My Handsome Uncle, Please Be Mine!

Part 65.

Clara lay down next to Kimmy, the little girl asleep from exhaustion. Clara’s eyes focused on her phone screen, feeling frustrated and unsure who to contact.

She continued to move her thumb, scrolling through her phone, and found Dr. Gaston’s number.

The call connected.

“Hello,” greeted Dr. Gaston on the other end.

“Hello, doctor, it’s me, Clara!” she said.

“What’s up, Clara?” Dr. Gaston asked.

“Uncle Joe invited someone for dinner, can Dr. Gaston also come here? I need Dr. Gaston’s help,” Clara asked hopefully. She wasn’t sure if her plan would succeed, but there was no harm in trying.

“So tonight, I come to Joe’s house?” the doctor confirmed.

“Yes.”

“What can I help you with, Clara?”

“Dr. Gaston’s presence!” Clara replied.

“Alright, what time should I come?”

“Just a moment, I’ll ask Uncle Joe, then I’ll let you know, the journey from the hospital to here is only half an hour!” Clara replied, looking at the wall clock showing it was almost half past four in the afternoon.

“Okay, I’ll wait for you, Clara!”

“Yes, thank you in advance, Doc!”

“You’re welcome!”

The call ended.

Clara got up from her bed. With tiptoed steps, she walked out of Clara’s room quietly, not wanting to wake the little girl.

Then, she headed towards Joe’s room. Arriving in front of Uncle’s room, Clara hesitated, hesitant and unsure, afraid to knock. Afraid Joe would get angry or even do something to hurt her.

And…

The door opened even before Clara could knock. It was Joe who opened the door from inside.

“What are you doing here?” Joe asked, surprised to see Clara in front of his room.

“I… I just…” Clara’s words were interrupted.

“You’re spying on me, eavesdropping!” Joe accused. His eyes stared sharply at Clara.

“No!” Clara denied quickly. “Uncle,” she called softly.

“What’s wrong?” This time, Joe softened his voice, unable to bear Clara’s changed sad expression.

“Follow me, Uncle!” Clara requested. Clara’s right hand tightly gripped Joe’s hand, while her left hand grabbed the door handle and pushed it.

She closed the door tightly again.

“Does Uncle Joe forget? Almost every night we were in this room, talking and Uncle helping me study, does Uncle Joe forget?” Clara protested.

I didn’t forget, Clara. I remember, if I may be honest, I miss you too. I miss the moments when we were still together. It’s just that my decision is final. You’re better off without me. I’m aware of myself, and I’m not brave enough to defy your grandfather. He disagrees.

“We didn’t just spend time together, Uncle. We hugged, we kissed, and we slept together!” Clara fabricated the last incident. Of course, she just wanted to see Joe’s reaction.

“Kissed? Slept together? Wait, Clara, it seems you’re good at making up stories!” Joe replied.

Clara didn’t reply. She reached for Joe’s hand again, then guided him to sit on the sofa.

“How much does Uncle remember?” Clara asked.

Joe remained silent, remembering everything. The scent of her body, her smile, and especially the strawberry-flavored kiss. It couldn’t be denied that every night for the past month, Joe always managed to find time to come into the library to remember Clara because he missed her so much.

Joe reminded himself again. He wasn’t worthy of Clara.

“Stop holding my hand!” Joe brushed off Clara’s hand.

“Alright, maybe Uncle doesn’t remember everything, but I ask for one thing from Uncle Joe!” Clara began to despair about her feelings for Joe. It wasn’t fair if all the beautiful memories and feelings of love were only remembered by her alone. While Joe openly rejected and ignored them. This was more painful than her past struggles.

“Okay, tell me what you want, Clara!” Joe said confidently.

“Kiss me, Uncle! Kiss the old me one last time!” asked Clara. He tried to smile even though he was crying inside. He tried to be okay even though his heart was cut.

“Promise that after this you won’t bother me again, Clara?” Joe asked to confirm.

“Promise! I won’t bother you anymore!” Clara assured. Joe led Clara closer. With both hands cupping Clara’s face. Then, he started to bring his lips closer to Clara’s lips.

Goodbye Clara, you still have a long future. Meanwhile, I have to get my life back in order. Maybe sooner or later I will find a mother for Kimmy, I hope you will accept. I wish all the best for you Clara.

Joe broke the kiss gently.

Clara stared for two seconds longer before looking down. I don’t feel like I want this to be my last time with Joe.

“Who did Uncle Joe invite to dinner tonight? “I accidentally heard it when Uncle Joe received the phone call,” said Clara, trying not to let anything happen.

“Celine, I’m close to him, mature and good!” Joe said. Smiling, deliberately wanting to make Clara give in to her feelings without caring about the pain Clara felt.

“Oh, yes,” said Clara. He remembered that woman. Occasionally Clara. Never met him. “Because Mrs. Linn and Mr. Bond came home late, I invited Doctor Gaston to come here to have dinner together!” he suggested.

“Oh okay, fine,” said Joe. He got up from his seat and left the library room first.

