California Dreaming - Polin

Its New.

Colin got his and Marina's luggage from the carousel. He hadn't spoken with Pen since that message she sent him. Ever since then, him and Marina have argued at every given moment they were alone. She told him that they had to 'keep up appearances' with his family, so he was to act like her doting fiancée the whole trip. He hadn't any energy to argue with her. Their relationship was basically sex, and nothing else. His conversations with Penelope were missing, he had realised probably two weeks after Penelope left that she was the only one who listened to him or made him feel important. That made him feel worse, it made him see how selfish, how abusive he had been towards someone he called a dear friend. He had fully taken advantage of everything, of her, for such a long time, he couldn't even remember when it started.

All he knew was, that this trip... he had to make it right. That's the only reason he wanted to go; he would have preferred to go alone but Marina was not about to pass up the chance to head to LA. The only struggle was getting Benedict to agree to let him join them. Benedict was adamant against the idea, until Penelope had said it was ok. This gave Colin a little hope, maybe she was ready to put the past behind them. Maybe, just maybe they could be Colin and Penelope again. He knew she had a boyfriend of sorts; Marina had stalked him on Instagram, and she made several comments about him and Penelope. 'Can't believe she bagged him.' That was one comment that made Colin fly off the handle, they didn't speak for three days straight after that. Until he came home drunk, and they fucked sloppily on the couch.

The group arrived 11am LA time on the Monday, and they were staying for 7 nights. They were so excited to get into the villa and see Penelope, the excitement was buzzing all the way there. Eloise couldn't help but notice how quiet Colin was, she had attempted to talk to him a few times, but he just placed his beats over his ears and zoned them all out. Benedict noticed too, and they both shot each other that look... 'he's an idiot.'

She hadn't the energy for him. Eloise was so excited to see Penelope. She had missed her so much, so couldn't help but feel a little jealous of Sophie, so her anxiety was through the roof. Penelope told them all she'd give them a few hours to get sorted and sleep and then she'd be round after dinner, then she could take them to a few local hotspots.

Penelope: I'm driving, I'll be around 30 minutes.

Eloise: OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG

Eloise ran down the stairs screaming. Daphne genuinely thought someone was dying.

"Miss Featherington is en-route."

Everyone was gathered in the large open planned kitchen/dining area. Penelope gave strict instructions for smart/casual. She had planned a night of cocktails, karaoke and then a visit to the club she had previously attended with Sophie and co. She knew the bouncers pretty well by now, and they had her on the 'list'.

Penelope sat in the car outside the villa and fixed her deep red lipstick. Her outfit, obviously chosen by Sophie was black leather shorts, black heeled boots, a white tight cami top (that left nothing to imagination) and an oversized leather jacket. She even had black rectangular sunglasses to boot. She had been 'LA-ified'. Sophie had urged her to free the nipple, but Penelope wasn't that confident, plus the bra she was wearing made her breasts look perky, and she liked it. She felt confident, sexy and empowered.

She walked into the house, and her heels clicked against the marble floor. She practically ran to the kitchen as she heard the gaggle of Bridgerton voices. She swung open the French doors, and lifted her sunglasses from her face as they all stood mouths agape.

"Well... is no one going to say hello or shall I leave and come back again?"

Penelope said as she started to turn around sarcastically.