Chapter 5: Uncle Mat

"Where's this fucking top." I whispered while standing in front of my closet, looking through the clothes, trying to find a specific pink shirt. Four days had passed since my awful date with Alexander, and he had been ignoring my calls. But today wasn't about him. Today was about spending time with my best friend, Prisca, and catching up on the latest installment of our favorite movie series.

We've been following the series for over a year now, and every month, we would make it a point to go to the cinema together. It was our special bonding time, and I was looking forward to it.

But first, I needed to find that pink top. I have a feeling it would be perfect for our outing today. I noticed a pink fabric and swiftly took the hanger, only to find out it was the incorrect one. I exhaled deeply and moved my head side to side, taking a step back to examine the collections laid out before me. 

Where is it? I thought to myself. My father had asked me to move back in with him so he could keep an eye on me before writing my final exams and to prepare me for my wedding, but I was starting to regret it. The staff he sent to assist me with my move had completely altered my life. I had the impression of being on one of those live programs where participants needed to uncover hidden treasures. 

I chose to look in the second drawer of the wardrobe. Perhaps they didn't hang the top but instead folded it and placed it in one of the drawers. I opened the drawer and started to sift through it, looking for the recognizable pink top. 

Upon opening the second drawer, the pink top caught my eye, and I took hold of it, feeling glad that my search had concluded. I started putting on my clothes, aware that Prisca was waiting for me. 

Just as I started to pack my hair, my phone rang, I exclaimed, "Holy shit!" realizing I was running late and hurried to answer it, knowing it was Prisca due to the special ringing tone I had set for her calls. Without giving Prisca a chance to say anything, "Babe I promise to be there in twenty minutes." The only thing Prisca managed to say before I hung up was, "I'll kill you if I miss the beginning par-"

I didn't hear the rest of the threat as I quickly hung up the phone. I grabbed the two tickets and stuffed them into my small bag before leaving my room. I checked my watch and saw that I had forty-five minutes before the movie would begin.

Locking my door as I stepped out of my room I saw my father and his best friend, Mr. Mateo, walking out of his largest library. Although my father had four libraries in total, this one was the largest, and he rarely allowed anyone to enter it with him. However, Mr. Mateo was one of his longtime friends, and I know him very well.

I also remember how he stayed with us for almost two months after my mother's death, helping my father cope with his sorrow by engaging him in conversations and making him laugh. He also took me to parks in the evening where I would run about, it really helped me to keep my mind off the tragedy. 

"Good evening, Uncle Mat," I said to him with a friendly smile. 

Mr. Mateo's expression brightened with a smile as he responded to the greeting. "Good evening, Jasmine." You look lovely, as always. It's been a while I saw you, maybe ten years ago, right?"

"Uncle Mat, it’s just been three years and a few months, I suppose," correcting him.

While we strolled down the corridor, talking about past memories, Uncle Mat proposed we use the stairs rather than the elevator. "We've been confined in that library for hours, talking about future plans for the family and the business so I'm thinking that a little exercise won't do us any harm," he said. 

My father, who was quietly observing our discussion, unexpectedly interjected. "Jasmine, I think it’s the moment for you to discover. " Uncle Mat here is going to be your father-in-law soon."

"What...what do you mean?" I stuttered, taking turns looking from my father to Uncle Mat. 

"Your dad and I have been talking about a merger of our families." A union that will strengthen our business ties and secure our family's future."

The information hit me like a bunch of coconut that just fell off from it's tree directly on my head.

What would happen to my past with uncle Mat? He knows fully well, so why did he agree to such an agreement?

"This has to be some joke." I thought. The revelation hit me hard and my mind struggled to process the information. "Wow... wow... wow," i thought again with my eyes fixed on Uncle Mat's calm demeanor.

All these years, Uncle Mat had never for once introduced any member of his family. I was supposed to know Alexander before now, but each time i asked him about his family, he would always say they were in Mexico or that they had traveled to Hong Kong to see his mother. Now, I'm in a deep mess.

"How can Alexander be his son, how?" The question continually echoed in my mind, unwilling to be silenced. 

The look my father had on me changed, perhaps perceiving my sudden shift as he inquired, "Jasmine, is everything okay?" 

Before i could respond, Uncle Mat spoke up, his voice smooth and reassuring. "Oh, she's fine, don't worry about her."

How can I be fine? i screamed at him in my thoughts, while my mind was racing with anger. But i managed to maintain a calm posture.

I finally found my voice, and it came out in a barely audible whisper. "I'm fine, dad."

Uncle Mat placed a hand on my shoulder, his touch warm and familiar. "Jasmine has always been a good girl," he said, his voice sounding so sure. "I know that getting married to Alexander won't be an issue for her."

He turned to me, his eyes glinting with expectation. "Am I correct, Jas?"

I nodded "yes uncle Mat."