Page 34 of One Nightstand With My Ex's Uncle

EMILY’S POV.

I wouldn’t deny that I was baffled when Lucas asked to be friends. Why would he want to be friends with his Nephew’s ex? No, why would he want to be friends with a woman he slept with?

That looked so suspicious. Was he trying to blackmail me? Was he trying to get me on his bed again? Who did he take me for? Did he think I was that cheap? Why would he extend a hand of… did he think I was senseless, and didn’t understand what he meant?

I’d die first before I ever slept in a Granger’s bed again. He was clearly trying to make me admit to sleeping with him, so he could hold me down with it.

“I’m sorry, but I am only allowed to have a strict, professional relationship with my bosses, and I think that would be best for both of us.” I said, and saw him look down. He looked like he had never been rejected before, and was experiencing what it felt like to be rejected for the first time.

He was just like John.

Of course, he had those angelic looks that the woman in me wanted to keep staring at, he had the money, and the personality, but both he and John lacked what I wanted.

I only wanted to feel loved. I wanted to feel like the most beautiful woman on earth through someone’s eyes. It would be stupid to women who were after money, but not to me, since I was determined to be independent no matter what.

I was going to become a fashion designer, and fish out the right man for me.

Special thanks to John, who made me wary of wealthy men. Special thanks to him who made me so unwilling to have anything to do with his relatives, and family.

I turned around, and picked up random files from the desk.

“Thanks for being kind enough to extend your hand of friendship to me, but unfortunately, I have to drop these in Mr. Granger’s office, else he’d be mad.” I said, in my best professional voice, and bowed, making to walk past him, without touching him.

I went to my room, and it was just then I realized my heart had been beating abnormally the whole time.

“Gosh, that was awkward.” I said, sinking to the floor, with my back against my closed door. “I mean, there’s nothing to think about. What he wants is obvious. I mean, he looks genuine, handsome and all, but John was like that for almost five years!” I said to myself, and shook my head.

“No, Emily, it’s all part of his plan. It’s in their blood. Or would you like to explain why such a handsome man, such a perfect man, with those mesmerizing green eyes, charming smile, and beautiful eyes, would want to be friends with you?”

After thinking of the comparison between us, I was sure he was out to play with my heart. Could anyone tell me why the Grangers were bent on tearing my heart apart??

~

That evening, I prepared for the party, in a light green suit, with pants, and made sure I had a beautiful hairpin on, and low heels. I paid attention to the details Katie had told me the family liked, and as I got myself ready, I wished badly for things to go really well.

I didn’t want to be embarrassed in front of yet another male Granger who was set out to destroy me.

Katie and I walked out behind John, and Lucas, as we made our way to Alpha Raymond’s mansion which was only a few feet away from us.

When we got in, Katie, and I waited, while John, and Lucas went to meet the family members, wherever they were, and greet them.

They didn’t come down for almost half an hour, and when they did, they were all laughing.

“Oh! The disliked secretary is here!” Sadie pointed out, and giggled.

I tried hard to stop myself from rolling my eyes because it would only put me in more trouble than I needed.

Shortly, they were all gathered round the table, and it seemed just like that day we had the first meeting, except that Lucas was sitting in a chair which had been unoccupied that day.

Lucas seemed to be liked by the children. They separated him from his siblings by placing their chairs on both sides of him, talking, and laughing.

The adults also seemed to treat him fondly. It was obvious that he really was the youngest. He was treated with even more sweetness than they treated John.

Well, the reasons were obvious. John was a first-born, and Lucas was a last-born. Even though Lucas was older than John, he was still treated as being younger.

First children were always given much responsibility, and treated like adults, whereas everyone doted on the last child, who had little or no responsibilities.

“You’re not eating enough beef.” Lady Mira said, pushing a plate of beef his way.

“I’m already a stuffed bear.” Lucas said, and they laughed. Lady Genevieve passed him some vegetables, and stared at him hard.

