“Okay, I can do this,” she took a deep breath and tried to relax. She wished she could be in a quiet room, but with the noise around, she had to get used to it.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6Vu7zHBW1
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“Hello, am I interrupting anything?” came a voice, bringing her out of her thoughts.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYdejeGW6p
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Angel quickly opened her eyes in fright and found a smartly dressed man standing in front of her. He wore a silver-grey suit that fit well on his body. His clear blue eyes looked at her anxiously, and Angel couldn’t help but stare at his kind, round face with his blonde hair cropped around his head leaving a reasonable amount of hair in the front and middle. A few strands of his hair fell in curls just above his left eye.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzHLNh9HW9
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“Uh-yes, I’m fine,” Angel quickly answered as she felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccelgZjsno
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“You’re the new girl, right?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AP3qFlbCT
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Angel didn’t know what to say as she felt she would drop the files in her hands. The man in front of her is gorgeous. And judging by the way his suit fit well on his body, he definitely does workouts at the gym or something. She told herself to pull herself together.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVrhroCCto
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“Yes, I am,” she quickly answered again. “Angel Barclay, nice to meet you. You’re…?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqF9s9LL61
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“Derrick,” the man quickly drew out his hand to give her a handshake. Angel had to carry the files with her one arm to draw out the other. They shook hands. “I wasn’t in the architecture department when you passed by. I just heard we've a new girl in town.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitmMUzNIwI
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“Oh,” Angel felt her cheeks heat up even more. “I didn’t know I would still be the talk of the department.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCa1Snt8ZL
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“With your looks, you’ll be the talk for a month. I can guarantee that.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzquoQojyvK
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Angel nervously chuckled. “Don’t say that. I personally don't think so.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn9Kh1SWWE
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“Well, I do.” He looked at the files in her hands. “May I carry them for you? They look heavy.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlsYhlCmWu
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“Ah, no thanks,” Angel quickly refused. “They aren’t heavy at all.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqrDfxj5jz
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“You sure? Here, let me help.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT92Qo3G4P
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Derrick came closer and took the three huge files from her hands. Angel felt like a huge weight has been lifted. She hadn’t realised how heavy the files were until now.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIeye4SfCB
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“Thanks,” Angel managed to say.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnMZoLXc2B
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“Are you walking over to your desk?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQVI7F0tsx
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“Ah, yes, I am.” Angel led the way to her cubicle in the main work area. She could feel a number of eyes on her and a few whispers here and there.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowuz1NGBOQ
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Derrick put the files on her desk. “I see you’ve a lot to work on.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IozW9OMIj
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“Not really,” Angel said, trying to shake off the feeling she's getting from people around her. She started to rub the back of her neck. “Just trying to familiarise myself with what I’ll be doing around here.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zb1cSiiSW
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“I hear you'll be working closely with Mrs. Lance. You better buckle up. The woman is hard to please.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRw8I6l4Xf
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“Ya, I’ve been warned. But I’ll do all I can to work hard.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUj0NWsxAp
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Derrick gave her a kind smile. “Well, I’ll leave you to it, Miss Barclay. Hey, if you’re up for it, you and I can go out for lunch with the others from my department.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUroNvLqBK
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“Thanks, but I’ll have to decline. I already made plans with someone today.” Angel stared at her phone on the desk. Eric sent a text a few minutes ago inviting her to lunch, so she couldn’t turn him down.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCsTKJ9LUe
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“Ah, I see. People are already asking you out?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENRKdJveC7
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Angel found herself blushing even more. “It’s not like that,” she managed to say. “It’s just between friends, nothing special.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFNGExho6e
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Derrick raised an eyebrow and a smile soon came across his face. “Maybe another time. How does that sound?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa98DZTIRT1
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Angel quickly shook her head. “That will be great. Thanks for helping me carry these files.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKLDji0Lzc
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“You’re welcome. It’s nice meeting you. I’ll see you around?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS22BHkcwt5
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“Ya, I’ll see you.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrknnGwLv2
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Derrick gave her a wave and started to walk out of the work area. Before Angel could take her seat, she could’ve swore that he had turned to look at her before disappearing out of sight. She didn’t want to think too much about it.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE3PekTqb0
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She looked at the files in front of her and knew she had a lot to do. She better get to work now before work starts to pile up. She got one file and placed it in front of her when she heard:548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oVFhCsvlx
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“Excuse me, it’s Angel, right?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoZWB89pVa
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Angel turned around and found a young lady, an African American like her, seated at her desk opposite Angel’s cubicle. Her skin colour is darker than Angel’s, like that of dark chocolate. She had black, kinky hair tied above her head and leaving a huge tuft of hair. She wore glasses with a blue frame and wore a black suit with a white blouse and matching black high-heels. Angel couldn’t help but feel intimidated by the lady’s beauty.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbKB1tMz3m
