Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

The ringtone sliced through the silence, halting Oliver in his tracks. He snatched up his cell from the table, ready to dismiss the call, but perked up at the sight of the caller ID.

Josefina, wiping drool from her lips, lounged on the couch farthest from Oliver, poised to make her exit.

Oliver's face was a mask of stormy steel, his voice glacial, "Pass the phone to him."

Soon enough, Rowan's irate grumbling bled through the line, "Day after tomorrow's my birthday, Oliver, you ungrateful bastard. Are you still trying to cage me? If the corporate world hears how you're treating me, aren't you afraid it'll tarnish the company's image?"

Oliver's scoff was tinged with amusement, "If you're not scared, why should I be?"

Caught off-guard, Rowan spat out a string of curses, "Oliver, you curse! I'm telling you, if you don't let me out, I'll bring us both down."

Sydney tried to mediate from the other end, "Oliver, we're still family at the end of the day. We can't be the town's laughing stock, right?"

Oliver's lips curled in a faint sneer, the irony not lost on him, "Afraid of being laughed at? You're already the punchline."

Josefina nearly burst into laughter. Oliver sure knew how to hit where it hurt.

The silence was so profound, Josefina could even hear Rowan's roar from the phone. "The nerve! You bastard! Should've left you in the woods for the wolves!"

Oliver's laughter was light and mocking, "You seem to fancy that idea. Maybe tomorrow I'll have you taste the wilderness for yourself."

Rowan was exasperated. He wanted to throttle Oliver, but lacked the means.

Oliver simply hung up, unwilling to let Rowan's rant ruin his mood. Tossing the phone aside on the sofa carelessly, he then turned to Josefina, who was standing now, her eyes wary, "I need to head home." She was thinking about the herbs she'd acquired, planning to whip up something for the upcoming medical competition where she was to judge.

Oliver stepped closer, gently taking her hand, "I'll drive you home."

Oliver's mood was disrupted, and he could also sense Josefina's fear. He knew she assumed he was going to sleep with her.

Oliver lightly pinched her chin, his voice soft but firm, "Relax, I'm not that much of a monster to coerce you into anything against your will."

Holding Josefina's hand, Oliver led her out and drove her home.

Lena returned home, medical kit in tow, her face beaming as if the box weighed nothing.

Regina took it from her, concern lacing her voice, "Miss Lena, why are you carrying such a heavy thing? The folks at the door are as useful as a chocolate teapot. What if you strain yourself?"

Lena just smiled, "No worries, I prefer handling things I can manage. Even servants deserve respect, you know?"

Regina felt even more admiration for

Lena's graciousness and big-hearted

nature. "Miss Lena, you're a true saint. Considering others isn't something everyone is capable of, especially that new girl Josefina. She can't hold a candle to you."

Regina's voice was hushed, wary of prying ears from the Harrison family that might cost her the job.

Lena, still smiling, entered the living

room to share some news with

Garrett and Hattie. "Mom, Dad, the the day after tomorrow I'll be competing at the hospital. If I pass, I might graduate early and start working there. I'll take care of Grandma's health."

Garrett's smile was kind, his

handsome face belying the fact thatContent bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

he was the father of five grown

children. Lena, I know you're worried about Grandma, but Grandpa's got it under control. As for treating Grandma, I don't have much say in that."