Never Too Far Novel

However, Josephine didn’t seem to react. Ethan grabbed a blanket and draped it across her. As he knelt on the carpet and looked at her beautiful face, he would be lying if he said he had nothing on his mind. Any man would want to take advantage of Josephine’s vulnerability, and Ethan was no exception.

Looking at her, he thought, I’m sure she won’t notice if I secretly kiss her. Then, he decided to take action!

Just as Ethan leaned down and was just inches away from Josephine’s face, he saw her open her eyes and look at him.

“What are you doing?” she asked. Josephine was a light sleeper. When Ethan draped the blanket on her, she was waking up. When she opened her eyes, she saw that Ethan’s face was close to her.

“I…” Ethan had never felt so embarrassed in his life.

However, Josephine knew what he was trying to do. At that moment, she blinked her eyes and asked, “Are you trying to kiss me?”

“Can I?” Ethan squinted his eyes and asked.

Looking at his handsome face, Josephine replied without hesitation, “Well, it will be a waste if I let go of this opportunity.”

When Ethan heard her words, he was stunned. Before he could react, Josephine wrapped her arms around him and kissed him first. Her actions startled Ethan since he had never expected her to be so bold. Meanwhile, Josephine had been dying to kiss him since they kissed on the cruise ship. From that day onward, she had been reminiscing about the kiss. Truthfully, she knew what she was getting into when she entered his room. She wasn’t an innocent girl anymore. After all, she had never allowed Luke to hold her hands, even when he had courted her for over a year. Yet, she allowed Ethan to be alone with her because she also had feelings for him.

As the saying went, “Hunters often appear as prey.” Josephine was the representative of this quote.

As the duo kissed inseparably on the couch, Ethan grabbed the back of her head and deepened the kiss. Suddenly, Josephine’s phone rang. After the call had died down, it rang again, seemingly as if the caller was persistent in getting Josephine to answer.

Ethan pulled apart from Josephine and panted. Then, he leaned his forehead against her and asked, “We can continue after you answer the call?”

Josephine was also panting. Never had she expected that a kiss would make her breathless. When she looked at the caller ID, her mind went clear instantly. Then, she looked at the time and saw that it was 9.30PM.

Oh my! What a pity that it is already this late!

As she thought about it, she took a deep breath and redialed the number. “Hey, Mom. I’m heading home right now,” she said casually.

“You have to be home by 10.00PM. You’re making me worry! There was just news about a woman getting murdered late at night,” said Heidi.

“Alright, Mom. I’m safe. I’m coming back.” Josephine promised. After that, she hung up the phone and looked at Ethan, who was reluctant. “I have to head home.”

Then, she was going to get up. However, Ethan pulled her into his embrace without hesitation and kissed her again. “Give me a few more minutes,” he said in a raspy tone.

Hearing his words, Josephine could feel her heart beating rapidly. She had to admit that Ethan looked goddamn sexy when he was being dominant.

The second kiss was bringing out their lust. Josephine was suppressing herself, and she knew that Ethan was the same. Hence, she wanted to end this kiss as soon as possible.

“Let’s just stop for today!” she said.

Ethan chuckled and asked, “Do I need to make an appointment for the next time we kiss?”

Hearing his words, Josephine couldn’t help but laugh. Why does he take kissing like a date?

“I’ll think about it! Anyway, I need to head home now.”

“I’ll drive you.” Ethan tugged on his tie and slightly raised his jawline. His sexy posture made Josephine’s eyes widen. Noticing her gaze, he asked her deeply, “Are you lusting over me, Miss Jacobson?”

In the split second, Josephine’s face was flushed red. She realized that she couldn’t hide her emotions in front of him.

After the duo had left the room and entered the elevator, Josephine felt Ethan hold her hand casually. She didn’t take her hand out. Now that she had sobered up, she was in disbelief and dared not to look at him.

After they got into the car, Ethan turned on some music for her to relax. As Josephine looked at the lively night street, she felt something different. It felt like… They were in love.

After some time, Ethan arrived at Josephine’s home. Just as Josephine was about to exit the car, Ethan suddenly leaned toward her and held her hand. “Are you in need of a boyfriend, Miss Jacobson?”

Josephine was shocked. At that moment, she recalled their kiss just now and thought, Is he taking advantage of the kiss to court me? Thinking about it, she quickly said, “I’m still dizzy from the alcohol, Mr. Quarles. Can we talk about this tomorrow?”

Ethan knew what she was planning. “Is this a hit and run, Miss Jacobson?”

Josephine was embarrassed. After all, he seemed to be implying that she was a playgirl. She wasn’t, though! She was unprepared as she had never expected such a thing to happen tonight!

