The Wrong Woman

Josie offered a wry smile, her gaze shifting to Candice, who sat quietly, absorbing the conversation.

"Candice, you know, in terms of family hierarchy, you should call Leo 'uncle.' If you two end up together, how will your families cope? How will Aunt Chubs face such a complicated relationship?" she asked. The question caught Candice off guard.

Before she could respond, Elio interjected angrily, "Are you here to cause trouble right in front of me?"

Quickly, Josie defended herself, "As a friend, I'm just curious about how Candice plans to handle this. How is that causing trouble?"

"This is between Candice and me. We'll figure it out. Focus on your issues. If you're done talking, you can leave," Elio said firmly.

Josie's smile vanished, replaced by a serious expression. "Elio, our relationship might have been fake, but our years of friendship are real, aren't they?"

"What are you trying to say?" Elio asked.

"I'm advising you as a friend. Candice and you are never going to work. Your families will never accept it. Don't ruin her life and end up with nothing," Josie warned. Elio's expression darkened further.

Rising to her feet, Josie concluded, "I've said all I needed to say. I should go now. Take care."

Neither Elio nor Candice rose to see her out. The door closed heavily behind her, leaving the living room in silence.

Candice and Elio exchanged glances, caught in a few awkward moments. Candice lowered her head and murmured, "Josie is right. Our families will never easily agree." Elio spoke sincerely, "Don't worry about them. Just agree to be with me and marry me."

affirmed with a

lingered on her lovely face, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed. After a moment of silence, he suddenly asked, "Candice, may I kiss you?" Stunned by his question, Candice's mind went blank, her heart

down onto

intimacy left Candice flustered. He kissed her for a long time, their lips meeting and

Candice returned home, still feeling dazed, as if everything that had transpired was

her relationship underwent a

muster the courage to confide in her family about her pregnancy. Nor could she bring herself to discuss the idea of

conversation she couldn't initiate.

Josie had predicted, neither family would approve,

Florence asked, "Candice, where did you go today?" Candice

"Have some fruit."

"No,

g you." Candice hesitated,

how to broach feeling

"Grandpa, Grandma, if... if,

to..."

"Yes, what is it?"

with him goes against moral