Roy shot a look at Josephine and said, "Josephine, I barely know the guy. I don't wanna go with him."
Stuart couldn't hold back. "How old are you? Still acting like a kid?"
Roy snapped back, "I'm talking to Josephine, not you. What's your problem?"
"If you wanna whine, fine, but not to my girlfriend!"
"Josephine's your girlfriend, not your puppet. You can't control everything."
"Alright, alright," Josephine said, trying to ease the tension. "Stop arguing."
She turned to Roy, "I'll have dinner with you and then take you home."
Stuart was about to protest, but Josephine cut him off with a look, "Can you wait for me?"
Stuart had no choice but to nod. "Yeah, sure."
He watched as Josephine got into Roy's car, then sulked back to his own, staring at the flowers and gifts he'd bought.
How could he, Josephine's boyfriend, be outdone by Roy?
And now Josephine left with Roy, and he didn't even dare to say a word. It was so frustrating.
But what could he do? He was scared of losing his place, so he couldn't make demands in front of Josephine.
He waited anxiously, feeling time crawl by like never before, worried that Roy might badmouth him to Josephine and that she might regret being with him and fall for Roy instead.
Stuart's mind was a mess, restless and uneasy.
Two hours later, Josephine finally called.
During those two hours, Stuart was on edge, his mind spiraling with increasingly negative thoughts. When the phone rang, he even entertained the idea that it could be Josephine calling to end their relationship.
His first instinct was to reject the call, not answer it.
Josephine looked at her phone, puzzled. What was going on? Was Stuart busy?
The next second, Stuart called back.
Josephine answered, "What's up?"
Stuart explained nervously, "I was driving just now."
"And now?"
"I've stopped."
Josephine felt relieved, "Do you still wanna see me?"
"Yes!" Stuart said anxiously, "Josephine, where are you?"
Josephine gave him the address. "If it's a hassle, I can grab a cab."
"I'll be there in ten minutes!"
"Drive safe!"
Stuart started the car and sped over. He saw Josephine by the roadside, stopped the car, and got out.
"You drove too fast," Josephine said, "It's not safe."
Stuart quickly walked over and wordlessly embraced her tightly, leaving Josephine startled by his palpable panic and discomfort.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
Stuart held her, still not feeling much relief. "Josephine, you're not gonna break up with me, right?"
Josephine didn't expect that. She asked curiously, "Do you want me to break up with you?"
"Absolutely not!" Stuart squeezed her in his arms. "I'm just worried about Roy causing trouble between us."
Josephine embraced him reassuringly. "Stuart, do you really think I'm someone who easily falls for others?"
"No!" Stuart shook his head quickly. "I'm just afraid I'll lose you to someone else."
Josephine sighed, feeling a bit helpless. "In a relationship, you can't compare everything. Since I chose you, you're the best in my eyes."
Stuart's heart finally started to calm down.
Josephine asked, "Do you still want to keep hugging?"
Stuart was reluctant to let go. "Yeah, I want to hug you forever."
"But I'm kinda hungry."
Stuart immediately let go. "Didn't you have dinner with Roy?"
Josephine asked him, "Have you eaten?" Stuart was about to answer when Josephine cut him off, "No lying."
Stuart had to shake his head. "Why are you hungry?"
"I didn't eat much," Josephine said, "I was busy comforting Roy."
Stuart said jealously, "Why were you comforting him?"
Josephine responded, "He's just a friend. I can't reciprocate his feelings, so I had to offer him comfort." She gazed at Stuart, "Do you also crave that kind of consolation?"
Stuart shook his head quickly, "No way!" He held Josephine's hand and helped her into the passenger seat. "Let's go get you something good to eat."
They headed to the restaurant Stuart had in mind.
Soon, two bowls of soup were served. Stuart handed her one, "Careful, it's hot."
Josephine said, "You eat too."
"Okay," Stuart replied, serving her other dishes.
Josephine held his hand, "Don't worry about me. You shouldn't keep your stomach empty for too long."
Stuart smiled, "Alright."
As they ate in silence, Josephine finished her meal and then brought a bowl of soup for Stuart, saying, "Besides not smoking or drinking, you need to eat regularly and not stay up late."
"I know," Stuart said, "I'll take care of myself."
Josephine intended to visit Jeffery after dinner, but Roy's unexpected arrival made her change her plans as it was already too late, and Jeffery was asleep.
Stuart took her home, parked the car, and went upstairs with Josephine.
Josephine was puzzled, "What are you doing?"
Stuart pointed upstairs, "Did you forget I live here too?"
With everything going on recently, Josephine had indeed forgotten.
Josephine glanced at him but said nothing.
Stuart followed her upstairs. At her door, Josephine waved, "Goodnight."
Stuart held her hand, "It's not that late."
Josephine looked at him, "What do you mean?"
"I want to come in and sit for a while."
Reluctant at first, Josephine softened at Stuart's pitiful expression and allowed him inside.
Once in, Stuart sat quietly on the couch while Josephine poured him water. They sat in silence on separate couches.
Josephine said, "If you have nothing to do, go home and rest early."
"Um," Stuart leaned his elbows on his knees, "When is Roy leaving?"
Josephine said, "I don't know."
"Why is he so free," Stuart muttered.
Josephine laughed, "I can't just kick him out, can I?"
Stuart said, "You're so busy, you don't have time to entertain him. Why don't you tell him if he needs anything, he can come to me."
Josephine nodded, "Got it."
Stuart, unsure of what to say in this rare moment alone with Josephine, hesitated to act on his desires. Sensing his uncertainty, Josephine sat beside him and asked, "Don't you want to go?"