"Little Cloud, are you feeling alright after the nap?" Wayne asked nonchalantly, ignoring her obvious differences in behavior. She smirked at his question and pretending act.
"So you made dinner?" She questioned authoritatively before picking up her chopsticks and digging into the stir-fried pork with capsicum.
"Hmm… tasty…" She complimented him genuinely as she had not tasted such a tasty and wholesome meal in ages. Feeling satisfied, she slowly made her way to his wine cupboard before putting her arms on her hips and staring back at his expensive collections, slowly deciding which bottle would do justice to her sumptuous meal.
Wayne knew it was her other personality, which he had been eagerly waiting for. So, he went to fetch the dessert wine he had prepared before closing the doors of the cupboards, which agitated her for a moment.
"Here… I was waiting for you…" Wayne said as her eyes grew darker, knowing he had figured her out. He dragged her back to the dining table before serving the wine.
"So, for a start, what is your name?" He questioned as she raised an eyebrow, finally giving up her pretense as well.
"Smart… You did enough research to know this…" She complimented him while wanting to lift the wine glass, only for him to stop her by gently putting his hand on hers. She surprised herself for not flinching and quickly blamed it on Pei Li's body having gotten familiar with his touch. Instead, she glared at him to retaliate, but he was still waiting for her answer.
"Penny…" Her name surprised him as he withdrew his hand instantly and let her take a sip of the good dessert wine.
Thousands of thoughts flooded his mind. He instantly wondered if her dual personality knew about her dead twin, Pei Ni, or if Penny knew anything about Pei Ni's death back then. However, he was trying to control himself from giving away his doubts and insecurity in front of his first time acknowledging the second personality of Pei Li.
His motive was to learn about Penny and to be able to navigate his way of living together. He recalled her simple demand on their second encounter was to keep Pei Li protected, and that was on his top priority list but he could not help but find Penny must have meant more than just the literal meaning.
"Oh! This is so lovely! Absolutely good choice!" Penny cheered happily at the satisfying dessert wine as she absentmindedly complimented him before downing the whole glass.
"You knew about her twin sister?" Wayne asked skeptically but with a hint of curiosity.
She was taken aback at his candid way of questioning while drinking the chicken soup but decided to ignore this question intentionally. She was still not convinced enough by him to be able to trust him with her insights while he was not giving up on trying to learn about Pei Li and Penny with the limited time he had on hand.
"For a start, at least tell me what I should do to manage you both. You know I'm an artist and our marriage is meant to be a secret. I don't think Pei Li is aware of you, is she?" Wayne tried to reason with Penny.
"She knows of my existence…" Penny raised an eyebrow at him.
"But she had no idea of what went on at night and especially when we made the promise to buy each other freedom and happiness. She had no idea of her dad returning to the house or …" He paused, noticing her playful look was turning into stern anguish.
"Alright, alright… I'm not here to pick a fight with you. I'm here to negotiate a way to live with you at least… Have you both been treated by professionals before?" Wayne tried appeasing Penny but instantly regretted his stupid question after noticing Penny's disbelief look.
"Seriously? If we could afford that, why am I here? Why is Pei Li needing you to buy us both freedom? Why do we even need to endure that god-forsaken household?" Penny vented as Wayne nodded and waved his hands in front of her to calm her.
"I know… I know. I'm sorry for asking such a stupid question… Perhaps for a start…" He poured her another glass of wine to appease her feisty self.
"Why don't you tell me your part of the story of your life that I have missed since I moved?" He sat back down in the chair, eagerly waiting for her to start after sipping the wine. She clearly was satisfied from her facial expression.
"How much do you want to know? How detailed you wanna know?" Penny asked, trying to judge his intention.
"Everything…" Penny was surprised by his relaxed manner while answering.
"It's not something that can be done in one night or even every night…" Penny lamented while swirling the wine in her glass.
"I have plenty of time, but keep it short within the next few days… As much as you could. I am on off days for now. When I work, I intend to bring Little Cloud along. I hope you can also cooperate by then. Besides, what are you going to do about her trying to study for exams?" He questioned.
"Cooperate as what? Your wife when it should be a secret marriage? Your lover and ruin your career? Then how would you continue buying us freedom?" Penny mocked him.
"My assistant. Penny, I could promise you I would protect Little Cloud with all my might, but you're also a part of her. If I don't know much about you, how am I to protect her, ultimately, and you as well? You're both my responsibility now." He claimed sincerely.
Penny understood his intention and could not help but feel moved by it. She cursed in her mind for always being moved by him since their first encounter as she forced her sentimental feelings away while blaming it on Pei Li.
"I am always around whenever Pei Li feels she is in a threatened position or in danger. Most of the time at night, she would feel insecure because most of the nights, the disgusting idiot would be back…" Penny drank the whole glass of wine while Wayne refilled it for her, knowing she meant her father. Penny wished she could skip that part, but it was the most essential part he must be aware of.
"Do you appear any time of the day too then?" He switched the direction of her question a bit.
"It happens but rarely." She took another sip of wine.
"I have been noticing the pattern now… I'm not sure what time you come, but like today, it was around 5 pm. Is there a specific timing?" He tried to clarify.
She was pleased that he was learning about them both fast and was very observant but seeing he was taking down notes on his mobile's notepad, she was paranoid.
"Make sure you keep that note by hard in mind by the time you head to work… It's dangerous…" Penny said calmly.
Wayne realised she was right. "I will…" He promised with a convincing look.
"Normally, Pei Li loves afternoon naps 'cause I would take up a lot of her night time being awake either recuperating or just thinking of my sweet revenge against the old hag or even death like that night with you… So, to be safe after her afternoon nap." Penny admitted honestly to him as his gaze turned moody, unexpecting Penny to catch him this way.
"Weren't you also thinking of doing the same that night? Committing suicide?" Penny did not let him go. He blinked in surprise that she was pestering him about it.
"That's why you were determined to buy me this freedom?" Penny continued on as he looked away and downed her glass of wine instead.
Penny smirked a little, convinced she was right.
"I'm glad we didn't walk that path now… At least Pei Li had another protector now." Penny concluded.
And so did I. Penny continued in mind while smiling as she poured herself another glass with his help.
"If you are…" Wayne took a deep breath while pausing to prevent himself from stuttering. A part of him did not want to explain himself just yet about his reasons as he was still not familiar with Penny.
"... around every night, could you tell me a little more each night of the remaining, with our limited time… Little Happiness?" He asked while meeting Penny's weary gaze, which was slowly turning into a smile she could not resist, hearing her new nickname.
Penny nodded slowly.
"Yes, Little Freedom… This would be our code from now on…" He smiled knowing they had a tacit understanding though he had plenty more questions but he knew those can wait.
"And while at it, I must admit, there's no point for me to study on behalf of Pei Li unless she suddenly panicked and sent me into the exam, but I doubt that would happen with you around these days…" Penny said with a sad tone as Wayne nodded in acknowledgement.
I might not need to be around anymore if you could give her every happiness and protection she needs in the long run… Penny thought to herself.
Now, that's the true freedom I longed for, Pei Li. Penny sighed quietly, keeping her thoughts to herself, but Wayne caught on.
He wanted to pry what was on her mind, but he knew he should not push her just yet. With her willingly opening up and not create trouble on purpose was already a good start as they continued eating dinner comfortably together.