Chapter 05

For a second, Killian thought Penny’s eyes would budge out of her eye sockets.

Then, a look of disdain followed.

“Cain, you wanted to see me.” Penny said as she passed by me and pretended not to see me.

Her nerve!

“Ms. Winters.” Freddy called out to her. He had been by my side the whole time. Penny snapped her gaze and looked at Freddy.

Her expression changed to a delightful one in a lightning speed.

“Ridiculous.” Killian sneered into the air. Still, she pretended not to see him and embraced Freddy right in front of me.’

Her actions seem spiteful.

“Mr. Luther! You are here!” She exclaimed strangely sincerely.

Freddy answered with the same enthusiasm, “Yes, I am.” Killian cleared his throat. “I am with Killian.” He quickly corrected.

“Nice seeing you, Mr. Luther.” Penny said and still refused to acknowledge Killian. Killian glared in her direction.

Penny could feel his gaze boring into her skull. Unable to shake it off, she turned around with a glare of her own, “What do you want, Mr. King?” She gritted out.

Finally! She acknowledges my presence.

“Your answer.” Killian answered tersely.

“Answer to what?” Penny asked, desperately hoping the offer wasn’t from him.

“To my offer, Penelope.” Killian answered by walking towards her, reducing the gap between them. There was nowhere for her to back up to. Cain’s office was a tiny one.

Cain and Freddy could only watch the exchange between Killian and Penny. They both wanted the same thing from Penny.

“So, you really want me to carry your child, huh?” Penny asked with a scoff. “The same woman you labelled a prostitute?”

Killian expected some resistance from her. “My wife’s and mine. All that is needed is your womb.” He clarified. “Your job is still immoral but Cain here has briefed me on your situation. Just accept the offer and take the money.”

Penny turned sharply to stare at Cain. “You just had to betray me like that, huh?”

Cain looked a little remorseful but he prioritized business above anything else. “I am sorry, Chica.”

Penny inhaled and exhaled. She felt put on the spot.

“Here is the contract.” Killian extended a hand to Freddy who placed a black file on his hand. “Go through it.”

“I have my conditions as well.” Penny countered.

She had unintentionally given out her answer.

Killian scoffed. “What could you possibly want to add? It is a 100 million-dollar contract. But if you need more, name your price.”

Penny could feel the insult.

Killian took a step closer to her and whispered in her ears, “You may not be on my beck and call but my money just did.” The words made Penny to shut her eyes and willed her tongue from retorting.

She needed this money. It was her only way out and couldn’t screw it up. Carrying the asshole’s child for 9 months? It shouldn’t be a big deal, right?

Her eyes scanned the contract till she saw some unnecessary clauses.

“Live with you? Not happening.” She refused.

“It is for your safety. That way, the maids and the guards can care for you.” Killian explained.

“Care for me? You believe that crap that just spilled out of your mouth? You mean you want to keep your eyes on me.” Penny retorted, waving the contract in his face.

“Wait! Cut all contacts off from male acquaintances?” Penny asked, bewildered.

“Yes. Is there a problem with that?” He asked with a steely gaze. “Do you have a boyfriend?”

Penny sputtered to respond. “I-I”

Do I still have a boyfriend? I just caught the dipshit in the sheets with another woman for Pete’s sake.

“If you do, you must end it. Especially if you have been active sexually with him.” Killian continued casually like he was reading the weather forecast. His words made me blush hard and pulled her hair to cover her flaming cheeks.

“Uhm… You don’t need to worry about that.” Penny said quietly, feeling embarrassed as their audience continued to listen on. “I am not living with you and can’t cut off everyone for my life.” She added and maintained her stance.

Killian looked at her for a minute and said, “Fine. I will have the contract and send it back to you. Give me your house address and phone number.”

He can’t see where I live.

“Just send it here. I’ll pick it from.” She quickly suggested and typed out her number on his iPhone.

Her phone started ringing and he looked appalled at the device she pulled out and flipped. Killian furrowed his eyebrow and said nothing.

“I’ll have it delivered tomorrow.” Killian said and exited Cain’s office.

“Bye, Ms. Winters.” Freddy bid her good bye.

“Bye, Mr. Luther.” She reciprocated his greeting.

“You made the right decision, Chica.” Cain said with dollar signs literally floating in his eyes.

***

Vivian and his son, Patrick, were in the Eastview Villa, reminiscing about the humiliation experienced the previous night.

“I knew he was never right for my sister. How dare he show his face now? He should have followed her to the grave. I will make him pay.

” Patrick sneered. “But you made her marry him.”

“How he treated isn’t my fault. Besides, you benefitted from the connection. Your little business is thriving by association.” Vivian retorted, refusing to take all the blame for having her daughter marry Killian.

“Whatever. He must pay for getting her killed and throwing us out like that.” Patrick said with his eyes bloodshot. “I miss her so much.”

“We should take what belongs to us. He won’t even allow me to enter his manor. That insufferable jerk!” Vivian yelled.

“What is the commotion about?” A deep voice inquired. George, her husband had arrived. Vivian quickly stood up due to fear.

Patrick could care less. There never got along so he stormed off and left the living room.

“It is about Killian. He doesn’t respect you or me.” Vivian answered, adding a little lie. “I just wanted to honour my daughter but he couldn’t allow that.”

“It is high time you moved on, Vivian. You pushed that girl to her death. Enough is enough.” George said in a final tone and walked away to his study, using his walking cane,

Vivian stared at him as he walked away.

You may be old and frail to do anything but I will be damned if I let Killian get away with humiliating me like that.

She grabbed her phone and dialled a number she hadn’t called since the death of her daughter.

“Long time, no words, my love.” The voice on the other end drawled.