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.

opened the

couch and collapsed,

a shower, but he was already asleep

He looked like the tired heroes from the old stories, drained by

let him be and went to the kitchen to cook some porridge for him, anticipating that

Jocelyn worked on her computer in the living room, leaving

couch.

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

she asked, “Hungry?”

bit, he replied.

her legs numb. She leaned on the table for support as she made her way

up and gulped it down.

“Want more?”

“No, that’s erlough.”

further, Jocelyn cleaned up the bowl and put away her laptop and papers. The awkward silence hung heavy, and she bit her Tp. You not heading

eyebrow, seemingly surprised by her question.

ar tumed even

and forcing a smile, Jocelyn added, “I’ve got a bit more work. You can rest if

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

a small handmade box from

gift, a gesture he made every time he came back from his travels.

opening it, she placed it on the table. “It’s

was a hand-made

to bring something every time. It’s too much,” she said,

for

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

“What’s

aback but quickly smiled. “I’m fine

the formality then?”

She was being formal, not

nor did he understand why she hadn’t greeted him warmly.

to be a person laden with heavy thoughts, while

to explain or argue. Every time she needed to express herself that she didn’t

never took her words

bedroom

focus. The sound of the shower was clear, and involuntary images of his body

herself for

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