Chapter 25: Chapter 25

JUNE

My mind was plagued with thoughts of the plans Mark made with me. Though he was certain the plan will work, I couldn't help but wonder how it will feel to date my best friend.

Kristin didn't come over to pick me up after school, and neither did he call me. That was why I had Mark drive me home since I didn't come with my credit card, and I know he won't lend some money to me when he can take me home.

“We don't need to pretend when we are together.” He smiled, to ease my mind. “We will only do that with your uncle.”

He must have known what I was thinking about; that made me sigh twice.

“It's not that. It's just that…" I sighed again, glancing out of the window before I turned to face him. “I haven't dated anyone before, so I don't know how to do that. And let's not forget that you are my damn best friend.”

He chuckled, “I see why you looked so troubled. Don't worry, I will help you out.” He winked at me, “I will take the lead. All you need to do is follow. Now, I need you to call your uncle.”

“Why?”

The way my head whipped faster towards him, was a bit too comical.

He winked, “Just ask him if he's at home.” He looked so arrogant.

“Okay, I will.” I brought my phone out from his backpack, which he stuffed it into during our last class for the day. I dialled my uncle's number, and he picked up after the fifth ring.

“Doll?” His gruff voice filtered through. It sounded like he had just woken up from sleep.

“Why do you sound so gruff? Did I wake you up?” I wondered aloud, confused about that.

Kristin has never been a lazy man. Though he's not as busy as the CEO novels and movies depict, he never stays back at home if it's not necessary.

But now, he sounded like he just woke up from sleep, which is so unlike my uncle. Why the hell will he be asleep by this time of the day? Is he sick?

“Well, I stayed back from work. Was feeling a bit tired after a… Um… A rigorous activity this afternoon. So… " He trailed off, sounding as nervous as he was this morning when he kept throwing things down.

“Oh.”

“Is there any problem? Don't tell me you are having another —”

“Mark just wanted to know if you are at home. He's bringing me home,” I glanced at Mark, who nodded to tell me that I'm right on track.

“Why?”

“Umm… There is something he wants… No. There is something we want to tell you. If you will be —”

“What's it?” He sounded suspicious as he shed the gruffness of his voice, sounding more alert.

“Well… You will get to know of it.” I disconnected and tossed my phone to the back of the car, trying to act like the ladies in dramas who aren't concerned about their phones—always tossing them every chance they get.

“I love how you did that!” Mark winked at me, smiling a bit as he increased the speed, but not above the speed limit.

“Well, I learned from the best.” I tried to ease the tension in my heart by making jokes about it.

We conversed throughout the ride to my house. Mark endeavoured to fill me up on what he expected me to do. He helped ease my mind and get me in the mood to act.

The moment we got to my house, he packed the car, exited and hastened over to my side to open the door for me.

“Thank you,” I winked at him. “You are such a darling.”

“I know I am, anything for my pretty girlfriend.” He leaned down to peck me on the cheek, and I froze, with my eyes so wide like saucers.

“I don't think I can ever get used to this.” I nervously chuckled, biting my lower lip with a small smile on my face.

“You better do. We are going to get closer when we get in there.” He brought my bag and phone out from the back seat. “Let's go, my darling.” He brought his arm to me, and I took it with a smile, allowing him to lead me to my house, trying not to look so nervous.

He knocked on the door, and Kristin opened it. “Doll, you—” He froze when his eyes landed on our joined arms. “What the hell are you doing holding his arm?!” He boomed, glaring hard at our joined arms.

“Well… " I started to say, but Mark motioned for me not to say a word.

“There's something I need to tell you, Kristin,” he said in a solemn tone, letting go of his hold on me, but I tightly clutched his shirt, scared shitless by the glare coming from Kristin.

“What is it?” He growled, looking damned murderous. If his eyes were a bullet, I swear he would have shot Mark dead on the spot.

“Can we go inside?” Mark glanced around.

My uncle stared at me before he turned and entered the house, banging the door behind him.

“Seems like he's not happy,” Mark chuckled under his breath.

“Has he ever been?” I led Mark into the house and shut the door behind us before we turned to face Kristin, who was currently reclining on a couch, with a pissed expression on his face.

He looked like he was barely holding on, glaring daggers at us.

“What is it that you wish to tell me?” He scowled at Mark before his eyes went to me. “Let go of him, June.” He commanded, staring hard at me, as if willing me to defy his orders.

Mark placed his hand on mine which I kept on his arm, “About this, Mr Kristin, there is something we wish to speak to you about.”

“And what is that?” He rose from the couch but didn't take a step towards us; however, his glares were hard.

“We are dating.”

“What?!”

“June and I are dating. We—”

“To hell, I will not let you date him!” He yelled so hard, it caused me to flinch. “You are still young, June!”

“Young? She's nineteen!”

“Are you lecturing me about my niece? Do you think you are in the right position to tell me what to do?!" He took threatening steps towards us, but I blocked Mark.

“I'm sorry, uncle.” I tried not to let my voice quiver, “Just like Mark said, I'm an adult and old enough to make my decisions.”

“Oh?” He sadly chucked, “You are now old enough to challenge me? Because of this trash?” He pointed at Mark, looking like he was moments from snapping his head off.

“He's not a trash, uncle. I love him!” I tried to look bold, clenching my fists.

“Love?” Kristin scoffed. “Is this what you call love? Seems like you are still a kid. Jumping from one man to another and—”

“Mark, can you leave?” I turned to him, using my eyes to tell him what my mouth couldn't.

“Baby, are you—”

“I love you,” I rose on tiptoe and pecked him on his right cheek, gently pushing him.

“Okay.” He smiled at me before he dropped my bag on the nearest couch. “See you later, Kristin.” He grinned at my infuriated uncle before he turned and left the house, gently closing the door behind him.

The moment the door clicked shut, I turned to face him. “What do you want, Kristin? Why are you against me dating Mark? Do you still think I'm a child?”

“Of course! You don't know what you are doing, Doll! How the hell will you date someone like him?!” He shouted.

“Someone like him?” I scoffed, “What do you mean by that? What the hell is wrong with dating him?”

“Everything?! You can't date him and that's final! I will never let you date him!” He paced the floor, gritting his teeth in anger.

“Oh.” I scoffed, “You don't want anything to do with me, yet you don't wish to let me date someone I love?”

It took all my will to always use the 'love' word whenever I'm speaking about Mark, but I have to make everything sound believable.

“Wow, someone you love, June? Do you even know what love is? How can you go from loving someone else to getting a damned boyfriend?!”

“You don't have to act like I'm dating you! You have clarified that you don't want to have anything to do with me. Yet, you are frustrating the damned hell out of me! God, I can't believe you, Kristin!” I picked my bag, and made to leave, but turned at the last moment, “I'm dating Mark, and that's final! I finally got someone who loves me. You can't spoil things for me because of your pettiness. Damn you!”

I turned and stormed up the stairs, ignoring his calls. It wasn't until I reached my room that I collapsed on the bed, spent from the argument I had with Kristin.

God, I feel so damn tired!