"I've loved you for a long time, Uncle." ~ Clara Rusadi. "No way, Clara, you have high taste but sorry, you're not my type!" said Joe Sebastian cruelly. ~~~~~~•••••~~~~~~ Clara, a 17-year-old girl, is just in the 3rd year of high school. She was forced to confess her love to a man 18 years older than her. Yes, because only Joe Sebastian could make her enchanted and fall in love. However, the man rejected Clara's love, because he only saw her as a younger sister. Joe understood Clara's stubborn nature very well. He was forced to reject her cruelly. What will Clara do? Will he give up? Or is she still struggling to fight for her love for Joe? ===
Part 1
Joe Sebastian, a 35-year-old man, was feeling sad because of his wife's recent divorce petition in religious court. He continued to consume the alcoholic drinks in front of him.
One by one, the alcohol bottles became empty, but Joe still felt the emptiness in his heart. In an apartment unit, Joe isolated himself for two days, not going to work, not seeing his daughter, and even forgetting to send money to Clara.
Yes, Clara was a poor girl entrusted to Joe by her parents ten years ago. At that time, Joe was a colleague of Devano and Cella. Clara's parents had died in a multi-car accident. Since then, Joe felt responsible for Clara. For ten years, Joe had taken care of Clara, providing her education, pocket money, and buying her clothes. Not only that, Joe had promised himself to continue taking care of Clara until she married a man of her choice.
The doorbell rang.
Joe remained motionless.
The doorbell rang for the second time.
Joe had to get up from his seat. He walked wearily toward the door, feeling annoyed about who could be disturbing him.
"Who dares to disturb me?" Joe shouted as he pulled the door handle.
Clara fell silent, startled. This was the first time she had been scolded by Joe, someone she highly respected.
"I...I'm sorry, Uncle," Clara whispered, taking a step back.
"Oh, it's you. Come in!" Joe said, trying to control his emotions.
"No, Uncle, I can come back later or tomorrow," Clara said shakily, not expecting to receive such a scary shout from the authoritative man.
"Come in, don't argue. It's the beginning of the month, and you need to get your pocket money; otherwise, you'll go hungry during lunchtime!" Joe said flatly. He roughly rubbed his face, trying to refresh his vision.
Joe opened the door wide for Clara to enter.
Clara followed, walking slowly, tracking Joe's every step. She glanced around the room; it was still 2 p.m., but the curtains were closed. The room's lights were turned off, creating a gloomy atmosphere. Only a small amount of sunlight filtered through the slightly open curtains.
"Uncle, are you okay?" Clara asked softly, glancing at her wrist to confirm that it was still 2 p.m.
"Yes, I'm fine. Why do you ask?" Joe replied with his characteristic deep voice.
"Let me stay longer here; I'll clean up this place. After that, I'll leave," Clara said. She walked to the curtains, opening them one by one to allow more light to enter the room. She also opened the ventilation to reduce the stuffiness.
Joe took a quick look and saw no reason to object. He let Clara open all the curtains, revealing the messy and dirty state of the table in the middle of the room.
Joe went into the bedroom to find his wallet, took out some money, and put it in an envelope, the same amount as Clara's monthly allowance. Then, he returned to the living room.
"This is your pocket money," Joe said, placing the brown envelope on the table. Then, he reclined on the sofa.
Clara glanced at the cluttered table. There were several empty alcohol bottles scattered around, dirty and disordered glasses, many cigarette butts, and scattered matchsticks.
Clara swallowed her saliva and shook her head softly. She decided to clean the table.
"You can go home; I can handle it myself," Joe said firmly.
"No, Uncle, I'll leave after cleaning everything," Clara insisted. She started putting the empty bottles into the trash can and took the dirty glasses to the nearby kitchen.
Joe got up from his seat, supporting his face with both hands.
"My marriage is about to end, my dear Vivian! Why did you choose your career and Kimmy Olivia, our little daughter, over me?" Joe murmured, and tears began to moisten his cheeks. The impending divorce was a heavy burden for Joe, who still loved his wife deeply.
Meanwhile, Clara had finished washing all the glasses and had tidied up the table.
"Thank you, Uncle," she said while taking the envelope with her money. She saw the mature man sitting with his head hung low on the sofa.
Joe just nodded, his face showing no signs of relief.
"Wait a minute, is Uncle Joe crying?" Clara asked, walking over to Joe.
Joe didn't answer; he chose to look away. He felt weak in front of Clara, something he had always avoided.
"So, is what I read in the online media true?" Clara asked, sitting next to Joe. She didn't want to leave him alone.
"What do you know?" Joe stood up from his seat and walked to the balcony.
Clara followed, matching the steps of the mature man she admired so much. Even when he was just standing and breathing, Joe looked handsome.
"Aunt Vivian's divorce has been reported in the media, Uncle," Clara said, standing next to him and looking down, following Joe's gaze.
"So, you already know, Clara,"
"Yes, Uncle, I hope you won't be too sad,"
"I'm not sad; it's just that I still love Vivian very much," Joe lamented honestly.
