My Handsome Uncle, Please Be Mine!

Part 69

Clara tightly held Uncle Joe Sebastian’s hand. They had arrived at Changi Airport. A four-wheeled vehicle was parked at the airport exit.

“Are we meeting Grandpa now, Uncle?” Clara asked as she stepped into the car.

“I need to eat first, Clara. I’m very hungry,” Joe made an excuse. He wasn’t ready. Yes, meeting Freedy Lim, who clearly didn’t like him, was daunting.

“Okay, we should eat first,” Clara agreed. She felt very nervous. Her heart always wondered what would happen next? Of course, Clara had a backup plan in case her grandfather didn’t give his blessing.

The car they boarded stopped at a seafood restaurant. They got out of the car and started going in.

Joe ordered some food from the menu. Strangely, his hunger vanished just like that.

“Why aren’t you eating, Uncle?” Clara asked. She was trying to swallow the scallops she had chewed.

“I don’t know, Clara, suddenly I lost my appetite,” Joe answered. He just stared at his empty plate.

“Is Uncle very afraid to meet Grandpa?” Clara probed. Because that’s what she felt.

“No!” Joe denied. As usual, he always tried to appear fine in front of Clara and didn’t show his weaknesses.

“Alright, Uncle, let’s just meet Grandpa!” Clara suggested.

“Okay, Clara, let’s meet Grandpa Lim now!” Joe proposed.

“Yes, Uncle,” Clara replied.

They got back into the car. They both sat in the back seat.

The car started moving towards Freedy Lim’s residence.

To ease his nervousness, Joe called his mom. Maybe it could boost his confidence.

The call connected.

“Hello,” Mrs. Linn answered on the other end of the phone.

“Hello, Mom,” Joe greeted. Suddenly, he forgot what he wanted to say.

“Have you arrived?” his mom asked.

“Yes, Mom, I’ve arrived and will meet Clara’s Grandpa soon!” Joe replied.

“Emm yes, as I said this morning, I always pray for you, hoping that your wish to marry Clara will be blessed by her guardian,” Mrs. Linn said. She understood Joe’s current anxiety. “What is Clara doing?” she asked.

“Clara is sitting next to me, Mom,” Joe replied. “Does Mom want to talk to her?” Joe turned to Clara and flashed a smile, though it looked stiff.

“No, she must also be nervous! Whatever happens later, whether Freedy Lim gives his blessing or not, it’s the best for both of you,” Mrs. Linn advised.

“Yes, Mom, I understand. Where’s Kimmy?” Joe suddenly wanted to talk to his daughter.

“Here, she’s been listening to our conversation since earlier!” Mrs. Linn explained.

“Hello, Dad,” Kimmy’s voice sounded very loud.

“Hello, Kimmy,” Joe replied.

“Dad, be strong, just be strong!” the little girl said, although she didn’t fully understand.

“Yes, Dad will definitely be strong!”

“Okay, Dad, I’ll play again, bye!” his little daughter bid farewell and ended the call just like that.

Joe’s hand returned the flat object to his pocket.

“Clara, are you ready?” Joe asked. The question was more appropriate for himself. Freedy Lim’s actions really made him uneasy. However, his determination to get Clara still required effort.

“Yes, Uncle, I’m ready!” Clara answered. “What about you, Uncle Joe, are you ready?”

“I’m ready, Clara.”

His smile was restrained. However, he didn’t want to show his inner turmoil to Clara.

The atmosphere fell silent again. The beauty and bustle of the city couldn’t distract Joe from Freedy Lim. The middle-aged man still occupied his thoughts.

The driver stopped the car in the parking area of a multi-story building.

“Uncle, we’ve arrived!” Clara said.

Joe snapped out of his reverie. “Okay, Clara, let’s meet your grandpa!” Joe replied.

They both got out of the car. Joe reached for Clara’s hand in his grip. Then, they walked towards the elevator.

Only the two of them were in the elevator. Clara pressed the number 104, the highest floor where her grandfather’s residence was. Joe let out a slow breath. Controlling the growing nervousness with each passing minute.

The elevator door opened. The building’s transportation device took Clara and Joe to the top floor of the building.

