The Unwilling CEO’s Love Game

Chapter 12

Jocelyn lay on her bed, a restless heat coursing through her body, dissipating as Melvin left. His departure marked by an unexpected phone call, a first in their shared moments.

It was the first time he’d bailed on her mid-action because of a ringtone.

Even though she didn’t know who was on the other end, she could tell it was someone big deal.

Before Melvin split, he did drop a line, “Don’t wait up; hit the hay early”

But Jocelyn couldn’t catch a wink.

She was wondering, was it a guy or a gal who called Melvin? Was he gonna make it back tonight?

It wasn’t until half-past three in the morning that she finally dozed off.

Sure enough, Melvin didn’t come home all night.

Jocelyn was no fool, Melvin never admitted she was his girlfriend, so she had no right to grill him about his whereabouts.

After three back-to-back morning classes, and no call or text from Melvin over lunch, she got antsy. She hopped onto his Facebook, hesitated for a sec, but still shot him a message. [Are you home today?]

After sending it, she was glued to her phone screen, but no reply. Just about before her afternoon class, her phone buzzed

She checked it right before stepping into the classroom.

It was just one word.

[No.]

This had never happened before, and her woman’s intuition screamed one possibility at her.

He must be with some chick.

But in the three years they’d been together, she’d never seen him give any woman the time of day. Where did this mystery woman come from?

Then again, maybe it wasn’t about whispering sweet nothings to some dame, but rather he was schmoozing a client, talking shop.

Thinking this eased her mind a bit.

After the last class of the day, Preston caught up with her, “Jocelyn.”

At school, Preston was respectful of his teachers, including her.

Jocelyn turned, “Yes?”

Preston looked concerned, “You and Melvin doing alright?”

“Watch your mouth. He’s your uncle, Jocelyn didn’t catch why he was poking around, “We’re fine. What about it?”

Preston, hearing this, threw out an invitation, “How about I treat you to dinner?”

No evening class today. School was out and everyone was free to head home.

Jocelyn’s brow furrowed, “Why the dinner invite?”

“Irs better than eating alone” he replied. “Will you join me?”

She declined, already having plans for a celebratory dinner.

Preston shrugged it off like it was no biggle, “Alright then, I’ll just order some takeout.”

With that, he headed back to the classroom.

Jocelyn felt a twinge of guilt but inviting him along would raise eyebrows among her colleagues, and how would she

explain that?

In the end, she didn’t call out to Preston.

Her colleague went all out, taking them to some swanky club that must’ve cost an arm and a leg. Turns out her colleague’s new beau was some rich kid. Loaded for sure, but his family wasn’t all that cultured, so they put teachers on a pedestal and treated her like a queen.

The joint was so big, you’d need a guide not to get lost.

Jocelyn and Ursula, her colleague with whom she was pretty tight, walked arm in arm at the back, whispering, “Fancy digs.”

Ursula was scoping the place. “First time at a posh club like this.”

Jocelyn chuckled along.

“Think we might bump into a wealthy bachelor here?” Ursula sounded excited, “Those cars outside screamed money.”

Another teacher from up front stepped back, whispering, “Heard Willow’s here too. Wonder if we’ll run into her and get an autograph or something.”

“What’s the rush? She’ll be at the school in a few days.”

“Not the same, man. If the students see me starstruck like them, there goes my authority.”

Dinner was a parade of exquisite dishes, each seemingly worth half a month’s salary.

They opened a bottle of Lafite, a luxury beyond their usual means.

Midway through, Jocelyn excused herself to the restroom.

There was one in the room, but she opted for the one outside.

On her way back, she spotted Melvin in surprise.

Melvin was walking away from her, towards another door, and she saw a flash of a white floral dress brushing against his pants as he entered.

Then the door closed.

Jocelyn’s heart sank. She fought the urge to knock on that door, forcing herself back to the private room.

She wasn’t Melvin’s girlfriend, so she didn’t even have the right to catch him in the act.

Past eleven, the group left the private room, all smiles and chatter.

Jocelyn’s gaze drifted towards the room where Melvin had been, wondering if he was still there.

Exiting the club, everyone had a ride waiting. Jocelyn had called a car too, but it was still a good fifteen minutes out.

She waited until the end, her gaze inadvertently catching sight of Melvin and a woman, who was fully dressed, stepping out of the club. The hem of the woman’s dress was familiar. It was the one tangled around Melvin’s legs earlier.

The woman, masked and with waist-lerigth wavy hair, wore an apricot trench coat that billowed as she walked, her presence exuding an extraordinary aura…

Melvin, ever the gentleman, held the door of a silver Porsche open for her. The woman took the passenger seat, and Melvin closed the door tenderly before circling the car to the driver’s side.

in that moment, he suddenly looked over and locked eyes with Jocelyn.

pride flickered in his eyes, quickly replaced by a hint of annoyance. Then he got in the car, which sped off like a terpard

That look of his, did he think she was tailing him?

A bitter taste rose in her throat.

Once home, she flopped onto her bed, pulled out his Facebook, and considered asking if he’d be coming back tonight.

But the thought of the woman in his car made her drop the phone and pull the covers over her head.

The next day, Jocelyn applied makeup, yet it couldn’t conceal her dark circles.

Tomorrow, Willow would visit the school as an alumna, and the principal had arranged for a few teachers to host an event in the indoor basketball court..

Willow wouldn’t stay long, just two hours in the moming-after all, her time was money.

In the afternoon, her dad, Calvin, called Jocelyn to come home for dinner. Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

By evening, Jocelyn was back, greeted by a table full of scrumptious dishes.

At dinner, Calvin said, “Heard yesterday that Mr. Martinez is back in town. Good thing I hauled our stuff over to the office today, otherwise it’d been sitting around too long, which wouldn’t be great.”

“Hope he didn’t turn his nose up at it, asked Daisy.

“He didn’t dodge it, but took it all, Calvin chuckled. “City folks still have a soft spot for our humble country goods, the real deal

Daisy finally breathed a sigh of relief. At least that’s one favor repaid.”

“Later, I figured he took it so readily probably because his girlfriend was in the car. He didn’t wanna mess around and waste time, so he just cut to the chase.”

Jocelyn’s food fell from her fork onto the table.

She picked it up again, only to hear Daisy ask, “Girlfriend?

“Yep, she was in his car but didn’t get out. Just caught a glimpse of her profile, pretty hot. I swear she looks familiar.”

Jocelyn’s appetite was gone.

The woman in the car was undoubtedly the same one she’d caught a glimpse of at the club that day. No wonder he hadn’t come back He’s got a new flame. Or rather, not necessarily new, could be an old flame.

In any case, she was nothing.

Jocelyn cabbed it back to her apartment from her parents’ place. As soon as she walked in, she saw that familiar bag by the entryway, the one her dad had used to pack those local goodies for Melvin.

She changed her shoes and walked in further. The sound of the shower running made her heart heavy, thinking of that woman, the frustration stuck in her chest.

Two days and a night out, and he still came back here to shower.

What’s the deal? Trying to save on his utility bill?

Suddenly, the shower stopped.

The door opened, and there was Melvin, with a towel around his waist, revealing his lean torso with droplets tracing down the muscle lines, disappearing into the folds of the towel at his impressive abs.

She’d seen that body countless times, her favorite part being his tight, powerful lower belly, sexy and captivating.

Many times, in the heat of passion, she would press her face against it.

I’m back, Melvin said, reaching out to embrace her, aiming for a kiss.

Jocelyn gently pressed her palm against his chest, turned her face away, and dodged his lips.

Melvin kissed the air, his grip intensifying as he wrapped one arm around her tightly, pulling her close, her waist against