Leo sat down on a nearby wooden bench in the flower garden, with blooming white roses behind him. After taking in the news, he couldn’t believe it. With the world spinning under his feet, he was grateful for the small bench. Everything around him seemed non-existent, including the sound of the birds chirping in the trees and the faint sound of people laughing inside the mansion. His mind revolved around what Angel had told him. He seemed to be lost in that world for a while before he felt a hand on his shoulder that brought him back to reality.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLILUKHgWS
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPfktnZlM5
Eric looked down at Leo with a sad smile on his face. He could only imagine how Leo felt. Who could’ve thought a day like this would ever occur? No one did. What’s even worse was that Carly and Zac were together, getting along like they were just friends. The thought of them made Leo feel so confused and a little angry.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqL3LtjKQq
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRushLHUH0c
“Hey, are you okay?” Eric asked.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysm2M5Ayg8
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOskb8Dap9P
“Yeah, I’m fine,” said Leo. He brushed off Eric’s hand on his shoulder.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKkcDfNwOR
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4zdEKa3YJ
“This is surprising for me too, Leo.” Trying to find the right words to say proved to be difficult for Eric. “I’m not going to lie, I don’t know how you feel. But you've got to understand that all that was in the past.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XLOvVSmbI
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXXSC40HT0
Leo took a deep breath. “Honestly, I wish I didn’t know.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QQ8UiGweE
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg08WgZtQRk
“You were going to find out in one way or another,” said Angel, who stood a few feet away from them.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJyDfzV8pZ
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc4DmTYJTJ
Leo looked at Angel, who stood with a serious look on her face. He couldn’t help but wonder why she had to tell him. He wished he had never followed her into the garden. Later on, he started to wish he had never known her at all.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUWqFL7ray
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXzUXp2ne4
“Well, if you ask me, I was better off in the dark,” said Leo.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI28QTM9fPz
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ToZUaBxU8
“Why am I not surprised?” Angel asked as she folded her arms. “You don’t see the big picture, do you?”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQM2pJCDRYm
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiD8tr58Xn7
“No, I don’t.” Leo stood up from the bench to face her. “Please, enlighten me.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVM4HIm6kCm
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWygklDkMUU
“Moving forward, we’re likely to encounter these incidences. Zac was reasonable enough to agree to keep Carly’s secret a secret. What if we happen to encounter someone who won’t feel the same way?”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpx5W6Cvrzi
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZnRgmbPlJ
“Nothing like this is ever going to happen again.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ohtytndRt
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNIL8G4Z9I
“Stop being so ignorant, Leo.” Angel looked at him in disbelief. “New York might be a big city, but sooner rather than later, she might meet another one of her clients or someone who might have been associated with her at that club. The big question is how to deal with it.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOnu2rI4IV
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7RqwwJ2vn
Leo shook his head. “You’re being delusional, Angel. Even if a former client were to meet Carly out in the street, they would ignore her. Yeah, maybe they might approach her, but she could easily lie that they got the wrong person and move on.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwl1gXAlKJX
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8g0OZfwgWT
“Easier said than done,” said Angel. “We can’t ignore the fact that it won’t happen.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz32O1RNe2K
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuK3iMZEwy
Leo shook his head. “So what if it does?”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzgWGyPkyp
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvA8g2Edcmk
“You sound like you don’t care.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJMe8AV806
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQPKBiGK9q
“I do care. For goodness’ sake, I do care, and I’ll do all I can to protect her.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5frnRKyez
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjdnVuw7up
Angel and Leo looked at each other in silence, the tension in the air growing ever tighter. Angel broke contact first, as she looked the other way to catch a few deep breaths.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXS8unhIAfw
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHMBlYrDQO
“I don’t want anyone ever finding out about Carly,” she said. “Not now, at least. But I’m afraid, in one way or another, it will come out.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidRBPPJ20F
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFnLGnaIqH
Leo couldn’t believe his ears. “What are you saying?” he asked. He turned to look at Eric, looking shocked before turning back to look at her. “Are you trying to say that you would want the truth to come out? Is that it?”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Rx7haN74q
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcB0N5duBM
