Chapter 107
Jocelyn had barely set foot inside her parents’ home when she spotted her dad, Calvin, inspecting a
box in the living room with a childlike curiosity.
“What’s all this?” she asked when she dropped her bag by the door
“It’s from Hamison, Calvin beamed, his eyes crinkling with delight. “He wanted to buy something for you
to bring home but feared you’d be tired out So, he bought these ahead of time and shipped them here.”
Her mother, Daisy, emerged from the kitchen with a te of steaming meatloaf in hand and a smile.
“Harrison’s just too thoughtful. Who would’ve thought you’d hit it off with him in Berry City? We
should’ve given him some of our hometown delicacies.”
“Well, nothing is stopping us from sending some treats his way now,” Calvin interrupted, arranging the
things in the box neatly before tuming to Jocelyn. “See? You and Harrison must be fated to be together.
Those meant to be together always find their way back, no matter what twists and turns life throws at
them.”
Jocelyn wasn’t quite sure how to respond.
Over dinner, her parents were keenly interested in the budding rtionship between her and Harrison
and his parents.
She didn’t hold back any details, sharing everything she could.
After dinner, Jocelyn called Hamson, expressing her gratitude for the thoughtful array of local
specialties he had sent her parents.
“It’s the least I could do,” he replied. “Let’s see when you have a break next, and I’lle over to visit
you and your parents.”
“Probably not until the winter holidays, she mused.
“Don’t forget about the Christmas Holiday, Harrison reminded her, a hint of eagerness in his voice.
“Short as it may be, it’s enough to cure the pangs of longing
Jocelynughed shyly
From the sidelines, Calvin and Daisy watched their daughter with growing contentment. They couldn’t
help but feel reassured.
As parents, their only wish was for their children to find a loving partner who would cherish them and
provide warmth andfort
“Young people today crave freedom, Calvin said once Jocelyn had hung up. “But with the right person,
freedomes naturally.”
Catching her parents’ knowing looks, Jocelyn teased. “Stop that. You’re scaring me.”
“Harrison’s a great match for you. We knew he was reliable from the get-go. Since things have started,
put your heart into it. As long as your hearts are together, the feelings won’t change even though it’s a
long-distance rtionship, Calvin advised, his words heavy with
emotion.
Daisy nodded eagerly “Berry City is a lovely ce. It wouldn’t be so bad if you ended up there.”
“Mom, Dad, isn’t it too early to think about that? Jocelyn admitted she hadn’t thought that far ahead.
“Not at all, Daisy insisted. “Dating is always with marriage in mind. It’s not just for fun. Jocelyn, Harrison
is a catch, and you should hold on tight Harrison and his parents are cultured and understanding folks.
You won’t go wrong with a family like that.”
Jocelyn knew of Harrison’s and his family’s qualities very well.
But fate was unpredictable.
“I know you’re anxious, but these things take time, Jocelyn reassured her parents. “Don’t worry. A good
match won’t pass us by”
Calvin and Daisy, not wanting to overwhelm their daughter, let the conversation naturally shift.
“Your aunt called me yesterday,” Daisy shared “she said Quinta and Damian had another fight the other
day and even wanted a divorce.”
What happened this time?” Jocelyn asked, surprised
“It’s Damian’s ex-wife again. Your aunt was in tears over it,” Daisy said and sighed. “It’s a tough
situation When Quinta started dating Damian, she knew it would be quite a challenge to be one’s
stepmother. Now she can’t have her child, and Damian’s mother is making a fuss.”
Quinta was ready for IVF, but Damian hesitated. She wasn’t the one to me” Jocelyn never
understood why pre-marriage issues recurfaced to cause strife.
“its expensive.” Daisymented. ‘Some spend a fortune without sess. It’s a heavy burden, both
financially and emotionally.”
After leaving her parents’ house, Jocelyn took a taxi back to her apartment. Her mother’s words
lingered in her mind. She realized it had been a while since she’d seen Quintas tweets.
herlife so busy, she hadn’t checked in with Quinta.
hat did mariage mean for a wortan?
Jocelyn pondered this as she rode home.
With those trivial things of living together, could two people truly sustain a loving rtionship?
Quinta seemed to radiant in love and sweetened by its promise when she first dated Damian. And what
then?
Outside the taxi window, the sky began to weep with rain.
“It’s starting to pour” the driver noted, breaking the silence
The heavy rain brought Jocelyn back to the present, noticing the droplets sttering against the ss
Soon, the streets glistened with wetness, and the rain intensified
“Man, it’sing down.” the driver muttered before his phone rang
Jocelyn overheard his conversation it was his wife, calling with concern
Till go home after thisst fare he assured her loudly “Go ahead and eat with our son Don’t wait up Get
to bed early. You know you ye been under the weather Alright, gotta go
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
After hanging up, he grumbled. She always has to call
Jocelyn sensed no real annoyance in his voice Being cared for was a blessing
As night descended, the world outside seemed lonely in the streetlights.
Approaching her apartment Jocelyn spotted a familiar Porsche parked outside
He had left once, yet here he was again.
At that moment, the calm she had found at her parents’ home tightened into a knot once more
The taxi stopped, and Jocelyn took a deep breath With her bag raised as a makeshift umbre, she
dashed into the rain and sprinted toward her apartment building
The moment Jocelyn burst through the door, the Porsche’s door opened Without daring to nce back,
she rushed into the elevator
Shaking the rain off her coat, she arrived home and quickly had a hot cocoa before walking to the
balcony
The rain was relentless, a heavy downpour that turned everything outside into a blur of white
Jocelyn’s eyes involuntarily drifted downward There stood Melvin next to his car, drenched by the
unyielding ram
He looked so isted, pitiful even
What on earth was he trying to do?
Her heart fluttered. The rain showed no sign of letting up, and neithe did Melvin show any intention of
leaving.
Was this some quilt trip?
What was the point?
Suddenly, a knock on the door sent a shiver down Jocelyn’s spine. She half expected Melvin to have
come up
But how could it be him if he hadn’t moved an inch?
She opened the door to find her neighbor, Rose
“Jocelyn, is that your boyfriend downstairs? I saw his car parked for quite a while, and now he’s
standing out there in the ram Did you two fight? Even if you fought, you can’t leave him hanging out
there like that if he catches a cold, it’ll be trouble for you, Rose said.
Jocelyn was embarrassed.
Rose shook her head and added, “Whatever it is, you’ve got to sit down and work it out Problems are
to be solved, night? Go on. Give hirm an umbre, at least, and bring him up here. If he had a fever or
something worse, you would have even more to deal with
Deep down, Jocelyn thought Melvin was ying the sympathy card a bit too hard putting on a show
that was sure to tug at the heartstrings of any onlooker