Chapter 142
Melvin’s mood had been super good, as buoyant as a bird gliding through the heavens. But when
Harrison arrived, it was as if his wings had been clipped, and he plummeted to earth without waming.
Witnessing the animated conversation between Jocelyn and Harnson, their faces alight with smiles and
that glearn in their eyes when they looked at each other, Melvin’s appetite vanished.
Everyone had somehow gotten the idea that Hamson was Jocelyn’s boyfriend, so they treated him with
all due courtesy.
Wonne even went so far as to arrange for Harrison to stay at the house where Jocelyn and Urs were
living. It was a spacious ce In her mind, a long-separated couple deserved a proper space to
rekindle the me.
Jocelyn was petrified at the arrangement.
Harrison, with a smile, reassured, “Jocelyn and I have always been close. A few days apart won’t
change anything.”
“If you feel like I’m in the way, I could always crash at Hazel’s ce, Urs also chimed in with a smirk.
Jocelyn red at her. Urs knew full well that Jocelyn and Harrison were just friends, yet here she
was, fanning the mes.
Hearing the words, Hazel’s grandmother warmly invited Urs to stay over.
The knowing looks everyone gave Jocelyn and Harrison were enough to make anyone squirm.
Jocelyn was at a loss for words, unsure how to untangle the misunderstanding.
But Harrison was unfazed, “Since you’re so concerned about me and Jocelyn, we wouldn’t decline your
kindness.”
Jocelyn was stunned. Her gaze locked on Harrison in disbelief.
Melvin’s expression grew darker with a storm brewing in his eyes.
Urs was all agog with excitement and relished the unfolding drama.
The scene was irresistibly fun.
After dinner. Jocelyn began to clear the table. Harrison pitched in as ever the eager helper.
“What do you want to do by saying that?” Jocelyn muttered under her breath.
Harrison followed her close, ‘Shouldn’t we give him a little nudge?”
‘Stop it,” she hissed.
“He’s followed you all the way here. If I hadn’t shown up, wouldn’t he think our rtionship wasn’t
serious? Then he’d keep hounding you. Now the most important thing is to rattle him. Once he’s rattled,
you’ll get the oue you’re looking for.” Harrison spoke as if nning a strategic y in a game, all
for the sake of Jocelyn.
Jocelyn sighed in resignation, “Hey, aren’t you afraid of blowing this out of proportion?”
“I don’t think it’s a problem. He’s not your boyfriend anyway. You shouldn’t worry about his feelings too
much. Men like him need a push Harrison pressed. “Or is it that you feel for him?”
“Of course not. Jocelyn retorted instantly.
“Then let it be, Harrison concluded. “In his eyes, we’re dating. Any overreaction on your part will only
raise suspicions.”
Jocelyn, thinking it over, decided to let it rest
Their whispered exchange seemed to Melvin like the intimate murmurings between lovers, who were
eager for closeness.
Once the cleanup was done, Jocelyn and Harrison naturally found themselves seated together as the
clock crept towards midnight. The vige’s secretary, Uriah, rallied everyone to set up the leftover
fireworks, nning to light up the sky with a bang.
Harrison volunteered to help.
Urs sidled up to Jocelyn, nudging her shoulder conspiratorially, “Can it get any more lively than
this?”
Quit stirring the pot. Jocelyn grumbled as she was upset about the current situation.
She hade for peace of mind, why did Melvin and Harrisone as well?
tars geinned. It’s always more fun to watch the drama unfold from the sidelines.”
busty rolled her eyes.
you thank if you and Hanson end up in the same room tonight, wall he be able to sit still? Urs
nced towards Melvin.”
Well he deny the walls?”
Fireworks exploded and firecrackers popped, lighting up their slice of the sky.
The festive atmosphere and cheer washed away Jocelyn’s upset. She whipped out her phone to
capture the cheerful moment and
shared it with her parents.
Such a spectacle was rare in the city.
“Make a wish,” Urs urged, pulling Jocelyn’s hand together as they both sped their hands and
gazed up at the brilliant disy Even knowing that wishes didn’te true on their own, it was still a
beautiful hope to hold onto.
Jocelyn wished for peace across thend, health for her family, and that all her dreams mighte to
fruition. She feared requesting too much, lest the heavens be overwhelmed
Harison sidled up to her, “What did you wish for?”
“Everything” Jocelyn smiled.
“Let’s take a picture for my parents, Harrison suggested, pulling out his phone. “They were asking
about me. If they didn’t know I was here with you, they’d be upset I wasn’t home for the holidays.”
Thinking back to the dinner when Harrison’s parents had sent her well-wishes and a big gift, Jocelyn
felt a twinge of quilt.
She epted the gift but swiftly gave it back to Harrison.
He didn’t refuse, butter sent her a small present for good luck, which she epted.
“Urs, snap a picture of us, will you? Jocelyn asked.
Urs took the phone, “Cuddle up, you two.”
Jocelyn frowned.
But Harrison naturally slung his arm around her waist.
Jocelyn tensed up instinctively, feeling a bit uneasy.
“Rx, Harrison whispered soothingly, “You’ll look stiff otherwise.”
Taking a deep breath, Jocelyn eased into the pose.
“Smile. Lean in Perfect! You look great, Urs coached, her voice booming as if to ensure people
around knew they were posing together, “Look at the lovebirds”
Jocelyn only wished she could sew Urs’s mouth shut.
Urs Mashed a mischievous grin. Clearly she enjoyed the moment very much.
From a close distance, Melvin watched the couple with a mixture of irritation and envy. The man had
his arm snugly wrapped around the woman’s waist and their bodies pressed close in an affectionate
embrace.
They weren’t even trying to hide it.
The thought of them spending the night together set his temper aze like the fireworks crackling
overhead, ready to burst.
After snapping the photo, Urs handed them the phone, “What do you think? Could pass for a
wedding wee sign, couldn’t it?”
Jocelyn shot her a re that could have melted steel. Could she not add fuel to the fire?
Melvin had good ears. He caught the word “wedding.”
Were they really rushing into marriage?
A tightness gripped his chest. The evening’s meal felt like it hadn’t gone past his throat but was stuck in
his heart.
it’s great Hamson was clearly pleased with the photo. “Urs, it’s a good thing you’re a teacher. If you
were a photographer, someone would be out of a job.”
Urs beamed, “Ohe on! With such a handsome man and beautiful woman, it’s hard to take a bad
shot.
Hearing thatment, Jocelyn could only roll her eyes.
While Urs and Harrison wereplimenting each other, Jocelyn felt an invisible tension nearby.
Her gaze unintentionally met Melvin’s, and she quickly looked away.
That look of his was fierce, as if he wanted to devour her.
Jocelyn took a deep breath to calm herself down, and turned to watch the fireworks.
It was almost one in the morning before the group dispersed.
Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.
Urs left with Hazel, ying her part by giving Hamison and Jocelyn some space. The charade was
in full swing.
Harrison picked up his stuff and followed Jocelyn to her ce. Once inside, he quietly shut the door
behind them.
chapter
‘He was following us,’ Harrison whispered.
Jocelyn hadn’t noticed, but she couldn’t help wanting to peek outside.
“Don’t, Hamison cautioned. “Let him stew a little.”
Im afraid hell lose it,” Jocelyn admitted, genuinely worried that Melvin might be driven mad in such
situation.
Harrison just stared at her without any words.
Feeling ufortable under his gaze, Jocelyn asked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You don’t want to hurt him, do you?” Hamison understood why Jocelyn was anxious at that moment.