Chapter 174


    It seemed that their sweet whispers today had struck a chord unlike any other. Jocelyn and Melvin were


    more passionate than ever in their lovemaking.


    They explored each other with an intensity that was both fervent and tender, their synchronized breaths


    painting the room with an electric excitement. They kept the lights on, basking in the glow that


    illuminated every expression, every contour of pleasure that crossed their faces.


    Jocelyn was surpased by how much she reveled in the brightness of the room. It was far from the


    veiled intimacy of darkness. It was a raw exposure that tantalized every sense, an addiction that was


    hard to quit.


    Melvin, ever so controlled, never crossed the final threshold. Each time she thought they were at the


    brink, he would rein it back, though never at the expense of her ecstasy.


    He whispered huskily into her ear, “You’re all mine…”


    That sultry voice sent shivers down her spine. She clung to him, murmuring coyly and breathlessly,


    “Yes.”


    It was as if a mighty army poised for battle had finally received its orders. What followed was a


    relentless onught, unstoppable and utterly consuming until there was nothing left but surrender.


    The sheets were drenched.


    Exhausted to the bone, Jocelyn felt as though Melvin had melted her very skeleton.


    Melvin wrapped his arms around her from behind, his breath hot against her ear, his presence an


    intoxicating warmth.


    His hand gently rested on her abdomen as he asked in a gravelly voice, “Is your perioding soon?”


    With her eyes closed, Jocelyn counted the date and then nodded, “I think so.”


    “I don’t like that.”


    “What?”


    “The condom. Even the thinnest barrier is still a barrier.”


    Jocelyn didn’t want to talk about it.


    But she couldn’t deny the truth in his words. The sensation was indeed different.


    Perhaps because they were so consumed by each other, they fell asleep without bothering to clean up.


    Jocelyn had to attend school the following day.


    Thankfully, it wasn’t like the first time. Even after a wild night, she was still able to get out of bed.


    After a refreshing shower, she approached the still-sleeping Melvin and smiled, leaving a kiss on his


    lips.


    Just as she turned to leave, Melvin caught her hand, his eyes bleary with sleep. “Where are you off to?”


    “Work,” Jocelyn nced at the clock. “Let go of my hand, I’m runningte.”


    Melvin held on, “When will you be back?”


    “By noon,” she patted his hand. “Stop it, I really have to go.”


    Reluctantly, he released her, “Lunch together?”


    “It’ll have to be quick.”


    “Okay.”


    “Bye now.”


    “Bye.”


    Hey there and hugged her pillow, watching her with watery eyes.


    Jocelyn couldn’t help butugh as she closed the door behind her, “You don’t do pitiful well.”


    “It’s not an act, I really am,” Melvin’s morning voice wasced with a husky bubble, irresistibly sexy.


    She pressed her lips together, holding back a smile, “Whatever.” With that, she shut the door.


    Melvin chuckled to himself. He decided to catch a few more winks, but the stickiness on his skin was


    too much. He went for a shower and changed the sheets. Once done, he was no longer dozy. He


    settled into the living room and dialed Willow’s number.


    Willow was taken aback by the unexpected invitation from Melvin. She dressed with care before


    heading out.


    Melvin had chosen a quaint little café, a pet project of their mutual friend Zephyr. The ce was infused


    with the delicate aroma of


    Chapte


    coffee and antiquity, though seldom frequented.


    In such a fast-paced city, running a café like this was akin to a yful hobby.


    When Willow arrived, the coffee was already brewing.


    Melvin asked the server to leave them be, preferring to pour the coffee himself.


    A piano yer was employed by the café. The sound of music added a touch of elegance to the


    atmosphere.


    “Why did you want to meet?” Willow asked, barely containing her excitement.


    Melvin handed her a cup of coffee, “I can forget what you did to mest time and take it as a sign of


    your true feelings.”


    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Willow’s smile faded as she stared into her cup.


    Her eyes downcast, conveying a sense of sorrow, “You know I’ve always been sincere about my


    feelings for you. Yet, you still chose to hurt me.”


    Melvin regarded her coolly, “We’ve known each other long enough, no need for pretenses.”


    Caught off guard, Willow looked up in disbelief.


    Melvin sipped his coffee, appreciating Zephyr’s taste. The vor lingered pleasantly with a subtle


    sweetness to savor.


    “I’m grateful for the time you stood by me when my family was in trouble. You left when I was at my


    lowest, and I could understand,” he said seriously. “I was fond of you when we were younger, but that


    was all it was. Had you stayed during my darkest days, perhaps things might have been different. But


    clearly, we were not meant to be together.”


    Willow furrowed her brow, attempting to justify herself, “I left with the hope of making something of


    myself, so I could help you.”


    Unmoved by her exnation, Melvin stated tly, “I don’t care about the reasons. Today I just want to


    remind you not to disturb Jocelyn, and to stop sending her those messages. If you cherish the


    memories of our youth, don’t use them to harm others.”


    Willow’s face contorted with difort. She hadn’t expected Jocelyn to show Melvin the messages


    she sent.


    “What you’ve done is of no use.” Melvin stated inly.


    Willow’s joy of meeting Melvin vanished and was reced by the sting of his words.


    Melvin was done sparing her feelings. From the moment she drugged him, he saw no reason to


    preserve her dignity.


    He poured another cup, his gaze fixed on Willow, “I only terminated your contract with my brand. You’re


    free to pursue other endorsements. I haven’t used my influence to cklist you, which is more than


    generous, considering your wrongdoings. If you keep harassing Jocelyn, don’t me me for not


    reminding you.”


    His tone was light, but the implication heavy.


    Willow sensed his seriousness. With Melvin’s current status, he could easily ruin her career.


    “Do you love her that much?” Willow asked, clutching her heart with the most painful question, yet the


    one she needed to hear the most.


    Melvin didn’t want to discuss his rtionship with Jocelyn, especially not with someone like Willow.


    “It’s none of your business,” Melvin said tersely, putting down his coffee cup and rising from the table.


    His gaze dropped to meet hers, cold and warning. “Don’t push me; Willow. I’m sure you can’t handle


    the consequences.”


    With those final words, he strode out of the café.


    Willow remained seated, she felt a pang of pain clutched at her chest.


    She felt the full force of Melvin’s disdain, as if he had grabbed her dignity and thrown it to the ground,


    trampling it beneath his feet.


    And all these were only for that woman.


    The sound of the piano continued to fill the space, its notes poignant and rich. It was a piece that


    deserved undivided attention, capable of soothing the most troubled soul with its celestial harmony.


    But Willow’s mind was too agitated to appreciate the music.


    Despite her resentment, her current standing and status didn’t allow her the luxury of confronting


    Melvin. She felt an oppressive frustration building up inside her, with nowhere to vent and no one to


    turn to. She had no choice but to swallow her bitterness alone.