The door creaked open, and Osvaldo stepped inside. Tall and broad, he looked almost toorge for the room, carrying a tray with a ss of water. His silver eyes locked onto her, calm and unreadable.


    "Don’t look at me," Penny muttered, rising to her feet. "I’m hideous." She closed the door behind him and Osvaldo just stood there wondering what to say to the damsel in distress.


    Obviously, he should be her savior. Her knight in shining armor, but he had no idea what to do or say.


    Penny stared at him with her round big eyes.


    "Your throat must be sore from all the crying," he said, his voice quiet. "Water will help."


    He held out the ss and she took it, a little surprised.


    "Thank you," she murmured and started walking back into the room.


    At least someone thought to bring her water. She was drained, emotionally and physically. Crying wasn’t just ugly, it was exhausting. And strangely enough, Osvaldo was the only one who’d shown her a little kindnesstely. Sure, sometimes he took advantage of her situation, but even she understood why.


    The world was selfish. Everyone in it. Including her.


    She drank the water in one go, a few drops escaping the corner of her mouth. "Thank you," she said again, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand as she passed the empty ss back to him.


    "It’s nothing," he replied, offering a small smile. He paused like he wanted to say something more, but nothing came out.


    Hughes had told him to bring water, but the woman forgot to give him a script. That useless housekeeper. Honestly, what did she even do around here?


    Earlier, when he saw Penny cry, something inside him twisted.


    When he was younger, crying meant pain. And now, watching her hurt, it did something to him. Something he didn’t like. Or maybe he did like it, but didn’t want to.


    For the first time in forever, his emotions were shing. A storm in his mind, voices he’d buried long ago scratching to break free.


    They wanted to hurt the people who made his penguin cry.


    His sweet penguin.


    The only one that had helped him cure the pain he goes through.


    He hated seeing her like this. Hated that everyone had ganged up on her like wild animals. And worst of all, he couldn’t do a damn thing about it.


    He clenched his fists, trying to stay calm. He had to. If he let go, if he snapped again... who knows what he’d be. Or for how long he’ll remain that way.


    These days, she was the reason he stayed sane. She brought color to his dull, miserable life. She was entertainment, a distraction, a spark.


    And he couldn’t lose her.


    He couldn’t get angry, anger made him mad.


    He couldn’tugh, that led him there too.


    He shouldn’t feel anything. That was the only way to survive. And that was what he did today.


    But what if? What if someone had dared to touch her?


    <fn13b2> For original chapters go to find·novel</fn13b2>


    A low growl rumbled from his chest before he could stop it.


    "Thank you for today," Penny said suddenly, her voice breaking the tension like a ss of cold water. "You saved my ass back there."


    She gave a smallugh.


    "If it wasn’t for you, I’d probably be in handcuffs right now, locked away for something I didn’t even do."


    She smiled again, rubbing her eyes. "Though, I don’t think it was in our contract that I cause you this much trouble. I’ll try to be less chaotic next time."


    "But I didn’t help you," Osvaldo suddenly said.


    She blinked, confused. "You didn’t send those make those calls and ask the mayor to kneel?" Penny asked.


    "What’s a Mayor?" Osvaldo asked back.


    "Then who did?" she muttered.


    Who had stood up for her today? Who made the Mayor kneel before her begging for mercy?


    Osvaldo looked at her for a long beat. "The gadget you used that day. The magical weapon that lets you talk to someone without seeing them."


    Penny stared, then burst outughing.


    "You mean... a cellphone, Mr. Osvaldo?"


    Sheughed harder when he nodded withplete seriousness. "Oh my God. You really are something else."


    He didn’t mind the teasing. Actually, he liked it. Herughter made something flutter in his chest.


    "Yes. That," he said simply.


    Penny reached for her phone from a corner of the bed. "You know, you can do more than send messages with this thing."


    "You can?"


    She nodded, scooting closer to him like a teacher with a very slow student. "All you have to do is tap the number, and boom, call goes through. Watch."


    She tapped, and the phone started ringing.


    "Now you ce it here..." she guided his hand to his ear "...and let the person talk. That’s it."


    Osvaldo held the phone awkwardly, then stood. "It’s a private conversation. I’ll talkter."


    He left the room, and Penny chuckled as he walked out like a man on a secret mission.


    A few minutester, he returned, handing her the phone like it was some sacred item.


    "The test results are back. Our weightless journey begins in one hour. Once you’re done getting ready, meet me in theb."


    And just like that, he disappeared again.