Chapter 157
Chapter 157
Zephyr helped Melvin into the elevator. Melvin leaned against the wall, his eyes alight with an unmistakable desire. When he caught sight of Jocelyn, a wave of emotion flickered across his gaze.
“Jocelyn, I’ll leave him in your capable hands. I’ve got some things to take care of” Zephyr said, dashing out just as the elevator doors began to close.
Jocelyn’s eyes widened in surprise. “You…”
Zephyr sprinted out and called back, “Jocelyn, don’t be scared.”
Jocelyn was speechless.
Now alone with Melvin in the confined space of the elevator, his restlessness seemed to grow. He gripped collar, and it looked like he wanted to rip it open.
Jocelyn frowned, wondering what had gotten into his head. Shouldn’t he be taken to a hospital?
The elevator doors opened. Melvin stumbled out. Jocelyn hesitated, but before she could decide, Melvin turned back, reached out, and pulled her after him.
She resisted, “I’m not your… Mmph…”
His cool lips silenced her protests, pressing her against the wall. His kiss was domineering, forceful, and full of conquering intent
an expression of unrestrained impulse.
In that moment, all Melvin could think about was having her.
Jocelyn pounded on his shoulders to no avail. He was too far gone, oblivious to her struggling.
It had been so long since they had been this close. Jocelyn’s mind was in turmoil, fearing she’d succumb to his intensity. What did that make her?
Melvin’s mind was disturbed, but he wasn’t senseless. He could feel her resistance and knew how unwilling she was. Her struggles only made him feel worse because she had never denied him before.
After a long moment, he rested his forehead against her shoulder and panted. His arms wrapped tightly around her. “I… feel awful.”
Jocelyn’s breaths came fast. Her lips were numb, and her brain momentarily starved of oxygen.
Her back pressed against the cold wall, and she found herself at a loss for words.
It was her fault. She couldn’t blame him entirely.
If she had really been determined, if she had ignored whatever Zephyr said, none of this would have happened.
Ultimately, it was her own problem.
“Let’s go to the hospital. Jocelyn said calmly and didn’t push him away.
Melvin placed her hand over his heart. His breath was hot on her ear. “Can you feel it? My heartbeat.”
Through the thin fabric of his shirt, her palm felt his rapid, pounding heart. It unsettled her.
“Jocelyn, I want to give you everything Melvin’s husky voice invaded her ear and scattered her thoughts.
Her own heart raced erratically, more chaotic than his.
His whispers captured her sensitivity completely.
Melvin’s fingers pinched her waist. His lips approached her earlobe and kissed it gently. His voice was hoarse with pleading. “Don’t reject me, please.”
The plea tugged at Jocelyn’s already wavering resolve. The shields she had built around her heart were so fragile and easily toppled by him.
Her love for him had never changed; her feelings for him couldn’t be retracted but only deepened with each day.
Some things in life can be planned and controlled, but not emotions, which are inherently chaotic.
She had tried hard, yet she couldn’t let go of him.
Alber efforts seemed futile now. She felt useless- unable to remain indifferent, still harboring feelings for him. She let doves her guard and indulged herself.
Her love for him was a cycle of resistance and return.
“Marry me, will you?” Jocelyn was persistent too. She cradled his face, looking into his eyes that burned with passion. She would accept it, even if it was a rash promise for him, even if it was just to placate her.
Melvin’s lips parted slightly. His eyes brimmed with emotion.
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Yes, I will.”
The response she yearned for took her by surprise, filling her with delight and satisfaction. Her lips curled into a smile.
Their gaze locked onto each other’s lips. They tentatively closed the distance with a kiss. Like parched earth welcoming rain, they were unstoppable, each longing to melt into the other.
Spring had arrived. New life sprouted from the once-barren branches, and the silent earth now speckled with fresh green shoots. Everything marked a new beginning, a new cycle.
The river view was as beautiful as ever. Tonight, a few stars peeked curiously at the world below, as if they had witnessed something shy. They closed its eyes for a while, then sneakily opened them again.
The spacious bedroom was filled with the scent of love. Each corner shadowed with the memory of their embrace, the large windows adorned with the imprints of their intertwined hands…
When two people love each other, if both hold the other in their heart, persistence from one would easily lead to surrender from the other.
Jocelyn was the one who easily surrendered.
Lying next to Melvin, utterly exhausted, she found herself wide awake.
She looked at the man beside her, who had already fallen asleep, probably due to the effect of the drugs.
She touched his face gently and traced his features, his lips. Remembering his affirmation, her heart swelled with joy.
Dawn was breaking when Jocelyn finally fell asleep.
Thankfully, it was the weekend. No work meant she could sleep soundly after the night’s exertions.
When she awoke again, the warm sunlight streamed into the room, bathing her in a gentle glow.
Melvin was no longer by her side, but she noticed a glass of water and some pills on the bedside table. After a few seconds of confusion, she took the pills.
She got out of bed, opened the bedroom door, and heard Melvin’s voice from afar. It sounded like he was on the phone.
She didn’t listen to what he was saying and proceeded to freshen up. By the time she returned, Melvin was waiting in the bedroom
Both were now fully conscious. But Jocelyn felt an odd, almost guilty awkwardness.
It almost felt like adultery, something you realize it shouldn’t have happened when you were clear- headed.
Or perhaps, she was the only one who felt that way.
*Clothes. Melvin pointed to the fresh set laid out on the bed. “Get dressed. I’m taking you out for meal.”
Last night’s outfit was a no-go for Jocelyn; it was time to ditch the threads. She clutched the clothes and headed for the bathroom to change when Melvin snagged her wrist, “What are you even hiding from?”
“It’s not hiding, I just Jocelyn pursed her lips. A hint of hesitation was in her voice, “Maybe you could step out for a sec?”
Melvin narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. “You never used to mind changing in front of me.”
Silence hung in the air as Jocelyn stood frozen.
Melvin released her hand and conceded, “Alright, I’ll wait outside.”
Once he stepped out, Jocelyn quickly locked the door
–
no chances taken, especially not with Melvin.
From the other side, his voice carried through the door. “Really, Jocelyn? Locking the door?”
She knew better than to trust him – better safe than sorry.
Sipping into her new outfit, she checked herself in the mirror. Thank goodness it wasn’t summer, picking an outfit would’ve been
whole other ordeal.
so unlocked. Melvin stood there, arms crossed, leaned against the frame, and eyed her new look. His hand reached out Tufany
Jocelyn dodged instinctively.
“What are you ducking for?” Melvin frowned. “Come here.”
“What do you want?” She asked on guard.
His arm wrapped around her and pulled her in close. “What’s done is done. What else could I possibly do now?” His other hand brushed her hair aside, revealing the love bites on her neck-his own handiwork
Jocelyn knew exactly what amused him as she caught his smirk.
That smug look was definitely too much.
Melvin flaunted the bite mark on the back of his hand, almost proudly declaring, “You’re mine, and always will be.”