Chapter 59
Chapter 59
In the car, the atmosphere was intense.
Quinta had the urge to bail through the window a bunch of times. This dude’s presence was freaking scary.
No clue how Jocelyn put up with him, let alone dated him and even thought about marrying him.
It would be a nightmare, for sure.
Melvin was playing it cool as ice, not a word from him, and the atmosphere in the car felt like being trapped in a balloon sucked dry of oxygen. So freaking uncomfortable.
Quinta glanced at her cousin, Jocelyn, who seemed totally unbothered.
When they hit a red light, Melvin’s phone rang.
He answered with a poker face, hooking it up to the car’s Bluetooth.
“Where are you? I’m already stitched up,” a familiar voice came through.
Jocelyn’s lips curled up a bit. She knew it! It was no coincidence; he was with Willow getting her stitches
removed.
Can’t blame them. If anyone’s to blame, it’s her for showing up at that hospital.
“Heading home,” Melvin replied, icy as ever.
“Huh? Why’d you leave? Weren’t you gonna stick with me?” Willow’s voice had that whiny charm.
Jocelyn raised an eyebrow, gazing out the window. Seriously, she would be better off under a car than in this
one.
Quinta was holding her breath, feeling super awkward.
“Get home on your own. Bye.”
No chance for a reply, he just hung up.
Green light, and the car took off.
That beast of a car sped up fast, leaving all the other cars in the dust. In no time, they reached the neighborhood where Jocelyn’s parents lived.
Jocelyn and Quinta got out. Melvin didn’t, but he called after Jocelyn.
“Ten minutes. I’ll wait,” he said. That non–negotiable tone made Jocelyn frown.
She slammed the door shut without looking back.
Finally away from the car, Quinta took a deep breath, “His vibe is way too intense, nearly choked me out there.”
Jocelyn admitted Melvin was intimidating when pissed, but she was ticked off too. Why should she put up with his attitude?
“Maybe you really should talk with him. He didn’t seem all that into Willow; maybe they’re just friends,” Quinta suggested, ‘Better clear the air.”
Climbing the stairs, Jocelyn muttered, “Don’t wanna talk. Just let it go.”
Quinta watched her go.
Jocelyn had always been a good girl in the family’s eyes, but she had her own mind.
Love is something outsiders can’t fully get or feel.
And Quinta had no place telling Jocelyn what to do.
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Chapter 59
“What if he just waits there?” Quinta was worried, “Would be awkward if your dad spots him.”
Jocelyn’s face tensed at that.
Gripping the railing tightly, she finally caved.
“Tell mom I got something on and won’t be home tonight.”
“Sure.” Quinta advised, “Have a proper talk, no matter the outcome, keep it graceful. If you really like him, don’t let go easily.”
Jocelyn nodded and headed back down the stairs.
She approached the car, which was a rare sight in the neighborhood, and slid into the back seat.
“Come sit in the front,” Melvin said, not surprised at her coming back.
Jocelyn didn’t move. “I don’t wanna sit where someone else has been.”
Melvin glanced back at her, while Jocelyn looked out the window, stubborn as hell.
The car drove off, passing Calvin who was just getting home from work on his bike.
Calvin recognized the car. He was the head of security, surely he could tell it was his boss’s car. But why in his neighborhood?
He couldn’t figure it out. He just pedaled on, humming to himself.
Jocelyn saw her dad pause and look back, recognizing the car she was in.
Her heart soured. Her aged dad was working for the owner of this car.
Without her complicated relationship with Melvin, it wouldn’t be any wrong. But things between she and Melvin? It was totally a mess.
They drove straight to Melvin’s parking garage, and he locked the doors, not letting her out.
“Aren’t you gonna explain?” Melvin asked, eyeing her through the rear–view mirror.
Jocelyn met his gaze in the mirror.
She scoffed, “Me to explain? I was home waiting for your call all the time, ready to pick you up from the airport any second. But no calls, no texts. I even had to hear from my dad that you were back, hanging with Willow. Who do you think should be the explaining one?”
How could he even ask as if she was the wrong one?
Melvin narrowed his eyes, Your cozy hug with that guy went viral; everyone saying you’re a match made in heaven. Did you enjoy the praise? Did you think about how your man, me, would feel seeing that? If you cared about me even a bit, shouldn’t you have explained right away?”
Jocelyn froze. She knew it’s possible for him to have seen the video. She thought he’d confront her if he saw it, but he didn’t. So she comforted herself that he might not know.
“Nothing to say now?” Melvin sneered, “You couldn’t wait to get away from me, and then you’re all over another guy with interviews and goodbye hugs. Jocelyn, you really have some nerve.
She felt guilty. She knew she shouldn’t have, and now she was too lost for words.
Now, any explanation seemed pointless.
They sat in silence until Melvin slapped the steering wheel, blaring the horn and startling Jocelyn.
“Say something!” Melvin was barely holding back his anger.
Jocelyn was frightened, eyes wide on him, thinking about bolting.
Her hand reached for the door handle, but it wouldn’t budge.
“What do you want me to say?”
“Explain! Melvin’s eyes bore into her through the mirror.
Jocelyn took a deep breath. “Will you believe anything I say? If I say it was just a coincidence, just a polite gesture between friends, will you accept that?”
“will”
Jocelyn was shock.
Checking out Melvin’s gaze, the danger in his eyes had fizzled out.
Jocelyn thought she must have mistaken, but his expression had definitely softened up a bit.
Melvin had already hit the car door button. He got out, then came around to the back seat and opened the door, reaching out his hand to her.
Jocelyn had no clue what he was up to; his mood swing felt so sudden, and it kinda spooked her.
While he furrowed his brows lightly, Jocelyn got out without placing her hand in his
Melvin grabbed her hand in a flash, slamming the car door as soon as she was out, then hauled her into the
elevator.
As soon as the elevator doors snapped shut, Jocelyn found herself pinned against the elevator wall by Melvin, who lowered his head and planted a wild, frantic and dominant kiss on her lips.
Jocelyn was caught totally off guard. Her hands were lifted above her head, pressed against the wall, forcing her fingers to intertwine tightly with his
His kisses were so intense that she couldn’t breathe. Her chest heaved more and more, and the breaths
becoming shorter and quicker.
Right when she was about to pass out from lack of oxygen, he let her go, leaning his forehead against hers and taking huge breaths.
His sexy Adam’s apple bobbed as he spoke in a husky voice, “Promise me that won’t happen again.”
