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Colin just got back from school, he ran to the elevator and press the button to the penthouse.
The Bridgertons have moved to their penthouse property to be near the schools and activity centers of the younger children. They typically spends the weekdays at the condominum and spends the weekends at their Mayfair Estate.
By this hour, it will be typically just Colin and Benedict at home. The elevator was almost closing when it pinged and opened up once again, a little girl wearing a sunflower sundress comes in. She struggles to reach the button to her floor so Colin did what he thinks is right, he lifted the girl by her armpit to let her reach the 18th Floor button.
Once he lets her down, the little girl faces him. "I can do it on my own." She said with annoyance.
Colin was taken aback. This girl is sassy. "Clearly you coul not." He stares at her, she must be Francesca's age.
"I am 10, I could" She crosses her arms.
"You're 10?"
"You're rude!" The girl huffs and just in time, ran to exit the elevator.
Colin stared and wished he followed her. She was too cute not to be known by him.
When Colin reached their unit, he hastily asked Mrs. Wilson to bake some pastry assortments for him. Colin had one plan for that day. Find the girl.
He showered fast and changed into one of his semi-formal polo and his big boy trousers. He grabbed the pastries in a box and went to the 18th floor.
Colin went around the floor but can't seem to figure out which unit is the girl's house. He then decided to wait at the elevator hoping she would eventually use it.
He fell asleep waiting and decided to just leave a note, thankful that he anticipated to bring his sticky notepad and a pen.
"Hi. I am Colin, I live at the penthouse. Hope to meet you Ms. Grumpy Redhead"
He left the box at the small foyer beside the elevator, Colin went upstairs with a bit of frustration.
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Penelope plops on her bed. That was embarassing! She initially thought that the boy was so handsome but why did he needed to lift her like a child? Ugh!
Five floors in and her heart is giddy to know what having a crush feels like, then suddenly that boy had to ruin the moment.
Her musings was cut off by their home phone ringing. Penelope answered it and it was her mother, Portia instructed her to meet them at the lobby after 2hours.
Rightfully so, Penelope decided to shower and nap.
At exactly fifteen minutes before the time Portia had mentioned, Penelop walks her way to the elevator. It was taking too long that her curiousity got her to look at the package on the foyer's table.
Wait..is that.. Is that for her? That boy really is charming. She collected the pastry and kept it inside her room before meeting her Mama. She could not wait to see him again.
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Penelope looks at the clock, it was the same time she bumped in with the cute boy yesterday. She had been waiting at the lobby, wearing one of her pink dress that she was allowed to pick. Praying to her angels to let her meet him.
After a few minutes, she saw him hopping off the school bus. Penelope ran to the elevator, pretending to be waiting, like she was there first.
She hop on when she saw Colin was near.
Colin, as usual, ran his way inside. He immediately saw the little girl. "Oh."
Penelope acted annoyed, crossing her arms. "You again?"
"I live here. I hope you got my peace offering." He flashes his charming smile.
Penelope had to stop herself from melting, she gulps. "Yes. Thank you."
She states at the led lights and they were already at the 9th Floor. "I'm not redhead girl. I am Penelope."
"Penelope." Colin repeats. "A lovely name, but I guess no name could match your beauty."
Penelope gapes at him. This boy gagged her.
"What is your unit number, Pen?" Colin grins.
The elevator pings and it was Penelope's floor. Portia is already at the foyer. "Come quick, Penelope."
Penelope was dragged by her mother and the elevator doors closes.
"Wait!" Colin shouts but he was already left alone. Damn it.
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The next day was a Saturday and fro the first time, Colin dreads to be home at Mayfair.
Penelope on the other hand have spent her weekend trying to catch a glimpse of Colin at the lobby but failed.
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It was Monday already and Colin could not wait to be home. He have some tricks up his sleeves for Penelope.
As he hops off from the school bus, he saw Penelope sitiing at the lobby, her legs dangling from the chair, swinging back and forth..
Colin walked slowly and quietly till he reached her, he gently taps her shoulder. "I am here now, let us ride the elevator?"
Penelope was shocked, her blush was an unwelcome giveaway. She clears her throat. "Who says I was waiting for you?"
"Alright." Colin opens his backpack and produced a tulips made from origami. "This ones for you, Pen." He smiles.
