The Unwilling CEO's Love Game

Euston's tiny arms reached out for Melvin, and with a bubbling giggle that melted hearts, Jocelyn had no choice but to cozy up next to Melvin on the plush sofa. The group, with the wisdom of old friends, scooted around to make room for Calvin and Daisy, silently acknowledging the patchwork family they had become.

Yasmine had whipped up a kid-friendly chowder in the kitchen. While Melvin cradled Euston, Jocelyn ladled out the creamy soup, blew on it gently and fed it to the eager little mouth. As Euston smacked his lips over the spoonful, Melvin turned to Jocelyn, "You dig in, I'll do the honors of feeding the little prince."

"It's fine," Jocelyn insisted, noticing Melvin hadn't touched his meal either. "Let me hold him."

After all, it was Melvin's and his friends' annual gathering, a night to clink glasses and share laughs.

Melvin couldn't very well play the doting dad and ignore the festivities. "I've got him. You go ahead," he said, his tone light but firm in a way that told Jocelyn this wasn't up for debate. Yasmine watched the pair, a playful smile tugging at her lips. Was Melvin looking to steal Jocelyn back? And was he ready to step into the role of a stepdad, too?

That couldn't be right.

But as Yasmine observed their cozy trio, she couldn't quite grasp the situation. She knew Melvin could be a wild card, but Jocelyn was grounded. She was a woman with a husband and a child, belonging to a full-fledged family. Even if her husband was currently absent and tangled up with another woman, Jocelyn's marital status was still a fact.

If Jocelyn warmed up to Melvin again, wouldn't that be crossing a line? Melvin might stray from the moral path, but Jocelyn? Never.

Questions bubbled in Yasmine's mind, but it wasn't the time to pry.

"Calvin, Daisy, and all my dear friends, it's fate that brings us together tonight. I'm grateful you're here to keep me and Melvin from being lonely hearts," Yasmine announced, standing and raising her glass with a grand flourish. "Here's to a merry Christmas, a happy New Year, good health, and all things bright and beautiful!"

With that, she downed her drink in one swift gulp.

The others stood, echoing her sentiments, "Thanks, Yasmine. Merry Christmas!"

As Calvin and Daisy started to rise, Yasmine gently pressed them back down. "No need to stand or drink on our account. Just enjoy."

Their past Christmas celebrations were quiet simple for Jocelyn's family, just the three of them sharing a simple meal and maybe a little wine. Never had they experienced such a lively crowd. Daisy felt a twinge of emotion at Yasmine's mention of "lonely hearts." Indeed, without family, Melvin seemed adrift. But holding tiny Euston, he appeared to have found a semblance of home. After Euston's appetite was sated, Jocelyn slid the high chair closer and Melvin settled the child into it, leaving him to play with toys.

Melvin poured himself a glass of wine, "You're the elders here; I toast to you," he said to Calvin and Daisy. "To your health!"

The rest of the party stood once more, glasses aloft toward the couple, "To Calvin and Daisy, may your New Year be joyful and your health robust!"

Caught off guard, Calvin and Daisy managed a grateful nod, clinking their glasses in a symbolic gesture before sipping the wine.

The toast seemed to break the ice. The room buzzed with chatters after it, though with a respectful nod to the presence of the elders, the conversation stayed light and Euston's circumstances went unmentioned.

Everyone was aware of Melvin and Jocelyn's past announcement, but the sudden appearance of a child was a mystery. The group was at a loss-was Euston Melvin and Jocelyn's child? The love Melvin showed the little one was undeniable, but the truth was elusive, leaving everyone a tad unsettled.

As the night drew on, Euston went asleep in Melvin's arms, added a tender note to the evening.

"You folks enjoy. I'll take them home," Melvin offered, the epitome of a devoted partner and father.

"No worries, we'll cab it," Jocelyn replied, not wanting to dampen their spirits. They had already indulged in a feast as uninvited guests. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Melvin, the ever-gentleman, countered, "It's Christmas. Taxis are hard to come by tonight."

As he stood, Euston still nestled against him; he motioned for Jocelyn to grab his coat. She complied, as if any other option had vanished. Zephyr leaned in to Yasmine, "What's the deal here?"

Yasmine shrugged, just as perplexed. "I'm as clueless as you."

Zephyr frowned, "Is he playing stepdad now? But they're not even divorced."

"I don't know," Yasmine snapped back, equally baffled.

Meanwhile, Melvin drove with Calvin in the passenger seat, Daisy and Jocelyn in the back, the air thick with unspoken questions. The silence persisted until they reached their destination. Calvin stepped out to gather belongings, and Daisy scooped up Euston.

"Mom, Dad, I need to grab some of Euston's things from my place," Jocelyn said, her evening plans clearly altered.

"Go ahead, I'll take him up," Daisy replied.

With a nod, Jocelyn addressed Melvin, "Could you give me a lift back?"

Of course, Melvin couldn't refuse.

The car door shut, and Melvin was off again. His sedan faded into the distance of their suburban neighborhood.

Daisy watched the taillights disappear and exhaled a heavy sigh. "I don't know why, but I can't shake this feeling of guilt when it comes to Melvin."

"Guilt about what?" Calvin wrapped his arm around his wife's shoulder as they walked towards the apartment building entrance. "It's their business, not ours. We haven't done anything to stand in their way. No need to feel guilty."

"It's just so obvious that Melvin still has a thing for Jocelyn."

"Yeah." Calvin had walked the road of youth himself. It was impossible not to see the lingering affection between them.

Daisy sighed again, her breath fogging in the cool air. "I'm done worrying about it, anyway. It's all up to Jocelyn. If she wants to marry him, I'll support her decision." "That's the spirit." Calvin agreed.

They didn't want to be the overbearing parents. Young people have their ways of sorting things out.

Jocelyn sat in the backseat, only needing to lift her gaze to catch Melvin's eyes in the rear-view mirror.

"Thanks for today," Jocelyn said with a playful tone, pretending to be light-hearted. "I snagged a free meal off you."

Melvin glanced at her through the mirror. "You know, I can't remember the last time we had a Christmas dinner together, let alone with your parents."

"Yeah." It was true.

Back when their relationship had to stay in the shadows, sharing a meal was out of the question.

"Tit for tat. How about I come over to your place for a visit tomorrow?" Melvin's suggestion was casual.

Jocelyn thought she'd misheard. "Tomorrow?"

"Christmas, of course, is the time for visits and gathering," Melvin said. "But honestly, the most important thing is that little Euston sees me as his dad now. I'm just worried he might start crying and looking for daddy."

Jocelyn was silent for a moment. That reason was sound, not a trace of pretense.

It was strange, really. Euston and Melvin had bonded so well that anyone would think they were actually father and son.