Chapter 1070: That’s the reason for sure

The Finn Davis everyone — Penny included — knew was like a fox: cunning, manipulative, secretive. He would jump ship faster than the blink of an eye, his relationships rooted in mutual benefit, and he would break any relationship or partnership if he saw fit.

He was one of the most dangerous people to be associated with. He couldn’t be trusted, yet people would still hold hands with him, just like they would hold hands with the devil.

That was the Finn Davis, Penny knew.

Who would have thought that a day would come when she would witness this side of him?

"Are you calm now?" she asked after a while, watching him drink the tea she made for him.

Finn huffed and nodded. "Yes, thank you. I’m sorry for bothering you with such a dilemma."

"I wanted to say, ’No worries, it’s no big deal,’ but I can’t," she blurted, crossing her arms under her chest. "At the same time, I also understand that I’d rather hear it than know that you’re starting to confide in a complete stranger."

"Thank you."

"So? Correct me if I’m wrong. From what I understand, when you moved into her place a few days ago, everything was fine. But the next day, she just starts acting weird?"

"Yes."

"And by weird, you mean she’s avoiding you?"

"Initially, I thought I was just overthinking and that she simply had a lot of work, that she had to go to the office earlier. However, just this morning, she woke up earlier than usual and left the house before five in the morning. I think she did so because she realized I woke up earlier than her." Finn sighed again. "What confused me, though, is that despite all that, she prepared me breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner."

Finn snapped his eyes up at her again. "You’re her sister, so you must know."

"That doesn’t add up." Penny furrowed her brows, rubbing her chin as she tried to solve this problem. "Nina is a sensible person. She does everything for a reason. I mean, she let you move in so easily because I’m sure she was already expecting it. I’m certain she wanted to see your progress herself."

"That’s what I thought, but then things just got out of control."

Penny hummed and rubbed her chin, narrowing her eyes at him. "You’re not telling me something else, are you?"

"Huh?"

"Finn Davis, if you came here to figure something out, you can’t just leave something behind! Even if you lawyer up, they’d ask you to tell them everything — EVERYTHING. It’s the same if you go to the police or a marriage counselor," she lectured in a knowing tone. "I’m neither of those, but I’m trying to help here. Keeping something from me isn’t helping me, you, or this situation."

Finn’s mouth was drawn into a thin line, sighing for the umpteenth time. "I think... I’m not sure, but I think it’s because of THAT."

"What, that?"

"The night I moved in, I wasn’t expecting to move in. I thought I was only visiting her and then I’d go home. But we talked, and I asked her if I could stay with her while I recover," he explained again, something he had already told her. "Then, her response and the look on her face mesmerized me."

"For some reason, my heart is beating fast," Penny mumbled. "I feel like this is heading to something I don’t like."

"I got a little carried away, so I cut her off... with a kiss."

Penny heaved a sigh of relief. Well, it still headed to something she didn’t like, but at least it wasn’t to the extent where she’d have to worry about adding to his injuries.

"You kissed her?" she asked, and he nodded. "Oh, my god... you know Nina could enter a convent with her beliefs, right?"

"Penny, this isn’t the first time we kissed."

"What?!" she gasped, but her reaction quickly shifted to a mischievous giggle. "That naughty girl — I knew it. No wonder Aunt Jessa likes these kinds of conversations and calls them juicy because they are interesting."

Finn shook his head, though his ears felt like they were on fire. He never intended to talk about something like this with anyone, especially not Penny. However, he was more desperate than one might imagine. So, despite knowing he’d hear a lot of unnecessary side comments from her, he still came to see her.

"Penny," he called, noticing her deviously snickering with her hand in front of her mouth. "I can’t hear your thoughts, but I can see them."

"Ahem!" Penny cleared her throat and straightened her back. "Okay, I get it. So, while she was talking, you kissed her?"

"Yes."

"Without asking for permission? Or do you often do this as well?"

Finn massaged his neck as he recalled his memories. "I used to have the urge, but I always controlled myself."

"So, that’s the first time you smooched her without asking for permission?" she inquired, and for some reason, she kept her fingers together, gesturing as if her fingers were kissing.

"Uh, right. That’s the first time—"

"That’s it!" Penny exclaimed, beaming proudly as she started to feel like she could be a love guru at this point. "That’s why Nina is avoiding you! I think it’s because you didn’t ask for her permission!"

Finn’s eyes cleared as he straightened his back, eager to hear more of Penny’s deduction.

"Finn Davis, how could you be so careless?" she clicked her tongue while shaking her head. "You just moved into another person’s safe haven. Even if Nina is your fiancée, you can’t just do whatever you want. It’s her place, her rules."

"Oh..."

"Even the Bible says our body is a temple," she added matter-of-factly. "You can’t be so reckless just because you can’t control your feelings."

Finn nodded. "You think that’s the problem? I should’ve asked her permission first?"

"Of course! Are you doubting me? Did you know I did fortune telling as a child and made a fortune out of it?"

"But you’re not actually reading their palms because you already know what will happen to them."

"Shhh!!" Penny flung her arms and clasped the air to silence him. "Finn, you came here with a love problem, and even though Prime Group isn’t for that kind of issue, I’m still imparting wisdom from a married woman’s experience."

"Right." Finn sighed. "I’m sorry."

She smirked arrogantly, her arms crossed as she leaned back in her chair. "Just apologize to her. I’m sure that’s the reason. Trust me."

*****

At the same time, in a café near Nina’s workplace, Nina sighed heavily as she spoke to the person seated across from her. "No, I don’t need him to ask for my permission... that’s not the reason. I’m not that shallow, Lily."