Chapter 82

“Go and see him off,” Calvin said with a glance at Jocelyn.

After pondering for a moment, Jocelyn stood up and made her way to the stairs. However, halfway down, she stopped.

‘Til stop here. You go on,” Jocelyn said, her voice betraying her reluctance to encounter Melvin She couldn’t imagine what she would say to him. It was like meeting an ex after a breakup. There was no way to stay cool and composed.

Preston seemed confused ‘Why? Don’t you miss him? It’s been ages since you two saw each other.”

“Just go Jocelyn replied. It’s impossible to share her inner turmoil with Preston, who was practically still a kid.

Seeing how adamant she was, Preston didn’t press further and went downstairs alone.

Leaning against the wall, Jocelyn listened and waited.

After a long while, she heard a car pull away. As the tension in her heart eased, a sense of emptiness washed over her

She went back home to prepare for the upcoming exams. Her workload wasn’t going to ease up anytime soon. It was only after she sat down for a while that she grabbed her bag and hailed a cab back to her own apartment

As soon as the elevator doors opened, a familiar scent of cigarette smoke hit her nostrils.

She looked up and locked eyes with those deep, soulful eyes that she knew all too well.

Her heart skipped a beat

Melvin crushed his cigarette in the stand-up ashtray in the hallway and approached her, wrapping his arms gently around her waist and resting his head on her shoulder. He seemed to let go of all his strength, seeking comfort in her presence.

Jocelyn wasn’t sure how to respond to his embrace, so she just let him hold her.

After a while, she felt the weight on her shoulder grow heavier, followed by the steady sound of his breathing.

Was he asleep?

How exhausted must he be?

Unable to stand still too long, Jocelyn softly called his name, “Melvin? There was no response, so she tapped his shoulder.

He murmured something, his voice low and hoarse, betraying his fatigue.

“Don’t sleep here, go home to bed, Jocelyn urged, helping him stand

As he opened his eyes, he leaned against the wall, and only at this close distance did she see how weary he looked. Dark circles under his eyes, bloodshot scleras, and a stubbly chin.

Jocelyn eventually opened the

went straight to the couch and collapsed, appearing utterly spent.

he wanted a shower, but he was already asleep again.

looked like the tired heroes from the

porridge for him, anticipating that he might

was still sleeping. Jocelyn worked on her computer in

couch.

exam items, it was midnight. Stretching, she looked up to find

she asked,

he replied.

as she made

and gulped it

“Want more?”

“No, that’s erlough.”

her laptop and papers. The awkward silence hung

seemingly surprised

tumed even more

nose and forcing a smile, Jocelyn added, “I’ve got a

sure why things had become so strained. She had finished her work but right at the moment

fished a small handmade box

a gesture he made every time he came back from his

placed it on the table. “It’s

box. It was a hand-made box, less

time. It’s too much,” she said, suspecting it contained jewelry,

much for

excessive and inappropriate” she explained, guessing it was either a bracelet or earrings. She hardly wore earrings; the holes had nearly closed

studied her. “What’s wrong with

aback but quickly smiled. “I’m fine

the formality then?”

formal, not with him, but

know what she had discovered, nor did he understand

person laden with heavy thoughts, while Melvin appeared

here and then head to bed,” she said, suddenly losing the will to explain or argue. Every time she needed to express herself that she didn’t like the things he did, but he never took it to heart either.

her

bedroom for his clothes and then to the bathroom.

clear, and involuntary images of his body invaded her thoughts,

for these thoughts.

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