Chapter 83
Josephine set down her utensils and pulled out a tissue to wipe her mouth. The owner came over enthusiastically, bringing complimentary drinks and homemade pastries.
"This is too kind of you." Josephine felt awkward accepting, considering how long it had been since she'd visited after graduation.
The owner beamed. "Please, take them. You used to come all the time—you're a loyal customer. Whenever you stop by, the pastries and drinks are on the house. Always."
The owner had other customers to attend to, so she didn't chat with Josephine for long.
Josephine took a sip of the drink, warmth spreading through her chest. Suddenly, she felt compelled to share. "I used to come here all the time when I was in school. Their food is clean, delicious, and affordable."
Her parents were ordinary people—their circumstances weren't great. Though poor, they lived happily.
"This place is good." Cedric tasted the soup and set down his spoon.
He had a refined palate, accustomed to the finer things, and could be particular about food, clothing, and creature comforts. For him to offer such praise was the highest compliment possible.
Josephine's lips curved upward. Making conversation, she asked, "I heard you didn't go to college domestically?"
"That's right, so I rarely got to eat food from home."
After finishing high school, Cedric had been sent abroad, only returning after graduating from university. Those years overseas weren't terrible, but they weren't particularly good either.
David had always subscribed to suppressive education methods. Even though Cedric was the only one among the Getty children in whom David placed any real hope, that didn't mean David doted on him.
Quite the opposite—precisely because David valued him so highly, Cedric's education was exceptionally strict.
Going abroad hadn't freed Cedric from David's control. If anything, the excessive coursework David enrolled him in meant his college life lacked even basic social interaction.
Because he simply had no time.
So, in truth, he envied Gideon.
"Sometimes not having anyone watching over you is a blessing."
Josephine didn't know what prompted this reflection, but she could guess. David wasn't someone any normal person would enjoy being around.
"At least now you have your own power and voice."
Cedric laughed softly, looking out the window. "The Getty family isn't as simple as you think."
Whether inside or outside the Getty family, he was now the undisputed authority. But that didn't mean he controlled all of the Getty family's power.
David was not someone who relinquished control easily.
Josephine had considered this, too. She suddenly realized that Cedric wasn't as glamorous or free as she'd imagined.
Everyone seemed to have their own constraints.
Perhaps because this secret had been exposed, the distance between them seemed to close imperceptibly.
Josephine thought carefully before saying, "Even though you haven't completely taken control yet, given your abilities, I think it's only a matter of time."
Cedric looked up, studying her intently. "You have that much faith in me?"
"I have faith in your abilities."
It was the truth. Josephine had only known Cedric as the Getty family heir—capable, authoritative, low-key but fair in rewards and punishments, rigorous in his systems. He seemed like a leader without flaws.
But as she got to know him better, she kept discovering new dimensions.
These words came straight from her heart.
"I really do believe in you. Gideon used to always tell me you disliked him, that you targeted him... but now I think you probably can't be bothered to target him."
After she said this, Cedric looked at her deeply.
Had she said something wrong?
Josephine scratched her cheek, feeling uncomfortable. "If I said something incorrect, feel free to point it out."
"Nothing was incorrect." Cedric never imagined that this prickly girl who once clashed with him over Gideon would now willingly speak the word 'trust' to him.
He smiled. "You're not bad. You've gotten smarter."
Josephine was speechless. "I was always smart."
"Were you?" Cedric sounded skeptical.
"What's that supposed to mean? You think I'm stupid?"
The atmosphere between them had just become harmonious, and now they'd reverted to their old dynamic—yet with a subtle difference. At least Josephine didn't take it seriously when he suggested she was dumb.
After settling the bill, they left the restaurant. Cedric's car was parked by the curb.
Not far away, a child came toward them on a skateboard, clearly a beginner, wobbling unsteadily. It looked like they were about to crash into Josephine.
The kid shouted frantically, "Move! Move!"
But faced with sudden situations, not everyone could react quickly. Behind Josephine were steps, in front was the car—there was nowhere to dodge.
Then her waist tightened. She felt her feet leave the ground instantly, and suddenly she was sitting on the car hood, staring at Cedric in shock as he effortlessly intercepted the panicking child, one foot pressing down on the skateboard.
He'd resolved the incident with ease.
The half-grown teenager was tucked under Cedric's arm, face flushed bright red. "Let me down!"
The moment Cedric released him, the boy's feet hit the ground. He grabbed his skateboard and eyed Cedric warily before turning to look at Josephine sitting on the hood.
"I'm so sorry, miss. I didn't mean to."
Josephine shook her head. "It's fine. When you skateboard, do it in open areas. Places like this have lots of people and cars. Please be careful."
"Thank you, miss."
The boy hurried off with his skateboard.
Josephine looked down at Cedric. "That was pretty impressive just now. You skateboard, too?"
He'd easily stopped the skateboard with just one foot, remaining calm and composed throughout.
"I used to when I was younger."
At this, Josephine's eyes widened with surprise. Cedric adjusted his slightly disheveled sleeves methodically, glancing up at her.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Josephine shook her head. "I just... never expected you to skateboard."
When they first met, she'd gotten this buttoned-up bureaucrat vibe from him. Rather than thrilling activities like skateboarding, she'd always imagined Cedric preferred sitting in his study, working at his computer.
Cedric finished adjusting his sleeves and slipped his hands into his pockets, frowning at her. "Your misconceptions about me run pretty deep."
Josephine scratched her head awkwardly.
"Need help getting down?" he asked.
Only then did Josephine remember she was still sitting on the car. She quickly hopped down from the hood. No wonder she'd been looking down at him from that angle...
She had to admit, it felt kind of nice.
She wasn't short for a woman—about 5'7"—, but the men around her were all so tall. Gideon was around 6'3", and Cedric had to be pushing 6'4".
She realized craning her neck was exhausting. "Looking at you like this feels a bit strange now..."
Cedric considered for a moment, then bent down so their gazes were finally level. "Is this better?"
Josephine nodded seriously. "This is definitely easier on my neck."
Cedric's lips quirked as he straightened. "Though harder on my back."
Josephine laughed. "Does Mr. Getty have a herniated disc, too?"
"Indeed. I'll have to trouble Ms. Kennedy to research this condition specifically for me."
Cedric spoke casually, turning to open the car door, his gaze settling on Josephine.
Josephine got in and closed the door behind her, leaning against the window to talk to him. "Don't worry, Mr. Getty. I'll do my best to cure your herniated disc."
Cedric ground his teeth. "How kind of you."
"You're welcome."
She grinned.
...
Cedric dropped her off at home before leaving. Josephine entered the living room, kicked her shoes aside carelessly, didn't bother with slippers, and padded barefoot to pour herself some warm water.
She'd eaten something a bit too salty today.
She drank half the glass in large gulps when she suddenly heard knocking at the door.
Josephine walked to the entrance and checked the screen by the door to see who was outside—Gideon.