DRAMA NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 86
On the fourth day of the long holiday, Principal Fletcher sent Jocelyn a text, inquiring about her decision.
Jocelyn had given it a lot of thought. Ever since she joined the school, Principal Fletcher and her colleagues had been very supportive, especially during the incident last fall when the school had stood firmly behind her.
Now the school needed her help. She couldn't bear the thought of letting Principal Fletcher down.
She replied that she would talk it over with Melvin, but she couldn't guarantee the outcome.
Principal Fletcher thanked her profusely, which only increased the pressure on Jocelyn.
She regretted saying 'yes' the moment she sent the text.
She didn't even know how to approach Melvin about it. After she had broken up with him, he hadn't left a single thing behind, nor taken anything with him.
He had thrown all his belongings into the dumpster below her apartment as if to show her just how repulsed he was by her.
Ha, it was laughable. He had turned a blind eye to everything Willow had done, and still attended events with her in public.
But with Jocelyn...
It's pretty obvious he didn't love Jocelyn.
Now, she couldn't even figure out how to set up a meeting with him.
While she was fretting, Harrison sent her a message, asking if she wanted to grab a bite since he was in town.
Since the rumour last time, Harrison had only occasionally liked her tweets, without any real conversation with her.
Jocelyn felt that what had happened was unfair to Harrison too. They were both just pawns in someone else's game. Previously, she would keep her distance from other men to avoid upsetting Melvin, but now she was free to expand her social circle. She agreed to meet Harrison.
They decided on a popular restaurant with light dishes. She dared not take him for anything too spicy after their last adventure.
"How have you been?" was Harrison's opening question when they met.
Jocelyn smiled, "Pretty good. You?"
"Not bad."
There was some awkwardness between them, a remnant of their past embarrassing encounter. For a moment, neither said anything. Then they caught each other's eyes and burst into laughter. "Are we going to stay ridiculously awkward like this?" Harrison asked, adjusting his glasses. "Shouldn't we just be more straightforward as friends?"
That broke the ice, and Jocelyn relaxed.
She poured him some coffee, "We've been a bit uptight, haven't we?"
Their conversation started to flow more naturally then, and Harrison couldn't help but ask, "How are things with Melvin now?"
Jocelyn paused, then smiled, "We split up a while ago."
"Really over?"
"Yeah," she sipped her coffee, "it's over."
Harrison could tell she seemed genuinely at peace with it.
"That's what life is like, right? If it doesn't work out, you move on. You're great, Jocelyn. You'll find someone who's a better match."
She nodded firmly, "Life's all about meeting different people, whether they're adversaries or lovers. It's all about how you think about them, isn't it?"
"Glad to see you think in this way."
Jocelyn looked at him, "Your parents must have been upset about the previous incident."
"They were disappointed more than anything," Harrison said with a shrug, "disappointed in me for not being able to find a wife. It's always my fault in their opinion." "I'm really sorry."
"It's not your fault. It was my idea, and you ended up taking so much flak for it. If anyone should apologize, it's me." Harrison felt genuinely guilty, "So this meal is on me." Jocelyn didn't decline.
As they were eating, they overheard two girls at the next table gossiping about Willow and the jewelry magnate.
"They're such a good match. Both so attractive, and they're each other's first love. Now both successful and joining forces. People are so envious of them."
"They're getting a lot of media attention. Willow talked about their past on a TV show, and the jewelry brand's social media account liked it. I bet an engagement is on the horizon."
Jocelyn occasionally checked Twitter and knew that Willow and Melvin were trending often. The jewelry company's official account had been liking posts congratulating the couple, fueling public excitement.
There were rumors that the company was preparing for a proposal, especially since they launched a new line focused on love and marriage, with an exclusive photo shoot featuring Willow. The company's website hinted at it, lending credibility to the rumors.
Harrison noticed Jocelyn's expression change and heard the conversation too.
He knew about her ex, the young and successful jewelry tycoon-a man who could easily captivate any woman's heart.
"You okay?" Harrison asked openly.
Jocelyn snapped back to the present, "I'm fine."
"Just look forward," he consoled her.
"I am. I've been ready for this. It doesn't hurt anymore."
Jocelyn was truly over it.
But that man had been in her heart for so many years, like a thorn lodged deep within. Pulling it out was bound to leave a wound.
She was waiting for the day when she could simply become accustomed to its presence.
After all, he was a man she had once loved deeply.
"By the way, my mom urged me to yet another blind date recently," Harrison changed the subject, hoping to lighten her mood.
Jocelyn was curious, "How did it go?"
"Not bad. She's a kindergarten teacher, very kind-hearted."
"That's great." Jocelyn's face lit up, "Your mom must be relieved."
Harrison shook his head, "Nothing's set in stone yet. We've only met once, so who knows what the future holds."
"If you like her, you should make an effort," Jocelyn encouraged him genuinely, "Finding someone you think is nice is not that easy. Don't let the opportunity slip by."
Harrison looked at her and started to laugh.
"What's so funny?"
"You sound just like my mom," he said, his eyes filled with a resigned humor, "You have the same troubles with me, yet you can't empathize with me?"
"You know, the key is that you've stumbled across someone you reckon is alright. Me? I haven't had that luck," Jocelyn shrugged nonchalantly, her face a picture of indifference. "Anyway, it's like I've been spared another bout of heartache."
"What's your type, anyway?" Harrison asked her. "Need me to play Cupid for you?"
Jocelyn fixed him with a playful smile. "What are you now, my personal matchmaker like my parents?"
Harrison chuckled. "That shows we all care about you."
They shared a look and laughed together - a pure, untainted laughter of good friends ribbing each other, free of any underlying motives.
Outside, a sleek silver Porsche paused briefly before roaring off down the street.
After lunch, Harrison had to dash off for a meeting, and as soon as Jocelyn got home, her phone buzzed with a message from the principal.
The text detailed where and when she was to meet Melvin.
The message sent Jocelyn into a spiral of anxiety that lasted all afternoon until the principal called her again. "Jocelyn, I'm counting on you." That evening, Jocelyn inspected her in front of mirror over and over. She didn't want to give anyone a reason to question her professionalism.
She donned a crisp white blouse, black dress slacks, and a pair of black flats. Her hair was pulled back into a neat bun, showcasing her delicate features. She had applied only a dab of lip gloss, steering clear of lipstick.
The woman in the mirror was ready for business, and no one could think otherwise.
She grabbed a blazer, her purse, and headed out the door.
The taxi dropped her off at the address the principal had given - a rather posh hotel. Nervously, she approached the reception desk to inquire about Melvin's room. Once she had the details, she made her way to the private dining suites.
The hotel was vast, and Jocelyn focused intently on the room numbers until she finally reached the door bearing the respectful digits. She paused outside, steeling herself mentally.
She reminded herself that this was just for business. No matter what Melvin's attitude might be, as long as she showed up and met the man, she'd have fulfilled the principal's request.