Chapter 7

"Did you know that we have been hiding here all these while? why didn't you say something" Josie asked the reporter who stated at them.

"Josie, my job as a reporter involves me being concious about my environment. I saw you hiding, and you were bad at it. What re you doing hiding here, with your boss as well" he asked.

Jake crossed both arms on his chest. He looked at reporter, then back to Josie.

Josie couldn't get her eyes off the reporter. She was eager to hear what he had to say.

"What we are doing here is not your concern. I really need to know who paid the Tv station. Tell me now! Josie yelled.

The reporter raised both hands up.

"Find! I think I have to tell you and get it over with. This is really going to hurt you, Josie. I have been trying to hold back the truth, just to keep you from a lot of heartache, but since you insist, I will go ahead and tell you. Before I say it, do you really think I should say it in front of him? he asked, looking at Jake.

Josie looked at Jake, and back to the reporter.

"Ofcourse, go ahead and say it. This involves him too. He has every reason to hear it" She said.

"Fine, if you say so. My editor was on call today at the office, and I walked closer to his office to eavesdrop on his call. You are not going to believe this, but your mother is the one behind this. She planned this with someone named Ric. They both paid my editor to tarnish the restaurant's image. That's the only thing I know" he said.

As the reporter continued to speak, Josie didn't hear him anymore. She was dumbfounded. She was shocked and she was broken.

She had been looking for the truth all along, not knowing that her own mother was behind this. She wished to become invisible before Jake. She couldn't look him in the eye.

Jake turned to the reporter.

"You can leave now. Make sure you don't say this to anyone else. Do you understand me? if you do, I will not take it lightly with you. Do I make myself clear? he asked.

The reporter nodded and ran out of the alley.

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Josie was still standing, looking visibly shaken. Jake touched her by the arm.

"Jo, are you okay? he asked.

Josie looked at Jake, but she couldn't fully look him in the eye. She avoided his gaze.

"I am so sorry, Jake.. I can't believe that my own mother could do this. Even if she hates me being with you, why will she do something like this. I am so ashamed to face you right now. Do you think we are making a mistake? going against my mother to be with you has really put a strain on my relationship with her. Now she has resorted to hurting you. That is something I cannot bear to see. Should we end it all? I don't want her hurting you anymore because of me" Josie said.

Jake walked closer to her, cupping her face with both hands. He looked her In the eye.

"Don't you say such, ever again. I love you, Jo. I don't care about any restaurant or whatever. Just being with you is enough for me. I don't want you to ever feel ashamed for any reason. Your mother will definitely come around, trust me. Let me say this once and for all, don't you ever suggest breaking up with me, because I will never agree to that. I can't let you go, no matter what happens. Now come on, let's go back to the restaurant" He said, pulling her by the arm.

Josie let Jake take her hand. She put her hand in his, and secured it tightly. As they walked to his car, she looked at his face from the corner of her eye. This man loved her, regardless of whatever happened. He still loves her. He didn't want to use her mother's bad deed against her. That alone made Josie fall in love with him over again.

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They got to the restaurant and Josie stopped at the door. Jake turned to her.

"Jo? why did you stop. Come on, let's go in" He said.

Josie shook her head, saying no.

"Jake, go in without me. I need to go somewhere. I will be back soon" She said.

Josie Walked to her car, entered and zoomed off before Jake could ask where she was headed.

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Josie drove straight to the house. She knew that her mother would be home at that time. She parked her car if front of the house and walked in. She saw her mother, watering plants and she walked to her.

"You really have to go below the belt? really mother? why would you do something like that. You made me look so small and stupid in front of Jake!

Her mother turned off the water, put the hose down. She picked up a napkin from a table beside her and dried her wet hands. She turned to Josie.

"That's no way to talk to your mother. Don't love rude, Josie" She said.

"I am not being rude, mother. I want to know why you did that to Jake's restaurant. I need answers now! she said, almost yelling.

Her mother looked away.

