Chapter 23

“PLAN B?” Justin muttered as he watched Penelope talked on the phone with Nicholas. She’s intentionally speaking loud for him to hear what’s their conversation was about. “I can’t believe this woman.”

“You mean you wanted to talk to me today?” Penelope asked and glanced at him. “I’m sorry, Nic, I don’t think I can meet with you today. Justin and I have plans for the whole afternoon.”

Justin raised an eyebrow at her. “We have plans?” he mouthed with a knotted forehead.

“Yeah,” Penelope replied, not to him but to Nicholas on the phone. “Maybe, we can meet tomorrow.” She then covered the mouthpiece of her phone and turned to him. “Ask me who I am talking to on the phone,” she said in a whisper and removed her hand from the phone’s microphone. “Yeah, let’s meet tomorrow, Nic.”

Justin gave her a bored look as he spoke. “Who’s that, honey?” he asked, using his sexy tone of voice. “Is that Nicholas? He’s asking you out?”

“No. honey,” Penelope replied quickly. “We just need to talk about some things.”

“Is that confidential? Can I come with you?” he asked, not taking his eyes off her.

Penelope grinned broadly. She was also looking at him. “Aren’t you busy?”

Justin wanted to laugh. If he’s not aware that this is just an act, he might think that she’s really into him. Based on her smiles and quick responses, she looked like a girl asked out by her crush.

Justin leaned on the table and smiled sweetly at Penelope. He held her stare when he speaks. “I can make time for you, Penelope.”

The woman’s expression suddenly changed. From a smile full of mischief, her lips parted slightly in surprise. It was apparent that she didn’t expect what he said to her. Now, Justin couldn’t read what’s on her mind. She was just looking at him with a surprised expression on her face.

He snapped his fingers in front of her face. “Hey, honey,” he said to get her attention. If she’s not on the phone, he might shout and laugh at her. “If you don’t want me to come with you—”

“No,” she said, blinking her eyes rapidly as if awaken from deep thoughts. “Of course, you can come with me, Justin…” she said and looked away from him. Her cheeks were all red.

Justin started to feel awkward. Did I have an effect on her? He thought and pulled back. “Ah, if it’s confidential, I can understand…” 

He diverted his gaze to another direction, and his eyes landed on the small money tree plant over the counter of the café. Those plants were Sister Coleen’s favorite. On his last visit to the orphanage, he saw her and Vince repotting the plants.

“Yes, Nic… I’ll see you tomorrow,” Penelope said and ended the call. 

Justin waited for her to speak again, but moments have passed, and she just remained silent. Her head is low, eyes focused on the piece of paper where she jotted down all his rules and conditions inside and outside his house. He doubted if she’s really studying its contents or just avoiding his eyes.

After a few moments, and Penelope still didn’t speak, Justin cleared his throat. “Are we done now?” he asked, putting on his shades, “because I have a lot of work to do.”

Penelope looked up at him. “Are you really coming with me tomorrow?”

He arched his brow. It’s a good thing that he wore his shades. Penelope won’t see the movement of his eyes and if they’re expressing his weird emotions at the moment. What’s with this woman that suddenly made him feel strange?

“Is it your Plan B?” he asked. “If it is, then I’ll go with you. Do I have the right to refuse? You forced me to sign on that lousy agreement that I should not decline any request you make regarding your personal plan.”

Penelope’s brows drew together, then after a moment, she laughed. “I’m such a fool,” she muttered and scowled at him. “You’re really an actor.”

“Of course, it’s my profession. What do you think an actor does? Cook? Build buildings?” he asked sarcastically, and it only made the woman pissed off.

“Yeah, right. You’re a fake human being,” she said and raised from her seat. “You can leave now. You’re not part of my Plan B.”

“Wait a second.” He grabbed her arm to stop her from leaving. “Start packing your things tonight. I’ll pick them up.”

Penelope knotted her forehead. “What? Why?”

“Why?” he repeated. “Didn’t we agree that you will start working for me as soon as possible?”

“Didn’t I tell you that I will move in your house as soon as I got my replacement on the clinic?” she said with an arched brow. “Give me another four days to prepare for my fake vacation at work.”

“Four days? That’s too much. You have to start sooner. Vince needs you,” he said, unwarily expressing his emotions in his pleading tone.

Penelope paused. “Tell him that I’m still preparing my gifts for him,” she said and smiled. “Kids will wait patiently if they’re expecting to receive something afterward.”

Justin looked at her and thought how a solo living woman like her got an effect on Vince? She doesn’t look as attractive and charming as the other staff workers in the orphanage. Still, with her one smile, Vince was captivated. How is that even possible?

“I can’t wait to see Vince too, but I really have to turn over properly all my duties at the clinic before taking a long time off,” she explained and smiled sweetly. “I know Vince will understand. I can feel it.”

Now it was Justin’s turn to be surprised. He’ll find out soon the answer to his question. “How did you that?”

Penelope knotted her forehead. “The what? The turnover thing at the clinic?” she asked. “Well, I just have to teach the new beauty consultant all my duties—”

“No, that’s not what I’m talking about,” he cut off while shaking his head.

Penelope looked at him. The confusion was all over her face. “Then what is it?”

Justin stared at her fresh face despite the hot weather. Her sun-kissed makeup didn’t even melt in the café’s hot temperature. He opened his mouth to speak but suddenly changed his mind. He shook his head and looked away from her. 

“Never mind,” he said and walked past her. But after a few steps, he looked back as if forgetting something. “By the way, Penelope. Call me when you’re finally ready to live with me.”

***