Wayne quickly sat Penny down with a towel while preparing warm water in the bath tub for her to soak first. Penny walked over to him in the bathroom when he was zoning out while
waiting for the water level to rise.
Penny wrapped him in her arms. "I will be alright. You will be alright." Wayne's gaze met hers worriedly.
"Pei Li will be fine too. Remember when she is in danger, I'm always appearing." Penny reminded him.
I wished I could summon you that way but that would only hurt Pei Li whom we both wanted to protect so dearly. Wayne thought to himself.
"So what's the plan for Pei Li's job?" Penny asked. "She had been introduced as my assistant previously. It's only right for her to take charge of my schedules, clothing, meals, transportation… You know… I'm sure she can handle them because it's quite basic and she is smart but I'm worried about that person whom she spoke with." Wayne pointed out.
"I will monitor the note book she writes. Since she knows about me, it's best I start confronting her about the person… You should read them discreetly and ask her to share with you openly too. It's for the safety of everyone." Penny suggested as Wayne sighed.
"I will try to talk to her to reassure her…" Wayne said as he began to inch closer to Penny before kissing her. It was a slow and burning kiss. Penny could tell how much he had missed her that when they pulled away and their gaze met, his eyes were reddening.
"I'm sorry you had to go through this all by yourself…" Penny's tears dripped to his hand as he reached out to caress her cheeks.
"I have missed you… I don't want you to go but you need to sleep… I don't want you falling sick…" He whispered as the water level in the tub began to spill over.
Penny quickly turned it off when he caught her waist in his arms and they began kissing passionately into the tub. When his hands reached for her pants, her eyes shot open in shock. She quickly pulled away and tried to catch her breath as the flashbacks of Pei Li's father molesting and raping her traumatised her. She tried to calm herself that it was fine and it was Wayne but her feelings were overwhelming as her tears spilled.
"Penny… What's wrong? Are you alright?" Wayne questioned while panicking as Penny tried to distance herself.
Wayne could tell it was a natural reaction. He gave her time to regain her composure.
It's alright Penny. It's Wayne. It's not him… Penny shuddered at more scenes of being abused while taken advantage of as she shut her eyes.
"You're alright, Little Happiness?" Wayne questioned gently when she began to sob at her nickname. Wayne went closer slowly to not scare her. He was surprised that she ended up reaching out to hug him.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry!" Penny began to apologise profusely while crying.
"It's alright. It's alright… It's only right for you to react this way and it's still fine Penny." Wayne comforted her.
"I'm sorry… I don't know why I react this way. I was fine when I drank but when I'm sober… the memories… the scenes…" Penny tried conveying as Wayne kissed her forehead to soothe her as they stayed cuddled in the warm water.
"It's fine… We will go slow. Now, we should get dressed, otherwise we both will catch a cold. So, for a start to counter your fear, we will start slowly one step each chance we get." Wayne suggested with an idea in mind.
"What do you mean?" Penny questioned.
"Tonight for a start, we shall see each other naked and get dressed. We will try to make it normal for you to get used to it…" Wayne explained which made Penny blushed but he wasn't hesitating.
He stripped down himself first as Penny tried to look away but she understood his motives. Hence, she slowly forced herself to watch and later, she slowly stripped herself in front of him for him to shower her before they rested in bed together.
She was struggling to stay awake and Wayne could tell as he hugged her tighter. "Sleep… Unless you want me to proceed to the next step…" He teased as Penny covered her face, blushing into his chest. He smiled triumphantly as he held her closer to him, slowly drifting asleep.
After returning from the short trip, Sebastian was going through all his schedules and jobs documents sorted out by Sam. They didn't want Violet to be around to be reckless with her own actions later. Hence, they kept her busy with unpacking his luggage and tidying up his house.
"We don't have much time to stall that woman… The agency wasn't comfortable that they had to communicate through me to reach you. They also were very hostile that you have two personal assistants. One for admin and one on site. But I gave them no choice but to tell or past due deadlines and cover costs themselves. So, they couldn't reach you and had no choice but to let me in. These variety shows or survival skill shows must have been plotted in rebel…" Sam quickly ran through the documents with Sebastian who was taking a look.
"The schedules are within the end of the drama filming…" Sebastian pointed out as he pondered on his options.
