LOVE YOU, UNCLE

Randy accelerated his car above average speed to quickly return to the Akasia building. Glancing at the circular clock on his wrist, it was already five in the evening. Especially when he checked his phone, there was a series of unanswered calls and numerous text messages that Ghea had sent specifically for him.

Randy then sighed deeply. He could certainly guess. His wife was probably angry or even furious with him right now.

How could she not be? He had broken his promise today. He remembered this morning when Ghea had pleaded to be accompanied for lunch. And, in reality, he had skipped that promise because he had to deal with some business, whether it was important or not, with Agista.

That’s why, upon reaching the office, Randy immediately took large strides towards the tenth floor. Passing by Ghea’s office, he even took the time to check specifically. Who knows, his wife might be on standby, and he could take her to the office for a while.

However, Randy’s hope seemed in vain. When he inquired with one of the staff about his wife’s whereabouts, it turned out that Ghea had already left the office.

“Miss Ghea has been back since two o’clock, Sir,” said one of the female staff, sitting directly across from Ghea.

Then, as Randy was about to respond, Joshua appeared from behind. The man approached without being asked, coming towards Randy who was standing in front of the office door.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Randy.”

“Afternoon,” Randy replied politely.

“Are you looking for Ghea?”

Randy nodded. Judging by Joshua’s face and his knowledge of Ghea’s background, Randy guessed that the man in front of him knew the whereabouts of his wife.

“Yes. I am indeed looking for Ghea. I thought she was still in the office.”

Joshua then smiled.

“Ghea has already gone home, Sir. Around two o’clock, she complained of stomach ache. Worried, I took the initiative to take her home immediately. But, I swear, I didn’t have any ulterior motives.”

Joshua tried to clarify his intentions and goals. However close and friendly he was with Ghea, Joshua didn’t want his good intentions to be misunderstood by the boss.

Randy nodded understandingly. Not bothering with Joshua’s actions, he said, “So, Ghea decided to go home early because of a stomach ache?”This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

“Yes, Sir. But, I’m sure Ghea’s condition doesn’t need to be worried about.”

Randy nodded again. After some small talk, he took big steps again and walked towards his car. He thought it would be better to go home now to check on Ghea’s condition in person.

However, in the middle of the journey, Randy decided to stop by a restaurant for a moment. He deliberately bought food for Ghea first and then decided to go home immediately.

“Sandra, where is Ghea?” Randy asked when he arrived and just entered the house.

Sandra, who was tidying up the living room at that time, immediately decided to approach. She quickly responded to what her employer asked.

“Miss Ghea has been in her room since this afternoon, Sir. Ten minutes ago, I reminded her about dinner time. But, she refused to eat, saying she wasn’t in the mood.”

Randy took a long breath. It was confirmed that his wife’s attitude was probably the result of his actions of breaking his promise about lunch.

Not wanting this issue to linger, after placing the food box in the dining room, Randy decided to go to the room immediately. As he entered, he found Ghea curled up on the bed with the blanket covering her entire body.

“Darling…” Randy called as he approached. Sitting intentionally on the bedside, he then intended to give a kiss to Ghea.

However, before Randy’s lips could land, Ghea intentionally avoided. The girl quickly sat up, then threw a look full of annoyance and anger.

“Don’t get too close. No need for kisses,” Ghea said with pursed lips.

Randy smiled. Besides feeling extremely guilty, he couldn’t help but find Ghea’s behavior adorable, like a child throwing a tantrum.

“Don’t be angry, sweetheart,” Randy tried to persuade. “I know you’re still mad and really upset with me. From the bottom of my heart, I apologize. I truly am sorry.”

Randy then tried to reach for Ghea’s wrist. Once he got it, he pulled and held it, then affectionately kissed it.

“I’m sorry, Ghe. I was wrong for breaking my promise.”

“It’s okay,” Ghea replied, still looking annoyed. “This is the second time Uncle ignored me for another woman, right? First, it was because of Stella and her room freshener. Now, I don’t know which woman made Uncle forget our lunch date. Don’t think I didn’t notice you leaving the office with a beautiful woman this afternoon.”

Randy nodded. He understood his wife’s frustration.

“Yes. The woman you saw with me this afternoon was Agista. She’s my ex-girlfriend, Ghe.”

Ghea was surprised. Of course, she was shocked to learn that the woman who had left with her husband that afternoon was his ex.

“Oh, an ex. No wonder I was ignored. So, it was a reunion today? An old flame reunion, right? And you had lunch together too, didn’t you? Just so you know, I skipped lunch waiting for Uncle, who was apparently busy having a reunion with an ex out there. Uncle Randy, you’re mean!”

Randy shook his head. This time, he advanced a little to be able to embrace Ghea and hug her. Although Ghea resisted and initially refused, Randy eventually succeeded in bringing her into his embrace. Holding her tight until Ghea calmed down, only then did he speak again.

