Chapter 139
Urs sidestepped with an apology, “Excuse me.”
Melvin gave her room to pass, though his gaze lingered on Jocelyn instead.
Seeing Jocelyn passed by without a word, her indifference was clear.
When they climbed the stone steps, Melvin tumed back, “Jocelyn?”
She paused, took a deep breath and turned around withposure, “Yes?”
“Got any ns for tomorrow? I’m new around here Mind showing me around?” Melvin asked in a soft
voice, almost pleading.
Jocelyn considered for a moment before replying, “I’m busy tomorrow. Anyone in the vige can be a
better quide.”
Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.
Melvin epted the rejection with a simple “Alright”
“That’s great. Jocelyn nodded and continued on her way.
Back at their ce, Urs couldn’t help but give her a thumbs-up, “Well done.”
Jocelyn just smiled, “Just being honest”
“Why do you think he’s really here to invest the vige? Urs mused as she took off her jacket. “Other
than fate bringing you two together, I can’t think of any other reason. But they say there’s no such thing
as coincidence. It’s all orchestrated.”
Urs eyed Jocelyn. “If he really came for you, and he’s willing to invest in this vige for you, wouldn’t
that impress you?”
Changing into her slippers and filling her kettle with water, Jocelyn replied, “It’s not for me. He’s a
businessman. Profites first. Besides, given our breakup, why would he do anything for me? It’s just
unreasonable.”
“But there’s no profit in sight.” Urs argued. “He would have to pour in a lot of money before seeing
any payback. I’m not being pessimistic, but this vige is tough. With no young folks around, just the
elderly and kids, what can they really do?”
Urs wasn’t optimistic about the vige’s future.
Jocelyn shared her sentiments but still clung to hope, “Don’t overthink it. As long as someone wants to
revitalize the countryside, change wille.”
“I hope so
Jocelyny in bed and couldn’t help thinking about Melvin and his conversation with the vige officials.
She believed that Melvin genuinely wanted to help.
Both she and Urs were curious-was Melvin’s arrival a coincidence, or was it because of her?
Turning sideways to stop the flow of thoughts, she realized that she had never truly understood Melvin.
The countryside was serene at night, everything asleep under the starry sky.
The next day before dawn, the vige rooster started to crow, waking everyone up.
Jocelyn and Urs followed a simple routine here. Go to bed by nine and get up at six
Their neighbor, May, would bring breakfast to them-a bowl of oatmeal with toast, sometimes pancakes
or boiled eggs.
As the year-end festive time approached, the vigers weren’t so busy. They’d gather around the
communal fire pit, warming their hands and chatting away
Lately, the talk of the vige was the handsome outsider who looked better than any movie star. The
ladies’ eyes sparkled whenever Melvin was mentioned. A handsome and wealthy man with a kind heart
was the dream match for everyone
At noon, Jocelyn and Urs were roped into the vige gossip. The vige secretary’s wife, Yvonne,
said with a knowing smile, Jocelyn, that Mr. Martinez knows you, doesn’t he?”
Jocelyn was startled, nearly dropped the nuts in her hand.
Sheughed it off, “No, we’re not acquainted.”
Their sharp eyes didn’t miss much.
“It doesn’t matter. You’re acquainted now I heard that he’s still single. Jocelyn, why don’t you give it a
shot?’ Yvonne’s suggestion set off a chorus ofughter.
Jocelyn’s smile tumed awkward.
ra paced in. “Yvonne, why not suggest I have a chance with him? Don’t I look pretty enough?”
Yvonneughed. Urs, you’re gorgeous, but he’s not looking your way. Last night at dinner. I noticed
him ncina
The true
Jocelyn grew increasingly ufortable.
“i was sitting right next to Jocelyn How can you be sure he wasn’t looking at me?” Urs joined in the
banter.
Wohne spitted out a seed shell and shook her head, “I trust my eyes. They don’t lie.”
Jocelyn had to admit, the vigers were really perceptive. But she couldn’t sit there any longer, afraid
her feelings might show.
“Y’all keep chatting I’m going for a walk Jocelyn stuffed her pockets with nuts and hurried away
Urs almost followed but then sat back down.
Considering Melvin had asked Jocelyn outst night and she’d declined, Urs reasoned it might be
inconvenient if she tagged along.
Urs knew Jocelyn hadn’t let go of her feelings for Melvin Her refusal was just for show
For two people with unspoken affection for each other, fate would surely intervene
By the vige pond, Jocelyn saw Unah and Melvin descending the opposite hill and heading her way
“Jocelyn!” Unah spotted her and called out
Caught off guard, Jocelyn could only smile and wait for them to approach.
“I’ve got some urgent business at the vige office. Could you keep Mr. Martinezpany for me?”
Uriah was genuinely in a rush
Jocelyn nced at Melvin, noticing his coat dotted with bits of straw and his shoes caked in mud.
He was indeed here on serious business
She nodded, “Sure”
Thank you,” Unah said before hurrying off
Holding nuts in her hand, Jocelyn felt awkward to eat them alone, so she offered some to Melvin, “Want
some?”
Melvin smiled, taking a few nuts from her palm, You seem to be quite at ease here.”
“Absolutely Jocelyn’s voice had lost its edge of tension now.
Melvin was shelling the nuts but not eating them. He casually asked, “Whye all the way out here?”
“Just an act of kindness Jocelyn was leading the way on a narrow path. On one sidey the pond and
crond, and on the other were a few plum trees
If not careful, one could easily tumble into the pond.
Behind her, Melvin chuckled softly, “I thought you were out here to clear your mind”
“What’s got me so troubled that I need to clear my mind?”
“Does your professor even know you’re out in a ce like this? Isn’t he worried? Melvin cracked
another nut with an air of nonchnce Jocelyn frowned and came to a stop.
Melvin, not noticing in time, bumped into her
Jocelyn’s footing on the uneven ground gave way with the collision, and her body tilted perilously
toward the pond
Her hands iled, trying to reach for a tree branch to grasp
Melvin caught her in one swift move, pulling her into his arms and circling her waist tightly with his other
hand.
Both of their hearts were pounding heavily because of the ident, a wave of relief washing over them
as they were finally able to stand still.
Once she regained herposure, Jocelyn pushed him away and nced down to see a scattering of
nut shells on the ground.