Angel sighed and, at the same time, closed her eyes before turning to look at Leo. “No,” she replied. “If anything, I don’t want the truth to come out, for it might expose our other lies. When it does come out, what are we going to do about it?”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5slRK5Ara
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpVAftCW0q
“Nothing,” said Leo. “Because nothing will happen, and no one will find out.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEDCup0Ngd
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnQFxf52BN
“Well, we all never thought that Carly would one day meet Zac, who happened to be a client of hers,” said Eric. “I agree with Angel on this one. One day, Carly might be exposed, and it will compromise all of us.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOy1pbARQr
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKL849mCIM
“As usual, you agree with her,” said Leo, looking at Eric.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgR2tyQ5Zn
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHU5wfmldr5
“It’s the way life is,” said Eric. “Maybe we’ll get lucky and all this mess goes with us to our graves. However, we don’t know what the future holds. We need to think of something, or else all of this—your relationship with Carly, especially—falls apart.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLw7SSNwJl
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkuQxmeL77
Leo looked at his cousin. He rubbed the side of his face with his hand and groaned in frustration. “I really wish you never told us, Angel,” he said, his eyes looking to the ground.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUxm6HwXeL
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bLN88z3Hd
“Trust me, I wish this day never happened,” said Angel.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvHBowi2a4
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhzzoqnXdK
“It was inevitable from the start,” said Eric. “We’re friends with the McAlisters after all. At some point, Carly and Zac were bound to meet.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxT1HmyQp7
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8MR2BrjPd
Leo slowly gave a nod of his head, agreeing with Eric. He started to wonder how things had gotten to this point so suddenly. Well, he knew from the start that being in a relationship with Carly was bound to have some dire consequences. However, it showed its ugly head at the worst possible time.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSFR1nocpr
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡry4KmIdCHa
"Does Zac know that Carly and I are...?" Leo started to ask, but for a moment, he couldn't finish his sentence. It was almost as if he had choked on his words.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCwvtVVTq5
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQ5pBIqNVi
"No," Angel replied. "I would rather he knows about it when you bring it out in the open yourselves. The fewer people know about your relationship, the better."
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyjY3eGiV4
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93qfLiQFfv
Leo scoffed. "You know, I'm still not happy that you told me about Zac and Carly."
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztPpPLcT7s
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk9ukf1nhM
"And if she started to act funny whenever Zac was around, wouldn't you be suspicious?" Angel raised an eyebrow at him. "At this point, we're all involved, and this is the time to look out for each other. You can think cruelly of me, since I'm already used to it, but I care about what happens to my sister. Besides, all that happened in the past. So, I expect that you and Eric don't give Zac the cold shoulder."
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tWGzrSTcs
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DZKBBHtdm
"Hey, you should be telling him, not me," said Eric.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmT8aNwP4h
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIszaz2cXvM
"I know," said Angel, giving Eric a smile. "But I'm warning you just the same."
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9eeLbKizH
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmF538oxTh
"I'm guessing that's why those two are pretending to get along?" Leo asked, giving Angel a quizzical look.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzm3ojYMik
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcknNGdLB8
"Carly never liked the idea of trusting Zac at first. I know you feel the same, but you don't have much of a choice."
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZQABE1xmy
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrUmlZL7Os
Leo hated that Angel was right, and he looked away angrily. Angel sighed, and that made Leo turn to look at her. This time around, the serious demeanor she had had fell away, and there remained a sad look on her face.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvUpw22Tas
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQikEK7KMq
"Maybe you need some time alone to think things over," she said. "I'll be inside."
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nAqJ2MZh5
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡst0d6QYMoN
Angel started to make her way out of the flower garden and back to the mansion. Leo watched her go, and the picture of her facial expression, engraved in his mind. He didn't know why, but he felt a little remorseful and thought he shouldn't have been so hard on her.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrR77itqcyJ
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dEXJnkQoZ
Eric came to stand beside him, also watching Angel. "Do you need me around?" he asked.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXom8zv90BT
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRuSXuro1C
"No," said Leo. He sighed as he turned his face upward, looking up at the clear blue sky. "I need to think."
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NtpHbZSUL
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8zMm3Fsnd
Eric understood as he took a step forward, but then he stopped to say, "I know you might think Angel is against you, but just know she's looking out for her sister. In a way, she's looking out for you too."
