My Handsome Uncle, Please Be Mine!

25

Clara entered her room. It hurt so much to hear every word Joe said. She would be hurt, that’s the meaning behind every word from Joe.

She lay down, looking at the curtains in her room. However, what the man said was true. So, what should she do?

Mrs. Linn and Mr. Bond might not approve of her relationship with Joe. And so does Kimmy, the little girl wouldn’t accept her as a mother. There’s also Aunt Vivian, Joe Sebastian’s ex-wife. It’s clear she wants to reconcile after her career goals are achieved.

It’s no longer just the media’s interest in the handsome CEO’s love life. Clara sighed deeply. She couldn’t deny that what Joe said was true. It challenged Clara’s mindset that had never thought ahead. All she knew was her immense love for Uncle, and she wanted that love reciprocated! That’s as simple as Clara’s thinking.

And.

Joe couldn’t be that foolish. Besides Clara, there were many hearts he had to care for. His parents’ hearts and his little daughter’s heart.

Clara swallowed hard. There was a bitter taste in her throat.

Forgetting Joe was impossible, but reaching him wasn’t easy either. She had to prepare her heart as strong as a rock. It’s not as easy as she had imagined all this time.

Throughout the night, Clara couldn’t fall asleep. She changed positions several times. But still couldn’t sleep until early morning. Her mind was stuck!

.

.

.

The next morning. Clara decided to get up earlier than usual. She really didn’t feel like meeting Joe, let alone talking to him.

Twenty minutes, enough time for Clara to shower and get ready. She decided to go to school by ordering a taxi.

Arriving at school, Mario, who found Clara arriving in a taxi, immediately approached her. Actually, without Clara’s knowledge, Mario had been observing her every day.

“Clara!” Mario called out, stopping Clara who was walking towards her classroom.

“Yes,” Clara replied, turning back to the source of the voice. Finding Mario standing right behind her.

“Are you coming alone? Not with Uncle Joe or his driver?” Mario asked to the point.

“No!” that’s all that came out of Clara’s mouth.

“BTW, where do you want to continue your studies?” the teenage boy asked. He wanted to be close to Clara and learn more about the beautiful girl. The girl he secretly admired and adored during their graduation year.

“I, still don’t know, Mario,” Clara answered. She still didn’t know her next step. She loved designing, but wasn’t sure if she wanted to major in that.

“Later tonight, I’ll pick you up, okay?” Mario made sure.

“Yes,” Clara replied, still feeling down because of Joe’s words from last night.

“I’ll also be the one to take you home tonight, okay? Do you want that?” Mario always looked at Clara. In his eyes, the girl was always beautiful, smart, and perfect.

“Yes.” Clara threw a smile at her friend. “I’ll go first, okay?” Clara bid farewell.

“Okay, Clara!” Mario replied.

==❤==

During break time, Mario asked Nadia to talk without Clara’s knowledge. They talked in the school canteen, which wasn’t too crowded during the second break.

“Nadia, I want to ask for your opinion!” Mario said.

“About what?” Nadia replied.

“I want to express my feelings to Clara tonight, do you think Clara will accept my feelings or not?” Mario asked. He thought Nadia was the right person to tell him about Clara’s feelings.

“I don’t know, Mario, my advice is to express it after the final exams!” Nadia said. It was also impossible for Nadia to tell Mario that Clara liked Uncle Joe.

“But Nad, I think this is the right time, if Clara accepts my love after graduation, we can study at the same university!” Mario suggested. He couldn’t hold back his feelings for Clara anymore.

“Okay, Mario, it’s up to you!” Nadia said. “But I can’t guarantee Clara will accept your feelings!” she added and left Mario alone.

==❤==

At 3:55 PM, Mario arrived in front of Joe’s house. The red Ferrari car his mother bought him for his 17th birthday finally came in handy.

To pick up and drop off Clara. Mario sent a message to inform the girl that he had arrived at Joe Sebastian’s main door.

Mario: [Clara, I’ve arrived.]

Clara’s phone rang. There were dozens of messages from Joe that she didn’t open.

She looked at herself in the mirror, wearing jeans and a high-necked sweater, she was already wearing. She let her hair fall neatly.

Clara’s phone rang. There was a call from Mario.

Clara slid the green icon to answer the phone.

“I’ve arrived!” said the voice on the other end.

“Yes, I’ll be down in a moment!”

“Okay.”

The phone call ended. Clara closed her phone screen. Putting the flat object into her sling bag.

Then, she walked out of her room. The girl walked down the stairs and found Mrs. Clara sitting in the living room.

“Ma’am, I have a school event, after it’s over I will come back immediately!” Clara asked for permission.

“What time will you be back, Clara?” the middle-aged woman asked, still staring at her phone. Exchanging messages with her chosen future son-in-law.

“Maybe around eight or latest by nine in the evening!” Clara replied.

“Alright, take care!” Mrs. Linn replied.

“Okay, Ma’am!”

Clara kissed Kimmy, then walked out of the house. She started walking away from the terrace and opened the gate.

Mario got out of the car and opened the door for her.

Clara sat next to Mario. And the four-wheeled vehicle began to move at a moderate speed.

