Early next morning, Penelope tip-toed down the stairs towards the dining table. She was secretly praying that for Erik to still be asleep. Unfortunately, lady luck was not by her side. Sitting next to Aunt Mary was none other than Erik. He was wearing a dark blue suit with an ivory dressing long sleeve shirt. He had on a tan leather belt, and tan shoes. 'talk about being a fashionable CEO' she thought.
"Good morning auntie.. Brother Erik and Brother Kai" she said. Her voice was so sweet, she could have sworn she was going to get a cavity. 'how cringe' she thought.
"Penny, dear, how are you this morning?" Aunt Mary asked. She secretly signaled to Kai to ease the atmosphere. It was so cold, you could freeze. Erik was still upset at Penny, but it was no big deal. She always wanted Penelope as her daughter-in-law. Maybe she could breach this topic once Penny left. She knew this little darling was shy, and did not wish to embarrass her.
"good, thank you auntie." Penny said. she shifted nervously, she was really afraid of this male lead. He was a total nutcase in the novel, she refused to associate any further with this creep.
Just as she was going to sit down, Erik spoke "So, you still want to sit and eat with us?". 'what a buzzkill' she thought. Everyone dining table stayed quiet.
"Why can't she sit down and eat with her family?" asked Kai. He was clearly upset. You could hear the irritation in his voice. Penny wanted to clap but this was not the moment. Kai was a true pretty boy through and though. He had a white cotton shirt, light blue jeans and white shoes. His hair was combed with a side part. He was handsome and knew how to style himself. Just like Penny, he loved beauty.
"Are you serious right now? Do you not know what transpired last night? How far was she willing to go? Honestly, how can you all sit here and act like nothing happened!" Erik said. Angrily slamming his palm onto the dining table.
"Stop. Right. Now" I said. 'seriously, I understand he's angry but didn't I already explained?'
"What?" Erik said through gritted teeth.
"I said stop. I can explain but you need to actually listen and not just hear what you want to hear." I said.
He scoffed at me. I could see the mocking in his eyes as he said "Go on, tell me what new excuse have you thought of"
'this man is so infuriating. As if I would ever like him. Also, the real Penny did not like him either. what gives!'
I threw the note to the table, pointed my chin at it and said "Read, I got this last night"
He skimmed through the letter with furrowed eyebrows. He looked up at me and laughed. He actually laughed. I could almost taste the ridicule coming out of his breath when he said "so, this is the excused you thought of all night long. It's sad to see that your using your intelligence in the wrong areas"
'did he just call me stupid?'
"Erik, that's enough." Aunt Mary said. "Last night, she did not do it. It was me. I planned everything. Now that we are talking about this. I should just come out and say it. Both of you are at a marriageable age. You have known that I always wanted Penny as my daughter-in-law.." She did not get to finish that sentence. Before Erik could say anything I stood up.
"Aunt Mary, I need to get going. Work is not going to wait for me to get there. Also....As I mentioned to you before, I do not hold any romantic feelings towards brother Erik. Take care auntie"
Kai got up and ran towards me "Penny, wait. I left my car at the company, drop me off"
"You're unbelievable" I said. I could feel a piercing stare on my back.
Erik sat there in disbelief at what he just heard. She went through all that trouble just to marry him, and now she's saying she has no interest in him? He missed her younger self. She was such an obedient little sister. This adult version of her was simply intolerable.
He got up and was ready to leave when his mother said "She really did not do anything. You shouldn't be so harsh on her. If she wants to marry you, you should just accept it. After all, we owe her this."
Erik looked at his mother and said "I have to go to the company. I'll see you at dinner, have a great day mother."
Aunt Mary sighed as she saw her son depart. "Why has he become so cold towards her, he used to love being around her" she muttered.
****
Inside Penelope's vehicle
"Penny, don't be bothered by what Erik said. You know he's cold on the outside, but soft on the inside" Kai said as he looked out the window. His right arm was resting on the window with his chin resting on his palm.
I laughed, how absurd. "Brother Kai, I could really care less what he thinks. My conscious is cleared, I have no romantic feelings towards him. I just wish I knew who was so cunning to frame me?" I said.
"That really is a good question. Mom took the blame to let this matter rest but someone being able to drug him in our own home is no ordinary person." Kai said as his gaze hardened. With a sigh, he said "I guess it's true that you no longer have feelings for Erik, you could have taken advantage of the situation to get married. It would have been quite an announcement, haha...a shot gun marriage"
"Kai, you really know how to jest. I was 19 when I confessed to him, he rejected me. Sure, I was persistent in my pursuit but after he ridiculed me on my 21st birthday I decided he was not worth it. What sane woman would willingly cling to a man who publicly humiliated her in front of many guest?" I asked.
We both stayed quiet. Once I arrived at his company, I dropped him off and drove to my home. I needed to get home as soon as possible. If my memories of the novel were correct, I might just have something that can help me in this upcoming apocalypse.