Chapter 334: I know you can, but let me.

The Bennet family rushed to the front door to welcome Penny back, and perhaps, to see if she was fine. However, Butler Jen stood in front to block them.

"Butler Jen, what are you doing?" Slater asked in disbelief. "Isn’t that Penny?"

"Butler Jen, why are you holding the door closed? We’re just going to check," Charles added, confused.

Charles and his sons looked at the elderly butler, who returned their confusion with a smile.

"Sir Charles and Young Masters, I know you are worried about Miss Penny. However, since it took them this long to arrive, I am sure they had a good day," explained Butler Jen. "It would be better if, as much as possible, none of us here ruins that."

Their faces relaxed a little upon hearing Butler Jen’s remarks, and they backed off. Butler Jen smiled in satisfaction.

"However, I think it’s fine to take a peek. After all, I am also curious about how it went."

Having said that, everyone looked at each other before Charles reached out for the knob. He carefully pulled it open, peeking through the small gap. His sons also walked closer, peeking through the same gap.

As for Butler Jen, he simply chuckled and walked over to the nearby window to take a peek.

\*\*\*

Outside the mansion, the car that picked up Penny stopped, but neither of them got out yet.

"I’m here," said Penny as she cast him a look. "Thank you for this day, Mr. ... Zoren. I really enjoyed it, and surprisingly enough, I didn’t regret agreeing to this... abrupt invitation."

Zoren smiled and nodded amicably. "The feeling is mutual, Penelope. I’m glad I mustered enough courage to invite you."

The two of them stared at each other without even mentioning when their next date would be.

"Very well." After another moment, Penny broke the silence. "It’s a little late, so I’m sure my family is worried."

"I’ll walk you out."

"No, it’s fine."

"I insist," Zoren stressed with a firm yet gentle tone. "I promised your father that I’d return you, so I am keeping that promise."

Her eyes softened as her smile looked defeated. "Do you always keep promises, Zoren?"

"I do. Always."

"You should be careful about keeping promises next time," she said. "Just a word of advice from your date who owns a security firm. Not everyone keeps their promises, so don’t hold on to those promises so much... You might get hurt in the end."

"That’s alright," he replied with a light chuckle. "I’d rather be remembered as the man who kept his promise than the man who breaks his word."

"Are you still trying to impress me?"

"Does my honesty impress you?"

Penny didn’t respond immediately, pursing her lips into a thin line. "It does, actually."

"Should I take that as confirmation for a second date?" he wondered, only to hear her hum after a few seconds. "I’m glad to hear that."

"I’ll let you know about my schedule. My office will be available by the end of this week, and operations will start the week after that."

"It’s alright," he said. "I understand. Keep in touch."

"Alright."

Having said that, Penny picked up her things and was about to open the door when he spoke.

"Don’t open it."

She looked back at him and furrowed her brows. "Why?"

"There’s a bomb attached to it," he said. "If you open it from the inside, both of us will disappear from the face of the earth."

Huh???

"Wait for me," he added as he stepped out, jogging over to her side of the door. Zoren swiftly opened the door for her with a smile while Penny’s brows rose.

"That bomb..." she halted, running her tongue across her inner cheek. "... is not true?"

"Did you believe it?"

"No, but it was shocking enough to stop me and wonder what made you think I would believe such a lame excuse."

Another soft wave of chuckles escaped him as he offered his hand to her like a gentleman. "It worked," he said. "If it worked, then that’s good enough for me."

"My goodness..." she whispered. ’... my heart, please be still.’

Penny huffed and forced a smile, clasping his hand mildly as she stepped out. She found his excessive display of ’devotion’ a little old-fashioned. After all, Penny didn’t mind opening the car door for herself, driving herself home, or doing things one could do without a problem.

However, that didn’t mean she didn’t feel her feminine energy dominating her the entire day.

’Even so...’ she thought and faced Zoren squarely.

"Zoren, I know you’re trying to impress me, but I can open the door for myself," she expressed. "I don’t mind. So, you don’t have to exert more effort than you already did."

"I know you can." Zoren tilted his head a little. "I know you can do more than just open the door for yourself, but allow me."

Her brows rose a bit in surprise before her eyes shimmered softly. Her lips parted, but her voice didn’t come out. She was expecting him to argue stubbornly, but he didn’t. Instead, he gave her an answer that struck her straight in the heart like an arrow.

"Very well." She cleared her throat, hoping that would silence the beating of her heart. "See you around?"

Zoren nodded. "Wait, hang on," he remarked, just before she could turn away.

"Hmm?" Penny blinked curiously, watching him feel the open door and bend over to pick up something. When he straightened his back and stood tall before her, he handed her the children’s book he got from the snack bar.

Deep lines appeared between her brows. "That book... isn’t that yours?"

"It is, but if you don’t mind, I’d love to hear the story from you on our next date," he smiled innocently. "Would you mind?"

Hearing this, Penny laughed mildly. "Mr. Pierson, I’m starting to suspect that you’re a player," she quipped and accepted the book from him. "Fine, I’ll read it and tell you about its story."

"I’m looking forward to it." He smiled back before he snapped his eyes to the entrance. "Your family... aren’t they here? Should I wait for your father?"

Penny blinked toward the entrance, her face contorting at the gap where her family was peeking. "Haha. You don’t have to. Just go. It’s late, and you have to get some rest."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, yes." She nodded in a hurry. "Just go."

Since Zoren’s movements were as slow as a snail, Penny hurried him up. Standing in the same spot, hugging the book with one arm and holding the paper bag in the other, she watched the car as it drove away from her with a smile on her face.

Penny bit her bottom lip a little, her cheeks painted in pink. "So... this is a date, huh?"