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.

hung up.

phone, Jocelyn was like, “Okay,

scrolled through Twitter again – loads

claimed Willow was about to join the cast and was rehearsing with another actor at the director’s, who got too into it and

a late-night rendezvous with a director by his wife, leading to

With a backer like Melvin, why would Willow even do

was dying to be Melvin’s girl.

now, if it was the former, no big deal, but if it was the latter, how could she face

mess, where the truth was elusive, and people just swallowed whatever was served. Good news might not spread well, but bad news definitely got worse

the company, out of old loyalty, would

wasn’t long before a bunch of accounts started spinning the narrative that Willow was overly dedicated tasting on a realistic performance to convey true emotion,

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

uniform comments, totally unfazed.

deal was, the online

incident was cementing her image as an

Jocelyn spotted a comment claiming Willow got smacked for flirting with the director

false, who really knew aside from those

closed her eyes, and figured Willow’s injury

her side, she

must be what first love felt like. Why else would Melvin drop everything for Willow

the unfulfilled romances that linger

parted on good terms, the slightest thing about the other person could still

At the hospital.

eight stitches on her forehead and looked totally deflated.

glued to his

leave when Willow, tears streaming, grabbed his hand and made

looked at Melvin, Will this leave a scar?”

Melvin glanced at her, “Stick to the diet, avoid what you

sniffled, hands clasped tightly. “Do you believe me?”

you about what?”

I wanted to talk about the character, but his wife barged in and started hitting me, accusing me of seducing her husband,

eyes and the lips she bit to hold back her grief, Melvin suddenly

his wife’s. Besides, you don’t have to explain to me. Melvin checked the time again two in the morning.