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngA51z36QR
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lZvulUCcR
Leo brought his head back down to look at his cousin, but Eric had already started to walk away from him. He turned toward the bench he had sat on a little while ago, and he backed up a bit to sit back down. As he looked around the lovely flower garden, he couldn't help but wonder why Angel and Eric were right about everything.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaHkOYVFhQ
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWToHjQKZKa
When Angel stepped back into the mansion, she was making a beeline to the ballroom when she heard the sound of a familiar voice in the foyer. She stopped to look around, and that was when she saw Mrs. McAlister standing alongside Mrs. McDonell and Kim. They had stopped to greet some people in the foyer. Angel couldn't help but hear the people around them were complimenting on how beautiful Kim looked. For Angel, Kim being here spelled trouble. Not when Leo was upset with the whole Carly and Zac issue.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3xmSQwQtY
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGTLOIZ0OO
She started to turn around to make her way back outside when she saw Eric approaching her.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiFR7y2qYX
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpwCMnCyKg
"Is Leo still outside?" Angel asked.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPxJtKU72T
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLkiuTuCaL
"Yeah, he didn't need me," said Eric. "Why?"
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBrwdbHDeh
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExMiAjMqyh
"Kim's here."
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwQTR1Jfpu
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM4cpMrANm
Angel turned in the direction where she saw Kim, and Eric followed her eyes. He gulped immediately when he saw her.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5XPFpBxbf
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVq58Q3aTr
"Should we warn Leo?" Eric asked.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmv5ORFant
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfbcSyrJEL
"For now, no one apart from us knows where he is," said Angel. "If any of us go out and warn him, they can easily spot us, and we would lead them straight to him."
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsqVtHvJzz
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIq1WJwkqQ
“Good thinking. We better tell Zac and Carly, don’t you think?”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33aqu3JMFj
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlUPaM7c3p
Angel gave a nod of her head. She turned to see if either Kim or Mrs. McDonell had seen her and Eric. They were still talking with the guests. Angel motioned to Eric to follow her into the ballroom. The place was now lively with guests. Many of Mrs. Harris’ old friends had settled on the chairs, ready for the game, but catching up with each other nonetheless. Angel saw Amanda, June, and Mrs. Harris at one end of the room, talking and laughing. She turned to the bar and found many people there, getting their drinks. There seemed to be no sign of Zac or Carly anywhere.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dEAwXjc1W
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Xyv5EVR4A
“They must have walked out to the patio outside,” said Eric, after noticing the look on Angel’s face.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdO5amJxrD
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFucYdLfys
The two of them stepped out of the ballroom, and luckily enough, they found Zac and Carly talking to a man who seemed to be in his mid-40s. Carly noticed Angel and Eric coming over to them, and she addressed the man in front of her.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwETZFJDaFz
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQDFAHfjWG
“Ah, the lady coming here is my older sister,” said Carly. “Angel, we were just talking to Mr. McAlister about you.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPHvWUQcqj
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYmdD8RiQa
Angel didn’t expect to be a subject of a conversation. What stunned her was the fact that the man Carly and Zac happened to be talking to was Mr. McAlister. She turned to look at him. Just like his son, he also wore casual clothing, a simple green t-shirt and cargo pants. No one would think that he was the owner of such a beautiful mansion.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoShJh6cWY
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVTWzbbcqc
“Nice to meet you, Mr. McAlister,” said Angel, smiling at him.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVv1txuPnP
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFyhFrZjsj
“A pleasure,” said Mr. McAlister, bowing his head at Angel. His blue eyes were similarly deep as his son’s. “I’ve heard so much about you from my mother-in-law.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3JPeeoqVo
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnJ650gZDh
“I don’t think she knows me very well,” said Angel, feeling rather embarrassed by his comment. “But it’s nice to know she’s been saying nice things about me.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDqPAhZNbf
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaIzxR356I
Mr. McAlister went on to greet Eric, who greeted him back. Angel was about to excuse herself, when Mr. McAlister saw his friends seated around one of the garden tables and decided to join them. After he left them, Carly and Zac looked at both Angel and Eric with slightly worried looks on their faces.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MLxuD20eu
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7FTWNBv9O
“How did Leo take it?” Carly asked.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BEkuIyNfb
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICSl2kNFyy
“Not well,” said Eric. “But he’ll get over it. We’ve got bigger problems to deal with.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9tAsF5xpx
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqojrvzS8PH
“What?” Zac asked.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWljf0oSxF
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgTUnF7IFk
“Kim is here,” Angel answered, her eyes falling on Carly. Carly’s eyes widened with surprise.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5YfOHGyyr