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“Yes, it is," said Angel as she fully turned around in her seat and drew her arm out. "Your name is-?"548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41TbQPh9vF
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"Sabrina," said the lady as she leaned forward and shook hands with Angel. "I see a lot of people really want to know you."548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PMEO3neOZ
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"Maybe it's because I'm new here," said Angel, trying her best to stress a point kindly.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SwcPAGoXD
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"Or maybe it's because you're just too pretty," Sabrina gave Angel a flashy smile.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvJU1l0VtN
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Angel playfully shrugged her shoulders. "I can't be too sure about that."548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8y6j0CyOp3
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"It's because you don't see it. The person you were talking to just now, he's really hard to come by. A lot of ladies around here try to get his attention. For him to actually ask you out for lunch will probably leave a lot of people here speechless."548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSjxcLRuaH
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Angel raised an eyebrow. "Really? Why do you say so? You make it sound like he's an introvert when he seems like a really outgoing person."548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hHueQxxyg
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"He is. It's just that he has his own circle of friends. When many ladies try to get close, he pulls away. He's acquainted with a lot of us, but none of us have ever gotten close to him."548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYvHIZstKf
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"Okay, but what does that have to do with me? I just met him."548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyHRTTuQwb
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"Him escorting you here and asking you out for lunch is actually the first time I've seen him try to engage a lady in a conversation. He rarely does, unless he is talking about work."548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jWRrtnLj9
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"Oh, I see. But that doesn't mean he likes me or anything, right?"548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYGAeWGver
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Sabrina shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows with men. One minute they're leading you on, the next they aren't. But with Derrick, he might really like you."548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzzlH5eKy5
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"He doesn't have a girlfriend, does he?" came another female with blonde hair and striking blue eyes. She stood in the aisle with papers in her hands. She seemed to have popped out out of nowhere.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqn7eBvxX3p
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"Not that I know of," Sabrina answered her. "Angel, this is Beatrix."548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1jC9kG79e
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"Oh, sorry for butting in in your conversation," said Beatrix, looking at Angel and raising her hand apologetically. "Where are my manners?"548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLwuuPJuxS
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"It's okay," said Angel. "It's nice to meet you, Beatrix."548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgz4E7HlF2A
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"Nice meeting you too. Just like Sabrina said, I'm also shocked Derrick actually talked to you so casually and actually asked you out for lunch."548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR55qTQXZP0
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"You see," Sabrina said to Angel with a smile on her face.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcZUhib1Ug
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"I'm not going to say anything," said Angel. "You obviously know him better than I do."548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATHMzhvnR9
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"Just admit it. He has his eye on you."548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4DD53EDBr
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Angel blushed. She looked to the floor, hoping that the other two wouldn’t notice.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgqLOdNPBC
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"If you managed to get his attention, what more of the other male folk around here who are single?"548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ojvhpek1Q
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"Let's not talk about that," said Angel as she quickly spun around in her chair. “The last thing I need right now is to worry about who likes me.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1HvaqFe1f
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“Was it like this at your previous workplace? I hear you worked for some editing company, right?” Beatrix asked.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrlLdBTZ64
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Looks like they got their information from HR, Angel thought before she turned around to look at the two ladies. “As far as I can remember, no. Most men were married, so, I didn’t have any problems.” Except Mark, of course. She made sure not to say that out loud.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ82zuGMGtx
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“Anyway, since you’re close with Eric and Leo, I bet you have their attention too,” said Sabrina.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsV1xmCW5x
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“Oh, no, I don’t think so,” Angel was quick to deny.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5TFeflyf1
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“They are very good-looking and all the ladies wouldn’t mind getting close to them. But just like Derrick, they also don’t like to get too close. Eric's better since he’s outgoing and all. But Leo keeps to himself. He seems like a no nonsense person and he was pretty serious with his relationship with Kim until they called off the wedding.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOISYvvrGzl
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Angel didn’t want to hear any more of this. If only they knew that the reason why that happened is because of Carly.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoVijM16ji
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“Do you know why that happened, Angel?” Beatrix asked. “You’re close to the family, so you should know the reason.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTTXWF3ITN
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“I can’t answer that.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMgRCUKt16
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Sabrina drew herself closer, dragging the chair with her. “Why not?” she asked. “Is it that bad?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4R0xzZA18V
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“No one actually knows why Leo broke things off with Kim, and so does she.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZvdGuv3mt
