Chapter 161
Chapter 161
Melvin showed up at the family horne with a new identity, and everyone’s attitude toward him shifted like the
wind.
Despite not embracing this new version of him, Daisy invited him to stay for dinner out of politeness.
The meal was a tense affair, with the air thick enough to cut with a knife.
After they had finished eating, Calvin and Daisy didn’t insist on keeping Jocelyn back. She was an adult, after all. They could only advise, but not dictate.
Once they had left, Daisy turned to her husband. “Your suspicions were spot on. He was after Jocelyn right from the start when he first visited.”
“Did you make it clear to her?”
“As crystal. But whether she’ll listen is another story.” Daisy sighed, “If she’s been sneaking around with that man for three years, she must be smitten. You didn’t see the way she talked to me today. She’s determined to be with him.”
Calvin frowned deeply, “I’m quitting my job tomorrow.”
“That’s for sure.” Daisy’s face lined with worry. “Why can’t she just stick with Harrison? He’s such a good man – educated, polite, and his parents are nice too. I can’t fathom what she sees in that other guy.”
Daisy had previously referred to him respectfully as Mr. Martinez, but now she couldn’t even bring herself to say Melvin’s last name.
Calvin let out a heavy sigh. “It’s my fault. If I had listened to Jocelyn and not taken that job, none of this would have happened.”
“Hmph, if they’re still attached at the hip, it won’t keep them apart. They’ll find a way to be together.” Daisy settled into the couch, restless at an hour when she should have been asleep.
On the ride back, Jocelyn stayed silent.
Melvin drove in equal silence.
Once they reached her apartment building, Melvin parked the car. Undoing his seat belt, he asked her, “What do you think?”
“Hmm?”
“Your parents clearly disapprove of me. Under these circumstances, what’s on your mind?” Melvin was direct.
Jocelyn paused, then asked, “And what about you?”
“I’ll prove to them that I’m better for you than Harrison could ever be.” Confidence laced his voice.
Jocelyn’s anxiety eased a bit with his promise. Ultimately, her parents’ opinions didn’t matter as much as what Melvin thought and did.
His attitude reassured her that she hadn’t made a mistake.
“My dad will definitely quit,” Jocelyn stated. “If he does, don’t offer to keep him on.”
Melvin nodded. “Yeah, he really shouldn’t be working for me anymore. I’ll find him something else.”
“Don’t bother.” Jocelyn cut in. “He wouldn’t take it anyway.”
“I won’t be involved directly.”
“But he’ll know if it comes from you. Let him find something on his own.” She didn’t want her parents burdened
by the situation.
“Alright.” Melvin didn’t push further.
They sat in silence in the car for a bit longer before Melvin asked, “Can I move back in?”
“Maybe not.” Jocelyn pondered seriously. “My parents have known I’m with you, so they’ll be dropping by. It’d be too awkward.”
“They need to see us living together to understand we’re serious,” Melvin countered. “Or you could move in with This is from NôvelDrama.Org.
me.”
“That’s even worse.” Jocelyn shook her head. “They wouldn’t approve of it.”
Melvin understood. “So, we’ll have to date secretly?”
“Is that so bad?” Jocelyn turned to him, thinking hard. “We’ve been sneaking around for years; isn’t that familiar to us?”
“What sneaking around?” Melvin feigned innocence. “That was all about the thrill.”
Jocelyn shrugged. “Let’s call it a thrill then.”
“I don’t care, I’m staying over tonight.” Melvin was already stepping out of the car.
Jocelyn followed, “Not tonight, I’m tired.”
“We don’t have to do anything.” Melvin wrapped his arms around her waist. “Just sleep.”
Jocelyn didn’t believe his bluff, but she couldn’t resist his closeness. Back home, Melvin scooped her they tumbled onto the couch.
Their kisses were fervent and unyielding until Melvin’s phone rang.
Jocelyn instantly lost interest, eyeing his phone suspiciously.
“Don’t be so paranoid.” Melvin pulled out the phone and waved it in front of her. “See for yourself.”
Jocelyn saw the caller ID: Dr. Layla.
She’d heard this name before.
Melvin gestured towards the balcony. “I’ll take this outside.”
Jocelyn nodded.
As long as it wasn’t Willow, it didn’t bother her.
up
and
She idly scrolled through Twitter, and her interest piqued by a trending headline: Jewelry Brand Drops. Willow as Ambassador – Former Lovers Turned Foes, The End of an Era.
Below were countless tweets about Willow.
Jocelyn delved deeper, reading about speculation on why the jewelry brand CEO had ended their contract with Willow less than a year in. Weren’t they the picture-perfect couple?
Some guessed Willow’s entanglements were too messy that her boyfriend disapproved, so they broke up.
Others suspected a third party caused the brand to cut ties with Willow.
Opinions varied wildly, and each person had their take.
Jocelyn didn’t care what the media said. Looking at the man outside on the balcony, she felt a tinge of satisfaction.
This was his first step away from Willow.
At least, for this one step, Willow couldn’t flaunt herself in front of her anymore.
Willow probably never anticipated that her schemes would backfire, inadvertently rekindling Jocelyn and Melvin’s relationship.
Jocelyn felt triumphant, as if she had won decisively in a battle of wits.
After a while, Melvin came back.
Seeing the smile on her face, he sat down beside her and wrapped an arm around her. “What’s got you so happy?”
Jocelyn didn’t bother with secrets and handed her phone over to him, “You and Willow called it quits, huh?” “Yep.” Melvin didn’t dwell on Willow. He took away her phone and set it on the table. Then he
scooped Jocelyn up in his arms, “Time for bed.”
Her arms wrapped around his neck, Jocelyn teased, “You said we’re just going to sleep!”
“Of course,” Melvin whispered, nipping playfully at her ear, “the medicine last night were so strong that I almost couldn’t hold back with you.”
His husky, sensual voice sent a blush to Jocelyn’s cheeks and sent her heart into disarray.
Gently laying her on the bed, Melvin leaned over her slowly. His fingers tenderly traced her cheek and swept across her flushed lips, his gaze filled with emotion, “I think I’ve got another round in me.”
Jocelyn was speechless.
A mischievous smile curled on Melvin’s lips as he dipped his head, softly pressing his lips to hers.
Electricity seemed to surge through Jocelyn’s body, her heart racing and her breaths growing heavy and ragged.
Their hands intertwined, lifted above her head. He kissed her again and again, on her lips, her chin, her neck…. Winter clothing proved to be an inconvenience, a bit too much layering. He lifted her again, peeling off her sweater, and came back down to her.
The room was devoid of air conditioning or heating.
The initial touch was a bit cold, but as he drew closer, the chill vanished as if it were the sultry heat of a summer day, leaving them both breathless and perspiring.