The Unwilling CEO’s Love Game

Chapter 50

Out of courtesy, Jocelyn gave Melvin a ring half an hour after the whole hot search circus blew up.

He actually picked up, surprisingly.

“Hey, what’s up with Willow?” she asked, not wanting him to get the wrong idea. “Saw it on Twitter.”

Melvin’s voice was flat, “Nothing serious, just a little on-set mishap.”

Jocelyn was skeptical, but she wasn’t about to dig for the dirt without good reason or interest

“Alright, take good care of her then.”

“She’s got assistants,” he said, meaning he wasn’t planning on playing nursemaid.

Chomping on her skewer, Jocelyn went on, “Yeah, she’s got assistants and an agent, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look after her too.”

“Are you throwing shade?”

“Not at all.” Jocelyn put the phone on speaker, grabbed a skewer with her left hand, a drink with her right, and took a sip. “Isn’t it just stating the obvious? Otherwise, why would you dash over to see her in such a hurry?”

When there was no response, she thought he’d hung up. Glancing at the phone screen, the call was still on.

“She’s the face of our jewelry line, and with new products launching next quarter, it’d be a big loss for the company if something happened to her. Melvin actually bothered to explain.

Jocelyn wondered why Melvin was so strange today.

“Oh,” she said, sounding totally nonchalant.

“Where are you?”

“At my home, duh.”

“You went back?”

“What else? Jocelyn said. “Who knew if you were coming home tonight? Better to crash at my own place.

Melvin hung up.

Jocelyn was like, “Okay, that

the sack, Jocelyn scrolled through Twitter again – loads

actor at the director’s, who got too into it

story claimed Willow wasn’t rehearsing at all, but was caught in a late-night rendezvous with a director by his wife, leading to a catfight that left

a backer like Melvin, why would Willow

she was dying to be Melvin’s girl.

was the former, no big deal, but

mess, where the truth was elusive, and people just swallowed whatever was served.

was their brand ambassador. If bad press came out, the company, out of old loyalty, would surely

a bunch of accounts started spinning the narrative that Willow was overly dedicated tasting on a realistic performance to convey

praise for the newbie’s dedication. “If she doesn’t make it big it’s

the uniform comments, totally unfazed.

was, the online consensus was now singing

her image

flirting with the

or false, who really

figured Willow’s injury meant Melvin would stick

her side, she

must be what first love felt like. Why else would

the unfulfilled romances that

on good terms, the slightest thing about the

At the hospital.

on her

glued to his

when Willow, tears streaming, grabbed his hand and made him stay.

red, puffy eyes, she looked at Melvin, Will this leave a scar?”

glanced at her, “Stick to the diet, avoid what you must. Modern cosmetic medicine is advanced. What’s a

hands clasped tightly. “Do you believe me?”

about

I’m joining the cast next month, so I was nervous. I wanted to talk about the character,

the lips she bit to hold back her grief, Melvin suddenly remembered her before all this, strong and optimistic. He had never seen her cry back

you don’t have to explain to me. Melvin