Quentin got a call from his father late at night.
"Penelope and I are heading home tomorrow at eleven a.m., and you will be married the day after at the courthouse. I hope that you have everything ready for our arrival. We would appreciate it if you were at the airport to pick us up with your mother." That was all his father said before he hung up, with leaving Quinn to say anything.
Luckily, he was already home so he could drown his sorrows in glasses of expensive scotch. Why...why him? Quinn questioned this terrible fate he seems to have found himself in. He has had girlfriends in the past, all of which were insignificant. He wasn't really into dating. In reality, he just hasn't found the one and he has given up on trying. Now, he will never have a chance to find her if he wanted too again. He wants someone to love, but this random girl is ruining it all.
Quentin vowed in his drunken mind to never fall in love with her. It certainly would not be a hard task.
The next morning, he was hungover, for sure. His head pounded and stomach turned. He was still wearing half of his suit from yesterday. That just reminded him that he still has to go to work today. He groans internally, looks through groggy eyes, and sees that it is around six-thirty. Quinn's body was so used to waking up at the same time for three years that even his recovering body woke up at that time.
He stumbles out of bed and into the shower right away. The scotch spilled a little on him. The shower helped the head a little bit, but overall, his body still felt like shit. In the kitchen, he took some pain relievers and started to look breakfast. He never had a cook with him because he was so independent. He enjoyed the cooking, even doing his own laundry. He liked the control he had over the little elements in his life when he felt that he had none. He only has a general maid come once a week to sweep and clean the main area. Quentin hates dusting and sweeping. He would gladly pay any some of money for that
He cooked himself his usual hangover meal. Lately, it seems like his only breakfast. A breakfast bagel with fatty bacon, an over-easy egg, avocado, with a banana. He isn't sure if it really helps with anything, but it does make him feel better. It was more like comfort food.
At the table, he scrolls through his phone, checking the news, social he has, just anything that doesn't have to do with this girl he has to marry tomorrow. God, tomorrow! He knows that there is nothing that he can do at this point. Hopefully, there is a point that he can divorce the girl.
He walked back to his bedroom/bathroom to finish getting ready: style his hair, brush his teeth, put on his cufflinks, and suit, and gather his materials for work.
Promptly at 7:20, Quinn gets in his car and drives to his building for 7:30. He loved living close to his place of work; it added less stress to a day that is already stress prone. He was also one of the first people in the building. The front receptionist has the responsibility of opening the main building, and she sat scrolling on her phone before the day began. Quentin didn't care too much; she always comes early, and the workday doesn't begin until nine. He, of course, worked extra. Around this time, custodians and cafeteria staff come around to prep for the in-coming employees.
He takes the elevator to his floor, where it was nice and quiet. He plops down at his big mahogany desk, turns on his computer monitor, and gets to work.
Throughout the whole day, he was more distracted than normal. He would constantly look at his phone, almost checking for messages from his father. When he put his phone in a place far from his body, he would actually get up from his desk and get another cup of coffee, or a glass of water. He barely got enough work done. He was thankful that he had another week to finish his work and also prepare for a major meeting.
He couldn't, for the life of him, stop moving and fidgeting. He was just distracted and not focused. He was like this a majority of the time, but today it was amplified up to a hundred. It was definitely due to the delivery of his not-ordered bride coming in today with his father. Quentin thought about every single scenario over and over and over again until it was past their landing time. A small part of him actually wanted to go to the airport. While he couldn't admit it to himself, he thought that the girl doesn't deserve to get married to a random person like him. Especially him. However, he covered those thoughts with awful thoughts about her.
He got in his car at six, the usual end to his work week and an hour later than what everyone else ends. He was exhausted from thinking and overthinking. He wanted to go home to just relax, but the girl would be there and a majority of the family wanting to meet her.
Promptly at 6:10 pm, he arrived at his apartment complex...his home. Opening the door with his key, he hears some laughter coming from the dining room. He lets out a sign, drops any extra's at the door, and walks to the dining room to meet fate.
***
Penelope Marshall sat in her empty room. Today she would be moving out. This is her last day on the West Coast, last day in this house of hell. She wishes that she would miss the place, but her mother ruined all the good memories she created once she left. The memories only got worse once the abuse started.
Other than the marriage, she was excited to move to New York. She wanted to live there as long as she can remember. She loved the busy streets, beautiful architecture, and snow! Penny was more than excited for snow.
It was also just a marriage. It's not like she will be forced into sex. At least, she hoped. She was also excited for a new family. Mr. Romano was extremely kind, and she hopes that everyone else is the same.
A majority of her things are on a moving van, going out to New York. However, some clothes and important necessities are with her in the suitcase and carry-on. Ms. Birdie also packed up very fast, as she lived in the house and never had many possessions. She cooked once last meal at the house for Mr. Romano and Penny, and it wasn't the traditional breakfast food. It was a creamy Mac and Cheese, Penny's favorite. Last time in the house and she wanted to created good memories for the young woman. It was a good time; Penny was actually laughing with Mr. Romano as he told funny stories about her soon-to-be-groom. One story being how he asked out the "love of his life" in second grade, which prompted her to sneeze and then reject him. A few days later, he got the flu and was sick for many days. She found how hopeless-romantic Quentin was as a child. A small part of her wishes that he would act the same when she arrives. However, life has taught her not to hold onto wishes seriously.
Soon, they all pile into a car and drive together to the San Francisco airport to leave. Then she will be in New York, the city that never sleeps!
***
DR came back to the house in the morning the next day. Ruby's alibi checked out, so he had to investigate this Ross DeLuca. However, it seems that after Mr. Marshall's death, he went missing. Or, at least, left the state and dropped all of his credit cards and anything that could track him. This left the trail cold, so he went back to the Marshall mansion to talk more with the young Marshall girl. She must know something more than what she is letting on. DR has seen girls like her, girls that are too smart for their own good.
He decides to stake the house for a little bit, before knocking on the front door. To see if there is any activity in the house. It wasn't long before he sees the young girl, an older woman, and a gentleman walk out the door and into a car, with suitcases. Then the car disappears. DR was well aware of the man: Dante Romano. He didn't bother following, he was too confused. He sends a text to his tech/research man, asking the relationship between the Romano's and the Marshall's. He quickly text back a file, a copy of Marshall's will.
He saw the clause, the marriage clause. That means that Penny is moving to New York.
DR was never one to plant roots. He started his car and planned a flight to New York. He could continue the investigation there.
***
The flight to New York went smoothly. Penny actually hasn't been on an airplane in years, but she wasn't nervous about that. Thinking about her new husband worried her more, taking up all the space in her mind.
Stepping out into the New York airport gave her a completely new vibe, and a great one. Everyone seemed like they were in a rush, businessmen talking on the phone and businesswomen causally drinking at the bar.
The sun wasn't completely shining, the clouds were covering most of the sky. That couldn't ever tarnish her mood at the moment. They walk away from the terminal and to a woman waiting with a bunch of other people. She was medium height, it was hard to tell, with dark brown hair cut into a stylish curled bob. Her blue eyes were also stunning and could be seen from afar. He smiled once she laid her eyes on us and started waving. Penny knew once Mr. Romano waved back that this was his wife...Mrs. Amelia Romano.