Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Oliver pulled up to the gates of his opulent mansion, his sleek car gliding to a stop with practiced ease. As he prepared to step out, a graceful figure caught Josefina's eye at the doorstep. She eyed Oliver with a mix of confusion and curiosity, her gaze lingering on his chiseled jawline, her lips parting slightly as she spoke. "You've got a visitor."

It's another woman seeking him out, especially at this hour, and she had made it past the sprawling estate to the very doorstep of his private residence-this had to be someone special. Unruffled, Oliver replied, "It's my sister Shay, Josie. No need for jealousy."

"I'm not jealous," Josefina retorted, her voice devoid of conviction.

Grabbing her hand, Oliver enveloped it with his warm, dry palm, lifting it gently to his lips for a tender kiss. "Alright, you're not jealous. Let's say I'm just worried you might be, okay?"

The intensity in Oliver's eyes was disarming, and Josefina found herself letting go of his hand.

Without grasping for her hand again, Oliver killed the engine and unbuckled his seatbelt. "Wait here. I'll go send her away."

Josefina opened her mouth to protest, to suggest she could leave instead, but Oliver was already out of the car, closing the door with a swift, decisive motion that seemed to say he couldn't bear the thought of her leaving.

Outside, the streetlights shone brightly.

Shay, wearing shorts and a short-sleeved shirt, endured the discomfort of mosquito bites, her eyes fixed on Oliver approaching her. His tall figure cut a handsome silhouette against the lights, every step measured and confident.

Shay watched as Oliver's straight, long legs strode toward her. She smiled and said, "Oliver, I brought you a gift. I just came to drop it off." She held out the present with both hands, her smile playful, her demeanor charming.

Oliver stood still, his hands remained at his sides, his expression icy. "Who asked you to come here?"

A strained smile tugged at Shay's lips, and she chirped, "Oliver, I just wanted to give you a gift. Is that so wrong?"

"It is."

Her façade cracked, "What did I do wrong, Oliver?"

"Everything you do is wrong," his voice was a blade of indifference that slashed through the warm night air, thick with alienation.

Tears welled up in Shay's eyes, and crystal-clear teardrops fell from her eyes, filled with grievances and sadness Oliver, I just wanted to give you a present. Can't I do that? I know you don't like my mom, but she's my mother, and I'm me. Don't I even have the right to give you a gift?"

Oliver's frown deepened, her complaints grating on his nerves, his patience worn thin. "Don't come here again."

His words were as cold and hard as steel, leaving cuts that bled unseen on Shay's heart. Her cry of pain was bitter, "This is the gift I bought. I'll leave it here."

Dropping the present on the ground,

Shay ran off her sobs muffled by her hands. As she passed the car where Josefina sat, Shay noticed the passenger window was slightly open, revealing a glimpse of a

woman's ponytailed hair. Content

Shay stood frozen, her gaze locked on the figure in the passenger seat. "Who are you?" she blurted out, unable to believe her eyes.

Josefina was taken aback. Perhaps

silence was golden in this moment. She quickly rolled up the window, internally cursing Oliver for what seemed like a deliberate move to reveal her presence. Content

Fists clenched, Shay stepped forward, intent on opening the car door. But as her hand reached for the handle, Oliver appeared.

"Leave!"Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

His voice, stern and commanding, echoed in Shay's ears, startling her into retracting her hand.