Fireflies

Chapter 1

I heard the same shot that always woke me up! and my eyes shot open.

I tried to catch my breath as I was still struggling to breathe with my heart racing so fast. I picked up my phone to call the one helpline I’ve ever had…Marcus! Unable to reach him I opted for a glass of water instead

I dropped myself on the cute purple sofa that perfectly complimented my white and purple walls. I sat there lost in my thoughts, I was scared and exhausted. This nightmare was a memory I felt I had locked up in a part of my head, never to be released or opened but for the past year I’ve been haunted by the vivid memories of what happened last year

One year ago

16th June 2020

“Here… baby, do not leave here until daddy asks you to, I’ll be back okay” Dad uneasily said as he left me under one of the covered tables while gunshots went off everywhere

“!” …The horrific sound that forever separated me from my father, I watched my dad fall to the ground but I couldn’t stop staring at the man who hurriedly ran off…I knew I froze at that moment

“Dad, Dad… Dad please get up, we need to leave” I said unable to fight back the tears flowing freely from my eyes as I watched my dad struggle to mutter some words

“I…love you…Baby” Dad said in the lowest voice as he closed his eyes forever

Present Day

6th August 2021

My dad was a well-respected lawyer, he worked at a top firm in the country and never for once did he lose a case in court, he never kept enemies but it certainly didn’t mean he didn’t have enemies

The life I knew was great until Mom left us. I remember how sad I was…I mean I was still a toddler but Dad never allowed me to feel like I was missing anything, he was everything to me

On the day he died, we were to go to an event that his client was hosting, one of his biggest clients, the Martinez family, was their well-trusted lawyer and saw all the financial activities of the Martinez Towers and Empire. it was the day I was to meet the sole heir of the Martinez Towers

After my father’s death, I always felt like I was all alone until I met Marcus, he was my sunshine on my rainy days

I went back to my bed to try and get some sleep as I had work in the morning and did not want to be late. I laid on the bed but couldn't sleep, I couldn’t help but think about how I moved to New Jersey after my dad died in the hopes of starting life afresh

I gave up on the dream of becoming a lawyer and took up fashion instead, I opened my clothing line, and I completely left the life I had in New York. I also had my identity legally changed because I feared that those who killed Dad would come for me, I became Penelope Axel instead of Genevieve Benson

I smiled as my thoughts drifted slowly to Marcus…that morning, I had gone for a run when I tripped over something and fell while I lamented, an arm dropped in front of me, I didn’t bother to look up to see who would have been kind enough I just needed help, I took his arms and as he pulled me up my eyes met with the most perfect set of small blue almond eyes, I could have sworn that I was lost for some seconds until he brought me back to reality

Pen…I chuckled as I finally drifted to sleep at 5:30 a.m…

I got up pretty exhausted and got ready to go to work, I picked a black fitted gown and a nice cream shrug to it with white sneakers to go with, I threw my curly dark hair in a messy bun and did some light makeup, I wasn’t a breakfast person so I made my way downstairs

I was still trying to order a cab when I heard my name “Pen” I turned to see that Marcus was waiting for me by his car. Whenever I heard the name "Pen" I knew it was Marcus. I ran and hugged him.

“ I tried calling you all through the night but you weren’t picking up” I whined

“Oh baby, I’m so sorry. I just thought I would surprise you, you know I'm bad at lying that's why I didn't pick”

That was one thing I loved about Marcus, he never knew how to lie, so he never lied to me.

We got into the car and he asked me how my night was.

“I couldn't sleep Marcus, I had the same dream again”

Marcus gave my thigh a warm reassuring rub and then asked “Are you sure you don't want to see Linda?”

Linda was my therapist, and she had been helping me since Dad died. But I had not gone to see her for a year now.

“ It doesn't matter Pen, today you can come stay with me. Ok I will call you when I'm done with work” Marcus said as he stopped his car in front of my store leaning toward me to give me a light peck on the lip

“Love you baby and be safe okay,” Marcus said leaning back in his seat

“Love you too” I responded with a light smile as I made my way out of his car

I looked up at my store and the boldly written “Clothes by Pen” and I wished my dad was here to see me. Ever since my mom left she never reached out to me, she started a new family and completely abandoned me, she never for once called, she never cared how I was doing and I wanted to show her that I grew without her help.

I hated to remember Mom abandoned us in pursuit of wealth, Dad couldn’t foot her expensive lifestyle at that time…

I started this clothing line cause of her, and I also knew that she had just recently moved to New Jersey, i stayed in Maplewood but I didn't know where she was, all I knew was that she was in New Jersey, so maybe by coincidence we might meet.

I got in and got that bubbly greeting from Stacy my most trusted staff.

“Hello!! Ever-pretty Miss Pen” Stacy greeted with so much excitement

I always wondered how Stacy managed to stay happy in every situation, it was one thing I admired so much about her

One thing about Clothes by Pen was that it was always buzzing with customers, our store was topping every other clothing store and I could say I owed it all to Marcus, he pushed and encouraged me to this very point

I felt so restless and exhausted at work so I decided to leave earlier than usual, I called Marcus, and 20 minutes later he was here to get me then we went to my place to pick up a few clothes.

“You can stay for a week, I'm going to be around for a week till I leave”

I always wondered why Marcus was so stiff when it had to do with me sleeping over at his place, it always felt like he didn’t want me there

Marcus works at an engineering firm and he travels a lot so he was never around. I suggested moving in with him but he wasn’t buying it.

We got to his complex and went in. I got my things and arranged them and then we ordered in.

“Pen…so I was thinking if we could go to New York together…”

I was too stunned to speak and I didn't want to make things awkward by bringing up my dad or how I had left New York with the zeal to never return there. I knew Marcus meant well to me and I was scared of trapping him in my bubble

“Oh, amazing!!! when would you want to leave so I can make arrangements and how long are we going to be there for?”I asked trying my best to fake the most realistic excitement possible

“I was thinking maybe next month and it would be just for two days”

Something about this trip was weird, he unusually never wanted me on a trip with him and suddenly we’re going to New York and at that, I get a one-month prior notice for a two-day stay?…