Laura and Claudia had been waiting for over half an hour when Josephine finally showed up.
"What's the deal?" Laura asked, eyeing her. "Got something more important than us?"
"No way!" Laura got up and moved closer to Josephine. "Are you..."
Josephine pushed her back. "What are you doing? Back off."
"Oh, you're blushing!" Laura said, noticing her reaction. "Your lips are swollen! Spill it, what have you been up to?"
Claudia took a closer look. Josephine's lips did look a bit off, even if the swelling wasn't that bad.
Claudia grinned. "Did you eat something spicy?"
Josephine quickly nodded. "Yeah."
Laura pressed on, "Who were you just with?"
Josephine sat down and poured herself a glass of water. "No one."
"You're lying, I don't buy it." Laura sat next to her. "Was it Stuart?"
Josephine stayed silent.
Laura almost slammed the table. "Alright! Your ears are red! Still not admitting it?"
Josephine sighed. "Fine, yes, I was with him. So what?"
"So what?" Laura said. "You didn't forgive him that easily, did you? Did he kiss you?"
Josephine wasn't used to talking about such private stuff. She said, "Let's skip me. What's up with Claudia? You mentioned she had some news?"
"Don't change the subject," Laura said. "We'll get to Claudia later. Let's focus on you first."
Reluctantly, Josephine relented. "Fine, I'll spill. Yes, I forgave him. He's officially my boyfriend from today."
Laura was incredulous. "You! He treated Angela like a savior, and you not only forgave him, but made him your boyfriend?"
Claudia was puzzled. "What lifesaver?"
Originally confidential, the details were now out in the open. Laura explained the situation.
Claudia was shocked. "What? Angela is that bad?"
"Angela is indeed shameless, but isn't Stuart at fault too?" Laura said angrily.
Josephine said, "Strictly speaking, he's also a victim."
"You're still defending him? Have you forgotten all the suffering you went through?"
Josephine said, "Laura, maybe I'm just not strong enough, but I still can't let him go."
Laura sighed. "I know you can't let him go, but forgiving him so easily is letting him off too lightly!"
"Let's not talk about me." Josephine smiled and looked at Claudia. "How are things with Jair?"
Claudia shyly lowered her head. "It's going okay."
"What does 'okay' mean?" Laura watched with interest. "Tell us more."
Claudia gave her a light slap. "You just love teasing me!"
Claudia then looked at Josephine. "Josephine, before you came, she was always bullying me!"
Laura said, "How is that bullying? You and Jair are together, can't I ask about it?"
Josephine could imagine what kind of questions Laura would ask.
Josephine glared at Laura. "Just say less."
Laura rested her chin on her hand and said, "Before, I had a boyfriend, and you two, one divorced and the other with a cheating fiancé, I didn't want to flaunt my relationship in front of you. Now, finally, all three of us have boyfriends. What, I can't ask about it?"
Josephine said, "I see you bullying poor Steven all the time."
"I was considering your feelings. If I were too sweet, wouldn't you feel bad?"
Claudia said, "I'd only be happy for you, why would I feel bad?"
"So, we're not fake friends after all." laughs "Okay, get ready, I'll be extra sweet around you from now on."
The three of them burst into laughter.
Claudia then said, "Jair confessed to me, and I told him I'd think about it."
"What's there to think about? Just say yes!" Laura said. "Jair's a good guy."
Josephine asked, "Are you still worried about his family issues?"
Claudia nodded. "Our family statuses are too different."
"What?" Laura said. "If that's the case, then I don't match Steven either."
Indeed, Laura's family wasn't exactly top-tier wealthy.
"But you have years of emotional foundation," Claudia said.
"Feelings can be built over time," Laura said. "And I heard Jair has never dated anyone. Being on the military base, he probably hasn't had the chance to meet women. I bet he might still be a virgin!"
Claudia's face turned red. "What are you talking about!"
Laura said, "What's wrong? You're a virgin too, you two are a perfect match!"
Claudia covered her face, not wanting to respond.
Josephine gave Laura a light slap. "Stop it, or Claudia won't come out to see you anymore."
"I'm saying this because I'm close to her," Laura said. "Claudia, you'll have to go through it at some point. I have a bunch of movies, I'll send them your way."
Claudia was puzzled. "What movies?"
Josephine covered her face beside them.
Laura grinned. "Romantic action flicks. Trust me, you won't find these online, they're my gems!"
Claudia finally understood what she meant. Her face turned even redder.
"Don't be embarrassed, there's nothing to be embarrassed about." Laura said. "Steven and I sometimes watch them together to spice things up."
"Stop it." Josephine went to cover her mouth. "Or you can eat by yourself, and we'll leave."
"Okay, okay, I'll zip it," Laura relented, lowering her hand. "You two are no fun."
Josephine looked at Claudia and said, "Don't worry so much, dating doesn't necessarily mean marriage. So, you two date first, get to know each other, and see if you're compatible."
"Yeah," Laura said. "Maybe after a few months, you'll find out you're not compatible and break up."
"Say something nice." Josephine glared at her. "Claudia is already nervous."
Laura said, "Anyway, don't let yourself be wronged, both of you, got it?"
Josephine and Claudia both nodded obediently, saying they understood.
Laura was finally satisfied. "Especially Stuart, don't spoil him."
Josephine said, "He's changed a lot compared to before."
"Who knows if he'll change for the worse in the future. Just remember, never indulge a man."
Josephine said, "Your approach doesn't apply to everyone. How many people can be as tolerant as Steven?"
Laura said, "That's because when you don't see it, I'm also very tolerant of him."
Josephine and Claudia exchanged a smile and then both pouted.
Laura got anxious. "You don't believe me? Steven has a lot of bad habits, you just don't know!"
"I think you have more bad habits," Josephine said. "Anyway, you should get along well with Steven and stop talking about breaking up all the time."
"I know," Laura said. "Anyway, from now on, the three of us will be fine. If any of our men are unreliable, we'll team up and beat him up!"