LOVE YOU, UNCLE

Stella looked graceful as she walked, occasionally adjusting the position of her sunglasses clinging to her sharp nose. With Randy, she confidently traversed Garbarata to exit and move on to the next location for their business meeting.

Honestly, Stella enjoyed every moment spent on business trips like this, especially partnering with a man she clearly liked. Since Randy joined Akasia, Stella had developed deeper feelings. She made a concerted effort to be sweet and attract Randy’s attention.

Moreover, who wouldn’t be captivated by the aura and charisma that the man exuded? Apart from being successful and undoubtedly stable, Randy had a special quality that, according to Stella, not every man out there possessed.

“Are we meeting with Continental right away?” Randy asked as they were en route to the meeting location.

“Yes,” Stella nodded in confirmation. “We’ll have a casual meeting at Continental until three in the afternoon. The rest is a short break. Then, tonight, get ready for the social event at the Four Seasons hotel.”

Randy nodded, glancing at the circular watch on his wrist to calculate the time he would spend afterward.

“And is tomorrow’s agenda fixed as planned? No more changes?” he inquired.

“Yes, Ran. It’s fixed. If there are any changes, the organizers will inform us two hours before the event,” Stella quickly responded.

Randy nodded. A few minutes later, they both reached their destination. As usual, with enthusiasm, Stella accompanied Randy, assisting with all his needs. She even stepped forward, helping to handle clients, ensuring that all business processes, from introductions to agreements and profit discussions, ultimately resulted in a deal.

“Finally done,” Randy exclaimed after the meeting, now arriving at the hotel where he and Stella would stay for the next few days.

“Just rest for now. We need to get ready again tonight,” Stella advised.

“Yeah, I’m going to take a quick nap. So tired,” Randy replied as he entered the elevator. They continued walking through the hotel corridor until they reached the door of their room. “Around six or seven, please call me. I might still be asleep,” Randy requested.

Stella nodded in agreement, happily doing what Randy asked.

“Phone call or even knocking on your door directly is fine, Ran,” Stella whispered to herself. This was a golden opportunity for her to slowly create moments to get closer to her boss.

“Yeah, don’t worry. Tonight, I’ll be the one knocking on your door, Ran. So we can go to the event together,” she murmured.

Randy nodded.

“The event is also in this hotel’s lounge, right?”

“Yes. Just relax. Anyway, tonight, once I’m ready, I’ll come straight to your room. Now, take a rest.”

After bidding farewell, Stella and Randy finally parted ways. While Randy slept soundly, Stella seemed eager to prepare herself. Although the reception was scheduled to begin three hours later, she appeared impatient, repeatedly checking all the preparations-from her dress, shoes, to the bag she would use when going with Randy later that night.

“I’m sure I’ll look stunning tonight,” Ghea monologued in front of her room’s mirror. She smiled broadly with a heart filled with joy. “Besides, it’s been so long since we attended an important event together like this. Since we got married, he’s kept his distance. Damn!”

A moment later, Stella snorted. The smile that had adorned her beautiful face instantly faded, replaced by a flash of irritation that suddenly engulfed her.

“Almost there, and I was about to get closer to Randy. Why on earth did he have to marry a child? Like there are no other women out there. Besides, if you really look at it, Ghea and I, I’m clearly much more beautiful,” she grumbled with frustration. “But, mark my words. This marriage won’t last long. Because Randy needs a partner who is sharp and versatile. Not a pampered little wife like the one he has now.”

Satisfied with her inner monologue, Stella continued with her activities. At exactly six in the evening, she was fully prepared for everything. Sitting and waiting on the sofa, Stella tried to contact Randy as he had instructed earlier.

“Hello?”

Stella was momentarily surprised. In one ring, the call she made was answered immediately by the man on the other side.

“Are you awake?”

“Yeah, I am. If I’m not awake, then who’s picking up the phone? My ghost?” Randy joked.

“Yeah, you asked to be woken up.”

“Thanks. But I’m already awake. I’m getting ready now. How about you?”

“I’ve been ready since earlier,” Stella replied. “I’m just sitting on the sofa waiting for you. Should I come to your room and wait there so that we can go to the event together?”

Randy fell silent for a moment. After a few seconds, he responded.

“No need,” he gently refused. “Instead of you getting tired and bored waiting for me, I’d rather you come to me when I’m really ready to go. Besides, it’ll be done in about thirty minutes.”

“It’s okay,” Stella interjected. “I don’t mind waiting for you there.”

“Well, it might not be a problem for you,” Randy replied. “The thing is, I already have a wife, Stella. It just doesn’t feel right to bring another woman into my room when we’re alone together. Even if no one sees it, I just want to avoid any unwanted situations.”

Stella felt disappointed for a moment. She had genuinely wanted her request to wait in his room to be accepted. After all, Randy was known as a playboy and enjoyed changing female companions. Why was he acting stiff now and seemingly allergic to being close to other women? But since it was rejected, what else could she do? She had to comply with his words.

“Fine then. In thirty minutes, I’ll come down and meet you in your room.”

“Sure. I believe I’ll be done and ready in thirty minutes.”

Once the call ended, Stella impatiently waited. At exactly seven, she decided to go after Randy to his room.

Confidently, Stella walked towards the fifth floor, where Randy’s room was located. Upon arrival, after knocking once, she decided to enter immediately. After all, Randy’s room was unlocked at that moment.

“Randy…” Stella called as she walked in. “Are you ready? Shall we go now? I’m already —-”

Stella’s sentence stopped right after she turned her body, intending to step towards the living room where Randy occupied. Stella’s eyes widened. Seeing the unexpected scene, presented so vividly, took her by surprise.

“Hello, beautiful.”

The greeting was clearly directed at Stella, who now stood frozen in her position. She should be happy to receive that call. However, the problem was that the caller was not Randy but another woman whom Stella tried to avoid, whose presence, if possible, she wanted to erase from the face of the earth-Ghea.

“Ghea?” Stella responded as if she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

Stella was, of course, wondering why Ghea suddenly appeared in Randy’s room. Moreover, she was dressed neatly in a stunningly sexy dress with makeup that looked absolutely stunning. It seemed like the girl had meticulously prepared herself for hours to accompany Randy to a significant event.

“Yes, it’s me, Ghea, Mrs. Stella. Why do you look like that? I’m not a ghost, you know,” Ghea joked intentionally. In her heart, the girl rejoiced seeing Stella’s face, which was once radiant, now turning deep red, undoubtedly annoyed. Ghea was sure that the fragrance-spreading ghost had prepared many plans to deliberately approach her husband. No way she’d let that happen.

While Randy, standing there, observed for a moment. Realizing that two women were locking eyes, he tried to mediate and anticipate any unwanted events.

“Stella, I’m going to the event with Ghea. But if you want, we can go together.”

“No!” Ghea quickly interjected. “Don’t go as a trio, Darling. If you go together like that, people might think you have two wives. Not happening! Your only wife in this world is me.”

Randy couldn’t hold back his laughter, but he also felt uneasy about Stella, who had turned passive and remained silent.

“Stella, what do you think? I’m sorry, but I can’t go with you. You two can go together if you want.”

“It’s okay. I-I’ll go ahead then. You two can go together.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Stella then walked out feeling extremely irritated. She muttered curses in her heart. Annoyed, she realized that once again her plan to be alone with Randy had failed due to Ghea’s sudden and unpredictable appearance.

***