Sometimes Oliver would stay around here, and other times he''d head back to his own ce. With multiple properties at his disposal, his living arrangements were quite flexible. He had specifically bought a house close by because of Josefina, just so he could see her more often.


    "Oliver, are you not busytely?" she asked.


    "A bit, actually. That''s why I haven''t been staying around here much. But today, as I settled in, I had the urge to check up on you."


    Oliver wrapped his arm around Josefina as the night sky enveloped them, their proximity so close that she could feel his breath.


    Fresh from a shower, his body carried a faint scent of soap - it wasforting and cool, even in the summer heat.


    Feeling awkward about their position, Josefina slid off Oliver''sp, preferring not to converse in such an intimate posture. She sat across from him, her doe eyes locked onto his, "Oliver, it''s gettingte. You should head back to sleep."


    "So quick to send me away?" he teased.


    "It''s just that I''m getting tired," Josefina replied, her eyelids heavy.


    Oliver reluctantly stood up. "I''ll watch you go upstairs, then I''ll head back."


    Josefina got to her feet and began to walk away when Oliver cut her off with a stride full of purpose. He tenderly held her face and nted a passionate kiss on her lips, a familiar dominance in his affection. His lips traced her jawline gently and ended with a soft kiss on her forehead. Josefina, finally catching her breath, blushed a deep crimson, her lips moist and parted. "Oliver, you should go now," she panted. Then, Josefina darted away, and Oliver watched her retreat with an indulgent shake of his head before vaulting over the wall and disappearing into the night.


    When Lena came downstairs for meal, everybody was taken aback. Hattie gasped in shock, "Lena, what''s the matter? You look so pale. Are you sick?"


    ...


    G


    NOW PLAY YOUR FAVOURITE GAMES ON


    Lena forced a grim smile, "Must''ve been the soup I had yesterday. My stomach''s been killing me. Lucky Dorian didn''t have any, or he''d be suffering too." Her difort was evident, stirring sympathy in those around her. Hattie expressed her concern, "Lena, have you seen a doctor?"


    "Not yet. I''m feeling so weak, and I


    didn''t want to worry anyone or disrupt your ns. Mom, I''ll be fine just need to rest for a couple of days, bena assured with a resilience that made Josefina want to apud her.


    swnov


    Dorian, unaware of Lena''s actions, took in her distressed expression and said with concern, "Lena, let me take you to the hospital. It''s


    Vol.ne


    important to get checked out right away, no matter how minor it may seem."


    Josefina''s eyes were full of worry as she offered, "Lena, dear, how about I take your pulse and check on you? You know my medical skills. Come, let me see."


    Lena quickly withdrew her wrist, "No need to trouble yourself, Josie. If Dorian''s avable, he can take me to the hospital."


    Dorian, surprised, asked, "Josie, you know medicine?"


    Josefina nodded, her obedient and adorable demeanor prompting one to speak softly to her.


    "I studied for many years under my mentor, Alfie," she revealed.


    Her admission left the whole family in shock. Grandpa Robert eximed, "Alfie is the head of the House of Adams!"


    Garrett chimed in, "The head of the House of Adams took on a final disciple, thest one actually."


    Hattie connected the dots, "Josie, that disciple is you, isn''t it?"ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Josefina had never openly acknowledged this part of her life, nor had she mentioned it to her family. Today''s revtion caused amotion among her kin, especially Dorian, who studied Josefina with a newfound scrutiny.


    е