Never Too Far Novel

Chapter 1801-1810

“I had to attend an important meeting in the morning, so I didn’t get the chance to see you off at the pier. You didn’t answer my phone calls either, so I thought you must be mad at me. So, I came here especially to apologize to you,” Ethan replied earnestly.

“What? You called me? Why didn’t I know about it?” With that, Josephine hastily took out her phone to confirm. Just as Ethan said, there were two missed calls from him. She was troubled. She must have accidentally missed the calls.

“I wasn’t mad at you, I just happened to not notice your calls coming in. You don’t have to apologize to me.” Josephine felt a little sorry as well.

If she had answered his calls, he wouldn’t have come all the way here.

Ethan was still relieved. At least she missed the calls because she didn’t notice, not because she was mad at him.

Josephine’s face turned red for some reason. She was usually bold and outspoken, but now she had experienced what it was like to be embarrassed. She didn’t even dare to look at Ethan’s face.

This man went to such great lengths just to meet her. Putting everything else aside, this man knew how to woo a woman.

She was actually touched.

“Come here, Brennen.” Behind them, Luke called an assistant who had come to fetch them. He pointed at Josephine’s luggage, then said, “Help Miss Jacobson load her luggage into the car.”

Brennen Porter was Luke’s best assistant, so of course he knew how much effort Luke put in to pursue Josephine. Hence, he hastily ran over to do his boss’ bidding.

Also, he was also quite a perceptive man. When he saw the tall and handsome figure next to Josephine, he guessed that Luke had met with a strong rival.

“Miss Jacobson, I’ll help you with your luggage.” With that, Brennen moved to take Josephine’s suitcase. However, a large hand pressed on the suitcase, stopping him. He was even given a sharp look. “Don’t touch it.”

Obviously, only a certain somebody was allowed to carry this suitcase, and everyone else wasn’t permitted to touch it.

Josephine was feeling awkward now. On the cruise ship, she and Heidi had agreed to take Luke’s car home, so if she refused now, it wouldn’t look too good.

“Quarles, can’t you see that Josephine and Mrs. Jacobson are getting in my car?” Luke stepped forward and spoke up. Ethan made him feel very threatened.

At the side, Heidi was both surprised and shocked. Since when had her daughter gained so many admirers? Two men were fighting for the spot to send Josephine home; Heidi had nothing to worry about when it came to finding suitors for her daughter.

Josephine bit her lip and said, “Mr. Quarles, thank you for offering us a ride, but I’ve already promised to take Luke’s car home. Please go back.”

Josephine couldn’t back out on her promise to Luke. Also, she was caught off guard by Ethan’s sudden appearance. She was shaken, and she needed time to calm down.

Ethan was sullen. He came all the way to fetch her, but she refused his offer to send her home. Still, he respected her decision.

“All right. I’ll be in town for a while, so let’s have a meal together sometime,” the man said in a low voice.

When Josephine heard that, she recalled something her parents always said. She was their only daughter, so they didn’t want her to marry off to someone far away. They weren’t counting on her to take care of them, but they worried that she would have to take a long trip home if she was in trouble.

“Okay.” Josephine nodded. This man doesn’t live here permanently. I see…

Ethan still carried her luggage to Luke’s car. When Luke walked over to them, he thought his car was cool enough, but he didn’t expect to see the black car parked beside it. He couldn’t help but take another glance at it. He was quite knowledgeable about cars, and he knew that the car was unbelievably expensive. Also, this was definitely a private custom-made model.

He didn’t know which millionaire it belonged to. According to what he knew of Averna, no one was driving a car like that.

Just then, Ethan thought of something, then said to Josephine, who was about to get into the car, “Hold on. I have a gift for you.”

Josephine was stunned. He even prepared a gift?

Luke was wondering who owned the car when he saw Ethan walking to the back seat of the car and opening the door. Ethan retrieved an exquisitely wrapped golden box from it, and Luke’s eyes widened to twice their usual size.

F*ck, it’s his, thought Luke.

As Josephine gazed at the gift Ethan was extending toward her, she didn’t dare take it. She guessed that there would be jewelry of some sort inside, and those things were usually very expensive, so the gift would be on another level compared to normal gifts.

