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
“Hey… Are you okay?” Penelope asked as soon as she note of the glum look on Francine’s face.Francine passed her a weak smile. “I should be asking you that. You scared the shit out of me, Penny.” She said and pulled her into a hug.Francine needed the hug more. Penelope sensed that and pulled her in tighter. “I am fine now.” Penelope assured her.Francine pulled back a little and stared at her sternly, “You had better be. Because you are stuck with me till eternity.” She said, making the two of them burst into a fit of laughter. Francine took a seat right next to her on the bed.Some minutes later, Killian walked into the room. “I am going to work. Ms. B will be here to assist you with anything. Ms. Flores will schedule an appointment for you tomorrow.”Penelope acknowledged his words and gave a nod. “Uhm… I need to see my brother. Would love to see him during the day.”Killian furrowed his eyebrows worriedly. Her physical health was important to him but he couldn’t restrict her from
Killian sat behind his desk at the office while Ms. Flores briefed him about his appointments for the day. Ms. Flores briefed him on his itinery for the day but cut her off. "The arrested employee, how is his family? Is his son recuperating?” Ms. Flores arched her eyebrow at Killian’s questions. Since when did he start worrying about someone else but himself? “Yes, Mr. King.” She answered, nonetheless. He gave a nod, “Hmmm…. Great. Provide his wife and son with whatever they need” He continued, “Keep your eyes on them as well. Who knows? The guy we are looking might show up.” “On it, Mr. King.” Ms. Flores tapped the screen of her tablet to send the orders to the appropriate quarters. “Do you need me for anything else, sir?” She inquired. “Yes.” He said. He grabbed a stack of papers and extended them to her. “I want you to send a mail to the heads of departments regarding a performance assessment meeting. That will be all.” She took that a cue for her dismissal so she turned to l