LOVE YOU, UNCLE

“Watch it, you tell us to drop by for something unimportant!”

Just as he opened the door to the room, Darwin was already grumbling. Today, after a meeting together and before the end of the workday, Randy did ask his two cousins to stop by first. Not for hanging out or chatting as usual in the coffee shop, but to sit together in his office because he wanted to discuss something he deemed important and interesting for them to discuss.

“Can’t you meet without complaining? You’re a guy, but you talk more than a girl.”

“Not the other way around?” Darwin grumbled while pulling the chair in front of Randy’s desk and sitting down. Kennedy, who was also there, did the same.

“Enough,” Kennedy interrupted. “Let’s get straight to the point, can we? I need to go home early today. Luna invited me to dinner outside. She’ll be mad if I’m late. The three of us are like a gossip gang. We love gathering for a savings group every afternoon.”

Darwin laughed. Randy did too. But, thinking about it, the three of them could be considered ‘besties’ or more than just ordinary cousins. Apart from being on the same wavelength, the three of them had been close since childhood, discussing everything from trivial to crucial matters.

“Oh, dating all the time. Forget your age!” Randy snorted. But from the tone of his voice, he sounded envious.

“On the contrary?” Darwin grunted, then pulled the chair in front of Randy’s desk and sat down. Kennedy, who was also there, did the same.

“Actually, to make a relationship last, you need to spend quality time with your partner. You too, if you want to nurture love or chemistry, take Ghea out. Go for a walk, honeymoon, watch a movie, or whatever. The important thing is to slowly bring yourselves closer to each other. Don’t stay at home all the time. Isn’t that boring?”

Randy immediately rolled his eyes in annoyance. Kennedy thought that he hadn’t made an effort all this time.

“I’ve taken Ghea out many times. But she has so many reasons.”

“It has to be gradual with your wife,” Darwin added. “But, back to the main topic, what are we discussing? Hurry up, Ran. Don’t wander off.”

Randy nodded. Leaning his shoulder against the chair, he tried to get into a relaxed position before finally telling them why he asked the two adult men in front of him to stop by.

“I asked you to come here because I want to tell you something and ask for your opinion.” Then Randy handed a folder containing documents to Kennedy to examine. Then the two cousins took turns reading the pages of the document and giving their feedback.

“Is this Ghea’s personal information? Your wife?”

“Yes, Win. I got it from Alvin. It’s totally wrong that I didn’t investigate her background from the beginning.”

Darwin frowned.

“Is something wrong with Ghea?”

Randy raised his chin, signaling Darwin.

“You finish reading the documents first.”

Darwin shifted his gaze. He read for a moment. Then, shortly after, he found something that made his eyes widen.

“Good Lord, is this the result of the investigation?”

“As you read,” Randy replied. “It all started with a problem where Ghea was afraid of the dark. At first, I was okay with it. But, the incidents repeated, and she fainted. I was curious about the trigger. Why would she be traumatized to that extent?”

“And then?” Kennedy asked. The man seemed seriously focused on what Randy was explaining. “From the investigation, it turns out she has been subjected to inhumane treatment by her stepmother?”

“Yes, Ken,” Randy nodded confidently. “What I can’t understand is why she was abused to that extent. Even if Ghea’s late mother made a fatal mistake in the past, it doesn’t mean Ghea should bear the sins of her parents, right? She didn’t know anything, yet she was treated ruthlessly until traumatized.”

“Does Mr. Magnus not know about his youngest daughter being mistreated by her stepmother?” Darwin was curious. It was incredible to him if Magnus Donovan didn’t know about this issue until now.

“And I’m sure you know the answer, Win,” Randy replied with a wry smile. “According to the testimony of the senior maid working there, Mrs. Clara threatened Ghea. So, if she dared to complain to Mr. Magnus about being abused by Mrs. Clara, she would be locked up and not given any food.”

Darwin sighed deeply. He felt sorry and couldn’t believe what Randy’s wife had endured all this time.

“If I were you, I would have already retaliated against Ghea’s stepmother. It’s too much, Ran.”

Randy nodded again. “Just so you know, Ghea was even forced to accept an arranged marriage proposed by my mom because Mrs. Clara wanted to subtly drive Ghea out of the Donovan family residence. And this was a stepping stone so that in the future, Ghea wouldn’t get a penny of the inheritance.”

“Outrageous!” Darwin exclaimed in frustration. “Come on, Ran. Better teach her a lesson. Even if you don’t love her, just pity your wife for enduring that. Her stepmother deserves a lesson.”

“Just buy IndoAsia stocks, Ran. Their stocks are shaky right now. Buy a large quantity and give it in Ghea’s name.”

Randy was surprised. He suddenly became interested in Kennedy’s suggestion. But before he could respond, the door to his office was knocked, and the girl they had been talking about walked in.

“Excuse me, sir,” Ghea greeted with respect and formality.

“Hello, Ghea… how are you?” It wasn’t Randy who answered; instead, Darwin greeted her warmly, with a visible friendly smile, as if he was already very familiar with the girl who was now the wife of the youngest Walters.

“I’m fine, Mr. Darwin,” Ghea nodded politely.

“Come on, don’t be so formal, Ghe. We’re in your husband’s private office.”

“Yes.”

“Ghea…”

Now, it was Kennedy who called. No one knew what the man wanted to say.

“Yes, Kennedy?”

Kennedy then gave her a meaningful look. He pulled the corner of his lips, then smiled.

“If I observe carefully, it seems nice to be you.”

“Nice? Why nice?” Ghea’s forehead

“If you want to see angels, just look in the mirror.”

Ghea remained silent for a moment, digesting Kennedy’s words. After understanding, the girl blushed with embarrassment at the compliment she had just received.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Kennedy, oh my.”

“Enough, Ken,” Randy interrupted. “Why are you flirting with my wife like that?”

“Yeah, Kennedy is cheesy too,” Darwin added, not wanting to be left out.

Kennedy just smiled, ignoring the protests of his two cousins.

“It’s okay to be cheesy, as long as you don’t turn into a scoundrel,” he replied.

Darwin sighed. But instead of protesting, he chose to remain silent. He could predict that if he engaged, he would surely lose as usual.

“By the way, Ghea, why are you here? Do you need something from my office again?” Randy asked, shifting his focus to the girl in the black blazer.

“I delivered a file this morning that I’d like to retrieve. Has it been checked and evaluated?”

Randy nodded, then took the file Ghea mentioned from the stack of documents on his desk.

“I’ve read it and revised what needed correction. Now, you can hand over the file to the procurement department for ordering.”

Ghea stepped forward, took the file from Randy, and prepared to leave. But before she could move, Randy called out.

“Oh, yes, Ghe. I almost forgot. Tomorrow, I’m going to Bali for three days. Do you want to come along?”

“Bali? For what occasion?”

“Definitely for a business trip. If you want to come, I’ll ask Alvin to prepare all the tickets and everything.”

Ghea remained silent for a moment, as if weighing whether to accept Randy’s recent invitation. Actually, it’s not a problem if she is invited and decides to join.

“Hmm… I think I won’t go. I have tasks from Mrs. Sonia, and besides, I need to ask for permission at the university tomorrow to submit part of the internship report to the supervisor.”

Randy nodded in understanding. What else could he do? He couldn’t force it if that’s how the story goes.

“Well, if you can’t, then it’s okay. Maybe some other time.”

After Ghea left, Randy resumed the discussion. It wasn’t until six in the evening that the three siblings dispersed and decided to go home.

***