“Please, take it,” Ethan said to her.

Josephine hesitated for a moment, then pushed his gift away. “It’s okay. Thank you, anyway. See you next time.”

Josephine chose not to accept it. She feared that if she did, she wouldn’t be able to give him something of equal value in return.

Josephine got into the car and closed the door. Luke told his assistant Brennen to quickly start driving and leave the place. He didn’t want Ethan to take even one more look at Josephine.

Ethan stood where he was, watching the car drive away. A hunter’s look flitted across his eyes.

He was definitely going to pursue this woman.

Josephine sat in the car, listening to the conversation between Heidi and Luke as she filled her mind with thoughts of Ethan. She wasn’t a fool; she could sense that Ethan was trying to pursue her.

But why was the man pursuing her? Did he think she was different and wanted to play with her? Or did he actually want to marry her after he won her heart?

If it were the former, Josephine would say no without hesitation, because she didn’t want to be any man’s toy. If it were the latter, she didn’t know this man that well, and she realized she never knew much about him save for his name.

After Luke’s car drove into the city, it headed east. Then, it finally pulled up in front of a row of old bungalows. Josephine and Heidi got out of the car, and Luke enthusiastically carried their luggage inside as well. Heidi asked Luke to stay for some tea and rest a while.

Luke couldn’t have asked for a better offer. However, Josephine was quite tired, so she went upstairs to rest. After clearing her luggage, Josephine lay on the bed. She didn’t want to do anything. She just wanted to lie in bed.

Just then, there was a notification on her phone. She usually didn’t care about messages, but this time, she actively grabbed her phone and looked at it. Her heart skipped a beat again.

It was a message from Ethan.

‘Have you arrived? Tell me when you’re home.’ He actually spoke as if he were her boyfriend.

Josephine’s face warmed up.

‘I just got home. Thank you for your concern,’ Josephine replied.

‘Are you free tonight? Maybe we can go out for dinner,’ he then asked.

Josephine instantly closed her eyes and buried her face in the blanket as she thought about it. He was asking her out so actively. If she agreed, would he think that she was an easy woman?

However, she simply wanted to go. Josephine felt like she was a walking contradiction. When she remembered the kiss on the boat, Josephine felt an electric current running through her body, numbing her.

She had never touched a man in her 25 years of existence, and it was quite sad to think about. If she had gotten into a serious relationship before, she would have had more experience in romance, and she wouldn’t be like a maiden who had to consider so much and be so fearful simply because a man asked her out for dinner.

‘To go or not to go?’ That was a question worth pondering.

‘It’s just a meal, so it won’t hurt to get to know each other, right?’ said one part of her. Another part of her retorted, saying, ‘You’ll have to treat him to another meal next time. Also, Mom said that if the place is not reachable by bus, it’s considered a far place to get married off to.’

She wasn’t even sure if Ethan was a local. If so, was it even necessary to continue interacting with him?

Just then, she received another message on her phone.

‘What’s the matter? Is it a bad time?’ the man asked.

‘Yes, I don’t think I can make it. Sorry!’ Josephine replied, declining. It was exactly because she was a calm and logical person that she would be single in her 25 years of existence. She analyzed every man who approached her like a calculator. If the person wasn’t someone worth dating, she wouldn’t even give the person a chance.

Unfortunately, Ethan was sorted into this category.

Josephine scratched her messy hair, then let out a sigh. Forget it. I’m not worthy of a super rich and handsome man like Ethan, anyway.

Josephine decided that she would stop asking for trouble. She would focus on her goals at work and see if she could become a news anchor before she turned 27. She couldn’t be a reporter forever!

Josephine continued in the direction she had planned for her life. Anything getting in the way of her progress could be abandoned. She wanted to focus on money and her career.

“Joey, come down! Luke is leaving.” Heidi knocked on the door, calling out.

Josephine opened the door. Luke had helped them out a lot, so she should see him off at least. When Josephine arrived at the hall, she saw him standing there. “Luke, thank you so much for your help throughout the trip. I’ll treat you to a meal next time.”

“Next time? Why not tonight? I’ll book a restaurant.” He didn’t want to miss the opportunity.

