“The Xing diamond is one of a kind. I heard it would be put on auction today.” A woman gleefully told the two women dressed exquisitely next to her next to her. One of them gasped, “Xing Fei? My husband must get it for me. I want it for myself.” Her eyes dimmed with greed. The other two women snickered. They all wanted it for themselves, too. They quickly dispersed to persuade their husbands. Penelope walked by them to look for any familiar face. Killian had sent Francine to inform her that he needed to sort out his stolen items. Her phone was in the car, too. So, there was no one to accompany her to the auction. Instead of the dress Killian chose, she settled for another one at the last minute. It was the last dress that caught her eyes right before leaving the mall. The golden gown flowed behind her, pooling around her feet. The bodice had a drape over her bust with tiny straps to hold her backless dress. A draped rested on her butt to conceal her behind with a little tease. She
Francine spoke about the other men. “There is Vlad Pochensky. He works with the military confidentially with the military.”“And, Jared King. Killian’s father.” Coincidentally, the man turned his gaze towards their direction. He was wearing a sun glass indoors but his glare behind the glasses was intense.Penelope locked gaze with him. He had been the one that orchestrated her abduction. The man seemed to have an unspoken vendetta against her.“What is his deal?” Penelope couldn’t tame her curiosity.Francine furrowed her eyebrows. “What do you mean?” She stared at Penelope whose breath became heavy as she continued to stare at the man. “Is this some shared telepathy between Killian and you?”Penelope had no idea if Francine knew about her abduction. “He just seems… unapproachable.”Francine narrowed her eyes at her. She could feel there was more to it but she suppressed her urge to ask. “Well, Killian loathes his guts. Jared doesn’t have the best of reputation anyway.”“And, who is t
Something gnawed her at insides. She held her tummy and tried to ease it with her fingers.“Is this some kind of sick joke?” Penelope asked warily.Killian maintained his expression till a smile creeped over his lips. “Got you!” He said and let out a small laugh.Penelope let out a huge sigh of relief.“You should have seen your face.” He pointed out mockingly.Penelope wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or be offended for being mocked. She was glad to see that it was some silly joke. But something on his face played it believingly without an iota of doubt.“Let’s have our seats.” He guided Penelope to their seats which were next to Francine’s and Freddy’s. Their seats were at the front row, just on the opposite side of Jared and his friends.“Right about time.” Francine said as soon as their butts hit the seats.The auction started for several items till it was time for the ultimate item of the night. The item was in a glass. Reflection bounced on it. It looked out of this world.“
They all stated their orders to the waiter. Penelope requested for a chicken burger.“Chicken burger?” Francine asked. “Looks a little inappropriate for dinner.”Penelope shrugged, “It was what she craved to eat.”The waiter came with their orders and they dug into their meals. A minute later, Penelope stopped eating.She used her fingers to part the chicken part. Her vision was blurry for a second before it regained its focus.The chicken looked pinkish. Her stomach summersaulted and grumbled.“Penny? Are you okay?” Francine inquired. It got Killian’s attention as well.“Penelope.” He asked with his eyebrows furrowed. He stared at the chicken in her hands.Penelope held a hand to her mouth. She grabbed the waiter at the table next to theirs and asked for the restroom.Francine leaped from her seat and ran after Penelope. Killian was on his wondering what to do.“Francine will take care of her.” Freddy assured Killian. He had a look of concern etched on his face as well.***Penelope
4 years old Penelope“Mommy, where are we going?” Little Penelope asked while holding onto her mom’s hands tightly.Her mother crouched down to her height and pulled her cheeks, “Just to see an old friend, okay? Remember not to wander off and stay where I instruct you to stay.” Her mother said sternly.Penelope furrowed her eyebrows, wondering why her mother looked serious and a little fearful. She watched her mother’s hands tremble.Just as she summoned the courage to ask her mother, a cab pulled over. The address was given to the driver.Penelope became engrossed with the views upstate. She had never been their because they lived in the crass part of the city. Up state smelt peaceful but tainted.“I am coming, Stanley.” Penelope averted her gaze from the view and turned to look at her mother. She was speaking on a phone she had never seen before. They could hardly pay the phone bills at home, let alone afford an expensive device like the one her mother held.The cab arrived at the b
Evelyn went in search of Stanley.“Stanley!” She called.A man surfaced from one of the bedrooms. “Evelyn.” He called sultrily. His gaze travelled up and down her form, His movement looked uncoordinated.“Stanley? Are you drunk?” Evelyn asked with disgust. He peered into the room behind him to see some bottles on the floor. She shook her head in utter disappointment.Stanley belched. His breath which reeked of alcohol dazed her. “I am-m not drunk.” He said and leaned on the door frame to support his staggering weight. “Come here, baby. Let’s have some fun!”He motioned for her to come to him. But Evelyn had another mission in mind. She left him at the door and returned to the living area.Stanley followed her to the living area. With each step he took, he unbuttoned his shirt and disposed it in the hallway.“Baby, d-don’t run away from me.” Stanley slurred. He had been waiting to bed the woman after they stopped their arrangement. She was an enticing woman. He wanted her solely for h
“Mommy…” Penelope groaned.“Mommy.” She repeated.“Hey, Penelope.” Penelope heard a voice whisper coolly to her. She had looked forward to getting ice cream with her mother but she suddenly disappeared.Her eyes brimmed with tears. A drop slip down her face as she opened her eyes. She blinked back the tears, to hold herself from breaking down. Her eyes took in the room she was in.The room looked familiar. She blinked several times and looked beside her. She saw Killian staring her worriedly. His hair stuck everywhere plus his eyes had heavy bags.“Are you okay?” He asked in a whisper and brushed her hair back.“Where am I?” She asked curiously.“We are back home.” Killian answered. “This is my room.” He explained.“Ahh…” She uttered.“What happened? Why did we leave Singapore?” She asked. Her memories sudden took a vacation.Killian studied her, wondering if she can’t recollect anything. “You threw up and fainted right after. Remember none of that?”He was worried. He pressured the d
“Answer the damn phone.” Francine yelled at her phone. She paced impatiently in her studio. Arrays of art works surrounded her. She had been calling her grandfather. But he refused to answer her all and instead, let it go to the voicemail. “Shit!” She cursed out. “Fine, grandpa dearest. If you won’t come to me, I have no problem coming to you.” She seethed and grabbed her keys from her purse. She pressed the car key and her Yellow Ferrari beamed. It had been a present two years ago from her grandfather for her 23rd birthday. She sat behind the wheel and sped down the streets and straight to her grandfather’s mansion. She revved the engine with fury when she arrived at the gate. “Let me the fuck in right now!” She shouted at them. The security stationed at the gate stayed in front of the gate. “Ma’am, you are not cleared in.” “Are you fucking kidding me?” Francine yelled, making them grimace. They stared at each other. Young Ms. Pollen had a temper that rivalled her grandfather