"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.
"Never let anyone treat you like shit!" I learned that the hard way. For three years, I lived with my in-laws. They didn't treat me as their son-in-law but as a slave. I put up with everything because of my wife, Yolanda Lambert. She was the light of my life. Unfortunately, my whole world came crashing down the day I caught my wife cheating on me. I have never been so heartbroken. To have my revenge, I revealed my true identity. I was none other than Liam Hoffman—the heir of a family with trillions of dollars in assets! The Lamberts were utterly shocked after the big reveal. They realized what fools they had been for treating me like trash. My wife even knelt down and begged for my forgiveness. What do you think I did? Did I take her back or made her suffer? Find out!
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
22-year-old Evelyn Carter is attempting to start over in California while avoiding her past. She will be embarking on a new career path as a private school teacher. She is smart, attractive, and doesn't put up with nonsense. Who wouldn't notice her? However, what happens when she attracts the attention of someone unwilling to let her go? Who wants her and nothing else after falling in love at first sight? A 25-year-old billionaire CEO and single father, Lucian Carrington. He takes what he wants and he is also a very dangerous man. All it needed was one look at a stunning woman to realize she was HIS, even though he doesn't believe in relationships because they always end. Preview: Miss Carter, you will be mine. I say firmly. "Release my arm, Mr. Carrington, before I force you to." She says, seeming to smile at me. I give her a sly smile. Squeezing my wrist with her other hand, she twists it uncomfortably. I gave a painful hiss. "Don't underestimate me, Mr. Carrington." "This is the only time I will allow you to walk away from me, Miss Carter." She glared at me as she turned. "Mr. Carrington, I am no possession of yours." I was left standing there when she opened the classroom door and left.
"You're mine, little puppy," Kylan growled against my neck. A soft gasp escaped my lips as his lips brushed my skin. My mind screamed at me to push him away-the Lycan Prince who had humiliated me again and again, but my body betrayed me, leaning into him before I could stop myself. He pressed his lips against mine, and his kiss grew more aggressive, more possessive as I felt my legs weaken. What was I doing? In a split-second, I pulled away and slapped him hard across the face. Kylan's eyes darkened, but the smirk on his lips exposed his amusement. "You and I both know we can't fight this, Violet," he said, gripping my wrist. "You're my mate." "And yet you don't want me," I replied. "You told me you were ashamed of me, that l'd never be your queen, that you'd never love me. So please, accept my rejection and let me go." "Never," he whispered, his grip tightening as he pulled me closer. "Soon enough, you'll be begging for me. and when you do-I'll use you as I see fit and then I'll reject you."
Katie was forced to marry Dillan, a notorious ruffian. Her younger sister mocked her, "You're just an adopted daughter. Count your blessings for marrying him!" The world anticipated Katie's tribulations, but her married life unfurled with unexpected serenity. She even snagged a lavish mansion in a raffle! Katie jumped into Dillan's arms, credited him as her lucky charm. "No, Katie, it's you who brings me all this luck," Dillan replied. Then, one fateful day, Dillan's childhood friend came to her. "You're not worthy of him. Take this 50 million and leave him!" Katie finally grasped Dillan's true stature—the wealthiest man on the planet. That night, trembling with trepidation, she broached the subject of divorce with Dillan. However, with a domineering embrace, he told her, "I'd give you everything I have. Divorce is off the table!"
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.