The Unwilling CEO's Love Game
Chapter 94

The news that Willow and the jewelry brand owner, Melvin, reaching the altar spread like wildfire through the school where Jocelyn worked. After all, Melvin's generous donation had made him a celebrity, and everyone in school was murmuring wishes to perfect match, even in the hushed tones of the faculty lounge.

Their love story, now blossoming into a full-blown engagement, had brought unprecedented attention to the jewelry brand. Sales were booming both online and in their brick-and-mortar locations.

The marketing department was savvy. Though Melvin's face wasn't directly plastered in the ads, the campaigns carried an air of their romance. One tagline in particular, "From the day we met, I knew exactly which ring I'd slide onto your finger," became a catchphrase among Willow's adoring fans.

Her followers gushed on Twitter, "Melvin must be head over heels for our girl!" And when the brand's Twitter account liked the comment, Willow's fans let out a collective squeal of delight, like groundhogs cheering on the first day of spring.

Jocelyn, hearing nothing but the saccharine exchanges between Willow and Melvin, initially felt a twinge of heartache that gradually numbed into indifference. she gradually grew accustomed to it.

A week later, the school administration called Jocelyn into the office to discuss a month-long seminar she was about to attend in Berry City. Other schools were sending their representatives for an exchange of ideas and practices. Though teaching a senior class made the timing less than ideal, the curriculum had almost completed. So taking this trip wouldn't be too disruptive. Besides, with recent events, Jocelyn was secretly eager to get away from this city and clear her head a bit, so she accepted.

In early November, Jocelyn arrived in the unfamiliar place of Berry City. Here, the climate demanded a coat compared to the T-shirt weather back in Yanova City.

After checking into her hotel, she ventured out to explore the vicinity. The hotel was conveniently located, and the school she'd be visiting was one of the best in Berry City.

Once she got familiar with the place, she leisurely strolled the sidewalks, snapping photos to send to her parents. It wasn't long before she saw those same photos pop up on her father's Twitter feed. Strolling along the riverbank, she soaked in the night view, and her spirits were lifted. As she captured her journey in pictures, her gaze unexpectedly met that of a passerby.

Jocelyn never anticipated to meet Harrison.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming? At least I could have picked you up. If I hadn't had a walk tonight, I might never have known," Harrison said, his eyes behind his glasses signaling his disappointment. Jocelyn replied sheepishly, "Sorry, I forgot you were here. And since I just arrived today, I wanted to wander around on my own."

Harrison sighed, "You didn't know I'm from Berry City?"

Jocelyn paused, "Did you mention it before?"

Harrison could only apologize, "My bad."

Jocelyn chuckled, "Do you live close by? Why were you walking the streets alone?"

Harrison let out a sigh, "Remember I told you I met a nice girl last time? Turns out, my mom saw her getting cozy with another guy somewhere else."

"She has a boyfriend?"

"Yeah," Harrison said, "They're talking marriage."

Jocelyn was confused, "Then why would she go on a blind date?"

"Family pressure. Her parents didn't approve of her boyfriend," Harrison shook his head, "She was upfront with me, saying she couldn't defy her parents. So it was just for show. She's already stolen her household registration certificate and was ready to elope with her boyfriend now."

Jocelyn was impressed, "What a brave girl."

"She must have mustered all her courage to stand up to her parents to chase her love," Harrison shrugged, "It's lucky to replace someone you love in life. She at least has found her love and knows what to do. No as aimless as us."

Jocelyn laughed, "Well said."

With similar circumstances, they found solace in their shared plight. And they both carefully avoided any mention of Melvin.

Willow was a star. With her Twitter fame, Harrison was surely in the know. His silence was a courtesy to Jocelyn's feelings.

Finding familiarity in a foreign city, Jocelyn's initial sense of isolation faded. Harrison invited her for a late-night snack, and she gladly accepted.

After the meal, Harrison walked her back to the hotel. At the entrance, he stuffed his hands in his coat pockets, looking at her intently.

"Thank you," Jocelyn faced him, "When I'm free, I'll treat you to dinner."

"Sure," Harrison agreed readily.

Jocelyn pointed to the hotel, "Goodbye then."

"Bye," Harrison replied, "Call me if you need any help."

"I will."

Jocelyn entered the hotel lobby, while Harrison remained outside until she was out of sight before turning away.

Back in his car, he opened Twitter and scrolled through the trending topics related to Willow, reading through a barrage of congratulations. He visited the jewelry brand's official account and left a comment like a casual bystander, "Wishing Mr. Martinez and Willow a lifetime of love and happiness."

His intentions were thinly veiled.

Meanwhile in Yanova City, Melvin was monitoring the official account and stumbled upon Harrison's comment. His eyes narrowed, remembering Preston mentioning Jocelyn's seminar in Berry City. And Harrison's IP was also in Berry City.

Had they met?

Was this a provocation?

Melvin's hazel eyes squinted as he read Harrison's comment, a silent storm brewing behind his gaze.

...

Jocelyn found that staying busy made the days fly by and kept her mind off other things.

Harrison was always on the go too. But he'd make time to pick her up at school whenever he could.

To the untrained eye, one might mistake Harrison for Jocelyn's boyfriend.

After Jocelyn cleared the air a couple of times, the misunderstandings ceased.

"My mom knows you've been around. She wants you to come over for dinner this weekend," Harrison said, eager to ease any tension, "Just as friends."

Jocelyn did feel a bit of pressure, "I'm not so sure that's a good idea."

"It's no a big deal. Didn't you have me over for dinner the other time?" Harrison probed, "Or is it not convenient for you?"

Jocelyn shook her head, "No, it's not that. I just don't want to impose on your mother."

"You couldn't be more wrong," Harrison chuckled. "My mom's been asking about you. Even if you're not coming in as a daughter-in-law, she'd be happy to have you as her daughter."

"Really?"

"Yeah. She likes you a lot," Harrison thought about adding, 'Maybe you should just become the daughter-in-law,' but he feared it might scare her off.

Jocelyn figured it wouldn't matter to refuse if Harrison didn't know she was here, or if they hadn't run into each other. But now that she was invited, declining would seem impolite. After a brief moment of thought, she agreed.

On the weekend, Harrison picked up Jocelyn from her hotel.

She went out the night before to buy a gift for Harrison's parents. When they passed a florist's, she asked Harrison, "What kind of flowers does your mom like?"