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLk6YsHh58
“So what if Kim is here?” Zac asked, looking confused. He looked at Eric and Angel, and after reading their faces, he understood. “There’s still bad blood between those two?”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk68cNQr88
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1euLZnqFB
“Not exactly,” said Eric. “You can say there’s a little tension. Trust me, with the way Leo is right now, seeing Kim might spark a fire. So if she asks where Leo is, tell her you have no idea.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVQpHDJSRL
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOju5bmgnUn
“Where is he anyway?” Carly asked.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMBNvP1TUp
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRr4gShd4QP
“We left him in the garden alone,” Eric answered.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2kIKgVQvN
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYxMcKAzvk
“Okay, we’ll keep that in mind,” said Zac. “But what if they do meet each other?”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BAGHzb4zQ
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYevyYkU6xn
“By then, Leo will have cooled down, hopefully. I just hope he’ll be able to keep it together, not after what happened last time.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjm1q7Zzb4
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf3wJ9zUYh
Carly and Angel looked at Eric, and they both knew what he meant. The night they had dinner with the Chos. Leo and Angel had told both Eric and Carly that Kim had been there. Carly felt relieved that she and Leo didn’t get a chance to be alone together. That would’ve been the day Kim found out about the two of them, and who knows what would unfold afterwards? Zac, who noticed the look, knew he wasn’t meant to butt in and ask.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fMw1JIRRa
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3knxA7DyNM
“Okay, if anyone asks, we don’t know where he is,” said Zac. He looked down at his left wrist to check the time. “The game is supposed to start in fifteen minutes. Angel, you better be ready.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhAODcnvd0
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7dpTEXYeR
Angel gave a nod, and Zac made his way back into the ballroom. Eric said he needed another drink and asked the two women if they would need any. Angel hadn’t had the luxury of getting anything to drink, considering that she was welcoming the guests. She told Eric that she would have fruit juice instead. Carly asked for a dry martini. They settled at a nearby table while Eric went to fetch their drinks.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUmYXsYrXo
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYn4P4iMfR
“How did he really take it?” Carly asked, looking at her sister.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVw3vrQoZt
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFaANWVbOs
“You know Leo,” said Angel as she watched the people in front of her and those visible inside the ballroom through the open door and windows. “He has a temper. Of course, he didn't take it lightly.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucYzNwM147
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa1gOFm6lj
Carly was silent as she played around with her fingers on her lap. “I bet that’s why he wanted to be alone in the garden.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosGZ3V8xwX
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGV82XrNYhd
“He’s stubborn, but he knows what he has to do. It’s just going to be hard for him to accept it. What happened will most likely happen again. We just have to know what to do when it does.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZLuvJUGEu
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenEz7kQKh4
“I’m not proud of what I’ve done.” Carly looked up at the sky. “I sometimes wish things could’ve been more different.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypLDHOC3GS
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUCoiPkyMx
“Most people will criticize your past,” said Angel as she turned to look at her sister. “Only a few will understand that it’s the future and the present that matter. If you change now for the better, then well and good. If not, you’ll give them a platform to criticize you more.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywmc9iAltG
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugiwjuwIYp
Carly swallowed upon hearing those words. How she wished Angel had never told her that. Those words reminded Carly of her mother.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKau8Wa8KC
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVchpJGvco
“And if it does happen again, what then?” Carly asked, looking at Angel.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIerOuD1roC
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEprLgmPkN
“Who knows? Maybe it won’t be as complicated as it was with Zac. However, there will always be difficult people. Those are the ones we should be careful around.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSyVlwNpdS
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQvz3J9KTu
Apparently, Carly was involved with such people, and she couldn’t help but feel guilty about it. She continued to watch the people enjoying themselves, trying to rub it off. When Eric came by with their drinks on a tray, she felt relieved.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh94O8aOdVz
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mVTtcZ0KY
“Kim is in the ballroom right now,” he told the two sisters as he served them. “Just by the way she’s looking around, she must definitely be looking for any one of us or Leo.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfl4SJLox2
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ1qWjxxXi
“This is bad,” said Angel as she took her glass of mango juice. “I hope Leo doesn’t blow up in her face about that night. I wonder why Mrs. McDonell can’t accept that Leo doesn’t need Kim in his life. She’s trying to fix a relationship that will never mend.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv80LoFGoF
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdzhlq3T5m
“Oh, you know how she is,” said Eric as he sat beside Angel. “She’s stubborn.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWmH2hdSBf
