The Unwilling CEO’s Love Game

Chapter 98

Jocelyn’s heart raced at the sight of him, a flutter she could not shake off. She bowed her head and held her breath as she walked past him, hoping against hope he would not suddenly call out her name or grasp her arm to stop her.

Thankfully, she made it to the elevator without incident. As the doors slid open, she turned and pressed the button for the lobby, only to see Melvin stride confidently towards her, his aim clear he was getting on the elevator.

In a moment of near-panic, Jocelyn jabbed at the close button, pressing it repeatedly in the vain hope that the doors would shut before he reached them. But as always, the elevator doors seemed to crawl at a snail’s pace.

His foot shot out, preventing the doors from closing fully, and they re-opened.

Jocelyn’s scalp tingled, and she instinctively stepped back, putting as much distance between them as possible.

Her nerves were palpable, and she wondered if he could sense her tension. The moment he stepped in, the air seemed to thin.

An urge to flee filled her, the small space suddenly suffocating.

She clenched her fists, recalling Ursula’s advice: “Stay steady, don’t overdo it, don’t care too much. The more your emotions fluctuate, the more you need to remain cool. If you can’t face the past, how can you chase a new future?”

Jocelyn pulled out her phone, flicking aimlessly through the screen, absorbing none of the content. She just wanted the elevator to reach the ground floor, to escape

Her ringtone shattered the silence, making her jump. She quickly lowered the volume, her heart leaping as she saw the caller ID, a sense of cheating washing over her. As for whom she was ‘cheating’ with, she could not quite discern.

She swallowed hard, steadying her voice before answering.

“You’re up early,” Came Harrison’s gentle voice.

Jocelyn felt paranoid in the quiet, fearful of being overheard. She turned slightly away, whispering a soft “Yeah.”

“Did you sleep well last night?”

“Yeah” She stuck to monosyllabic replies, too afraid to say more.

“I couldn’t sleep a wink, Harrison said, his tone light. His morning voice was deep yet brimming with joy.

Jocelyn wanted to confess her restless night but didn’t dare.

Finally, the elevator reached the lobby. Jocelyn exhaled deeply with relief.

She waited for the doors to open, not rushing out ahead of Melvin. He exited first, and only then did she step out of the elevator.

“I’m heading out for breakfast,” She said into the phone, her voice more cheerful now that she was free of Melvin’s presence.

Harrison asked her what she would eat. Jocelyn admitted she was not sure.

Their conversation was light and casual, the kind of everyday chatter new lovers might share, neither feeling bored nor burdened by the simplicity of their exchange

Stepping out of the hotel, Jocelyn had not expected to see Melvin still there, stationary as a statue.

The sight of him still triggered a visceral nervousness. She gripped her phone tighter, saying, “I’m crossing the street. Gotta go.”

“Alright.”

After hanging up, Jocelyn hurried her pace.

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She was indeed crossing the street, so focused on escaping that she missed the oncoming right- turning car. Halfway across the crosswalk, the car bore down on her, but she was yanked back violently into a familiar embrace.

Her heart raced, adrenaline pumping.

“Are you blind? The icy male voice snapped Jocelyn to her senses.

Her heartbeat throbbed in her ears.

Turning, she glimpsed his stern face and managed to choke out a “Thank you.”

Now, at a red light, she had no choice but to wait.

Standing beside Melvin was unbearable, she lacked the poise to appear indifferent.

The closest confidants were now the most familiar strangers, even the lack of eye contact was discomforting.

Each second of waiting was an eternity, and she contemplated jaywalking just to end the torment.

Green light Jocelynis steps quirkened, desperate to reach the other side, to distance herself from the man who could so easily stir her

They parted like chance encounters, each going their separate way, clearly not traveling the same path, literally and metaphorically.

Later, Harrison called earlier than expected and waited for her at the school gates.

As Jocelyn exited, she saw the principal deep in conversation with Harrison. They seemed well- acquainted and turned to smile at her. approach.

“So she’s your girlfriend, The principal remarked. “Jocelyn, you’re an excellent teacher. Ever consider staying with us?”

Jocelyn smiled. Thank you for the compliment. I’m on a mission, and Principal Fletcher would be heartbroken if I didn’t return.”

It was all in jest, nothing to be taken seriously.

Harrison took Jocelyn to a cozy, intimate restaurant perfect for a date, booked and filled with couples.

However, Jocelyn and Harrison spotted a familiar face at a table by the window. For a moment, Jocelyn considered leaving.

“Maybe we should try a different place? Harrison had not expected Melvin to be there and wondered if he was following Jocelyn.

Jocelyn paused, then said, “No need.”

She had no reason to flee at the sight of him; it would only show weakness as if she could not let go.

Their tables were adjacent to the window, Jocelyn and Harrison facing each other and inadvertently facing Melvin as well.

“Do you want to switch seats? Harrison offered.

“No need,” Jocelyn replied, a forced smile on her lips, striving for normalcy.

Harrison suggested she order, but Jocelyn left it to him.

To set the mood, he ordered steaks and red wine. The table adorned with red roses. The ambiance was romantic, designed to quicken the pulse of lovers.

The steaks arrived, and the waiter poured wine before retreating.

Raising his glass, Harrison toasted, “To happiness.

Jocelyn raised hers, too, clinking it gently against his.

Jocelyn’s gaze was fixed on Harrison’s face with unwavering intensity. “Same here.”

They were sipping on red wine and carving into juicy steaks, chatting about the highlights of their workday. In that moment, Jocelyn found herself forgetting all about Melvin.

Their wine glasses were soon empty, and their plates nearly cleared.

Harrison flagged down the waiter to settle the bill, but the server took a moment before approaching, this time bearing a bouquet of

roses.

For a split second, Jocelyn feared they might be from Melvin.

“These are for you.” Harrison took the flowers and presented them to Jocelyn.

Relief washed over her, calming the anxiety that had suddenly peaked. She could not help but expect Melvin to intrude, given his history. “Thank you.” Jocelyn enveloped the roses, their size dwarfing her face, and inhaled the sweet fragrance, which subtly shifted her mood.

She quelled the flutter in her heart, casting aside unwarranted thoughts.

“Would you mind taking a photo for us?” Harrison asked the waiter, handing over his phone.

The waiter, obliging as ever, took the phone.

Harrison moved behind Jocelyn, one hand resting on the back of her chair, the other on the table’s edge, enveloping her in a protective embrace.

Jocelyn took a deep breath and smiled at the camera.

“Done, said the waiter, returning the phone to Harrison.

Thanks Hamison took his phone back, reviewing the photo. Jacelyn’s smile was gentle and sweet, her beauty unforced in the captured

moment.

He proudly showed the photo to Jocelyn, Looks good, doesn’t it?”

Jocelyn examined the photo, feeling her smite was stiff, her posture awkward

But there was a sparkie in Harrison’s eyes.

She nodded, “Yeah, you look handsome.”

“That’s because you’re with me. You make me look good,” Harrison said smoothly, taking her hand. “Let’s head home.”

As Jocelyn reached for her purse, Harrison was already holding it for her.

Harrison’s one hand intertwined with hers and the other carried her bag, she clutched the roses, and together they strolled out of the

restaurant.