PAMPERED

322 I am interested

Penny had never been on a date before, but she had seen enough to know that this was an

invitation.

Cupping her cheeks, a little panic crept into her heart. “Am I his type as well?” she wondered, slapping herself for acting so shamefully.

“Penelope Bennet!” she hissed to herself, wincing. “You are already in your fifties! Don’t act like a teenager! Don’t forget who Penelope Bennet is!” (3

She repeated that chant three times before she snapped her eyes open. A fiery determination shone in her eyes as if she were about to enter a battlefield.

“This is Renren, and I should know better than anyone that he might mean something else,” she told herself and bravely picked up her phone, ready to clear up the misunderstanding instead of dragging it out.

DING!

Just as Penny held her phone again, another message came from him.

[From: Mr. Pierson

I’m asking you on a date.] 8

Penny gasped, covering her mouth in shock. ‘So I wasn’t mistaken?‘

Feeling these emotions for the first time, she was briefly confused, shocked, and caught off guard. Penny was still in the process of dealing with this attraction she had never felt before in either of her lifetimes. Therefore, she didn’t respond immediately but instead quietly pondered

what to say.

It could be as easy as a yes or a no, but both answers seemed disadvantageous to her.

Saying yes would make her look like she was attracted to him. Although that was true, she didn’t want to seem so easy! Saying no, on the other hand, would tell him she wasn’t interested, and he might just stop altogether.

“Forget it,” she muttered, clearing her throat as she held her phone and typed, “Sure,” which she quickly deleted in panic.

“It’s not pity, Penny, it’s not pity…” she told herself. “Facing this dilemma is the best way to do it.”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, rearranging her muddled thoughts, which stemmed from her confusion. When she reopened her eyes, Penny was a lot calmer than a moment ago.

[To: Mr. Pierson

You’re asking me on a date? Why, Mr. Pierson? You don’t know me; you haven’t even seen my face.]

DING!

[From: Mr. Pierson

10:42

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322 I am interested

But you’re my wife, who has been a great help to me. Is there something wrong with wanting to get to know my wife while we’re at it?]

Penny pursed her lips and puffed her cheeks. “He keeps saying ‘wife‘ as if we really married willingly.”

DING!

Before she could type out her response, another message came through.

[From: Mr. Pierson

This is not a forced invitation. I’m simply asking you out since we’re already married, and I want to thank you for everything up until now. It’s a little gesture of gratitude and a personal interest I have in you. Let me know when you are free and if you are interested. I’ll be waiting for your answer.] (7

She read his message quietly and didn’t feel the initial shock and horror anymore. Instead, she read it carefully as if it was something she had to understand for an exam. After a while, a shallow breath escaped her, and she replied.

“…I’ll be waiting for your answer.”

Sent!

Zoren drew a deep breath and cocked his head back, closing his eyes as if digesting the bubbling emotions in his heart. He slowly placed a hand on his forehead, listening to the loud beats of his heart, which sounded louder with each beat.

‘Was I too direct? he wondered. ‘I do not want her to misunderstand my intentions, though.‘

His temporary problem at the moment was not a hindrance to him getting a grasp of Penny’s personality. If his observation was correct, Penny was not the type to get ahead of herself. It wasn’t surprising for someone who was running a security firm. Therefore, he thought it was necessary to verbalize his intention.

But then again, Zoren was unsure if this was the right thing to do.

–

He had never asked anyone on a date – personally.

‘Or should I have waited until I recovered my eyesight?‘ he wondered. I wouldn’t be surprised if she wasn’t interested in a blind man.’

As soon as that thought crossed his mind, Zoren closed his eyes tightly as his jaw tightened.

That hadn’t crossed his mind until now, and now that it did, it left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Now, that was embarrassing.

He ran his fingers through his hair and shrugged, accepting the fact that he had sort of embarrassed himself. Now, he could simply hope she wouldn’t feel awkward when they were together in front of his grandmother. Otherwise, he would have to announce their separation solely to avoid causing her discomfort.

10:42 This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

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322 I am interested

[Incoming message from Miss Penelope.]

For some reason, the robotic voice paused. It didn’t immediately read the message, but for him, it felt like forever. Zoren held his breath as he patiently waited for the robotic voice to read what Penny had to say.

The message could be anything: it could be a direct refusal–which wouldn’t surprise him, given her personality–or an indirect one. He didn’t expect anything from her. After all, they’d only met a few times and were bound by this strange marriage. Therefore, he would understand if she refused. It was natural for her to do so.

But after the seemingly infinite silence, the robotic voice was heard. Strangely, though, the

robotic voice slowly sounded like her voice as it read:

[I am interested, Zoren.]

The corner of his lips curled up subtly while his eyelids drooped, his eyes softening. He closed his eyes and held his head before his low chuckles slipped past his closed lips.

[Incoming message from Miss Penelope

Tomorrow’s Sunday. I am free.]

“Perfect,” he said, and his phone automatically typed what he was saying. “I’ll pick you up in the

afternoon.”

Zoren leaned back, smiling, biting his lips to stop them from stretching. However, he couldn’t help it. His heart, or perhaps it was his stomach, was fluttering with butterflies. 9)

Tonight, both of them would sleep tonight with a smile. 4