Oliver's interactions with the Harrisons were pretty limited, mainly because he only knew Dorian from the business world.
Lena's unrequited crush on Oliver did nothing to spark his interest in the Harrison family. If Josefina hadn't mentioned anything, he'd still be in the dark.
Josefina, the Harrisons' Ms. Josefina, was a person of interest to him. If she was in any sort of trouble, Oliver wouldn't hesitate to dig deep and protect her from any harm.
Their car pulled up to the hotpot restaurant, and Oliver got out, holding Josefina's hand as they walked in. The private dining room was spacious, but it was just the two of them.
"I've ordered pretty much everything they have. Let's see what you like," Oliver said with an indulgent smile.
Josefina's eyes widened. "Isn't that a bit much?"
"Don't worry. Anything we can't finish, we'll pack up and take home," Oliver reassured her with a warm smile. He knew she hated wasting food.
With a chuckle, Josefina nodded. "Oliver, you really know how to live."
"I just follow Josie's lead. Whatever you like, that's my thing," he replied, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
They sat down, each with their own little hotpot, ready to dip and savor the feast. The bubbling broth, paired with fresh, succulent meats, soon had Josefina breaking a sweat.
There was something uniquely delightful about enjoying hotpot in the summer heat.
Then came the shaved ice, icy and sweet.
"So cold," Josefina exclaimed after taking a big spoonful.
The spiciness of the hotpot followed by the chill of the ice created an intense contrast.
As Josefina reached for another bite, Oliver gently stopped her.
"That's enough. Even if you have a strong stomach, you can't keep eating like this."
"I've eaten like this before, and I've never had any problems," Josefina protested.
"That's the past. Now that I'm here, you can't go on like that. What if you get a stomachache? It would be awful," Oliver said firmly.
Josefina paused, her expression softening as she realized someone genuinely cared for her well-being.
With a contented smile, she set down her spoon. "Alright, no more for me."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess