My Handsome Uncle, Please Be Mine!

Part 19

Clara arrived at school. Monday, a day that required more energy because of the flag ceremony.

And Clara’s face reflected that. She looked disheveled and didn’t have a single smile.

“Why aren’t you as enthusiastic as usual?” Nadia asked. They hadn’t exchanged messages last night. Her friend was sure something had happened to make Clara not cheerful on this bright morning.

Clara remained silent. She was still guessing why Uncle Joe left earlier. Was it intentionally avoiding her, or was there some other work, or did he want to pick up Celine? The latter was the worst possibility.

“Uncle Joe again?” guessed Nadia.

Clara nodded, then rested her head on the desk. She felt too drained to lift her head.

“Come on, tell me, maybe I can help!” Nadia prompted.

“It turns out my competition isn’t just Aunt Vivian, but there are many out there. All this time, I’ve been too confident in getting love from Uncle Joe!” Clara lamented. The image of beautiful Celine and her captivating smile flashed through Clara’s mind again.

“You still haven’t given up, Clara?” Nadia probed.

“Not yet!” Clara replied. “I’m just feeling stuck!” she added.

“Do you know ‘Tresno jalaran soko kulino’?” Nadia asked.

“It’s Javanese, right?” Clara guessed.

Nadia nodded. “Love comes from being accustomed to it,” she said.

“And?” Clara looked up, waiting for Nadia’s answer.

“Make Uncle Joe accustomed to your presence. After that, I’m sure your handsome uncle will feel lost when you’re away from him!” Nadia explained as if she were an expert in love.

Clara thought about it and felt it was the right time. Aunt Vivian was in Paris. At least she wouldn’t meet Uncle Joe for three months.

“Okay. Nad, I won’t give up!” Clara replied enthusiastically.

“Good, Clara, keep up the spirit!” Nadia clenched her fists. Always supporting Clara.

And thus, Clara went through that long Monday. At school, she would focus on studying; she was intelligent, a good gene inherited from both her parents.

==?==

At 2:00 PM, it was time for the students to go home. Mario was waiting for Clara in front of the school gate.

“Clara, I’ll take you back to the dorm!” Mario requested.

“Thank you, Mario, but I’m not staying at the dorm anymore,” Clara replied. Meanwhile, Nadia had already gone back to the dorm. She would support Clara in pursuing Joe. Therefore, she allowed Clara not to return to the dorm.

“Are you staying at that Uncle’s house?” Mario inquired.

“His name is Uncle Joe, not just ‘Uncle,’ and yes, I do live there because that’s where my home is!” Clara replied.

“I beg you, please don’t stay there, Clara!” Mario pleaded, getting off his motorcycle and sitting next to Clara.

“I have no one else besides Uncle Joe!” Clara said, not liking Mario’s interference in her affairs.

“How great is this Uncle Joe, Clara! If you can stay at his house, you can also stay at my house!” Mario started to get annoyed. If Clara stayed at Uncle Joe’s house, it meant she would often meet him.

“He’s great, very great. He’s kind, rich, and the most handsome CEO in the world!” Clara replied irritably. “I’m going home now!” she added, standing up and leaving Mario behind, walking towards the private car that was picking her up.

Mario swallowed. He had a bad feeling. His love would wither even before it was confessed. He began to be curious about Joe’s true identity. He was a CEO, but what business field was he in?

Mario started his motorcycle and rode off at full speed.

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.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

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Upon arriving home.

Mario got off his motorcycle. He grabbed his phone and immediately called his dad. Mario’s parents were quite influential, owning a majority of shares in several coal mining companies in Kalimantan.

The call connected.

“Hello, what’s up?” Mr. Erwin greeted. He was disturbed by the phone call from his son during working hours.

“Do you know Joe Sebastian, Dad?” Mario asked.

“I’ve heard of him, why?” his dad asked back.

“Please, Dad, give Mario information about that person!” Mario said hopefully.

“Does Dad need to teach you how to use a phone? Some time ago, news about his divorce went viral! Don’t make Dad angry because of this, Mario!” his dad scolded.

“Yes, Dad, Mario understands! Sorry to bother you!”

Click. Mario ended the phone call before his dad could respond.

Mario started browsing with his phone. He opened a search engine and looked up Joe Sebastian. He read several article titles and held his breath. The truths he received one by one made him flinch. Especially after finding out that the former wife of that man was the supermodel Vivian Rosaline.

“Oh, I’m still not afraid! I will win Clara’s heart!” Mario said confidently.

==?==

Clara arrived home. Joe’s residence looked quiet. Mr. Bond, Mrs. Linn, and Kimmy were out for a stroll.

Joe’s car was in the garage. But Clara wasn’t sure if he had already returned from work.

Clara walked towards the kitchen. She opened the fridge and poured cold water into a glass.

She drank water while looking at the backyard.

WOW.

Clara’s eyes, which were sad, widened now. She stared at the scene in front of her. Uncle Joe, yes, the handsome man was gardening.

Clara stepped closer to the window. Then, she observed Joe from a far.

Clara swallowed hard. “Uncle handsome. Why are you always handsome, and I’m always shameless because I’m constantly praising you!” the girl muttered with unblinking eyelids.

Joe stood up and wrapped a towel around his waist. Then he walked to the kitchen.

Clara remained silent. There was no time to hide or run.

“What are you doing, Clara?” Joe asked with his heavy voice.

Clara took a step back. “Um…,” that’s all that came out of the girl’s mouth.

“Let’s settle this now, Clara!” Joe requested, pulling Clara’s hand, leading her to the backyard. Afraid that a servant might overhear their conversation.

Clara pushed Joe’s hand away. She wanted to avoid and run. But Joe reached for Clara’s fingers again, preventing her from leaving.

“I don’t like it, I’m uncomfortable, Clara. I’m uncomfortable with the way you look at me, pay attention to me, and steal glances from me!” Joe said.

Clara stayed silent.

“Stop it all, Clara, I only see you as a little sister that I have to take care of, that I have to protect, don’t misinterpret my attention, Clara. Forget about me!” he pleaded, staring at Clara with his eagle eyes.

“Are you sure you don’t like me? Then why does Uncle Joe still care about me?” Clara asked.

“Because I feel responsible for you, Clara!” he answered. “Please, stop your feelings, I’m afraid you’ll get hurt, I’m also afraid that I’ll hurt you!” he added.

Clara stayed silent. She wouldn’t be Clara if she gave up that easily. No! Letting go of Joe was not something she would do.

“Okay, I’ll try to forget Uncle Joe, but with one condition!” Clara suggested boldly. Nadia’s message sparked a brilliant idea in her mind. ‘Tresno jalaran soko kulino.’

“Tell me what’s the condition?” Joe asked.

“Pretend to be my boyfriend, Uncle!” Clara said confidently. Maybe by pretending to be in a relationship, Joe would gradually develop feelings for her. Hopefully! ‘Tresno jalaran soko kulino.’ That word kept echoing in Clara’s head.

Joe narrowed his eyes, his eyebrows furrowed. Clara’s request distracted him.

“No, Clara, I can’t. Do you think my life is just a game, I have to work and think about thousands of my employees!” Joe refused.

“Well then! If Uncle doesn’t want to, don’t ask me to forget the feelings in my heart,” Clara challenged.

Silence.

Silence.

“How long are we going to pretend to be dating?” Joe asked, giving in.

“Three months!” Clara replied.

“No, that’s too long, your final exam is only two months away!” Joe objected firmly.

“How about two months, Uncle?” Clara suggested.

“One month only!” Joe bargained.

“Forty-five days? How about that?” Clara made an offer.

“Okay, let’s make the contract now!” Joe said, feeling like he found a resolution to his problem with Clara.

“Okay!”

Clara and Joe went to their respective rooms and started writing down the rules they proposed.

After twenty minutes, they met again in the living room, Kimmy’s favorite playing spot.

Joe received a piece of paper from Clara and began to read it.

1. Escort to school every day.

2. Dinner dates on Saturday nights.

3. Respond to every WhatsApp message I send.

4. Make time to chat and help me study every night.

5. No arguments during this 45-day contract.

“Clara, for point one, I might not be able to do it every day, but I’ll try to take you to school!” Joe said.

“Okay, Uncle.” Clara understood that Joe was busy with work and sometimes had to travel out of town.

“For points two, three, and four, I’ll try my best, but I can’t promise to do it every day!” Joe said. “For point five, I promise we won’t argue!” he added.

“Okay, Uncle!” Now it was Clara’s turn to read Joe’s rules.

1. No physical contact.

2. No one must know.

3. Don’t interfere in my personal affairs.

4. No pet names.

5. No excessive demands.

“Even just holding hands with Uncle Joe is not allowed?” Clara responded to point one. Who doesn’t hold hands when they’re dating?

“No!” Joe replied firmly.

“Even if it’s just the two of us?” Clara pressed.

“Yes, none!” Joe refused.

“For points two, three, and five, I can agree, but not for point four!” Clara suggested.

“Okay, you can call me whatever you want when we’re alone!” Joe said, not wanting to argue further with the girl.

“So when should we start pretending to date, Uncle?” Clara asked.

“It’s up to you!” Joe replied, getting busy with his tablet.

“Starting tomorrow morning, okay, Uncle?”

“Yes.”

“KIMMY?”

“KIMMY!”