Chapter 534: I have time for you.

The next day...

"Nina!" Penny exclaimed as soon as Nina stepped into her office, pushing herself up from her desk. "How are you? Coffee? Juice? Anything?"

Nina smiled sweetly, glancing around the office she had designed herself. "It’s okay, Penny. Don’t bother."

"It’s no bother at all." Penny marched over to the small coffee station on the side while Nina settled on the couch.

As she looked around, Nina’s smile widened. She had decorated the entire office and had taken special care of Penny’s space. Seeing Penny actually using it now warmed her heart.

"Here." Penny’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts as she placed the coffee in front of Nina. "I was surprised when you called this morning and said you’d drop by, but I was happy. I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t had time to hang out."

"I know, and I understand. Moving your base is a lot of work. I didn’t want to be a bother," Nina replied, then assessed Penny closely, raising her brows. "Penny, you’re glowing."

"Huh?"

"You seem really happy."

"Ahh..." Penny touched her cheek with the back of her hand. "Really?"

"Mhm. Honestly," Nina said, pursing her lips before asking, "Is it because of your husband?"

"Oh... you heard?"

"Penny, do you want to keep it a secret from me?" Nina frowned. "Was I not supposed to know?"

Penny chuckled. "Why would I keep it a secret from you? I’ve kept it private, but not secret. A lot has been happening, that’s all. Sorry you had to hear it from someone else."

"It’s fine. I’m just teasing," Nina quipped, making them both laugh.

As they did, Nina reached for the cup of coffee Penny had served. After taking a sip, her brows rose in surprise. She looked down at the coffee, then back at Penny.

"This is nice," she muttered. "How did you make it this good?"

Penny smirked. "I didn’t do anything. The coffee beans are from First Brother. His client gifted him some samples for the imports."

"Ohh."

"Didn’t you get yours?"

"Hmm?"

"I thought he sent you a box."

Nina smiled. "I guess it hasn’t reached my desk yet."

"It will. You know how First Brother is."

"Mhm." Nina placed the cup down. "Penny, you really should hire an assistant, so you don’t have to do all of this yourself. You could be focusing on other things."

"I’ll reconsider," Penny said, rocking her head from side to side, while Nina pouted.

"Why are you so reluctant to hire an assistant? They’re there to help, not be a burden. You’re more than capable of hiring one, and I’m sure people would line up for the job."

"I just prefer working alone. I don’t like people constantly following me around. Plus, I have trouble working closely with others. I am used to working all on my own and doing everything from start to finish. Only then I am reassured that the work is perfect and that I’m not going to be in trouble because someone else made a mistake." Penny shrugged. "But I’m reconsidering now since First Brother’s assistant and Third Brother seemed to be helping them a lot. If nothing else, I might hire someone just to guard my office."

"Guard your office? Why?"

Penny grinned. "To keep pests out. Not you, of course, but certain dirtbags who come in whenever they please. In that case, I wouldn’t get morning surprises or anything like that."

"That’s not Third Brother, is it? You haven’t started calling him a dirtbag, right?" Nina laughed nervously. "Penny, if Third Brother heard that, he’d flip."

"Hahaha! No, of course not!" Penny clicked her tongue. "I’d never call him that." — at least, not in this lifetime

"Ahh..." Nina chuckled, patting her chest in mock relief. "I thought that’s Third Brother. Speaking of Third Brother, I saw the article about him."’

Penny waved dismissively. "Let him be. That article is ridiculous. Third Brother can handle that. I’d rather stay out of it."

"I see..."

"Anyway, Nina, why are you really here?" Penny asked, tilting her head. "I mean, if you just came to check on me, I’m glad. I’d love to chat with you as long as you want. But it’s a little sudden, so I’m curious."

Nina smiled, studying Penny’s beautiful face. She knew Penny would ask; Nina wasn’t the type to drop by unannounced. Considering Penny’s busy schedule, she wouldn’t come just to chat unless she knew Penny had some time to spare.

"Well, Finn asked me to accompany him to a charity event tonight," Nina explained, already prepared for this question. "But I still haven’t found anything to wear."

"You? You don’t know what to wear? You?" Penny furrowed her brows. "That’s strange. How come you don’t have something ready? This isn’t the Nina I know."

Unlike Penny, who would throw on anything until her career made her realize the importance of attire, Nina had always been the girly type. Even as kids, Nina loved putting effort into her outfits.

Nina panicked a little and blurted out, "I’ve just been busy and almost forgot."

"Oh?"

"If Finn hadn’t reminded me last night, I wouldn’t have even remembered." Nina bit her lip nervously, hoping Penny would believe her weak excuse. "I know you’re busy, and I don’t want to pressure you. It’s fine if you can’t help. I mean, I must have lost my mind coming here—"

"Nina," Penny interrupted sternly, chuckling as Nina began rambling. "It’s okay. I might be busy, but I always have time for you. If I didn’t, I would’ve told you over the phone."

"But you never told me you’re busy..."

Penny grinned. "Like I said, I have time for you." She winked, almost making Nina tear up.

If only Penny knew the real reason Nina was here — to gauge how much Penny loved Zoren. So Nina could prepare herself for how much it would hurt Penny. But instead, what she was seeing was just how much Penny always made time for her, no matter what.

’Penny, don’t worry! If I ever find out the truth and the truth is going to hurt you, I’ll be there for you, and I won’t leave your side for a second!’