Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Chapter 33

Luke replied: [Yeah. Lena’s account is all clear, nothing fishy.]

Josefina pondered for a moment before adding, [Keep digging. Hit me up if anything pops up.]

[Don’t you worry, boss. I’ll be on it like white on rice. You’ll be the first to know.]

Josefina fired up her computer, got some work done, and played the stock market a bit. Leaning back on the couch, she drifted off to dreamland. Her mind bounced between the good days with the Harrison family and the current state of the Antonio clan.

...

The next morning, Josefina was still half-asleep when a barrage of ringtone bursts woke her up. She didn’t silence her phone even in her sleep, afraid to miss anything big.

Picking up the call, she was greeted by Lauren’s ranting, “Josefina, you little deadbeat, I called you 25 times. Why did you only pick up now?”

Rubbing her eyes and trying to wake up, Josefina retorted, “What makes you think I gotta answer your calls?”

Lauren shot back, “For heaven’s sake, I raised you! Is this how you repay me?”

Just as Lauren was about to continue her tirade, Josefina hung up on her. Fuming, Lauren was about to call back when she realized she’d been blocked. Pissed off, she vented to Billy, “Billy, just look at her attitude! Ignoring my calls on purpose. And when she finally picks up, this is how she treats me? She’s doing this to get at me!”

Billy, not wanting to engage in the drama, grabbed his phone to call Josefina. “Josie, it’s your dad. I...”

“My dad’s last name is Harrison. Did you change yours?” Josefina snapped back, cold as ice. Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

Billy couldn’t confront her and said helplessly, “Josie, I know you’re mad at us. I...”

“If you know I’m mad, then you shouldn’t have called. I have nothing to say to you and your family.” Josefina hung up decisively and blocked the number.

Billy was steaming, tried to call back, and realized he’d been blocked too. Ruby handed over her phone. “Dad, try calling her from my phone.”

Ruby’s number went through, and Josefina, now sitting up in bed, asked impatiently, “What is it already?”

Billy snatched the phone, gesturing for Lauren to zip it, before speaking to Josefina, “Josie, here’s the deal. We want to have a meal with you. We’ve missed you since you left and would love to catch up over dinner.”

Billy winked at Lauren, who quickly caught on and chimed in with a smile, “Josie, we might not live together anymore, but we were family, right? Let’s have dinner.”

Ruby also pitched in, “Josefina, mom and dad are really reaching out here. Just say yes.”

Josefina had to laugh. Ruby sure knew how to play her cards right. It seemed like they wouldn’t leave her alone until she agreed to this dinner. So, she might as well go and see what they were up to.

Josefina said, “Alright.”

Billy, thrilled, said, “Josie, I’ve sent the address to your phone. See you at ten.”

Josefina hung up. She got out of bed, freshened up, and got ready to head out.

...

As soon as Josefina stepped out, Hattie grabbed her, making a shushing gesture. Taken aback, she was about to ask what was going on when Hattie dragged her into her room. Garrett was there too. Both looked mysteriously excited and a bit cute, which made Josefina smile.

Garrett handed over his phone to Josefina. “Josie, I suspect that the one who hurt your grandma is the caregiver. I had someone look into it, and we found out her husband’s bank account received a million bucks from an overseas account. Her hubby is a janitor. That million is way too suspicious.”