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdASCgEAU1K
Carly chuckled. “I see where Leo gets that from,” she said.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYj4IVeQpI
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLzIOqkztO
“Still. The more she tries to fix things, the more she makes them worse,” said Angel. She took a sip of her juice and later added, “Kim is the worst one of them all. She really can’t let Leo go.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGE0yceg8b
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ibuPjgXFK
Angel remembered the conversation she had with Kim not too long ago. She could only hope Kim was looking for Leo to apologize for what she did at the hotel. If not, then there’s nothing much Angel could do.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVe8F5AQXa
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7244tgP64
The three continued to have their drinks in silence when Zac appeared by the doorway of the ballroom. He beckoned Angel. The game was about to start. She quickly finished her juice and started to make her way inside. Carly and Eric remained at the table after telling Angel that they would come inside to help with the elderly if there was any need for it.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwdgWITSMs
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4pltGh46R
When Angel got to the door, she asked Zac if he had seen Leo anywhere nearby.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6raspquIv
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtnFlhAkML
“No,” he replied. “I bet he’s still in the garden. But I did meet Kim, though. She had asked for him.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSY6HHEYCL5
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18yFake8gY
Angel looked around, hoping not to bump into Kim as well. She would eventually. Zac mentioned that they should go to their designated seats at the other end of the room. They made their way to the table, facing the people already settled to play the game. Apparently, even children who were old enough to play also settled among the old folk.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxLRhKglEI
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaqG370Nwh
Mrs. McAlister stood beside the table with the microphone in hand. She obviously wanted to say a few words before the game began. Looking elegant in white, Mrs. McAlister smiled at the guests before her. She began talking in the microphone to get people’s attention. After the room settled, she began first by greeting everyone and thanking them for appearing for the event. She introduced her son and Angel as the people in charge of the game. She wished everyone all the best and for the best person to win. Also adding that there were prizes for the winners. She handed the mic back to her son, who was to call out the letters and numbers on the bingo balls Angel picked.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwDCJkrvkA
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8Vr02ICHe
While the bingo game was underway, Leo, who was still in the flower garden, realized that he had stayed there for too long. It was best for him to go back inside the mansion. He had already made up his mind. As much as he didn’t want to go through with it, he saw no other option.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzrAG5I1yv
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ2xw7S1V9
He stood up from the bench and made his way out of the flower garden. As soon as he got back inside, he noticed there weren’t many people in the hallway. The sound of Zac speaking through the mic echoed in the hall outside the ballroom. The game must have started, he thought to himself.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTuNkgiF98
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4l0vedQ55
When he entered the ballroom, he found many of the elderly and a few children already settled for the game and holding up their bingo markers. He spotted Eric across the room, slowly walking around those who were playing the game in case anyone needed anything. His eyes turned to the far end of the ballroom, where Angel and Zac sat. A few people stood around the walls of the room, silently watching the game. A good number of guests had gone outside to socialize more loudly and merrily.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FGmmku6IK
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRqsuiigJx
When he looked to his left, he saw Carly, who, just like Eric, slowly walked around the room. She looked up and saw Leo. That made her stop in her tracks as she studied his face. For a moment, she gave a grim look, and it only took Leo’s smile to change it. She sighed in relief and smiled back at him. That was a sign that all is forgiven, and he was willing to move on.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSPPLopIna
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3xhYAKGGL
The lovebirds’ moment disappeared abruptly when someone appeared beside Leo. The smell of the person’s perfume made Leo aware of their presence. He turned to look. Standing there, looking gorgeous in her pink dress was Kim.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERtQsFKNKi
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XsQ4IoLof
“Hi, Leo, I was looking for you,” said Kim.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDGonhuVXi
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvPlrQ6D1X
A few elderly women seated nearby turned their heads to hush at Kim, telling her to be quiet. That drew everyone’s attention to Kim and Leo. Angel, who was rolling the bingo ball container, saw Kim standing beside Leo, and a grim look fell on her face. Eric, on the other side, could only watch and hope that Leo wouldn’t explode. Carly stood there helplessly. The last thing she needed was to come in between them. That would only make things worse. So, she quickly looked away, turning her attention to the children playing the game.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7qBBg3xsO
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ4I91hGFX
“Can we talk outside?” Kim whispered to Leo.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgV9HfFM27
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJTIpFVJSc
