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?”

didn’t catch why he was poking around, “We’re fine. What about it?”

an invitation, “How about I treat you to

and everyone

“Why the dinner

eating alone” he

already having plans for a celebratory

biggle, “Alright then,

headed back to the

but inviting him along would raise eyebrows among her

explain that?

the end, she didn’t

went all out, taking them to some swanky club that must’ve cost an arm and a leg. Turns out her colleague’s new beau was some rich kid. Loaded for sure, but his family wasn’t all

was so big, you’d need a guide not

colleague with whom she was pretty tight, walked

was scoping the place. “First time

Jocelyn chuckled along.

bachelor here?” Ursula sounded

from up front stepped back, whispering, “Heard Willow’s here too. Wonder if we’ll run into her and

She’ll be at the school in

students see me starstruck like them, there goes my

exquisite dishes, each seemingly worth half a month’s salary.

Lafite, a

through, Jocelyn excused herself

but she opted

way back, she spotted Melvin in surprise.

was walking away from her, towards another door, and she saw a flash of a white floral dress brushing against his pants as he entered.

the door closed.

the urge to knock on that door, forcing

didn’t even have the right to catch him in

left the private room, all

Melvin had been, wondering if he was still

had called a car too,

a woman, who was fully dressed, stepping out of the club. The hem of the woman’s dress was familiar. It was the one tangled around Melvin’s

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

gentleman, held the door of a silver Porsche open for her. The woman took the passenger seat, and Melvin closed the door

suddenly looked over and locked eyes

annoyance. Then he got in the car, which

he

rose in

home, she flopped onto her bed, pulled out his Facebook, and considered asking if he’d be coming

the woman in his car made her

makeup, yet it couldn’t conceal her dark circles.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255