Part 45.Joe and Clara were in the car. Joe sat behind the wheel, while Clara was seated beside him.Silence.There was a longing between them, but it was awkward to say it out loud.Joe parked the car in a secluded spot. He glanced at his watch, which showed 5:03 PM."Sorry for being late picking you up, Clara," Joe began the conversation."It's okay, Uncle, I'm not a priority anyway," Clara replied, stealing a quick glance at Joe. Truthfully, she missed him dearly. She wanted to ask for his warm embrace. But... She tried to hold back, not wanting to appear cheap by admiring him too much."There's Kimmy, Uncle also has to prepare to reconcile with Aunt Vivian, right now I understand my place, who I am, and who you are!" she said, lowering her head. She had just realized that love, which began with happiness, could now become unbearable pain. When the desire to possess became greater, but reality spoke otherwise. She had to try to let go."I won't marry Vivian, both you and Kimmy are
Part 46.Bachelor, alright! Widower is more tempting!Clara arrived at Kimmy's room. She walked in because the door was wide open. There were only Joe and Kimmy in the room."Sister Clara, where did Sister Clara go? Why did she just come home?" Kimmy blurted out, looking up for a hug."I'm sorry, Kimmy, for not taking care of you when you were sick!" Clara hugged the little girl."Kimmy, it's time to sleep. Papa and Sister Clara will stay here to watch over you!" Joe persuaded."But Kimmy wants to play with Sister Clara," she whined, her lips pouting five centimeters forward."Alright, Papa will call Dr. Gaston. Are you going to sleep or...?" Joe interrupted his sentence."Okay, Kimmy will sleep now!" she said flatly, moving towards the bed. Then, she crawled up.Joe smiled at her expression."Kimmy, Papa said goodnight!" he said again.Joe approached and spread the blanket to cover Kimmy."Say your prayers first!" Joe instructed.Kimmy closed her eyes and recited her prayers softly.
Part 47.The night grew later. The king of the night continued to reveal its light, providing illumination, piercing through the darkness. Joe lay beside Kimmy. The effects of the medicine seemed to have worn off as his little princess was still awake."Papa," called Kimmy. She changed her sleeping position to face her father."Yes, sweetheart, you're not asleep yet!" Joe pretended not to know."Not yet, Papa, Kimmy is sad!" she sighed."Why are you sad?" Joe asked."Grandma said Aunt Clara will return to her family's home, is that true?" Kimmy moved closer."Yes, Clara will return to her family's home in a week," Joe answered. His chest felt even tighter. Remembering that Clara would soon leave his house and live with her real family."Is Papa sad?" Kimmy asked."Yes, Papa is sad!" Joe admitted."Kimmy will accompany Papa." Kimmy hugged her father and kissed his cheek gently."Go to sleep, it's late, or I'll call Doctor Gaston!" Joe said jokingly."Okay Pa, Kimmy will sleep now!" the
Part 48.Clara woke up earlier. She went straight to the kitchen. There were Mbok Iyem, Mbak Anik, and Mbak Cici preparing breakfast. "Clara, would you like some hot chocolate?" Mbok Iyem offered. She remembered the girl's favorite drink."No, Mbok. I'm here to help prepare breakfast!" Clara replied."No need, dear. Mr. Joe will get angry later!" Mbok Iyem cautioned, while the other two servants just looked at Clara in surprise."Mbak Iyem, Mbak Anik, and Mbak Cici, my family will pick me up next Sunday, and I will stay with them. Before I leave, can I help you?" Clara offered. She just wanted to get closer to the people living in Joe's house.Mbak Cici looked at Clara. She was indeed on the girl's side. While Mbak Anik, she preferred Vivian. The servant always reported everything happening in the house to the woman who was currently Joe Sebastian's ex-wife.Mbok Iyem chose to remain neutral and not take sides between Clara and Vivian as the two servants argued about it."Clara, prep
Part 49.Afternoon, the sun was shining brightly. Joe glanced briefly at Clara, who seemed engrossed in reading a translated novel by William Shakespeare."Clara," Uncle Joe called."Yes," Clara carefully folded her book and closed it. Then, she walked over to Uncle Joe, who was sitting in his armchair.Clara stood beside Joe, looking at the laptop screen he showed her."Which one do you prefer, this one or this one?" Joe asked, pointing to two options of a pink and a purple teddy bear."Clara likes the pink one, Uncle!" Clara replied. She was sure that he wanted to buy a gift for his daughter."Alright, I'll buy you the pink one, and I'll buy Kimmy the purple one," Joe said, looking up at Clara standing beside him."For me?" Clara asked flatly."Yes, I'll buy it for you as a farewell gift before you return to your family, Clara!" he explained."Thank you, Uncle," Clara replied with a restrained smile. She walked back to the sofa feeling irritated. The owner of Blue Jewelry, a company
