The Ruthless Tycoon's weakness

Friday end of September, Two in the afternoon.

***

Seattle was beginning to get warm as the rain subsided, even though it seemed like it would fall for the whole day an hour ago with how heavy it was.

The scent of the rain mixed with soil and dust still lingered in the atmosphere and in a kind of way brought a cool and comforting feeling that Penelope loved.

She traced her finger round the rim of the cocoa mug she had in her hands, the cooling sensation it sent from her palms to the rest of her body was welcomed. Raquel, the housekeeper has made it a personal assignment to always bring Penelope a cup of hot cocoa with tiny marshmallows, on certain days. Be it when it's cold, when she's sad, or even on cheat days aside general celebrations. Raquel is always there to present her with a cup of hot delicious, creamy goodness, and today wasn't an exception.

A smile involuntary spread across her lips as the comforting taste of the cocoa once again spread through out her taste buds, the taste never gets old, each sip feels like it's the first time. And it's always a welcoming and happy taste.

She moaned in delight of it's richness and sighed, "How did Raquel keep it being this delicious all these years?" She thought out loud to herself.

"She makes it specially for you because she likes to spoil you." Her Mother's voice coming from the door distracted her from the garden view she found herself lost in that she didn't even notice when her mother walked in to her room. She looked back, past the french doors to see her Mom's seemingly ageless face, her Black hair styled into bouncy curls was beautiful and vibrant and her lips were pink and plush. Her Mother was very beautiful, and she admired that about her. "She doesn't give the rest of us hot cocoa gifts like she gives you," her Mother eyed the mug In her hands before taking in her daughters outfit. Penelope walked back into her room. " You're like her favorite, she's always bringing you presents" she once again eyed the mug but this time she got a look at it's contents

"That's just because I help her out" Penelope smiled and her Mother Samantha just returned it with a smile of her own

"yeah, I remember. You were like her little apprentice as a kid, always helping out in the kitchen." Her Mother looked over at her dressing room "I used to help you keep it a secret from your Father and have you clean up before he got home". Penelope smiled while nodding, " I do remember that" Her mother nodded "uhm, don't you think you should slow down on the hot cocoa?" She eyed her taking a sip of the cup's contents with distaste this time, "I mean, you wouldn't want to have to deal with gaining a few pounds" she watched her daughter slowly drop the cup on the table nearby.

Penelope always thought her Mother made people feel bad about doing something just to make them stop doing it to please her and she always acted like she felt bad for herself when in actual sense, she didn't. But she knows better than to start a disagreement with her Mother. She looked inwardly at how her body was, she had slim toned thighs, slightly round hips but had a round bubble butt she was always conscious of. She had toned abs she's proud of herself for maintaining over the years, round and perky C cup breasts and a slim face. She came to the conclusion that her Mom like most Mother's was an exaggerator and perfectionist.

"Thought you were going into town today?" Her Mother asked looking at her daughters expression.

"I wanted to," she glanced over at the still hot cup of cocoa before continuing "but, Dad once again found out about my plans to open a cafe and ruined all my preparations and work." She gave a defeated sigh and sunk into her bed "he once again forbad me from doing something I love, said the daughter of an important figure shouldn't own a cafe." Penelope thought back to the time he nonchalantly said to her not to use her law degree to practice, she thought she was heartbroken then but each time he refused her from doing something she felt more heartbroken.

"I'm sure your Father only means well, Penny" her Mother reassured, smiling. "He has great plans for you" she patronized. Penelope sat up properly and watched her Mom take a sit next to her on the bed. She gave her daughter a thin smile.

"When does he get back from his trip?" She asked and her Mom stood up from her bed having offered the little moral support she could manage "He just landed and is on his way home as we speak" Penelope widened her eyes in surprise

"oh! So soon," she came to the quick realization "I guess his meetings went well" her lips pressed together into a thin smile.

"They did and he's got good news to share with all of us" she took a hold of her daughters hand and pulled her daughter up, "you should get out of these comfort clothes and get ready" Penelope looked down at her soft purple socks, grey sweatpants and baggy Simpsons top

"you're saying Dad wouldn't like seeing me looking natural at home?" She gave a sarcastic smile "super!"

"c'mon Penelope! Don't say such rude things about your father" her Mother's voice chirped a tone higher and she had no choice but to give a defeated sigh.

"fine Mom, I'll get ready and even give a nice smile" she reassured her and turned slightly to look at her dressing room stocked with beautiful clothes. Her Mom rubbed her arms from behind

"Now, that's much more better," she smiled, content "you know, you're the easiest of my children and I am grateful about that in you" she patted her back softly "don't take too long, and one more thing. Put on a nice dress because your Dad has an important information to tell you." she reminded before exiting her room.

Penelope thought for a second of her Mom's words, did she mean it as a true complement or as a casual insult. Easiest of my children, did she mean that she was easily manipulated unlike her other siblings? Or just that she was pleasant.

She most times used to think of her Mom as a conceited, manipulative and condescending person. But, she couldn't think that of her, because she's her Mother. She sighed and picked a dress to wear, it was a short and flared blue flowery dress. And she loved it because it fit her and was smart on her.

***

It was late afternoon when George Burton's driver pulled into his estate. He was relieved to be home after his difficult meeting and tiresome flight, he couldn't sleep or rest throughout.

He walked into his mansion and was greeted by his maids who directed him to the living room where his family was waiting, his beautiful wife, his son Aiden who had his two year old son playing on his lap as he spoke to his wife, his first daughter Sabrina who sat next to her husband smiled as she saw her father walk in and Penelope, who sat on a single sofa next to their Mother.

