Chapter 33


    Jocelyn’s ears perked up, her heart in her throat


    Its not that she was nosy about Melvin’s private life, but knowing why he was so dead-set against


    marriage would’ve


    been a smallfort.


    “Preston!”


    Right as Preston was about to spill the beans, in walked Melvin, face stormy as a thundercloud.


    The diner fell silent as the grave with Melvin’s entrance.


    A few young gals got all hot and bothered at the sight of him. The guy was too handsome for his own


    good.


    Preston rolled his eyes helplessly and muttered an apologetic “Can’t tell ya today” to Jocelyn.


    She nodded, getting the picture


    Even if Preston had the guts to spill, she wasn’t sure she had the guts to hear it.


    “Flight’s at six, pack your bags. I’ll drop you off at the airport, Melvinmanded, not giving Preston


    room to argue.


    Preston was speechless, mouth agape, ending up with a forcedugh.


    Augh tinged with frustration.


    Published by N?v''elD/rama.Org.


    He puffed his cheeks, nodding at Melvin. “Good for you!”


    Melvin shot him a frosty look. “Want me to change your flight to three o’clock?”


    If Preston didn’t have respect for him as an uncle, he’d have thrown his unfinished drink right in


    Melvin’s face.


    “I’m out,” Preston said, bidding Jocelyn a reluctant goodbye. “See you.”


    Jocelyn didn’t want to meddle in their family drama, so she just nodded and said, “Make sure to have


    fun on your break, but sneak in a bit of reading too.”


    “Got it, Preston replied, clearly down in the dumps.


    Melvin shooed Preston into the car with a look and didn’t drive off right away, waiting for Jocelyn


    instead.


    There she stood, not moving an inch.


    Their eyes met, and finally, Melvin took a few steps towards her.


    Every step he took stirred up her heart


    After all, this was the man she still loved, and her feelings were not yet severed.


    Her heartbeat raced, her breaths uneven, until he stood right before her.


    “Now that we’ve broken up, stop snooping around my business, Melvin finally uttered the cold words.


    That’s when Jocelyn’s heart settled down for good.


    She clenched her fists, feigning indifference. “You ttered yourself. Your affairs mean nothing to me


    now”


    Determined not to crumble in front of him, Jocelyn scoffed coldly and quickly turned to walk away.


    The moment she turned, her eyes welled up.


    Jocelyn and Urs went off on a trip.


    She felt the need to clear her head, to shake off the emotional clutter.


    Hey, don’t you have a boyfriend? Why not go on a trip with him?” Urs, having settled into her seat on


    the ne.unched into gossip mode.


    “We broke up, Jocelyn revealed.


    Urs nced at her neck. “Still wearing the ne, huh?”


    Jocelyn touched the ne. Having seen it in her drawer that morning, she hadn’t nned to wear it,


    but it felt like some forcepelled her to put it on.


    She figured, since barely anyone knew the ne’s backstory, wearing it on the trip wouldn’t hurt.


    As long as Willow and Melvin didn’t see it, it was all good.


    “It means I’m totally over it.” she said, though her voice betrayed her insecurity.


    Urs, choosing not to burst her bubble, tucked herself under the nket and sincerely said, “That’s


    great. This trip is perfect for a potential fling. I’m up for some romance myself


    As the ne glided smoothly, Jocelyn gazed at the receding runway, her mood lifting with the sky.


    Once in the city, a hotel car came just for them. After checking in, Jocelyn changed into a pink V-neck


    sleeveless top with loose straight-leg jeans, her hair cascading down her shoulders, looking lively and


    yful, her figure both sexy and


    stunning.


    She grabbed a sun hat, put on her sunsses and a pair offy white sneakers before heading out.


    Urs couldn’t help but whistle in admiration, eyes shining. “You look amazing. Never seen you dress


    like this before”


    “Gotta keep up appearances as a teacher at work, Jocelyn shot back, “Haven’t seen you decked out


    like this either.”


    Urs was wearing a strappy yellow and white polka-dot dress, her chestnut hair in a bun, oversized


    sunsses adding to her allure, I’m here for a romantic adventure, so gotta dress the part.” Urs was


    a bundle of fun, making the trip a


    st


    After a bite in a restaurant, they strolled around nearby.


    “Hey, doesn’t thatdy look familiar? Urs took off her sses, looking at a woman posing among


    palm trees, with a


    crew taking pictures.


    Jocelyn recognized her instantly.


    It was Willow.


    “Willow!” Urs recognized her too.


    Jocelyn looked up, wondering what the universe was up to, bumping into a buzzkill when all she


    wanted was a breather. “Are you going to say hi? Jocelyn kept her feelings about Willow off her face.


    “No, she’s working. When did she get here? Talk about crazy luck,” Urs whispered, sneaking a


    photo with her phone.


    At that moment, Jocelyn’s mood soured.


    All she hoped for was not to run into Willow for the rest of the five-day trip.


    But clearly, fate wasn’t on her side.


    That afternoon, as Jocelyn and Urs lounged on the beach, Willow approached with a crowd.


    “Sorry, we’d like to shoot some photos here, so could you guys move?” a crew member approached


    them.


    Jocelyn and Urs were dumbstruck.


    Out of all the spots, did they have to pick theirs?


    Willow stood behind them, smirking with clear intent.


    Everyone waited for Jocelyn to move, but she wasn’t ying that game. “Sorry, but the sunset’s about


    to start, and I picked this spot for the view.”


    No one expected Jocelyn to stand her ground.


    The staff turned back to nce at Willow, who was grinning as her phone buzzed ‘Melvin, you here


    yet? Oh, I see you Over here!”


    Willow waved enthusiastically in the distance.


    Hearing that name, Jocelyn’s mental defensespletely copsed.


    She grabbed her hat and stood up, saying to Urs, “Let’s bounce.”


    Urs was caught off guard by Jocelyn’s sudden move but quickly scurried after her.


    Jocelyn put on her sunsses and walked briskly,pletely spacing out in the direction.


    She had no intention of bumping into Melvin, but, go figure, she inadvertently chose a path that put


    them head-to-head.


    Melvin was dressed in a white tee with a light blue shirt thrown over it, rocking ck shorts and flip-


    flops, totally nailing


    the chill beach vibe.


    He looked prettyid-back and carefree.


    Hidden behind her sunsses, Jocelyn scoped out Melvin, forgetting to watch where she was going,


    and bam, her foot found a sandpit someone had dug and she stumbled forward in a not-so-graceful


    nosedive.


    Just as her face was about to eat sand, an arm yanked her up, sparing her the sandy smooch.


    Jocelyn was mortified, her hat flying off, hair a hot mess, but at least her sunsses stayed loyal,


    barely covering her


    beet-red cheeks.


    “Got eyes but don’t use them? Melvin’s icy voice floated down to her.


    She straightened up quickly, fumbled with her sunsses, cleared her throat, and said with feigned


    calmness, Thanks.”