Page 66 of One Nightstand With My Ex's Uncle

EMILY’S POV.

My face grew hot, and I was thankful for the cover of the night, unless he’d have seen my face color up.

A friendly date? The word ‘friendly’ seemed invisible in my head. Was there such? I thought dates were only meant for lovers.

“John spoke endlessly about you being pretty whenever you blushed. I can’t help but notice the truth in that tonight.” He said, and I colored up even more.

“You can see my face clearly?” I asked, raising a hand to my cheek.

“Don’t forget to add the word ‘friendly’ in your head when you’re thinking of what I said. Because it looks to me like you discarded the ‘friendly’, and dwelled on the ‘date’ alone.” He said, and I stepped backwards like it would help to shield my face better.

Was he a mind reader or something?

“Who says I discarded the word ‘friendly’? I didn’t. So when is the time for this friendly date? And what are we going to do?”

“Just movies. Stuff like that. I’ve been really bored having to work and work like my life only has one pattern.” He said, running a hand through his hair.

“You’re not alone. I’m wondering if I’ll spend three years stuck in between the house and the company.” I replied, and he chuckled.

“I think we’ll make good friends. So, we’ll leave the house as soon as you’re done with your work.” He replied, and I nodded.

“That’s convenient. John wouldn’t have anything to say.” I pointed out, with a smile. “So, have a nice night.” I said, and walked away.

John was in the living room, engrossed in a movie, and I stopped a few feet away from him.

“Mr. Granger?”

“Gosh, would you stop that already? Just call me John. What’s the matter with you? Don’t you think you’re just being plain stupid?” He asked, sitting upright, and that stung.

“I have a question.” I said, ignoring him, and he paused the movie he was watching.

“Ask away.” He said, and I held my hands behind me.

“I’ll like to know my work for tomorrow. I want to see what they’re about, and if it’s possible to get started tonight.” I said.

“Shouldn’t you be resting? I heard you went to the hosoital while I was away. You fainted, something like that.” He said, sticking his little finger into his ear.

“I’m fine. I’ll like to…”

“Forget about it. Just go to your room.”

“Mr.…”

“Stop that crap, and leave!” He bellowed, grabbing a pillow hard. He wanted to throw it, but had reminded himself of who I was. “Emily, just go.” He said, placing his fingers on his face.

Without another word, I left his presence. He was a jerk, and everything he did annoyed me. No matter how much work he gave me, I was going to finish it on time, and if he gave me more, I would decline.

“So, what did Lucas say?” Sadie asked, pausing her rambling cartoon as I entered the room.

“He wants us to go on a friendly date.” I said, sinking into the seat in front of my dressing mirror.

“What? Oh my God! Oh my God. There’s an opportunity for me.” She squealed, coming to pat my shoulder like I was the eight-year-old between us. “You have to wake really early tomorrow. I have something for us to do.” She said, bouncing out the door, and I hit my head on the desk.

“I’m tired.” I muttered.

~

The next morning, Sadie woke me earlier than usual.

“I hired someone to do your work. Now, get up.” She said, pulling my hair.

“Agh! There are better ways to wake someone, Sadie!” I shouted, sitting up immediately.

“Nope, this is the best.” She said, and splashed water on my face.

My mouth fell open as my night shirt, and bed sheet became soaked.

“What the heck is wrong with you?”

“Get up!”

“You have no respect, freak! How could you just…”

“You should know I respect no one. Now, get up.”

“Make me.” I said, strongly.

“YOU SLEPT WITH LU…” She began to say at the top of her voice.

“Aaaah! I’m up!” I said, jumping out of bed to seal her mouth.

“Bathe.” She said, and I swore silently, as I made my way to the bathroom.

I took my bathe as quickly as I could, and Sadie and I sneaked out of the house, jumping through the window in the storeroom.

“This feels like skipping school.” I said, as I dropped down on the grass, and turned to help her.

“I do this all the time. Did it recently.” She said, jumping down by herself, and ignoring my help. “I’m not a baby.” She added, walking away, and I shook my head, going after her.

“I’m more than double of your age. Of course, you’re a baby.” I muttered.

Sadie ordered her driver to drive us to a mall, where she passed me her mother’s VIP card.

“Sadie! This is…”

“Shut it. It looks better when you do it.” She said, walking past me into the VIP section, and I immediately showed the security the card, before they could stop her, and piss her off.

“Alright. Let’s shop.” She said, skipping through the rows and rows of clothes. “Something sweet, light, and beautiful.” She added, trailing her fingers among the clothes.

“I have clothes. You didn’t need to do this.” I said, eyeing a beautiful wine dress, which was made of smooth satin. I reached out my hand to touch it, but Sadie stuck a pink dress in my face.

“Wow.” I said, but pushed it away.

“It’s a friendly date.” I reminded her.

“Well to me, it shouldn’t be.” She said, pushing the pink dress back to me.

It had just a single long netty sleeve off the shoulder, and was fitted to the hips where it flaired a little. Golden buttons ran down the middle, and its quality was no joke.

I would look too good in it, and Lucas would get the impression I dressed up for him.

“Here.” Sadie said, handing me a white bag, and took my hand, dragging me to the shoes section where she picked out beautiful white heels. “Now, you just need a white beret to finish the sweet job.” She said, bouncing around.

How could an eight-year-old become the way Sadie had become?

Sadie found the white beret she wanted for me, and we took it all home. She left my room for a while, and returned with makeup products, and a maid.

“Sadie, no…”

“It’s getting late. When do you want to return? The later you are, the shorter the date becomes.” She snapped, and the maid smiled.

“I’m happy you’re going on a date. Mr. Granger is totally not worth you.” She said, taking out the makeup products, and Sadie smiled at her.

“I think I like you already, so… dress her up beautifully.” Sadie said, and the maid nodded.

It was light makeup, but it was obvious to whoever saw me that I was prettier.

“Sadie, this would look like it’s all my doing.” I said, turning around, as the maid combed my brown hair slowly.

She didn’t even bother looking at me. She was buried in a large picture book, with wide, expectant eyes, and a little smile.

When the maid had left, she dropped the book, and walked over to me.

“Smile, smile. When you’re with him, smile. You’re prettiest when you do.” She said, adjusting the beret on my head.

“Seriously, Sadie. This is ridiculous. If I get caught going out like this…”

“If you smile, it would charm Lucas.”

“Are you listening? Just let me get dressed in a sweatshirt, and jeans. I’ll still look good, and no one would think I’m going on a date. No one would suspect me.”

“If you listen to me, and make this fun for Lucas— because trust me, I’ll ask him—I won’t bug you for a full week.” She said, and my eyes widened.

That was a deal not to miss, and I didn’t think it would be hard to impress Lucas.

“Deal?” Sadie asked, and I bit my lip.

It was going to be fun anyway, and it would earn me a Sadie-free week.

“Deal.”