novelxo Chapter 17
Chapter
17
Mason was slow to catch on and dich pick up on the subtext in fosephine's tone. "Ich
didn
Josephine had no choice but to spell it out." "Tocus on driving"
This face fashid crimson in an instant.
wasn't that be wasn't paying attention to the road, it was just that he hadn't seen her in so long
She was such a stunning beauty. Who wouldn't want to steal a few extra glances?
The main road to the villa's entrance was packed with bury cars. Security guards stood stationed far down the road, stopping vehicles from venturing Mason pulled ovet reluctants. "Ms. Dum, this is as far as Lean take you. I'll wait here all ni
"Alright
11 have to. If anything happens, call me right away
Josephine nodded, then stepped out and headed toward the gate alone.
As she walked, the debated whether to call Arthur. After some thought, she decided against it.
was better to wait until the event was
Bringing up work the moment she arrived would feel too calculated and might irritate the notorious party lover. It was
er bag to retrieve.
At the entrance, five or six guests clustered in small groups, chatting casually. Josephine kept her gaze focused ahead and reached into her bernation
"Josephine!"
Betore she could find it, a familiar velce rang out above the chatter.
Startled, Josephine's head snapped up. But before she could fully process her surprise, she was swept into a fierce embrace.
Zayn held her tighth, his arms trembling with excitement.
Ignoring the curious onlookers, he pressed his cheek against her slender neck, breathing in her familiar, intoxicating scent like a man starved.
"I finally found you! You're driving me insane, you know that?"
A flicker at panie flashed in Joesphine's eyes. She tilted her head slightly, trying to avoid his nuzzling, but the movement only gave him more space to press closer
Left with no other choice, she spoke in a voice laced with ice. "Zayn, let go of in,"
"I'm not letting go
"We're divorced. We're strangers now. What you're doing is harassment."
Her tone was serious, but no sooner had she finished then Zayn's low, mocking chuckle drifted to herear. "Then take it as harassment. Go ahead, call someone if you want."
Just as Josephine was at a loss for what to do, Nadine suddenly sauntered over
She was wearing the custom made gown Josephine had reserved but hadn't yet had the chance to pick up
Without Zayn's approval, there was no way the designer would've let someone else take it
"I told you, Mr. Forbes, there was no need to worry. This is just a classic case of women playing hard to get. I'm a woman, I know these games inside and out. Give her the cold shoulder for a few days, and she'll come nmning back to you."
At the sound of Nadine's voice, Zayn finally released Josephine
Josephine stepped back instantly, her cold gaze snapped to Nadine.
The hem of the red gown had been trimmed because it was too long. The alteration had completely rained the dress's original proportions and elegance, stripping in of its once breathtaking charm.
Before Josephine could speak, Zayn jumped in.
"Don't get the wrong idea, Josephine. Nadine doesn't get many chances to attend high-society events like this, and she didn't have anything suitable to wear. I borrowed the dress from the designer for her. She's only wearing it for tonight, and then I'll return it to you." Josephuse stared at Zayn, her expression cold, but the disappointment in her chest was impossible to put into words.
The sandwiches? He gave her Nadine's lettovers.
The gown? He let Nadine wear it first.
Did he ever tady love her?
Even if he loved her for just one minute-just one second-he shouldn't have trampled on her dignity like this.
"Josephine, hawe daf you know I was here? You've been keeping tabs on me and even sending Mr. Brown to try and scare me. You're getting bolder and holder, aren't you?"
Zayn's smile was calm, but his eyes burned as they locked onto her, unrelenting
"Go ahead and call Mr. Brown. Tell him to stop bothering me. And tonight, don't even think about leaving my side for one second."