Josephine woke up and realized it was already the next day.
She stayed in bed for a bit before finally getting up to wash up.
Christmas was just around the corner, and it was going to be Jeffery's first holiday season in the States.
Josephine wanted to get her work done early so she could show Jeffery all the holiday traditions.
But Claudia was off to an international fashion competition starting in a few days. With her flight this afternoon, she had to rush to go over final details with the models.
Laura came over in the morning. Josephine had to head to the research institute, so Laura stayed home to watch Jeffery while Claudia packed her bags.
Josephine stood in front of the elevator, glancing at the tightly closed door next door.
Since giving her the wood carving, Stuart had disappeared. They hadn't met or communicated since, leaving a void between them.
Josephine gave a self-deprecating smile and stepped into the elevator.
Otis was waiting for her downstairs and opened the car door for her.
Soon, the car was on the move, and Josephine made a call, saying, "Liam, are you still swamped lately?"
Liam laughed helplessly. "One surgery after another. But I should be free in the afternoon on Christmas Day."
Josephine knew his situation all too well and could only say, "Take care of yourself and remember to eat."
"How's Jeffery?" Liam inquired, but he was interrupted by a call, so he quickly added, "I'll get back to you when I have a moment."
After hanging up, Otis said, "It's a good thing you're not a doctor anymore, or you'd be just as busy."
Josephine replied, "Once I'm done with this stint at the institute, I still have to go back to the hospital."
"Indeed," Otis agreed, "With your medical expertise, it'd be a shame not to help patients."
Josephine grinned and suggested, "Christmas is around the corner. You should take a breather and catch up with your family and friends."
Otis was silent for a few seconds before saying, "Alright."
He dropped Josephine off at the research institute, and she was busy all morning.
She didn't have time to go home for lunch, so she planned to eat at the cafeteria with everyone else.
As it turned out, she saw Alfonso in the cafeteria.
Alfonso, representing his company, donated supplies to the institute and was granted a tour of the cafeteria, where he encountered Josephine.
Josephine saw him approaching but remained indifferent, continuing to eat her lunch.
"Josephine." Alfonso smiled at her. "We meet again."
Josephine couldn't muster a smile.
She was only annoyed by Alfonso's sudden pursuit and pestering.
She nodded as a greeting.
Alfonso had initially thought that pursuing Josephine would be a simple matter.
He hadn't expected her to have this attitude.
But Alfonso wasn't one to be easily discouraged. He sat down across from Josephine and said, ""I might have been a bit hasty yesterday. If I caused you any trouble, I'm sorry."
Josephine, feeling uneasy, replied, "Just try not to disrupt my life going forward. Thanks."
With that, she picked up her tray and stood to leave.
Alfonso stood up as well and said, "Josephine, I really like you. At least give me a chance to get to know you."
At that moment, Josephine thought that using Roy to fend off her suitors was quite effective.
At least it could keep Alfonso at bay.
Seeing her silence, Alfonso thought she had come around.
After all, with his excellent conditions, she should be flattered that he was pursuing her.
It had to be admitted that the Campbell siblings were truly alike, even in their thinking.
Josephine snapped back to reality and said, "Sorry, I don't like you. Not now, not ever. Everyone's busy, so Mr. Campbell, please don't waste your time on me."
With that, she left, and Alfonso seemed humiliated again.
He had never actively pursued a girl before, thinking it would be a simple matter, but Josephine was proving to be quite difficult.
Stuart got the news and rushed over, coincidentally meeting Josephine outside the cafeteria.
He looked her over from head to toe, making sure she was okay before saying, "Alfonso bothered you again?"
Josephine, faced with Stuart's calm indifference, seethed with unanswered questions and unresolved emotions sparked by the wood carving.
She didn't say a word, gave Stuart a glance, and walked away.
Stuart's face remained impassive, but inside, he was anxious.
He thought, 'Had Josephine opened the box? Had she seen the wood carving? What did she think? Did she remember the question?'
Stuart stood there for a few seconds before decisively following her.
Josephine returned to her office, absentmindedly finished her lunch, and saw that there was no time to rest.
She left the office and saw Stuart standing outside.
Stuart called, "Josephine."
Seeing him, Josephine felt a mix of irony and amusement.
She didn't want to say a word to Stuart.
Stuart, seeing her like this, panicked a bit. He grabbed her arm. "Josephine, let's talk."
Josephine struggled. "Let go of me! There's nothing to talk about between us!"
Some staff members walked by, and Stuart, in a hurry, pulled her into the office and closed the door behind them.
He pressed her against the door. "Josephine."
Josephine's eyes welled with anger. "What's your game, Stuart? Do you get a kick out of messing with me? Is it all a joke to you?"
Stuart was baffled. "What on earth are you talking about? When have I ever toyed with you or treated you like a joke?"
Josephine shot back, "Stuart, we go way back, since childhood. Three years of marriage. Do you know what that means?"
Stuart didn't dare get too close, but even so, he could still smell the faint fragrance on Josephine.
It was a scent he couldn't forget.
He shook his head, not understanding what Josephine meant.
Josephine added, "Three years of marriage, and you said you couldn't figure out your feelings for me. Fine, I understand." Her eyes burned with anger as she glared at him. "But what does that wood carving mean? Why the silence when I asked before? Stuart, I feel like a laughingstock! It's ridiculous!"
Stuart panicked and clumsily tried to wipe Josephine's tears. "Josephine, don't cry."
Josephine pushed him away. "Stuart, I want a peaceful life. Why do you keep bothering me? Can you leave me alone? Every time I see you, it reminds me of my past foolishness and embarrassment."
"No!" Stuart held her in his arms. "Josephine, it's not like that! You're not a joke, and no one is laughing at you. It's my fault. I was too stupid, too blinded by jealousy. The truth is, I've liked you for a long time. Don't cry, let me explain."