Oh my God Rosiielove. I love you so much hun, thanks for the gift. This Chapter is for you.
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"You’re here?"
Osvaldo’s deep, velvety voice filled the lab, smooth as dark chocolate, and just as dangerous. Penny shivered without aning to, her fingers twitching at the hem of her oversized jacket.
She didn’t know why, but ever since she’d shaved his beard, Osvaldo looked... different.
Younger.
Hotter.
And now he was smiling at her. Actually smiling. With those dimples that had no business being that cute. Her heart went into overdrive, pounding like a drum. Why was her body acting like this?
He was just a man. A very tall, annoyingly handso, sharp-jawed man who looked like he’d stepped out of a dream. That’s all.
"When do I begin?" she asked quickly, her voice small, her eyes glued to the floor. She avoided his gaze like it was a fire she couldn’t afford to touch. But Osvaldo stood up from his chair, slow and steady, and Penny’s heart dropped sowhere around her shoes.
He walked toward her, eyes never leaving her. He didn’t stop moving till he was standing right before her.
He lifted his chin with his fingers, forcing her eyes to him. "Keep your eyes on Penguin." He said. "Don’t ever avoid my gaze."
"The first question is," he said, voice smooth but teasing, "why are you dressed like a lost penguin?"
Penny blinked, stunned.
Penguin? She stared at her dress, wondering what about her clothes have pir that she was a penguin. She had forgotten so soon that Osvaldo was crazy at tis.
His eyes road over her, dark and sharp but not cruel, just curious. His long hair was tied back tonight, a few loose strands falling around his face, giving him an even more unfair advantage in the looks departnt.
He had stolen her breath by just standing next to her. No man has been this close to her, not even Chris.
He always kept his distance except that day he stole a kiss. But Osvaldo broke every rule known to man. He just didn’t know how to keep his hands and mouth to himself.
She tugged her jacket tighter. "Clothes," she muttered, cheeks burning from embarrassnt.
Osvaldo nodded but didn’t look away. He didn’t like the way she hid herself. Especially not from him.
He wanted to rip out her clothes and make her know he found her beautiful. But would only push her further away. His wife was insecure, he has to help her deal with that first.
"We’ll start with affirmations," he said suddenly, already walking away like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Affirmations?" Penny blinked. That couldn’t be right. "You an... like those cheesy motivational quotes?"
"Yes, Penguin," he said over his shoulder. "You’re smart, but you’re also incredibly insecure. And that’s more dangerous than any number on a scale."
Penny frowned. In all her years being a great scientist, she has never known affirmation as a way of losing weight. But isn’t losing weight supposed to make her less insecure?
"I’m insecure because I’m fat. If I lose the weight, I’ll be fine."
Osvaldo turned to face her, his gaze steady. "I don’t believe that."
"But..."
"I’m your doctor here," he said firmly, stepping closer again. "And my rules go. So, we start with this. Repeat after : I am bold. I am fierce. I am beautiful."
Penny hesitated. Her lips parted, but the words caught in her throat.
"I..." She glanced at him, then away again. "I am bold. I am fierce. I am beautiful."
Osvaldo tilted his head, eyes fixed on her like he was reading a favorite book for the second ti. "Say it like you an it, Penguin."
He leaned against the wall with effortless grace, one knee bent, his toe pressed casually to the surface. Arms crossed, he looked completely at ease, except his gaze burned into her with quiet intensity.
Penny stared back, a flicker of sothing bold lighting in her chest. For a heartbeat, she wasn’t the shy girl in oversized clothes. She wasn’t awkward, or anxious. She was just angry.
And she was tired of repeating the sa baseless words over and over again.
"I am bold. I am fierce. I am beautiful," she said softly.
Osvaldo raised an eyebrow. "Again, Penguin. This ti, say it like you believe it with your whole soul."
Penny’s jaw tightened. Her hands curled into fists. This would be the hendreth ti she has said this.
What did this have to do with losing weight? Why was she standing here like so therapy experint?
"I don’t think I’m insecure, Mr. Osvaldo," she said, trying to keep her voice level. "Can we please get back to the real thing?"
He didn’t answer right away. His eyes narrowed just slightly, unreadable. For a mont, the silence between them stretched long and heavy.
Then, with a tone quiet enough to be gentle, but firm enough to shake her, he asked, "Are you sure?"
Penny nodded, maybe a little too quickly because his next words has her wanting to return to the affirmation.
Osvaldo straightened from the wall, brushing a strand of hair from his face. He looked her over with that sa calm, assessing look that made her knees weak.
"Alright then," he said. "Take off your jacket."
Penny’s eyes flew open. "W-What?"
"Take it off," he repeated, like it was the simplest thing in the world.
She instantly wrapped her arms tighter around herself, clutching the fabric like it was armor. "W-Why do I have to do that?" she stamred.
Osvaldo’s tone didn’t change, but his eyes softened just a little. "Because I need to see your posture. Your form. I can’t help you properly if I don’t know what I’m working with." His eyes moved again around her.
Penny panicked but laughed with it. If you think I can’t workout with this attire, then you’re wrong Mr Osvaldo. I can run in this! I swear. See?" She jogged in place awkwardly, making the sleeves of her jacket bounce. "It doesn’t restrict my movent. I’m fine. Totally fine."
But she wasn’t. Not really.
The waist trainer was killing her. Penny felt like she would die at any mont. But this pain was better than showing this man her body.
"If you don’t take it off, Penguin..." Osvaldo stepped closer, his voice lowering just enough to make her breath catch, "I’ll have to do it for you."
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