My Handsome Uncle, Please Be Mine!

Part 50.

The rainy season showed no signs of ending. Since evening, rain poured heavily. Joe’s plan for a romantic dinner with Clara had to be postponed again.

The man had just finished showering. He was sitting leaning on the bed while checking some emails from his colleagues.

The sound of his phone buzzing diverted Joe’s focus. He reached for the flat object on the nightstand. There was a phone call from an unknown number.

“Hello,” Joe greeted.

“Hello, is this Joe Sebastian’s number?” the voice on the other end asked.

“Yes, that’s correct, who am I speaking to?” Joe asked back.

“I’m Clara’s grandfather,” the voice replied.

“Mr. Freedy Lim?” Joe asked, suddenly feeling his heart pounding heavily.

“So you already know who I am?” Mr. Freedy Lim asked flatly.

“Yes… of course, who wouldn’t know you!” Joe replied, his heart still pounding heavily.

“I just want to make sure when I can pick up my granddaughter,” Mr. Freedy Lim got straight to the point.

“Sunday night, Sir, you can come to my house to pick up Clara,” Joe replied.

“Alright, I’ll come Sunday night, thank you beforehand for taking care of my granddaughter, I’ll make sure to bring a proper reward, for the kindness you’ve shown to the young lady!” the middle-aged man on the other end said. He would fly to Indonesia earlier, of course, before Sunday.

“No need, Sir, Clara is a good girl, and my family is very happy to have her stay and get to know Clara closely, so you don’t need to hesitate!” Joe quickly replied.

“Hmm, well if that’s what you want!” the man on the other end replied.

“Yes, Sir.”

“See you on Sunday, young man, take care of my granddaughter until we meet!” he requested.

“Yes, Sir, Mr. Lim!”

The phone call ended.

Joe patted his chest a few times, his heart still beating very fast. How could a phone call from Mr. Lim make him feel so nervous?

“Huufftt!”

Joe let out a long breath to regain his composure. Then he went back to replying emails.

“What time is it now!” Joe murmured, looking at the wall clock. “It’s time,” he said afterwards.

Joe closed his laptop screen, then he got up from his bed. He walked towards the mirror, looking at his reflection there.

There was nothing special about what he was wearing, just a white t-shirt paired with comfortable home pants. His intention was what mattered.

Joe grabbed his phone, typing a message to Clara. He had to count the days until the girl left this house, it was sad. But Joe convinced himself to stay looking fine in front of Clara.

Joe: [Come to the library now.]

Clara: [Wait, Uncle.]

Joe: [What for?]

Clara: [Does Uncle want hot chocolate?]

Joe: [No, I want you to come to the library right now! Hurry, I’m waiting!]

Clara: [Okay, Uncle, after making hot chocolate, I’ll go to the library.]

Joe: [Ok, don’t take too long]

The man smiled, then he put his phone in his pants pocket. Joe smiled, whistling happily as he left his room for the library. This was an opportunity, because when it rained all the occupants of the house would go to their rooms earlier than usual.

Joe stepped into the library, waiting for Clara while sitting on the only sofa there.

—

Clara climbed the stairs to the second floor, carrying a tray of hot chocolate and snacks. After thinking about it, Clara felt that the days with Joe, their closeness under the same roof, would end. And later, when together with her real family, Clara didn’t know how often she would meet Uncle Joe, the handsome CEO who owned her heart.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

“Uncle!” Clara whispered as she knocked on the library door.

“One moment,” Joe replied.

The door opened, their eyes met. Smiles blossomed on both their lips.

“Come in, Clara!” Joe invited.

The girl entered the library. She placed the tray on the table. There was something unusual on the table. A medium-sized box covered in black velvet.

“What’s this box, Uncle?” Clara asked, observing and guessing what might be inside.

“Open it! It’s special for you, the only product at Blue Jewelry that I made specifically for you!” Joe said.

“What, Uncle?” Clara continued to ask.

Joe walked closer. He opened the box. “This is for you, Clara!” Joe said.

“Wow, I can’t accept it, Uncle, I know it’s very expensive, I dare not accept it!” Clara refused, shaking her head.

A necklace with a diamond pendant. Clara didn’t even want to know its exact price. It must be very expensive.

“It seems like you’re getting bolder, Clara! Look, now you can even reject my gift, I designed it specifically for you, and you don’t want to accept it! I’m starting to doubt, do you really love me?” Joe looked at Clara with annoyance.

“No, Uncle, that’s not what I meant!” Clara tried to explain.

“Come here!” he ordered. His gaze sharp, not wanting to accept rejection from Clara.

