The Unwilling CEO's Love Game novel Chapter 124

When Jocelyn had a moment to herself, she couldn't help but think about Yasmine’s words. She admitted there was still a place in her heart for Melvin, but she didn't want to continue on a path that led nowhere. A relationship without a future would inevitably end just like it was now—unfulfilled.

Fortunately, since the last time she'd parted ways with her parents, she hadn't seen Melvin at all. Preston seemed to understand and never mentioned his uncle again.

Everything seemed to be progressing in an orderly fashion. Jocelyn was convinced that time could indeed heal and change everything.

She and Harrison had fallen into a routine of calling or messaging each other on Facebook daily, and their relationship had started to take on a romantic tinge.

Actually, she liked it this way. Keeping a healthy distance allowed for a richer imagination about the future and kept things fresh. Not occupying too much of each other's time and space was a fine way to be together.

Harrison called to say he was swamped at work and might not be able to give her much attention. Jocelyn urged him to prioritize his job, reassuring him that she was also caught up in her own whirlwind of school work, especially with finals approaching.

Her chin wound had mostly healed. Back in her apartment, she found herself burning the midnight oil, prepping for review sessions. When she was busy, her mind was clear of distractions. When she finished her work, she was so tired that sleep came the moment her head hit the pillow.

...

One day, it was a colleague’s birthday and they decided to go out for dinner and karaoke to unwind a bit from the final intensity. After a hearty meal, they arrived at the karaoke lounge, only to bump into another group.

"Mr. Martinez," someone recognized the man leading the other party.

Melvin paused and turned to the caller. At first, he didn't recognize them. Upon seeing Jocelyn and Ursula in the back, he remembered these were teachers from the local school.

His gaze lingered on Jocelyn for a few seconds before he casually nodded to the man who had greeted him. "You here for fun too?"

"Yeah, we're celebrating Hannah's birthday," someone added. "Care to join us for a bit of a party, Mr. Martinez?"

Jocelyn looked down to avoid Melvin's gaze. But Ursula kept whispering in her ear, "He's looking at you again."

It had been a while since Jocelyn last saw Melvin, and she'd been so busy she had almost forgotten about him. Yet seeing him now, even just a fleeting glance can stir something she had tried to bury.

She didn't like this side of herself.

"No thanks, have a good time," Melvin replied politely before heading inside.

Zephyr, who had noticed Jocelyn's attempts to become invisible, caught up with Melvin. "I saw Jocelyn," he said.

Melvin lit a cigarette and took a drag. His voice was chilly, tinged with a hint of melancholy, "So what?"

"She seems thinner," Zephyr kept an eye on Melvin's expression. "Did you take that business trip for a month to avoid her?"

"What's it to you?" Melvin glared at Zephyr. "Mind your own guy."

Zephyr glanced back at Yannick, who was a step behind. "What's wrong with my guy?"

Melvin exhaled a smoke ring. "Take a guess."

Zephyr laughed off Melvin's teasing and fell back to walk beside Yannick. "What did you guys actually do on that business trip?"

"We did nothing," Yannick replied flatly.

"Then why did he tell me to take care of you?"

Yannick stopped and fixed Zephyr with a stare. "I'm not your guy." With that, he quickened his pace.

Zephyr hurried after him, draping an arm over Yannick's shoulders. "Other than you, I've got no one."

Yannick shrugged off his hand and followed Melvin into the private room with a cold face.

Zephyr stuck to Yannick, still curious about what Yannick did during that month with Melvin. But certainly Melvin wasn't going to tell him.

Over the past month, Melvin had been working nonstop, thinking it would help him forget the woman who had left him heartlessly. Yet once he came back, he couldn't restrain himself from wanting to see her, and that eagerness was like being thirsty for two days and desperately wanting a drink of water. He was afraid he wouldn't be able to control it, so he asked friends to hang out with him to relax.

It seemed like fate was playing a cruel joke on him, picking a karaoke bar where he'd run into her.

If this wasn't destiny, what was?

After finishing a cigarette and downing a couple of drinks, Melvin felt restless and couldn't stay put.