Before Leo could refuse, Kim wrapped her hand around his arm and slowly started to drag her with him, leading him back the way he came. Eric, who saw the whole thing, looked over at Carly, hoping that she didn’t see that. Sadly, he found her turning her head with her lips set in a straight line and her eyes staring blankly elsewhere. Angel had also seen what had happened, but she had already picked out a ball that she showed to Zac. She didn’t want to look out of focus. When she turned to Carly, she couldn’t help but feel a little worried.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdmnefMzYa
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWV4E7wAcKt
When Leo and Kim stepped out of the ballroom and into the hall, Leo brushed aside Kim’s hand around his arm and took a few steps before turning to look at her. Kim looked at Leo with a smile on her face.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnHZcnHpik
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbO0a3bzyt
“You’re a hard man to find,” said Kim. “I was looking for you, and I thought I would find Eric and ask him where to find you. But it wasn’t easy to find him either.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbgajp9c5K
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPJNq8OGZX
“What is it you want, Kim?” Leo asked.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7keWAHzyL1
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM3UYHfQEK
Kim opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. It took her a few seconds to gather herself. “I want to apologize,” she said. “About what happened the last time we saw each other.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlAelfJJ1T
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmDsBCXcQ0
Leo raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t like what you did,” he said. He was upset, but he sounded calm. “What were you expecting to see by following me like that?”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnohlpkjHNg
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDICbxUOVVc
“I’ll be honest with you,” said Kim. “I wanted to see your new lover.” Her eyes fell to the floor, feeling a little ashamed for saying it.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIk9wj33DR
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9elQfPYd33
“I bet you were disappointed when I caught you.” Leo put his hands in the pocket of his trousers. “You didn’t look surprised like we met by accident. You and Trina looked guilty, and I knew you had been following me. Angel, in the end, told me you had been in the area for quite some time.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1f5J9mGF9
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35BC8Cf2fK
“Yeah, I know, and I feel so stupid for doing that.” Kim looked up at Leo. “That’s why I’m asking you to forgive me.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFT5ziPCIfc
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodmwSHBCTd
Leo looked at Kim, wondering how to answer that. He was still upset with her after her little stunt, but if he didn’t want to ever bring up this issue again, he had to do one of the things he despised to do.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0UoR0sXkU
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHUjLP0Hx1
He sighed. “I forgive you,” he said. Kim’s eyes brightened up with delight when she heard those words. A smile even appeared across her face. “But don’t take it the wrong way here. Just because I forgive you doesn’t mean this brings us closer.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9ddT5vI0E
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUjrU2H7rd
“I know,” she said, her cheeks starting to blush. “By forgiving me, this is a sign that you still have a caring heart.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmu8cUEsfp
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIrP1LfrFd
“I’m just doing this because I don’t want to ever bring up this matter again. If I may ask, what were you going to do if my lover happened to be around that day?”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU6OqVEFB1
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJtUc7xkWs
Kim looked taken aback by that question. The smile on her face slowly started to disappear. This was the last thing she needed right now.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGF9N5sIZhd
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfooJHOra4
“Why are you asking me that question?” Kim asked.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDnaFxmISy
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjVBxOjSMp
Leo took some time to answer. “Because I know you,” he said. “You’re impulsive, and I know you’ve been dying to know who my lover is. Who knows what you would’ve done if you did? I bet it would be something unpleasant.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3pqKgkHT3
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9XTVhCRPI
Kim shook her head. “That’s not true,” she said. “I would never do that.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4LBCiEV0n
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQcrZS3Zrf
Leo scoffed. “Anyway, I’m not going to argue with you there when you know I’m right. You shouldn’t come after me, begging for my attention. I have a life to live, and so do you.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnww2AOxGK
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4APd1ubxD8
A voice of a woman shouting “bingo, bingo” rang loudly into the hall. What Leo was grateful about these games was that it didn't take too much time. They were obviously going to go for another round of bingo.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkrpFwNcZU
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvT9y9Uef7
Leo turned to look at Kim, who was looking back at him. There was a look of hurt in her eyes, and sadly, there was nothing that Leo could do about it.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmLNCiYMwz
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcINTZDaVZd
“I better be going back in there,” said Leo. “I’ll see you around.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQUSD6OYKg
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtzTnb3Ej3
Just as Leo was about to take a step towards the door leading to the ballroom, Kim blocked his way, standing in front of him. She looked set on not moving aside.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4q3LFYhpC
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskO7yuxCk8
“Kim, please move,” said Leo.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnlzqH1HJI
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo98iMoQf5
“I’m not going to end this conversation like this,” she said.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLRh9OplUQ
