Wish you were mine

15. Playing with Fire

PENELOPE

After my lunch with Madeline, I returned to my cabin, feeling more at ease. I dove back into the hotel project with renewed focus, visualizing the transformation I wanted to bring to life. Ideas were flowing freely, and I was lost in the world of blueprints, sketches, and notes. The hours slipped by unnoticed. By the time I glanced at the clock, it was already past 8 PM.

"Shit," I muttered under my breath, realizing how late it had gotten. I quickly gathered my belongings, stuffed my notes into my bag, and rushed out of the office.

When I reached the lobby, it felt eerily quiet. Most of the lights were dimmed, and only a handful of people remained, either leaving or cleaning up for the night. The bustling office I had seen earlier in the day was now deserted. I hurried toward the parking lot, my heels echoing softly against the marble floors.

The parking lot was almost empty, with only a few cars scattered across the lot, most likely belonging to those few late-night workers. As I approached my car, a sense of relief washed over me. I just wanted to get home, kick off my shoes, and unwind after such an eventful day. But when I reached my car and bent down to take a look at the tires, my heart sank.

"Seriously?" I groaned aloud, staring at the flat tire. Frustration bubbled inside me. I had no idea how to change a tire, and there was no one around to help.
Taking a deep breath, I pulled my phone from my bag, hoping to book a cab quickly. But, of course, the universe had other plans. The low battery warning flashed at me like a mocking smile, and just as I tried to book the cab, the screen went black.

"You've got to be kidding me," I whispered, shaking the phone in my hand as if that would magically bring it back to life. My charger was, of course, sitting at home where it always was. I never thought to carry it around with me.
I glanced around the empty parking lot, frustration tightening in my chest. My mind raced through options. Maybe I could head back to the lobby and find someone to help me charge my phone? But then again, it was late, and most people had already left. Hauling a taxi seemed like my best bet at this point.

I stepped toward the road, hoping to flag down a passing taxi. The few cars that drove by either didn't see me or simply ignored me. My patience was wearing thin, and my desperation was starting to show.

As I stood there, still trying to wrap my head around my punctured tire and dead phone, a familiar sleek, black Mercedes came to a stop in front of me. My heart skipped a beat, not because I was glad to see it, but because I knew exactly who was inside. I looked at him, standing there in disbelief. What the hell was he doing here? The last person I wanted to see right now. My frustration only grew as I glared at the car, silently cursing my luck.

The window rolled down slowly, revealing none other than Sean's secretary, Arthur. His cold, unreadable eyes met mine.

"Miss Davis," Arthur said with a slight nod. "The boss asked me to tell you he'll give you a ride home."

I froze for a moment, a mix of irritation and disbelief rising inside me. The last thing I wanted was to take a favor from Sean, especially after the awkward encounter earlier that day. I opened my mouth to politely decline, but before I could get the words out, a deep voice came from inside the car.

"Get in the car, Penelope," Sean's voice was firm, almost commanding. "Now."

The words hit me like a splash of cold water, and despite every part of me wanting to refuse, I found myself walking toward the car, my feet moving on their own. I opened the passenger side door and slid in, trying to ignore the odd feeling that washed over me.

When I settled into the seat, I turned to face him, and there he was-Sean, lounging in the back seat as though he had been waiting for a while. His eyes were closed, his posture lax, and he looked like he hadn't bothered to change after a long day. His presence was still just as imposing, but he seemed...different. I couldn't place it.