17

"Why didn't you tell me your uncle was so handsome, Sal?" Amara asked, clearly annoyed by the new information about Devan, whom Salvia had been bragging about for months. "No wonder you're so into him." Amara was clearly impressed after seeing Devan in person. "It's a shame he's already with you, or else I wouldn't hesitate to make a move on that charming man. But Sal, are you sure your uncle doesn't have a boyfriend?" Amara questioned, uncertain if the handsome man was still single. Salvia, who had been smiling the whole time, just nodded.

Salvia smiled to herself as she recalled what happened yesterday. She then turned her attention to Amara, who was walking beside her, and stopped to look directly at her with a curious expression. Instead of answering Amara's question directly, Salvia hesitated. She had never actually inquired about Devan's relationship status herself. But Salvia remembered that her uncle was always at home during every holiday, leading her to believe there was no significant other in his life. However, after hearing Amara's question, she began to reconsider. 

"What do you think, Mar?" 

Amara shrugged slightly, indicating she didn't know. She had only just met Devan and couldn't judge anything beyond his handsome face, which was both alluring and intimidating. 

"You're the one living with him. You should know more about him," Amara suggested.

"But I don't know much about Uncle Devan besides that he's a workaholic," Salvia admitted, reflecting on what she had observed.

"Then find out," Amara advised.

"The method?" Salvia asked.

"Yes, just figure it out yourself!" Amara replied, rolling her eyes before continuing to class without paying any more attention to Salvia, who might have felt a bit annoyed. Amara had no interest in helping Salvia with the mystery of Devan's personal life. After all, what would it benefit Amara? 

"I was just trying to help!" Salvia muttered, watching Amara walk away. But as she thought more about Devan and Amara's question, her curiosity grew. 

"Should I just ask Uncle Devan directly?" Salvia pondered aloud as she slowly walked towards the classroom. "But what if he already has a girlfriend?"

She continued to monologue, her expression growing increasingly gloomy. The smile that had been there since she woke up had vanished, leaving Salvia feeling drained of energy. In fact, she was so unenthusiastic that she decided to skip the ceremony, claiming she wasn't feeling well. 

Her face, which she hadn't had time to put makeup on, now looked pale and lacking its usual glow. The late night she had endured had made her appearance appear quite unhealthy, leading to her being allowed to stay at the UKS (School Health Unit).

Salvia used the opportunity to think about the possibilities regarding Devan. But instead of finding clarity, it only made her more uncomfortable, especially at the thought of her uncle actually being involved with someone. The idea was hard for her to accept.

"Ugh, damn you, Amara! Because of you, I'm all confused!" she muttered, running her fingers through her hair in frustration. The notion that Devan might have a significant other was nagging at her mind, and she couldn't seem to shake it off. It was really getting on her nerves.

Salvia didn't like the idea of her uncle being involved with another woman, especially if Devan was in love. But recalling Amara's comment, she couldn't help but doubt her own assumptions. Devan was a handsome, mature, and successful man—it's hard to believe he wouldn't have a partner. Salvia was sure many women must be interested in him. 

She was willing to do anything to catch Devan's attention. After all, what grown woman wouldn't be tempted by someone like Devan? Only someone extraordinary could resist the allure of someone as charming as Devan Prasaja Alterio.

So, did Salvia really need to ask her uncle directly about whether he had a significant other?

Or should Salvia find out for herself?

"Hey, Sal, wanna head home with me?" a guy said, catching up with Salvia and Amara, who were deep in conversation. The two girls turned around and immediately recognized the rather handsome figure.

"Seriously, are you inviting Salvia or me?" Amara asked with a mock offended expression, pointing to herself.

"I'm trying to get to know her better. I'll invite you along," he replied with a roll of his eyes. Amara snorted and didn't hesitate to throw a disdainful look at the handsome guy standing next to Salvia.

"You're really something, Vin! If you need anything, come to me. I don't want to!" Amara said, though instead of being offended, Vin just laughed at her irritation.

"Relax, Mar. I'm not interested in you right now," Vin replied with a playful wink at Salvia. "I need Salvia. So, Sal, what do you say? Want to come with me?"

"What do you want?" Salvia asked, feigning confusion.

"Come home with me," Vin said softly with a sweet smile. Unfortunately, that smile did nothing to charm Salvia, as there was no one more captivating to her than her uncle.

"I've already got someone picking me up," Salvia responded.

Salvia pointed with her chin at a car that had just pulled up in front of the school gate, catching the attention of both Amara and Gavin. 

"Your dad?" Gavin asked.

Salvia shook her head with a smile. "My future husband," she said, winking at Gavin. The transition from surprise to heartbreak was clear on Gavin's handsome face, causing Amara, who witnessed the reaction, to burst into laughter, playfully mocking Gavin for being rejected before he even had a chance to express his feelings. Meanwhile, Salvia simply chuckled softly, then said her goodbyes to Amara and Gavin before heading towards the car, where her uncle was waiting.

"Just keep Amara company, Vin. She's not here to pick me up," Salvia called out as she reached Devan's car. She then got into the car and, as usual, gave Devan a sweet kiss on the cheek with an innocent, adorable grin. At least, it was adorable to Devan, who was oblivious to the effect his cheeky niece was having.

"Who's that guy?" Devan asked, keeping his eyes on the man of his own age who was still standing by the car, watching them.

"Gavin. My classmate," Salvia replied matter-of-factly.

"Does he like you?" Devan asked, trying to confirm. He had noticed that the teenage boy seemed interested in Salvia and wanted to see how his niece would respond. Maybe she had feelings for him too.

"There are lots of people who like me, Uncle, not just him. Unfortunately, there's no one I like," Salvia said.

"Why?" Devan asked, raising his eyebrows in surprise.

"Because I like you, Uncle," Salvia responded.

She said it honestly, followed by a grin that made Devan's heart skip a beat. He couldn't quite explain why, but Salvia's candidness stirred something in him, leaving him speechless.

Devan tried to dismiss Salvia's comment as a joke, but he couldn't shake the seriousness he saw in her eyes. Despite his mind and heart struggling to process it, he chose not to respond. He decided to let the conversation end there and fill the rest of the journey with silence. It seemed Salvia, sensing the awkwardness, chose to remain quiet as well.

Salvia was quieter than usual, which was surprising. Devan, however, was reluctant to ask her about it. More precisely, he didn't want to get caught up in his own words. Even now, Devan wasn't sure how to respond to Salvia's confession.