Chapter 106 Lone Wood
The apartment felt instantly alive with their presence, the air warm with familiarity. Penelope tugged Lena toward the couch, her eyes still sparkling with disbelief as she settled beside her.
"Look at you," Penelope said, grinning from ear to ear. "I swear, you don't even walk the same anymore. You carry yourself like... like a queen."
Lena rolled her eyes playfully. "Don't exaggerate, Penny."
"I'm not," Penelope insisted, her tone softening as she studied her best friend more closely. "It's not just the clothes or the cars outside. You... glow, Lena. I don't know if it's the wealth or Ethan, but something about you has changed."
Lena's smile wavered slightly. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, suddenly aware of how much Ethan had been on her mind. "Maybe both," she admitted quietly.
Penelope leaned back, watching her with a mix of curiosity and amusement. "So tell me, what's it really like, being Mrs. Sinclair?"
Lena's eyes flickered with a soft, unfamiliar light. "It's like... a dream," she admitted. "I can't even put it all into words. My room is so large it feels like a house on its own. I don't have to lift a finger, maids bring me anything I want, whenever I want. Sometimes I still expect to wake up back here, worrying about the gallery."
Penelope listened, wide-eyed. "That sounds unreal. Like a fairytale."
Lena smiled faintly, then Penelope leaned forward, lowering her voice. "And what about him? Ethan. How does he treat you?"
Lena paused, her heart fluttering as she tried to find the right words. "He's... good. Exceptionally good. Thoughtful in ways I didn't expect." She drew a shaky breath, the memory sharp in her mind. "When I returned from Paris, the maids came in carrying... flowers. Not just a vase or two, entire arrangements, filling every corner of the room. The scent hit me first, delicate and intoxicating, and then I saw the sheer number of blooms, perfectly placed. I was... completely shocked. My mouth went dry, my hands trembled slightly, and I just stood there, staring. I couldn't believe someone would... think of me like that, just for me."
She swallowed, her fingers fidgeting in her lap. "And it's not just the flowers. Ethan... he notices things I don't even realize I need. Not because he's trying to impress me or make a show, it's quieter, but somehow so much more... personal. He doesn't announce it, he doesn't demand attention, he just... understands. It's like he sees through the surface and knows what will make me feel safe, seen, even happy. I've never met anyone like that. Most people, even those who are careful or polite, still make you work for their attention. But him... it's effortless. I can't explain why it matters so much, but it does. Every gesture lingers. Every small thoughtfulness... makes it harder not to notice him."
Her voice softened, trembling with awe and something warmer, deeper. "I... I didn't realize someone could make you feel so... cared for, so important, without even trying to impress. And that... that feeling stays with you. It's overwhelming, and yet, I can't help but want it."
Her voice carried so much emotion that Penelope froze. She stared at her friend, something dawning in her eyes. Lena noticed immediately. "What? Why are you staring at me like that?"
Penelope shook her head, forcing a little shrug. "Nothing." She leaned back with a playful grin. "I just don't know how you cope. I mean, I see Ethan on the news all the time... and Lena, he's ridiculously handsome."
Lena's cheeks warmed. She looked down, twisting her fingers in her lap. "Yeah... he's really handsome," she murmured, voice a little breathless. "Even more... in person."
Penelope leaned back, teasing. "If I were in your shoes, Lena... I'd have already fallen in love with him. Honestly, he looks like one of those billionaire CEOs we see in movies, polished, confident, completely in control. And yet... approachable. I don't blame you for being distracted."
Lena's fingers twisted nervously. "I... I guess he is," she murmured. "He's different from anyone I've ever met. There's just... something about him that lingers."
Penelope leaned closer, eyes sparkling. "Ah, so you're noticing all the little things, huh? That's not just noticing, Lena... that's someone falling, slowly but surely."
Lena laughed softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm not," she said, though her voice carried a hint of uncertainty. "I'm probably not his type, and... the contract ends soon. It's not like anything has to mean anything."
Penelope's grin softened. "You know... you and Ethan actually look good together. It'd be amazing if you two... fell in love. Completely. And ditched the contract."
Lena chuckled, shaking her head, but her mind drifted. She thought of the way he had kissed her, gentle, yet full of intent, leaving a warmth that lingered long after. How good it had felt, how safe and... complete it had made her feel. She remembered wanting to remain in his arms forever, to let the world fade away, imagining a life with no rules or expectations, just them.
A faint smile tugged at her lips. "Maybe... maybe that wouldn't be so bad," she whispered almost to herself. Penelope caught it and raised her eyebrows knowingly.
"Well... even if you don't end up with Ethan, at least Evan's always ready to receive you," Penelope added, her grin mischievous.
Lena blinked, caught off guard, and then they both burst into laughter. Evan, Penelope's elder brother, had always liked Lena and asked her out several times, but she had always refused.
Wiping tears from her eyes, Lena shook her head, chuckling. "I don't even know how he kept asking. It's like he never takes no for an answer."
Penelope nudged her playfully. "Exactly! And somehow he always makes it funny instead of awkward. You've got a fan club you don't even realize exists."
Lena laughed harder, remembering the countless times Evan had shown up at random events, pretending it was coincidence, or sending little notes that were always just a little too forward. "Oh my gosh... I had completely forgotten about the time he showed up at my art exhibit and tried to 'casually' critique my painting just to talk to me!"
Penelope doubled over, clutching her stomach. "Yes! And you totally humiliated him in front of everyone!"
They erupted into another round of laughter, the sound echoing warmly through the apartment. For a moment, they simply leaned back, smiling and shaking their heads at the memories, sharing in the joy of their past mischiefs.