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“Oh, darn!” Beatrix clicked her tongue. “Everyone around here also says the same thing.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5usg1TEhc
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Good, Angel thought. It’s best she went with this. No one in the McDonell mansion knows the truth except for her, Eric, Carly and Leo. The more people think of it as a mystery, the better.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqC0jAQzWl
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“You see, Leo keeps things to himself,” said Sabrina. “As much as he is good looking, I feel he has such an attitude. You feel it sometimes when he talks to you, though he isn’t always like that.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRLNmXymom
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“Well, he does have an attitude, I can agree on that," said Angel.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtusHke1pZQ
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“How do you handle him? Doesn’t he get on your nerves?” Beatrix asked.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3TOeriDTT
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“Sometimes. But he isn’t that bad.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxl9sgW2hQe
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“Ya, I see how he’s close with his family, especially Eric,” said Sabrina. “I just wish he was more outgoing, you know.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0IoePHsWy
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You and me both, Angel thought. “I better start working on these files.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡee6F8wfy7v
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“Oh, ya, sure,” said Beatrix, “sorry for disturbing you.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaMTySPKHe
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“Not a problem.” Angel quickly swirled round in her chair to face the file in front of her. She really needed to get some work done. She didn’t expect to be in engaged in so much talk on her first day. She still felt uneasy as she heard a whisper across the room and thought she had heard someone mention her name. She had to agree with Derrick. She would be the talk of the office for a while.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qZ54fBsLo
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She closed her eyes shaking off the feeling so as to try and focus on work. She always did this, even at the editing company when she sometimes felt anxious or pressured. When she opened them, she went straight to work on the files.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rCrNOtEvY
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***548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8LfF9rc0T
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Leo heard the phone on his desk vibrate. He wondered if it’s Eric sending him a text that he couldn’t find what he went to look for. Leo sighed. He now wished his father was handling this meeting with Eric and not him. With Eric out of the office for a while, now is the time he can try and catch up on work, especially with answering his emails on his iMac.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WRsZ9g5aA
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His eyes left the computer screen and he went on to look at his phone. A sudden feeling came over, telling him that it might not be Eric who sent him a message. Could it be his father? If he wanted anything from Leo, he would've called. Maybe it’s his mother? No, he shook his head. It can’t be her. Just like his father, she would’ve called. Could it be Carly? It might, he thought positively. Maybe she thought of texting him.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDbwKkxNVT
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He quickly took his phone and turned on the screen to find the message isn’t from Carly. It's from Kim. He felt like putting his phone aside and getting back to work. Instead, he unlocked the phone to read her message and it was nothing but a simple “Hello.” He rolled his eyes as he wished he had never bumped into her at the café this morning. Should he ignore the message? As much as he wanted to, he still had to say something. He didn’t want to seem rude like he does sometimes.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVRCyP4dJL
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He texted her back and quickly put his phone down on the desk, hoping that she wouldn’t text back, but she did. Leo couldn’t help but groan.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx0hRH2Luk
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A knock soon came at the door and before Leo could tell the person to come in, the door flew open and Eric walked in with papers in his hands. Leo groaned even more, throwing his head back onto his chair.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kiiBThk8U
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“What’s up with you, grumpy?” Eric asked as he came to sit on the chair, facing Leo.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51TxSMm6BB
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“Why don’t you ever knock when you come in?” Leo asked as he folded his arms.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ18ldgo8N
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“I’m sorry, but I already know you’re used to it. So what’s up?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8w890qQQy
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Leo looked at Eric. His cousin knew him better than anyone. He took a deep breath and leaned his elbows on the table.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp0BCMdZu6
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“Kim texted me,” he said.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUC9NiOhw7
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“Whoa, Kim texted you?” Eric for some reason didn’t look at all surprised. “How come?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUZaTTsJAF
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“Angel and I met her at the café where we bought croissants.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK28D3od8Xo
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“Why didn’t you tell me?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WvZQD5PHN
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“It didn’t matter then, but it does now. She just texted me.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8GXiqGKwO
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“What did she say?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIiX6EGGuv
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“Just a simple hello.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kCc4lgDFW
548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lm8huLt68
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“And did you reply?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaATNERSpGH
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“Of course, I did.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sEsqHnQOg
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“And…?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyhfd7KUzh
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“She texted back and I haven’t read the message.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dz6SRiZ7T
548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8NhSANFFh
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“You better see what that message says.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEnLwDaMq0
548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqikk7fGjLH
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“And what if I don’t want to? It’s pretty obvious that she wants to hook up for lunch or something.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrcg3Ny3nU
