Novel - Drama Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Mein drove into a service area for a bathroom break after an hour’s drive and then hopped into the passenger seat
Jocelyn looked at him before sliding into the driver’s seat
Truth be told, she’d never really driven his car before; she hardly ever gets behind the wheel.
Makes you wonder why she even bothered getting a driver’s license in the first place.
Sitting in the car, she studied the controls seriously, totally clueless about where to start.
Melvin glanced at her, his brow furrowing slightly at her obvious uncertainty. “Can do it?”
I gotta get my bearings first Jocelyn gripped the steering wheel tightly, her right foot gingerly pressing on the gas pedal.
Cold as ice, Melvin said, “Handbrake
“Oh.” Jocelyn quickly lowered the handbrake and took a deep breath, “Here we go.
Melvin watched her her face betraying a slight frown as if she was heading off to some noble sacrifice. He asked, “You sure you’re up for this?
Totally Jocelyn felt the car move, and she knew to signal, check the mirrors, and only then accelerate, straightening
the wheel once the coast was clear.
The car drove along the highway, and it felt like they were floating.
Her grip on the steering wheel was tight, her eyes fixed ahead, not daring to wander, “Keep the GPS on, will you? I won’t
have a clue where to exit later.”
Melvin looked relaxed but stayed alert to the traffic. “I’ll tell you when.”
“Okay
Jocelyn was tense all over, hands sweaty, all her focus honed like never before.
Approaching a big truck, she eased off the gas, checked the left lane, then switched lanes and sped up. Suddenly, Melvin reached over and nudged the wheel, “Straighten up.”
Jocelyn thought she was driving straight as an arrow. What gives?
“Feeling jumpy?” She asked because she felt that his hand was cold when he reached over.
Melvin kept his eyes on the road, “I don’t wanna die
“And yet you’re cool with me driving?”
“Regretting it now”
Jocelyn knew he’d let her drive to take a breather, but now he was probably more on edge than ever.
She guessed Melvin was genuinely scared
He had guts, entrusting his life to her like that.
She drove all the way to the next service area with bated breath, then willingly gave up the driver’s seat.
Sure, Melvin was tired, but compared to staying alive, what’s a bit of fatigue?
They finally pulled into the parking lot at half-past midnight. Melvin parked the car, turned off the engine, and that was the moment he truly relaxed.
Jocelyn, having dozed off in the car, was now pretty sober.
After getting home and heading for a shower. Melvin wanted to join, but she locked him out.
Coming out after the shower, Jocelyn saw Melvin on the phone in the living room
A call this?’s either super urgent or someone just doesn’t have a clue
be night there, Melvin said before getting ready to leave.
Jocelyn had a bad feeling. You brought me home late at night just to leave again. What’s that about?”
Melvin turned to look at her, her slender figure barely concealed by the gauzy tank top, looking every bit the tempting, tipe peach
You’re the one who locked me out.”
Jocelyn frowned slightly, walking over to him barefoot and stood right in front of him, her eyes alluring, “You really gonna go?”
No matter who was calling him, if she let him leave tonight, she’d have lost.
Melvin was being seduced by her intoxicating scent after driving five hours back and forth to pick her up. It wasn’t just about not wanting her to stay out he missed her Missed her to the point of craving to unleash his desires on her.
No other woman sparked his interest Only with her could he be like a wound up machine, willing to drain himself for
her.
But the phone rang again.
As Melvin reached for it. Jocelyn wrapped her arms around his neck, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him.
The phone kept buzzing incessantly
Jocelyn deployed all the kissing techniques Melvin had taught her over the years.
Melvin tossed the phone aside on the sofa, scooped up Jocelyn, and carried her to the bedroom bed, roughly tearing away her sheer layer and climbing on top.
Jocelyn managed to keep Melvin from leaving, though she couldn’t fathom why she was so adamant about him not going out for a call so late.
It didn’t matter who was on the other end; she just didn’t want Melvin to go.
Melvin was exhausted, and after the third round, he fell into a deep sleep.
Jocelyn, however, lay wide awake. She glanced at Melvin, propped herself up to grab his phone, and just lit up the screen to see who the caller was. After placing the phone back, she gazed at Melvin’s familiar handsome face, her fighting spirit igniting within her.
The next morning, Jocelyn was woken up by Melvin.
Just as they were about to get intimate, the phone vibrated again. Jocelyn flipped over and pinned Melvin down, cupping his face to stop him from answering.
Melvin turned his head to see who was calling, and this time it wasn’t Willow.
He held Jocelyn back and answered, “Hello?”
“Willow had a car accident last night looking for you. She’s in the ICU now.”
Melvin frowned, “Which hospital?”
City General Hospital.”
After the call, Melvin’s mood plummeted.
He pushed Jocelyn aside, got out of bed naked, and started looking for his clothes.
