Novel - Drama Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Melvin’s nonchalant remark about their past affair made Jocelyn realize how laughable her last three years had been.
Indeed, it’s the one who falls deeper that ends up more embarrassed.
“I fear you might whisk me away at my own wedding, Jocelyn cheekily admitted, a bit shameless indeed.
As expected, Melvin chuckled.
He grabbed the doorknob, “Sweet dreams.
He shut the door behind him, and there Jocelyn was, leaning against it, chuckling at herself sarcastically before the
tears came streaming down without warning.
Over the weekend, Daisy called Jocelyn over for a family meal.
As soon as she got home, she heard voices.
Declan was there, having a coffee with her dad, all chummy and the vibe was great.
Thinking back to her three years with Melvin, he never once mentioned meeting her parents.
Clearly, he never really saw a future with her.
She went to the kitchen to help her mom and saw a feast being prepared, which made her curious
“Your dad kept his job, and he even got promoted to head of security,” Daisy was beaming.
Jocelyn asked, “Wasn’t he about to get the axe?”
She had been asking around at work for some cushy job for him.
Daisy was all smiles, A new boss came in at your dad’s company, not only did he not fire your dad, but he also promoted
him to team leader. Talk about a stroke of luck.
‘Honey, whip up a few more dishes, her dad, Calvin Winslet, hurried in, “The new boss just called me, asking which local restaurant was good. I shot my mouth off, invited him over for dinner out of politeness. And would you believe it, he agreed just like that.”
Daisy was speechless.
Jocelyn thought to herself, this boss sure doesn’t stand on ceremony.
Melvin arrived empty-handed, and Calvin had to greet him with all the enthusiasm he could muster
Jocelyn never imagined that the new boss at her father’s company would be him.
When their eyes met, Melvin raised an eyebrow slightly, his eyes darting to Declan who was helping in the kitchen, giving Jocelyn an amused look that unsettled her.
Jocelyn panicked and hurried into the kitchen.
Coincidence?
She wasn’t buying it.
But what was his deal, showing up all of a sudden?
In the past, during holidays, she had asked if he wanted to join her family to make things lively
He was so indifferent, “Don’t even think about getting me to meet your parents.
“Stop daydreaming, bring out the fruit, Daisy urged her, whispering. “This boss of your dad, just shows up out of the
blue.
Jocelyn begrudgingly carried out the sliced watermelon.
Chapter 2
In the living room, Calvin’s stiffness and Melvin’s ease were a stark contrast.
It was weirdly awkward in their own home.
The dinner was served, and watching her parents being so polite and accommodating to Melvin made Jocelyn even
more uneasy
Melvin suddenly turned to Declan, “What do you do for work, Declan?”
Declan felt like he’d seen this guy somewhere before but couldn’t place him.
Facing the alpha male aura, Declan felt a bit of pressure.
Man to man, Declan didn’t want to be overshadowed by another guy in front of the woman he liked.
“I’m a real estate agent.”
“Oh. A house seller. Melvin added. I’ve got two properties downtown that have been sitting empty Agents keep calling, asking if I’m selling Since I know someone in the business, I won’t bother with strangers.”
Jocelyn was suffocating with his high and mighty attitude.
Declan quickly said. “Then send me the address, I’ll check out the properties this afternoon and list them online for you.”
“Good.”
After the meal, Jocelyn couldn’t wait for Melvin to leave; seeing her parents tiptoeing around him and doling out compliments made her stomach churn.
But Melvin didn’t leave; instead, Declan got a call.
“Sorry, I’ve got a client to see, gotta run. Declan excused himself politely, eager to leave
Before, Declan could have chatted with Melvin, but his leaving made the atmosphere even more awkward
And Melvin, oblivious to the Winslets’ distaste, just sat there. novelbin
He wouldn’t leave, and nobody else could really move.
“Mom, Dad, I’ve got a seminar this afternoon, I should go. You guys should take a break, Jocelyn said, not wanting her parents to keep up the charade with Melvin.
“I’ll take off too, Melvin stood up, buttoning his suit, ‘Jocelyn, I’ll walk you out.”
Jocelyn refused, “No need.”
“It’s no trouble, Melvin then looked straight at Calvin. Thanks for having me today. If you need anything work-related, come to me, Melvin added.
Calvin was taken aback, quickly responding with a “Sure.”
“Let’s go, Melvin turned, shooting Jocelyn a glance.
Jocelyn got the hint, he was leveraging her dad’s job to manipulate her.
Reluctantly, she followed him out.
in the elevator, they were less than a meter apart, yet it felt like miles between them.
Once the closest of people, now they didn’t even want to share the same air.
In the car, Melvin smoked and steered with one hand, his demeanor nonchalant, radiating a cold and haughty air.
“That guy is not right for you, Melvin’s voice was magnetic, quite pleasant to the ear.
Jocelyn looked out the window, refusing to respond.
Melvin glanced at her sideways. So eager to marry that you don’t even choose carefully?”
Jocelyn was restless but still ignored him.
He Melvin scoffed ‘Moved on so quickly You are pretty bold”
Chapter 2
That comment lit a fire in Jocelyn. She glared at him, “What do you want, anyway? What does it matter to you if I find someone to marry? Me moving on is certainly better than some freeloader.”
The nerve of him to say that.
Melvin slammed on the brakes, pulled over, and looked at her, “Freeloader?”
Jocelyn instantly regretted it. She shouldn’t have lost her cool and engaged with him.
“What have I ever taken from you without giving back? What’s so great about marriage? You think being tied down for life is so great?” Melvin’s tone grew heavier
He snorted. “You think that guy can give you the marriage you want?”
“It’s none of your business. We’re done, stop bothering me.”
“Pfft” Melvin gripped the steering wheel tight. “Get out
Jocelyn didn’t hesitate, unbuckled her seat belt, got out, and slammed the door behind her.
The moment the door slammed shut, the car zoomed off with a roar, nearly scaring the daylights out of her.
And you, baiting her in, then ditching her when you’re bored? Classic move,” a friend poured Melvin a drink, trying to
console him.
“That’s terrible advice. Women can want anything, but as soon as they start talking marriage, you’re in deep water. Next thing you know, they’re crying, making scenes, threatening to do something drastic. If it’s time to split, just split, another buddy disagreed.
And end up like him, drowning his sorrows for a week straight?”
“Come on, Melvin, you’re clearly heartbroken, man.”
“He’s got the feels.”
Melvin shot a cold glance their way, one of them instantly clammed up, standing up quickly, “Oh, I forgot to call my sweetheart back. Let me step out for a sec.
Soon after, he came back, all worked up, “Melvin, I saw Jocelyn. She’s out drinking with a bunch of people.
Melvin’s cigarette twitched at the corner of his mouth, his eyes darkening.
Declan had sold Melvin’s house and made a tidy commission. He was buzzing so much that he treated his colleagues to a meal and karaoke, inviting her along. Jocelyn didn’t want to rain on his parade, and the fact that he was keen to introduce her to his friends and colleagues made her feel valued.
When she was with Melvin, she felt like a mistress who had to stay in the shadows.
Listening to the group chat away, she still couldn’t blend in. So she used the excuse of going to the restroom and once out, she didn’t feel like returning to the private room.
Leaning against the hallway wall, she fiddled with her phone, not paying any mind to someone approaching.
It wasn’t until the person had been standing beside her for quite a while that she finally looked up.
It was Melvin!
Melvin leaned against the wall, tilting his head to look at her.