Chapter 158
Chapter 158
Today was a day Melvin could hardly wipe the proud grin off his face.
He drove to an exclusive club that he frequently visited. Upon arrival, he chivalrously opened the car door for Jocelyn. He reached out his hand to her as she hesitated slightly, peering at him with uncertainty.
“What’s wrong?” Melvin grasped her wrist firmly. “Let’s go.”
“Why do you bring me here?”
“To meet someone.” he replied, shutting the car door and tightening his grip on her hand.
He used to avoid holding her hand, as if he wanted to distance himself from any association with her and was afraid of being seen together.
Jocelyn started at his hand. She sensed a subtle change in their interaction. Even though it was a minor shift, it stirred something quite different within her.
Melvin held her hand firmly all the time as they got in. The staff greeted him as they passed, and he responded with a particularly cheerful demeanor.
Door opened, and they were greeted by dazzling lights.
Jocelyn was taken aback by the sight of the man sitting inside. She even thought of pulling away from Melvin.
“Why pull away?” Melvin interlaced their fingers assertively and guided her to sit opposite Harrison. His possessiveness was evident as he pulled Jocelyn down beside him.
Harrison noticed their intertwined hands. A hint of sorrow flashed behind his glasses, but he quickly smiled and said, “Seems like we don’t have to pretend anymore.”
Jocelyn frowned and was puzzled as to why Melvin had arranged to meet with Harrison.
“I called Mr. Whitman first thing this morning.” Melvin announced. “He’s fully supportive of us getting back together.”
So, was that who Melvin was calling in the morning?
Jocelyn looked at Harrison. Even though they had broken up, she still felt a twinge of guilt.
“Of course, I support it. If two people still have each other in their hearts, then being together is the best outcome.” Harrison remarked with a smile.
“What a true scholar you are, always so insightful.” Melvin poured Harrison a drink. “We must treat Mr. Whitman to a meal today to express my gratitude.”
“Sounds good” Harrison accepted with grace.
It was then that Jocelyn realized she didn’t possess the open-mindedness of these two men.
When Melvin stepped out to take a call, Jocelyn and Harrison were left alone in this private room.
“I’m sorry.” Jocelyn apologized.
“Why apologize?” Harrison chuckled.
“I don’t know why, but I just feel the need to say sorry to you.” Jocelyn was at a loss herself. What was initially a matter between her and Melvin now seemed to have unfairly dragged an innocent party into the fray.
“There’s no love affair between us, and you haven’t cheated on me. What’s there to be sorry for? Harrison spoke with nonchalance. In fact, I’m happy for you. You finally know what you want.”
Jocelyn bit her lip. “He said… he wants to marry me.
Harrison’s heart clenched. He felt something being ripped from his body, a departure so permanent it seemed it could never
return..
was like gambling. He held his best cards, waiting to blast Melvin and turn the game around. But Jocelyn made a favor for Melvin, which let him win instantly
Harrison kept his composure and faked to be collected. Isn’t that a good thing? Your wish is granted.”
But somehow still feel uneasy.
ne you afraid he won’t keep his promise?
Jocelyn shook her head. “It feels like I coerced him into it, not that he willingly agreed
Harrison frowned slightly and comforted her, “How can you think that way? If a man makes a promise, he’ll surely keep it. Don’t overthink it. He brought you to meet me today, and It showed he’s taken action. Besides, even an outsider like me can feel how much he can’t let you go. If a man doesn’t want to let go of a woman, the best way is to keep her by his side, legally.
“Proposing might have been said in the heat of the moment, but it must have been heartfelt. After all, it’s a big deal, as significant as life or death” Harrison continued to reassure her. “He’s also a man of
passion, and he does not promise lightly. Please trust him and trust your feelings. Regaining what was lost only makes it more precious because no one wants to experience loss again”
Jocelyn took a deep breath. She cherished that moment of regaining what she once lost, as if she had the world in her grasp. once more. Yet, she feared it was all an illusion, a fleeting happiness that might vanish.
Melvin walked in and sensed the subtle atmosphere. He wasn’t concerned about what Harrison might have done to Jocelyn; they must have had a conversation.
“Let’s eat.” Melvin said. “And later, call your parents. I’ll join you for dinner tonight.”
Jocelyn was shocked and stared at him in disbelief.
Melvin raised his eyebrows slightly. “What’s the matter? Why that look?”
Jocelyn swallowed hard, her heart pounding.
Harrison smiled softly, but his own heart ached with each beat.
A serious man can indeed be fearsome.
If this couldn’t give Jocelyn a sense of security, then nothing could.
Harrison didn’t linger after the meal was finished. The way Melvin looked at Jocelyn was enough to unsettle him, let alone witnessing their intimate interactions.
No wonder Jocelyn loved this man. Though domineering and with a seemingly bad temper, his tender gaze was disarming.
A suitor like him could never sit calmly in front of a couple, of his beloved and her man, and watch their overt and covert displays of affection.
The best course of action for Harrison was to leave.
Jocelyn rode with Melvin in his car. She waited for him to bring up the past and confront their ruse with Harrison. But he remained silent on the matter.
“We’ve got some time; let’s hit the mall and pick up some gifts.” Melvin suggested.
“Are you really going to meet my parents?” Jocelyn was still struggling with the reality of it all.
Melvin furrowed his brow. “Don’t you want to?”
“Why suddenly meet them?”
“Suddenly?” Melvin didn’t see it that way. “Isn’t it standard to meet one’s partner’s parents?”
Jocelyn’s mind was stuttering today, glitching at every thought. This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.
First, there was the almost defiant confrontation with Harrison, and then the impending meet and greet with her parents -a milestone untouched in three years.
EF
This sudden change in his behavior felt almost surreal to her.
“Are you sure about this?” Jocelyn asked him. “My parents found out I had a boyfriend for over three years, and they know we broke up. Are you ready to meet them now?”
“Absolutely.” Melvin insisted, driving steadily. “I can’t stand the thought of you with anyone else.”
Jocelyn clenched her fist slightly, a shameful pleasure of joy pulsing through her.
At the mall, while Melvin was busy shopping, Jocelyn stepped outside to call Daisy, asking her to whip up something delicious for the evening and to expect a very important guest-her boyfriend.
Daisy was curious about this “important guest,” but Jocelyn left it at that and hung up.
She returned to the store and found Melvin picking out gifts. She felt a sweet warmth in her heart.
So this was the feeling of introducing a loved one to family.
bought loads of stuff which filled up the car.
fast time over. Jocelyn remarked, eyeing the pile of purchases.
‘But it’s the first time as your boyfriend.” Melvin replied. “Got to make it official.”
“Nervous?
“A bit.”
Suddenly, Jocelyn chuckled.
Melvin looked at her, puzzled, “What’s so funny?”
“Just realizing you’re human after all.”
Melvin frowned. “Is that an insult?”
Jocelyn shook her head, lips pursed. “Not at all.”
Melvin grabbed her shoulders and pinned her gently against the car, the pose charged with intimacy, “Then what do you mean by that?”