Chapter 164
The weather was warmer in recent days, and the elderly residents of the old neighborhood were
making the most of it. They gathered downstairs, engrossed in a variety of leisure activities. Some
yed chess, others engaged in card games. A few rallied at tennis, while several groups danced.
Underneath the shade of an old oak tree, a crowd had formed. All of their eyes fixated on a chessboard
where an intense game was unfolding..
One of the yers, visibly frustrated and unsure how to turn the game around, sighed repeatedly. He
cast a nce at the young man sitting calmly across from him, determined not to be beaten again.
He had already lost five times in a row.
“Hey, Calvin, get over here!” someone suddenly yelled out. “Come give Lucas some backup. He’s been
getting crushed the whole afternoon.”
Everyone turned their heads toward the voice.
Calvin just returned from the grocery store on his bicycle. Hearing his name, he pulled over and
propped his bike against a nearby fence. “What’s up?” he asked.
“Some hotshot kid has shown up and he’s ying chess like a cold-blooded shark, not giving Lucas a
moment’s breath. Around here, you and Lucas are pretty evenly matched, but we can’t seem to figure
out who’s the top dog. Today’s the day to settle it – beat this young man and you’ll be crowned the
chess king of our block.”
Curious, Calvin made his way through the crowd. “Who around here could possibly outy Lucas?”
When he reached the inner circle and caught sight of the young man facing Lucas, his brow furrowed.
Wasn’t this the boyfriend of Jocelyn, his former boss, Melvin?
Upon noticing Calvin, Melvin stood up as a sign of respect. “Hi.”
“Do you two know each other?” Lucas asked, intrigued.
Calvin’s face was stern. “No.”
Melvin was silent, a hint of difort in his pause.
“It doesn’t matter if you know him or not. Come on, Calvin! I need you to get revenge for me.” Lucas
stood and pulled Calvin down into his seat. “I’ve never beaten this guy.”
“No respect for your elders,” Calvin remarked dryly, eyeing Melvin,
Lucas countered, “You can’t be too respectful in a game. Sure, we’re ying for fun, but the spirit of
competition is important too. If he lets me win, where’s the fun in that? Nowadays, young people are
too deferential. They make us old folks feel good, but it waters down our skills as well.”
“Exactly. There are no kin in battle.” someone else agreed.
Lucas, eager to get on with it, urged Calvin, “Come on, will you y? If you beat him, I’ll hand over my
title of chess king that I’ve held for years.”
Calvin snorted. “Sounds like I need you to hand it over. I used to beat you when I was working. Now
that I’m retired, I can defeat you in minutes. You’re just a sore loser.”
“Enough talk. You just beat him and I’ll concede,” Lucas was getting impatient.
Reluctantly, Calvin sat down and took a moment to assess Melvin.
Melvin was all business, not the type to patronize the elderly.
That made sense – back in the office, his presence was something few could stand up to. It’s
understandable though, given that he was the boss of a bigpany. Without a strong demeanor, how
could he run the
business well?
Calvin wondered if Jocelyn could handle being married to such a man.
The chess game began with Calvin moving first.
Melvin started off strong, ying swiftly as if without a second thought.
Calvin, on the other hand, was deliberate, always nning several moves ahead.
20 F 29
The two yed in silence. The onlookers were equally quiet.
About ten exchangester, the tide of the game began to show.
“Calvin, he’s gunning for your king,” Lucas couldn’t help but blurt out, with excitement in his voice.
Calvin frowned. “A true gentleman neverments during a game.”
“I’m just worried you’ll lose!” Lucas was anxious.
Melvin nced at Calvin, who was deep in thought and hesitating to move.
Neither rush came from Melvin, nor reminders and concessions.
Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.
“Move the knight,” Lucas couldn’t contain himself.
Calvin shook his head. “If I move the knight, he’ll advance his pawn and it’ll be game over.”
“Does that mean a loss?” Lucas was frustrated.
