LOVE YOU, UNCLE

“Good evening, my wife.”

Randy had just arrived home around 8 p. m. Upon entering the room, he found his wife sitting on the floor with scattered papers, looking serious.

Randy was convinced that his wife must be working on an unfinished office task. Otherwise, Ghea wouldn’t be this serious. It seemed she didn’t even notice him entering the room. If not, why would she ignore his greeting?

For a moment, Randy chose to let Ghea focus on her task. After finishing cleaning up, he approached to check directly what his wife had been working on.

“What are you working on? You seem really serious.”

“Mrs Sonia gave me a task to calculate and analyze the construction of the AtmaDjaya Apartments. The reports I’ve submitted haven’t been verified since yesterday. That’s why I’m confused, not sure where the mistake is,” Ghea replied without turning towards Randy. She was too absorbed in the given task.

Randy then smiled, approached, and sat down next to Ghea.

“Let me see. What kind of task did she give you?”

Ghea looked up, immediately handing over two white sheets of paper containing the main tasks that had been bothering her to Randy.

He read carefully, trying to understand while occasionally nodding as if he understood what was instructed.

“Okay, which part of the report have you worked on?”

Ghea handed over her work for Randy to check. After reading the given task, her husband now looked serious as he carefully examined the results of what she had been struggling with.

“It’s clearly wrong, Ghe. Your calculations are off in these parts, here, here, and here,” Randy pointed to several parts of the drawing that he believed were incorrect and needed correction.

“But I’ve calculated it multiple times. The results are correct.”

“No,” Randy objected. “It’s wrong. If the building is executed, it could collapse quickly. Take a blank sheet of paper, I’ll help you calculate so you can see where the mistake is.”

Ghea agreed, and Randy gave her a blank sheet of paper as he requested. Then her husband started writing, calculating, and slowly explaining each part that he considered wrong and needed immediate correction.

Ghea appeared serious, paying close attention and listening to all the explanations Randy provided. Surprisingly, compared to the professors at the university, it was easier for her husband to explain. She immediately understood where the mistake was and how to do it correctly.

“Wow, it’s so easy to calculate like this. Why don’t the professors at the university ever explain it in such a simple way?”

Randy then smiled again.

“Not many people know this quick method. But instead of using the old way that wastes time and sometimes is still inaccurate, it’s better for you to follow my method. Besides, I learned this during my studies abroad.”

“No wonder,” Ghea replied. “But seriously, now I understand it very well, and it’s easier for me to work on it. Thank you so much for helping, Uncle.”

“Is a simple thank you all I get?”

Ghea pursed her lips, squinted one eye. What more did her husband expect in terms of appreciation?

“So, is there a reward for this assistance?”

“Of course,” Randy nodded with a smile. “Since I’ve helped you so many times, it’s time for some appreciation. Maybe treat me to a meal, invite me to watch a movie, or take me out for a walk or something.”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Ghea sighed lazily. But upon reflection, her husband had indeed provided a lot of help in the past few days.

From the internship interview, securing a good position in the office, then the relocation of Joshua and Denisa, and now even helping her with a seemingly simple task. If showing appreciation as a thank-you was in order, it didn’t seem excessive.

“Alright, how about I buy you ice cream later?”

Laughter immediately erupted from Randy’s lips. It seemed that this was what it felt like to have a young girl as a wife. Some of her thoughts sometimes seemed childish.

However, Randy didn’t mind at all. There were unusual and enjoyable things that he had never experienced when dating mature women, and he had only encountered them since getting closer to Ghea and making her his wife. Honestly, Randy didn’t deny that he enjoyed these aspects. It was strange indeed!

“Sure. Anything is fine as long as it’s sincere.”

“But, to make it complete, how about I treat you to a meal, a stroll, and a movie when we have free time?”

“Deal. I’ll hold you to that promise.” Randy fell silent for a moment, observing Ghea as she organized the papers, and then asked again, “So, how’s the internship at my office? Are you enjoying it?”

