The Unwilling CEO's Love Game novel Chapter 145

The weather was good, with the sun casting playful shadows through the windows, painting the room in a spectrum of light and colors.

Melvin sat there, whose gaze was fixed on Jocelyn with an intensity that seemed to chill the air. His eyes were deep pools of lost dreams and cold resolve, as if his heart had been broken and his soul had gone astray.

Jocelyn squirmed in his stare. Especially now she was only dressed in her thermal underwear and cocooned in a blanket. It was decidedly inappropriate.

"If you've got nothing else to say, would you mind leaving?" Jocelyn's tone was polite but strained.

For half an hour, Melvin had been a solid presence in her bedroom. She had slept so soundly that his imagination about the previous night went into a frenzy.

She hadn't seen Harrison for a while, and they had reunited just last night. It should have been him by her side, yet she had spent the night under the same roof with another man.

Late hours, reunion after a long absence. What they might have done behind closed doors – Melvin didn't need to spell it out. He knew.

If it had been him with her, he would have made sure she wouldn't be able to leave the house the next day.

The mere thought of them together drove him mad, as if something was clogging his heart, making him hard to breathe.

"Did you... enjoy last night?" Melvin asked, though it felt like stabbing himself with a knife.

Jocelyn choked on his question.

Who would have the audacity to ask such a thing?

"What do you think?" Jocelyn retorted, convinced he was out of his mind.

No sane person would ask such a question.

Was he just looking to upset himself?

Melvin's heart felt as though it was being crushed by invisible hands. His smile was a twisted mix of menace and desolation. "How cruel of you."

Jocelyn was stunned.

In that moment, Melvin's look made her feel like she was the worst of villains, as if she were the one who had betrayed him and let him down.

She didn't know what to say.

Explain? There was no point.

But not explaining seemed wrong somehow either.

The stalemate continued until Melvin's fingers curled slightly. He took a deep, shaky breath. "Even a dog would mourn the loss of affection. What about you?"

Jocelyn was speechless at his words.

Was he comparing himself to a dog?

She swallowed hard, knowing she shouldn't say anything more.

Silence was best when words failed.

Seeing her silent, Melvin scoffed, "Are you so heartless?"

Jocelyn averted her eyes and lowered her head.

Every question he asked weighed heavily on her, making her want to explain everything. But what good would that do?

His persistence was both endearing and infuriating.

"Melvin!"

Willow's voice from outside broke the tension.

Jocelyn breathed a sigh of relief.

"Melvin, are you here?" Willow shouted.

Jocelyn glanced at Melvin. He remained seated. His eyes looked fragile.

"Melvin?" Willow's voice was clearly intentional.

Jocelyn stared at Melvin. Melvin stared back at her.

"Jocelyn?" Willow called again.

Jocelyn drew a breath, about to respond.

If she did, Willow would surely enter and find Melvin in her room. It would definitely stir up rumors.

They knew the truth, but the villagers didn't.

Rumors could paint her as a loose woman, cozied up with her boyfriend one night, then with another man the next morning. What kind of example would that set?

With that thought, Jocelyn dared not answer.

"You're calling Jocelyn for what? She's sleeping," came Ursula's voice from outside.

Jocelyn listened intently to the voices beyond the walls.

"Hey, isn't that them?" Ursula paused to catch her breath. As she turned around, she saw Melvin closing in with Willow trailing a bit behind him. "What a nutcase!"

Jocelyn hadn't expected them to follow either.

"Let's get moving," Jocelyn suggested, probably aware of what was on Melvin's mind.

The trail was tough. Jocelyn had already taken off her jacket and walked in fits and starts alongside Ursula.

Melvin had caught up.

Willow, however, lagged far behind.

No matter how much Willow called out, Melvin didn't even cast a look back.

"What do you want to do, man?" Ursula stopped Melvin.

Melvin’s eyes were locked on Jocelyn. His gaze was so forceful that even a glance made Ursula feel a chill.

"Sorry, do you mind leaving first?" Melvin was polite, at least.

Ursula swallowed nervously, looking at Jocelyn for a cue.

Jocelyn glanced at Willow, who was still struggling up the slope. She realized things were more complicated than she'd anticipated.

Melvin said, "I won't do anything to her."

Ursula frowned, and finally decided to save some space for them to talk.

"Don't mess with her," Ursula warned Melvin before she left.

He just grunted in acknowledgment.

Ursula made her way down quickly and stopped Willow from following up.

Willow was clearly reluctant to be hustled down by Ursula, frequently looking back in protest.

"What's your plan?" Melvin asked Jocelyn.

By then, Jocelyn had lost interest in climbing further.

"I'm heading back too," she said coolly.

Melvin grabbed her hand in a flash, pinning her against the rough bark of a tree. His breathing was heavy and erratic. He was struggling to contain himself. His eyes were filled with a turbulent mix of emotions.