The Stunt - Empty Mansion

ZACH

I arrived at around 10pm in our dorm. When I entered the room, Clark was already sleeping but when he heard me closed the door, He sat up.

"So what happened? Was it a success?" He excitedly asked.

"Well, yes." I nodded.

Then he stood up and danced on bed. 

"Oh Yeah! Oh yeah!" He was banging his head like he's a rock star. "I'm so good! I can't believe it! My plan was a success! Oh yeah! Oh yeah!"

Yes, you all heard it right. Everything that happened earlier was Clark's plan. 

He set up that robbery stunt. 

He was the one who got Penelope's paper bags while I waited for him to hand me the paper bags. And when he did, I jogged towards her to return them.

"What? No, I won't" I refused Clark's suggestion. 

He suggested that I should make Penelope my subject. Because since she is famous, many people would love to read anything about her. 

And also, he said that Penelope is a Campus Queen candidate.

"But, why? Are you scared of her?" He asked.  

Scared? As if! He was even the one who left me during the Canteen Scandal.

"Hell, no!" I immediately answered. "It's just that she's seems like a brat. And if I'm going to make her my subject, it will really be a tough challenge for me." I explained.

"Tsk. You know what? You sound like a scared cat. Ouch-" I punched his arm. "Bro, Come to think of it. Penelope or Goodbye Scholarship?" I froze. 

Right.  I can't be picky with anything right now.

"Okay, challenge accepted." I gave up and he smiled victoriously.

"Bro?" I came back to my senses when Clark called me.

"Yeah?"

"So what's your plan with Penelope?" He asked.

"I'll be meeting with her in their house tomorrow at 1pm." I sighed and took off my shoes and shirt.

His eyes widened up and came closer to me. "WHOAH, BRO! CAN I COME TOO?" He seemed really excited. 

I think this guy has a crush on Penelope.

"No." He pouted and went back in the bed.

"Please bro. Just this once?" He begged again. "I heard no one has ever seen the house of Penelope not even her closest friends. Count yourself lucky." He added with a hint of disappointment in his tone.

So I'm the first person in the campus to ever visit her house? Why doesn't she invite her closest friends? That's weird.

"Lucky? It's like I'm digging my own grave here." I told Clark.

I'm honestly not looking forward to meeting her at her house.

"Okay fine. But make sure you'll tell me everything, okay?"

"Yeah, alright! Go back to sleep or I will send you out." I warned him. 

He immediately turned his back on me and covered his head with a pillow.

Before going to bed, I texted my Aunt that I can't visit them tomorrow. This will really make her disappointed, but I will make it up to her. I promise.

Whatever will happen tomorrow at Penelope's house, I hope that it would turn out well. 

I pray that I can still come out of her house alive.

God luck, Zach. 

Big day tomorrow.

***

ZACH

It's Saturday but I have to be in school to update Mr. Gabato about my article.

"So, Penelope Avery?" He said after I told him that Penelope will be the subject of my article.

"Yes, Sir." I answered politely.

"Good choice. Really good. I can't wait to read your article." I breathe out a sign of relief.

"Thank you sir. I'll do my best." I bowed to him and turned to leave.

"Mr. Austin, I haven't dismissed you yet." 

Okay, that was embarrassing. I directly went back to my seat.

"I'm sorry sir. I just really have to meet Penelope." I explained.

"Oh, I'll be quick." I nodded then he continued, "You know that you can't change your subject right? So think about it now."

I thought about it for a moment. I must admit that Penelope will really be a challenge for me, but I really can't lose my scholarship.

So I made a decision. "That's final, Sir."

He smiled at me, "Okay, Good luck then. You may leave. I'll just call you again if I need something."

"Thank you sir." then I went out.

So Penelope or goodbye scholarship, right?

OH LORD, HELP ME.

☆☆☆

ZACH

"Is this really the right address?" I checked the paper in my hand again for the nth time. 

I'm currently here in front of a huge golden gate. I can't find a doorbell so I can't confirm if this information is accurate.

As planned, I need to meet Penelope in their house, but it was just then that I realized, I do not know where she lives. 

Great job, Zach. Keep it up.

Good thing, Clark knows a lot about Penelope. So he told me where she lives. Stalker.