When Heidi heard that, she chimed, “Yes, let’s do it tonight! Joey, you’re always so busy with work, so who knows when you’ll have the time.”

Heidi was quite satisfied with Luke. After all, she knew his background well, and his grandfather was good friends with Josephine’s grandfather too. Heidi would be satisfied if her daughter could get married to Luke.

Josephine thought it made sense. She would have to start working soon, and she might get so busy that she wouldn’t even have time to eat.

right, tonight, then. My

be here by

Josephine smiled. “Sure.”

seeing Luke off, Josephine was about to leave when Heidi called out to her from

next to her mother. She then grabbed an orange to

me, what’s your relationship with Mr. Quarles? Why did he come over to pick you

“I don’t know either.”

his address? He looks like he’s of mixed heritage, so is he a

not from around here. Oh, he probably isn’t local too,” suggested

commoners, and we just want to live our lives in peace. So, I

not marry off to a place far from home?” Josephine asked her mother

look and even asked her a rhetorical question in

knew that the answer would be no. Actually, she was reluctant to get married off to a faraway place too. After giving

and grandparents and just marry off to a place far from

a luxurious 5-star hotel, Ethan sat on the couch and held a wine glass in his hand. There was silent contemplation behind his eyes. He never thought that Josephine

had ever rejected him. Of course, he wouldn’t carelessly ask any woman out for a meal

paper. “Sir, this

reached out and took it, his lips curving into a smile. Fine, if she’s not showing up,

at waiting. He would always find a way to get what he wanted or

an outfit suitable for early spring. After putting on some light makeup, she waited for Luke to come

phone again. Ethan didn’t send her any messages after that. She subconsciously sneered. She was right to have

didn’t seem like the patient

head, chasing her thoughts away. Instead, she decided to think about where she could bring Luke for dinner tonight. Josephine suddenly had a craving for a barbecue. All the wedding banquet offered was fine dining; hence, upon returning, she craved something

Barbecue it is, then.

if he was up for some barbecue. Luke immediately replied, ‘Sure, I’d like some barbecue too. I’ll be there in 5

booked a reservation at the barbecue

looking at the GPS.

man could only get out of his car and ask an older man for instructions. The older man

driving. At the

Soon, she saw Luke’s car

signs. Suddenly, his gaze was drawn to a figure at the door. In an instant, he stepped on the brakes, sparks flying out of the tires as the car stopped

right at the door of Luke’s car, and Luke had just opened the door for Josephine. Startled, Josephine held onto the car window as she looked at the

took off his sunglasses, his deep amber eyes staring at them. He finally knew why

offended by what he saw, and Josephine’s mind turned blank for a few seconds. She

How awkward.

have dinner with me tonight. Go back

Luke, then looked at Josephine. “Do you

mind,” Luke

didn’t like Ethan, and Ethan didn’t seem too fond of Luke either. If they had a meal together, what

treat you to another meal next time, Mr.

immediately made a U-turn, but the SUV behind it made a

drove, he stared at the SUV, following closely behind them. Fuming, he said, “Why

Ethan’s car kept tailing them, and even when Luke rounded the corner, Ethan

the same way as us,”

with Josephine’s guidance, Luke arrived at the entrance right away. Luke had just parked the car when the black

a few seconds. Does he want to

tall figure getting out of the driver’s seat, Josephine couldn’t help but go up to him and

to have dinner. Am

course not.” Josephine smiled

Ethan would snatch Josephine away, Luke reached out and grabbed Josephine’s hand. “Joey,

and glanced at Ethan behind her. She actually hoped that Ethan would go to another restaurant. With his identity,

stand the heat? The food here is

the table they had reserved, and Josephine couldn’t help looking at Ethan. The waiter led Ethan to a table

cleared her throat, but soon, she heard the whispering of the young female servers around her. They

getting at all. He was then served by a relatively innocent-looking waitress. He asked her questions whenever he didn’t understand something, and his amber-like eyes made her blush and stutter the

her. Luke ordered all

food, and as soon as the waitress left, his gaze shifted toward Josephine. He gave her a charming wink and a mischievous smile. At that moment, Josephine suddenly realized how charming his smile was. As she held her teacup, she smiled back politely and decided not to look at him anymore. After all, she was

grandfather is turning 60 this week, and he’s definitely invited your grandfather. Come and

