CHAPTER 10: The Boss can be Intense

When Penelope got back to her office, she was drained.

When Calvin had asked her that, she had felt her soul leave her body. Had she spoken her thoughts out loud?!

But thankfully, he didn't say anything else and walked back to his desk.

Penelope exhaled shakily as she pushed the door open, stepping into the familiar space. The soft hum of computers, the faint clicking of keyboards, the muted rustle of paperwork, everything felt oddly distant, like she was hearing it from underwater.

She didn’t realize she had paused at the entrance until –

“Hey, Penny… are you okay?”

Wilson’s voice pulled her back.

Her eyes fluttered upward, meeting his concerned gaze. He was already halfway out of his chair, brows drawn together, like he had been watching the door, waiting for her to walk in.

“Wilson…” she managed, forcing her lips into a small smile. “I’m fine. Yes.”

But from the way his expression didn’t ease, she knew he saw right through her lie.

He stepped closer anyway, lowering his voice like he didn’t want to draw attention.

“I know the boss can be a bit… intense,” he said carefully, choosing his words. “But don’t let it get to you. He’s like that with everyone. He just wants the best…for the company, and for us.”

His smile was warm and genuine. It almost made her feel guilty.

Almost, because if only he knew.

If only he knew how that man’s presence alone could twist something deep inside her chest—something she had buried, locked away, and sworn never to revisit.

“He just wants the best.”

Penny almost laughed. This man should get a raise for how passionately he defends Calvin.

The thought slipped through her mind like a mischievous whisper, and despite everything, a quiet chuckle escaped her lips.

She reached up, adjusting a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“Thank you, Wilson.”

He brightened immediately, like her smile alone had done the job.

“No problem,” he said, returning to his seat with a satisfied nod.

Penelope sank into her chair and the moment she did, her shoulders sagged slightly, as though her body had been holding itself together purely out of stubbornness.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, but they didn't move.

Then, almost absentmindedly, her gaze drifted across the room to Diane’s desk.

She wasn't there.

Penelope blinked and her brows pulled together faintly. That was unusual.

Diane was always there. Always sitting upright, typing like she was in a silent competition with the universe, with her expression permanently carved into something between irritation and disdain.

For a brief second, she wondered where she went but then, looked away just as quickly.

It wasn't her business anyway.

For all she cared, Diane could dramatically throw herself off the company roof and write a resignation letter mid-air.

“Diane got called by Victoria.”

Wilson’s voice floated over to her casually, like he had simply plucked the thought straight from her head.

Penelope turned to him slightly, surprised.

“Oh… she works under her?”

“Nah.” He shook his head, eyes still glued to his screen. “But Diane’s been running errands for her lately. You know… assistant without the title.”

Penelope nodded slowly, leaning back in her chair, “That explains a lot.”

Wilson glanced at her briefly, amused.

“They kind of look alike,” Penelope added, her thoughts slipping out before she could filter them.

And she froze. Then blinked.

“…I said that out loud, didn’t I?”

Wilson laughed, “Yeah, you did.”

She pressed her lips together, trying not to smile.

“Diane isn’t that bad, you know,” he continued, glancing at her again.

Penelope tilted her head slightly.

“‘Not that bad’?” she repeated with a hint of playfulness creeping into her voice. “Which means she has, what… a few minor flaws? Maybe fifty? A hundred?”

Wilson chuckled, shaking his head.

“She’s just…” He paused, exhaling softly. “A bit stuck up.”

“That’s a very generous description.”

He laughed again, but his attention soon returned to his work. Penelope, however, didn’t look away immediately.

She simply studied him.

There was something… oddly oblivious about him. So comfortable and easy.

And she knew something. Diane liked him.

Penelope leaned back slightly, folding her arms. Poor girl, because Wilson wasn't aware. It must hurt her a little.

But then again…she couldn’t exactly blame Wilson.

Diane walked around like she had personally declared war on human interaction.

The rest of the day passed in a blur.

Penelope worked, alongside Wilson. But none of it really registered.

