Chapter 57
Chapter 57
Melvin’s week–long business trip came around, and Jocelyn couldn’t help but give Melvin a call.
No answer. She shot him a text asking when he’d be back.
While waiting for a reply, Jocelyn got a ring from Quinta.
She’d just arrived the train station of Yanova City.
Jocelyn gave Daisy the heads–up that she was off to pick up Quinta, and Dalsy was also surprised at her arrival.
After picking up Quinta, Jocelyn was like, “Quinta, you’ve lost weight.”
“Really?” Quinta glanced down at herself, “Nah, I don’t think so.”
“You definitely have,” Jocelyn nodded for sure, then patted her own waist, “I’ve packed on the pounds.” Quinta gave her a glance, “You call this chubby? Do you even hit ninety?”
Jocelyn shook her head, “Scared to step on the scale. But hey, what brought you here all of a sudden?” Quinta’s vibe just dropped.
“What happened?” Jocelyn sensed something was off, holding Quinta’s arm, and they headed toward the subway station together.
“I came to get a health check at the hospital, Quinta sighed, “Damian’s been talking about wanting a baby lately, and it kinda freaks me out.”
Jocelyn knew exactly what she was afraid of.
Quinta had been pregnant before with her ex, but it was an ectopic pregnancy that nearly killed her.
Any married woman would want her own kid, but after what Quinta had been through, her scare was totally understandable.
Anyone would get the jitters hearing about things like nearly bleeding out on the operating table.
“Don’t worry, just rest up today, and I’ll go with you to the hospital tomorrow,” Jocelyn comforted her, “Medicine’s so advanced these days; they’ll make it happen for you.”
Quinta tried to smile it off, “I’ve talked to the hometown hospital before, and the doctor suggested IVF. I’ve discussed it with Damian, and he’s like, whatever it costs, as long as we can have a kid, it’s cool.”
“Why didn’t he come with you?”
“He’s swamped at work, couldn’t get away,” said Quinta. “I figured I’d get checked first before we decide on IVF.” Jocelyn nodded, “Cool.”
The subway’s always packed, so Jocelyn and Quinta had to stand all the way.
Suddenly, someone was eyeballing Jocelyn, whispering her friend, and then cautiously approached to Jocelyn, “Hey, weren’t you in that street interview?”
Jocelyn was taken aback, she didn’t expect to be recognized from some random video.
She laughed it off shyly, “Yeah, that was me.
“You look amazing in person. Are you sure you’re not a celeb?” The girl was starstruck.
Jocelyn felt awkward, “Nah, just an ordinary gal
Π
‘But you’re so pretty! And your boyfriend’s a looker too, like really smart and talented! You two are a perfect match, the girl and her friend couldn’t hide their excitement.
Jocelyn was dumbfounded.
Were they seriously shipping her?
“No, you’ve got it wrong. We’re just friends, for real,” Jocelyn didn’t expect the video to make such a splash.
“Friends can turn into more, the girl was pumped, “You two have to become a couple
Finally, their stop came, and Jocelyn quickly ushered Quinta off the train.
“What’s all this boyfriend talk?” Quinta was curious, “Got a new boyfriend?”
“Nope. Just a friend. Ran into him at the airport the other day and got into a street interview, now everyone’s got it twisted,” Jocelyn couldn’t believe the ripple effect.
Quinta sensed Jocelyn wasn’t fibbing. Seems like you’re a good match. Oh, are you and Melvin really over?” “Emm, Jocelyn really didn’t know how to label her thing with Melvin anymore.
Broken up?
How could you break up when you were never officially together?
Worried about running into more subway–like situations, Jocelyn just hailed a cab home.
She quickly set Quinta straight, “Don’t mention me and Melvin to my mom, they’re clueless.” “Got it,” Quinta promised on the spot.
Back at home, Daisy naturally brought up Quinta’s visit, and Quinta laid it out.
All Daisy could do was assure her it’d all work out fine.
It’s five o’clock Calvin clocked out and came home
H
Dinner was ready to go, and as the family settled in, Calvin shared, “Checked out that company today, pretty swanky. Their control room has its own bathroom and lounge, definitely a step up from my current gig. “Uncle, you landed a new job?” Quinta was intrigued.
“Yeah, my old boss wants me to join his company, better pay, less hassle. He told me to think it over. So I took a peek today, and it’s solid,” Calvin beamed, “Planning to make it official tomorrow.”
“That’s great,” Quinta grinned.
“Just today, I saw Mr. Martinez back in town with that big–time actress again. Reminded me of the time I saw her in his car. They’re in and out together, probably the future Mrs. Martinez,” Calvin was feeling the gossip vibes.
Jocelyn, on the other hand, caught the real news, Melvin was back?
“Mr. Martinez? Big–time actress?” Quinta asked, “Uncle, where are you working now?
“It’s a jewelry brand, pretty fancy. That actress is Willow. She’s a solid gal, pretty and talented. They’re a good. match, Calvin was totally oblivious to his daughter’s changing expression.
Hearing this, Quinta looked at Jocelyn, who just smiled back to show she was fine.
After dinner, Quinta followed Jocelyn to her room, shut the door, and grilled her about what she was really going on with Melvin. Were they truly done?
“He’s with that actress, and you’re not jealous?” Quinta couldn’t fathom it, “How can you just sit tight?”
Jocelyn felt like there was a hollow pit in her chest, ultimately resigning to the situation, “What can I do? You must have picked up on it from what my dad said today, he never intended to let our relationship come to light rom the get–go.
Chapter 52
57
“What do you think, then? Just keep it under wraps forever? Be his caged bird?” Quinta shook her head, “That’s no good. What will you end up with? You might even get the tables turned on you by that woman, accusing you of stealing her man.”
Jocelyn felt dizzy at the thought of this.
He had said he would ask her to pick him up from the airport before his business trip, but he came back without a peep.
He didn’t answer calls or reply to texts. Secretly hoping it was all for a surprise, she ended up hearing the news that he and Willow were coming and going from the company together.
The most absurd part was that her dad was the one who found out.
“Jocelyn?” Quinta frowned, patting her shoulder, “What are you planning to do?”
Jocelyn bit her lip, shaking her head, “Nothing.”
“Giving up? Not even going to ask for an explanation?”
“It was never going to last with him anyway, and since he’s made his choice, why shouldn’t I just go with the flow?” Jocelyn took a deep breath, “I’m kind of over it too. The guessing, the suspicion, and the
uncertainty, can’t see any future with him.”
Jocelyn bent over, covering her face for a moment, then looked up with a self–deprecating laugh, looking at Quinta with a bitter sigh, “I don’t even know how I got myself into this mess.
