Dropping The Crown

Ricardo's POV

Penelope Vant.

My childhood best friend, middle school and high school crush then my college sweetheart. We parted ways when we took different careers paths in life.

I had to continue what my late father started and she decided to join her family's business in another state. We stayed in touch but the romance between us died along with the history. "Mother, please tell me she's not going to be staying here," I said.

"Of course not. It's not my place to insist on her staying, it's yours. But she would be attending the event and I expect you to welcome her. The both of you should rekindle. She has recently moved back to Los Angeles," my mother informed and left the room with a pleasing smile.

I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair before turning to Miss. Prime.

"Well, I'll be attending to my duties now," she immediately said and before I could stop her, she excused herself.

I had my tea and left for the office, already sensing it was going to be a long day.

Upon arrival at the top floor, I noticed there were several men on guarding duty in the aisle. "Good morning, Mr. Parriston. Sir, this is unexpected but Mr. Vant is here to see you. He insisted on waiting in your office," my assistant informed.

"Thank you." I made my way to my office and spotted Marcus Vant sitting in my chair, having a cigar.

"Do make yourself comfortable," I started as I walked towards my desk.

"Ah. There's the man I want to see," he responded.

I rest my briefcase on the table. "What can I do for you, Mr. Vant?"

"You've earned it to call me Marcus and it's always straight to business with you. Definitely the

way of a Parriston," he said with a heavy chuckled.

I folded my arms awaiting to hear more of his chatter. He rose and motioned to my seat.

"I'll remain standing for now."

"Very well then. I'm here on business, Ricardo. You and I both know that your company is in need of my investment."

"Correction. We're in want of your investment."

"Regardless of the desire, one billion dollars can go a long way for your company. Just the right amount of go international," he gloated.

"What's the catch, I know you didn't just waltz in here to hand me such an amount without a benefit to you."

"You know, your dad and I were best friends."

My blood ran hot but I contained myself.

"I was told," I said.

"Yes. I think you were too young to recall the outings. We were practically family so why not make it official, huh?"

"Where are you getting at, Marcus?"

"My daughter, Penelope. She's back in the state and the two of you made a darling couple in the past."

"That was the past."

"And it's our actions that causes our future. One billion dollars is yours in cash if you marry my daughter."

I gulped. I knew this was coming but I wanted his words to confirm it.

"Think about it. I can see why you've frozen up. But don't take too long. Like every good things, there's an expiration date. In this case, you have until the end of the year to rekindle, propose and plan a wedding. I'll even throw in the honeymoon at no expense to you."

With a final puff of smoke, Marcus walked to the door and left the office.

I cussed under my breath. It was my father's dream to launch the company internationally but the financing was a challenge. Although the company was now in a better financial position, it wouldn't be wise to use the company's resources to go international.

The remainder of the day was a blur. I couldn't stop thinking about Marcus's offer, Penelope, and oddly, I couldn't stop thinking about Adani.

I reached for her file and looked at her picture again before putting it back in its place.

"What are you doing, Ricardo, you can't possibly be having feelings for her, can you?" I questioned myself.

I snatched my briefcase off the table, button and smooth my suit and walked out the door. I

informed my assistant to take my messages and reschedule my evening meeting to the following Monday.

I got into my car and drove homeward.

"Darling!" I heard my mother as I stepped out of my vehicle. She walked over to me and greeted

me with the usual kiss on the cheek.

"Good evening, Mother."

"You're home earlier than expected."

"I needed to get away."

"Is work becoming a burden?"

"Not exactly."

"Ah. Well there's someone here who will cheer you right up."

"Who?"

"Come in." I followed her in and into one of the sitting rooms.

And there she was. Sitting, with her long hairless legs folded. She wore a tight mini red silk dress, black heels, black hair in a neatly sharp bob, pretty makeup and a red lips you couldn't miss. "Penelope," I started.

"Ricky," she said. I disliked 'Ricky' and she knew I disliked it since high school.

"How are you?" I asked, trying to be nice.

"I'm great. How about you?"

"Likewise."

"It's so good to see you again after all this time. You and I have a lot of catching up to do," she inputted.

I smiled at her but I looked at my mother with a frown.

"If you'll excuse me then, I'll leave you two cuties to it," she said and slipped away.

Penelope and I walked towards my home office.

"You know, I've missed you. I've missed us and everything about us. You were my everything. I was so foolish to have left you."

"Penelope, we took different paths and that's fine. That's life. We're different people."

I opened the door and motion for her to step in.

"I know but we're adults now. We're still learning but I think I've learnt enough to know that I made a mistake."

"Pen..."

"No. I need to say this before I don't have the nerves to anymore. You know I've always had an issue with expressing myself and being vocal. It was one of the reasons why we always had problems as a couple."

She was right. Penelope was not very vocal when we were together. Too many things and times she would dismiss certain situations when she should have spoken up and let me know what was going on with her.

I didn't even know she was leaving the state until the day she was actually leaving the damn state. A hurt that still ached thinking about it all over again.

"Go ahead," I said with a pleasing smile.

"Thank you. I really do miss you. I'm not expecting everything to magically fall back into place so suddenly, but your mother did inform me you were still single."

We shared a small laugh.

"I want us to be together again. Can you see this happening?"

I didn't know what to say. Penelope had blossom into a much more beautiful woman than when I

last saw her.

"Look, I can't say yes or no, Penelope.. I wasn't even expecting to see you today."

"I asked your mom to keep it a secret. I wanted to surprise you before your birthday. Perhaps I shouldn't have. I see I've put you in an awkward position now."

I leaned against the desk and she walked towards me. Her hands trailed up my arms as she pressed herself into me.

"Let's take this slow. Let's get to know each other all over again and be friends," she said softly in my ears as she hoisted her left leg to my waist.

"Then you'll decide if you still want this or not. The decision is one hundred percent yours. And I can be too," she finished. Her hand went lower this time until she reached it. It was already hardened.

With satisfaction to her doing, she kissed my lips and walked out of the office.

Damn it! Penelope was back and was exactly the woman I wanted her to be all this time!