His Uncle's Possession

Karma is a b***h

And like that, two weeks passed by even without Amanda’s realizing, cause, every moment felt like an eternity to her. She kept playing the good daughter-in-law in front of her mother-in-law and her father-in-law and wife. She wasn’t allowed to go to the office and was given the task of assisting the maids to cook for them once in a while.

Her dream of becoming independent vanished in thin air. Her dad called her to go back home to see them, but she declined the offer.

Today’s a party or some sort of family gathering is to be held in the Lawrence household. This is the first occasion held there after their marriage.

As she didn’t have the chance to see everyone nor get associated with them, Claudia called for this gathering. Preparations are going on since the morning.

The party is to be held in their big backyard with expensive and lavish food and drinks.

It’s evening now. Claudia is calling everyone to arrive on time. Amanda came down the stairs, as the smell of tequila went through her nostrils, along with the smell of baking from the kitchen.

She spotted her mother-in-law sitting on the couch, making calls.

She wasn’t allowed to work or help out today, cause everyone is coming to see the new bride only.

“Ah, yes. Please come on time, I am hanging up then. Okay, sure.”

“Now, I need to call Rick whether he’s coming by the afternoon flight.”

“Rick is coming back?” Amanda asked, stepping forward.

Claudia’s attention shifted to her, she put down the phone and turned to her.

“Yes, he’s coming today, and will be staying with us for a while to handle the company.”

“I see….great then….”. She gave a dissatisfied smile to her mother-in-law.

Rick is the younger brother of Steve, who stayed in England for two years and is coming back to handle business. He’s around the same age as Amanda.

“So, what is your plan for the evening? Why aren’t you getting dressed already?” Claudia asked.

“Dressed already? But it’s only 5 in the evening. Aren’t they all coming by 6 or 7?” Amanda ruffled her hand through her long and silky hair.

“I am only reminding you because….I don’t want you to take your sweet time to get ready when others arrive, that’s all.”

“Do as you feel like, but be presentable at all times. What are you wearing?”.

“Well…..the white dress which Steve gave me to wear today.”

“Good, then match it with the neck I have. I’ll tell a maid to send it to your room wear it for today and…….”.

Claudia sighs and looks up.

“Steve’s grandfather, meaning, my father-in-law, is also coming today to see you. Hope you won’t do anything weird in front of him. He’s a former retired military person and is strict. And his wife Blare and her son will be coming as well.”

“Her son, meaning the brother of Steve’s Father, in short, your uncle……will also be coming today. I am hoping for you to behave properly as the Lawrence family’s bride. Don’t disappoint me.”

“I won’t,” Amanda replied with a half-smile.

“Then go back for now. I have things to take care of…”. Claudia left and Amanda went up the stairs.

“I am nervous to see his whole family together.”

Soon, the night falls, and the guests start arriving one by one. Amanda got dressed in the white gown given by her husband and wore it along with the diamond necklace, and let her long hair down, matching with glass slippers which she’s not accustomed to.

She went to the backyard and stood beside Steve who just arrived. He wore a black shirt underneath with a white coat to match her clothing.

He seemed to be busy on a call and didn’t give any attention to his wife. When guests arrived, Claudia and her husband greeted them along with Amanda. Steve was not interested to talk with them at all.

She wore a plastered smile and greeted everyone warmly.

Like that mostly everyone arrived except Steve’s uncle’s family and his brother Rick.

“You have found such a pretty girl as your wife, you are so lucky Steve, I am jealous of you.” Comments the sister’s husband of Claudia.

“There’s nothing to be jealous of-“ Steve is interrupted by his mom, who glares in his direction.

She gave a smile to the man and said, “We are lucky to have her as well, you see she’s such a good girl and-“.

“Is she a good girl?” comments another person among the crowd.

Claudia’s attention was diverted by the voice.

The crowd cleared away leaving a male figure standing.

He had brunette ginger hair and clear sea-blue eyes, and a seductive gaze like no other. He’s as tall as Steve, they are around the same height.

“Rick!” Claudia called in a loud voice.

“Come to mommy!”.

“Mommy? He’s Rick?” Amanda stared at the figure among the crowd.

He ran over to their side of Claudia and hugged her.

“I am back!”.

“Glad to have you back. How was the flight?”.

“Late, sorry about that.”

“No worries.”

“Where’s my sister-in-law by the way?” he asked pulling away, searching with curious eyes.

“She’s-“.

“There she is….” Rick went over to their side of Amanda and smiled.

He had a baby face for an adult body.

“Nice to meet you!” he gave a tight hug to Amanda.

All the other guest's attention is drawn to them as they watch the two with curious eyes.

Steve who stood beside hers sighs.

“How long are you going to hug her, Rick?” he grunted, grabbing onto his collar from behind, pulling him away from hers.

