Lena breezed into the office. Her voice preceded her as she announced with a flourish, “Josie, I got you some afternoon tea, something special just for you.”
Her smile froze as her eyes landed on the identical, yet more expensive, set of afternoon tea already gracing Josefina’s desk.
“Oh, you’ve already got yourself some tea...” Lena’s voice trailed off, with awkwardness etched into her tone.
“That’s from Oliver,” Josefina said, oblivious to the sting her words carried for Lena.
Josefina noticed Lena’s pallor. “You’re looking a bit off-color. Sick, maybe? Came to have me check on you?”
Lena could only muster a silent stare. She set down the tea tray; her arms ached from carrying it for so long.
“I didn’t come for a check-up. I just wanted to see how you are. Running the company must be exhausting. You need to take care of yourself.”
“Thanks, but I’m fit as a fiddle, up to the task,” Josefina replied with brisk assurance.
Lena’s gaze swept the office, with a flicker of envy passing through her eyes.
“Anything else?” Josefina prompted.
“Just checking in on you. There’s a get-together tomorrow. You should come along,” Lena suggested.
Josefina was curious why Lena would invite her out, but without giving it much thought, she declined. “No need. I’ve got plans for the weekend. Won’t be around.”
Lena was taken aback. Could Josefina be going out with Oliver?
But Oliver was always so busy. Could he really spare a weekend for Josefina?
Josefina didn’t feel close enough to Lena to warrant a shared outing. Declining was the best option.
“If you don’t wanna go, I won’t push you,” Lena said with a forced smile, leaving as quickly as she’d arrived.
Josefina picked up her phone to discover the video call was still connected.
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