Twelve.

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Two days.

Anthony: Where did you go?

It had been two days whole days since she fled.

Anthony: Why aren't you answering?

Two days since he felt like his heart had been physically ripped from his chest when he woke up that morning alone. Not only was Penelope Featherington ignoring him, she was doing her darned best to physically avoid him also. She didn't answer her buzzer at her apartment, nor did she didn't turn up to Simon's birthday lunch yesterday, she claimed 'illness' - but Anthony knew better.

Anthony: Is everything alright?

She was spiralling, and so was he.

Anthony: Answer me, please.

He couldn't keep chasing her. If she could really walk away from him after that night, then maybe she didn't feel the same way he did. Maybe he imagined it all. He understood the date didn't go as 'expected', he probably fucked up taking her into the private members club, he knew that instantly by her reaction, but he had hoped after they shared that night, things would be different – well at least he thought he would.

"Why are you in such a fool mood?" Simon asked.

Anthony sighed and kept his eyes on his computer screen, "I'm perfectly fine."

Simon laughed, "Tell that to the board members who you scared the shit out of this morning."

Since they had began working together, they became even closer. It worked in his favour – sometimes – as he loved Daphne so much, and Simon truly was a great guy. But sometimes, hearing certain comments about his own sister from his 'best friend' could put him off food for weeks. But he loved having a familiar face around the office.

"I was just like I always am Simon; I don't see what you are implying," Anthony snapped back.

Simon held his hands up surrender, "Ok fine, what's going on?"

Anthony stopped for a moment and pondered whether he really wanted to have this conversation. He had never been in this type of situation before where he was the one that was...left. He was the one chasing, and he was the one without any answers. He hadn't been an angel when it came to women in his past – you'd only have to read Whistledown volume one for that information. But there was something different about Penelope, something that never happened before, he wanted more. He wanted something different.

"She's..." he cleared his throat, ".... avoiding me."

Simon smirked, "Oh I see... after relations?"

"If you're going to be a dick then just leave," Anthony snarled towards him.

Simon shook his head, "Don't be an idiot. I'm just not used to seeing you like this over a woman." Anthony shrugged in exhaustion, "trust me, I'm not exactly used to it too."

Simon sat down a little too smugly for Anthony's liking.

"What is it?" Anthony snappily asked.

Simon smirked, "I could be your new favourite person."

Anthony rolled his eyes, "I doubt that."

"Well, I know where Penelope will be tonight..."

Anthony's ear perked up and Simon laughed.

".... The girls will be at the King's tonight for some drinks."

Anthony rose a little from his seat, "What time?"

It probably came out a little too desperate right?

Simon laughed.

Yep, desperate.

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