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ToexrVsbt
“What else is there to say?” Leo asked as he shrugged his shoulders.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKeNPmVg2z
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRCgaMT9Od
“Don’t you care about me at all? Don’t you think I've got the right to know who she is that stole your heart from me?”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbA1uH3G91
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnzltQ0tuJ
“Kim, your voice is getting a little too loud. And no. I don’t think you’re ready to know who it is. Not with that attitude.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QUuDh02hS
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7tg1F6eK9
“Why are you protecting her? It’s not like I’m going to do anything.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWgUhjwrz6
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJDxuuaqcL
“Says the person who isn’t over our breakup. I can’t tell you who she is until I’m sure you can handle moving on. Right now, I clearly see that you can’t.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqFRGhkfu0
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1RKK55jBO
The door to the ballroom that stood ajar opened up a little, and a young man stepped out. He walked past Leo and Kim. They remained silent until he was out of sight.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o2YdIckOr
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdE3SCG5dW
“I promise, Leo, I won’t do anything rash,” said Kim.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EWcJgkzXE
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAL3ue725G
“No,” said Leo. He was firm with his response, and Kim could clearly see that her whimpers weren’t going to work on him. “Not now, Kim. Not like this.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVM8UCYngny
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn21FgN5WOi
Before Kim could think of another way to persuade him, Eric appeared at the door. Leo could never have felt too relieved to see anyone.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMSNMg5hyN
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jE1BHwSGm
“Leo, I need some assistance over here,” said Eric. Kim turned around to look at him. “We need to clear out some chips on the papers for the next round, and there are a few people who have trouble getting them off since they are old. You could come help too, Kim, if you want.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC3tmer1HH
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbdUgPQKhn
“I’ll be right there,” said Leo. He turned to look at Kim, hoping to say a few words to her, but nothing came to mind. She looked at Eric with an angry frown, upset that he had to interrupt them. He walked past her and joined Eric inside the ballroom.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWprFMiirkz
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJY4uyKTnFp
“Thanks for that,” said Leo when he and Eric approached the tables.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHq8SL68C7u
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cUqZh5QDk
“I figured you needed the help,” said Eric. “And we really do need your help with those chips.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcxaiREXFO
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtPKJgYPBj
“Never have I felt relieved to help out with anything.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujV3q67tZW
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmB0Hzll7y5
Leo heard footsteps behind him, and he saw Kim enter the ballroom. She was making her way to the patio, where the lively people were. As she passed, she gave Leo a side-ways glance. Judging by the look, Leo could tell that she was upset.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zlev25JCL
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfefpLbvy1
Three rounds of bingo were played, with three different winners. Amanda happened to be one of them, for she won the last round. Her grandsons, Angel and Carly, went to congratulate her. Amanda couldn’t help but express how excited she was over winning the game and that it was her first time.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKycmabZX3W
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8FkdsnKPJ
Mrs. McAlister and Mrs. Harris presented prizes to those who won. Afterwards, the place became more of a social event, with those who were outside coming in. The helpers had to arrange the tables and chairs for the elderly as if in a dinner-like manner, in case anyone wanted to help themselves with some food and needed a place to sit.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlg8O0MWJqW
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkFIkyd5vr
Leo has stepped out for a bit with a glass of wine, out to the patio and to the lawn. The sun was slowly starting to set, and he had a clear view of it. He had a feeling they might have dinner at the McAlisters, considering the amount of food that had been brought in. With so many people around, all he wanted was to be alone.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnlMDVIC2b
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyszmXPD9B
He took a sip of his wine, so lost in the beauty of the setting sun that he didn’t hear soft footsteps coming from behind. It only took him a minute to realize that Carly was standing beside him.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwHK4nENjr
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqFLDzqCgz
“Hey,” she said to him.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OIVS7VxGg
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuSAy56p0m
“Hey,” he answered back.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpYZWn6gF4
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CSzkNAVBJ
There was a brief moment of silence before Carly spoke. “You’re not mad, are you?” she asked.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBS56h16AP
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zBGcuRnoK
“Mad about what?” He asked with an eyebrow raised and looking confused.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtFnUjjth1
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVYpcAml7C
“This thing with Zac and me?”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2RpU6H4KA
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBak5nblMHv