“Eh, I only hugged her once.”

“Tch, anyway.”

“Glad to see you,” he took her by the hand and kissed the top of her hand.

Amanda’s cheeks brighten deep red.

“Now, you must be tired, do you want to change or something?” Claudia asked, coming from behind.

“No, not yet.”

“Then freshen up a little,” Steve advises. “You are bothering others.”

“Fine, fine. I got it. See you, sister I am coming back after a shower to bother you,” he winked at Amanda before walking away.

She touched her chest, her heart beating louder than ever in her chest.

“What did I just feel a while ago?”.

“Now, who are we missing?” August asked, the father of Steve who stood beside Claudia.

August is ten years older than Claudia, he has a handsome profile with high cheekbones and a little bit of beard which is neatly trimmed most of the time, with the strokes of gray around the edges. Unlike Steve, he has clear sea-blue eyes. He has a charming personality and is sweet toward Amanda and everyone in the house. He goes to the office now and then. Steve and Rick have taken up his height but look like Claudia, and Rick looks like his dad.

“Your brother,” she mentioned, taking out her phone.

“You forgot to call him, didn’t you?”.

“Ah….yes. forgive me. Can you do it for me?”.

“Everything is my duty at the end."

"His uncle.....I wonder why he lives away from others. I hadn't seen him ever," Amanda inquired, heaving a sigh. "I need to keep my heart at ease. Since the morning, I feel restless. I wonder why."

"I just want....all of this to be over soon."

Claudia dialed the number, it rang for a while before going off.

"He's not picking up," she mentioned to her husband.

"Strange, usually he arrives earlier than anyone-".

"Was anyone missing me?" a voice announced itself among the crowd.

Amanda looked out to see an old man standing there, beside a pretty young lady who held onto his hand.

“Grandpa!” Steve spoke in a soft tone, turning to them.

“Grandpa? He’s the father of………” Amanda glanced at August and turned to them.

“But…..who’s that young lady? She seems too young to be their grandma. Right?”.

“Who is she?”.

The old man’s head was all gray, and they formed wrinkles all over his forehead.

The woman on the other hand had honey-blond hair with curls and light green eyes.

“You finally arrived dad,” August spoke with a smile.

“Yes!”.

“Come here, Blaire-“ Claudia covered her mouth before completing her sentence.

She seemed to be troubled.

“Uh….sorry….I mean….Mrs. Blaire. Please come.”

“It’s alright, let’s go dear,” said the woman, walking in their direction.

August glared at Claudia a little as the other guests surrounded them.

“You still don’t feel comfortable enough to call me mother yet?” Blaire said with a laugh.

The golden patterned dress matched her pale skin. She looked even young than Claudia herself.

“Mother?” Amanda furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

“Where’s Uncle by the way? I think I heard his voice,” Steve comments walking up to his grandpa.

“He’s…..”.

“I am here.”

A young man appears at the entrance.

He had silky blond hair parted at the sides with soft curls which is short up to his ears. His eyes are sea blue and with big eyelashes.

Amanda’s heart stopped pounding when the man came forward and walked toward them. The white suit which he wore along with the red tie, made him look just like a model because of that sharp jaw.

She recalled that face very well. Time and space had stopped. She felt as if the world had stopped moving and the only sound she could hear was the beating of her heart, which was throbbing harder than ever. It would leap out anytime soon.

"He.....He's.....He's the one I slept with that night. What is he doing in here? I wasn't aware that he would be called as well".

The man turns to her and gave a seductive smile like no other.

"Welcome, Uncle Alan, how are you?" Steve asked, giving him a quick hug.

The man patted Steve's back and smiled.

"I am doing greater than ever. What about you? How's your married life?" the man asked, pulling away.

"Uh....it's somehow going along. How's life? I hadn't seen you ever since we settled my marriage. Where had you been? You should come back home sometimes, you know?".

"Oh, come on. It was only some week ago. You are missing me already. I also have work. Have you forgotten that?".

"Of course, I haven't forgotten that. You are the CEO of your own company. But you should come to hang out sometimes. We'd love to have you around."

"Thanks, I appreciate that. Leaving that aside......." he glanced at Amanda, who seemed to be lost in her world after seeing him.

"Isn't this the party for you and your wife? Why don't you introduce all of us to her? She seems to be shocked to see me and everyone. Won't you break the ice for us, Steve?".

"Ah......sure."

"Amanda!" Steve called, walking over to the side of his wife and giving a tug at her shoulder.

"I'll introduce everyone to you, come here."

She snapped back to reality because of his voice.

She glanced sideways and the man who shocked her the most was still standing there, along with Steve's grandpa and Blaire.

She pinched herself to see whether or not this was a dream. But reality stood still in front of her eyes like thorns.

"This is not a dream."