SWNOVELS Chapter 198
After a raucous night out belting out power ballads and cheesy pop classics at the local karaoke bar, Jocelyn and her colleagues spilled out into the cool night air, their voices hoarse but spirits high. Ursula insisted on driving Jocelyn home.
The streets were surprisingly busy at the late hour, headlights streaking through the darkness like fireflies in a suburban twilight. As she drove, Ursula waxed poetic about the birthday girl's down-to-earth love story with her husband, a romance that had everyone in the office green with envy.
Jocelyn chimed in with genuine enthusiasm, expressing a yearning for that sort of simple love that thrives on warm gestures and quiet companionship instead of grand gestures - the kind where a shared blanket on a cold night was enough to make people feel blissfully content.
"Oh no!" Ursula exclaimed as she slammed on the brakes too late, her car lurching forward in a sickening crunch of metal on metal.
Jocelyn's heart raced, her body jolted by the sudden accident.
Amid the confusion, Ursula unbuckled her seat belt and stormed out of the car, tapping her hand against the window of the other vehicle involved in the fender bender. "Get out!" she demanded, her voice sharp with anger and frustration.
Zephyr emerged from the other car.
Jocelyn couldn't believe it - of all the people in the city, they had to bump into someone she knew.
Ursula recognized him too - he was Melvin's friend. "Let's just settle this privately," Zephyr suggested, eyeing the scrape on his car.
Ursula took a deep breath, calming her initial rage. "Fine, but you're paying for the damages. It was your fault for switching lanes without signaling."
Zephyr agreed without hesitation, promising to cover all repair costs. Ursula, although still angry, accepted the terms for the sake of convenience. As Zephyr was about to leave, he paused and turned to Jocelyn. "Melvin's pretty smashed. Keeps calling your name," he mentioned casually. Jocelyn pretended not to hear, maintaining her composure.
"He says he doesn't want to bother you," Zephyr continued, trying to gauge her reaction.
Jocelyn's response was cool and detached. "Then he's being reasonable."
Zephyr stared at her for a moment before nodding slowly. "When a woman decides to be ruthless, she really can be," he remarked before returning to his car.
Once he had driven off, Ursula asked Jocelyn, "What was all that about?"
"Never mind. Just make sure you get reimbursed for the repairs," Jocelyn replied, her mind already moving past the incident.
Back at her apartment, Jocelyn reflected on Zephyr's words with a wry smile.
What good were Melvin's feelings now after everything that had happened?
The damage to Ursula's car was repaired, with Zephyr transferring the funds promptly, even adding a little extra for the inconvenience.
...
Soon came the beginning of a new school year.
Jocelyn busied herself with the new intake of students as she was assigned to be the head teacher. The school's new building was nearing completion, promising better facilities and room for more students in the following year.
There was a sign on the outside of the new building that said, "Donator: Melvin Martinez".
Melvin had secretly supported the school's construction and had also contributed to the development of a rural village, building roads and establishing an orchard and a factory, creating many jobs for the locals.
These acts of charity were once revealed online, which sparked admiration and a renewed interest in Melvin's jewelry business. The media clamored for an interview, but Melvin remained out of the spotlight, asking his assistant Yara to represent him.
Yara was poised and articulate. She told the cameras that Melvin's acts of kindness were inspired by someone he had wronged and couldn't forget.
The media buzzed with speculation about this mysterious person.
"I hope you don't go deeper into that person and leave her alone." Yara added at the end of the interview. But her request for privacy only fueled the public's curiosity. Watching the coverage, Jocelyn felt a mix of emotions.
Melvin's actions, however admirable, couldn't undo the past. As she was about to turn off the screen, she wondered what the future held for both Melvin and herself in a world where even the simplest twist of fate could lead to the most unexpected outcomes.
Leaning on the edge of her desk with a cup of coffee in hand, Ursula turned to Jocelyn, her eyes filled with a mischievous sparkle. "You know, I can't believe you're not the least bit touched by the news." Jocelyn paused the YouTube video she'd been half-watching and cleared her throat. "It's got nothing to do with me."
"But he did follow your footsteps to act kind back then," Ursula sipped her coffee, a sentimental note creeping into her voice. "I have to admit, even I was moved. Sure, Melvin might be a little bit emotionally stunted, but when it comes to the big picture, he's never wavered."
Jocelyn leaned back in her chair, fixing Ursula with a skeptical look. "Why are you always making excuses for him?"
"I'm not making excuses for him. You can't deny the guy's got a heart. But honestly, instead of him, I'm all for you and Harrison. You two are like peanut butter and jelly—perfect together." Ursula raised an eyebrow. "Has he asked you out yet?"
"Can you not 'ship' me with every guy you know?" Jocelyn rolled her eyes. "Not everyone is a match for me, you know."
"I don't matchmake without a good reason. Melvin's got the looks and wealth, but there's something off about him. Harrison is different, on the other hand. He is reliable and treats you like a queen. That's a man you can build a life with."
Jocelyn chuckled. "Now that you mention it, I think you'd be quite the match for him. Seriously, should I play cupid here?"
"Don't you dare," Ursula nearly spilled her coffee, her face turning pale. "I do not want to get in the middle of whatever you've got going on."
"Choose your words carefully. Harrison and I are just friends. You dating him wouldn't be stepping on any toes."
"Stop right there!" Ursula cut her off. "I'm not going anywhere near him, trust me."
Jocelyn laughed softly. "Then why are you so keen on setting me up with him?"
"I just think you two would be good together, that's all."
Jocelyn didn't feel like talking anymore. She grabbed her textbook. "I've got class."
...
Someone was still digging into Jocelyn's life, believing she was the one who inspired Melvin's kind acts.
But any attempt to expose Jocelyn online was swiftly taken down. Clearly, someone didn't want her splashed across the internet.
During the weekend at her family home, Calvin had caught the news praising a jewelry company's contribution to the village's poverty alleviation efforts.
"It's heartwarming to see a business do good within its means," Calvin commented casually.
Daisy shot him a glare. "Can't you just eat without talking?"
"It's just small talk. Eating in silence is boring." Calvin actually liked Melvin. If only the guy hadn't chickened out, he could've been their son-in-law by now. Getting praised on national TV? That was surely something to be proud of.
"Have you forgotten our old ways? 'Speak not over your meal," Daisy quoted, her disapproval of Melvin was clear regardless of his success. He wasn't the right match for their daughter. Calvin pursed his lips and fell silent.
"Daisy turned to Jocelyn. "So, what's the deal with you and Harrison?"
Jocelyn hesitated, then said, "We're just friends."
Daisy frowned. "Harrison's the solid type. You need to be more discerning when you're looking at potential partners."
"Mom, there's no chance with Harrison." Jocelyn made herself clear. "I don't feel that way about him."
"What 'way'?" Daisy pressed. "In marriage, feelings can develop over time. What matters is he's considerate and treats you well. His parents like you too."
"Mom, starting a relationship without feelings will never work out," Jocelyn insisted seriously. "Let's drop this subject. Harrison and I are friends now. But if you keep this up, even that friendship will be ruined."
"You..."
"Enough," Calvin interjected, tired of their argument. "If she doesn't like him, you can't force her. It's her life, she knows what's best."
Daisy was stubborn. "She's not getting any younger. We should lock down a good catch while she can. Wait too long, and she'll be the one getting picked over."
Calvin's face darkened. "I'll take care of her if she never marries!"