LOVE YOU, UNCLE

Randy affectionately led Ghea into the convention hall where tonight’s party was held. Just a few steps in, Darwin, Kennedy, along with their respective wives, came to welcome them.

“Welcome, the not-so-new newlyweds. You’re really late,” Darwin greeted, and Randy immediately retorted with a scoff.

“Sorry, are you new residents in Indonesia, especially Jakarta? Don’t you know that Jakarta is often congested? Besides, it’s Sunday, Win. Everyone comes out to enjoy the weekend.”

Darwin looked dismissive. Whatever Randy said or defended, he had to be able to refute it. He was tired of always losing arguments with his cousin.

“Traffic jam? Oh, come on. Evidence shows that Kennedy and I could come on time. Your excuse is just that-an excuse,” he said with a wide smile.

Randy just smiled. So casual in responding to Darwin’s remarks, which were intentionally attacking.

“Please understand, bestie. I live in an elite housing complex, so the route is always crowded and busy. It’s very different from your suburban residence.”

Darwin felt like cursing. Why couldn’t Randy just shut up for once with all his babbling? Why was his cousin always able to answer or provide a rebuttal every time he was teased or deliberately teased?

“Enough already. Can you two get along a little if you meet? It’s like a crocodile against a lizard. Always chaotic,” Luna scolded while looking at Darwin and Randy alternately. Extending her hand, she then signaled Ghea to come forward. “You three better go see Opa Antonie first. Let us, the girls, go around to find some food.”

“Don’t keep eating, Luna. You might get fat,” protested Randy, immediately met with a glare from Luna.

“Watching dangdut in Belgium. Let me be fat, as long as I’m happy. Better fat than being skinny and obviously never fed.”

“Watch out, you Esmeralda. I’ll get back at you!”

“To be honest, is Opa Antonie throwing a celebration or introducing a new business? Why are they discussing investment so much?” Randy asked and was immediately answered by Kennedy.

“It seems like a hidden celebration. The proof is that more business partners came than staff. But, whatever it is, just let it be. We all know that even at an age like his now, Opa still has many brilliant ideas worth considering.”

Darwin nodded.

“So, just let it be. Anyway, our grandchildren and their descendants will be the ones who enjoy it, right? But it seems like Randy won’t be included.”

Hearing his name being excluded, Randy immediately turned with a puzzled frown.

“Why? What’s wrong with me?”

“Well, you’re married but haven’t contributed any descendants to the Walters family yet, right?”

“It’s in progress, Win.”

“Don’t take too long, Ran. Before it gets stale. Besides, having children is such a hassle, you have to wait until they finish college and all. It takes a long time!”

Randy was reluctant to respond to Darwin’s teasing. Instead of retaliating, he shifted his attention to Kennedy, who had just asked a more substantial question in his opinion.

“Your marriage with Ghea is going well, isn’t it?”

Randy nodded. In his heart, he prayed that the marriage and family life he built with Ghea would last and be peaceful forever.

“So far, so good. There have been some bumps, but I try to overcome them as soon as possible.”

“What kind of bumps?” It wasn’t Kennedy, as usual. Darwin, with his curious nature, asked. Don’t be surprised, he always had a nosy habit, just like Randy.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“You know Agista Cordelia, right?”

“Your ex who married a wealthy sugar daddy, right?” Kennedy guessed, trying to remember. After all, as a cousin, she only knew two women who had been close to Randy.

“Yes! The woman I used to defend so much. Turns out, she left me and married a sugar daddy.”

“So what about Agista?” Darwin asked this time.

“After disappearing for years, she suddenly showed up yesterday. And funny thing is, she even became an expert consultant who will work with Akasia.”

Darwin was startled to hear Randy’s story. It must be awkward to meet a woman from the past who had been so deeply loved, especially now that Randy already had a wife.

“Are you saying she’ll be on duty at Akasia for some time?”

