Chapter 4 What Exactly Do You Want
980 Words
Penelope wiped away the tears and shot him a fierce glare. "Let me warn you: keep your distance. If my actions at the wedding caught your attention, and you've somehow developed some kind of interest in me, too bad. I'm not interested. Don't waste your time."
She turned to leave, but before she could get far, Tyron suddenly jerked the steering wheel, positioning the car directly in her path.
Penelope stopped in her tracks, ready to unleash a string of curses, but Tyron was already out of the car, striding over to her.
Without warning, he grabbed her, pulling her into his arms.
"I'm doing a good deed today. No need to thank me."
"Put me down!" Penelope fought, pushing against him with all her strength. "You think you can force me after being rejected? Is that it?"
Out of her sight, Tyron smiled helplessly, his arm tightening around her waist, refusing to budge.
"If you want to be stubborn, I don't mind being a little forceful," Tyron said, his voice dripping with mischief, before shoving her into the car. He buckled her in, and then leaned over, his emerald eyes locking onto hers with intensity. They were so close that she could almost hear his breath. "Behave. No matter what, you're in my car now."
Penelope froze. "Are you serious?"
She reached to push him away, but before she could, he was already retreating, closing the door behind him. Then, he circled around to the driver's side, taking his seat.
*****
Penelope gave up on struggling. The warmth inside the car was a relief. She sat for a while, her stiff limbs slowly relaxing as they thawed.
Tyron glanced at her, a hint of disdain in his eyes, and then tossed a pristine handkerchief over to her. "Wipe your face. You look a mess."
Penelope didn't move. She just stared at him.
Tyron raised an eyebrow. "What are you staring at me for?"
Penelope asked, "Are you really interested in me?"
Tyron blinked, clearly caught off guard. Then, without realizing it, he actually smiled, his gaze softening. "You really are full of yourself."
Penelope shot him a glance. "Or maybe you're just being a jerk." She pulled out her phone, already dialing the police.
Tyron caught her little moves, and he couldn't help but laugh. Leaning in closer, he whispered against her ear, "You think the cops will get here faster, or will I?"
Penelope gripped the phone tightly, pulling back from him and widening the gap between them. "I'm warning you. Don't try anything funny. If you do, I'll make sure to ruin your little buddy down there. You'll wish you'd never been born."
Tyron clicked his tongue, a grin spreading across his face. "Quite firey, aren't you?"
Yet somehow, she seemed even more adorable when angry.
But despite his teasing words, he made no move to cross any boundaries. The car roared to life, and Penelope sneered under her breath. "You're just messing with me, huh? What a childish man."
"That's right, beautiful," Tyron tilted his head and chuckled. "Doesn't matter if I'm childish. As long as it works."
*****
The car continued its journey in silence. Penelope's gaze remained fixed on the passing scenery, but her mind was elsewhere.
The image of Nelia being struck by the car kept replaying in her head. And Nelia's last words...
"Howard... Death... Madam."
What did they mean?
Could it be that Howard was involved in her mother's death?
If that was true, Nelia's death was no accident.
Penelope's hands clenched into fists, her eyes burning with hatred. She wanted to tear Howard apart.
"Pull over," Penelope suddenly demanded.
Tyron ignored her, continuing to drive forward.
Penelope narrowed her eyes and snapped, "I said pull over!"
When Tyron didn't respond, Penelope, now seething with anger, reached for the door handle.
Before she could open it, the car screeched to a halt.
Tyron pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and grabbed her wrist as she tried to get out. "Do you really think you can take on those people by yourself?" he said, his voice sharp.
*****
Penelope stiffened, her body rigid as she turned to face him. "What do you mean?"
Tyron shook his head, tossing her his phone. The screen displayed footage of the accident—Nelia's crash, captured in full by the surveillance cameras.
The footage clearly showed it was no accident.
"It was Howard. It has to be him!" Penelope's hands were trembling as she held the phone.
Tyron looked at her with an unreadable expression. "Do you have proof?"
Penelope's reply was blunt and forceful. "Arrest the driver!"
Tyron chuckled softly, though there was no amusement in his eyes. "You think it's that simple? The driver must've known exactly what he was doing. Even if you beat him to a pulp, you won't get anything useful from him."
"What am I supposed to do then? I can't let Nelia's death be in vain!" Penelope's brows knitted together in frustration, her voice softening. "It's all my fault... I should've been there..."
A deep sorrow overtook her as she muttered to herself. But then, a thought hit her. She looked up at Tyron, her gaze steady. "Can you help me?"
Tyron smirked. He loosened his tie and asked casually, "Who exactly are you to me? Why should I help you?"
Before he could say another word, Penelope leaned forward so suddenly that Tyron had no time to react. He slammed on the brakes instinctively.
Before he could even get angry, he found himself staring into Penelope's deep blue eyes. She spoke with absolute certainty, "Don't play games with me. You brought me into your car, so it's not that simple, is it? If you're not interested in me, then just tell me: what is it that you really want?"
Tyron's heart skipped a beat.
- Writer
