The Unwilling CEO's Love Game
Chapter 74

"So what? Are you going to teach me to forget the past? Chill out, with the little clout I have, how am I supposed to hold anyone accountable?" Jocelyn locked eyes with him, "Fine, I'll be grateful. I'll let it slide. Even if Willow does me dirty again in the future, I'll turn the other cheek for your sake, let her drag my name through the mud and use her clout in showbiz to steamroll me. I won't hit back. I won't talk back." "That's how I should teach my students, right? So-called grace means taking crap from others, agree?" Jocelyn sarcastically replied.

Melvin furrowed his brows, "What the heck are you talking about?"

"Talking nonsense, am I?" Jocelyn chuckled, "Your bro already came by to give me a heads-up, no need for a third reminder."

Melvin was clueless about what she said. He let go of her hand and sat up, "Who came to see you? What did they say?"

Jocelyn just lay there staying pinned under him, making no move to get up.

"Was it not your doing? How would they know which hospital I'm in, which room, without you telling them?" Jocelyn wasn't afraid to burn bridges, after all, they weren't tight.

Melvin whipped out his phone and dialed Zephyr's number. As soon as it connected, he asked, "Did you go visit Jocelyn?"

Jocelyn couldn't hear Zephyr's response, but then heard Melvin say, "Mind your own beeswax."

With that, he hung up the phone.

Jocelyn had no interest in how these guys communicated. She was the outsider in their circle after all.

She rolled over to replace the coziest position and closed her eyes.

Melvin took a glance at her and pursed his lips, "I didn't send them to see you."

Jocelyn just smiled, not responding.

"I'll handle the Willow's wrongdoing," Melvin softened his tone, "Just watch your step from now on."

At that, Jocelyn opened her eyes, looking at him with a strange, cold stare, and suddenly laughed. She sat up, "Heh, so it's all my fault, right?"

Melvin, not wanting to set her off again, tried to be patient, "I mean, just keep a good distance from other guys."

"Ha!" Jocelyn felt like she was talking to a wall, wasting her breath and life on every extra word.

Melvin didn't like her reaction and frowned, "I don't want to talk about it anymore. Just remember to mind your behaviour in the future."

Jocelyn had already checked out of the conversation.

She got up and pointed to the door, "Do me a favor and close the door on your way out."

Then, she headed to the bedroom.

She had never felt such a clash in values between she and Melvin before, nor had there been so much trouble. Ever since Willow came into the picture, all the things she used to ignore seemed magnified and unbearable with every word exchanged with him.

Melvin blocked the door as she tried to close it, wedging his foot in the frame, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I need to rest," Jocelyn said, facing him squarely.

"That's it?"

"What else?" Jocelyn looked incredibly fragile, her voice soft, "Not allowed?"

As if Melvin could decide.

He said, "I didn't sleep well last night. Need to catch some Z's."

Jocelyn asked him, "Here?"

"Where else?" He threw the question back at her.

Jocelyn let go of the door, leaving him to his devices.

She climbed into bed, ignoring him, turning her back without a word of welcome.

Melvin glanced at her, "I'm gonna take a shower. Don't you dare lock the door."

Jocelyn didn't reply.

Melvin went back from the bathroom in less than five minutes as if there were ghosts there.

Jocelyn stayed put, feeling the bed dip beside her and a warmth spreading over her.

Even with the AC on, his body heat was inescapable.

His arm was draped over her waist, his chest snug against her back; the two nestled under the covers. Anyone would think they were a picture of love. Jocelyn didn't resist. She knew it's pointless to struggle anyway.

Melvin was content just holding her, doing nothing more.

Before long, Jocelyn heard his steady breathing.

Her eyes wide open. She was not sleepy at all.

Her excuse for sleep was just to avoid talking with him. Now that he's asleep, there was no point in pretending anymore.

She barely moved when the arm around her waist tightened, obviously not letting her up.

"Where you going?" Melvin's breath tickled her neck, damp and tingly.

Jocelyn hadn't expected him to awake so quickly.

"Hungry, gonna grab a bite."

Melvin's grip didn't loosen, "You can order takeout."

"No need."

His hold got firmer, "I'll ask someone to bring food up. What do you want?"

Jocelyn found him overbearing at times, totally ignoring her will.

She didn't want to indulge him, "I said no need!"

Her tone was laced with irritation, and she removed his hand, getting out of bed.

Melvin watched her with droopy, affectionate eyes.

He laid there, silent, watching her leave the bedroom and close the door behind her.

She stood in the kitchen, washing rice, cooking porridge. Watching the bubbling water, her thoughts were as tumultuous as the boiling pot.

Ursula sent her a message, saying it was Preston's uncle who got those parents to sign the petition.

Preston's uncle? That's Melvin.

Ursula had no idea about Melvin being Preston's uncle since not many teachers had seen him when he'd taken Preston to school.

"Also, my friend said that if it wasn't for someone pulling strings for you, there's no way things would've calmed down so fast. My friend's friend in showbiz said Willow's lead role got snatched away. Jocelyn, seriously, who's got your back? It's not that guy, is it?"

Ursula's got a real knack for gossip, no less than those nosy reporters who thrive on misunderstandings.

As Jocelyn stirred the porridge, Ursula's words caused a ripple in her heart.

She had to admit, there was a moment when she was genuinely touched by Melvin's support.

But then she thought, if it hadn't been for him, she wouldn't have been on Willow's radar, and things wouldn't have escalated like this.

So he certainly should help.

She wasn't about to fall over herself with gratitude.

"Jocelyn?" Ursula called out again after not getting a response for a while, "What's up? You still shook up? Don't overthink it. Both the school and our parents trust you." Jocelyn took a deep breath and played it cool, "I'm fine. Thanks for supporting me."

"Hey! We're all colleagues. Sure, we might butt heads now and then, but it's all friendly competition. Everyone's got good intentions, and you're a good girl. That's truth!" Jocelyn was lucky. Her working environment and the colleagues and leaders were all above board, both in thought and spirit.

"I'm whipping up some grub. I'll catch up with you later."

After hanging up, Jocelyn stared at the porridge. In the past, if she'd known Melvin had done something for her, she would've been over the moon.

But now, that feeling was completely gone.