Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Chapter 119

Percy and Luke were crouched outside the window, with their forearms taking the brunt of their weight. Once the coast was clear, they clambered back inside. Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

Luke let out a frustrated grunt, “Damn it, is Lena actually worried about Josefina, or is she just trying to mess with her?”

Percy urged him, “Let’s get a move on. We don’t want to tarnish Josie’s good name.”

With a wry smile, Luke said, “Boss, congrats on topping the charts. I’ve got a little something for you. It’s on the dresser over there, the pink box — that’s from me.”

Percy chimed in, “Josie, I didn’t come empty-handed either. That blue box, that’s my gift to you.”

“You’re both too kind,” she replied.

Percy said, “You aced it, Josie. A celebration is definitely in order.”

Luke chimed in with a grin, “Percy’s right, boss. You did us proud with those grades!”

Josie couldn’t help but laugh at their antics and hurried them out the window they had entered.

…

Lena was fuming in her room. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. A gust of warm air reminded her that she had forgotten to close the window.

As she walked over to shut it, cross-eyed Luke passed by, startling Lena into a fit of shouts.

Just then, Regina came in with a tray of fruit and heard Lena’s screams. “Miss Lena, is everything alright?” she asked with concern.

Lena, clutching her face and hearing the familiar voice, slowly recovered. She grabbed Regina’s arm, pointing at the window with terror-stricken eyes. “Regina, there’s a ghost, a ghost! I tell you!”

Regina looked out the window with skepticism. “Miss Lena, let me check.”

She saw nothing but the warm breeze on her face. Closing the window gently, she reassured, “Miss Lena, you must be overtired, seeing things. There’s nothing out there, and ghosts, well, they don’t exist in this world.”

Lena stood by the window. Everything outside was as it should be, making her wonder if she had indeed seen wrongly.

Could she have been mistaken?

...

Josie had just woken up when Kale called her. “Ms. Josefina, there’s trouble. You need to see this. Billy’s ripped off our designs and he’s already putting them up for presale!”

Josie sat up, rubbing her temples. “I’m on my way to the office.”

No sooner had she hung up than Alex’s call came through. The panic in his voice was palpable, “Ms. Josefina, my designs have been stolen. It wasn’t me. I would never betray the company! Please believe me.”

“Alex, stay calm. I’m heading to the office now, and we’ll sort this out there.”

“Okay, Ms. Josefina. I’m already at the office.”

After the call, Josie slipped into a pale blue blouse, paired with black slacks and heels. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders as her radiant smile charmed all around her.

Josefina strode down the stairs, and Hattie called out to her to eat. Josie, clutching her bag, walked briskly forward. “I can’t. I’ve got to handle this first.”

The others exchanged worried glances, all concerned except for Lena.

Garrett suggested, “I’ll go check on her. Something’s up with Josie for sure.”

“I’m coming too,” Hattie said.

Grandpa Robert interjected, “Sit down, all of you. Josie’s got a good head on her shoulders. Let her handle this — it’s a learning opportunity. If she needs us, we’ll step in then. Josie’s heading to university soon, and the company needs her leadership. Let’s just wait and see.”

The notion that great responsibility prepares one for hardships seemed to hang in the air.