Japan: 2:00 PM
In a traditional Japanese Shoin room, men in suits sat quietly on the floor across from each other. Tension hung in the air as silence reigned in the room. Among the men was Haines.
Haines, now age 51, lifted the cup of tea to his mouth.
“Haines, are you sure you’re leaving?” asked the man seated across from him. The man looked older than Haines, but his bulk physique was enough indicator his age was never a problem.
“Penny wants to branch out, and it’s been a long time since I’ve visited our family home,” Haines answered calmly. “Wild, it’s time to let her be. Penny is old enough to marry…”
“NEVER!” Wild and the rest of the men yelled in unison, but Haines only chuckled in response.
“Haines, Penny’s departure to branch out and manage our international branch personally is one thing, but marriage is another,” another elderly man expressed his displeasure. “Though she might marry one way or another, we won’t just sit still and let any hoodlum get into her life.”
“Minister, I’m very certain Penny is happy to hear that.” Haines nodded. “Though the general has reached out and was asking for more intel from us, saying he would give his son as payment for our services.”
The minister hissed in resentment. “That old man simply wants to make her his daughter-in-law. Shame on him!”
“I’m kidding.” Haines laughed, earning a glare from the minister. “Do not worry, Minister. Penny and I might be leaving for now, but your security will still be the same. Look. You and Wild are in the same room in peace and none of you are dead yet.”
Wild snorted. “Stop with your insinuation, Haines. You’re making me look bad again.”
“I’m not trying to make you look bad. I’m too old for it.” Haines chortled with his lips closed, his eyes scanning all the men in the room.
All of them were around his age and all of them were very well-known individuals: some were businessmen and others were even politicians. They do not work for Penny, but they are all Penny’s connections, for they were also Penny’s clients and close friends in the security firm she started with the guidance of Wild.
“Branching out at a time like this…” another man spoke. “Is there really nothing we can do to postpone it?”
“That is right, Haines. Penelope is much safer in this country.”
“Don’t forget that incident many years ago. We never caught the culprit behind that and despite our connections, nothing had paid yet.”
“Haines, be truthful. Don’t tell me Penelope finally got a lead?”
Haines listened to the men’s sentiments calmly, remembering that time that changed his life forever. A shallow breath slipped past his lips, but just as his lips parted, an alluring voice sliced through the air.
“I do not have a lead yet, detective. Though, I’m on it.”
Haines instantly smiled as he lowered his head before shifting his eyes to the entrance.
There, standing by the entrance, was a stunning beauty that one would never resist staring at longer. The men in the room quickly cleared their throats as they straightened their backs.
“The walls here are thin and even your whispers can be heard across the residence,” Penny humored as she gracefully sat down on the end of the table. She glanced at Haines on her right and then at Wild on her left. “I’m sorry. It took me an entire morning chasing all the security out of my quarters.”
Wild clicked his tongue. “I told those good-for-nothing idiots to wait for you, not to scare you.”
“Penny, did you have a good night’s rest last night?”
“Yes, Uncle Haines.” Penny flashed him a subtle smile, making her beautiful face twinkle. “Thank you. The tea helped a lot.”
Haines nodded in satisfaction while Penny fluttered her long lashes at the men around the table.
“I am glad to hear that all you respectable men had gathered here today as your last attempt to make me stay in the country. However, with a heavy heart, I’ve long decided to branch out,” Penny started sternly, but politely. “I mentioned it two years ago and last year, my cousin started the preparation for a higher success of this venture.”
Her lips curled up, and the corner of her eyes creased a little. “I appreciate all your worries, but my injuries have healed. I can only hope that you’ll support me with this new venture. You’ll always be my rade, a special person in my heart, and someone I’ve respected with all my heart. That will never change.”
“Twelves years is a long time.” Penny paused as her smile broadened. “It’s time for me to go home.”
The men around her sighed and rocked their heads in understanding. “We wish you a safe trip, Penelope.”
“Penelope, even if you’re far away, do not forget our home is always open. e back anytime.”
“And if you are in trouble, we got you.”
“Whatever it is. Our family is forever indebted to you.”
The men expressed their sentiments and appreciation. All of them weren’t just gathered here to stop her from leaving. They also gathered here with the thought of sending her off personally. After all, some of them were indebted to Penny and if not for her, they wouldn’t be there anymore.
Not just in security, but also Penny saved some of their businesses. Some, she helped resolve international issues or political issues behind the scenes. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Penny’s contribution to society and their lives was huge, making her the woman she is now.
“Thank you,” Penny expressed with a smile, casting Haines a meaningful look before moving her attention to Wild.
Twelve years since she left the Bennet Household was a long time. Many things happened to Penny and Haines — and Wild was like someone they got from a lottery of life.
A lot of things about them had also changed, not just as individuals, but their lives were also far different from what they knew.
The only thing that didn’t change from the beginning until now was… Penny’s desire to retire early.
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