SWNOVELS Chapter 175
At noon, Melvin picked up Jocelyn for lunch before dropping her back off at school.
"What time do you get off work tonight?" he asked as she was getting out of the car. Jocelyn pondered for a moment, "Probably around 6:30."
"Okay."
"I'm not up for craziness tonight," she reminded him. "I have to proctor exams tomorrow."
She had been dozing off in class all day today.
Melvin's lips curled into a smug smile, "I'm just introducing you to some folks, then you can head home and hit the hay."
Jocelyn frowned, "Who?"
"You'll see," he said, enjoying the suspense.
Knowing she was pressed for time and he was playing coy, Jocelyn let it go.
That night, when she finished her work, Jocelyn walked out of the school gates with Ursula.
Ursula spotted Melvin's car and chuckled, "He's been quite the show-off lately."
Jocelyn grinned, "A bit, yeah."
"I'm curious, what did you do to make him change his mind so suddenly?" Ursula teased, eyeing the modest ring on Jocelyn's finger. "It might be small, but it's the thought that counts." Jocelyn didn't care about the size of the ring. Given the rush of that day, it was already more than enough.
"I honestly have no idea."
"I bet it's the pressure," Ursula joked. "With a catch like Harrison chasing after you, he must be anxious."
Whether it was Harrison or something else that spurred Melvin on, Jocelyn couldn't tell. All she knew was that she was happy now.
There's no greater joy than being with the one you love.
"Alright, I'm off. See you tomorrow," Jocelyn said as she noticed Melvin getting out of the car and waved goodbye to Ursula.
"See you," Ursula replied, waving to Melvin as well before heading to her own car.
Melvin wrapped his arm around Jocelyn's waist, "What were you two gossiping about?"
"Nothing much. Just that you've been quite sensible lately."
"Sensible lately?" Melvin opened the car door for her. "Aren't I always sensible?"
Jocelyn buckled her seat belt, "Sure, keep telling yourself that."
Melvin shut the car door and settled into the driver's seat, "So, where exactly have I been lacking in sense?"
"Nowhere at all," Jocelyn said, not in the mood to banter.
"Evasive," Melvin said as he started the car.
"Best not to argue," Jocelyn replied.
Melvin huffed, "Is that all women talk about? Men?"
"What else?"
"What specifics?" Melvin's curiosity piqued.
"And what do you men talk about when you're together? Women?"
"We talk about work, investments, but not women."
Jocelyn rolled her eyes, not buying a word of it.
They pulled up to a private club, and Melvin led her inside with a firm hand on her back.
Jocelyn loved the feeling of being led by him. No need for introductions, yet everyone knew where they stood.
This kind of public display was new to them. Their intimacy had always been private - just between them or in the dark.
As they entered, the lively chatter inside came to a sudden halt. Silence ensued.
Among the crowd, Jocelyn recognized two familiar faces, Zephyr and Yannick.
"Melvin, Jocelyn," Zephyr raised a glass to them. "We've been waiting so long."
Jocelyn was perplexed.
Melvin pushed the glass away, "No drink for me. I brought you all together to introduce her. This is Jocelyn, my girlfriend."
"Let's hear it, guys! Greet the lady!" Zephyr encouraged.
On cue, the group chorused a jovial "Hi, Jocelyn!"
Jocelyn was taken aback. Looking to Melvin, she felt like she was in a dream.
"Why are you staring?" Melvin's arm held her tightly. "They're greeting you." Tears pricked Jocelyn's eyes.
She knew this introduction meant she was truly entering Melvin's world.
After years of waiting, it was finally happening.
She felt the warmth in her eyes and a flutter of nervousness, wondering if she should hand out gifts now that it's the first time they met. Fumbling in her purse, she said sheepishly, "I'm sorry, I didn't bring anything."
The room erupted in laughter.
"Jocelyn, don't make it wrong. How could we let you bring gifts to us?" Zephyr quickly interjected. "Boys, where are your gifts for our guest?" One by one, they brought out bags of all sizes and placed them before Jocelyn.
Overwhelmed, she clung to Melvin's hand, not knowing what to say.
"Leave the gifts here. Zephyr, drop them off at my place later. Have fun, guys. We're heading out," Melvin said, pulling Jocelyn away.
"But we just started getting to know her," Zephyr protested.
"She's got to rest for tomorrow's exam duty," Melvin replied.
Accepting the explanation, Zephyr backed off, "Come back after you drop her off, then."
"No," Melvin said, escorting Jocelyn out. "Have a good time. Put it on my tab."
Without looking back, they left.
Inside, everyone was just as dazed.
"Alright, let's enjoy ourselves," Zephyr told the group. "Melvin bringing Jocelyn here means he sees us as family. Remember now, if you ever upset Melvin, you've got an extra lifeline now." They all nodded in understanding.
Zephyr sat down next to Yannick, who had a cigarette dangling from his lips. Snatching it, Zephyr took a drag and offered his drink.
Yannick glanced at him, uninterested.
Zephyr frowned.
Reluctantly, Yannick accepted the drink.
"He's dead serious, man." Zephyr let out a sigh as he watched from afar, an envious tone in his voice. "Good for him, breaking down those walls." Yannick didn't respond. He just swirled his glass slowly.
Blowing smoke rings into the air, Zephyr mused, "I envy that kind of love. The kind that's not afraid to shine in the daylight." Yannick's swirling motion halted, and he turned to look at Zephyr. His eyes revealed a depth of unspoken thoughts.
Jocelyn had the sweetest dream that night.
In that dream, Melvin was standing at the altar, dressed in a sharp suit. His gaze was filled with tender affection.
And there she was, in a pristine white wedding dress, walking down the aisle with a bouquet of roses in her hand.
He reached out for her, and she placed her hand in his.
A spotlight shone on them, and he leaned in to kiss her and whispered, "Mrs. Martinez."
The alarm clock buzzed.
Jocelyn had to wake up from the beautiful dream.
The moment she opened her eyes, there was Melvin's face hovering above her, a mischievous smile playing on his lips, "What dream had you smiling so?"
Jocelyn felt as if someone had peeked into her secret thoughts. Even though it was Melvin, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of embarrassment.
"You just kissed me," Melvin pointed to his own lips, grinning. "See, they're still wet."
Jocelyn was skeptical.
Melvin persisted, "What was it? A steamy dream?"
Jocelyn glared at him, "I need to get up for work."
"If you don't tell me, I won't let you up," Melvin said, playfully pinning her down.
Jocelyn tried to push him off but she couldn't.
Melvin made it clear he was hell-bent on finding out what her dream was about. With a sigh, Jocelyn gave in, "I dreamed we got married."