Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess
Chapter 62

Oliver answered the call, and on the other end, Brandon's tone was displeased as he spoke. "Oliver, how's it going with Josie? Have you won her over yet?"

"I'm not exactly her knight in shining armor," Oliver replied with a rueful chuckle, "She thinks I'm a playboy."

"You didn't pull a Casanova on her, did you?" Brandon's voice grew intense and angry. "Oliver, you've been single for over twenty years. Can't you hold out a little longer? Josie is such a delicate and introverted girl, how could you be so brazen?!"

Oliver held the phone away from his ear, wincing. "Grandpa, I'm not that kind of guy, I swear. I didn't do anything. She got the wrong end of the stick-thinks I'm teasing her because she's special or something. Brandon heaved a sigh of relief and continued with his advice, "You might be top dog when it comes to business, but chasing girls? You're hopeless." With that, Brandon hung up.

Oliver stepped outside only to be met by George's teasing grin. "Hey, looks like Miss Josie left in a rush. Did your appearance catch her off-guard? Got her flustered?" Oliver shot him a frosty glare, and George stepped back, hands up, "What's up?"

"How can you even ask? You're the one who told me to be bold and shameless, but seems like you forgot you're still flying solo yourself. And you're giving me advice?"

George winced. That hit a nerve. "I got that from an all-night binge of online dating tips. It was top of the list. Don't tell me you went overboard? You didn't do anything untoward to Miss Josie, did you?" Oliver didn't want to entertain George's foolishness, and with a brisk stride, he walked off. George jogged to catch up, realizing he might have given a bad piece of advice.

Now what?

Meanwhile, Josie sat in a cozy café, fuming over the day's events.

Back in high school, she'd been pursued by a guy who, she later found out, had bragged about winning a bet if he dated her. That memory, coupled with Oliver's recent actions, drew an uncomfortable parallel. Then there was the fact that Oliver had just called off an engagement and then ran into her at the Harrison family event, where Brandon tried to nudge them together again-only for her to refuse. Was Oliver just sour from rejection and coming to take revenge?

She confided in her best friend Kayla, whose voice buzzed with excitement and curiosity, "Josie, maybe Oliver is really into you. You're a catch-gorgeous, kindhearted, a brilliant doctor, and a martial arts master. The Antonios are fools to lose you. Any guy would be lucky to be with you."

Josie sighed, "When are you coming back?"

"I'll be back in a few days, and I've got that rare herb you wanted for your research. We can continue your experiments then."

A weight lifted off Josie's shoulders, a glimmer of hope returning.

"That's great, Kayla. You've been amazing. First thing when you're back, dinner's on me."

"Deal, Josie. And about Oliver, maybe give it another thought, huh?"

Josie didn't think any further observation was necessary. She rode back to her place, only to be greeted by her sister Lena, who had just returned from work. Lena's eyes sparkled with mischief as she spotted Josie alone, "Josie, how come you're on your own today? Where's Oliver? Didn't he escort you back?"

Though Lena tried to sound sweet, the smirk playing at the corners of her mouth betrayed her true sentiments. It was clear she was relishing the drama.