Clara looked at Joe’s back as he moved away. The man she loved so much, really forgot his memory?

“Uncle, should I let you go?? This isn’t easy, Uncle!” Clara muttered, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyelids.

==❤==

After showering, Clara climbed the stairs back into her former room. She sat facing the mirror and dressing table, applying a thin layer of powder on her face and applying nude lipstick.

Then, she grabbed her phone and wrote a message to Dr. Gaston.

Clara: [Doctor, please come here at seven.]

Dr. Gaston: [I’m on my way, just wait, I’ll be there soon.]

Clara’s phone rang again, it was a call from Zio. Joe accepted the order from the man.

“Hello,” Clara greeted warmly.

“Hello, Miss Clara, what are you doing?” Zio asked from the other end of the phone.

“I’m getting ready for dinner,” Clara replied. She was sure Zio was calling her for an important reason.

“Has Mr. Lim called you?” the man asked again.

“Not yet, why? What’s wrong with Grandpa?” Clara asked. She planned to call her grandfather tonight before bed.

“Nothing, he’s just worried,” Zio replied.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Okay, I’ll call grandpa later!”

“Alright, Miss!”

Clara ended the call and went downstairs immediately. And it turned out Uncle Joe, Dr. Gaston, and Kak Celine were already waiting for her in the dining room.

“How are you, Kak Celine?” Clara greeted. Addressing the only woman among the two men there.

“I’m fine, Clara, how about you?” the woman asked back.

“I’m fine too,” Clara replied, sitting next to Dr. Gaston, as Celine had taken a seat next to Joe.

“Let’s eat now!” Joe offered. For a moment, he glanced at Clara, who was wearing a casual orange dress that he had bought before. She looked elegant and beautiful. And once again, Joe reassured himself that letting Clara go was the best choice for her.

Clara chose to eat fruit, just like Dr. Gaston. Meanwhile, Celine served rice and side dishes for Joe.

They ate in silence. Only after the meal ended did they continue to chat.

“How about I ask a question, let’s consider this a game, it’s still too early to go home!” Dr. Gaston suggested.

“A game?” Clara asked enthusiastically.

“Yes!” Who agrees?” he offered.

“I do,” Clara and Celine answered simultaneously.

“Alright, I’ll join!” Joe reluctantly agreed. He had no suspicion at all towards Dr. Gaston. It was Gaston’s favorite game when they were in high school.

“How does it work, doctor?” Clara asked. Turning to the man sitting next to her carefully. Unaware of a pair of eyes always observing her movements.

“I’ll ask a question, and you have to answer in turns. Agree?” the doctor said, looking at the others.

“Agreed?”

“Agreed!”

“Okay, the first question is from me!” the doctor said enthusiastically. “Get ready!” he added.

Clara and Celine seemed more enthusiastic, unlike Joe who knew the game. Gaston’s favorite game when they were in high school.

“Alright! The first question! If you could go back in time, what would you change?” Gaston asked. “Celine, I’ll let you answer first.”

“I don’t want to be a model, it seems being an ordinary person is more comfortable than being a public figure who is always being watched,” she replied. “What about your answer?” Celine asked, looking at the man sitting next to her.

“I don’t have any, because I think I always think carefully about my decisions,” Joe confidently replied.

“Now it’s Celine’s turn to ask!” Gaston was very excited.

“Alright, Doctor! Here’s the question, are you currently feeling love or liking towards someone?” It was clear. Celine asked the question for Joe. “I’ll let Dr. Gaston answer,” she added.

“To be honest, I’m liking someone!” the doctor said. He glanced briefly at Clara. “But I have to wait because maybe the girl is trying to forget someone she loves,” Gaston said casually.

“You’re indeed very loyal and selective, doctor!” Celine replied. “What about you, Clara?” She couldn’t wait to ask Joe a question.

“I’m liking someone, it’s been a long time, I don’t know since when, and I feel like I should start giving up!” Clara replied, bowing her head, hiding her sadness.

Joe’s eyes glanced at Clara, then darted away. He wouldn’t change the decision he had made.

“What about you, Mr. Joe, are you currently liking someone?” Celine asked, hopeful and nervous.

“I used to like a girl, and she also liked me, but… Oh well!” Joe said. “Now it’s my turn to ask, right?” he suggested.

“Yes!” Gaston agreed. “Clara, you get the last chance, okay?” Gaston turned to Clara, who looked melancholic.

“Okay!”

“What’s the biggest lie you’ve ever told, Celine, it’s your turn to answer!” Joe instructed.

“I’ve lied before, but I don’t think there’s a big lie,” Celine replied. Occasionally, she glanced at Joe. She liked him very much. “What about you, Clara?”

“I lied to Grandpa, I said I wanted to go back to Jakarta to get some of my stuff left behind, that’s a lie because I came here. To get the love from a cowardly man, and he’s pretending to have amnesia,” Clara replied, looking at Joe without fear.

“I am a coward, Clara, I admit it, I didn’t lose my memory. And… I, I’m not interested in continuing our relationship!” Joe said firmly.

Clara’s tears spread. All her sacrifices felt in vain.