Page 78 of One Nightstand With My Ex's Uncle

EMILY’S POV.

I stared at the photo with my throat feeling like it was bringing back all the things I had eaten. It was definitely Mandy, who had sent it through an unknown number.

What was her deal?

Why was she so obsessed with making sure she pulled me down?

Did she want to get married to John or Lucas, which one of them?

I only barely escaped the elders’ meeting.

They said they’d be putting an eye on me to see that I didn’t disgrace their family, but she was there, busy trying to make me rot in jail, without committing a crime.

Lucas got up to scan the area, but I knew it was no use. She’d have taken the picture minutes ago, gotten back to safety, then settle to send the picture, so she wouldn’t get caught.

Lucas returned after a while, and by then, I was already thinking of whatever I could be framed for doing. Seducing a Granger? Causing trouble for the family?

“Whoever sent it will ask for something before using it. We should know who took it then.”

“It’s Mandy.” I said, staring at the phone.

“Mandy?” He asked, looking like he never thought of the possibility of it being her.

“Yes, Mandy. She was the one who displayed those pictures at the ceremony.”

“She?”

“She keeps following me anytime I go out, but I don’t see her. She managed to take a photo of me, right before I got into your car for our friendly date. She didn’t take one of you though. The day we had coffee too, she told me she saw us when I got to the company. She told me to upload a drunk video of myself, and tag the elders in it. This was retaliation for not doing it.” I explained, looking at the food I had lost interest in.

“How dare she? Did she know how big that event was? Why didn’t you tell anyone it was her?” He asked, looking surprised at how daring Mandy was.

“Then they’d call her, question her, and she’d put us in trouble too. I just had to let it pass.” I replied, and he gave a little noise of disagreement.

“I’ll talk to her. You should go in. Dinner should be over. We don’t know what else she might try.” He said, getting up, and packing the plates and spoons.

“I’ll help.” I said, taking the plates, spoons, and glasses from him, and arranging them in a tray, since he was going to have to take in the table, and chairs.

Luckily, on my way to the kitchen, I didn’t run into anyone, and I was more than glad for that. I wasn’t sure I could say much when I was troubled about whatever would happen next.

The elders had been unwilling to let me off with just a threat. The only thing I did wrong was being friends with Lucas, but they were obsessed with turning it into something much more like an affair.

When I returned to my room, Sadie was there practicing yoga.

“Isn’t it too late for yoga?” I asked, going to my bed.

“No time is too late for yoga. What happened with the elders?”

“Of course, they threatened me. They wanted me to admit something I didn’t do.”

“What’s that?”

“They think I’m having an affair with Lucas, and that I like him.”

“Don’t you like him?”

“I don’t. Cut it.”

“What did they threaten to do if you ruined the family image?” She asked, and I sighed.

“Throw me into prison.” I replied, hugging my knees to my chest.

“Ouch, it got that bad already?” She asked, flatly, as she got down into a split.

“So they have put someone into prison before?”

“I think four… The four of them dared to con Derel, and somehow they ended up in jail for attempted rape.” She replied, bending backwards on her split, and bending her back leg upwards, so her head and foot would meet.

“Whoa!” I exclaimed. That was brutal.

“Just calm down. Did you see Mandy today?”

“No.”

“I told you she wouldn’t do anything yet.” She said, releasing herself from the posture she had been in.

“Yet? She was the one who displayed those pictures of Lucas and me.” I said immediately.

“Really? If the family finds out, she might go to jail for embezzlement. Then, there’s our chance to get rid of her.” She said, adjusting into a butterfly pose, looking like it was what I should have done since.

“No, then I’d also go with her for embezzlement. She’s going to spill what she knows.” I said, immediately.

“True. But you only need to give me some time. I’ll completely destroy Mandy. She’s going to be dead meat.” She said, walking out of my room.

Two minutes later, she returned.

“Mandy’s going somewhere! I think you should follow her. I saw her through the balcony.” She said, and I got off my bed, running out of my room.

Where was she going?

My heart seemed to pound, as I dashed down the hall.

What would happen if she went to the elders, and showed them the picture? What was she doing?

I nearly skidded down the stairs, but managed to get down safely without a sprained ankle. Breathing hard, I ran across the separated living rooms, and dashed out the door, and came in the foyer.

When I got out, the chill night air whipped my hair around, and I walked quickly towards the other mansions, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.

There was no Mandy in sight, and it was then I realized it was totally my own conclusion that she’d be headed towards the mansion. I didn’t ask Sadie in what direction she had been headed in.

“She ought to have told me.” I said to myself, tracing my steps to the balcony where Sadie had seen her from.

“The garden.” I said, and ran towards the garden. When I got close, I heard her talking, and stopped.

Slowly, and quietly, I approached the garden and hid where I was able to see.

She was talking to Lucas who stood with his hands in his pockets.

Mandy looked mad, and I feared he had said something to piss her off.

I was the one who was always in trouble, so why couldn’t he just talk to her nicely, or let her be?

“I just don’t like her.” I heard Mandy say, and she looked scary in the half moonlight.

“And what are you going to do about it?” Lucas asked.

“I’m going to destroy her.” She replied, with spite, and I almost fainted. The Grangers were already trying to do that.

She didn’t need to seriously join them.

Was I to go out and talk to her, or just watch?