The Unwilling CEO’s Love Game

Chapter 137

The next day, Jocelyn and Ursula hit the road in Ursula’s trusty SUV, bound for the rural village where they would be volunteering.

After three hours on the freeway and another hour on country roads, the path deteriorated into a bumpy trail. It was a dirt track riddled with potholes, making their vehicle jolt and jar with every dip.

Thankfully, Ursula had a steady hand at the wheel. Despite the bone-rattling ride, they eventually reached the village outskirts. Yet, the journey wasn’t over. They still had to navigate the final stretch to get to the heart of the village

The village secretary was already waiting for them, along with a crowd of curious onlookers The children and seniors stared at the two women with a mix of astonishment and bewilderment, as they couldn’t fathom why such charming ladies would come to their backwater to teach

The secretary guided Jocelyn and Ursula to the community center and gave them a rundown of the local situation

The village’s population barely topped fifty-six souls, half of whom were elders, with a handful of kids and a smattering of women in their forties and fifties-mostly empty nesters and housewives left behind when the able-bodied men headed out to seek work elsewhere

“We used to have a little schoolhouse here, the secretary explained, “but it fell into ruin as folks moved away. The ones who could afford it sent their kids to the town school, a good two-hour walk. Everyone who could leave did, and those who stayed…well, they were the ones who couldn’t afford any better. We’ve had volunteers before, but they’ve all moved on. Now, the few kids left range from toddlers playing in the mud, to fifteen, who dropped out early to help at home”

“I took it upon myself to teach the kids of age.” he continued, the weariness evident in his voice. “I couldn’t let them grow up without hope Right now, I’m teaching nine of them, all about eight years old. The secretary truly wanted to make a difference, but his reach was limited since resources were so scarce

“You see the conditions we’re living in. the secretary said, looking at the two young teachers who came to help voluntarily. “I thought I’d show you around the village for a couple of days. If it’s too rough for you, think of it as a little adventure before heading back.”

He didn’t want to build up the children’s hopes only to dash them again.

Jocelyn and Ursula agreed, but their intent wasn’t to inspect the environment to decide whether to stay or go. They wanted to get to know the villagers and understand their lives better.

“We brought some supplies, they said, “some food for the villagers. We’d appreciate your help distributing it”

was filled with milk cartons, backpacks and books, with more

cobblestone pathways were laid by the villagers for easier travel, and the clustered houses, many with moss-covered yards and

to childless homes and backpacks and books to those with children. By the end of

to work elsewhere.

eyes filled with a mix of helplessness and resolve Their hearts had ached earlier that day when a little

the village

seemed so distant in comparison. Jocelyn regretted the time wasted with Melvin when she could have been doing

leave. They stayed true to

room with enough desks for the children. At first, the kids were nervous

playing around her. Their affection was pure and simple. One day, a shy boy approached Jocelyn with a gift wrapped in a plastic bag, something like potato

accepted it, feeling the warmth in her hands. “Is this baked?”

grandma made it for you in the stove. It’s

med gratefuly

with flushed cheeks.

Chapter 132

the front steps, Jocelyn unwrapped the gift–a roasted sweet potato-and took a picture for Twitter with

savored the taste that was as sweet as the act of

days later, the secretary excitedly shared news that outsiders were considering building a road

Ursula beamed.

secretary tempered his excitement with caution, citing past disappointments. But Jocelyn was optimistic, Someone will come

and people