"What are you talking about..I don't know anything about that. Don't go about accusing your own mother, Josie. This is very.....;

Josie cut her off.

"Oh please! You know that I am saying the truth mother. Don't push me. It's either you tell me the truth right now, or I leave this house. When I leave this house, you won't see me for a very long time. Make your choice and make a good one" She said, sounding furious.

Josie's mother was startled by her declaration. She didn't expect that Josie would threaten her like this. She had to say the truth.

"You win! Yes, I made them say bad things about the restaurant. If you had left him like I asked, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now" she said.

Josie already knew the truth, but hearing her mother admit to it was like another blow to her.

She looked at her mother, shaking her head.

"You really need to do better, mom. You need to fix this! she said, bringing out her phone.

Josie handed her phone to her mother.

"What's the phone for, Josie? she asked.

"Mom? with this phone in your hand, I want you to call the editor. Tell him to reverse everything he has done. Tell him to publish a an article, saying that they released false information. Do it" Josie said in between her teeth.

Her mother tried giving Josie the phone back, but Josie didn't collect it.

"I will do no such thing, Josie. My reputation is at stake here"

"I don't care about your reputation, mom. Call the editor now, or I tell Jake to prepare a lawsuit. You and the editor will be sued. Don't expect me to stay with you throughout the lawsuit. You will be left on your own. So what do you say.? are you going to call the editor and make him reverse everything, or should the restaurant prepare a lawsuit against you two. Which one's going to damage your reputation more, choose mom" Josie said.

Josie watched as he mother dialled a number in her phone and called the editor.

"Change everything back to normal. Reverse everything about the restaurant and make a publication, stating that you published wrong information. Do it now! she yelled in the phone.

The editor tried to argue, but Josie mother stopped him.

"Do as I ask, now! she yelled again, before ending the call.

Josie opened her palm in front of her mother, and she put the phone on her palm.

"You made the right choice, mother. For the record, don't you do anything to the restaurant again. If you do anything like this again, I will carry out my first threat. I will leave this house and you will not see me for a very long time" she said, before she walked back to her car and zoomed off.

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Josie drove back to the restaurant. When she got to the restaurant, she walked in and the television was on. She saw news about the restaurant. The editor had reversed every negative thing said about the restaurant. She stood in front of the television.

"That was fast" She said to herself.

Jake Walked up behind her, but she didn't notice. He put both hands in his pocket.

"Jo? what did you do? he asked.

Josie turned to him and smiled.

"I fixed it. I fixed everything, Jake. I wouldn't have been able to look you fully in the eye, if I didn't do anything. I am sorry that this happened at all. Please forgive my mother, I promise she won't do anything like this again" She said, with an apologetical look on her face.

Jake closed the gap between them, pulled Josie to himself and hugged her. He held her so tight.

"I said you didn't have to do anything, Jo. The truth would have prevailed, one way or another. I forgive your mother. I understand how she feels. If harming the restaurant will make her feel better, then I don't mind. If it's the price I have to pay for being with you, then I will gladly pay it. Just being with you is paramount to me. You are enough for me, Josie" Jake said, still holding her tight.

Jake pulled back, looking into Josie's eyes.

His eyes hovered over her lips and before she could say anything, his mouth was on hers. He kissed her, until they were both breathless.

Josie and Jake had forgotten that they were in the restaurant and people were watching. Josie raises her head slowly, looking around.

"Oh my goodness! people are watching, Jake" She said, suddenly feeling shy.

"I don't care if they watch. I love you, Jo. That's all I know" he said.

Josie smiled. A smile that meant she was happy, content and grateful for Jake.

"The waitress who was involved in this, I Hope you know that she needs to go. She put the faith of this restaurant in jeopardy and she needs to be taught a lesson. It's just a suggestion. It's your restaurant, do what's best for it" She said.

"Don't say that, Jo. It's our restaurant. It belongs to the both of us now" Jake said, smiling.