Chapter 12

Jocelyn lay on her bed, a restless heat coursing through her body, dissipating as Melvin left. His departure marked by an unexpected phone call, a first in their shared moments.

It was the first time he’d bailed on her mid-action because of a ringtone.

Even though she didn’t know who was on the other end, she could tell it was someone big deal.

Before Melvin split, he did drop a line, “Don’t wait up; hit the hay early”

But Jocelyn couldn’t catch a wink.

She was wondering, was it a guy or a gal who called Melvin? Was he gonna make it back tonight?

It wasn’t until half-past three in the morning that she finally dozed off.

Sure enough, Melvin didn’t come home all night.

Jocelyn was no fool, Melvin never admitted she was his girlfriend, so she had no right to grill him about his whereabouts.

After three back-to-back morning classes, and no call or text from Melvin over lunch, she got antsy. She hopped onto his Facebook, hesitated for a sec, but still shot him a message. [Are you home today?]

After sending it, she was glued to her phone screen, but no reply. Just about before her afternoon class, her phone buzzed

She checked it right before stepping into the classroom.

It was just one word.

[No.]

This had never happened before, and her woman’s intuition screamed one possibility at her.

He must be with some chick.

But in the three years they’d been together, she’d never seen him give any woman the time of day. Where did this mystery woman come from?

Then again, maybe it wasn’t about whispering sweet nothings to some dame, but rather he was schmoozing a client, talking shop.

Thinking this eased her mind a bit.

After the last class of the day, Preston caught up with her, “Jocelyn.”

At school, Preston was respectful of his teachers, including her.

Jocelyn turned, “Yes?”

Preston looked concerned, “You and Melvin doing alright?”

why he

this, threw out an invitation, “How about I treat you to dinner?”

class today. School was out and everyone was free to head

“Why the dinner

eating alone” he replied. “Will you join me?”

having plans for

shrugged it off like it was no biggle, “Alright then, I’ll just order

back to the

of guilt but inviting him along would raise eyebrows among her colleagues, and how would she

explain that?

end, she didn’t call

arm and a leg. Turns out her colleague’s new beau was some rich kid. Loaded for sure, but his family wasn’t all that cultured, so they put teachers on a pedestal and treated her like

need a guide not to get lost.

and Ursula, her colleague with whom she was pretty tight, walked arm in arm at the

“First time at a posh club

Jocelyn chuckled along.

a wealthy bachelor here?” Ursula sounded

Willow’s here too. Wonder

the school in a

students see me starstruck

of exquisite dishes, each seemingly

Lafite, a luxury beyond their

through, Jocelyn excused herself

room, but she

her way back, she spotted Melvin in

from her, towards another door, and she saw a flash of a white floral dress brushing against his

the door closed.

to knock on that door, forcing

even have the right to catch

the group left the private room, all smiles and

the room where Melvin had been, wondering

Jocelyn had called a car too,

until the end, her gaze inadvertently catching sight of Melvin and a woman, who was fully dressed, stepping out of the club. The hem of the woman’s dress was familiar. It was

with waist-lerigth wavy hair, wore an apricot trench coat that

her. The woman took the passenger seat, and Melvin closed the door tenderly before circling

suddenly looked over and locked eyes with Jocelyn.

a hint of annoyance. Then he got in the car, which sped

of his, did he

rose in her throat.

flopped onto her bed, pulled out his Facebook, and considered asking if

her drop the

next day, Jocelyn applied makeup, yet it couldn’t conceal her dark circles.

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