Novel Square
Chapter 61
Chapter 61
Chapter 61
Jocelyn was tormented by Melvin bright and early in the morning, feeling uncomfortable all over. She thought men really had a knack for looking spick and span outdoors but turning into beasts indoors.
To avoid a run-in between Melvin and her mom, Jocelyn thoughtfully suggested Melvin wait for them at the entrance of the old. neighborhood that afternoon.
She had to head back now.
Melvin grabbed her hand, “I’m eating lunch alone?”
“You wanna come over to my place for lunch?” Jocelyn’s retort made Melvin let go her hand instantly.
Honestly, Jocelyn didn’t give a hoot. If Melvin was up for it, she’d happily drag him home. Clearly, he wasn’t.
Jocelyn wasn’t bummed out or anything. She knew what the deal was. If he’d said yes just like that, that would’ve been a real eyebrow-raiser.
“If you’re tied up this afternoon, we can just grab a cab to the station,” Jocelyn gave him an out. It wasn’t supposed to matter whether he dropped them off or not.
“I’m free.”
“Then I’ll give you a buzz later.”
Just as Jocelyn was about to hop on the elevator, Melvin pulled her back-
He wrapped her in his arms, with a rare glimpse of reluctance in his eyes.
“Why don’t we find an excuse to have lunch at your place?”
Jocelyn raised an eyebrow, “What excuse? My dad’s at work today, so no one’s there to casually invite you over
Melvin pursed his lips, pondering. “Can’t it just be that you bumped into me and invited me over by the way?”
“Hal” Jocelyn couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity. What a genius was he to find such an excuse
She eyed him sideways, “Why so eager to eat at my place anyway? It’s not like you need to impress your mother-in-law.”
He hadn’t thought about marrying her, so there was no need to make a show of it to her parents.
If it all blew up in his face later, it would be a real kick in the backbone
“Can’t I just want to spend more time with you?” Melvin frowned, “Starting to get fed up with me?”
Jocelyn didn’t buy his bull for a second; he was probably just messing around.
She gently pushed him away, “Better not show up at my place too often. My parents are sharp; they’ll figure it out. And if they start pushing for marriage, it’ll be late for you to regret.”
“Not fun.” Melvin let her go and pressed the elevator button for her again, “Kiss me.”
Jocelyn thought he was nuts. He’d never been like this before.
Still, she obliged and pecked him on the corner of his mouth. Then the elevator arrived.
“Gotta run.”
“Hold up.” Melvin fished out a small box from his pocket and handed it to her.
“What’s this?”
“A gift
Jocelyn was surprised, “You got me a gift?”
“Heh, you think I’m heartless like you?” Melvin blocked the elevator door, “Now
scram
Jocelyn waved goodbye with the box in hand, “Thanks a bunch.”
She got in the elevator, seeing Melvin stand with hands in pockets, his handsome face all frosty, but his eyes fixed on her, like a big dog left at home.
Once the elevator doors closed, Jocelyn opened the box – a delicate bracelet inside.
It sported a pink diamond, not big, but finely made and pretty. She tried it on. It was a perfect fit for her wrist.
Over the years, he’d been a decent boyfriend, always mindful of what girls like, bringing her gifts from his trips, plenty of jewelry Content © NôvelDrama.Org 2024.
too-earrings, necklaces, bracelets Neither piece was cheap, to say the least.
He’d always been generous with her. But what she truly wanted was never these things.
She took off the bracelet, put it back in the box, and stepped out of the elevator.
Back home, Jocelyn couldn’t dodag her mother’s questions about where she’d been all night, and she had to lie about being called last-minute by a colleague to check some textbooks and missing calls from home due to her phone being on silent.
Daisy just wanted an explanation and didn’t pry further.
The three of them were eating lunch when Daisy kept reassuring Quinta not to overthink and not to stress herself out, because a good mood was key to making things happen.
Quinta nodded, “Auntie, don’t worry, I have a handle on it.”
But all that comforting was just for show. These days, even being of age and not married could become gossip fodder, not to mention being sterile.
If a woman is found out being infertile, who knows what nasty things people might say about her.
To claim there was no pressure was simply impossible.
Jocelyn’s phone lit up.
A Facebook message from Harrison came in.
She glanced at it. Harrison said he’d struck out on six blind dates already
Jocelyn couldn’t help but chuckle and typed back, teasing about the thriving dating market. [Six dates in just a few days? Wouldn’t you lower the bar a bit?)
Then, he replied that there would be no more setups.
Jocelyn was curious, had he found someone today?
He sent her a video clip.
Jocelyn clicked it open and recognized what he meant at first glance.
It was their street interview.
This again.
“What’s the matter?” she asked, “are you affected by it too?”
Harrison replied that after his last date this morning, his mom sent him the video, asking about his relationship with her
Jocelyn stared at the text, wondering what he would say next.
The following message read. [I owe you an apology. To put an end to these pointless dates, I lied that you were the girl I liked and that I’m pursuing you.]
Jocelyn nearly snorted her rice up her nose.
Blinking in disbelief, she read it again, and replied with a flabbergasted.
Harrison’s call came through.
Jocelyn stared at the incoming call. While she was on her phone, Daisy and Quinta had been eyeing her the whole time, which she was totally unaware of.
“You done playing? You gonna eat properly or what?” Daisy glared at her, “Who’s calling? Pick it up.”
Jocelyn had just promised Melvin not to get too chummy with Harrison, and now there were those Facebook messages and phone calls.
But they weren’t in the same city, just chatting on the phone and not meeting up, that didn’t count as getting close, right?
She set down her fork and grabbed her phone,” Sorry, I’ll take this call.”
Seeing her walk into the bedroom and even shut the door, Daisy turned to Quinta, all confused, “Who’s she on the phone with?”
‘T’ve got no clue,” Quinta guessed it might be Melvin.
In the room, Jocelyn answered the call.
Harrison started by asking if she’d had lunch, and then got to the main point.
He was apologetic, “Sorry for not asking your permission before I went ahead. But I was just saying I’m pursuing yo
pan out is still up in the air.”
Jocelyn knew his struggle all too well because she was going through the same thing
The only difference was that he didn’t have a girlfriend. It wasn’t too bad for him use her name to avoid those blind dates. After all, he just claimed that he was chasing after her, not that she was his girlfriend.
In contrast, she had a guy whorn she’d been sleeping with for three years, but she still didn’t dare to tell her parents she had a marriage prospect in mind and had to sneak around like a thief.
What mattered most was that she couldn’t just randomly pick someone to fend off the marriage pressure like he could. If she dared to try, Melvin would have her head.
“It’s cool,” Jocelyn said. “As long as you don’t say I’m your girlfriend, we’re good. Besides, we’re miles apart; no one is gonna know
whether we could turn out to be a couple or not.”
Harrison visibly relaxed, “I thought you’d be mad.”
“I get it.”
Thanks. Don’t worry, I’ll never be able to make you my girl,” Harrison joked over the phone. “If you need, you can use me as a shield too. Even if you go as far as saying I’m your boyfriend, I’m up for playing the part in person.”
Jocelyn chuckled, “Hope it won’t come to that.”
Harrison laughed heartily, “Right, it’s best when true lovers come together. Fake just doesn’t cut it.”