Josie stiffened for some time before mumbling, âIâm sorry, Ms. Jones. I admit â I backstabbed you out of my personal interest. Please accept my sincere apologies.â
A soft laughter emerged on the other end, accompanied by the sound of the sea breeze. âI donât blame you. He might never come to meet me if it werenât for you. Now, I can finally move on. Youâre a kind girl. I believe you can design a cover that can touch peopleâs hearts.â
Josie was relieved to be acknowledged by Shannon. She could only keep thanking her.
Suddenly, Shannon asked, âThe man with you that day isnât your boyfriend, am I right?â
âYeah⦠Heâs my boss.â Josie was embarrassed.
Shannon laughed. âYour acting skill has room for improvement.â
After hanging up the call, Josie remained in a daze for a moment before she squealed in excitement and trotted to Dexterâs room. She knocked on his door, hoping to share her happiness with him.
Dexter was about to go to bed. When he opened his door to see the woman whose face turned red from excitement, he was stunned. âDonât say anything first.â
Josie nodded.
âDid you obtain the copyright?â Dexter asked astutely.
Josie jumped with exhilaration and couldnât hide her joy. âI can finally start my design! Iâve gotten the project!â
Leaning against the door, Dexter wore a subtle smile. Josie embraced him excitedly and quickly let go of him.
âThank you, Mr. Russell. If it werenât for you, things wouldnât have gone so smoothly. Oh my gosh! Iâm so happy!â
Dexterâs body froze for a second as the warm sensation left him. He smiled and said, âCongrats.â
âThank you!â
âTomorrowâs weekend. Grandpa asked us to go back for a meal.â
Josie answered naturally, âOkay. Iâll get ready.â
Just then, she sensed something strange. She lifted her face to meet Dexterâs gaze, which was filled with gentleness and even adoration.
It felt natural, as if they were husband and wife who had been married for yearsâ¦
Dexter, too, noticed the change in the atmosphere. He let out a cough and took a step back. âHave a goodnight.â
Josie stood numbly at the spot as her heart pounded heavily. She almost fell for his gentle gaze just now! Why did he show such emotions?
That night, Josie had a dream â Dexter and Josie were strolling by the beach, holding hands on an ordinary night. He told her they would be together forever.
Josie couldnât see his face clearly in the dream but was certain that the man was Dexter, despite knowing he couldnât possibly be so gentle and patient with her.
The dream felt surreal as if it happened in reality.
The next day, the sun had risen when Josie woke up. Her cheeks blushed uncontrollably. What on earth are you thinking about, Josie? Heâs Dexter Russell! How can you have improper thoughts toward him?!
Just then, Julie knocked on her door. âMrs. Russell, are you awake? Itâs time to go.â
Josie quickly got out of bed to wash up and asked, âWhereâs Dexter?â
âMr. Russell has been waiting for you for some time.â
Only then did Josie realize she had overslept! After dressing up, she hurriedly put on the ring and bracelet. When she went downstairs, she saw Dexter, who wore a casual white blouse and a pair of black pants, standing in front of the window, emanating a warm aura.
She hurried downstairs and panted, âSorry. missed the alarm.â
Dexter narrowed his eyes; he rarely saw Josie in a flustered state. âNo worries. Letâs go.â