Page 106 of One Nightstand With My Ex's Uncle

EMILY’S POV.

When John kissed me, it had been a really weird feeling. Even if I had long forgotten what it felt like to be kissed by him, my lips remembered—the shape of his lips. The tenderness, the gentleness.

I couldn’t help having flashes of the numerous times we kissed. The people seemed quite interested in watching us kiss, and just when I began to get frustrated of the kiss, and the unexpected rising feelings; Lucas floated into my mind.

We had kissed that night when we first met, and it had been full of sparks. Again we had kissed in front of the water, on Sadie’s school trip. Both times had been something beautiful.

Kissing Lucas had butterflies roaming in my belly, and it was funny that I was thinking of kissing him, while being kissed by John. John released me, and I discovered I was smiling.

He sat, and chuckled, pleased with himself. I looked at him, then glanced at the people, who had smiles on their faces, as they turned back to what they were doing.

“You’re so complicated, Emily. You act like you don’t remember us, but you do.” He said, cutting up his steak with a smile.

“Hm?”

Wait… Did John think I was smiling because he kissed me? Hell no! That was because of Lucas.

He asked, “Women are really hard to predict. Tell me, were you overreacting because you felt I no longer loved you?”

I squinted at him.

“You should have just told me exactly how you felt, and we wouldn’t have gone this far. After our trip, let’s see if you’ll still want us to get married or not. We leave tomorrow. So, pack up tonight.” He said, and I nodded, not willing to argue or speak with him.

John seemed really proud of himself after the kiss, and I worried about it in the kitchen that night.

Why was I worrying? Because I knew there was a probability John would gloat about it to Lucas, and it wouldn’t look good.

That was exactly how John would say it, and Lucas would…

Would he feel bad? It wasn’t like we were dating each other, so would he actually mind?

“Whatever. Let’s just explain, okay? I don’t want anyone thinking I still like that old fart.” I said to myself, and a few minutes after my tea was ready, Lucas walked in.

Perfect timing.

I didn’t hesitate to show it on my face that I had a bad day, and didn’t wait to tell him that John caused it.

I didn’t study his expression when I told him what John did, but I hoped he could see that I totally hated John’s actions, so even if John bluffed to him, it wouldn’t matter.

We talked late into the night, and left the kitchen together. However at the top of the staircase, he stopped, and I also stopped.

“You didn’t show it that you were displeased, did you?” He asked softly, and I couldn’t see his expression. The only thing I could make out in the dark was his eyes.

“No. I had to act, and…I hated acting. I didn’t want to.” I replied.

“You did a good job.” He said, with a smile.

“Thank you.” I replied, and the seconds that followed were a little tense. It seemed like the right time to kiss, and I awaited it, but after what seemed like a long time, he patted my shoulder.

“Goodnight.” He said, and left me standing there. I watched him disappear into the darkness, before finally leaving for my room in disappointment.

On my bed, I saw my half-packed things. I had been so frustrated with the thought of John spewing nonsense to Lucas that I had been unable to pack up properly.

“It’s just three days, Emily. Don’t pack too much.” I said to myself, throwing coats into the bag.

The next morning, I was awoken very early by John’s. It was just six-thirty.

“We’re leaving. Take your bath.” He said, and I groaned. I thought we’d leave maybe in the evening after work. Did it have to be that early in the morning?

I took a warm bath, and dressed myself warmly before leaving the house. Then I saw Sadie watering the flowers that were bound to wither in a matter of time.

The ground was filled with snow, and white mist floated out whenever I exhaled.

“Hi.” I said, approaching her, with my hands deeply rooted in my white padded jacket.

“Hi.” She replied, dryly, and I moved closer to her, fixing her lopsided pom pom. “Don’t touch me.”

“Are you still going to avoid me? Because of what I saw? So what? Everyone is sick in one way or the other. Look at me. I’m a trapped slave.

It’s not like I’m taunting you about it, or threatening to tell anyone.

I didn’t even think much about it, so just stop avoiding me.

I’m going on a three-day trip with John, so…

I just thought we should talk before I left.

” I said, and she dropped the watering can, before turning to me.

“You’re going away?”

“For three days.”

“Cool.” She replied, and picked up her watering can again.

“So, everything’s fine now, right?”