I have a lot of work to do, and I’m resuming work tomorrow.” Josephine politely declined, not exactly interested

you can come.” Luke looked

shall see. I need to go to the bathroom,” Josephine said as she got up from her seat. She felt too uncomfortable with Ethan being there, as if his presence had affected the vibe so much that it made her feel hot

Josephine entered the toilet cubicle, two

has facial features that don’t

a perfect-looking mixed-raced man! He’s

being near him makes me

to our restaurant alone to eat

He seems to be constantly looking at that girl at the next table.

so lucky to be pursued

of pressure. She couldn’t be sure if Ethan went there to eat because of her. What

She then saw Ethan sitting under the light

the other hand, Luke, who was sitting beside her, was irritated as Ethan clearly ruined his date with Josephine. Moreover, his existence overshadowed Luke’s advantages, leaving him with

Josephine sat down, Luke instantly suggested, “Hey, let’s change seats and

“Why?” Josephine asked.

don’t want to see, and he’s

just two of us

inappropriate about it? I could easily buy this barbeque restaurant.” Luke took the

and grabbed her forehead as she was speechless after hearing his remarks.

change seats. Let’s just eat here,” Josephine said, and the next moment, her glance accidentally landed on the man across from her. Although

seemed like her thoughts had been seen through and that it was as if she refused to

and watched how he ate. Ethan ordered a single portion. Since he was born into a wealthy family, he possessed an

Ethan holding a glass of water while his fair

come here. You took it upon yourself.” Luke couldn’t

glanced at him before getting up and walking to Ethan’s side. “Mr. Quarles, are you okay?” she asked concernedly. Hearing that, Ethan raised his head, and his eyes

If you can’t handle spicy food, you

for your concern, Miss Josephine.” Ethan smiled, looking very

started coughing as well. Hearing that, Josephine turned

Joey, could you please pour

glass of water. Luke then added, “Joey, you’re so

and returned to her seat. She had originally planned to have a good meal, but after

dispirited Luke called the waiter and asked for a bottle of beer. Josephine quickly said to him, “Luke, you shouldn’t drink

glass won’t make me drunk, and it won’t show up on a test,” Luke said. He was feeling down and needed a drink

barbeque that he ordered. He didn’t seem hungry, and his gaze kept glancing toward Josephine, making her start eating more ladylike, unlike her hearty eating style. She was taking small bites and chewing softly. In fact, she didn’t want to act like this, but Ethan’s gaze exerted a kind of pressure, making her involuntarily

a lot, but she was full after just having a third of the food he ordered. Meanwhile, Luke

he complained, “Josephine, I know you said you are treating

you I would treat you. Are you done? Let’s go,”

also got up and followed them out. When he got to the counter to pay, he realized that Josephine had paid his bill too. He was stunned for a few seconds and hurriedly walked out after Josephine and Luke when she saw them

his car key and said, “Josephine, do you want to

home and get

7.30PM. You’ll have enough time to work on it after I

me home.” Josephine didn’t want to go out with

man’s big hand grabbed her. She turned around in surprise, and Ethan pulled her

explained, “Joey, I’m not drunk. I have a good tolerance

a deep voice. He then took Josephine’s

stunned, but Ethan had already

can take you home. I really can. Get in my car,” Luke said in

sober up before driving again. Drinking and driving is no joke. I’ll let Mr. Quarles took me home first,” Josephine suggested and then got into Ethan’s car.

Ethan press on the navigation system a

please turn left up ahead.” She pointed to

hand was awkwardly

took the wrong

don’t want to take you

me if you’re not taking me home?” Josephine

get dinner together.”

so how could she still agree to Ethan’s

done, so you should just give me a ride

chuckling, “Do you think I can’t tell that you made the excuse up to reject

even called her out for it, she was so embarrassed that her face turned red. “Mr. Quarles, are you that confident that I’d go for a ride with you?” Josephine replied

want to?” Ethan

to,” Josephine announced, wanting to

even refused to have dinner with me. Now, you are again rejecting my

you? I believe that with just a call from you, a dozen girls will willingly turn up.” Josephine looked out the window and realized that it felt nice to sit in

girls. I only want to

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