Chapter 123
Jocelyn declined Yasmine’s invitation to go out for lunch, but Yasmine was insistent
“If you’re noting, then I’ll join you for a meal at your cafeteria,” Yasmine made it clear she wanted
to have a meal with her.
Wary of drawing attention and questions from others, Jocelyn finally gave in reluctantly.
It had to be said, Melvin and Yasmine really were siblings. Their talent for wearing others down was the
same.
Yasmine casually draped her arm around Jocelyn’s, “Let me help”
“No need, I’m fine,” Jocelyn felt weird about it. She wasn’t that close to Yasmine.
She tried to withdraw her hand, but Yasmine wouldn’t let her, “I don’t have many friends here, and
when Preston told me about you, I just knew we could be friends. So please, don’t reject me, okay?”
Her sincerity was overwhelming, making it seem like a fault to refuse her.
Jocelyn could only offer an awkward smile and go along with it.
Considering Jocelyn’s leg injury hadn’t fully healed, even though the restaurant they were nning to
eat at wasn’t far, Yasmine still decided to drive.
The car belonged to Melvin, a sleek silver Porsche.
Jocelyn’s feelings were mixed as she sat in it
In just a few minutes, they arrived at the restaurant. It wasn’trge but was clean and well-reviewed.
Jocelyn had been here before with colleagues.
Yasmine helped her into the restaurant and chose a spot near the entrance to sit down.
At this point, Jocelyn started to warm up to Yasmine a bit Yasmine didn’t scorn the small diner despite
wearing designer clothes, sitting on an old wooden bench and even pouring herself a cup of water.
She wasn’t like Melvin.
Melvin was the type to avoid small diners, always favoring upscale restaurants. He would look down on
street food vendors as if they were unworthy of his patronage.
The restaurant owner recognized Jocelyn and, noticing the bandage on her chin, offered to make her
dish with less oil and spice.
Jocelyn let Yasmine choose the dishes, but Yasmine said she was okay with any dishes and insisted
that Jocelyn decide for her.
So Jocelyn ordered twobos with soup.
Yasmine didn’t mention Melvin at all but was very interested in Preston’s studies, which made Jocelyn
rx more.
When the food arrived. Yasmine proved to be unpretentious, enjoying the simple home-cooked style
dishes immensely.
“It’s been years since I’ve had a meal like this, Yasmine mused. This kind of food has the vor of life.”
Jocelyn chuckled, “Then I guess I’ve been living amid that vor all along.
Yasmine smiled, “You know, there’s something to be said for the simple and ordinary.”
“True. As a kid, happiness seemed so simple. And now, it’s simplicity that brings happiness.
“I’m trying to simplify my life as well Trying to get a feel for the real world.”
Jocelyn always felt that Yasmine, like their conversations, held many secrets. Divorced, with a child,
her life was anything but simple After all, if Melvin was wealthy, Yasmine was no different
The troubles of ordinary folks could often be solved with money
The worries of the wealthy were beyond the imagination of ordinary people like her
Jocelyn had no interest in prying into others’ secrets. She simply believed. “Living the life you want
makes it less tiring. And a less tiring life isparatively happier.”
‘That makes sense.”
After the meal, Jocelyn paid, and Yasmine quipped with a smile, “Towe you one. I’ll treat you next time.”
There’s no need for formalities, Jocelyn wasn’t keen on mingling too much with people connected to
Melvin.
Yachine shrugged, “I don’t like owing people.”
“We’ll seb, Jocelyn said nomittally.
“hey hadn’t ever left the diner when a minivan pulled up behind the Porsche.
Walow stepped out with her sunsses on, and took a look at the car ahead.
She had thought Melvin might be here when she spotted the car, but then she saw Yasmine and
Jocelyning out of the diner,
The flicker of happiness that appeared on Willow’s face at the sight of Yasmine vanished in an instant.
She removed her sunsses, greeting her with a measured lone, “How’s everything going, Yasmine?”
