Chapter 968 Coughing Like This, It's Time to Quit Smoking
She nodded, her hair brushing against his shirt with a soft rustling sound.
"Oh, right," Penelope suddenly remembered. "Should I go talk to Brandon?"
"About what?"
"About how nothing happened between us. I think he's been really stressed out these past few days, feeling all torn up."
Kelvin's eyes flashed cold for a moment.
But he swiftly composed himself. "How would you tell him? That Thessaly's got some inside scoop?"
"Of course, I can't spill about Thessaly," Penelope shook her head. "She trusts me and only told me. I gotta keep her secret. Besides, the fewer people who know, the safer she is."
Kelvin asked casually, "Didn't Brandon keep saying he was gonna ditch everything in LA? Why hasn't he done it yet?"
"You really want him gone that bad?"
"He said it himself. What's the deal? Is he not gonna follow through?"
Penelope replied, "I don't want him to leave, especially now that we know nothing happened that night. We can't let him go. Plus... he's a victim too. He deserves to know the truth."
Kelvin lowered his eyes, his fingers playing with her hair, silent.
"What's up?" Penelope cupped his face. "Jealous?"
"I just think now's not the right time to tell Brandon. You can't pass on Thessaly's words to him, and you don't have any other proof. Why bother? Why not..." Kelvin pressed his lips together, "...wait a little longer."
Penelope sighed, looking conflicted.
"What is it?" He raised an eyebrow. "Is there something else you're not telling me?"
She muttered, "The reason I want to tell Brandon that we're both innocent is because I don't want him to feel guilty or blame himself... More importantly, I want him to embrace newcomers with grace and composure."
"Newcomers?"
"Yeah," Penelope nodded. "I met Thessaly today, and I also saw Brandon. The way he interacts with Thessaly is more than just friends!"
Brandon sure doesn't miss any chance to flirt with Thessaly.
He's determined to win her heart!
Kelvin feigned ignorance, asking, "Did they have any close moments?"
"Not exactly close, but anyone with half a brain could see there's something special between them," Penelope said. "It's that kind of vibe you can't quite put into words!"
A budding romance, before it's officially defined, is the hardest to describe.
More than friends, but not quite lovers.
Kelvin asked again, "In your opinion, is Brandon more into it, or is Thessaly the one making the moves?"
She thought for a moment. "Right now, Brandon's more proactive. Maybe because of what happened, Thessaly's hesitant, afraid to open up, feeling insecure... just like I used to feel. So, Brandon's trying harder to ease her worries and prove himself."
"Does Brandon like Thessaly..."
Hearing the hesitation in Kelvin's voice, Penelope looked up at him. "What? You think it's impossible?"
"Nothing," he shook his head. "I wish them well."
Brandon might be hoping to win Thessaly over with love, but he's likely to be disappointed.
Thessaly is very clear-headed.
If Thessaly really became Brandon's girlfriend, she'd have even more chances to gather evidence.
"I've got this... uneasy feeling," Penelope said, pressing a hand to her heart. "Before, if I saw Brandon and Thessaly catching feelings for each other, I'd be over the moon. But now, everything's just so messy, so chaotic."
"Don't overthink it, just let things play out. Even if something does happen," Kelvin pressed his lips together, "you still have me."
Those words, "you still have me," always brought Penelope comfort.
She snuggled into his arms again, wrapping her arms around his neck, nuzzling like a little kitten. "Thank you, Mr. Davis, for your patience these days. Your Mrs. Davis is back, and she won't be insecure or sensitive anymore."
"Patience is exhausting, Penelope."
She bit her lip. "Sorry for the trouble."
"That's it?" Kelvin asked. "Just a 'sorry'?"
Penelope knew what he was hinting at and nestled deeper into his embrace. "We'll talk about it when we get home tonight."
"It's my turn to enjoy, right?" He stroked her hair, asking softly, "For all the distance you've kept these days, you'll make up for it with warmth."
She blushed and nodded.
Breathing in the faint cologne on Kelvin, the familiar scent, the familiar embrace, always open to her, shielding her from the storm.
But then... Penelope sniffed again.
Was that a hint of... smoke?
"What's wrong?" Kelvin asked. "Smell something?"
"Have you been smoking?"
"No."
Penelope gently tugged at his tie. "Dare to smoke but not admit it, huh? I can smell it, a faint smoke scent."
Kelvin replied, "I really haven't smoked."
Several times when the craving hit, he resisted, distracting himself or just fiddling with a cigarette without lighting it.
"Then where does the smoke smell come from?" Penelope asked. "Smell it yourself."
"Probably someone was smoking nearby, and I picked it up."
After a pause, Kelvin asked, "Mrs. Davis, are you really going to be this strict? Want me to quit smoking?"
"Can you quit?"
"If you want me to, I can try."
Quitting smoking was tough.
The allure of nicotine was strong, and lighting up when stressed was comforting.
Penelope was about to respond when she suddenly heard Kelvin cough a few times.
Kelvin's throat felt itchy.
He thought a few coughs would clear it, but it wouldn't stop, his coughing echoing through the office.
Penelope frowned, scolding him while pouring a glass of water. "You're coughing so bad, you should quit smoking."
Kelvin felt misunderstood.
"Penelope, I really haven't smoked these days."
He used to keep a pack in the study at The King Manor and in his office drawer.
But a month had passed, and the pack was still unfinished.
Kelvin took a sip of water, feeling a bit better.
He couldn't resist teasing, "Water poured by my dear tastes sweeter."
Penelope gave him a playful glare.
"For your health, and for me and the kids, will you quit?" she asked. "Give me a straight answer."
"I will quit..."
The itch in his throat returned, and Kelvin turned away, coughing into his fist.
Seeing him like this, Penelope felt both worried and annoyed.
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