The Unwilling CEO’s Love Game

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 Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

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.

He was right; secrets weren’t meant to be shared carelessly.

As she pondered, she wondered if his previous commitment-phobic statements were the result of some hidden

pain.

She didn’t dare to probe further. As he said, there was pain, and pain shall not be revealed recklessly.

He was changing, though, and maybe all he needed was a little more time. She believed that he would eventually open up to her completely.

Dinner was served: four dishes and a soup.

Melvin took the initiative to serve the soup, while Calvin and Daisy’s expressions remained as stern as before, much like the last supper they shared.

Melvin’s phone rang half through the meal.

“Excuse me for a moment.” he said apologetically and stood up to take the call.

Jocelyn caught the name “Dr. Layla.”

“A doctor?” Daisy picked up on it as well, eyeing Melvin’s silhouette on the balcony. She turned to Jocelyn and asked, “Is someone in his family sick?”

Jocelyn shook her head. “I don’t know.”

Daisy frowned. “You mean to say you don’t even know if there’s an illness in his family?”

Jocelyn kept her head down and continued eating, afraid to delve into his family affairs.

Calvin caught Daisy’s eye and shook his head, signaling her to drop it.

Soon Melvin returned to the table.

“Someone sick at home?” Daisy couldn’t contain her curiosity.

Melvin paused, then shook his head. “No.”

“But it sounded like a doctor called.” Daisy pressed, sensing Melvin wasn’t being entirely forthright.

“Hm.” Melvin simply acknowledged, not offering more.

Daisy wanted to ask more, but Calvin intervened and offered her more food. “Let’s eat, or the food will get cold.” Daisy shot Calvin a look but ultimately held her peace.

Jocelyn breathed a deep sigh of relief after leaving her family.

The past few days, every dinner back at home had been a high-pressure affair. Not a single one had been easy.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you, is there anything wrong at home?” Jocelyn was genuinely curious. “That doctor has phoned you several times now.”

Melvin drove along and replied nonchalantly, “Just consulting on a few matters. No one’s sick.”

“Oh.” Jocelyn sensed that wasn’t the whole truth.

There’s a rule of threes: Mom had asked once, then she had asked once; and if it wasn’t answered, the topic was off-limits.

“I’ve got an early flight tomorrow, so I won’t come over to your place.” Melvin said as he drove towards her apartment. “I should be back by evening if everything goes well.”

“Okay.”

Jocelyn didn’t pry into his affairs, just like before. If he wanted to share, she’d listen; if not, she wouldn’t push.

After all, she didn’t understand his job anyway. There was no need to ask if he didn’t want to talk about it.

Upon reaching the apartment building, Jocelyn unbuckled her seat belt.

“Wait a second.” Melvin called out.

Jocelyn turned towards him. “What’s up?”

Melvin reached out and pulled her closer “Give me a kiss.”

Jocelyn chuckled.

Melvin’s kiss didn’t involve taking a breath. Jocelyn’s head was almost dizzy with the kiss.

After a long while, he finally let her go. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

Jocelyn stepped out of the car and stood by the curb to wave at Melvin.

He gestured for her to go ahead, waited until he saw Jocelyn enter the building and the light in her room turn on, and then he drove away.