“I’m dizzy, Mr. Quarles. I need to get home now. Goodbye, and drive safe.” As Josephine spoke, she quickly exited the car and closed the door. Then, she hurried into her house and stood by the bushes, looking at the car from the gaps as it slowly drove away. She sighed and rubbed her lips. God, it must have been swollen, she thought. When she entered the living room, she quickly said to Heidi, who was watching the television, “I’m exhausted, Mom. I’m going to go upstairs.”

“You should have come home sooner if you are exhausted,” replied Heidi. However, she didn’t ask anything more and continued watching the TV.

After Josephine entered her room, she quickly rushed to the bathroom. Looking at the mirror, she saw that her face was flushed, and her lips were rosy red even though she had no lipstick on. It was obvious that it was because of the kiss.

“This is so embarrassing.” Josephine buried her face in her hands. Ethan would be her boss, and they would encounter each other in the company. Yet, she did such intimate things with him.

Josephine was indeed exhausted. After taking a bath, she went to sleep and had a dreamless night.

The following day, she went to the company as usual. However, before stepping into the building, she heard someone call out to her. “It’s me, Joey.”

Josephine turned around and saw Luke waving at her by the entrance. There was also a cardboard box by his side, seemingly to have something expensive inside. “Come over here and open it, Joey. You’ll be surprised,” said Luke.

“What is it?” asked Josephine.

“You’ll know once you open it! I’m going to take a call. Hurry up and open it.”

Josephine felt speechless when she saw that Luke had told his assistant to record the moment of her being touched by his gift. “Not now. I need to clock in,” she said to him.

“No, no, no. Just open it, Josephine. I put so much effort into this.” Luke pleaded. He reached out and stopped her from entering the company.

Josephine had seen how clingy he would get. If she refused to open this present, she knew he would bring it to her office and ask her to open it. Thus, she decided to open the gift immediately to stop him from disturbing her colleagues.

“You’ll let me go to work as long as I open it, right?” she asked.

“Yes. As long as you open it, I will not disturb you,” Luke said confidently.

After thinking momentarily, Josephine walked toward the purple box while Luke stood aside and made a phone call.

Josephine crouched and untied the ribbon. When she opened the box, she saw that it was filled with balloons. Moreover, they seemed to be helium balloons.

After she had opened the box, she allowed the balloons to fly toward the sky. Beside her, the assistant quickly shouted, “Miss Jacobson! Grab the balloon! Grab it!”

Josephine was stunned, wondering how she was going to catch the balloons. They’re already about two meters above my head!

At that moment, Luke turned around as soon as he finished his phone call. Upon taking a quick stride, he charged at one of the balloons with lightning speed in an attempt to grab it, only to fail in embarrassment due to his short height. Nonetheless, he still did his best attempts to grab the balloon with his assistant, unknowingly presenting a hilarious and amusing sight.

On the other hand, Josephine was still dumbfounded by that sight until she saw a truck parked in a hidden spot. On the truck, there was a sports car that contained many colorful balloons. In that instant, something seemed to dawn on her as she looked up. To her surprise, there was a set of keys dangling on the balloon that was floating in the air.

Luke, who did everything he could but still failed to retrieve the balloon, came complaining to Josephine with a bitter look on his face. “I thought you would get the balloons. Do you know what’s on them?”

Josephine gulped and rhetorically asked, “Your car keys, I guess?”

“Yup, both sets of them.” Luke smiled awkwardly in response.

“I’m sorry.” Josephine apologized.

“No worries. I can always duplicate a new set. It’s not a big deal.” Luke said and stuck out his fingers. “This car is a gift for you. Do you like it? I specially bought a pink one for you.”

Josephine was speechless in response to Luke’s words. A sports car? What is he thinking? She shook her head and waved her hand. “No need for that, Luke. I’m happy with our friendship, so let’s just keep it that way. Give this car to someone else who deserves you, perhaps. Anyway, my work starts soon, so I need to get going.” Josephine ran through the entrance of her company like she was a refugee who was escaping from her captor.

Nonetheless, their interaction was secretly recorded by the paparazzi and was later made the headline with a title that read, ‘The love that flew away with the balloons.’ While there was a paragraph that detailed the story of the incident, it was accompanied by two pictures in which Luke and his assistant were seen trying hard to retrieve the balloons hilariously.

In the meantime, Josephine had been suffering from a headache so severe that she couldn’t focus on her work at all since the morning, although she expected the after-effects of her hangover.

“Are you alright, Joey?” Wren asked in a concerned manner.

“My head hurts.”

“Oh, come on. Is your age catching up to you? You’re not that old as far as I remember.”

