My Handsome Uncle, Please Be Mine!

63.

The ticking of the clock in Clara’s room was agonizingly slow. Standing while gazing at the city’s beauty from her room tonight did little to ease the unease in her heart.

Remembering that Mrs. Linn and Doctor Gaston hadn’t responded to her messages for almost a week made Clara wonder what was really going on. Initially, Clara thought that the two of them were just busy. But the photos sent by Nadia made Clara suspicious.

Clara got up from her seat. She left the room and immediately sought out her grandfather.

“Where’s Grandpa?” Clara asked the maid.

“Mr. Lim is in his room, Miss,” the woman replied.

Clara walked towards her grandfather’s room, which was next to Aunt Margaret’s room.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

Clara gently knocked on the door.

“Grandpa,” Clara called out.

After a moment, the door opened, revealing the middle-aged man standing before her.

“What is it, Clara?”

Freedy Lim observed his granddaughter’s face. There was a restlessness there. Clara’s eyebrows furrowed, and her eyes were red.

“Grandpa,” Clara’s words caught in her throat. “I’m going to Jakarta tonight, there’s something I need to confirm,” she declared. Even if she were to leave for London, Clara wouldn’t be at ease until she knew what was really happening with Joe.

“Is this related to that man, Clara? Are you really so fond of him?” Freedy Lim scrutinized his granddaughter carefully. Clara wasn’t much different from her mother, stubborn. Especially when it came to matters of the heart.

Silence.

Clara hesitated to answer. She didn’t want to hear her grandfather’s reaction, which would likely oppose her relationship with Joe.

“Answer, Clara, Grandpa won’t be angry,” the middle-aged man said flatly.

Clara’s lips remained sealed, unwilling to respond.

“Very well, Grandpa won’t interfere, as long as you leave for London on time. Grandpa will allow you to go to Jakarta!” Freedy Lim tried to compromise. What happened with his daughter before, he hoped wouldn’t be repeated with Clara.

“Thank you, Grandpa!” Clara said, feeling incredibly happy.

Freedy Lim nodded. “Zio will accompany you to Jakarta! Grandpa hopes you leave tomorrow morning,” he requested.

“Alright, Zio will accompany me, and I’ll leave tomorrow morning!” Clara replied. She smiled, feeling relieved that her grandfather had allowed her to go to Jakarta.

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At 7:18 AM, Clara arrived at Joe Sebastian’s residence. She took the first flight today from Singapore to Jakarta.

After dropping Clara off at Joe’s gate, Zio chose to go to Freedy Lim’s private residence. That was Clara’s instruction because she didn’t want Zio to spy on her. Then she would report everything to her grandfather.

The security guard of the luxurious house opened the gate for Clara.

“Thank you, Sir!” Clara said. She walked across the yard towards the terrace.

The house still looked quiet. Clara continued walking towards the front door and chose to ignore Mr. Joko, who was staring at her with curiosity.

Clara’s right hand reached out, pressing the doorbell twice in succession.

Mbok Iyem opened the door for her. “Miss Clara?” she exclaimed in disbelief.

“Yes, Mbok Iyem, how are you?” Clara asked impatiently, eager to enter the house she had left just a month ago.

“I’m fine, Miss!” Bi Iyem replied, following Clara, who had already stepped inside. She was confident that Joe would be having breakfast with his parents this morning.

This was rude. Clara was aware of that. However, she did all this to make sure of what was really happening.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

Clara’s footsteps sounded loud. Her high-heeled shoes scraped against the floor. Her guess was right; she saw Joe sitting in the dining room.

Mrs. Clara was startled to see the girl’s presence. She felt guilty. To comply with Joe’s wish not to have any contact with Clara again, Mrs. Linn had broken her promise to Clara. Clearly, this was unfair to her.

“Good morning, Mrs. Linn, Mr. Bond, and Uncle Joe!” Clara greeted. She stood beside Joe and saluted the three adults.

“Good morning, Clara!” Mrs. Linn replied.

“Good morning, Clara,” Mr. Bond replied. Meanwhile, Joe remained silent.

Mrs. Linn glanced at Joe, trying to guess what her son was thinking. They were all silent, waiting for Joe to say something. After all, he didn’t seem bothered by Clara’s presence.

Yes, Joe was still busy chewing his food. He paid no attention to Clara whatsoever. The fork and spoon continued clinking, even when Clara’s frustrated breath could be heard.

Gulp.

Gulp.

The sound of Joe drinking a glass of water indicated that he had finished his breakfast earlier.

“Who are you?” Joe asked. Yes, he had told everyone in the house to act as if Joe’s memory hadn’t fully recovered and hadn’t returned completely.

Clara’s chest felt heavy. Her breath was racing, angry.

“Do you forget me, Uncle Joe?” Clara asked. She sat beside him, gazing at him gently.

“Mom, Dad, who is she? Why is she calling me Uncle?” Joe protested, his face showing discomfort. “Wait, have we met before?” he asked.

Joe glanced briefly at Clara. He looked quickly, then stored her face away. Honestly, Joe missed Clara a lot. But he had to be realistic. Clara was no longer the high school girl who was all alone. Now she had transformed into someone like a princess because she was the granddaughter of Freedy Lim.

