Page 108 of One Nightstand With My Ex's Uncle

EMILY’S POV.

I shook my head, trying to ignore the heavy nostalgic feeling. I was quick with the sausage, and pasta, and in a little time, it was all done.

It snowed all afternoon, and I wondered if it would ever stop.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” John asked, and I turned to see him behind me. I looked back, focusing on the glass wall. The beach was completely covered in snow, and the snowflakes reminded me of pretty white flowers.

“Yes, it is.” I replied, and he sat next to me on the blanket I had placed on the floor.

“Remember how much we both loved the snow.”

“I’d prefer if we stayed in the present, and avoid going to the past.”

“But I want to. I prefer we go back to the past when everything was perfect. Right now, we’re broken, just like the ice in the beach water. It wouldn’t hurt to go back to the good times.” He said, and I looked at my fingers.

It hurt too much to go to the past.

“Back then, you were always beautiful, and irresistible with your large head warmers. We’d walk in the snow, and then return to my house with our noses and fingers pink.”

I spoke, “We’d sit in front of the fire, and start laughing. Then your nanny would come and scream at us.” I couldn’t resist completing the story. Not when I could see it all like a movie in my head.

“You still remember.” He said, and I smiled.

“Maybe I should keep the happy memories.”

“How did we become like this, Emily?” He asked, and I scoffed.

“You cheated, remember? And then you became a monster.” I said, and his gaze fell.

“True, and I can’t change that. I was a monster, and you’ll always remember that I could always be a monster.” He said, piteously.

“I think I might have to go to bed early. The snow obviously won’t let you go out for your business whatever.” I said, getting to my feet.

“Take the bed. I’m still a gentleman. Can’t watch you take the couch, while I sprawl on the bed, can I?” He asked, and I didn’t bother refusing. I took my things, and arranged them in a little space between the bed and the wall, then I lay down to sleep, even though it was early in the evening.

~

The next morning, I woke up feeling warm and cozy, and I turned, and stretched in the soft bed.

John wasn’t in the room when I sat up, and I sighed, before heading to the bathroom for a warm bath. After bathing, I went to the bed to get my phone.

“Where are you hiding?” I asked softly, as I squeezed the sheets everywhere, searching for it. “Did it fall?” I checked underneath the bed, and the little bedside table.

“It was definitely next to me on the bed when I slept.” I said, confused, and went through my things. Could it have fallen there? After searching for a while, I decided it wouldn’t kill me to ask John to call. After all, my ringtone was loud enough.

I went down to the living room, and saw him coming in. The snow had stopped, and he pointed to the dining table.

“I made breakfast.”

“You didn’t need to.”

“I can’t just prepare breakfast for myself alone, can I?”

“Well…” I looked at what he had prepared.

Parmesan frico eggs with vegetables.

It looked quite nice.

“Thanks.” I said, and sat. He came, and sat in front of me. “Oh yeah, before I forget, can you help me find my phone? Just dial my number. I don’t know where I put it.”

“Oh, that’s fine. It’s with me.”

“And what are you doing with my phone?” I asked, feeling like a mother hen, about to fly at an attacker.

“While you’re here, you’re not allowed to connect to the outside world. It’s just you and me, developing my business idea. I don’t want any distractions.”

“My phone is my personal property!”

“Just as you are to me. As my secretary, you are not allowed to access your phone because it would cause distractions.”

“Where in the world is that done?” I asked, hotly.

“In my house. Forget about your phone for two more days, Emily. Already, a day has been wasted by the snow. We have to go out today.” He said, and I got up. “Aren’t you eating?”

“Why don’t you command me to do that also?” I spat, and walked away.

~

John and I left the house about an hour later, and he drove nonstop, straight to our old school.

“How are you going to get a business idea in a school?” I asked, but he smirked.

“Leave that to me. Step out.” He said, and once we were both out, he walked closely with me.

“Don’t act up. You shouldn’t forget that mostly here of all places, we are remembered as a couple.” He replied, and I followed, hating to be there with him.

Immediately I entered, it was a wave of nostalgia.

There was the garden where I had written so many unsent letters to John.

He looked at me, and smirked.

“I bet your brain’s busy remembering too many things.” He said, and I looked at the building.

Back then, I had friends, and we had walked around the school building so many times.

There was the snack shop, the garden, the cafeteria, the football field, basketball court.

They all knew I much I adored John, but college had torn us apart.

Blown across the world due to different dreams and ambitions, we had slowly lost touch.

I hated the feeling. I didn’t want to be in there.

What was that jerk’s main purpose for bringing me to the past? Did he think I’d forgotten what it felt like to be with him? Did he think I’d remember, and want to come back to him?

I felt so angry, and hateful, but… my eyes were already filled up with tears.

Whatever his intention was, it was working.