A Typical Love Story

Chapter Twenty-Four: Staying with Parents

Olivia Danes frowned as she heard someone banging on the front door, she looked at her husband confused before she got up from her seat wrapping her robe around her to keep her warm.

It was raining outside and Olivia was curious about who could be outside, they weren’t expecting any visitors and she doubted that it would be her children; her daughter lived in London while her son currently lived in Florida.

Olivia sighed, she was happy that her and Jacob had settled down in Cornwall; it was a nice break from the city and they were both enjoying the quiet life.

Olivia slowly opened the door and blinked surprised at the sight of a drenched Penelope standing on her door step; she paused for a moment before she dragged her daughter inside.

“Jacob put the kettle on,” Olivia shouted looking at her daughter worried, Penelope sniffled as she looked at her mother; she hadn’t called to say that she was coming and it had taken her five and a half hours by train to get to her parents’ home.

Jacob grumbled from the living room what did as he was told, he had no idea what was unfolding in the hallway but he guessed it was important if his wife was shouting.

“What are you doing here?” Olivia asked pulling her soaked daughter towards the downstairs bathroom, she was soaked to the bone and Olivia knew that she’d just gotten over the flu.

Penelope sniffled allowing her mother to pull her, she hadn’t answered her phone when Cesc had called her repeatedly; she knew he had no idea her parents had moved out of London.

Olivia helped Penelope out of her black wool blend textured coat, it hadn’t done much to keep her dry and made Olivia tut as she set it in the bath.

Penelope stood shivering in her purple 3/4 sleeve top, black straight leg jeans and her black leather zip detail ankle boots; she couldn’t believe that she had been so stupid to think that Cesc could love her like she loved him.

“Cesc doesn’t love me,” Penelope whimpered before she burst into tears, she hadn’t been able to stop after Cesc’s harsh words at the restaurant; she should have known that she was nothing more than a rebound and Aisha was right.

Olivia stared at her daughter for a moment, she had heard that Penelope had been dating Cesc and she was a little wary about the relationship since she knew how her daughter felt.

“Why don’t we get you into some warm, dry pyjamas and then you can tell me what is going on?” Olivia said calmly, she was sure that there was a story behind what was going on and she hoped that Cesc hadn’t done anything stupid to hurt her daughter.

***

Penelope sipped on the hot drink that her parents had given her, she still refused to answer the calls that Cesc had left to her mobile; she didn’t want to speak with him and she hoped he would stop soon.

“So what is going on?” Olivia asked sitting down, she was sure that Penelope was just over reacting a little; her daughter practically worshipped the ground that Cesc walked on and now she was hiding from him.

Penelope sniffled, she felt pathetic that she had fallen for his charm and she should have known that she would never be good enough for Cesc.

“Cesc’s mother came to visit and she’s didn’t like the fact that we were dating… she says I’m not good enough for him,” Penelope said staring down at her drink, she now knew that Núria had been right; she was never going to be good enough for someone like Cesc Fàbregas.

Olivia frowned, she didn’t believe that for a moment Penelope was more than good enough to date Cesc and she hated that Núria had made her feel that she wasn’t worthy.

“We went out to dinner and she started to ask questions about us and the future,” Penelope said not looking at her mother, she hated that Núria hadn’t even given her a chance; she was sure that she was a much better choice than Daniella had ever been.

Olivia just sat quietly, she had never really liked Núria Soler and she knew that the woman was always looking down at people and it was only going to end badly for her children.

“He said that he could never marry me… that I was only his best friend,” Penelope said as her chest ached, she didn’t want them to rush anything but it would have been nice to hear that he would want to get married at a later date.

Olivia sighed and shook her head, she knew that there was every chance that Cesc was regretting what he had said; she had seen Penelope’s mobile and it was filled with calls and texts from the footballer pleaded with her to call him back.

“Why don’t you get some sleep I’m sure that everything will be fine,” Olivia said moving to hug her daughter, she was sure that after a decent night’s sleep that everything would be better.

Penelope nodded her head as she sniffled, she felt horrible and she had no intentions of telling Cesc where she was; she wanted to forget about him and she was sure that things were over between them.

***

Cesc groaned as he went straight through to Penelope’s answering machine, he ran a hand through his hair wondering where his girlfriend could be; he didn’t want to lose her over something stupid.

“Please Penny call me,” Cesc whispered leaving another message, he had no idea where she could be and he hated that he hadn’t followed after her when she had walked out.

Penelope staying with her parents didn’t bother him, it was the fact that he had no idea where her parents lived; they had moved out of London years ago and he didn’t know where they lived now.

“I’m sure she’s fine,” Núria said sitting down, she looked at her son feeling a little guilty that she had driven Penelope from her home; she just wanted what was best for Cesc.

Carlota glared at her mother, she wished that Núria could see that she had really hurt Cesc by doing what she had done; even worse she had treated Penelope like dirt.

“I need to find her… she could be in trouble,” Cesc said just wanting to know that she was okay, he could work on getting her forgiveness once he knew that she was safe.

Carlota nodded her head, she had no idea on how to help her brother but there had to be some way of finding out where Penelope was right now.

Cesc paused as his phone beeped signalling that he had a text message, he quickly opened the message and frowned when he didn’t recognise the number; he swallowed wondering if it was sent to the wrong number.

“If you want to see Penelope then come to 46, Chapel St, Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 4AF,” the message read making Cesc felt sick, he stared at the message wondering who had sent it to him.

Carlota and Núria stared at Cesc, they had no idea what he had just gotten but they hoped that it was from Penelope.

Cesc closed his eyes, he had no idea what was going on but he couldn’t risk it, he needed to make sure that his girlfriend was okay; he didn’t care what might be waiting for him.