Warning: This chapter contains psychological content that may not be suitable for some readers
Sebastian stood for a moment outside Violet's hospital room door after Sam closed it to confront the tears he had been holding back.
"How could she be so strong?" Sebastian questioned. Sam was equally shocked by it, but their question was soon answered by her cries.
Sebastian wanted to head in to comfort her, but Sam stopped him, knowing his sister was acting strong, knowing they had other commitments and did not want to worry them.
"It's alright… It's fine." Jade tried comforting her as Violet cried louder in her arms.
"Does it still hurt?" Jade asked with a pout, looking at her face. She nodded while rubbing her eyes as Jade kissed her forehead, like comforting a little child.
"Aww… You need to sleep on your stomach for the time being. The impact was so harsh on your back that it bruised your entire back…" Jade explained.
"Painful… It's so painful…" She continued to cry to Jade like a small girl for once.
"Weren't you very strong earlier?" Jade teased her as her cries grew louder.
"I didn't want him to worry… He has enough worries…" Violet said, which broke Sebastian's heart who was still listening in with Sam.
Sam was holding on to Sebastian to let him have a moment to sob silently when he saw two figures rushing towards them.
Wayne and Penny came wanting to visit Violet, only to hear her cries. Sam could only nod at the couple to greet them while comforting Sebastian, who was having a moment to himself. Though Penny knew she should let Violet calm down first but her eagerness to see her new friend and ensure she was all good was overwhelming her.
"Can I peep?" Penny pleaded with Wayne as he nodded reluctantly. She quickly went to see her in Jade's arms, which Jade noticed.
"Hey, it's alright… You're the heroine who saved the world… Now, I think your friend is here to see you. She looks worried…" Jade whispered to Violet as she turned around slowly to find Penny peeking in. Violet waved for her to enter, which made Penny eagerly run inside to her after closing the door.
"Are you alright? I have been so worried…" Penny asked worriedly while holding Violet's hand tightly.
Violet nodded as she urged Penny to sit next to her, but Penny hugged her instead.
"Ouch…" Violet grimaced painfully at the impact while enduring.
"Ah, sorry, you gotta be gentle. Her back has a big bruise…" Jade prompted as Penny quickly let go of Violet.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…" Penny apologised initially for hurting her back even more, but eventually she was apologising for the entire accident, which was targeting her and Wayne.
Violet shook her head and held her hands in hers.
"It's fine. It's not your fault." Violet said that while looking directly into Penny's eyes, trying to reach for Pei Li, whom she missed dearly but was glad that she was not around to witness all of this.
"I'm sorry for the scare…You will need to be more careful after this…" Violet whispered to Penny as tears welled in Penny's eyes unexpectedly.
"It's related to TP, isn't it?" Penny questioned as Violet averted her gaze nervously for a moment before nodding.
"High chance it is. This isn't possible from their agency because they are still busy solving Sebby's freezer incident and the mess with my brother." Violet explained before they heard a knock and Wayne was seen.
"We need to go… There's a new job." Wayne urged as Penny nodded before Wayne greeted Violet and Jade briefly with a nod each when their gazes met.
"I will update you daily, alright…" Penny said hastily as Violet nodded.
"Take care…" Violet held Penny's hand in hers tightly with reddening eyes. Violet was worried about leaving Penny alone for fear Pei Li would decide to come back out.
"You too. Rest all you need. Thank you…" Penny said with a cracked voice as she forced her welling tears away before leaving Violet, who was very worried.
Jade forgot for a moment to not touch Violet's back when she yelped in pain. "Sorry, sorry!"
Violet pouted again. "I'm worried for her…"
"Don't be… Sam had already sought help. Lucky Clover now has lots of contacts and resources to help out on such security matters, but discreetly." Jade assured Violet, who was still not at ease as she hugged Jade tightly hoping her warmth could melt away all of her miserable thoughts.
Sam drove Sebastian, with Wayne and Penny on board in the car. Everyone's mood was sombre, but was glad Violet was stable and recovering. Though none of them could be by her side, they knew they should make good use of her sacrifices.
"Where are we heading to?" Penny finally prompted Wayne to explain.
"We are heading for an advertisement. I have spoken to Lova's side… They are adamant with the collaboration since it was only a small advertisement for Chew Long's sister's biscuits brand." Wayne explained when Sam was about to park.
"And what do you do there?" Penny prompted.
"To just pretend whacking more products… I mean ingredients…" Wayne shrugged as they all alighted leaving Penny a little off guard but still assured since Sam was leading them and it was all under Lucky Clover.
Penny only understood the arrangements when she stood by the side watching the filming of Wayne and Sebastian collaborating in a simple choreographed stunt of whacking a packet of flour at each of their ends with baseball sticks before saying the tag line of the biscuit's brand; one is not enough.
It was Wayne's first advertisement and Penny was impressed. She could understand more now how the volume of affection Pei Li had grown for him was from.
Pei Li, I could write all that happened for you. I could record all of the moments for you. But I could never understand you till I see it for myself. Haven't you missed any of this? Would you like to return for a bit, hmm…? Penny thought to herself as she watched Sam directing for the first time with his filming crew.
It reminded her of Violet's conversation. Perhaps someday Wayne could join them and she would be even more at ease.
As they wrapped up the advertisement after two hours, Penny sat by the desk in the living room while Wayne was showering. She was beginning to feel life was slipping away from her for some reason. As she recorded all that had happened for the day, she wondered what if Violet was not around. What if Violet was luckier and it was Wayne who was trapped as targeted?
Penny still had her doubts on who TP was. She wondered since filming over the next few days were focusing more on individual scenes, she would have some time to visit her mother. That way, she might have the chance to bump into TP and if she does, she is going to take matters into her own hands. The only way to keep everyone safe especially under her special condition was to eliminate the source of threat and to do so, it was through death.
Penny was staring deep into the dark abyss knowing since her intention was to reward death with death and pin it on her medical condition. If Pei Li still did not resurface by then, she would pretend she was Pei Li. By all means, jail term would not be able to capture her and worse to worse was to live in the mental institute for a period of time. At least, everyone she and Pei Li cherished was safe and sound even if it meant for her to perish together with the threat, leaving Pei Li to enjoy this happy life.
Deep in her thoughts, she did not realise Wayne was holding on to her hand, calling out to her for a while now. "Penny… Are you alright? Pei Li? No, can't be…" Wayne doubted it when Penny regained her composure.
"Not now… No, Pei Li…" Wayne desperately held onto Penny's hand.
"I'm sorry… I was just thinking about all that happened earlier…" Penny explained while gently caressing his half-wet hair.
"Come, let me help you dry your hair…" Wayne looked up at her as she paused for a moment.
"We should put an end to TP…" Wayne concluded as she nodded solemnly.
She quickly blinked away her darkening eyes, not wanting to reveal her dark plans.
"We will work with the director to tighten the security and also have Sam's side on it. Meanwhile, we stay close together at work. Put a note to notify Pei Li in case she…" Before he could finish sharing his ideas, she already predicted; she pulled him in for a deep kiss, which he reciprocated passionately, pouring his fears, agony and anguish into their lovemaking session.
I promised Pei Li, I will protect you always. So, let me take the lead this time, Little Freedom. Thank you for all that you have given, as your nickname promised. The freedom you brought to me does indeed give me the happiness I longed for all the while. Never in my wildest dreams would I ever imagine how our lives could get tangled up this way, but I will forever remember it.