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“You’re right. I’m impressed with how much you know women, nowadays.” Eric gave him an encouraging smile.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTmszICZVS
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“Don’t flatter me. What am I going to do? I don’t want to meet her, that’s if she does ask that we should.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhvRFgubcR
548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLcMPn9Czn
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“You’ll never know what you’ve to do if you don’t read the message.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdyp3gX5Sw
548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaHO88P3bz
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“You’re right.” Leo took his phone and unlocked it. When he read the message, he suddenly had a gloomy look. “She wants us to meet.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDyhUsFvGv
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“She really must be desperate, huh?” Eric raised his eyebrows. “Who can blame her? Being dumped on your wedding day to such a handsome man like you wasn’t what she expected.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3ozLZGjYt
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“You aren’t making me feel any better. Besides, I apologised. I don’t know what she wants me to do.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNpC2p7rMz
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“She needs an answer from you. That’s what.” Eric leaned back on the chair. "You never told her why you left on your wedding day. In fact, everyone keeps asking me that question and I always say that I don’t know.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsLFMDToVF
548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWyoFjLwRK
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“The less who know, the better.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rv14eGHk8
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“Sooner or later, you’ll have to tell Kim the truth. If anything, she deserves it more than anyone.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvzQ199oRo
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Leo didn’t say anything as he looked down at his phone on the table. He took it and started to tap away, then he quickly put it down.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixllNTzmrk
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“What did you tell her?” Eric couldn’t help but look on curiously at Leo’s phone.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCH7A52Os7i
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“I told her we can meet,” Leo answered,548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7locBT8eTK
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“WHAT!” Eric held his head, not believing what Leo said. “I don’t believe you. Let me see the message.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIvnSBs26s
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Leo groaned, but he got his phone, unlocked it and gave Eric. When Eric read it for himself, he stared at Leo.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDBnma61yC
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“You’re serious,” he said as he gave Leo back his phone. “Are you finally going to tell her the truth?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrulcTMDRYl
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“On that part, I don’t know,” Leo answered as he leaned back on his chair, deep in thought.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrd8S5xQ5jr
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“Well, if you tell her, it will finally give her the chance to move on, don’t you think?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn7ApeBZcg
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“If I do tell her, she’ll kill me.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6JSrdJ33L
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“It’s typical of a woman. Even I would kill you. I wouldn’t like to know that the reason why my man left me was because he fell in love with someone else.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo0QfCZVZ5
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Leo chuckled to himself as he stared at the ceiling. “I still remember that day. Gosh, all of that happened so suddenly.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7RKRNwMCj
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“I thought you had gone mad, but looking at you now, you seem to have made the right decision. You don’t look regretful for leaving Kim.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWpkddZNXV
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“I think it was the right thing to do.” Leo now had his eyes on Eric. “If anything, I feel like I really didn’t love her at all.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMc7Y4WBBy
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Eric smiled. “Grandma will be glad if she heard those words coming out of that mouth of yours.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeAESRdq8s
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“I know. Seems like she was right after all. Kim was never good for me.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WJOhisf5S
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“Wait until she finds out that you’re actually in love with Carly.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VqX3iNbA5
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The two cousins looked at each other, imagining the scenario. Eric reacted first.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUCq5LeKUW
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“No, I don’t want to imagine it,” he said as he shook his head. “Something tells me it won’t be a good one.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvOiSzpfG2
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“I agree,” said Leo as he rubbed the temple of his head. “I don’t want to imagine my mother, though.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3anYAC7xd6
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“That one is pretty obvious; I don’t have to imagine it, that’s if I want my head to explode.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvB3HyvWIwt
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The two laughed.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAz9MIL9ogM
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“Okay, okay, let’s get back to work,” said Eric, wiping away a tear in his eye. “Remember, we’ve to finish these arrangements before lunch.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7SVB4ZRoF
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“You’re right,” said Leo as he went on to look at his screen and switched windows from his email to an open document.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfeetwKtWJ
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A brief silence passed between them when they suddenly burst out laughing at the same time.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmueSmK3Q3
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***548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoj7LHZBim
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"Hey, Miranda, are you okay?"548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6e74SUVD5c
548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA15BZ49NT
548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDdcnlzheh
Miranda quickly turned to the person who spoke to her. It's Brad. She rolled her eyes. “Oh, it’s you,” she said, turning her head to look elsewhere.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKqyf4jSNo
