My Handsome Uncle, Please Be Mine!

Part 20.

This morning Clara woke up earlier than usual. Two servings of mashed potatoes and stir-fried seafood were already cooked. Yes, the cooking extracurricular she took in class XI enabled her to cook.

Clara brought them into her room. Then, she showered enthusiastically. Her lips constantly hummed a happy tune.

Twenty minutes was enough time to complete her morning ritual. Now she was dressed in her uniform and ready to leave.

The girl glanced at the watch on her wrist, about to leave the room. Intending to wait for Uncle Joe on the front porch. Wanting to pack lunch for the handsome CEO.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Clara turned the doorknob, then descended the stairs. It was still too early, and Mrs. Linn was still sitting enjoying her warm tea.

“Clara!” Mrs. Linn called out as Clara reached the bottom of the stairs.

“Yes, ma’am,” Clara replied, moving closer, the middle-aged woman always made her feel deferential.

“It’s still too early, can we talk for a bit?” the woman asked in her soft voice.

“Of course, ma’am,” Clara replied, then she sat facing the mother of Joe Sebastian.

“In two months, you’ll have your final exams, do you want to continue your studies?” Mrs. Linn’s brown eyes delved into the girl’s gaze. There was hope and mystery that she couldn’t fathom.

“Emm…,” Clara mumbled, looking down.

“I hope you’ll go to college, it could help Joe in the company and still be part of my family. I know you’re smart, diligent, and reliable!” Mrs. Linn praised.

Clara nodded slowly.

Tap..

Tap..

Tap..

Footsteps grew closer. Uncle Joe’s footsteps were familiar to Clara.

“What are you two talking about?” Joe asked.

“Nothing,” Mrs. Linn interrupted. “Are you about to leave, Joe?” she asked her son.

“Yes, Ma!” Joe replied, tying his tie. He actually wanted to avoid Clara, but it was impossible because the girl was already ready to go to school.

“I’m also about to leave, ma’am!” Clara bid farewell.

“Alright, both of you, take care!” Mrs. Linn advised.

“Yes, Ma,” Joe replied, turning around and leaving.

“Yes, ma’am!” Clara exclaimed and followed Joe.

Clara quickened her pace, chasing after Joe, who was walking fast with wide strides.

“Uncle Joe!” Clara called out.

Joe stopped without changing his position. Reluctant to look at Clara.

“Uncle Joe hasn’t eaten yet, here’s lunch for you! If you can’t take me or don’t want to take me to school, it’s okay!” Clara said, looking at Joe’s gloomy face, intentionally avoiding her, making her feel guilty.

“No, Clara, I’ll take you!” Joe said.

“Really?” Clara asked to confirm.

“Yes.”

“Seriously?” Clara asked, not confident.

“Yes.”

Clara followed, following Joe’s steps to the garage. She took a seat beside the handsome man.

Joe started the car and began to drive away from his home.

They were silent throughout the journey.

Quiet.

Clara looked out the window, rain was falling out of nowhere this morning.

“Why is it raining all of a sudden?” Clara remarked.

Joe didn’t respond. His mood today was really bad. Not just because of Clara, but also because of his work.

They arrived at the front gate of Clara’s school. Joe pulled over his car.

“Uncle Joe, here’s lunch for you!” Clara placed the lunch box containing mashed potatoes and stir-fried seafood on the car’s dashboard.

Joe nodded without looking.

Clara still didn’t get out, seeing Joe’s indifference made her heart ache. Moreover, this was their first day pretending to be in a relationship.

“Are you forced to do this, Uncle?” Clara asked.

“Do what?”

“Pretend to be in a relationship with me?”

“No!” Joe lied. “I’m just not ready yet, Clara,” he made an excuse.

“I’ll wait!”

Joe thought for a moment. Clara’s behavior caught his attention.

“Why are you so chatty, Clara! Haven’t I driven you to school? It’s only the first day and we haven’t even pretended to be a couple for an hour!” Joe protested.

Clara bit her lip. She realized one thing. Her feelings for Joe, actually made the man uncomfortable.

“I’m sorry, Uncle!”

Joe saw the sadness in Clara’s face. A feeling of guilt crept into his heart.

He turned to Clara. Then he rubbed the back of her head.

“Darling! Hurry up and go to class, or you’ll be late!” Joe urged.

Clara looked at Joe, staring at him in disbelief.

“Did Uncle just call me darling?”

“Sweetheart, don’t you like that nickname?” Joe asked.

“Clara likes it, Uncle!” she replied. Clara, who was initially sad, became enthusiastic.

“Get down there! Study hard, and you have to pass with good grades!” Joe encouraged Clara, that’s what he had to do.

“Yes, Uncle! Oh, can I call you darling, Uncle?” Clara asked.

“Sure!” Joe nodded and felt happy seeing Clara’s smile.

“I’m going down now!” Clara said.

“Okay.”

The girl got out of Joe’s car and walked into her classroom. Using the umbrella pattern inside Uncle’s car.

After making sure Clara got in, Joe started the car and immediately hit the gas. Heading to his workplace.

.

.

.

Joe arrived at the parking area of his company. He wanted to get out of the car, but his eyes were caught by a paper bag containing lunch from Clara.

Finally, Joe grabbed the paper bag and took it into his office.

In his office. Blue Jewelry Tower, third floor.

Joe is sitting while looking at the jewelry designs that will be produced next month. The new series to be released by Blue Jewelry.

“I’m sorry, sir, what do you have there?” asks Antoni, who is Joe’s secretary. He feels strange seeing Joe carrying a paper bag with a pink floral motif.

“That’s my lunch,” Joe replied.

“Oh, I see!” Antoni appeared surprised to see it. Joe Sebastian, the CEO of Blue Jewelry, brought his own lunch. “Wait a moment, sir,” the man interjected, still curious.

“What is it?”

“Are you back in a relationship with Mrs. Vivian?” he inquired.

“No!”

“Then who prepared this lunch for you?” Antoni was still very curious.

“Check the financial reports for this week!” Joe snapped.

“Yes, sir! I’m sorry!” Antoni hurriedly sat back down.

==❤==

Later that evening.

Clara is waiting for Joe to come home. She deliberately opened her bedroom window to be able to hear the sound of Joe’s car when he arrived home.

The scene from this morning, when Joe called her darling, crossed her mind again.

She held a book in her hand, but Clara’s thoughts were only focused on Joe.

Eventually, Clara fell asleep and woke up when her phone buzzed.

‘Uncle Joe’ appears on the phone screen. Clara slides the green icon to answer the call.

“Hello, Uncle Joe, have you come home?” Clara asks.

“Yes, Clara, I just got home. I’m sitting on the balcony and I see your bedroom window is open! Please close it and go to sleep, Clara!” Joe instructs.

“How does Uncle know? Uncle Joe’s room is across from mine, right?” Clara protests, blinking her eyes.

“I’m sleeping in Kimmy’s room! Please close the window and go to sleep!”

“Yes, Uncle! Goodnight, sleep well, and sweet dreams!” Clara mimics the message from Mario that she receives every night.

“Okay.” Joe chuckles and quickly ends the call. Clara managed to make him smile.