"Stay strong, Uncle," Clara consoled him.
Hearing Joe's lament, Clara felt sad as well. Even though she had felt relieved when she heard about the divorce, she realized that this was her chance to get closer to Joe.
"I'm going to see my daughter. You should go back to the dorm now," Joe instructed.
"Alright, Uncle," Clara complied, turning and leaving the room. She was looking forward to her monthly meetings with Joe, even though they only happened once a month.
"Uncle, don't be sad. If Aunt Vivian doesn't want to live with you until old age, maybe one day you'll meet another woman who loves you sincerely," Clara said firmly.
"I am that woman, Uncle. I love you sincerely. Wait for me, Uncle; I will grow up and become a beautiful woman for you. There's no doubt; I also have genuine love for you," Clara thought to herself as she walked out of the room. At some point, she didn't know when, but at the age of 17, she realized one thing: she missed her meetings with Joe Sebastian, even though they only happened once a month.
To be continued
#Book2 David ~ Chelsea. On an unfortunate night, a man forcibly took away Chelsea's honor. . Wound after wound and struggle after struggle. Whatever David did to apologize and take responsibility, it didn't open Chelsea's heart. . In reality, Chelsea chose her brother and intended to marry Daniel. . What happens next after Daniel finds out that Chelsea is no longer pure? Especially when the man who took away the honor of the girl he loves is his own brother.
“I will make you suffer so much! We will see!” Alexander Xavier said. . “Why did you turn so rude after marriage! What did I do wrong?" Jennifer asked. . Alexander returned from Canada. Through a drama that he designed to be a fluke that was more than a happening, he made Jennifer fall in love with him. . After receiving respect and taking the girl to marry him, he wasn't love nor a dream wedding that he offered, but cruelty and nightmare that he gave. It was all he did to take revenge on the girl's family. What happened in the past that made Alexander so vengeful? . Over time, Jennifer gave up and wanted to end it all. However, it was different with Raymond who grew a love feeling in her heart. Will they be together or just end it?
Lexi Gabriel Ricardo, 30 years old, who is a handsome widower. He was suffering from Sexual Aversion Disorder, which is a disorder in which the loss of sexual desire towards the opposite sex. It happened to Lexi because of a bad memory in his past, in which this man lost his wife at night after their wedding. Jessica, an 18-year-old girl, had bothered his mind. His body reacted differently, when it accidentally came in touch with this girl. Lexi needed to find out who that girl is, get to see her again. He wanted to make love to that girl who made his lust come up again. Wishing to spend a beautiful night with a girl after 5 years he passed his lonely nights in a cold bed.
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
Elodie took a deep breath and knocked, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. A moment of silence passed, broken only by the pounding of her heart. Finally, the door snicked open, revealing a surprised Dashiell. 'Can't you see the Do Not Disturb sign? We don't want-' His initial frown quickly morphed into confusion at the sight of his wife. 'What are you doing here?' he demanded. 'Your girlfriend invited me,' Elodie replied, her voice laced with icy calm. She tried to peer past him, but his broad frame blocked the view. A saccharine voice chimed in from within the room. 'Elodie? Oh dear, we didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that-' Elodie cut her short. 'Oh please, Selene. Spare me the fake apologies. You wouldn't have sent me all those texts if you didn't want me to know.' Dashiell shifted uncomfortably, his face a mask of annoyance. 'What texts?' Elodie stepped past him, taking in the luxurious suite with a sardonic smile. The king-sized bed, the scattered rose petals, the lingering scent of sex – it all painted a vivid picture of their betrayal. She looked up at Dashiell, her gaze unwavering. 'I want a divorce.' ****** Dashiell lived a life of luxury, surrounded by the best things money could buy. But when a car accident left him vulnerable, he met Elodie, a seemingly ordinary woman who nursed him back to health. Mistaking her for just another employee, Dashiell entered into a loveless marriage with her solely for convenience. However, fate had a different script in store. Elodie, the 'ordinary nurse,' held a secret more precious than any diamond: she was the sole heiress to Northstar, a vast and powerful enterprise. Unaware of her true identity, Dashiell cast her aside when his ex-girlfriend returned, leaving Elodie humiliated. But Elodie was not one to be easily broken. She shed the facade of the meek nurse, reclaiming her rightful inheritance and stepping into the role of Northstar's CEO. Now, the woman Dashiell discarded was the one holding the reins of power. As Elodie thrives in her new role, Dashiell is consumed by regret. He finally sees Elodie for the extraordinary woman she truly is, realising the depth of his mistake. But will his remorse be enough to win back the heart he so carelessly discarded?
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
After three years of loveless marriage, Kira was slapped with divorce papers. She has shown him her unrequited love throughout her entire marriage with him, but he decided to turn blind eyes all because of his lover. Distraught and heartbroken, Kira choose to sign the divorce papers with bitter heart. But then and there, she promised herself that when she's back, he will come crawling to her, but she will make him pay for hurting her. Join Kira as she transform to a wealthy heiress and soared as the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar empire, a remarkable healer and make her ex-husband pay!
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.