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Miranda was seated on a chair in the lecture room. They were waiting for their next lecture as the previous one ended minutes ago. She had been going through her phone to pass time when she was supposed to be studying. God knows just how behind she is.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvkwIuqwoq
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“Scoot over,” Brad insisted as he moved his body closer to hers, forcing her to move.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaOYiphYTa
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Miranda moved over to the next chair which was empty and Brad finally managed to sit next to her.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TL0pjZZQX
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“What were you looking at?” he asked as he tried to see what's on Miranda’s phone.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWKyABWH8h
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“Nothing, why do you want to know?” she asked, holding her phone tight and facing her body the other way to avoid him from looking.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKt6g010MMT
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“You seem really fixed on it. I want to see what’s caught your interest.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8y30Zecshv
548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGtGDoBloY
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“Like I told you, it’s nothing. So why don’t you just mind your business?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmcWmcsWfD
548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TyPNch9D3
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“I would, but I’m not going to this time.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOBn6DSvSG
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“You never do.” Miranda gave him a gloomy look.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgr9WpzaDPs
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“I say that because something’s been different about you lately.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMs8af79c6
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She raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQv2XD45HN
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“Well…,” Brad placed his elbow on the table with his hand supporting the side of his face so as to get a good look at Miranda. “You’re barely concentrating in class these days. And last week when we were handing in our assignments, you were late. You were so lucky that the madam took pity on you and accepted it.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRqTZwyxCb
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“I had a slight problem with my laptop, that’s all.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3MIFClgb9
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Brad scoffed. “Nah, that’s not it.” He wagged his index finger in front of her face. Miranda got irritated that she pushed his hand away. “Something is keeping you distracted.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPz6dpKGh4g
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“I’m just busy, that’s all.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWq2ty4gDg
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“There’s a difference between being busy and getting distracted. And you, my friend, are distracted.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XuAFeIWsb
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Miranda rolled her eyes at him and looked down at her phone before she went on to look in front of her.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySOFk2KLSY
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“So what were you looking at on that phone of yours?” Brad went on to ask.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWRr43oUbT
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Miranda looked at him through the corner of her eye. “You really don’t listen, do you?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTieqHtjoSl
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“I thought I saw you looking at a guy's photo on Instagram just now. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTz5tEQp4X
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Miranda felt like standing up from her seat to go elsewhere, but she soon felt Brad hold her free hand, pinning her in place. It’s like he knew what she was about to do and he did the only thing possible to pin her down.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8jwOfEdsS
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“Let go of me, Brad,” she warned him.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMelb4w8wmJ
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“And what if I don’t want to?” he asked with a smirk on his face.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGUWB2L51v
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“You’re hurting me. Why are you being such a prick?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiQmenYcCR
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“It’s because I’m worried about you. Something is up and I need to know what it is. Is it that man you keep looking at on your phone? Mind you, I’ve seen you looking at him time and time again.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjxsISZ2MP
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Miranda felt her cheeks heat up. She couldn’t tell Brad about her sudden interest in Leo McDonell. Brad just said he looked familiar. And if he kept looking at her phone, he might realise who he is. She had to think of something.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRs41369cUv
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“You’re worried over nothing,” she said. “Just some celebrity that I follow on Instagram. I think he’s really cute and that’s why I look at his photos.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6Ma3zox9c
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Brad stared at her for a second. Miranda knew she had told him part of the truth. But she couldn’t go into detail or else she might say something about Leo. If he knew, she didn’t know what he would do.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9YVmHCqMN
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“Girls and your stupid crushes,” he said as he finally let go of her hand. “When will you ever let it go?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20CI8aznoZ
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“When the time is right,” said Miranda, doing her best not to sound nervous.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxG8i4I924f
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“So who is this guy, anyway?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZP3xT1T87
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She was afraid he was going to ask that. So when their lecturer walked through the door of the theatre, she let out a silent sigh of relief. Everyone who was still up and about went to their seats, and the lecture begun.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8p95B7Gux
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***548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwE45PoirTz
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It’s finally lunch time, and Eric couldn’t wait to get out of the office with Angel and go somewhere nice. He had been in Leo’s office preparing for the meeting with the Chinese. Now that they're done, he couldn’t wait to leave.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnKaXHmhHr
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“Whoa, where do you think you’re going?” Leo asked, still seated behind his desk.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtmUMREXGx
