Chapter 62
Chapter 62
They shot the breeze for a bit before Jocelyn jetted off.
Daisy gave her a look of interrogation, “Who were you on the phone with, acting all cloak and dagger?”
“Just a friend.” Jocelyn plopped back down and shoveled the last of her rice into her mouth.
“Are you still in touch with that Harrison guy?”
Jocelyn nearly choked on her rice. She took a sip of soup to recover, and spun a yarn in her head, “He’s come back home and probably hit it off with someone already. Mom, stop hounding him.”
‘Really?” Daisy looked bummed, “I told you, a catch like him would get snapped up in no time. You, on the other hand… alas.”
Quinta shot Jocelyn a look, and Jocelyn exchanged a glance with her and looked down, staying mum.
“Auntie, Jocelyn’s a catch. She could bring home any guy just to fill the bill. But she’s not one to settle for just anyone, right? No worry, she’ll definitely bring home a Mr. Perfect to meet you,” Quinta tried to put in a good word for Jocelyn.
Daisy, looking at her daughter, was at a loss for words
“Whatever. As long as she doesn’t end up all dressed up with nowhere to go.” Daisy stood up to clean up the table.
Quinta jumped in to help
Jocelyn sighed softly and joined in tidying up.
When it was about time to head out, Jocelyn texted Melvin to see if he was coming.
His call came through right away.
She ducked to the side to answer, not wanting her mom to catch on.
Downstairs
Jocelyn stepped out to the balcony and sure enough, spotted his flashy Porsche.
It shocked her that he should have the nerve to park his show-off ride right outside. After lunch, how were they supposed to get in
his car without making a scene?
Can you wait at the corner instead?”
“Why?”
“It’s too conspicuous Mom’s bound to walk us out, and if she sees us getting into your car, she’ll get suspicious,” Jocelyn was genuinely looking out for him.
But to Melvin, it seemed like she wasn’t as keen on him meeting her parents as she used to be.
Melvin silently concluded that this might be a sign of her changing her tune.
“Didn’t you say I’m just a ride-share driver before?”
Jocelyn got momentarily stumped that he was still holding a grudge, Whatever, if you’re not worried about being spotted, I’m not either. I’ll be down in a sec
After hanging up, she turned to see her mother still eyeing her.
Jocelyn cleared her throat. “Uh Quinta, our ride-share driver’s waiting downstairs Got luck today, snagged a luxury car. These rich folks really have too much time on their hands, even cutting into other people’s business.
Finishing this, she gave a sheepish chuckle.
Quinta had to hold back her laughter.
“Auntie, I’ll head out first.”
Quinta dried her hands and replied. “Thanks to you and Uncle for these past few days.”
“What are you talking about?” Daisy held her hand, “Remember, if you need to check on your health, just stay with us Jocelyn’s got her own place, and we won’t be cramped”
“Yeah, I know Before leaving. Quinta fished out five hundred bucks for Daisy. “Here, auntie, take this; it’s just a little something
from me.”
he stuffed the money into Daisy’s pocket, grabbed Jocelyn, and legged it out, slamming the door behind them.
apter 62
Once downstairs, Jocelyn hurried to open the car door for Quinta. She then jumped into the passenger seat, slammed the door and hurried Melvin. “Go, go, go!”
Thinking that she might be worried about being seen by someone she knew, Melvin got annoyed a bit.
When Daisy’s figure appeared at the entrance, Quinta also urged him on.
“Move, move, move!”
Melvin frowned, but to avoid any hassle, he drove off, even though he was miffed.
Daisy chased after them for a few steps before giving up.
Moivin, glancing in the rear-view mirror at Daisy getting further away, realized it might not be what he thought.
He glanced at Jocelyn, “Why the rush?”
“Nothing.” Jocelyn turned to Quinta, “You’ll need money for lots more stuff down the line.”
Quinta chuckled. There’s always a need for cash. It’s just a small token of care. Besides, when you come home, you always give money to my mom.”
“Right now, I’m the only mouth I’ve got to feed, so as long as I’m clothed and fed, I’m cool. Not like you, you need money for everything.” Jocelyn sighed, “Go talk to Damian, try to sort it out as soon as possible. Take the month before school starts to get all the prep work done. It’s a long haul”
Quinta softly acknowledged.
“If you’re short on cash, just tell me. Haven’t saved a ton in these past years, but it’s something.” Jocelyn turned back, We re all here for you. If you need help, just holler. We’ll do whatever we can.”
Quinta was touched.
Holding back tears, she nodded, “I know.”
Listening to Jocelyn’s heart-to-heart chat with her cousin, Melvin unusually stayed quiet and didn’t interfere.
At the train station, Jocelyn walked Quinta to the entrance and couldn’t go further.
Before leaving, Quinta hugged Jocelyn, “I’m off.”
“Yeah.”
Quinta let go of Jocelyn and turned to Melvin, “Mr. Martinez, thanks for the ride.”
“No need to be so formal, just call me by my name, Melvin. Melvin wasn’t exactly cordial, but wasn’t indifferent either.
“Alright. You two head back. I’ve got to catch my train.”
Quinta thought about telling Melvin to treat Jocelyn right but figured that it wasn’t her place to say that.
Everyone has their reasons, and if Melvin wanted to keep things low-key with Jocelyn, he must have his reasons.
Jocelyn was already cool with it, so it wasn’t Quinta’s place to meddle in their affair.
After seeing off Quinta, Jocelyn and Melvin headed back to the car.
Melvin started asking about Quinta’s situation.
“What do you think about that guy?”
“Which one?”
“Damian.”
Jocelyn didn’t quite catch his drift, Why the sudden interrogation?”
“Just a hunch, Melvin said. “If she were my cousin, I’d advise her to hold off on having kids for a while.”
“Why?”
“Let me throw this at you what if one day you go for a check-up at the hospital, and the person you trust and love the most doesn’t tag along. Would you be cool with that?”-
Jocelyn pondered seriously. “He’s busy, I’d cut him some slack.”
“But he’s keen on having kids. To have kids is a matter of two people, not one person. No matter how swamped is he, shouldn’t he be taking time off to be there? And given Quinta’s situation, can you imagine the load she’s carrying alone? Did it ever cross her hubby’s mind that she’d be shouldering all that pressure by herself?”
Jocelyn was struck dumb.
On reflection, what he said was true.
A husband who deeply loves his wife should be ready to hold up the sky for her when it’s falling.
Im not to throw shade at him or anything, but his job would roli on just fine without him.”
After hearing his two cents. Jocelyn also felt that Damian was really too chill about it all, like he didn’t give a hoot about Quinta.
She never expected such heartfelt words to come out of his mouth.
“What about you? If it was your wife and you had some super urgent stuff to handle, would you drop everything to be with her or let her go through it alone?” Jocelyn was a bit curious now.
Melvin said nonchalantly. “I won’t ever have a wife”
Jocelyn had heard this tune before, but it still gave her a pang, “I mean, hypothetically.”
“No such hypothetical.
The conversation was a dead end
Jocelyn found it all a bit pointless Leaning against the car window, she wasn’t sure if she was speaking to him or to herself, “I
hope my husband always puts me first. Like if his mom and I both fell into the river, I hope he’d save me first.