“You need to have healthy food in you. You had better gobble that up before I descend upon you.” She snapped, and Lucas looked at the food with a sigh.

She discovered he was less serious when with his siblings. Without them, he acted older, and more mature. It was probably the effects of being babied.

“Lucas doesn’t want vegetables! Don’t force him. We all know he eats well.” Sadie said, pushing away the vegetables. “He’s not an old granny who needs vegetables to survive.” She said, and Lucas covered her mouth with a hand, while Lady Genevieve glared at her.

“Watch out, little one. You might wake up one day without your tongue.” She said, coldly, and Lady Mira’s jaw fell.

“Why are you scaring a kid like that? Oh, Genevieve, you’re something else. Totally despicable you are. Sadie’s actually right. He needs no vegetables to stay healthy. He’s still young.” She snapped, and stroked Sadie’s hair.

“By the way, won’t you officially welcome your brother-in-law?” Lady Mira asked, turning to me.

My mouth ran dry.

Why did they have to remember me? Everything had been going well. They hadn’t noticed me. Why did they have to pay attention to me?

“I… I uh, I welcomed him al…”

“Pour him a drink.” Lady Genevieve said, looking irritated, and I got to my feet.

Was it necessary to pour him a drink? Why were they so old-fashioned? No one welcomed anyone by pouring drinks again. It was always with a hug, or a friendly handshake.

I went towards where he sat, and stood right behind Sadie.

“Don’t stand behind me.” Sadie whined, shoving me backwards roughly. My cheeks heated up in embarrassment, and I moved to stand behind the little space between her, and Lucas.

Lucas watched me, and I took the wine bottle carefully. Why in the world was he staring at me!? Was he offended because I had rejected his offer to be his friend?

I took the glass, and began to pour into it. To my horror, I discovered my hands were trembling seriously, and I wasn’t the only one who had noticed it.

The liquid pouring out from the neck of the bottle, wavered dangerously, and a little spilled on the table, near Sadie’s arm.

Shit.

“Are you crazy!? Why are you so clumsy?” She asked, getting up to her feet so abruptly that I moved back in shock, and stumbled against Lucas. He caught me by the waist, and I tensed up, pushing myself away from him immediately.

My cheeks were red. I knew it. There was nothing anyone could say to deceive me. They were as red as roses.

“Why are you so flustered? Because he’s been staring at you, or because he touched you?” Lady Mira asked, looking amused, as she put a piece of chicken into her mouth.

“No, I…” I swallowed.

“Why were you so affected?” Lady Genevieve asked.

“Don’t give the lady a hard time, Genevieve. She’s engaged to John.” Alpha Raymond said, cutting a piece of rich steak from his dish.

“No, this is how it happens. It starts from little blushes, then you hear the engagement has been broken off. Look at me, Emilio,”

Emilio?

Lady Genevieve continued, “Such doesn’t happen in our family. We won’t endure such disgrace. You dare break the engagement, and you’re dead. Got it?” She asked, and I nodded immediately.

“You don’t have to be so thorough. Have you forgotten it’s Lucas? Since when did Lucas look at women, or want them? Sometimes, I think he’s just covering up for being gay.” Lady Mira said, giggling, and the elders looked like they were tired of her.

“Um, I think I’m full. Can I leave first? I think I’d like to swim at the pool.” Derella said, getting to her feet. “Would you mind accompanying me, Katie? Or you’re done eating?” She added, and Katie rose.

“It’s fine.” She said coolly.

“Let the other one go too. She’s not needed at the table.” Lady Genevieve said, pushing her fork into a potato.

I looked at the variety of dishes on the table, and felt it was way better to leave, even when I had eaten only a little. Who knew when next I’d eat, thanks to John and Mandy who locked up the fridge daily.

But then, I could simply order them if I wanted to.

“Who?” Lady Mira asked.

“Emilio.” Lady Genevieve replied.

“It’s Emily, Aunt Genevieve.” John corrected, pouring white wine into his glass.

“Whatever.”

