Stuart didn't expect to see Josephine so soon. He barely slept and showed up at the hotel early.
He started in the lobby but felt too obvious, so he went to the restaurant.
Sure enough, Josephine came in, but Otis was so annoying.
He wasn't ready and ended up making eye contact with her.
He didn't know why, but he'd been kind of scared to see her.
But when he did, his reaction was intense.
Someone he hadn't seen in five years was now right in front of him.
Stuart could almost hear his heartbeat.
His eyes were glued to Josephine, staring without blinking.
In five years, she hadn't changed much; she was even more beautiful.
She had this aura that made people feel close to her.
Stuart's stare was so intense that Otis noticed right away and told Josephine.
At first glance, Josephine almost didn't recognize Stuart.
He had lost a lot of weight, and his features were more defined.
Josephine quickly looked away and said to Otis, "Let's go."
Otis was puzzled. "Why?"
Josephine said, "Let's eat somewhere else."
Otis immediately stood up, and Josephine followed.
Seeing her about to leave, Stuart stood up and quickly followed.
Otis noticed him and instinctively shielded Josephine.
Stuart gave Otis a hostile look and then spoke, "Josephine."
Otis glanced at Josephine, thinking, 'Do they know each other?'
Josephine's expression was indifferent as she stood by the elevator and nodded at Stuart. "Mr. Haustia."
Stuart suppressed his emotions and stared at her. "When did you come back? Why aren't you staying at home?"
"I have other things to do," Josephine said, "Goodbye, Mr. Haustia."
Otis held the elevator door open for her to enter first.
Stuart tried to follow, but Otis blocked him. "Sir, please stay here."
Stuart gave him a blank look and then pressed the button for another elevator.
Josephine reached the first floor first, followed by Otis, who remained silent.
They hadn't left the lobby when Stuart caught up.
Otis looked displeased. "Ms. Kalmien, do you want me to..."
Josephine glanced at him. "Go get the car."
Otis was a bit worried.
Josephine said, "He's my ex-husband."
Otis was stunned. He knew Josephine was divorced and had a child.
When he found out, he wondered how any man could fail to cherish someone like Josephine.
It turned out that man was Stuart.
Otis went out first, and Stuart walked over, looking down at her.
Five years of longing and countless words left Stuart unsure where to start.
Josephine was silent for a while, then seeing he wasn't speaking, she took the initiative. "Mr. Haustia, do you need something?"
Stuart said, "Josephine, let's talk."
"Sorry, I don't have time," Josephine said, "And there's nothing to talk about between us."
Stuart apologized. "Josephine, I'm sorry."
Josephine raised her hand. "Stop. Stuart, from the day I left, we have no relationship, and we owe each other nothing. If you really feel sorry, then don't appear in front of me, okay?"
She turned to leave. Panicking, Stuart grabbed her wrist.
The moment he touched her, his mind buzzed. Five years of bottled-up emotions burst out. He pulled her into a tight hug.
Josephine never expected this in public. She almost fell but ended up in his warm chest, her forehead hitting his hard chest.
As he held her, her familiar scent filled his nose, and his mind went blank.
Holding her, he felt nothing else, just Josephine in his arms. Since she left, he'd felt all kinds of pain. His heart was in excruciating pain, as if it had been torn apart, tattered, and hollow. But now, it felt full.
He finally understood happiness and contentment.
Josephine was stunned, then started to resist. What used to be a warm embrace now felt disgusting.
Stuart held her too tightly; she couldn't break free. She never expected that, after five years, Stuart would still do such a thing in public. She regretted letting Otis leave. If he were here, she'd have him beat Stuart up!
She gritted her teeth and stomped on his foot.
Stuart felt the pain and loosened his grip, giving her a chance to break free.
"Stuart, are you crazy?" she yelled and tried to leave.
Then she ran into someone even more annoying.
"Josephine?" Robin, who had only seen her back yesterday, was visibly excited seeing her face.
He had called Stuart yesterday but was still worried, so he came to the hotel today. He didn't expect to see her right away.
Overly excited, he grabbed her wrist.
Josephine, just free from Stuart, was caught off guard by Robin.
"Where have you been these five years?" Robin stared at her. "Do you know..."
Stuart shouted, "Robin, let her go!"
Robin, stunned, noticed Stuart was there too. He had been so focused on Josephine he hadn't noticed anyone else.
He quickly smiled at Stuart. "Stuart, you're here too. Great, I don't have to call you. Look, Josephine is back."
Stuart's face was grim. "I said, let her go!"
Robin realized he was still holding Josephine's wrist. Before he could let go, she pulled away, looking at him with disgust.
Robin glanced at her, then at Stuart. "I was just too excited and afraid she'd run away. Stuart, you've finally found her!"
He looked at Josephine. "Stuart has been looking for you for five years. You finally decided to come back?"
Josephine looked at him like he was crazy. "Whether I come back or not has nothing to do with you."
She walked away.
Robin instinctively wanted to follow but stopped when he saw Stuart.
Stuart's face was livid. "What are you doing here?"