My Handsome Uncle, Please Be Mine!

62.

Flashback on.

That night, three days after Clara’s return to Singapore, Antoni and Gaston were in the ICU. Alternating with Mr. Bond, Joe Sebastian’s secretary, stayed overnight to take care of his boss.

“How’s the company doing?” asked Gaston, turning to Antoni. His hair looked wet and fresh, in stark contrast to his disheveled appearance and tired eyes.

“It’s going smoothly, but there are some companies that didn’t renew their contracts,” he replied. Both of their eyes were focused on Joe’s body. A man who usually appeared so enthusiastic, now weak and helpless. “When will Mr. Joe recover?” Antoni asked. He had asked the doctor the same question several times, and the answer was always the same.

“I don’t know, we just have to pray for the best for him.” Honestly, Doctor Gaston was also tired of answering the same question. Not just from Antoni, but also from Clara, Mrs. Linn, and Mr. Bond. They all asked the same thing: when will Joe wake up? He himself wondered when his friend would wake up from the coma.

“Doctor Gaston!” he called out.

“Yes?”

“Tonight, you go home, let me stay here and take care of Joe,” Antoni requested while sitting back on the sofa next to Joe’s bed.

“Alright, I’ll leave now.” Doctor Gaston glanced at his watch, it was almost eight in the evening.

“Yes, doctor.”

Doctor Gaston stepped out of the ICU room, leaving Antoni alone to watch over Joe.

“Sir, please wake up! The company will collapse if you don’t wake up soon. What about the fate of the family and employees?” Antoni whispered with emphasis. The news of Joe’s coma had spread, causing the company’s stock prices to plummet.

“You’re strong, Clara is fine now, she’s even happy with her new family! Look at what’s happening. Don’t you want to wake up? Okay, maybe you’re willing to let Clara go to someone else, or let the company suffer losses and the employees lose their jobs, or you’ll let your daughter cry every night because she misses you too much, Sir!” protested Antoni. Clara’s sad expression, Mrs. Linn’s desperate face, and Mr. Bond who still had to work even though his health was deteriorating. It really stressed Antoni out.

Silence. The sound of the ventilator filled the room.

“Fine, if you don’t wake up soon, I’ll just leave and let everything be!” the man threatened.

Antoni fell silent. He faintly saw Joe’s index finger move. The longer it took, the clearer his boss’s hand became.

“Sir!”

For a few seconds, Antoni was startled before he finally ran after Doctor Gaston who had just left the ICU room a few minutes ago.

His steps were fast, sometimes he ran a little. “Where’s Doctor Gaston?” he asked a nurse who was working the night shift.

“Doctor Gaston, he just left his office,” the woman replied.

Upon hearing the woman’s answer, Antoni ran after Doctor Gaston who was still in the hospital lobby.

“Doctor!” he called out.

Gaston raised his head to look at the source of the sound. He assessed Antoni with an unreadable expression.

Before Doctor Gaston could respond, Antoni spoke. “Follow me, Doctor! Quickly!”

Doctor Gaston followed Antoni’s wide and fast strides.

“Hurry, Doctor!” he urged.

Not long after, they arrived at the ICU room and immediately saw Joe’s condition.

Doctor Gaston approached.

“I just saw Mr. Joe’s finger move, Sir!” Antoni explained, still in disbelief.

Meanwhile, Doctor Gaston smiled as he saw Joe’s eyes open. Then, he immediately removed the oxygen tube.

“Are you awake?” Doctor Gaston asked incredulously. Meanwhile, Antoni was shocked, his mouth agape, as he watched Joe regain consciousness.

Joe looked at Antoni and Doctor Gaston alternately. Then, he closed his eyes again, recalling something that happened before he fell into a deep sleep.

Clara’s image dominated his mind. Yes, the girl’s face appeared repeatedly in his mind. Until the point where there was Freddy Lim and Clara in the warehouse.

He kept his eyes closed for a while. Joe slowly opened his eyes.

“Do you remember me?” asked Gaston.

Silence. Both men stared at Joe without blinking, waiting for his answer.

Joe remained silent.

“Sir, who am I?” now it was Antoni’s turn to ask. Relief turned into worry, fearing Joe might have lost his memory.

Joe closed his eyes and shook his head slowly. His joints felt stiff.

Gaston and Antoni held their breath.

“Joe, do you remember me?” Gaston asked.

Joe nodded slowly. Then, he opened his eyes.

“Thank goodness!” exclaimed Antoni, feeling very relieved, seeing his boss’s forced smile.

“How … is … Clara?” Joe asked, stuttering.

It was predictable; Joe must be asking about Clara. It was natural since for a whole month, while he was lying in a coma in the hospital, Clara was the one who had been taking care of him and staying by his side every night.

