The Unwilling CEO's Love Game

Melvin was halfway through his shower when he suddenly dragged Jocelyn in with him.

It was quite a while before Melvin emerged, clutching a spent woman in his arms. He laid her on the spacious bed and lazily traced her lips with a gluttonous touch. "Don't go home," Melvin said. "With bruise on your lips, you can't face your parents."

Jocelyn knew he's just looking for convenience.

Jocelyn's voice was hoarse, "I can think of an excuse to explain."

Melvin shot her a look, "Come on, you're a grown-up but still living with your parents, aren't you embarrassed?"

"No matter how old we get, we're still kids in our parents' eyes. They want to be with their children," Jocelyn argued back. "Ask your own parents if you don't believe." Melvin fell silent.

Jocelyn realized she had hit a nerve. She mentioned his taboo.

She glanced up at his face; his expression was not good.

What had happened with his parents that he was so sensitive about mentioning them? Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Jocelyn felt sorry for him. She had just blurted out that comment in the flow of conversation; she hadn't meant to pry into his heart.

She hugged him gently and apologized, "Sorry."

"I need to use the bathroom," Melvin said as he gently pushed her away and got out of bed.

The door closed. Jocelyn pursed her lips, her eyes darkening.

In the afternoon, Melvin dropped Jocelyn off at her apartment and didn't go up with her.

"I won't be back tonight," Melvin said from the car, eyeing the bruise on her lip, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Get some rest early." Jocelyn nodded.

Watching his car drive away, Jocelyn was curious about what was up with his parents that made his emotion change so quickly. She never pried into his family matters. If it weren't for Preston transferring to her class, she wouldn't even know he's Preston's uncle. But she really wanted to know about his family, what his parents were like, and what kind of home he grew up in.

However, she clearly hadn't reach the depths of his heart yet.

She began to suspect his reluctance to marriage had something to do with his parents.

It seemed now she couldn't fathom any further.

In the following days, Melvin was busy and didn't come to see her.

With the schooldays approaching, Jocelyn also became busy. Meetings and preparations for the new term kept her spinning like a top.

Quinta once called her, saying she was putting off IVF for now. When asked why, she only said it was almost school time and she didn't have enough time.

Quinta was an elementary music teacher and the initial meetings at the beginning of a new term were indeed many, but it didn't seem enough to skip IVF for this sake.

Jocelyn had her suspicions. But if Quinta wasn't sharing, it wasn't her place to probe further.

Everyone was so busy, there was no time to worry about anything else.

A couple of days before school started, Melvin called Jocelyn to help pick up Preston at the airport.

When Jocelyn asked Melvin where he was, he said he was on a business trip.

Jocelyn didn't ask where he went or when he'd be back. If he wanted to tell her, she wouldn't have to ask.

Besides, even if she did ask, he wouldn't tell if he didn't want to.

Jocelyn went to the airport to pick up Preston. In just two months, the boy seemed to have grown taller.

"Jocelyn, you've lost weight," were Preston's first words, leaving Jocelyn a bit dazed.

Jocelyn smiled, "I call it slimming down."

"Girls look better with some weight," Preston insisted on carrying his own belongings.

After dropping Preston off at Melvin's, Preston pulled out a box from his bag and handed it to Jocelyn, "This is for you."

"What is it?" Jocelyn didn't take it.

"Just open it and you'll see," Preston urged, lifting the box.

Jocelyn took it. Upon opening, she saw a blood diamond bracelet inside. She wasn't a jewelry buff, but she knew it was pricey.

After a glance, she handed it back, "This is too expensive; I can't accept it."

"My mom sent it for you," Preston refused to take it back. "She said Uncle Melvin has been a handful for you."

Jocelyn frowned, "What exactly have you told your mom?"

"Just that you two are in a relationship," Preston said. "Didn't you shoot that street video? I showed it to my mom, and she liked you so much. She said you're a good match for Uncle Melvin, and you can keep him on a tight leash. So, she wanted me to pass this gift on to you."

Jocelyn was taken aback, "The street video?"

"Yeah. That guy with you seemed okay, but my mom thinks her brother better for you," Preston said. "Anyway, she's taken you on as a sister-in-law."

Jocelyn was speechless.

What was he talking about, sister-in-law?

"I still can't accept it," Jocelyn placed the gift on the table. "Your uncle and I won't work out."

Preston frowned, "You don't think you can win him over?"

"Don't think so," Jocelyn was very self-aware.

"Then why are you still hanging out with him? That other guy isn't bad," Preston remarked sensibly.

Jocelyn felt a bitter moment, "Because I love your uncle."

Preston was slightly baffled, "I see. Like my dad loved my mom, but they just couldn't be together."

Jocelyn was surprised by his words, but she didn't ask why.

"If you're not willing to take it, I won't force you. I'll explain to my mom," Preston was very reasonable. "If there's no future between you, why not break it off early? You shouldn't let your best years go to the dogs."

Jocelyn was at a loss for words.

Talking about his uncle in such ways, he really resembled Melvin.

"But what if you make him think about marriage," Preston still had hope. "After all, he does like you a lot."

Jocelyn knew Melvin liked her. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been 'playing' with her for so long.

But such affection wasn't enough for him to entangle his life with hers.

Jocelyn didn't reveal these to Preston. Instead, she just told him to take good care of himself, and she left.

On her way back, Ulla sent her a Facebook message with a photo of Willow and Melvin getting out of a car and entering a hotel together. Seeing the photo, Jocelyn's heart clenched painfully.

He had promised her he'd try to keep a distance from Willow. But while he was away on a business trip, he turned out to be with Willow. [That dude is the boss of the jewelry brand.]

Jocelyn felt a twinge in her heart and didn't know how to respond.

She just sent a "?" back.

Ulla replied instantly. [Heard that guy's got a girlfriend. If we snap a pic of them getting cozy, Willow's rep is gonna be trashed.]

Jocelyn couldn't help but laugh.

Turns out, she was that guy's girlfriend. But Melvin never introduced her publicly.

So even if they did get a photo, how could they prove Melvin had a girlfriend?

She didn't reply to Ulla, zooming in and out of the photo, curious about the real deal between Willow and Melvin.

If they were not over, why not rekindle the old flame?

If there was nothing between them, why was Melvin always so endlessly accommodating towards Willow?

Jocelyn doubled back to see Preston.

Preston was surprised to see her return.

"Can I ask you something about your uncle?" Jocelyn stood at the door without entering.

Preston was confused, nodded dumbly.

After thinking it through, Jocelyn asked, "What's the real deal between Willow and your uncle?"

Preston blinked, "My mom mentioned they used to be together, but that was way back when they were young. Later, when my uncle started his business, Willow went abroad." Jocelyn's heart sank.

So, she was his first love after all.