The Unwilling CEO's Love Game
Chapter 114

After dropping Preston off, Jocelyn let out a heavy sigh of relief.

On a sudden craving for a drink, she hailed a cab and made her way to a hotel bar not far from the campus.

Stepping inside, she immediately regretted it. Feeling committed by the sheer fact of her presence, she mustered the courage to order the lightest alcoholic beverage they had. Sipping tentatively, she looked up to find a familiar face seated nearby - Yasmine.

Clad in a sleeveless red gown, her long curly hair draped elegantly over her shoulders. With one hand swirling a glass of wine and the other holding a slim cigarette, she exuded the allure and sophistication of a woman seasoned by life's complexities. Her demeanor was intoxicatingly feminine, and yet, there was an unapproachable chill to her - like a blooming alpine rose, beautiful but solitary.

Jocelyn didn't want to strike up a conversation. Maybe it was the ambiance of the bar or her own restless state of mind, but the idea of sharing a drink with someone familiar didn't seem too bad. Setting aside the fact that Yasmine was Melvin's sister, she seemed like someone worth getting to know.

Before Jocelyn could make a move, Yasmine glanced her way. Recognizing Jocelyn, Yasmine raised an eyebrow and approached with a smile, taking the seat next to her. "Didn't peg you as a bar-goer," she said, lifting her glass in greeting.

"Just felt like having a drink," Jocelyn admitted awkwardly. "I'm not great with alcohol."

Yasmine chuckled, eyeing Jocelyn's choice. "Baileys is definitely more your speed."

Jocelyn, not versed in spirits, glanced at Yasmine's glass.

"Vodka," Yasmine offered. "I'm not fond of it either, but what's the point of drinking if it doesn't make you feel something?"

Jocelyn sensed Yasmine was a woman with stories, her polished exterior briefly giving way to a hint of sorrow.

"Preston's transferring schools," Jocelyn blurted, fishing for conversation to avoid awkwardness.

"Yes, Melvin's handling it," Yasmine replied with a soft smile, "You must know why."

Jocelyn's fingers fidgeted with her glass, feeling unsettled.

"I wanted him to attend a prestigious private school, but Melvin insisted his choice was better back then. Turns out, Preston's teacher is someone his uncle is fond of." Jocelyn's heart fluttered uncontrollably.

"This time, he's really doing it for you," Yasmine said, sipping her drink. "I never knew he had someone special. Always feared he'd end up detached from desire and emotion. He's so inscrutable, always has been, and it's so frustrating."

Jocelyn bit her lip, clutching her glass, lost for words.

Yasmine observed her. "He must have really messed up for you to want to end things. But it's as it should be. Even with all the genuine feelings in the world, it's not worth it if they can't warm a man's heart. Our sincerity isn't cheap; why waste it on one man?"

With that, Yasmine drained her glass, her smile tinged with bitterness, and signaled the bartender for another.

Jocelyn could tell that Yasmine was here to drown her sorrows. Nothing but love troubles could bring a woman to such a state.

"Easy on the drink," Jocelyn said, concerned as Yasmine drank like it was water.

"I'm fine," Yasmine waved her off. "I can hold my liquor."

Seeing that Yasmine was adamant, Jocelyn dropped it. Whatever was on Yasmine's mind must be serious to drive her to drink like this. "Who's picking you up later?" Jocelyn checked the time; she had work in the morning.

Yasmine gestured dismissively. "Go if you must. Don't worry about me."

"How could I not?" Jocelyn countered, noticing several men glancing their way. Yasmine was too attractive and too drunk to be left alone.

"I'm really okay." Yasmine turned, flicking her hair flirtatiously. Her eyes sparkled with a seductive sorrow that could unsettle both men and women.

Jocelyn, still concerned, took away Yasmine's empty glass. "No more drinking."

"I'm fine, really," Yasmine insisted, gently removing Jocelyn's hand. "If you're worried, call Melvin for me."

Jocelyn froze.

Yasmine smiled. "You know, you haven't really let go of Melvin. True letting go isn't like this."

Jocelyn's heart was in turmoil.

"Look at me, drinking alone after divorcing him," Yasmine's eyes held a desolate look. "Because I still love him."

Jocelyn was speechless and saw the hint of tears in Yasmine's eyes.

At that moment, she understood Yasmine's feelings - love meant that even apart, one couldn't fully extract the other from their heart. Even if one manages to cut them out, the scar remains, indelible. Yasmine, slightly tipsy, her gaze hazy, said, "Please call Melvin to pick me up."

Jocelyn hesitated, but Yasmine reassured her with a smile. "I can still dine with my ex-husband. A call from me, and he'd show up. Love fades, but friendship remains, right? How could we erase every trace of our shared past? Without deep hatred, and with a history of love, how could we bear to become strangers?"

With that, a single tear rolled down Yasmine's cheek.

She wasn't just talking about Jocelyn; she was talking about herself.

Taking a deep breath, Jocelyn knew she couldn't face Melvin. She couldn't even bear the idea of being just friends with him.

She feared that friendship would only leave her wanting more.

As love still lingered, the desire to maintain a friendship laced with flirtation was strong. It wasn't a physical yearning, but for her, more of a spiritual connection.

"Sorry," Jocelyn finally turned down Yasmine, "you should call him. Once he gets here, I'll leave."

Yasmine looked at Jocelyn with surprise. "You have no feelings left for him?"

"I can't afford to," Jocelyn replied with a smile, "I don't want to get sucked back in."

"But have you ever really been free?" Yasmine pressed.

A sudden tightness gripped Jocelyn's chest.

With a graceful wipe of a tear from her eye, Yasmine said, "Those who let go easily never loved deeply."

She ordered another drink, sipping and crying simultaneously.

Jocelyn sat frozen, not moving an inch.

She couldn't pinpoint the exact sentence that paralyzed her, but it felt like she was stuck in quicksand; the more she tried to climb out, the deeper she sank. The suffocating feeling in her chest made her want to fight back.

Glancing at Yasmine's glass, she signaled the bartender to pour her one too.

Yasmine did not stop her.

Jocelyn took only a small sip and immediately felt the burn in her throat. The alcohol was strong. That tiny sip seemed to set her whole body ablaze.

She couldn't fathom how Yasmine managed to drink it.

With just that small sip, Jocelyn's head felt heavy and uncomfortable.

"I need to go back," Jocelyn regretted her impulsive action. She could have walked back clear-headed if she hadn't taken that sip. Now the room spun with double visions.

Yasmine waved her off, then suddenly pointed behind Jocelyn, "Perfect timing! Take her home, will you?"