“That doesn’t make me weak, so stop babying me!” She snapped.

“You only baby someone who looks like they should be babied. You’re not cute enough.” I said, and she scoffed.

“It’s cold, Emily. And I have colder water in my watering can.” She said, and I chuckled.

“I get your message. Since I do not want to freeze to death by your watering can’s cold water, I’ll take my leave.” I said, smiling, and walked away.

“Bye! I’ll see you soon.” I said, turning around, and waving my hand at her.

She gave a little smile, and waved slightly. There she was again—acting three times her age.

John was checking his face in the mirror when I knocked, and he jumped slightly, then opened the door.

I sat, and passed my luggage to the back seat, while he helped me close the door.

“So, what is the purpose of this school trip?” I asked, as I put on my seat belt.

“Of course, we’re going on business.” He said, with a smile, and started the ignition. “Do you…perhaps want to kiss again?” He asked, and I showed my disgust, without delay.

“If I’m not going as your secretary, then I’ll leave this car.

You don’t kiss secretaries. And while I’m at it, I might as well chip something in.

Don’t ever kiss me again. Public or not, you should learn to trust the ‘me’ in front of you, I will hit you, John.

Maybe that will be the day everyone will realize something’s wrong. ”

“Oh come on. You can’t do that.” He said, with a laugh.

“Yes, I can. If you haven’t noticed, Lady Genevieve has been sweet on me, since I saved her life.

You should learn to respect my decisions.

If I tell them you tried to harass me sexually in public, whose side do you think they’ll take?

Think well. After your incident with Mandy, whose side do you think they’ll take? Yours?”

“Shut it.” He said, instinctively, then quickly looked at me, as if he didn’t know when he said those words.

“You don’t have to be scared. I expect nothing more from you anyway.” I replied, and looked at the snow-covered buildings through the window glass.

John didn’t say a word throughout the drive, and I was tremendously grateful for it.

We slowly drove into a neighborhood I recognized. It was the place John’s family stayed in before his grandfather died, and it was the neighborhood I schooled in. I always took the early morning bus to make it to school quickly.

Being back there, aroused nostalgic feelings in me. A part of me missed what it felt like to be a high school student. A part of me wanted to stay there, and not return to Lucas’ mansion.

We drove slowly because the snow was quite a lot, and we stopped at a beach house. The beach looked cold and dark and a few days more, it could be partly swallowed up by ice.

It wasn’t a large beach house, and I wondered why John, with all his money couldn’t afford a better one. There was a cute living room, with two heart shaped sofas, a stool in between them with two mugs on top.

The curtains were white, and so was the paint on the wall.

There was a little television right in front of the sofas, and there was the dining table not too far from them.

It had two more doors, and that was the kitchen and a toilet.

Then we climbed the stairs, and I discovered it had a single bedroom.

I could finally see John’s strategy. A trip where we’d have to be together all the time. How nice!

The room was beautiful, and overlooked the beach through its glass wall. It had a single bed that was large enough for two, and a couch that would be enough for a person to sleep in.

That was very good. If he wanted the bed, then I’d take the couch.

“Wow. You won’t believe it’s noon already. I don’t think the sun’s coming out today.” John said, looking out at the beach.

“How can it be noon?” I asked, flatly, as I began to unpack.

“All the traffic, of course. I’m really starving. You should cook something, and I’ll raise your salary.” He said, taking off his coat, and scarf.

I sighed.

John left the room, and I arranged my things neatly around the sofa, where I’d sleep.

Then I took off my coat too, and closed my eyes, enjoying the warmth of the house with my bare skin.

I went down the stairs, to the kitchen, and looked around. There were basic supplies there.

“What can we have for lunch?” I asked myself, browsing through the available ingredients. “These are nice.” I said, looking at them.

I began to make preparations for sausage and fennel pasta, but midway through the preparations, I stopped.

It was just like old times. That feeling.

Staying at John’s house overnight… Waking, and fixing something light for breakfast…

I suddenly had the strong feeling that John would come in, and start eating, while the food was yet to be done.

But of course, it wouldn’t happen.

It was way too nostalgic—preparing food for John. I had prepared food for him that night too when I had seen him and Katie.

It made my heart feel heavy.

Very heavy.