Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Josefina eyed Oliver as he polished off his meal, "Something's come up at home. I've got to head back."

Oliver, catching the tone, stood up quickly, his face etched with worry, "What's going on?"

"My mom just texted me. Lena's brought a guy home and wants me to check it out."

Without hesitation, Oliver grabbed his jacket, "I'll drive you."

His long, slender fingers were about to pull out a credit card to settle the bill when Josefina interjected, "It's on me today, I've already taken care of it."

Oliver looked up, his eyes dancing with warmth and humor, "Do they do refunds here?"

Josefina chuckled, "Every time we eat out, I'm the one ordering. You hardly ever pick. I've got a pretty good idea of what the tab will be."

Stepping closer, Oliver took Josefina's hand in his right, his left holding his coat. Josefina tried to pull away, "Let go, there are too many people around."

"That's exactly why I want them to see you're with me," Oliver's voice was a mix of possessive and doting as he gazed down at her.

Their eyes locked for a fleeting moment before Josefina ducked her head and strode out, pulling a beaming Oliver along.

Entering the Harrison family living room, Oliver and Josefina found a strange man seated on the couch.

At the sound of their arrival, Lena spoke up, eyes darting to the pair, "Mom, Dad, I don't know where Josie got the idea that I have a boyfriend, because I truly don't. This is just a classmate who keeps texting and calling me, and that's probably why Regina got the wrong impression."

Lifting her eyes to Oliver, Lena continued, "I've had my heart set on someone else for a long time."

Oliver quickly glanced down at Josefina, "Josie, my heart's taken too, by you."

The man on the couch spoke up, "Mr. and Mrs Harrison, my name is Edward. I'm Lena's classmate. I've always liked her, but unfortunately she doesn't feel the same way. I'm to blame for persistently messaging her trying to get her attention. If there's been any misunderstanding, it's on me, not Lena."

After saying his piece, Edward shot Josefina a displeased look, as if she were the cause of Lena's distress.

Oliver stepped forward, his gaze piercing Edward with a silent warning, "Maybe you need to get your eyes checked. How on earth did you get into college?" Edward was annoyed. Oliver's words were cutting, and though Edward wanted to retaliate, he remembered he was in Lena's home and had to keep his composure. Lena's pitiful demeanor suggested she was the victim of some injustice.

Hattie grew irritated, and shot back, "What's with the glare at my daughter? She just got home, what has she possibly done to you?"

Garrett added, "Do you have a vision problem? Your eyes look a bit off. Maybe you should get that checked."

Josefina stepped from behind Oliver, took a seat on the couch, and turned to Lena, "I didn't mention anything to the family. You know how Regina can spout nonsense. Why are you bringing someone home over it?" Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Lena was stunned. Josefina's tactics were cunning-informing her just to watch her squirm?

Hattie followed up, "Josie didn't tell me anything. Lena, we'd be none the wiser if you hadn't brought your classmate here."

Garrett chimed in, "Young man, this

is my house, and Josie is my

daughter. What do you mean by looking at her with malice? What has she ever done to you? If you don't want to stay, I suggest you leave promptly. No one is allowed to mistreat Josie in this house."