“What’s wrong, Uncle?” Clara scooted over. This time she didn’t dare to refuse. She faced Joe.

Joe took the necklace, stood behind Clara. Then, carefully, he placed the diamond necklace around Clara Rusadi’s graceful neck.

“Look, it suits you very well!” Joe praised, staring at Clara without blinking.

“Thank you, Uncle!” Clara said. The pink teddy bear was not the actual gift. Joe was indeed unexpected. For a moment, Clara felt guilty for having a negative assumption about the man.

“You’re welcome,” Joe whispered as he hugged Clara from behind. Very close, so close. If only they were married, perhaps Joe would have fulfilled his desires by taking Clara to his room.

‘Be patient!’ Joe thought. Trying to control his erratic heartbeat.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

The sound of knocking on the door startled Joe and Clara. The man put his index finger in front of his lips, signaling Clara to be quiet.

Clara quickly hid behind the bookshelf, at the far end.

“Joe! I know you’re in there!” Mrs. Linn called out, knocking on the door harder than before.

Creak.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

The door opened. Joe appeared behind the door, trying to maintain his poker face.

“What’s up, Mom?” Joe asked.

“Where’s Clara? Mama knows you’re hiding Clara here!” Mrs. Linn barged in, scanning the entire room.

“Clara, come out, dear, Mama won’t be angry, but you have to come out of here, don’t let him court you secretly!” Mrs. Linn instructed. She was really worried about Joe, afraid that Kimmy Olivia’s father might make a mistake.

“Clara isn’t here, Mom!” Joe insisted.

“Don’t lie, just so you know, Mama installed CCTV in the living room, so Mama knows when and where you meet!” Mrs. Linn explained. She said it with humor and a smile.

Joe suppressed his smile.

“Let’s all talk outside, don’t stay in dim places at night, tomorrow Mama will ask Mr. Joko to change the light bulbs!” the middle-aged woman said.

She exited the library, Clara and Joe’s favorite place to date.

“Clara, you better go to bed now, Mama is sometimes scary, right?” Joe complained, scratching his head that wasn’t itchy.

“It’s okay, Uncle, that means Mrs. Linn still cares, it’s proof that she’s concerned!” Clara said. Joe’s expression was resigned, like a thief caught red-handed.

“Goodnight, Clara.”

“Goodnight, Uncle.”

They both walked to their respective rooms.

—

The next morning.

Mbak Anik was accompanying Clara watering the strawberry plants in the backyard garden.

Clara was watering, while Mbak Anik swept around the Vivian’s pond and rearranged some flower plants in vases.

The female servant didn’t like Clara, so it was understandable that she remained silent and didn’t engage in any conversation with Clara at all.

Mbak Anik’s phone buzzed. The female servant put down the broom and moved away from Clara.

She reached for her phone from her pants pocket. After seeing Vivian’s name displayed on the screen, she immediately swiped the green icon to answer the call.

“Hello, Madam,” Anik greeted enthusiastically.

“Hello, Anik, yesterday I came by, I want to ask about Clara!” she said firmly and seemed in a hurry.

“Yes, how can I help you, Madam!” she replied politely.

“Is it true that Clara’s family will come and take her away from Joe’s residence?” Vivian was already emotional.

“Yes, that’s correct, Madam!” Anik answered.

“Do you know the origin of Clara’s family?” Vivian inquired. Anik was her only hope to provide information to facilitate her plan.

“I’m not sure about that, even Mrs. Linn and Clara themselves don’t know, it seems that Mr. Joe really keeps it a secret!” Anik replied. “But I know, on Sunday tomorrow, Clara will be picked up!” she added.

“Um, what is Clara’s daily routine?” Vivian asked.

“Sometimes she goes to Mr. Joe’s office, leaves in the morning, and comes back in the afternoon with Mr. Joe as well,” she recounted. Making the woman across the line seethe with jealousy.

“And now? What is she doing?” trying to steer the conversation to seize an opportunity.

“Clara is watering the plants, maybe later she’ll go to her room, she’s just at home and making me annoyed, because she often orders me around!” Anik explained.

“Is there a possibility that Clara will leave the house? Certainly without anyone, including Joe?” Vivian asked.

“That seems to be difficult, Madam! She will only leave the house when Mr. Joe invites her,” Anik replied.

“Alright, keep an eye on them, if Clara leaves the house without me! Immediately inform me!” Vivian requested.

“Yes, Madam!”

“Okay!” The call ended.

Vivian threw her phone annoyed. She didn’t expect Clara to become her rival in winning Joe.

She became more convinced to carry out her evil plan against Clara.

To be continued.