PAMPERED

361 A little help here?

From what Penny knew, Hugo’s reason for this grand bachelor party was to keep her from attending Ray’s oath–taking. Her brother made an effort and even took money out of his own pocket just to make things go his way.

So, in a way, Penny was disheartened to see the very guy her brother wanted her to avoid.

“Hi, Penny! Let’s get married. 1

The rest of her thoughts disappeared upon hearing such a ridiculous opening. “Ray?”

Just as she remembered him, Ray still had a small portion of his white natural hair on the side. It was brushed neatly along with his black hair. He was wearing thin–framed glasses, which quite suited his small face. He was taller than she remembered, but still petite. Apart from that, Penny noticed the formal wear he was donning.

‘Don’t tell me he came here after his oath–taking ceremony?‘ she wondered, but deep in her heart, she had a guess.

“Penny, oh, my-! You are as beautiful as I remember, and so is our love!” he expressed poetically, holding the box with a ring in it between his fingers. “Penny, I’ve waited this long for you, and there wasn’t a single day or even a second in the past twelve years that I haven’t thought of

you.”

He paused, batting his eyelashes ever so tenderly. “Penelope Bennet, will you marry me?”

“No,” she answered without batting an eye. “I don’t want to marry you”

“Are you sure?”

She deadpanned. “Two hundred percent no, a thousand percent sure.”

“Aww…” Ray smiled wearily before he gasped. “Why not!?”

“Why not?” Penny repeated and faced the bartender. “Tell me, sir. Did you give me that strong of a drink that I am now having a nightmare with my eyes open? Because as far as I can remember, I was enjoying my drink before, and then suddenly, a buffoon approached me asking for my hand in marriage.”

The bartender chuckled nervously, leaning forward a little. “The buffoon is real, Miss.”

“Darn it!”

“Penny, how could you be so heartless to me?” Ray frowned and leaned against the counter. “I missed you, you know?“

She cast him a sidelong glance. “And I don’t.

Her coldness and bluntness were like straight arrows stabbing him right through his chest. However, he wasn’t surprised at all! She was always like this, wasn’t she?

Meanwhile, Penny watched as his brief frown turned upside down again. Seeing how he quickly recovered, she shook her head.

361 A little help here?

The last time Penny saw this guy was twelve years ago. TWELVE YEARS! How could he still be the same, as if he were simply resuming where they left off?

“This guy’s dedication is something.‘ She shook her head, feeling a tiny sense of dread creep up her spine. ‘Slater, Benjamin… oh god. Why is this list getting long?

Back then, Penny wouldn’t mind Slater’s habit of bombarding her with messages, as if he had nothing else to do but brag about his beauty. She wasn’t even sure if Slater wanted her validation or was trying to suck away her self–esteem.

Now, Penny was also dealing with the fickle Benjamin, who seemed to have more time telling his boss on her than giving her a proper, important update. Just thinking that Ray was trying to make a comeback in her slightly peaceful life, Penny mentally noted that this guy would never get her phone number – EVER. Even if he managed somehow, he would be an instant block.

“You are so heartless, Penny! After twelve years, I waited for you, and this is how you treat me in the three minutes of our reunion!” he dramatically sighed. “I even prepared a ring and a bunch of flowers, thinking I could finally propose! This is no longer a forbidden love, after all. My goodness.”

Penny watched the guy ramble on and on with his nonsense. “Ray,” she called. “Did you do a background check on me?*

“Huh?” Ray stopped his drama temporarily. “Why would I do that?”

“I mean, it’s a little strange, she shrugged. “For some reason, everyone doesn’t recognize me.”

“Why?” He tilted his head, blinking. “Nothing’s changed. Still cute and pretty as ever!” D

Penny narrowed her eyes suspiciously, not believing that nonsense for a second. Why would she believe it? It didn’t even look like he believed in his own reasoning. However, she did believe him when he said he didn’t run a background check on her.

“Was it Yuri?” she guessed, knowing Yuri was now working at the Summit School of Excellence as a teacher.

“What? No! Yuri doesn’t know you’re here!” he denied, watching her raise a brow. “Do you think. Yuri would tell on you like that?”

“No, and you’re right; Yuri doesn’t even know I am here tonight. Though, I think you went through her stuff to find a photo of me.

Ray’s face stiffened, busted even before their time together crossed the five–minute mark.

“My poor Yuri. Why did she have to have a boss like you? I better call her so she knows that the headmaster went through her stuff without her permission.”

“Penny, it’s not like that! I saw your picture together accidentally!” he explained in a hurry. “I don’t go through other people’s stuff, remember?”

“But you went through the headmaster’s stuff to check my records.”

“That’s my grandpa’s stuff, and now, they’re my stuff. So, I basically went through my stuff just a little early.

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361 A little help here?

Penny looked at him with genuine wonder. ‘How could this guy stay ridiculous even after twelve years?”

“And also, I’m joking!” Ray took the box back and closed it, smiling proudly. “But next time, I won anymore.”

Penny opened and closed her mouth, tempted to ask if there was any way this guy would leave her alone. She didn’t need someone like him in this story. However, she quickly realized words weren’t enough with this guy. He would just find a loophole and twist it to his advantage.

Thus, Penny smiled.

Seeing her smile, Ray smiled back. “It’s good to see you again, Penny”

“Mhm.” Penny pushed herself away from the counter and turned toward the basketball team. “Second Brother?” Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Huh?” Ray furrowed his brows, following her gaze with his. When his eyes landed on the group near the pool, he caught the stern look on everyone’s faces slowly turning dark. “Ah, shit.”

“Oh?” Max, who was in the group, raised a hand. “Ray, you came?”

“Oh, so Max’s the culprit, huh? No wonder Ray knows I’d be here,‘ Penny sighed, smiling sweetly as she locked eyes with the fierce guardian of her love life. “Second Brother, a little help here?”

“Say less, my dear little sister.”

And with that, the calm Hugo jumped away from his seat and was ready to swat some more flies tonight.