Leo chuckled. “I had just forgotten about it. To be honest, I was so busy that it never once crossed my mind. Until now.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0O21XWz9s
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLaigBsowG
“I know it’s weird…”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDt5V3p6pIr
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8o24oS74ya
“Carly,” Leo interrupted her. “That’s all in the past. As much as I would like to keep a grudge, you knew Zac before you knew me. I shouldn’t be jealous at all. He’s an annoying prick, yeah, but I can’t blame him for that either. The last thing I want is to be mad at you.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x0YryO7l0
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIJ3J9y6AD
Carly smiled. “That’s a relief. If there weren’t many people around, I would’ve hugged you.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9M2m8BB8zO
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLQ438eCAR
“Tell me about it,” said Leo as he turned around to look at the guests that remained outside. “Let’s not draw any unnecessary attention.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DvEBONLMw
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rMPpwyGYH
“And what about Kim? What did the two of you talk about?”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDczBXiz5hK
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08upToXE1x
“The incident at the hotel when we had dinner there. And also, she wants to know you. Or let me say it in her words: The woman who stole my heart from her.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAROhpTMSWr
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ErcsqBxSN
Carly rubbed the back of her neck. “She must be really mad, huh?”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpSZdaKpcT
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKW3nMDijrs
“Yeah, but I’m not going to tell her until she settles down. Better yet, she’ll know when everyone else does.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rCIhE2WbN
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWmB10wLaD
“We still have time. And what are you going to do about your mum? It’s clear to see that she brought her here to try and bring you two together.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p98krJMuH
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgqq7iYLcU
“It’s annoying, but I’ll have to have a talk with her one of these days.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FAMKiiyRO
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3TEJv7A9u
“Leo! Carly!” came Angel’s voice behind them. The two turned around to see her approaching them. She wore her white jacket over her shoulders, as it was getting chilly now.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjaK6ROqp8
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFcKxKeyhl
“What is it?” Carly asked when Angel came closer.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbVMNjFiw4
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jwalOYBcW
“Zac’s girlfriend is here, and Zac wants to introduce you to her,” Angel answered. “He made a show of how you and I are like goddesses, and she wants to see you for herself. So that’s why I came to find you. They’re in the hall outside the ballroom.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQzow0oWMX
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2DotEKU1M
“Fine,” said Carly. She turned to look at Leo. “Aren’t you coming?”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxyswv1r5i
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKK3zuYFZU
“Yeah, I’ll follow behind you,” he said.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RfDFOd8hS
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfuv4sxnjP
“Before I get there, I need to stop by the bar to get a drink. Let’s go, Angel.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboZMlygUnn
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEezHis088y
Carly took off quickly before Angel. In trying to catch up with her sister, Angel also hurried. In doing so, her white jacket slipped off her shoulders and fell on the green grass. She stopped in her tracks and turned to pick it up. However, Leo already got to her jacket and picked it up for her. He placed the empty glass he was holding on a nearby table.
Leo closed the distance between them. Before Angel could reach out her hand to grab it, he swung the jacket over her head and made it rest over her shoulders. Angel looked stunned at the gesture that she was almost lost for words. For some reason, her cheeks started to tingle.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjduQTyzOM
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8A1pi23Uj
“Thanks,” she managed to say. “You didn’t have to do that.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNCZDPQdC0
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjEILrpJb8
“It’s nothing,” he said.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7XbNjOAwm
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeG1WDnqZj5
Leo still held on to the collars of her jacket, and Angel realized why she was blushing. The feel of his fingers tucked under the collars slightly touched her neck. His hands soon fell away, and he placed them in the pocket of his trousers. He gave her a cool look with his eyes, and that made Angel blush even more.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDYKEqE1yv
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkabdgyW6L
“Are you okay?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “You look shocked or something.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1Z8qLO5Fe
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOJUxN6Dle
“I’m fine,” said Angel, quickly drawing her head downward. “Let’s go.”
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6irEyItlOR
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xvsD44UCf
She quickly turned around and started to make her way back into the ballroom, with Leo following behind her. She shook off the feeling and told herself it was nothing. Leo, on the other hand, didn’t seem bothered by her reaction or what had taken place.
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5tvWq8yGF
333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fQ91RbnNf
Standing by the window inside the ballroom was Kim, holding a glass of champagne. She had seen the little incident between Angel and Leo. That sent her mind buzzing with thoughts. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one who had seen them
.
ns216.73.216.143da2
