Chapter 10


    Ignoring him, Jocelyn ate her pizza while scrolling through Twitter She noticed a post from her cousin


    Quinta, hand in hand with her new husband Damian, captioned “Hand in hand with you through this life


    and into old age”


    Jocelyn liked the tweet.


    Quinta’s new mariage seemed promising, and even if it was hasty, it seemed to affirm her belief in love


    Suddenly, the slice of pizza she had bitten into disappeared Looking up, she saw Melvin, eyeing her


    phone while chewing


    Quinta’s on her second round of ‘I do’s, huh? After seeing so many marriages tank why’s she lining up


    to jump into the grave? Melvin went. “Marriage flops are public freaking spectacles, why volunteer for


    the walk of shame?”


    Jocelyn put down her phone, her appetite’s gone. “Marriage isn’t the death of love, it’s a major life


    destination. You don’t have to buy into love, but don’t throw shade on other people’s marnages


    Melvin saw her getting riled up, snatched her te, and wolfed down her leftover pizza “Don’t you think


    your cousin’s just ying house? Herst marriagested two years? Ditched the guy for not bringing


    home enough bacon How long you think this honeymoon phase is gonnast? She’d be better off


    dating around like before, just cut and run if it doesn’t work out At least then your uncle wouldn’t lose


    face.


    “Have you said enough? Jocelyn was furious “Do you think everyone is as irresponsible as you? Yes,


    marriage doesn’t guarantee a lifetime together, but it means at one point, they thought it could be!”


    Jocelyn took a deep breath, Forget it, why am I even talking to you about this? I’m beat, you do you


    She stormed off to her room and double locked the door.


    Melvin just stared at the closed door, cool as a cucumber, cleaned up the te, then knocked


    Jocelyn, we’re just hashing out our views on marriage Why the temper?”


    “Hey, as a teacher, can you be a bit more gracious?


    Leaning against the wall, Melvin said in azy drawl, I’m heading out of town tomorrow and won’t be


    back till next month You sure you want me crash on the sofa on ourst night?


    Jocelyn was fuming inside


    Even though she knew his stance on love and marriage, hearing it straight from his mouth always


    stung.


    He was reminding her yet again he was not the marrying kind


    Her pride was on fire, and she was not budging an inch


    After her shower, she heard the front door close.


    She waited by her door, dead silence. Then she peeked out and found he’s gone


    Suddenly, the emptiness hit her hard.


    Sleering alone that night, insomnia kicked in her. It was past 2 AM when she finally dozed off


    No sooner had she closed her eyes than the rm red


    She got up, freshened up, opened her door, and there was Melvin, giving her the smoldering look


    She had no clue when he got back.


    She tried to squeeze by, pretending he was invisible.


    Melvin grabbed her hand, ‘Still steamed?”


    “Yeah” she red at him.


    “Great, ive been holding onto my anger all night too” He picked her up and carried her back to the


    bedroomying her on the bed and pressing down on her. “Let’s extinguish our fires togethert


    Jocelyn struggled, “Get off!”


    “Nope. He kissed her.


    “I’ll bete!” she protested, trying to push him away.


    He interlocked their fingers, breathless, Tve seen your schedule, and you’re free this morning.”


    Jocelyn was speechless


    “Chill he whispered, kissing her earlobe, his voice deep and sultry, “My ne’s at 8:30, so we’ve only


    got two hours.”


    She never knew how to say no to him, ending up joining his wild ride.


    Melvin was like a wolf who’s been starved for days, looking like he wanted to gobble her up bones and


    all


    An hourter, Melvin was all dressed up, looking at the flushed beauty on the bed, “What do you want?


    I’ll get it for you.”


    She’s calmed down, “I want something, but you can’t give


    me.”


    Jocelyn, let’s not go there, he said, tying his tie, “I gotta go.”


    He paused at the door, came back, and nted a kiss on her forehead, “Be good at home. Don’t


    overthink things, okay?” “Just go, or you’ll miss your flight, she said, detached.


    He nced at his watch. I’m out.


    Daisy returned from her hometown.


    They’ve brought back a bunch of local goodies, half for Melvin, and half for Jocelyn.


    Jocelyn eyed the two 20-pound bags, “Why so much?”


    These farm eggs, just a hundred. Fifty for you, fifty for Mr. Martinez.”


    Daisy was all excited, packed them nicely, and told Calvin, “Take these to him at work tomorrow.”


    Jocelyn wanted to say Melvin’s still away on his trip. But she dared not speak.


    Calvin agreed without hesitation. “Okay.”


    Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Jocelyn, on my visit, Quinta asked if you’re dating. She said she’s got someone in mind for you, Daisy


    teased her suddenly


    Jocelyn was swallowing hard, “Mom, no rush.”


    “How’s there no rush? Margot was at the same age as you, but her child is already in preschool. That


    little munchkin’s so darn sweet with your dad”


    “Mom, there’s plenty of folks over thirty not hitched, and I’m just twenty-six, Jocelynined, head


    throbbing.


    Daisy sho mer a look, “Whypare with others? Your dad and I are past fifty. Get married and have


    kids soon, so we can he out. Wait till we’re too old, then who’s gonna look after your child then?


    If yo e lucky to marry into a caring family, fine, but if not, you’re in for it. You think ying daughter-in-


    law is a cak walk? With your mother-inw, you gotta pick and choose your words carefully”


    Jcelyn sat quietly, listening, biting her tongue.


    Daisy caught her standing there, all silent and broody, and let out a sigh. “You know, your problem is


    you’re shooting for


    the stars”


    “Really though, whether a marriage rocks or sucks depends on who you’re hitched to. Take Dad, for


    example. He’s always got your back, which is why Grandma can’t get her ws into you, no matter


    how hard she tries.”


    Daisy gave her a look, “And where do you get off thinking you know squat about the hard times i went


    through when first marred him?”


    “But now you are happy, right?” Jocelyn approached with a smile, hugging her mother’s arm yfully,


    “Mom, I also want to find a man who will love me like Dad loves you. So my standards are high. Good


    thingse to those who wait. I believe I’ll meet the right one.”


    “Alright, stop pestering her about getting married all the time. My daughter is young, gorgeous, and


    talented. She won’t have any troublending a killer match,” Calvin chimed in to wrap things up.


    Daisy gave Calvin a pointed look, “Oh, you’re always the good cop.”


    Calvin just grinned from ear to ear.


    Seeing the love in her parents’ eyes, Jocelyn couldn’t help but feel envious.