"Hi, is this Detective Whitehead...yes this is Quentin Romano. I have been trying to find someone to help us. My wife recently was almost a victim of a hit-and-run. I want to find the person responsible....Hmm...She was a pedestrian...No, you can't speak to her right now....Fine! Call me back when you actually want to be useful!"
It was the next morning, Tuesday, and Quentin recently took it upon himself to drive his wife, Penny Marshall, to her job every morning. Today was actually the first place at her new location, the theater. After Penny's frightful accident, Quentin decided that it would be best if they drove together. She whole heartedly agreed to that, since she was terrified of the streets again.
Right as she became comfortable with the New York night, the city showed its true colors.
The theater surprisingly wasn't too far from where Quentin works everyday. Even if it was an hour away, he would still take time to bring her. He was the CEO of the company and the founders son. He could do whatever he wanted, meaning he could be late. However, that was unnecessary, since the theater was only a few blocks away.
Since last night and the early morning, Quentin has been trying to get in connect with someone at the local police department and file an official report. Penny was a little hesitant at the thought. She wasn't even sure if it was on purpose or not. Even if it was on purpose, she doesn't want to put herself in an even more compromising situation. Right now, she prefers to stay silent.
Maybe she will file a report after the opening of the show. Right now, that is her main priority. She is already worried about the makeup artist and Diane yelling at her about the cuts. Oh yeah, she would also have to see Corey. She couldn't believe the thoughts she was having yesterday...wanting to date that man. After kissing him under her own terms and realizing that he stalked her, she could never in a million years "have fun with him". No part of him would be fun.
It also didn't help that Quentin held Penny in her own bed until she fell asleep.
It is safe to say that Penny thought it was a magical night.
"I'm sorry about them. Cops are basically useless," Quentin sighed, brushing his hair back. He just wants her to feel safe again. He loves to drive her around, but he also knew how much she loved walking. In the beginning of her work, especially after feeling like she was followed, he offered to drive, but she then ranted about how much she loves the city and the cold air. It was just something she never experienced when living in San Francisco with her father. This morning, he didn't even ask and she didn't even fight. It was just a mutual agreement and something they both silently needed. "Hey, I was thinking." She turned lazily towards the driver seat. "Maybe we should get some wedding rings. I know that in the beginning I didn't want anyone to know, but I'm okay with it if your okay with it."
Penny sat and though for a bit, "Well, I am about to start working every night and I would have to take the ring on and off. I don't want to lose it. I don't mind the people at work knowing that we are technically married, but I don't want the people at your work."
Quentin's heart was heavy for a second. Does she not want to be together?
Seeing his face quickly fall, she quickly started to explain why. "It has nothing to do with not waiting people to know you are married to me. I just feel like it would be weird how you never had a girlfriend, or an engagement phase, or even a big wedding. You are such an important and public figure that I don't want any questions." Seeing that they have arrived, Penny continues, "You know what, why don't you come in and meet the cast."
Quentin smirk, "I was already planning on it."
He parked the car in a near by lot and got out with Penny. They walked together, actually hand in hand, to the stage door. To her left was a sign-in sheet, which she quickly signed and went deeper backstage. They passed the first member of the cast, Kristen. She was standing near a dressing room, on her phone.
Quentin quickly saw Penny's face lightened up. He heard her talk about her friends in the cast and crew all the time. They sounded like lovely people and even he was excited to meet them.
"Hey Kris!" The woman with short, now vibrant (close to highlighter) yellow hair, turned to face the couple. It was a sharp contrast from the more blue undertones her extremely pale skin. At first the woman smiled, then her eyes widened and her eyebrows raised.
"Hey Penny and mysterious man she came with," She was giving the come talk to me later eyes. Well, Penny recognized the look as a call for gossip, Quentin didn't notice anything. He was distracted by the distant noise of work on the stage. He continued to think about what the stage looked like.
"Quentin...Quentin!" Penny called twice to get his attention. Finally, he took notice and turned to look at her. "We are going to see the director Diane now."
He nodded, holding her hand tighter. Penny followed the hallway to the stage, where Kristen told her where Diane was. And there, overseeing the final construction and prop pieces onstage, was Diane. Sensing someone walked into her theater, she turned her head to see her lead...and a random man holding her hand.
She doesn't remember Penny every staying she had a boyfriend.
While the two seemed to be talking, in their own little world, Diane called out, "Penny, it's good to see you!"
Smiling a waving, Penny grabbed Quentin and dragged him to her.
"Hey Diane," She turned to the set, "Wow it looks even better than what I imagined."
"Yeah, they worked really hard," Diane agreed. "Why don't you introduce me to this young man?"
"Oh, sorry, this is...my husband, Quentin Romano," She said it hesitantly, not like she was lying about the fact but rather she never said those words out loud (which was very true).
The director was very taken back by this fact. She would have never guessed that her lead was married. She never wore a wedding ring and she never talked about him. It was very strange.
"Hello, I'm Quentin," he reached out a hand for her to shaken. She thought he was fairly  handsome for being white...and a man. Strong jaw, thick light brown hair, average nose, and vibrant green eyes. He could stand out in a crowd. His handshake and attire truly gave off who he was: a business man.
"I'm sorry if I seemed surprised, she just never talked about a husband."
"Yeah," Quentin chuckled a little bit, "She can be a little private about our life. We got married pretty fast and she gets tired hearing 'You shouldn't have gotten married so soon!'" Quentin basically lies through his teeth. She has never said those words. He might be a better actor that me, Penny thinks, keeping an agreeable face.
