My Handsome Uncle, Please Be Mine!

18.

Clara examined herself in front of the mirror. She observed her reflection there, wearing black jeans and a light purple sweater. She let her long hair fall neatly, adorned with a beautiful ribbon.

“So pretty!” Clara praised herself with a smile. Then, she hurriedly stepped out of her room, turning the doorknob.

The door opened, revealing Joe already waiting for her.

“Are you ready?” Joe asked.

“Yes, Uncle,” Clara replied shyly, tucking her hair behind her ear.

“Let’s go now!” Joe invited.

Clara followed behind Joe, feeling very happy to be going out alone with her handsome idol.

Clara continued to follow Joe’s steps down the stairs until they reached the ground floor.

“Where are you two going?” Mrs. Linn, who was sitting in the living room, asked. Her voice was loud, indicating her dislike of Joe and Clara’s closeness.

Joe turned and approached his mother. “I need to talk to Clara, Ma. Vivian came earlier; she didn’t want to talk to me and chose to talk to Clara instead!” Joe explained, not wanting his mother to misunderstand.

“Do you have to go together?” Mrs. Linn protested.

Joe lowered his head, rubbing his forehead.

“Let them go together, Ma. Joe already sees Clara as his own sister; it’s natural for them to go together and share their concerns!” Mr. Bond intervened.

“Yes, Ma,” Joe added.

“Alright, don’t come home too late. You’re still in the media spotlight because of your divorce with Vivian!” Mrs. Linn advised.

Joe nodded, then walked out of the house, followed by Clara walking behind him.

“Get in!” Joe instructed as he opened the door to his black McLaren 720s.

Clara sat in the driver’s seat, while Joe walked around and sat beside her.

“Buckle up!” Joe reminded as he started the car.

The four-wheeled vehicle began to move, navigating the city streets on this evening.

“Where are we going, Uncle?” Clara asked.

“I’m taking you to my friend’s coffee shop,” Joe replied, focusing on driving and unaware of Clara who had been watching him since earlier. Yes, Clara couldn’t ignore the man who had always been the focus of her admiration.

“Why don’t we just have ice cream? We didn’t get to have ice cream last time, Uncle!” Clara suggested, remembering the incident when they got stuck in the elevator.

Joe glanced at his wrist. “It’s already late, Clara. I won’t take you for ice cream tonight! Maybe next time!” Joe said.

Clara was taken aback. ‘Next time?’ Did that mean Uncle Joe would take her out again? The girl fell silent, her heart filled with joy.

“Alright, Uncle,” Clara complied.

Clara’s phone buzzed. Vivian’s name appeared on her screen.

“Why didn’t you answer it?” Joe asked, noticing Clara putting the flat object back into her bag.

“It’s nothing, Uncle! Not important!” Clara replied.

Joe pulled over and stopped at the coffee shop.

“We’re here!” he announced.

Then they walked in. Joe chose a seat in a quieter corner.

Joe and Clara sat facing each other. While waiting for their order, Joe would start interrogating Clara.

“So, what did you two talk about earlier?” Joe asked to the point.

“Not much, Uncle. Aunt Vivian just said she wanted to meet Kimmy, but you didn’t allow it!” Clara replied. “Why didn’t you allow Aunt Vivian to meet Kimmy?” she asked.

“I want Vivian to realize that she’s been selfish all this time. She’s always left Kimmy for her work, and as you know, Clara, she was willing to divorce me for a job contract with a fashion magazine!” Joe complained. He lowered his head, feeling disappointed and hurt by Vivian once again.

“Does Uncle Joe still love Aunt Vivian?” Clara inquired, biting her lower lip, prepared for Joe’s response.

Silence.

“My disappointment and pain outweigh my love, Clara,” Joe replied.

Clara fell silent, feeling Joe’s pain over his separation from Vivian.

“Uncle, I need to go to the restroom,” Clara requested. She was curious about her phone, which kept vibrating.

Joe nodded.

Clara stood up from her seat and walked to the restroom. She stood in front of the mirror, reached for her phone in her bag. Her thumb slid across the phone screen. She opened a green app on her phone. There were dozens of messages from Vivian.

[Do as you wish, Clara.]

[I’m traveling to Paris.]

[In three months, you won’t be able to do anything!]

[Enjoy your time with Joe now.]

[The time will come when you leave Joe’s life.]

[You’re not my rival. You’re not my competition.]

[Realize, Clara, you’re not on my level!]

Clara read each message from Aunt Vivian one by one, feeling her chest tighten. She knew love was never wrong. And getting Joe was a struggle she had to endure.

[Three months is a long time, Aunt Vivian. I’m sure before that time comes, I can make Uncle Joe forget about you.]