This time, Randy nodded.

“She even asked me to get back together, Win.”

“Crazy! So, did you agree?”

Randy then laughed. What kind of question was his cousin asking?

“Sorry, sorry. I’m not you, Win. The one who often fails to move on from an ex. She’s an ex, which means a past that doesn’t need to be remembered. Just a waste of time.”

Meanwhile, in the gathering of women, Luna seemed to be giving extensive advice to Ghea. Whatever Luna was teaching Ghea for her future was a mystery.

“Remember, Ghe. Guys don’t like high-maintenance girls. They prefer and feel challenged when a woman is bold, especially more aggressive. Trust me, that’s my advice.”

Ghea smiled shyly. Why were the senior Uncles and Uncles discussing intimate matters all along?

“How’s Randy in bed?” Luna wanted to know.

“Huh? What do you mean, Uncle? How?”

“There you go. How’s Randy on the bed and during make-out sessions? Is he dominant? Spoiled, or what?” Luna clarified her question, making Ghea embarrassed and awkward.

“Uncle Randy… well, Uncle, like that.”

“How’s that?” Luna pursued while winking, teasing.

“Luna, oh my. Poor Ghea being interrogated like this,” protested Veronica, trying to help Ghea, who had looked awkward all along.

“Come on, relax. No need for any ‘how.’ After all, we’re besties,” said Luna, trying to make the young girl blend in and not feel awkward around her and Veronica. “But yeah, Ghe. However you want to see it, I’m sure Randy is serious about you. My advice is, as his wife, you have to be smart about keeping him. And do you want to know an easy way to bind a guy so he won’t mess around with us?”

Ghea was immediately surprised. She seemed interested in what Luna had just said.

“What is it, Uncle? Share some tips.”

“Sure,” said Luna. Then, she advanced her face and whispered, “If you want to make Randy kneel, hurry up and give him a child. Every man with a husband status will be proud and happy when given children by their wives. They will feel powerful and great because they have successfully impregnated us women. You can prove my words.”

Ghea nodded in understanding. She even considered trying Luna’s advice. After concluding her conversation with her in-laws and before returning to Randy, Ghea decided to go to the restroom.

She thought it would be good to check her makeup again before meeting Randy, who was gathering with business associates. After making sure her appearance was much better, Ghea intended to leave.

However, before she could take a step, another woman entered from the women’s entrance. When she turned, Ghea saw the familiar figure of Agista.

“You’re Randy’s wife, right?” Agista greeted first when she noticed Ghea standing in front of her.

“Yes,” Ghea nodded casually.

“I didn’t expect to meet you here. You must be Randy’s bodyguard, right?”

Damn!

It felt like Ghea wanted to splash Randy’s ex-girlfriend with soap and water. She casually answered, deliberately keeping her composure. “Not really. It’s the wife’s duty, accompanying her husband wherever he goes so that he won’t be bothered by ghosts.”

Ghea could clearly hear how her interlocutor chuckled softly. Maybe she didn’t like the term “ghost” that Ghea deliberately used.

“Just so you know, I didn’t expect it after knowing Randy is married, and his wife looks like a little kid like you.”

“Why does it matter?” Ghea replied, trying to remain calm.

“Well… Randy’s taste has dropped a bit. You know he’s known to be picky. Just check the women who have been close to him. Mostly beautiful and sexy. None of them looks like you.”

Ghea laughed. Not even a bit offended by Agista’s intentionally derogatory remarks. She considered all of Agista’s words as trash.

“Believe me, not all women who look beautiful like you can make a man fall in love quickly. Some can even make a man go bankrupt. Moreover, even if my appearance is ugly, it doesn’t matter. After all, who did he choose in the end? What does that mean? It means I’m better than all of you who have good-looking faces.”

Ghea smiled broadly. After giving a cutting response, she chose to leave, leaving Agista looking upset because she couldn’t retaliate against what Ghea had said to her.