His Uncle's Plaything

Chapter 3

“Jessa! Thank you for coming here! I’ve been wanting to see you,” Tita Carla said. We exchanged cheek kisses.

I smiled at her. “Thank you for inviting me, Tita.”

Tita shook her head. “You—of all people here—should be the one to be here tonight. We are going to make it up to you.” She looked at Jack in a meaningful way.

“It’s okay, Tita. We’re good now. Hopefully, Jack here won’t think of anything unusual again.”

Jack scratched his head. “Of course. I don’t want to lose you anymore and be disowned by my mother.”

We laughed. Jack guided me to the living room and sat on the couch. It was my first time seeing his relatives on a dinner night. Jack came from a well-known family. He had relatives who were businessmen. Even his parents owned a textile company. But Jack didn’t want to take anything from his family. That was why I immediately understood him when he got scared when he lost a job.

The night went on, and I met his new cousins. I immediately got along with Marla, Jack’s auntie from the States. I just met her now despite being with Jack for a long time. Though she was his auntie, Marla was still the same age as I am.

“I really hope we will stay here for a long time to hang out with you more, Jessa. I like you,” Marla said, sipping her wine.

“Why? Are you going back anytime soon?”

“I’m not sure. It’s just my brother is too busy, and I’m just here because of him. My parents were too strict with me. You know, younger child syndrome.” She laughed.

“Your brother? I think I haven’t met him.”

“Yes, I’ve been calling him.”

I nodded. I don’t know why I suddenly became curious about his brother. Jack already introduced me to his relatives—except for Marla’s brother.

“Anyway, what do you do, Jessa?”

“I’m in IT. I work for a company.”

“Really? Maybe you could work with my brother?”

I frowned. “Why?”

“He is a businessman. Actually, we’re here because he was opening a branch here. Don’t worry. I will introduce you to him later. I guess he’s coming already.”

“Ahm, okay. But I think I’m already okay in my company. They pay me well.”

“Oh, come on! My brother will take care of you. And besides, you are Jack’s girlfriend. You’ll be taken care of well. And also, I heard my brother will hire Jack too. Don’t you want to work with him?”

I grinned at her. I’m still not thinking of leaving my company. Though I could consider her brother. Working with Jack’s relatives might be better.

“I’ll think about it.”

Marla looked at the front door. Her eyes widened and she smiled widely like she saw someone there. I looked there too and I was stunned for a moment when I saw a man in a gray suit entering the door. He was fixing his suit, then he combed his hair at the top of his head, revealing his face.

‘Oh no.’

He looked in our direction because Marla was calling him. But before he could even see us, some of their relatives went to him. This can’t be! I know him! My hands shook as I drank all the wine from my glass. What should I do?!

“Are you okay?” Marla asked.

I looked at her and forced a smile. “Y-Yes! I am.”

She groaned and looked at her brother again. “He’s the star of the crowd again,” she joked. “I’ll just get him and introduce you to him.”

My eyes widened. Before I could stop Marla, she was already walking to her brother. I started to panic. I don’t want to meet him! Not now! And especially not here! I stood up and looked for Jack. I need to get out of this place as fast as I can.

“Babe!” I saw Jack talking with his uncles by the poolside.

“Hey, are you okay?” he asked.

“Hi, Jessa. How are you?” Uncle Jade greeted me.

I nodded at him. “I-I’m okay, Uncle. But can I get Jack first?”

“Oh, sure. We were just discussing something.”

“Thank you.”

I pulled Jack away from them. But he stopped me and grabbed my waist.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ahm, I-I think I suddenly felt unwell. Can you send me home now? Or I can call a taxi if you can’t leave.”

Jack frowned. “Huh? Now? Why? Do you want me to bring you to the hospital?”

I shook my head. “No! I’m… good. Maybe I just overdrank.”

Jack stared at me for a moment. I know he was not buying what I said. I never leave any event even if I feel bad already. Jack sighed and nodded.

“Okay. Let me tell my parents first. I will send you home.”

“Huh? No! I-I mean, I already talked with Tita.”

“Hmm… okay.” He put his arm on my shoulder. “Let me send you home—oh, Marla!”

I gulped when I suddenly saw Marla walking toward us. She was pulling someone behind her, and to my surprise, it was him—the man I had a one-night stand with at the

beach. I felt my heart throb as they neared us. I could feel his gaze on me. Did he recognize me? I hope not. Because it would be a disaster if he did. He was Marla’s brother and my boyfriend’s uncle.

“Jessa! Hey, Jack!”

“It looks like you already befriended my auntie.” Jack chuckled.

Marla’s eyes narrowed. “Shut up, Jack! I’m too young to be your auntie!”

“Fine, fine! I’m sorry. Hi, Uncle Ray.” Jack shook hands with his uncle.

I looked away. I didn’t even get his name that night. I woke up to find that he was not by my side anymore. I thought he was just some stranger I wouldn’t see anymore, so I didn’t bother to think about him.

“Good to see you again, Jack,” Ray answered. “And who is this gorgeous woman beside you?”

I scowled. He didn’t remember me? Was that a good thing?

“Ah, yes, brother. She’s the one I am talking about,” Marla answered. “She’s Jessa, Jack’s girlfriend. Jessa, this is my brother, Raymond.”

I slowly looked at him and saw his hand already in front of me. I didn’t want to embarrass Jack and Marla, so I took it. I immediately felt a jolt of sensation as soon as we held hands.

“H-Hi,” I said, nervously. I was taken aback when he suddenly pressed my palm as if he was telling me something.

He grinned at me. “Jessa… that’s a nice name, huh?”

“T-Thanks.”

I tried to get my hand back, but he didn’t let it go. And now I’m sure that he definitely remembered me! What should I do?!

“Now, brother. Jessa is an IT. You were looking for a data analyst, right?”

Ray let go of my hand. “Yes. You didn’t tell me about her, Jack?”

Jack frowned. “I did, Uncle. But Jessa already has a job, that's why I didn’t think she would like to work with us.”

“Ahm, actually,” I butted in. “I am not, Jack. You know me. I love my job.”

“Oh, come on, Jess! You need to work with my brother!”

I forced a smile. I don’t want her to be disappointed, but I can’t work with Ray.

“Let's see about it,” Ray said. That confused me so much.