Ghea raised her face again, nodding as she recalled all the activities she had been doing in her husband’s office for the past few days. Despite being given challenging tasks at times, she still enjoyed her role during the internship.

“So far, it’s been enjoyable. Especially being able to meet Uncle’s assistant who looks like a foreigner every day. My goodness, why is he so handsome?”

“Who? Alvin?”

Ghea nodded casually.

“Who else? But is he really a mix?”

Randy nodded slowly.

“Yes, Indo-Dutch. His dad is Dutch, and his mom is Balinese.”

“Ah, that explains why he’s so good-looking,” Ghea joked, smiling to herself, which, of course, prompted Randy to chuckle and playfully pinch her nose.

“No need for jealousy. You already have a husband! Everyone in the office knows you’re Uncle’s wife! Besides, Alvin’s not your type. He doesn’t like talkative girls, let alone those who complain a lot.”

Ghea pouted. Why couldn’t her husband see her happy for a moment?

“Ugh, who’s talkative and complains a lot? Besides, it’s okay to admire, right? Moreover, it’s my fault for having such a good-looking assistant.”

“Why is it my fault? Don’t be jealous,” he insisted. Then, changing the topic before it led to more annoyance, he asked, “So, is there anything else you find enjoyable?”

“The people in the office are nice too.”

“Because of Joshua and Denisa, right?”

Ghea nodded. It was up to her husband’s thoughts why he took the initiative to invite Denisa and Joshua to intern at his office together. At least, thankfully, she didn’t have to worry about feeling lonely at the beginning of her internship. Eventually, she was able to blend in with the other staff.

“That’s one of the reasons. But, on the other hand, I just like the atmosphere and the senior brothers in the room. Even though they know I’m Uncle’s wife, I’m not always treated specially. So, it’s fair.”

“Anything else? Or is there anything that makes you uncomfortable while working at Akasia?”

Ghea shook her head.

So far, there’s nothing. And hopefully, until the end, I won’t encounter any difficulties,” she said, half bragging.

In reality, if she wanted to, Ghea could report some staff members from other divisions who were rude and dared to gossip openly, even comparing her to other women. But because she didn’t want to start trouble, she thought it would be better to remain silent for now. Even if they caused trouble later, Ghea was determined to retaliate. It was not fair to be compared and spoken ill of by everyone who probably didn’t like her.

“Well, it’s good if you’re comfortable. If during the internship anything bothers you or makes you uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to report it to me.”

“Why should I report?” Ghea asked curiously.

“Well, as a husband, isn’t it my duty to make sure you feel comfortable wherever you are?”

“Ugh-”

“This isn’t sweet talk, Ghea,” Randy interrupted, as if knowing what his wife was about to say. “But it’s only natural for a husband to behave like that, right?”

Ghea just nodded. What’s so difficult about receiving good treatment from her husband? Besides, why should she bother to reject the fact that Randy was not a bad person as she had thought all this time?

Not to mention, the frequent use of the word ‘husband’ in every conversation gradually made her feel comfortable and accustomed.

“Now, come on, get up quickly,” Randy ordered while rising from his seat. “Let’s have dinner now. I’m sure you haven’t had dinner yet, right?”

Ghea nodded. Since she came home at six, she had immediately entered her room and been busy working on her task. So focused, she even forgot to have dinner.

“Yeah, I haven’t. It’s really busy trying to finish this task.”

“Alright, let’s get up. Or do you want me to carry you to the dining room?” Randy teased, making Ghea immediately get up from her seat.

“No need to be dramatic, Uncle. I’m not an elderly person who needs to be carried.”

“Eh, by the way, can we get rid of that ‘Uncle’ term, even at home? Seriously, I feel so awkward hearing you call me that.”

“Then what should I call you? I’m already comfortable calling you that.”

“Call me dear or my husband or something like that.”

Ghea rolled her eyes. Her husband could be complicated. Besides, being called ‘Om’ wasn’t that bad.

“Yeah, we’ll think about it. Let’s eat now. You said I had to eat quickly, right?”

Randy simply nodded, ending the debate, and together they headed to the dining room to have the delayed dinner.