that be all?" she asked as she turned to Mr. McDonell.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcTTyVlsrq
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"Yes," said Mr. McDonell. "Thank you all for coming."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTPcJqs7at
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4gT4PxeK9
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbLple8k7s
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"I know you only mean Angel," said Leo, feeling irritated.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcymGn9VKb
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"Well, you know me so well." Eric beamed with a smile that Leo felt blinded his eyes.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylAEtQ1Snm
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"Whatever, this is getting annoying. Why did my father pick Angel when anyone else would’ve helped out?"464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYcfnYEyO8
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"To gain experience I think. Besides, it’s great to take on assignments outside the office."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oeTfCBeaR
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"Yeah, I guess. Hey, did you happen to know about this?"464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9JN3vbnj7
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Eric smiled as he answered, "no." Leo sucked his teeth.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZh55sluLw
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkpvsaCpCf
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"Morning," he greeted.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39s4rQQHLW
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"Good morning, Derrick," Angel greeted.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDl9XccvJy0
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EtPyuVxAb
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhbjlYjefU
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"Well, you are close to the McDonells, aren’t you? I thought you might have the privilege."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInVX8zaxUP
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavZY7y8ZTN
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkcNYeWQPZ
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yj4u1Bv9u
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QskzvJHCu
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"What could they be talking about?" Eric asked, his eyes never leaving the two.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpplHtOCTx2
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"Who cares?" Leo replied as he tried his very best to look away, but couldn’t.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZK3p91v5q
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"I hope he isn’t asking her out or anything. He will not like me."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGjbTEEuFH
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX070y8UJVg
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Eric sucked his teeth. "You’re probably right. But she doesn’t seem interested in the guy."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ356lJnNOpA
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"So, are you busy this afternoon?" Derrick asked.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlM25icd4Hw
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPEmWZ4a92
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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?"464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8i0LpfDmh
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Angel smiled. "When there will be time, I’ll keep you informed. I still haven’t forgotten about our lunch."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs43rJm4I9
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplF5kYoOeo
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"Oh, my goodness, is the guy blushing?" Eric asked as he noticed Derrick’s body language.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQmsQ1fV3G
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"Hey, Eric, we better get going," Leo warned. "You don’t want to stir up trouble."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AyYATd5eB
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUs1wkdO08i
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"Yeah, I haven’t forgotten," said Angel. "Just make sure that we have that lunch."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BlaOl1k7n
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEKfeK7FOc
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"Okay, see you later." Angel smiled and went on her way.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3BDV8KBl5
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"Look, she is leaving," Eric whispered to Leo. Derrick was coming in their direction. "Quick, act natural."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsTq1oCla6
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"What? No, I won’t," said Leo.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzD0BcS83qn
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukCX8DiscO
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"This is ridiculous," said Leo, rolling his eyes. "We should never do this again."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrQFQH8qpU
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Leo started his way down the hall, which Angel took, and Eric quickly followed him.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbGvPDYhOY
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"Oh, I’m sorry," said Eric sarcastically. "But it’s not my fault that he was talking to Angel."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTWPIN6IPf
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"Please, you never see me acting like that with Carly," said Leo, making sure to keep his voice down.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEI30Xpyio
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"That’s because you don’t visit her college. Trust me, she probably talks to many guys."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABukKz9ksY
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"But she loves me, though. So I’m not worried."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6r1xmXc0IC
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"Well, your relationship with her is already set in stone. I have to fight to get what I want."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlauE7x3lF
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"Hard luck, pal. There are a lot of men, as you see, who want her hand."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0e95lrJ6r
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"Tell me about it. I've got to stand above everyone else if it comes down to it."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LXA3YRB7Q
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"You think too much. If Angel is smart, she’ll definitely go for you."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqB55X5KWgg
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"Angel is smart. I just haven’t told her how I deeply feel yet."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98BlOt2rgl
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrwZy0nv9n
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"Oh, I will. And something tells me she knows."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXtif2H7nl
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"How? Did she say something to you?"464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxaqmqHlRV
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"No. I have a hunch," said Eric with a smile on his face.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQqlvcNzsN
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOr0FkwNqV
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU7kBngG50
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***464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rlye8Lk95
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"Well, you’re up early, boss. Did you get any sleep at all?"464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOexi6IpFoh
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGgxOYmNki
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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.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtxxkL0mVS
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"No, I couldn’t sleep," answered Andre. "That party last night was a blast."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8IH4t2Iki
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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?"464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYFfXYTANh
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF3Xl37UMc
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"Is it because of that woman you met last night?"464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXvG2GUxxW
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Andre chuckled as he took a sip of his whisky. "Maybe."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EmRFpw38K
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzI6rHpFtQF
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"And what are you going to do about it?"464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoJkv61Q8V
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfB3kgVpv2
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoaJqZNsHZ
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"Which led to some committing suicide." Diego, in return, raised an eyebrow.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb791uRWme
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"Whatever." Andre went over to sit at the foot of his bed. "This girl feels different, though."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OVGBAVgX5
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"Isn’t that what you say about every other girl?"464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeMQn7WXfY
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"No, I don’t. Don’t try and confuse me, Diego."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4E126yW5e8
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWD7Weo1IH
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"That’s the whole idea," said Andre with a wicked smile as he took a sip of his whisky.464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8H7lG6sqH
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"Ha, ha, very funny," said Diego, not looking impressed. "When do you plan on going back?"464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqz8GfbjFM9
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzawfRgAdZ
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"But you do have her number, right?"464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCwfnIP8Bi
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHqi4Z7fie
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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."464Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRT3pplxra
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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.
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