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“I’m going out for lunch,” Eric answered, heading for the door.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLbdePZYgc
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“You look like you’re going to the bathroom.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4pijV5boH
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“I’m taking Angel out,” Eric said with a proud look on his face.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsd1uu9ndc8
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Leo couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Oh, you’re going out with Angel, then?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQCf2HvzcF
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“Yep. Wipe that sour look on your face. Or are you upset that you have to go out with Kim?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe3hKY5clc
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“I couldn’t care less about that. Besides, having lunch with Angel doesn’t appeal to me.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtUug3OTVU
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“That’s because you don’t like her. Mind you, having lunch with Angel is way better than having it with Kim.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tqaO1olDo
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The look on Leo’s face became grim. Even when he didn’t want to admit it, he knew Eric is right. He cleared his throat. “If you ask me there isn’t much of a difference.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOhNbj62jP
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It's Eric’s turn to roll his eyes. “You know, if you gave yourself time to actually know Angel instead of fighting with her all the time, you’ll find that she’s okay to be with than Kim.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3vJImCp14
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“I beg to differ.” Leo’s face became even more serious.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSF5jbBrBu
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“I’ve to go now,” said Eric as he reached the door and held the knob. “Tell me how things go with Kim, okay? And try not to start an argument with her, wherever you will be.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxT4wpMM8P
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“I won’t.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolMTIaLMgL
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Eric gave his cousin a concerned look. “I sure hope so. I’m off. See you later.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uf074xN91
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Leo gave him a nod and Eric quickly rushed out of the door like an excited young boy who had been told he could go outside and play with his friends. Even when Leo felt irritated by Eric’s enthusiasm, he couldn’t help but envy him a little. The man is in love, Leo thought to himself. Even when he knew he loved Carly, he didn’t experience the kind of lovey-dovey nonsense Eric is in right now. Is that what he admired? The crazy feeling of liking someone that you couldn’t wait to see them?548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5tubpPEd0
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Leo shook his head. People are different and express love in different ways, he concluded. There’s no doubt in his mind that he loved Carly. Besides, he thought to himself, I don’t think Eric likes Angel to that extent. Maybe what he feels for her might pass in due time. Leo thought again, and concluded that Eric’s feelings towards Angel aren’t going to pass any time soon.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmQOyJe9AM
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He soon got up from his seat as he also had to prepare himself to go and meet Kim. He didn’t know how his lunch with her is going to go. Before that, he thought he could lie to her that something came up to avoid any drama. But he couldn’t do that now. He would look like a coward. Something he doesn’t want to be.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLSdHalBYG
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He walked up to the door and got his jacket on the coat hanger. And with a deep breath, he opened the door and walked out.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxOKs73QDD
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***548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XitSA5uZM
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“I bet you’re hungry, huh?” Eric asked as he and Angel finally got out of the complex building.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJijNOevoV5
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"You can say that again,” she said turning to look at Eric. "I’m so famished for my first day.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26q1xsnzO8
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"I get what you mean. So many people keep asking me about you.” Eric had his hands in his pockets as he stared up at the sky. "You’ve made quite a reputation for someone on their first day.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhNAfcqEam
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"All that will pass.” Angel smiled at Eric. "It’s just the first day. By the end of the week, everyone would’ve forgotten that I even existed.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6xeZDi1AI
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"I doubt that. People will forget, but it’s no question that you’ll still be the talk of the office. I mean, you’ll obviously be classified as the most beautiful female member of staff.” Eric now had his eyes on her as he chuckled.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8nbgrPKY7
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Angel playfully punched him on the arm. "What are you saying? There are many beautiful women at the company. If you ask me, their beauty is intimidating.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQiScqME5O
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"That’s because you miss the big picture,” Eric stopped walking as he now held her arm to stop her as well. "You really are very beautiful, you do know that, right?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUU5l8t74c
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Angel couldn’t say anything as she continued to look at Eric. Her heart started to flutter and felt her cheeks heat up. She found all of this awkward as she started to look around. She looked back at Eric, wondering how to tell him that they were standing in the middle of the street and might be in the way. But the look he continued to give her left her speechless.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuk7IMCrsNo
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"I wish you could see what I see,” he said in a whisper. Even with all the bustling of people about and the hooting of the car horns, Angel got what he said. That made her cheeks heat up even more. She cleared her throat.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEoVbqhs40
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"Ummm, Eric, we’re standing in the way,” she said. "This isn’t the time or the place for this, don’t you think?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoiIvRboHX
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"Oh,” Eric forgot they were in the middle of the sidewalk, with people moving around. "I totally forgot that we were here in the first place. I must have spaced out a bit.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFCQAQ6yT5
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Angel cleared her throat again as she looked down at her feet for a brief moment. "That must be it. Come on, weren’t you taking me out for lunch? I’m starving.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbOCLVKxQj
