It was Albert.

She eyed the phone for a moment.

Sipping his coffee, Marcus piped up, “Why not pick up? Shouldn't you congratulate Mr. Waston on tying the knot? Huh! Funny, he's calling his subordinate right after getting hitched. Maybe his wedded bliss isn't all it's cracked up to be, huh?"

Feeling Marcus’ barb, she snapped back, "You're just talking nonsense.”

She then answered the call. "Mr. Waston."

On the line, Albert stayed silent for a beat. Then, he inquired about Jessie. "How's she holding up? Her folks didn't give her a hard time, did they?"

After pondering, Melissa replied, “Jessie's staying with me at the moment. You know her best, Mr. Waston. She'd been waiting for you til the night before her engagement, only to find out you tied the knot with another woman. You said your split was amicable. Now, she decided to let go and won't trouble you anymore. You shouldn't bother her either. Sometimes, too much attention can hurt."

Albert didn't argue or blame Melissa.

After a long pause, he sighed. “You're right, Melissa.”

And with that, the call ended.

Melissa instructed Matthew to set the puppy down and wash up for breakfast. She'd instilled a healthy routine for him: early to rise, early to bed, and three square meals.

Matthew was a well-behaved kid.

Coincidentally, Melissa found herself seated beside Marcus. After she took a sip of her milk, Marcus quipped, "You're quite the sage now, doling out life advice left and right. But what about your own life?

Have you got any time to ponder that?"

"What are you talking about?"

Melissa played innocent but as she got herself a sandwich, she topped up his coffee.

Marcus observed her every move.

After a moment, he grinned and let the topic drop.

Melissa suggested, "You head to the office first. I'll stick around until Julie arrives. And I'll keep an eye on Jessie too."

At Melissa's mention of Jessie, Marcus glanced upstairs.