LOVE YOU, UNCLE

“Mom, are we really visiting the girl’s house that I’ve chosen right now?”

Verona Wood nodded casually in response to her son’s question. Not only that, they were all on their way to the girl’s residence now.

Today, after hearing Randy’s answer, Verona deliberately instructed her son to come home from work earlier than usual. She then took him and her husband to visit the parents of the girl Randy had previously chosen.

It was Maxwell Denovan’s residence that Verona and Adrian Walters were heading to this afternoon. After previously giving notice and getting the green light for the visit, they hurriedly left and didn’t want to waste any more time. They were worried that if it wasn’t executed quickly, their son might change his mind halfway. Randy had such a habit.

“Alright, you just relax, Ran. If we don’t visit soon, someone might snatch your future wife. Besides, you need to meet your future in-laws first and discuss how your official proposal will go. I want everything to be done promptly.”

Randy swallowed his words. It was pointless to argue. If Verona Wood, the mother, had already spoken, there was no room for argument, let alone rejection. When his mom got angry, she could even rival a lion. His dad had never dared to oppose her all this time.

At around 5 o’clock in the evening, Randy and his two parents arrived at a luxurious house in South Jakarta. As soon as they got out of the car, the three of them were warmly greeted and ushered into the living room. The homeowner, Maxwell Denovan, along with his wife, appeared to be very pleased and enthusiastic about their guests’ arrival this afternoon.

“After all this time, I finally get to visit your house in person,” Verona said, starting the conversation. She and Maxwell had been friends since their college days. Adrian, her husband, also knew Maxwell and had partnered in significant business ventures for a long time. So, this meeting felt like a reunion of old friends.

“I feel honored that you’ve taken the trouble to visit, Ve. So, is this your son, the one you used to take around for project surveys?” Maxwell asked, then shifted his gaze to Randy, who was sitting right next to Verona. With a faint smile, Maxwell scrutinized Randy as if assessing the young man who would become his future son-in-law.

“Yes,” Verona nodded. “This is Randy, the little boy who used to ask you for ice cream all the time. Look at him now, he’s grown up. He’s handsome and, on top of that, smart enough to lead a company.”

“It’s hard to believe he’s all grown up now. Ghea is lucky to have been chosen by Randy as his future wife.”

“I was surprised too. Among all the candidates I presented, he chose your daughter, Gun. He said it just clicked since their first meeting that night. Fate works in mysterious ways, doesn’t it?”

Randy, who had been listening, could only shake his head. Now, he was starting to realize that perhaps his ability to talk and flirt all these years wasn’t inherited from his father but from his mother.

Just look at her dominating the conversation throughout. She was making a real effort to build chemistry and make a good impression on the person she was speaking to.

“Oh, by the way, where’s your daughter?” Verona asked afterward, as if impatient to meet her future daughter-in-law.

“Ghea had a class today. But don’t worry, she’ll be back shortly. Ghea never goes out or takes a trip without asking for permission first.”

Just a few seconds after Maxwell uttered those words, the daughter they were looking for appeared. Wearing casual clothes and carrying a shopper bag filled with textbooks, Ghea entered the house. As she passed by the living room, Maxwell immediately waved, calling her and asking her to come over.

“Ghea, come here, sweetheart. Someone wants to meet you.”

Ghea, who was called, turned and raised an eyebrow, wondering who would want to see her at this time of day. Moreover, it was unusual for her father to have guests wanting to meet her in the evening. Something must be wrong.

“Meet Ghea? Who, Dad?”

“Well, that’s why you should come over here first.”

Ghea actually wanted to refuse, but out of self-respect and not wanting to embarrass her father, she reluctantly obeyed. With reluctance, she dragged her feet, then approached. She approached her father and her stepmother, who were sitting with guests.

“Come here, sweetheart. Let’s get acquainted. They’ve come from far away and waited for you to come back.”

Ghea nodded, turned, and was surprised. At that moment, she noticed the presence of a man who she seemed to recognize and who was now looking at her with a bright smile.

“Uncle Randy, right?”

Being called ‘uncle’ in front of both her parents and even her future in-laws made Randy’s eyes widen in astonishment. Did this woman really consider him an uncle or something? Moreover, what kind of uncle looked as handsome as he did?

Randy resembled those mature South Korean Ahjussis. Although he was mature, there was no doubt about his appearance. He was even better than fickle teenagers going through puberty.

“Ghea, please be polite. How can you call your guests ‘uncle’?” Maxwell scolded, feeling uncomfortable. He was afraid that Verona and Adrian might be offended by what his daughter had just said. After all, first meetings should leave the best impression, right? Maxwell forgot that his youngest daughter was a bit outspoken and straightforward.

“It’s alright, Uncle Maxwell,” Randy quickly interjected, interrupting. His actions made it seem like he was defending what Ghea had done to him. “From the first time we met a while ago, Ghea has always called me that. She says it’s a term of endearment for me. To be different from others. And I’m perfectly fine with it.”

Ghea widened her eyes at that moment. She never expected Randy to speak so casually to everyone present. How could he make such a statement that ‘uncle’ was a term of endearment for him? It was not true at all!

“Uh, um. That’s not it, Dad. Ghea-”

“Alright… alright… there’s no need to explain further,” Maxwell quickly cut in. He didn’t allow his daughter to finish her sentence first. “Dad didn’t expect that you two were already close and even had pet names for each other.”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“What did I tell you, Gun…” Verona added. “These two are destined and perfect for each other. That’s why Randy was so sure about choosing your daughter.”

Maxwell nodded in agreement. Shifting his gaze, he spoke to his daughter again.