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Eric nervously chuckled and at the same time scratched the back of his head. "I shouldn’t keep a lady waiting. Sorry about that.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0rnu5K5VF
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"Not at all.” She tried her best not to look like she had been flattered, but her cheeks continued to blush, making her even more nervous.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFh1XJmx3ay
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They continued their walk down the sidewalk when Eric said, "I mean what I said, though. I hope you aren’t offended or anything.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9qvLzhw5u
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They stopped at the traffic lights and they waited for the walk sign to light up when Angel turned to look at Eric. "No, don’t worry,” she said.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDSuDAu6DG
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The light soon went green and the pedestrians who stood at the edge of the sidewalk crossed the road to the other side.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5I8uN8lY9
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"I’m glad,” said Eric. "I thought you would be upset or something.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPMiFvh9dG
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"I’ve received such comments before, so I’m not.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicmNICJCTK
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Eric clicked his tongue as he shrugged. "You would, obviously. I also shouldn’t be surprised.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9RtfWGbiS
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Angel tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. She couldn’t tell Eric that his approach was different from the ones she had encountered before. Even from Mark. She felt her cheeks heat up even more by the thought of it. It's best, she thought, that I don’t say anything.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6ciCng9l9
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"Let me take you to my favourite restaurant nearby,” Eric continued as he smiled at her. "You’ll love it. And you can order whatever you like.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TsiHviyfi
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Angel couldn’t help but chuckle. "Don’t be so silly,” she said. "As much as that offer sounds tempting, it’s pretty obvious that I won’t be that careless.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAiyzbNNz4
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"Well, the food is on me, so I won’t mind if you order countless dishes.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7z6IIi0psy
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"Thanks,” this time she laughed. "But even if I’m so hungry, I don’t eat that much.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlCGJMC7J0
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"Just letting you know that the offer is on the table. Ah! Here we are.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dpPGCD87D
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They stopped in front of a small restaurant. From outside, it might not look like a five-star restaurant, but for some reason, Angel found it almost elegant as she looked through the huge glass window. The décor is simple but had a touch of elegance. White chairs and tables covered with white cloths with beautiful gold embroidery on them. Elegant flowers of different colours and types sat on different tables, making the place look more romantic. This scene reminded her of the place she went for lunch with Mark last week.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylDKGjFFIU
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"Shall we?” Eric held the door to the restaurant open as he waited for her.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIuZ7qfj4b
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Angel shook herself from her daydream and went through the open door.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hTH4gN9Xj
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She started to look around the place when a smartly dressed male waiter, approached her. Eric stood behind her after closing the door. Immediately, the male waiter smiled at Eric like they know each other. Angel shouldn’t be surprised. Eric did say he liked coming here.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7kSl0W2QN
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‘"Hello, sir,” said the young waiter with a wide smile. "I see you came with company. Will you be taking the usual table?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhj9legpfM
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"That’s if it’s free,” Eric answered.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5a93uBbSB
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"Well, you’re just in luck. Please, follow me.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKhI2WTtvT
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Angel couldn’t ignore the way the waiter addressed them with so much courtesy. He led them to one of the tables by the corner, close to the window. When they neared the table, Eric drew out a chair for her to sit and Angel did likewise. Eric sat on the other side of the table, facing her. He told the waiter to serve them a glass of water as they looked through the menu before ordering.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0AGu4jmlg
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"The waiter seems to know you very well,” said Angel as she picked up the menu card on the table.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsGlymdDzo
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"I come here a lot,” said Eric as he also picked up the other menu on his side.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6s24Or8OI
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Angel said nothing as she smiled and looked at the menu.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLR7KUXcbYb
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"It’s sad that Leo couldn’t join us,” said Eric.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbACLDHdIF3
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Angel looked at Eric. "Why do you say so? Were you scared that the two of us would start a fight in the restaurant?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM114izrNBb
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Eric laughed. "No, I didn’t think that way in the least. If there is one thing I know for sure, you two can behave yourselves in a public place like this one. I wasn’t going to worry at all.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMk0YvpfDB
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Angel made a face because she knew Eric is right. She looked back at the menu when Eric put up a funny face. "So then, why did you say that?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNZ6xWok5Q
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"Because he’s having lunch with Kim. He must be heading to her as we speak.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePfQvFcTD2
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Angel raised her eyes from the menu. "Kim? We met her when we went to buy croissants this morning.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfy4Pv1IoF
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"He told me. She actually texted him that she wanted to meet. And he agreed to do so.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWgapQwRED
