By afternoon, as I promised, I decided to face Henry. It’s only been about three days, and I have missed him, but not as much as I felt like I should’ve.
Mikal and Caterina leave us alone and walk off to play card games with their friends. The minute I walk into sight of the villa, I see my uncle jump and run.
Three days isn’t much, but for some reason, seeing my hot Italian/Spanish looking uncle in this foreign environment really accentuates his features. His slightly slanted dark eyes are full of happiness when he gets close enough for me to analyse. I take note that Kate isn’t with him.
Before I can say the clever remark I had planned, Henry pulls me into a tight, large bodied and long armed hug that crushes me to his sweet smelling body. My cheek is pressed up against him and I get a good whiff of that clean cotton smell of his shirt. Maybe it’s the three days we’ve been gone, but I actually get a good feel of how manly Henry is. His chest is more muscled and…developed than Mikal’s, or any other boys I’ve known. He’s got a pager in his pocket too. That screams “ADULT”.
This also makes me feel a bit…dirty. Crushing on my half uncle? I’m a pervert. I remember that I’m mad, so I quickly hide my excitement behind a stoic, serious face.
“Greetings uncle of mine” I say, folding my arms, “How have thee fared?” I keep my voice neutral, and hope that my serious talk will make him crack. Instead, a smile appears. No! He has to be guilty! Before he can say anything, I continue. “I do not see Kate anywhere. Doth thou not bring her?”
Henry’s smile, though still apparent, is serious.
“No” he says, happily, “No, I’ve broken up with that woman. I’ve never lov—“
“Yes you have” I argue, “Y-you must have because you stayed with her so long, an ex-girlfriend that came back and snatched you! She must’ve been important—“
“—I may have lusted after her, but never love” Henry counters, “Honestly, Violet. I was an idiot, an absolute wanker! A prat..a—right foul git!”
“Indeed” I agree. “Th—then why? Why did you stay with her, even when I was leaving? Why did you listen to her over me?”
“It’s my own fault. I was caught in her web of…whatever hold she had over me” he says mournfully, “You have every right to be mad at me for it. I’m sorry, Violet” He puts his large hands in his pockets and looks down forlornly. His dark, chocolate dark covers his face from me.
I contemplate my possible moves. Forgive him and we’re happy again, or don’t forgive him and prolong this. Looking at his dark, troubled eyes and his innocent hunched shoulders…I really want to hug him again.
“I don’t know what to say” I tell him honestly, “I…I don’t. But I forgive you”
“YES!” He shouts, “Yesyesyesyesyesyes! I love you!” He grabs me tightly and lifts me off the ground. I’m shocked. Did he just say…what I thought he said?! “I won’t fail you ever again, Violet!”
Hearing him say “I love you” shocks me into silence. I’m a bit stunned. Does he…like a lover, or niece?
My phone rings and I pull it out to hang up on whoever it is, when I realise it’s Dad. I s how the screen to Henry, and his eyes widen. “Answer it!” he whispers.
