Chapter 87
Before Gideon left, Lorelei came to see him off at the airport. She brought lots of things, rambling on with endless advice—every word dripping with concern.
Gideon was distracted and annoyed by her nagging. He frowned at her. "Are you trying to be my mother?"
The level of nagging rivaled his actual mom's.
Lorelei's expression stiffened. Who said the gentle approach worked better on men? She took a deep breath. "If you find me annoying, I'll stop. I'm just worried... Have a safe trip. Come back soon."
Gideon made a noncommittal sound and wheeled his luggage toward the gate.
Lorelei stood outside the airport and called his name.
"Gideon."
He turned back.
Lorelei said, "The baby and I will be waiting for you."
Gideon glanced at her stomach, then turned and left with his luggage.
...
The plane touched down at exactly 6:00 PM. Josephine had slept during the flight. When she woke, she found herself leaning against Cedric's shoulder.
Her first instinct was to check her mouth for drool.
"Don't worry—no drool."
It might have been Josephine's imagination, but amusement seemed to flicker through Cedric's eyes. When she looked more carefully, it was gone.
Noah had booked the hotel in advance. After landing, Josephine and Cedric went straight there, dropped off their luggage, and then headed downstairs for dinner.
After eating, they returned to work.
This business trip wasn't a vacation, after all. Josephine had prepared extensive materials and documents. Cedric worked alongside her with his laptop.
When you're busy, time flies.
Before they knew it, night had fallen. Cedric stepped onto the balcony to make a call. When he returned, he found Josephine—who'd been talking enthusiastically just moments ago—asleep with her head on the coffee table.
Her posture was terribly awkward, body twisted, head pressed against the table, cheek squished out of shape, pen still clutched in her hand.
Cedric approached quietly, setting his phone on the coffee table. Looking at her face, he was suddenly reminded of that night three years ago.
Probably because that night, he hadn't actually seen Josephine's face clearly. Too drunk, everything a blur—somehow they'd ended up together.
Though the memories and sensations remained vivid, the other person's face was fuzzy.
Cedric often felt like it had been nothing but a dream. Late at night, he'd sometimes wonder if it had only been a beautiful fantasy.
That person had never existed at all.
Now, finally, there was a sense of reality. His fingertip traced lightly across her nose.
It was a strange feeling. Josephine's skin was flawless, virtually poreless. Afraid of waking her, Cedric's touch was feather-light.
It must have tickled because she suddenly swatted at him.
He froze, thinking she'd woken up.
But she just muttered, "Stupid mosquito..."
Cedric smiled despite himself, murmuring softly, "Even in dreams, you hold your own. How did you let Gideon walk all over you?"
He leaned down and gently lifted her into his arms.
...
Sunlight streamed through the window onto the bed, disturbing Josephine's sleep until she finally woke.
She found herself on a soft bed, fully dressed, with blankets tucked around her.
She threw off the covers and got up. The documents from last night were still spread out in the living room, Cedric's laptop beside them. But he was nowhere to be seen.
Josephine rubbed her head. She'd been so exhausted yesterday, falling asleep with no memory of how she got to bed.
A knock came at the door. Josephine opened it to find Cedric standing there with breakfast. "Time to eat."
Josephine let him in. After a moment's hesitation, she decided to ask. "I fell asleep yesterday. Did you carry me to bed?"
"Yes."
Cedric's answer was natural and matter-of-fact.
As if it were the most normal thing in the world.
The faint unease Josephine felt dissipated. She shook her head and sat down to eat.
"This afternoon you're coming with me to meet a client. Tonight I'll take you for a proper dinner."
Cedric handed her utensils.
Josephine accepted them. "Okay."
After breakfast, they left together for another busy afternoon. By the time they finally wrapped up with the client, Josephine was ravenous.
The moment they reached the restaurant, she eagerly started ordering.
The service was efficient—food arrived quickly. Josephine picked up her utensils, about to dig in, when a somewhat familiar voice spoke nearby.
"Cedric, Jojo."
Josephine turned her head. "Luna?"
Her eyes instinctively went to Cedric. No need to ask—Luna was obviously here for him.
Cedric's expression remained cool as he picked up a piece of lobster and placed it in Josephine's bowl. "Focus on your food."
"Okay."
Josephine lowered her head to eat, but kept Luna in her peripheral vision.
Luna took it upon herself to sit beside Josephine. Looking at Cedric, who hadn't even glanced her way, she didn't seem upset—just smiled gracefully. "I was bored at home, so I joined a tour group. Never imagined I'd run into you two here."
...What incredible timing for this tour group to end up in the same city.
Josephine silently complained to herself.
Luna ordered a bottle of wine and poured Josephine a glass. "The wine here is excellent. I absolutely love it. You should try some."
"Thank you, I—"
Before Josephine could finish, Cedric cut in. "She doesn't drink."
Luna paused, quietly withdrawing the glass.
The atmosphere grew awkward. After thinking it over, Josephine accepted the wine anyway. "It's fine. I can have a little."
Cedric glanced at her. "Not too much."
"Got it."
Why was he suddenly acting like a nagging old man after just one business trip? Josephine grumbled internally.
But honestly, the wine did taste good. Unfortunately, Josephine wasn't particularly interested in alcohol—after two sips, she set the glass down.
They finished the meal in mildly uncomfortable silence. Josephine wanted to escape. When she stood, Luna unexpectedly rose too, her sleeve catching the wine glass on the table.
The remaining half-glass of wine spilled entirely onto Josephine's white pants. The red wine staining the white fabric looked particularly alarming.
"I'm so sorry, so sorry! I didn't mean to!"
Luna grabbed handfuls of napkins to wipe it up, apologizing frantically.
"It's fine. I'll handle it in the restroom."
Wiping wouldn't clean wine like this. Once it soaked into the fabric, even washing would be difficult.
In the restroom, Josephine was rinsing the stain when Luna followed her in.
"I'm really so sorry. Is it hard to get out?"
Josephine waved dismissively. "It's fine. I'll just change when I get back to my room."
Luna turned on the faucet to wash her hands—they'd gotten wine on them while helping wipe. "You're married, aren't you?"
Josephine froze, slowly looking at her.
She'd never told anyone about her marriage except Cedric, a few core team members, and her professor.
Luna smiled at Josephine's reflection in the mirror. "Don't be so surprised. I just happened to find out. I'm simply curious—going on a business trip with your husband's brother... Your husband doesn't mind?"