Chapter 123
Back home, Penelope’s phone pinged. She opened her messaging app and saw a friend request from Theodore. She had tried adding him before, but he’d ignored it. Now, he was adding her.
What does he want? she wondered.
She accepted the request, but after waiting a few minutes, he didn’t send a message. Tired of guessing games, she initiated a video call. He answered almost immediately.
Someone seemed to be holding the phone for him, but the angle was bizarre- low and to the side, capturing only half of his face with a strange focus on his lips. They were full and sensuous, like ripe peaches.
Ahem. The person holding the phone was clearly not a cameraman.
Were they playing cards?
It was Theodore’s turn. He took the cigarette from his lips, drew a card, then discarded another one. Placing the cigarette back in his mouth.
“Mr. Stapleton,” Penelope began, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. “To what do I owe the honor of this video call from such a busy man p>
He glanced at the screen, and from that low angle, his look seemed almost sinister. “I doubt I’m as busy as you are p>
“You’re too kind, Mr. Stapleton p>
“Yes, I have so much free time that I added you just to trade jokes over video p>
31
Suddenly, a high-pitched, effeminate voice chirped from his end. “Theodore, you naughty boy, you haven’t come to see me in ages! I’ve missed you to death p>
The voice was an odd, theatrical mix of masculine and feminine.
Penelope’s eyes darted around the screen. “Did you take a trip to Zion p>
A burst of laughter erupted from someone off-camera. A smirk played on Theodore’s lips as he pushed the phone away, widening the frame. Penelope could now see three other men. Across from him sat Michael. To his left was a man in a black shirt and silver-rimmed glasses whom she recognized as Hamilton Amos, the CEO of Aegis Bio. But the man on his right was a complete enigma.
He wore a loud floral shirt, his long hair dyed a rainbow of colors, and his ears were adorned with glittering studs. As if that weren’t enough, he sported a full beard, creating a look so jarring it was almost painful to look at. He was the source of the high-pitched voice. As the camera panned over him, he shot her a disdainful look.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Penelope. Not bad looking, I guess-only a point or two less than me. But that tongue of hers is pure venom, isn’t it p>
Penelope’s gaze flickered. “Oh, so you’re a man p>
“What’s that supposed to “
“Thank goodness for that p>
“What are you thankful for p>
“If a woman as beautiful as an angel like you existed, Theodore wouldn’t stand a chance. You’d have stolen his heart and soul by now p>
“Haha!” The man burst out laughing, a booming, guttural sound that seemed to rattle Penelope’s skull. “You really know how to talk Peneloper Just kidding with you earlier p>
“Ha… ha p>
As Penelope forced a smile, the camera swung back to Theodore. The ghost of a
smirk still lingered on his face.
“Mr. Stapleton, what did you need p>
He ignored her.
“Mr. Stapleton p>
“Theodore p>
Still nothing.
Penelope puffed out her cheeks in frustration. “Honey p>
The cigarette dangling from Theodore’s lips twitched, sending a speck of ash onto his trousers. He picked
upa tile, rubbing it between his fingers.
“Honey, did you miss me? Because I missed you so much p>
Before she could finish, Theodore took the phone and flipped the camera,
showing her the tiles laid out in front of him.
“Which one should I discard?” he asked.
Penelope pouted but studied the tiles seriously. He was one tile away from winning.