"When did Mr. Haustia become Josephine's spokesperson?" Rex sneered. "Or does Josephine need your permission for everything she does?"
Stuart couldn't help but feel his dislike for Rex was totally justified. Just hearing the guy talk had a way of getting under his skin.
Why was this dude so irritating?
Stuart replied, "Of course not, Josephine can do whatever she wants. It's just that we have plans later, so it's not a good time for you to take her."
"Plans? This late at night?"
"A date," Stuart said. "Got a problem with that, Mr. Armstrong?"
Rex was stunned into silence. For once, he didn't have a snappy comeback.
Stuart felt a twinge of guilt after saying that, worried Josephine might call him out on his lie in front of everyone.
He shot a quick glance at Josephine. Luckily, she didn't seem like she was going to say anything.
Stuart let out a sigh of relief.
Jair was taking Claudia, and Steven was definitely taking Laura. That left Rex all by himself.
After the other cars drove off, Rex lit a cigarette and stood there for over ten minutes before finally getting into his car.
Stuart drove Josephine home himself. He had said they were going on a date, but that was just a cover.
After a bit of silence, he asked, "Josephine, why didn't you call me out back there?"
"Huh?"
"When I said we were going on a date."
"Well, you driving me home could count as a date, right?" Josephine said. "Nothing to call out."
"Then let's actually go on a date," Stuart suggested. "Just driving you home doesn't count."
"It's so late, how can we go on a date?" Josephine said. "Forget it, let's just go home."
"We could go shopping, buy something, watch a movie."
"You seem pretty familiar with the routine."
Josephine didn't mean anything by it; she was just surprised that Stuart, who was always so busy, could still think about these things. Stuart panicked, recalling a similar situation when he had gone shopping with Doris. He thought Josephine was hinting at something, so he was too scared to speak.
Seeing him quiet down, Josephine was puzzled. "Why the silence?"
Stuart blurted out, "I'm sorry."
Josephine was even more puzzled. "Why are you suddenly apologizing to me?"
"I..." Stuart pulled the car over to the side of the road and turned to look at her.
Josephine asked, "What's wrong? Why did you stop?"
"Josephine," Stuart took her hand, "are you still mad at me?"
Josephine was completely confused. "What?"
"I did so many wrong things before. I took Doris to the hospital to spite you and showed so much concern for her right in front of you."
To be honest, Josephine didn't want to hear him talk about this.
"It's all in the past," she said. "I..."
"It is in the past, but you must still have some unresolved feelings," Stuart looked at her. "Josephine, tell me, what can I do to make you completely let go and forget?"
"I was about to forget, but you keep bringing it up."
"No, you haven't," Stuart stubbornly looked at her. "You're clearly still mad at me."
"Stuart!" Josephine called his name, and Stuart immediately fell silent.
After a few seconds of silence, Josephine said, "I haven't decided yet whether I want to start a new relationship or get married. I might not be able to give you the sense of security you want right now. Maybe you can wait for me, or maybe you can't accept this about me, and I..."
"I accept!" Stuart exclaimed, pulling her into his arms. "Josephine, I'll wait for you, no matter how long it takes!"
"Then let's not doubt each other," Josephine said. "Let the past be the past, and don't dwell on it. Can you do that?"
Stuart nodded. "I can."
Josephine sighed. "From the past until now, you're the only one who has kissed me. I might really be useless."
Hearing this, Stuart felt a pang of sadness. His voice choked up as he said, "Josephine, stop. I know what to do from now on. We won't think about the past, we'll just move forward, okay?"
"Okay."
Both of them felt a bit down and had no interest in going on a date.
Stuart drove Josephine home and stood at the door, not intending to go in. But he also didn't want to leave.
His parents were at the Haustia Manor, and Jeffery was there too, so he definitely had to go back.
Otherwise, he would have wanted to stay next door, closer to Josephine.
Seeing him standing there, looking conflicted, Josephine stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek.
Stuart looked at her, dumbfounded.
Josephine suggested, "Jeffery's most likely asleep now. I won't call him. How about you come pick me up tomorrow morning, and we'll go to the Haustia Manor."
"Okay," Stuart quickly said. "I'll come at six."
"Don't you have morning exercises at six?"
"I can get up at five." Stuart reassured.
Josephine grinned. "No need to rush. Seven works; I could use the extra sleep."
Stuart quickly said, "Okay."
He should have left after saying that, but he still didn't move.
Josephine smiled at him. "Also, don't worry. Rex and I are just friends. I don't like him."
"I know. It's Rex I'm worried about. He has a way with women."
"It doesn't work on me," Josephine said. "Alright, go home now."
"Then I'm leaving," Stuart said, reluctantly looking at her. "See you tomorrow." He said this while walking backward.
Josephine couldn't bear to watch him. "Be careful."
"Okay." He waved. "Close the door!"
Josephine steeled herself and closed the door.
Stuart smiled and then turned to press the elevator button.
When Stuart got home, Jeffery was indeed asleep. But Elbert and Carol were still in the living room, their heads together over a book.
Stuart didn't know what book it was, but he guessed it was one of their professional books.
Seeing Stuart, Elbert said, "Come here, we need to talk about you and Josephine."
Stuart sat down and said, "Dad, Mom, you should rest early. Especially you, Mom. The doctor said you need more rest."
Carol smiled. "I'm fine. But you and Josephine, why don't you take the initiative?"
Stuart said, "It's not that I don't want to; I'm just afraid... afraid Josephine will be put off."
"If you take the initiative while respecting her, girls won't mind," Carol said. "I don't know exactly how to put it, but having a sincere heart is the most important thing."
"I understand, Mom."
"And," Carol looked at him, "deciding to be with someone might be because of love. But maintaining a marriage requires responsibility, fidelity, and character. Going forward, I hope you'll honor marriage, be responsible, and back your family."
Stuart listened carefully to Carol's words. He nodded solemnly. "Mom, I will."