“Don’t try that trick on me; it won’t work anymore,” came his response a beat later.
Josie declared, her voice earnest yet weary from the games and manipulations. “Believe it or not, despite your veneer of discipline, it’s often those with a strict facade who fall hardest for the rebels. And you, Arnold, are the epitome of that paradox.”
No sooner had she voiced her thoughts than Arnold reached out, abruptly forcing her to look directly into his eyes. “Have you ever been haunted by regrets?” he probed, seeking a glimpse into her soul.
Josie met his gaze unwaveringly, her response straightforward, “Regrets? Yes, they’ve crossed my mind.”
“And what if I told you that offering you any form of legitimate recognition or status is beyond my capabilities?”
“I came to terms with that reality a long time ago. But the real tragedy here is your deception from the outset, leaving no room for ‘what-ifs,” Josie countered, her disappointment thinly veiled.
Inching closer, she posed a question that seemed to catch Arnold off-guard, “If life offered you a second chance, would you steer us down a better path?”
Arnold, sensing the depth of her inquiry, allowed a slow smile to spread across his lips. Without a word, he pushed Josie away, asserting, “There are no hypotheticals.”
Finding herself unceremoniously seated on the ground, Josie adopted a posture of indifference. “Well, if this is how it ends, let’s face it together,” she remarked, a hint of resignation in her tone.
Arnold nudged her playfully with his foot, probing, “Are any of Dexter’s ships nearby, ready to come to your aid?”
“How would I know?” Josie shrugged, a mix of frustration and candor in her voice. “I never broached the subject with him. Besides, your scheme deviates significantly from the information that’s been leaked. Even if changes were made last minute, they wouldn’t align with your current plan.”
Realization dawned on Arnold, “Then, how did you stumble upon this information?”
With a coy smile, Josie boasted, “I’m smarter than you give me credit for.”
The man said nothing in response.
“To be perfectly honest, Arnold, I doubt there’s another woman in this world who understands you as well as I do,” she admitted, a moment of vulnerability amidst their verbal sparring.
“Know-it-all.”
Just then, the conversation was momentarily interrupted by the sound of footsteps. A strikingly elegant and composed woman appeared. “Robyn, you have a visitor,” she announced, her intuition sharp.
Josie, seizing the moment to retreat, subtly adjusted her stance, allowing space for the newcomer.
“Josephine? Did I wake you?”
Josephine Yowell, misinterpreting the situation, confessed, “I thought I heard a disturbance outside my room, but it seems I was mistaken.”
Arnold’s demeanor softened as he reached out to adjust her hair, an act of tenderness. “Are you still tired? I can stay with you a while longer,” he offered.
The woman, however, was more focused on Josie’s presence, her curiosity piqued. “And who might this be?”
Seizing the moment to define her role, Josie quickly replied, “I’m Mr. Mills’ newest assistant, recently assigned to the team.”
Moments earlier, Josie’s attire was noticeably disheveled, a clear sign to anyone paying attention that an encounter of some significance had just occurred.
Josephine, standing there with a complexion that spoke volumes of her unease, exuded a blend of maturity and naivety. It was apparent that she had been sheltered, her innocence peeking through despite her grown-up demeanor.
“What’s your name?”
Josie glanced at Arnold before responding, “Alice.”
Josephine’s skepticism was palpable, her eyes searching Arnold’s for truth. “Is that so?” she pressed.
Arnold, maintaining a facade of indifference, reassured her, “Your hands are cold. Let me have someone prepare a warm beverage for you.”
He then signaled toward Scar, who promptly dragged Josie away.
Josie, caught off guard by the sudden movement, managed to break free from Scar’s grip as they turned a corner. She found a spot to hide and eavesdrop, her curiosity piqued, “What’s so secretive that I can’t see?”
Scar, evidently frustrated by the situation, admonished her, “This isn’t the time for games. Do you have any idea who that woman is?”
Josie truly had no idea. “Seems like she’s no small-fry. Her status must be above Summer, huh?”
Meanwhile, outside, Josephine had sought solace in Arnold’s embrace, her gaze lifting to his as she voiced her concerns, “Is there someone else?”
“You’ve got it all wrong. Please, give me a moment to explain everything,” Arnold pleaded, his emotions a tangle of concern and detachment, making it hard to gauge his true feelings.
“Robyn,” Josephine recalled her father’s words, seeking reassurance, “he told me that a man’s worth isn’t measured by the number of his conquests, but by where he chooses to place his heart. So, I have to ask, where does your heart truly belong?”
Arnold, without hesitation, assured her, “It belongs with you, of course.”