“Clara has gone home, she’s preparing for her studies, in London,” Gaston replied.

Joe furrowed his brow. He felt heavy and dizzy.

“When?” he asked again.

“Three days ago!” Gaston replied. Joe’s eyelids closed again. “How long have I been asleep?”

“For one month, plus three days, and just three days ago you returned to Singapore!” Gaston explained. “You better rest now, tomorrow we’ll do a check-up to see your actual condition!” the doctor requested. “I’ll move you to the recovery room tonight too!” he added.

Joe nodded.

Antoni nodded as well.

“I’ll inform Mrs. Linn!” he said enthusiastically. Antoni reached for his phone and immediately called Mrs. Linn’s number to inform her about Joe’s condition. The man walked away.

“W… h… o… did you call?” Joe whispered. Focused on Gaston, he was preparing to call someone.

Who else but Clara. The girl would surely be very happy to hear that Joe had regained consciousness from his coma. He had successfully passed the critical period.

“Clara,” Gaston replied.

Immediately, Joe shook his head slowly, signaling Gaston to cancel his intention to inform Clara.

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Gaston ended the phone call. He obeyed Joe’s wish.

“Just explain it tomorrow, you can rest now!” Gaston ordered.

==❤==

For 10 days, Joe underwent recovery. And exactly on the eleventh day, he was allowed to go home by Doctor Gaston.

Although Joe had not fully recovered yet, Doctor Gaston was confident that his friend would fully recover.

Blue Jewelry rose again. Even without Joe’s presence. The news about the widower who had regained consciousness from his coma made the employees enthusiastic again, and slowly the company’s condition stabilized.

Every day, Joe spent his time resting and spending time with Kimmy. He intended to forget about Clara. Yes, the father of Kimmy Olivia realized one thing. If people used to think that Clara was a flirtatious girl who seduced wealthy men, now it was the opposite. People would think that Joe was an insensitive man because he dared to like Freddy Lim’s only granddaughter.

Clara, she deserved better than a widower, the owner of Blue Jewelry.

“Daddy, Kimmy misses Sister Clara!” his daughter complained while cuddling in her father’s lap. Usually, they would sit and chat in the living room on the second floor or in Kimmy’s room.

“Sister Clara is studying in London, you have to be patient!” Joe persuaded her. Honestly, his longing for Clara was greater than Kimmy’s longing for that girl.

“Grandma said Sister Clara will come here when Daddy is better, Daddy is better now, why isn’t Sister Clara here,” she insisted again. Tears welled up in her eyes.

“Kimmy, go to sleep, Daddy will call Sister Cici for you,” Joe insisted, reluctant to argue with his daughter. He stubbornly didn’t want to interfere in Clara’s life anymore.

Kimmy couldn’t refuse. Sister Cici’s presence in her room immediately freed Joe from the unpleasant situation.

The longing for Clara sometimes made him feel annoyed. But he remained determined not to meet her. Trying to control his longing, love, and affection. Joe was sure he would forget Clara. Very sure.

“Goodnight, Sweetheart!”

Joe kissed his daughter’s forehead and then left Kimmy’s room. Unconsciously, he walked to Clara’s room.

Joe’s eyes swept across the room. He decided to lie down on the bed. Reducing the increasing longing.

This was painful, but it had to be endured. Various memories with Clara flashed in the room. Instead of diminishing, the longing grew stronger as he looked at Clara’s picture on the nightstand.

“Enough!” Joe muttered.

He got up from his seat. Rubbing his face roughly. And decided to leave the room.

Joe closed the door behind him again and found Mrs. Linn watching him.

“Clara has gone home, did you forget?” the mother said matter-of-factly.

Silence.

Joe’s hand lifted. His fingers scratched the back of his head, which wasn’t itchy.

“Do you miss Clara?” Mrs. Linn accused. As a mother, she was very good at guessing her son’s thoughts and feelings. Including Joe’s longing for Clara. Everything was read by the middle-aged woman.

Joe chose not to answer. Honestly didn’t want to, and lying would be pointless.

“Mama just doesn’t like to see you like this, Joe. Do whatever makes you happy, that’s all!” Mrs. Linn said. Joe’s coma incident really made her realize. Joe was very valuable.

“Don’t worry too much about me, Ma, I can take care of myself!” Joe said. He looked at his mother and gave her a smile.

Mrs. Linn returned the smile.

“If you’re really okay, Mama wants you to accompany Mama to attend an invitation from one of Papa’s colleagues!” Mrs. Linn suggested.

“I dare, who’s afraid!” Joe replied.

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At that event, Nadia accidentally saw Joe. She immediately told Clara about it.

Flashback off.

To Be Continued.