"Excuse me? Do you need anything?" an old woman asked me. I think she is around her 50s. She gave me a warm smile so I can't help but to smile back.

"Good Morning, Maám. I just want to ask if this is where Penelope Avery lives?"

Her eyes widened a bit, "Are you her friend?" she asked.

Wait, are we friends? No, we're not right? 

"I'm her partner. We are working on a project together." I said instead.

"Here?" She looked at me, confused. 

I think Clark is right. I don't think Penelope had any visitors in her house before.

"Yes, Maám. She told me to meet her here."

"Oh, that's odd. Okay, come with me." She motioned me towards a smaller gate beside the huge brown gate.

When we entered, I was amazed. I stood frozen. I was in awe. 

You've got to be kidding me? This isn't a house! This is a whole mansion! 

WOW. It's so huge. I can't imagine living inside a huge place like this. We even had to walk for a few meters before we reached the main door.

On the right, I saw a huge garden and beside it is the pool. On my left is their Parking lot. They got 5 cars! WTF! 

I don't know about cars but I've read about them. In their parking lot, they have 2 Lamborghini Sesto Elemeno. A blue Ferrari F60 America, a black Mercedes Benz Maybach Exelero and a red Bugatti Veyron. 

Whoah! I only see these on magazines and on TV. 

How rich is Penelope, really?

When I entered the house, I was completely stunned. Everything about this house ids HUGE! I cannot think of any adjective because I can't think straight right now! 

All I know is that Penelope Avery is really a goddamn rich person and I can't imagine how she feels living into this huge house every single day.

The old woman motioned me to sit on this huge sofa. Uggh. I can't keep count of how many times I used the word huge since I entered their mansion.

"Do you need anything?" she asked.

"No, I'm okay, Maám." I answered. "I really just have to meet with Penelope."

"Ohh, right. Wait here, I'll call her."

"No, no. I can call her myself. You seemed to be busy with something." I offered. 

Well, I just assumed it but I didn't really know if she was busy or not. I just really hate it when I am of inconvenience to others.

"Oh, I hate to admit this but I'm actually cooking something. I just went out to throw some garbage."

"Well, let me help you lessen your work, Ma'am." I said politely. "I'll call Penelope in her room."

"Are you sure?" she asked, hesitant.

I nodded, "Of course."

"Okay, thank you! Penelope's room is in the third floor. You can use the staircase or the elevator. Over there." She pointed behind me and I followed her gaze.

AN ELEVATOR? SERIOUSLY? Is this a hotel or something?

But I decided to be humble, "I'll just use the staircase." She nodded and walked away.

I started climbing up their huge staircase and after a few steps, I regretted making this decision. I should have just used the elevator. This staircase seems like it goes on forever!

However, I noticed something while I'm climbing up their grand staircase. 

Why is it so quiet here? Where are the other people? It feels... empty.

Thank God, about a minute or two, I reached the third floor. There were only two rooms here and I chose the room on my left. It's because the door is pink with flowery patterns. 

Too girly, I whispered. Too Penelope.

I knocked on her door thrice, "Penelope? It's me. Are you there? It's me. Zachary." I called but nobody answered. 

Is she asleep? But it's already past 1pm!

"Penelope?" I called again. I grabbed the door knob and tried to open it. 

IT'S UNLOCKED.

I peeked inside and the first thing I saw was a huge pink bed. 

"Penelope?" I called again and decided to come inside. I walked towards the left side of her bed and saw a table with a row of picture frames.

One was a little Penelope maybe around 6 or 7 years old, wearing a long pink gown and a high heels that is obviously not hers. It's too big for a kid like her in this picture. 

Beside it was a picture of a woman who looks just exactly like Penelope, but she looks happier than Penelope.

There was also picture of her and her daddy maybe? It's in Hongkong Disneyland, based on the background. Penelope is dressed as Snow White here. Very Innocent.

There were other pictures but one thing caught my attention. It's Penelope and ZIA? 

THEY'RE FRIENDS?!

I heard someone opening the door beside the table of picture frames. So I guessed that it is Penelope, obviously. 

She owns this room after all.

I waited for it to open and when it did...

I silently wished I was dead at this very moment.