“Clara,” Mario whispered. Turning to Clara who preferred to remain silent.

“Emm…,” Clara replied, still looking out the window.

“Look at me, Clara!”

“Yes, what’s up, Mario?” Clara asked. They both looked at each other before Clara turned her gaze away.

“What should I do when I like someone?” Mario asked. He deliberately wanted to ask Clara’s opinion first.

“You should tell them! Express your feelings!” Clara advised. She advised as she had done herself. Expressing it to Joe.

“But what if they don’t accept my love, what if they don’t want to be my girlfriend!” Mario asked again. He was actually very afraid that Clara wouldn’t want to be his girlfriend.

“Express it first, whether it’s accepted or not is another matter. You just need to express it first!” Clara suggested.

“But I’m scared, unsure!” Mario complained again.

“Emm…, I’m sure she’ll accept your love, Mario. Besides, who can resist the charm of the basketball captain and our school idol, no one can resist you, Mario!” Clara said. She also realized that she was the girl Mario liked.

“Is what you’re saying true, Clara?” Mario asked.

“Yes.”

“Really!”

“Really!”

They arrived at school. Clara and Mario started joining the other friends.

Mario decided to inform Joe. The man who was Clara Rusadi’s guardian had to know about his plan to express his feelings towards Clara. More precisely, to ask for prayers.

The message was sent. Joe had read Mario’s message. There were two blue checkmarks indicating that the message had been read. However, there was no reply from the older macho man.

==❤==

The joint prayer event led by a teacher turned out to end earlier than expected.

Joe parked his car in the school parking area. The lighting in the place was not bright. However, Joe deliberately chose a spot where he could monitor in all directions. Clearly seeing towards Mario’s red Ferrari.

Joe turned on the headlights of his car. Pointing towards the two teenagers who were walking towards the red Ferrari.

Mario and Clara stood facing each other. Mario was seen holding Clara’s hand, then kneeling in front of her.

“Clara, I’ve liked you for a long time, will you be my girlfriend?” Mario expressed.

Clara was startled. She didn’t expect Mario to mean her.

Silence.

“Clara, why are you silent, you’re the one who said I should express my feelings!” Mario said. Still kneeling in his original position.

Tap..

Tap..

Tap..

Footsteps were heard approaching them. Clara turned around where Joe was standing right behind her.

“Uncle Joe!” Clara exclaimed in surprise.

“What are you doing, Mario?” Joe asked.

Mario stood up. He scratched his head, looking confused and not knowing what to answer.

“As Clara’s guardian, I do not allow Clara to date before graduating from high school!” Joe said, staring sharply at Mario.

“Yes, Uncle!” Mario replied. He was annoyed but couldn’t do anything. Especially since Clara remained silent, showing no intention of defending him.

“Thank you for picking up Clara earlier, and now let Clara go home with me!” Joe said. Taking Clara’s hand into his grip.

Joe led the girl. To walk with him.

“Get in, Clara!” Joe said as he opened the door to his car.

Clara just stayed silent and continued to obey what Joe ordered.

Now the two of them were in the car. Joe started the car and immediately left the school parking area.

Silence still enveloped them. Joe seemed reluctant to speak because Clara allowed Mario to pick her up. While Clara, she was still hurt by Joe’s words and explanations from last night.

The man pulled over his car. In a secluded place.

“Are you just going to remain silent, Clara?” Joe asked. “Now explain why you didn’t respond to my messages and accept Mario’s offer! Do you forget, during the 45-day contract…,” Joe’s words stopped.

“Do I have to keep holding on, after what you said last night, Uncle Joe? Do I have to keep nurturing my love, while I know everything is still uncertain! Uncle, I just realized! I’ve been too brave, loving you who I can’t reach! Now, I understand, Uncle! I don’t deserve to have Uncle Joe!” Tears began to fall from the corner of Clara’s eyes. Finally, she could express the suppressed feelings in her heart. Feelings of disappointment and shame towards her own actions.

Joe reached out to Clara’s hand. Forcing her face to face him.

For the second time, Joe couldn’t control his feelings.

A kiss.

A kiss landed on Clara’s lips. Longer and deeper. This time, he explored and savored her strawberry lips even more. Joe became more enthusiastic as Clara responded to his kiss.

Joe ended the activity. He looked deeply into Clara’s eyes. One thing was certain, he was afraid Clara would distance herself from him.

“Uncle!” Clara whispered, breaking the silence when Joe remained silent.

“Yeah, what is it, Clara?” Joe replied, still trying to control his feelings.

“What does this kiss mean, what does last night’s kiss mean? Is it normal for Uncle Joe to kiss any woman? Is this something adults do?” Clara asked.

Joe sighed. “I’m not that kind of man, Clara. Besides my ex-wife, it’s only you that I’ve done it with,” Joe answered honestly.

Clara swallowed hard. Still unsure of Joe’s feelings towards her.

“Do you like me, Uncle?” Clara pressed, needing acknowledgment.

“I… I just don’t like you being close to Mario. Let’s go home now!” Joe invited Clara before she could ask again.

He started the car and drove off at a moderate speed. Meanwhile, he thought about what he would explain to Mrs. Linn later.