Chapter 169


    Calvin was finally checking out of the hospital, and Melvin was the one who hade to pick him up.


    Instead of heading straight home, they decided to grab a bite at a local diner.


    It wasn’t until they arrived that they discovered Uncle Hank, Aunt Mae, and Quinta were all there too.


    Quinta revealed that it was Melvin who had called them, inviting them over for the weekend. He had


    even arranged & ride for them, knowing they might have trouble getting there.


    These thoughtful arrangements genuinely touched Calvin and Daisy.


    Daisy had called Uncle Hank when Calvin fell ill, and although he had wanted to visit right away, Daisy


    insisted it wasn’t necessary. After all, there was no real danger, and they could visitter when things


    settled down.


    But now, with the siblings reunited, there was a palpable sense of relief.


    Melvin got the waitstaff to start serving up a feast – dishes rich in vor and aroma, including a few


    special selections made just for Calvin’s pte.


    Uncle Hank and Aunt Mae watched Melvin’s careful arrangements with appreciative eyes.


    Melvin excused himself to take a phone call, and that’s when Aunt Mae couldn’t help butpliment


    him, “Jocelyn, you’ve got great taste. Such a considerate and sensible boyfriend.”


    Although Daisy had already epted Melvin by heart, still she didn’t show it on face. “You can’t tell.


    People change after marriage.”


    Quinta lowered her head when Daisy said that.Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Jocelyn quickly nced at her mother, and Daisy immediately realized her mistake. “Quinta, darling, I


    didn’t mean you.”


    “It’s okay, Aunt Daisy. You’re not wrong,” Quinta said fully at ease. “Rtionships could only be tested


    by time. People can pretend for a while, and it’s true that some show a different face before and after


    marriage. It’s better to take more time to see before making any promise.”


    Daisy looked at Jocelyn and sighed, “At the end of the day, it’s their lives. They make their choices,


    walk their paths, and face their consequences.”


    “Yes,” Aunt Mae chimed in, “Young folks these days don’t see marriage as a life-or-death matter like we


    did. They prioritize feelings. They split or divorce at the slightest discord whenever it doesn’t feel right.


    Not like our times – we married and we stuck it out.”


    Every parent wishes for a happy marriage for their children. But times change and society evolves, and


    young people are more open-minded and less inclined to stick to unsatisfactory marriages. So why fret


    over something out of your control? As long as they’re not wearing themselves out, let them be.


    1 think this Melvin is really good. He’s mindful and caring.” Aunt Mae praised again, “Jocelyn, hold on


    tight to a


    man like that.”


    Jocelyn smiled, “I am holding on and not letting go.”


    As she turned, she saw Melvin standing at the entrance and looking at her with a gaze full of love.


    He must have heard her words.


    Melvin took his seat next to Jocelyn and exined, “Actually, it’s me who can’t let go of her.”


    Quinta got it, and so did Calvin and Daisy


    Both of them were holding tight. Their journey was full of twists and turns, but still, they ended up


    together.


    “So when are you two getting married?” Aunt Mae asked. Her curiosity was piqued.


    Melvin’s demeanor shifted uneasily at the mention of marriage.


    Jocelyn didn’t want to pressure him. They’d had their share of arguments about marriage and even


    broke up over it once. Now that they had reconciled and he had softened his stance, she didn’t want


    her family to push the issue so soon after.


    “We’ll take Quinta’s advice and give it a few more years.” Jocelyn said, intertwining her fingers with


    Melvin’s under the table, giving him a reassuring squeeze.


    Daisy sensed Melvin’s difort with the topic. A man who avoids talking about marriage is not


    someone a parent can easily trust their daughter with.


    “That’s wise.” Aunt Mae agreed. “Take your time. You’re still young, no rush.”


    “Young?” Daisy jumped in “She’s twenty-seven this year, and she’ll be hitting thirty in a couple of years.


    People at her age already have kids! Marriage is about whether you want to spend your life together.


    Ten years of dating can be a waste if marriage isn’t in the picture.”


    The conversation started to unsettle Jocelyn, and she could feel Melvin’s mood darkening.


    “A responsible person would offer their partner a home.” Daisy continued. “Marriage is what makes it


    official. Jocelyn, you’re not getting any younger. Don’t get caught up in this ‘single life’ phase. One day


    when you’re in your forties, you might want to marry and have kids, but it’ll be toote.”


    Jocelyn frowned slightly. Daisy’s words inadvertently dragged. Quinta back into the conversation.


    But Quinta brushed it off. She sensed the tension in the air and tried to defuse it with augh, “Aunt


    Daisy, Jocelyn and Melvin are good together. Marriage is just a matter of time. No need to worry.”


    Daisy was about to respond when Calvin interrupted.


    “Let’s eat before the food gets cold.” He served Daisy some food with a meaningful nce, then said


    casually, “Let’s leave the young ones to manage their own affairs.”


    Uncle Hank nodded in agreement, “As long as they don’t regret it, that’s what matters.”


    With that, the topic of Jocelyn and Melvin’s future was dropped.


    Jocelyn squeezed Melvin’s hand apologetically.


    Melvin rxed.


    The rest of the meal went smoothly, except for the initial tension. Melvin called Yara to take everyone


    home. She came with a spacious minivan that took everyone but Melvin and Jocelyn.


    “Sorry about all that.” Jocelyn said once they were in Melvin’s car, apologizing for the earlier difort.


    Melvin drove on. “I understand.”


    “Were you nervous?” Jocelyn asked, looking at him.


    “Nope.” Melvin retorted with the stubbornness of a mule.


    Jocelyn was baffled. “Are you scared of getting married or something?”


    Clutching the steering wheel, Melvin kept his eyes on the road and did not immediately respond to her


    probing question.


    Impatience got the better of Jocelyn. She pursed her lips and straightened herself in her seat.


    As they waited for the traffic light to turn from red to green, she ventured, “If you’ve never thought about


    marriage…”


    Without warning, Melvin took a sharp right turn instead of going straight.


    “You’ve taken the wrong turn.”


    “No, I haven’t.”


    Jocelyn was clueless about where he was leading them, and she dropped the subject.


    The car came to a halt in front of a gship jewelry store.


    “Get out.”


    Jocelyn was confused, but she stepped out of the car.


    Melvin took her hand and led her into the jewelry store. They headed straight to the counter. “Show me


    yourtest women’s engagement rings.” he said with urgency.


    The saleswoman was startled by Melvin’s fervor but remained professional. She presented the rings


    and borating on their designs and the significance behind them.


    Melvin wasn’t all that interested in the details. He gently touched Jocelyn’s ring finger, picked up a ring,


    and slid it onto her finger without hesitation.


    Jocelyn too was startled by his bold move.