“I swear I didn’t do anything, Ghe. Far from a reunion, we didn’t even have lunch together.”

“Lies,” Ghea replied from within Randy’s embrace. “I didn’t see what Uncle was doing out there. You could be lying just to make me happy and calm, right?”

Randy lowered his gaze, looking closely at Ghea’s face. Trying hard to convince his wife to trust him.

“I’m not lying, Ghea. Agista and I just went to a coffee shop to talk about something I thought was not important. I took longer because there were a few things I needed to clarify with her.”

“What else does Uncle need to clarify with her?”

Randy stayed silent for a moment. His mind drifted again, recalling the conversation between him and Agista earlier that afternoon when they were at the coffee shop.

“It doesn’t feel like it’s been almost five years since we last met. How have you been, Ran? Don’t you miss me?” Agista asked bluntly.

Randy, sitting in front of Agista, immediately looked up. Chuckling a little, he smiled meaningfully. How could his ex ask if he missed her or not?

“Miss me?” Randy responded with a thin smile. “Why should I miss you, Gista?”

Agista fell silent, returning Randy’s gaze. She smiled confidently, responding to his counter-question.

“Because I’m sure that until this moment, you haven’t been able to completely forget about me, right? I know, Ran. I know very well what your feelings towards me are like. It’s a lie if you say you don’t miss and love me anymore.”

Laughter erupted from Randy’s lips. He couldn’t pinpoint which part of Agista’s statement tickled him.

“Oh God, Gista.” Randy chuckled softly. “Well, actually, you might have a point. There’s no way I could forget about you. There’s no way I could forget the woman I once loved with all my heart and soul.”

A small smile formed at the corner of Agista’s lips. Apparently, this was the response she had hoped to hear from Randy.

“I feel the same way, Ran. I haven’t erased your name from my heart all this time. I just realized that I made a mistake in choosing a husband back then. It turns out, you’re the best among all the men out there.”

Randy grinned. Irritated and disgusted at the same time hearing what Agista was saying to him. Should he feel happy?

“Yes, it’s a lie if I say I’ve forgotten,” Randy replied later. “However… when it comes to love, it seems things have changed.”

Agista, who had been smiling, was suddenly frozen. Her well-drawn eyebrows seemed to be entwined. “What do you mean?”

Randy nodded confidently. His gaze had not shifted at all from the beautiful woman in front of him.

“Back then, I was even infatuated with you, Gista. I thought I could die if I had to lose you. Don’t ask me what the extent of my love for you was back then. But that was then. Now? There’s not a trace of that feeling left for you.”

Now, it was Agista who laughed softly. She couldn’t figure out which part of Randy’s words sounded funny to her.

“Not funny, Randy Walters.” Agista shook her head slowly. “Your joke isn’t funny.”

“Gista…” Randy called softly. “But I’m not joking. I really don’t have any feelings left for you.”

“But I still love you, Randy. I know I was wrong in the past. I swear to God, I regret it. And now, please, let’s fix our relationship like it used to be. I know you still love me so much, right?”

Randy shook his head at that very moment.

“Sorry, but there’s not a bit of my love left for you.”

Once again, Agista sighed in frustration. A little disappointed with the answer Randy gave her.

“Ran, please, give me a chance. I’m sure this time our relationship will work.”

“For what?” Randy immediately responded quickly. “Everything is pointless. Just so you know… right now, I’m already married, Gista. I have a partner whom I truly love more than anything at the moment.”

Agista was clearly taken aback. The joy and happiness that had previously radiated from her now seemed to evaporate into thin air. Of course, she was shocked by Randy’s confession.

“Don’t joke, Ran. This is not funny. I’m sure you’re lying just to reject me, right?”

Randy immediately shook his head.

“You know who I am, right? I’m not the type of guy who likes to play around, let alone joke, Gista. That’s why I emphasize to you. Never talk about the past again. I emphasize, and you need to remember it well. I can’t go back to you. Whatever the reason.”

Agista sealed her lips tightly at that very moment. She continued to stare into Randy’s black eyes to delve into his soul while searching for any traces of lies.

“I used to be a playboy, Ghe. But when it comes to marriage, I don’t play around. I’ve also emphasized that right now, at this moment, I love and cherish only you. There’s not the slightest desire to betray you even though I could or capable of doing it.”

Ghea nodded, trying to believe Randy’s words this time.

“Yes, I believe you. And hopefully, Uncle can prove all your words.”

Randy then smiled. Unraveling the embrace, he then rose from his seat. Ghea thought he would go change his clothes. However, Randy approached again, then reached for her body and suddenly lifted her.

“Uncle, what’s this? Why carry me like this?”

“Because the story is over. Now it’s your turn to have dinner. I’ll carry you to the dining room. You haven’t had dinner, right?”

Ghea nodded.

“Yes, I haven’t had dinner yet. But there’s no need for you to carry me.”

Randy didn’t care. After hearing Ghea’s answer, at that very moment, he brought her body to really head towards the dining room.