Part 50.The rainy season showed no signs of ending. Since evening, rain poured heavily. Joe's plan for a romantic dinner with Clara had to be postponed again.The man had just finished showering. He was sitting leaning on the bed while checking some emails from his colleagues.The sound of his phone buzzing diverted Joe's focus. He reached for the flat object on the nightstand. There was a phone call from an unknown number."Hello," Joe greeted."Hello, is this Joe Sebastian's number?" the voice on the other end asked."Yes, that's correct, who am I speaking to?" Joe asked back."I'm Clara's grandfather," the voice replied."Mr. Freedy Lim?" Joe asked, suddenly feeling his heart pounding heavily."So you already know who I am?" Mr. Freedy Lim asked flatly."Yes... of course, who wouldn't know you!" Joe replied, his heart still pounding heavily."I just want to make sure when I can pick up my granddaughter," Mr. Freedy Lim got straight to the point."Sunday night, Sir, you can come to
Part 51.There was something different about the weather tonight. There were no clouds or rain. Shooting stars adorned the night sky, along with the reigning king of the night with its bright light. The moon tonight shone very brightly.It was almost seven o'clock in the evening, Clara came down from her room carrying three medium-sized boxes, which she packed in different paper bags. Upon reaching the kitchen, Clara handed one box to Mbok Iyem, Mbak Anik, and Mbak Cici respectively."Clara can only give these," she said, looking at the three female servants in Joe's house one by one."Thank you, Miss," Mbok Iyem replied to Clara's gaze.Clara nodded."Thank you, Miss," Mbak Cici said."Yes, Mbak Cici, you're welcome!" Clara replied.Meanwhile, Mbak Anik remained silent, looking at Clara coldly, displeased."Mbok Iyem, Mbak Cici, and Mbak Anik, I also apologize for my mistakes while I'm here," Clara said."Yes, Miss.""Yes, Mbak."Anik remained silent."Clara, are you here?" Mrs. Linn
Part 52.That afternoon, the weather in Jakarta was scorching. A black car zoomed through the city streets at a moderate speed.Joe sat behind the wheel, while Clara and Kimmy sat in the back seats. They had just dropped Kimmy off for a check-up."Uncle, when will my family come?" Clara asked, busy texting Nadia."At five in the afternoon," Joe replied."Um, can I meet Nadia?" Clara asked for permission."Of course, as long as it's not a male friend, I'll allow it," Joe replied."Can I come too?" Kimmy suggested. She was getting closer to Clara, especially during Clara's last moments in the house."No, Kimmy, Papa won't allow you to go out with just Clara!" Joe said firmly. He glanced at the rearview mirror, looking at his daughter and shaking his head."Kimmy, Clara is just going out for a bit!" Clara said, patting Kimmy's cute cheek as she sat beside her."Oma said, Clara will go with her family, is that true?" Kimmy asked, looking sad and staring straight into Clara's eyes.Silence
71.One month later.As requested by the grandfather, Clara and Joe's wedding was held in a simple manner, attended only by close relatives. On Clara's side, only Freedy Lim and Zio were present, while on Joe's side, both of his parents invited their close relatives.Freedy Lim was chatting with Bond Sebastian and Linn."Mr. Lim, you should stay here, and we can go on vacation together," Bond offered. Hearing that his in-laws were also leaving for Singapore tonight made him feel a bit sad."No, Mr. Bond and Mrs. Linn, I must leave immediately. My work is waiting, and I'm sure I'll only disturb the newlyweds if I stay here," he replied. "After this, I have to go to the airport so as not to be late," he added."Alright, sir, please wait a moment. We should have dinner together before you leave!" Bond requested.Freedy Lim nodded. Then Mrs. Linn moved towards the bridal chamber.Inside the bridal chamber, Clara was taking off the crown that adorned her hair. Meanwhile, Joe was in the bat
Part 70."First, I don't want Clara to become a mother at her young age, make sure she continues her education until she obtains at least a bachelor's degree!" he said. "Secondly, I don't want your married life to be consumed by the public, I don't like Lim family members being exposed to the media, and thirdly, guide Clara to become a businesswoman, I still want her to be the primary heir!" Freedy Lim revealed these three conditions to Clara."Alright, I agree," Joe replied loudly."Come closer!" Mr. Lim commanded."Yes, Sir."Overcoming his awkwardness, Joe got up from his seat and sat next to the middle-aged man."Thank you very much for taking care of Clara, if you weren't a good person, my grandson wouldn't insist on staying by your side," he said.Joe smiled. Freedy Lim wasn't as intimidating as the articles he had read about Clara's grandfather."Continue to take care of my granddaughter, as you have been doing for the past ten years, make her happy, because only you can make h
Part 69Clara tightly held Uncle Joe Sebastian's hand. They had arrived at Changi Airport. A four-wheeled vehicle was parked at the airport exit."Are we meeting Grandpa now, Uncle?" Clara asked as she stepped into the car."I need to eat first, Clara. I'm very hungry," Joe made an excuse. He wasn't ready. Yes, meeting Freedy Lim, who clearly didn't like him, was daunting."Okay, we should eat first," Clara agreed. She felt very nervous. Her heart always wondered what would happen next? Of course, Clara had a backup plan in case her grandfather didn't give his blessing.The car they boarded stopped at a seafood restaurant. They got out of the car and started going in.Joe ordered some food from the menu. Strangely, his hunger vanished just like that."Why aren't you eating, Uncle?" Clara asked. She was trying to swallow the scallops she had chewed."I don't know, Clara, suddenly I lost my appetite," Joe answered. He just stared at his empty plate."Is Uncle very afraid to meet Grandpa
