Welcome to another chapter of Cruel Temptation. I thank you guys for liking this story. Gave me inspiration. I could have published this even later. I forever apologise for posting chapters so late, and shorts ones at that. It doesn't seem to improve one bit, does it?

Anyway, I don't own anything. Enjoy!

Have you ever experienced a feeling whenever you see a long-lost loved one in an unexpected situation?

Especially when that loved one is someone you never knew you would see again?

That was what Avie Walker is experiencing right now.

Standing before her, was her daughter, who mysteriously disappeared a year ago. And now, there she was, acting as if she just came back from a long day of hiking.

"…Hi, Mother." Said Abby.

Avie blinked. "A-Abby?" She took another step and opened the gate to take a closer look.

The said girl nodded, a faint smile on her lips. "Yeah… I'm back-"

"Where have you been all these time?!" Interrupted Avie furiously. "You left without a word! And you come back after a year and the first thing you say to your mother is hi? Do you know how worried we were?!"

Abby flinched at the outburst, and stared at the floor, at loss of words.

"Do you know" –A sob escaped Avie's lips– "how upset I was?"

Abby attempted to smile, but failed to. "I know… I'm sorry…"

Avie rushed to embrace her daughter, who returned it while holding back tears.

"I'll never do it again. I promise."

Allen's hand reached for his pocket. It was vibrating. He picked it up. "Hello?"

"Allen, dear, it's your mother. I have something to tell you." And so she explained what happened minutes ago. By the time she finished, Allen's eyes were bulging.

"Y-You mean… Abby's back?" He spluttered, not believing his ears. "Like, she's just right beside you?"

Avie sighed. "Yes, dear. She's a little tired though, she's asleep. But I don't want you to come back right now; it wouldn't be good to skip work, however excited you may be."

Allen hesitated, and muttered a 'yes', keeping his emotions in control. No words could explain how happy he was to be able to see his sister again. Suddenly, he recalled something and turned to look for Lenalee. Dread seeped into his heart. "…What about Lenalee?"

"I'm afraid you'll have to break the news to her. She has the right to know, and the right to decide what she is going to do. I'll have to explain to Abby as well. We'll do it when you come back, alright?" Came the reply.

"…Alright. I'll see you at home, Mum."

Allen cut the call, and walked reluctantly to Lenalee. Sure, he was elated that his sister is back, but it caused a misfortune to another person.

Lenalee beamed at Allen as he came nearer, but noticed the worried look on his face. "Something bothering you?"

Allen chuckled weakly. "Yes, er, I have something to tell you, but I don't know if you'll take it well… Abby's back."

Abby's back. Abby's back. Lenalee's body seemed to freeze on the spot. Numerous thoughts ran in her mind, but there was one that pulsed more violently than the others: What now?

She looked at Allen, trying to find an answer, but he seemed to be asking himself the same question as well.

"…Do we tell her, Allen?"

Allen remained silent for a moment. "…She doesn't have to know."

"But she has the right to." Lenalee didn't know Abby well, or you could say she didn't know her at all, but she didn't want to hide and run away. After all, she's impersonating as Abby Walker. The real Abby has all the right to know.

Allen sighed. "Alright."

It was after work, and Allen drove Lenalee home. Lenalee waved at Lou Fa, who was making her way to the bus stop. Lou Fa diligently worked until there was only the three of them left. Lenalee wondered if she could still see her, as a fellow employee, again. The trip back Allen's home seemed very fast, and they hesitantly made their way to the doorstep. Lenalee tied her hair up, trying to look a little less like Abby.

Before Allen could even reach for the door, it was already swung open. A brunette jumped into view, her grin brightening up her face. "Hi, Allen!"

Much as Allen was taken by surprise, he couldn't help smiling. "A-Abby…"

Abby scowled, and said in a mock-angry tone. "Don't just 'A-Abby' me! Come on in-" She stopped short when she noticed Lenalee, who was standing behind her brother. Lenalee sucked in her breath, preparing for the worst, but then Abby smiled and barely managed to hide a snicker. "Who's that, Allen? Your girlfriend?"

Allen didn't even have time to blush. "W-What?"

