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

straight to the couch and collapsed,

a shower, but he was already asleep

so much? He looked like the tired heroes from the

cook some porridge for him, anticipating that he might

still sleeping. Jocelyn worked on her

couch.

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

asked, “Hungry?”

bit, he

up, her legs numb. She leaned on the table for support as she made her way to the kitchen and served him a bowl

sat up and gulped it

“Want more?”

“No, that’s erlough.”

cleaned up the bowl and put away her laptop and papers. The awkward silence hung heavy, and she

an eyebrow, seemingly surprised

even more awkward.

her nose and forcing a smile, Jocelyn added, “I’ve got a bit more work. You

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

a small handmade box

a gift, a gesture he made every time he came

she placed it on the table. “It’s late. You should get some sleep.”

box. It was a hand-made box, less opulent than his previous gifts,

don’t need to bring something every time. It’s too much,”

much for

guessing it was either a bracelet or earrings. She hardly wore earrings; the holes had nearly closed up.

“What’s wrong with you?”

aback but quickly

formality

formal,

what she had discovered, nor did he understand why

that moment, Jocelyn seemed to be a person laden with heavy thoughts, while Melvin appeared blissfully

shower. I’ll finish up 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

took her words seriously

the bedroom

shower was clear, and involuntary images of his body

herself for

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