“No, it’s not that. I’m having a hangover.”

“Who’s the client you were busy entertaining?” Wren asked curiously.

wasn’t a

our company’s director?”

head and replied, “Our boss is someone else now. The director is no

shareholder of our company then?” Wren pressed

find out soon enough, so I’m not going

Wren curled up and stepped away timidly. When Josephine turned around, she was met with an angry look on Katrina’s face. “Step outside with me, Josephine. I want to have a word

grabbed the files on

go loud about what happened last night?” Katrina threatened Josephine. Then, she bent over and leaned closer to Katrina’s ear. “I’m going to tell everyone in

mouth, man.” Josephine blushed in her cheeks while trying to keep herself

an unhappy look on her face. She then walked out the door with Josephine following right behind her until they found themselves

glared at

knitted her eyebrows. “Why should

other a long time ago, huh? Did you get to

grandpa has nothing to do with it. Don’t drag my family into this.” Josephine responded angrily, warning Katrina

did you get to know a tycoon like Ethan? It’s not like you have a wide network connection.” Katrina couldn’t believe her ears. In fact, she just confirmed with her brother-in-law that Ethan was not

wife in the end, she was hoping

We know each other indeed. So, what are you going to do about it?” Josephine responded impatiently, feeling more

go last night? Did you two spend the night at the hotel? Your innocent look may fool the others, Josephine,

embarrassment, not to mention her reluctance in answering her question. Nevertheless, Katrina was observant enough to notice her blushed cheeks, which confirmed her

me home instead,” Josephine replied

so drunk that you lay on the table like a dead person. It’s hard not to think that you were luring Ethan into taking the opportunity.” Katrina could still remember

go back to my desk now?” Josephine intentionally raised her wrist and looked at

to know Ethan, but from now on, I’m going to compete with you in a fair and square manner because I have feelings for him too.” Katrina made her point understood as she flicked her hair to flaunt her elegance. “I believe I’m a match for you in every aspect.” Katrina was confident in herself

Katrina’s words. For some reason, she had a strange feeling that Ethan was not a man who could resist temptation, recalling how he was turned on by her kiss almost right away when she pecked his lips the night before. Because of that, she was sure a man like Ethan would surely succumb to temptations. I’m not that good-looking, but if Ethan had eyes for me, he would definitely fall for a sexy woman like Katrina. Annoyed by the thought of that, Josephine regretted sharing an intimate moment with Ethan

response from Josephine, she grunted angrily and walked off shortly after. Then, Josephine returned to her desk, but as she was about to take a sip of water, Wren suddenly leaned closer and asked, “Joey, are these pictures of

to take a closer look at the pictures. Wait, what? The balloon confession is now on the headline?! Although her face and Luke’s were blurred, she still couldn’t help but feel a little pissed off. After that, she rose from her seat and made her way from the Department of Multimedia and Communication to another. As soon as she entered the workplace, she instantly became the center of attention with everyone fixing their envious gazes

either. We just said the woman is a reporter.” One of the female colleagues added, “This news is getting more than a million views,

was speechless because she didn’t expect herself to go viral one day. Hope Luke will be fine with getting on the news. As soon as she returned to her seat, her phone rang, whereupon she

department doing? Am I a joke to them?” Luke

Luke. Take it easy,

a meal. Otherwise, I’m going to make a scene in your office.” Luke took advantage

was embarrassed at the thought of Luke’s car keys that she was responsible for losing earlier that day. “All right, but I’m a little busy in the afternoon. So, maybe

you tonight,”

of Multimedia and Communication along with two blurred faces of a man and a woman. With a pair of furrowed eyebrows on his face, Ethan could tell that the lady was Josephine without even seeing her face. At the same time, he

race like a jackhammer. Damn it! Is he still

you a sports car as a gift this morning?” the

she didn’t expect Ethan to

it on our company’s

though my face was

new car?”

fine,” Josephine answered. Just then, her team leader beckoned her over for a meeting, so she said, “I have to go, Mr. Quarles. My team leader needs me to be in a meeting. See you.” She hung up the call

summoned his assistant and said, “Get me

“Yes, Mr. Quarles.”