“I’ll go, too.” Derel said, getting to his feet, with a piece of chicken in his hand.

Why would he follow? I already deemed him weird, and uncomfortable.

“Jude, let’s go. We can’t be the only kids here.” Sadie said, getting to her feet.

“So John, let’s talk about your preparations for the sculpture your lover sent to the grave.” Lady Mira said, and Alpha Will burst out laughing.

“What an interesting way to put it.” He remarked.

I went with Katie, and the kids to the pool, and with her dress intact, Derella placed her legs into the water, soaking half of the beautiful evening dress.

Shortly, Lucas came with his hands in his pockets, and Sadie ran to him.

“Lucas, let’s swim!” She shouted, pulling him to the pool.

“No, no, I’m…” He was saying, but Derella had already splashed water on him. Sadie giggled.

“Swim with us, Lucas.” She urged, and Lucas took off his sock, shoes, and jacket, before going into the water, and Sadie jumped on his back, making the both of them go underwater.

When they came up, they were laughing, and Lucas swiped his hair backwards. For a while, I was stunned. He ought to be a model.

There, in the water amidst the lights, he looked nothing but handsome. His skin was smooth, and as he smiled, with water dripping off it, I realized his smile was really something else.

It was gripping, and worthy of being called beauty itself. He was even more handsome than John, and I tried to look away, but couldn’t. Derel joined the party, pulling shy Jude with him, and they all began to talk in the water.

“You two should come and sit by the edge instead of just staying there.” Derella called, and Katie and I exchanged looks.

She nodded slightly, meaning we could do that much, so we both went to the pool edge, and sat with our legs folded inwards.

Sadie began to scream and splash water all round, deliberately drenching us, even though she tried to make it look unintentional.

“What’s that on your hand?” She asked, pointing to my hand, and I looked at it.

“There’s nothing.” I said, and she came over to me, taking my hand, in her small ones.

“See here.” She said, and suddenly tugged, making me fall into the water ungracefully. To be precise, I ‘forward rolled’ into the water, and everyone cracked up. When I raised my head, gasping for breath, Lucas was with his back to me, but with the way his shoulders shook, I knew he was laughing.

Katie also folded her lips, trying not to be caught smiling. I was drenched, shoes, hair and everything.

It was annoying, but I bit my lip hard, so I wouldn’t accidentally let my anger show.

“You look beautiful in water.” Derel said, and all I wanted was to swear at him heavily, but of course, I couldn’t.

“Today, Lucas is my prince charming.” Sadie said, linking her arm around his.

“That’s so odd. Why would the Prince be twenty-one years older?” He asked.

“Think about it. When she’s twenty-one, he’ll be forty-two. That’s fair. When she’s forty-two, he’ll be uh… um… Wait a sec.” Her eyes rolled upwards, for a while, “He’ll be… uh…”

“Sixty-three.” He completed,

“See? That is completely normal. When you’re a hundred, I’ll be seventy-nine. That’s so sweet.” She said, and Lucas looked at her like he was getting goosebumps.

“No.” He said, rejecting her, and everyone burst into laughter. Even Katie smiled, but I didn’t.

Shortly, Lady Mira came out, and walked towards us, with her jeweled heels silencing everyone.

“Okay, uh… I asked to borrow one of John’s secretaries, and uh…” Her eyes flitted between me and Katie.

Without knowing what it was, I wished desperately that she wouldn’t pick me.

But that night, it got confirmed that wishes never came true because she pointed to me.

“I think Emilio would do. Katie’s very busy. So, uh, I need you to babysit Sadie tomorrow. It’s the weekend, I won’t be around, and the maids are terrified, so…you know what, I just don’t want her in the house.” Lady Mira said honestly.

“Moooom!” Sadie called in a pout, still holding onto Lucas’ arm.

“What? If you don’t like it, then fix your attitude.” Lady Mira replied, and walked away.

Then Sadie looked at me.

“Actually…” A wide grin spread on her face, and I knew I was done for.

The grin was a devilish one.