Becoming Miss SEXY

Chapter 1

Five years later.

It was Penelope's last day in PENT, her food industry in Washington. She spent hours after hours going over each file. She wanted to make sure everything was in order before she handed over the company to Allie Stevens, her managing director. The door opened and came in her secretary.

"Excuse me, Miss Williams. What will you have for lunch today?" Helgi asked.

"Is it lunch time already?" Penelope was surprised at the speed time flew by. She sighed as she massaged her neck.

"Ummm, I will have a potato salad and a lemonade." She answered. Her taste buds always appreciated lemonade.

"Coming up."

As she was about to close the door, Penelope called out to her.

"Thanks Helgi."

Helgi gave a curt nod before closing the door.

Penelope twirled in her white leather chair. She had been working for five hours non stop. It was definitely time to take a break. She stood up from the chair and stretched out as she gazed out the windows, admiring the city when her phone rang.

Her face lit up seeing the caller I. D.

"Mi amour." greeted a husky deep voice.

"Hey, love I was just about to call you." Penelope said with a smile on her face.

"Why do I find that hard to believe?" Lorenzo asked with a chuckle.

"You know me too well." Penelope pouted.

"Hope you are not over working yourself?" Lorenzo asked.

"No." she lied.

"Ok, I just talked with Sid, he said everything is ready for your arrival."

"Wow, he really kept to his word." Arianna was baffled. Sid Lee was the architect overseeing the PENT branch in New york.

"Well i did tell you, he is the best. His company is effective and efficient. They once built a hospital with ten floors in a week so a month project is a piece of cake."

"Well, atleast I have something to strike out of my list." Pen was happy she was making progress. Everything was going well and it warmed up her heart.

"Don't tell me you made a list of the next few days activity."

"Yuppp. You know me too well." Penelope laughed. Penelope was a very organized person, she made a list of all she needed to do every day so as not to leave anything out which was an irony because she always forgot to eat her meals.

"Okay. Take it easy, okay? Allow Sophie to help you out." Lorenzo advised. It was necessary to remind Pen that a personal assistant exists to take off some of the work load but Penelope almost never listened.

"I will. Enough about me. How is the new wine production?" Penelope asked.

Lorenzo's family owned a winery in the outskirts of Vienna Italy. One of the best and largest.

"Good. Actually, I think we will be ready for the launch in a months time."

"Great, I am glad everything is working out fine." She chuckled remembering how uneasy he was when started fermentation process commenced a while back.

"Do you still want to renovate the house?" asked Lorenzo referring to her father's house in Newyork.

"I suppose so, I have many memories there even though two thirds of it are unpleasant."

"Better to talk to Sid about that before he leaves New york." Lorenzo advised.

"On it."

Helgi entered and started to set up her lunch on the cocktail table behind the curved sectional leather sofa facing the door.

"I really miss you." Lorenzo groaned. "So much."

Penelope's heart warmed as she laughed out loud when she heard his confession.

"Already? We haven't been apart for even a month."

"I know. I still miss you. I can't wait to see you."

"Me too, I miss our dates." Penelope said, finally giving in to the warmth in her heart

"What can I say? I know how to treat a woman right." triumphed Lorenzo.

"That, I can't deny." Penelope agreed.

There was a momentary silence and both of them then burst into laughter.

"I have to go now, lunch is waiting."

"Okay, ti amo bella Mia."

"I love you too." Penelope said and hung up.

She lowered herself into the sofa and immediately dug in. She only had a berry flavoured smoothie for breakfast. Penelope rushed down food quickly in other to round up her work so she could go home early and pack.

After a while she realized that she hadn't seen her Sophie all day. Where could she be? She dismissed her thoughts and concentrated on work. Just as the clock chimed four on the dot, Penelope wipe her computer clean and put her remaining personals in a box. She was done in ten minutes, courtesy of Sophie who had packed almost everything the previous day. She called Helgi in to give some last minute instruction.

"All done, Miss Williams." Helgi announced.

" Everything is in order for Director Chase's arrival." She said. "Where is Sophie? Penelope asked.

The expression on Helgi's face told her everything.

"What are you guys planning?" Penelope asked. Even though she knew she wouldn't tell her, she couldn't resist asking.