Clara’s thumb danced agilely as she typed a message to Vivian. After sending the message, Clara looked at herself in the mirror again. She tidied up her hair and applied a thicker layer of lipstick.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Come on, Clara, you’ve got this!” she murmured, trying to motivate herself as she exited the restroom.

Clara walked back to her table, where Joe wasn’t alone. There was a beautiful woman with him, even more stunning than Vivian from afar. She looked younger and had a sharply defined nose with beautiful blue eyes.

“Celine, meet Clara. Clara, meet Celine!” Joe introduced the two women.

“Hi, Clara,” greeted Celine, extending her right hand.

“Nice to meet you, Kak Celine,” Clara replied.

Oh no! Clara realized she had been wrong to think that Aunt Vivian was the only rival for Joe’s affections because Celine was even more dazzling. Joe was surrounded by beautiful women, not just Vivian. Clara needed to open her eyes and accept that he was popular among them.

“So, Clara, I consider you like my own little sister!” Joe explained. “What would you like to order, Celine?” he offered politely with a wide smile.

“No, Mr. Joe, I have to leave now,” declined Celine, flashing her perfectly aligned teeth as she widened her lips.

“Alright, see you tomorrow!” Joe replied warmly.

“Yes, see you tomorrow!”

“Clara, I’m heading out now,” he informed.

Clara nodded, but the smile that had adorned her lips slowly faded. Enormous jealousy filled her heart, making it impossible for her to lift the corners of her mouth.

“Clara,” Joe called.

“Clara!” he called again when Clara didn’t respond.

“Clara!” Joe moved his face closer to hers.

“Oh, yes, Uncle!” Clara finally responded.

“Don’t space out. Let’s finish your meal, and then we’ll continue our conversation in the car,” Joe instructed.

Clara nodded, but she didn’t touch her food at all. Her appetite was gone; a new, more “WOW” rival had appeared.

“Finish your food,” Joe urged.

But Clara just nodded and did nothing.

“Okay, if you don’t want to eat, let’s go home now,” Joe suggested. He shook his head, not understanding Clara’s 180-degree change in attitude, from being cheerful and enthusiastic to silent and unenthusiastic.

The handsome man paid, and they both walked towards the car. Joe sat behind the wheel, while Clara sat beside him.

Clara remained silent, unwilling to speak. Joe, too, focused on driving.

Until Joe’s McLaren was almost home. Joe pulled over and stopped.

“Clara, why are you so quiet? Is something wrong?” Joe asked.

Clara shook her head.

“Then why are you being so quiet and acting weird?” Joe pressed.

Clara still remained silent and only shook her head.

“Are all women like this, silent and hard to communicate with? You even dare to ignore your good brother like this, Clara. I really don’t understand your behavior!” Joe complained. Vivian, his ex-wife, used to be silent like this sometimes.

Silence.

“How many women are there in your life, Joe?” Clara asked. The question slipped out of her mouth reflexively because she was too curious about Celine.

Joe turned to look at Clara, who was looking down.

“What do you mean by that question, Clara?” Joe asked back, with a displeased expression.

Clara shook her head and remained silent, cursing herself for blurting out the question like that.

“What’s wrong with you, Clara? I just want us to be friends, but it seems complicated. You can’t even be communicated with!” Joe exclaimed. He turned on the car and started driving towards the house, which was less than a hundred meters away.

The main gate opened. Joe parked his car in the garage.

Clara got out and walked ahead, leaving Joe far behind.

She entered the house, followed by Joe, who hastened his steps to catch up with Clara.

The living room of Joe’s house was quiet. The servants had already retired, as had Mrs. Linn and Mr. Bond. Clara continued to climb the stairs, one step at a time.

She stopped at the top of the stairs, waiting for Joe to approach.

Joe stopped right behind Clara, who stood with her back to him.

“I hope Aunt Vivian is my only rival, and there are no other women. Not Celine or anyone else. I beg you, Joe, I love you so much. Wait for me, Joe, wait for me to grow up and become a beautiful woman for you. Before that time comes, don’t let Joe’s heart settle on any other woman,” Clara said without looking at Joe. She could express herself fluently.

Joe remained silent.

“Promise me, will you do that, Joe? I’ll keep standing here if you don’t answer!” Clara demanded. She was genuinely worried. The handsome uncle might belong to another woman again.

“Go to sleep, Clara, you must be sleepy because your words are wandering!” accused Joe, lightening the tense atmosphere between them.

“I’m not wandering, Joe, I’m not sleepy either. I say everything with full awareness. I love you, Joe. I want to be a woman worthy of being your life partner. I also want to be friends and a good companion for Kimmy. Will you wait until that time comes, Joe?” Clara insisted.

“You haven’t even graduated high school, Clara! Finish your schooling, and we’ll discuss this later!” Joe explained. He walked past Clara casually, scratching his head even though it wasn’t itchy.