Chapter 647: Pillars of support

"Nina! Nina!"

Nina flinched at the third call, snapping out of her trance. Her eyes shook a bit as she searched for the person who called her, only to see one of her colleagues by the entrance.

"Someone’s looking for you," said the colleague, tipping his head to the side.

Nina slowly shifted her gaze to the person beside him, only to see Penny smiling and waving at her. A shallow breath slipped past Nina’s lips the moment she saw Penny.

***

"Mom and Aunt Jessa were worried," Penny explained, treading carefully beside Nina on their way to the café.

Nina smiled subtly as she gazed down. "I’m sorry that you had to come here to check on me."

"Why are you apologizing?" Penny arched a brow. "The second I heard that you broke off your engagement, I would’ve come here whether Mom or Aunt Jessa asked me."

"Hehe."

"So?" Penny tilted her head slightly. "Do you want to go somewhere?"

"Hmm?"

"It might not heal your broken heart, but I’m sure a break will help."

"Hehe. Thanks, but I’m fine."

"Are you sure?"

Nina smacked her lips and nodded, forcing a smile as she faced Penny. "Yes, Penny. It’s alright." She then looked ahead, raising her chin as the corners of her lips hooked up a bit.

"A vacation won’t help; it’ll just make me think of the breakup," she explained in a meek voice. "Although I ended up getting distracted in the middle of work, at least I have some tasks to return to once I snap out of it. But on vacation, I’ll just remember him."

"I see." Penny nodded in understanding, knowing she wasn’t in a position to force things or argue.

People cope in different ways. For Nina, it was burying herself in her work and going through her day as usual. Was it healthy? Penny wasn’t sure. However, if this was what Nina thought would work for her, then who was she to argue?

"Just know that if you need a vacation, I can always come with you." Penny winked at her. "Mom and Aunt Jessa would also love to go on a trip with just us."

Nina let out a weak chuckle. "I’ll keep that in mind."

"You should." Penny raised her brows briefly as she peeled her eyes away from her. "If this doesn’t work, then call me. I’ll come to you as soon as I get it—no matter what time. If a vacation still doesn’t work, then we’ll think of something else."

Listening to Penny’s suggestions, Nina couldn’t help but smile subtly. She jumped a step, hooking her arm around Penny, making the latter look back at her.

"Penny," called Nina, smiling. "Perhaps the reason I’m accepting this breakup better than I expected is because of you and Aunt Jessa."

"I understand Aunt Jessa, but why would I be the reason for that?"

Nina shrugged while chuckling. "I don’t know, but I feel better now that I talked to you. Anyway, how’s your head?"

"Getting better now, thankfully."

"Are you sure?"

"Mom wouldn’t let me out of the house if I wasn’t."

"How about Dad?"

"He’s on a fishing trip with the guys."

"Including your husband?"

Penny smiled and nodded. "Including him."

"I wish Mr. Pierson good luck, then." Nina had a conflicted smile while Penny sighed a little. "Well, I think Dad likes him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have invited your husband."

"I know." Penny looked ahead and huffed softly. "Even if Dad doesn’t like him, I’m sure his heart would soften eventually. It’s Renren, after all."

Nina assessed Penny’s side profile for a moment, smiling subtly at the look in Penny’s eyes. She had already seen how Penny and Zoren interacted not long ago, so Nina had an idea of the couple’s dynamics. However, she still couldn’t believe just how beautiful the glow in Penny’s eyes was at the mention of her husband.

Not just that, but also...

’That night... he looked like he was going to burn everything in the vicinity after seeing Penny in trouble,’ Nina thought to herself, furrowing her brows as she remembered one event from that same night. ’That night... did Finn approach me?’

Some details of that night in the Crimson Bar were a blur to Nina. But now that she thought about it, she remembered someone stopping her from helping Penny.

"Nina?" Penny’s call snapped Nina out of her thoughts, making her look up at Penny in surprise. "You’re zoning out again."

"Ah... ha ha... sorry."

Penny arched a brow but assumed she was zoning out because of her heartbreak. "We’re already here," she said, tipping her head toward the entrance of the café. "Come on. I’m hungry."

"Mhm." Nina hummed, but before she took a step, she couldn’t help but wonder. "Penny, that night in the Crimson Bar... did you happen to see Finn?"

"Huh?"

Nina studied the confused look on Penny before she shook her head and smiled. "Never mind. I was drunk that night, and a lot of things were happening all at once. I’m just probably confused. Let’s go."

Having said that, Nina took charge and dragged Penny inside the café by the arm. Meanwhile, Penny gazed at Nina’s side profile.

’So that guy...’ Penny’s thoughts trailed off as she pressed her lips into a thin line. ’... Grace wasn’t mistaken all along?’

Again, the question of "why" crossed her mind. Myriads of whys followed, which Penny didn’t dwell on as she spent time with Nina. After all, she came here to console Nina and to make sure she was alright.

She could focus on the whys later.

***

"I’m not going in." Penny stopped at the entrance of the building. "If you’re bored at Aunt Jessa’s house, you can always come home."

Nina pressed her lips together and nodded with a smile. "That’s the tenth time you’ve said that."

"That’s because I’m staying over there until I’ve fully recovered."

"I’ll try," Nina replied. "Anyway, thank you for checking up on me, Penny. I really appreciate it."

Penny nodded, jerking her chin at the entrance behind Nina. "Go now."

"Mhm. Take care on your way back~"

With that, Nina waved and turned, walking toward the entrance. Even when she crossed the threshold, she turned around and waved at Penny. Penny smiled back at her, only leaving when Nina was out of sight.

However, the moment Penny turned around, she noticed a car parked across from the building. Deep lines appeared on her forehead as her eyes slowly shifted to the person leaning against the side of it, looking straight in her direction.

Finn Davis.