The Unwilling CEO's Love Game

Melvin lazily lifted his eyelids, "Since when did you become such a busybody?"

"Just curious, dude. If I knew you had a girlfriend, I wouldn't have called you that night." Willow said with a chuckle, "And you're tight-lipped as ever. I mean, I get it if I'm in the dark, but Zephyr and Yannick too? You're a regular secret agent."

Read between the lines: Jocelyn doesn't make the cut to meet his pals.

And it confirmed that he left that night because of her.

Zephyr frowned, "You two have met before? Here I thought we were all in the same boat. Willow, that's not cool."

"I haven't seen Melvin for years and had no clue he had a girlfriend. Just wanted to surprise him. Landed in the middle of the night and gave him a ring, who knew he'd actually show up? I had to assume he was still flying solo." Willow explained with a laugh.

Jocelyn was on pins and needles, wanting to make her escape.

Melvin poured Jocelyn a cup of water, "So, no more late-night calls unless it's an emergency, okay?"

Willow's smile froze on her face.

"True, late-night calls can be quite inconvenient." Zephyr said with a suggestive grin, "Having a girlfriend changes the game, huh?" sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"As long as you get it," Melvin ended the discussion with that.

Jocelyn felt a tad better.

Zephyr kept the chit-chat going so the vibe wasn't completely dead. Willow didn't speak to Jocelyn again, just joked around with the rest, reminiscing about old times. Jocelyn felt out of place. Because Melvin never talked about his past.

Melvin wasn't completely ignoring Jocelyn, though. He helped her with food and occasionally joined in the conversation.

"Willow, you're like the nation's sweetheart now. Got a line of guys chasing you?" Zephyr prodded nosily.

Willow took a small sip of her drink, "Yep."

"Got your eye on anyone? If not, how about giving me a shot?" Zephyr teased, half-joking.

Willow shot him a look, "Ever heard of 'don't hit on your buddy's girl'?"

Zephyr's smile turned awkward, his eyes darting to Melvin who was serving Jocelyn food. Jocelyn's hand with the fork stiffened.

"When did you start flirting with Yannick? How come we didn't know?" Zephyr asked Willow, then turned Melvin, "You had no idea, right?" Melvin, leaning back in his chair with a drink in one hand and the other on Jocelyn's chair, had a touch of laziness, "First I've heard of it." Willow glared at Zephyr, "Stop stirring the pot."

"Then whose girl are you?" Zephyr seemed a bit clueless.

"Just don't play around," Willow said while sipping her drink, "I've got a goal in mind this time."

With that, the other two guys looked at Melvin, and Jocelyn also sneakily peered at the man next to her.

The message was clear to everyone.

Gotta admit, Willow was pretty straightforward.

Never one to miss a beat, Zephyr sent an ambiguous look Melvin's way, asking, "You're not thinking of getting back with Melvin, are you?"

Jocelyn's heart skipped, and she didn't dare look at either Melvin or Willow.

She wanted out.

The current atmosphere was suffocating.

Melvin glanced at Zephyr, "Got nothing better to do than talk nonsense?"

Zephyr shrugged, "Just curious, man."

"How do you expect Willow to answer that?" Yannick gave Zephyr a look; this guy seemed to be always missing a screw.

"If that's the case, this is going to be fun." Zephyr chuckled mischievously, loving the chaos.

Jocelyn couldn't sit still anymore. She pretended to check her watch and said casually, "Sorry, I've got a class soon. I need to head out."

"So soon?" Zephyr looked reluctant.

Jocelyn smiled, "Yeah. Enjoy your meal, and let's hang out some other time."

She stood up, avoiding Melvin's gaze. She certainly didn't expect him to escort her.

But Melvin also stood up, "I'll take you."

"No need." Jocelyn quickly declined, "You guys finally got together. Don't worry about me."

Melvin grabbed her hand, "You sure do talk a lot of nonsense."

Jocelyn was speechless.

Once they had left, Zephyr looked at Willow, his demeanor shifting from frivolous to serious, "Jocelyn and Melvin are quite a match. Always hiding Jocelyn and not willing to bring her to us, but he bring her out today. It seems like good things are on the horizon," Zephyr teased.

"People can divorce even after marriage. Until the very end, who knows who's truly suitable?" Willow countered lightly.

Yannick looked up, "Are you trying to interfere, or do you want to take him back?"

"He was mine to begin with," Willow asserted, frowning.

"Heh," Zephyr scoffed, "No use crying over spilt milk."

Willow was unfazed, "If I want it, I'll go for it."

"But the milk's gone," Zephyr said before laughing and looking at Yannick, "Yannick, I'm feeling nostalgic too." Yannick suddenly gulped, looking everywhere but comfortable.

...

Jocelyn gently pulled her hand away and said sensibly, "You don't have to drop me off; go back to your friends." Melvin looked her over, "You serious?"

"Yes. Of course." Jocelyn kept her smile polite. She had to be gracious and forgiving.

Melvin snorted, "You should look in the mirror and see how ugly your smile is right now. Get in the car!"

He got into the car, started the engine, waiting for her.

Jocelyn pinched her face, wondering if her smile really looked that bad.

On the way, Melvin drove with one hand on the wheel, the other holding a cigarette out the window, looking like a total bad boy.

"Stop at the next corner, please."

"What for?"

"I want a bowl of pasta."

Melvin frowned, "Didn't you just eat?"

Jocelyn's smile was sarcastic, "The dishes weren't great."

Melvin looked at her then parked the car to the side.

Jocelyn ordered a small bowl of pasta and sat down without waiting for Melvin.

Melvin watched her, "This good?"

"Delicious." Jocelyn didn't even glance up.

Melvin grabbed a fork and fished out some pasta from her bowl. After taking a bite, he put it down and said, "Meh, it's just alright."

"You know, what makes food taste good is all about the vibes and company."

Melvin's brow furrowed again, "What are you implying now?"

"Nothing. It's no biggie. Exes turning into friends after a breakup, it's normal," Jocelyn said with a grin. "After all, who doesn't have an ex, right?"

Melvin's expression collapsed instantly,, "You've got an ex?"

"Who do you think you're looking down on?" Jocelyn polished off her pasta and wiped the corner of her mouth, her smile growing brighter, "I'm on good terms with my ex too." Melvin tapped his fingers on the table, his peachy eyes scrutinizing her, "So, your ex wasn't up to snuff, huh?"

Jocelyn didn't catch his drift.

"You're a tough nut to crack the first time around," Melvin said deadpan.

Jocelyn's face turned beet red in a flash, and she felt the urge to splash the pasta right in his face.

Melvin was quite pleased with himself. He paid the bill, "Come on, we'll be late for class if we don't head out now."

Jocelyn felt extremely aggrieved, wanting to say something that would make him uncomfortable too.

By the time they reached the school, she couldn't think of anything to say that would sting him.

To show her displeasure, she hopped out of the car as soon as it stopped and slammed the door without looking back. Melvin watched her go with a hint of amusement in his eyes.