"Oh, don't try hiding it, bro. I can sense the chemistry between the two of you." Right after that, Abby stepped back to let the two of them in. Avie was seated in the couch in the living room, watching the scene unfold with a small smile. Even after a year, she still seemed to be the same.

Abby turned to Lenalee. "I'm Abby, by the way, in case this brother of mine didn't mention me." She sighed. "Things happen."

Lenalee smiled nervously. "I'm Lenalee Lee. Nice to meet you."

"So," Abby gestured to Allen, "How long have you been together?"

Allen opened his mouth to cut in, but his sister glared at him. "I know what you're thinking. Like I said, don't try to deny it." Allen closed his mouth, grumbling.

"Well," replied Lenalee, "A while, I guess."

Abby grinned. "I hope he didn't give you a lot of trouble, Lenalee. He may act like a gentleman, but he can be very stubborn at times. Not to mention arrogant."

Allen gasped, glaring at Abby. "What did you say about me?!"

"Now, now, children. Let's not have a sibling argument in front of, well, Allen's girlfriend. You don't want to have a bad impression on her," said Avie. She, too, was enjoying this. But not for long.

Lenalee blushed furiously, but suddenly, she recalled what she was supposed to do. Though… she couldn't bring herself to it. Abby seemed so happy, and they got along right after they met, she didn't feel like losing this recently-made friendship.

No, it has to be done. I can't have her in the dark.

"A-Abby…"

"Hmm?"

"There's something I need to tell you."

"It's something we need to tell you," corrected Avie. She caught Allen and Lenalee's eyes. Abby looked at them, raising an eyebrow. "Well, what is it?"

Lenalee started. "Well, I've been working at the Black Order for some time… But I didn't really work as Lenalee Lee…" With that, she let down her hair to match Abby's.

Abby was confused for a while, but she slowly understood, with that hinted explanation and the looks on their faces. The first emotion on her face was shock, then anger.

"That's how it is, huh? I went missing, so you found a substitute?"

"No!" cried her mother. "Of course not! I would never do that!"

Abby turned to her, furious. "Then why did she have to go by as me?"

Avie remained silent.

Lenalee also started to see some sense. At first, she thought it was because forging documents would take too much time, but now, she saw it in another angle. "…Is it true, Mrs. Walker?"

The said woman looked away. "…I don't know, even till now."

Abby turned to Lenalee. "And did you know about me before you impersonate me?"

She hesitated for a moment, nodded her head.

"And you?" Abby turned to Allen. "You were okay with it?"

The male looked at his hands, not daring to at her. "I… It didn't come to my mind that it would lead to this."

Abby froze. She stared at Allen, hurt evident in her eyes. "…So you're telling me… that you didn't want me back home."

Allen snapped his head up. "No! That's not what I meant! You're misunderstanding-"

"Shut up! I don't want to hear it anymore! S-Stay away!" She got out of her seat and stormed upstairs, despite the other three's protests. Avie flinched when she heard the door slam. She rested her face into her hands, on the verge of tears.

"It's all my fault. All my fault…"

Lenalee tried to deny, but the woman still remained in that position. She bit her lip, remorse wringing about in her. The scene replayed in her mind.

"...So you're telling me... that you didn't want me back home." Home... It had just been a few days since she last saw Miranda. She knew how Abby felt, but the fact that she was one of those who hurt Abby's feeling made her feel worse.

Lenalee slowly turned to Allen. "What now?"

Allen sighed, his gaze switching from the second floor to his mother. He replied in a low whisper. "We'll have to let Abby cool off, and hopes she could at least understand. I'll let Mum rest, I think she'd gone through a lot today. I don't know about you, it's all up to you."

Lenalee played with her fingers. She wasn't deep in thought. The decision had been in her mind for a very long time, she just didn't know when.

"I'll return to being Lenalee Lee."

Angsty ending to the chapter again. I should stop doing this. Please, if you have any suggestions, feel free to comment. I'll appreciate it very much.

I hope I can finish the next chapter soon. I'm on the first few paragraphs, but who knows how long it'll take to write the next few. Anyway, R&R! Hope you like it!