Manuel did not say anything even after what Penelope said and continued to eat and then Penelope continued, “Honestly, I’m sorry. I just want us to be friends this time, is it too much to ask?”Manuel still didn’t say a word as he was solely focused on finishing his meal and getting back to work. Penelope just sighed and watched as Manuel stood up and went to clear his bills before leaving like she was never there.Penelope stood up and also returned home and only met her mother at home. She went to her room to change into a more suitable cloth and returned back to the living room to join her mother in watching the television. She was watching the television but her mind was still on how to get Manuel and so she picked up her phone and typed to Manuel, “Possible to meet at Crystal Sky Hotel? Their restaurant is marvelous, you’d love it.”She sent the message and continued to watch the series with her mother and then, her phone’s notification bell rang and she clicked into it. Penelope

Penelope stood in the middle of room 1709 as the camera flashes filled the whole space. The sound of different voices collided with each other, sharp and very disorganized but none of it seemed to bother Manuel. He wasn’t reacting like someone exposed or caught in a scandal.He was still sitting on the couch with one leg crossed over the other as if the entire situation did not affect him in the slightest bit. Reporters pushed forward, “Mr. Rodriguez, is this a reconciliation meeting?!”“Were you secretly seeing Miss Sullivan again?”After Manuel’s coming out as Rodriguez Enterprises President and CEO, he became crazily known and a few people also looked into his life and were only able to find out that he was married to Penelope Sullivan for four years but no one really paid attention to it.Manuel had a coin that he was fiddling with in his hand and then for the first time since the reporters rushed in, Manuel said something or rather asked. “Did she arrange this?” Manuel still conti

Penelope froze as she watched her door being slowly tampered with. As the door burst open, Penelope had already cowered in fear only to hear her brother’s voice, “What’s up with you?”Her mother’s voice followed soon after, “Are you okay?” Her mother walked towards Penelope with Henry leaning on the door frame with his arms folded across his chest. Penelope slowly looked up and sighed heavily as she slowly came to her senses. Her phone’s screen had already gone off and so she just exhaustedly let her phone fall to the bed as her mother sat beside her and she hugged her mother. “I’m fine.”“I saw what happened and its obvious that b*stard knew about it, he could have at least said something,” Mary snarled. Penelope still didn’t say a word and just listened to her mother talk while leaning on her and then Henry said, “So what happened tonight was truly your doing?”Mary gave Henry a warning look to keep his mouth shut while Penelope just ignored him. This night was truly one h*ll of a n

The evening rush at the Eastbay Diner was in full swing. Waitresses and waiters moved between tables carrying trays loaded with food and drinks. Laughter mixed with the clinking of glasses while a live band played softly from a small platform near the far corner of the restaurant area.Outside, luxury cars and ordinary sedans filled the parking lot alike. Inside, nobody cared. Eastbay Diner had earned its reputation years ago and it wasn’t just because it was a famous place to dine and wine but also because it didn’t just offer menus to the rich. Rich and average classed, everyone came for the food and also for the owner. Whoever could get on Brandon Walker’s good side and possibly strike a deal with him would be said to have supposedly hit the jackpot.The glass doors opened and a cool breeze swept inside as Manuel Rodriguez stepped into the diner wearing a black coat over a dark shirt. He looked so casual and Gavin followed a few steps behind. Several customers glanced up from whate

Past midnight, Rodriguez Enterprises remained unusually quiet. Most of the employees had gone home hours ago and only cleaning staff moved through the deserted corridors.Inside the President’s office, the glow of his computer screen illuminated Manuel’s face and stacks of files lay open across the desk, board attendance records, archived reports, meeting transcripts and old investment summaries. Manuel had the habit of maintaining order but for him to be that messy, it was strange.Gavin sat on the couch adjacent to Manuel and couldn’t help but watch his boss sift through old documents that had been long forgotten. “You’ve been looking through documents from four years ago the entire day. Sir please, you need to rest.”Manuel didn’t answer immediately as his eyes still remained on the screen going through the Project 608, the merger proposal, board discussions and attendance sheet and the same names appeared repeatedly. Gavin stood up and walked closer to Manuel, “What exactly are yo