Yasmine gave her a sidelong nce, “What brings a big star like you to this neck of the woods?”
*Just passing by and saw your car, thought I’d say hello,” Willow said, not giving Jocelyn so much as a
second nce.
“Heh, my car? You know as well as I do that this is Melvin’s car, Yasmine saw right through her, “Melvin
made it clear he wants nothing to do with you, and yet you have the gall to let the media spin tales of
you two living together Shameless”
Jocelyn stood by awkwardly, surprised at Yasmine’s frankness. Dislikes could often be disguised with
politeness But Yasmine’s disdain was a fastball, with no thought of sparing the other’s feelings
Willow’s eyes twitched. She nced at Jocelyn, clearly ufortable with Yasmine humiliating her in
front of someone else. But Willow had a thick skin and managed to keep her smile as normal. The
media will write what they will, and I can’t control them. I’m endorsing a jewelry line. A little buzz helps
drive both online and in store sales. Melvin should be pleased with that, don’t you think?”
Yasmineughed in disbelief, narrowing her eyes at Willow, “Years have passed, and you’re still as
shameless as you was”
Despite being insulted, Willow kept her cool, wiping her sunsses, “Yasmine, though you are Melvin’s
sister, there are things between him and me that you can’t possibly know all about
Yasmine was about to explode with imitation at Willow’s smug demeanor “What’s the deal with you and
Melvin? Did he sleep with you, or what? Stop acting like you two have some sort of secret rtionship.
There’s a limit to ying coy, you know Just because he doesn’t call you out doesn’t mean he’s okay
with your games You im to know Melvin so well, you should realize he’sid-back about most things,
but once you cross the line, he’s not the type to let things slide”
Willow’s face flushed with embarrassment.
Standing nearby, Jocelyn dared not even breathe too loudly. She always knew Yasmine wasn’t Willow’s
biggest fan, but she hadn’t anticipated such an open confrontation.
What on earth had Willow done back in the day to earn Yasmine’s wrath?
And Melvin, darn it, he seemed to have this inexplicable fondness for Willow.
Yet. Yasmines words hinted at something that did catch Jocelyn’s attention: perhaps nothing
substantial had ever happened between Melvin and Willow.
Maybe they were just in that ambiguous space between friends and lovers.
“Thanks for the heads-up, Yasmine. But we’re all adults here, and we have our own ways of interacting,
no need for public service announcements. Willow said, slipping her sunsses back on. “I’ve got
ces to be She strode off to her car.
As Willow drove away, Yasmine red at the departing vehicle with disdain. “What a piece of work, she
muttered under her breath.
Jocelyn felt she shouldn’t even be there overhearing their exchange. Now she felt awkward.
“Aren’t you curious about why I can’t stand her? Yasmine broke the silence as they headed back to the
campus
Jocelyn was indeed curious, but she felt it was better not to pry. She shook her head. “You know the old
saying. The less you know about secrets, the better.”
“Youre an interesting one. Yasmine chuckled. “It’s not like you’d be swimming with the fishes for
knowing
Jocelyn smiled back. She gazed out the car window. Her curiosity about Melvin’s past and secrets
piqued, but she no longer felt entitled to delve into them.
All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.
What could change by knowing more?
She didn’t want any more drama.
It wasn’t just about actions. It was about mindset too
She hoped to truly move on and give things with Harrison a real try
Seeing that Jocelyn genuinely didn’t want to know, Yasmine dropped the subject and pulled up to the
school entrance. As Jocelyn was getting out, Yasmine asked, “Jocelyn, is it okay if I call you that?”
Surprised at her question. Jocelyn nodded.
I don’t know if you’re truly over Melvin, but I can tell you, he’s not over you. He’s never been good with
words. If you really don’t want to
hp another chance, i can understand.” Yasmine spoke sincerely. “But he’s my brother And as his sister.
I truly hope he can be with the person no loves. So fm asking you to think it over again, to consider
whether this is how you want your rtionship to end