“I’m Uncle Joe!” he said firmly. Clara stepped quickly. Standing right in front of Joe, preventing him from walking. Now Joe could see Clara’s face more clearly and closer. His heart was pounding fast. His brain insisted on staying away from Clara, but his heart said otherwise. Yes, he even wanted to hug her. Making sure she was okay. This time, his mind and feelings were not in agreement.

“Have we ever met?” Joe asked, turning his face away. Clara’s face, nose, lips, and both eyes. Yes, Joe missed everything about that girl. But Joe tried to stick to his decision.

Mrs. Linn heard from a distance. She wanted to walk closer. However, her husband signaled not to interfere. Mr. Bond led his wife away to the backyard. Let Clara and Joe talk without fear of being heard by anyone.

“Uncle Joe, we not only met before, but we also had a relationship. Uncle Joe himself promised to marry me, didn’t you?” Clara protested angrily. Not believing and feeling furious. The man she had missed for two months. The man she always mentioned in her prayers. The man she remembered before going to sleep. Not remembering her at all.

Joe chuckled. “You’re kidding, kid. I couldn’t possibly like you,” Joe replied. “Did I promise such a thing? I think you’re making it up! A widower with one child couldn’t possibly choose a young girl to be his wife!” he added.

Joe’s feet moved sideways. Avoiding Clara, who was still standing there, unwilling to move.

“Wait!”

Clara followed Joe’s steps up the stairs. Joe’s back was visible from behind. His hair, which was always neat day and night, now looked messy.

At the top of the stairs, Clara reached for Joe’s hand. The man turned around, and they faced each other.

Clara tiptoed, bringing her lips close to Joe’s. She kissed him for quite a while. Although Joe didn’t return her kiss, he didn’t reject it either.

If continued, Joe wouldn’t be able to remove the kiss from the strawberry lips of the girl. Indeed, although he didn’t reciprocate, Joe was swept away in Clara’s kiss.

Clara’s eyes widened. Unexpectedly, Joe pushed her back. He looked at Clara uncomfortably.

Then, Joe wiped his lips with the back of his hand, then looked disgustedly at Clara. From now on, he had to make Clara hate him.

“You dare to kiss me! I’m more convinced than ever that we’ve never met!” Joe snapped. Being near Clara would only melt him, and he was afraid of the consequences if he continued to approach her.

Clara played with her fingers. She didn’t expect Joe to scold her like that.

“Leave immediately!” he ordered.

“Okay, I’ll go. But I’ll make sure to come back!” Clara replied casually. She wanted to meet Dr. Gaston to explain everything that happened.

“Whatever!”

Before Clara could leave, Joe turned around and walked towards his room.

“I won’t be fooled by your acting, Uncle!” Clara grunted in frustration. Her hands clenched tightly with anger.

A four-wheeled vehicle, ordered online by Clara, took her to the hospital where Dr. Gaston was. Yes, although Dr. Gaston hadn’t been able to respond to her messages for a week now. That man was Clara’s last hope. The person who could explain Joe’s condition to her.

Throughout the journey, Clara was very sure that Joe hadn’t lost his memory. It was unfair to Clara if all those sweet memories were only remembered by herself while Joe didn’t remember anything at all. Clara sighed in frustration.

The car pulled over in front of the hospital gate. “Miss, we’ve arrived!” the driver said.

“Yes, thank you, sir!” Clara handed over a hundred thousand banknote and then got out of the car.

The distance from the gate to the hospital entrance was quite far. Clara hastened her steps to keep walking. Until she arrived at the hospital building. It still looked empty because it was still too early in the morning.

Clara walked to a nurse who was on duty at the ER.

“Sister, can I meet Dr. Gaston?” Clara asked. “I mean, has he left already?”

“Dr. Gaston just went into his room,” replied the nurse, who was already familiar with Clara’s face.

The girl knocked on the door softly, then entered because the door wasn’t completely closed.

“Good morning, doctor!” Clara greeted.

“Clara?!” Dr. Gaston exclaimed, finding the girl standing in front of him.

“Yes, doc! Didn’t Uncle Joe tell you that I was coming here?” Nadia asked.

“No!” he denied.

“I want to know what really happened to Joe! Please tell me the truth, doctor!” Clara requested.

“Joe’s physical condition is fine, but he has partial amnesia, some memories have been erased from his memory,” Dr. Gaston explained.

“But, doc, I feel like Joe remembers me!”

“That’s clearly your wish, Clara. You’re hoping too much that Joe will remember you.”

“Enough! Dr. Gaston turns out to be like everyone else. I will make sure to uncover the simultaneous drama that you and Joe are doing!” Clara left the doctor’s room, even before she sat down.

“I’m sorry!” Dr. Gaston murmured.

Before he went to the nursing home, Joe called him, informing him about Clara’s condition. Dr. Gaston had to comply with Joe’s request to lie to Clara.

“Once again, I apologize, Clara!” he muttered quietly as he watched Clara’s back move away.

To be continued.