All Chapters of Pen & Passion: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Joaquin was slightly taken aback by my words. He glanced at me, his expression unreadable. “What did you just say?”I shrugged, feeling a bit self-conscious. “I said, I’m going home to you from now on. Is that a problem?”He shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. “No, it’s just... unexpected.”I smirked, deciding to tease him a bit. “Well, I just did the subtle thing of what you did last night.”“What do you mean?” he asked, his brow furrowing.“You know, flirting,” I said with a wink. Joaquin blushed slightly, a rare sight that made me grin. “Why are you acting like a teenager? You were the one who flirted so well with me last night.”“Whatever,” he muttered, rolling his eyes. “What did you mean by saying you have me?” I took a deep breath, deciding to be honest.“I literally have no one waiting for me and no one I’d take care of. Now that I’m temporarily with you at your home, I’ll be looking forward to being with someone. It’s been lonely, you know? But now, I have compa

That evening, I met Jessy at our favorite bar. She was already there, sitting at a corner table with two drinks in front of her, waving enthusiastically as I walked in.“There she is!” Jessy called out, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Come on over, Haven. We have a lot to talk about!”I couldn’t help but smile at her infectious energy. Jessy was the kind of friend who could turn any situation into a fun adventure. As I joined her at the table, she pushed one of the drinks towards me.“How are you feeling, Jessy? You were sick, and now here you are, drinking alcohol,” I said, raising an eyebrow in concern.Jessy waved a hand dismissively. “I’m fine, totally fine. It was just a little bug. Besides, I need to enjoy tonight before heading back to a dreadful Monday—especially now that you’re no longer there to keep me sane.”I chuckled, feeling a pang of guilt. “Yeah, about that… It’s been a whirlwind.”“So, what happened?” she asked, leaning forward with eager curiosity. “Was it Joaquin

Hazy and groggy, I lay there in a strange bed, my head pounding like a drum. I heard an alarm ringing somewhere, and I yawned and stretched, feeling oddly comfortable and warm. However, when I felt an arm draped around my waist, my entire body stiffened in shock.I slowly opened my eyes, squinting against the morning light filtering into the unfamiliar room. Panic surged through my veins as I took in the surroundings—this was definitely not my bedroom. The walls were a different color, the decor far too elegant and opulent.‘Where the hell am I?’My heart pounded in my chest as I cautiously turned my head, only to be greeted by the sight of Joaquin lying beside me, sleeping soundly and topless. My eyes widened, and my mouth dropped open in a silent scream of bewilderment.‘Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God…’Trying to keep my breathing steady, I took a peek under the covers, relieved to find myself dressed in a knitted sweater and dolphin shorts. Despite the comforting realization that I

After the day's whirlwind of emotions and surprises, we finally arrived home. The moment we stepped through the door, Joaquin headed straight to his room without a word. I watched him disappear down the hallway, his determined stride indicating he had no intention of lingering.I felt a slight pang of disappointment but shook it off, reminding myself that we both needed some time to unwind.I made my way to my room, feeling the weight of the day lift slightly as I entered my personal space. The quiet offered a stark contrast to the bustling office, and I welcomed it. After setting my bag down, I pulled out my phone and dialed Jessy’s number.I needed to hear a friendly voice, to ground myself after everything that had happened.The call connected, and Jessy’s cheerful voice filled my ears. “Hey! How are you? What the hell, you didn’t tell me you’re now engaged to Joaquin!”My eyes widened in shock. “How did you know about that?”Jessy laughed. “When Joaquin showed up to get you yesterd

Determined to make a point, I set my alarm earlier than usual. When it went off, I jumped out of bed with a sense of purpose.I took a long, hot shower, blow-dried my hair, and straightened it until it was smooth and shiny. I tied it back in a half-up style, leaving a few tendrils loose to frame my face.I chose my outfit with care: light blue slacks and a matching light blue blazer. Underneath the blazer, I wore a white bralette top that showed just a hint of my midriff. It was daring, but I figured the blazer would make it office-appropriate.I applied my makeup meticulously: a light powder to even out my complexion, a precise line of eyeliner, and a bold lipstick that made my lips pop. When I looked in the mirror, I hardly recognized myself. I felt beautiful, confident, and ready to face the day.I wanted to surprise Joaquin, so I spoke to one of the maids and arranged for a driver to take me to the office earlier than usual. When I arrived, I felt the weight of everyone's eyes on m