"That's why… I tried negotiating but they really didn't give me a chance." Sam updated as Sebastian sighed.
"Alright, well I started with a survival skill show, let's end with one…" Sebastian concluded.
"Smart…" Sam praised.
"You know variety is just a waste of time anyway. So, I will get packing for the shoot tomorrow with Vi. We started with a cooking show. I think it would be interesting to end with a camping show. I have watched this series before. They focus on the mental health of the artist. This would be good with nothing much to prepare." Sebastian updated as Sam nodded.
"Alright, I will make the arrangements. On the lucky clover side, your romance script will be received soon…" Sam updated.
"Good! Let me have it first thing when you receive it. I would like to practice soon!" Sebastian cheered before walking back to his unit.
Sam was taken aback at his enthusiasm but was happy Sebastian probably found his new direction now.
Violet looked up at Sebastian who had just entered and was holding a whole stake of documents. "More work I see?" Violet commented while adding some towels into his luggage.
"Not really. What are you packing?" He tried to change the subject because he knows if she knew the next job after the filming is during the drama filming, she would become protective and might even create more trouble for him than help.
"Just some necessities. Have a look and let me know anything else is needed." Violet said before heading to the kitchen to check on his disposable groceries.
"So, this show is about comfort food. What do you have in mind?" Violet asked casually.
"My mother's chicken soup." Sebastian answered without hesitation while checking the packed luggage.
"Are you serious?" Violet was surprised at his simplicity as he nodded. She grinned knowing it was going to be an easy task.
"What are you grinning about? You know about your trips, why don't you start considering doing a guided tour? You have already ventured to many places. You would definitely make more money guiding a tour here or Phut Bi." Sebastian suggested after being satisfied with her packing.
Violet raised an eyebrow before looking away with a grin. She knew that was feasible and had been contemplating on it lately. She reminded herself to check out on the topic more when she had time as there were exams to take for the license.
"We will see." She shrugged as she threw away some rotten vegetables.
"It's in a rural area. Bring more thick clothing for yourself please." He said worriedly while heading in front of her, holding her waist.
"Sam might walk in anytime…" Violet whispered but he shook his head.
"He is busy…" Sebastian shrugged it off as he tried to kiss her but instead stole a kiss on her right cheek. She didn't want to react but continued cleaning out his refrigerator for fear he would take it further with her.
"I know… I will pack them later." She said while blushing when his front door opened up suddenly taking them both aback, trying to put on an act to remain composed.
"What's going on? Why do you both look like you did something…" Sam's question was interrupted instantly.
"I forgot I had to pack my bags! You clean up your fridge before everything smells when you return!" Violet ran off swiftly while passing Sam but avoided eye contact.
"Yes, what is it you need?" Sebastian nonchalantly asked Sam, trying to hide his anxiety.
"Where did you sleep during my sister's previous job?" Sam asked while crossing his arms.
"In each other's room…" Sebastian had no choice but to lie.
"Where is she sleeping when on the next job? I have checked the arrangements this time. Even you are sleeping in the house being filmed." Sam placed his hands on his hips, interrogating Sam.
"There are arrangements made with the crew. Don't worry about it. I have taken care of that…" Sebastian's answer was very standard as Sam's suspicions grew. He could sense those two had something going on especially after the previous trip.
"Remember your status and hers too." Sam did a friendly reminder as Sebastian's expression grew solemn before he nodded.
Only then did Sam let him go and returned to his own unit.
Sam's motive was to only get her sister to return home and rest early since it was going to be an early flight but he didn't expect himself to discover that they both had never truly moved on.
How is it even possible to move on when they are still so heavily tangled with each other at work? He asked himself as he entered his house. He was reminded of the times he had with Jade and found Violet in a similar situation.
"Keep your distance from him and act professionally…" Sam reprimanded Violet just outside of her room.
She turned with a frown. "It's only a professional relationship." She retaliated.
"It doesn't matter to me but remember the status of the relationship both of you are in with someone else. Don't make his job any tougher. Don't give us all trouble to keep protecting you." Sam remembered as he walked off into his room leaving Violet slowly realising he was right.
She reminded herself to not be too affectionate unless they were privately together in a room or bed where it was safe before finishing her packing but also doubted if it was possible.