Shirley snapped, "It's all your fault he turned me down! Josephine, who do you think you are? Did you use some tricks to get him?"
Josephine smirked, "Relax, even if I wasn't around, he still wouldn't be into you. I don't know any tricks, but if you do, go ahead and try."
Due to Shirley's youth and poor health, Josephine didn't want to argue with her at first.
But her words were just too much, so Josephine decided not to put up with it.
"You think I'm like you?" Shirley was fuming. "My parents raised me with manners; I'd never stoop so low!"
"Oh, so this is what a lady acts like, huh? Rude and all. Learned something new today."
"You!" Shirley spat out angrily, "Next time, you won't get away with this!"
Josephine put down her phone and sighed. Why did she always run into such unreasonable people?
Should she blame Stuart for being too charming?
Her phone rang again, this time from an unknown number.
Josephine answered.
Alfonso's voice came through, "What did you say to Shirley? She's on the rooftop of The Grand Haven, talking about jumping!"
Josephine's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"
Alfonso sounded tense, "Josephine, I'm begging you, come with me. I'm scared she'll actually do it!"
Josephine pulled her car over. "Why should I go? What does this have to do with me?"
Alfonso shot back, "Josephine, you're a doctor. You can't just ignore this, right? Besides, Shirley's situation is partly because of you. You should at least check it out."
Josephine said, "You have time to argue with me, so you can't be that worried about her jumping."
"Yeah," Alfonso admitted, "I know she won't jump, but she's never faced any setbacks. This could really mess her up. So, please, can you help?"
"What can I do to help?" Josephine almost laughed. "Do you all think differently from normal people?"
"Consider this my last request," Alfonso said. "If you go, I promise I won't bother you again."
"Are you serious?" Josephine asked.
Alfonso's voice was firm, "Yeah!"
Josephine started the car and headed to The Grand Haven.
Alfonso was already waiting downstairs. Within minutes, he saw Josephine's car.
"Josephine!" He rushed over, looking anxious. "You're here? Shirley's upstairs!"
Josephine followed him into the elevator.
Alfonso said, "Shirley's been spoiled by us, so she's a bit willful. She really likes Stuart."
Josephine looked at him and said, "I'll say this one last time. This is the final time I'm getting mixed up in your drama. From now on, Mr. Campbell, stay away from me. Shirley and Stuart are none of my business."
Alfonso quickly said, "Okay, as long as Shirley calms down, I'll agree to whatever you say."
They took the elevator to the top floor.
The rooftop, contrary to Josephine's fears, was a serene oasis with blooming flowers, swings, and wicker chairs. If the weather was nice, it could be a place to relax.
Shirley was sitting on a swing, looking very haggard, her eyes downcast, staring at the ground.
"Shirley," Alfonso called out, and she looked up.
"You're here," she said, then noticed Josephine. "What are you doing here?"
Josephine shrugged, "Should I leave then?"
Alfonso sighed, "Shirley, didn't you say you wanted to talk to Josephine?"
"What do we have to talk about!" Shirley said stubbornly. "It's all her fault!"
"Yes," Alfonso said, "but Josephine has already divorced Stuart. They're completely estranged now. Please, let's be reasonable."
"I am not being unreasonable!" Shirley retorted , glaring at Josephine. "Whether they have contact or not, she knows best!"
Josephine chuckled in frustration. "So, what should I do to satisfy you, Ms. Campbell?"
"Don't you have a boyfriend?" Shirley remarked. "Why not tie the knot? You both even have a child together, why not make it official"
Alfonso frowned, "Shirley, don't talk nonsense."
"Am I wrong?" Shirley persisted. "She shares a child with him, why not marry him? Is this all deliberate on her part!"
For a moment, Josephine was speechless.
From a conventional standpoint, Josephine should marry Roy, given their shared child.
People seemed to like this kind of logical thinking.
It sounded reasonable.
But actually, wasn't it quite absurd?
Josephine said, "If I get married, will Stuart accept you? If he still rejects you then, what excuse will Ms. Campbell find? Is it so hard to admit that he doesn't like you?"
Hearing this, Shirley was furious. "How could he not like me! I'm much better than you!"
"That's right, it's not that you're not good enough, it's that Stuart is blind," Josephine said. "I see Ms. Campbell is in good spirits. Since there's nothing wrong, I'll be leaving now."
Alfonso spoke helplessly, "Shirley, come home with me."
"No!" Shirley's eyes welled up. "I want to see Stuart!"
Josephine, feeling thoroughly disinterested, addressed Alfonso, "It seems I'm not needed here, Mr. Campbell. I hope you keep your word."
With that, she turned to leave.
Alfonso caught up, "I'll see you out."
"Mr. Campbell, stay with Shirley," Josephine said. "After all, this is the rooftop."
Alfonso shook his head, "I'll have someone watch her. Josephine, I'll see you downstairs."
Josephine didn't say anything more and glanced back at Shirley.
Shirley was also looking at her, with a hint of smugness and mockery in her eyes.
Josephine couldn't understand her and didn't think much of it, turning to leave.
In the elevator, neither of them spoke.
After a while, Alfonso said, "This hotel is owned by my relatives. The accommodation and food are quite good. If you have a chance..."
Before he could finish, the elevator doors opened.
To Josephine'ssurprise, standing outside was Stuart!
"Josephine!" Seeing Josephine, Stuart stepped in and asked, "What are you doing here?"
Stuart then noticed Alfonso. "Mr. Campbell, didn't you have an urgent matter to attend to?"
He suppressed his jealousy, but his tone inevitably carried a hint of it.
Alfonso smiled faintly, "It's already taken care of. I wanted to invite you both for a drink. Mr. Haustia, would you mind?"
Seeing Stuart remain silent, Alfonso continued, "I've already promised Josephine that we'll only be friends from now on. Mr. Haustia, isn't that enough sincerity?"
Ten minutes later, the three of them were seated in the hotel's café.