CHAPTER 15: Same Space with You

Penelope woke up the next morning tired. She stared at the ceiling for a long moment, as she laid still. She felt a slight headache and she sighed.

She was never going to the club with Demetria ever again.

Then Calvin flashed in her mind and she turned to her side, burying her face into her pillow.

Penelope groaned softly, dragging the pillow over her head.

Why had he been there?

Why was she even thinking of him?

She exhaled slowly, forcing herself to sit up.

“No,” she muttered, pushing the covers off. “We’re not doing this today.”

Today was work day and she would focus on that.

Then, the fact that she would see him again at the office elicited another groan from her lips.

Well, she could just hide from him and hope he didn't see her.

“You still sleeping? You have work, you know. And why are you looking like you did something bad?”

Penelope didn’t even flinch. Demetria stood in the doorway, arms crossed, watching her with a knowing smirk.

“I did one,” Penelope replied flatly. “Going out with you.”

Demetria gasped dramatically, “Excuse you? That was self-care. You should be thanking me!”

“Remind me not to take your advice next time.”

“Don’t be like that, Penny. You know it was fun.”

Penelope grabbed her bottle of water, shaking her head, “Next time, I’ll take a nap instead.”

“You’re so boring. Live a life.”

“I am living it,” Penny raised a brow at her and Demetria grinned.

“You’re welcome. Don't mention it.”

Penelope paused briefly at her bathroom door, then glanced back.

“…You don’t remember what you said to him, do you?”

Demetria blinked, “…Define ‘what I said.’”

Penelope sighed. “Never mind.”

But Demetria lit up suddenly, “Wait. Was he the tall, brooding one? The Adonis one?”

Penelope didn’t answer and Demetria gasped again.

“Oh my God, he was!”

“Out, Demi. I want to take a shower.”

“You didn’t tell me he looked like that!”

Penelope shut the door as she softly pushed her away before the interrogation could continue.

“Penny!”

An hour later, Penny had arrived at the office. It felt colder or maybe it was just her.

Penelope walked in with her usual calm expression, greeting a few coworkers as she made her way to her desk.

“Morning, Penny.”

She looked up. It was Wilson, and she smiled brightly.

“Good morning, Wilson,” she replied, softer this time, “How was your night?”

“Splendid,” he grinned, “I don't need to ask how yours went. I'm sure it was perfect.”

She chuckled, “And how do you know that?”

“Because you wake up more beautiful each day.”

A blush crept to her cheeks and she sat down, adjusting her hair. “Never knew you were a sweet talker.”

“Well now you know,” he winked at her and she shook her head.

As she faced her computer, she didn't miss the death glare coming from the corner of the room.

But she didn't bother turning, just crossing her legs over the other as she beamed.

It didn’t last ten minutes Penelope arrived when,

“Miss Adams.”

Her fingers stilled on the keyboard and slowly she looked up to see Calvin's assistant.

Penelope stood immediately, “Yes?”

A small smile graced his face, “The Boss has requested for your presence in his office.”

Penelope blinked, then nodded slowly, “Of…course.”

The walk to his office felt longer than usual. Or maybe it was just the weight of awareness pressing against her ribs.

She knocked, stepping inside his office. Closed the door and turned to him with a deep breath.

Calvin was already behind his desk, flipping through a file.

He felt her presence and his jaw clenched tightly.

“Sit.”

She did, with her back straight and hands resting neatly in her lap.

Then, “You were out late.”

Her head snapped up, “What?”

He looked at her now with a direct steady gaze. Penelope gulped feeling his glare turn intense and she wondered what she had even done to him.

Oblivious to her, his glare was directed at himself, not understanding why he was currently obsessed with this woman.

Penelope blinked, “I – excuse me?”

Calvin leaned back slightly in his chair, “The club yesterday.”

She frowned and straightened slightly.

“Yes. I was. Why do you keep asking about it?”

“That’s not ideal. Remember you're on trial period.”

Her brows furrowed as her jaw fell. “I told you my performance won't be affected.”

