He had long been the pillar of his family. Once something was wrong, he needed to be with his father. He would also comfort his family and take care of his company.
Penelope said, “I’m sorry to hear that. I hope he gets better soon.”
She had lost her mother. Her father had been a ‘furnishing’ for her. She could understand Warren’s sadness, so she didn’t want him to experience it.
“What about you? Will you go back with me?” He asked, looking at their two clasped hands.
“No, I’m fine here.”
“How many times have you experienced what you experienced that night?”
Penelope rolled her eyes, looking up to the sky.
“Don’t lie to me.”
“I’m not going to lie to you. I am just counting the times,” she fluttered her eyelids and reached out her hand to count on her fingers.
Warren couldn’t help but pinch her cheek. “You’re always naughty.”
They walked hand in hand for a while. Warren asked suddenly, “Do you still have your British citizenship?”
Penelope’s eyelids jumped. “Of course.”
“Good.”
Penelope was relieved. Then she heard him say, “But if you don’t, I can still help you regain it.”
“How… how will you help me?” She was so nervous that she began to stutter.
‘Please do not say marriage, it is too, um, unacceptable now.’ she thought in silence.
Warren certainly knew that marriage was a way to get UK citizenship. However, the process took a relatively long time and had some restrictions. In addition, it was a little hasty for their current relationship. So he didn’t consider it.
Warren said, “It’s not very difficult for you because you were born in the UK. I know an easier way. Under the New Points Based Immigration System of the UK, you can get an Investor Visa by investing two million pounds in government-appointed financial products.”
“Do you think I can meet that requirement?”
“I’ll help you. But since you have your British citizenship, I can save money now.” Warren put his arm around her shoulders with a smile.
Sure enough, Penelope was shocked and nearly fell to the ground.
“Could… could you just give me that two million pounds?” She looked up at him as if she were looking at a banknote printing machine. Her eyes were devout and admiring.
“No,” he said, “This plan is for our child. He must stay with me.”
“What about me?”
“You are his mother.”
“I feel like you are trapping me.” Penelope licked her lips and felt a little dry. She said, “If you want to stay with the baby. Then I should… give birth to the baby in the UK?”
“I can solve all your worries. But emotionally speaking, I would like to have our baby born in London.”
“Is the USA not good?” At that time, her parents made efforts to immigrate. “The USA is good, but I am British, and my child will be too.”
Penelope stared at him with a confused look and couldn’t understand.
He patted her head gently and said, “It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand this kind of feeling. What you need to do is to give birth to him safely.”
Penelope scratched her head. “I know that the child may be better off with you, but I can’t give up on him.”
“No one is asking you to give him up.” He bent over, lowered his head, and kissed her on the forehead. This warm kiss easily appeased her anxiety.
He said, “We still have our future. We don’t need to think about it now.”
They still had a future. It was not only their child but also their love that connected them.
****
In the living room, Penelope and Monica were talking.
“So, do you really want to listen to him and go back to London to deliver the baby?” Monica asked.
Penelope lay on the couch and said, “Should we keep a long-distance relationship? After the childbirth, are you still living in different countries like this?”
“But the man’s mind is incomprehensible. If you break up, can you still stay there?”
“So, I’m looking for a reason to convince myself. I’m wondering if there is any other reason besides him that will make me be willing to stay there.”
Monica shook her head. “I’ll try to help you think about it, exactly no.”
“Take it seriously.”
“Instead of making me think, why don’t you let him think? Come on, it is he who wants to take you away. It is, of course, his duty to convince you!”
Penelope sat up. She suddenly realized, “You are right!”
Monica said, “At least three reasons you can go with him.”
“Three? Will it be too much?” Penelope scratched her head. He didn’t seem to be a smooth talker. Could he come up with three reasons?
Monica looked at her with a contemptuous look. “Fine. You haven’t gone with him yet. Your heart is flying to him.”
Penelope put on her slippers and picked up her cell phone. Before she ran to the balcony, she said, “It’s not about his concession or my concession. The price of his concession is relatively high, so I think I’ll compromise.”
“Wonderful.” Monica gave her a thumbs-up.
If every girl had such courage in love, it would surely be invincible.
Penelope called him from the balcony. He was probably in the shower. After a while, he called back.
“I’ll think it over. You have to give me three reasons to convince me that I should go back with you,” she said firmly.
Warren smiled and dropped the towel. “Are you sure you want three?”
Penelope thought for a moment and asked in an uncertain tone. “You think three are too few?”
“First, we like each other. Second, I like the baby in your stomach. Third…”
Penelope listened attentively. He suddenly stopped. She eagerly asked, “What’s the third one? What’s wrong?”
“Suddenly, I think the third to the three hundredth reasons are the same. That is – I like you.” He stood in front of the window, smiling helplessly. He hated that he was clumsy with speech and couldn’t even think of more romantic words.
Penelope looked down with her cheeks flushed.
“I like you too,” she said softly and firmly.
“So, will you go back with me?”
“No.”