9#09

9

I gasped in astonishment. According to his itinerary, Preston should have been in Paris with Penelope at this moment, savoring their romantic escape, funded by his employer.

Disregarding my inquiry, Preston gazed down at me, his face inscrutable. "Olivia, I've allowed you an entire month! Regardless of how furious you were with me, you should have calmed down by now."

He then cast a frosty look at Colton, as if asserting his authority.

Just as I was about to lose my composure and label Preston as delusional, Penelope materialized.

Carrying two frozen treats, she shot me a vicious look behind Preston's back before donning a phony grin. "Olivia, Preston's had a private detective monitoring you for a whole month. He can't bear to be without you. Please, just forgive him, alright? Let bygones be bygones."

I remained quiet for a moment before flashing Preston a smile. "Release me. We'll find a secluded spot to discuss this."