Adam’s POV
I decided after seeing what all this was doing to Penny, I had to put an end to it. I texted Gwyn multiple times, no response. She finally called me several hours later.
“What now, Adam?” Gwyn’s lovely greeting. I swallowed hard to build courage.
“I'm telling Penny that she is fine to travel. I can't do this anymore. They will never know what we did.”
“Oh no you are not!”
“I don't care if you try to hurt my career, I'm not doing it anymore. Penny is struggling, fighting depression. Your picture stunt didn't help.”
“I paid top dollar to have that picture taken.” She said with satisfaction.
“Somehow I knew it was you. That and everything else has taken their toll on Penny. I'm really worried.”
“Would you like to worry about her even more?” She asked.
“Of course not.”
“If you release her to travel, it's not just depression she'll be battling.”
“What are you saying?” I asked in disbelief.
“You know what I am saying. I don't want Penny here until I can watch her face as she finds out Brian is now mine. If she meets up with him before that, then I will be there to help Brian grieve the loss of his wife and my dear friend.” She said mockingly.
“You are an evil bitch. What did Penny do to you?”
“She has something I want, even she told me to go after what I wanted in life. Now Dr. Gabriel, do we have an understanding?”
“I am positive she didn't mean killing people to get what you want. I can turn you in, right now. You're not the only one that can record a phone call.” I felt triumphant, for just a moment.
“The name Angela, does that ring any bells?”
“What?” I was hoping I misunderstood what she said.
“You remember Angie, your friend’s teenage daughter that you had an affair with and got pregnant.”
“How do you know about her?”
“I have my ways; it turns out your ex-wife is a big fan of my books. You've worked so hard the last 10 years to keep that secret, it would be a shame if it all came out now.”
“You would ruin the lives of innocent people that you don't know, just to hurt me?”
“This has absolutely nothing to do with you. I will do whatever it takes to make Brian mine. So here's your choices, have your child find out about his conception and that you're really his father. You won't have the money to be able to help support Angela raising him anymore either. What's the third thing? Oh yeah, no more Penny. Second choice is to keep Penny there and healthy. Your past will stay hidden and your son will never know the true story. Oh yeah, don't forget those nasty statutory rape charges you bought your way out of.”
“You leave me with no choice. But tell me why you are doing this? Doing it because Penny told you to go after what you want in life is bullshit. You have a vendetta against her, why?””
“Okay, I guess it's fair to tell you my secret in return for my knowing yours. Jay and I were in a relationship, before she sucked him in.” She said with obvious bitterness.
“So she stole your man? You must've made her think you had forgiven her.”
“She didn't know we were together.”
“Wait a minute, how could she not have known? You told me that all of you worked together when she started dating Jay.”
“No one knew. Jay was my boss, we would have both lost our jobs. He started working on a project with her and she weaseled her way in.”
“I really don't understand how it's her fault she broke up a relationship she didn't even know about and I'm pretty sure Jay was a willing participant. Isn't the fact that he eventually fell in love with someone else and hurt her too enough?”
“It was until she met Brian, once again she got the man I should have.”
“I don't want to hear anymore. You are nuts. I will keep Penny here, but I don't know how to help her.”

“Sure you do; you can woo her. She's lonely and she's probably horny.” She said very matter of fact.
“How would you know that?”
“She's confided in me about what an active sex life she and Brian had. She also told me that they had just started doing it again right before he left. Trust me, she wants it.”
“I'm not going to do that; I don't want her to be with me by default. I want her to want me, for me. I don't want to be her break up guy. This is all dirty enough.”
“That's up to you. Throwing her in the pool was brilliant, it worked perfectly. Brian was so upset and I was there for him. Next time let me know when you do something like that, so I can make sure I'm there for him.” She demanded.
“Fuck you Gwyn, I didn't do it for you. I did it for Penny. I will not tell you my every action with her so you can use it to get closer to Brian.”
“Suit yourself, just keep your fucking mouth shut and keep her there.”
I was so mad, that for once I hung up on Gwyn.

Three Weeks Later

Brian’s POV
Gwyn was keeping her promise and not making me uncomfortable. We had actually started hanging out together. It was good to have a friend who didn't have a partner with them to do things with. She also helped ground me when I would call or text Penny and she was with Adam Gabriel. I missed Penny and I felt like he was trying to take my place. I was trying to be as understanding as I could but I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to at some point.
One night I had too much to drink and Gwyn helped me to my suite. I walked in and collapsed on the couch. I woke up to the feeling of someone nibbling on my ear. “Junior, wake up.”
“Penny?”
“Hi there sexy.” Penny said her blue eyes sparkling in the dim light of the room. “Did you miss me?”
“Yes! How are you here? You've been cleared to travel?” I kissed her.
“Not exactly, I just couldn't stay away any longer. I wanted to surprise you. Dr. Gabriel doesn't even know I left.”
“This is the best surprise ever, but you shouldn't have risked this.”
“I'm here now, it's done. Would you like to talk or do something else?” She said seductively.
“Something else.” I said as I pulled her close and kissed her. I picked her up and carried her to the bed through the now dark suite. She started to help me take my clothes off.
“No, I get to go first.” I said as I lifted her shirt delicately touching her skin. She lifted her head and I pulled the shirt off. I ran my hand down her neck then down her chest releasing the latch on the front of her bra. She moaned as I caressed her breasts and pinched each nipple lightly.
“You are beautiful.”
“Brian please.” She said pleading. “It's been too long.”
Soon we were naked and I looked into her eyes as I entered her.
“I love you” I said.
“I love you” she said. It didn’t take long for either one of us to start to peak.
“Oh God, I can’t hold back much longer.” I said. My cell phone started to ring, it was Penny's ringtone. “How is your phone calling me?”
“It's probably Penny calling you.” She said, but her voice sounded different.
Suddenly the lights came on and it was Gwyn in bed instead of Penny.
I woke up covered in sweat and sat straight up, relieved that it was just a dream. My phone was ringing, but I couldn't answer it. I wasn't sure what that dream was all about. Was I starting to become attracted to Gwyn? Was it just because I missed Penny and I had been spending so much time with Gwyn? I had to splash water on my face and clear my head before calling Penny back.


Adam’s POV
I decided that even though I couldn't put a stop to Gwyn, I could be there for Penny. I needed to keep her busy and from falling into depression again.
I made sure she got out of the house. Taking her out to eat, to art galleries and even the theatre. Of course, I had to make sure the places weren't crowded to keep the guise that she was still vulnerable to disease. We were growing close, she was depending on me and I fought between guilt and happiness. I knew Brian was getting more and more irritated about me. Especially when pictures of us together would show up on Social Media. He had said small things to Penny, but I knew he was holding back because she was alone. It was probably just a matter of time before he would not be able to hold back anymore and honestly I didn't care. I knew Penny needed me and I knew she wouldn't shut me out. I admit that part of me hoped Gwyn would ensnare Brian soon and I could become more than friends with Penny.

Gwyn had been successful in becoming closer to Brian, but not getting him into bed. She constantly used her threats to keep me deceiving Penny and to do her bidding. Her threats to hurt Penny grew and now included framing me for it.

Notes