Chap 4

4.

In the afternoon, after having lunch with Mr. Bond and Mrs. Linn, Joe took the time to play with his daughter. Today, he decided not to go to work, leaving everything to his secretary, Faris.

He was reading the story of Goldilocks to Kimmy, who was now eager for an afternoon nap. Understanding that his little girl became quite spoiled when he was at home, Joe continued to cradle her in his lap.

Suddenly, Joe's phone rang with a call from Vivian, who now lived separately from him. Joe hesitated for a moment before answering, curious about the reason for Vivian's call and what she wanted.

Despite the uncertainty, Joe answered the call, hoping for some good news.

"Hello," greeted Joe.

It was clear from Vivian's angry tone and insults towards someone as a little rat that Joe sensed tension. Joe instructed her to beg for love. While Joe wasn't angry, he couldn't help but wonder who might have met Vivian and convinced her to withdraw the divorce suit.

Joe laid Kimmy on the bed, put on warm clothes, and hurried downstairs. Mr. Bond and Mrs. Linn remained silent, not daring to intervene. Understandable! Perhaps their son needed time to navigate the emotional turmoil within him.

Joe sat behind the wheel, driving through the city streets at full speed.

Arriving at the parking area of a building, Joe stopped his car and walked towards a room.

Vivi, Vivian's manager, directed Joe to the model's room.

Opening the door, Joe found two women inside Vivian and a young girl in a gray uniform.

Joe walked forward, now standing in front of Vivian. His gaze remained the same, filled with love and concern, but the beautiful woman in front of him was different. The happy glow in the model's eyes had changed; she seemed indifferent with a cold gaze as if she didn't recognize Joe, who was still her legal husband.

"I'll take this girl away now," said Joe, turning towards Clara and reaching for her hand, ready to leave Vivian's makeup room.

"Wait, stop right there! Don't you dare step out of this room!" commanded Vivian, hands on her hips, asserting her authority.

"What's the matter?" replied Joe calmly. His warm eyes longed to embrace his wife. However, the divorce suit Vivian filed seemed to build a high barrier for Joe to do so.

"Now you're free to do anything, including dating this little girl. I won't be angry anymore!" Vivian said, lowering her head. Her attitude was indifferent, avoiding eye contact with Joe.

"I don't know what's on your mind. I have always been faithful to you, and the divorce? Wasn't that what you wanted? Weren't you the one pushing our marriage to the courtroom? So, just don't twist the facts. You wanted a divorce, and I will grant your request! Just so you know, I have never been unfaithful to you! Understand!" Joe stated firmly, tightening his grip on Clara's hand. Then, he led her out of Vivian's makeup room, heading towards the parking lot on the ground floor.

Joe opened the car door and guided Clara to sit inside.

Then, he walked around, got behind the wheel, and said, "I'll take you to the dormitory now!" Joe glanced at his wristwatch, indicating it was 4 o'clock.

"Just a moment, Uncle," Clara interjected. She had been silent, still in shock from witnessing such a tense argument. "I came here with Nadia," she explained.

"Where is Nadia?" Joe asked, having some knowledge about Clara's friend Nadia, as Clara had mentioned her before.

"I'll find her in a moment," Clara replied.

She got out of the car and went in search of Nadia, walking and looking around. Shortly after, she found Nadia waiting in the lobby of the building.

The two of them walked back to Joe's car.

Joe started the car engine and immediately drove at a moderate speed. Clara sat beside him, while Nadia occupied the back seat, busy with her phone.

There was silence among the three of them.

After a 20-minute journey, they arrived in front of the dormitory building where Clara and Nadia stayed.

Nadia got out first. Clara also wanted to get out, but Joe stopped her.

"Just wait, sit here; there's something we need to talk about," Joe prevented Clara again, holding her arm to keep her seat.

"What's wrong, Uncle?" Clara asked, looking at Joe with fear.

"Fasten your seatbelt," Joe instructed.

Clara remained silent, her mind busy guessing where Joe wanted to take her.

Could this be considered a date? Would Uncle Joe give her a gift as a token of appreciation?

Clara was too positive in her thinking.

Joe turned on the car and drove to a restaurant he had originally planned to visit with Vivian. To ease his disappointment, he decided to take Clara along.

"Uncle," Clara called.

"Yes," he replied.

"I haven't got permission from the dorm if I come back late," Clara said, looking downcast.

"Don't worry about that!" Joe confidently reassured her.

Clara began to feel comfortable. Romantic scenes with Joe flashed in her mind. There was nothing wrong with imagining Joe holding her hand like he did earlier.

Seeing Clara who was silent. Joe buckled Clara's seat belt. His strong hand accidentally touched a sensitive area on Clara's chest. Makes the girl tense and surprised.



You

"Sorry!" said Joe. He didn't feel anything. However, seeing Clara who was so shocked, he felt guilty because he had touched the girl's private parts.

"Yeah, that's okay, Uncle," he said. "Where are we going?" Clara asked, controlling her excessive heartbeat. Not because it's cheap, it's just that Clara likes masculine men.

"We're looking for a place to eat," answered Joe. "I told you there's something we need to talk about!" he explained.

Joe started the car and drove to a place to eat that he wanted to go to with Vivian. To reduce feelings of disappointment, there's no harm in inviting Clara.

"Uncle," called Clara.

"Yes," he answered.

"I won't have permission to go to the dormitory if I come home late," said Clara glumly.

“Don't worry about it!” Joe said confidently.

Clara started to feel comfortable. Romantic scenes with Joe flashed through her mind. There's nothing wrong with him imagining Joe holding his hand like that.

Clara wanted to do it again, in a romantic atmosphere and place.

To be Continued