Chapter 20 As If Nothing Had Happened
- Josephine waited at the cafe till dark, but Flynn still didn't show up.
- Will he be coming still? She started out feeling confident that Flynn would show up. However, she had already waited for a long time, and the sky was getting dark. If she didn't leave soon, she would miss the last bus out.
- At that moment, a familiar figure walked briskly into the establishment. “Jojo, I'm sorry for being late. I got held up by work.”
- The sight of Flynn finally brought a smile to Josephine's face. Unfortunately, she could only hold it for a split second, for she had no idea how to break the news to Flynn.
- Despite the many ideas that crossed her mind, they were all nothing but excuses she made on her own behalf.
- “What's wrong, Jojo? Why are you upset? Is it because I'm late?” Staring at her, Flynn reached out to hold her hand. “I'm really sorry. I was just overwhelmed by work.”
- Josephine shook her head. “Don't worry about it. It's not about that.”
- Flynn's lips curled into a smile. “I'm glad you're not angry at me. Are you hungry? Why don't we have something to eat before I take you home.” The moment he finished, he gestured at the waiter before Josephine could respond.
- Truth be told, he didn't have much time. He had hurriedly left the mall after lying to Blossom that something had come up at the office.
- In the end, Josephine simply pursed her lips. Given how busy he was, she figured that she could wait till he finished his food before they talked. Moreover, she wanted to spend more time with him.
- It was just that fate never let her have her way.
- Once their steaks were served, Flynn remarked, “You must be famished, Jojo. Dig in!” Flynn attentively cut her steak for her into bite-size pieces.
- “Thank you, Flynn.” Josephine was moved by his gesture. He's just as caring as always.
- Flynn responded with a grin. “There's no need to thank me, you silly girl.”
- Exchanging glances with a smile, they were brought back to the time when they were little. It felt just like yesterday, even though a long time had passed since then.
- “Flynn.” The anger in the gentle voice that rang out was unmistakable. Did he abandon me just for this woman?
- Flynn suddenly froze. Why is she here? “Blossom.”
- “Flynn, why don't you introduce us?” Blossom approached him and wrapped her hands around Flynn's elbow intimately. This man is mine, and I can give him everything he wants. What can this woman offer him?
- At that moment, Flynn noticed how calm Josephine looked. Her lack of surprise seemed to indicate that she had already known about it.
- “Jojo.” Flynn fell into a dilemma. How should I even go about doing this?
- As the saying goes, things don't always work out the way one wants. He had wanted to take Josephine back to his condominium today, but Blossom's appearance had foiled that plan.
- Josephine simply smiled in response. “Flynn, something came up. I've got to go now.”
- In the end, she couldn't find the courage to face the scene before her. Despite her desire to hug Flynn the way Blossom did, she no longer had the chance to do so.
- All she wanted to do then was to run away as fast as she could.
- It was then that Flynn grabbed her hand to stop her. “But, Jojo, you haven't finished your food.”
- Although the sight of the two holding hands intimately upset Blossom, she still put on a gracious front on Flynn's account by inviting Josephine to stay.
- “Flynn, it's a little cold in here. Can you get my jacket from the car? It's the white one I bought while we were shopping together earlier,” Blossom uttered in a sweet voice.
- Flynn hesitated momentarily before nodding. “All right. Why don't you order something while I get it for you.”
- After Flynn's departure, the hostile look in Blossom's eyes unsettled Josephine.
- “I don't know who you are, but you had better stay away from Flynn. He's my fiancé, so I don't want him to be involved with anyone else but me.” Blossom made herself clear. “You might not be the first woman he's been with, but you certainly will be the last. Flynn has a soft heart and easily succumbs to those who put on a pitiful charade.”
- Blossom's words triggered a bitter sensation within Josephine. I've put Flynn in a difficult position.
- “Don't worry. I understand. I won't see him ever again. I wish both of you happiness. Anyway, I'll be heading off first.” Josephine was on the brink of running as she took her leave.
- Right then, Flynn returned with Blossom's jacket. “Jojo.”
- “I'm sorry, Flynn. Something came up, so I need to go,” she explained with all the calm she could muster, yet her heart had shattered into tiny pieces, and the excruciating pain she felt had drained her of all her strength.
- Just as Flynn attempted to stop her, Josephine shrugged away his hand, for Blossom was still waiting for him in the restaurant.
- “Flynn, she left after receiving a call. Shouldn't you check on her?” Blossom's words had preempted the question that Flynn was about to pose.
- The latter subsequently draped the jacket on Blossom's shoulders. “It's fine. Let's eat.”
- After walking along the streets, Josephine took her seat at the bus stop. However, an hour passed with no sign of the bus. Only then did she realize that the last bus had gone.
- She then rummaged through her wallet, only to break into a wry smile. I shouldn't drag Flynn into this pathetic life of mine.
- With that thought in mind, she trudged through the streets. Can I not go back? Because I truly don't have any way to.
- By the time it was midnight, Josephine had only managed to walk out of the city. Yet, when she took out her phone, she realized that she had no one to call for help. It was then that a sudden sense of misery swelled up within her.
- As she squatted by the roadside, her tears began to fall uncontrollably. Once she had cried her heart out, she would no longer feel sad. That was what she told herself in consolation.
- Meanwhile, Gregory was driving Maverick back to the mansion. As their car traveled at a slow pace, he noticed a figure by the street in the middle of the night but didn't think too much of it. Only when they passed her by, and the figure stood up did he realize it was Josephine.
- “Maverick.”
- Maverick, too, had spotted her. After leaving without a word today, why is she crying by the roadside at this hour?
- “Stop the car!” Maverick barked before alighting. “Jasmine, don't tell me that you're waiting here for me?”
- Even though Josephine's vision was blurred by her tears, the familiar voice was unmistakable. “Mr. Lambert.”
- “Get in the car!” Maverick snapped before returning to his seat.
- Josephine didn't even need to think twice. Her fear of sleeping on the streets was greater than that she had of him.
- When she saw the car return to the mansion, Rosa was filled with anxiety. Ms. Quillen mentioned that she would only go out for a while but hasn't returned despite it being so late. What's going to happen now that Mr. Lambert has come back first?
- After the car rolled into the garage, Rosa hurried forward and saw Josephine. “Ms. Quillen, you're back. Did something happen to you?”
- Josephine shook her head. “I'm sorry to have made you worry, Rosa. I missed the last bus back.”
- “Ms. Quillen, if you don't happen to have enough money on you, you can take a taxi back. It's dangerous to come home so late,” Rosa whispered as she held Josephine's hand.
- Despite her attempt to lower her voice, Maverick and Gregory clearly heard her words.