5.

PENNY

The smell of fresh paint and sawdust filled the air as I stepped into what will soon be my bakery. Well, ours. Jess and I have spent the last few hours unpacking, cleaning, and arguing over where to place things. The space is not so small but full of promise—large windows that would let in sunlight.

Jess sat cross-legged on the floor, a hammer in her hand, squinting at a piece of furniture she’s been trying (and failing) to assemble for the past thirty minutes.

“Why do all these stupid manuals have to be in another language?” she huffs, tossing the instructions aside.

I grin, setting down a box of mixing bowls. “Because they assume people have basic common sense.”

“Are you implying I don’t?” She glares at me, then groans dramatically. “Ugh. Just admit you should’ve let me hire someone.”

Sitting on the counter, I stretch my legs out. “We’re saving money. We can’t afford to hire anyone yet, not until I get my inheritance”

Jess sighs. “Yeah, yeah. We’re broke bakers trying to build a dream.” She wipes her forehead. “Speaking of money, are you sure you don’t want to marry Christian Hilton? That's the only way to get your inheritance Penny”

I throw a crumpled napkin at her. “Absolutely not.”

She smirks. “You’re seriously turning down a fortune because you don’t want to be some hot billionaire’s trophy wife?”

I groan, throwing my head back. “Jess.”

“What? It’s just funny to me,” she continues. “Your mom basically set you up with one of the richest, most powerful men in the city, and he hates your guts for no reason.”

I shake my head. “I mean… he could have a reason.”

Jess’s eyebrows shoot up. “Oh? You two have some secret history you never told me about?”

“No,” I say quickly. “But did you see the way he looked at me? Like I personally burned his house down.”

Jess snorts. “I think that’s just his resting murder face. He seems like the type.”

I hesitate before responding. Because as much as I want to just brush it off, I can’t stop replaying our meeting. The way he towered over me. The coldness in his voice. That sharp, hate-filled glare. But also—damn him—the way his suit fit too well.

“He is hot,” I admit begrudgingly.

Jess gasps dramatically, pointing at me like she just won a bet. “I knew it! You do find him attractive!”

“That doesn’t mean I like him,” I argue. “There’s a difference between acknowledging someone is attractive and wanting to marry them.”

Wiggling her eyebrows. “Mmm-hmm. Keep telling yourself that.”

I roll my eyes, but before I can respond, a sharp knock echoes through the space.

Jess and I exchange a look. We aren’t expecting anyone. And why couldn't they push the glass door open?

“Did you order something?” I whisper.

She shakes her head, getting up and dusting off her jeans. “Maybe it’s our landlord? Trying to see how we're settling into the place, I’ll check.”

She strides over and pulls the door open.

A tall man in a dark gray suit stands on the other side, his posture perfect, his expression unreadable. His ginger hair is neatly styled, and thin-framed glasses rest on his nose. He looks like the kind of guy who probably has a spreadsheet for everything.

“Penelope Castillo?” His voice is polite but firm.

I hesitate before answering. “Yes?”

He nods. “I’m Liam Anderson. Mr. Hilton’s assistant, I believe we met at the meeting a few days ago”

Jess mutters, “Of course he has an assistant.”

“Yeah, I remember you. What can I do for you Liam?” I smiled brightly at him, even though his face had no expression at all.

Liam ignored Jess and focused on me, well that was rude “I’ve been sent to bring you to him.”

I blink. “Excuse me?”

“Mr. Hilton requests your presence,” he repeats, as if I didn’t hear him the first time.

Jess folds her arms. “Requests? Sounds more like a demand.”

Liam doesn’t react, just keeps his hands neatly folded in front of him. “It would be best if you came with me.”

I hop off the counter and walk toward the door, stopping just short of him. “Let me get this straight. Christian sent you to fetch me like I’m some kind of pet?”

Liam hesitates. “I wouldn’t phrase it that way—”

“Well, I would.” I cross my arms. “If he wants to see me, he knows how to get my number and call me. We’re not even married yet, so I don’t see why he’s acting like we are.”

Liam blinks, clearly not expecting that response.

Jess grins. “Oh, I like you.”

He exhales, looking half-amused, half-exasperated. After a beat, he nods. “I’ll relay your message.”

“Good.” I give him my sweetest smile, again. “Tell him I’m very busy, as you can see I'm trying to settle into my new place”

Liam’s lips twitch like he’s fighting a smile. “Understood.” He turned on his heels to leave but stopped and slowly turned back “Is there anything you'd need help with? I'm currently on my lunch break and won't return in the next thirty minutes and it appears you ladies won't even finish this even if you're given all the time in the world”

That was the longest I heard him speak, I looked over at Jess who was shocked as I was.

“Y-yeah sure, I'd really appreciate it” I smiled, thanking him with my eyes, as he took off his jacket moving towards the furniture Jess has been trying to assemble for an hour, or two if I'm correct.

“If you'd excuse us” Jess grabbed my hand and pulled me all the way to the back.

“Are you crazy?” she whisper-yelled, which I found absolutely funny.

“What did I do?” whispering back.

“What did you do? What did you do?” she repeated again, “You just told off Christian Hilton, and now you accept help from his PA?.”

I shrug, my pulse still racing. “Yeah, well, someone had to, and he offered to, of course I wouldn't say no, you've been struggling to do it”

She had a mischevious grin on her face “So, how long do you think it’ll take before he shows up?”

I groan. “I don't know, just don’t jinx it.”

But deep down, I have a feeling she’s right.

Christian Hilton doesn’t seem like the type of man to take no for an answer.