Jocelyn had heard the phone call loud and clear. Willow had been in an accident.
Let’s go see her together, Jocelyn suggested, watching his hurried dressing with discomfort in her heart.
tnight she had kept him from leaving, but clearly, he was still worried about Willow.
Without turning around, Melvin said, “You don’t need to go.”
Jocelyn fell silent
After Melvin left, Jocelyn lowered her head, her hands buried in her hair, somewhat dazedly ruffling it before tilting her face up her eyes rimmed with red
She got up to freshen up, and then had breakfast She slipped Into a white blouse and denim skirt, her hair tied with a headband, looking innocently sultry. She was a picture of beauty as she stepped outside.
At a flower shop outside City General Hospital, she picked a bouquet of sunflowers before walking into the hospital.
One of her student’s parents was the head nurse there, and Jocelyn got the scoop on Willow’s room.
It was a private room, and the head nurse herself was taking care of her
Jocelyn knocked, and Melvin was the one who answered the door.
Their eyes met and Melvin furrowed his brow slightly Clearly, he hadn’t expected her to actually show up.
“Melvin, who is it? came a woman’s voice from inside, sounding surprisingly strong for someone who was supposedly
in a car crash.
“Melvin mentioned your accident, so I came specially to check on you,” Jocelyn smiled at Melvin, then pushed lightly against his chest and walked inside with a bright smile.
Willow was in a hospital gown, with a bandage wrapped around her forehead and some scrapes on her face, but her limbs seemed to be in good shape.
Her complexion was rosy and didn’t seem too serious
The moment Willow saw Jocelyn, her face tightened up. But, being an actress, she managed her expressions well and mustered a faint smile. “That’s sweet of you, Jocelyn.”
“You okay?” Jocelyn asked warmly, placing the bouquet aside.
Willow touched her forehead lightly. Really, it’s nothing serious. Zephyr just made a mountain out of a molehill and insisted on calling Melvin to come see me.”
Jocelyn caught the subtext Willow was throwing out. Basically, that Melvin’s buddy and her were pretty tight, and also that Melvin had rushed over just because of a phone call.
Jocelyn suddenly turned to Melvin, who was poker-faced. “You ignored so many of Willow’s calls last night. Lucky for us she’s fine. Otherwise, we’d both be drowning in guilt.”
Most wars between two women were over a man.
Chapter 24
Jocelyn had never been a softie, and she was somewhat possessive of what was hers, especially her man.
At least for now, Melvin was still her man, so why should she give a hoot about Willow’s feelings?
Willow had shown her true colors, all ambition and challenge, in Jocelyn’s face. And how could she not respond when Willow had already called for war novelbin
Melvin stared at Jocelyn’s seemingly harmless, alluring face, disdainful of engaging in any rivalry between women,
whether it was veiled or direct
She needs rest Melvin told Jocelyn. You’ve made your point”
That’s code for hit the road.
Willow couldn’t hide the smug smile in her eyes.
See, Melvin’s got her back
Jocelyn had to admit that it stung. She stood up, boldly grabbed Melvin’s hand, her fingers forcefully interlacing with his, leaned in and kissed him, her voice dripping with seduction, “Come home early tonight.”
Having said that, she didn’t wait to gauge Melvin’s mood, turned around and waved at Willow who was glaring, “Get well soon, Willow. Catch you later”
As soon as the door closed, Jocelyn’s smile faded.
At the door, Jocelyn bumped into Zephyr, holding a fruit basket. They locked eyes, and Zephyr was the first to crack an awkward smile. Jocelyn, what are the odds?”
“Yep Jocelyn asked him, “You here to see Willow?”
“Ah, yeah, that’s right. Zephyr, aware of the dynamic between Jocelyn and Melvin, was feeling pretty awkward since he’s the one who called Melvin over so..
Jocelyn smiled. “Melvin and Willow are in the room right now. Maybe swing by later?”
Zephyr was clueless.
Jocelyn walked past him without another word.
Zephyr turned to watch Jocelyn walk away Was she giving Melvin and Willow some alone time? That seemed awfully
generous
Meanwhile, Willow’s eyes were misty, but her face held a contented smile.
Melvin sat on the sofa, legs crossed, constantly checking the time, clearly impatient.
“Are you senous with Jocelyn?” Willow looked at him
Melvin’s well-defined fingers were clasped on his thigh, his eyes indifferent. “Senous? What does that mean?”
“Are you in love with her? Willow’s voice trembled slightly.
“What does it have to do with you?”
Willow got a bit agitated. “How can it not matter to me? Back then, I did it for my career, for our future, so…”
“Willow.” Melvin cut her off, “Let’s not talk about the past.”
Willow clenched her fists. “Do you love her?”
Silence
And do you still love me, Melvin?”
Vellow’s pressing made Melvin frown in displeasure.