She immediately became annoyed. What was his problem anyway?

Before he could reply, a knock came at the door. Calvin's eyes flicked to the door briefly then cleared his throat.

“Come in.”

The door opened and Wilson stepped in, holding a file.

“Oh—sorry, I didn’t realize you were in a meeting.”

Penelope frowned. Didn't he hear when his assistant called her?

“You’re not interrupting,” Calvin said with a lazy look on him as he reclined on his chair.

Penelope didn’t miss the slight shift in his tone and she bit her cheek, looking at Wilson.

Wilson walked in, smiling slightly when he glanced at Penelope.

“Hey, Penny.”

She gave a small smile in return, “Hi.”

Calvin’s gaze flicked between them and something in his expression hardened.

“Leave the file,” he said.

Wilson nodded, placing it on the desk.

“I’ll get the updated report to you later, Penny.”

“Alright, Wilson,” she nodded.

Calvin’s fingers tapped rhythmically against the desk as he noticed the guy now stare at Penny.

“You can go,” he said and Wilson bowed slightly, walking away.

Penny's gaze returned to Calvin and the latter’s eyes quickly snapped to hers.

Her heart skipped a beat and she immediately looked away.

Calvin's eyes narrowed at the slight flush of her cheeks, thinking Wilson was the one responsible.

“So…my sketches.”

Penelope nodded, “I brought them with me, Sir.” She reached for the file on her thighs and handed it over to him.

He took it and his eyes gingerly went through the pages.

“Looking good,” he remarked and she took a deep breath of relief.

Suddenly he stood up and her eyes followed the stretch of his height.

“Come with me.”

She sighed and then followed him out of the office.

As they walked down the hallways, she didn't miss the looks given to her by the fellow workers. She gulped and steadied her gaze ahead.

Calvin took her to Joakim, her team director, showing him her sketches and his eyes brightened.

“I guess Penny here is a rough diamond,” he beamed at her and Penny gave a small smile in return.

Calvin hummed. “Your team will handle the finals of the project. Make sure her ideas are implemented as stated.”

Joakim nodded, “Consider it done.”

Calvin wasted no time walking away with his long strides. Penny scrambled to meet up with him as he didn't even try to lower his pacing.

As they got to the elevator, Penny rubbed her cheeks softly.

The elevator began moving and she stood at the other end with puckered lips, thinking of her family back in Georgia, oblivious of the man's gaze on her.

Calvin stared at her for a long time and when he noticed her not turning, he clenched his jaw. Was she ignoring him? It was so obvious he was looking at her and she chose to act unaware.

Penelope didn't understand what had happened, but one second she was standing alone and the next, Calvin was right in front of her.

She gasped, trying to move back, but he held her in place and her heart flew from her chest.

“S..sir?” She stammered, not understanding the sudden change of mood.

He lowered to her till he was inches from her face, his eyes flicked to her lips and when she subconsciously wet it, something down there hardened.

His glare returned and this time, Penelope was more than confused. What had she done?

“Penelope,” he rasped and Penelope swallowed, feeling the atmosphere thickened.

“Y..yes…?” Her eyes flicked to the elevator doors, afraid someone might walk in at any moment. And if they saw this scandalous pose they were in, her name would be finished in the company!

He leaned even more closer and this time, her soul had escaped, “Why are you doing this to me?” He groaned as if in pain and Penelope's eyes slightly widened.

“Doing…what?”

The elevator suddenly chimed, and Penelope in her zeal to run out, tried to push against him but that only resulted in her hand mistakenly touching his bulge.

Eh?

Ehhhhh!!!!!!

Penelope's face reddened and her eyes popped out in mortification.

“I..I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! Please...I..”

But, Calvin was quiet and his eyes had darkened to something that sent chills through her body.

“I'm sorry, Please…” her lips quivered and she tried to run, but Calvin's hand caught her wrist swiftly.

Penelope froze. Slowly, she turned to him.

His gaze steeled to something dangerous and his lips tugged, “Where do you think you're going…Penny?”