Jair paused for a couple of seconds before blurting out, "Is that really the point?"
Stuart nodded, "Yeah."
Jair was speechless. "What, are you afraid I'll confess to Josephine too?"
Stuart sighed, "The thing is, my Josephine is just too amazing."
Jair snapped, "If you knew that, why'd you get divorced in the first place?"
Stuart went quiet.
Jair pressed on, "Now you're regretting it? How many times did I tell you, but did you listen?"
"I know," Stuart mumbled. "It won't happen again."
Jair could see Stuart was hurting, but remembering his past actions, even as a friend, he felt like punching him.
And that was nothing compared to how Josephine must feel.
He said, "I went to see Josephine to ask about Claudia."
Stuart asked, "Has Claud not replied to your WhatsApp greeting yet?"
"Why are you calling her Claud?" Jair shot back, "Are you that close to her?"
Stuart couldn't help but retort, "You two aren't even dating yet, isn't this a bit premature?"
Jair fired back, "You have the nerve to talk about me? I go see Josephine, and you question my motives!"
Neither of them had any right to judge the other; they were pretty much in the same boat.
Before hanging up, Jair said, "When you see Josephine, put in a good word for me."
Stuart groaned, "I can barely handle my own mess, and you want me to help you?"
Jair insisted, "Me being with Claudia is only good for you, no downside. Plus, I think Josephine likes me. I'm a decent boyfriend, unlike a certain someone. So, if you talk me up, she won't mind."
Stuart snapped, "Who are you calling a bad guy?"
Jair teased, "Whoever gets mad first!"
Jair hung up, leaving Stuart fuming but knowing Jair had a point.
In the past, he really was a jerk.
But being teased by Jair like that, he felt pretty annoyed.
When he finally saw Josephine, Stuart didn't know how to start.
Seeing his hesitation, Josephine said, "I have a game with Jeffery soon. If you don't have anything else..."
"I do," Stuart blurted out. "I heard Alfonso confessed to you."
Josephine looked confused. "How do you know?"
Stuart replied, "Jair told me. He saw it when he came to see you."
Josephine asked, "Why did Jair come to see me?"
"That's not important right now," Stuart said, looking anxious. "Did you turn Alfonso down?"
Josephine responded, "That's my personal business."
"I know," Stuart said, realizing he was too pushy. "I just think you two aren't a good match. Alfonso, you don't know him, he..."
"Thanks for your concern," Josephine cut him off. "I get it."
Stuart saw her indifferent expression and couldn't read her thoughts.
Knowing Alfonso had confessed to Josephine made Stuart both angry and jealous.
Who did Alfonso think he was, showing up with flowers and confessing to Josephine?
But Stuart had no right to interfere.
He could only give Josephine a heads-up as a friend.
He was desperate to see her, but now that he was here, he didn't know what to say.
After a moment, he said, "Also, about Jair and Claudia."
"Speaking of which," Josephine said, "I have something to tell you."
"Go ahead," Stuart said.
Josephine didn't hesitate. "I don't deny Jair is a good guy. If he really likes Claudia, he'll treat her well. But you know Claudia's family situation."
At this point, Josephine glanced at Stuart.
Stuart's eyes were full of regret. "Back then, I was just thinking like a businessman."
Josephine replied, "I'm not here to judge your business decisions."
"No, it was my mistake," Stuart admitted. "If it were now, knowing Claudia is your close friend, I wouldn't have taken over their business. I would've helped them instead."
Josephine gave a faint smile. "Should I be thanking you for that?"
Stuart looked a bit awkward but continued, "Actually, I told Claudia last time that if her family still wants to do business, I can help. She said her parents are now living peacefully back home, enjoying life after years of hard work. That's great. But still, I owe her an apology."
Josephine said, "Your apology is because of me. Offering to help Claudia might just burden her. Besides, if Claudia and I weren't friends, your acquisition would be just business as usual. Stuart, you don't need to change your mind because of me."
Stuart added, "It's not about changing my mind; it's just that I see things differently now, so my thoughts naturally differ from the past."
Josephine asked, "Can you change once and keep changing for a lifetime?"
Stuart replied, "Yes."
There was a brief silence before Josephine said, "Talking about this won't lead anywhere."
Stuart paused for a moment before saying, "I know I've let you down in the past, but Josephine, I'll show you through my actions."
Josephine said, "Stuart, that sounds exhausting for you."
"No," Stuart shook his head. "It won't be. I know you're worried about Jair's family opposing their relationship, but I don't think that's an issue."
Josephine asked, "What do you mean?"
Stuart explained, "First of all, even if they date, it doesn't necessarily mean they'll get married. You agree with that, right?"
Josephine nodded. "Yes."
Stuart continued, "So, if Claudia and Jair date, maybe after a while, they'll realize they're not a good match and break up."
Josephine didn't respond.
Stuart went on, "If they decide they're meant for each other and start talking about marriage, I can assure you that Jair's parents won't try to break them up."
Josephine had her doubts before.
Josephine found Claudia impressive, but Jair's family preferred someone with a similar background; nevertheless, Jair had Josephine's approval. If possible, she would fully support Claudia being with him.
She just had her reservations.
And she would respect Claudia's wishes.
Now that Stuart had made such a promise, Josephine felt much more at ease.
At least, if Jair and Claudia really started dating, she wouldn't have to worry too much about Claudia being hurt by Jair's family.
After wrapping up that topic, Josephine asked, "Do you have anything else?"
Seeing that she wanted to end the conversation, Stuart quickly said, "Yes."
Josephine tilted her head slightly and asked, "What's it?"
Stuart reached into his coat pocket and took out a box.
He handed it over, but Josephine didn't take it.
Stuart said, "A small gift for you."
Josephine kept her hands behind her back and shook her head. "I don't want it."
"Previously, you asked me a question," Stuart said, "I don't know if you remember. This small gift can answer that question."