Chapter Text
The room was buzzing with excited energy as the hired pianist played a soft tune. Penelope glanced around the room absentmindedly taking in her co-workers mingling.
She had been with The Daily Buzz as an editor now for about 3 years. Despite the length of time, she truly did not know most of the people in the room. Correction: she knew the people in the room, but none of them truly knew her. As an editor her co-workers respected her and sought out her opinion but she was not the most outgoing person and had not made friends. It didn't help that she secretly ran the Whistledown column under the Lady Whistledown pseudonym.
The editor in chief, Agatha Danbury, had early on discovered Penelope's talents as a writer. She encouraged her to start a column, which Penelope at the time thought would be easier under her Lady Whistledown persona. It was the only way she felt brave enough to spill the secrets of the elite unabashedly, often calling them out for their luxurious parties and lack of regard for the planet and the communities in need. Needless to say, she had grown quiet popular to the point the socialites now actually seemed to care what she wrote about them. It gave her power, which she intended to use for good as much as one could in such a peculiar position.
"Penelope!" Marie a photo editor and office neighbor called out. She walked up to her smiling and handing her a drink. Penelope liked Marie as she had been friendly since they met. The were work friends and sometimes caught lunch together and exchanged office gossip over coffee breaks. "So what's the verdict? Who do you think will go home with who tonight?"
It was now a tradition they had to play this silly game at work parties. The alcohol flowed and it was often the only time people in their office saw each other without the looming stress of deadliness hanging over their heads.
"Ah...my money is on Betty and Daniel tonight. She has been eyeing him across the room and there's history there from last Christmas..."
Marie giggled as they discreetly peered in the direction of the pair currently making there way towards each other.
"What do you think?" Penelope asked Marie. She was sipping her drink and nearly spit it out as she turned towards Penelope excitedly.
"I don't know but whoever gets to go home with him tonight will be one lucky person..." Marie whispered. Penelope extended her neck to try to find who Marie had seen that caused such a reaction when her eyes landed on him. Colin. "Did you know he would be here?"
Penelope simply nodded. She did know but had been desperately trying to take her mind of the fact she would see him again after almost a month.
"He mentioned it but I wasn't sure he would make it given he just landed this morning."
"Well, looks like the hometown hero has returned.." Marie said with a smirk as they observed some of their colleagues crowd around Colin. "I am going to run to the bathroom, be right back." Marie said as she downed the last bit of her wine.
Colin Bridgerton was a big deal at The Daily Buzz. He started around the same time as Penelope but he was a travel journalist. He was incredibly talented and he quickly developed a following. Penelope thought a part of it had to do with his charm in some of his videos. He always made it feel as if he was having a private conversation with you about his experiences. She would know having spent the past years being one of his closest friends.
She met Colin through her friendship with Eloise, his younger sister, at Uni. The two became inseparable early on and during one of the holidays Eloise invited her to join with her family, Penelope met the love of her life. It was of course much within her nature to have awkwardly bumped quiet literally into him as they made their way to the lake, causing him to fall into a muddy puddle. She was mortified. But with one hearty laugh of his and a simple "That was silly of me," she was done for.
Of course, beyond her unrequited love for him they had became best friends quiet quickly. They had a similar humor and curiosity to learn. She was the first he confided with his writing and the person who initially encouraged him to pursue a career in it.
It was by chance (or fate) they now worked at the same news and media outlet. Colin had no idea the extent of Penelope's role there although Eloise did. She was initially taken aback by it, not that Penelope had written anything negative about her family, merely surprised she had kept it a secret from her for so long. The Bridgerton's although part of the elite, often were focused on giving back and making an impact on the community. Yet Penelope did have to write about them nonetheless. Mainly commenting on the scoop of their dating lives as they were some of the most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes.
Penelope's eyes drifted without effort back to Colin who was being slapped on the back by another male college and sharing a laugh. She adored his smile. She shook the thought away and glanced at her drink realizing it was nearly empty and Marie had not returned yet. She likely had been pulled into another conversation. Although Penelope did not have many friends at work, Marie was more outgoing than her.
Penelope sighed considering walking over to the bar to grab another drink. She planned on slipping out of the party as soon as her boss finished their congratulatory speech to staff about their numbers this year. She glanced at her phone and realized it likely wouldn't start for another couple of minutes and she was starting to feel rather silly without at least a drink to sip on. She finally set her mind on walking to the bar when a familiar voice called out.
"Pen!" Colin yelled practically running towards her from across the room. Her heart stopped.
"Colin..." she uttered just as he scooped her up into his arms and spun her around. When he finally set her down, she felt her stomach fluttering at the closeness. He still did not let her go, instead sinking his face into the crook of her neck and leaning down to continue hugging her close.
"I've missed you." He whispered.
Colin had been away on assignment in the U.S. Although most of the time the hours did not match up quiet nicely as he made his way across the country, he never failed to call her in the evenings. And Penelope had felt spoiled. Despite all this, his current reaction at seeing her was not what she had expected. Yet everything about this embrace echoed how much she had missed him too.
When he finally pulled away, his eyes met hers with deep adoration. While still keeping his hands on her arms, she replied "Me too." He smiled brightly and finally released her. "I wasn't sure you would come..."
"Honestly, I am exhausted from the flight but I wanted to.." he cleared his throat nervously casting his eyes to the floor. He seemed to gather himself for a moment before his green eyes met hers again more determined. "Actually Pen...I really wanted to see you and talk to you...It couldn't wait."
"Okay..." she responded unsure of what he wanted to speak to her about. He opened his mouth to continue when the Editor in Chief greeted staff through the mic.
"Please, if you could give me a moment and then we will go back enjoying this wonderful party!" Their boss said with a big smile.
"I guess after..." Colin whispered and Penelope nodded in acknowledgment. She turned her body towards the stage on which their boss started going on about how amazing the team had been this year. Colin stood close to her also facing the stage.
She wasn't paying attention to what was being said, distracted by the warmth of his arm touching hers. She smiled absentmindedly as her boss made a joke about something. Suddenly she felt the heaviness of someone looking at her. She turned her gaze up and caught Colin staring at her but when her eyes landed on him, he quickly glanced away.
Penelope's anxiety began to spiral. He seemed nervous. He was never nervous about anything really, but especially when it came to her. Whatever it was he wanted to tell her had to be big. Her mind began to fill in the gaps with extremes: he has met someone...he is getting married...he is switching jobs and leaving her behind...he has realized she is in love with him, because really she had to be quiet obvious, and was going to ask to set boundaries...
"Pen?" Colin whispered as their boss continued their speech. "Are you okay?"
He must of noticed her discomfort. Penelope shook her head. "I just got stressed about something...just anxiety." She replied.
"Hey..." Colin tugged on her hand forcing her to meet his eyes. He looked worried. "Let's go outside for fresh air."
And Penelope would follow him anywhere even if he was the one triggering the anxiety right now. In some ways she knew he was also the only one that could calm it.
She nodded and he pulled her away from the crowd.