The Unwilling CEO's Love Game

"So now, are you and Melvin...?" Daisy wondered, recalling how she had seen him out the night before without any clear indication of where they stood.

"Mom, we're just going with the flow."

Jocelyn couldn't be sure of anything now. The future was a fog of uncertainties, and she feared that any firm decision could just as easily be overturned, sending her plans into disarray. "That's fine, honey. Sometimes it's best to just let things be."

At lunchtime, Melvin had shown up again.

Jocelyn had thought it would take him at least a few days to make another appearance, especially after last night's cheesy confessions.

She still didn't know how to face what had happened, and yet here he was knocking at her door again.

Daisy, always the gracious host, welcomed his visit, though this time she hadn't bothered with fresh groceries. They were making do with leftovers from the night before.

Melvin wasn't picky. He ate whatever was served happily, not minding that it was yesterday's fare at all.

In fact, Melvin was quite the charmer, especially with the older folks.

At the dining table, if they saw a young person tucking in heartily, they'd beam with joy.

To them, a hearty appetite was a sign of good health.

And more importantly, Melvin genuinely didn't mind the leftovers.

After lunch, one of their neighbors invited Calvin for a game of chess.

Meanwhile, Daisy took little Euston out for a stroll.

The Winslet household had been filled with the sound of a baby's cries lately, which sparked the neighbors' curiosity.

They knew Jocelyn was helping a friend by babysitting. While no one said anything to their faces, there was inevitably some gossip behind their backs.

But Calvin and Daisy were open about it, and Jocelyn didn't hide anything. Plus, with Melvin's frequent visits, rumors began to circulate that maybe Jocelyn and Melvin had secretly had a baby together.

"Are they being so blatant now?" Melvin joked as he watched Daisy carry the child downstairs. "What if people start thinking the kid's ours?"

The events of the previous evening, including the rings, still made Jocelyn somewhat uneasy.

She couldn't act as if nothing had happened and felt a bit awkward alone with him.

"What's wrong?" Melvin asked, noticing her discomfort. "Ever since I walked in, you've been avoiding me."

Jocelyn's heart was a mess. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNøvel.ɴᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

She hadn't yet processed last night's revelations.

"Do you know why your parents left today?" Melvin asked with a smile. "They've accepted me."

Melvin beamed. He stepped closer, while Jocelyn instinctively backed away until she found herself sinking onto the sofa.

With his hands braced on the back of the couch, Melvin leaned over her. His presence enveloped her, leaving her completely within his domain.

Jocelyn held her breath, feigning calm, "What are you trying to do?"

"Nothing," Melvin replied with a playful look, "Why so shy all of a sudden?"

He was too close. His breath fell hot on her face, stirring a blush to her cheeks.

Jocelyn turned her head away, "You're too close."

"Hmm, I'd like to get even closer," Melvin murmured, leaning in until his lips were just a whisper away from hers.

Frozen, Jocelyn didn't dare move.

She held her breath, hands gripping the sofa's arms, teeth clenched.

"Is it comfortable, holding yourself so tight?" Noticing her tension, Melvin stopped teasing her. He shifted to sit beside her and gave her some space. Jocelyn felt a rush of relief.

She tried to move away, but Melvin caught her hand and said, "Don't go."

His voice was laced with weariness and longing.

Jocelyn's heart softened in an instant.

They sat quietly, hands entwined, with Melvin resting his head on her shoulder.

At that moment, Jocelyn felt needed.

They remained still. After some time, Melvin's grip relaxed, but still not letting go. His even breathing by her ear told her that he had fallen asleep.

Had he also been sleepless the night before?

Relaxed now, Jocelyn turned to look at the man beside her. His features were perfectly charming as usual. His face, now softened in sleep, was usually marked by a distant coolness, not the easiest to get along with.

Lost in thought, she reflected on how she had once fallen for him but never seemed to get what she wanted.

Now, it was as if he was pouring his love into her hollow heart, just as she had once done.

Jocelyn's perspective had shifted. She had once sought love, wanted it to last in the form of marriage. But after witnessing Quinta's divorce and Castiel's relentless pursue for Hermia, she understood that marriage couldn't guarantee a lifetime together.

Melvin's view seemed more appealing now. Being together was enough without the need for formalities.

Love's comings and goings seemed simpler, less burdened than marriage's heavy responsibilities.

No wonder so many rom-coms ended with a wedding. Marriage was cluttered, nothing like the bliss of courtship.

Chuckling at the thought, Jocelyn relaxed completely. She leaned on the sofa, eyes closed, drifting to sleep with Melvin.

Calvin and Daisy returned after a couple of hours only because Euston had fallen asleep.

"Be gentle," Daisy whispered, cradling Euston, while Calvin fumbled with the keys, asking in a hushed tone, "Should we even go in?"

"What else would we do?" Daisy shot back, a hint of impatience in her voice, "Hurry up."

Calvin hesitated at the threshold, his hand trembling slightly as he slipped the key into the lock. He took a deep breath, turned it gently and heard the soft click of the door unlocking. With cautious movements, he nudged the door ajar, peeked inside, and then stepped in, his eyes darting to the couple on the couch-he wasn't sure whether to frown or gape in astonishment.

Daisy nudged him with a playful elbow before carrying a snoozing Euston into the house.

The sight that greeted them was innocent enough-Melvin, slumped on the couch with Jocelyn's shoulder as his makeshift pillow, while Jocelyn leaned against the cushions, both fast asleep and blissfully

unaware.

Daisy shot Calvin a glare that said volumes about his overactive imagination.

Calvin flushed with a mix of embarrassment and concern. He hadn't meant to interrupt a young couple's peaceful slumber.

Nonetheless, their arrival stirred the sleepers from their dreams.

Jocelyn, still half in a fog, called out, "Mom? Dad?"

"Did we wake you? Euston fell asleep, and it's chilly outside, so we thought it best to come in," Calvin whispered, glancing at Melvin, who was yet to stir. Jocelyn managed a sleepy "Oh."

Suddenly, Jocelyn felt a firm grip on her hand again. She turned to see Melvin, whose eyes were still closed but obviously awake.

"Why don't you send him to bed?" Calvin suggested. "This can't be good for his back or neck. Tell him to go sleep in the bedroom." Jocelyn hesitated, imagining the racket Melvin might make if he was to relocate to her room.

"It's fine," she murmured.

Not wanting to disturb Melvin further, Calvin gestured towards his bedroom, "I'll go check on things in there."

"Sure."

As the door clicked shut behind Calvin, the living room was once again left to just the two of them.