“Damn!” Penelope couldn’t help but curse. The driver walked in and asked her, “Are you ready to go? Or will you be late?”
“You’ll take me to school?” Penelope was surprised.
“Yes.” At least he wasn’t completely heartless! Penelope smiled, grabbed her bag, and hopped into the car.
Once she arrived at class, Penelope realized she couldn’t keep up. She was familiar with William Shakespeare and Percy Bysshe Shelley, but who was George Eliot?
The professor referenced numerous classics during the lecture, and the other students were engrossed, laughing along. Penelope, on the other hand, felt completely lost, as if she were listening to a stuck cassette tape.
“Penelope, here’s a reading list. It might help,” Lucinda handed her a handwritten list.
“Okay, thank you.” Penelope folded it and placed it in her bag. She planned to visit the bookstore after school.
“Why did you choose our major?” Lucinda asked sympathetically.
“To learn more about our homeland’s culture,” Penelope chuckled.
“Well,” Lucinda sighed. “You can start by reading these books. They cover the basics. If you don’t understand, feel free to ask me, or just Google it.”
“Thanks,” Penelope replied.
In the afternoon after school, Penelope was busy figuring out the route to the bookstore when she was suddenly approached by a boy and a girl.
“Are you Penelope?” they asked.
Penelope looked at them, puzzled. “What’s going on?”
“We’re from the student union. I’m the chairman, and she’s the minister of the external department. We’d like to invite you to perform at the welcome party. Can you do it?” The boy smiled.
“Perform?” Penelope asked.
“I heard you’re a great singer, so we came to ask,” the girl explained.
“Did you hear me sing?” Penelope asked again.
“No,” the girl replied.
Penelope quickly added, “Aren’t you worried I might mess it up?”
“We still need to audition you first. Do you have time now?” the boy asked.
Penelope shook her head, “I have to go to the bookstore now. I’m afraid I can’t.”
“Can you give us a time, and we’ll wait for you at the studio?”
Penelope explained, “I’m sorry. I need to focus more on my studies right now because my foundation is weak. If I divert too much energy to other things, passing my exams will become very difficult.”
“I see…” the boy said, sounding disappointed.
Penelope smiled and waved goodbye to them. After spending two hours in the bookstore, she finally found all ten books on Lucinda’s reading list. The stack was so heavy that she almost felt her shoulders would break when she got home.
“What’s in there? It’s so heavy,” Mrs. Brown asked.
Mrs. Brown struggled to lift the heavy bag, and Penelope offered to help. “I’ve been a bit more delicate lately. This weight used to be a piece of cake for me.”
“What kind of life did you lead before this?” Mrs. Brown sighed.
Penelope placed the bag on the table and glanced upstairs. “Where’s Chris? I bought him a little train. It’s quite interesting, and it makes beeping sounds.”
Mrs. Brown coughed and replied, “Mr. Duncan took him out.”
Penelope was surprised, “When did he take him out? Isn’t he busy today?” She was puzzled.
Mrs. Brown smiled, “He might have some free time today.”
“It’s impossible.” Penelope reached out to stop Mrs. Brown from heading to the kitchen. “Please, tell me the truth. Where did he take Chris?”
Mrs. Brown explained, “Well, you would have found out sooner or later. Mr. Duncan wants to host a hundred-day celebration for him, so he’s taking him to pick out some clothes.”
“A party… Why didn’t he tell me?” Penelope was both bewildered and disappointed by the news.
“A few days ago, he booked a hotel and sent out hundreds of invitations,” Mrs. Brown gently informed her.
“What?!” Penelope exclaimed.
They were still in a state of conflict. He was throwing a grand celebration to announce his son’s hundred days, but would there be a place for her at that party?
“Where are you going?” Mrs. Brown noticed Penelope hastily putting on her shoes.
“I’ll go take a look. Besides, I want to buy some new clothes!” Penelope hurried out.
Mrs. Brown chuckled. “This girl, Mr. Duncan, has always been the one buying her clothes. She probably doesn’t even know her own size,” she mumbled.
Penelope rushed out, and Warren had just returned. He got out of the car with Chris, and Mrs. Jones followed him, carrying the baby bag.
“Miss Seinfeld is back early?” Mrs. Jones asked with a smile.
Penelope was surprised by her friendly manner but still nodded politely. “Yes, my classes finished early this afternoon.”
Mrs. Jones caught up with Warren and said, “Sir, let me help you.”
Warren handed Chris over to her. The baby was sleeping soundly with rosy cheeks.
Penelope watched as Mrs. Jones carried Chris into the house. She quickly stepped forward to block Warren. “Where did you go with Chris?”
Warren looked at her coldly and replied, “To try on some clothes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were planning a hundred-day party for Chris?” Penelope asked.
“Did you tell me you were married to someone else?” He chuckled and walked past her.
Penelope was left speechless. “Wait…” She hurried to catch up with him.
After entering the house, both Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Brown looked at them.
Penelope smiled awkwardly. “I have something to ask him. You can go back to your tasks.”
Her clumsy denial ended up revealing her true intention. Mrs. Brown, who knew her well, went to the kitchen with a smile while Mrs. Jones had to put Chris in the cradle, so she remained silent.
Penelope blushed and continued to follow Warren upstairs. He was in the process of undressing.
She walked in and smiled, “You’re undressing yourself? Let me help you!”
He glanced at her but didn’t say anything.
She continued to smile and asked, “Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?”
“I’ll prepare a bath for you. You must be tired, right?” Penelope kept asking.
Warren reached out and grabbed her wrist. “If you have something to say, just say it.”
“No, nothing. I’m just showing my concern for you,” Penelope pouted and gave him a self-righteous wink.
Warren released her hands and headed for the bathroom.
“Hey!”