Stuart picked up on a soft note in her voice and felt a rush of happiness. "I get it, Josephine. I'll prove I'm serious!"
Josephine went on, "I once lowered myself completely, but it didn't turn out well. Stuart, for love to last, it needs mutual respect and equality, not one person groveling to the other."
Stuart gazed at her with a mix of pity and affection. "I understand."
With that, Josephine opened the door and walked out.
Stuart trailed behind, watching her leave, feeling like his once dead heart had finally started beating again.
Maybe he still had a shot.
Trying to keep his excitement in check, he thought about Alfonso, who was just too much.
Stuart had never publicly given flowers or confessed to Josephine, but Alfonso had?
How could he be so over the top?
That same day, Alfonso got word that several of his companies were in financial trouble.
The Campbell family was already struggling, and now with Alfonso's issues, things were even worse.
Alfonso's parents called him into the study to figure out what to do.
"If it comes to it, we can tell the Clarence family about Josephine. They might help us out," Betty suggested.
Alfonso shook his head. "No! First off, we don't even know if Josephine is the Clarence family's daughter. And I haven't gotten anywhere with her. How can we tell her about her background?"
Enrique nodded. "Right, we can't trade a big benefit for a small gain."
Betty was worried. "Then what do we do? Weren't you going after Josephine? Why isn't there any progress?"
Alfonso replied, "These things take time."
Enrique said, "It shouldn't be like this. With our family's status, Josephine should have agreed easily. Did she turn you down?"
Too embarrassed to admit he had no hope, Alfonso said, "Girls can be reserved. How could she agree the same day I start pursuing her?"
"Then you need to figure it out fast," Betty urged. "We can't wait any longer!"
Alfonso was even more anxious than they were.
He even went to Shirley to see if she had made any progress.
Only to find out that Stuart had no clue how to woo a woman.
Both siblings were getting nowhere.
Not only was there no progress, but it was also really tough.
Alfonso felt this couldn't go on.
This needed to be sorted out quickly.
So that day, Josephine got a call from Todd.
"Marriage?" she said, surprised, "Didn't Emily just get engaged? So soon?"
"Yeah," Todd replied, "The Campbell family is in a rush to get Emily married off quickly. So, tomorrow, our families are meeting to go over the wedding plans."
Josephine grinned. "So I can skip it, right?"
"No way," Todd insisted, "You're a Kalmien and Emily's sister. You can't miss such a big deal as Emily's wedding."
Josephine thought, 'I went to the engagement, so the wedding wouldn't be much different.'
She said, "Alright."
Todd added, "I heard Alfonso is pursuing you?"
Josephine frowned. "That's his business."
"Josephine, your mother and I wouldn't harm you. Everything we do is for your own good," Todd said, "I think Alfonso is a good match. He's never been married, and the Campbell family is so prestigious. How could he not be a match for you?"
"He might be a match," Josephine said, "But I'm not a match for him."
"You!" Todd fumed. "With that attitude, don't be surprised if neither Stuart nor Alfonso wants you. What will you be so proud of then?"
Josephine hung up and went back to her meal.
Jeffery, clueless about who she was talking to, asked, "Mommy, did something good happen today?"
Josephine smiled. "I'm happy every day because I have you, Jeffery."
With Claudia abroad and Laura not visiting lately, it was mostly just Josephine and Jeffery together.
Jeffery beamed. "Me too!"
Josephine served him some food and touched her lips with her other hand, realizing they were always curved into a smile.
Even after Todd's call, her mood wasn't dampened.
She had told everyone she had let go of the past and no longer held grudges.
But only she knew that some wounds never fully healed.
After Stuart's words, she realized she had truly let go of the resentment, grievances, and confusion.
Even Jeffery could see she was in a good mood, so it was clear she was genuinely happy.
No matter what the future held, Josephine felt that as long as she could be with Jeffery, she would be happy.
The meeting with the Campbell family was set for the next day.
Josephine didn't expect Alfonso to be there.
But judging by the reactions of both families, Alfonso's presence was considered an honor.
Alfonso sat right next to Josephine.
Josephine stayed quiet.
Luckily, Alfonso didn't say much. He occasionally offered suggestions as the families discussed the wedding.
Josephine tried to stay under the radar, keeping silent.
When Alfonso served her soup again, she got up and went to the restroom.
As soon as she stepped out of the private room, she saw a familiar figure.
Stuart was standing at the end of the hallway, looking out the window, holding an unlit cigarette.
Hearing the door, he turned.
"Josephine," he said with a smile.
Josephine was puzzled. "Why are you here?"
Stuart replied, "If I tell you, could you please not get upset?"
Josephine asked, "You followed me?"
Stuart shook his head. "I had someone tail Alfonso. I knew he was heading here and caught wind of the wedding chat, so I figured you might show up."
Josephine responded with an "Oh."
Stuart continued, "I was bored, so I decided to check things out. No need to fret, I won't cause any trouble. Just curious to see what's up."
Josephine responded with another "Oh."
Stuart looked at her cautiously. "You're not mad, are you?"
Josephine shook her head. "You don't need to do this."
"I..." Stuart looked at her intently. "I can't help it. I keep thinking about you."
Saying this made his face flush.
Josephine uncomfortably looked away. "You can go to work."
Stuart replied, "Ronald was angry today."
Josephine looked at him, puzzled. "Why?"
She thought, 'Why mention Ronald all of a sudden?'
"Because..." Stuart was a bit embarrassed. "I signed your name on a document."
Josephine was stunned for a few seconds, then brushed her hair. "I should go back."
Stuart promptly interjected, "I'll hang around for you. Once you're done eating, can I give you a ride home?"
Without glancing back, Josephine hastened her steps as she re-entered the private room.