The Unwilling CEO's Love Game novel Chapter 165

Jocelyn hightailed it out of class and hailed a cab straight home as soon as the class ended. Her mind racing with worry that Melvin might be getting picked on.

When she got home, she found Melvin and her dad engrossed in a game of chess. The atmosphere was surprisingly congenial. Her mom was bustling around the kitchen.

Jocelyn was a bit confused.

Catching Melvin's eye, he cocked an eyebrow at her, a smug glint in his gaze.

Jocelyn frowned and made her way to the kitchen.

As soon as she closed the door behind her, she felt her mother's glare sharp as a knife.

She started helping with the vegetables as a dutiful daughter but couldn't help asking, "Mom, what's going on?"

"What's going on? You're the one who's been so keen on him coming over, aren't you?" Daisy snapped back without hiding her irritation.

Jocelyn swore she just wanted her parents to accept Melvin, but she never expected them to invite him over for dinner so soon.

"That clever man of yours," Daisy continued with sarcasm, "charmed his way into our neighborhood chess club, played a few games with the old dudes, including that Lucas Johnson. Your father happened to walk by after getting groceries so they called him over. Lucas lost the chess game but became fond of Melvin and invited him over for dinner. Melvin is such a businessman, huh? They don't say much, but they sure know how to wrap people around their fingers."

Jocelyn pursed her lips. "It's not like you guys have to entertain him."

"Entertain him? Watch him go have dinner at someone else's house?" Daisy glared. "The Johnsons have been trying to find a match for their thirty-something-year-old daughter. Now here's Melvin, strutting into that perfect opportunity."

"You didn't even like him. If he fancies Luna Johnson, wouldn't that suit you just fine?" Jocelyn teased.

Daisy put down her spatula and reached out as if to tap Jocelyn's forehead, but Jocelyn dodged.

"Let me tell you, don't get too smug. We invite him for dinner not because we like him; it's because we don’t want the Johnsons to have the upper hand. And you better be smart about this. Don't do anything you shouldn't." Daisy hinted, urging Jocelyn not to cause a scandal.

"I'm well aware of our boundaries." Jocelyn assured her.

"What were you thinking, really? Consider this: who’d make a better husband, Melvin or Harrison? Harrison's such a catch, and you just let him slip through your fingers." Daisy lamented, still holding a torch for the one that got away.

Jocelyn focused on the vegetables. "Harrison's great, but we're just friends. Compatibility is about the right time and place."

"Stop with the nonsense." Daisy huffed and was clearly frustrated. "And don't spend his money before you're married, or his family might accuse us of being gold diggers."

"Got it."

Throughout the three years with Melvin, apart from the polite gifts, Jocelyn hadn't really spent his money.

Daisy rubbed her chest and shot Jocelyn another stern look. "You really know how to give me a heart attack, don't you?"

"Things will work out. I'm not out to upset you." Jocelyn soothed her. "Don't stress yourself out; I haven't brought home a total disaster."

"I might be a bit more at ease if you hadn’t kept secrets." Daisy said, her chest tight with worry as she put down her utensils. "You finish up here."

Jocelyn opened the door to let her mother out.

As soon as Daisy left, Melvin offered to take over, "I'll help her out."

No one told him it wasn't necessary, so he entered the kitchen and closed the door behind him.

"What are you doing here?" Jocelyn asked, glancing back at her parents in the living room. "What's the deal today?"

Melvin rolled up his sleeves and began to chop vegetables alongside her. "Just creating a chance encounter."

Jocelyn had never seen him cook before. He was deft with the knife and sliced the vegetables even better than she did.

She watched him work.

"What's on your mind?" Melvin asked, noticing her gaze.

"You cook?"

"Yep."

"Why haven't I seen you do it before?"

"Being served by others is where the joy's at."

Jocelyn felt an inexplicable surge of happiness at his words.

She stole a few glances at him and asked, "How many more secrets are you hiding?"

"Secrets by definition are not meant to be known." Melvin said softly. "And those that are hidden usually bear pain."

Jocelyn paused and processed his words. He had never shared such things with her.

A burnt scent wafted from the pot, snapping her back to the task at hand.