Chapter 7 It’s Not Appropriate

Lysander couldn't help but smile. It was obvious to anyone that there was more than just friendship between Josiah and Lysanne. While everyone assumed they liked each other, no one understood why they couldn't get married. Lysander didn't have an answer either, but she could tell that Josiah had had too much to drink. His wine decanter was long gone, and the mineral water inside had probably been emptied as well. He was surrounded by a few people who were eagerly trying to get him to drink even more. Meanwhile, Lysanne, heavily pregnant, couldn't stop them no matter how much she scolded them from the side. Josiah had already been forced to drink several more glasses, and his steps were becoming unsteady. Lysander stood up, apologizing to Miles as she said, "Excuse me, I'll go check on Josiah." Miles didn't say anything unusual anymore. He just nodded. "Alright, go ahead." Lysander made her way over to Josiah, just as someone was about to refill his glass. Without a second thought, she quickly grabbed it from his hand. "Hey, who is this woman?" someone slurred, clearly confused. Ignoring them, Lysander focused on Josiah, holding his arm. "Josiah, are you alright?" He stared at her for a moment before finally recognizing her and shaking his head slightly. "I'm fine." The group of drunk people around them didn't hear what they said. One of them, thinking Lysander was just a waitress, began shouting, "What do you think you're doing? Stay away from Josiah! He's way out of your league—you must be crazy—" Before that drunkard could touch her, Josiah grabbed his hand and pulled it away. He stepped in front of Lysander, frowning. "Don't touch her." The drunkard was stunned. "Josiah, why are you protecting her? She's just like all those other women trying to get close to you—" "She's my wife." The drunkard instantly sobered up a bit, glancing from Josiah, who was shielding Lysander, to Lysanne, who stood pale and silent beside them. Confused, he asked, "She's your wife? Then what about Lysanne?" Everyone's attention shifted to Lysanne at the back. She still gripped Josiah's jacket tightly, her expression somewhat uncomfortable, with a hint of redness in her eyes. "I've told you guys before," she said, her voice stiff, "Josiah and I are just friends." However, her smile seemed forced, clearly not matching her words. It was obvious to everyone that things were more complicated than they appeared. Lysanne was trying to hide the pain of seeing the man she once loved marry someone else. "Josiah, you and Lysanne ... " someone started to ask. Josiah, now collected and calm again, replied softly, "It's time to leave. Let's head home, Lysander." Lysander nodded. "Okay." Turning to Lysanne, she reached out. "Thank you, Ms. Lysanne. I'll take Josiah's jacket now." But Lysanne held on tightly to the jacket. "I'm going with you two anyway. I'll hold onto it." Surrounded by onlookers, Lysander looked at her for a moment but chose not to argue. "Alright, I'll help Josiah. Ms. Lysanne, you can keep it." Josiah said, "Let's go." Lysander helped him walk ahead, with Lysanne trailing behind, still clutching his jacket. They left the bar, leaving everyone staring, confused. "What just happened?" "I'm not sure either." Miles walked over with a glass of wine, downed it in one go, then shook his head. "That's why you need to seize love when you can, instead of waiting for it to come to you." "So, you mean ... " He put the empty glass down and looked at Lysanne's lonely figure in the distance. "If she had known sooner, she might have made a different choice." ... As soon as the three stepped outside, the cold night air hit them. Lysander shivered but felt some warmth from Josiah's body next to her, which eased the chill on half of her body. Since Josiah couldn't drive after drinking, he suggested, "Let's grab a taxi." Lysanne immediately started looking for a taxi on the street. Lysander smiled and said, "I'll drive." Josiah looked surprised. "You can drive?" "Yes," she replied. "I just don't get many chances." For the last three years, Josiah had always been the one to drive her to work. Even if she had to work late, he'd pick her up. Today, it was the first time he hadn't insisted on driving her to the hospital. Lysander asked, "Where are the car keys?" "In my pocket," he answered. Lysander immediately checked his suit jacket pocket. "They're not here." Josiah, clearly still a bit drunk, leaned against her, his head resting on her shoulder. "In my pants pocket." "Well, you'll need to stand up. I can't reach like this." Before she could finish, Lysanne hurried over and reached toward his pants pocket. "Let me do it!" she said, eager to help. Lysander quickly stepped in. "Ms. Lysanne, that's his pants pocket. It's not appropriate for you to do so." For her, Josiah's pants pocket was too close to an intimate area, and only someone close to him could freely touch it.