68."Yes, Clara, I was looking for you," Joe replied. He kissed Clara. Starting from her forehead, then her eyelids, moving down to her left cheek and then to her right. Then, he gazed longingly at Clara's lips.Relieved, it turned out Gaston had never kissed Clara."Uncle...," Clara's words halted as Joe kissed her eagerly. Long, gradual, and deep. While embracing her, Joe continued to kiss Clara. Hundreds of kisses felt insufficient to make up for the month after he woke up from his coma. If he remembered correctly, he missed Clara every day. Morning, noon, and night. Clara, Clara, and Clara.Slowly, Joe released his kiss. He gazed at Clara's face carefully. Their gazes met each other."Clara Rusadi Lim, I apologize for all my mistakes towards you. Firstly, for not telling you when I woke up, and secondly, for pretending to have amnesia," Joe confessed. With his right hand, he brushed Clara's hair behind her ear, then cupped her beautiful face. "I missed you so much, Clara, I misse
67.Creak.The door opened.Joe's and Gaston's eyes met. Joe stared sharply at the man in front of him, observing Gaston from head to toe. He noticed three buttons of Gaston's shirt undone, and his hair was disheveled. Joe's eyes sharpened as he spotted traces of nude lipstick on Gaston's lips."What's up? Can't you see I'm busy!" Gaston pretended to adjust his appearance. "Oh," his face looked surprised, and he quickly straightened his shirt buttons."What are you going to talk about! Spit it out now! I need to sleep and rest!" Joe said, trying to appear indifferent.Gaston nodded, turning back to glance at Clara briefly before closing the door."Let's talk downstairs!" Joe ordered. He really wanted to talk to Gaston and get him out of his house.Gaston followed, following Joe's steps down the stairs. They both sat facing each other in the living room."Here's the thing, Joe, when you were in a coma, Mr. Lim asked me to take care of Clara. Essentially, he preferred me to be Clara's h
Part 66.Joe's words made Celine angry. Without much thought, she decided to leave the house."It seems like a mistake for me to be here. Uncle Joe, you need to be more decisive with your feelings. If you still love her, fight for it! I know your love for her is immense. It's impossible for you to protect Clara, sacrificing yourself if you don't love her!" Celine's message sounded slightly irritated. She realized she was defeated by Clara. "Dr. Gaston, Clara, I'll take my leave now! I hope you can resolve your feelings without involving too many parties! Goodnight!" Celine nodded respectfully and left Joe Sebastian's dining room.Clara's gaze fell downwards. She bowed her head, deeply hurt by Joe's words. Meanwhile, Dr. Gaston looked at Joe with disappointment. He felt Joe didn't need to go that far to make Clara give up; telling her directly would have been more mature."It seems like you've learned a lot from Vivian; now you're so good at acting like your late wife!" Gaston said. "We
Part 65.Clara lay down next to Kimmy, the little girl asleep from exhaustion. Clara's eyes focused on her phone screen, feeling frustrated and unsure who to contact.She continued to move her thumb, scrolling through her phone, and found Dr. Gaston's number.The call connected."Hello," greeted Dr. Gaston on the other end."Hello, doctor, it's me, Clara!" she said."What's up, Clara?" Dr. Gaston asked."Uncle Joe invited someone for dinner, can Dr. Gaston also come here? I need Dr. Gaston's help," Clara asked hopefully. She wasn't sure if her plan would succeed, but there was no harm in trying."So tonight, I come to Joe's house?" the doctor confirmed."Yes.""What can I help you with, Clara?""Dr. Gaston's presence!" Clara replied."Alright, what time should I come?""Just a moment, I'll ask Uncle Joe, then I'll let you know, the journey from the hospital to here is only half an hour!" Clara replied, looking at the wall clock showing it was almost half past four in the afternoon."O
Part 64."Nad, something's not right!" Clara exclaimed."What do you mean?" Nadia asked.In the afternoon, she purposely skipped her last class to meet Clara."Dr. Gaston and Uncle Joe seem to agree to hide something from me!" Clara said, lowering her head as she sipped her cold juice."What are they hiding?" Nadia inquired."Uncle Joe has amnesia, but I'm sure it's impossible! There must be something he's hiding!" Clara explained."What if he really has amnesia?" Nadia suggested another possibility, considering the gunshot wound on Joe's temple."Maybe, I just need to know what really happened!" Clara lowered her head, knowing that no one in Joe's residence would tell her the truth."When will you go home?" Nadia asked."I'll stay for two nights, then head to London!" Clara replied."Alright, I suggest that during your two days and two nights in Jakarta, you should stay at Uncle Joe's house. Maybe the parents, servants, driver, and gardener will keep silent! But, did you forget? Clar
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