The Heart System

Chapter 851: Chapter 851

Alright. The plan was going horribly.

I thought Isabella, if she had any feelings toward Melvin, would get jealous. For the last hour since we sat down, the "working woman" I had rented through Eleanor’s friend had been all over Melvin. Touching him, kissing him on the cheek, laughing at every joke he made.

And yet, Isabella just... ignored him. Not even ignored. To her, Melvin was basically another customer.

This was bad. I thought if I did something like this, she would get jealous, or at least try to talk to him. Man, I was an idiot.

"Not working, huh?" The woman smiled. "And... oh, my. An hour has passed. My services end here."

She got up from her chair before we could say anything and grabbed her purse, then headed toward the exit.

Melvin just sat there, one elbow propped on the table while his chin rested in his open palm. I had a beer bottle in my hand, looking at him and trying to come up with an apology.

"Alright, I’m just going to say this," I said. "I apologize. I didn’t know this would backfire like that."

"No, no. You tried something for me, and I appreciate that." He kept his eyes on the table. "There aren’t a lot of people in my life who would move a hair for me."

"Sorry to... hear that."

"Don’t be. It’s life."

"It’s just... I don’t get her," I said. "Because you’re not making things clear. You have to tell her that you’re interested in her."

"Like, ask her out?"

"In a... way?"

"Should I put a letter into her locker?" Melvin asked, leaning forward. "Whaddaya think?"

"I think that’s bad, Melvin. What is this, high school? You’re a grown-ass man, man." I threw my hand to the side. "Just walk up to her and strike up a conversation."

"About what?"

"I dunno. She likes music, right? Talk about music. Rock, indie... pop... jazz..."

"That’s the only four genres you know, right?" he asked, shaking his head.

"Yes... no. Punk. And dubstep."

"Dubstep isn’t a genre."

"It is?" I chuckled.

Melvin tapped his hand against the table rhythmically for a few seconds. "Okay. And now this is a genre as well. I call it Wood Slap."

I just scoffed, ending the conversation.

I looked to my right and saw Charlotte through the crowd of people. All the stools were occupied, and Charlotte seemed really busy. She was pouring beers for customers, talking to them, cleaning empty glasses, and doing whatever else needed to be done.

Today was a busy day.

"Hey, I’ll be back," I said, getting up.

"Restroom?"

"Nah. Be right back."

"O-okay?"

I walked toward the counter where Charlotte was working.

A man stood up, placed a few bills on the counter, and left. I took his place, settling onto the empty stool.

"Hey," I said. "Charlotte."

"Evan." She gave me a low response, and I could sense a hint of disappointment in her tone. "It’s you. Hey."

"I see you’re happy to see me." I smiled.

"Yes. Of course. You have no idea how much I missed you." She said it sarcastically. "So... what do you want? Beer?"

"Nah. Just a favor." I lowered my voice. "The girl behind me, Isabella."

"What of her?"

"I asked before, but..." I began. "Does she have someone in her life?"

"No." Charlotte frowned slightly. "Why? Asking for that friend of yours again?"

"Uh-huh."

"Well, she’s single." Charlotte grabbed another glass and started cleaning it. "I keep a strict relationship with my workers, so I really don’t know much about her. Aside from the fact that she likes music. That’s it."

"You think my friend Melvin here has a chance?"

We both turned and looked at Melvin, who was sitting at the table alone. His hands were linked together on the table, and he was looking around with those big puppy eyes.

Then Isabella came into view, talking to a customer and laughing like she always did. They were complete opposites. The clothes they wore, the way they carried themselves in public... yeah. This was going to be difficult.

"No way." Charlotte shook her head. "Sorry, Evan. But he should pick someone closer to his league."

"No chance at all?" I asked. "Maybe you’ve heard her talk about Melvin with another worker?"

"Nope. I don’t think she even remembers his name." Charlotte shrugged. "But good luck with being a matchmaker."

"Yeah... I’ll take any luck I can get."

I pushed myself away from the counter and walked back to the table, then sat down.

Just when I was about to speak, a yelp came from behind me.

I glanced back and saw a customer Isabella had been talking to grabbing her ass. The guy was drunk, and it was obvious she didn’t like it.

"Hey," I said, looking at Melvin. "Go. Stop him."

"O-okay." He muttered, getting up. "But I... I’m scared."

"Just go. He’s drunk."

"Okay..."

Melvin walked over and approached the man.

I couldn’t hear exactly what he said, but judging by the way he held himself, he was trying his best to sound confident.

The drunk guy stood up.

Then he punched Melvin in the face.

I exhaled. "Jesus Christ."

Melvin stumbled backward from the impact and accidentally crashed into Isabella. The two of them lost their balance and fell to the floor, with Melvin landing on top of her.

Unfortunately for him, his face ended up buried between her chest and shoulder as they hit the ground.

I slapped a hand against my forehead and shook my head.

Of course. Just fucking perfect.

Before I could even get up, one of the security guards rushed over. He grabbed the drunk man and pulled him away from the scene while another employee helped Isabella back up.

The drunk guy started yelling, but security dragged him toward the exit and threw him out.

Melvin quickly got off Isabella and straightened his shirt.

"I-I’m sorry," he muttered.

She didn’t say anything. She simply turned around and walked away. Melvin stood there for a few seconds before returning to the table. He sat down and rubbed his cheek, wincing.

"My... f-first time getting punched," he said. "I’m... man. My hands are shaking."

"You’re breathing way too fast, Melvin. Calm down."

"It was... oh, boy. So scary."

"Yeah."

A few seconds later, Isabella came over carrying an ice pack. She placed it on the table in front of Melvin and gave him a small nod before walking away again.

Melvin stared at the ice pack. Then his eyes lit up.

He suddenly realized what had just happened, and he couldn’t help himself. A loud laugh escaped him as he grabbed the ice pack and pressed it against his cheek.

"See?" I smiled. "Slowly but surely. You’ll ’conquer’ her heart."

"By getting punched?"

"If it’ll take you to her... yeah. Sure."

"Aw."

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