Penny’s Secret

The sun dipped below the skyline, casting an amber glow over the city as Penny Townsend walked into the exclusive rooftop bar at the Luxe Manhattan Hotel. The air was crisp, and the soft hum of conversation blended with the clinking of glasses and the low thrum of music. Penny moved with purpose, but inside, a knot of anxiety tightened with every step. She was about to meet Drake Hawthorne, a man she had been secretly communicating with for months—behind Mila's back.

In the dimly lit VIP section, Drake sat with his usual calm composure, a glass of Louis XIII cognac in hand, its amber liquid glowing in the dim light. The exclusive setting, hidden away from prying eyes, provided the perfect cover for their clandestine meetings. Penny approached cautiously, her eyes scanning the room before sitting down across from him.

"Relax, Penny," Drake said smoothly, taking a sip from his glass. His tone was casual, as though they were simply two old friends catching up. "You look nervous."

Penny forced a small smile, though her heart was pounding. She glanced around again, ensuring no one from Morgan Enterprises was nearby. Meeting Drake like this—feeding him inside information on Mila's strategies—felt like a betrayal, and yet, she couldn't stop. Not now.

"I'm fine," she lied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Drake set his glass down and leaned forward slightly, his eyes locking onto hers. "Good. Because this deal needs to stay under control, and we're close. You keep giving me what I need, and I'll make sure you're rewarded when the merger goes through."

Penny swallowed, her throat dry. She'd been doing this for a while—leaking Morgan Enterprises' confidential information to Drake. It had started small, little things that didn't seem to matter. But now it was different. The stakes were higher, and the risk of Mila finding out loomed over her like a shadow. But despite the guilt gnawing at her, she couldn't stop. Drake's promises of a higher position, of finally getting the recognition she deserved, were too tempting.

For years, Penny had lived in Mila's shadow, always the reliable COO, always the friend who stood quietly beside her while Mila took the spotlight. She wasn't bitter—not exactly—but the hunger for power, for acknowledgment, had grown over time. Now, Drake was offering her a way out of that shadow, a chance to step into the light herself. She just had to keep playing her part.

"I'm not betraying her," Penny murmured, more to herself than to Drake, as if trying to convince herself that what she was doing wasn't wrong. "I'm just… securing my future."

Drake smiled, his eyes glittering with satisfaction. He knew full well that Penny had already crossed a line she could never uncross, and he relished it. Manipulating people's ambitions, especially those closest to his rivals, was a talent he had honed over the years.

"You're making the smart move, Penny," he said, his voice dripping with reassurance. "Mila's brilliant, no doubt, but she can't offer you the future I can. With me, you won't just be a second-in-command. You'll be leading your own division, making decisions on your own terms."

Penny shifted in her seat, feeling the weight of his words. She hated how true they felt. At Morgan Enterprises, she was respected, yes, but she'd always be Mila's right hand, never the one at the helm. With Drake, that could change.

But the guilt still clung to her like a shadow. Mila had always trusted her—more than anyone. They had been through so much together, building the company, facing challenges side by side. And here she was, handing Drake Hawthorne the very keys to dismantle everything Mila had worked for.

"I need more time," Penny said, her voice faltering slightly. "Mila's sharp. She'll notice if things keep slipping."

Drake leaned back, swirling the cognac in his glass as though the conversation was nothing more than a business deal. "Take all the time you need. Just make sure I get what I need when I need it."

Penny nodded, her hands fidgeting in her lap. She knew she was in too deep to back out now. But with every piece of information she passed to Drake, the weight of her betrayal grew heavier. She wasn't just giving him Morgan Enterprises—she was giving him a piece of Mila, too. And no matter how she rationalized it, that truth was harder to swallow than any business decision she had ever made.

As the evening wore on, they continued to talk in hushed tones, mapping out the next phase of their plan. Penny's nerves simmered under the surface, but she forced herself to stay calm, to play the role she had chosen. This was her chance—her moment to step out of the shadows and claim a future of her own.

Drake watched her with a knowing smile. He didn't need to say it, but they both understood the truth: Penny was caught in a web of her own making, and the more she struggled, the tighter it would become.

As they parted ways, Penny couldn't shake the feeling that this deal, this betrayal, would change everything—not just for Mila, but for her as well. And there was no going back.