Josie was dead set against Xylia sending her home.
55 voucher
She was like a little wild animal fiercely guarding its territory, always on high alert if anyone tried to enter her
space.
Xylia had no other option but to say, “I won’te inside. I’ll just walk you to your door. Once I see you’re home safe, I’ll leave. Is that okay?”
“No way!” Josie suddenly shouted, shaking off Xylia’s hand and speaking slowly and clearly.
“I can get home by myself!” said Josie.
Xylia thought, ‘How can I possibly let her go home like this?
‘Besides, if no one is home, who will take care of her?‘
“Is there anyone at home?” asked Xylia.
Josie seemed to think about Xylia’s words. After a long silence, she finally nodded. “My aunt looks after me at home.”
“Could you give me her phone number? I need to know you got home safely. Otherwise, I’ll definitely bring you back myself,” said Xylia.
“No,” Josie shouted again.
She pulled out her phone and scrolled for ages before finally finding her aunt’s number. “Here it is.”
Xylia quickly dialed the number on her own phone. The call connected right away. “Excuse me, are you Josie’s aunt?”
There was a brief pause, and then the voice on the other end replied, “Yes, what’s wrong with Josie?” She sounded anxious.
Xylia quickly reassured her, “Josie is fine. She was just drunk and wouldn’t let me take her home. Could you save my number? I’ve arranged a car to bring her back. When she gets home, could you let me know she’s safe?”
“Got it,” the person said, and then hung up.
After talking to Josie’s aunt, Xylia felt relieved and let Josie get into the car.
It was the middle of the night.
Xylia let out a long sigh of relief.
Kaden called again. “It’s sote. Why aren’t they back yet?” His tone was clearly worried.
<b>8:28 </b><b>Thu</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b>18 <b>N </b>
Xylia replied, “I went out for a meal with my studio colleagues today and will be back shortly.”
“Do you need me to pick you up?” Kaden asked.
Xylia said, “Don’t bother, Kaden. I can get back by myself.”
After reminding her to be safe, Kaden ended the call.
Just then, Joshua arrived. He was driving a different car today, a ck Porsche.
<b>88 </b>
55 vouchers
He pulled up in front of Xylia and waved. “Am Ite?” Joshua asked as soon as Xylia got in the car.
He noticed that only Xylia was standing at the door. ‘Weren’t she supposed to have dinner with the studio people? Did they all leave?‘ he thought.
Xylia smiled, “You’re just in time. I’ve just seen them off.”
Joshua frowned in frustration, “I was stillte.”
“Late? You’re right on time,” Xylia said, fastening her seatbelt.
“If I’d gotten here earlier, you wouldn’t have had to worry so much,” Joshua said, suddenly taking Xylia’s hand and leaning in.
Before she could react, he kissed her gently.
He held her chin, kissing her with deep affection.
Xylia clenched her fists and her heart pounded.
After a long while, Joshua let her go, his eyes soft with affection.
She felt him acting a bit clingy.
Blushing, she pushed Joshua away and refastened her seatbelt.
“Today, I met your mom and your sister at the restaurant,” she said.
“I didn’t have a sister…” Joshua said. Before he finished, he realized who she was talking about.
He didn’t start the car right away. Holding her hand, he said, “I heard from Mom about the dinner. She invited me, but I didn’te. If I’d known earlier, I would have.”
He sounded a bit regretful.
Xyliaughed. “Why do you seem like a kid?”
Her words made Joshua frown.
“Do you think I’m too young?” asked Joshua.
8:28 Thu, Sep 18 <b>N </b>
88
55 vouchers
He thought, ‘Don’t most women these days go for younger, good–looking guys? I’m three years younger than her, which is just the perfect age gap.‘
Though Xylia was older than him, she looked much younger.
Her fair and radiant face showed no signs of aging, remaining as tender and delicate as a woman in her early twenties.
As he pondered, he reached out and pinched her cheek with his bent index finger.
Xylia brushed his hand away. “I meant you were acting like a kid.”
She gestured for him to start the car. “Let’s go. Kaden is waiting.”
Joshua started the car in silence.
At the Sadler Mansion’s door, Joshua spoke to Xylia, who was about to get out of the car. “Ms. Sadler, how about we have a coboration?”
“What kind of coboration?” Xylia asked.
“I want to partner with your studio. It will bring long–term benefits. If you’re interested,e to the Garcia. Group tomorrow and find me.”
Seeing his secretive look, Xylia couldn’t help but tease him. “Not interested.”
Joshua frowned, “Why?”
“No reason. I’m just not interested,” Xylia said deliberately. Then she opened the car door and got out.
Joshua called after her, “Really not interested?”
Xylia took a few steps and turned to look at him. “Let’s talk about it tomorrow.”
With that, she walked inside.
Joshua watched her disappear through the gate. Then he smiled and drove away.
*****
The studio was closed the next day.
After confirming that Joshua would only be avable in the afternoon, Xylia had lunch and then headed to the Garcia Group.
Maybe Joshua had told the receptionist.
As soon as Xylia entered the main entrance of the Garcia Group, the receptionist guided her to the CEO’s elevator.
She arrived half an hour early.
8:28 <b>Thu</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>18 </b><b>N </b>
Joshua was in a meeting.
:
David escorted Xylia to Joshua’s office and asked her to wait there for a while.
Xylia just sat on the sofa, waiting, feeling utterly bored.
She also took a look around Joshua’s office.
<b>88 </b>
$5 vouchers
The office was spacious, withrge south–facing ss windows that flooded the entire workspace with natural light.
The ck office furniture and wall–mounted bookshelves, filled with various hardcover books<b>, </bbined with a minimalist design style, gave the entire office an atmosphere of stability and grandeur.
David served Xylia a cup of coffee and pointed to a small cab beside the bookshelf.
“Ms. Sadler, the snack cab has some treats that Mr. Garcia prepared just for you. Feel free to grab one if you’re craving something. Mr. Garcia will be done with his meeting soon.”
“It’s okay. Let him take his time. I’ll wait for him here,” said Xylia.
David then left.
Xylia opened the snack cab. Along with the trendy snacks, there were also some healthier options. She grabbed the spicy potato chips without hesitation. The Sadler family’s meals were just too healthy. She craved something spicy.
She didn’t mind making Joshua’s office smell like spicy chips. She took out her tablet, waited for Joshua, ate snacks, and sketched simple design drawings.
When Joshua returned, this was the scene he saw.
Xylia sat on the sofa, holding a half–full pack of spicy chips.
She gazed intently at the drawing on the tablet, her brow slightly furrowed, as if confronted with a difficult problem.
He walked over with a smile. “What’s wrong? Why the worried look?”
田