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"That’s so unlike him,” she looked towards the waiter who had brought them glasses of water. He asked if they were ready to order, and they both said they weren’t.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3x8EMCXwEh
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"I know, right?” Eric agreed with Angel after the waiter left. "I think he’s doing the right thing. Maybe he'll finally get to tell her the truth.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wa56j0H6a
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Angel didn’t say anything as she thought about it. "Do you think he will? I mean, him going to see her is already unbelievable as it is.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UukQ54wj4
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Eric shrugged. "Who knows. If he does tell her, I think she’ll be at peace, right? But she’ll probably freak out and would want to know who it is.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KNvBsFSrx
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"Now that you mention it, I fear it will turn out to be a disaster.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eYI3Guixz
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"You’re probably right,” Eric looked up at the ceiling, deep in thought. "That’s if Leo does tell her the truth and mentions that it's actually Carly he’s now in love with.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5ueGmL75K
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The two looked at each other in silence as they thought of the scenario. Eric groaned in frustration as he quickly pulled his phone out from the pocket.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DEU9cxXvJ
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"What are you doing?” Angel asked.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9VoEXPQLK
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"Calling Leo so that he won’t tell Kim the truth,” Eric answered as he looked through his phone.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUuJoN0hcy
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"I think we’re just overthinking things. What if he doesn’t say anything? Or what if he does but doesn’t mention Carly’s name? If Leo is in line with what we just thought, the best is not to mention Carly.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPRd6AgQ2y
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"You’re probably right,” Eric put his phone aside on the table and looked at Angel.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4gTBjJSfY
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Angel continued to stare at him, but then, she put the menu on the table and started to play with her fingers. She bit her lower lip. "On second thought, I think you better give him a call. Just in case.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ371bNigAlQ
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"I agree.” Eric quickly took his phone and went on to call Leo.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1ZGheyLEX
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He had his phone to the ear when the ringing tone of Leo’s phone came up. He started to get worried in the moments that passed as the phone kept ringing. Could Leo already be with Kim at this very minute? He looked at Angel who looked back anxiously. She also started to worry. And just when Eric thought Leo wasn’t going to pick the call, he heard the cracking sound at the other end of the line.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvM1JKj0y0x
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"Hello?” came Leo’s voice.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnP4hnkXCj
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"Thank goodness, you picked the call,” said Eric. "We were starting to get worried.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEvOTrI4mJ
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"By ‘we’ you mean, you and Angel?” Leo sounded unconvinced.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWKbZNwsix
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"It might seem unbelievable, but it’s true.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEq18OFjuYJ
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Leo sighed. "Get to the point. Why are you calling me?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VNQVWZrFO
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"Are you heading to lunch with Kim right now?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfM6dKL0k5
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"I was about to enter the car and head there. What’s up?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxuiV6ykPG
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"Quick question. Are you going to tell Kim the truth?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOh2kkBdJf
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"The truth about what? Why I didn’t marry her?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygE5lBs5B7
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"Yes.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz33rcEhVdO
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"Weren’t you the one saying I should? What’s wrong? Are you getting second thoughts or you think I might screw this up?”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxScGAsTjF9
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"Uh…,” Eric hesitated as his eyes found Angel who had been looking at him the entire time. Judging by Leo’s statement, he felt like he didn’t have to worry at all.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtipWpxD13F
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"Nah, you got this all under control,” Eric quickly pointed out. "I trust that you’ll do the right thing.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOlUHN9YDd
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Leo murmured and Eric knew he had just got on his nerves. "I don’t know why you’re scared, but I already know what I'm going to do. And if I'm going to tell her the truth, then you shouldn’t be bothered about it.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nsxZme22H
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"I believe you. You’ve a nice lunch.” Eric cut the call.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm5OMwapV4
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"What did he say?” Angel quickly asked.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIlPujcQsQ
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"That he’s got everything under control,” he answered. "I believe him. If he really is going to tell her the truth, I don’t think he’ll tell her he’s actually in love with Carly. If he does, then Kim will tell aunt, and she’ll be furious.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrEYR6vRx9
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Angel cleared her throat before she said, "not only that. Once she finds out, she’ll realise that before Carly and I moved in, we had all known each other and have been pretending this whole time. And they might end up finding the truth about how Leo and Carly met.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAc6LvF6xjg
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The two looked at each other in silence, again. They both shook their heads as they picked up their menus.548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjbjZy2ADf
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"Leo has this under control,” Eric assured her. "We’ve nothing to worry about.”548Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSGGzboAq9
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"Ya, you’re right,” said Angel as she looked at the menu, holding it tight. She really hoped that Eric is right.
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