Chapter 144
The anival of Willow in this sleepy little vige had Jocelyn convinced the world had gone mad.
Draped in a pristine designer down jacket with wless makeup, Willow was a stark contrast to the
rustic surroundings.
The vige chiel was unfamiliar with the faces of celebrities. He had just been informed via telephone
that a star was visiting their vige. Oblivious to who she was, he felt obliged to wee her.
He had seen on TV how celebrities would visit rural areas and experience the simple life for a few
days. In turn, they would promote local development.
The vige chief thought it rather fortuitous that a star had taken an interest in their little vige. Word
would get out, and the exposure could only be beneficial.
When Willow caught sight of Jocelyn, the surprise was mutual. Willow hadn’t expected to find Jocelyn
here, but she quickly pieced together why Melvin might have sought refuge in such backwoods retreat.
“Jocelyn, what a coincidence!” Willow greeted, masking the awkwardness with her tone.
The vige head was baffled.
Jocelyn knew this celebrity?
Jocelyn merely nodded slightly, showing no interest in engaging further.
Willow’s gaze shifted between Jocelyn and Harrison, a knowing look in her eyes. “So you two lovebirds
finally nested. Congrattions.” Despite being polite by nature, Jocelyn wanted nothing more than to
drop all pretenses of civility where Willow was concerned.
Harrison, aware of Jocelyn’s distaste for the woman, chose to ignore her.
Willow’s face stiffened at the snub. She hastily changed the topic, adopting an air of delight as she
spread her arms wide, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Ah, the air’s so fresh here. No wonder
Melvin ran off to this ce.”
The vige head was taken aback. Another acquaintance of Mr. Martinez’s?
It seemed like everyone from the city knew each other.
To be precise, ever since Jocelyn and Urs had arrived, the vige had been buzzing with activities.
So, the catalyst was Jocelyn and Urs?
No, it was primarily Jocelyn.
Willow shed a smile at Uriah. “Sir, could you show me to Melvin, please?”
Uriah could hardly decline. Guests, especially celebrities, were to be treated with respect for the sake
of the vige’s future.
As Willow’s assistant scurried behind her carrying her bags, Harrison expressed his concern for
Jocelyn. “Can you handle her on your own?”
Jocelyn was unfazed. “As long as there’s no brawl, I can handle everything.”
Seeing Harrison’s worry, Jocelyn patted his shoulder. “Rx, she’s too concerned with her image to
make a scene. Plus, Urs’s here. She’s got my back.”
“I’m not worried about a fight. It’s her and Melvin…” Harrison trailed off, but Jocelyn understood his
concern.
The fear was that Willow might cling to Melvin, making things ufortable for Jocelyn.
Jocelyn chuckled. “You’re overthinking it. Even if that were the case, it might be a good thing. It’d help
me move on faster, right?”
Harrison considered her point and found some logic in it.
“You sure you’re okay?”
“Im fine. Jocelyn affirmed. “Don’t worry, even if she does stir up some drama, she’ll have to keep her
cool. It’s actually better if she’s here. She can take Melvin off my sight, and I’ll have more peace.”
Harrison really didn’t want to leave her alone, but he hadmitments back home he couldn’t break.
“Go on, get going. Jocelyn urged, opening the car door for him. “Stop dawdling.”
With reluctance, Harrison lingered at the car door with his gaze lingering on Jocelyn. Suddenly, he
released the door and pulled her into a light embrace.
Jocelyn, almost unsteady from the force of his hug, just smiled. ‘Don’t make it sound so final. It’s not
like we won’t see each other again,
? want to take you home, Harmson’s voice was husky, his arms tightening around her. He meant it
Jocelyn patted his back. “I have to stay here for a month. If I left now. I’d disappoint the kids and break
my promise.”
Harrison knew it was just a wishful thought to whisk her away.
‘The next time you do a volunteer teaching stint, let me know,” Harrison said with aining look,
“Don’t let me be thest to find
out
Melvin hade to the vige earlier than he did, and that one step behind made Harrison feel like he
had missed out on so much.
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Jocelyn softly agreed, understanding his concern.
Reluctantly, Hamison let go of her Looking into her bright eyes, he yeamed to take her away from that
other man forever. But could he take her heart as well?
In a fit of pettiness, Harrison secretly hoped something would happen between Melvin and the star to
help Jocelyn move on.pletely.
“Call me if you need anything,” Harrison reminded Jocelyn before finally saying, “I’m off”
“Okay.”
As he started the car and closed the door, his gaze still remained fixed on her.
Jocelyn stepped back and waved goodbye.
With a deep breath, Harrison fired up the engine. “I’m going now.”
*Safe drive, Jocelyn smiled back. “Let me know when you get home.”
The car pulled away. Jocelyn stood by the roadside, watching until it disappeared from view.
Harrison, ncing at her through the rear-view mirror, felt the urge to return for her growing stronger.
He didn’t want her to be untrustworthy or force her into anything. With resolve, he hit the gas and sped
up.
Out of sight was out of mind, he thought
Jocelyn stood there until the car was no longer visible, then turned to walk back.
Urs came running down. “Why didn’t you have him stay longer? With that woman here, can you
really handle it alone?”
“It’s fine. She doesn’t bother me, Jocelyn was unfazed. “I’m going to take a walk up the mountainter.”
“Is that to avoid them or to give them a chance?” Urs couldn’t stand Willow’s pretense. That
woman’s eyes betrayed disdain for the rustic setting, unwilling to sit on a wooden stool yet feigning
approachability.
Jocelyn gave a nonchnt shrug, “I just want to embrace the great outdoors.”
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Urs couldn’t quite figure out if Jocelyn had truly gotten over Melvin and his dalliance with that other
woman. But Jocelyn seemed genuinely lighter in spirit now.
“You didn’t sleep wellst night, right? Why not catch some Z’s and then we can hit the trail after
lunch?”
“Sounds like a good idea Jocelyn felt the fatigue weighing on her.
She didn’t bother stopping by Uriah’s ce again and headed straight for her own quarters instead.
Curled up in bed and snuggled into the nkets, she closed her eyes. Before long, she drifted off to
sleep.
The winter chill made the warmth of the bed all the more inviting.
In a hazy state of half-sleep, she thought she heard someone push open her bedroom’s door.
3 F = 2 Fú
Assuming it was Urs, she didn’t bother to check and simply turned over to resume her slumber.
Time passed.
Eventually, Jocelyn stirred awake.
She reached out for her phone. At the moment she grasped it, she jolted upright.
“What are you doing in my room?” Jocelyn’s eyes locked onto Melvin, who was seated by her bed. She
felt a shock go through her.
Melvin was perched on a chair with his long legs propped up awkwardly. The small piece of furniture
could barely contain him. It was an image of difort and inappropriateness.
His gaze held a tumult of emotions, swirling as if unsure of the right sentiment to start their
conversation.
He had rehearsed several openings on his way in, though their history hardly called for formalities.
It wasn’t until after she had spent the night with another man that he felt the need for a conversation
starter, something to ease the
ansion yet address the issue at hand
he gets to share your bed, and I can’t even step into your room?” Melvin’s voice was hoarse.
Jocelyn frowned, his calm delivery of such a charged statement indicated he had mentally prepared for
this moment.
She took a deep breath, steadying her nerves and maintaining an even tone, “Why are you here?”