Penny hissed and quickly jumped to the side, ready to sneak away from the deadly glare of the security guard and from that annoying omen in the car.
Penny winced when she heard Dean’s call. "Great," she hissed, turning her head in his direction.
Dean smiled brightly and jogged to her. "Why are you here? To see me?"
"If I wanted to see you, I would’ve gone to the hospital," she replied flatly. "Anyway, seeing you fine, that’s good! Work well! Have a nice day!"
Having said that, Penny casually saluted and turned. But before she could fully leave, Dean spoke.
"You didn’t come to see me?" Dean frowned. "And here I was, assuming you were worried about me. Now, I’m heartbroken."
Penny looked back at him and sported her fakest smile. "The more I hear that remark, the more I’m amazed at you. Your heart always breaks — it makes me wonder if you let it break countless times because you have an unlimited supply of heart."
"Haha. I mend it immediately. Thanks to you, I learned how to wrap it with a bandage securely."
"More like a band-aid."
"Anyway, since you’re here, want to see my office?"
Penny’s brows rose as she blinked, pointing her thumb over her shoulder. "Inside? This building?"
"Obviously?" Dean tilted his head. "I don’t remember setting up an office in the parking."
Dean and even the bodyguard by the entrance, staring at her warily, flinched when she suddenly laughed. Her laughter reeked of evilness; it was concerning! Even Dean couldn’t keep up his handsome front, witnessing her shadows grow horns.
Suddenly, Penny stopped laughing and said, "Are you sure you’re letting me in?"
"Uh..." Now he wasn’t sure anymore. "Maybe?"
"Hah!" Penny looked back at the bodyguard and smirked. "You heard that?"
Dean raised a brow while darting his eyes between Penny and the bodyguard. "Did they fight you?"
"No, no." Penny flashed him a smile. "Let’s go. Come on. Chop chop."
"..." Dean felt a little reluctant but still nodded. ’She’s acting very strangely.’
He mentally shook his head and marched towards the entrance. But as soon as he reached the first security check, the bodyguards and even the security guard stopped them.
Deep lines appeared between his brows. "And... what is the meaning of this?"
"Director, we were ordered not to let the woman inside. We’re simply following orders," said the bodyguard, who was left behind to make sure Penny wouldn’t be able to get in.
Dean frowned, glossing his eyes over their faces. "This woman is a —"
Penny, who was standing behind him, leaned forward and whispered, "Guest."
Dean glanced over his shoulders and raised a brow at her. But Penny tapped his back mildly, urging him to follow her suggestion.
"This woman right here is an important guest of mine," Dean remarked coldly. "Stop her, then I’d see that as a display of hostility from your boss. Don’t forget. I am also a part of the higher-up."
The bodyguards and the security guards looked at each other.
On one hand, Benjamin ordered them to not let this woman inside the building, and on the other, Dean was threatening them to let her in. Even though these bodyguards were working directly with Zoren Pierson, they didn’t want to be the reason for yet another showdown between the two.
Penny, on the other hand, frowned upon hearing Dean’s remarks.
"Move," Dean remarked and the people blocking his path stepped away. He then looked back at Penny and smiled. "Let’s go."
Penny pursed her lips and followed him. As she walked past the bodyguards and security, she quietly said, "Sorry~"
But what she got in return was a glare from them.
A deep exhale escaped her, shaking her head while dragging her feet to the lift. However, she didn’t dwell on it longer than she should have.
When they reached an exclusive elevator, Dean held the door for her.
"Ladies first?" He smiled, and Penny ignored him.
Once the door closed, Penny glanced at her right where Dean was. "Where’s my thanks?"
"Hmm?" Dean faced her squarely, brows furrowed. "Shouldn’t you be the one to thank me for letting you in here?"
"You just used me to challenge your uncle’s authority," Penny pointed out in a knowing tone. "That’s a lot more than just giving me a pass to pass through a security check."
Dean chuckled. "I can’t hide anything from you, can I?"
"Even if you do, I’m not interested."
"Thank you, but I’m curious about the most important matter. My uncle... why is his bodyguard not letting you pass?" He asked out of pure curiosity. "What did you do?"
Penny scrunched up her face. "Aren’t you skipping a lot of questions? Why are you asking me what I did immediately? Do I look like a rogue?"
"You don’t, but I know what you’re capable of."
What a judgmental little brat.
Penny hissed at him and thought of what she had done. "I haven’t done anything yet, okay? His bodyguards are just a little too overprotective — that assistant too. He’s got a wild imagination."
"Haha. I see." Dean rocked his head in understanding. "So, why are you here, if not for me?"
"None of your business."
"Your business is always mine."
The side of her lips curled up. "I never recalled marrying you for you to make my business yours."
"That broke my heart again," he sighed heavily and snapped his eyes at the numbers over the door.
Silence dawned on them for a minute as neither of them said whatever they had in mind. Not that Penny had anything to tell him. All she wanted was to get in and get another chance to discuss divorce. After all, she had an entire morning to waste! Why not spend it on something productive?
"Penny, stay away from my uncle," Dean’s voice sliced through the silent air, earning a look from her. "He might act and appear diplomatic, but he’s nothing but a beast underneath. I’m saying this as a friend. He’s a dangerous man."
Her right brow arched. "Who said I want to associate myself with your uncle? Or any of the Pierson family?"
Hearing her response, Dean cast her a smile. "Just in case."
"Don’t worry." Penny waved dismissively. "I’m not interested in whatever family affairs you guys have. I don’t like complicated."