It had been a long day for Penny—one of the craziest, if she had to describe it.
"Has work piled up for you, Miss Penny?"
Seated in the back seat, Penny snapped her eyes toward the driver’s seat. Mark, her bodyguard, was driving her home as usual, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.
"You want to hear something interesting?" she returned. "Yugi and everyone in the company did a great job making sure I came back to everything ready. I appreciate them for keeping things in order and keeping me in the loop as best they could."
Another heavy sigh escaped her as she melted into the backseat, feeling more exhausted than usual. "It’s just that... people have a lot of issues, and they all decided today was the perfect time to tell me about them."
"You mean Finn Davis?"
"Finn is one, but there’s also Grace, Uncle Haines, Uncle Wild... Then First Brother called me to ask me something ridiculous, only to tell me ’never mind. Of course, you don’t know.’. And Second Brother? He wanted to know how long he could survive with fifty bucks in his pocket." Penny deadpanned, snapping her gaze back to Mark. "My Second Brother is dying today for sure."
Mark chuckled, shaking his head while keeping his eyes on the road. "No wonder you’re tired."
"Ahh... I just want to go home," Penny grumbled, hugging herself in the corner of the backseat. "Go home, eat plenty, have a warm shower with a scented candle, then listen to soft music. Maybe a glass of wine too... At this point, I deserve it."
"Please don’t." Mark’s response was quick, making her scrunch up her nose.
"Mark, when I’m drunk, I don’t become someone else, you know? I might have no filter, but it’s still me!"
Mark didn’t respond immediately, slowing down slightly as he glanced in the rearview mirror again. "Are you saying that when you’re drunk—everything you say and do—those are things you already have in mind when you’re sober, but just don’t act on?"
"Huh?"
"I mean, Miss Penny, do you think your words and actions when drunk are just your uninhibited thoughts? The ones you suppress when you’re sober?"
Penny opened and closed her mouth, staring at him through the mirror. "No...?" she denied, a strange feeling creeping over her. If she admitted he was right, it might just give her something else to worry about tonight.
She just wanted to rest.
"Are you sure, Miss Penny?"
"Mark, are you saying I walk around with vile, intrusive thoughts all the time?" she shot back. "Ugh, fine. Forget the wine. I’ll just have tea. That’s just as calming, anyway."
Mark glanced at her repeatedly but chose not to dwell on it. Still, if his theory was correct, did that mean Penny wanted to beat him up sometimes? Or that all those sharp, insensitive remarks she had let slip when drunk were just her sober thoughts held back by self-restraint?
And if she ever lost control of her temper...
"Huh." He rocked his head slightly. ’So in other words, Miss Penny isn’t just dangerous when she’s drunk... but also if she ever loses control.’
Now, Mark couldn’t help but wonder just how long Penny’s patience and self-control could last.
"Mark, stop thinking about me." Penny, who had been watching him from the back seat, leaned forward. "If you keep thinking about me so much, my husband might get jealous."
"Miss Penny, I don’t think my boss is that shallow. I always think of you—it’s my job to protect you."
"Wow..." Penny’s brows lifted. "Your faith in my husband is truly impressive."
Mark cleared his throat and focused on the road. He did believe in Zoren, no doubt about it. Zoren wouldn’t see him as a threat—he was the one who put Mark by Penny’s side in the first place.
Little did Mark know, he was wrong. Zoren was petty—the pettiest—when it came to his wife.
They drove in silence after that, Penny resting in the backseat. Mark made sure not to make the slightest noise, knowing it was rare for her to relax like this. Normally, she used her travel time to catch up on work—just like Zoren.
But then, they reached the gates of Zoren’s home.
"Turn back!" she gasped. "I don’t know why my brothers are here, but I swear, I have had enough people to deal with today. If they’re waiting outside, it’s definitely not good for me."
Mark scrunched up his nose. Whatever Penny had done to warrant this reaction at the mere sight of her husband and brothers, she had probably... earned it.
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