Chapter 39
"Cedric." Gideon climbed out of the car and slammed the door shut, blocking Cedric's view.
He didn't want Cedric looking at Josephine. Not for a second.
Cedric glanced at the security camera overhead. "Planning to get caught on tape?"
Gideon froze.
"Once that footage leaks, tomorrow's tabloids will eat it up. 'Getty Group's Second Son Caught in Underground Parking Garage Tryst.'" He delivered the scandalous headline with complete indifference.
Gideon's expression darkened. "Grandfather hates gossip."
That hit like a sledgehammer. If there was one person Gideon feared in the Getty family, it was David Getty, the family patriarch. Rigid, severe, with ironclad rules. Actually, every young Getty feared David. Except Cedric.
"Thanks for your concern." Gideon forced a smile. "I wouldn't do anything to damage the family's reputation. I was just talking to my wife. That's not illegal, is it?"
"Of course not." Cedric reached past Gideon and knocked on the car window.
No response. Gideon had locked everything.
Cedric raised an eyebrow. "You sure that's a conversation and not imprisonment?"
Reluctantly, Gideon unlocked the door. Josephine finally emerged.
"Cedric."
He acknowledged her with a slight nod. "Company meeting. Let's go."
Josephine hesitated.
Gideon immediately jumped in. "Jojo, work can wait. We haven't seen each other in two days. I prepared a candlelit dinner at home. Come back with me?"
Cedric said nothing, just watched her with cool detachment. Both men waited for her answer.
She thought for a moment. "Cedric, I'll come back to the office after I handle things at home."
Cedric's expression went cold. He turned and left without a word.
Gideon could barely contain his satisfaction. He took Josephine's hand and carefully helped her into the car. Compared to his earlier aggression, he was now impossibly gentle.
"Jojo, I love you." He cupped her face, gazing at her with intense adoration.
Josephine felt nothing. "Just drive."
Gideon looked dejected at her lack of response. But it was fine. He'd always gone the extra mile in their relationship. If she'd take one step forward, he'd gladly take ninety-nine.
As the car moved through traffic, Josephine fiddled with her phone, unable to stop thinking about Cedric's expression. He was definitely angry.
Cedric was already aloof and difficult. Their relationship had finally started to thaw, and now they were back to square one.
Her phone lit up.
Aiden: [Josephine, are you okay?]
Aiden: [I specifically found Mr. Getty to help. He rushed over.]
Josephine's breath caught. So Cedric showing up wasn't a coincidence. He'd come specifically to rescue her.
Gideon suddenly grabbed her hand. "Stop staring at that thing. Is your phone more interesting than your husband?"
Josephine gently pulled away. [I'm fine, don't worry. See you at the office tomorrow.]
After sending the message, she looked out at the scenery flying past. Cedric was angry. Should she try to smooth things over? After all, he was her boss. What if he got petty and made things difficult for her...
He... wouldn't do that, would he?
Josephine rubbed her temples. She glanced at Gideon and felt even more irritated. If it weren't for him, none of this would be happening.
The car stopped at Evercrest Manor. Gideon took her hand and led her inside. She couldn't shake free, so she let him.
The dining room featured a candlelit dinner—candles, wine, and steaming steak.
"This is what you prepared in advance?"
Unless Gideon could predict the future, there was no way perfectly timed hot steak could be waiting.
Gideon touched his nose sheepishly. "You caught me. I texted Ava on the drive home." He showed her his phone. A message sent half an hour ago.
"But whether it was prepared in advance or not, I just wanted a nice meal with you." He pulled out her chair.
Unfortunately, Josephine hadn't come back for a date. "Where did you put our marriage certificate?"
Gideon methodically cut his steak. "Why do you need it?"
"Just asking. I used to keep all our documents, but now you've hidden them. If I need them later, what am I supposed to do?"
Gideon placed the cut steak in front of her. "You can ask me."
"What if you're not home?"
"Then call. You know my phone is never on silent for you." His phone was always available. He never missed her calls. Even during the past six months.
No matter when or where, even if he claimed he'd be "working late," he'd answer within five seconds. That constant availability was what made Josephine trust his love so completely.
"I'm not taking it. I just want to know where it is." Josephine took a bite of steak. Cooked perfectly, exactly how she liked it.
"Can't tell you right now." Gideon didn't know why she wanted it, but the more she wanted it, the less he'd say.
"Jojo, I won't give you a chance to leave me." Even if it was just speculation, he wouldn't allow it. "The marriage certificate is safer with me."
Seeing she wouldn't get anywhere, Josephine stopped talking. Coming back was a complete waste of time. She'd hoped to extract information, but his lips were sealed.
"I'm full." She set down her utensils and headed for the stairs.
Gideon followed. "I'll come with you."
Josephine stopped mid-step and looked back. "I don't want to see you right now. Looking at you just reminds me of what happened in the car."
Gideon froze, his expression falling. "Jealousy made me lose my head. You know I don't like Cedric. The last thing I want is for you to have any connection with him, but you went to his company without even discussing it with me."
He might've been the last to know. Even that Aiden kid seemed fully informed. Jealousy surged through him like a drowning tide.
"I'm sorry. I was too anxious, too impulsive. I did things you couldn't accept. If I hurt you, I apologize." He gazed at her with devotion. "But I swear, my love for you is real."
Josephine glanced at him without comment and headed upstairs.
Love, but cheating anyway. She didn't want that kind of love.
The next day at the office, she walked straight into an impromptu meeting. Josephine hadn't prepared anything and rushed in empty-handed.
Aiden and the others all carried stacks of materials. Emma looked puzzled. "Josephine, didn't you prepare last night?"
Josephine frowned slightly. "I didn't get any notice about a meeting today. Isn't this last-minute?"