"Wait. Don't tell me. I know." Penelope lifted a finger to her cheek while staring daggers at Helgi.

Helgi flinched. She hated it when Sophie got her into trouble.

"I am not going to clubbing so you better cancel any plan you have cooked up." Penelope said as she walked towards the door with her bag.

Before she could reach it, Sophie appeared all dolled up in a pink knee length backless dress with spaghetti strips and nude heels to block her exit.

"Thank God you are here!" Exclaimed Helgi. "I couldn't keep her much longer." Helgi said sighing in relief.

"Not so fast. You need to change. On behalf of all the employees here, I have organized a work dinner to thank you for being a wonderful boss and to wish you luck in New york." Sophie said.

"Bububbubbbb... I know what you are going to say but we are going. You wouldn't want to offend your everyone here when they already put in their all, organising everything, would you? Sophie continued before Penelope could say a thing.

Penelope knew she didn't have a choice, she couldn't let her employees down. They have been through thick and thin for her so she didn't want to let them down by declining after all the efforts they went through. She sighed as her shoulders slumped in defeat. With a little stretch, she collected the garment bag from Sophie making her squeakle in delight and made her way to her institu office toilet.

"By the way, after dinner, I have got us a reservation in the new club that just opened. You, my dear, will love it." Sophie giggled.

Penelope groaned. She knew Sophie had something up her sleeves. She didn't even drink for Godsakes and she didn't need to get laid because hello... she was engaged! Sometimes she wondered why Sophie made her go to such places but she went along with it just to make her happy.

Sophie was a friend she never had. She had never thought she would have a friend and a fiance but today all she had wished for is all in her grasp. Not all...her mind reminded her. Penelope emerged finally fussing over purple bodycon dress which was too tight.

"Soph, are you sure it's a size six?" Pen asked as she looked down at herself.

"Positive. You look smashing." Sophie pulled the band that was holding up her brown locks freeing her hair.

"And we a now set to go." Sophie said ignoring Penelope's look of outrage.

A white sedan was waiting for them as they exited the building. Her driver, Augie was an ex con who saved Penelope from being robbed by a bunch of hoodlums when she first came to Washington. When he refused to accept a reward Penelope knew she had to keep him. The car sped through the streets of washington towards their destination. Sophie was ranting on and on about the preparations for their relocation and clarifying last minute changes with Helgi who was seated in front. It was so typical of Sophie always putting in her best in everything.

Augie packed the car at the back entrance of PENT Restaurant where they were received by Manager Sloane who led the way to the VIP section. Familiar faces welcomed them when they arrived. Penelope hated to admit that she was going to miss them all. Some gave goodbye speeches, some told jokes for entertainment and lots more. Penelope had a good time and was glad she came. When the two hours came to an end most were drunk including Helgi. Penelope decided to check the restaurants progress today while she waited for Augie to call a cab for all. She took a tour around the restaurant and was satisfied with the management and the account books. Everything seemed to be in order with a great turnover. Penelope left with a smile of her face.

Sophie still insisted on going to the club so Penelope found herself in line waiting to be screened in front of Moonlight club. Loud music blasted her ear as they entered. She was oblivious to the looks she was getting as she was dragged to the bar by an overexcited Sophie. Sophie ordered a cold beer for herself and mineral water for Penelope. Penelope knew something was wrong with Sophie from the way she drank bottle after bottle but Penelope didn't want to pry. She knew Sophie was a very private person who didn't want to burden anyone with her problems. But if she had to guess she knew it had to do with her ex husband. Sophie was still not over him. He had hurt her deeply when she found out about his extra marital affairs with his boss.

"I am going to go dance." Sophie shouted over the loud music. Penelope turned to keep an eye on Sophie when the bartender put a drink in front of her.

"From the handsome fellow there." He said.

Penelope didn't bother to see who it was. She politely refused the drink.

"Hey, am sorry if I offended you by buying you a drink." A smooth voice spoke.

Penelope looked up to see a handsome man with chestnut brown hair and blue eyes.

"Not at all. I just don't drink." She replied.

His lips formed an 'o'as he stood surprised.

"I am Tobias." He introduced himself.

Penelope accepted his outstretched hand and also introduced herself. He took the seat Sophie vacated and stared at her till Penelope looked at him. "Don't get me wrong, am not a creep or anything. You just intrigue me." Tobias confessed.

