The Unwilling CEO's Love Game
Chapter 19

Chatting with Willow wasn't exactly a blast, and even though Jocelyn managed to claw back a tiny win in the end, it hammered home just how flimsy and fragile a relationship without a label could be. To add insult to injury, Willow had the nerve to say, "The only reason you're in his bed is because I was out of the picture. Now that I'm back; do you really think you stand a chance?" Others didn't understand how Jocelyn had managed to make Melvin hers, but she held the most clarity on the matter; she simply seized an opportunity when he was at his most vulnerable. After school, Jocelyn noticed a bunch of kids with rainbow hairdos hanging around the school. They seemed to pop up out of nowhere.

Middle school's when the rebel phase hits hard, and lots of kids start making some big life choices around that time.

Teaching middle schoolers kinda gave Jocelyn the jitters - the stress of teaching them knowledge was nothing compared to shaping their young minds.

At that age, kids are like sponges, soaking up everything from home, school, and society.

The security guards would keep an eye outside the school gates, making sure none of the local youths led the school kids astray.

Walking down the path lined with trees boasting thick trunks and lush leaves, Jocelyn caught a few of those punks hiding behind the trees, puffing on cigarettes, dropping dirty jokes, and sneaking peeks at her. Jocelyn usually kept it casual with her school looks - often just tees and jeans, with the occasional dress.

Naturally pretty and with that scholarly charm, she radiated a gentle and moving beauty.

The punks tried to rattle her with their catcalls, but Jocelyn didn't bite, not even a nibble.

As she neared her apartment, the soft sound of footsteps behind her set her heart racing.

Without daring to look back, she quickened her pace.

The footsteps picked up too, and with just about a hundred meters to go, she broke into a run, and so did her shadow.

Reaching the building's entrance, Jocelyn blurted out to the doorman, "Someone's chasing me!"

The doorman, armed with a stun baton, rushed out and casually remarked to Jocelyn who was panting, "Isn't that your boyfriend?" Dumbstruck, Jocelyn spun around to see Melvin in sportswear, holding a bottle of water, his puppy-dog eyes locked on her.

He strolled over, twisted off the cap, and handed her the water. "What were you running from? A ghost?"

Jocelyn glanced behind him, took the water and asked, "Were you the one following me?"

"Who else?" Melvin snapped.

Jocelyn then took a sip of water to catch her breath. She handed the bottle back and headed inside. "You could've called out. How was I supposed to know who was chasing me?" Melvin took a swig and followed, "I was about to call you when you bolted like you saw a ghost."

Inside the elevator, Jocelyn leaned on Melvin, worn out from the sprint.

He didn't push her away and just let her lean on him.

"Did Willow come looking for you?"

Her eyes dimmed, "How did you know?"

"What did she say to you?"

"She said she wants you."

As the elevator doors opened, Jocelyn straightened up and walked out.

At the door to the apartment, she paused before unlocking it and turned to ask, "Was you all that heartache because of her back then?"

Melvin frowned slightly, "I've got an appointment in a bit."

Jocelyn's heart sank. Silently, she unlocked the door.

Melvin headed straight for the shower while Jocelyn made some pasta.

When the pasta were ready, he came out of the shower.

He was wearing a black shirt and black pants, grabbed his car keys and headed out the door.

"Will you be back?" Jocelyn asked as the door was closing.

"Not tonight," came Melvin's indifferent reply.

"Okay."

The door closed, and Jocelyn finished her pasta anyway.

After washing up, she checked the time - ten o'clock.

Her phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number. It was a photo of Melvin and Willow. Willow was in a white slip dress, cozying up to Melvin, her hand covering her mouth, seemingly whispering something into his ear.

Jocelyn had a hunch but didn't expect Willow to make a move this fast, and Melvin to play along and slap herself in the face like that.

Sleep was off the table, so she took a shower, slipped into a pretty dress, and headed out.

The next day was Saturday, so no early morning for her.

She went to a bar herself, ordering a slightly boozy drink, listening to the singer pull at everyone's heartstrings with his ballads.

She asked the waiter to snap a pic - her beautiful face smiling at the camera, her foxy eyes full of allure, and her lazy posture like a regal Persian cat, all saying loud and clear, "I'm not into anyone."

She posted the photo on Twitter without a caption, tagged the location, set the privacy so only Melvin could see it, then went silent mode on her phone.

Before long, her phone was buzzing off the hook.

It was Melvin calling. But she ignored it.

Letting the phone go wild, she sipped her drink, gracefully applauding the singer.

After about four songs and eight missed calls, she leaned on the bar, flipping her hair, cradling her head in her hands, her fiery red dress making her stand out, captivating like a painting.

Melvin walked in to replace Jocelyn, with those seductive eyes, admiring the singer who crooned, "I've given you my heart, I'm your heaviest baggage..."

Her bare shoulders shimmered in the dim light, her jawline soft and smooth, her carefully made-up face devilishly fetching, her lips curved in a half-smile full of charm.

Melvin draped his jacket over her with a frosty expression. She turned around, her eyes twinkling with confusion. "What are you doing here?"

"Let's go home." Melvin grabbed her wrist and pulled her up.

"I haven't paid yet," Jocelyn said, grabbing her phone.

Melvin threw some cash on the bar and dragged her out of the place.

Following him, she felt his anger and inside, she was oddly satisfied.

Shoved into the car by Melvin, she pursed her ruby lips and gazed out the window, itching to snap a pic and send it to Willow-just to keep up with the whole 'do unto others' vibe, you know?

Melvin was behind the wheel, his long fingers gripping the steering wheel, knuckles well-defined. Just the sight of those hands was a feast for the eyes.

"Are you done with whatever you were doing?" Jocelyn asked him casually, "If you're still busy, you don't have to worry about me."

The thought of her eyes latched onto that male singer like a siren's call fired him up in an instant, and he pulled over abruptly, turning to glare at her with a frosty look, his voice tinged with annoyance. "What? Was I interrupting your pleasure?"

Jocelyn played the innocent card, shaking her head. "Nope, didn't you say you wouldn't be home tonight? I figured you were tied up, so I didn't want to hold you up."

"Is this how you behave when I'm gone?" Melvin's anger was still palpable; his question was loaded with accusation.

Jocelyn coolly shot back at him, "Can't I have fun when you're not around?"