"I'll go home now." He walks off to the elevator.
Penelope ran with her little legs and followd suit. "I saw the time, I needed to go back home."
"If you say so." Colin smiles cheekily.
"It is not you."
"Didn't say it was about me, Pen." He chuckles. "I was gone for the weekend. We go home to our Mayfair house during weekends."
"Who asks?" Penelope raises a brow, saying it with a snarky tone.
"Just letting you know in case you were waiting." He said calmly.
"No one cares, Mister."
"Colin." He smiles. "That is my name, remember."
"No one cares, Colin." She glares.
"Pen."
"What?'
"It is your floor now." Colin laughs.
Penelope blushed and ran away, embarassed that Colin had deduced her ruse.
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Colin went to the store to run errands for his sibling, it was almost 7PM when he came back. He stares at the buttons, figuring out how to press one when the little redhead girl came in.
"Pen." He smiles.
"Colin." She almost smiled.
"Had to run errands for my siblings." He looks at the paperbag she is carrying.
"Got our delivery downstairs." She explained and pressed the buttons for him.
"Thanks, Pen." He paused. "Next time.. I can accompany you. Just ring our local.. 1815."
"You...you'll help me pick up things?"
"Of course, Pen. I take care of my sisters." He tilts his head to look at her. "I can take care of you too."
"Me?" She frowns. "I am not your sister."
"Yes." He nods. "But I am your future boyfriend."
Penelope's jaw literally dropped.
Colin giggles. "Pen." He repeats it again. "Pen. It is your floor now."
Penelope closes her mouth and ran. Before the elevator door closes, she faced him back and shouts. "See you soon."
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Benedict was watching TV on the sofa when his brother walks in carrying some grocery with a shit-eating grin on his face. "Hey baby boy. Whats up?"
"Nothing." Colin answered.
"Thats not nothing."
Colin placed the groceries on the kitchen counter and sat beside Benedict. "How do you court a girl?"
"Court? Who are you, Darcy?" Benedict giggles.
"Shut up." Colin stood up but Benedict stopped him.
"You can invite her here." He suggests.
Colin frowns.
"I saw you and your tulip origami... Mrs. Wilson told me about the pastry." Benedict raises a brow. "She lives here?"
"Yes." Colin nods.
"Invite her. Let her be friends with your sisters too."
"That is nice tip." Colin smiles. "Thanks."
"I can't believe you will have a girlfriend at twelve." Benedict wiggles his brow.
"She's a dream."
___________________________________________
Penelope is holding a box of homemade biscuits she and her maid Rae made this morning after her class.
As usual, she waits in the lobby for Colin's arrival. She was preoccupied with daydreaming that it shocked her to her core when Colin held her by the wrist.
"Lets go, Pen." He smiles.
"Oh." She could not speak but merely nods.
They entered the elevator and Penelope stood with her back on the wall.
Colin pressed their floors before he leaned on the wall beside Penelope. His hands gently brushing against her, testing if she would flinch.
Penelope looks at their hands, too close but but not touching. She watches as Colin's index finger twitches until it gently touches hers.
Gathering courage, Penelope held his hand, she intertwined them but avoided hus gaze. She stares straight upfront, at the elevator doors with a big grin and a blushing cheek.
Colin smiled goofily, he mimics her actions, shy but extremely happy.
The elevator pings and it was time to part ways again.
"Bye Colin." Penelope moved sideways to look at him, she suddenly tiptoed and kissed his cheek. She ran before he could react.
Dumbfounded, Colin smiles and touches his cheek.
___________________________________________
Having full determination from earlier, Colin showered and wore another big boy outfit. He made a bouquet of roses made from origami, he proceeded to go to the 18th Floor, eager to find Penelope.
He walks aimlessly, trying to find any signs. His hopes were almost gone when the smell of steak caught his attention. He followed the smell and stood infront of a unit.
Colin did not know what he wants or what he was thinking but he knocks on the door.
Surprisingly, it was Penelope who opened it. "Colin."
"Pen." He beams and remembered his bouquet. "For you."
"Oh." Penelope accepts it. "What brings you here."
"The smell." He giggles. "But.. I want to formally invite you."
"Me?"
"Yes." He nods. "Will my girlfriend officially visit our house and meet my family?"
Penelope stares at him for a while before she nods. "Sure, boyfriend."