Uncle's Back

2

Zane Quinn was considerate enough to go buy groceries, leaving Chloe Quinn and me to wait at home.

The moment Zane Quinn was out the door, his niece launched into a tirade about him.

"Lucia, don't you think my Second Uncle Quinn has lost his mind? It's just two girls trying to have hot pot. What's a grown man like him doing butting in?"

I nodded vigorously. "Oh yeah, totally, totally!"

When Zane Quinn got back with the groceries, he went straight to the kitchen to wash them.

I watched TV. Chloe Quinn watched me.

Chloe Quinn's staring was making me nervous, so I asked hesitantly, "What is it?"

With a long face, Chloe Quinn said, "You go tell my Second Uncle Quinn to leave."

"..."

'Some best friend. She doesn't have the guts to say it herself, so she wants me to do it. Our friendship is so fake.'

Chloe Quinn scooted closer to me again. "With my Second Uncle Quinn here, neither of us will be able to enjoy ourselves. Lucia, you go, please? I'm begging you."

I shook my head.

'I'm not a complete genius, you know. I'm not about to volunteer for a suicide mission.'

Chloe Quinn grumbled, looking like she'd lost the will to live. "Staring at that stone-cold face, nothing tastes good. Plus, he's always lecturing me."

Suddenly, as if struck by a brilliant idea, she sat up straight and asked me with a dead-serious expression, "Lucia Lowell, are you my best friend or what?"

"..."

'I'm not.'

Chloe Quinn slapped my thigh, just like Ash every time he sends Pikachu into battle.

"Go! Take down my Second Uncle Quinn, and I'll give you half of my family's inheritance!"

I let out a hollow laugh.

'I already 'took down' her uncle a long time ago. As for the inheritance, I wouldn't dare dream of it.'

After Zane Quinn finished washing the groceries, he called us in to help carry out the platters.

As soon as Chloe Quinn carried out the platter of lamb, that beast Zane Quinn couldn't hold back any longer and lowered his head to kiss me.

I was so startled I almost dropped the platter of fatty beef, freeing one hand to push him away.

Zane Quinn let out a low chuckle, pulling back from my lips slightly. "Can't get enough of my abs, huh?"

I glanced down, and sure enough, my right hand was pressed right against Zane Quinn's abs.

'Ugh, does this man have no shame?'

"Careful now, don't drop it," Zane Quinn suddenly said in a serious tone, like an elder giving instructions.

I spun around just in time to see Chloe Quinn coming back in to get the platter of beef tripe.

'Hah. That beast Zane Quinn. He was the absolute picture of a refined-looking scoundrel, a wolf in sheep's clothing.'

With Zane Quinn there, Chloe Quinn and I couldn't engage in our usual raunchy banter, which made the hot pot feel a little stiff.

After we finished eating, Chloe Quinn asked Zane Quinn, "Second Uncle Quinn, aren't you busy? I hope I'm not holding you up."

Zane Quinn ignored her and looked at me instead. "When are you leaving? I'll give you a ride home."

'As if I don't know what that man is up to.'

I shook my head repeatedly. "I'm not leaving. I'm staying at Chloe's tonight."

But for some reason, that simpleton Chloe Quinn decided to push me right out the door.

"You should just go home. I have to work late tonight, and I won't be able to focus with you here."

I was about to protest when Chloe Quinn tossed my bag out after me and shut the door with a SLAM.

Now, I stood before a firmly closed door, with Zane Quinn right beside me.

Then I heard Zane Quinn laugh, his voice its usual deep, sexy, metallic timbre.

"It seems your best friend is trying to set us up."

I rolled my eyes. "She's no best friend of mine."

Zane Quinn replied, "But she is a very good niece to me."

"..."