Penelope's Pov:
I huffed and looked at him.
"What are you talking about? Let me go!" I said and tried withdrawing my head from his, but couldn't.
Surprisingly, they started dragging me away and I couldn't stop them.
"Let me go!" I shrieked as they both held my hand and took me to the so called boss.
They stopped when we got there.
"What's the meaning of this?" I asked in a peeved manner as I stood in front of the rogue guy who was smoking.
He chuckled and brought the cigarette down from his lips.
"What's your name?" He asked after a pause and I scoffed.
"That should be of no concern to you. Just tell your boys to let me go." I stated angrily and scared at the same time.
I mean, they seemed dangerous.
He stared at me for a while without saying a word.
"I like you, and I want you." He finally said with a leer and my fears increased, but I tried not to show it.
"Well, I don't like you and I don't want you. Just let me go." I said rather pleasingly and he smiled and leaned back on his chair.
"You tryna prove hard to get, huh?" He asked with a smirk and next, he stood up.
Oh, God!
Immediately, a police car drove in — not to our direction tho but a plaza opposite us.
Thank goodness!
I turned and looked at the so called leader and noticed he also looked diffident.
Without any hesitation, I started running - walking away.
Yes, I did and was sure they couldn't follow me because of the presence of the police.
I ran as quickly as I could back to the car and immediately I got in, the driver scorched off.
Gosh! What a scare!
I really don't know what to do about my shape anymore. It's always getting me into trouble.
What would've happened if the police hadn't showed up?
I looked at my hand and noticed I was still holding my sauced meat with me. I almost forgot. Still feeling hungry, I leaned back and continued eating from it.
We finally got home and I alighted from the car, feeling really buggered.
I couldn't wait to go into my room and get some sleep.
I opened the door of the sitting room and surprisingly, I found mum sitting on the couch.
Huh?
I paused at the door and stared at her, feeling surprised to see her there.
She was sitting with her hands crossed, going through some papers and holding a glass of wine in her hand.
I sighed and walked in.
"Good evening mum." I greeted perfunctorily as I got to where she was.
"And where are you coming from?" She asked without looking at me.
Her eyes were still fixed on the papers she was going through.
"I went for Andrew's concert…together with Ivy" I shrugged and replied.
"By this time of the night? Do you even know what the time is? Don't you know it's risky staying out alone upto this hour?" She asked, now staring at me.
"Well, I had no idea you wouldn't be sleeping at the office today. I'm not a ghost." I replied.
"Shut up, Penelope. I don't expect you to be a ghost before knowing the right thing to do."
"Seriously mum, you wouldn't blame me for it. I guess you have no idea what I go through staying at home alone, having no one to talk to. Sometimes, I almost forgot what it feels like being in the company of others and that's the reason I make use of an opportunity when I see one." I replied obviously angrily.
Then she sighed and stood up with the wine in her hand.
"Penelope." She called softly and used her free hand to brush the front part of her hair.
"I understand how you feel. But I want you to know everything I'm doing is for your own benefit. Don't worry, there's something big I'm working on and pretty soon, it'll be accomplished and put an everlasting smile on your face."
I stared at her in awe, wondering what she meant and she smiled.
"Go upstairs and get some sleep. It's late." She told me and walked away, leaving behind the papers on the couch.
I stood and thought for a while, trying to figure what she meant.
My phone started ringing, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I checked and discovered it was Chris.
"Hello?" I said on the phone, taking the stairs.
"Penelope, can you hear me?" He asked.
"Yes?"
I opened the door of my room and walked in, sitting on the bed.
"Penelope please, we really need to talk. I'm so sorry for what happened. Please give me a chance to explain." He pleaded on the phone.
"I'm tired Chris, I can't talk now."
"Okay, okay. Why don't we fix a date tomorrow. Huh? please. Let's meet up and discuss."
I remained silent.
"Penelope?" He called.
"Fine, I'll let you know when I'm chanced. Good night." I sighed softly and dropped the call immediately.
I took off my sandals and laid straight on the bed, feeing so tired to even change my clothes.
★
~ The next morning ~
I woke up to the sound of my alarm which I angrily turned off.
I sat up on the bed and itched my eyes, trying to get over the sleep.
Gosh! I still felt so dizzy.
I left the bed and went into the bathroom to brush my teeth. Then, I went to the dining to check if breakfast was ready. I mean, I was starving.
As I climbed down the stairs approaching the dining, I saw someone already seated there.
Huh?
Mum?
I furrowed my brows in surprise as I went closer. What's she still doing here? I mean, I can't find the last time I woke up and found her still at home.
"Mum,…good morning." I greeted with surprise clearly written on my face
"Oh! Penelope, you're just in time to join me for breakfast. Come on." She smiled while I scoffed and took a seat, facing her.
She was already dressed up and it was obvious she'd be leaving any moment from now.
She was putting on a white trouser suit with the upper buttons open, exposing her chest a little.
Well, my mum was a crazy fashion woman.
She was very young and pretty and always dressed to kill.
If you weren't told I was yer daughter, you'd actually think we were sisters because of how young and hot she was.
I know of countless billionaires running crazy over her.
Well, the truth is, I'm proud having someone like her for a mother. The only problem is, she doesn't have time for me.
"By the way, Penelope," she said, breaking the brief silence.
"I want you to get ready in time cause we'll be going for Andrew's home—coming party tonight."
I almost spilled tea from my mouth as it hit at me.
What?
"An…Andrew's home-coming party?" I shrieked.
"You mean we'll be going to the Winthrop mansion?" I asked with disbelief and she nodded.
What?
"Why?" I asked abacked.
"And what do you mean why? I mean, everyone's wishing to be there. Shouldn't you feel lucky to be among the privileged?
