The Epic Blind Date with My Boss

Dexter’s comforting gaze offered Josie some solace as she reluctantly rose to her feet, her fingers still tainted with blood.

Dexter fetched a tissue and gently wiped away the blood, then took a cotton swab dipped in iodine from a nearby servant. His movements were composed and practiced, yet a faint quiver in his hands betrayed the depth of his emotions. His eyes had a shadow of darkness, and his tone carried a hint of displeasure. “Is the photo more important, or are your hands? What if your hands were injured to the point that you couldn’t draw anymore?”

A gentle smile graced Josie’s lips, reflecting her happiness at the knowledge that Dexter cared about her, even if it was mainly for her drawing ability. She was anxious about damaging the photo, afraid of being wrongly implicated alongside her father, and concerned about unintentionally hurting his feelings.

A tinge of bitterness danced on her tongue. When she looked up, her father stood beside her, his anxiety and guilt evident in his demeanor.

It seemed he had regained his clarity, yet he refrained from speaking.

“Dexter… My father didn’t mean to hurt anyone. Please, don’t hold it against him,” she pleaded again.

Dexter’s expression turned somber as she spoke, a hint of dissatisfaction flickering in his eyes due to her doubt and fears.

After he had attended to her wound and discarded the used cotton swab, he pronounced, “Get rid of this photo and the others in the box, all of them.”

Almost taken aback, Josie questioned, “You mean…”

hand

shook her head and then comprehended his point. “You’re right, you have found Leanne, these old photos of her aren’t important anymore. I’m

her hand unwavering. “Even if Leanne hadn’t

his heart;

she glanced

blames you,” Dexter spoke first. “Just stay

torn. “I’m not sure why I was so

reassured him, “Dad,

hesitation, Paul, laden with apologies, returned to his

these

knit as

No need to look at me like that,” Josie

cheek. “My Mrs. Russell isn’t usually

away for quite a while today. What were you discussing

to respond when she added, “Could it be you were