"Oh don't tell me about that! I have basically heard it all before," Diane's laughed along with him, her eyes drifting away the couple to a certain person off stage. She soon snaps back once the polite laugher ends, "So what finally brings you out into the open, exposing yourself to all?"
"Well," Penny started, wringing her hands between each other. Oh my god, my lead better no be pregnant! "I was in an accident yesterday."
"Oh no! Are you okay? What happened?" Diane asked, now nervous too. What she really wanted to ask was if she was okay to perform next week. The show's budget wasn't the biggest and they current don't have any understudies.
"I was crossing the street and not paying attention and a car came speeding towards me. Luckily, someone else was on the other side, so they grabbed me and pulled me away from being it. I fell and really cut up my legs. But I am okay performing, perfectly okay. Well except my legs don't look very good-"
"Yeah, and I am starting to drive her to work now after this incident. I really wanted to meet the cast," Quentin cut in.
A huge relief lifted from Diane's shoulders. "I am so glad that you are okay!" to perform "Why don't you go downstairs to Rosa and the makeup crew and they will help."
Penny nodded, but before she went off, Quentin stopped her, "Can you tell Addy that I am here? Thanks, have a good day." He pulls her in and gives a quick kiss on the cheek. Both him and Penny both knew that the kiss simply wasn't for show or appearances.
With Penny gone, Quentin asked, "May I speak with you for a moment, Diane?"
"Of course, why don't we sit in the audience? It will be a little more private," she holds out her hand. They walk through the backstage, out a door and then out another door to finally be on the ground floor. Walking up a little bit, Diane choice an aisle, walking in sightly and close a seat. Quentin simply sat next to her, "So what is it you wanted to talk to me about."
"Penny knew the person that saved her," Diane looked at him puzzled. What did any of this had to do with her? "It was Corey, he was following her home to figure out where she lived. Luckily he just started to stalk her that night and not today."
Now Diane realized how this had to do with her. One of her cast members is stalking another one. She never had to deal with something like this. "I-I don't know what to do. Honestly, I am just so shocked. Everyone knew he liked the poor girl and she turned him down every time" The small pieces of information about Penny started to make sense, especially how she always turned down that man. "I will talk to him and keep a close eye on him, making sure he doesn't do anything to make her uncomfortable. If he is still a problem following Penelope home, I will personally bring him home."
"Hopefully, that won't be a problem since I will be picking her up and dropping her off personally everyday," Quentin said.
"I am truly disgusted. I wish we could fire him, but it is so close to-"
"QUENTIN! YOU"RE HERE!"
The vivacious young, blonde new costume designer screamed out on stage. Instead of going around, like a normal and sane person, she had to jump off the stage. They actually caused her to stumble a little bit, then regaining her balance to run over to the young man Diane was talking too.
Quentin prematurely got up and out of the seat so that he could be actively tackled by her. She was so small compared to his tall and wide frame.
"Oh geez, Addy, your turning into Mom!" The girl, Addison Romano, let go of Quentin Romano-
Oh, Diane realized, Addison and Quentin are brother and sister and that's how Penelope knew Addison. Everything was starting to come together.
"I know, I was just so excited that you are here. I feel like I haven't see you in forever!" She gushed.
"You saw me at Thanksgiving," he reminded, only for her to shrug her shoulders. He turned back to the director of the whole thing, "Thank you so much for your help Diane, but I have to get back to work. Maybe I will see you later when I pick Penny up." He reached his hand back out, for a goodbye handshake.
She accepted it and said, "I'm sorry I couldn't do more. Make sure to visit whenever you can. Maybe tomorrow you can buy a ticket."
"That sounds great." He looked away, and back down to his little sister, "Addison, why don't you walk me out."
"Yeah of course," She looped her arm around his. She always was a needly and clingy little sister. He started to enjoy it more as he got older, but when he was younger, he hated every second of when she would interrupt him and his only friend, Lucas.
Once away from most people, she asked him, "What are you even doing here? I thought you didn't want people to know your relationship with Penny."
"Well things change and people change. We decided to be public here but not at the office."
"Wow, you can't even tell your workers that you got married," she rolled her eyes at him.
"It was Penny's idea," he told her. "Usually Penny would walk herself, but something happened."
There was a pause. Sick of the suspense, Addison said, "Just to leave me hanging...what happened?"
"Penny almost got run over by a SUV and she doesn't think it was an accident."
"Oh my God!" She gasped and stopped in her tracks. "Is okay?"
"Yeah, her scummy cast member was following her home- yes I know, I don't want to go into it- and pulled her from the car. I fucking hate the man but grateful he saved her life."
"I have been waiting for a moment to punch Corey. It always bothered me how interested he was in her. You and Penny are surely endgame."
I hope we are, he thinks in his mind. They really need to go on a date and he finally needs to express his feelings for her. I think it is pretty clear that they both like each other, but they are just scared that they are wrong.
"Anyways, I don't want her in the streets if one of her father's old business enemies or one of mine is out to get her," Quentin said, ignoring her comment about them being endgame.
"Yeah, that makes sense," Addison nods along. "I'll keep a look out on her, don't worry."
"Good," they were finally at the stage door. Then before taking off to work, Quentin smirked and told his sister, "Make sure to give that little shit a god punch in the face for kissing my wife, just like how I taught you."