"Anyway, Andrew's mum invited me, so I have to attend. And you're coming with me." She simply replied and took a bite from the bread toast.
"But mum…"
"What is wrong with you, Penelope? Why are you dragging it?" She asked with a stern look and I sighed and looked down at my food.
But I'm supposed to have a date with Chris today.
Immediately, her phone started ringing and she mute it after checking the caller.
"I'll be home to pick you by six in the evening. Better don't keep me waiting." She instructed callously and stood up with her bag.
"I'll be on my way now." She added and started walking away while I just played pathetically with my food.
Why does she want me to go along with her to the party? What am I going to do with Chris then?
*
After eating, I took my bath and got ready for school.
I still couldn't stop thinking about the whole thing.
On my way to class, I was interrupted by two boys who stood in front of me, smiling like cats.
"Hey P," One of them called and licked his lips lustfully.
I huffed and tried walking away but the second one held me back.
"Hey, hey, hey, chill, okay? Um…Mawthie just wants us to deliver this letter to you." He said and proffered a piece of paper he was holding.
Gosh! I should've known.
"Well, tell him to go to hell," I said and started walking away but turned back to look at them.
"And one piece of advice; I think it'd be best if you stopped being errand boys." I added and continued on my way.
Mawthie was the leader of the gangster here in Royal High and he's always been trying to get me on his side. But I guess his stupidity wouldn't let him see I can never agree to someone like him.
I walked into the class and met Ivy there already. She always comes to school before me.
"Hey P" She waved at me as I got to where she was.
The ABC girls were not in class. Perfect.
"Hi," I said blearily as I took my seat next to Ivy.
The class was kind of noisy as all the ladies were talking about Andrew's concert.
"Hey, are you okay? You look moody." Ivy stated with a grouch.
"Well, it's mum. She's such a kill joy." I replied with an eye roll.
"Huh? What happened this time?"
"She wants me to go with her to Andrew's home-coming party." I stated with a little shrug, obviously tired and she screamed.
What??!!
"Ivy!" I called in shock as all eyes darted to our direction.
Why the hell did she scream that way?
"What's wrong with you?" I growled and she laughed.
"Oh, my! Penelope, I'm just so excited. I mean, are you serious? You're really going to the party?" She asked and I looked around and thank goodness, the rest of the students had taken their eyes away from us.
"Well, yes. Mummy said Andrew's mum invited her over." I replied and she almost screamed again, but covered her mouth with her palm.
"Oh, my God! Penelope, you're so lucky. But hold on, why are you looking moody then?" She asked with her brows furrowed.
"Well, I'm supposed to have a date with Chris today…"
"What? F*** Chris, P." She cut me off.
"Are you kidding me? You're upset about going to the Winthrop mansion because of Chris? Do you even know how lucky you are right now? I've called all my relatives around the city to city to see if any of them was invited to the party, but unfortunately, none. Don't you know by going to this party, you have 60% possibility of getting to see Andrew face to face? You might even end up talking to him. Oh, my gosh! I seriously wish there was a way we could do a face swap right now, Penelope. I wish I had a mother like yours." She said wistfully while I just stared at her with disbelieve.
Gosh!
I shook my head and didn't say anything.
"Wow! Kyle's in school today." She announced after a brief silence and I lifted my eyes to see the braniac - Kyle - entering into the class.
Oh!
He was the most intelligent boy in school and was given an award last semester as the best student.
And for that, people nicknamed him as 'the braniac'.
His uncle is actually the owner of the school, but he hardly talks and doesn't have any friends and people actually think he's snobbish.
Well, whatever.
"Seriously Penelope, you're so lucky to be attending Andrew's home-coming party." Ivy continued and I itched my ear.
"I wonder what the Winthrop mansion looks like. I've only seen it on the net, but I'm sure it's going to be more gorgeous than that…"
She went on talking and not long after, the crazy ladies walked in.
Yeah - ABC.
"Hey, handsome." Cheryl waved at Kyle as they walked pass him, but he didn't even lift his head to look at her.
Alma and Blair chuckled and she rolled her eyes.
They got to their seats which were in front of Ivy and I - and Blair winked at me before they all sat.
Tch! Annoying things.
Blair brought out her phone and surprisingly, the projector in front of the class got turned on and it started displaying pictures of Blair and Andrew together.
Not like they were together, but it was photo shopped and seemed so real like they had taken the pics together.
Huh? How was she able to connect to the projector?
All the students in the class gasped as they watched the sliding pictures on the projector.
This girl's really crazy.
Then, Blair stood up and faced the class.
"How does this look? Aren't we perfect together?" She asked, grinning widely.
"It's dumb." Someone from the back said and I had to smile.
Blair fumed and Alma stood up.
"Really? If it's dumb, then you're a dumb ass," she said and few students laughed.
Immediately, the projector went off and we all looked in surprise and discovered it was done by Kyle who had made use of his phone.
Wow! How do they manage to do this?
Well, like I said, Kyle was very intelligent and was also an expert in the tech field.
"Hey, why did you do that?" Blair grouse but he just focused on the book he was reading.
I think the only time I've heard this guy speak is when he's answering a question.
Few of the students started sniggering and Blair and Alma had to return to their seats.
Hm. Serves them right.
"Wow! What an attitude!" Ivy whispered to me and I shrugged.
*
The rest of the day in school was as usual and when I got home, I had to call Chris and tell him of the postponement of the date.
"Gosh! I can't believe I'm really going to Andrew's party. What will I even wear?
I riffled through my wardrobe for a while and finally settled on a blue jean trouser and jacket.
Perfect!
I wore them on and applied a light make up on my face.
Mom told me not to keep her waiting when she returns. So, I wanted to get ready in time.
After a while, mum returned and we left for the party together.