Chapter 161


    Lena breezed into the office. Her voice preceded her as she announced with a flourish, “Josie, I got


    you some afternoon tea, something special just for you.”


    Her smile froze as her eyesnded on the identical, yet more expensive, set of afternoon tea


    already gracing Josefina’s desk.


    “Oh, you’ve already got yourself some tea...” Lena’s voice trailed off, with awkwardness etched into


    her tone.


    “That’s from Oliver,” Josefina said, oblivious to the sting her words carried for Lena.


    Josefina noticed Lena’s pallor. “You’re looking a bit off-color. Sick, maybe? Came to have me check


    on you?”


    Lena could only muster a silent stare. She set down the tea tray; her arms ached from carrying it for


    so long.


    “I didn’te for a check-up. I just wanted to see how you are. Running thepany must be


    exhausting. You need to take care of yourself.”


    “Thanks, but I’m fit as a fiddle, up to the task,” Josefina replied with brisk assurance.


    Lena’s gaze swept the office, with a flicker of envy passing through her eyes.


    “Anything else?” Josefina prompted.


    “Just checking in on you. There’s a get-together tomorrow. You shoulde along,” Lena


    suggested.


    Josefina was curious why Lena would invite her out, but without giving it much thought, she


    declined. “No need. I’ve got ns for the weekend. Won’t be around.”


    Lena was taken aback. Could Josefina be going out with Oliver?


    But Oliver was always so busy. Could he really spare a weekend for Josefina?


    Josefina didn’t feel close enough to Lena to warrant a shared outing. Declining was the best option.


    “If you don’t wanna go, I won’t push you,” Lena said with a forced smile, leaving as quickly as she’d


    arrived.


    Josefina picked up her phone to discover the video call was still connected.


    “Why didn’t you hang up?” she eximed in surprise.


    “I thought you might have something to say.”


    Josefina was at a loss for words. Oliver had overheard their entire conversation?


    “So, where are you off to this weekend?” he inquired.


    “A friend’s house party,” Josefina replied.


    “Count me in.”


    “Oliver, it’s a private affair. How would it look if you tagged along? Besides, I hear you’re swamped.


    You probably don’t have the time...”


    “You know I can make time for anything that involves you. I’ve got all the time in the world,” Oliver


    insisted earnestly.


    Josefina was finding it increasingly difficult to refuse. “It’s a personal gathering. I can’t just bring you.


    They don’t know you, and you...”


    “I don’t think it’ll be awkward.”


    Before Josefina could respond, there was a knock on the door.


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    “Hold on, I’ve got to go,” she said, ending the call and calling out, “Come in.”


    The door opened to reveal a new face, not Kale as she expected.


    Kale followed, nodding towards the man. “Ms. Josefina, this is Noel, the Purchasing Manager. He’s


    just back from vacation and wanted to check in today.”


    Noel, a genial man in his mid-thirties, approached with a warm smile. “Ms. Josefina, I’ve heard


    about the textile mill contract falling through. I’ve sourced a new factory for us. Please, have a look,”


    he said, handing her a document.


    With a single nce, Josefina signaled Kale to leave.


    “Noel, hitting the ground running after your vacation, I see. You’re a real role model for our


    company.”