"How so?" She asked.

"Well, for starters you come to a club not for the drinks, dance or to get laid. So, I wonder what brings an innocent beauty like you here."

"If you must know am here to help my friend cheer up. She has had a really rough year." Penelope said pointing towards Sophie who was dancing errotically with a guy.

"Oh, am sorry to hear that, you are a good friend. Penelope smiled at him and continued watching Sophie.

"Would you like to dance?" He asked.

"No, I am terrible at dancing. I don't want to seem rude or anything you are a great guy but I am engaged." Penelope said. She was tired of the long conversation and decided to hit the nail right on the head.

"I know. Anyone could see the huge rock on your finger from a mile away."

Penelope looked down at her engagement ring, her thoughts going to Lorenzo.

"Whoever he is, he's a lucky man and if I were him I would never let you go."

"Thanks." He tipped his glass towards her and gulped down his scotch. Penelope returned her attention towards the down floor to see a man leading Sophie out the club.

"I have to go but it was nice meeting you." She quickly said as she hurried after them without waiting for his reply clutching their purses in her hands. Penelope started to panic when she didn't see Sophie outside. She speed dialed Augie as she searched around. She heard a struggle and followed the noise to see the man forcing himself on Sophie.

"Hey, let her go." Penelope shouted in anger.

"Mind your business lady." A gruffy voice lashed out

Penelope searched through her purse for her pepper spray as she approached them. He had Sophie pinned down in the backseat of his car as he fumbled with his zippers. He was too occupied and didn't hear Penelope come up behind him.

She whacked him on his head and sprayed pepper spray in his eyes as soon as he turned. He cried out in pain and stumbled to the ground after Penelope finished him off by kneeing him in the groin. Penelope helped her friend up who had sobered up a little bit coming close to being r***d. To their dismay the man got up and started down after them. He furiously grabbed Penelope's arm but before his hand could land on her cheeks someone grabbed him from behind.

Penelope let out a shaky breath when she saw Augie. Augie tackled him to the ground handing powerful punch after punch. Penelope called out to him to stop. She didn't want Augie killing the bastard but Augie seemed not to hear her. It was like he was in a trance.

Pen walked to him and touched his arm. She watched as Augie froze, taking in his surroundings. He slowly stood up and walked to where Sophie passed out and swung her up into his strong arms as if she weighed nothing.

Penelope was thinking about the scene she witnessed as Augie drove towards her apartment. She had never seen him like that. It was like he had transformed into a different person a while ago.

"I am sorry you had to see that." said Augie breaking the ice. I hate it when men mistreat women, it gets me mad." E explained.

"It's okay Augie. When you are ready, you can confide in me. I can help you."

"I don't want you to fear me or be disappointed in me." said Augie gripping the steering wheel so tight, making his knuckles white.

"That won't happen Augie, you are not only my driver but also my friend." She reached over the console and gave his hands a gentle pat.

"Thank you for believing in me and giving me a chance." said Augie with a bit of emotion in his voice.

"Oh stop it Augie. I am happy to do it. You don't have to thank me. We are family."

They arrived at their destination in no time. Augie was quick to carry Sophie into her apartment and put her in the guest room. Penelope removed her shoes and dress and tucked her in. She exited the room, leaving the door ajar incase Sophie woke up. She spotted Augie by the stairs. Penelope was surprised. She thought he had left.

"How is she?" He asked in a small voice.

"She will live." Penelope answered. Penelope thought she saw him sigh with relief.

"When are we leaving tomorrow?" He asked.

"Our flight is by twelve noon, I have already scheduled for a car to take us to the airport."

"Alright miss. I will be there."

"Augie, Are you sure you want to come with me?" Penelope asked to make sure

"Very sure miss. Nothing is keeping me here."

Penelope smiled and walked him to the door. Just as he was about to leave, Penelope called out to him.

"Don't be too hard on yourself Augie. Goodnight. "

With a nod Augie left. Penelope went up to her room and showered. She adjusted her alarm and climbed into bed. It had been a long and tiring day and tomorrow will be even better. A genuine smile was plastered on her face before darkness wrapped her in its kingdom as she thought of seeing her father for the first time in years.