the meeting room where murmurs of gossip were ongoing. Everyone envied Josephine because she would own a sports car as soon as she accepted Luke’s gift, but to their surprise and bewilderment, she rejected him and turned down an expensive sports car as a gift. Everyone thought, Come on, what’s Josephine thinking? She has no intention of accepting Luke as her boyfriend, does she? Soon, Ethan exited the hotel and made his way to Tribus TV. As the biggest shareholder of the company, he was given a spacious office with a good view, but to him, his job felt more like a vacation than work. As soon as he arrived, he received an Excel file on

long after her meeting ended. “Hello, this is Josephine speaking from the

office,” Ethan spoke in

Quarles?” Josephine widened

me on the

didn’t expect Ethan would personally

up here.” Ethan hung up the call as

seat and made her way to the elevator clandestinely, as if she was a thief. Upon looking at her surroundings to make sure she was alone, she pushed the button and headed to the 18th floor on which the management office was. When she got there, she had no idea where to go until she heard footsteps

way. Seeing her hilarious reaction, the man chuckled in

anything I can help

Then, he sat on the couch sluggishly and said, “Nothing, actually.

face started heating up. “I’m

you a sports car,” Ethan brought

to him and froze for a few seconds. Is he okay? Why would he buy me a sports car

can’t accept it. You mustn’t send it to

I placed the order and they’ll send it over this afternoon. What am I supposed to do with the car if you don’t take it?” Ethan threw the question

a few times upon hearing that. Eventually, she bit her lip and asked,

“Nope!”

before you bought

in the underground parking lot. You can drive it whenever you want.” Being the high-and-mighty person he was, Ethan would

her fair share of domineering people in her life, but

works perfectly fine. I don’t need a sports car,” she muttered while continuing to chew on

“It’s fine. A sports car is just a normal gift

his rows of pearly whites. He sure was a

she saw that it was a call from Luke, she quickly went to

pick you up after work.” Luke’s voice rang out from the other end

bail on him when she was the one who agreed to treat him to a

to him tonight—she and Luke could

if she only rejected him verbally. That being said, there was a possibility he would if she let him know

who was more outstanding, handsome, and wealthier than Luke which could make him

sitting on the couch before she walked over. “Mr. Quarles, are you free tonight?” she

“Mhm.”

a little something,

more than willing

would like to have you pretend to be my boyfriend and reject

high spirits as a humorous

relief when she saw how readily Ethan agreed to help. She only hoped that Luke would come to his

back to work, Mr. Quarles. I’ll contact you when I get off work tonight,” Josephine stated. After all, she couldn’t neglect her work when she was in

you go.” Meanwhile, Ethan didn’t want to get in

the underground parking lot. The pictures were of a red Ferrari sports car parked under the lights. Everyone was shocked by how costly the car was from the way the radiant paint on

goodness! Whose car is it? It’s parked in

so cool! It’s

group know which rich lady this car

was also gossiping with everyone else. She then asked Josephine, who was beside her, “Joey, do

It can’t be the sports car Ethan gave me,

I wonder which big shot’s gift it is. I’m guessing it is Tori’s car! She has tons of suitors recently, and I heard that they

she was unattached, on top of possessing both beauty and talent. At this moment, everyone

in question suddenly chimed in,

is it then, if it’s not Tori’s?” Wren immediately grew

assistant came over and put a

up, only to be surprised by what she saw. It

me the car! She could feel a headache coming. What should I do now? The whole office is talking about this now. If she admitted it, everyone

is it?” Wren narrowed her eyes like a

Josephine secretly put the bag under the table. She rested her head in her palms, feeling her mind a mess. There were only five minutes left before working hours ended. After she hurriedly took care of the documents on her desk, she decided

she instructed directly, “Josephine, you’re not leaving work so soon! I need these

looked at the other woman. “But it’s after work

It’s your job. Anyway, these are the materials that will be needed tomorrow morning. You’ll be held responsible if they’re not done.” Katrina intentionally kept these documents until now before bringing them to Josephine. She didn’t

have a dinner date with my friend. I can’t work overtime today!” Josephine

tell the team leader.” After saying that, Katrina turned around

front of her. Right then, Wren poked her head in Josephine’s direction and commented, “She’s definitely targeting you! You two

that, Josephine grumbled to herself, The only reason Katrina is

to receive a message from Luke. ‘I booked us a table at a restaurant, Joey. I’m coming to pick you up at

replied. ‘I can get there myself. Just wait for me

be waiting at the restaurant, then!’ came his

at the documents, she turned to Wren. “Wren, can I borrow a

you have to send the documents back here tonight, or you won’t make it

9.00PM.” Since these were real-time news, the

her landline began to ring, she reached out and

“When are we leaving?”

felt all fuzzy in her chest when she heard the deep, magnetic male voice. Quickly cupping the phone receiver, she whispered, “I’ll see you in the

with a chuckle, “Are

we will be using my car. Surely,

“Of course not.”

the table and bid Wren goodbye. Without anyone noticing, she picked up the bag with the car

was so bored in the office

after picking up

question, will Mr. Quarles

in the company

He’s here? Does he need

he didn’t

is he at,