Chapter 141


    After thest box was hauled in, Zephyr was ready to head out the vige kids, who had taken quite a


    liking to him, clung to his clothes, pleading for him to stay


    But Zephyr had to get back to his family for the holidays – there was no chance he could linger.


    Unah tried to hush the children and turned to ask Melvin, “Is Mr. Martinez leaving too?”


    “He’s not going anywhere, Zephyr said with a grin, ncing over at Jocelyn, who was trying to be


    invisible among the crowd. “His sweetheart’s here. How could he possibly leave?”


    His voice was so loud that Jocelyn could hardly ignore.


    Jocelyn’s face turned tomato red immediately and she quickly turned away.


    Uriah was shocked, not sure who Mr. Martinez’s sweetheart could be. He recalled overhearing some


    gossip from the womenfolk that there was definitely something brewing between Mr. Martinez and


    Jocelyn – their chemistry was off the charts.


    But he wasn’t too concemed with romances. Mr. Martinez’s willingness to uplift the vige was all that


    mattered to him.


    As Zephyr drove off in his SUV, the holiday feast was ready.


    The setup was simr to Melvin’s first visit, with five or six tables. But tonight the atmosphere was


    buzzed with excitement. They had prepared a lot for the feast.


    Each table wasden with hearty dishes, served in humble style with no fancy ting. The aim was


    simple: a bountiful meal to fill


    everyone up.


    Outside, the kids yed with sparklers while Melvin and some of the vige officials moved the


    fireworks to a dry field, setting off two boxes before dinner.


    The fireworks whooshed into the sky and burst into a short-lived yet mesmerizing disy that left


    everyone awe-struck.


    Every face was turned upwards, watching the sky painted with colors, each expression unique.


    A little girl sped her hands together and whispered a wish, “I hope my mom and dade home


    soon.” Her voice was low, devoid of any particr emotion, yet brimming with feeling.


    Urs sighed, touched by the girl’s simple and heartfelt wish.


    Jocelyn watched the fireworks, pondering how many of them were silently missing family members who


    worked far from home.


    But that’s life. And that’s the challenge of adulthood. There’s often no choice for adults.


    “Melvin, what’s your wish?” the vige’s oldest boy, Yuri, asked, unafraid to question him.


    Melvin nced toward a woman standing on the other side, gazing at the fireworks, and wondered


    about her wish.


    “I don’t have wishes,” he told Yuri.


    “Why not?”


    “Wishes need actions toe true. That,” Melvin nodded toward the fleeting fireworks, “is just for


    watching


    Yuri nodded in agreement, “Yeah, you’re right.”


    After the fireworks, everyone gathered around the tables for the holiday feast.


    The festive mood was high. Those who drank alcohol had their fill, and those who didn’t sipped on


    sodas. The children, encouraged by the adults, started dancing and singing together. Later, they all


    joined in on a new song they’d learned, “The Voice of Youth.”


    Jocelyn pped along and led the children in singing. Their voices were powerful and moving, though


    a few of them were off-key.


    They didn’t watch any televised gs, but this was far more joyful.


    The vige’s elder women sang ancient bads filled with longing, while other women bashfully


    crooned old love songs, yearning for their husbands


    2 F F F 35 * *


    The crowd egged on Jocelyn and Urs to sing. A child imed Jocelyn had the best voice.


    Unabashed, Jocelyn chose not a love song but an anthem, “Boundless Land”. Its grand lyrics and


    melody weaved hopes of peace and prosperity, casting the brightest hopes on the small vige.


    Melvin couldn’t take his eyes off Jocelyn. He hadn’t really heard her sing before.


    The other day when he watched her teach the children singing, he saw the sparkling mour around


    her.


    All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.


    Now, with her effortess grace and captivating presence, she inspired everyone, convincing them that


    better days were in the near


    “Melvin, do you like Jocelyn?” Yuri asked, sitting beside him.


    Melvin raised an eyebrow and took a sip of his drink, “Is that a problem?”


    “No problem. Not just you, I like Jocelyn too.”


    Melvin shot him a threatening look. But Yuri grinned, “Jocelyn is beautiful, well-educated, kind-hearted


    and gentle. Everyone in the vige likes her.


    “You’ve got some taste.’ Melvin remarked with a hint of pride.


    “I saw you two at the pond that day, Yuri whispered, “You were hugging.”


    Melvin frowned, not expecting anyone to have seen them.


    As If he’d uncovered a great mystery, Yuri’s smile widened, “Don’t worry, I haven’t told anyone. You and


    Jocelyn are a good match – both good-looking and well-suited.”


    Melvin hummed, his gaze returning to Jocelyn, “I agree.”


    “But does Jocelyn actually like you?” Yuri probed


    Melvin’s frown deepened.


    After Jocelyn finished her song, apuse filled the air.


    Urs followed with a song of her own, and everyone’s eyes sparkled with delight.


    Uriah received a call and stood up, whispering something to the vige head before stepping out.


    People wondered where they were off to.


    Yvonne spected, “No idea. Looks like they’ve gone to pick someone up.”


    “On such a festive night, who could it be?” everyone mused.


    It wasn’t long before Uriah and the vige head returned with a guest.


    A suave and schrly-looking man, with rimless sses, exuded an air of gentility.


    The crowd was curious why did all these refined men keep showing up in their little vige?


    Jocelyn never expected Harrison toe.


    And when Melvin saw Harrison, his face darkened instantly.


    “How did you get here?” Jocelyn greeted Harrison with warmth, unafraid to let others know they were


    acquainted.


    Harrison’s gaze lingered on her, etched with concern. “Sneaking off here without a word to me. If it


    hadn’t been for your dad’s slip of the tongue, I’d still be in the dark about your journey.”


    Her dad had mentioned it?


    Jocelyn’s mind raced-had Melvin also learned of her whereabouts from her father?


    “It was ast-minute decision. I didn’t n on telling anyone.”


    At that, Harrison’s eyes darted to Melvin.


    Understanding his implication, Jocelyn quickly rified, “I suspect he found out the same way you did-


    from my dad. I swear, I never told him directly.”


    “I trust you.” Harrison’s tone carried a hint of dejection. “It’s just that I’m a step behind him once again.”


    Jocelyn knew what he was implying. She feigned confusion and chuckled. “The best dishese to


    those who wait. The Christmas dinner has barely started, and there’s plenty of food to go around.”


    The crowd observed the warm exchange between Jocelyn and Harrison with puzzlement


    Could it be that this genteel man was Jocelyn’s boyfriend? Then what about Mr. Martinez, who had


    earlier gazed at Jocelyn with such tenderness?


    The group instinctively saved a seat right next to Jocelyn for Harrison, casting asional nces at


    Melvin.


    Melvin’s expression had taken on a tinge of wistfulness.


    The most curious part was, even though they weren’t all seated at the same table, a mere nce was


    enough to take in the scene.


    The situation was growingplicated.


    After holding his tongue for what felt like ages, Yuri finally ventured, ‘Melvin, you’re not trying to y the


    homewrecker and steal someone’s girl, are you?”