The Unwilling CEO's Love Game novel Chapter 98

Jocelyn's heart raced at the sight of him, a flutter she could not shake off. She bowed her head and held her breath as she walked past him, hoping against hope he would not suddenly call out her name or grasp her arm to stop her.

Thankfully, she made it to the elevator without incident. As the doors slid open, she turned and pressed the button for the lobby, only to see Melvin stride confidently towards her, his aim clear: he was getting on the elevator.

In a moment of near-panic, Jocelyn jabbed at the close button, pressing it repeatedly in the vain hope that the doors would shut before he reached them. But as always, the elevator doors seemed to crawl at a snail's pace.

His foot shot out, preventing the doors from closing fully, and they re-opened.

Jocelyn's scalp tingled, and she instinctively stepped back, putting as much distance between them as possible.

Her nerves were palpable, and she wondered if he could sense her tension. The moment he stepped in, the air seemed to thin.

An urge to flee filled her, the small space suddenly suffocating.

She clenched her fists, recalling Ursula's advice: “Stay steady, don't overdo it, don't care too much. The more your emotions fluctuate, the more you need to remain cool. If you can't face the past, how can you chase a new future?”

Jocelyn pulled out her phone, flicking aimlessly through the screen, absorbing none of the content. She just wanted the elevator to reach the ground floor, to escape.

Her ringtone shattered the silence, making her jump. She quickly lowered the volume, her heart leaping as she saw the caller ID, a sense of cheating washing over her. As for whom she was 'cheating' with, she could not quite discern.

She swallowed hard, steadying her voice before answering.

"You're up early," Came Harrison's gentle voice.

Jocelyn felt paranoid in the quiet, fearful of being overheard. She turned slightly away, whispering a soft "Yeah."

"Did you sleep well last night?"

"Yeah." She stuck to monosyllabic replies, too afraid to say more.

"I couldn't sleep a wink," Harrison said, his tone light. His morning voice was deep yet brimming with joy.

Jocelyn wanted to confess her restless night but didn't dare.

Finally, the elevator reached the lobby. Jocelyn exhaled deeply with relief.

She waited for the doors to open, not rushing out ahead of Melvin. He exited first, and only then did she step out of the elevator.

"I'm heading out for breakfast," She said into the phone, her voice more cheerful now that she was free of Melvin's presence.

Harrison asked her what she would eat. Jocelyn admitted she was not sure.

Their conversation was light and casual, the kind of everyday chatter new lovers might share, neither feeling bored nor burdened by the simplicity of their exchange.

Stepping out of the hotel, Jocelyn had not expected to see Melvin still there, stationary as a statue.

The sight of him still triggered a visceral nervousness. She gripped her phone tighter, saying, "I'm crossing the street. Gotta go."

"Alright."

After hanging up, Jocelyn hurried her pace.

She was indeed crossing the street, so focused on escaping that she missed the oncoming right-turning car. Halfway across the crosswalk, the car bore down on her, but she was yanked back violently into a familiar embrace.

Her heart raced, adrenaline pumping.

"Are you blind?" The icy male voice snapped Jocelyn to her senses.

Her heartbeat throbbed in her ears.

Turning, she glimpsed his stern face and managed to choke out a "Thank you."

Now, at a red light, she had no choice but to wait.

Standing beside Melvin was unbearable; she lacked the poise to appear indifferent.

The closest confidants were now the most familiar strangers; even the lack of eye contact was discomforting.

Each second of waiting was an eternity, and she contemplated jaywalking just to end the torment.

Green light. Jocelyn's steps quickened, desperate to reach the other side, to distance herself from the man who could so easily stir her emotions.

They parted like chance encounters, each going their separate way, clearly not traveling the same path, literally and metaphorically.

...

Later, Harrison called earlier than expected and waited for her at the school gates.