"Dad!" His two daughters greeted in glee before going to receive him, they all welcomed him and asked about his meetings and trip but he gave them little of an answer in response and said he would offer more indepth explanation after dinner. After that, they all had small talks and laughs before Raquel came to usher them into the dinning room for an early dinner.

***

Tilda walked quietly out of the room where she had just put down her very active two year old son after a lot of petting and persuasion. She didn't want to miss what George would tell all of them because it could affect her and her family. She walked in to the living room where everyone was waiting for her "I'm sorry I took a while, it was hard getting Tommy to sleep" she gave a smile has she sat next to her husband.

"It's okay, Matilda." George sighed "I was just about talking about how my meeting went," he gave a glance at everyone in the room and proceeded "it went well, it was a success. I was able to get our main investor and friend, Frank Reid to keep doing business with us and by this our company would be able to expand more and keep flourishing more than it ever was with the amount of money he's going to invest this time." He allowed the congratulations and cheers to die down before he proceeded "but there was a catch to this business deal, to assure him that our family's would keep doing business and I won't break the contract arrangement, he added a clause to it." He looked over at Penelope and continued talking "He asked for Penelope to get married to his son, by doing this our contract would be solid and he'll be pleased to keep doing business with us"

Penelope gave a laugh and expected everyone also to but they didn't, "c'mon guys, that was a good one, right?" She laughed "It's so cool when Dad gets to chip in little jokes every now and then" she chuckled and thought of the reason why she was the only one that found what he said comical, then the realization hit slowly and she looked up to her Father in disbelief. "It is a joke right, Dad?" She asked standing up.

"Why would this be a joke, Penelope? This is a serious business arrangement here and you're taking it as a joke! What part of this is funny to you?"

Penelope's heart raced, her breath got clouded and laboured "you really want to sell me off to your business partners son and you expect me to be all joyous about it?" Her eyes expanded in disbelief "is this a sort of prank or what?" She looked around the room and no one seemed to be too happy about it but couldn't say anything to go against him.

" Would you please sit down and stop throwing a tantrum!" George commanded and for a second she thought of doing what her father ordered but she was more upset than submissive at the moment.

"No Dad!" She took everyone by surprise including George. "What did you just say?" He stood up and looked down at his daughter

"I Said, I won't Marry a stranger I don't know or love just for a business deal and I don't care of anything you say anymore"

"If you refuse to do this you would be in big trouble, Penelope" he had a stern glare on his face "you're not a child and I'll expect you to act like the adult you are and act as you're told to" he stated in a very upset tone.

"please just sit down, Penelope" her Mom pleaded. Penelope scoffed, she didn't know what had changed in her, but she guessed something must have sparked her new found rebellion and that was her father's lack of care of anyone's feelings. She turned around and started walking to her room

"if you leave this place you cease to be a member of this family!" She heard some gasps and turned around.

"If that's what you want, Dad then fine, I'll make it easier for you by actually leaving"

"No!" Her Mother exclaimed standing up but she just ran up to her room.

She felt hurt but she also felt free and Victorious, her mind was clouded and filled with a lot of thoughts as she ran up the perfectly sculptured long stairs. Why didn't she take the elevator? She thought, where would she go from here? Would her grandparents take her in? Her Mom's parents have never been too crazy about her Father and they should take her in till she gets back on her feet, she'll work really hard to get some money of her own, open the cafe of her dreams and maybe along the line she'll fall in love and settle down, she thought. She sighed at the thought of the beautiful plan she had and started getting her clothes into her luggage bag.

"And what do you think you are doing?" Her Father's voice startled her and she turned around to confront him.

"if you've come to insult me some more then I'll beg you not to, I'll leave like you want" she sighed.

"if you leave, like I said you'll cease to become a member of this family and you'll have no right that a member of this family has. What you're doing here is stealing clothes that were bought with my money, if you want to leave here, you'll leave with only the clothes on your back, you are given that luxury. But apart from that, you have no right to take any more clothes or belongings my money bought!"

Penelope gasped at what her Father just said "I don't believe you'll do that to your own daughter," she shook her head in disbelief "why would you do this to your own daughter?" She felt so confused and lost.

"I'm doing this for your good and the good of everyone" he inched closer to talk to her, his blue eyes were tired and his short brown hair was begining to get disheveled.

"No, Dad," she shook her head "if you actually love me and care about me you'll care about how I feel and how your actions affect me. Why would you just go on and agree into something like that without caring about my feelings?"

Her Father paced a bit and shook his head "I've made this decision for my family and I wouldn't explain myself or repeat it again! You better choose to accept it or leave like you want to"

Her Father's words hurt and she felt like she would cry but she stopped herself "you've controlled me all my life, told me what to do, stopped me from doing what I love everytime." She scoffed and shook her head "why did you ever send me to law school all those years, uh?" She asked "so I could go, study, get my degree and not use it and then settle for this kind of marriage?"

"If you don't do this, just know that you'll be tarnishing the family name and you'll be a disgrace" her Father's stern demeanor was unbelievable, it felt like he wasn't even listening to anything she said or cared and it made her wonder why she actually needed to do it.

"Why are you making me do this, Dad? I've always been what you ordered me to be, but this... This is way too much" she was exasperated and it infuriated George so much that he yanked her arm and pulled her from her dressing room before spitting out in anger the true risk behind her choosing not to get married.