Calvin looked at Melvin who was unfazed. “Yes, it’s a loss.”
“Ah, one more round Calvin,” Lucas was hooked and desperate to beat Melvin.
Turning to Melvin, Lucas asked, “Kid, how are you so darn good?”
Melvin reset the pieces. “Learned a bit when I was younger.”
“Must’ve been a master,” Lucas mused.
Calvin and Melvin went on to y four more rounds, but Calvin lost each time.
Melvin showed no mercy, leaving Calvin thoroughly defeated.
It wasn’t until Daisy noticed Calvin’s bike at the base of the tree and approached to see Calvin and
Melvin deep in their game that the atmosphere shifted. “Calvin, what time do you think it is? Aren’t you
coming home to cook dinner?”
Calvin and Melvin, both too stubborn to admit defeat, ignored her.
“Don’t interrupt. I’m about to win,” Calvin said, his heart racing with the prospect of finally checkmating
Melvin.
The final match was tense for Calvin.
Melvin remained calm, and as soon as he ced his piece, Calvin swiftly moved his “cannon” to
Melvin’s “king”. He was exuberant, “I finally won a round!”
“Did you really win?” Lucas leaned in with an incredulous face and asked Melvin, “Did you just let him
win?”
The mere suggestion of “letting win” irked Calvin.
Melvin replied, “No, I miscalcted that move.”
“Hmph, if he was going to let me win, he would’ve done it ages ago,” Calvin stood with a hint of victory
in his posture. He looked at Lucas, “What do you say? Ready to acknowledge defeat?”
“Fine. You’re the chess king,” Lucas conceded.
Hearing Lucas’s words, Calvin was proud of his new title.
Chapter To
“Melvin, it’s gettingte, why don’t you join us for a simple dinner at my ce?” Lucas invited warmly.
“I’d love to learn more about your chess strategies.”
Lucas’s invitation was sincere,
Upon hearing Lucas’s offer to Melvin, Daisy and Calvin exchanged a nce, each with a furrowed
brow.
In a small town like theirs, the fact that the Lucas had a thirty-year-old daughter, Luna, who was still
flying solo, was practically well-known to all. If Lucas caught wind of a bachelor within a five-mile
radius, you could bet your bottom dor he’d be scheming to set him up with Luna, all under the guise
of neighborly hospitality.
Melvin was just about to reply, when Calvin cast him a freezing look, “What are you waiting for, an
engraved invitation to dinner?”
Melvin stood there, mouth agape.
Completely baffled, Lucas eyed Calvin, “What’s gotten into you, Calvin? What are you saying?”
Calvin wasn’t about to admit that Melvin was Jocelyn’stest beau-not in front of this crowd. Doing so
would be tantamount to giving their blessing to the rtionship.
“Why do you speak to Melvin in such tone?” Lucas was getting riled up. “Luna’s back in town today and
she’s been itching to learn how to y chess. Melvin’s got some skills at the game. Why not let the
young folks mingle a bit?”
Daisy rolled her eyes. She had called it from the start.
Melvin, on the other hand, kept his lips sealed. He was secretly happy with the turn of events.
“Call Jocelyn, tell her toe home for dinner.” Daisy’smand was directed at Melvin, who smiled
in response and promptly took out his phone.
He apologized to the somewhat perplexed Lucas, “Thanks for your kind offer, sir. I’ll make sure Jocelyn
and I swing by for a game of chess when we get the chance.”
Lucas’s jaw hung open as Melvin dialed Jocelyn’s number, giving him a grateful nod. “Daisy wants me
to tell you toe back for dinner. Yeah, Calvin’s gone all out with the groceries… Of course, I’m here
too. Yep, it’s an official invite from your parents.”
As Melvin trotted off following Daisy and Calvin, Lucas was left puzzled.
Someone leaned in and whispered, “Are you lost in the sauce, Lucas? That young man belongs to the
Winslet’s!”