Chapter 10

PENELOPE

James finally found a building to rent for his company a week after we moved into my mansion. He and Vanessa have been running around for days now trying to get the place ready for the grand opening. He had invited me a few days ago to come take a look at the place, but I refused. When I met Vanessa later that week she also asked why I hadn't visited, I told her I wanted him to surprise me with his plans, hoping they would buy it as some form of validation process and they did. James never asked again and only gave me the invite to the opening, it gives me so much joy seeing them putting things together with so much effort into his company, devoting themselves to spending my money. They probably think I am still the same gullible fool they killed. Scums!! 

Today is the grand opening of his construction company, he couldn't be happier. 

"Babe, does this look better?" he asked, taking a spin. He finally decided to get himself new clothes yesterday, he had asked me to join him in shopping but I declined telling him to go with Vanessa since she was better in fashion than I am. They had both tried to decline, reluctantly so, but agreed to go after little effort in convincing them. 

"They all look the same to me. The event doesn't start till 12pm. Why are you dressed already?" I asked. This is the third outfit he is modelling to me, the only thing I can say is that Vanessa really does have good taste in men's suits.

"We only have three hours left, Penelope and I still have so many things to do!" he let out an exasperated sigh.

"Like?" Frankly, I don't understand what the fuss is about. If he had listened to me he wouldn't even be throwing a party for a company that hasn't even found its footing in the business world. 

"I haven't perfected my speech, I still haven't checked on Vanessa and the event planner"

"You hired an event planner?" I replied with a slight shake of my head. 

"Of course. How am I supposed to plan the event without one? Since you decided not to help I can't take care of everything" he replied giving me a look. Deciding to let him be, I said with a stiff smile "That looks best on you".

"You think so? Vanessa said the same, it looks like your fashion sense is picking up these days Penelope" he replied with a smile rushing upstairs to his room. 

"Of course he asked her first." I muttered under my breath. 

….. 

"Would you hurry up? We can't be late Penelope" James voice boomed down the stairs.

"Your noise is unnecessary, you are getting worked up over nothing."I replied, taking my time to walk down the stairs.

"Nothing? My company is about to be opened and you call it nothing?" he said with narrowed eyes. 

"Give me a break, the way I see it I have more responsibilities than you do for this event" I said walking towards the front door with him following behind. 

"How? It is my company!" he replied, his voice filled with frustration, like he was making sure I remembered he owns it, the arrogant bastard. I turned around to face him before I opened the front door,

"Your company?! Now it is your company?. What happened to it being our legacy?. May I remind you that your company is running on my money and my family's name? You better give me the respect I deserve or I will take it from you" I said with my finger pointed at him. 

"I didn't mean it that way. Of course it is our company" he groaned. Opening the door for me to step through first. 

"Ma'am the car is ready" my bodyguard said

"Bring it around, you don't expect us to walk all the way there do you" James nagged

"You ride separately, I need some space to calm down. I will see you there" I said walking away with my bodyguard in tow.

"What? You can't be serious. Babe!" he shouted after me.

I got into my new BMW, with Kelvin my bodyguard closing the door after me. James was still yelling looking very disturbed, when Kelvin got into the car "Give this to him and don't stay long" I said

"Yes ma'am" he took the keys of my old Toyota and got out of the car to give James, I could see James trying to have a conversation with him but he walked away before he was done talking. I couldn't hear

anything they were saying but I was loving all the new employees Mum gave to me.

"Where to ma'am?" Kelvin asked after he got into the car. 

"Drive around for a while before going to the venue" I replied, getting comfortable in the seat. Kelvin did as he was told, forty five minutes later we drove towards the company's building. Vanessa had called me twenty minutes ago and sent a text message when I didn't pick up her calls, they were worried I wouldn't show up for the event. She only stopped calling after I texted her that I was on my way. I could see her pacing in front of the company's building as my car approached. A few blocks away from the building a car overtook mine and fell into a steady pace in front of my car, 

"Who is that?" I asked no one in particular

"It is the rest of your details ma'am" kelvin said, he didn't look surprised at all

"Details?" 

"Bodyguards Ma'am" 

"There are more of you?" 

"Yes ma'am they have been following since we left the house. Madam asked that they keep their distance till you got used to them" he explained. 

"Mum," I muttered hoarsely. Since I know this was all for my benefit, I think it is time I start getting used to bodyguards. I never really like them even while growing up, my friends would always tease me for having them. 

"After the event they can come in, the house is big enough" 

"Yes ma'am". We parked in front of the building, the car in front opened almost immediately with two bodyguards running towards my car. One opening the door and the other stopping Vanessa from coming too close. This is so much fun! 

"Pen, would you tell your guard to let me through?" she said, shooting daggers at the bodyguard. Haaa… so much fun.

"It's okay" I said to the bulky man trying to control my smile. 

"Hi sweetie, what's with all the guards?" she said after kissing my cheeks like the elegant woman she thinks she is. 

"Hi. Just trying something new" I replied with a smile. 

"Ohh. So why didn't you come in with your husband?" 

Sighing dramatically I tried to look downcast "We had a fight" 

"Why? What is going on? You can talk to me" she said, leading me inside the building 

"He doesn't respect me. He treats me like trash Van. I am tired. Can you believe he told me this is his company alone, after everything I have done to make this possible" I said looking like the victim. 

Vanessa still thinks I trust her so the only way to not raise suspicion after the fight would be if I played an emotionally distressed wife. All I have to do is tell the truth in a pitiful way. 

"What? He said that?" 

"Yes he did, he said your taste in fashion is better than mine and alot more that I can't begin to recount. It is like he doesn't love me anymore. I am tired Vanessa" Jackpot! I knew using her full name would make it look like I was really suffering and it worked. If I didn't know how much hate and envy she felt towards me, the look on her face would make anyone think she actually cares. 

"It's okay. How about I talk to him after the party? See what is going on" 

"I trust you, whatever you think is best" I said, sighing deeply. 

"Good. Now put a smile on your face and let's go support your man"she said, jerking her head towards the party.