Her mind kept drifting, back to him. To his voice. To the way he looked at her–

She quickly shut her eyes. No. She should stop thinking of him. But she alone knew that was impossible.

By the time the clock ticked toward closing hours, Penelope was more than ready to leave.

She packed her things quickly, slipping her notebook into her bag.

“Ready?” Wilson’s voice came from beside her. She looked up, surprised.

“Oh…yeah.”

They walked out together, falling into an easy rhythm of conversation as they stepped into the evening air.

The sky had softened into warm hues, the sun dipping lazily, painting everything in gold.

“So… where do you live?” Wilson asked.

“MacLeir Street,” she replied, tucking her hair behind her ear as the breeze toyed with it again.

Wilson stopped walking for half a second.

Then, “No way. I live close to you!”

Penelope turned to him, with her eyebrows lifting. “Really?”

“Yeah,” he said, a grin spreading across his face. “Close to Taylor’s. Just a few blocks away.”

Her lips curved into a genuine smile, “Well… that’s convenient.”

“More than convenient,” he said lightly. “It means I can drop you home.”

She frowned slightly, glancing at him, “Drop me?”

He chuckled, gesturing toward the parking area, “That’s my car.”

Her eyes followed his hand. And landed on a sleek black SUV.

She stopped walking, “Wilson.”

He looked at her.

“That’s your car?”

He shrugged casually, like it was nothing, “Yes?”

Penelope turned fully toward him, her expression a mix of disbelief and admiration.

“Wow. That’s… wow.”

He laughed at her reaction, “It’s just a car.”

“Just a—no, don’t even try that,” she said, shaking her head. “That is not ‘just a car.’ That’s a big statement.”

He grinned, “So… what do you say?”

She crossed her arms slightly, narrowing her eyes playfully, “What do I say?”

Wilson straightened, clearing his throat in exaggerated formality.

“Would you like to go on this ride with me, m’lady?”

He added a small bow. And a wink.

Penelope burst into a soft laugh, her cheeks warming. She looked away briefly, then back at him.

“Um… yes. Kind sir.”

Wilson laughed, clearly pleased.

“Come on, Penny. Let's go.”

They walked toward the car together, their conversation flowing easily. It was a huge distraction to the events her mind kept drifting to earlier that day.

And for a moment…just a moment, Penelope felt normal again. The bubbly Penny people usually knew her as.

But,

High above them, behind the tinted glass of the top floor, someone stood still – watching them.

Calvin Dawson hadn’t meant to stop. He had been heading out actually. He had a business meeting with a client.

But then, something had pulled his attention downward. And there she was.

The new girl, Penelope.

He didn’t know why his gaze lingered. Didn’t know why, out of everyone leaving the building, she was the one his eyes followed.

She was laughing so cheerfully and it echoed faintly even from that distance, or maybe he imagined it.

Beside her, Wilson said something that made her tilt her head, smiling in a way that felt… unguarded.

Different from the office and from how she stood in front of him. Calvin’s jaw tightened slightly. His fingers curled against the glass.

Something about the sight unsettled him. And he couldn't even tell why.

Why her?

Why did she—

His eyes narrowed slightly as Wilson opened the passenger door for her. She hesitated, but then smiled and got in.

Calvin exhaled slowly, watching the car pull away.

And still, he didn’t move, nor did he look away. Not until the vehicle disappeared completely from sight.

Finally, Calvin straightened abruptly, turning away from the window like it had offended him.

Ridiculous.

That meant nothing. She meant nothing.

She was just another employee.

But Calvin couldn't soothe the irritation burning within him, seeing her with that man, laughing so carefree.

He couldn't just understand and he gritted his teeth.

“Sebastian,” he called his assistant standing a few metres away, who had been watching him quietly.

“Yes sir,” he hurried to his side with a bow.

Calvin looked down at him and then said, “Keep an eye on the new girl.”

Sebastian didn't need to ask who he was referring to and he nodded, “As you wish, Sir.”