Is this destiny?

~ Los Angeles ~

Thursday

12:43 PM

Penny and Emma entered a restaurant where they plan to have lunch. Haru and Nala are following them, they are accompanying Penny as security.

"We need two tables.", Penny told to the restaurant greeter.

Sarah told Penny that Haru and Nala have feelings toward each other, but that they don\'t have many chances for privacy. It seems that since their Sunday\'s beach-date, other kids are teasing them and invading into their time on purpose.

Penny was not used to travel with security, so she responded to Sarah that she does not need anyone to follow her. She is only going for an obgyn appointment, and Emma will go with her. Also, her name is different and her image as well, so it\'s not likely that she is in any danger. Sarah explained that this is a chance for Haru and Nala to get some privacy, and she also told Penny to get them a separate table for lunch, so... here they are.

Haru and Nala looked at Penny in surprise. They didn\'t expect that. As security they either join at the table or stand on the side.

"It\'s lunch time, so you should eat, and I want to talk to Emma in private, it\'s not for kid\'s ears. OK?", Penny winked at them and waved to follow the waiter who was leading them to their table.

Haru and Nala nodded in understanding and did as they were told.

Penny saw that both of them were smiling while walking away. Ah, youth…

"Thank you for joining me.", Penny told Emma once they were seated.

"Not a problem. I\'m glad that everything is fine.", Emma smiled amiably. "Did you think about your next steps?"

Penny sighed. They just returned from her first appointment with obgyn and now she got a confirmation that the baby is fine. Almost 11 weeks old. She needs to watch her nutrition, and to take extra vitamins but other than that… everything is fine.

Penny decided that she will keep the baby. No matter how much she thought about the other option, she could not imagine herself terminating the pregnancy. Even if Ben is not interested in raising their child, she will do it by herself and she will not request an alimony. She has her own job, she does not want his money. Of course… it will be best if he wants to be with her and they can do it together, but she will not force him. This is her decision.

"I don\'t see a need to change anything.", Penny responded. "I would still like if we can rent an apartment together, if you are OK sharing a kitchen with a pregnant woman."

Emma laughed. "I work in a hospital. I\'ve seen much worse than a pregnant woman in the kitchen."

Penny laughed with Emma and thanked her. Penny wants to experience living on her own and having a roommate sounds like a great start. "How are you and Charlie doing?"

"Fine, I guess.", Emma responded with a small voice.

"You guess? After that steamy kiss on Saturday, you guess?", Penny teased.

"Do you need to remind me that everyone saw that?", Emma whispered with panic.

Penny stifled a laugh. "Sorry… but I can\'t help it. You went out to dinner last night. Did anything happen?"

Emma sighed. "After that kiss on Saturday there is a lot of hand holding and he kisses my cheek for goodnight."

"You sound disappointed.", Penny observed.

"Do I? I guess I am. He gave me a taste of something good, but only once.", Emma pouted.

"Why don\'t you kiss him?"

Emma widened her eyes and looked at Penny like she said something outrageous.

Penny ignored Emma\'s reaction. She leaned closer and spoke in a whisper so that they can\'t be overheard: "Let me tell you a secret…"

Emma leaned closer and Penny continued: "I came onto Ben. I used blackmail to get him into a hotel room."

Emma could not believe it. "You are kidding."

Penny shrugged. "I can\'t help it if you don\'t believe me. But why would I lie about something like that?"

Somehow… Emma believed it. "You are bold! I wish that I have your confidence."

"Emma, you are a beautiful, smart woman with a great career. Is there a reason for you not to have a confidence?"

"It sounds great when you say it… but when I think about this coming Saturday… I\'m not so optimistic that I am up to the required standard."

"You are talking about the party where Charlie is taking you, right? The one in the Davis family villa?"

Emma was surprised that Penny knows who is hosting the party. "You know them?"

"The circle is not as big as you might think."

"Then you know what I\'m up against. So many of those socialites are after Charlie. I don\'t belong there.", Emma said dejectedly.

"You are right. You don\'t belong there.", Penny said with a straight face and then her face softened. "Emma, you are so much better than any of them. They spend their days thinking about spending money and making themselves look pretty. They never worked a day in their life, and they value people based on their family background."

Emma looked at Penny with a complex expression.

"It seems you don\'t believe me.", Penny guessed Emma\'s thoughts. "You are aware that I was part of that circle. It\'s funny and sad at the same time how I dreamed to be Mrs. Jeffrey White and I had no idea who he is as a man. I thought that he is rich and powerful and that I will be happy only if I manage to get into his bed without thinking if he will like me or not for who I am… I don\'t want to talk about my past. I am ashamed of it. But trust me when I say that I know how those women are thinking. Also, Charlie is a smart man. He can see through them and that is why his heart was moved by a kind nurse who spent time with him because she enjoys his company without expecting anything in return."

Emma sighed while thinking how everything Penny said sounds nice, but does she dare to believe it? "That was a long speech."

"Yes, it was. Blame it on the hormones…", Penny laughed. "If you remember anything out of what I said, make it the part that you are better than those women, and don\'t let anyone tell you otherwise."

At the table nearby, Haru and Nala are stealing glances at each other over appetizers.

"Take this one… I know you like mushrooms.", Haru told Nala while pointing at the last bite-sized appetizer with mushrooms.

"But you like mushrooms also.", she responded without taking it.

Haru looked at Nala and smiled. She noticed what he likes to eat!

"If you don\'t take it, it will get cold and it will not be good.", he said finally.

She took the appetizer and observed it for some time. "You always do things for me. When will you let me do something for you?"

"You want to do something for me?"

Nala shrugged. "It\'s only natural. I don\'t want to take advantage of your kindness."

"OK. I will tell you what you can do for me… One day."

"How is that fair? Tell me now!"

Haru rejected her request. "I don\'t think you are ready. It\'s a big thing."

"Big? Now I need to know. I don\'t guarantee that I will do it, but I want to know what it is."

Haru lowered his head and bit his lower lip. There is no way he is saying it!

He jerked when he felt her hand on his.

She reached over the table to hold his hand and her dark brown eyes were fixed on him.

"Tell me.", she demanded.

Haru told himself not to be a coward. He can do this…"I… I want you to kiss me."

She pulled her hand back like she got burned and her eyes darted nervously. "On the cheek?"

Haru shook his head and pointed at his lips.

Nala swallowed hard. Panic on her face was obvious. But it\'s not like she was not thinking about it…"My kisses don\'t come for free."

Haru looked at her in disbelief and blinked few times. "You want me to pay you?"

Nala shook her head. "Not pay. But you need to earn it."

"How can I earn it?" Haru was all ears.

"A game. Beat me in a…" Nala paused while her brain scrambled for options. In academics she has an obvious advantage, in the rink he can win over her with his eyes closed…"Flight simulator. The mode with enemy aircrafts. Highest score wins."

"If I win, you will kiss me? On the lips?", Haru asked under his breath.

She smiled, amused by his reaction and gave him a small nod.

Haru frowned. "But what if I lose?"

"Then… you need to kiss me.", her voice was barely audible.

"What?! Can you repeat that?", he was not sure he heard her right.

She shook her head, rejecting his idea. "If you didn\'t hear, then it\'s gone…"

"No, no, no… I heard you just fine. It\'s a deal!", he exclaimed.

Nala smiled shyly and Haru was grinning. How he sees it, no matter how the game turns out, he is a winner, because there is a kiss coming. On the lips!

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