“Well, Ghe, why don’t you take Randy around the house first? Or you can have a chat with him on the back porch. It’s a chance for you to get closer. Dad and Aunt Verona, as well as Uncle Adrian, want to have a serious discussion about you two.”

“But, Dad-”

“Come on, Ghe,” Randy invited, then stood up from his seat. “You mentioned yesterday that if I visited, you wanted to show me your favorite pet. What are you keeping, cats and dogs, right?”

“No!” Ghea exclaimed. “I have a pet crocodile!”

“Ghea,” Maxwell reprimanded once again. “Come on quickly. Take Randy around.”

Ghea couldn’t refuse. With reluctance, she finally took Randy around and moved to the house’s terrace, located right next to the swimming pool. She wondered what they would talk about or discuss after this.

***

“Why did Uncle come here, anyway?” Ghea protested as she and Randy sat in one of the gazebos by the swimming pool on her property.

Because the location was a bit far from their parents’ reach, Ghea no longer needed to pretend to be polite or maintain her image in front of her conversation partner. If necessary, she would make her calculations now because Randy had spoken carelessly in front of their parents.

“Besides, why did you claim that the ‘uncle’ title is a term of endearment?”

Randy just laughed, listening to how Ghea rambled and complained. She was clearly irritated by what she had said earlier.

“Isn’t it a term of endearment? Proof that of all the women I know, you’re the only one who’s different and daring enough to call me ‘Uncle.’ What else would you call it if not a term of endearment?”

“Oh, come on, it’s over the top! That’s not how it works. So, what are you doing here?”

“I want to propose to you. I want to ask you to get married. After thinking about it, among the candidates that my mom presented, I’m more interested in you. So, what do you say? When do you want me to propose officially? And do you have any requests for where the wedding should be held?”

Ghea squinted at him. She looked at the man beside her with a horrified expression. Why did he suddenly come and casually talk about marriage? How could he be so confident that she wouldn’t refuse?

“Hello… Is Uncle still sane?”

“100% sober and sane.”

“Who wants to marry Uncle?”

“You, of course,” Randy said confidently.

“But didn’t I already say I disagree with blind dates, let alone arranged marriages set by our parents? Besides, seriously? Uncle, have some self-awareness. You can’t possibly think that I, a young and pretty girl, should be paired with an older guy like you.”

Randy was taken aback. Ghea’s remarks left him speechless. He had been called a playboy or a crocodile before because of his habit of changing partners frequently, but being called an older man was entirely new, and it hurt his pride.

“That’s an exaggeration. There aren’t many guys my age who are as handsome as me,” Randy retorted, raising his chin confidently.

“Still, Uncle, your age is way older than mine. Don’t deny it.”

Randy nodded. He couldn’t deny the age difference.

“I know we’re not the same age. But it doesn’t matter if we spend our lives together.”

“Oh, come on, don’t be so cheesy, Uncle. Your cheesy lines won’t work on me.”

“I’m serious, Ghe. Tell your dad and mom that they don’t have to take care of you anymore. I’ll take over their duties.”

Ghea huffed in annoyance. Talking to Randy required extra patience. He was not only pushy but also overly confident. It was getting on her nerves.

Moreover, Ghea couldn’t accept Randy so easily. They had only met once and didn’t know each other well, and he was already confident and certain that he wanted to marry her. Even though Ghea was a good girl, she still found it strange. She didn’t want to marry a man she didn’t love, especially for a lifetime. Just the thought was daunting.

“Alright, that’s enough. I think our conversation ends here. I want to make it clear to you, Uncle, that I don’t agree and never want to marry you. So, please don’t insist. Don’t push me into accepting this arranged marriage. I hope that when we go inside, you clarify with our parents to cancel what they have planned.”

Ghea then got up from her seat, intending to go back inside the house. And just to make sure she wasn’t left behind, Randy quickly got up and followed Ghea, who had entered ahead of him.

“How did your conversation go?” Maxwell asked when he noticed his daughter and future son-in-law entering and walking toward the living room.

“It’s over, Dad. Ghea thinks it’s enough. Uncle Randy also said he’s leaving,” Ghea said intentionally, then glanced at Randy, who just smiled. “Uncle Randy also wants to discuss something about the continuation of this arranged marriage.”

With all her heart and trust, Ghea hoped that Randy had heard what she had asked earlier. She wanted Randy to make it clear to their parents and stop this arranged marriage.

“So, have you two talked?” Maxwell inquired.

“That’s right, Uncle Randy also wants to have a serious talk with Dad and Aunt Verona about this arranged marriage,” Ghea added.

Then, Maxwell’s gaze shifted from Ghea to Randy, who stood right behind his daughter. As if to confirm something, he immediately posed a serious question.

“So, Randy, are you in agreement that we might hold the official engagement event soon, possibly within a month followed by the wedding party?”

Anxiously, Ghea waited for Randy’s response. She didn’t turn her gaze away for a moment, curious about what he would say.

“I don’t agree, Uncle.”

Hearing those words come from Randy’s mouth, Ghea instantly breathed a sigh of relief. She was truly thankful because Randy had listened to her earlier request.

“You don’t agree? You don’t want to marry Ghea, Ran? But you chose her, didn’t you?” Verona asked, somewhat shocked.

“I don’t disagree with marrying, Ma.”

“Then what?”

“I don’t agree that the engagement event should be held next month. I want it to be expedited to next week. How about that?”

Ghea stared wide-eyed. Her heart felt like it might leap out of her chest after hearing what Randy had just said. Why did this older and cheeky guy take decisions as he pleased?