After lunch, Jocelyn called Preston outside the office.

Chapter 31

Preston mentioned his back was acting up a bit, nothing too serious, but his uncle insisted he stay home and rest.

“I told him I had finals coming up and had to study My uncle said that I didn’t do well anyway and that it would be a waste of time to study. That kinda talk rubbed me the wrong way I told him I’m shooting for top five in our grade; he just laughed it off. So, I suggested maybe you could swing by the next couple of days to help me study.”

After spilling his guts, Preston cautiously added, “Jocelyn, could you please, come and help me review for a couple of days?”

Jocelyn thought about Preston’s pledge to get into the top five and, being a teacher, she couldn’t exactly squash his drive. Plus, his mishap was kinda on her, so she couldn’t just wash her hands of it.

“Sure, but…”

“Don’t worry, my uncle hit the road for a trip two hours ago. No clue when he’s back, but he won’t be for at least a day or two. Preston knew what was bugging her

That put Jocelyn a little more at ease, “Send me the address, and I’ll come over after my classes.”

“Don’t you know my uncle’s place?” Preston was surprised.

Jocelyn chuckled, “Nope.”

She knew nothing about Melvin, except for his jewelry business.

Most people bring their sweetheart home; instead, here’s this big-shot company boss, glued to her tiny spot, refusing to budge

She figured maybe Melvin just wanted to avoid any messy strings if things didn’t work out.

Jocelyn felt like Melvin was always on guard, never really betting on them to last.

Now, it didn’t matter. She was kinda hung up on it, but figured she’d get over it eventually.

After her afternoon classes, she grabbed a cab to the address Preston gave her-downtown’s prime real estate, a waterfront pad with a price tag out of most people’s league.

At the entrance, the security guard even stopped her, but once he heard she was heading to Melvin’s, his tune changed, all smiles saying, “Mr. Martinez left word. I’ll take you there.” And with that, he escorted her to the elevator and swiped his card for her.

Riding up, watching the numbers flicker, she felt the gap between her and Melvin all over again.

Her folks were in an old complex, her in a one-bed flat. The combined value of these two properties was not even equivalent to the value of the bathroom in Melvin’s place.

elevator dinged open on the 23rd floor right into a swanky

pair of lady’s slippers set out.

for you. They are

at Melvin’s, Jocelyn was a little

across the threshold and

a huge balcony. From inside, you

wasn’t

the decor screamed Melvin-black, white, and gray tones with green plants as the only pops of

onto the balcony “Come check

view

up the river below. Across, the city’s famous spots lit up, boats twinkling on

stunning.

yearn for but only a few

dreams, even

a rare indulgence, not something to wake

revising,” she pulled herself away from the view, laying out some materials.

the pile, “That

subjects too, not just English. Go through them, ask if you’re stuck,” Jocelyn glanced at the time, “I’m out by eight. Make sure

you wait, I’ll

light

cooler, the riverside breeze

in the sky. But the city’s lights made it a never-sleeping hub, and right in the middle, the hustle was palpable.

I gotta jet,”

stood, he suddenly piped up. “Jocelyn,

bag down and tackled a problem with

up when

forth, Jocelyn sensed something was off. He’d been quiet for two hours before, now he’s all

the sound of a key

see Melvin stepping inside.

him, she took a sharp breath.

got it now. Preston

trip? How come you’re back?”

didn’t

off his shoes and toting a bag, tossed it on the dining table while

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