[ONGOING] NOT JUST PENELOPE

41: Earning the Yes

PENELOPE

"So, where are you staying anyway?" Zach asked.

OH MY GOD. Could I be any more stupid?

I didn't plan that out! Where did your brain go today, Penelope? SERIOUSLY?!

Suddenly the car stopped. 

What will I tell him? Should I just tell him the real reason why I'm here?

"Wait right here. I just have to drop something off. Be right back."

"Where else am I supposed to go?" I whispered. 

I have nowhere else to go and he's the only person I know here.

Okay, I should recall my plan:

First, I'll go to the address Clark gave me. 

Second, find Zach. 

And lastly, win him back.

I can't believe I planned all these, but not the place I'm staying while I'm here!

To think that you brought a lot of bags with me!

Speaking of bags! I totally forgot about my car! I have all my stuff there!

I totally lost my mind.

Zach came back from I have no idea where. 

I should ask him about my car. He was about to start the car when I spoke.

"Zach?" 

He looked at me in shock. Maybe because it's the first time he heard me say his name?

"Yes?"

"You know, I just realized that I left my car there."

I feel so awkward! This is very not me.

"Oh, I was also about to talk to you about that." He started the car and drove. "Don't worry. I already asked someone to come and fix it."

"Wait, how did you know my car isn't working?" I asked, confused.

"It's common sense. You wouldn't be in the middle of the road signaling random cars to stop even though it's raining, if your car is working properly, right?" 

Wow. I didn't know this man got brains.

"Right." That was all I can say.

"So, I will drop you to your destination now."

HERE IT GOES.

What should I say?

"Where are you staying?" He asked again.

I have no choice now.

"Zach, look." 

My heart is beating so fast because he's staring at me right now, waiting for my next word. 

"I really have no place to go."

He glanced at my direction, "You mean, you're just here for a road trip?"

"No, the thing is..."

No turning back now, Penelope.

☆☆☆

ZACH

"I came here for you."

I knew it. 

I knew something was going on. I already had an idea earlier but I do not want to jump into conclusions so I waited for her to say it.

"Look, Zach. I am rehiring you to write my article." 

Rehiring?

This girl is really something.

"Look, it's my article so you can't just hire, fire, or rehire me." I pointed out.

"Fine! Your article." Finally. "So what's your answer? Is it a yes or an absolute yes?"

Yes, I need that article for my scholarship. However, I don't want her to think that she can just go easy on me. 

She has to earn my "yes".

"I have to think about it."

"Why think when you can just say yes?" She protested.

I think I made the right decision.

If I immediately said yes, I know she'd be able to turn the table around and control me again. This time, I'll show her that I'm not someone who she can order around.

"You have to earn it." I said and she was taken back. "Not all things come in your way, Penelope. There are things you have to work hard for."

There was a long silence.

"Whatever!" Then she faced the window.

"Fine, if you don't want to then I would be very willing to drive you back at your mansion right now."

She immediately turned her body to face me, "WHAT? NO! I don't want to go back there."

"So how long are you staying here?" I asked.

"Till I earn your yes." She answered me with her arms crossed.

She turned to face the window again.

I can't help but smirk. 

Let me show you how things work here, Princess Penelope.