Page 74 of One Nightstand With My Ex's Uncle

LUCAS’ POV.

I was plain shocked to see Emily and me displayed on the screen.

There was the photo of us having coffee. The one with Emily going out with the pink dress. Although it was just her. I wasn’t in the picture. Then there was another of us laughing, while grilling meat, right before John offered to join us.

It felt like my heart had seized. Everyone was murmuring, and looking for us.

“Isn’t that Mr. Granger’s fiancée?”

“I thought she was getting married to John?”

“Is she the one? I think she is. I saw their engagement poster, and announcements.”

“Are they no longer together?”

“Oh my God. Is it an affair!?”

“Did she cheat on him with his Uncle?”

“This is crazy. What is this?”

Genevieve got up, looking stiff with anger, and walked straight to the little cubicle where the technical people were working. She probably had a lot to say.

I looked at Emily, and saw she couldn’t even take her eyes off the screen.

Her eyes were wide open, and I could see the hand which held her glass was wrapped around it tightly.

Her knuckles were white, and it seemed like she was having difficulty breathing because it felt like she was perfectly still.

“Oh my God.” Sadie said, and looked at Emily. “Shouldn’t you do something, Lucas? They’re going to misunderstand.” She said, and I looked at Raymond who was staring at the screen with anger flashing in his green eyes.

Will was looking at me, and I knew he probably had a lot to say. Mira got up from her seat, and went in the direction Genevieve went.

I also got up from my seat, and Derella hissed at me to stay still, but I didn’t listen. The murmurs grew louder, as I crossed the chairs and tables, and got to the very front. I stood on the little stage, and grabbed the mic, which gave a loud screeching sound.

“Stop the murmuring. This is a celebration. Something went wrong with the technical operation, and you should be patient, and silent while waiting. You shouldn’t create a rumor out of this, and feed it. Emily and I are friends, and if you haven’t seen us kissing, then you should stop asking if she’s cheating on her fiancé.” I said, coldly, and they all kept their mouths shut, but it was obvious they had questions they didn’t want to ask.

Then John came up next to me, and asked for the mic, with a smile.

“You all know Lucas and I are very close. We’re more like brothers. You know that since you all have dug every bit of information on our family. Emily and Lucas are good friends. It doesn’t change anything between Emily and me, so please, we wouldn’t like this to turn into something else. Anyone can be friends, and this would be sorted out very soon. In the meantime, quietness would be appreciated.” He said, with a hand in his pocket, exercising authority in his gentle words.

The people still looked unsatisfied, but began to order for drinks and things to eat.

“Thank you for your cooperation.” He said, and dropped the mic. “Let’s talk.” He added to me, without the mic, but with a smile.

We both went out through a little door, and he took me to the VIP restroom, where he rested his hands on the sink, and I placed mine inside my pockets, as I watched him.

“Whatever it is you’re doing with Emily, cut it out.” He said, with gritted teeth.

“Whatever it is I’m doing? What are we doing? Talking? Laughing? Hanging out?”

“You shouldn’t talk, laugh, or hang out with my fiancée!” He said, turning around sharply.

“She’s not your fiancée. Did you forget she broke the engagement?” I asked, and he bit his lower lip.

“Emily loves me. She only needs time, and my love. For now, she’s just hurt, but we’ll make up. Or are you insinuating you want her because she’s free?”

“We’re friends. Friends, and nothing more.”

“How do I believe that? When it comes to Emily, you’ve been acting unlike yourself. You can act friendly with Katie all you like, but not Emily! She’s mine.”

“John, grow up. I can be friends with whomever I want. Emily can also choose whoever she wants to be friends with. She’s an adult, and no longer the high school kid you used to know. You hurt her real bad, and if you can’t own up to it, and apologize properly, then just let her be.”

“Let her be! I can’t! She’s going nowhere, and she dare not defy me. I have apologized once, and that’s it. She’s coming back to me.”

“I think you’re just obsessed with controlling everything around you. If she’s really going to come back like you said, then let her be.” I said, turning around and making to leave.

“Everyone still thinks were engaged! And Aunts and Uncle will think the crazy story Mandy said is about you guys!” He shouted, but I didn’t stop walking away. “Don’t mess with me, Lucas! Just be harsh like you’ve always been!”

I left, and when I got back to the hall, the photos of the company were already being displayed.

Everything went smoothly from then on, but Emily remained a little shaken. Katie was quiet, and Mandy looked obsessed with speaking to Genevieve.

When the whole thing was over, and everyone was leaving, I walked over to Emily who was standing next to Sadie.

“That didn’t mean a thing. You don’t have to look so worried.” I said, and she bit her lip slightly.

“Everyone has been staring at me since. Not just the family, but the people too. I don’t think it will be enough to just claim we’re friends.” She said.

“Why’s your voice so low and depressed? Cheer up. John himself spoke about it, so they won’t make a fuss.” Sadie said, tugging on her finger, and extending a piece of apple pie to her.

“It’s just uncomfortable.” Emily said, taking the apple pie from Sadie.

“We’re leaving!” Derella shouted from the large doors, and we all walked out of the building. That night, the family insisted on having dinner together again, and all was eerily, and uncomfortably quiet.

“Did you find out who caused that inconvenience today?” Mandy asked.

“The technicians themselves don’t know what happened. There’s nothing on the CCTV. Anyways, we’re going to try to solve the issue quietly, so that shouldn’t mean a thing.” Genevieve replied.

“Still, shouldn’t we find who did it, and punish them for causing such suspicion?” John asked.

“I agree with that. They wanted it to seem like Lucas and Emily are in a relationship.” Sadie said, licking her fingers which she had dipped in sauce.

“They would probably think something is horribly wrong with the family. It’s bad for our image, and I have a meeting with a few ruling Alphas.” Raymond grunted, looking dissatisfied with everything.

“There’s nothing to worry about it. The minute we start offering extended explanations, they’ll be convinced something is really wrong with the family. Let them think what they want, and it will all die down.” I said, toying with my chopped up steak.

“It’s not as simple as that.” Genevieve snapped.

“Emily. Tomorrow, you’ll have a meeting with us. Alone.” Will said.

“Yes. We have to straighten out whatever curve there is in the straight lines.” Mira replied.

Emily looked at me, but I couldn’t look at her.

The meeting was going to be heated.