Chapter 987 - The cost of freedom (2)

Tuesday...

The next morning, Benjamin woke up with a big smile on his face.

Penny was right next to him, sleeping peacefully… it's a dream which came true. He wanted to hug her and hold her close to him, but he didn't want to wake her up. It's early, and she can sleep late.

He kissed Penny gently on her bare shoulder and scooted carefully from the bed. She can sleep, but he needs to get ready for work.

"Why are you awake?", Benjamin asked Penny when he got out the bathroom while buttoning up his shirt. "You can sleep as long as you want."

"Mmm… I can sleep when you leave.", she smiled happily while getting off the bed.

"I don't want to miss this." She kissed him and ruffled his damp hair from the shower.

Benjamin laughed. Oh, it's a good morning with Penny by his side.

It is difficult to go to work when such a wonderful woman full of smiles is waiting for him at home.

He thought that he should take few days off from work. Maybe they can go somewhere, like a mini vacation? Somewhere close by, because his budget is limited. After alimony to his ex-wife, not much is left. But that will not stop them from having a good time.

…

Benjamin reached his office and saw a note on his keyboard to report to his manager immediately. He looked at Keegan questionably, but Keegan only shrugged indicating that he has no idea what is going on. If the biggest gossip in the office does not know, no one knows.

Benjamin was shocked to hear that he got fired. He didn't even get an explanation. Security escorted him out of the building after his manager informed him that Keegan will collect his personal belongings.

Benjamin sat in his car while wondering: why did he get fired? He didn't break any company's policy that he is aware of, and his performance review was very good. So, what happened? Did he offend someone? There was nothing out of place… except… that woman. Is it possible that those were not empty threats? She has the power to get him out of job? His heart started racing while wondering, what kind of people Penny escaped from? Penny! He got his phone and called her frantically… it went to the voicemail. He called again, and again… while driving… he was almost home when he tossed his phone on the side.

Few minutes later, he got a call. Penny called him back!

"Why are you not answering?!", he said much louder than expected due to stress.

"I was in the shower.", Penny answered weakly.

"Are you still home?"

"I'm on my way out to go shopping."

"Don't! Stay inside! I will be there in few minutes!", he ended the call while driving into the parking lot of the apartment complex.

Penny wondered what happened? He was happy this morning when he left. Now, about two hours later, he is acting irrationally. Why did he tell her to stay inside? Why is he coming back home now? Why did he raise his voice at her?

Penny panicked. The feeling that he wants to keep her imprisoned engulfed her, and she felt the need to flee. She will not allow anyone to keep her locked up ever again, even if that person is Benjamin!

She grabbed her backpack, stuffed her cash from the side table in it, and dashed for the door.

"I told you to stay inside!", Benjamin growled when he saw her at the door, ready to leave. They almost bumped into each other.

"You can't keep me here!", she trembled but she will not back off.

He saw that she is wearing the same clothes from Saturday. "Where are you going?"

"Anywhere but here!"

She wanted to pass by him, but he grabbed her wrist.

"You can't leave!"

Penny started struggling. "And you can't stop me! One day you will look away and I will escape!"

Benjamin felt that Penny's words carry so much weight. Why is she panicking? He only told her to wait for him inside. He pulled her into his embrace, ignoring her attempts to break free and closed the door behind him. "I don't want to keep you against your will. But it's not safe."

Her whole body stiffened. "What do you mean… it's not safe?"

"Please, sit…", he gestured to the sofa.

"Yesterday after work, I met with a woman…", Benjamin told Penny that he met with Mrs. Morgan and that she was looking for Harriet. "I didn't tell her anything, but she was not convinced. And she said that it's not over, and that when I have enough, I should give her a call."

"Why didn't you tell me that?"

"I didn't think much of it.", Benjamin admitted. "This apartment is not on my name, and I was careful not to be followed back. What can she do to me? I thought that her threat is empty."

She noticed that he is talking in past tense. "What changed your mind?"

Benjamin paused. He is not sure if she should tell her, because it might make her feel guilty, but he does not want to keep things from her. "I lost my job this morning… without an explanation."

Penny sighed and covered her face in her palms. "It's them."

He took her hands one by one and held them in his. "Don't worry. I will find another job…"

"No, you won't.", She interrupted him. "They will follow you and make sure that your life is miserable. You will not get another job, and they will use your loved ones…" Penny paused and looked at Benjamin in panic. "Becca!"

He shook his head indicating that his daughter is not in danger. "My ex is on a three months long trip through the Europe with her latest boyfriend, and she took Becca with her."

Benjamin saw that she relaxed. He promised that he will not ask, but the situation is dire…"Penny, you are saying 'they' … I know that one is your mother, but who else is after you?"

Penny frowned. She knows that she can't keep things from him. Not anymore. 

"My parents." Penny sighed and looked at him. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. My parents are influential, and they want to use me to expand their influence by forming an alliance through marriage. It's the whole circle who silently approves of what is happening by looking away. They are controlling. And they will not stop. My name is Harriet Morgan… and I will understand if you are angry, and if you don't want anything to do with me. I am so sorry for dragging you into my mess."

Benjamin lifted her hands and kissed each of her fingers while talking: "You are my Penny. I don't care who they think you are… and we will figure this out. I will not allow them to use you. You are not a tool. You are a wonderful young woman and you deserve the right to be in charge of your future."

Penny felt her chin tremble. She was on the verge of crying, but she was not sad.

She threw herself in his embrace and kissed him with everything she got.

They held each other for a long time before Penny looked at him.

"I have something that we can use against them."

Benjamin lifted his eyebrows questionably.

She reached into the inside pocket of her small backpack which she got in the secondhand store when she fled Austin and pulled a Micro SD card.

"They took away my phone and my computer, but they forgot to take my camera. I sneaked into my father's study and took photos of some documents… I hope that they are important enough to get us help from..."

"From whom?", Benjamin asked when he saw that she is not finishing her sentence.

"Jeffrey White."

Benjamin's eyes opened wide in surprise. "White? Like CEO White of White corp.?"

Penny confirmed.

"You know him?"

She hesitated before answering. "He was the one my parents wanted me to marry when the two of us met the first time."

"The first time?", he noticed her choice of words.

"When I came on Saturday… I escaped from a date my parents set up with Jeffrey's cousin."

Benjamin frowned while thinking, what kind of horrible parents are those? But he does not want to talk about her parents. "Do you think that Jeffrey will help?"

Penny shrugged indicating that she is not sure. "He is the only one who can. My father is not afraid of many people. But I know that he is afraid of him…"

"Everyone is afraid of him.", Benjamin said knowingly.

"Not everyone…", Penny smiled while thinking of JoAnna. Even a man like Jeffrey found someone to thaw his ice. That proves that everyone has a match. She looked at Benjamin and wondered if he is her match.

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