Chapter 437

Orla was happily munching on the takeout meal Josefina had brought back, along with some snacks, feeling absolutely delighted.

Taking Orla's seat, Josefina set up her laptop and dove into her work.

Orla didn't want to disturb her, so she busied herself with her own tasks.

After an hour of bustling, the rest of the staff began trickling in, and Orla stepped out to handle some matters.

Both women were deep in their work when Josefina finally wrapped up. That's when a knock came at the door.

Before Josefina could say anything, the door swung open, and she was taken aback by who walked in. Was that Xavier?

What on earth was Xavier doing here?

Xavier was equally surprised to see Josefina. What were the odds?

Their eyes met, and the shock was clear in their gazes.

Xavier sauntered in like he owned the place and took a seat across from Josefina.

"Josefina, what brings you here?" he asked, clearly puzzled.

But what really threw him was seeing Josefina at Orla's desk.

Putting her work aside, Josefina sized him up. "And what are you doing here?"

"I'm here to see Orla. Why are you here? Are you and Orla close? She's never mentioned you."

Xavier's gut churned with unease. Josefina was Orla's friend, and Orla was the girl he was currently wooing-they were in that delicate flirting stage.

And to top it off? Marina had wanted him to pursue Josefina.

This put Xavier in a tight spot. If he went after Josefina, the truth would come out, and both women would have his head!

But even worse, Josefina knew about his fling with Ruby!

Xavier felt stiff all over, at a loss for words.

Josefina watched him with a hint of amusement and a sly smirk. "Oh, Orla? You say her name with such fondness, one might assume you two were an item."

Xavier tensed up, swallowing hard.

He was only twenty, just two years older than Josefina, and college had never been his scene.

His grades weren't great, so Marina had tutored him in business management before letting him run a company branch.

Xavier wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, and his intentions were far from pure. And now, his love life was almost in shambles.

"I am indeed courting Orla," Xavier admitted. "Ruby and I, we're not a thing. She was all over me, and I only met up with her because I felt pressured. Once I met Orla, I cut ties with Ruby."

Josefina raised an eyebrow. "I didn't ask, yet you're scrambling to explain. Xavier, what are you so afraid of?"

Xavier fretted, "I just don't want Orla getting the wrong idea about Ruby and me. What if you tell her and it messes things up between us?"

Josefina let out a derisive laugh. "Alright. I'll have a chat with Orla, see when you two met, when it all started. Let's find out if I'm misjudging your relationship or if you're playing two ends against the middle."

Xavier's anxiety mounted.

"Josefina, please don't stir the pot. I'm serious about Orla. Don't you want her to be happy?"

Josefina shook her head, a sense of resolve settling over her. Orla couldn't possibly end up with someone like Xavier!

The guy was bad news.

With an icy stare, Josefina watched Xavier squirm in his seat.

Just then, Orla walked in, looking a bit flustered. Her eyes darted from Xavier to Josefina's stern expression, and she braced herself.

"Ms. Josefina, I'm so sorry, I had no idea he was coming today."

Ms. Josefina?

Before Xavier could question Josefina's role, she spoke up.

"Orla, is this man your boyfriend?"