Slowly, Clara and Joe walked towards the door. They stood side by side.

“We’ve arrived, Uncle, we’ll meet Grandpa soon!” Clara said. Her left index finger moved to press the doorbell.

“Yes, Clara!” Joe nodded slowly.

A waiter opened the door for them, and Uncle Zio stood up to greet them.

“When did you arrive here?” Clara asked, surprised.

“Mr. Joe and Miss Clara, Mr. Lim has been waiting for you in his office, I hope you will go there soon!” Zio requested, choosing not to answer Clara’s question.

“Okay, we’ll go meet him right away!” Joe replied firmly.

The couple walked together towards Freedy Lim’s office.

Clara pushed the door handle. Joe stared straight ahead, his eyes meeting Freedy Lim’s gaze.

“Good afternoon, Grandpa!” Clara greeted, walking ahead.

“I’ve been waiting for you since earlier, Clara, finally you’re back,” the middle-aged man replied with a friendly smile. “Look who’s accompanying you,” he added, looking towards Joe. The man was approaching.

“Young Sebastian, please have a seat,” the grandfather requested, pointing to the sofa.

Joe complied, sitting directly in front of Freedy Lim.

“It seems like you’ve improved, last I heard you were in a coma, but now you’re even traveling abroad, that means you’re healthy!” the middle-aged man said with a smile.

“Of course, Sir,” Joe replied. His tongue was tied to speak. His anxiety exceeded that of his thesis defense.

“Thank you for accompanying Clara, you can stay for free at one of the Lim family hotels!” he offered.

Silence.

“I’m sorry, Sir!”

“Sorry for what?” Mr. Lim asked.

“Sorry for coming all the way to your house just to accompany Clara, but I also want you to kindly give your blessing to my sincere intention to marry Clara!” Joe said wholeheartedly.

Silence. Freedy Lim felt Joe was reckless and quite brave.

Clara saw her grandfather’s displeased expression.

“Are you serious about what you’re saying?” Freedy Lim inquired.

“Of course, I’m serious!” Joe asserted.

“What will you do if I don’t give my blessing?” the middle-aged man challenged. Even if he did give his blessing, it wouldn’t be as easy as this.

Joe bowed his head, thinking before answering.

“You have to bless my relationship with Uncle Joe, because I’m pregnant…,” Clara’s excuse stopped short.

“Quiet, I’m asking Sebastian!” Freedy Lim teased.

“I’m pregnant…!” Clara tried to gain approval.

“Clara, leave the room!” Freedy Lim ordered his granddaughter.

Freedy Lim pressed a button. Shortly after, the door opened, and Zio was seen standing there.

“Take Clara out of this room!” he commanded.

“Yes, Sir!” Zio replied. He moved towards Clara. “Miss, let’s get out of here!” he requested.

Clara grumbled. She was afraid of what would happen next. Afraid that her grandfather wouldn’t give them his blessing.

With a heavy heart, she followed Zio out of her grandfather’s room. Now there were only Joe and Freedy Lim.

“Is it true that you like Clara?” Freedy Lim asked. “She’s still too young, and you, even your ex-wife was a model, are you sure you want to marry Clara?” he inquired. Even though he hadn’t raised Clara from a young age, Freedy Lim also didn’t want Clara to be unhappy.

“I don’t just like Clara, I love her very much,” Joe said.

“Do you know that marriage isn’t just about love?” Freedy Lim challenged. He raised his eyebrows.

“I once risked my life for Clara,” he said later. “I don’t think everyone can sacrifice and risk their lives for a girl who may not necessarily be their partner!” Joe added.

“So, you feel cheated because you were lying in a coma in the hospital after saving Clara, tell me, how much should I pay you!” the middle-aged man offered.

“Clara and I are not commodities that can be measured in money and material possessions, I’m just asking for your blessing, Mr. Lim. I want to marry Clara, this is not just my desire, but our mutual desire,” Joe insisted, holding back his emotions.

Silence. Freedy Lim thought for a moment before making a decision. Meanwhile, Joe continued to wait for what the man would say.

“Alright, I bless your relationship, but with conditions!” Freedy Lim said confidently.

To be Continued.