[ONGOING] NOT JUST PENELOPE

44: Deal Part II

ZACH

Someone was knocking, but my body feels so heavy.

I need more sleep so I rolled by body over.

But the knock came louder. It's not helping me go back to sleep.

I checked the clock on my bedside table and realized it's still 8am in the morning.

With all the energy I have in my body, I tried to push myself up and walked towards the door to open it.

"Good Morning, Mr. Austin." 

"Penelope?" What is she doing here this early?

She smiled as she pushed herself in my room, holding a tray filled with food.

"What's the matter?" I closed the door behind me and walked towards her.

She placed the try on my bedside table and sat on my bed.

"It's still early." I added.

I waited for her response, but she only looked away. 

Then I suddenly remembered what happened last night. I leaned closer to her because I wanted to show her a carving that I made on the bench when I was still in 6th grade. She closed her eyes as if I was going to kiss her.

I can't help but grin. 

That was funny.

"Auntie told me before they left that I have to wake you up. So I brought your breakfast in your room. The soup was getting cold." She explained, still not looking at me.

"I can always heat that up."

She turned to face me and frowned, "Oh. I didn't know that was possible."

This time, it was my turn to frown, "Don't tell me you've never cooked before?"

She shrugged, "What for? We have a family chef at home."

My mouth fell open. 

Is she serious?

"Don't look at me like that!" She spat. "I have more important things to do that learn how to cook. This is 21st century. Not all girls belong to the kitchen."

It's too early to argue with her so I decided to change the topic, "Where's Auntie?"

"She's with the kids. They just left for church." 

I just realized it's Sunday today.

"Why didn't you join them?" I asked

"Because I want to stay here with you."

What did she say?

"I-I mean you know, I'm more comfortable being with someone I've known for a few weeks than people I just met overnight."

"Okay. Thanks for bringing me my breakfast. I'll eat up and we'll start our day."

She stood up and averted her gaze away from me. "What are we doing today?"

Wait, I have an idea. "Let's set ground rules first."

"We already have that, right?"

"That wasn't even effective. And also, that was before our so called "deal" was over."

"Fine." she gave in. This will be good. "What's first?"

"First, you should stop being a brat to me."

She frowned, "Excuse me?! I am not a brat!"

"You're acting like one right now." I blurted out.

"Zachary, I may act like like one but if people weren't so ignorant, self-absorbed, and downright stupid, I wouldn't be so bitchy all the time. Now if you'll excuse me, this conversation is over." 

She walked towards the door.

"So this whole article thing is over as well?" She then turned back face me and cross her arms.

I know she wouldn't allow that to happen. I may not know the reason why she badly wants to win that crown, but I know she needs this article for her campaign. She wouldn't just give this up.

She sighed, "Fine. I'll try my best. I can't promise you anything, but I'll try." She turned around to face me and she crossed her arms. "What's next?"

"No rolling of eyes."

As soon as I said it, she rolled her eyes. 

"See?"

"Sorry, okay? That was out of habit." She rolled her eyes again, "Argh! Sorry! What's next?"

I can't help but grin. 

This is interesting.

"I want you to show me the real you, Penelope. No pretending, No dramas."

"This is the real me, Zachary! What else do you want to know?" She insisted but I'm not convinced.

"I know there's still more to you than what people already know, Penelope." 

She didn't say anything. She was just staring at me as if deciding whether she should trust me or not so I tried to assure her.

"You have to trust me, Penelope. You need to cooperate if you want this to work."

 She thought about it for a minute, "Fine. I'll try, but don't expect too much."

I let out a sigh of relief. 

"That's good enough. So, is this deal part two?" I extended my hand to her for a handshake.

She rolled her eyes and accepted it, "Fine, deal part two." 

We shook hands.

I can't help but smile. I know it wouldn't be easy for her to simply just open up to me, but in time, I know she will. 

Just what Mr. Gabato once told me, "There are no secrets that time does not reveal."

No matter how long it takes, I will wait until she shows me a more in-depth view of her life.

"So what are we doing today?" she asked.

"Learning how to cook." I grinned.

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